Publications by authors named "D A Sweeney"

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a site of replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and GI symptoms are often reported by patients. SARS-CoV-2 cell entry depends upon heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans, which commensal bacteria that bathe the human mucosa are known to modify. To explore human gut HS-modifying bacterial abundances and how their presence may impact SARS-CoV-2 infection, we developed a task-based analysis of proteoglycan degradation on large-scale shotgun metagenomic data.

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Background: The incidence of silicosis has increased due to occupational silica exposure from artificial stone, with no treatments proven to halt or reverse the disease. Whole lung lavage (WLL) involves the instillation of fluid into the lungs to wash out silica particles and disease-causing inflammatory cells. This study aimed to determine the feasibility, safety, and possible benefit of WLL in patients with artificial stone silicosis.

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Specialized or secondary metabolites are small molecules of biological origin, often showing potent biological activities with applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine. Usually, the biosynthesis of these natural products is governed by sets of co-regulated and physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). To share information about BGCs in a standardized and machine-readable way, the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard and repository was initiated in 2015.

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Terrestrial actinomycetes in the genus have long been recognized as prolific producers of small-molecule natural products, including many clinically important antibiotics and cytotoxic agents. Although can also be isolated from marine environments, their potential for natural product biosynthesis remains underexplored. The MAR4 clade of largely marine-derived has been a rich source of novel halogenated natural products of diverse structural classes.

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Terrestrial actinomycetes in the genus have long been recognized as prolific producers of small molecule natural products, including many clinically important antibiotics and cytotoxic agents. Although can also be isolated from marine environments, their potential for natural product biosynthesis remains underexplored. The MAR4 clade of largely marine-derived has been a rich source of novel halogenated natural products of diverse structural classes.

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