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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory.
Coinfection by Aspergillus and Zygomycetes Species in a Case of Acute Rhinosinusitis
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We reported a case of coinfection by Aspergillus and Rhizopus sp. involving nose, paranasal sinuses, orbit, and brain in a 68-year-old known hypertensive male. He was presented to ENT OPD with history of fever and intermittent headache since fifteen days along with history of right-sided nasal obstruction and proptosis since seven days. CT scan of brain and paranasal sinuses showed findings of pansinusitis with cellulitic changes in right orbit. MRI confirmed the same along with features of intracranial extension with focal meningitis in right frontotemporal region. Laboratory parameters did not conclude much except for le...
Source: Clinical and Developmental Immunology - September 12, 2011 Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research
Highlighting The Evolving Role Of Clinical Microbiology LaboratoriesEmail this article to a colleague.
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With the increasing availability of sophisticated technologies to rapidly diagnose and treat infectious diseases, the duties and the role of clinical laboratory microbiologists, who traditionally perform these tests, could see significant changes in the next few years. That is one of the conclusions of a series of reports published in a special supplement to the September 2011 Journal of Clinical Microbiology...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - September 12, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Source Type: news
Insect Host Species Of A Famous Tibetan Medicinal Fungus Identified By Chinese ResearchersEmail this article to a colleague.
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A team of researchers from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Xiao-Liang Wang and Yi-Jian Yao), summarized all the available information on the insect species associated with the Tibetan medicinal fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis through an extensive literature survey and analyzed their relationships with the fungus. The study was published in the open access journal ZooKeys. The fungus has traditionally been used as a tonic to strengthen the human body and in the treatment of kidney and lung problems...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - September 11, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Biology / Biochemistry Source Type: news
Alternative therapies for Helicobacter pylori: probiotics and phytomedicineEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractHelicobacter pylori is a common human pathogen, infecting about 30% of children and 60% of adults worldwide, and is responsible for diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Treatment against H. pylori is based on the use of antibiotics, but therapy failure can be higher than 20% and is essentially due to an increase in the prevalence of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, which has led to the search of alternative therapies. In this review, we discuss alternative therapies for H. pylori, mainly phytotherapy and probiotics. Probiotics are live organisms or produced substances that are orally admini...
Source: FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology - September 11, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jorge M. B. VítorFilipa F. Vale Tags: MiniReview Source Type: research
Modelling the inhibitory effect of copper sulphate on the growth of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinereaEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions: The MIC values were 4.7 mmol kg−1 for P. expansum, 8.2 and 7.3 mmol kg−1 for B. cinerea strain BC1 and BC2 respectively, demonstrating that some isolates of these moulds are resistant to copper.
Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology - September 11, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Daniela Judet‐CorreiaClaudine CharpentierMaurice BensoussanPhilippe Dantigny Source Type: research
Differential expression and adherence of Porphyromonas gingivalis FimA genotypesEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryPorphyromonas gingivalis is a primary pathogen involved in the initiation and progression of adult chronic periodontitis. Its colonization on oral surfaces is a necessary first step leading to infection. FimA, a subunit protein of major (long) fimbriae, is a well‐known virulence factor. Based on its nucleotide sequence, FimA is classified into several genotypes. We compared here the transcriptional levels of the fimA gene in several P. gingivalis strains using real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis, fimbrial display on the P. gingivalis surface using transmission electronic microscopy, and the adherence ...
Source: Oral Microbiology and Immunology - September 11, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: C. ZhengJ. WuH. Xie Source Type: research
Modelling of acid mine drainage (AMD) in columnsEmail this article to a colleague.
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A model is proposed in this paper to describe the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD) in leaching columns. The model considers: (i) Water flow through the column, which is calculated using the 1 - D analytic solution of the Richards' equation assuming the existence of a similarity relationship between the water retention function and the water content profiles at a given time; and (ii) Pyrite oxidation weighted by microbiological effects occurring in spherical particles according to the shrinking core model. Mass balances of oxygen and pyrite were derived in order to evaluate the intrinsic oxidation rate and the pyrite ...
