Overcoming antibiotic resistance: non-thermal plasma and antibiotics combination inhibits important pathogens.

Antibiotic resistance (ATBR) is increasing every year as the overuse of antibiotics (ATBs) and the lack of newly emerging antimicrobial agents lead to an efficient pathogen escape from ATBs action. This trend is alarming and the World Health Organization warned in 2021 that ATBR could become the leading cause of death worldwide by 2050. The development of novel ATBs is not fast enough considering the situation, and alternative strategies are therefore urgently required.

Non-thermal plasma disinfecting procedure is harmless to delicate items of everyday use.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) is a well-known decontamination tool applicable for a wide range of microorganisms and viruses. Since the recent COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to decontaminate all daily used items, it is highly desirable to address the applicability of NTP, including its possible harmful effects. To the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive characterization of NTP effects on sensitive materials is still lacking.

Silver nanoparticles with plasma-polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane coating on 3D printed substrates are non-cytotoxic and effective against respiratory pathogens.

Due to the emerging resistance of microorganisms and viruses to conventional treatments, the importance of self-disinfecting materials is highly increasing. Such materials could be silver or its nanoparticles (AgNPs), both of which have been studied for their antimicrobial effect. In this study, we compared the biological effects of AgNP coatings with and without a plasma-polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane (ppHMDSO) protective film to smooth silver or copper coatings under three ambient conditions that mimic their potential medical use (dry or wet environments and an environment simulating the human body).

Intestinal Shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in Children: No Evidence for Infectious Potential.

The clinical courses of COVID-19 in children are often mild and may remain undiagnosed, but prolonged intestinal virus shedding has been documented, thus potentially enabling fecal-oral transmission. However, the infectious potential of SARS-CoV-2 viruses excreted with feces has remained unclear. Here, we investigated 247 stool specimens from 213 pediatric patients to assess the prevalence of intestinal SARS-CoV-2 shedding in hospitalized children without or with COVID-19 and determined the infectious capacity of stool-borne viruses.

Decontamination of High-Efficiency Mask Filters From Respiratory Pathogens Including SARS-CoV-2 by Non-thermal Plasma.

The current pandemic resulted in a rapidly increasing demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) initially leading to severe shortages of these items. Hence, during an unexpected and fast virus spread, the possibility of reusing highly efficient protective equipment could provide a viable solution for keeping both healthcare professionals and the general public equipped and protected. This requires an efficient decontamination technique that preserves functionality of the sensitive materials used for PPE production.

Presence of viremia during febrile neutropenic episodes in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms.

The importance of viral infections as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality is well documented in severely immunosuppressed patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. By contrast, viral infections generally receive less attention in patients with malignant disorders undergoing chemotherapy, where the onset of neutropenic fever is mostly associated with bacterial or fungal infections, and screening for viral infections is not routinely performed. To address the occurrence of invasive viral infections in a clinical setting commonly associated with less pronounced immunosuppression, we have prospectively screened 237 febrile neutropenic episodes in pediatric (n = 77) and adult (n = 69) patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, primarily for treatment of acute leukemia.

No evidence for Ago2 translocation from the host erythrocyte into the parasite.

parasites rely on various host factors to grow and replicate within red blood cells (RBC). While many host proteins are known that mediate parasite adhesion and invasion, few examples of host enzymes co-opted by the parasite during intracellular development have been described. Recent studies suggested that the host protein Argonaute 2 (Ago2), which is involved in RNA interference, can translocate into the parasite and affect its development.

Polylactic acid as a suitable material for 3D printing of protective masks in times of COVID-19 pandemic.

A critical lack of personal protective equipment has occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Polylactic acid (PLA), a polyester made from renewable natural resources, can be exploited for 3D printing of protective face masks using the Fused Deposition Modelling technique. Since the possible high porosity of this material raised questions regarding its suitability for protection against viruses, we have investigated its microstructure using scanning electron microscopy and aerosol generator and photometer certified as the test system according to the standards EN 143 and EN 149.

CDK4/CDK6 inhibition as a novel strategy to suppress the growth and survival of BCR-ABL1+ clones in TKI-resistant CML.

Purpose: Ponatinib is the only approved tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) suppressing BCR-ABL1-mutated cells in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, due to side effects and resistance, BCR-ABL1-mutated CML remains a clinical challenge. Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used for cytoreduction in CML for decades.

Transmission of the malaria parasite requires ferlin for gamete egress from the red blood cell.

Ferlins mediate calcium-dependent vesicular fusion. Although conserved throughout eukaryotic evolution, their function in unicellular organisms including apicomplexan parasites is largely unknown. Here, we define a crucial role for a ferlin-like protein (FLP) in host-to-vector transmission of the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei.

A Cross-Stage Antigen Contributes to the Development of Experimental Cerebral Malaria.

Cerebral malaria is a complex neurological syndrome caused by an infection with parasites and is exclusively attributed to a series of host-parasite interactions at the pathological blood-stage of infection. In contrast, the preceding intra-hepatic phase of replication is generally considered clinically silent and thereby excluded from playing any role in the development of neurological symptoms. In this study, however, we present an antigen maLS_05 that is presented to the host immune system by both pre-erythrocytic and intra-erythrocytic stages and contributes to the development of cerebral malaria in mice.