The Anti- Activity and Mechanisms of Pinocembrin Action.

We investigated the anti- activity of pinocembrin and its mechanism of action, as well as responses to pinocembrin treatment at the genetic and phenotypic levels, using NCTC 11168 and a multidrug efflux system repressor mutant (11168). At its minimal inhibitory concentration, pinocembrin significantly increased cell membrane permeability of . Interestingly, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, pinocembrin did not significantly alter membrane functionality and it increased bacterial fitness.

Cd-induced difference in root characteristics along root apex contributes to variation in Cd uptake and accumulation between two contrasting ecotypes of Sedum alfredii.

The root apex is the most active part for water and ions uptake, however, longitudinal alterations in root characteristics along root apex and consequences for metal uptake in hyperaccumulator are poorly understood. Here, we compared cadmium (Cd)-induced longitudinal alterations in root apex of two ecotypes of Sedum alfredii and assess their effects on Cd uptake. Under Cd treatment, cell death began from epidermis to the stele in non-hyperaccumulating ecotype (NHE) over time, and the number of dead cells was significantly higher than that in hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE).

Relevant Weight Reduction and Reversed Metabolic Co-morbidities Can Be Achieved by Duodenojejunal Bypass Liner in Adolescents with Morbid Obesity.

Background: Duodenojejunal bypass liner (DJBL) is an endoscopic, reversible bariatric procedure resulting in weight loss and metabolic co-morbidities improvements in the adults.

Objectives: To determine safety and effectiveness of 12-month treatment with DJBL in adolescents with severe obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m) and co-morbidities.

Methods: Post-pubertal subjects were treated with DJBL in an open-label, prospective clinical trial (NTC0218393).

Additive Manufacturing of Ferroelectric-Oxide Thin-Film Multilayer Devices.

Additive manufacturing has dramatically transformed the design and fabrication of advanced objects. Printed electronics-an additive thin-film processing technology-aims to realize low-cost, large-area electronics, and fabrication of devices with highly customized architectures. Recent advances in printing technology have led to several innovative applications; however, layer-on-layer deposition persists as a challenging issue.

Effect of Oxygen Plasma on Sprout and Root Growth, Surface Morphology and Yield of Garlic.

Depending on the climate, garlic can be planted either in the fall or spring for a harvest in the summer, but spring planting might require the strengthening of the plant by external techniques. We have used low pressure, inductively coupled, radio frequency oxygen plasma for the treatment of peeled garlic cloves of a spring-planted Slovenian autochthonous cultivar. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of plasma treatment on garlic clove shoot and root growth and, ultimately, the yield.

Intradiurnal variation of predominant airborne fungal spore biopollutants in the Central European urban environment.

Fungal spores are an important cause of allergic respiratory diseases worldwide. However, little is known about the intradiurnal pattern of spore concentrations of different fungal spore types in the air of the urban area. In this study, we evaluated bihourly variation in spore concentration of eight predominant fungal spore types in the atmosphere of Bratislava city (Agrocybe, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Coprinus, Exosporium, Epicoccum, Ganoderma, Leptosphaeria) with the aim to understand the relationships between the spore concentrations against associated environmental variables.

Deposition Kinetics of Thin Silica-Like Coatings in a Large Plasma Reactor.

An industrial size plasma reactor of 5 m volume was used to study the deposition of silica-like coatings by the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method. The plasma was sustained by an asymmetrical capacitively coupled radio-frequency discharge at a frequency of 40 kHz and power up to 7 kW. Hexamethyldisilioxane (HMDSO) was introduced continuously at different flows of up to 200 sccm upon pumping with a combination of roots and rotary pumps at an effective pumping speed between 25 and 70 L/s to enable suitable gas residence time in the plasma reactor.

The occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes is associated with built environment microbiota in three tree fruit processing facilities.

Background: Multistate foodborne disease outbreaks and recalls of apples and apple products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes demonstrate the need for improved pathogen control in the apple supply chain. Apple processing facilities have been identified in the past as potential sources of persisting L. monocytogenes contamination.

Corrigendum: Genes Associated With Psychrotolerant Group Isolates.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.

Assembly and Characterization of a Pathogen Strain Collection for Produce Safety Applications: Pre-growth Conditions Have a Larger Effect on Peroxyacetic Acid Tolerance Than Strain Diversity.

Effective control of foodborne pathogens on produce requires science-based validation of interventions and control strategies, which typically involves challenge studies with a set of bacterial strains representing the target pathogens or appropriate surrogates. In order to facilitate these types of studies, a produce-relevant strain collection was assembled to represent strains from produce outbreaks or pre-harvest environments, including ( = 11), ( = 23), shiga-toxin producing (STEC) ( = 13), and possible surrogate organisms ( = 8); all strains were characterized by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Strain diversity was assured by including the 10 most common serotypes, lineages I-IV, and O157 as well as selected "non-O157" STEC serotypes.

Serotype-specific evolutionary patterns of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella enterica.

Background: The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) strains of the important human and animal pathogen Salmonella enterica poses a growing threat to public health. Here, we studied the genome-wide evolution of 90 S. enterica AMR isolates, representing one host adapted serotype (S.

