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Acute and Critical Care May 2024Polymicrobial infections are the leading causes of complications incurred from injuries that burn patients develop. Such patients admitted to the hospital have a high...
Polymicrobial infections are the leading causes of complications incurred from injuries that burn patients develop. Such patients admitted to the hospital have a high risk of developing hospital-acquired infections, with longer patient stays leading to increased chances of acquiring such drug-resistant infections. Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus mirabilis are the most common multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria identified in burn wound infections (BWIs). BWIs caused by viruses, like Herpes Simplex and Varicella Zoster, and fungi-like Candida spp. appear to occur occasionally. However, the preponderance of infection by opportunistic pathogens is very high in burn patients. Variations in the causative agents of BWIs are due to differences in geographic location and infection control measures. Overall, burn injuries are characterized by elevated serum cytokine levels, systemic immune response, and immunosuppression. Hence, early detection and treatment can accelerate the wound-healing process and reduce the risk of further infections at the site of injury. A multidisciplinary collaboration between burn surgeons and infectious disease specialists is also needed to properly monitor antibiotic resistance in BWI pathogens, help check the super-spread of MDR pathogens, and improve treatment outcomes as a result.
PubMed: 38863352
DOI: 10.4266/acc.2023.01571 -
International Urogynecology Journal Jun 2024The aim of this article is to present a systematic literature review focused on microbiome diversity in women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS
The aim of this article is to present a systematic literature review focused on microbiome diversity in women experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction.
METHODS
Utilizing PubMed/MedLine and Scopus, 25 pertinent studies were meticulously selected for this review.
RESULTS
A key theme identified is the potential of microbiomes as diagnostic tools. The findings consistently highlight Lactobacillus as recurrent microbiota. Additionally, Gardnerella, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Aerococcus, Staphylococcus, Proteus, and Bifidobacterium species were frequently observed. This suggests the influential role of these microorganisms in shaping female urological and reproductive health. A deeper understanding of these predominant bacterial genera could offer invaluable insights into healthy physiological states and various disorders. The complex relationship between microbial compositions and diverse health conditions paves the way for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. As we further explore the complexities of microbiomes, their role becomes increasingly crucial in transforming women's health care.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings emphasize the need for personalized care, integrating the microbiome into a comprehensive health assessment and treatment framework. This review lays the groundwork for future medical strategies where the microbiome is a pivotal element in both preventive and therapeutic care.
PubMed: 38861007
DOI: 10.1007/s00192-024-05821-4 -
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social... Jun 2024The term Proteus effect refers to the changes in attitudes and behavior induced by the characteristics of an embodied virtual agent. Whether the effect can extend to the...
The term Proteus effect refers to the changes in attitudes and behavior induced by the characteristics of an embodied virtual agent. Whether the effect can extend to the moral sphere is currently unknown. To deal with this issue, we investigated if embodying virtual agents (i.e., avatars) with different characteristics modulate people's moral standards differentially. Participants were requested to embody an avatar resembling the Christian God in His anthropomorphic appearance or a control human avatar and to perform a text-based version of incidental and instrumental dilemmas in a virtual environment. For each participant, we recorded (1) chosen options (deontological vs. utilitarian), (2) decision times, (3) postdecision feelings, and (4) physiological reactions (skin conductance response and heart rate). We found that embodying God vs. a control avatar did not change the performance in the moral dilemma task, indicating that no strong Proteus effect was at play in our experimental conditions. We interpreted this result by examining the constraints and limitations of our task, reasoning about the necessary conditions for eliciting the Proteus effect, and discussing future developments and advances in the field. Moreover, we presented compelling effects concerning dilemma type, chosen option, personality traits, and religion affiliation, thus supporting and extending literature on decision making in moral dilemmas.
PubMed: 38860338
DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2023.0242 -
Journal of Arthropod-borne Diseases Sep 2023Cockroaches play a role in the mechanical transmission of microbial pathogens. This study was designed to determine the isolated bacteria and their susceptibility to...
BACKGROUND
Cockroaches play a role in the mechanical transmission of microbial pathogens. This study was designed to determine the isolated bacteria and their susceptibility to conventional antibiotics from brown-banded cockroach, in Qom province, central Iran.
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, brown-banded cockroaches were bred in an insectary and caught from hospitals of Qom. The samples were taken from the surface and alimentary canal and then cultured on microbial culture media; next, grown specimens were identified using differential culture media. Finally, after performing diagnostic tests and identifying the bacteria species, their susceptibility to various antibiotics was evaluated.
