The advent of multidrug resistance among pathogenic bacteria is imperiling the worth of antibiotics, which have previously transformed medical sciences. The crisis of antimicrobial resistance has been ascribed to the misuse of these agents and due to unavailability of newer drugs attributable to exigent regulatory requirements and reduced financial inducements. Comprehensive efforts are needed to minimize the pace of resistance by studying emergent microorganisms, resistance mechanisms, and antimicrobial agents. Multidisciplinary approaches are required across health care settings as well as environment and agriculture sectors. Progressive alternate approaches including probiotics, antibodies, and vaccines have shown promising results in trials that suggest the role of these alternatives as preventive or adjunct therapies in future.

Proteomics involves the applications of technologies for the identification and quantification of overall proteins present content of a cell, tissue or an organism. It supplements the other "omics" technologies such as genomic and transcriptomics to expound the identity of proteins of an organism, and to cognize the structure and functions of a particular protein. Proteomics-based technologies are utilized in various capacities for different research settings such as detection of various diagnostic markers, candidates for vaccine production, understanding pathogenicity mechanisms, alteration of expression patterns in response to different signals and interpretation of functional protein pathways in different diseases. Proteomics is practically intricate because it includes the analysis and categorization of overall protein signatures of a genome. Mass spectrometry with LC-MS-MS and MALDI-TOF/TOF being widely used equipment is the central among current proteomics. However, utilization of proteomics facilities including the software for equipment, databases and the requirement of skilled personnel substantially increase the costs, therefore limit their wider use especially in the developing world. Furthermore, the proteome is highly dynamic because of complex regulatory systems that control the expression levels of proteins. This review efforts to describe the various proteomics approaches, the recent developments and their application in research and analysis.

In response to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, current modeling supports the use of masks in community settings to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. However, concerns have been raised regarding the global shortage of medical grade masks and the limited evidence on the efficacy of fabric masks. This study used a standard mask testing method (ASTM F2101-14) and a model virus (bacteriophage MS2) to test the viral filtration efficiency (VFE) of fabric masks compared with commercially available disposable, surgical, and N95 masks. Five different types of fabric masks were purchased from the ecommerce website Etsy to represent a range of different fabric mask designs and materials currently available. One mask included a pocket for a filter; which was tested without a filter, with a dried baby wipe, and a section of a vacuum cleaner bag. A sixth fabric mask was also made according to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidelines (Australia). Three masks of each type were tested. This study found that all the fabric masks had a VFE of at least 50% when tested against aerosols with an average size of 6.0 µm (VFE(6.0 µm)). The minimum VFE of fabric masks improved (to 63%) when the larger aerosols were excluded to give and average aerosol size of 2.6 µm (VFE(2.6 µm)), which better represents inhaled aerosols that can reach the lower respiratory system. The best performing fabric masks were the cotton mask with a section of vacuum cleaner bag (VFE(6.0 µm) = 99.5%, VFE(2.6 µm) = 98.8%) or a dried baby wipe (VFE(6.0 µm) = 98.5%, VFE(2.6 µm) = 97.6%) in the pocket designed for a disposable filter, the mask made using the Victorian DHHS design (VFE(6.0 µm) = 98.6%, VFE(2.6 µm) =99.1%) and one made from a layer of 100% hemp, a layer of poly membrane, and a layer of cheesecloth (VFE(6.0 µm) = 93.6%, VFE(2.6 µm) = 89.0%). The VFE of two surgical masks (VFE(6.0 µm) = 99.9% and 99.6%, VFE(2.6 µm) = 99.5% and 98.5%) and a N95 masks (VFE(6.0 µm) = 99.9%, VFE(2.6 µm) = 99.3%) were comparable to their advertised bacterial filtration efficacy. This research supports the use of fabric masks in the community to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2; however, future research is needed to explore the optimum design in ensuring proper fit. There is also a need for mass education campaigns to disseminate this information, along with guidelines around the proper usage and washing of fabric masks.

The implants are increasingly being a part of modern medicine in various surgical procedures for functional or cosmetic purposes. The progressive use of implants is associated with increased infectious complications and prevention of such infections always remains precedence in the clinical settings. The preventive approaches include the systemic administration of antimicrobial agents before and after the surgical procedures as well as the local application of antibiotics. The relevant literature and existing clinical practices have highlighted the role of antimicrobial coating approaches in the prevention of implants associated infections, although the applications of these strategies are not yet standardized, and the clinical efficacy is not much clear. The adequate data from the randomized control trials is challenging because of the unavailability of a large sample size although it is compulsory in this context to assess the clinical efficacy of preemptive practices. This review compares the efficacy of preventive approaches and the prospects of antimicrobial-coated implants in preventing implant-related infections.

A cadmium-resistant bacterium was isolated from industrial wastewater and identified as Escherichia coli (dubbed as P4) on the basis of morphological, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA ribotyping. It showed optimum growth at 30 °C and pH 7. E. coli P4 found to resist Cd(+2) (10.6 mM) as well as Zn(+2) (4.4 mM), Pb(+2) (17 mM), Cu(+2) (3.5 mM), Cr(+6) (4.4 mM), As(+2) (10.6 mM), and Hg(+2) (0.53 mM). It could remove 18.8, 37, and 56 % Cd(+2) from aqueous medium after 48, 96, and 144 h, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis also confirmed the biosorption of Cd(+2) by E. coli P4. However, temperature and pH were found to be the most critical factors in biosorption of Cd(+2) by E. coli P4. Cd(+2) stress altered E. coli P4 cell physiology analyzed by measuring glutathione (GSH) and non-protein thiol (cysteine) levels which were increased up to 130 and 48 %, respectively. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed alteration in the expression levels of ftsZ, mutS, clpB, ef-tu, and dnaK genes in the presence of Cd(+2). Total protein profiles of E. coli P4 in the absence and presence of Cd(+2) were compared by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which showed remarkable difference in the banding pattern. czcB gene, a component of czcCBA operon, was amplified from genomic DNA which suggested the chromosomal-borne Cd(+2) resistance in E. coli P4. Furthermore, it harbors smtAB gene which plays a significant role in Cd(+2) resistance.