Phylogenetic barriers to horizontal transfer of antimicrobial peptide resistance genes in the human gut microbiota.

The human gut microbiota has adapted to the presence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are ancient components of immune defence. Despite its medical importance, it has remained unclear whether AMP resistance genes in the gut microbiome are available for genetic exchange between bacterial species. Here, we show that AMP resistance and antibiotic resistance genes differ in their mobilization patterns and functional compatibilities with new bacterial hosts.

Hsp70-associated chaperones have a critical role in buffering protein production costs.

Proteins are necessary for cellular growth. Concurrently, however, protein production has high energetic demands associated with transcription and translation. Here, we propose that activity of molecular chaperones shape protein burden, that is the fitness costs associated with expression of unneeded proteins.

Modulation of TLR 3, 7 and 8 expressions in HCV genotype 3 infected individuals: potential correlations of pathogenesis and spontaneous clearance.

Background: Hepatitis C virus is the major cause of chronic hepatitis worldwide which finally leads to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Toll like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the course of many viral infections, but the role of TLRs in HCV pathogenesis has not been well elucidated so far.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse the mRNA expression of TLRs 3, 7, and 8 in different stages of HCV infection including chronic, cirrhosis, interferon treated resolved, and relapsed cases.

Network-level architecture and the evolutionary potential of underground metabolism.

A central unresolved issue in evolutionary biology is how metabolic innovations emerge. Low-level enzymatic side activities are frequent and can potentially be recruited for new biochemical functions. However, the role of such underground reactions in adaptation toward novel environments has remained largely unknown and out of reach of computational predictions, not least because these issues demand analyses at the level of the entire metabolic network.

Perturbation of iron homeostasis promotes the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

Evolution of antibiotic resistance in microbes is frequently achieved by acquisition of spontaneous mutations during antimicrobial therapy. Here, we demonstrate that inactivation of a central transcriptional regulator of iron homeostasis (Fur) facilitates laboratory evolution of ciprofloxacin resistance in Escherichia coli. To decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms, we first performed a global transcriptome analysis and demonstrated that the set of genes regulated by Fur changes substantially in response to antibiotic treatment.

Acute urodynamic effects of posterior tibial nerve stimulation on neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with MS.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether acute electrical stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve could suppress detrusor contractions in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity.

Methods: Two successive slow-fill cystometries (16 ml/min) were carried out in eight MS patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity. The first filling served as control without stimulation.

Current opinion on the working mechanisms of neuromodulation in the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Purpose Of Review: Neuromodulation is a successful treatment for patients with refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. In the recent years, more applications of various types and ways have been developed and put into clinical practice. It is important, therefore, for urologists to know the existing theories on the working mechanisms that explain the effect.

Implant-Driven Tibial Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Refractory Overactive Bladder Syndrome: 12-Month Follow-up.

Objectives.  To investigate feasibility and safety of implant-driven tibial nerve stimulation. Materials and Methods.

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of refractory overactive bladder syndrome: is maintenance treatment necessary?

Objective: To determine the effect of a pause in percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in successfully treated patients with an overactive bladder (OAB), and the reproducibility of successful treatment when restored.

Patients And Methods: Eleven patients (mean age 51 years) with refractory OAB (more than seven voids and/or three or more urge incontinence episodes per day) were successfully treated with PTNS, and then discontinued treatment. Patients completed bladder diaries and quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaires (Short Form-36 and I-QoL) before (T1) and after a 6-week pause (T2) of maintenance PTNS, and again after re-treatment (T3).

Correlation between quality of life and voiding variables in patients treated with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between quality of life (QoL) and voiding variables in patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction treated with percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), as it is assumed that improvements in voiding will lead to a better QoL in such patients.

Patients And Methods: The study included 30 patients with urge urinary incontinence who were treated with PTNS; 24-h bladder diaries and QoL questionnaires (Short Form, SF-36, and incontinence-specific QoL) were completed at baseline and after PTNS.

Results: There was a significant correlation (P < 0.

Comparison of orthotopic sigmoid and ileal neobladders: continence and urodynamic parameters.

Objectives: The objective this of the study was to compare continence rates and urodynamic parameters among patients who had undergone orthotopic bladder substitution with sigmoid or ileal segments.

Methods: Continent urinary reservoirs were constructed in 112 patients. Fifty patients received a sigmoid neobladder (SN) and 62 patients an ileal neobladder (IN).

The evaluation of dioxin emissions from pilot scale incineration of organochlorine compounds.

Formation of the dioxins was investigated in case of two fuel types (kerosene-dichlorobenzene and kerosene-dichloroethane) on a pilot scale liquid waste incinerator. It was determined the effect of the molecule structure (aromatic, aliphatic) and Cl content (1, 3 and 6%) of the liquids and the combustion parameters (O2 content, residence time and temperature). In some experiments particulate matters (fly ash and soot) were injected.