As there are sparse data on the impact of growth media on the phenomenon of biofilm development for Candida we evaluated the efficacy of three culture media on growth, adhesion and biofilm formation of two pathogenic yeasts, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The planktonic phase yeast growth, either as monocultures or mixed cultures, in sabouraud dextrose broth (SDB), yeast nitrogen base (YNB), and RPMI 1640 was compared, and adhesion as well as biofilm formation were monitored using MTT and crystal violet (CV) assays and scanning electron microscopy. Planktonic cells of C. albicans, C. tropicalis and their 1:1 co-culture showed maximal growth in SDB. C. albicans/C. tropicalis adhesion was significantly facilitated in RPMI 1640 although the YNB elicited the maximum growth for C. tropicalis. Similarly, the biofilm growth was uniformly higher for both species in RPMI 1640, and C. tropicalis was the slower biofilm former in all three media. Scanning electron microscopy images tended to confirm the results of MTT and CV assay. Taken together, our data indicate that researchers should pay heed to the choice of laboratory culture media when comparing relative planktonic/biofilm growth of Candida. There is also a need for standardisation of biofilm development media so as to facilitate cross comparisons between laboratories.

The antibacterial activity of 21 nm TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and particles modified with Garcinia zeylanica (G. zeylanica) against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus was investigated in the presence and absence of light. Surface modification of TiO2 NPs with the adsorption of G. zeylanica extract, causes to shift the absorption edge of TiO2 NPs to higher wavelength. TiO2 NPs, G. zeylanica pericarp extract showed significant bactericidal activity which was further enhanced in contact with the TiO2 modified G. zeylanica extract. The antimicrobial activity was enhanced in the presence of TiO2 NPs modified with G. zeylanica and with longer contact time.

Introduction: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) are a significant health burden globally. Smoking, alcohol and betel quid are the main risk factors. Lack of screening methods has been highlighted as a significant challenge in management. Salivary biomarkers are proposed as non-invasive diagnostic tools. The aim of this systematic review was to study salivary biomarkers reported in OSCC and OPMD. Specific objectives were to select a salivary biomarker panel suitable for early detection of OSCC and OPMD and to assess relationships between salivary biomarkers and risk factors. Methods: A literature search was conducted in academic databases (Scopus, Medline, Embase and Web of Science) without any restrictions. Following calibration, two blinded reviewers screened the studies and extracted data. A risk of bias assessment was conducted using Newcastle Ottawa scale. 295 studies were included with descriptive data analysis. Expert opinion: A salivary biomarker panel including Interleukin 1β, IL6 and IL8 was selected for OSCC and OPMD. Reported relationships between salivary biomarkers and risk factors are discussed and research gaps are highlighted. Future research should be directed to assess potential salivary biomarkers and their relationships to risk factors in order to understand the biomarker’s role in disease initiation.

The study aimed to determine the antibacterial/antibiofilm effect and mechanism of interaction of curcuminoids‐intercalated Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (curcuminoids‐ LDH ) against three different bacteria. Antimicrobial effect of curcuminoids‐ LDH nanohybrid was investigated against P . aeruginosa , S . aureus , and E . faecalis (for both standard strains and clinical isolates), using agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MIC ) of planktonic bacteria were determined using the broth microdilution method. MIC of biofilms ( MBIC ₅₀ ) and killing time for 48 hr matured biofilms were determined by MTT (3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Scanning electron microscopy ( SEM ) was used to determine pre‐ and postexposure architecture of biofilms. The mechanism of the antibiofilm activity of curcuminoids‐ LDH was determined using UV ‐visible spectroscopy. All tested bacteria had given a zone of inhibition in the presence of curcuminoids‐ LDH . The MIC values were 0.200 g/ml for P . aeruginosa , 0.025 g/ml for S . aureus , and 0.100 g/ml for E . faecalis . The 48 hr matured biofilms were reduced by curcuminoids‐ LDH with an MBIC ₅₀ of 0.100 g/ml. The minimum time to achieve MBIC ₅₀ was 3 hr, and the reduction was constant until 48 hr. SEM images showed a significant reduction of biofilm cell density and exopolymer matrics for all biofilms in the presence of curcuminoids‐ LDH . UV ‐visible studies revealed the antibiofilm activity of curcuminoids‐ LDH as due to the auto‐oxidation of curcuminoids. The oxidation products are more limited in both product concentration per unit time and the variety of products, compared to pure curcuminoids, resulting in sharper UV ‐visible peaks than in the case of the latter. Curcuminoids‐ LDH has a potential antibacterial activity against P . aeruginosa , S . aureus , and E . faecalis . An antibiofilm activity has been achieved within 3 hr of the treatment. Curcuminoids released from the LDH showed the antibacterial activity due to oxidation products interfering with bacterial cell functions, and also encapsulation in the LDH causes curcuminoids to exhibit the activity in a persistent manner compared to pure curcuminoids.

Crystalline biofilm formation in indwelling urinary catheters is a serious health problem as it creates a barrier for antibacterial coatings. This emphasizes the failure of antibacterial coatings that do not have a mechanism to reduce crystal deposition on catheter surfaces. In this study, trifluoropropyl spray-coated polydimethylsiloxane (TFP–PDMS) has been employed as an antibiofilm forming surface without any antibacterial agent. Here, TFP was coated on half-cured PDMS using the spray coating technique to obtain a durable superhydrophobic coating for a minimum five cycles of different sterilization methods. The crystalline biofilm-forming ability of Proteus mirabilis in artificial urine, under static and flow conditions, was assessed on a TFP-PDMS surface. In comparison to the commercially available silver-coated latex and silicone catheter surfaces, TFP–PDMS displayed reduced bacterial attachment over 14 days. Moreover, the elemental analysis determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that the enhanced antibiofilm forming ability of TFP-PDMS was due to the self-cleaning activity of the surface. We believe that this modified surface will significantly reduce biofilm formation in indwelling urinary catheters and further warrant future clinical studies.

Thermal instability, photodegradation, and poor bioavailability of natural active ingredients are major drawbacks in developing effective natural product-based antimicrobial formulations. These inherited issues could be fruitfully mitigated by the introduction of natural active ingredients into various nanostructures. This study focuses on the development of a novel green mechanochemical synthetic route to incorporate curcuminoids into Mg-Al-layered double hydroxides. The developed one-pot and scalable synthetic approach makes lengthy synthesis procedures using toxic solvents redundant, leading to improved energy efficiency. The hydrotalcite-shaped nanohybrids consist of surface and interlayer curcuminoids that have formed weak bonds with layered double hydroxides as corroborated by X-ray diffractograms, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and Fourier transmission infrared spectra. The structural and morphological properties resulted in increased thermal stability of curcuminoids. Slow and sustained release of the curcuminoids was observed at pH 5.5 for a prolonged time up to 7 h. The developed nanohybrids exhibited zeroth-order kinetics, favoring transdermal application. Furthermore, the efficacy of curcuminoid incorporated LDHs (CC-LDH) as an anticolonization agent was investigated against four wound biofilm-forming pathogens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus, and Candida albicans, using a broth dilution method and an in vitro biofilm model system. Microbiological studies revealed a 54–58% reduction in biofilm formation ability of bacterial pathogens in developed nanohybrids compared to pure curcuminoids. Therefore, the suitability of these green-chemically synthesized CC-LDH nanohybrids for next-generation antimicrobial applications with advanced dermatological/medical properties is well established.