Serotype-identifying ions in using matrix-associated laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

is a foodborne pathogen that can cause a potentially life-threatening infection, and almost all cases of human listeriosis are caused by isolates in serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid, accurate, and high-throughput tool for clinical diagnosis and microbiological research. In the current study, we examined the potential of MALDI-TOF MS for rapid identification of the foodborne pathogen and to identify high-risk serotypes.

Membrane vesicles from antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transfer antibiotic-resistance to antibiotic-susceptible Escherichia coli.

Aim: Bacteria naturally produce membrane vesicles (MVs), which have been shown to contribute to the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDR) by delivering antibiotic-resistant substances to antibiotic-susceptible bacteria. Here, we aim to show that MVs from Gram-positive bacteria are capable of transferring β-lactam antibiotic-resistant substances to antibiotic-sensitive Gram-negative bacteria.

Materials And Methods: MVs were collected from a methicillin-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vesicle-mediated fusion with antimicrobial-sensitive Escherichia coli (RC85).

Poly (I:C)-Potentiated Vaccination Enhances T Cell Response in Olive Flounder () Providing Protection against Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV).

Viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), caused by viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), is a viral disease affecting teleosts, and is the major cause of virus-related deaths in olive flounder (). Research has focused on ways to control VHS, and recently, the use of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid poly (I:C)-potentiated vaccination has been investigated, whereby fish are injected with poly (I:C) and then with live pathogenic virus, resulting in a significant decrease in VHSV-related mortality. T cell responses were investigated in the present study after vaccinating olive flounder with poly (I:C)-potentiated vaccination to understand the ability of poly (I:C) to induce T cell immunity.

Highly Flexible and Photo-Activating Acryl-Polyurethane for 3D Steric Architectures.

An acryl-functionalized polyurethane (PU) series was successfully synthesized using poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (PTMG-MDI) oligomer based on urethane methacrylates to control the flexibility of photo-cured 3D printing architectures. The mass ratio of acryl-urethane prepolymer: 1,4-butanediol (BD) chain-extender: diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide (TPO) photoinitiator was 10:0.25:1.

Passive Immunization with Recombinant Antibody VLRB-PirA/PirB-Enriched Feeds against Infection in Shrimp.

The causative agent of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is the bacterium, , which secretes toxins into the gastrointestinal tract of its host. toxins A and B (PirA/PirB) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disease, and are, therefore, the focus of studies developing treatments for AHPND. We previously produced recombinant antibodies based on the hagfish variable lymphocyte receptor B (VLRB) capable of neutralizing some viruses, suggesting that this type of antibody may have a potential application for treatment of AHPND.

Crystal Structure of Cytochrome from the Aquatic Methylotrophic Bacterium MP.

Cytochrome (Cyt) is an essential protein in the process of methanol oxidation in methylotrophs. It receives an electron from the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) cofactor of methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) to produce formaldehyde. The direct electron transfer mechanism between Cyt and MDH remains unknown due to the lack of structural information.

Characterization of CD4-Positive Lymphocytes in the Antiviral Response of Olive Flounder () to Nervous Necrosis Virus.

The presence of CD4 T lymphocytes has been described for several teleost species, while many of the main T cell subsets have not been characterized at a cellular level, because of a lack of suitable tools for their identification, e.g., monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against cell markers.

The Importance of Porins and β-Lactamase in Outer Membrane Vesicles on the Hydrolysis of β-Lactam Antibiotics.

Gram-negative bacteria have an outer membrane inhibiting the entry of antibiotics. Porins, found within the outer membrane, are involved in regulating the permeability of β-lactam antibiotics. β-lactamases are enzymes that are able to inactivate the antibacterial properties of β-lactam antibiotics.

Complete Genome Sequence of Methylomonas koyamae LM6, a Potential Aerobic Methanotroph.

LM6 is a potential methanotrophic bacterium of interest for methane bioconversion. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of LM6, which contains 4,337 predicted open reading frames on one chromosome (4,894,002 bp) and one plasmid (186,658 bp), with genes involved in methane oxidation.

Characterization of Hagfish () Variable Lymphocyte Receptor-Based Antibody and Its Potential Role in the Neutralization of Nervous Necrosis Virus.

The variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR) mediates the humoral immune response in jawless vertebrates, including lamprey () and hagfish (). Hagfish VLRBs are composed of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) modules, conjugated with a superhydrophobic C-terminal tail, which contributes to low levels of expression in recombinant protein technology. In this study, we screened Ag-specific VLRBs from hagfish immunized with nervous necrosis virus (NNV).

Microbial consortia including methanotrophs: some benefits of living together.

With the progress of biotechnological research and improvements made in bioprocessing with pure cultures, microbial consortia have gained recognition for accomplishing biological processes with improved effectiveness. Microbes are indispensable tool in developing bioprocesses for the production of bioenergy and biochemicals while utilizing renewable resources due to technical, economic and environmental advantages. They communicate with specific cohorts in close proximity to promote metabolic cooperation.

Involvement of CD4-1 T cells in the cellular immune response of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) against viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) and nervous necrosis virus (NNV) infection.

The occurrence of CD4 helper T cells has already been established for a number of teleost species, though, it has not been possible to analyze these responses at a cellular level due to a large lack of appropriate monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). In the present study, we produced a mAb against olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) CD4-1 lymphocyte to investigate the functional activity of the cells to improve our understanding of the T cell response in this species. This mAb is specifically able to detect CD4-1 lymphocytes in olive flounder proved by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR analysis.

Achieving Maximal Production of Fusaricidins from Paenibacillus kribbensis CU01 via Continuous Fermentation.

