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Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024The current study evaluates the antibacterial activity of Camponotus compressus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) body crude extracts. The increasing antibiotic resistance of...
The current study evaluates the antibacterial activity of Camponotus compressus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) body crude extracts. The increasing antibiotic resistance of bacteria has prompted the world to turn its attention towards insects in the search for new sources of antibacterial compounds. The body crude extract obtained with different solvents were tested against both Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae). Standard disc diffusion method was used to perform the activity. The extracts of C. compressus were investigated for their effectiveness against all resistant pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most susceptible, exhibiting a high average growth inhibition, while Bacillus subtilis showed a lower average growth inhibition zone. Our findings regarding the inhibitory effect of C. compressus extracts show the presence of a broad-spectrum antibacterial compound. This will be helpful in the search for novel natural antibiotics against robust pathogenic bacterial strains.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Ants; Complex Mixtures
PubMed: 38958299
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.284085 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024Aestivation and hibernation represent distinct forms of animal quiescence, characterized by physiological changes, including ion composition. Intracellular ion flows...
Aestivation and hibernation represent distinct forms of animal quiescence, characterized by physiological changes, including ion composition. Intracellular ion flows play a pivotal role in eliciting alterations in membrane potential and facilitating cellular communication, while outward K+ currents aid in the restitution and upkeep of the resting membrane potential. This study explores the relationship between inward and outward currents during aestivation in Achatina fulica snails. Specimens were collected near MSUBIT University in Shenzhen and divided into two groups. The first group was kept on a lattice diet, while the second one consisted of aestivating individuals, that were deprived of food and water until a cork-like structure sealed their shells. Recording of current from isolated neurons were conducted using the single-electrode voltage clamp mode with an AxoPatch 200B amplifier. Electrophysiological recordings on pedal ganglia neurons revealed significant differences in the inactivation processes of the Ia and Ikdr components. Alterations in the Ikdr component may inhibit pacemaker activity in pedal ganglion neurons, potentially contributing to locomotion cessation in aestivated animals. The KS current remains unaffected during aestivation. Changes in slow K+ current components could disrupt the resting membrane potential, possibly leading to cell depolarization and influx of Ca2+ and Na+ ions, impacting cell homeostasis. Thus, maintaining the constancy of outward K+ current is essential for cell stability.
Topics: Animals; Snails; Neurons; Membrane Potentials; Estivation; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Potassium; Potassium Channels
PubMed: 38958298
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.283314 -
RNA Biology Jan 2024The TATA-box binding protein (TBP) is the sole transcription factor common in the initiation complexes of the three major eukaryotic RNA Polymerases (Pol I, II and III)....
The TATA-box binding protein (TBP) is the sole transcription factor common in the initiation complexes of the three major eukaryotic RNA Polymerases (Pol I, II and III). Although TBP is central to transcription by the three RNA Pols in various species, the emergence of TBP paralogs throughout evolution has expanded the complexity in transcription initiation. Furthermore, recent studies have emerged that questioned the centrality of TBP in mammalian cells, particularly in Pol II transcription, but the role of TBP and its paralogs in Pol I transcription remains to be re-evaluated. In this report, we show that in murine embryonic stem cells TBP localizes onto Pol I promoters, whereas the TBP paralog TRF2 only weakly associates to the Spacer Promoter of rDNA, suggesting that it may not be able to replace TBP for Pol I transcription. Importantly, acute TBP depletion does not fully disrupt Pol I occupancy or activity on ribosomal RNA genes, but TBP binding in mitosis leads to efficient Pol I reactivation following cell division. These findings provide a more nuanced role for TBP in Pol I transcription in murine embryonic stem cells.
Topics: Animals; RNA Polymerase I; TATA-Box Binding Protein; Mice; Mitosis; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Transcription, Genetic; Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells; Protein Binding; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 38958280
DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2024.2375097 -
Child: Care, Health and Development Jul 2024Participation in life activities is an integral part of health and a main outcome of rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with disabilities. However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Participation in life activities is an integral part of health and a main outcome of rehabilitation services for children and adolescents with disabilities. However, there is still no consensus on the most effective way to improve participation. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions on participation outcomes of children with cerebral palsy (CP).
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted, searching the databases PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Web of Science and Scopus for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), between 2001 and 2023. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they evaluated children with CP undergoing any intervention and using any tool measuring participation as an outcome measure. A meta-analysis of treatment effect was conducted. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the effect on participation when intervention targeted different International Classification of Functioning (ICF) domains.
RESULTS
A total of 1572 records were identified. Eight RCTs including 384 children (195 in the intervention group and 189 in the control group) were included in the systematic review and in the meta-analysis. A sensitivity analysis showed that interventions focusing on participation significantly improved participation; standardized mean difference (1.83; 95% CI: 1.33-2.32; Z = 7.21; P < 0.00001). When other types of interventions, that is, focusing on body functions and structures or activities, were used, then participation was not favourably affected.
INTERPRETATION
Interventions primarily targeting barriers to participation across several ICF domains have a greater influence on enhancing participation. Interventions aimed at enhancing specific motor skills, including gross and fine motor function or strength, do not necessarily have a positive impact on participation.
