Recent patents on biotechnology最新文献

Background: Biofilm production is a key factor in the development of antibiotic resistance in multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), a significant contributor to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Kaempferol, a flavonoid, is widely recognized for its ability to combat various microorganisms.

Aim: Our goal is to assess the impact of kaempferol on K. pneumoniae biofilms by determining the level of gene expression for the biofilm-forming genes.

Methods: Fifty K. pneumoniae isolates were studied. Different doses of kaempferol with a concentration range of 0.04 to 100% in Luria Bertani broth (LB) medium were incubated at 37℃ for 24 h with forty-three K. pneumoniae strong and intermediate biofilm producers. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of kaempferol was determined. Molecular detection of the biofilm-forming genes (mrkA, pgaA, wbbM, and wzm) was performed on all isolates before and after kaempferol treatment at 0.5 x MIC.

Results: Seven isolates out of 50 (14%) exhibited weak biofilm formation ability, 6 out of 50 (12%) were moderate producers, and 37 out of 50 (74%) were strong producers. The MIC values of kaempferol for K. pneumoniae ranged from 50% to 6.25% (p = 0.0003). The levels of expression of the studied genes were slightly decreased after treatment compared with their corresponding values before treatment.

Conclusion: Based on current knowledge, few research studies have investigated the impact of kaempferol on K. pneumoniae biofilms. Our results show that its effect on the biofilms of this bacterium is moderate to weak. Further research is necessary to determine potential synergies with other treatments.

Introduction: Medicines and herbal formulations are derived from different parts of medicinal plants, which are the best-known sources for treating various diseases. This research focuses on assessing the antimicrobial potential of crude extracts from the leaves and roots of Cenchrus biflorus Roxb.

Methods: Methanol, hydroethanol (50:50), and aqueous extracts were obtained using the Soxhlet extraction method. The disc diffusion method was used to study the antimicrobial activity of the extracts against a variety of test microorganisms, including bacteria (Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis) and fungus (Aspergillus niger). The disc diffusion method was used to assess bacterial susceptibility, revealing the potent inhibitory effect of the methanol extract on E. coli. All extracts demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against various microorganisms.

Results: Remarkably, methanol extract of leaf demonstrated the highest antibacterial activity, with a 16.3 ± 1.78 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI) with Activity Index (AI) of 0.875, and a Relative Percentage Inhibition (RPI) of 80 against E. coli, followed by Bacillus subtilis (ZOI = 15.5 ± 1.31 mm, AI = 0.869, RPI = 78.57). The methanol extract of the root showed strong antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (with a 12.9 ±1 mm ZOI, AI = 0.636, and RPI = 42.85), while the water extract of the root displayed 7.8 mm inhibition zones.

Discussion: Methanol and hydroethanol extracts of the leaf and root exhibited strong inhibitory effects against selected microbial strains. Each plant solvent extract suppressed microbial development in a distinct manner, and methanol and hydroethanol extracts inhibited microbial development more efficiently than aqueous extracts. Interestingly, water extracts had the least effective inhibitory effects across all strains. Notably, water extracts showed the weakest inhibitory effects against all strains.

Conclusion: The current study demonstrated the efficacy of crude extracts of Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. against the tested strains of bacteria and fungi and also discussed their potential application as antibacterial agents for combating infectious diseases.

The lifestyle of today's generation contributes to various health issues like cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. A significant factor contributing to these harmful lifestyle choices is the overconsumption of highly processed, energy-dense foods that are rich in saturated and trans fats, sodium, and added sugars, Conversely, adopting healthier dietary patterns that prioritize the intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats has been shown to protect against these chronic health conditions. Investigating the diverse health benefits of natural food sources requires a holistic approach encompassing dietary intake evaluations, laboratory and animal studies, and human clinical research. These investigations examine the antimicrobial, antioxidant, cancer-fighting, and blood sugar-regulating properties of compounds derived from plants. Studies indicate that diets abundant in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables supply crucial nutrients and biologically active substances such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which provide protective benefits against long-term disease conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Consequently, it is imperative to adjust our dietary practices and lifestyle choices to mitigate the risk of various ailments. Naturally occurring compounds such as curcumin, quercetin, kaempferol, and resveratrol, which are found in diverse food sources, have the potential to combat numerous diseases when incorporated into our diets. This review explores an array of compounds present in dietary sources and their associated biomedical properties, including their anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. Furthermore, it explores various dietrelated strategies designed to promote a healthier lifestyle, including the incorporation of a diverse range of fruits, vegetables, and spices rich in polyphenolic compounds into one's daily nutritional intake.

