Antimicrobial peptide polymers: no escape to ESKAPE pathogens-a review.
World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol.
DOI : 10.1007/s11274-020-02907-1
Songhita Mukhopadhyay,A S Bharath Prasad,Chetan H Mehta,Usha Y Nayak
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the significant clinical challenges and also an emerging area of concern arising from nosocomial infections of ESKAPE pathogens, which has been on the rise in both the developed and developing countries alike. These pathogens/superbugs can undergo rapid mutagenesis, which helps them to generate resistance against antimicrobials in addition to the patient's non-adherence to the antibiotic regimen. Sticking to the idea of a 'one-size-fits-all' approach has led to the inappropriate administration of antibiotics resulting in augmentation of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are the natural host defense peptides that have gained attention in the field of AMR, and recently, synthetic AMPs are well studied to overcome the drawbacks of natural counterparts. This review deals with the novel techniques utilizing the bacteriolytic activity of natural AMPs. The effective localization of these peptides onto the negatively charged bacterial surface by using nanocarriers and structurally nanoengineered antimicrobial peptide polymers (SNAPPs) owing to its smaller size and better antimicrobial activity is also described here.
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Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are produced by a variety of organisms and their cells. As a component of innate immunity, AMP is responsible for protecting the host against the pathogens. AMPs are generally consist of 12 and 50 amino acids with a broad spectrum of antibiotic activities against bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses and cytotoxic activity on cancer cells, in addition to anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. For now, they are proved to exist in various organisms (bacteria, fungi, animals and plants) and thousands types of AMPs have been discovered and demonstrated. Of them, most are cationic AMPs, which play the key antimicrobial roles.

Figure 1 The three-dimensional structures of different types of antimicrobial peptides.
AMPs are the host defense peptides with most of them being the cationic (positively charged) and amphiphilic (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) α-helical peptide molecules. The membrane permeability is mostly recognized as the well-accepted mechanism to describe the action of cationic AMPs. These cationic AMPs can bind and interact with the negatively charged bacterial cell membranes, leading to the change of the electrochemical potential on bacterial cell membranes, inducing cell membrane damage and the permeation of larger molecules such as proteins, destroying cell morphology and membranes and eventually resulting in cell death.

Figure 2 Various mechanisms of action of antimicrobial peptide.
AMPs have been demonstrated to have their own advantages over the traditional antibiotics, including:
Broad-spectrum
Rapid activity
Low susceptibility to resistance development
A bactericidal effect independent of the bacterial growing state
The ability to reduce concentrations of single drugs and thus their side effects
Delay drug resistance evolution
Therefore, based on their antimicrobial mechanisms those are different from traditional antibiotics and their potential advantages, AMPs have garnered interest as novel therapeutic agents. Because of the rapid increase in drug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms, AMPs from synthetic and natural sources have been developed using alternative antimicrobial strategies.
However, apart from AMPs' unparalleled advantages, they also have some limitations for clinical and commercial development. The natural AMPs are labile, depending on the surrounding environments, such as the presence of protease, pH change, and so on. In addition, other obstacles for the use of peptide antibiotics are the potential toxicity of AMPs for oral application and high cost of peptide production.
To overcome above those obstacles and satisfy the requirements for AMPs-related clinical drug development, Profacgen can offer a series of AMPs-related service, including:
AMPs synthesis service
AMPs activity assay service
AMPs development
AMPs modification and design
As one of the well-known service providers in biotechnology field, Profacgen's analysis services utilize advanced technology and proven expertise to help customers meet their analysis needs. Our AMPs team has rich experience in the field, and can provide fully personalized AMPs' services. Thus, please do not hesitate to contact us for more details of AMPs' services. Our expert representatives are available 24 hours a day, to assist you.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and marine plastics: Can food packaging litter act as a dispersal mechanism for AMR in oceanic environments?
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 150, January 2020, 110702
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and marine plastics: Can food packaging litter act as a dispersal mechanism for AMR in oceanic environments?
Author links open overlay panelRachel E.MooreaJohn E.Moorebcd
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110702Get rights and content
Highlights
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Food-related marine macroplastic litter (FRMMPL) was shown to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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A total of 10 bacterial genera and 13 species were identified from the plastic materials.
