The structure and function of modular Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteriophage FTBEc1 endolysin, LysT84: defining a new endolysin catalytic subfamily.

Bacteriophage endolysins degrade peptidoglycan and have been identified as antibacterial candidates to combat antimicrobial resistance. Considering the catalytic and structural diversity of endolysins, there is a paucity of structural data to inform how these enzymes work at the molecular level - key data that is needed to realize the potential of endolysin-based antibacterial agents. Here, we determine the atomic structure and define the enzymatic function of Escherichia coli O157:H7 phage FTEBc1 endolysin, LysT84.

Lipoinjection for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Lipoinjection is one of the available treatments for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Objective: To evaluate lipoinjection predictability, and analyze the differences in safety and efficacy of the different techniques.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Differences in sphere-forming cells from keratoconic and normal corneal tissue: Implications for keratoconus pathogenesis.

Keratoconus is primarily an anterior corneal disorder of unclear aetiology. Stem cells may play a role in the perpetuation of keratoconus, although this has yet to be definitively established. Sphere-forming cells from normal human donor corneas have previously been shown to be a heterogenous mix of epithelial, stromal, stem and progenitor cell components which have potential for treatment of corneal dystrophies.

Sphere-forming corneal cells repopulate dystrophic keratoconic stroma: Implications for potential therapy.

Background: Keratoconus is a degenerative corneal disease characterised by aberrant cell behaviour and loss of matrix that can result in vision loss. Cells extracted from peripheral corneas can form stem cell-enriched spheres, which have shown the potential to repopulate the normal peripheral corneal stroma upon sphere implantation but have not been previously studied in keratoconic tissue.

Aim: To investigate the therapeutic potential of stem cell-enriched spheres formed from extracted peripheral human corneal cells when introduced to keratoconic tissue.

Molecular evidence for the role of inflammation in dry eye disease.

Ocular surface inflammation is propagated by a complex series of molecular processes and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease (DED), either as a causal or a downstream effect of ocular surface disease. A state of hyperosmolarity elicits an acute immune response in DED, leading to subsequent activation of the adaptive immune response. This cascade incites dysregulation of the immune system, triggering a vicious cycle of events that causes damage to the ocular surface.

Use of a Purpose-Built Impression Cytology Device for Gene Expression Quantification at the Ocular Surface Using Quantitative PCR and Droplet Digital PCR.

Purpose: To describe an impression cytology (IC) technique using a purpose-built, sterile, EYEPRIM IC device that can be coupled with a TRIzol reagent-based RNA extraction protocol to yield sufficient RNA for gene expression analysis.

Methods: IC samples using the EYEPRIM device were collected from the bulbar conjunctiva, with and without topical anesthesia, and evaluated for RNA yield, the absence of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors, and the ability to detect biomarkers by quantitative real-time PCR and droplet digital PCR. A technique for collecting IC samples in the clinic, while preserving RNA, and a protocol for subsequent laboratory analysis of RNA were developed.

The Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure: A prospective comparative study of undergraduate medical students' and interns' perceptions in Oman.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess perceptions of the educational environment in Oman among medical undergraduate students and interns using the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) tool.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2016 and April 2017 at the Oman Medical College (OMC), Sohar, Oman. A total of 737 medical undergraduate students and interns from the OMC and College of Medicine & Health Sciences of Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman, were invited to complete the DREEM questionnaire in the form of an online survey.

Randomized double-masked trial of eyelid cleansing treatments for blepharitis.

Purpose: To compare the efficacy of a dedicated eyelid cleanser and diluted baby shampoo in the management of blepharitis.

Methods: Forty-three participants with clinical blepharitis signs were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, double-masked, paired-eye trial. A dedicated eyelid cleanser (TheraTears SteriLid) was applied to the eyelids of one eye (randomized) and diluted baby shampoo (Johnson's No More Tears) to the fellow eye, twice daily for 4 weeks.

Implantation of Human Peripheral Corneal Spheres into Cadaveric Human Corneal Tissue.

Stem and progenitor cells isolated from human limbal tissue can be cultured as spheres. These spheres have potential for use as transplantable elements for the repopulation of corneal tissue ( Mathan , 2016 ). Herein we describe the detailed protocol for the implantation of human corneal spheres into cadaveric human corneal tissue.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea demonstrate the ability to repopulate the ocular surface.

Background: The limbus forms the outer rim of the cornea at the corneoscleral junction and harbours a population of stem cells for corneal maintenance. Injuries to the limbus, through disease or accidents such as chemical injuries or burns, may lead to significant visual impairment due to depletion of the native stem cells of the tissue.

