The group A pathogenicity island RD2: virulence role and barriers to conjugative transfer.

Serotype M28 isolates of the bacterial pathogen the group A (GAS; ), but not isolates of other serotypes, have a nonrandom association with cases of puerperal sepsis, a life-threatening infection that can occur in women following childbirth. In prior studies, we established that RD2, a pathogenicity island present in all M28 GAS isolates but mostly absent from other serotypes, is a factor in the M28-puerperal sepsis association. Here, we identified a significant reduction in the RD2 conjugation frequency in inter-serotype conjugation assays relative to intra-serotype assays.

Influences of role models and other factors on physical activity amongst 6 to 16 years overweight and obese students.

Background: Physical activity is an essential aspect of living a healthy lifestyle, which offers a myriad of benefits for both the body and the mind. Nonetheless, a family history of obesity can pose significant challenges to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, which is further exacerbated by the academic stress. Individuals who have a role model that prioritizes physical activity are more likely to develop positive and healthy habits in their lives.

ET-traps: Potential therapeutics for preeclampsia.

Elevated endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in several diseases including preeclampsia, where it causes the induction of hypertension, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, microvascular dysfunction and tissue damage in different organs. ET-traps are Fc-fusion proteins with a design based on the physiological receptors of ET-1. This paper discusses the potential use of ET-traps as a therapeutic for preeclampsia.

Characterization of M-Type-Specific Pilus Expression in Group A Streptococcus.

In addition to providing a typing mechanism for group A Streptococcus (GAS) isolates (T typing), cell surface pilus production impacts GAS virulence characteristics, including adherence and immune evasion. The pilus biosynthesis genes are located in the fibronectin- and collagen-binding T-antigen (FCT) region of the genome, and nine different FCT types, encoding more than 20 different T types, have been described. GAS isolates are not uniform in their degree or pattern of pilus expression, as highlighted by pilus production being thermoregulated in isolates that harbor the FCT-type FCT-3 (e.

Coverage vs Utilization of integrated child services scheme (ICDS): A community based study in urban block of Patiala, Punjab (India).

Introduction: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme provides a wide range of health, nutrition and education services to children, women and adolescent girls. Maternal satisfaction usually influences service uptake and utilization. Therefore, in addition to coverage, the quality of services provided and end-user satisfaction need to be assessed.

The RD2 Pathogenicity Island Modifies the Disease Potential of the Group A .

Serotype M28 isolates of the group A (GAS; Streptococcus pyogenes) are nonrandomly associated with cases of puerperal sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection that can occur in women following childbirth. Previously, we discovered that the 36.3-kb RD2 pathogenicity island, which is present in serotype M28 isolates but lacking from most other isolates, promotes the ability of M28 GAS to colonize the female reproductive tract.

Factors affecting nutritional status of Anganwadi children: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 2015-16, 35.7% children below 5 years of age are underweight. In light of Malnutrition rates still remaining alarming in children, it becomes pertinent to elicit the factors that affect nutritional status of children.

A cross-sectional study of awareness and practices regarding thalassemia among parents of thalassemic children.

Background: This cross-sectional study was carried out in thalassemia ward of Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, among the parents of thalassemic children to determine awareness about side effects and complications of blood transfusion therapy, other treatment options, nature of disease, and food practices of transfusion-dependent patients. The study was carried out using a predesigned questionnaire and 118 parents participated in the study. About 50.

The group A Streptococcus accessory protein RocA: regulatory activity, interacting partners and influence on disease potential.

The group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes diseases that range from mild (e.g. pharyngitis) to severely invasive (e.

A Mobile Genetic Element Promotes the Association Between Serotype M28 Group A Streptococcus Isolates and Cases of Puerperal Sepsis.

Background: Bacterial infections following childbirth-so-called puerperal infections-cause morbidity in 5%-10% of all new mothers. At low frequency, the infection can spread to the blood, resulting in life-threatening sepsis known as puerperal sepsis. Pathogens causing puerperal sepsis include group A Streptococcus (GAS), and epidemiological analyses have identified isolates of a single serotype, M28, as being nonrandomly associated with cases of puerperal sepsis.

Phenotypic Variation in the Group A Due to Natural Mutation of the Accessory Protein-Encoding Gene .

Populations of a bacterial pathogen, whether recovered from a single patient or from a worldwide study, are often a heterogeneous mix of genetically and phenotypically divergent strains. Such heterogeneity is of value in changing environments and arises via mechanisms such as gene gain or gene mutation. Here, we identify an isolate of serotype M12 group A (GAS) () that has a natural mutation in , which encodes an accessory protein to the virulence-regulating two-component system CovR/CovS (CovR/S).

Identification and Characterization of Serotype-Specific Variation in Group A Streptococcus Pilus Expression.

Isolates of a given bacterial pathogen often display phenotypic variation, and this can negatively impact public health, for example, by reducing the efficacy of preventative measures. Here, we identify that the human pathogen group A (GAS; ) expresses pili on its cell surface in a serotype-specific manner. Specifically, we show that serotype M3 GAS isolates, which are nonrandomly associated with causing particularly severe and lethal invasive infections, produce negligible amounts of pili relative to serotype M1 and M49 isolates.

RocA Is an Accessory Protein to the Virulence-Regulating CovRS Two-Component System in Group A Streptococcus.

Regulating gene expression during infection is critical to the ability of pathogens to circumvent the immune response and cause disease. This is true for the group A (GAS), a pathogen that causes both invasive (e.g.

Xylooligosaccharides: an economical prebiotic from agroresidues and their health benefits.

Oligosaccharides and dietary fibres are non-digestible food ingredients that preferentially stimulate the growth of prebiotic Bifidobacterium and other lactic acid bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract. Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) provide a plethora of health benefits and can be incorporated into several functional foods. In the recent times, there has been an over emphasis on the microbial conversion of agroresidues into various value added products.

Applicability of recombinant β-xylosidase from the extremely thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermodenitrificans in synthesizing alkylxylosides.

The β-xylosidase encoding gene (XsidB) of the extremely thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermodenitrificans has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The homotrimeric recombinant XsidB is of 204.0kDa, which is optimally active at 60°C and pH 7.