RESULTS
A total of 120 adult cockroaches from the insectary and hospitals were included in the study. Ten bacterial genera were found; nine were Gram-negative and one was Gram-positive. The genus , , , and were isolated only from the hospital strain. On the other hand, and from both groups and other species such as , and were isolated only from laboratory strains. The highest antibiotic resistance among Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli were 100.0% and 98.1% for ampicillin and Ceftazidime, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study showed that various pathogenic bacteria harbored by brown-banded cockroaches. Moreover, it was found that most of these bacteria belong to the family, which can be pathogenic and thus threaten human health.
PubMed: 38860199
DOI: 10.18502/jad.v17i3.14981 -
Cureus May 2024An uncommon congenital hamartomatous disorder called Proteus syndrome is characterized by multifocal tissue expansion originating from all three germinal layers....
An uncommon congenital hamartomatous disorder called Proteus syndrome is characterized by multifocal tissue expansion originating from all three germinal layers. Diagnosis mainly relies on clinical and radiological criteria. Here, we present a case of a 13-year-old female child exhibiting bony, soft tissue, and vascular abnormalities, along with developmental delay. We conclude by highlighting the importance of imaging studies in conjunction with physical examination, which are characterized by general and specific criteria to diagnose this rare condition until a specific gene test becomes available.
PubMed: 38860105
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60072 -
Environmental Management Jun 2024In the Mediterranean, we find a mosaic of natural and cultural landscapes, where a variety of forest management practices created intermediate disturbance regimes that...
In the Mediterranean, we find a mosaic of natural and cultural landscapes, where a variety of forest management practices created intermediate disturbance regimes that potentially increased biodiversity values. Nonetheless, it is essential to understand the species' long-term response to the dynamic management in agroecosystems, since the species tolerance to disturbance can change throughout the life cycle. Mammalian carnivores can be sensitive to human disturbance and are an essential part of ecosystems due to their regulatory and community structuring effects. We investigated the spatial response of five mesocarnivores species to spatially- and temporally- varying management practices in an agroforestry landscape. More specifically, we assessed the mesocarnivores' temporal changes in space use by implementing multi-season occupancy models in a Bayesian framework, using seasonal camera-trapping surveys for a 2-year period. All species had a weak response of local extinction to forestry management and livestock grazing pressure. For forest-dwelling species, occupancy was higher where productivity of perennial vegetation was high, while colonization between seasons was positively associated with vegetation cover. For habitat generalist species, we found that occupancy in the wet season increased with the distance to cattle exclusion plots. Most of these plots are pine stands which are subject to forestry interventions during winter. During the 2-year period we found seasonal fluctuations in occupancy for all species, with an overall slight decrease for three mesocarnivore species, while for the two forest-dwelling species there was an increase in occupancy between years. The weak species response to management practices supports the importance of traditional management for upholding a diverse mesocarnivore community in agroforestry systems but could also reflect these species' ecological plasticity and resilience to disturbance.
PubMed: 38851641
DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02003-2 -
ACS Synthetic Biology Jun 2024Aromatic d-amino acids (d-AAs) play a pivotal role as important chiral building blocks and key intermediates in fine chemical and drug synthesis. -diaminopimelate...
Aromatic d-amino acids (d-AAs) play a pivotal role as important chiral building blocks and key intermediates in fine chemical and drug synthesis. -diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (DAPDH) serves as an excellent biocatalyst in the synthesis of d-AAs and their derivatives. However, its strict substrate specificity and the lack of efficient engineering methods have hindered its widespread application. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the catalytic mechanism underlying DAPDH from (DAPDH) through the examination of its crystallographic structure, computational simulations of potential energies and molecular dynamics simulations, and site-directed mutagenesis. Mechanism-guided computational design showed that the optimal mutant DAPDH-M3 increased specific activity and catalytic efficiency (/) for aromatic keto acids up to 124-fold and 92.4-fold, respectively, compared to that of the wild type. Additionally, it expanded the substrate scope to 10 aromatic keto acid substrates. Finally, six high-value-added aromatic d-AAs and their derivatives were synthesized using a one-pot three-enzyme cascade reaction, exhibiting a good conversion rate ranging from 32 to 84% and excellent stereoselectivity (enantiomeric excess >99%). These findings provide a potential synthetic pathway for the green industrial production of aromatic d-AAs.
Topics: Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; Molecular Dynamics Simulation; Substrate Specificity; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Amino Acids, Aromatic; Proteus vulgaris; Biocatalysis; Bacterial Proteins
PubMed: 38847341
DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00176 -
Skin Health and Disease Jun 2024Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is a type of skin inflammation caused by chronic exposure to urine and/or faeces. Current treatment strategies involve creating...
