The effect of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles on the expression of CYP51A and HSP90 antifungal resistance genes in Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus

One-Step Synthesis of Antimicrobial Polypeptide-Selenium Nanoparticles Exhibiting Broad-Spectrum Efficacy against Bacteria and Fungi with Superior Resistance Prevention

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) necessitates innovative strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. In response, we developed a rapid one-step method to sythesize antimicrobial peptide (AMP) ε-poly-L-lysine stabilized selenium nanoparticles (ε-PL-Se NPs). These polycrystalline NPs with highly positive net surface charges, exhibited superior antimicrobial activity against a broad panel of pathogens, including the Gram-positive and -negative bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their drug-resistant counterparts, as well as the yeast Candida albicans. Notably, 10PL-Se NPs exhibited 6-log reduction of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) at a concentration of 5 μg/mL within 90 min, with minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) below 50 μg/mL for all tested bacterial strains. The minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 10PL-Se NPs against C. albicans was 26 ± 10 μg/mL. Crucially, bacteria exposed to ε-PL-Se NPs exhibited significantly delayed resistance development compared to the conventional antibiotic kanamycin. S. aureus developed resistance to kanamycin after ∼72 generations, whereas resistance to 10PL-Se NPs emerged after ∼216 generations. Remarkably, E. coli showed resistance to kanamycin after ∼39 generations but failed to develop resistance to 10PL-Se NPs even after 300 generations. This work highlights the synergistic interactions between ε-PL and Se NPs, offering a robust and scalable strategy to combat AMR.

Laboratory Biochemical and Hematological Parameters: Early Predictive Biomarkers for Diagnosing Hepatitis C Virus Infection

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide concern, causing liver damage and necessitating early detection to prevent its spread. Studies indicate that evaluating changes in biochemical and hematological parameters, which serve as suitable predictors of inflammation, can be a reasonable method for diagnosing hepatitis C infection.

METHODS

This study analyzed 100 samples from high-risk patients positively identified via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Anti-HCV titers, biochemical and inflammatory tests, and complete blood cell counts (CBCs) were performed for these individuals. Additionally, 100 HCV-negative individuals with normal laboratory results were selected as the control group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to determine the cutoff values of the laboratory parameters.

RESULTS

According to the findings, the age, average white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and ferritin levels were significantly higher in HCV patients. On the other hand, red blood cell (RBC) counts, neutrophils, lymphocytes, hemoglobin-to-platelet ratio (HPR), and iron (Fe) levels were significantly lower in the case group compared to those in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the ROC curve analysis revealed that lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, and PLR were very strong predictors for hepatitis C infection (p < 0.0001, AUC = 1).

CONCLUSION

The study highlights significant biochemical and hematological differences between HCV patients and healthy subjects. These biomarkers are crucial for early diagnosis, potentially preventing liver damage and reducing HCV transmission.

Biomedical Promise of Aspergillus Flavus-Biosynthesized Selenium Nanoparticles: A Green Synthesis Approach to Antiviral, Anticancer, Anti-Biofilm, and Antibacterial Applications

This study utilized Aspergillus flavus to produce selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) in an environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable manner, targeting several medicinal applications. These biosynthesized Se-NPs were meticulously characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV), revealing their spherical shape and size ranging between 28 and 78 nm. We conducted further testing of Se-NPs to evaluate their potential for biological applications, including antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antibiofilm activities. The results indicate that biosynthesized Se-NPs could be effective against various pathogens, including Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028), Bacillus pumilus (ATCC 14884), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Clostridium sporogenes (ATCC 19404), Escherichia coli (ATCC 8739), and Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633). Additionally, the biosynthesized Se-NPs exhibited anticancer activity against three cell lines: pancreatic carcinoma (PANC1), cervical cancer (Hela), and colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), with IC50 values of 177, 208, and 216 μg/mL, respectively. The nanoparticles demonstrated antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HAV, achieving inhibition rates of 66.4% and 15.1%, respectively, at the maximum non-toxic concentration, while also displaying antibiofilm and antioxidant properties. In conclusion, the biosynthesized Se-NPs by A. flavus present a promising avenue for various biomedical applications with safe usage.

