... Abstract The skin serves as a strong barrier protecting us from invading pathogens and harmful organisms. An important part of this barrier comes from antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are small peptides expressed abundantly in the skin. AMPs are produced in the deeper layers...

... a consortium of microorganisms for breakdown. In this way saliva promotes the complexity of the oral microflora, which in itself protects against overgrowth by few pathogenic species. Finally, saliva harbors a large panel of antimicrobial proteins which directly and indirectly inhibit uncontrolled outgrowth...

.... Antimicrobial Peptides Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), small cationic molecules, are key factors of the innate immune response. The first AMPs have been purified about 30 years ago from the giant silk moth Hyalophora cecropia and named Cecropins by a group around Hans G. Boman [ 2 , 3 ]. Since then, many...

... Abstract The development of oral biofilms and the host response to biofilm bacteria and their toxins are important factors in the development of periodontal disease. An early component of the host response is the secretion of antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) by salivary glands, oral...

... Abstract Antibiotics are generally an efficient means of treating bacterial infections, and therefore are an obvious candidate in the treatment of periodontal diseases. Systemically and locally administered antimicrobial agents of all kinds have been evaluated in multiple clinical trials...

... Abstract The antimicrobial peptide is one of major effectors of the innate immunity, and is common in the entire multicellular organisms. In mammals, one family of antibacterial peptide named defensins plays a central role in host defense, especially in the epithelial surface such as oral...

... Abstract Keratinocytes represent the major cell population in the epithelial skin barrier and actively participate in innate immune responses by recognizing pathogenic microorganisms, followed by a fine-tuned production of cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides or proteins (AMPs...

... Abstract Vaginally applied antimicrobial agents are widely used in the vagina in women with lower genital tract infections. An ‘antimicrobial’ is a general term that refers to a group of drugs that are effective against bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa. Topical treatments can be prescribed...

... of the ocular surface, as in dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) for example, often lead to inflammatory and infectious complications resulting in severe functional disorders, particularly concerning the cornea. Besides different protective antimicrobial substances in the tear fluid (mucins, lysozyme...

... Abstract Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) form a crucial part of human innate host defense, especially in neutrophil phagosomes and on epithelial surfaces. Bacteria have a variety of efficient resistance mechanisms to human AMPs, such as efflux pumps, secreted proteases, and alterations...

... Abstract Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are ancient effector molecules in the innate immune response of eukaryotes.These peptides are important for the antimicrobial efficacy of phagocytes and for the innateimmune response mounted by epithelia of humans and other mammals. AMPs are generated...

... incorporation of ionizable silver into fabrics for clinical use to reduce the risk ofnosocomial infections and for personal hygiene. The antimicrobial action of silver or silvercompounds is proportional to the bioactive silver ion (Ag + ) released and its availability to interactwith bacterial or fungal cell...

... Abstract The number of biofunctional textiles with an antimicrobial activity has increased considerablyover the last few years. Whilst in the past it was predominantly technical textiles whichhad antimicrobial finishes, in particular to protect against fungi, nowadays textiles worn closeto...

..., the development of body odour itself cannot be avoided, even with optimally designedclothing. Therefore new textiles, ‘treated with antimicrobial agents’, have been developed, withthe aim of reducing odour by decreasing the number of germs on the skin. From the scientificpoint of view, the interactions between...

... Abstract The antimicrobial impregnation of textiles is intended to provide protection of textilesagainst microbial corrosion, prevention of malodor or prophylaxis and therapy of infections,respectively. For every biocidal product a careful risk assessment for humans and the environmenthas...

... Abstract This paper describes the possibilities of antimicrobial finishing of three-dimensionalspacer fabrics and its applications, and gives information about the different effects. Aresearch project of the Textilforschungsinstitut Thüringen-Vogtland Greiz is presented inwhich medical shoe...

... Abstract Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for pulmonarydisease in CF. Along with improved airway clearance techniquesand nutrition, the availability (and aggressive use) ofeffective antimicrobials has been a major contributing factorin the improved health and prognosis of patients...

... Abstract The production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is an important aspect of host-defencein multicellular organisms. Biochemical analysis of the hemolymph of the fruit-flyDrosophila melanogaster and other Diptera has led to the discovery of eight classes of AMPs.These peptides can...