Methods: Sphere-forming cells were isolated from peripheral cornea for potential use as transplantable elements for limbal stem cell repopulation and limbal reconstruction.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea demonstrate a wound-healing response to injury.

The cornea is the initial refractive interface of the eye. Its transparency is critical for clear vision and is maintained by stem cells which also act to repair injury inflicted by external insults, such as chemical and thermal burns. Damage to the epithelium compromises its clarity and can reduce or eliminate the stem cell population, diminishing the ability for self-repair.

Limbal stem cells: Central concepts of corneal epithelial homeostasis.

A strong cohort of evidence exists that supports the localisation of corneal stem cells at the limbus. The distinguishing characteristics of limbal cells as stem cells include slow cycling properties, high proliferative potential when required, clonogenicity, absence of differentiation marker expression coupled with positive expression of progenitor markers, multipotency, centripetal migration, requirement for a distinct niche environment and the ability of transplanted limbal cells to regenerate the entire corneal epithelium. The existence of limbal stem cells supports the prevailing theory of corneal homeostasis, known as the XYZ hypothesis where X represents proliferation and stratification of limbal basal cells, Y centripetal migration of basal cells and Z desquamation of superficial cells.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea demonstrate polarity and directed cell migration.

Sphere-forming cells from peripheral cornea represent a potential source of progenitor cells for treatment of corneal degenerative diseases. Control of cellular repopulation on transplantable substrates is important to prevent uncontrolled growth in unfavourable directions. The coordination of cellular outgrowth may be in response to environmental cues and/or cellular signals from other spheres.

Spectrum of bacterial colonization associated with urothelial cells from patients with chronic lower urinary tract symptoms.

Chronic lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), such as urgency and incontinence, are common, especially among the elderly, but their etiology is often obscure. Recent studies of acute urinary tract infections implicated invasion by Escherichia coli into the cytoplasm of urothelial cells, with persistence of long-term bacterial reservoirs, but the role of infection in chronic LUTS is unknown. We conducted a large prospective study with eligible patients with LUTS and controls over a 3-year period, comparing routine urine cultures of planktonic bacteria with cultures of shed urothelial cells concentrated in centrifuged urinary sediments.

Intravitreal ranibizumab in treating extensive traumatic submacular hemorrhage.

Herein, we report our experience in treating extensive traumatic submacular hemorrhage with a single dose of intravitreal ranibizumab. A 23-year-old healthy Malay man presented with a progressive reduction of central vision in the left eye of 2 days' duration following a history of blunt trauma. Visual acuity was reduced to counting fingers.

Efficacy of a novel light-activated antimicrobial coating for disinfecting hospital surfaces.

Silicone polymers containing the light-activated antimicrobial agent methylene blue with or without gold nanoparticles were evaluated for their ability to reduce the microbial load on surfaces in a clinical environment. When irradiated with white light, polymers containing nanogold were more effective in this respect than those containing only methylene blue.

Randomized controlled trial of toothbrushing to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia pathogens and dental plaque in a critical care unit.

Aim: To investigate the effect of a powered toothbrush on colonization of dental plaque by ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)-associated organisms and dental plaque removal.

Materials And Methods: Parallel-arm, single-centre, examiner- and analyst-masked randomized controlled trial. Forty-six adults were recruited within 48 h of admission.

Counterstaining improves visualization of the myenteric plexus in immunolabelled whole-mount preparations.

Immunocytochemistry has emerged as a powerful research tool in neurobiology. One of the widely used methods is an indirect fluorescence technique that uses FITC- conjugated IgG to visualise protein expression within tissues, but a major drawback of this technique is the high background fluorescence due to non-specific antibody binding. Gut innervation is complex and best visualized in three-dimensions in whole mount preparations.

The action of bismuth against Helicobacter pylori mimics but is not caused by intracellular iron deprivation.

Helicobacter pylori is highly susceptible to bismuth, a heavy metal with antimicrobial activity linked to its effect on bacterial iron uptake. Three strains of H. pylori were analyzed for indicators of iron limitation following exposure to the MIC of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (MIC(CBS)).

Helicobacter pylori outer membrane vesicles modulate proliferation and interleukin-8 production by gastric epithelial cells.

Helicobacter pylori infection, which is always associated with gastritis, can progress to ulceration or malignancy. The diversity in clinical outcomes is partly attributed to the expression of virulence factors and adhesins by H. pylori.