Alternative Sigma Factor B in Bovine Mastitis-Causing : Characterization of Its Role in Biofilm Formation, Resistance to Hydrogen Peroxide Stress, Regulon Members.

This study examines treatments of the bacterial pathogen , namely, in the context of its being a major cause of subclinical bovine mastitis. Such infections caused by among dairy cows are difficult to detect and can easily become chronic, leading to reduced productivity and large losses for dairy manufacturers. In this study, the role of alternative sigma factor B (σ), which has been shown to be a global regulator for infections, was explored in a mastitis-causing strain, RF122.

Caged xanthones: Potent inhibitors of global predominant MRSA USA300.

Total of 22 caged xanthones were subjected to susceptibility testing of global epidemic MRSA USA300. Natural morellic acid showed the strongest potency (MIC of 12.5μM).

Bivalent angiotensin II suppresses oxidative stress-induced hyper-responsiveness of angiotensin II receptor type I.

Angiotensin II receptor type I (AT1R) is a G-protein coupled receptor involved in regulation of body water-electrolyte balance and blood pressure. Oxidative stress promotes AT1R oligomerization and hyper-responsiveness to its cognate ligand Ang II. In this study, bivalent Ang II, synthesized by linking with aminocaproic acid (Acp) at the N-terminus, was used to induce AT1R dimerization and hyper-responsiveness in AT1R-expressed human embryonic kidney (AT1R-HEK) cells, determined using image correlation spectroscopy (ICS) and by measuring AT1R-mediated change in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, respectively.