The role of exopolysaccharides Psl and Pel in resistance of to the oxidative stressors sodium hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide.

Unlabelled: is well-known for its antimicrobial resistance and the ability to survive in harsh environmental conditions due to an abundance of resistance mechanisms, including the formation of biofilms and the production of exopolysaccharides. Exopolysaccharides are among the major components of the extracellular matrix in biofilms and aggregates of . Although their contribution to antibiotic resistance has been previously shown, their roles in resistance to oxidative stressors remain largely elusive.

Draft genome sequence of a methicillin-resistant strain isolated from a chronic wound.

We report the draft genome sequence and antimicrobial resistance gene profile of a methicillin-resistant (MRSA) clinical isolate recovered from a chronic pressure injury wound infection of an adult female patient. The draft genome sequence included a 2.86-Mb chromosome, which was accompanied by a 27-kb plasmid containing .

Impact of multicomponent intervention on hospitalized clinical patient outcomes: A pre-post study in a university hospital.

Background And Objective: Hospitalization significantly interferes with the individual's well-being and it occurs both during and after the hospitalization period. Different approaches to minimize morbidity related to hospitalization and the post-discharge period have been proposed, especially to those aimed at reducing readmission rates. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of multicomponent intervention (MI) on operational indicators and continuity of care outcomes.

Oxidative stress responses in biofilms.

Oxidizing agents are low-molecular-weight molecules that oxidize other substances by accepting electrons from them. They include reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anions (O), hydrogen peroxide (HO), and hydroxyl radicals (HO), and reactive chlorine species (RCS) including sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and its active ingredient hypochlorous acid (HOCl), and chloramines. Bacteria encounter oxidizing agents in many different environments and from diverse sources.

Investigating ionizing radiation-induced changes in breast cancer cells using stimulated Raman scattering microscopy.

Significance: Altered lipid metabolism of cancer cells has been implicated in increased radiation resistance. A better understanding of this phenomenon may lead to improved radiation treatment planning. Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy enables label-free and quantitative imaging of cellular lipids but has never been applied in this domain.

Innate sensing and cellular metabolism: role in fine tuning antiviral immune responses.

Several studies over the last decade have identified intimate links between cellular metabolism and macrophage function. Metabolism has been shown to both drive and regulate macrophage function by producing bioenergetic and biosynthetic precursors as well as metabolites (and other bioactive molecules) that regulate gene expression and signal transduction. Many studies have focused on lipopolysaccharide-induced reprogramming, assuming that it is representative of most inflammatory responses.

Reduced Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Measured by Tc-Hexamethyl Propylene Amine Oxime Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Microgravity Simulated by 5-Day Dry Immersion.

Microgravity induces a cephalad fluid shift that is responsible for cephalic venous stasis that may increase intracranial pressure (ICP) in astronauts. However, the effects of microgravity on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) are not known. We therefore investigated changes in rCBF in a 5-day dry immersion (DI) model.

Role of RIPK1 in SMAC mimetics-induced apoptosis in primary human HIV-infected macrophages.

Macrophages serve as viral reservoirs due to their resistance to apoptosis and HIV-cytopathic effects. We have previously shown that inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) confer resistance to HIV-Vpr-induced apoptosis in normal macrophages. Herein, we show that second mitochondrial activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics (SM) induce apoptosis of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) infected in vitro with a R5-tropic laboratory strain expressing heat stable antigen, chronically infected U1 cells, and ex-vivo derived MDMs from HIV-infected individuals.

HIF-1α Regulation of Cytokine Production following TLR3 Engagement in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages Is Dependent on Viral Nucleic Acid Length and Glucose Availability.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is an important regulator of glucose metabolism and inflammatory cytokine production in innate immune responses. Viruses modulate HIF-1α to support viral replication and the survival of infected cells, but it is unclear if this transcription factor also plays an important role in regulating antiviral immune responses. In this study, we found that short and long dsRNA differentially engage TLR3, inducing distinct levels of proinflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-6) in bone marrow-derived macrophages from C57BL/6 mice.

Oxidative Stress Response in .

is a Gram-negative environmental and human opportunistic pathogen highly adapted to many different environmental conditions. It can cause a wide range of serious infections, including wounds, lungs, the urinary tract, and systemic infections. The high versatility and pathogenicity of this bacterium is attributed to its genomic complexity, the expression of several virulence factors, and its intrinsic resistance to various antimicrobials.

Selective Induction of Cell Death in Human M1 Macrophages by Smac Mimetics Is Mediated by cIAP-2 and RIPK-1/3 through the Activation of mTORC.

Inflammatory macrophages have been implicated in many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Therefore, targeting macrophage function and activation may represent a potential strategy to treat macrophage-associated diseases. We have previously shown that IFN-γ-induced differentiation of human M0 macrophages toward proinflammatory M1 state rendered them highly susceptible to the cytocidal effects of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases mimetics (SMs), antagonist of the inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), whereas M0 and anti-inflammatory M2c macrophages were resistant.

TLR-4 Agonist Induces IFN-γ Production Selectively in Proinflammatory Human M1 Macrophages through the PI3K-mTOR- and JNK-MAPK-Activated p70S6K Pathway.

IFN-γ, a proinflammatory cytokine produced primarily by T cells and NK cells, activates macrophages and engages mechanisms to control pathogens. Although there is evidence of IFN-γ production by murine macrophages, IFN-γ production by normal human macrophages and their subsets remains unknown. Herein, we show that human M1 macrophages generated by IFN-γ and IL-12- and IL-18-stimulated monocyte-derived macrophages (M0) produce significant levels of IFN-γ.

