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Archives of Microbiology Jul 2024Wild-type Lactococcus lactis strain LAC460 secretes prophage-encoded bacteriocin-like lysin LysL, which kills some Lactococcus strains, but has no lytic effect on the...
Wild-type Lactococcus lactis strain LAC460 secretes prophage-encoded bacteriocin-like lysin LysL, which kills some Lactococcus strains, but has no lytic effect on the producer. LysL carries two N-terminal enzymatic active domains (EAD), and an unknown C-terminus without homology to known domains. This study aimed to determine whether the C-terminus of LysL carries a cell wall binding domain (CBD) for target specificity of LysL. The C-terminal putative CBD region of LysL was fused with His-tagged green fluorescent protein (HGFPuv). The HGFPuv_CBDlysL gene fusion was ligated into the pASG-IBA4 vector, and introduced into Escherichia coli. The fusion protein was produced and purified with affinity chromatography. To analyse the binding of HGFPuv_CBDLysL to Lactococcus cells, the protein was mixed with LysL-sensitive and LysL-resistant strains, including the LysL-producer LAC460, and the fluorescence of the cells was analysed. As seen in fluorescence microscope, HGFPuv_CBDLysL decorated the cell surface of LysL-sensitive L. cremoris MG1614 with green fluorescence, whereas the resistant L. lactis strains LM0230 and LAC460 remained unfluorescent. The fluorescence plate reader confirmed the microscopy results detecting fluorescence only from four tested LysL-sensitive strains but not from 11 tested LysL-resistant strains. Specific binding of HGFPuv_CBDLysL onto the LysL-sensitive cells but not onto the LysL-resistant strains indicates that the C-terminus of LysL contains specific CBD. In conclusion, this report presents experimental evidence of the presence of a CBD in a lactococcal phage lysin. Moreover, the inability of HGFPuv_CBDLysL to bind to the LysL producer LAC460 may partly explain the host's resistance to its own prophage lysin.
Topics: Lactococcus lactis; Cell Wall; Bacteriocins; Escherichia coli; Green Fluorescent Proteins; Protein Domains; Recombinant Fusion Proteins; Protein Binding
PubMed: 38954047
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-04066-5 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jun 2024Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease in neonates occurs in two forms: early-onset disease (EOD), (day 0-6), and late-onset disease (LOD), (day 7-90). This review... (Review)
Review
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) disease in neonates occurs in two forms: early-onset disease (EOD), (day 0-6), and late-onset disease (LOD), (day 7-90). This review investigates that risk-based intrapartum screening and antibiotics have reduced the incidence of EOD, but not LOD, in Denmark. No clinical or laboratory tests can rule out GBS disease at symptom onset. Thus, a high proportion of uninfected infants receive antibiotics, although this varies widely, and may be reduced by strategies of antibiotic stewardship. A future GBS vaccine for pregnant women may potentially reduce disease burden and antibiotic exposure.
Topics: Humans; Streptococcal Infections; Infant, Newborn; Streptococcus agalactiae; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Female; Pregnancy; Denmark; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Infant; Streptococcal Vaccines; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
PubMed: 38953689
DOI: 10.61409/V01240022 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Jul 2024This is a case report of 51-year-old male patient with various symptoms including skin rashes, sensory disturbances, and non-cicatricial hair loss. Despite previous...
This is a case report of 51-year-old male patient with various symptoms including skin rashes, sensory disturbances, and non-cicatricial hair loss. Despite previous tests, the cause remained elusive until a dermatological examination revealed signs of syphilis. The patient's history, including his sexual relationships, became key in confirming the diagnosis, leading to treatment for neurosyphilis. With a rising incidence of syphilis in Denmark, this case highlights the importance of considering syphilis as a potential diagnosis across medical specialities because of the diverse and challenging clinical manifestations.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurosyphilis; Syphilis; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38953674
DOI: 10.61409/V01240049 -
Clinical Cardiology Jul 2024The DESyne novolimus-eluting coronary stent (NES) is a new-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) that is widely used, but clinical data are rarely reported for this stent.... (Observational Study)
Observational Study Comparative Study
INTRODUCTION
The DESyne novolimus-eluting coronary stent (NES) is a new-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) that is widely used, but clinical data are rarely reported for this stent. We compared the safety and effectiveness of the DESyne NES and the Orsiro bioresorbable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
METHODS
This was a retrospective, single-center, observational study. Between July 2017 and December 2022, patients who presented with chronic or acute coronary syndrome undergoing PCI with DESyne NES or Orsiro SES were consecutively enrolled in the present study. The primary endpoint, major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), was a composite of cardiovascular death, target-vessel myocardial infarction, or clinically driven target-lesion revascularization.
