Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) forms biofilms that are difficult to eliminate. The matrix protects the cells, efflux pumps reduce intracellular drug levels, and dormant subpopulations survive treatment. Routine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing does not account for these features, which helps explain why infections often continue even when therapy appears appropriate. This review describes how quorum-sensing (QS) and cyclic di-guanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) regulate matrix production, efflux activity, and dormancy within P. aeruginosa biofilms. Important matrix components, including Psl, Pel, alginate, and extracellular DNA, slow the movement of antimicrobial agents. Regulatory proteins such as sagS and brlR increase the activity of the MexAB-OprM and MexEF-OprN efflux systems, further reducing intracellular drug concentrations. Oxygen and nutrient limitation promote persister cells and viable but nonculturable cells, with both having the ability to survive antibiotic levels that would normally be lethal. These defenses explain the gap between MIC values and biofilm-specific measurements, such as the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration and the minimum biofilm eradication concentration. This review also summarizes emerging antibiofilm strategies. These include QS inhibitors, compounds that lower c-di-GMP, such as nitric oxide donors, nanoparticles, depolymerases, bacteriophages, and therapies that are directed at host targets. Modern diagnostic tools, such as confocal laser scanning microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and Raman spectroscopy, improve detection and guide treatment planning. A staged therapeutic approach is presented that begins with the dispersal or loosening of the matrix, continues with targeted antibiotics, and concludes with support for immune clearance. Viewing these strategies within a One Health framework highlights the role of biofilms in clinical disease and in environmental reservoirs and supports more effective surveillance and prevention.

Background: Colorectal cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality, highlighting the need for effective and low-toxicity therapeutic approaches. This study examined the time-dependent anticancer effects of Lactobacillus postbiotics alone and in combination with a carrageenan/soy protein blend in HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells. Methods: Cells were divided into three groups: untreated control (NH), postbiotics alone (LPH), and the combined formulation (LPCS). Cell viability, morphological alterations, apoptotic stages, gene expression, and temporal gene–gene correlations were analyzed at 24, 48, and 72 h. Results: The combined formulation induced the strongest and most sustained cytotoxic effects, with maximal late apoptosis and necrosis observed at 72 h. Postbiotics alone mainly triggered early apoptosis at 24 h, which diminished over time. Dynamic, time-dependent modulation of apoptotic regulators (BAX and BCL2), inflammatory signaling (NF- κB), and survival-related pathways (Notch-1, Notch-2, JAG-1, HES-1, and CXCR4) were observed. Combination treatment led to early stress responses followed by suppression of survival signaling and terminal disruption of apoptotic balance. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that combining Lactobacillus postbiotics with carrageenan and soy protein enhances both the potency and durability of anticancer effects, supporting the development of multi-component postbiotic strategies for colorectal cancer.

Background and Objectives: This investigation was driven by the growing interest in natural cancer therapeutics, which aim to minimize the side effects of chemical treatments and enhance immunity. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impacts of a carrageenan/soy protein mixture on Human Colorectal Tumor Cells (HCT-116) colon cancer cells through pathway regulation and cell death assessment. Methods: This experiment compared the treated HCT (THCT) cells exposed to a carrageenan/soy protein mixture (0.25/0.05 mg/mL) with the untreated control cells (UNT) over the experimental durations of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Results: The treatment triggered sophisticated cell death dynamics, characterized by progressive morphological changes. Viability displayed a fascinating pattern—decreasing to 78.8% at 24 h (p < 0.001) before partially recovering to 86.86% by 72 h (p = 0.018). Death mechanisms showed remarkable temporal organization: early apoptosis appeared exclusively at HCT 24 h (p = 0.0056), late apoptosis peaked early then declined, while necrosis followed a wavelike progression: initially high, dropping at 48 h (p = 0.0183), then dramatically surging by 72 h (p < 0.0001) to become the dominant death mode. Gene expression correlations analysis underwent striking temporal reconfiguration: 24 h showed BAX expression correlating with Bcl-2 and NF-kB (p < 0.01) and a strong association with Notch-1/2 (p < 0.0001); by 48 h, the correlations for BAX had weakened while NF-kB formed negative relationships with Bcl-2 (p < 0.001) and positive ones with Notch-1 and HSE-1 (p < 0.001); at 72 h, Bcl-2/Notch-1 aligned powerfully (p < 0.001) while HSE-1 developed significant negative correlations with most genes, particularly Notch-2 (p < 0.0001) and NF-kB (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The natural carrageenan–soy mixture triggered a three-stage death process in colon cancer cells, with a surprising 72-hour phase where cells looked healthier but were dying. This pattern altered key gene activity, disrupting the cancer cell survival process and offering a promising new approach to target the metabolism of stubborn cancers.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a serious public health concern, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to limit treatment options. This laboratory-based comparative study evaluated antibiotic resistance patterns and nanoparticle (NP) susceptibility among 110 S. aureus isolates recovered from human skin and soft tissue infections (n = 80) and camel milk (n = 30). Proteomic identification utilizing matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was carried out for all isolates under study. Phenotypic differentiation between MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) was performed via the cefoxitin disk diffusion method, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the disk diffusion method as stated in international guidelines. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined by established criteria. The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was detected by broth microdilution to determine minimum inhibitory concentration values (MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀). The ability to develop reduced susceptibility was evaluated through ten serial sub-inhibitory passages followed by stability testing without using nanoparticles. MRSA prevalence was 52.5% among human isolates and 70% among camel milk isolates. Overall, 56.4% of isolates met MDR criteria, with a significantly higher MDR rate among MRSA compared with MSSA. Both human and camel isolates showed similar resistance patterns. AgNPs exhibited strong antibacterial activity, with MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values of 0.0078 mg/mL and 0.0156 mg/mL, respectively; nevertheless, AuNPs demonstrated higher MIC values. Response to NPs was similar between isolates, independent of methicillin resistance or MDR. Serial sub-inhibitory exposure resulted in increased MIC values in all tested isolates, and stable resistance persisted in 50% of cases. These results indicate ongoing MRSA circulation in human and animal settings and reinforce the need for careful and controlled use of NP-based antimicrobials.