Evaluation of the Clinitek®, a point-of-care urinalysis system for the measurement of clinically significant urinary metabolites and detection of haematuria in Schistosoma haematobium infected children in southern Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: Urinary schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma haematobium, remains a significant public health problem worldwide, despite years of efforts to control it. Haematuria is one of the notable indirect indicators of S. haematobium infection and is commonly assessed along with other routine screens using a urinary dipstick test.

Precision Food Safety: a Paradigm Shift in Detection and Control of Foodborne Pathogens.

The implementation of whole-genome sequencing in food safety has revolutionized foodborne pathogen tracking and outbreak investigations. The vast amounts of genomic data that are being produced through ongoing surveillance efforts continue advancing our understanding of pathogen diversity and genome biology. Produced genomic data are also supporting the use of metagenomics and metatranscriptomics for detection and functional characterization of microbiological hazards in foods and food processing environments.

A century of gray: A genomic locus found in 2 distinct Pseudomonas spp. is associated with historical and contemporary color defects in dairy products worldwide.

Some gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas spp., can grow at refrigeration temperatures and cause flavor, odor, and texture defects in fluid milk. Historical and modern cases exist of gray and blue color defects in fluid milk due to Pseudomonas, and several recent reports have detailed fresh cheese spoilage associated with blue-pigment-forming Pseudomonas.

Genes Associated With Psychrotolerant Group Isolates.

The group comprises 18 different species, including human pathogens as well as psychrotolerant strains that are an important cause of fluid milk spoilage. To enhance our understanding of the genetic markers associated with psychrotolerance (defined here as > 1 log increase in cfu/mL after 21 days incubation at 6°C) among dairy-associated group isolates, we used genetic (whole genome sequencing) and phenotypic methods [growth in Skim Milk Broth (SMB) and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth] to characterize 23 genetically-distinct representative isolates from a collection of 503 dairy-associated isolates. Quality threshold clustering identified three categories of psychrotolerance: (i) 14 isolates that were not psychrotolerant in BHI or SMB, (ii) 6 isolates that were psychrotolerant in BHI but not in SMB, and (iii) 2 isolates that were psychrotolerant in BHI and SMB.

Management of Anabolic Steroid-Induced Infertility: Novel Strategies for Fertility Maintenance and Recovery.

There is often inherent conflict in the overlapping fields of male fertility and andrology. While the goal of all male fertility specialists is to facilitate and preserve biologic paternity, many practitioners also care for a significant number of patients suffering from hypogonadism. Exogenous testosterone administration, the gold standard for the management of these patients, almost universally impairs spermatogenesis and can even completely eradicate it in some men.

Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization of CuInS₂/ZnS Nanocrystals.

In this study, CuInS₂/ZnS nanocrystals were synthesized by a two-step mechanochemical synthesis for the first time. In the first step, tetragonal CuInS₂ was prepared from copper, indium and sulphur precursors. The obtained CuInS₂ was further co-milled with zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium sulphide nonahydrate as precursors for cubic ZnS.

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Recurrent myocarditis is rare with only few reports having been published for paediatric cases. Repeated use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is also uncommon. In this paper we will present a very rare case of a 7-year old girl with recurrent fulminant myocarditis with heart failure requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mechanical circulatory support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Characterization of Emetic and Diarrheal Strains From a 2016 Foodborne Outbreak Using Whole-Genome Sequencing: Addressing the Microbiological, Epidemiological, and Bioinformatic Challenges.

The Bacillus cereus group comprises multiple species capable of causing emetic or diarrheal foodborne illness. Despite being responsible for tens of thousands of illnesses each year in the U.S.

Recent advances in the understanding and management of erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is important to a man's well-being and health, since it not only affects the individual but also causes strain on a couple's lifestyle and relationship. There are multiple non-invasive treatments that exist for ED including lifestyle changes, oral medications (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors), vacuum-assisted erectile devices, and intraurethral suppositories. While lifestyle changes and oral medications are typically first-line treatments for ED, more-invasive treatments including intracavernosal injections and surgically implanted prosthetic devices may be required for the management of complex cases.

Whole-Genome Sequences of Escherichia coli Isolates from Cocoa Beans Imported from Bolivia.

Four Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from a batch of cocoa beans imported from Bolivia. The cocoa beans were rejected by a U.S.

Abscisic acid-mediated modifications of radial apoplastic transport pathway play a key role in cadmium uptake in hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii.

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a key phytohormone underlying plant resistance to toxic metals. However, regulatory effects of ABA on apoplastic transport in roots and consequences for uptake of metal ions are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate how ABA regulates development of apoplastic barriers in roots of two ecotypes of Sedum alfredii and assess effects on cadmium (Cd) uptake.

Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves Using Planck, WMAP, and New BICEP2/Keck Observations through the 2015 Season.

We present results from an analysis of all data taken by the bicep2/Keck CMB polarization experiments up to and including the 2015 observing season. This includes the first Keck Array observations at 220 GHz and additional observations at 95 and 150 GHz. The Q and U maps reach depths of 5.