Cq values as an indicator for COVID-19 outcomes: A study of the correlation between laboratory parameters

OBJECTIVE

The ongoing outbreak of the respiratory disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently presenting a major global health threat. This pandemic is unprecedented in recent human history. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between cycle quantitation (Cq) and laboratory parameters in COVID-19 patients, aiming to determine if Cq levels can provide valuable insights into the COVID-19 disease.

METHODS

This study involved 234 participants who were divided into case and control groups. Real-time PCR tests were used to diagnose COVID-19 cases in the study participants. Blood tests, including complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer, IgG, and IgM, were also conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22 software.

RESULTS

The findings showed that COVID-19-positive cases had significantly higher levels of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), D-dimer, ESR, CRP, and LDH compared to normal cases. Additionally, the case group had significantly lower lymphocyte and platelet counts. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between Cq levels and lymphocyte count (r = .124, p = .014). Conversely, there was a statistically significant inverse correlation between Cq levels and NLR (r = -.208, p = .017). Furthermore, the evaluation of hematological, inflammatory, and biochemical indexes in COVID-19 patients using the receiver-operating characteristics curve demonstrated statistically appropriate sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSION

Our outcomes indicated a significant association between Cq levels and PLR, NLR, D-dimer, CRP, and ESR in COVID-19 patients. Consequently, including the report of laboratory parameters alongside Cq values offers a promising prognosis.

In vitro assessment of the effect of magnetic fields on efficacy of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles by Alborzia kermanshahica

Cyanobacteria represent a rich resource of a wide array of unique bioactive compounds that are proving to be potent sources of anticancer drugs. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have shown an increasing potential as major therapeutic platforms and led to the production of higher levels of ROS that can present desirable anticancer properties. Chitosan-SeNPs have also presented antitumor properties against hepatic cancer cell lines, especially the Cht-NP (Chitosan-NPs), promoting ROS generation and mitochondria dysfunction. It is proposed that magnetic fields can add new dimensions to nanoparticle applications. Hence, in this study, the biosynthesis of SeNPs using Alborzia kermanshahica and chitosan (CS) as stabilizers has been developed. The SeNPs synthesis was performed at different cyanobacterial cultivation conditions, including control (without magnetic field) and magnetic fields of 30 mT and 60 mT. The SeNPs were characterized by uv-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, and TEM. In addition, the antibacterial activity, inhibition of bacterial growth, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), as well as the antifungal activity and cytotoxicity of SeNPs, were performed. The results of uv-visible spectrometry, DLS, and zeta potential showed that 60 mT had the highest value regarding the adsorption, size, and stabilization in compared to the control. FTIR spectroscopy results showed consistent spectra, but the increased intensity of peaks indicates an increase in bond number after exposure to 30 mT and 60 mT. The results of the antibacterial activity and the inhibition zone diameter of synthesized nanoparticles showed that Staphylococcus aureus was more sensitive to nanoparticles produced under 60 mT. Se-NPs produced by Alborzia kermanshahica cultured under a 60 mT magnetic field exhibit potent antimicrobial and anticancer properties, making them a promising natural agent for use in the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries.

Multifaceted chemical and bioactive features of Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2 core/shell nanoparticles biosynthesized using Beta vulgaris L. extract

Due to increasing concerns about environmental impact and toxicity, developing green and sustainable methods for nanoparticle synthesis is attracting significant interest. This work reports the successful green synthesis of silver (Ag), silver-titanium dioxide (Ag@TiO2), and silver-selenium dioxide (Ag@SeO2) nanoparticles (NPs) using Beta vulgaris L. extract. Characterization by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDX confirmed the successful formation of uniformly distributed spherical NPs with controlled size (25 ± 4.9 nm) and desired elemental composition. All synthesized NPs and the B. vulgaris extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging activity, indicating significant antioxidant potential. However, Ag@SeO2 displayed lower hemocompatibility compared to other NPs, while Ag@SeO2 and the extract demonstrated reduced inflammation in a carrageenan-induced paw edema animal model. Interestingly, Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2 exhibited strong antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotia sclerotium, as evidenced by TEM and FTIR analyses. Generally, the findings suggest that B. vulgaris-derived NPs possess diverse biological activities with potential applications in various fields such as medicine and agriculture. Ag@TiO2 and Ag@SeO2, in particular, warrant further investigation for their potential as novel bioactive agents.