Topics: Humans; Cerebral Palsy; Child; Adolescent; Social Participation; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Activities of Daily Living
PubMed: 38958263
DOI: 10.1111/cch.13301 -
Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England) Jul 2024How the cerebral metabolic rates of oxygen and glucose utilization (CMRO and CMR, respectively) are affected by alterations in arterial PCO (PaCO) is equivocal and...
AIM
How the cerebral metabolic rates of oxygen and glucose utilization (CMRO and CMR, respectively) are affected by alterations in arterial PCO (PaCO) is equivocal and therefore was the primary question of this study.
METHODS
This retrospective analysis involved pooled data from four separate studies, involving 41 healthy adults (35 males/6 females). Participants completed stepwise steady-state alterations in PaCO ranging between 30 and 60 mmHg. The CMRO and CMR were assessed via the Fick approach (CBF × arterial-internal jugular venous difference of oxygen or glucose content, respectively) utilizing duplex ultrasound of the internal carotid artery and vertebral artery to calculate cerebral blood flow (CBF).
RESULTS
The CMRO was altered by 0.5 mL × min (95% CI: -0.6 to -0.3) per mmHg change in PaCO (p < 0.001) which corresponded to a 9.8% (95% CI: -13.2 to -6.5) change in CMRO with a 9 mmHg change in PaCO (inclusive of hypo- and hypercapnia). The CMR was reduced by 7.7% (95% CI: -15.4 to -0.08, p = 0.045; i.e., reduction in net glucose uptake) and the oxidative glucose index (ratio of oxygen to glucose uptake) was reduced by 5.6% (95% CI: -11.2 to 0.06, p = 0.049) with a + 9 mmHg increase in PaCO.
CONCLUSION
Collectively, the CMRO is altered by approximately 1% per mmHg change in PaCO. Further, glucose is incompletely oxidized during hypercapnia, indicating reductions in CMRO are either met by compensatory increases in nonoxidative glucose metabolism or explained by a reduction in total energy production.
PubMed: 38958262
DOI: 10.1111/apha.14197 -
Journal of Drug Targeting Jul 2024Exosome therapy has garnered significant attention due to its natural delivery capabilities, low toxicity, high biocompatibility, and potential for personalised...
Exosome therapy has garnered significant attention due to its natural delivery capabilities, low toxicity, high biocompatibility, and potential for personalised treatment through engineering modifications. Recent studies have highlighted the ability of tumour cell-derived exosomes (TDEs) to interact with immune cells or modify the immune microenvironment to suppress host immune responses, as well as their unique homing ability to parental cells. The core question of this study is whether this immunomodulatory property of TDEs can be utilised for the immunotherapy of inflammatory diseases. In our experiments, we prepared exosomes derived from murine colon cancer cells CT26 (CT26 exo) using ultracentrifugation, characterised them, and conducted proteomic analysis. The therapeutic potential of CT26 exo was evaluated in our dextran sulphate sodium salt (DSS)-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) mouse model. Compared to the control and 293 T exo treatment groups, mice treated with CT26 exo showed a reduction in the disease activity index (DAI) and colon shortening rate, with no noticeable weight loss. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of colon paraffin sections revealed reduced inflammatory infiltration and increased epithelial goblet cells in the colons of CT26 exo-treated group. Furthermore, we conducted preliminary mechanistic explorations by examining the phenotyping and function of CD4 T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) in the colonic lamina propria of mice. The results indicated that the ameliorative effect of CT26 exosomes might be due to their inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion by colonic DCs and selective suppression of Th17 cell differentiation in the colon. Additionally, CT26 exo exhibited good biosafety. Our findings propose a novel exosome-based therapeutic approach for IBD and suggest the potential application of TDEs in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
PubMed: 38958251
DOI: 10.1080/1061186X.2024.2369876 -
Journal of Computational Chemistry Jul 2024Cocrystals are assemblies of more than one type of molecule stabilized through noncovalent interactions. They are promising materials for improved drug formulation in...
Cocrystals are assemblies of more than one type of molecule stabilized through noncovalent interactions. They are promising materials for improved drug formulation in which the stability, solubility, or biocompatibility of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is improved by including a coformer. In this work, a range of density functional theory (DFT) and density functional tight binding (DFTB) models are systematically compared for their ability to predict the lattice enthalpy of a broad range of existing pharmaceutically relevant cocrystals. These range from cocrystals containing model compounds 4,4'-bipyridine and oxalic acid to those with the well benchmarked APIs of aspirin and paracetamol, all tested with a large set of alternative coformers. For simple cocrystals, there is a general consensus in lattice enthalpy calculated by the different DFT models. For the cocrystals with API coformers the cocrystals, enthalpy predictions depend strongly on the DFT model. The significantly lighter DFTB models predict unrealistic values of lattice enthalpy even for simple cocrystals.
PubMed: 38958249
DOI: 10.1002/jcc.27454 -
American Journal of Reproductive... Jul 2024Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common mucosal fungal infection, and Candida albicans is the main causative agent. The NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in...
