This review summarizes key virulence factors associated with group B (GBS), a significant pathogen particularly affecting pregnant women, fetuses, and infants. Beginning with an introduction to the historical transition of GBS from a zoonotic pathogen to a prominent cause of human infections, particularly in the perinatal period, the review describes major disease manifestations caused by GBS, including sepsis, meningitis, chorioamnionitis, pneumonia, and others, linking each to specific virulence mechanisms. A detailed exploration of the genetic basis for GBS pathogenicity follows, emphasizing the roles of capsules in pathogenesis and immune evasion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGroup B (GBS; ) is an important pathobiont capable of colonizing various host environments, contributing to severe perinatal infections. Surface proteins play critical roles in GBS-host interactions, yet comprehensive studies of these proteins' functions have been limited by genetic manipulation challenges. This study leveraged a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) library to target genes encoding surface-trafficked proteins in GBS, identifying their roles in modulating macrophage cytokine responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe evolution of volatile compounds in wine comprises several acid-catalyzed reactions, such as glycosides precursors' hydrolysis and rearrangements, and significantly contributes to its sensory qualities, even after prolonged aging. The aim of this work was to use a well-defined experimental design and to examine how terpenoids in Gewürztraminer wine change over time when subjected to different temperatures and pH levels over two weeks. A theoretically-based approach was used, involving the definition of a complete system of ordinary differential equations (ODE) with well-established boundary conditions (initial concentration of reactants/products), using Kinetiscope, a kinetic simulation software.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have demonstrated efficacy in ovarian, breast, and prostate cancers, but current biomarkers do not consistently predict clinical benefit. F-fluorthanatrace (F-FTT) is an analog to rucaparib, a clinically approved PARPi, and is a candidate biomarker for PARPi response. This study intends to characterize F-FTT pharmacokinetics in breast cancer and optimize image timing for clinical trials.
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