Antibacterial Potential of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Berberine Extract Against Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The emergence of multidrug resistance in bacterial infections has limited the use of antibiotics. Helping the action of antibiotics is one of the needs of the day. Today, the biosynthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is considered due to its safety and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we investigated the effect of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by Berberine plant extract against standard strains of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Utilized UV-Vis, FTIR, FESEM/EDX, XRD, DLS, and Zeta potential techniques to confirm the biosynthesis of NPs. Then, disk diffusion agar (DDA) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were performed using common classes of standard antibiotics and AgNPs on the mentioned bacteria. The synergistic action between AgNPs and antibiotics was evaluated by the checkerboard method. First, we obtained the confirmation results of the biosynthesis of AgNPs. According to the DDA test, both standard bacterial strains were sensitive to NPs and had an inhibition zone. Also, the MIC values showed that AgNPs inhibit the growth of bacteria at lower concentrations than antibiotics. On the other hand, the results obtained from checkerboard monitoring showed that AgNPs, in combination with conventional antibiotics, have a synergistic effect. The advantage of this study was comparing the antibacterial effect of AgNPs alone and mixed with antibiotics. The antibacterial sensitivity tests indicated that the desired bacterial strains could not grow even in low concentrations of AgNPs. This property can be applied in future programs to solve the drug resistance of microorganisms in bacterial diseases.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-023-01136-y.

Effect of lipopeptide extracted from Bacillus licheniformis on the expression of bap and luxI genes in multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Recently, opportunistic pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa have caused concern due to their ability to cause antibiotic resistance in weakened immune systems. As a result, researchers are always seeking efficient antimicrobial agents to tackle this issue. The hypothesis of the recent study was that probiotic products derived from bacteria would be effective in reducing drug resistance in other bacteria. This research aimed to investigate the antimicrobial properties of probiotic products from various bacterial strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Pediococcus acidilactisi, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis. These were tested against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) standard strains A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa. B. licheniformis was found to be the most effective probiotic strain, possessing the LanA and LanM lantibiotic genes. The lipopeptide nature of the probiotic product was confirmed through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The anti-biofilm and antimicrobial properties of this probiotic were measured using an SEM electron microscope and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. Real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to compare the expression of bap and luxI genes, which are considered virulence factors of drug-resistant bacteria, before and after treatment with antimicrobial agents. The MIC results showed that the probiotic product prevented the growth of bacteria at lower concentrations compared to antibiotics. In addition, the ΔΔCqs indicated that gene expression was significantly down-regulated following treatment with the obtained probiotic product. It was found that B. licheniformis probiotic products could reduce drug resistance in other bacteria, making it a potential solution to antibiotic resistance.

Fungi-mediated synthesis of nanoparticles: characterization process and agricultural applications

In the field of nanotechnology, the use of biologically active products from fungi for the reduction and synthesis of nanoparticles as an alternative to toxic chemicals has received extensive attention, due to their production of large quantities of proteins, high yields, easy handling, and the low toxicity of the residues. Fungi have become valuable tools for the manufacture of nanoparticles in comparison with other biological systems because of their enhanced growth control and diversity of metabolites, including enzymes, proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, and other macro-molecules. The ability to use different species of fungi and to perform the synthesis under different conditions enables the production of nanoparticles with different physicochemical characteristics. Fungal nanotechnology has been used to develop and offer products and services in the agricultural, medicinal, and industrial sectors. Agriculturally, it has found applications in plant disease management, crop improvement, biosensing, and the production of environmentally friendly, non-toxic pesticides and fertilizers to enhance agricultural production in general. The subject of this review is the application of fungi in the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles, characterization, and possible applications of fungal nanoparticles in the diverse agricultural sector. The literature shows potential uses of fungi in biogenic synthesis, enabling the production of nanoparticles with different physiognomies. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Nanotechnology-Based Strategies to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Candida auris Infections

An emerging multidrug-resistant pathogenic yeast called Candida auris has a high potential to spread quickly among hospitalized patients and immunodeficient patients causing nosocomial outbreaks. It has the potential to cause pandemic outbreaks in about 45 nations with high mortality rates. Additionally, the fungus has become resistant to decontamination techniques and can survive for weeks in a hospital environment. Nanoparticles might be a good substitute to treat illnesses brought on by this newly discovered pathogen. Nanoparticles have become a trend and hot topic in recent years to combat this fatal fungus. This review gives a general insight into the epidemiology of C. auris and infection. It discusses the current conventional therapy and mechanism of resistance development. Furthermore, it focuses on nanoparticles, their different types, and up-to-date trials to evaluate the promising efficacy of nanoparticles with respect to C. auris.

A Review of the Antibacterial, Fungicidal and Antiviral Properties of Selenium Nanoparticles

The resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial drugs is an important problem worldwide. To solve this problem, active searches for antimicrobial components, approaches and therapies are being carried out. Selenium nanoparticles have high potential for antimicrobial activity. The relevance of their application is indisputable, which can be noted due to the significant increase in publications on the topic over the past decade. This review of research publications aims to provide the reader with up-to-date information on the antimicrobial properties of selenium nanoparticles, including susceptible microorganisms, the mechanisms of action of nanoparticles on bacteria and the effect of nanoparticle properties on their antimicrobial activity. This review describes the most complete information on the antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects of selenium nanoparticles.

Using inorganic nanoparticles to fight fungal infections in the antimicrobial resistant era

Fungal infections pose a serious threat to human health and livelihoods. The number and variety of clinically approved antifungal drugs is very limited, and the emergence and rapid spread of resistance to these drugs means the impact of fungal infections will increase in the future unless alternatives are found. Despite the significance and major challenges associated with fungal infections, this topic receives significantly less attention than bacterial infections. A major challenge in the development of fungi-specific drugs is that both fungi and mammalian cells are eukaryotic and have significant overlap in their cellular machinery. This lack of fungi-specific drug targets makes human cells vulnerable to toxic side effects from many antifungal agents. Furthermore, antifungal drug resistance necessitates higher doses of the drugs, leading to significant human toxicity. There is an urgent need for new antifungal agents, specifically those that can limit the emergence of new resistant species. Non-drug nanomaterials have primarily been explored as antibacterial agents in recent years; however, they are also a promising source of new antifungal candidates. Thus, this article reviews current research on the use of inorganic nanoparticles as antifungal agents. We also highlight challenges facing antifungal nanoparticles and discuss possible future research opportunities in this field. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Fungal infections pose a growing threat to human health and livelihood. The rapid spread of resistance to current antifungal drugs has led to an urgent need to develop alternative antifungals. Nanoparticles have many properties that could make them useful antimycotic agents. To the authors' knowledge, there is no published review so far that has comprehensively summarized the current development status of antifungal inorganic nanomaterials, so we decided to fill this gap. In this review, we discussed the state-of-the-art research on antifungal inorganic nanoparticles including metal, metal oxide, transition-metal dichalcogenides, and inorganic non-metallic particle systems. Future directions for the design of inorganic nanoparticles with higher antifungal efficacy and lower toxicity are described as a guide for further development in this important area.