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Isolated bacteria were most resistant to the b-lactam antibiotics (AMP, CAZ & CPD) & least resistant to minocycline.
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Least resistant to the tetracycline, minocycline.
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Resistant to several classes of critically important antibiotics.
This study highlights a new route of dispersal of such antibiotic-resistance in the environment.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Volume 150, January 2020, 110702
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and marine plastics: Can food packaging litter act as a dispersal mechanism for AMR in oceanic environments?
Author links open overlay panelRachel E.MooreaJohn E.Moorebcd
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110702Get rights and content
Highlights
•
Food-related marine macroplastic litter (FRMMPL) was shown to harbor antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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A total of 10 bacterial genera and 13 species were identified from the plastic materials.
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Isolated bacteria were most resistant to the b-lactam antibiotics (AMP, CAZ & CPD) & least resistant to minocycline.
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Least resistant to the tetracycline, minocycline.
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Resistant to several classes of critically important antibiotics.
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This study highlights a new route of dispersal of such antibiotic-resistance in the environment.
Abstract
This study examined the carriage of antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from Food-related Marine Macroplastic Litter (FRMMPL) around the coastline of Northern Ireland. FRMMPL was collected from 18 coastal sites during November/December 2018 and the bacteria from the surface of the plastic examined for their susceptibility to 10 common human antibiotics. Ten bacterial genera and 13 species were identified from the plastic materials. Bacteria isolated from plastic material were most resistant to the beta-lactam antibiotics (ampicillin, ceftazidime and cefpodoxime) (98.1% resistant) and least resistant to the tetracycline group, minocycline (16.1% resistant). This study is significant as it highlights a new potential route of dispersal of such antibiotic-resistance in the environment, which may act as carriers of such bacteria by introducing them into new marine ecosystems, as well as potential pathways having impacts on animal and human health, until their final interaction with the human foodchain.
American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 48, Issue 11, November 2020, Pages 1381-1386
State of the Science Review
A scoping review on the influential cognitive constructs informing public AMR behavior compliance and the attribution of personal responsibility
Author links open overlay panelHayleyFletcher-MilesMSc, BSc (Hons)JohnGammonRGN, PhD, MA(ED), MPhil, BSc (Hons)
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.01.007Get rights and content
Highlights
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Public antimicrobial resistance: responsibility and behavior are influenced by cognitive constructs.
Cognitive constructs are beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and social norms.
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Cognitive constructs are liable to information brokering and experience.
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Focus on cognitive constructs is required to inform sustained behavior change.
Background
Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health. Despite various attempts at educating the public on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and judicial antibiotic use, fallacies and misconceptions remain. To successfully promote behavior change, various cognitive constructs pertaining to antibiotic behavior need to be identified and targeted.
Methods
Using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodological framework, a credible reflexive examination of literature was conducted, permitting identification of a breadth of literature that pertained to the influence of cognitive constructs on public antimicrobial behavior.
Results
From 393 abstracts identified, 67 full articles were screened, and 43 papers were chosen for review. Three themes were identified (1) sociodemographic influences; (2) knowledge, misconceptions, and fallacies; and (3) public attitudes and the social influence of friends and family. Geographical location, education level, cognitive dissonance, and social norms were found to influence AMR cognition, resulting in disproportionate risk assessments that are facilitated by social information brokering.
Conclusions
Public AMR resilience, responsibility, and behavior compliance are influenced by cognitive constructs, which are liable to the appropriation of misconceptions, fallacies, and social behavior models obtained via information brokering. A cohesive multidisciplinary participatory approach to AMR management and interventional design that applies the influence of cognitive constructs to inform public AMR behavior compliance is recommended.
