Polyoxygenated dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrrole-4,5-dione derivatives from the marine mangrove-derived endophytic fungus Penicillium brocae MA-231 and their antimicrobial activity

A new polyoxygenated dihydropyrano[2,3-c]pyrrole-4,5-dione derivative, pyranonigrin F (1), together with a related known compound, pyranonigrin A (2), were isolated and identified from Penicillium brocae MA-231, an endophytic fungus obtained from the fresh tissue of the marine mangrove plant Avicennia marina. The structures of these metabolites were determined based on comprehensive spectral interpretation and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was established by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compounds 1, and 2 showed potent activity against a broad spectrum of human-, aqua-, and plant-pathogens.     

Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of three Tunisian Cistus: Cistus monspeliensisCistus villosus and Cistus libanotis☆

The chemical composition of three rockrose Cistus species, Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus libanotis and Cistus villosus, collected in Tunisia, was studied by HPTLC, focusing on the terpenes and phenols constituents. Diterpenes of Cistus are important as the main constituents of the leaf sticky aromatic resin, known as labdanum, which are highly appreciated in perfumery. Polyphenols in the methanolic extracts of each species were identified, quantified as total and as flavonoids and tannins, and tested for antioxidant activity. Diterpenes were evident in C. libanotis and C. monspeliensis, whereas they were practically absent in C. villosus; C. libanotis had higher phenolic amount, whereas antioxidant activities were important, but different according to the following tests: DPPH radical scavenging, conversion of the Fe^3+/ferricyanide complex and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. The reported data confirm the validity of utilisation of Cistus sp. in marketed herbal products, as well as the relevant presence of diterpenes in species actually not used for labdanum production.     

17β-雄甾醇-[3,2-b]-吲哚的合成

以表雄酮为原料,经羟基氧化、羰基保护、还原、Fischer吲哚环化等反应合成了17-β-醇-雄甾-[3,2-b]-吲哚(5),总收率43.2%,其结构经1H NMR,IR和MS确证。生物活性初步测试结果表明:与雄诺龙相比,5对淡色库蚊的杀虫活性显著提高,在浓度为400 mg·L-1时,杀虫率为41.5%。     

Zn or O? An Atomic Level Comparison on Antibacterial Activities of Zinc Oxides

For the first time, the influence of different types of atoms (Zn and O) on the antibacterial activities of nanosized ZnO was quantitatively evaluated with the aid of a 3D‐printing‐manufactured evaluation system. Two different outermost atomic layers were manufactured separately by using an ALD (atomic layer deposition) method. Interestingly, we found that each outermost atomic layer exhibited certain differences against gram‐positive or gram‐negative bacterial species. Zinc atoms as outermost layer (ZnO?Zn) showed a more pronounced antibacterial effect towards gram‐negative E. coli (Escherichia coli), whereas oxygen atoms (ZnO?O) showed a stronger antibacterial activity against gram‐positive S. aureus (Staphylococcus aureus). A possible antibacterial mechanism has been comprehensively discussed from different perspectives, including Zn²⁺ concentrations, oxygen vacancies, photocatalytic activities and the DNA structural characteristics of different bacterial species.     

Surface properties and antibacterial testing of a partially alicyclic polyimide film modified by RF plasma and NaOH/AgNO3 treatment

A polyimide containing alicyclic sequences was synthesized by a two steps solution polycondensation reaction and further processed into the film form for antibacterial purposes. The sample surface was activated by RF plasma treatment to ensure the biocide attachment by immersion in by NaOH/AgNO₃ solution. Surface properties of the synthesized polyimide film were analyzed by FTIR, contact angle and atomic force microscopy measurements, before and after the treatments with plasma and silver-based biocide. Antibacterial tests revealed that the pristine sample inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and this behavior is more pronounced after the biocide surface treatment. The differences in the biocidal activity were discussed in terms of sample and bacteria hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions.     

Facile scalable one-step wet-spinning of surgical sutures with shape memory function and antibacterial activity for wound healing

Surgical suture is commonly used in clinic due to its action in accelerating the process of wound healing.However,difficultly handling in minimally invasive surgery and bacteria-induced infection usually limit its use in a wide range of applications.Here,we report a facile scalable strategy to fabricate surgical sutures with shape memory function and antibacterial activity for wound healing.Specifically,a shape memory polyurethane(SMPU) with a transition temperature(T_(trans)) at 41.3℃ was synthesized by adjusting the mole ratio of the hard/soft segment,and then the shape memory surgical sutures containing polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride(PHMB) as a model drug for antibacterial activity were fabricated by a facile scalable one-step wet-spinning approach,in which PHMB was directly dissolved in the coagulation bath that enable its loading into the sutures through the dual diffusion during the phase separation.The prepared sutures were characterized by their morphology,mechanical properties,shape memory,antibacterial activity,as well as biocompatibility before the wound healing capability was tested in a mouse skin suture-wound model.It was demonstrated that the optimized suture is capable of both shape memory function and antibacterial activity,and promote wound healing,suggesting that the facile scalable one-step wet-spinning strategy provides a promising tool to fabricate surgical sutures for wound healing.     

Solvent- and Substrate-Induced Chiroptical Inversion in Amphiphilic,Biocompatible Glycoconjugate Supramolecules: Shape-Persistent Gelation,Self-Healing,and Antibacterial Activity

We have shown solvent- and substrate-dependent chiral inversion of a few glycoconjugate supramolecules. (Z)-F-Gluco, in which d -glucosamine has been attached chemically to Cbz-protected l -phenylalanine at the C terminus, forms a self-healing hydrogel through intertwining of the nanofibers wherein the gelators undergo lamellar packing in the β-sheet secondary structures with a single chiral handedness. Dihybrid (Z)-F-gluco nanocomposite gel was prepared by in-situ formation of silver nanoparticles AgNPs in the gel; this enhances the mechanical properties of the composite gel through physical crosslinking without altering the packing pattern. In contrast, (Z)-L-gluco bearing an l -leucine moiety does not form a hydrogel but an organogel. Interestingly, the chiral handedness of the aggregates of (Z)-L-gluco can be reversed by choosing suitable solvents. In addition to self-healing behavior, (Z)-L-gluco gel revealed shape persistency. Further, (Z)-F-gluco hydrogel is benign, nontoxic, non-immunogenic, and non-allergenic in animal cells. AgNP-loaded (Z)-F-gluco hydrogel showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Hyperbranched Kaustamin as an antibacterial for surface treatment

Hyperbranched Kaustamin as a commercially available cationic flocculant adsorbs on a glass surface with formation of the polymer film. Kaustamin has antimicrobial effect on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, its film on glass keeps integrity and shape after absorption of water from air, which make the polymer appropriate as an antibacterial cover.