Extracellular polysaccharides are crucial components for biofilm development. Although Bacillus subtilis is one of the most characterized Gram-positive biofilm model system, the structure-function of its exopolysaccharide, EpsA-O, remains to be elucidated. By combining chemical analysis, NMR spectroscopy, rheology, and molecular modeling, high-resolution data of EpsA-O structure from atom to supramolecular scale was obtained.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(Kp) is a Gram-negative bacterium, and a leading cause of neonatal sepsis in low- and middle-income countries, often associated with anti-microbial resistance. Two types of polysaccharides are expressed on the Kp cell surface and have been proposed as key antigens for vaccine design: capsular polysaccharides (known as K-antigens, K-Ags) and O-antigens (O-Ags). Historically, Kp has been classified using capsule serotyping and although 186 distinct genotypes have been predicted so far based on sequence analysis, many structures are still unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Different serovars of Salmonella enterica cause systemic diseases in humans including enteric fever, caused by S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A, and invasive nontyphoidal salmonellosis (iNTS), caused mainly by S.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In care home research, residents are rarely included in patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) despite their lived experiences of day-to-day care. This paper reports on a novel approach to PPIE, developed in response to Covid-19, and utilised in a large UK-based study focused on care homes. PPIE sessions were facilitated on behalf of the research team by Activity Providers (APs) already working within the care homes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF