Telomerase RNA component knockout exacerbates pneumonia by extensive inflammation and dysfunction of T cells.

The telomerase RNA component (Terc) constitutes a non-coding RNA critical for telomerase function, commonly associated with aging and pivotal in immunomodulation during inflammation. Our study unveils heightened susceptibility to pneumonia caused by ) in knockout () mice compared to both young and old infected counterparts. The exacerbated infection in mice correlates with heightened inflammation, manifested by elevated interleukin-1β (IL-1β) levels and activation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome within the lung.

Age-related STING suppression in macrophages contributes to increased viral load during influenza a virus infection.

Ageing is a major risk factor that contributes to increased mortality and morbidity rates during influenza A virus (IAV) infections. Macrophages are crucial players in the defense against viral infections and display impaired function during ageing. However, the impact of ageing on macrophage function in response to an IAV infection remains unclear and offers potential insight for underlying mechanisms.

ProcCluster® and procaine hydrochloride inhibit the growth of species and exert antimicrobial properties during coinfection with influenza A viruses and .

Introduction: Influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis is associated with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. The current standard practice involves treating each pathogen separately. However, the use of antifungal drugs can lead to serious side effects, and the presence of triazole-resistant strains can complicate antifungal therapy.

Evaluation of the Eazyplex ID LAMP Assay for the Rapid Diagnosis of Positive Blood Cultures.

Rapid molecular assays can be used to identify pathogens directly from positive blood cultures (BCs) in a timely manner compared to standard methods using subcultures. In this study, the eazyplex ID assay, which is based on loop-mediated amplification (LAMP) and is currently for research use only, was evaluated for the identification of the most common fungal species. A total of 190 BCs were analysed.

Antimicrobial Biomaterials Based on Physical and Physicochemical Action.

Developing effective antimicrobial biomaterials is a relevant and fast-growing field in advanced healthcare materials. Several well-known (e.g.

ProcCluster and procaine hydrochloride inhibit the replication of influenza A virus .

Introduction: Treatment of influenza A virus infections is currently limited to few direct acting antiviral substances. Repurposing other established pharmaceuticals as antivirals could aid in improving treatment options.

Methods: This study investigates the antiviral properties of ProcCluster and procaine hydrochloride, two derivatives of the local anesthetic procaine, in influenza A virus infection of A549, Calu-3 and MDCK cells.

Experience with PCR Testing for Enteric Bacteria and Viruses of Emergency Department Patients with Acute Gastroenteritis: Are There Implications for the Early Treatment of Infection?

Early identification of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) pathogens via PCR may improve the management of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). In this study, we evaluated the implementation of a testing algorithm for ED patients with AGE using the BD MAX automated PCR system. Data from 133 patients were analyzed.

Reduced Glycolysis and Cytotoxicity in Isolates from Chronic Rhinosinusitis as Strategies for Host Adaptation.

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial infection of the nasal cavity and sinuses. In this study, nasal swabs from control donors (N = 128) and patients with CRS (N = 246) were analysed. Culture methods and metagenomics revealed no obvious differences in the composition of the bacterial communities between the two groups.

Findaureus: An open-source application for locating Staphylococcus aureus in fluorescence-labelled infected bone tissue slices.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a facultative pathogenic bacterium that can cause infections in various tissue types in humans. Fluorescence imaging techniques have been employed to visualize the bacteria in ex-vivo samples mostly in research, aiding in the understanding of the etiology of the pathogen.

Uncovering a unique pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant: selective induction of cellular senescence.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 variants are constantly emerging with a variety of changes in the conformation of the spike protein, resulting in alterations of virus entry mechanisms. Solely omicron variants use the endosomal clathrin-mediated entry. Here, we investigate the influence of defined altered spike formations to study their impact on premature cellular senescence.

The influenza A virus promotes fungal growth of Aspergillus fumigatus via direct interaction in vitro.

Seasonal influenza A virus (IAV) infections still pose a major burden for public health worldwide. Severe disease progression or even death is often related to superinfections of the virus and a secondary bacterial pathogen. However, fungi, especially Aspergillus fumigatus, are also frequently diagnosed during IAV infection.

The Controversial Effect of Antibiotics on Methicillin-Sensitive : A Comparative In Vitro Study.

