Bioelectronic Direct Current Stimulation at the Transition Between Reversible and Irreversible Charge Transfer.

Many biological processes rely on endogenous electric fields (EFs), including tissue regeneration, cell development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. Mimicking these biological EFs by applying external direct current stimulation (DCS) is therefore the key to many new therapeutic strategies. During DCS, the charge transfer from electrode to tissue relies on a combination of reversible and irreversible electrochemical processes, which may generate toxic or bio-altering substances, including metal ions and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

MRI characterization of pelvic floor ligaments in nulliparous women: Technique development and morphometry within the 3D pelvic inclination correction system (3D-PICS).

Purpose: The aim of the MRI-study was to evaluate the visibility of the pelvic floor ligaments and to analyze the ligament morphometry in 3D space.

Methods: Twenty-two nulliparous women underwent MRI with a ligament specific protocol. MR datasets were evaluated using the 3D Pelvic Inclination Correction System (3D-PICS).

A qualitative study on patients' selection in the scarcity of resources in the COVID-19 pandemic in a communal culture.

The scarcity of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic caused ethical dilemmas in prioritizing patients for treatment. Medical and ethical guidance only emphasizes clinical procedures but does not consider the sociocultural aspect. This study explored the perception of former COVID-19 patients and their families on the decision-making process of the patient's selection at a time of scarcity of resources.

Evaluating the protective role of trimetazidine versus nano-trimetazidine in amelioration of bilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion induced neuro-degeneration: Implications of ERK1/2, JNK and Galectin-3 /NF-κB/TNF-α/HMGB-1 signaling.

Background: Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a primary culprit of acute kidney injury. Neurodegeneration can result from I/R, but the mechanisms are still challenging. We studied the implications of bilateral renal I/R on brain and potential involvement of the oxidative stress (OS) driven extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (ERK1/2, JNK) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3)/nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-қB)/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1), and caspase-3 paths upregulation.

Generation of direct current electrical fields as regenerative therapy for spinal cord injury: A review.

Electrical stimulation (ES) shows promise as a therapy to promote recovery and regeneration after spinal cord injury. ES therapy establishes beneficial electric fields (EFs) and has been investigated in numerous studies, which date back nearly a century. In this review, we discuss the various engineering approaches available to generate regenerative EFs through direct current electrical stimulation and very low frequency electrical stimulation.

Collaboration between local nephrologists and the transplant centre ensures good outcomes in post-transplant care.

Background: Despite substantial improvements in short-term kidney allograft survival, median long-term survival remains at a standstill. It is unclear whether and to what extent a transplant centre's post-transplant care influences long-term outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 501 single kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who underwent transplantation between 2009 and 2018 and did not develop rejection or de novo donor-specific antibodies (dnDSA) within the first post-transplant year.

Bioelectronic microfluidic wound healing: a platform for investigating direct current stimulation of injured cell collectives.

Upon cutaneous injury, the human body naturally forms an electric field (EF) that acts as a guidance cue for relevant cellular and tissue repair and reorganization. However, the direct current (DC) flow imparted by this EF can be impacted by a variety of diseases. This work delves into the impact of DC stimulation on both healthy and diabetic wound healing models of human keratinocytes, the most prevalent cell type of the skin.

Surface characterisation reveals substrate suitability for cyanobacterial phototaxis.

Cyanobacteria respond to light stimulation, activating localised assembly of type IV pili for motility. The resulting phototactic response is highly dependent on the nature of the incoming light stimulus, and the final motility parameters depend on the surface properties. Conventionally, phototaxis studies are carried out on hydrogel surfaces, such as agarose, with surface properties that vary in time due to experimental conditions.

Association between antimicrobial resistance and biofilm forming ability of serotypes from commercial broiler farms in Brazil.

1. This study determined the antimicrobial resistance profile and the biofilm-forming ability of strains isolated from commercial broiler houses over a three-year period in southern Brazil.2.

Evaluation of the therapeutic role of allopurinol on bisphenol S gastric and renal toxicity in adult male albino rats: An in vivo study.

Bisphenol S (BPS) is used as an alternative to bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and thermal receipt sheet manufacturing. We examined the toxic effects of BPS on gastric and renal functions, as well as the efficacy of allopurinol as a treatment. Albino rats were given only BPS (30 and 120 mg/kg BW/day), and some were treated with allopurinol prior to sacrifice.

PIRCHE-II scores prove useful as a predictive biomarker among kidney transplant recipients with rejection: An analysis of indication and follow-up biopsies.

Background: Indication biopsies for deterioration of kidney allograft function often require follow-up biopsies to assess treatment response or lack of improvement. Immune-mediated injury, namely borderline rejection (BLR), T-cell mediated rejection (TCMR), or antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), results from preformed or alloreactivity due to donor and recipient HLA-mismatches. The impact of HLA-mismatches on alloreactivity is determined by highly immunogenic HLA-epitopes.

Evaluation of 3-Deoxy-D-Arabino-Heptulosonate 7-Phosphate Synthase (DAHPS) as a Vulnerable Target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of death due to a single pathogen. The emergence and proliferation of multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant strains (XDR-TB) represent compelling reasons to invest in the pursuit of new anti-TB agents. The shikimate pathway, responsible for chorismate biosynthesis, which is a precursor of important aromatic compounds, is required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth.

EPSP Synthase-Depleted Cells Are Aromatic Amino Acid Auxotrophs in Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The epidemiological importance of mycobacterial species is indisputable, and the necessity to find new molecules that can inhibit their growth is urgent. The shikimate pathway, required for the synthesis of important bacterial metabolites, represents a set of targets for inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. The -encoded 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) enzyme catalyzes the sixth step of the shikimate pathway.