Source: Brazilian Journal of Chemical Engineering - September 10, 2011 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research
Serotype and genotype analysis of Dengue Virus by Sequencing followed by Phylogenetic analysis using samples from three mini outbreaks-2007-2009 in PakistanEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions:
Our study showed that serotype DEN-2 was dominant in positive samples of dengue virus infection collected during the period of three years (2007-2009). The other serotype present was serotype DEN-3. Genotypes of serotype DEN-2 and serotype DEN-3 were subtype IV and subtype III, respectively.
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - September 10, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zareen FatimaMuhammad IdreesMohammad BajwaZarfishan TahirObaid UllahMuhammad ZiaAbrar HussainMadiha AkramBushra KhubaibSamia AfzalSaira MunirSana SaleemBisma RauffSadaf BadarMahrukh NaudhaniSadia ButtMahwish AftabLiaqat AliMuhammad Ali Source Type: research
Monitoring specific antibody responses against the hydrophilic domain of the 23 kDa membrane protein of Schistosoma japonicum for early detection of infection in sentinel miceEmail this article to a colleague.
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The early specific antibody responses to the hydrophilic domain of 23kDa membrane protein of Schistosoma japonicum (Sj23HD) can be used to monitor the schistosome infection in sentinel mice by immunoblotting. Image: Sentinel mice were used to monitor the infested water body of schistosome infection
Source: Parasites and Vectors - September 10, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jie WangChuan-Xin YuXu-Ren YinWei ZhangChun-Yan QianLi-Jun SongXue-Dan KeYong-Liang XuWei HeGuo-Qun Cao Source Type: research
Detection and Characterization of Aparmycin-Resistant Escherichia coli from Humans in KoreaEmail this article to a colleague.
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Microbial Drug Resistance , Vol. 0, No. 0.
Source: Microbial Drug Resistance - September 9, 2011 Category: Microbiology Tags: article Source Type: research
Redox State of Virion-incorporated HCV Surface Glycoproteins [Protein Structure and Folding]Email this article to a colleague.
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The HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 contain eight and 18 highly conserved cysteine residues, respectively. Here, we examined the oxidation state of E1E2 heterodimers incorporated into retroviral pseudotyped particles (HCVpp) and investigated the significance of free sulfhydryl groups in cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) and HCVpp entry. Alkylation of free sulfhydryl groups on HCVcc/pp with a membrane-impermeable sulfhydryl-alkylating reagent 4-(N-maleimido)benzyl-α-trimethylammonium iodide (M135) prior to virus attachment to cells abolished infectivity in a dose-dependent manner. Labeling of HCVpp envelope proteins wi...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: Fraser, J., Boo, I., Poumbourios, P., Drummer, H. E. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research
SlyA and Type 1 Fimbriation [Gene Regulation]Email this article to a colleague.
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This study extends our understanding of the role that SlyA plays in the host-bacterial relationship.
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: McVicker, G., Sun, L., Sohanpal, B. K., Gashi, K., Williamson, R. A., Plumbridge, J., Blomfield, I. C. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research
Characterization of NopL [Microbiology]Email this article to a colleague.
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Pathogenic bacteria use type 3 secretion systems to deliver virulence factors (type 3 effector proteins) directly into eukaryotic host cells. Similarly, type 3 effectors of certain nitrogen-fixing rhizobial strains affect nodule formation in the symbiosis with host legumes. Nodulation outer protein L (NopL) of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 is a Rhizobium-specific type 3 effector. Nodulation tests and microscopic analysis showed that distinct necrotic areas were rapidly formed in ineffective nodules of Phaseolus vulgaris (cv. Tendergreen) induced by strain NGRΩnopL (NGR234 mutated in nopL), indicating that NopL antagonized n...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: Zhang, L., Chen, X.-J., Lu, H.-B., Xie, Z.-P., Staehelin, C. Tags: Plant Biology Source Type: research
Membrane Localization of Small Proteins in E. coli [Membrane Biology]Email this article to a colleague.