In this study, we investigated the potential of Paenibacillus kribbensis CU01 in producing fusaricidin, a strong antifungal substance, via optimization of metal ions and carbon and nitrogen source, and continuous fermentation. In the cultivation of a 2-l batch, maximal production of fusaricidins (581 mg l) was achieved in a modified M9 medium containing metal ions, 10 g l glucose, and 1 g l ammonium chloride. Most of glucose was consumed at a rate of 0.

Investigation of an emotion perception test using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Background And Objective: Patients with mood disorders are known to have an emotion recognition deficit in facial emotion processing. Emotion perception involves two systems of cognitive and affective processes associated with brain activation in the fusiform gyrus and prefrontal cortices. To overcome the limitations of existing emotion perception tests, we designed an emotion perception index to assess the individuals' mood status.

Increased levels of synaptic proteins involved in synaptic plasticity after chronic intraocular pressure elevation and modulation by brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a glaucoma animal model.

The dendrites of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) synapse with the axon terminals of bipolar cells in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Changes in the RGC dendrites and synapses between the bipolar cells in the inner retinal layer may critically alter the function of RGCs in glaucoma. The present study attempted to discover changes in the synapse using brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after glaucoma induction by chronic intraocular pressure elevation in a rat model.

Long-term Breastfeeding in the Prevention of Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids (ARCO-Kids Study).

Objectives: There is a great deal of interest in the possibility that environmental factors may influence the risk of developing allergic rhinitis (AR) in early life. We investigated the simultaneous effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding on the development of AR in children.

Methods: Data from 1,374 children participating in the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for kids (ARCO-kids study) was analyzed.

Highly Twisted Donor-Acceptor Boron Emitter and High Triplet Host Material for Highly Efficient Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Device.

New highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) dopant materials (PXB-DI and PXB-mIC) for blue organic light-emitting diodes are reported. These materials were designed by combining highly conjugated rigid ring donor moieties and a boron acceptor with a highly twisted configuration to have high TADF performance and minimized self-quenching properties. In addition, a new high triplet energy and hole transport-type host material, 5-(5-(2,4,6-triiso-propylphenyl)pyridin-2-yl)-5 H-benzo[ d]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2- a]imidazole (PPBI), is also reported.

Development of a modified yeast display system for screening antigen-specific variable lymphocyte receptor B in hagfish (Eptatretus burgeri).

The variable lymphocyte receptor B (VLRB) of jawless vertebrates has a similar function to the antibodies produced by jawed vertebrates, and has been considered as an alternative source to mammalian antibodies for use in biological research. We developed a modified yeast display vector system (pYD8) to display recombinant hagfish VLRB proteins on the extracellular surface of yeast for the isolation of antigen-specific VLRBs. After observing an up-regulation in the VLRB response in hagfish immunized with hemagglutinin 1 of avian influenza virus H9N2 subtype (H9N2-HA1), the antigen-specific VLRBs decorated on the yeast's surface were selected by quantitative library screening through magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescent-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Effects of Angelica gigas Nakai on the production of decursin- and decursinol angelate-enriched eggs.

Background: The livestock industry requires high-quality products, as well as improved productivity. There have been many studies regarding the utilization of feed additives aiming to increase productivity, enhance immune functions and prevent infectious diseases in livestock. Biofunctional feed additives would be beneficial not only for animal health, but also for consumers.

Dual functionality of lamprey VLRB C-terminus (LC) for multimerization and cell surface display.

Lamprey, one of the living representatives of jawless vertebrates, uses variable lymphocyte receptors B (VLRB) for antigen recognition, rather than immunoglobulin (Ig) based receptors as used by higher vertebrates. The C-terminus of lamprey VLRB (LC) possess a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) signal sequence and seven cysteine residues providing dual functionality of the VLRB antibody in the form of a humoral agglutinin and cell membrane receptors. Here, we show that the LC can be either secreted or be membrane anchored as a heterologous fused protein in a multimeric form comprising of eight or ten monomeric units.

Potential Use of Genetically Engineered Variable Lymphocyte Receptor B Specific to Avian Influenza Virus H9N2.

The variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR) B of jawless vertebrates functions as a secreted Ab of jawed vertebrates and has emerged as an alternative Ab with a single polypeptide chain. After observing an upregulated VLRB response in hagfish immunized with avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H9N2, we screened AIV H9N2-specific VLRB using a mammalian expression system. To improve the binding avidity of the Ag-specific VLRB to the Ag, we enabled multimerization of the VLRB by conjugating it with C-terminal domain of human C4b-binding protein.

Expression and characterization of monomeric variable lymphocyte receptor B specific to the glycoprotein of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV).

Monomeric variable lymphocyte receptor B (VLRB) is one of the smallest binding scaffold (20-25 kDa) from jawless vertebrates, hagfish and lamprey. This relatively new class of binding scaffold has various advantages: i) it has a single peptide composition, amenable to molecular engineering for enhancing its stability and affinity; ii) it has a small size, contributing better tissue penetration and easier production using microorganism expression system. Monomeric arVLRB142, which can specifically bind to the glycoprotein of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV), was expressed in Pichia pastoris.

Globular-shaped variable lymphocyte receptors B antibody multimerized by a hydrophobic clustering in hagfish.

In hagfish and lampreys, two representative jawless vertebrates, the humoral immunity is directly mediated by variable lymphocyte receptors B (VLRBs). Both monomeric VLRBs are structurally and functionally similar, but their C-terminal tails differ: lamprey VLRB has a Cys-rich tail that forms disulfide-linked pentamers of dimers, contributing to its multivalency, whereas hagfish VLRB has a superhydrophobic tail of unknown structure. Here, we reveal that VLRBs obtained from hagfish plasma have a globular-shaped multimerized form (approximately 0.