"The possible implication of endothelin in the pathology of COVID-19-induced pulmonary hypertension".

COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world dramatically since was first reported in Wuhan city, China [1]. Not only as a respiratory illness that could lead to fatal respiratory failure, but also some evidences suggest that it can propagate as a chronic disease associated with a variety of persistent post COVID-19 pathologies that affect patients' life [2,3]. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is one of the challenging diseases that may develop as a consequence of SARS-COV-2 infection in some COVID-19 survivors [4,5].

Caution at choosing a particular colony-forming unit from faecal Escherichia coli: it may not represent the sample profile.

Data about phylogenetic classification of Escherichia coli colonizing calves, lambs and foals are routinely neglected and restricted to outdated methodologies, even in the context of antimicrobial susceptibility (AS) testing. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the phylogenetic diversity and the AS profile of E. coli colony-forming units (CFUs) from faecal samples of healthy animals.

Characterization of intestinal Escherichia coli isolated from calves with diarrhea due to rotavirus and coronavirus.

Purpose: To address more information about changes in commensal Escherichia coli during virus intestinal infection, we characterized 30 faecal E. coli isolates from calves (21 to 60 days old) with diarrhea due to rotavirus and coronavirus, which received, before diagnosis, tetracycline, gentamicin and enrofloxacin drugs.

Methodology: Clermont's phylogenetic classification; presence of genes for curli, cellulose, fimbriae (F4, F5, F6, F18, F41); and antimicrobial susceptibility were used to characterize the isolates.

The CpxRA stress response system regulates virulence features of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli.

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) causes localized and systemic avian infections and is responsible for considerable economic losses in the poultry industry. This organism adheres and invades human and avian cells, however, the regulatory networks that dictate its virulence are largely unknown. The CpxRA two-component system is responsible for sensing and controlling outer-membrane stress and detecting misfolded proteins in the bacterial periplasmic space.

The Periplasmic Trehalase Affects Type 1 Fimbria Production and Virulence of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain MT78.

Extraintestinal pathogenic (ExPEC) is responsible for various infections outside the gastrointestinal tract in humans and other animals. ExPEC strain MT78 is invasive to various nonphagocytic cells and highly virulent To identify genes required for invasion of nonphagocytic cells by this strain, we applied signature-tagged mutagenesis to generate a library of mutants and tested them for invasion of avian fibroblasts. Mutants showing reduced cellular invasion included those with insertions in the operon, encoding type 1 fimbriae.

Antibacterial potential of phytochemicals alone or in combination with antimicrobials against fish pathogenic bacteria.

Aims: This study investigated the antibacterial activity of five phytochemicals (carvacrol, citral, eugenol, linalool and thymol) alone or in combination with florfenicol or oxytetracycline against bacteria isolated from silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). We also analysed the potential of these compounds to inhibit biofilm formation and haemolysis caused by the bacteria.

Methods And Results: Bacteria were tested with antimicrobials to calculate the multiple antibiotic resistances.

Virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of extraintestinal Escherichia coli isolated from an avian colisepticemia outbreak.

In this study an avian colisepticemia outbreak was investigated. Two isolates from a chicken with colisepticemia were characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence factors profile. For this purpose 7 antimicrobial and 29 genes (fimH, hrlA/hek, iha, papC, sfa/focCD, tsh, mat, tia, gimB, ibeA, chuA, fyuA, ireA, iroN, irp2, iucD, sitD.

Nocardia nova causing empyema necessitatis afterlung re-transplantation: a case report.

We report herein a case of thoracic infection due to Nocardia nova following lung re-transplantation performed for emphysema related to alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. The infection extended from the lung into the pleural space, thoracic wall, and mediastinum, presenting as pericarditis and empyema necessitatis. Nocardia nova was identified by 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

Invasin gimB found in a bovine intestinal Escherichia coli with an adherent and invasive profile.

The invasin gimB (genetic island associated with human newborn meningitis) is usually found in ExPEC (Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli) such as UPEC (uropathogenic E. coli), NMEC (neonatal meningitis E. coli) and APEC (avian pathogenic E.

Phylogenetic analysis and genetic diversity of 3' region of rtxA gene from geographically diverse strains of Moraxella bovis, Moraxella bovoculi and Moraxella ovis.

The cytotoxin A (MbxA) is one of the main virulence factors of Moraxella bovis involved in the pathogenesis of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). Moraxella ovis and Moraxella bovoculi, suspected to be associated with infectious keratitis in sheep and cattle respectively, also have a gene that encodes the cytotoxin A (movA and mbvA, respectively). The aim of this study was to determine the molecular sequence of the 3' region of the cytotoxin gene of Moraxella spp.

Molecular characterization and clonal relationships among Escherichia coli strains isolated from broiler chickens with colisepticemia.

This study characterized 52 Escherichia coli isolates from distinct diseased organs of 29 broiler chickens with clinical symptoms of colibacillosis in the Southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Thirty-eight isolates were highly virulent and 14 were virtually avirulent in 1-day-old chicks, yet all isolates harbored virulence factors characteristic of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), including those related to adhesion, iron acquisition, and serum resistance.

Genotypes and pathogenicity of cellulitis isolates reveal traits that modulate APEC virulence.

We characterized 144 Escherichia coli isolates from severe cellulitis lesions in broiler chickens from South Brazil. Analysis of susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials revealed frequencies of resistance of less than 30% for most antimicrobials except tetracycline (70%) and sulphonamides (60%). The genotyping of 34 virulence-associated genes revealed that all the isolates harbored virulence factors related to adhesion, iron acquisition and serum resistance, which are characteristic of the avian pathogenic E.