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Escherichia coli synthesize over 60 poorly understood small proteins of less than 50 amino acids. A striking feature of these proteins is that 65% contain a predicted α-helical transmembrane (TM) domain. This prompted us to examine the localization, topology, and membrane insertion of the small proteins. Biochemical fractionation showed that, consistent with the predicted TM helix, the small proteins generally are most abundant in the inner membrane fraction. Examples of both Nin-Cout and Nout-Cin orientations were found in assays of topology-reporter fusions to representative small TM proteins. Interestingly, however, th...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: Fontaine, F., Fuchs, R. T., Storz, G. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research
Structure-Inhibition of M. tuberculosis Zinc-dependent Zmp1 [Protein Structure and Folding]Email this article to a colleague.
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, parasitizes host macrophages. The resistance of the tubercle bacilli to the macrophage hostile environment relates to their ability to impair phagosome maturation and its fusion with the lysosome, thus preventing the formation of the phago-lysosome and eventually arresting the process of phagocytosis. The M. tuberculosis zinc-dependent metalloprotease Zmp1 has been proposed to play a key role in the process of phagosome maturation inhibition and emerged as an important player in pathogenesis. Here, we report the crystal structure of wild-type Zmp1 at 2.6 Å r...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: Ferraris, D. M., Sbardella, D., Petrera, A., Marini, S., Amstutz, B., Coletta, M., Sander, P., Rizzi, M. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research
LytN Required for Proper Growth and Cross-wall Formation [Microbiology]Email this article to a colleague.
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Cell cycle progression for the spherical microbe Staphylococcus aureus requires the coordinated synthesis and remodeling of peptidoglycan. The majority of these rearrangements takes place at the mid-cell, in a compartment designated the cross-wall. Secreted polypeptides endowed with a YSIRK-G/S signal peptide are directly delivered to the cross-wall compartment. One such YSIRK-containing protein is the murein hydrolase LytN. lytN mutations precipitate structural damage to the cross-wall and interfere with staphylococcal growth. Overexpression of lytN also affects growth and triggers rupture of the cross-wall. The lytN phen...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: Frankel, M. B., Hendrickx, A. P. A., Missiakas, D. M., Schneewind, O. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research
Plasmodium Alternative Type I Complex [Cell Biology]Email this article to a colleague.
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The Plasmodium mitochondrial electron transport chain has received considerable attention as a potential target for new antimalarial drugs. Atovaquone, a potent inhibitor of Plasmodium cytochrome bc1, in combination with proguanil is recommended for chemoprophylaxis and treatment of malaria. The type II NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase (NDH2) is considered an attractive drug target, as its inhibition is thought to lead to the arrest of the mitochondrial electron transport chain and, as a consequence, pyrimidine biosynthesis, an essential pathway for the parasite. Using the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei as an in ...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - September 9, 2011 Category: Chemistry Authors: Boysen, K. E., Matuschewski, K. Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research
Mutation of L-2,3-diaminopropionic acid synthase genes blocks staphyloferrin B biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureusEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions:
Mutation of either sbnA or sbnB result in abrogation of synthesis of staphyloferrin B, a siderophore that contributes to iron-restricted growth of S. aureus. The loss of staphyloferrin B synthesis is due to an inability to synthesize the unusual amino acid L-2,3-diaminopropionic acid which is an important, iron-liganding component of the siderophore structure. It is proposed that SbnA and SbnB function together as an L-Dap synthase in the S. aureus cell.
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - September 9, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Federico BeasleyJohnson CheungDavid Heinrichs Source Type: research
Dissemination of Metarhizium anisopliae of low and high virulence by mating behavior in Aedes aegyptiEmail this article to a colleague.
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M. anisopliae transmitted from fungus-contaminated male to female A. aegypti, infected and killed the insects - 50% in 7.5 days, and reduced fecundity up to 99% in the few survivors. Image: Female of A. aegypti sporulating M. anisopliae acquired after mating with a virgin, fungus-contaminated male.
Source: Parasites and Vectors - September 9, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Filiberto Reyes-VillanuevaJavier Garza-HernandezAlberto Garcia-MunguiaPatricia Tamez-GuerraAnnabel HowardMario Rodriguez-Perez Source Type: research
Review of "Parasites of Medical and Veterinary Importance" by Dietmar SteverdingEmail this article to a colleague.
