Contribution of the Slt2-regulated transcription factors to echinocandin tolerance in Candida glabrata.

Echinocandin-class antifungals, including micafungin, are considered as the first-line treatment for Candida glabrata infections. However, recent epidemiological surveys have revealed an increasing number of C. glabrata isolates exhibiting decreased echinocandin susceptibilities.

Three cases of concurrent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Impaired cellular-mediated immunity is a known risk factor for both tuberculosis and cryptococcosis. However, pulmonary cryptococcosis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis is rare. We herein describe three cases of concurrent infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans.

Diagnostic performance of serum high-sensitivity procalcitonin and serum C-reactive protein tests for detecting bacterial infection in febrile neutropenia.

Purpose: Although a few prospective studies have addressed the question as to which biomarker of infection in adult patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) is superior, procalcitonin (PCT) or C-reactive protein (CRP), the results have been inconsistent and inconclusive. This was possibly due to the poor sensitivity of previous PCT tests that have a functional sensitivity of 0.5 ng/ml.

Prediction and determination of the stereochemistry of the 1,3,5-trimethyl-substituted alkyl chain in verucopeptin, a microbial metabolite.

For the prediction of the relative stereochemistry of 1,3-dimethyl substitution in alkyl chains, a simple approach based on (1)H NMR data was recently proposed; Δδ values of methylene protons located between methyl-substituted methine carbons can be diagnostic for predicting it. Here we applied this empirical "geminal proton rule" to verucopeptin, a lipopeptide from Streptomyces sp. To determine the absolute stereochemistry of the 1,3,5-trimethyl-substituted alkyl chain in verucopeptin, we converted the corresponding alkyl chain to a carboxylic acid by oxidative cleavage.

Concurrent subcutaneous candidal abscesses and pulmonary cryptococcosis in a patient with diabetes mellitus and a history of corticosteroid therapy.

A 50-year-old man with a history of long-term corticosteroid treatment following adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was admitted for an examination of an abnormal thoracic shadow. Cryptococcal serum antigens were positive, and the histopathology of a lung biopsy showed encapsulated yeast resembling Cryptococcus neoformans. On admission, the serum β-D-glucan level was approximately twice the cutoff value, several nodules were observed on both legs and magnetic resonance imaging revealed subcutaneous abscesses.

Azithromycin inhibits MUC5AC induction via multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in human airway epithelial cells.

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the main pathogens that cause ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Hypersecretion of mucin in the airway is associated with the onset of VAP. Furthermore, macrolides are known to accelerate the resolution of VAP.

Efficacy and safety of levofloxacin in patients with bacterial pneumonia evaluated according to the new "Clinical Evaluation Methods for New Antimicrobial Agents to Treat Respiratory Infections (Second Version)".

The guideline for the "Clinical Evaluation Methods for New Antimicrobial Agents to Treat Respiratory Infections (Second Version)," published by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy in January 2012, was proposed to achieve consistency with FDA guidelines based on the concept of clinical evaluation used in Japan. We assessed the clinical efficacy of levofloxacin (LVFX) in patients with bacterial pneumonia according to this new set of guidelines for the first time. The clinical efficacy of LVFX in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) at the test of cure (TOC) was 87.

Predictors of the pathogenicity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial pneumonia.

Background And Objective: The clinical characteristics of patients with nosocomial pneumonia (NP) associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection are not well characterized.

Methods: Three hundred and thirty-seven consecutive patients with MRSA isolation from respiratory specimens who attended our hospital between April 2007 and March 2011 were enrolled. Patients characteristics diagnosed with 'true' MRSA-NP were described with regards to clinical, microbiological features, radiological features and genetic characteristics of the isolates.

Influence of antimicrobial regimen on decreased in-hospital mortality of patients with MRSA bacteremia.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most important causes of bacteremia. Recently, several epidemiological and microbiological changes have become evident in MRSA infections. The purposes of this study were to assess clinical characteristics of patients with MRSA bacteremia and microbiological changes in MRSA.

Structure and biological activity of 8-deoxyheronamide C from a marine-derived Streptomyces sp.: heronamides target saturated hydrocarbon chains in lipid membranes.

Polyene macrolactams are a class of microbial metabolites, many of which show potent biological activities with unidentified modes of action. Here we report that 8-deoxyheronamide C, a new 20-membered polyene macrolactam from a marine-derived actinomycete Streptomyces sp., is a unique membrane binder.

A 7-dimethylallyl tryptophan synthase from a fungal Neosartorya sp.: biochemical characterization and structural insight into the regioselective prenylation.

A putative 7-dimethylallyl tryptophan synthase (DMATS) gene from a fungal Neosartorya sp. was cloned and overexpressed as a soluble His6-fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The enzyme was found to catalyze the prenylation of L-tryptophan at the C7 position of the indole moiety in the presence of dimethylallyl diphosphate; thus, it functions as a 7-DMATS.

Efficacy of combination therapy with oseltamivir phosphate and azithromycin for influenza: a multicenter, open-label, randomized study.