PROBLEM
Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common mucosal fungal infection, and Candida albicans is the main causative agent. The NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in VVC, but the underlying mechanism is unknown.
METHOD OF STUDY
Vaginal epithelial cells were divided into three groups: control, C. albicans strain SC5314 (wild-type, WT), and WT+ Matt Cooper Compound 950 (MCC950, a specific NLRP3 inhibitor). After human vaginal epithelial cells were pretreated with 1 µmol/L MCC950 for 2 h, C. albicans (MOI = 1) was cocultured with the human vaginal epithelial cells for 12 h. The cell supernatants were collected, LDH was detected, and the IL-1β and IL-18 levels were determined by ELISA. The expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD was measured by Western blotting analysis. The protein expression of the pyroptosis-related N-terminus of GSDMD (GSDMD-N) was detected by immunofluorescence.
RESULTS
In this study, we showed that the WT C. albicans strain induced pyroptosis in vaginal epithelial cells, as indicated by the LDH and proinflammatory cytokine levels and the upregulated levels of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20, and GSDMD-N. MCC950 reversed the changes in the expression of these proteins and proinflammatory cytokines in vaginal epithelial cells.
CONCLUSION
C. albicans activated the NLRP3 inflammasome to induce vaginal epithelial cell pyroptosis. MCC950 inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome, reduced vaginal epithelial cell pyroptosis, and decreased the release of inflammatory cytokines.
Topics: Female; Humans; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal; Epithelial Cells; Inflammasomes; Candida albicans; Pyroptosis; Vagina; Interleukin-18; Interleukin-1beta; Indenes; Furans; Caspase 1; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings; Phosphate-Binding Proteins; Cells, Cultured; Sulfonamides
PubMed: 38958245
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13893 -
American Journal of Reproductive... Jul 2024This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of delta neutrophil index (DNI), a peripheral blood parameter, on perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with systemic...
PROBLEM
This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of delta neutrophil index (DNI), a peripheral blood parameter, on perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
METHOD OF STUDY
One hundred eighty-one participants, 78 pregnant women with SLE, and 103 healthy pregnant women were included in this retrospective study. Peripheral blood parameters including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and DNI taken in the first trimester were compared between groups.
RESULTS
NLR, PLR, and DNI were significantly higher in the SLE group (p = 0.027, p = 0.007, p = 0.0001, respectively). The same parameters were not found to be significant in determining disease activity in pregnant women with SLE (p > 0.05). When the predictive value of DNI for SGA in pregnancies with SLE was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.666 (95% CI; 0.544-0.788, p = 0.018) with 84.6% sensitivity, 53.8% specificity, 56.0% PPV, and 78.1% NPV at a cut-off value of 0.16. The predictive value of DNI according to ROC for stillbirth in pregnancies with SLE was AUC 0.731 (95% CI: 0.539-0.923, p = 0.019) with a cut-off value of 0.17, sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 51.5%, PPV of 58.5%, and NPV of 87.2%.
CONCLUSIONS
Although DNI's prediction of SGA and stillbirth in pregnant women with SLE is encouraging, it needs more evidence from prospective studies with larger series.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Neutrophils; Adult; Retrospective Studies; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Predictive Value of Tests; ROC Curve; Lymphocytes; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 38958243
DOI: 10.1111/aji.13894 -
Pediatric Pulmonology Jul 2024To quantify the association of ambient air pollution (particulate matter, PM) exposure with medically attended acute respiratory illness among infants with...
OBJECTIVES
To quantify the association of ambient air pollution (particulate matter, PM) exposure with medically attended acute respiratory illness among infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
STUDY DESIGN
Single center, retrospective cohort study of preterm infants with BPD in Metropolitan Philadelphia. Multivariable logistic regression quantified associations of annual mean PM exposure (per μg/m) at the census block group level with medically attended acute respiratory illness, defined as emergency department (ED) visits or hospital readmissions within a year after first hospital discharge adjusting for age at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge, year, sex, race, insurance, BPD severity, and census tract deprivation. As a secondary analysis, we examined whether BPD severity modified the associations.
RESULTS
Of the 378 infants included in the analysis, 189 were non-Hispanic Black and 235 were publicly insured. Census block PM level was not significantly associated with medically attended acute respiratory illnesses, ED visits, or hospital readmissions in the full study cohort. We observed significant effect modification by BPD grade; each 1 µg/m higher annual PM exposure was medically attended acute respiratory illness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.65, 95% CI: 1.06-2.63) among infants with Grade 1 BPD but not among infants with grade 3 BPD (aOR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.47-1.48) (interaction p = .024).
CONCLUSIONS
Cumulative PM exposure in the year after NICU discharge was not significantly associated with medically attended acute respiratory illness among infants with BPD. However, infants with Grade 1 BPD had significantly higher odds with higher exposures. If replicated, these findings could inform anticipatory guidance for families of these infants to avoid outdoor activities during high pollution days after NICU discharge.
PubMed: 38958238
DOI: 10.1002/ppul.27164