Open reduction of carpometacarpal fracture dislocations: a case report

Dislocations of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints are uncommon injuries. Up to 70% of carpometacarpal dislocations are missed or misdiagnosed. Post traumatic dislocation of carpal and CMC joint results most commonly due to high energy trauma. A 24 year old male with right hand dominant presented 5 days after in emergency room with alleged history of fall from 4 feet height on right hand with wrist in extension. On clinical examination revealed marked swelling over dorsum of right hand with wound over volar aspect of hand. There was minimal movement of fingers due to pain. There was no finger paresthesia. CRT was normal. Radiography revealed a volar dislocation of 2nd to 5th CMC joint with intra-articular fracture of base of proximal phalanx of the thumb. He was treated by open reduction and percutaneous fixation using Kirschner wires. The functional results were excellent at 6 months of follow-up

Mechanism of Action of Surface Immobilized Antimicrobial Peptides Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Bacterial colonization and biofilm development on medical devices can lead to infection. Antimicrobial peptide-coated surfaces may prevent such infections. Melimine and Mel4 are chimeric cationic peptides showing broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity once attached to biomaterials and are highly biocompatible in animal models and have been tested in Phase I and II/III human clinical trials. These peptides were covalently attached to glass using an azidobenzoic acid linker. Peptide attachment was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and amino acid analysis. Mel4 when bound to glass was able to adopt a more ordered structure in the presence of bacterial membrane mimetic lipids. The ability of surface bound peptides to neutralize endotoxin was measured along with their interactions with the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane which were analyzed using DiSC(3)-5 and Sytox green, Syto-9, and PI dyes with fluorescence microscopy. Leakage of ATP and nucleic acids from cells were determined by analyzing the surrounding fluid. Attachment of the peptides resulted in increases in the percentage of nitrogen by 3.0% and 2.4%, and amino acid concentrations to 0.237 nmole and 0.298 nmole per coverslip on melimine and Mel4 coated surfaces, respectively. The immobilized peptides bound lipopolysaccharide and disrupted the cytoplasmic membrane potential of Pseudomonas aeruginosa within 15 min. Membrane depolarization was associated with a reduction in bacterial viability by 82% and 63% for coatings melimine and Mel4, respectively (p < 0.001). Disruption of membrane potential was followed by leakage of ATP from melimine (1.5 ± 0.4 nM) or Mel4 (1.3 ± 0.2 nM) coated surfaces compared to uncoated glass after 2 h (p < 0.001). Sytox green influx started after 3 h incubation with either peptide. Melimine coatings yielded 59% and Mel4 gave 36% PI stained cells after 4 h. Release of the larger molecules (DNA/RNA) commenced after 4 h for melimine (1.8 ± 0.9 times more than control; p = 0.008) and after 6 h with Mel4 (2.1 ± 0.2 times more than control; p < 0.001). The mechanism of action of surface bound melimine and Mel4 was similar to that of the peptides in solution, however, their immobilization resulted in much slower (approximately 30 times) kinetics

Utilization of fungal and bacterial bioremediation techniques for the treatment of toxic waste and biowaste

The escalating accumulation of toxic wastes and biowastes constitutes a critical environmental crisis that demands immediate and effective solutions. Traditional waste treatment methods, predominantly chemical and physical, are increasingly viewed as unsustainable, burdened by high operational costs and the risk of generating secondary pollutants. Against this backdrop, bioremediation emerges as a crucial and sustainable alternative, utilizing the natural detoxifying capabilities of microorganisms. This review article focuses on the use of fungal and bacterial strategies in bioremediation, emphasizing their vital role in the degradation, stabilization, or detoxification of pollutants. We provide an in-depth analysis of the mechanisms by which fungi and bacteria break down various contaminants, presenting a current snapshot of the field’s state of knowledge. The article highlights recent innovative advancements that improve the effectiveness and expand the applicability of bioremediation technologies. Moreover, it discusses the practical challenges of scaling these solutions to meet global environmental needs and suggests directions for future research and implementation. This synthesis not only underscores the significance of microbial bioremediation in addressing pressing environmental problems but also acts as a call to action for continued innovation in the sustainable management of hazardous wastes

