antibiotics – Page 3

02.03.2013

amoxicillin

Amoxicillin

Over at SciAm, Lawrence Rifkin briefly discusses the history and benefits of amoxicillin:

Amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative, was synthesized by Beecham Research Laboratories in 1972. During cell wall synthesis, amoxicillin inhibits linear peptidoglycan polymer chains from being cross-linked, resulting in a defective bacterial cell wall and cell death. Compared to penicillin, amoxicillin offers a broader spectrum of bacteriocidal activity, greater duration, and, of course, better taste.

According to a report from the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, in 2010 52.3 million prescriptions were written for amoxicillin in the U.S., more than any other antibiotic except azithromycin at 52.6 million. (The most prescribed drug in any category? Hydrocodone/acetaminophen, 131.2 million).

01.02.2013

antibiotics in panda blood

Researchers have discovered a powerful antibiotic in the bloodstream of giant pandas. From The Telegraph:

Scientists have discovered that the animals, of which there are around 1,600 in the wild, produce a powerful antibiotic in their blood stream that kills bacteria and fungi.

They believe the substance could be used to create potent new treatments against drug resistant superbugs and other diseases.

The antibiotic is thought to be released by the bear’s immune system to protect them infections when they are living in the wild. Researchers discovered the compound, known as cathelicidin-AM, after analysing the panda’s DNA.

…

The Chinese researchers found that the cathelicidin-AM, which is produced by immune cells in the animal’s blood, was found to kill bacteria in less than an hour while other well known antibiotics took more than six hours.

Ed Yong lists reasons why no new drugs will likely come from the discovery.

04.03.2012

graphene is a wondrous material

Everyday it seems there is a new use for graphene. Today’s uses is in tooth tattooing to prevent bacterial accumulation and tooth decay:

The sensor is made of graphene and can detect bacteria in our mouths to the single-cell level, according to researchers at Princeton and Tufts universities. Michael McAlpine and colleagues developed a method to print graphene nanosensors onto a silk substrate. They added electrodes and an inductive coil to power the device, which can then be transferred onto teeth or other biological materials.

The graphene is then doped with naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, which bind to bacteria and can be used as a bug detection system. The result is a battery-free, wireless sensing device that can pinpoint exactly which type of bacteria is present in a person’s mouth. Because it’s imprinted onto silk, the detector has elastic properties, so it could also be integrated onto soft tissues, too, not just tooth enamel. To test it, McAlpine and colleagues grafted it onto a raw chicken breast.

More studies are still needed to see how long the antibacterial properties might last in a person’s mouth, especially for people who brush their teeth regularly. Hospitals are also hoping it can help in warding off multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Read the study in Nature Communications here. Abstract available for non-subscribers.

GOLLYGEE!

Tag: antibiotics (page 3 of 4)

amoxicillin

antibiotics in panda blood

graphene is a wondrous material