Mindfulness in Surgical Training (MiST): A Modified Mindfulness Curriculum for Surgical Residents.

Objectives: Residents experience numerous work-related and personal stressors that make it difficult to focus in the operating room, negatively impacting learning and surgical performance. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy decreases anxiety and improves memory and learning. This study aimed to create a feasible and desirable modified mindfulness curriculum for surgical residents.

Bacteriophages against Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio tubiashii: Isolation, Characterization, and Remediation of Larval Oyster Mortalities.

and are pathogens responsible for high larval oyster mortality rates in shellfish hatcheries. Bacteriophage therapy was evaluated to determine its potential to remediate these mortalities. Sixteen phages against and were isolated and characterized from Hawaiian seawater.

Inhibition Activity of Avibactam against Nocardia farcinica β-Lactamase FAR.

, one of the most frequent pathogenic species responsible for nocardiosis, is characterized by frequent brain involvement and resistance to β-lactams mediated by a class A β-lactamase. Kinetic parameters for hydrolysis of various β-lactams by FAR from strain IFM 10152 were determined by spectrophotometry revealing a high catalytic activity (/ ) for amoxicillin, aztreonam, and nitrocefin. For cephems, / was lower but remained greater than 10 M s A low catalytic activity was observed for meropenem, imipenem, and ceftazidime hydrolysis.

[The evaluation of the applicability of thermoplastic polymers as a denture base material].

Aim: To assess and compare physical and mechanical properties of various thermoplastic materials and their feasibility for the denture bases.

Material And Methods: Dakril-81 (Russia), Evichard (Avidsan Russia), polymethyl methacrylate (Saudi Arabia) were used for the comparative assessment of applicability of various brands of thermoplastic materials based on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The standard techniques were used for a detailed study of their physical and mechanical properties: flexural stress, modulus of elasticity, deformation under compression and tension, flowability.

Induction of Apoptosis and Cell-Cycle Arrest in Human Colon-Cancer Cells by Whole-Grain Alkylresorcinols via Activation of the p53 Pathway.

Colon cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths, is the target of choice for nutrition-based-prevention approaches because of the direct and early contact between the active compounds and the cancerous tissues. We previously reported alkylresorcinols (ARs) as the major active components in wheat bran against human colon cancer. Here, we further investigate the anticancer mechanisms of action of ARs.

In vitro activity of tedizolid against the Mycobacterium abscessus complex.

Infections due to Mycobacterium abscessus carry a poor prognosis since this rapidly growing mycobacterium is intrinsically resistant to most antibiotics. Here, we evaluate the in vitro activity of the new oxazolidinone tedizolid against a collection of 44M. abscessus clinical isolates.

Inhibition by Avibactam and Clavulanate of the β-Lactamases KPC-2 and CTX-M-15 Harboring the Substitution NG in the Conserved SDN Motif.

The substitution NG in the SDN motif of class A β-lactamases from rapidly growing mycobacteria was previously shown to impair their inhibition by avibactam but to improve the stability of acyl-enzymes formed with clavulanate. The same substitution was introduced in KPC-2 and CTX-M-15 to assess its impact on β-lactamases from and evaluate whether it may lead to resistance to the ceftazidime-avibactam combination. Kinetic parameters for the inhibition of the β-lactamases by avibactam and clavulanate were determined by spectrophotometry using nitrocefin as the substrate.

Inhibition of β-lactamases of mycobacteria by avibactam and clavulanate.

Objectives: Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus produce broad-spectrum class A β-lactamases, BlaC and Bla Mab , which are inhibited by clavulanate and avibactam, respectively. BlaC differs from Bla Mab at Ambler position 132 in the conserved motif SDN (SDG versus SDN, respectively). Here, we investigated whether this polymorphism could account for the inhibition specificity of β-lactamases from slowly and rapidly growing mycobacteria.

Routes of Synthesis of Carbapenems for Optimizing Both the Inactivation of L,D-Transpeptidase LdtMt1 of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the Stability toward Hydrolysis by β-Lactamase BlaC.

Combinations of β-lactams of the carbapenem class, such as meropenem, with clavulanate, a β-lactamase inhibitor, are being evaluated for the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. However, carbapenems approved for human use have never been optimized for inactivation of the unusual β-lactam targets of Mycobacterium tuberculosis or for escaping to hydrolysis by broad-spectrum β-lactamase BlaC. Here, we report three routes of synthesis for modification of the two side chains carried by the β-lactam and the five-membered rings of the carbapenem core.

Novel Resveratrol-Based Aspirin Prodrugs: Synthesis, Metabolism, and Anticancer Activity.

Regular aspirin use has been convincingly shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. However, long-term use of aspirin leads to gastrotoxicity. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel class of resveratrol-based aspirin prodrugs to simultaneously release aspirin and resveratrol to attenuate the side effects caused by aspirin.

Hydrolysis of clavulanate by Mycobacterium tuberculosis β-lactamase BlaC harboring a canonical SDN motif.

Combinations of β-lactams with clavulanate are currently being investigated for tuberculosis treatment. Since Mycobacterium tuberculosis produces a broad spectrum β-lactamase, BlaC, the success of this approach could be compromised by the emergence of clavulanate-resistant variants, as observed for inhibitor-resistant TEM variants in enterobacteria. Previous analyses based on site-directed mutagenesis of BlaC have led to the conclusion that this risk was limited.

Impact of β-lactamase inhibition on the activity of ceftaroline against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus.

The production of β-lactamases Bla(Mab) and BlaC contributes to β-lactam resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, respectively. Ceftaroline was efficiently hydrolyzed by these enzymes. Inhibition of M.

Oxyphytosterols as active ingredients in wheat bran suppress human colon cancer cell growth: identification, chemical synthesis, and biological evaluation.

Consumption of whole grains has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Recent studies illustrated that phytochemicals in wheat bran (WB) may protect against colorectal cancer. There is a growing interest in the phytosterol contents of foods as either intrinsic or added components due to their beneficial health effects.

Ginger compound [6]-shogaol and its cysteine-conjugated metabolite (M2) activate Nrf2 in colon epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

In this study, we identified Nrf2 as a molecular target of [6]-shogaol (6S), a bioactive compound isolated from ginger, in colon epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Following 6S treatment of HCT-116 cells, the intracellular GSH/GSSG ratio was initially diminished but was then elevated above the basal level. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) correlated inversely with the GSH/GSSG ratio.

Cysteine-conjugated metabolites of ginger components, shogaols, induce apoptosis through oxidative stress-mediated p53 pathway in human colon cancer cells.

Shogaols, the major constituents of thermally processed ginger, have been proven to be highly effective anticancer agents. Our group has identified cysteine-conjugated shogaols (M2, M2', and M2″) as the major metabolites of [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-shogaol in human and found that M2 is a carrier of its parent molecule [6]-shogaol in cancer cells and in mice, while being less toxic to normal colon fibroblast cells. The objectives of this study are to determine whether M2' and M2″ behave in a similar manner to M2, in both metabolism and efficacy as anticancer agents, and to further explore the biological pro-apoptotic mechanisms of the cysteine-conjugated shogaols against human colon cancer cells HCT-116 and HT-29.

A proteomic chronology of gene expression through the cell cycle in human myeloid leukemia cells.

Technological advances have enabled the analysis of cellular protein and RNA levels with unprecedented depth and sensitivity, allowing for an unbiased re-evaluation of gene regulation during fundamental biological processes. Here, we have chronicled the dynamics of protein and mRNA expression levels across a minimally perturbed cell cycle in human myeloid leukemia cells using centrifugal elutriation combined with mass spectrometry-based proteomics and RNA-Seq, avoiding artificial synchronization procedures. We identify myeloid-specific gene expression and variations in protein abundance, isoform expression and phosphorylation at different cell cycle stages.

Studies of inactivation mechanism of non-enveloped icosahedral virus by a visible ultrashort pulsed laser.

Background: Low-power ultrashort pulsed (USP) lasers operating at wavelengths of 425 nm and near infrared region have been shown to effectively inactivate viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), M13 bacteriophage, and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). It was shown previously that non-enveloped, helical viruses such as M13 bacteriophage, were inactivated by a USP laser through an impulsive stimulated Raman scattering (ISRS) process. Recently, enveloped virus like MCMV has been shown to be inactivated by a USP laser via protein aggregation induced by an ISRS process.

Induction of lung cancer cell apoptosis through a p53 pathway by [6]-shogaol and its cysteine-conjugated metabolite M2.

Dietary chemoprevention of cancer offers the possibility to suppress or inhibit cancer growth before it develops into more advanced and lethal stages. To this end, identification of novel compounds and their mechanisms of action is constantly needed. In this study, we describe that a major component of dry ginger (Zingiber officinalis), [6]-shogaol (6S), can be quickly metabolized in A549 human lung cancer cell line.

Characterization of broad-spectrum Mycobacterium abscessus class A β-lactamase.

Objectives: Imipenem and cefoxitin are used to treat Mycobacterium abscessus infections and have moderate activity against this fast-growing mycobacterium (MIC₅₀ of 16 and 32 mg/L, respectively). M. abscessus is highly resistant to most other β-lactams, although the underlying mechanisms have not been explored.

Cysteine-conjugated metabolite of ginger component [6]-shogaol serves as a carrier of [6]-shogaol in cancer cells and in mice.

Shogaols, a series of major constituents in dried ginger (Zingiber officinale), show high anticancer potencies. Previously, we reported that a major metabolite resulting from the mercapturic acid pathway, 5-cysteinyl-[6]-shogaol (M2), showed comparable growth inhibitory effects toward cancer cells to [6]-shogaol (6S). Here, we probe the mechanism by which M2 exerts its bioactivity.

Metabolites of ginger component [6]-shogaol remain bioactive in cancer cells and have low toxicity in normal cells: chemical synthesis and biological evaluation.

Our previous study found that [6]-shogaol, a major bioactive component in ginger, is extensively metabolized in cancer cells and in mice. It is unclear whether these metabolites retain bioactivity. The aim of the current study is to synthesize the major metabolites of [6]-shogaol and evaluate their inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis in human cancer cells.

Metabolism of ginger component [6]-shogaol in liver microsomes from mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human.

Scope: There are limited data on the metabolism of [6]-shogaol (6S), a major bioactive component of ginger. This study demonstrates metabolism of 6S in liver microsomes from mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human.

Methods And Results: The in vitro metabolism of 6S was compared among five species using liver microsomes from mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human.

Characterization of thiol-conjugated metabolites of ginger components shogaols in mouse and human urine and modulation of the glutathione levels in cancer cells by [6]-shogaol.

Scope: Shogaols, a series of major constituents in dried ginger with the most abundant being [6]-, [8]-, and [10]-shogaols, show much higher anticancer potencies than gingerols. Previously, we reported the mercapturic acid pathway as a major metabolic route for [6]-shogaol in mice. However, it is still unclear how the side chain length affects the metabolism of shogaols and how shogaols are metabolized in humans.

Structure elucidation and chemical profile of sphingolipids in wheat bran and their cytotoxic effects against human colon cancer cells.

Sphingolipids are known to have diverse properties and physiological functions. These distinctive lipids have been identified in wheat bran, a food well-known for its chemopreventive activity. However, the complete profile of sphingolipids in wheat bran and their contributions to the cancer preventive effect of wheat bran have not been fully explored until this study.