The activity of antimicrobial peptoids against multidrug-resistant ocular pathogens

BackgroundOcular infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens can result in partial or complete vision loss. The development of pan-resistant microbial strains poses a significant challenge for clinicians as there are limited antimicrobial options available. Synthetic peptoids, which are sequence-specific oligo-N-substituted glycines, offer potential as alternative antimicrobial agents to target multidrug-resistant bacteria.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of synthesised peptoids against multidrug-resistant (MDR) ocular pathogens was evaluated using the microbroth dilution method. Hemolytic propensity was assessed using mammalian erythrocytes. Peptoids were also incubated with proteolytic enzymes, after which their minimum inhibitory activity against bacteria was re-evaluated.ResultsSeveral alkylated and brominated peptoids showed good inhibitory activity against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains at concentrations of ≤15&nbsp;μg&nbsp;mL-1 (≤12&nbsp;µM). Similarly, most brominated compounds inhibited the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at 1.9 to 15&nbsp;μg&nbsp;mL-1 (12&nbsp;µM). The N-terminally alkylated peptoids caused less toxicity to erythrocytes. The peptoid denoted as TM5 had a high therapeutic index, being non-toxic to either erythrocytes or corneal epithelial cells, even at 15 to 22 times its MIC. Additionally, the peptoids were resistant to protease activity.ConclusionsPeptoids studied here demonstrated potent activity against various multidrug-resistant ocular pathogens. Their properties make them promising candidates for controlling vision-related morbidity associated with eye infections by antibiotic-resistant strains

A Bioinformatics Resource for TWEAK-Fn14 Signaling Pathway

TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a new member of the TNF superfamily. It signals through TNFRSF12A, commonly known as Fn14. The TWEAK-Fn14 interaction regulates cellular activities including proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, tissue remodeling and inflammation. Although TWEAK has been reported to be associated with autoimmune diseases, cancers, stroke, and kidney-related disorders, the downstream molecular events of TWEAK-Fn14 signaling are yet not available in any signaling pathway repository. In this paper, we manually compiled from the literature, in particular those reported in human systems, the downstream reactions stimulated by TWEAK-Fn14 interactions. Our manual amassment of the TWEAK-Fn14 pathway has resulted in cataloging of 46 proteins involved in various biochemical reactions and TWEAK-Fn14 induced expression of 28 genes. We have enabled the availability of data in various standard exchange formats from NetPath, a repository for signaling pathways. We believe that this composite molecular interaction pathway will enable identification of new signaling components in TWEAK signaling pathway. This in turn may lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets in TWEAK-associated disorders

Electrochemical Performance of Nitrogen-Doped TiO2 Nanotubes as Electrode Material for Supercapacitor and Li-Ion Battery

Electrochemical anodized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes are of immense significance as electrochemical energy storage devices owing to their fast electron transfer by reducing the diffusion path and paving way to fabricating binder-free and carbon-free electrodes. Besides these advantages, when nitrogen is doped into its lattice, doubles its electrochemical activity due to enhanced charge transfer induced by oxygen vacancy. Herein, we synthesized nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) and studied its electrochemical performances in supercapacitor and as anode for a lithium-ion battery (LIB). Nitrogen doping into TiO2 was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The electrochemical performance of N-TiO2 nanotubes was outstanding with a specific capacitance of 835 μF cm−2 at 100 mV s−1 scan rate as a supercapacitor electrode, and it delivered an areal discharge capacity of 975 μA h cm−2 as an anode material for LIB which is far superior to bare TiO2 nanotubes (505 μF cm−2 and 86 μA h cm−2, respectively). This tailor-made nitrogen-doped nanostructured electrode offers great promise as next-generation energy storage electrode material.publishedVersio