Methicillin-sensitive () (MSSA) bacteremia remains a global challenge, despite the availability of antibiotics. Primary treatments include β-lactam agents such as cefazolin and flucloxacillin. Ongoing discussions have focused on the potential synergistic effects of combining these agents with rifampicin or fosfomycin to combat infections associated with biofilm formation.

Salivary Pellicle Formed on Dental Composites Evaluated by Mass Spectrometry-An In Situ Study.

(1) Background: In the oral environment, sound enamel and dental restorative materials are immediately covered by a pellicle layer, which enables bacteria to attach. For the development of new materials with repellent surface functions, information on the formation and maturation of salivary pellicles is crucial. Therefore, the present in situ study aimed to investigate the proteomic profile of salivary pellicles formed on different dental composites.

The Local Anaesthetic Procaine Prodrugs ProcCluster and Procaine Hydrochloride Impair SARS-CoV-2 Replication and Egress In Vitro.

As vaccination efforts against SARS-CoV-2 progress in many countries, there is still an urgent need for efficient antiviral treatment strategies for those with severer disease courses, and lately, considerable efforts have been undertaken to repurpose existing drugs as antivirals. The local anaesthetic procaine has been investigated for antiviral properties against several viruses over the past decades. Here, we present data on the inhibitory effect of the procaine prodrugs ProcCluster and procaine hydrochloride on SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro.

Role of the Senescence-Associated Factor Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 in the Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

During cellular senescence, persistent growth arrest and changes in protein expression programs are accompanied by a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In this study, we detected the upregulation of the SASP-related protein dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DDP4) in human primary lung cells rendered senescent by exposure to ionizing radiation. DPP4 is an exopeptidase that plays a crucial role in the cleavage of various proteins, resulting in the loss of N-terminal dipeptides and proinflammatory effects.

Thoracic adipose tissue contributes to severe virus infection of the lung.

Objective: Obesity is an independent risk factor for severe influenza virus and COVID-19 infections. There might be an interplay between adipose tissue and respiratory pathogens, although the mechanism is unknown. Proinflammatory factors secreted by the adipose tissue are often discussed to serve as indirect contributor to virus infection.

SARS-CoV-2 Testing of Emergency Department Patients Using cobas Liat and eazyplex Rapid Molecular Assays.

Rapid testing for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) of patients presenting to emergency departments (EDs) facilitates the decision for isolation on admission to hospital wards. Differences in the sensitivity of molecular assays have implications for diagnostic workflows. This study evaluated the performance of the cobas Liat RT-PCR, which is routinely used as the initial test for ED patients in our hospitals, compared with the eazyplex RT-LAMP.

Screening of Isolates for Carbapenemase and Hypervirulence-Associated Genes by Combining the Eazyplex Superbug CRE and hvKp Assays.

The acquisition of hypervirulence-associated genes by carbapenemase-producing is being increasingly observed, and easy-to-use diagnostic tests are needed for the surveillance of the hypervirulent (hvKp). In this pilot study, 87 isolates from invasive infections collected in 2022 and 2023 were analysed using the LAMP-based eazyplex Superbug CRE and hvKp assays for the simultaneous identification of carbapenemases and virulence genes (, , , , ). Nine isolates showed a Kleborate virulence score of 4 or 5 (10.

Simple, Fast and Convenient Magnetic Bead-Based Sample Preparation for Detecting Viruses via Raman-Spectroscopy.

We introduce a magnetic bead-based sample preparation scheme for enabling the Raman spectroscopic differentiation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive and -negative samples. The beads were functionalized with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor protein, which is used as a recognition element to selectively enrich SARS-CoV-2 on the surface of the magnetic beads. The subsequent Raman measurements directly enable discriminating SARS-CoV-2-positive and -negative samples.

Insights into -Induced Bone Deformation in a Mouse Model of Chronic Osteomyelitis Using Fluorescence and Raman Imaging.

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone that is often difficult to treat and causes a significant healthcare burden. is the most common pathogen causing osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis mouse models have been established to gain further insights into the pathogenesis and host response.

Respiratory Infections in the Aging Lung: Implications for Diagnosis, Therapy, and Prevention.

Respiratory infections pose a significant health problem among elderly individuals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increased mortality and morbidity rates among individuals over 65 highlight the criticality of these infections. The normal aging process in the lungs increases vulnerability to respiratory infections due to the accumulation of cellular damage and senescence.