Harzianic acid exerts antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and targets the cell membrane.

The thermophilic fungus is a saprobe that is commonly isolated from soil. Here, we identified a Gram-positive bacteria-selective antimicrobial secondary metabolite from this fungal species, harzianic acid (HA). Using strain 168 combined with dynamic bacterial morphology imaging, we found that HA targeted the cell membrane.

Effect of an 18-Month Walking Intervention on the Rest-Activity Rhythm of Older Adults With Mild-Moderate Dementia.

The objective of this 18-month walking intervention was to evaluate the effect on rest-activity rhythm (RAR) for older adults with mild-to-moderate dementia (65.8% female; aged M = 82.4 [SD = 6.

Paecilomycone Inhibits Quorum Sensing in Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes major health care concerns due to its virulence and high intrinsic resistance to antimicrobial agents. Therefore, new treatments are greatly needed. An interesting approach is to target quorum sensing (QS).

Loss of Shp1 impairs myeloid cell function and causes lethal inflammation in zebrafish larvae.

PTPN6 encodes SHP1, a protein tyrosine phosphatase with an essential role in immune cell function. SHP1 mutations are associated with neutrophilic dermatoses and emphysema in humans, which resembles the phenotype seen in motheaten mice that lack functional SHP1. To investigate the function of Shp1 in developing zebrafish embryos, we generated a ptpn6 knockout zebrafish line lacking functional Shp1.

Gregatins, a Group of Related Fungal Secondary Metabolites, Inhibit Aspects of Quorum Sensing in Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Quorum sensing (QS) is a process that regulates gene expression based on cell density. In bacteria, QS facilitates collaboration and controls a large number of pathways, including biofilm formation and virulence factor production, which lead to lower sensitivity to antibiotics and higher toxicity in the host, respectively. Inhibition of QS is a promising strategy to combat bacterial infections.