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.

Pathogenicity Characterization of Prevalent-Type subsp. Strains.

subsp. (SDSE) is an emerging human pathogen that causes severe invasive streptococcal diseases. Recent reports have shown that SDSE exhibits high pathogenicity with different mechanisms from that of , although the two streptococci possess some common virulence factors such as streptolysin, streptokinase, and cell-binding proteins.

Author Correction: Imaging of hepatic drug transporters with [I]6-β-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Measuring the Antimicrobial Activity of Lauric Acid against Various Bacteria in Human Gut Microbiota Using a New Method.

Lauric acid (LA) has a broad spectrum of anti-microbiological activities against enveloped viruses and various bacteria, and might be useful to protect against microbial infection and control the balance and distribution of bacteria in human gut microbiota. It is not necessarily more difficult to measure antimicrobial activity the traditional way, but it is, however, more laborious. In the present study, we developed a new method to measure the antimicrobial activity of LA in multiple samples with a microplate reader.

Imaging of hepatic drug transporters with [I]6-β-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol.

We examined whether [I]6-β-iodomethyl-19-norcholesterol (NP-59), a cholesterol analog, can be used to measure function of hepatic drug transporters. Hepatic uptake of NP-59 with and without rifampicin was evaluated using HEK293 cells expressing solute carrier transporters. The stability of NP-59 was evaluated using mouse blood, bile, and liver, and human liver S9.

Corrigendum: A Comparison of Techniques for Collecting Skin Microbiome Samples: Swabbing Versus Tape-Stripping.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.

A Comparison of Techniques for Collecting Skin Microbiome Samples: Swabbing Versus Tape-Stripping.

The swabbing and tape-stripping methods have traditionally been used for collecting skin microbiome samples for skin bacterial analysis, although no reports have compared the outcome of these methods for collecting skin bacteria. Our purpose was to show the differences in microbial composition between samples collected using the swabbing and tape-stripping methods, by both the next generation sequencing and culture studies. The skin microbiome was collected by both methods, and the samples were processed for a sequence-based microbiome analysis and culture study.

Role of Electrolyte in Liesegang Pattern Formation.

Pattern formation based on the Liesegang phenomenon is considered one of the useful models for gaining a mechanistic understanding of spontaneous spatiotemporal pattern formations in nature. However, for more than a century, the Liesegang phenomenon in chemical systems has been investigated by using electrolytes as both the reaction substrate and aggregation promoter, which has obfuscated the role of the electrolyte. Here, we distinguish the electrolyte (NaSO) from the reaction substrates (Ag ion and citrate), where NaSO does not participate in the reaction step and acts as an aggregation promoter.

Successful treatment using occlusive steroid therapy in patients with erosive lichen planus: a report on 2 cases.

Gingival involvement in erosive lichen planus (ELP) is classified as nonplaque-induced gingival lesions. Occlusive steroid therapy (OST) using a plastic stent is administered to enhance the effect of corticosteroids by maximizing the contact between the corticosteroids applied on the gingiva and the gingival lesions. Clinical efficacy may be enhanced with OST even when low-potency topical corticosteroids are used.

Use of oral exfoliative cytology to diagnose desquamative gingivitis: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of exfoliative cytology as a diagnostic tool for patients with clinical symptoms of desquamative gingivitis.

Method And Materials: Fifteen patients clinically diagnosed with desquamative gingivitis were evaluated. At their first visit, a cytologic smear was performed on the gingival lesion.

1,2-Dehydrolactarolide A, a new plant growth regulatory lactarane sesquiterpene from Lactarius vellereus.

A new lactarane sesquiterpene, 1,2-dehydrolactarolide A (1), together with lactarorufin A (2), 3-O-ethyllactarolide A (3) and 3-O-ethyllactarolide B (4), was isolated from a mushroom of the Russulaceae family, Lactarius vellereus. Additionally, two lactarane sesquiterpenes, lactarorufin A (2) and lactarolide A (5) were isolated from L. subpiperatus.