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This is a reference book on parasites of medical and veterinary importance providing detailed information on over 600 parasites. It has three main sections, Protozoa, Metazoa and Micropredators as vectors for pathogens. Image: Book cover
Source: Parasites and Vectors - September 9, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Geoff Hide Source Type: research
Fatal Fungal Infections Resist Newest Class Of DrugsEmail this article to a colleague.
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Fungi that cause severe infections in those with compromised immune systems are resisting the action of the latest group of antifungal drugs. Uncovering their strategies for doing this will lead to more effective treatments, says a scientist speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of York. Candida albicans is the most common hospital-acquired fungal infection and can cause illness by sticking to and colonizing plastic surfaces implanted in the body such as catheters, cardiac devices or prosthetic joints...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - September 8, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses Source Type: news
Bifidobacterium longum with Fructo-Oligosaccharides in Patients with Non Alcoholic SteatohepatitisEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions
Bifidobacterium longum with Fos and lifestyle modification, when compared to lifestyle modification alone, significantly reduces TNF-α, CRP, serum
AST levels, HOMA-IR, serum endotoxin, steatosis, and the NASH activity index.
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-9DOI 10.1007/s10620-011-1887-4Authors
Michele Malaguarnera, Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria, 6, 95125 Catania, ItalyMarco Vacante, Department of Senescence, Urological and Neurological Sciences, University of Catania, C...
Source: Digestive Diseases and Sciences - September 8, 2011 Category: Gastroenterology Tags: Digestive Diseases and Sciences Source Type: research
UH researchers work to develop screening method for superbugEmail this article to a colleague.
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(University of Houston) A team of researchers from the University of Houston and St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital are working to develop improved screening methods to detect a potentially lethal, drug-resistant superbug that has made its way to Texas. Commonly called CRKP, the bacteria were found in three patients at St. Luke's, and the team published a report about it in the journal Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease. The researchers believe these are the first confirmed cases in Texas.
Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science - September 8, 2011 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news
Reports highlight the evolving role of clinical microbiology laboratoriesEmail this article to a colleague.
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(American Society for Microbiology) With the increasing availability of sophisticated technologies to rapidly diagnose and treat infectious diseases, the duties and the role of clinical laboratory microbiologists, who traditionally perform these tests, could see significant changes in the next few years. That is one of the conclusions of a series of reports published in a special supplement to the September 2011 Journal of Clinical Microbiology.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - September 8, 2011 Category: Biology Source Type: news
OmpA‐like protein influences cell shape and adhesive activity of Tannerella forsythiaEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryTannerella forsythia, a gram‐negative fusiform rod, is implicated in several types of oral anaerobic infections. Most gram‐negative bacteria have OmpA‐like proteins that are homologous to the OmpA protein in Escherichia coli. We identified an OmpA‐like protein in T. forsythia encoded by the tf1331 gene as one of the major proteins by mass spectrometric analysis. Two‐dimensional, diagonal electrophoresis showed that the OmpA‐like protein formed a dimeric or trimeric structure via intermolecular disulfide bonds. A biotin labeling experiment revealed that a portion of the protein was exposed on the cell su...