Blockchain technology has drawn a lot of interest in the healthcare industry in recent years. Efficient data management is crucial for pharmacies. Blockchain technology is a novel technology that has the potential to make many pharmaceutical processes safer and more transparent. In 2013, the US Congress created the Drug Supply Chain Security Act [DSCSA] to prevent the distribution of stolen, contaminated, or counterfeit drugs. Blockchain technology serves as an answer to this problem as it enables the tracking and tracing the product from manufacturer to patient through an electronic, immutable, digitized tracking record of all steps from inventory to consumer in the drug supply chain. To ensure the safety of a peer-to-peer network of transactions, blockchain technology employs cryptographic methods to create a distributed ledger that is not centralized. Incorporating it into a product ensures its safety and marketability. Blockchain technology offers solutions to enhance the validity, reliability, and efficiency of medication manufacturing by facilitating easy compliance with legislation. Additionally, it offers an opportunity to address a major problem: the proliferation of counterfeit drugs that enter the system and ultimately reach consumers. The pharmaceutical industry's deficient supply chain management results in counterfeit and fake drug entering the supply chain and negatively affecting patients' health, leading to serious complications or even death. Supply chain management may benefit from blockchain technology's transparency and immutability at every step of the process, which increases confidence, security, traceability, and transparency. Blockchain technology, designed to manage electronic data, holds promise for enhancing clarity. Every user of a computer network has access to the same immutable record of transactions known as a blockchain.

Introduction: Endovascular aortic repair involves the placement of stents through minimally invasive methods to seal rupture sites near the aortic inflow tract, thereby preventing blood entry into the false lumen and promoting thrombosis, which reduces the risk of aortic rupture. Endovascular stents typically consist of a metal framework and a flexible membrane graft designed to reopen obstructed aortic segments and maintain blood flow through the true lumen. Consequently, stents are widely used to treat aortic expansion diseases and aortic occlusive stenosis. However, traditional stents have limitations in terms of adaptability to complex anatomical structures, long-term durability, biomechanical stability, and reliance on radial support force for fixation, lacking active fixation mechanisms. These shortcomings remain the primary causes of postoperative complications, significantly impacting the quality of life for patients with aortic dissection.

Methods: The research status of the endovascular stent was discussed in depth, and the main factors for the optimal design of the stent (geometry, pattern configuration, additional fixtures, and optimization methods) were analyzed and summarized according to the complications targeted by the repair device.

Results: The composition structure, working principle, and development status of the stent grafts under review are elaborated in detail. Stent grafts attempt to alleviate postoperative complications through three approaches: enhancing the flexibility of the stent framework, improving the fit between the vessel wall and the stent, and reducing vascular injury. Blood flow guiding channels are established to alleviate the obstruction of branch blood flow. Additional self-anchoring devices are added to adapt to the dynamic remodeling of blood vessels.

Discussion: The effects of various factors, including geometric parameters, structural design, and parameter optimization techniques, on the optimization of stent primary mechanical performance are discussed. The current research status of functional improvement methods for stents is also summarized.

Conclusion: Refining the quantitative relationship between stent structural parameters and mechanical performance, as well as exploring the balance criteria between flexibility and radial support force, represent promising directions for future development. These objectives necessitate further in-depth analysis and research.

The horseshoe crab, a Xiphosurid species with an ancient lineage that dates back 450 million years, has proven to be a precious asset to the pharmaceutical industry. The blood extracted from these creatures is an irreplaceable component in detecting bacterial endotoxins, crucially important in pharmaceutical and functional settings. Unfortunately, these living ancient organisms are threatened from multiple perspectives and are now considered endangered. While efforts to conserve these creatures are underway, exploring technologies for their conservation can help us understand the latest advancements in the field and shed light on areas that have not yet been targeted. This analytical report is the first of its kind in this domain and provides a comprehensive overview of the available patents associated with the conservation of horseshoe crabs. The analysis is based on an extensive dataset (413) that describes technology for conservation of these living fossils, with a focus on recombinant proteins that can be a viable alternative to the mass utilization of the horseshoe crabs for the extraction of limulus amoebocyte lysate. Other technological advances which advocate cell-free hemolymph production and the use of artificial baits to replace the traditional grassroot practices, procedures related to efficient breeding, growth, hatching and release from artificial culture systems can go a long way in the conservation of these living fossils. Transitioning to recombinant Factor C, a ban on horseshoe crab baits, diversity mapping through genetic markers and artificial breeding techniques are some of the measures that can be manifested at the policy level to enhance conservation efforts.

