Unseen Enemy: Mechanisms of Multidrug Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram-Negative ESKAPE Pathogens.

Multidrug antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a formidable challenge in the therapy of infectious diseases, triggered by the particularly concerning gram-negative , , , , , and spp. (ESKAPE) pathogens. Designated as a "priority" in 2017, these bacteria continue to pose a significant threat in 2024, particularly during the worldwide SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, where coinfections with ESKAPE members contributed to worsened patient outcomes.

Stability and SERS signal strength of laser-generated gold, silver, and bimetallic nanoparticles at different KCl concentrations.

Noble metal nanoparticles, specifically gold and silver, are extensively utilized in sensors, catalysts, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), and optical-electronic components due to their unique localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties. The production of these nanoparticles involves various methods, but among the environmentally friendly approaches, laser ablation stands out as it eliminates the need for toxic chemicals during purification. However, nanoparticle aggregation poses a challenge in laser ablation, necessitating the addition of extra materials that contaminate the otherwise clean process.

Assessment of Plaque Characteristics by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Stent Restenosis following Carotid Artery Stenting: A Retrospective Study.

carotid artery stenosis contributes significantly to ischemic strokes, with management options including carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) ischemic stroke risk can be reduced. Controversies persist regarding their efficacy and factors influencing complications, and understanding the relationship between atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and stent restenosis after CAS is crucial. we conducted a retrospective study involving 221 patients who underwent CAS for symptomatic or asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

The Influence of Tacrolimus Exposure and Metabolism on the Outcomes of Kidney Transplants.

Tacrolimus (TAC) has a narrow therapeutic window and patient-specific pharmacokinetic variability. In our study, we analyzed the association between TAC exposure, metabolism, and kidney graft outcomes (function, rejection, and histological lesions). TAC trough (C), coefficient of variation (TAC CV), concentration/dose ratio (C/D), and biomarkers related to kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin (NGAL) were analyzed.

Deceased Kidney Donor Biomarkers: Relationship between Delayed Kidney Function and Graft Function Three Years after Transplantation.

With an increasing number of marginal donors, additional methods for the evaluation of cadaveric kidney quality are required. This study aimed to evaluate pretransplant deceased donor serum (s) and urine (u) biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), interleukin-18, and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) for predicting early and late graft function. In total, 43 deceased kidney donors and 76 corresponding recipients were enrolled.

Differential Mitochondrial, Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses to SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Receptor Binding Domain in Human Lung Microvascular, Coronary Artery Endothelial and Bronchial Epithelial Cells.

Recent evidence indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein affects mitochondria with a cell type-dependent outcome. We elucidate the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) on the mitochondrial network and cristae morphology, oxygen consumption, mitoROS production, and inflammatory cytokine expression in cultured human lung microvascular (HLMVECs), coronary artery endothelial (HCAECs), and bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). Live Mito Orange staining, STED microscopy, and Fiji MiNa analysis were used for mitochondrial cristae and network morphometry; an Agilent XFp analyser for mitochondrial/glycolytic activity; MitoSOX fluorescence for mitochondrial ROS; and qRT-PCR plus Luminex for cytokines.

Contractions Induced in Human Pulmonary Arteries by a HS Donor, GYY 4137, Are Inhibited by Low-Frequency (20 kHz) Ultrasound.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a HS donor, GYY 4137, on human pulmonary arteries and whether low-frequency ultrasound (20 kHz, 4 W/cm) inhibits GYY 4137 contractions. Functional studies were conducted on human and rat pulmonary arteries mounted on microvascular myographs. We placed an ultrasonic gadget in the tissue organ bath to insonate the arteries with low-frequency ultrasound.

Low-frequency ultrasound for pulmonary hypertension therapy.

Background: Currently, there are no reliable clinical tools that allow non-invasive therapeutic support for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. This study aims to propose a low-frequency ultrasound device for pulmonary hypertension therapy and to demonstrate its potential.

Methods: A novel low-frequency ultrasound transducer has been developed.

Multiwavelength SERS of Magneto-Plasmonic Nanoparticles Obtained by Combined Laser Ablation and Solvothermal Methods.

The present study introduces a novel method for the synthesis of magneto-plasmonic nanoparticles (MPNPs) with enhanced functionality for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) applications. By employing pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) to synthesize plasmonic nanoparticles and wet chemistry to synthesize magnetic nanoparticles, we successfully fabricated chemically pure hybrid FeO@Au and FeO@Ag nanoparticles. We demonstrated a straightforward approach of an electrostatic attachment of the plasmonic and magnetic parts using positively charged polyethylenimine.

The Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein RBD-Epitope on Immunometabolic State and Functional Performance of Cultured Primary Cardiomyocytes Subjected to Hypoxia and Reoxygenation.

Cardio complications such as arrhythmias and myocardial damage are common in COVID-19 patients. SARS-CoV-2 interacts with the cardiovascular system primarily via the ACE2 receptor. Cardiomyocyte damage in SARS-CoV-2 infection may stem from inflammation, hypoxia-reoxygenation injury, and direct toxicity; however, the precise mechanisms are unclear.

The cortisol levels in the follicular and luteal phases of the healthy menstruating women: a meta-analysis.

Objective: The conflicting results of the previous studies regarding the serum cortisol through the menstrual cycle warranted further research. We aimed to detect the cortisol levels in the follicular and luteal phases of healthy menstruating women.

Materials And Methods: A literature search was conducted by two independent authors according to PRISMA criteria over PubMed, Web of Science and Psych-Info to retrieve the articles published in English from 1990 until 2020 and containing the keywords, Cortisol, Menstrual, Follicular, or Luteal.

The relation between vitamin D and the adolescents' mid-luteal estradiol and progesterone.