Source: Oral Microbiology and Immunology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: T. AbeY. MurakamiK. NaganoY. HasegawaK. MoriguchiN. OhnoK. ShimozatoF. Yoshimura Source Type: research
Interaction between the reductase Tah18 and highly conserved Fe‐S containing Dre2 C‐terminus is essential for yeast viabilityEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryTah18–Dre2 is a recently identified yeast protein complex, which is highly conserved in human and has been implicated in the regulation of oxidative stress induced cell death and in cytosolic Fe‐S proteins synthesis. Tah18 is a diflavin oxido‐reductase with binding sites for flavin mononucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, which is able to transfer electrons to Dre2 Fe‐S clusters. In this work we characterized in details the interaction between Tah18 and Dre2, and analysed how it conditions yeast viability. We show that Dre2 C‐terminus interacts in vivo an...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nicolas SolerEmmanuelle DelagoutteSimona MironCéline FaccaDorothée BaïlleBenoit d'AutreauxGil CraescuYves‐Michel FrapartDaniel MansuyGiuseppe BaldacciMeng‐Er HuangLaurence Vernis Source Type: research
Arginine catabolic mobile element encoded speG abrogates the unique hypersensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus to exogenous polyaminesEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryPolyamines, including spermine (Spm) and spermidine (Spd), are aliphatic cations that are reportedly synthesized by all living organisms. They exert pleiotropic effects on cells and are required for efficient nucleic acid and protein synthesis. Here, we report that the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus lacks identifiable polyamine biosynthetic genes, and consequently produces no Spm/Spd or their precursor compounds putrescine and agmatine. Moreover, while supplementing defined medium with polyamines generally enhances bacterial growth, Spm and Spd exert bactericidal effects on S. aureus at physiological concent...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gauri S. JoshiJeffrey S. SpontakDavid G. KlapperAnthony R. Richardson Source Type: research
Dysregulation of serine biosynthesis contributes to the growth defect of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis crp mutantEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryMycobacterium tuberculosis CRPMt, encoded by Rv3676 (crp), is a CRP‐like transcription factor that binds with the serC–Rv0885 intergenic region. In the present study, we evaluated CRPMt's regulation of serC and Rv0885 in M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG, using site‐specific mutagenesis, promoter fusions and reverse‐transcriptase PCR (RT‐PCR). The CRPMt binding site was required for full expression of serC and Rv0885, and expression of both genes was reduced in M. tuberculosis and M. bovis BCG crp mutants. These data show that CRPMt binding directly activates both serC and Rv0885 expression. M. tu...
Source: Molecular Microbiology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Guangchun BaiDamen D. SchaakEric A. SmithKathleen A. McDonough Source Type: research
Microbiological Contamination of Digested Products From Anaerobic Co‐Digestion of Bovine Manure and Agricultural By‐ProductsEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions: The results obtained indicate that the hygienic quality of DP is for almost all microbiological parameters better than that of the bovine manure (range of reduction 1,6‐3,1 log10) and suggest the need to identify specific pathogen indicators related to the hygienic characteristics of digestate products.
Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Si. BonettaE. FerrettiSa. BonettaG. FeziaE. Carraro Source Type: research
Significance of the rdar and bdar morphotypes in the hydrophobicity and attachment to abiotic surfaces of Salmonella Sofia and other poultry associated Salmonella serovarsEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions: The rdar or bdar morphotype may influence S. Sofia persistence but did not explain why bdar strains predominate in this serotype.
Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: T. W. R. ChiaT. A. McMeekinN. FeganG. A. Dykes Source Type: research
Francisella infection triggers activation of the AIM2 inflammasome in murine dendritic cellsEmail this article to a colleague.
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In this study, we show that Francisella novicida escapes into the cytosol of bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (BMDC) where it undergoes rapid replication. We show that F. novicida activates the AIM2 inflammasome in BMDC, causing release of large amounts of IL‐1β and rapid host cell death. The Francisella Pathogenicity Island is required for bacterial escape and replication and for inflammasome activation in dendritic cells. In addition, we show that bacterial DNA is bound by AIM2, which leads to inflammasome assembly in infected dendritic cells. IFN‐β is upregulated in BMDC following Francisella infection, and t...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Kamila BelhocineDenise M. Monack Source Type: research
Monoclonal antibody therapy and viral infections: update and beyondEmail this article to a colleague.
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Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Guido Antonelli Source Type: research
European dissemination of a single OXA‐48‐producing Klebsiella pneumoniae cloneEmail this article to a colleague.
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This study sheds light on the European dissemination of a single OXA‐48 K. pneumoniae clone.
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Anaïs PotronJayant KalpoeLaurent PoirelPatrice Nordmann Source Type: research
Engineering Strategy of Yeast Metabolism for Higher Alcohol ProductionEmail this article to a colleague.