BACKGROUND
Incontinence Associated Dermatitis (IAD) is a type of skin inflammation caused by chronic exposure to urine and/or faeces. Current treatment strategies involve creating a barrier between the skin and urine/faeces rather than targeting specific irritants. Urease expressing pathogens catalyse the conversion of urea, present in urine, into ammonia. The accumulation of ammonia causes an elevation in skin pH which is believed to activate faecal enzymes which damage skin, and opportunistic pathogens, which lead to secondary infections.
OBJECTIVES
To develop a better, multi-factorial model of IAD pathogenesis, including the effect of urease-expressing bacteria on skin, mechanism of damage of urease and urease-triggered activity of faecal enzymes and secondary pathogens. To study the effect of urease inhibition on preventing IAD skin damage.
METHODS
Five separate studies were made using ex vivo porcine skin and in vivo human skin models. Measurements of the change in skin barrier function were made using skin impedance, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum moisture and pH. Skin was exposed to artificial urine, inoculated with various microbes, enzymes and chemicals to examine the influence of: 1) urease-positive 2) ammonia, 3) combination of and a faecal enzyme, trypsin, 4) combination of and opportunistic pathogens, and , 5) inhibition of urease using acetohydroxamic acid (AHA) on barrier function.
RESULTS
The urease-mediated production of ammonia had two principal effects: it elevated skin pH and caused inflammation, leading to significant breakdown in skin (stratum corneum) barrier function. Urease was found to further increase the activity of faecal enzymes and opportunistic pathogens, due to elevated skin pH. The urease inhibitor, AHA, was shown to have significantly reduced damage to skin barrier function, measured as its electrical resistance.
CONCLUSIONS
Targeted therapeutic strategies should be developed to prevent the manifestation of IAD, rather than creating a generic barrier between skin and urine/faeces. Urease has been identified as a crucial component in the manifestation of IAD, due to its role in the production of ammonia. Urease inhibition provides a promising therapeutic target to halt the progression of IAD.
PubMed: 38846694
DOI: 10.1002/ski2.349 -
Indian Dermatology Online Journal 2024International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies classification defines Congenital Limb Overgrowth Vascular Syndromes (CLOS) as a subset of vascular syndromes...
International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies classification defines Congenital Limb Overgrowth Vascular Syndromes (CLOS) as a subset of vascular syndromes with other abnormalities that present with unilateral limb overgrowth. It includes Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, Parkes-Weber Syndrome, CLOVES (Congenital Lipomatous Overgrowth, Vascular Malformations, Epidermal Nevi, Spinal/Skeletal Anomalies/Scoliosis) Syndrome, Proteus Syndrome, PTEN Hamartomatous Syndrome, and Fibroadipose Vascular Anomaly. Due to their rare and complex nature, a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment is required. A thorough clinical and radiological workup can go miles in reflecting on the patient's outcome. Here we report five cases of CLOS with their detailed dermato-radiological profiles.
PubMed: 38845672
DOI: 10.4103/idoj.idoj_500_23 -
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences... Apr 2024<b>Background and Objective:</b> Urinary tract infections from the use of an indwelling urinary catheter are one of the most common infections caused by...
<b>Background and Objective:</b> Urinary tract infections from the use of an indwelling urinary catheter are one of the most common infections caused by <i>Proteus mirabilis</i>. Due to their biofilm-producing capacity and the increasing antimicrobial resistance in this microorganism, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, biofilm-producing capacity, antimicrobial resistance patterns, multidrug resistance and plasmid mediated resistance of the recovered isolates. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 50 urinary samples were collected from May to August, 2018 from patients on indwelling urinary catheters. Using routine microbiological and biochemical methods, 37 <i>P. mirabilis</i> were isolated. Biofilm forming capability was determined among the isolates using the tube method while antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid curing were also performed. <b>Results:</b> All isolates were biofilm producers with 17(46%) being moderate producers while 20(54%) were strong biofilm formers. The study isolates exhibited a high resistance rate to empiric antibiotics, including ceftazidime (75.8%), cefuroxime (54.5%), ampicillin (69.7%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (51.5%). Low resistance was seen in the fluoroquinolones, gentamicin and nitrofurantoin. Plasmid curing experiment revealed that most isolates lost their resistance indicating that resistance was borne on plasmids. Plasmid carriage is likely the reason for the high MDR rate of 56.8% observed. <b>Conclusion:</b> These findings necessitate the provision of infection control programs which will guide and implement policies.
Topics: Biofilms; Proteus mirabilis; Catheters, Indwelling; Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Urinary Tract Infections; Plasmids; Urinary Catheters; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Proteus Infections; Catheter-Related Infections; Female; Male; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
PubMed: 38840467
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2024.268.275