Cationic host defence peptides (CHDP), also known as antimicrobial peptides, are naturally
occurring peptides that can combat infections through their direct microbicidal properties and…

This article starts with a brief account of the history of research on pulmonary surfactant. We
will then discuss the morphological aspects and composition of the pulmonary surfactant …

Pulmonary surfactant is a mixture of lipids and proteins which is secreted by the epithelial
type II cells into the alveolar space. Its main function is to reduce the surface tension at the air/…

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-shortening disease caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis
transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene 1 . Although bacterial lung infection and …

The essential oils of oregano and thyme are active against a number of food-borne
pathogens, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. Carvacrol is one of the major antibacterial …

Carvacrol is a component of several essential oils and has been shown to exert antimicrobial
activity. The structural requirements for the activity of carvacrol were determined by …

The major components of oregano and thyme essential oils that had previously been shown
to inhibit Escherichia coli O157:H7 were determined by high-performance liquid …

In 1973, La Force and associates (1) reported enhanced killing ofStaphylococcus aureus by
alveolar macrophages in the presence of surfactant and postulated a role fur surfactant in …

Pulmonary surfactant is a barrier material of the lungs and has a dual role: firstly, as a true
surfactant, lowering the surface tension; and secondly, participating in innate immune defence …

Modulation of defensin expression may be one way to improve animal health and to reduce
zoonotic diseases. Defensins are small, cationic, and amphipathic cysteine-rich antibiotic …