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Conclusions:
The metabolic simulation demonstrated that the poor productivity of S. cerevisiae was improved by the introduction of E. coli genes to compensate the structural difference. This suggested that gene supplementation is a promising strategy for the metabolic engineering of S. cerevisiae to produce higher alcohols which should be the next challenge for the synthetic bioengineering of S. cerevisiae for the efficient production of higher alcohols.
Source: Microbial Cell Factories - September 8, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Fumio MatsudaChikara FurusawaTakashi KondoJun IshiiHiroshi ShimizuAkihiko Kondo Source Type: research
Major Boost For The Probiotics IndustryEmail this article to a colleague.
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A protective delivery vehicle that shuttles friendly bacteria safely through the stomach to the intestines could provide a major boost for the probiotics industry. The new technology could also be used for the delivery of certain drugs and even increase calcium absorption, according to research presented at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn Conference at the University of York this week. The probiotic industry is worth £200 million a year in the UK...
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - September 7, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Nutrition / Diet Source Type: news
Microbiology: Diet dictates gut bacteriaEmail this article to a colleague.
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Nature 477, 7363 (2011). doi:10.1038/477134d
People who eat plenty of protein and animal fats have predominantly Bacteroides bacteria in their guts, whereas in the intestines of those who consume more carbohydrates Prevotella species dominate.Gary Wu at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and his colleagues recorded the
Source: Nature - September 7, 2011 Category: Research Tags: Research Highlights Source Type: research
Lower airway microbiology and cellularity in children with newly diagnosed non‐CF bronchiectasisEmail this article to a colleague.
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ConclusionsBAL microbiology of children with newly diagnosed bronchiectasis is dominated by H. influenzae. In the absence of CF, isolation of P. aeruginosa may suggest a serious co‐morbidity in this group. Airway neutrophilia is common, especially with higher bacterial loads. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Source: Pediatric Pulmonology - September 7, 2011 Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Nitin KapurKeith GrimwoodI. Brent MastersPeter S. MorrisAnne B. Chang Tags: Original Article: Respiratory Infections Source Type: research
Characterization of ISR region and development of a PCR assay for rapid detection of the fish pathogen Tenacibaculum soleaeEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractThe aims of this work were to characterize the 16S‐23S internal spacer region (ISR) of the fish pathogen Tenacibaculum soleae and to develop a PCR assay for its identification and detection. All T. soleae strains tested displayed a single ISR class, containing tRNAIle and tRNAAla genes, nevertheless a considerable intraspecific heterogeneity was observed. On the other side, this region proved to be useful for differentiation of T. soleae from related and non‐related species. Species‐specific primers were designed targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the ISR region, yielding a 1555‐bp fragment. Detection limit wa...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Jose R. LópezAbdel M. Hamman‐KhalifaJosé I. NavasRoberto la Herran Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research
Bacillus thuringiensis Cry2Ab is Active on Anopheles Mosquitoes: Single D block exchanges reveal critical residues involved in activityEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractCry2Aa exhibits dual activity to Lepidoptera and Diptera. Cry2Ab differs in amino acid sequence from Cry2Aa by 13%, has shown significant lepidopteran activity, but no mosquitocidal activity. Previous studies implicate twenty‐three Cry2Aa specificity‐conferring residues of domain II, which differ in Cry2Ab. Nine residues are putatively involved in conferring Cry2Aa dipteran specificity. To explore Cry2Ab dipteran toxicity, site‐directed mutagenesis was employed to exchange Cry2Ab residues with Cry2Aa D (dipteran) block residues. Cry2Ab wild‐type demonstrated high toxicity (LC50 of 540ng/mL) to Anopheles gam...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Betina C. McNeilDonald H. Dean Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research
The Entamoeba histolytica methylated LINE binding protein EhMLBP provides protection against heat shockEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryAdaptation to environmental stress is a key process that allows the unicellular parasite Entamoeba histolytica to survive in its human host. We previously characterized EhMLBP as an essential protein for the growth and the virulence of the parasite. EhMLBP binds to methylated repetitive DNA, and is one of the core proteins of the parasite's epigenetic machinery. Here, we show that EhMLBP and heat shock proteins have common properties. EhMLBP is induced by heat shock and its expression is regulated by a heat shock element binding site that is located in its 5′ non‐coding region. Following heat shock, the perinucl...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sophia KatzOded KushnirAyala TovyRama Siman TovSerge Ankri Source Type: research
Involvement of suppressor of cytokine signaling‐1‐mediated degradation of MyD88‐adaptor‐like protein in the suppression of Toll‐like receptor 2‐mediated signaling by the murine C‐type lectin SIGNR1‐mediated signalingEmail this article to a colleague.