Early detection and successful management of oral pemphigus vulgaris: a case report.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by acantholysis in the epithelium. PV is often difficult to diagnose in the early stages, since the oral lesions are relatively nonspecific. We report on a case with a favorable outcome due to early diagnosis and effective treatment of oral lesions.

Phonon dispersion curves of a BC3 honeycomb epitaxial sheet.

The entire phonon-dispersion curves along the Gamma-M direction of a BC3 honeycomb sheet have been determined both experimentally and theoretically for the first time. Most of the observed curves agreed with the theoretical ones calculated on the basis of ab initio theory. From the stretching force constants of the nearest-neighbor C-C and B-C bonds, together with that of the B-B bond, we clarified the characteristic feature of the C-C and B-C bonds.

Inhibitory effects of YM175, a bisphosphonate, on the progression of experimental periodontitis in beagle dogs.

This study examined the efficacy of YM175 [disodium dihydrogen (cycloheptylamino) methylene-1, 1-bisphosphonate] in reducing alveolar bone loss caused by experimental periodontitis in beagle dogs. Thirty-six dogs were used and divided into 6 groups. Periodontitis was induced in 30 dogs (groups 2-6) by ligating the bilateral mandibular third and fourth premolar teeth with silk ligatures and by feeding a soft diet.

Helix-loop-helix-type transcription factor (HES-1) is expressed in osteoblastic cells, suppressed by 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, and modulates 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 enhancement of osteopontin gene expression.

The active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (D3), is a potent modulator of osteoblastic function. In this study, we examined, the expression of a negative-type basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, HES-1, in osteoblastic cells and the regulation of its expression by D3. We found that HES-1 is expressed as a 1.

Interaction of lactoferrin with ascorbate and the relationship with bleomycin-dependent DNA damage.

The interaction between bovine lactoferrin (bLf) and ascorbate (Asc) was investigated through malondialdehyde (MAD) formation in a solution containing DNA, bleomycin (BLM), and Fe2+ or Asc. The inhibition by bLf on MDA formation in the presence of Asc was not changed even by adding carbonate or oxalate ions to the solution. The percentage inhibition by the hydrolysates of bLf treated with pepsin, trypsin, and both enzymes on MDA formation was almost the same as that by the untreated bLf in the presence of Asc.

Suppressive Effects of Lactoferrin on Bleomycin-dependent DNA Damage by the Iron Ion and Ascorbate.

The effects of the iron ion and reductones on bleomycin (BLM)-induced DNA degradation were observed by measuring the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) formed. The formation of MDA was detected after adding Fe(2+) or Fe(3+) + Asc combined to a solution consisting of DNA and BLM, but not after adding Fe(3+) alone, catecholamines or phenolic compounds. Marked suppressive effects of lactoferrin (Lf) and ovotransferrin on MDA formation were observed in the solution with Fe(2+) or Asc.

Cloning and characterization of a 23-kDa stress-induced mouse peritoneal macrophage protein.

Exposure of mouse peritoneal macrophages to oxidative and sulfhydryl-reactive agents in vitro enhances synthesis of a few cellular proteins that may be important in a self-defense system. A cDNA encoding a novel stress-inducible protein, designated MSP23 (macrophage 23-kDa stress protein), was cloned from a cDNA library of the macrophages by differential screening. A 1.

[The clinical and etiological study on juvenile periodontal disease].

Seven juvenile periodontally diseased patients were evaluated for clinical, microbiologic and local or systemic host factors. Three patients showed the localized from of periodontitis clinically and radiographically and by deep periodontal pockets associated with the molars and incisors. Four were in the generalized froms, in which in most cases all teeth were affected.

[Microbiological study in clinically characterized rapidly progressive periodontal disease].

Samples of subgingival bacteria were collected from two sites of offanteriors with greater than or equal to 6 mm deep pockets in each ten patients in a clinically characterized rapidly progressive periodontal disease. The purpose of this investigation was to study the predominant cultivable microflora at pre- and post-periodontal treatment stages, in order to monitor the clinical effects of periodontal treatment and possibly to determine the presence or absence of active disease. "Non effective site" was defined as little elimination of periodontal pocket.