Molecular and biological characterization of pyocyanin from clinical and environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: Pyocyanin is a secondary metabolite secreted by P. aeruginosa. It is a redox-active blue/green phenazine pigment that has various beneficial applications.

The linkage between prevalence of integron I and reduced susceptibility to biocides in MDR isolated from neonates.

Background And Objectives: causes challenging nosocomial fatal infections including neonatal sepsis. Our study aims at clarifying the contribution of integrons in the observed reduced susceptibility of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolated from septicemic neonates to the clinically used antimicrobial agents and biocides.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-six isolates were collected from Mansoura University Children's Hospital from septicemic neonates.

A novel pentavalent vaccine candidate completely protects against Acinetobacter baumannii in a mouse model of peritonitis.

Acinetobacter baumannii is considered as one of the most virulent and infectious organisms that have an increased ability to both evade host immune response and resist various classes of antibiotics, leading to life-threatening infections. Multiple virulence factors have been implicated in the high prevalence rate of A. baumannii in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients.

A small fragment of factor B as a potential inhibitor of complement alternative pathway activity.

Background: The complement system is a key player in innate immunity and a modulator of the adaptive immune system. Among the three pathways of complement, the alternative pathway (AP) accounts for most of the complement activation. Factor B (FB) is a major protease of the AP, making it a promising target to inhibit the AP activity in conditions of uncontrolled complement activation.

Dasatinib mitigates renal fibrosis in a rat model of UUO via inhibition of Src/STAT-3/NF-κB signaling.

This research aimed to investigate the reno-protective impact of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib (DAS) against renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. DAS administration improved renal function and mitigated renal oxidative stress with paralleled reduction in the ligated kidney mass index, significant retraction in renal histopathological alterations and suppression of renal interstitial fibrosis. Nevertheless, DAS administration attenuated renal expression of phosphorylated Src (p-Src), Abelson (c-Abl) tyrosine kinases, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT-3)/STAT-3 with paralleled reduction in renal contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1).

Occult hepatitis B infection among blood donors from Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Background: In Cameroon, the prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission by blood transfusion is still only based on hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) screening. However, occult HBV infection (OBI) characterised by the absence of detectable HBsAg and low level of viral DNA remains a potential threat for blood safety. The prevalence of OBI was investigated in blood donors from Yaoundé to provide evidence-based recommendations to improve HBV blood safety.

Absence of the Lectin Activation Pathway of Complement Ameliorates Proteinuria-Induced Renal Injury.

Proteinuria is an adverse prognostic feature in renal diseases. In proteinuric nephropathies, filtered proteins exert an injurious effect on the renal tubulointerstitium, resulting in inflammation and fibrosis. In the present study, we assessed to what extent complement activation via the lectin pathway may contribute to renal injury in response to proteinuria-related stress in proximal tubular cells.

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of berberine attenuate hepatic fibrosis induced by thioacetamide injection in rats.

Berberine (BBR) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the roots, rhizomes and stems of coptis. Liver fibrosis is a worldwide health problem with no established therapy until now. The aim of our study is to investigate the efficacy of BBR on hepatic fibrosis induced in rats and to uncover other mechanisms.

Naringin attenuates thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats through modulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Aims: Naringin (NR) is a flavanone glycoside extracted from grapefruits and citrus fruits. The aim of this study is to investigate the antifibrotic efficacy of NR in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats through evaluating NR effect on the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Main Methods: Hepatic fibrosis was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200mg/kg) twice per week for 6weeks.

Hepatoprotective effect of hesperidin in hepatocellular carcinoma: Involvement of Wnt signaling pathways.

Aims: Wnt3a and Wnt5a are ligands orchestrating the canonical and non-canonical pathways, respectively, with involvement in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hesperidin (HP) is a natural product found in citrus fruits and reputed for its antitumor activity. The present study aims to investigate the potential hepatoprotective effect of HP against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced HCC focusing on its potential role on Wnt3a and Wnt5a signaling pathways.

Immunization with outer membrane proteins (OprF and OprI) and flagellin B protects mice from pulmonary infection with mucoid and nonmucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterium, which considered as a common cause of nosocomial infection and life-threatening complications in immunocompromized and cystic fibrosis patients. Here, we evaluate the protective effect of recombinant vaccines composed of outer membrane proteins OprF and OprI alone or in combination with flagellin B against mucoid and nonmucoid pseudomonas infection.

Methods: BALB/C mice were immunized subcutaneous using OprF and OprI with or without flagellin B and antibody titers were determined.

Complement-Coagulation Cross-Talk: A Potential Mediator of the Physiological Activation of Complement by Low pH.

The complement system is a major constituent of the innate immune system. It not only bridges innate and adaptive arms of the immune system but also links the immune system with the coagulation system. Current understanding of the role of complement has extended far beyond fighting of infections, and now encompasses maintenance of homeostasis, tissue regeneration, and pathophysiology of multiple diseases.

Low-dose recombinant properdin provides substantial protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis infection.

Modern medicine has established three central antimicrobial therapeutic concepts: vaccination, antibiotics, and, recently, the use of active immunotherapy to enhance the immune response toward specific pathogens. The efficacy of vaccination and antibiotics is limited by the emergence of new pathogen strains and the increased incidence of antibiotic resistance. To date, immunotherapy development has focused mainly on cytokines.

Human L-ficolin, a recognition molecule of the lectin activation pathway of complement, activates complement by binding to pneumolysin, the major toxin of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

The complement system is an essential component of the immune response, providing a critical line of defense against different pathogens including S. pneumoniae. Complement is activated via three distinct pathways: the classical (CP), the alternative (AP) and the lectin pathway (LP).

Absence of the lectin activation pathway of complement does not increase susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains one of the major clinical pathogens that burden immuno-compromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis. The present study aimed to define the role of the lectin pathway of complement in the immune-defence against P. aeruginosa in a mouse model of invasive pneumonia.