RESULTS
A total of 776 patients (age 68.8 ± 12.2; 75.9% male) undergoing PCI were included. Overall, 231 patients with 313 lesions received NES and 545 patients with 846 lesions received SES. During a follow-up duration of 784 ± 522 days, the primary endpoint occurred in 10 patients (4.3%) in the NES group and in 36 patients (6.6%) in the SES group. After multivariate adjustment, the risk of MACE did not significantly differ between groups (NES vs. SES, hazard ratio 0.74, 95% CI, 0.35-1.55, p = 0.425). The event rate of individual components of the primary endpoint was comparable between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Favorable and similar clinical outcomes were observed in patients undergoing PCI with either NES or SES in a medium-term follow-up duration. Future studies with adequately powered clinical endpoints are required for further evaluation.
Topics: Humans; Drug-Eluting Stents; Male; Female; Sirolimus; Retrospective Studies; Aged; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Treatment Outcome; Prosthesis Design; Coronary Artery Disease; Time Factors; Follow-Up Studies; Acute Coronary Syndrome; Risk Factors; Middle Aged; Coronary Angiography; Macrolides
PubMed: 38953595
DOI: 10.1002/clc.24317 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Intravitreal Injections; Administration, Oral; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy; Rifampin; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Propranolol; Angiogenesis Inhibitors; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
PubMed: 38953136
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_3022_23 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteriophages; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Endopeptidases; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Phage Therapy; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus
PubMed: 38953006
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1397935 -
PeerJ 2024This study explored the utilization of luffa sponge (LS) in enhancing acetification processes. LS is known for having high porosity and specific surface area, and can...
BACKGROUND
This study explored the utilization of luffa sponge (LS) in enhancing acetification processes. LS is known for having high porosity and specific surface area, and can provide a novel means of supporting the growth of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) to improve biomass yield and acetification rate, and thereby promote more efficient and sustainable vinegar production. Moreover, the promising potential of LS and luffa sponge coated with κ-carrageenan (LSK) means they may represent effective alternatives for the co-production of industrially valuable bioproducts, for example bacterial cellulose (BC) and acetic acid.
METHODS
LS and LSK were employed as adsorbents for UMCC 2951 in a submerged semi-continuous acetification process. Experiments were conducted under reciprocal shaking at 1 Hz and a temperature of 32 °C. The performance of the two systems (LS-AAB and LSK-AAB respectively) was evaluated based on cell dry weight (CDW), acetification rate, and BC biofilm formation.
RESULTS
The use of LS significantly increased the biomass yield during acetification, achieving a CDW of 3.34 mg/L versus the 0.91 mg/L obtained with planktonic cells. Coating LS with κ-carrageenan further enhanced yield, with a CDW of 4.45 mg/L. Acetification rates were also higher in the LSK-AAB system, reaching 3.33 ± 0.05 g/L d as opposed to 2.45 ± 0.05 g/L d for LS-AAB and 1.13 ± 0.05 g/L d for planktonic cells. Additionally, BC biofilm formation during the second operational cycle was more pronounced in the LSK-AAB system (37.0 ± 3.0 mg/L, as opposed to 25.0 ± 2.0 mg/L in LS-AAB).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that LS significantly improves the efficiency of the acetification process, particularly when enhanced with κ-carrageenan. The increased biomass yield, accelerated acetification, and enhanced BC biofilm formation highlight the potential of the LS-AAB system, and especially the LSK-AAB variant, in sustainable and effective vinegar production. These systems offer a promising approach for small-scale, semi-continuous acetification processes that aligns with eco-friendly practices and caters to specialized market needs. Finally, this innovative method facilitates the dual production of acetic acid and bacterial cellulose, with potential applications in biotechnological fields.
Topics: Carrageenan; Acetobacter; Biomass; Acetic Acid; Luffa; Adsorption; Cellulose; Biofilms
PubMed: 38952965
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17650 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024Implants are widely used in the field of orthopedics and dental sciences. Titanium (TI) and its alloys have become the most widely used implant materials, but...
BACKGROUND
Implants are widely used in the field of orthopedics and dental sciences. Titanium (TI) and its alloys have become the most widely used implant materials, but implant-associated infection remains a common and serious complication after implant surgery. In addition, titanium exhibits biological inertness, which prevents implants and bone tissue from binding strongly and may cause implants to loosen and fall out. Therefore, preventing implant infection and improving their bone induction ability are important goals.