Microalgae are promising and sustainable sources of blue food proteins, offering high nutritional quality, environmental resilience, and the potential to meet the rising demand for alternative proteins. Despite these advantages, several challenges hinder their large-scale adoption, including production costs, regulatory barriers, protein extraction difficulties, and consumer perception. This review explores the key factors limiting the use of microalgae in the food industry, addressing economic and technological feasibility, regulatory aspects, and consumer acceptance. The analysis includes commonly used microalgae species, their nutritional profiles, and strategies for optimizing their incorporation into food products. Moreover, developing circular biorefineries and utilizing industrial wastewater for cultivation presents a viable solution to reduce costs and enhance sustainability. Additionally, advancements in protein extraction techniques, combined with technological innovations such as microencapsulation, may overcome sensory challenges, expanding consumer acceptance of microalgae-enriched products. Raising consumer awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of microalgae is also crucial for market adoption. Given the global need for sustainable food sources, microalgae represent a viable alternative but require scientific, regulatory, and strategic advancements to become a widely adopted solution in the alternative protein industry.

Introduction: Aeromonas hydrophila, a rod-shaped, gram-negative bacterium, is frequently found in aquatic surroundings and additionally present in drinking water, sewage, and food sources. This microbe is gaining recognition as a potential threat to health, classifying it as an emerging pathogen. Biosurfactants are microbial-derived compounds that share hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that are surface active. This study aimed to investigate the effect of biosurfactant isolated from Actinobacteria on the expression of the bfp gene of A. hydrophila isolated from the stool samples of children referred to Hazrat Masoumeh Hospital in Qom, Iran, from May 2022 to March 2023.

Materials and methods: Actinobacteria were isolated from soil samples of the desert areas of Qom province, Iran. Biochemical and molecular tests of 16S rRNA were used to identify Actinobacteria isolates. The produced biosurfactant was investigated by methods of hemolysis, oil droplet destruction, lipase production, oil expansion, emulsifying activity, and surface tension reduction measurement. The structure of biosurfactant was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, and its effect on bfp gene expression was measured. Also, isolates of A. hydrophila were obtained from stool samples of children referred to Hazrat Masoumeh Hospital in Qom from May 2022 to March 2023. Then, the effect of a biosurfactant isolated from Actinobacteria on the bfp gene expression of A. hydrophila isolates was measured by RT-PCR.

Results: Based on sequencing data, the Streptomyces genus with the ability to produce biosurfactant was isolated from the soil of the studied area, which could reduce the expression of the bfp gene after treatment with biosurfactant in clinical isolates of A. hydrophila.

Conclusion: The findings of the present study show that the desert soils of Qom province are a potential area for finding actinobacterial isolates with the ability to produce biosurfactants and influence the expression of pathogenic genes of clinical isolates of A. hydrophila.

Biosensors are devices that generate signals by interaction of biological elements and analytes, mainly based on their concentration. These are especially composed of enzymes or antibodies. They are associated with a physio-chemical transducer. Their rapid, simple, and real-time detection is of great importance in chemistry, analysis, and drug discovery and development. Phytoconstituents are biologically active compounds mainly synthesized by plants to support their growth and defend against various stresses. Medicinal plants and their products have a vast history of use in traditional medicine, but they are not reliable due to their narrow range and adverse and toxic effects. Moreover, they have vast therapeutic effects on humans, from antibiotics to anti-neoplastic agents. Hence, there is a need for an efficient method to detect and measure these phytoconstituents, and biosensors seem to be the solution. This article provides an overview of various biosensors that can be utilized to identify widely used phytoconstituents, also known as secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and phenolic compounds. The article discusses different types of biosensors, including impedimetric immunosensors, Riboswitch-based biosensors, DNA biosensors, electrochemical biosensors, and others.