Evaluating the antibacterial activity of engineered phage ФEcSw endolysin against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strain Sw1.

Objective: The emergence of bacteriophage-encoded endolysins hold significant promise as novel antibacterial agents, particularly against the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, we investigated the phage ФEcSw endolysin to enhance the lytic activity against multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli Sw1 through site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) guided by in silico identification of critical residues.

Methods: A computational analysis was conducted to elucidate the protein folding pattern, identify the active domains, and recognize critical residues of ФEcSw endolysin.

Enhanced Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Elicited by Adenoviral Delivery of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Motif Fused to Human Fc.

: The receptor binding motif (RBM) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is critical for viral entry into host cells. Development of a vaccine targeting this region is a promising strategy for COVID-19 prevention. To enhance the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, we developed an adenoviral vector expressing the RBM from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that fused to the human Fc (hFc) domain.

Endophytic Streptomyces: an underexplored source with potential for novel natural drug discovery and development.

Streptomyces has long been considered as key sources for natural compounds discovery in medicine and agriculture. These compounds have been demonstrated to possess different biological activities, including antibiotic, antifungal, anticancer, and antiviral effects. As a result, new pharmaceuticals and antibiotics have been developed.

Theranostic Potential of Bacteriophages against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a widespread and challenging disease that accounts for 94% of cancers of the oral cavity worldwide. Bacteriophages (phages) have shown promise as a potential theranostic agent for the treatment of OSCC. It may offer advantages in overcoming the challenges of conventional methods.

Nanotechnology Approaches for the Remediation of Agricultural Polluted Soils.

Soil pollution from various anthropogenic and natural activities poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. This study explored the sources and types of soil pollution and emphasized the need for innovative remediation approaches. Nanotechnology, including the use of nanoparticles, is a promising approach for remediation.

Boosting plant resilience: The promise of rare earth nanomaterials in growth, physiology, and stress mitigation.

Rare earth elements (REE) have been extensively used in a variety of applications such as cell phones, electric vehicles, and lasers. REEs are also used as nanomaterials (NMs), which have distinctive features that make them suitable candidates for biomedical applications. In this review, we have highlighted the role of rare earth element nanomaterials (REE-NMs) in the growth of plants and physiology, including seed sprouting rate, shoot biomass, root biomass, and photosynthetic parameters.

Phages as delivery vehicles and phage display.

Bacteriophages (Phages in short) were introduced as the natural enemy of bacteria that may act as alternatives to antibiotics to overcome the challenge of antibiotic resistance. However, in the recent history of science, phages have been employed in different molecular tools and used in numerous therapeutic and diagnostic approaches. Furthermore, thanks to the phage`s highly specific host range limited to prokaryotes, phage particles can be used as safe delivery vehicles and display systems.

Phages for treatment Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is denoted as one of the highly threatening bacteria to the public health. It has acquired many virulent factors and resistant genes that make it difficult to control with conventional antibiotics. Thus, bacteriophage therapy (phage therapy) is a proposed alternative to antibiotics to fight against multidrug-resistant P.

Learning From Mistakes: The Role of Phages in Pandemics.

The misuse of antibiotics is leading to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, and in the absence of available treatments, this has become a major global threat. In the middle of the recent severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, which has challenged the whole world, the emergence of MDR bacteria is increasing due to prophylactic administration of antibiotics to intensive care unit patients to prevent secondary bacterial infections. This is just an example underscoring the need to seek alternative treatments against MDR bacteria.

Phage-Encoded Endolysins.

Due to the global emergence of antibiotic resistance, there has been an increase in research surrounding endolysins as an alternative therapeutic. Endolysins are phage-encoded enzymes, utilized by mature phage virions to hydrolyze the cell wall from within. There is significant evidence that proves the ability of endolysins to degrade the peptidoglycan externally without the assistance of phage.

The recent outbreaks of human coronaviruses: A medicinal chemistry perspective.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) infect both humans and animals. In humans, CoVs can cause respiratory, kidney, heart, brain, and intestinal infections that can range from mild to lethal. Since the start of the 21st century, three β-coronaviruses have crossed the species barrier to infect humans: severe-acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV-1, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV).

Application of phage therapy: Synergistic effect of phage EcSw (ΦEcSw) and antibiotic combination towards antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli.

Bacteriophage therapy is acknowledged as a potential tool to prevent or treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. In this study, our major focus was on the bacteriolytic activity of phage EcSw (ΦEcSw) against the emergence of the clinically important Escherichia coli Sw1 and E. coli O157:H7.

Immunization with avian metapneumovirus harboring chicken Fc induces higher immune responses.

In this study, we evaluated the immune responses of avian metapneumovirus harboring chicken Fc molecule. Stable Vero cells expressing chicken Fc chimera on its surface (Vero-cFc) were established, and we confirmed that aMPV grown in Vero-cFc incorporated host derived chimera Fc into the aMPV virions. Immunization of chicken with aMPV-cFc induced higher level of antibodies and inflammatory cytokines; (Interferon (IFN)-γ and Interleukin (IL)-1β) compared to those of aMPV.

Functional characterization of a novel lytic phage EcSw isolated from Sus scrofa domesticus and its potential for phage therapy.

In this study, multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli Sw1 (E. coli Sw1) and active lytic phage EcSw was isolated from feces samples of Sus scrofa domesticus (piglet) suffering from diarrhea. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that isolated EcSw belongs to the Myoviridae family with an icosahedral head (80 ± 4) and a long tail (180 ± 5 nm).

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in stray cats by nested PCR in Korea.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection among stray cats in Korea using nested PCR. We included 235 stray cats (121 females and 114 males) and evaluated each for the presence of feline heartworm infection. Blood samples were collected from 135 cats in Daejeon, 50 cats in Seoul, and 50 cats from Gyeonggi-do (Province).