PURPOSE
To study the antibacterial activity and bone induction ability of titanium-copper alloy implants coated with nanosilver/poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (NSPTICU) and provide a new approach for inhibiting implant-associated infection and promoting bone integration.
METHODS
We first examined the in vitro osteogenic ability of NSPTICU implants by studying the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, the ability of NSPTICU implants to induce osteogenic activity in SD rats was studied by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, masson staining, immunohistochemistry and van gieson (VG) staining. The antibacterial activity of NSPTICU in vitro was studied with gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. was used as the test bacterium, and the antibacterial ability of NSPTICU implanted in rats was studied by gross view specimen collection, bacterial colony counting, HE staining and Giemsa staining.
RESULTS
Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis showed that NSPTICU promoted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. The in vitro antimicrobial results showed that the NSPTICU implants exhibited better antibacterial properties. Animal experiments showed that NSPTICU can inhibit inflammation and promote the repair of bone defects.
CONCLUSION
NSPTICU has excellent antibacterial and bone induction ability, and has broad application prospects in the treatment of bone defects related to orthopedics and dental sciences.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Osteogenesis; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Mice; Staphylococcus aureus; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Escherichia coli; Cell Differentiation; Prostheses and Implants; Alloys; Rats; Titanium; Silver; Cell Proliferation; Copper; Male; X-Ray Microtomography; Cell Line; Metal Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38952675
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S456906 -
Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences Jun 2024Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a fatal complication of ascites fluid infection. The causes of SBP in children differ from those in adults, and these bacteria...
Clinical Findings, Bacterial Agents, and Antibiotic Resistance in Children with Spontaneous Peritonitis in Southern Iran: An Academic Tertiary Referral Center's Experience.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a fatal complication of ascites fluid infection. The causes of SBP in children differ from those in adults, and these bacteria are frequently resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, this study investigated the clinical findings, bacterial etiology, and antimicrobial resistance in children with SBP.
METHODS
This study was conducted on all new pediatric ascites patients, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Namazi Hospital, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Iran) from 2021 to 2022. Required data such as demographic information, and clinical information such as complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), Gram staining, blood culture by Automated Blood Culture System (BACTEC), and antibiogram of ascites fluids by disc diffusion method were all collected. Finally, the data were statistically analyzed using SPSS Software (version 26). Besides, the test, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney, and Chi square tests were used for data analysis. In all tests, P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The present study examined 62 children with ascites of which 18 (29%) had SBP. The median (IQR) age was 2.5 (8.1) years. Thirty-four (54.8%) of the participants were girls. Abdominal pain was the most common clinical manifestation in patients (54%), and there was a significant association between abdominal pain and SBP (P=0.02). In 12 positive ascites fluid cultures, coagulase-negative staphylococci had the highest frequency (25%), followed by (16.7%). Third-generation cephalosporins had a 25% sensitivity in the total positive cultures. This sensitivity was 33.3% for Gram-negative cultures and 16.6% for Gram-positive cultures.
CONCLUSION
Although third-generation cephalosporins are recommended as the primary antibiotic for the empirical treatment of SBP, the present study found high bacterial resistance. Finally, empirical therapy should be tailored to each region's bacterial resistance features.
Topics: Humans; Peritonitis; Child; Female; Male; Iran; Child, Preschool; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Tertiary Care Centers; Infant; Adolescent; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Ascites; Bacterial Infections; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 38952643
DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2023.98747.3082 -
Transplant International : Official... 2024Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are particularly susceptible to infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) and are often the first to be affected... (Review)
Review
Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are particularly susceptible to infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) and are often the first to be affected by an emerging resistant pathogen. Unfortunately, their prevalence and impact on morbidity and mortality according to the type of graft is not systematically reported from high-as well as from low and middle-income countries (HIC and LMIC). Thus, epidemiology on MDRO in SOT recipients could be subjected to reporting bias. In addition, screening practices and diagnostic resources may vary between countries, as well as the availability of new drugs. In this review, we aimed to depict the burden of main Gram-negative MDRO in SOT patients across HIC and LMIC and to provide an overview of current diagnostic and therapeutic resources.
Topics: Humans; Organ Transplantation; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Transplant Recipients; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Prevalence; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Developing Countries
PubMed: 38952482
DOI: 10.3389/ti.2024.12469