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect the effect of vitamin D (Vit. D) intake on the mid-luteal estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P), and the relation between vit. D, and the adolescents' mid-luteal E2, and P.

Development of a Low-Frequency Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducer for Biological Tissue Sonication.

The safety of ultrasound exposure is very important for a patient's well-being. High-frequency (1-10 MHz) ultrasound waves are highly absorbed by biological tissue and have limited therapeutic effects on internal organs. This article presents the results of the development and application of a low-frequency (20-100 kHz) ultrasonic transducer for sonication of biological tissues.

High Spectral Sensitivity of Strongly Coupled Hybrid Tamm-Plasmonic Resonances for Biosensing Application.

In this study, the sensitivity to the refractive index changes of the ambient was studied on the uniform gold film (~50 nm) with a 1D photonic crystal (PC) from periodic five TiO (~110 nm)/SiO (~200 nm) bilayers and gold nano-bumps array produced by direct laser writing on the same sample. The optical signal sensitivity of hybrid plasmonic resonances was compared with traditional surface plasmon resonance (SPR) on a single gold layer. The influence of the strong coupling regime between Tamm plasmon polariton (TPP) and propagated plasmon polaritons in the hybrid plasmonic modes on the sensitivity of the optical was discussed.

Interactive Training of the Emergency Medical Services Improved Prehospital Stroke Recognition and Transport Time.

Background And Purpose: Acute stroke treatment outcomes are predicated on reperfusion timeliness which can be improved by better prehospital stroke identification. We aimed to assess the effect of interactive emergency medical services (EMS) training on stroke recognition and prehospital care performance in a very high-risk cardiovascular risk population in Lithuania.

Methods: We conducted a single-center interrupted time-series study between March 1, 2019 and March 15, 2020.

Gold Nanoparticles Generated Using the Nanosecond Laser Treatment of Multilayer Films and Their Use for SERS Applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates fabricated using a repeated laser treatment of thin gold films are demonstrated. The presented SERS substrates consist of the gold nanoparticles, whose density and size depend on the used film thickness and number of treated films. The larger number of the treated gold film layers increases the amount of larger nanoparticles (size >20 nm).

Novel approach towards antimicrobial chemotherapy optimization in lower respiratory tract infections in children: An observational study.

The use of local antibiogram in guiding clinical decisions is an integral part of the antimicrobial stewardship program. Conventional antibiograms are not disease-specific, ignore the distribution of microorganisms, obscure the in-vitro efficacy interrelationships, and have limited use in polymicrobial infections.We aimed to develop an in-house empiric, disease-specific, antimicrobial prescription auxiliary for the treatment of hospitalized pediatric pneumonia patients and to present the methods which help to choose the first and the second line antimicrobial therapy, while accounting for cost and safety aspects.

Robot-Assisted Gait Training in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

Gait disorders represent one of the most disabling aspects in multiple sclerosis (MS) that strongly influence patient quality of life. The improvement of walking ability is a primary goal for rehabilitation treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) in association with physiotherapy treatment in patients affected by MS in comparison with ground conventional gait training.

GYY4137 and Sodium Hydrogen Sulfide Relaxations Are Inhibited by L-Cysteine and K7 Channel Blockers in Rat Small Mesenteric Arteries.

Donors of HS may be beneficial in treating cardiovascular diseases where the plasma levels of HS are decreased. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms involved in relaxation of small arteries induced by GYY4137 [(4-methoxyphenyl)-morpholin-4-yl-sulfanylidene-sulfido-λ5-phosphane;morpholin-4-ium], which is considered a slow-releasing HS donor. Sulfides were measured by use of 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitro benzoic acid), and small rat mesenteric arteries with internal diameters of 200-250 µm were mounted in microvascular myographs for isometric tension recordings.

Stock price reaction to the drug development setbacks in the pharmaceutical industry.

Background: Investments in pharmaceutical companies remain challenging due to the inherent uncertainties of risk assessment.

Objectives: Our paper aims to assess the impact of the drug development setbacks (DDS) on the stock price of pharmaceutical companies while taking into account the company's financial situation, pipeline size and trend of the stock price before the DDS.

Methods: The model-based clustering based on finite Gaussian mixture modeling was employed to identify the clusters of pharmaceutical companies with homogenous parameters.

Metabolic-targeted Combination Therapy With Dichloroacetate and Metformin Suppresses Glioblastoma Cell Line Growth and .

Background/aim: We investigated the hypothesis that dichloroacetate (DCA), a pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase inhibitor, and metformin (MET), an antidiabetic agent and complex I inhibitor, have synergistic cytotoxic effects in glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Materials And Methods: We performed dose response experiments and combination index calculation. Apoptotic and necrotic cells were estimated by flow cytometry.

Analyses of AUC and C Compliances within Therapeutic Ranges in Kidney Recipients Receiving Cyclosporine or Tacrolimus.

The AUC (area under the concentration time curve) is considered the pharmacokinetic exposure parameter best associated with clinical effects. Unfortunately, no prospective studies of clinical outcomes have been conducted in adult transplant recipients to investigate properly the potential benefits of AUC monitoring compared to the C-guided therapy. The aim of the present study was to compare two methods, C (through level) and AUC (area under the concentration time curve), for assessing cyclosporine and tacrolimus concentrations.

Local Vibrational Therapy for Essential Tremor Reduction: A Clinical Study.

tremor is an unintentional and rhythmic movement of any part of the body that is a typical symptom of Essential Tremor (ET). ET impairs the quality of life of patients and is treated with pharmacotherapy. We investigated the tremor reduction efficacy of an innovative vibrational medical device (IMD) in ET patients.