Lysozyme and Its Application as Antibacterial Agent in Food Industry.

Lysozymes are hydrolytic enzymes characterized by their ability to cleave the ß-(1,4)-glycosidic bonds in peptidoglycan, a major structural component of the bacterial cell wall. This hydrolysis action compromises the integrity of the cell wall, causing the lysis of bacteria. For more than 80 years, its role of antibacterial defense in animals has been renowned, and it is also used as a preservative in foods and pharmaceuticals. In order to improve the antimicrobial efficacy of lysozyme, extensive research has been intended for its modifications. This manuscript reviews the natural antibiotic compound lysozyme with reference to its catalytic and non-catalytic mode of antibacterial action, lysozyme types, susceptibility and resistance of bacteria, modification of lysozyme molecules, and its applications in the food industry.

CONDUCTING UROLOGY RESEARCH DURING COVID-19: SOCIAL MEDIA-BASED CROWDSOURCING OF URINE SAMPLES FOR BIOMARKER DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Conductingresearch during the COVID-19 pandemic remains a challenge for the entireurologic community. We hereby report our effort to use social mediabasedcrowdsourcing methodology to recruit participants from the entire UnitedStates, including Alaska and Hawaii. We developed a novel research model thatcan engage multiple stakeholders and allows for fast and broad participationfor urine biomarker development towards a diagnostic tool for InterstitialCystitis (IC). METHODS: We partneredwith a patient advocacy group, the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA), toaid in recruitment efforts. A website with study information and links to theHIPAA-compliant enrollment questionnaire was created. The study was advertisedthough Google, and Beaumont's and ICA's social media using Twitter, emails,YouTube videos, Facebook posts, websites, and TikTok. Enrolled participants wereshipped at-home collection kits containing urine cups with preservative, a prepaidreturn mailing envelope, instructions, and survey materials. RESULTS: National publicparticipation was strong, and enrollment was closed within three months. Menand women of all age groups and ethnicities enrolled in the study, representingall 50 United States. Currently, 1,211 crowdsourced samples have been returned,including 677 asymptomatic control samples. Surprisingly, most participantsaccessed the website via mobile devices, as opposed to via desktop computer ortablet. Potential participants were referred to the website primarily by directlinks (i.e. email links), with other referring sites being Facebook, GoogleAdvertisements, the ICA's website, and Beaumont Hospital's website. CONCLUSIONS: Following COVID-19 safety guidelines, we conducted a nationwide crowdsource collection ofurine samples. Social media and web-based recruitment tools were used torecruit participants. Having a website user-friendly on mobile devices wasessential. Nontraditional recruitment methods, such as TikTok videos,encouraged study participation. Utilizing various social media platforms, it ispossible to crowdsource urine samples from across the United States quickly,economically, and most importantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, safely. (Figure Presented).

Application of Bioactives from Herbs and Spices for Improving the Functionality and Shelf Life of Dairy Products-A Review

Historically, humans are aware of the positive potential of different herbs and spices to prevent pathogenic and spoilage microflora. Herbal foods are valued for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, nutritional, and medicinal properties. Due to the current corona pandemic, people worldwide have become more conscious about their health. Herbs and spices have been found to be beneficial to one's health. Milk is a highly perishable commodity. Many dairy products deteriorate within days of their production. To ensure that processed dairy products remain safe and uncontaminated, the use of the natural preservative is necessary;therefore, herbs and spices added in dairy products can give value-added products with prolonged shelf life. © 2022 by the authors.