Design, synthesis and mode of action of short biphenyl and anthranilamide cationic peptidomimetics

Antimicrobial resistance is a major worldwide threat to public health and there is an urgent need for the development of novel antibacterial agents. This research project focused on the development of short cationic peptidomimetics that employ 3'-amino-[1, 1 '-biphenyl)-3-carboxylic acid and anthranilic acidbackbones segregated by hydrophobic and cationic groups. The biphenyl peptidomimetic compounds showed that simple diaminoethanes and their respective guanidine cationic groups were sufficient to mimic lysine and arginine amino acids of natural antimicrobial peptides. The biphenyl backbone was important for antibacterial activity and tryptophan was important for bacterial cell membrane permeability. The most active compound showed good minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against S. aureus (15.6 μM) and E.coli (7.8 μM) but was inactive against P. aeruginosa strain PA01. Based on these results, anthranilamide derivatives with tryptophan and simple amine cationic groups were developed. The anthranilamide peptidomimetic compounds showed that the guanidine group was important for good antibacterial activity against S. aureus (3.9 μM), E.coli (15.6 μM), and these compounds had low cytotoxicity (>100 μM). Active compounds disrupted 75% of established S. aureus biofilms. Biphenyl could be used as an alternative to naphthoyl groups to give hydrophobic groups to the mimetics. Increasing the net charge by adding lysine decreased antibacterial activity compared to compounds containing simple amine groups but improved the compound's cytotoxicity.Various alkyl-substituted guanidine compounds were investigated. Increasing the lipophilicity (adding alkyl groups) at the guanidine residues decreased antibacterial activity. Increasing the cationicity increased antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa. The most active compound showed broad-spectrumantibacterial activity of against S. aureus (2.0 μM), E.coli (7.8 μM), and P. aeruginosa (32.0 μM). The active compounds at 4.0-8.0 μM showed significant disruption (55-77%) of preformed S. aureus biofilms and one compound at 15.6 μM disrupted 45% of E.coli biofilms. Peptidomimetics are promising future antibiotics. These compounds can potentially circumvent current antimicrobial resistance that is generated when bacteria produce biofilms

Short Cationic Peptidomimetic Antimicrobials

The rapid growth of antimicrobial resistance against several frontline antibiotics has encouraged scientists worldwide to develop new alternatives with unique mechanisms of action. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted considerable interest due to their rapid killing and broad-spectrum activity. Peptidomimetics overcome some of the obstacles of AMPs such as high cost of synthesis, short half-life in vivo due to their susceptibility to proteolytic degradation, and issues with toxicity. This review will examine the development of short cationic peptidomimetics as antimicrobials

Electrochemical Performance of Nitrogen-Doped TiO2 Nanotubes as Electrode Material for Supercapacitor and Li-Ion Battery

Electrochemical anodized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes are of immense significance as electrochemical energy storage devices owing to their fast electron transfer by reducing the diffusion path and paving way to fabricating binder-free and carbon-free electrodes. Besides these advantages, when nitrogen is doped into its lattice, doubles its electrochemical activity due to enhanced charge transfer induced by oxygen vacancy. Herein, we synthesized nitrogen-doped TiO2 (N-TiO2) and studied its electrochemical performances in supercapacitor and as anode for a lithium-ion battery (LIB). Nitrogen doping into TiO2 was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The electrochemical performance of N-TiO2 nanotubes was outstanding with a specific capacitance of 835 μF cm−2 at 100 mV s−1 scan rate as a supercapacitor electrode, and it delivered an areal discharge capacity of 975 μA h cm−2 as an anode material for LIB which is far superior to bare TiO2 nanotubes (505 μF cm−2 and 86 μA h cm−2, respectively). This tailor-made nitrogen-doped nanostructured electrode offers great promise as next-generation energy storage electrode material