Publications by authors named "T J Avis"

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) fibrillation induces β-cell dysfunction and toxicity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cytotoxicity is caused by the ability of IAPP fibrils and fibrillar intermediates to permeate the cellular membrane of pancreatic β-cells, trigger endoplasmic reticular stress, induce reactive oxygen species production, and upregulate apoptosis-related genes. Thus, inhibition of IAPP fibrillation is of great interest for preventing associated cytotoxicity.

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Bacillus spp. produce numerous antimicrobial metabolites. Among these metabolites, cyclic lipopeptides (CLP) including fengycins, iturins, and surfactins are known to have varying antifungal activity against phytopathogenic fungi.

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Carbapenem-resistant (CREs) are described by the Centers for Disease Control as an urgent threat, and there is a critical need for new therapeutic agents able to treat infections caused by these pathogens. Herein, we describe the microbiological profile, the mechanism f action, and the safety as well as the pharmacokinetic (PK)/PD profile of SMT-738, a small molecule belonging to a new chemical class. SMT-738 is active against Enterobacterales [including multi-drug-resistant with 90% of isolates having a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 µg/mL and 2 µg/mL] and inactive against a broad panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive pathogens.

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Disease suppressive composts are known, yet little information on the potential role of specific microbial antagonist within are available. Arthrobacter humicola isolate M9-1A has been obtained from a compost prepared from marine residues and peat moss. The bacterium is a non-filamentous actinomycete with antagonistic activity against plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes sharing its ecological niche in agri-food microecosystems.

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Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) causes substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide with limited antibiotic treatment options. Ridinilazole is a precision bisbenzimidazole antibiotic being developed to treat CDI and reduce unacceptably high rates of infection recurrence in patients. Although in late clinical development, the precise mechanism of action by which ridinilazole elicits its bactericidal activity has remained elusive.

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