Label-free two-photon imaging of mitochondrial activity in murine macrophages stimulated with bacterial and viral ligands.

Mitochondria are the metabolic hub of the cell, playing a central role in regulating immune responses. Dysfunction of mitochondrial reprogramming can occur during bacterial and viral infections compromising hosts' immune signaling. Comparative evaluation of these alterations in response to bacterial and viral ligands can provide insights into a cell's ability to mount pathogen-specific responses.

Identification of novel genes involved in apoptosis of HIV-infected macrophages using unbiased genome-wide screening.

Background: Macrophages, besides resting latently infected CD4+ T cells, constitute the predominant stable, major non-T cell HIV reservoirs. Therefore, it is essential to eliminate both latently infected CD4+ T cells and tissue macrophages to completely eradicate HIV in patients. Until now, most of the research focus is directed towards eliminating latently infected CD4+ T cells.

Biofilm-Innate Immune Interface: Contribution to Chronic Wound Formation.

Delayed wound healing can cause significant issues for immobile and ageing individuals as well as those living with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. These delays increase a patient's risk for infection and, in severe cases, can result in the formation of chronic, non-healing ulcers (e.g.

Selective killing of human M1 macrophages by Smac mimetics alone and M2 macrophages by Smac mimetics and caspase inhibition.

The inflammatory and anti-inflammatory Mϕs have been implicated in many diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and leprosy. Recent studies suggest targeting Mϕ function and activation may represent a potential target to treat these diseases. Herein, we investigated the effect of second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (SMAC) mimetics (SMs), the inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) proteins, on the killing of human pro- and anti-inflammatory Mϕ subsets.

Does in utero HIV exposure and the early nutritional environment influence infant development and immune outcomes? Findings from a pilot study in Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: As mother-to-child transmission of HIV decreases, and the population of infants who are born HIV-exposed, but uninfected (HEU) continues to rise, there is a growing need to understand the development and health outcomes of infants who are HEU to ensure that they have the healthiest start to life.

Methods: In a prospective cohort pilot study at Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa, we aimed to determine if we could recruit new mothers living with HIV on antiretrovirals (ART; n = 20) and not on ART (n = 20) and new mothers without HIV (n = 20) through our clinics to study the effects of HEU on growth and immune- and neurodevelopment in infants in early life, and test the hypothesis that infants who were HEU would have poorer health outcomes compared to infants who were HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU). We also undertook exploratory analyses to investigate relationships between the early nutritional environment, food insecurity and infant development.

Comparison of commercial dosimetric software platforms in patients treated with Lu-DOTATATE for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantitatively compare five commercial dosimetric software platforms based on the analysis of clinical datasets of patients who benefited from peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with Lu-DOTATATE (LUTATHERA ).

Methods: The dosimetric analysis was performed on two patients during two cycles of PRRT with Lu. Single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography images were acquired at 4, 24, 72, and 192 h post injection.

Transfection of hard-to-transfect primary human macrophages with siRNA to reverse Resveratrol-induced apoptosis.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a critical loss-of-function tool for elucidating the role of genes in biomedical studies. The effective use of siRNA needs transfection technology that delivers siRNA into the correct location of target cells, especially those which are extremely difficult to transfect. Macrophages, which play an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases, are known to be extremely hard to transfect.

Quantification of myocardial Tc-labeled bisphosphonate uptake with cadmium zinc telluride camera in patients with transthyretin-related cardiac amyloidosis.

Purpose: We aimed to compare different methods for semi-quantitative analysis of cardiac retention of bone tracers in patients with cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR).

Methods: Data from 67 patients with ATTR who underwent both conventional whole-body scan and a CZT myocardial SPECT (DSPECT, Spectrum Dynamics) 3 h after injection of Tc-labeled bone tracer were analyzed. Visual scoring of cardiac retention was performed on whole-body scan according to Perugini 4-point grading system from 0 (no uptake) to 3 (strong cardiac uptake with mild/absent bone uptake).

Differential remodeling of the electron transport chain is required to support TLR3 and TLR4 signaling and cytokine production in macrophages.

Increasing evidence suggests that mitochondria play a critical role in driving innate immune responses against bacteria and viruses. However, it is unclear if differential reprogramming of mitochondrial function contributes to the fine tuning of pathogen specific immune responses. Here, we found that TLR3 and TLR4 engagement on murine bone marrow derived macrophages was associated with differential remodeling of electron transport chain complex expression.

Spleno-hepatic index to predict portal hypertension by equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography.

Background: Structural and morphological changes accompanying liver cirrhosis lead to portal hypertension (PHT), which is the first step of most of the complications in patients with liver cirrhosis. Therefore, the development of noninvasive techniques to detect PHT is crucial for prognosis and treatment.

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the diagnostic performance of a new spleno-hepatic index (SHI) measured from equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (ERV) images in detecting patients with cirrhotic PHT.

Examining Relationships between Metabolism and Persistent Inflammation in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy.

With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected individuals are now living longer and healthier lives. However, ART does not completely restore health and treated individuals are experiencing increased rates of noncommunicable diseases such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. While it is well known that persistent immune activation and inflammation contribute to the development of these comorbid diseases, the mechanisms underlying this chronic activation remain incompletely understood.

The influence of three e-cigarette models on indoor fine and ultrafine particulate matter concentrations under real-world conditions.

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has steadily increased since 2010. Indoor e-cigarette use exposes bystanders to a new source of particulate matter (PM) air pollution. Elevated short-term exposures to PM with a lower measuremented aerodynamic diameter (≤2.