Abstract
The present study reports, for the first time, a new and techno-economic strategy for effective removal of antimicrobial resistant bacteria (AMR) and difficult, opportunistic pathogen using cavitation and natural oils/plant extract. A hybrid methodology using natural oils of known health benefits has been discussed in combination with conventional physico-chemical method of hydrodynamic cavitation that not only provides efficient and effective water disinfection, but also eliminates harmful effects of conventional methods such as formation of disinfection by-products apart from reducing cost of treatment. A proof-of concept is demonstrated by achieving exceptionally high rates for practically complete removal of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) and relatively less researched, gram-negative opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and gram-positive methicillin resistant, Staphylococcus aureus using a natural oil-Peppermint oil and two different cavitating reactors employing vortex flow (vortex diode) and linear flow (orifice) for hydrodynamic cavitation. >99% disinfection could be obtained, typically in less than 10 min, using vortex diode with operating pressure drop of 1 bar and low dose of 0.1% peppermint oil as an additive, depicting very high rates of disinfection. The rate of disinfection can be further increased by using simple aeration which can result in significant lowering of oil dose. The conventional device, orifice requires relatively higher pressure drop of 2 bar and comparatively more time (~20 min) for disinfection. The cost of the disinfection was also found to be significantly lower compared to most conventional processes indicating techno-economic feasibility in employing the developed hybrid method of disinfection for effectively eliminating bacteria including AMR bacteria from water. The developed approach not only highlights importance of going back to nature for not just conventional water disinfection, but also for eliminating hazardous AMR bacteria and may also find utility in many other applications for the removal of antimicrobial bacteria.
BACKGROUND
Public awareness and education are important avenues?for promoting countermeasures for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and November has been designated as AMR awareness month in Japan since 2016. Accordingly, our objective was to investigate effective activities to improve knowledge and understanding of AMR targeted at the public.
METHODS
A public awareness campaign was implemented in Mie prefecture (population:1.8 million) in Japan in November 2017 and 2018. We made leaflets and posters announcing AMR awareness month and open lecture event for citizens and distributed them to all hospitals (n=100), healthcare facilities for the elderly (n=262), and health insurance pharmacies (n=722) in Mie Prefecture. We set up billboard posters at the Tsu railway station (twenty-six thousand passengers?daily), distributed leaflets in front of the station and in shopping centers, and advertised the event using a local circular notice. We also perform bus wrapping advertisement to grasp intention of citizens.
RESULTS
One hundred and 10 citizens in 2017 and 157 in 2018 participated in the open lecture event for citizens entitled "Let's got together well with bacteria and the medicine: Let's know AMR". We gave a lecture and set up an experience booth for the public to learn how to wash their hands and to make a microscopic examination of bacteria. We made original balls, can batches, magnets and bags printed with an original AMR image character and message as communication materials, and distributed them to participants. Half of the participants knew the term "AMR" on a questionnaire in 2018. Our educational activities were introduced on local TV and newspaper.
CONCLUSIONS
The term "AMR" was not familiar with citizens until a few years ago, however, half of participants in the 2018 open lecture already knew it. Our bundle approach to the public may have an impact on improving knowledge and understanding of AMR.
Abstract
News media can be an important source of information about emerging health threats. They are also significant sites for the production of narrative on threats to life that help to condition and reflect the responses of governments and publics. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one such health threat with particular significance because it represents the failure to manage the risks to antibiotics and other antimicrobials, health technologies that have provided the basis for modern medicine. Knowledge of how news media address this situation is an important element for an effective public health response to AMR and helps to extend the social analysis of health and media. Based on an analysis of television, printed and digital news for 2017 in Australia, this paper examines the patterns and meanings of AMR news. It shows that AMR is a fragmented story mainly framed by scientific discovery. These stories reassure audiences that science is seeking out the means of arresting AMR and, therefore, also constructs lay publics as passive witnesses to the AMR story. This pattern of AMR story-telling furthers the social standing of science and scientists, but it also neglects deliberation on collective action, important lacunae in the social response to AMR.
Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in the Environment
Volume 1 in Advances in Environmental Pollution Research series
2020, Pages 117-125
Chapter 7 - Long-range transport of antibiotics and AMR/ARGs
Author links open overlay panelSafdarAli Mirza1MuhammadAfzaal3
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https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818882-8.00007-3Get rights and content
Abstract
The world is facing a serious global health issue caused by both increasing antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and the surrounding environmental disseminating antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). Owing to the fact of increased resistance, antibiotics are now considered as "endangered species" leading to extinction. Global mortality as a result of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is estimated to be near 700,000 per year and is expected to further rise by 10 million annually by 2050. The threat of antibiotic resistance requires better understanding of ARGs and ARBs and their dissemination in the surrounding environment. The use and misuse of antibiotics supports the origin and spread of ARBs leading to microbial evolution and increased mortality as well as medical costs. Since the incidence of the first case of resistance, this mechanism has flourished rapidly with 70% of hospital cases resistant to at least one class of antibiotics in the United States. Other major reservoirs of AMR are agricultural and human waste treatment plants. Additionally, environmental reservoirs, including aquatic ones such as rivers and lakes of antibiotic resistance determinants, have supported growth promotion of ARBs due to transportation of ARGs and antibiotics. There is substantial evidence supporting the fact that clinically relevant bacteria have acquired ARMs from environmental bacteria genetically via resistant and long-lasting evolutionary conserved gene transfer. Use of antimicrobials in different fields such as agriculture, apiculture, aquaculture, poultry, and livestock require proper management and regulation of biotic and abiotic factors. To confront this emerging problem, this review was summarized to understand the antibiotic resistance, including their origins, evolution, and phylogenetic relationship of ARGs and to define resistant genes as well as multidrug-resistant bacteria.
International Journal of Refrigeration
Volume 37, January 2014, Pages 51-62
Performance modeling of AMR refrigeratorsModélisation de la performance de réfrigérateurs à régénérateurs magnétiques actifs
Author links open overlay panelThomasBurdynyAndrewRowe
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2013.08.007Get rights and content
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A means for modeling arbitrary AMR systems using a one-phase approximation is presented.
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The system modeling approach is applied to an experimental device.
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Modeling results are compared to steady state experimental performance data.
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COP and efficiency of an AMR device are mapped over a range of utilizations.
Abstract
A system modeling approach for predicting the performance of active magnetic regenerators using a one-phase approximation is presented. The approach is described for an arbitrary AMR device independent of the magnetic refrigerant, thermal losses or magnetic waveform. A general expression for magnetic work is derived which can be used for cycles where the low-field intensity is not zero. Additionally, a means of treating the varying magnetic field waveform as a single high and low field is described. The model is applied to a permanent magnet magnetic refrigerator using water–glycol as the heat transfer fluid. Simulated results are compared to experimental data which vary by heat load, frequency and utilization. A sensitivity analysis is performed using utilization, adiabatic temperature change, effective conductivity and particle size as independent variables. Comparisons to experimental data show that reducing the calculated magnetocaloric effect by 25% provides good agreement between simulations and experimental results.
International Journal of Refrigeration
Volume 34, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 192-203
The influence of the magnetic field on the performance of an active magnetic regenerator (AMR)Influence du champ magnétique actif sur la performance d'un régénérateur magnétique actif
Author links open overlay panelR.BjørkK.Engelbrecht
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2010.07.004Get rights and content
Abstract
The influence of the time variation of the magnetic field, termed the magnetic field profile, on the performance of a magnetocaloric refrigeration device using the active magnetic regeneration (AMR) cycle is studied for a number of process parameters for both a parallel plate and packed bed regenerator using a numerical model. The cooling curve of the AMR is shown to be almost linear far from the Curie temperature of the magnetocaloric material. It is shown that a magnetic field profile that is 10% of the cycle time out of sync with the flow profile leads to a drop in both the maximum temperature span and the maximum cooling capacity of 20–40% for both parallel plate and packed bed regenerators. The maximum cooling capacity is shown to depend very weakly on the ramp rate of the magnetic field. Reducing the temporal width of the high field portion of the magnetic field profile by 10% leads to a drop in maximum temperature span and maximum cooling capacity of 5–20%. An increase of the magnetic field from 1 T to 1.5 T increases the maximum cooling capacity by 30–50% but the maximum temperature span by only 20–30%. Finally, it was seen that the influence of changing the magnetic field was more or less the same for the different regenerator geometries and operating parameters studied here. This means that the design of the magnet can be done independently of the regenerator geometry.