Enhanced antimicrobial activity of peptide-cocktails against common bacterial contaminants of ex vivo stored platelets

AbstractBacterial contamination of blood components such as ex vivo-stored platelets is a major safety risk in transfusion medicine. We have recently shown that synthetic antimicrobial peptides named PD1–PD4 derived from the thrombin-induced human platelet-derived antimicrobial proteins, and repeats of Arg-Trp (RW1–RW5) demonstrate microbicidal activity against selected bacteria and viruses. In the present study, we selected PD3, PD4, RW2, RW3 and RW4 and evaluated each individual peptide and their various combinations to see whether the cocktail regimen enhances the antimicrobial activity above and over the individual peptides. Stored platelet or plasma samples spiked with known titres of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus were treated with either individual peptides or with peptides in various combinations. Analyses revealed that individual peptides show moderate microbicidal activity (10- to 100-fold reduction) against the tested bacteria relative to their combined regimen. The peptide combinations (RW2 + RW4, RW2 + RW3 + RW4 and PD4 + RW3 + RW4) on the other hand enhanced the microbicidal activity (c.10 000-fold reduction) and revealed a minimal inhibitory concentration of 5 μM. Time-kill kinetics indicated that these three peptide combinations exhibited enhanced antimicrobial activity bringing about a 100-fold reduction of bacterial titres within 20 min of incubation. The present study therefore demonstrates the synergistic effect of antimicrobial peptides when used in combinations and provides a proof-of-concept of its potential application as a molecular tool towards pathogen reduction and further extends the possibility of using peptide combinatorial therapeutics as broad-spectrum antibiotics or as alternatives to combat drug-resistant bacteria

Effect of Commiphora mukul gum resin on hepatic and renal marker enzymes, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants status in pancreas and heart in fructose fed insulin resistant rats

This work aims to study the antioxidant efficacy of Commiphora mukul (C. mukul) gum resin ethanolic extract in high fructose diet (HFD) insulin resistant rats. The male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight animals each; two of these groups (Control group [C] and Control treated with C. mukul [C + CM]) were fed with standard pellet diet and the other two groups (Fructose fed rats [F-group] and fructose fed with C. mukul treated group [F + CM]) were fed with high fructose diet (HFD) (66%). C. mukul gum resin ethanolic extract (200 mg/kg body weight/day) was administered orally to group C + CM and group F + CM. At the end of 60-day experimental period biochemical parameters related to antioxidant, oxidative stress marker enzymes and hepatic and renal marker enzymes of tissues were performed. The fructose fed rats showed increased level of enzymatic activities aspartate aminotransminases (AST), alanine aminotransminases (ALT) in liver and kidney and oxidative markers like lipid peroxidation (LPO) and protein oxidation (PO) in pancreas and heart. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly decreased in the pancreas and heart compared to control groups. Administration of C. mukul (200 mg/kg bwt) to fructose fed insulin resistant rats for 60 days significantly reversed the above parameters toward normal. In conclusion, our data indicate the preventive role of C. mukul against fructose-induced insulin resistance and oxidative stress; hence this plant could be used as an adjuvant therapy for the prevention and/or management of chronic diseases characterized by hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and aggravated antioxidant status

An Input Triggered Polymorphic ASIC for H.264 Decoding

This paper reports the design of an input-triggered polymorphic ASIC for H.264 baseline decoder. Hardware polymorphism is achieved by selectively reusing hardware resources at system and module level. Complete design is done using ESL design tools following a methodology that maintains consistency in testing and verification throughout the design flow. The proposed design can support frame sizes from QCIF to 1080p

Evaluation of efficacy, safety, and tolerability of fixed dose combination (FDC) of halometasone 0.05% and fusidic acid 2% w/w topical cream versus FDC of betamethasone valerate 0.12% and neomycin sulphate 0.5% w/w topical cream in the treatment of infected eczematous dermatosis in Indian subjects: A randomized open-label comparative phase III multi-centric trial

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fixed drug combination (FDC) halometasone 0.05% and fusidic acid 2% (group A) vs FDC betamethasone 0.12% and neomycin sulfate 0.5% cream (group B) in acute or chronic infected eczematous dermatosis, through a randomized open-label, comparative, multicentric study. Materials and Methods: A total of 152 patients were randomized to either Group A or Group B. EASI (Eczema Area and Severity Index), IGA (Investigator′s global assessment), scale for severity of eczema, pruritus, and safety parameters were assessed at baseline, Day 5/Day 10, Day 10/20, and Day 20/Day 30 for acute/chronic cases. Skin swabs were tested at screening, Day 10, and end of the study. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was the frequently encountered causative agent. There was a significant reduction within the study groups in EASI, IGA scales for severity of eczema, pruritus at various visits, compared to baseline. At the end of study, 83.87% in group A and 65.71% in group B were culture negative. Cure rate was 54.28% and 50% in group A and B, respectively. Five adverse events were reported in five patients, of which three patients withdrew from the study. Conclusion: Halometasone 0.05% and Fusidic acid 2% cream is effective, safe, well tolerated with comparable efficacy to the comparator in the treatment of acute and chronic infected eczematous dermatosis