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This study was designed to clarify the crosstalk between recognition and phagocytosis of microbes in dendritic cells. The murine dendritic cell line XS106 cells were stimulated with the murine C‐type lectin SIGNR1 ligand lipoarabinomannan and the Toll‐like receptor 2 ligand FSL‐1. The costimulation significantly suppressed FSL‐1‐mediated activation of NF‐κB as well as production of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐12p40 in a dose‐dependent manner. The suppression was significantly but not completely recovered by knockdown of SIGNR1. SIGNR1 was associated with Toll‐like receptor 2 in XS106 cells. The costimulation...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Makoto OhtaniMitsuhiro IyoriAyumi SaekiNaoho TanizumeTakeshi IntoAkira HasebeYasunori TotsukaKen‐ichiro Shibata Source Type: research
The Salmonella effector AvrA mediates bacterial intracellular survival during infection in vivoEmail this article to a colleague.
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In conclusion, the results demonstrated that Salmonella AvrA modulates survival of infected macrophages likely via JNK suppression, and prevents macrophage death and rapid bacterial dissemination. AvrA suppression of apoptosis in infected macrophages may allow for establishment of a stable intracellular niche typical of intracellular pathogens.
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Huixia WuRheinallt M. JonesAndrew S. Neish Source Type: research
The ERM protein, Ezrin, regulates neutrophil transmigration by modulating the apical localization of MRP2 in response to the SipA effector protein during Salmonella Typhimurium infectionEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractIn human disease induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), transepithelial migration of neutrophils rapidly follows attachment of the bacteria to the epithelial apical membrane. We have previously shown that during S. Typhimurium infection the multidrug resistance associated protein 2 (MRP2) is highly expressed at the apical surface of the intestinal epithelia, and that it functions as an efflux pump for the potent neutrophil chemoattractant hepoxilin A3. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating its apical localization during active states of inflammation remain unknown. Thus, our obj...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Terence A. AgborZachary C. DemmaKaren L. MumyJeffrey D. BienBeth A. McCormick Source Type: research
Stage‐specific Depletion of Myosin A Supports an Essential Role in Motility of Malarial OokinetesEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractFunctional analysis of Plasmodium genes by classical reverse genetics is currently limited to mutants that are viable during erythrocytic schizogony, the pathogenic phase of the malaria parasite where transfection is performed. Here, we describe a conceptually simple experimental approach to study the function of genes essential to the asexual blood stages in a subsequent life cycle stage by a promoter swap approach. As a proof of concept we targeted the unconventional class XIV myosin MyoA, which is known to be required for Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite locomotion and host cell invasion. By placing the correspondin...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Inga Siden‐KiamosMarkus GanterAndreas KunzeMarion HliscsMarion SteinbüchelJacqueline MendozaRobert E. SindenChristos LouisKai Matuschewski Source Type: research
Echovirus 1 infection depends on biogenesis of novel multivesicular bodiesEmail this article to a colleague.