Effect of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles using Nepeta extract against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii

The problems of drug resistance in bacteria have become one of the daily challenges of the clinical treatment of patients, which inevitably forces us to use agents other than common antibiotics. Among these, we can take help from different properties and applications of nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, we evaluate the antibacterial activity of biosynthesized selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) against standard strains of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. The production of biosynthesized SeNPs was proved by ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffractometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, Dynamic light scattering, and Zeta potential methods. The cytotoxicity effect of SeNPs was investigated by MTT assay. Disk diffusion agar (DDA) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) tests were performed on the mentioned bacteria using different classes of standard antibiotics and SeNPs separately. The impact of SeNPs combined with the desired antibiotics for better treatment of these infections was evaluated by checkerboard assay to determine the synergism effect. After the confirmation results based on the biosynthesis of SeNPs, both standard bacterial strains were susceptible to SeNPs and had a zone of inhibition using the DDA test. Also, the results of MICs showed that biosynthesized SeNPs in lower concentrations than antibiotics cause no growth of bacteria. On the other hand, according to the checkerboard assay, SeNPs had a synergistic effect with conventional antibiotics. The antibacterial sensitivity tests demonstrated the inhibition of bacterial growth in the presence of lower concentrations of SeNPs than common antibiotics. This property can be exerted in future applications to solve the drug resistance obstacle of microorganisms in bacterial diseases.

Mechanisms of Antifungal Properties of Metal Nanoparticles

The appearance of resistant species of fungi to the existent antimycotics is challenging for the scientific community. One emergent technology is the application of nanotechnology to develop novel antifungal agents. Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have shown promising results as an alternative to classical antimycotics. This review summarizes and discusses the antifungal mechanisms of metal NPs, including combinations with other antimycotics, covering the period from 2005 to 2022. These mechanisms include but are not limited to the generation of toxic oxygen species and their cellular target, the effect of the cell wall damage and the hyphae and spores, and the mechanisms of defense implied by the fungal cell. Lastly, a description of the impact of NPs on the transcriptomic and proteomic profiles is discussed.

Effect of Phytosynthesized Selenium and Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles on Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) against Stripe Rust Disease

In this study, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) were synthesized by using the extract of Melia azedarach leaves, and Acorus calamusas rhizomes, respectively, and investigated for the biological and sustainable control of yellow, or stripe rust, disease in wheat. The green synthesized NPs were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SeNPs and CeONPs, with different concentrations (i.e., 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/L), were exogenously applied to wheat infected with Puccinia striformis. SeNPs and CeONPs, at a concentration of 30 mg/L, were found to be the most suitable concentrations, which reduced the disease severity and enhanced the morphological (plant height, root length, shoot length, leaf length, and ear length), physiological (chlorophyll and membrane stability index), biochemical (proline, phenolics and flavonoids) and antioxidant (SOD and POD) parameters. The antioxidant activity of SeNPs and CeONPs was also measured. For this purpose, different concentrations (50, 100, 150, 200 and 400 ppm) of both SeNPs and CeONPs were used. The concentration of 400 ppm most promoted the DPPH, ABTS and reducing power activity of both SeNPs and CeONPs. This study is considered the first biocompatible approach to evaluate the potential of green synthesized SeNPs and CeONPs to improve the health of yellow, or stripe rust, infected wheat plants and to provide an effective management strategy to inhibit the growth of Puccinia striformis.

Interventional Effect of Nanosilver Paint on Fungal Load of Indoor Air in a Hospital Ward

Hospital ward environments contain various types of microorganisms, in which fungal agents are one of the main contaminants that may cause hospital-acquired infections. Regarding this, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of nanosilver paint on reducing fungal contaminants of indoor air in an educational, research, and treatment center. Two rooms in the hematology ward were selected. One room was painted using usual paint (control room) and the other room was painted with paint containing nanosilver particles (experimental room). One hundred and twelve samples were collected using active (Anderson BioSampler) and passive (settle plate or open plate) air sampling techniques. The samples were incubated for 3–7 days at 35°C, and the positive fungal cultures were examined according to morphological and microscopic characteristics. Following active sampling, the mean and standard deviation of the number of colony-forming units (CFU/m³) of fungi colonies in the experimental and control rooms were 29.21 ± 17.99 and 22.50 ± 10.02 before intervention and 13.79 ± 6.20 and 31.07 ± 21.1 after intervention, respectively. Following passive sampling, the number of CFU/plate in the experimental and control rooms was 6 and 0 before and 1and 1 after intervention, respectively. The use of the nanosilver paint was effective in reducing air fungal contamination. Moreover, the active sampling method was more sensitive to measuring the concentration changes for fungal bioaerosols.