Evaluation of inhalation risk during quarantine work with quaternary ammonium compounds-based disinfectant.

Quarantine work is widely recognized as an indispensable endeavor in curbing the propagation of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Furthermore, the heavy workload places workers at a heightened risk of chemical exposure and respiratory damage. Consequently, it is paramount to systematically perform health risk assessments and meticulously oversee the work by wearing personal protective equipment to minimize these risks.

The Microbiome Matters: Its Impact on Cancer Development and Therapeutic Responses.

In the evolving landscape of cancer research, the human microbiome emerges as a pivotal determinant reshaping our understanding of tumorigenesis and therapeutic responses. Advanced sequencing technologies have uncovered a vibrant microbial community not confined to the gut but thriving within tumor tissues. Comprising bacteria, viruses, and fungi, this diverse microbiota displays distinct signatures across various cancers, with most research primarily focusing on bacteria.

Autolysis of Quorum-Sensing Mutant Is Suppressed by through Iron-Dependent Metabolism.

Microorganisms usually coexist as a multifaceted polymicrobial community in the natural habitats and at mucosal sites of the human body. Two opportunistic human pathogens, and commonly coexist in the bacterial infections for hospitalized and/or immunocompromised patients. Here, we observed that autolysis of the quorum-sensing (QS) mutant () was suppressed by the presence of the cells in vitro.

A TetR family regulator of an RND efflux system that directs artemisinin resistance in .

Artemisinin (ARS) displayed bactericidal activity against . To assess the mechanistic details of its antibacterial action, we have isolated mutants with enhanced ARS resistance and identified a gene (VCA0767) whose loss-of-function resulted in the ARS resistance phenotypes. This gene () encodes a TetR family transcriptional regulator, and its deletion mutant displayed the reduction in ARS-induced ROS formation and DNA damage.

Dysthyroid optic neuropathy: a case series at a tertiary ophthalmic referral centre.

Background/objectives: To determine risk factors and treatment outcomes in dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) at a single tertiary ophthalmic centre.

Methods: Retrospective audit of DON patients who have received intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) therapy at Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia from July 2015 to October 2021.

Results: Study included 24 patients (58% female) with an average age of 59.

An iron-chelating sulfonamide identified from -based screening for antipathogenic discovery.

We exploited bacterial infection assays using the fruit fly to identify anti-infective compounds that abrogate the pathological consequences in the infected hosts. Here, we demonstrated that a pyridine-3--sulfonylpiperidine derivative () protects from the acute infections caused by bacterial pathogens including . did not inhibit the growth of in vitro, but inhibited the production of secreted toxins such as pyocyanin and hydrogen cyanide, while enhancing the production of pyoverdine and pyochelin, indicative of iron deprivation.

Artemisinin displays bactericidal activity via copper-mediated DNA damage.

Artemisinin (ARS) and its semi-synthetic derivatives are effective drugs to treat malaria and possess multiple therapeutic activities based on their endoperoxide bridge. Here, we showed that ARS displayed antibacterial efficacy in systemic infections caused by bacterial pathogens but killed only (VC) in vitro, involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and/or DNA damage. This selective antibacterial activity of ARS was attributed to the higher intracellular copper levels in VC, in that the antibacterial activity was observed in vitro upon addition of cuprous ions even against other bacteria and was compromised by the copper-specific chelators neocuproine (NC) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) in vitro and in vivo.

Antimicrobial Activities of Propolis in Poloxamer Based Topical Gels.

Propolis contains a group of compounds with various activities. However, their low solubility is a drawback for the development of pharmaceutical formulations. In this study, poloxamers as a solubilizer and gelling agent were evaluated to develop a topical antimicrobial formulation of propolis.

Biopsy for molecular risk stratification in uveal melanoma: Yields and molecular characteristics in 119 patients.

Background: Prognostic cytological and molecular features of uveal melanoma have been well researched and are essential in management. Samples can be obtained in vivo through fine needle aspirate biopsy, vitrector cutter, forceps or post-enucleation for off-site testing. This study aims to examine cytological and chromosome microarray yields of these samples.