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SUMMARYNon‐enveloped picornavirus echovirus 1 (EV1) clusters its receptor α2β1 integrin and causes their internalization and accumulation in α2β1 integrin enriched multivesicular bodies (α2‐MVBs). Our results here show that these α2‐MVBs are distinct from acidic late endosomes/lysosomes by several criteria: 1) live intra endosomal pH measurements show that α2‐MVBs are not acidic, 2) they are not positive for the late endosomal marker LBPA or Dil‐LDL internalized to lysosomes, and 3) simultaneous stimulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and α2β1 integrin clustering leads to their accumulatio...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Mikko KarjalainenNina RintanenMoona LehkonenKatri KallioAnita MäkiKirsi HellströmValtteri SiljamäkiPaula UplaVarpu Marjomäki Source Type: research
ACTIVATION OF CELL STRESS RESPONSE PATHWAYS BY SHIGA TOXINSEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryShiga toxin‐producing bacteria cause widespread outbreaks of bloody diarrhea that may progress to life‐threatening systemic complications. Shiga toxins (Stxs), the main virulence factors expressed by the pathogens, are ribosome‐inactivating proteins which inhibit protein synthesis by removing an adenine residue from 28S rRNA. Recently, Stxs were shown to activate multiple stress‐associated signaling pathways in mammalian cells. The ribotoxic stress response is activated following the depurination reaction localized to the α‐sarcin/ricin loop of eukaryotic ribosomes. The unfolded protein response (UPR) may...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Vernon L. Tesh Source Type: research
Experimentally controlled down regulation of the histone chaperone FACT in Plasmodium berghei reveals that it is critical to male gamete fertilityEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractHuman FACT (facilitates chromatin transcription) consists of the proteins SPT16 and SSRP1 and acts as a histone chaperone in the (dis)assembly of nucleosome (and thereby chromatin) structure during transcription and DNA replication. We identified a Plasmodium berghei protein, termed FACT‐L, with homology to the SPT16 subunit of FACT. Epitope tagging of FACT‐L showed nuclear localisation with high expression in the nuclei of (activated) male gametocytes. The gene encoding FACT‐L could not be deleted indicating an essential role during blood stage development. Using a ′promoter‐swap′ approach whereby the ...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Eliane C. LaurentinoSonya TaylorGunnar R. MairEdwin LasonderRichard BartfaiHendrik G StunnenbergHans KroezeJai RamesarBlandine Franke‐FayardShahid M. KhanChris J. JanseAndrew P. Waters Source Type: research
Gastric epithelial cell death caused by Helicobacter suis and Helicobacter pylori γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase is mainly glutathione degradation‐dependentEmail this article to a colleague.
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In conclusion, H. suis and H. pylori GGT‐mediated generation of pro‐oxidant glutathione degradation products brings on cell damage and causes apoptosis or necrosis, dependent on the amount of extracellular glutathione available as a GGT substrate.
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Bram FlahouFreddy HaesebrouckKoen ChiersKim Van DeunLina De SmetBart DevreeseIsabel VandenbergheHerman FavoreelAnnemieke SmetFrank PasmansKatharina D’HerdeRichard Ducatelle Source Type: research
The organization of the wall filaments and characterization of the matrix structures of Toxoplasma gondii cyst formEmail this article to a colleague.
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SummaryThe encystation process is a key step in Toxoplasma gondii life cycle, allowing the parasite to escape from the host immune system and the transmission among the hosts. A detailed characterization of the formation and structure of the cyst stage is essential for a better knowledge of toxoplasmosis. Here we isolated cysts from mice brains and analyzed the cyst wall structure and cyst matrix organization using different electron microscopy techniques. Images obtained showed that the cyst wall presented a filamentous aspect, with circular openings on its surface. The filaments were organized in two layers: a compact on...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Leandro LemgruberPietro LupettiErica S. Martins‐DuarteWanderley De SouzaRossiane C. Vommaro Source Type: research
Phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K) is activated by influenza virus vRNA via the pathogen pattern receptor Rig‐I to promote efficient type I interferon productionEmail this article to a colleague.
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AbstractThe phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K) was identified to be activated upon influenza A virus infection. An early and transient induction of PI3K signaling is caused by viral attachment to cells and promotes virus entry. In later phases of infection the kinase is activated by the viral NS1 protein to prevent premature apoptosis. Besides these virus supporting functions, it was suggested that PI3K signaling is involved in dsRNA and IAV induced antiviral responses by enhancing the activity of interferon regulatory factor‐3 (IRF‐3). However, molecular mechanisms of activation remained obscure. Here we show th...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - September 7, 2011 Category: Microbiology Authors: Eike R. HrinciusRüdiger DierkesDarisuren AnhlanViktor WixlerStephan LudwigChristina Ehrhardt Source Type: research
