1. Synthesis, purification, and cell-toxicity of a choline betainateLucija Jurko, Gregor Hostnik, Tobias Alexander Steindorfer, Alja Štern, Perica Bošković, Matej Bračič, Bojana Žegura, Rupert Kargl, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: In this work, choline chloride and betaine hydrochloride were condensed into a - to our knowledge - unreported choline betainate (N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxo-2-(2-(trimethylammonio)ethoxy)ethanaminium chloride) using 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) activation of betaine hydrochloride in dimethylsulfoxide. The product and reaction intermediates were isolated, purified by preparative HPLC and analyzed in detail by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The final product has a high cytotoxicity for L929 mouse fibroblasts, and low antibacterial activity against P. Aeruginosa and S. Aureus at concentrations of up to 20 mg/ml. It could potentially further be investigated for similar uses as suxamethonium chloride, a muscle relaxant drug.
Keywords: choline chloride, betaine hydrochloride, carbonyldiimidazole, HPLC, antimicrobial, cytotoxicity
Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2024; Views: 41; Downloads: 19
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2. Biofilm surface density determines biocide effectivenessSara Baš, Mateja Kramer, David Stopar, 2017, original scientific article Abstract: High resistance of biofilms for chemical challenges is a serious industrial and medical problem. In this work a gradient of surface covered with biofilm has been produced and correlated to the effectiveness of different commercially available oxidative biocides. The results for thin Escherichia coli biofilms grown in rich media supplemented with glucose or lactose on glass or poly methyl methacrylate surfaces indicate that the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide or chlorine dioxide and quaternary ammonium compounds is inversely proportional to the fraction of the surface covered with the biofilm. In areas where biofilm covered more than 90% of the available surface the biocide treatment was inefficient after 60 min of incubation. The combined effect of oxidant and surfactant increased the effectiveness of the biocide. On the other hand, the increased biofilm viscoelasticity reduced biocide effectiveness. The results emphasize differential biocide effectiveness depending on the fraction of the attached bacterial cells. The results suggest that biofilm biocide resistance is an acquired property that increases with biofilm maturation. The more dense sessile structures present lower log reductions compared to less dense ones.
Keywords: biofilms, E. coli, biocide, antimicrobial, surface coverage, viscoelasticity
Published in DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Views: 225; Downloads: 105
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3. Digital PCR method for detection and quantification of specific antimicrobial drug-resistance mutations in human cytomegalovirusAlexandra Bogožalec Košir, Tašja Cvelbar, Martin Kammel, Hans-Peter Grunert, Heinz Zeichhardt, Mojca Milavec, 2020, original scientific article Abstract: Antimicrobial drug resistance is one of the biggest threats to human health worldwide. Timely detection and quantification of infectious agents and their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs are crucial for efficient management of resistance to antiviral drugs. In clinical settings, viral drug resistance is most often associated with prolonged treatment of chronic infections, and assessed by genotyping methods; e.g., sequencing and PCR. These approaches have limitations: sequencing can be expensive and does not provide quantification; and qPCR quantification is hampered by a lack of reference materials for standard curves. In recent years, digital PCR has been introduced, which provides absolute quantification without the need for reference materials for standard curves. Using digital PCR, we have developed a rapid, sensitive and accurate method for genotyping and quantification of the most prevalent mutations that cause human cytomegalovirus resistance to ganciclovir.
Keywords: digital PCR, antimicrobial-drug resistance, HCMV, polymerase chain reaction, viruses
Published in DiRROS: 22.07.2024; Views: 113; Downloads: 87
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4. Succinylation of polyallylamine: influence on biological efficacy and the formation of electrospun fibersLucija Jurko, Matej Bračič, Silvo Hribernik, Damjan Makuc, Janez Plavec, Filip Jerenec, Sonja Žabkar, Nenad Gubeljak, Alja Štern, Rupert Kargl, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Succinylation of proteins is a commonly encountered reaction in biology and introduces negatively charged carboxylates on previously basic primary amine groups of amino acid residues. In analogy, this work investigates the succinylation of primary amines of the synthetic polyelectrolyte polyallylamine (PAA). It investigates the influence of the degree of succinylation on the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of the resulting polymers. Succinylation was performed in water with varying amounts of succinic anhydride and at different pH values. The PAA derivatives were analyzed in detail with respect to molecular structure using nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared absorbance spectroscopy. Polyelectrolyte and potentiometric charge titrations were used to elucidate charge ratios between primary amines and carboxylates in the polymers. The obtained materials were then evaluated with respect to their minimum inhibitory concentration against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The biocompatibility was assessed using mouse L929 fibroblasts. The degree of succinylation decreased cytotoxicity but more significantly reduced antibacterial efficacy, demonstrating the sensitivity of the fibroblast cells against this type of ampholytic polyelectrolytes. The obtained polymers were finally electrospun into microfiber webs in combination with neutral water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol. The resulting non-woven could have the potential to be used as wound dressing materials or coatings.
Keywords: polyallylamine hydrochloride, succinylation, aqueous chemistry, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial effect, electrospinning, nanofibers, mouse L929 fibroblasts, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Published in DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Views: 79; Downloads: 98
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5. Cytotoxicity and antibacterial efficacy of betaine- and choline-substituted polymersLucija Jurko, Damjan Makuc, Alja Štern, Janez Plavec, Bojana Žegura, Perica Bošković, Rupert Kargl, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Cationic charge has been widely used to increase polymer adsorption and flocculation of dispersions or to provide antimicrobial activity. In this work, cationization of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was achieved by covalently coupling betaine hydrochloride and choline chloride to the polymer backbones through carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) activation. Two approaches for activation were investigated. CDI in excess was used to activate the polymers’ hydroxyls followed by carbonate formation with choline chloride, or CDI was used to activate betaine hydrochloride, followed by ester formation with the polymers’ hydroxyls. The first approach led to a more significant cross-linking of PVA, but not of HEC, and the second approach successfully formed ester bonds. Cationic, nitrogen-bearing materials with varying degrees of substitution were obtained in moderate to high yields. These materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, polyelectrolyte titration, and kaolin flocculation. Their dose-dependent effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and L929 mouse fibroblasts, was investigated. Significant differences were found between the choline- and betaine-containing polymers, and especially, the choline carbonate esters of HEC strongly inhibited the growth of S. aureus in vitro but were also cytotoxic to fibroblasts. Fibroblast cytotoxicity was also observed for betaine esters of PVA but not for those of HEC. The materials could potentially be used as antimicrobial agents for instance by coating surfaces, but more investigations into the interaction between cells and polysaccharides are necessary to clarify why and how bacterial and human cells are inhibited or killed by these derivatives, especially those containing choline.
Keywords: hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, antimicrobial, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, L929 mouse fibroblast, cationic polymer
Published in DiRROS: 12.07.2024; Views: 134; Downloads: 115
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