Outcomes of XEN45 gel stent using posterior small incision sub-tenon ab interno insertion (Semi-open) technique.

Purpose: To evaluate the 12-month outcomes of a novel posterior small incision sub-tenon ab interno technique of XEN stent insertion ('Semi-open').

Method: Consecutive eyes underwent XEN stent insertion with the Semi-open technique by two surgeons between 1st July 2018 and 30th September 2019. All cases received subconjunctival injection of 0.

A phage protein-derived antipathogenic peptide that targets type IV pilus assembly.

Phage-inspired antibacterial discovery is a new approach that recruits phages in search for antibacterials with new molecular targets, in that phages are the biological entities well adapted to hijack host bacterial physiology in favor of their own thrive. We previously observed that phage-mediated twitching motility inhibition was effective to control the acute infections caused by and that the motility inhibition was attributed to the delocalization of PilB, the type IV pilus (TFP) assembly ATPase by binding of the 136-amino acid (aa) phage protein, Tip. Here, we created a series of truncated and point-mutant Tip proteins to identify the critical residues in the Tip bioactivity: N-terminal 80-aa residues were dispensable for the Tip activity; we identified that Asp82, Leu84, and Arg85 are crucial in the Tip function.

Two-year outcomes of the treat-and-extend regimen using aflibercept for treating diabetic macular oedema.

This study was performed to investigate the efficacy of the treat-and-extend regimen using aflibercept for treating diabetic macular oedema (DME). This prospective, multicentre, interventional, single-arm, 104-week clinical trial included 48 patients with DME visual impairment. The patients' eyes received five consecutive intravitreal injections (2 mg aflibercept) every four weeks with two-week adjustments based on central subfield macular thickness (CSMT) changes.

Evaluation of the efficacy of cysteamine cream compared to hydroquinone in the treatment of melasma: A randomised, double-blinded trial.

Background/objective: Melasma is a commonly acquired disorder of hyperpigmentation that often poses a therapeutic challenge for dermatologists. Recently, cysteamine cream has shown promising results compared to placebo. This study aims to determine the efficacy of cysteamine cream compared to hydroquinone cream in the treatment of melasma.

The Usefulness of Anti-acetylcholine Receptor Binding Antibody Testing in Diagnosing Ocular Myasthenia Gravis.

Background: Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Abs) testing is a safe and simple ancillary method for confirming the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. Despite the test's high sensitivity (85%-90%) for generalized myasthenia gravis, AChR-Abs testing has been reported to have a low sensitivity 44%-66% for ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG). The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of AChR binding Abs testing for diagnosing OMG by evaluating the test's sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

Emerging isolates in postoperative endophthalmitis by selection pressure of fluoroquinolones: an 11-year multicenter and experimental study.

Postoperative endophthalmitis (PE) is the devastating complication that frequently results in vision loss. Recently, have emerged as a major cause of PE in several countries and resulted in poor visual outcome. However, the reason remains elusive.

Eyelid basal cell carcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation: a case report and literature review.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of malignant tumor in the periocular region. BCCs with neuroendocrine differentiation in the periocular region, however, have not been described in the literature.We present a retrospective case review of a patient with an eyelid BCC with neuroendocrine differentiation.

Nitrate Respiration Promotes Polymyxin B Resistance in .

Polymyxin B (PMB) is known to require reactive oxygen species (ROS) for its bactericidal activity, but the mechanism of PMB resistance in various strains has been poorly understood. This study examined the role of nitrate respiration (NR) of some strains in the PMB resistance. We observed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of PMB against PA14 was eightfold reduced (from 2.

One-Year Results of Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema with Aflibercept Using the Treat-and-Extend Dosing Regimen: the VIBIM Study.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to report the one-year results of treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) with aflibercept using a treat-and-extend regimen (TER).

Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, single-arm study planned for 2 years. The eyes received 5 consecutive intravitreal injections of 2 mg of aflibercept every 4 weeks, and the interval between injections was then adjusted by 2 weeks based on changes in the central subfield macular thickness (CSMT).