Evaluation of L-Alanine Metabolism in Bacteria and Whole-Body Distribution with Bacterial Infection Model Mice.

The World Health Organization has cautioned that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will be responsible for an estimated 10 million deaths annually by 2050. To facilitate prompt and accurate diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease, we investigated the potential of amino acids for use as indicators of bacterial growth activity by clarifying which amino acids are taken up by bacteria during the various growth phases. In addition, we examined the amino acid transport mechanisms that are employed by bacteria based on the accumulation of labeled amino acids, Na dependence, and inhibitory effects using a specific inhibitor of system A.

I-BMIPP, a Radiopharmaceutical for Myocardial Fatty Acid Metabolism Scintigraphy, Could Be Utilized in Bacterial Infection Imaging.

In this study, we evaluated the use of 15-(4-I-iodophenyl)-3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid (I-BMIPP) to visualize fatty acid metabolism in bacteria for bacterial infection imaging. We found that I-BMIPP, which is used for fatty acid metabolism scintigraphy in Japan, accumulated markedly in EC-14 similar to F-FDG, which has previously been studied for bacterial imaging. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we evaluated changes in I-BMIPP accumulation under low-temperature conditions and in the presence of a CD36 inhibitor.

Comparison of L- and D-Amino Acids for Bacterial Imaging in Lung Infection Mouse Model.

The effectiveness of L- and D-amino acids for detecting the early stage of infection in bacterial imaging was compared. We evaluated the accumulation of H-L-methionine (Met), H-D-Met, H-L-alanine (Ala), and H-D-Ala in EC-14 and HaCaT cells. Biological distribution was assessed in control and lung-infection-model mice with EC-14 using H-L- and D-Met, and F-FDG.

Distinct Skin Microbiome and Skin Physiological Functions Between Bedridden Older Patients and Healthy People: A Single-Center Study in Japan.

With the increase in the older populations, the number of bedridden older patients is becoming a matter of concern. Skin microbiome and skin physiological functions are known to change according to lifestyle and community; however, such changes in case of movement- and cleaning-restricted bedridden older patients have not yet been revealed. To address this issue, we analyzed skin microbiome and skin physiological functions, including pH, hydration, sebum level, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL), of bedridden older patients, compared with those of ambulatory older and young individuals.