Immunomodulation and Generation of Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells by Probiotic Bacteria in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), the therapeutic benefit and mucosal healing from specific probiotics may relate to the modulation of dendritic cells (DCs). Herein, we assessed the immunomodulatory effects of four probiotic strains including Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis natto on the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, cytokine production and gene expression of signal-transducing receptors in DCs from IBD patients. Human monocyte-derived DCs from IBD patients and healthy controls were exposed to four probiotic strains. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules was assessed and supernatants were analyzed for anti-inflammatory cytokines. The gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), IL-12p40 and integrin \u3b1v\u3b28 were also analyzed. CD80 and CD86 were induced by most probiotic strains in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients whereas only B. bifidum induced CD80 and CD86 expression in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. IL-10 and TGF-\u3b2 production was increased in a dose-independent manner while TLR expression was decreased by all probiotic bacteria except B. bifidum in DCs from UC patients. TLR-4 and TLR-9 expression was significantly downregulated while integrin f8 was significantly increased in the DCs from CD patients. IL-12p40 expression was only significantly downregulated in DCs from CD patients. Our findings point to the general beneficial effects of probiotics in DC immunomodulation and indicate that probiotic bacteria favorably modulate the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, proinflammatory cytokines and TLRs in DCs from IBD patients

Hydrothermally Synthesized CuO Powders for Photocatalytic Inactivation of Bacteria

Various morphologies of monoclinic CuO powders were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment of copper nitrate, copper acetate or copper sulfate. The synthesized samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry. Antibacterial activity of the samples was studied against Escherichia coli bacteria in dark and under visible light irradiation. Although the different precursors yielded the same band gap energies ( ≈1.6 eV) for the synthesized CuO samples, they resulted in various morphologies (hierarchy of stabilized micro/nanostructures), specific surface areas, concentrations of OH-surface groups, and visible light photocatalytic performances. The CuO nanorods synthesized from nitrate hydrothermal bath not only exhibited a considerable effective surface area, but also showed the highest concentration of absorbed OH-groups and subsequently, the strongest (photo)catalytic antibacterial properties ( ≈37 and 94% inactivation of the bacteria in dark and under visible light irradiation, respectively)

Improving gas sensor properties of encapsulated ZnO nanorods for ethanol detection using ZnO:Cr layer as an encapsulated layer

In this study, encapsulated ZnO nanorods with different amount of chromium (Cr) dopant (0-4.5 at.%) were prepared with hydrothermal method, and their sensitivities as gas sensors against ethanol vapor were investigated. Morphologies of samples were explored by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) which showed that encapsulation process increased the diameter of ZnO nanorods. Existence of Cr in ZnO nanorods structures was confirmed by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the ZnO:Cr nanorods had wurtzite crystal structure, and adding Cr did not alter the crystal structure of ZnO. Electrical measurements revealed that current levels of samples were decreased by adding Cr, while the current level of the sample with 4.5 at.% was increased. This reduction could be attributed to the presence of Cr3+ ions, which led to decrease of charge carriers. Besides, due to the catalytic properties of Cr and its lower ionization energy than Zn, it was observed that Cr dopant improved the detection sensitivity of samples, and decreased the optimum operating temperature of samples. Among all samples, the most sensitivity (14) was obtained based on the sample with 1.5 at.% of Cr for 500 ppm ethanol vapor at the optimum temperature (250 ). In fact, by encapsulating the samples, they became rougher, so the appropriate places to absorb and decompose of gas molecules are increased

How Does COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Incidence of Clostridioides difficile Infection and Exacerbation of Its Gastrointestinal Symptoms?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread all over the world with a very high rate of mortality. Different symptoms developed by COVID-19 infection and its impacts on various organs of the human body have highlighted the importance of both coinfections and superinfections with other pathogens. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is vulnerable to infection with COVID-19 and can be exploited as an alternative transmission route and target for virus entry and pathogenesis. The GI manifestations of COVID-19 disease are associated with severe disease outcomes and death in all age groups, in particular, elderly patients. Empiric antibiotic treatments for microbial infections in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in addition to experimental antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs may increase the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Alterations of gut microbiota are associated with depletion of beneficial commensals and enrichment of opportunistic pathogens such as C. difficile. Hence, the main purpose of this review is to explain the likely risk factors contributing to higher incidence of CDI in patients with COVID-19. In addition to lung involvement, common symptoms observed in COVID-19 and CDI such as diarrhea, highlight the significance of bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients. In particular, hospitalized elderly patients who are receiving antibiotics might be more prone to CDI. Indeed, widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as clindamycin, cephalosporins, penicillin, and fluoroquinolones can affect the composition and function of the gut microbiota of patients with COVID-19, leading to reduced colonization resistance capacity against opportunistic pathogens such as C. difficile, and subsequently develop CDI. Moreover, patients with CDI possibly may have facilitated the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in their feces for approximately one month, even though the nasopharyngeal test turned negative. This coinfection may increase the potential transmissibility of both SARS-CoV-2 and C. difficile by fecal materials. Also, CDI can complicate the outcome of COVID-19 patients, especially in the presence of comorbidities or for those patients with prior exposure to the healthcare setting. Finally, physicians should remain vigilant for possible SARS-CoV-2 and CDI coinfection during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the excessive use of antimicrobials and biocides