SARS-CoV-2 Prevalence in Feces of Very Young Children, A Longitudinal Study

Background. Understanding the disease burden of SARS- CoV-2 in young children has been challenging as the majority are asymptomatic or experience mild symptoms and were rarely tested. SARS-CoV-2 is traditionally detected through respiratory secretions but has also been reported in feces where shedding may continue for weeks after respiratory samples show resolution. We examined the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in already collected fecal samples from young children through the pandemic as well as associated demographic factors. Methods. As part of an ongoing longitudinal microbiome study in Northern Virginia, serial stools samples were collected from infants before and throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Reverse transcription quantitative-PCR detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid gene in the N1 and N2 regions was performed. Penalized logistic regression models were developed to evaluate the association between fecal positivity and potential risk factors. Results. The overall prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in infant feces was 1.69 % (13 samples) with a prevalence at delivery, 2, 6, 12 and 24 months of 0, 0, 2.56, 1.96, and 0.85 % respectively. Fecal positivity was first detected 31 days before the reported first case of Covid-19 in Northern Virginia;prevalence rates peaked in September at 4.5% (Figure 1). Only one infant who tested positive was symptomatic with COVID-19 21 days before his stool was collected. Of the 13 positive samples, 8 reported Hispanic ethnicity and 7 reported an essential worker (Table 1). Penalized logistic regression model showed association between Hispanic ethnicity and testing positive (OR 5.04 (95% CI 1.7 - 15.0)) that remained after controlling for the presences of an essential worker (OR 4.7 (95% CI 1.6 - 14.0)). Conclusion. Prevalence of SARS- CoV-2 in infant stool correlated with the prevalence of COVID-19 during the pandemic, with higher rates in those of Hispanic ethnicity corelating with regional trends. Fecal positivity in asymptomatic infants even before quarantine restrictions supports the early but silent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This study likely underestimates true prevalence rates as stool samples were stored without viral preservative. There are many socioeconomic factors that predispose to disease while ethnicity may be a mediating or confounding factor.

Nano-chitosan Spray as a Preservative and Food Security of Fishery Products in The Middle of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the fisheries sector, a decline in exports and fishermen’s income caused by the disconnection of the marketing chain due to lockdown implementation in several export destination countries. Fish is a source of protein and as perishable foods, it experiences quality damage due to spoilage, commonly caused by hampered distribution of catches. Natural preservatives are needed to preserve catch so it won’t get spoiled and can be accepted by consumers in suitable conditions for consumption. This study aims to evaluate the particle size of nano-chitosan and determine the effectiveness of nano-chitosan spray with different concentrations as a natural preservative in caught fish. This research method begins with making chitosan through 3 stages: demineralization, deproteination, and deacetylation. Chitosan was made into nano-chitosan with various concentrations of 3:1, 4:1, and 5:1 using ionic gelation. Nano-chitosan underwent several tests, including PSA, antibacterial activity by disc diffusion, organoleptic, and the effectiveness of preservatives. Antibacterial activity of nanochitosan was able to inhibit Bacillus subtilis at three different concentrations, the potential to inhibit Escherichia coli was optimal at 5:1 treatment. The effectiveness of nano-chitosan preservative bacteria inhibition at three different concentrations proved to be sufficient to be used to extend shelf life and ensure the safety and quality of fishery products. The best concentration of nano-chitosan was 3:1 treatment. Nano-chitosan spray from crab shell waste has good antibacterial activity and preservative effectiveness. It could serve as an antibacterial agent and natural preservative for fishery products during the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2022 Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Universitas Airlangga.

Biophysical and Biological Tools to Better Characterize the Stability, Safety and Efficacy of a Cosmeceutical for Acne-Prone Skin.

(1) Background: Acne is a widespread skin disease, especially among adolescents. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the use of masks, the problem has been affecting a greater number of people, and the attention of the skin care beauty routine cosmetics has been focused on the "Maskne", caused by the sebum excretion rate (SER) that stimulates microbial proliferation. (2) Methods: the present study was focused on the rheological characterization and quality assurance of the preservative system of an anti-acne serum. The biological effectiveness (cytotoxicity-skin and eye irritation-antimicrobial, biofilm eradication and anti-inflammatory activity) was evaluated in a monolayer cell line of keratinocytes (HaCaT) and on 3D models (reconstructed human epidermis, RHE and human reconstructed corneal epithelium, HCE). The Cutibacterium acnes, as the most relevant acne-inducing bacterium, is chosen as a pro-inflammatory stimulus and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the serum. (3) Results and Conclusions: Rheology allows to simulate serum behavior at rest, extrusion and application, so the serum could be defined as having a solid-like behavior and being pseudoplastic. The preservative system is in compliance with the criteria of the reference standard. Biological effectiveness evaluation shows non-cytotoxic and irritant behavior with a good antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of the formulation, supporting the effectiveness of the serum for acne-prone skin treatment.