Background: Macrolides have antibiotic and immunomodulatory activities, which may have a favorable effect on the clinical outcome of patients with infections, including influenza. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of combination therapy with an anti-influenza agent, oseltamivir, and a single-dose formulation of azithromycin (AZM), which has been used for influenza-related secondary pneumonia, on influenza patients. The primary endpoint was a change in the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines.

Paradoxical response to disseminated non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis treatment in a patient receiving tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor: a case report.

Background: Biological agents such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors are known to cause mycobacterium infections. Here, we report a disseminated non-tuberculosis case caused by TNF-α inhibitor therapy and a probable paradoxical response to antimycobacterial therapy.

Case Presentation: A 68-year-old man with relapsing polychondritis was refractory to glucocorticoid therapy; adalimumab was therefore administered in combination with oral glucocorticoids.

The effect of intravenous peramivir, compared with oral oseltamivir, on the outcome of post-influenza pneumococcal pneumonia in mice.

Background: Pneumococcal pneumonia often occurs secondary to influenza infection and accounts for a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality associated with seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks. Peramivir is a novel, intravenous neuraminidase inhibitor that exhibits potent antiviral activity against influenza A and B viruses. We investigated the efficacy of peramivir for modulating the severity of secondary pneumococcal pneumonia.

Prevotella intermedia induces severe bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia in mice with upregulated platelet-activating factor receptor expression.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of respiratory infection worldwide. Although oral hygiene has been considered a risk factor for developing pneumonia, the relationship between oral bacteria and pneumococcal infection is unknown. In this study, we examined the synergic effects of Prevotella intermedia, a major periodontopathic bacterium, on pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pathogenesis and clinical features of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis - is it possible to distinguish CNPA and CCPA clinically?

Background: The pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) including chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA), chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA), and simple aspergilloma (SA) has been poorly investigated. We examined all types of CPA cases with histopathological evidence to clarify the differences in pathogenesis and clinical features.

Method: We searched for cases diagnosed as pulmonary aspergillosis by histopathological examination in Nagasaki University Hospital between 1964 and September 2010.

Efficacy of aerosolized liposomal amphotericin B against murine invasive pulmonary mucormycosis.

Invasive pulmonary mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection encountered in immunocompromised patients. An intravenous high-dose lipid formulation of amphotericin B, such as liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB), is the recommended treatment. The efficacy of inhaled L-AMB against mucormycosis has not been evaluated.

Specific enrichment of nonribosomal peptide synthetase module by an affinity probe for adenylation domains.

We targeted the development of an affinity probe for adenylation (A) domains that can facilitate enrichment, identification, and quantification of A domain-containing modules in nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-polyketide synthase (PKS) hybrids and NRPSs. A 5'-O-sulfamoyladenosine (AMS) non-hydrolyzable analogue of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) has been reported as a scaffold for the design of inhibitors exhibiting tight binding of adenylation enzymes. Here we describe the application of an affinity probe for A domains.

Visualization of sterol-rich membrane domains with fluorescently-labeled theonellamides.

Cholesterol plays important roles in biological membranes. The cellular location where cholesterol molecules work is prerequisite information for understanding their dynamic action. Bioimaging probes for cholesterol molecules would be the most powerful means for unraveling the complex nature of lipid membranes.

RNA-methylation-dependent RNA processing controls the speed of the circadian clock.

The eukaryotic biological clock involves a negative transcription-translation feedback loop in which clock genes regulate their own transcription and that of output genes of metabolic significance. While around 10% of the liver transcriptome is rhythmic, only about a fifth is driven by de novo transcription, indicating mRNA processing is a major circadian component. Here, we report that inhibition of transmethylation reactions elongates the circadian period.

Drinkable preparation of Theracurmin exhibits high absorption efficiency--a single-dose, double-blind, 4-way crossover study.

Curcumin has various biological activities including antioxidant and antiinflammatory actions, and alcohol detoxification. However, because of its poor absorption efficiency, it is difficult for orally administered curcumin to reach blood levels sufficient to realize its bioactivities. We have generated capsules and tablets containing Theracurmin, a highly absorptive curcumin.

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm caused by Streptococcus constellatus.

We report a rare case of mycotic pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAP) secondary to a lung abscess due to Streptococcus constellatus. PAP was confirmed by the pathological findings of the pseudoaneurysm, the presence of bacteria, and the microbiological analysis. PAP is uncommon, but it is important to recognize this condition because PAP can lead to fatal hemoptysis.

Energy-efficient integral imaging with suppression of pseudo images.

The authors present an energy-efficient integral imaging system with suppression of pseudo images, which are caused by a leakage of rays from each elemental image to the adjacent elemental lenses. The leakage of rays can be decreased when the lens is paired with a segmented backlight with limited aperture, which consumes less electricity. To remove the leakage of rays completely without damaging the image to be presented, three modifications are implemented.

[A case of influenza pneumonia following pneumococcal infection in an adult patient with concurrent encephalopathy with a lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum].

A 35-year-old male patient had a fever, cough, and other symptoms since the end of December 2010. The patient then developed a high fever and decreased SpO2, suggesting possible pneumonia. The patient was admitted to our hospital on the 6th day of illness.