8-Hydroxyquinoline Series Exerts Bactericidal Activity against Via Copper-Mediated Toxicity.

New drugs and mechanisms of action targeting are urgently needed to solve the global pandemic of tuberculosis. We previously demonstrated that the 8-hydroxyquinoline series has rapid bactericidal activity against . In this work, we determined that the activity of the 8HQ series is potentiated by copper ions and that the activity is dependent on copper since activity was reduced when copper was depleted from the medium.

KpsS1 Mediates the Glycosylation of Pseudaminic Acid in Acinetobacter Baumannii.

Pseudaminic acid (Pse) is found in the polysaccharide structures of the cell surface of various Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria including Acinetobacter baumannii and considered as an important component of cell surface glycans including oligosaccharides and glycoproteins. However, the glycosyltransferase that is responsible for the Pse glycosylation in A. baumannii remains unknown yet.

Investigation on the substrate specificity and -substitution tolerance of PseF in catalytic transformation of pseudaminic acids to CMP-Pse derivatives.

Pseudaminic acid (Pse) belongs to a class of bacterial non-2-ulosonic acids, and has been implicated in bacterial infection and immune evasion. Various Pse structures with diverse -substitutions have been identified in pathogenic bacterial strains like , , and . In this study, we successfully synthesized three new Pse species, including Pse5Ac7Fo, Pse5Ac7(3Hb) and Pse7Fo5(3Hb) using chemical methods.

Discovery of a Monoclonal Antibody That Targets Cell-Surface Pseudaminic Acid of with Direct Bactericidal Effect.

The therapeutic effects of antibodies include neutralization of pathogens, activation of the host complement system, and facilitation of phagocytosis of pathogens. However, antibody alone has never been shown to exhibit bactericidal activity. In this study, we developed a monoclonal antibody that targets the bacterial cell surface component Pseudaminic acid (Pse).

Drivers of arthropod biodiversity in an urban ecosystem.

Our world is becoming increasingly urbanized with a growing human population concentrated around cities. The expansion of urban areas has important consequences for biodiversity, yet the abiotic drivers of biodiversity in urban ecosystems have not been well characterized for the most diverse group of animals on the planet, arthropods. Given their great diversity, comparatively small home ranges, and ability to disperse, arthropods make an excellent model for studying which factors can most accurately predict urban biodiversity.

Defining the fit and ideal entry site of the fibula rod system--a computed tomography based study in elderly patients with lower limb infections, vascular diseases or tumors.

Objectives: To determine the configuration of the distal fibula anatomy and the fitness of the Fibula Rod System (Acumed®, Hillsboro, Oregon) in a series of fibula models and to determine the optimal entry site of the rod.

Methods: Consecutive series of computed tomography (CT) of tibias and fibulae with no fracture or deformity were converted to stereo-lithograph format, and imported into Meshmixer software (Autodesk, San Rafael, California). A 3.

A team beyond my team: establishing a national online neurodisability and community child health educational programme and network - a personal reflection.

The experience of establishing a virtual team and developing a national neurodisability and community online learning platform is discussed. The aim of the article is to advocate for the development of shared practice and communities of learning. Lessons learnt within this specialty forum may have broader relevance that could inform approaches to postgraduate teaching and virtual or online education.

Identification of a KPC Variant Conferring Resistance to Ceftazidime-Avibactam from ST11 Carbapenem-Resistant Strains.

A novel Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) variant, KPC-93, was identified in two Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates from a patient from China treated with ceftazidime-avibactam. KPC-93 possessed a five-amino-acids insertion (Pro-Asn-Asn-Arg-Ala) between Ambler positions 267 and 268 in KPC-2. Cloning and expression of the gene in Escherichia coli, followed by determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and kinetic parameters, showed that KPC-93 exhibited increased resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam, but a drastic decrease in carbapenemase activity.

Which recipient pretransplant factors, such as MELD, renal function, sarcopenia, and recent sepsis influence suitability for and outcome after living donor liver transplantation? A systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations.

Background: Varied access to deceased donors across the globe has resulted in differential living donor liver transplant (LDLT) practices and lack of consensus over the influence of models for end stage liver disease (MELD), renal function, sarcopenia, or recent infection on short-term outcomes.

Objectives: Consider these risk factors in relation to patient selection and provide recommendations.

Data Sources: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central.

Unveiling the evolution routes of TEM-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases.

The TEM-1 β-lactamase can only cleave penicillin and the first-generation cephalosporins but it has evolved to become active against second-, third- and fourth-generation drugs. Through sequence analysis of natural TEM variants and those created by mutagenesis experiments, we described two distinct evolution routes of TEM-1 that has generated over 220 enzyme variants. One began with the GlySer alteration and the other originated with the ArgSer substitution.

Total Synthesis of Mannopeptimycin β via β-Hydroxyenduracididine Ligation.

Nonribosomal peptide synthesis in bacteria has endowed cyclic peptides with fascinating structural complexity via incorporating nonproteinogenic amino acids. These bioactive cyclic peptides provide interesting structural motifs for exploring total synthesis and medicinal chemistry studies. Cyclic glycopeptide mannopeptimycins exhibit antibacterial activity against antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive pathogens and act as the lipid II binder to stop bacterial cell wall biosynthesis.

Distinct interaction effects of warming and anthropogenic input on diatoms and dinoflagellates in an urbanized estuarine ecosystem.

Diatoms and dinoflagellates are two major bloom-forming phytoplankton groups in coastal ecosystems and their dominances will notably affect the marine ecosystems. By analyzing an 18-year monthly monitoring dataset (2000-2017) in the Pearl River Estuary (one of the most highly urbanized and populated estuarine in the world), we observe an increasing trend of the diatom to dinoflagellate ratio (Diatom/Dino). As revealed by multiple statistical models (generalized additive mixed model, random forest, and gradient boosting algorithms), both groups are positively correlated with temperature.

Validation of NoSAS score for screening of sleep-disordered breathing in a multiethnic Asian population.

Purpose: The NoSAS score was developed to identify subjects at high risk of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). We aimed to validate the NoSAS score in a multiethnic Asian cohort and compare its performance to the STOP-Bang and Berlin questionnaires.

Methods: A sample of 242 subjects selected from a population-based cohort in Singapore completed home-based sleep testing with an Embletta device (type 3 monitor).

Predicting obstructive sleep apnea using the STOP-Bang questionnaire in the general population.

Objective: The STOP-Bang questionnaire was developed as a quick and simple screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in preoperative clinics. We aimed to evaluate the validity of the STOP-Bang questionnaire to predict moderate-to-severe and severe OSA in the general population.

Methods: A sample of 242 subjects selected from a population-based cohort in Singapore completed home-based sleep testing with a type 3 monitor.

Using the Berlin Questionnaire to Predict Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the General Population.

Study Objectives: The Berlin questionnaire is a self-administered questionnaire that was developed to identify subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in primary care settings. This study evaluated the performance of the questionnaire to predict OSA in the general population.

Methods: A sample of 242 subjects in a population-based cohort completed a home-based sleep study with an Embletta device (type 3 monitor).

Use of Gradient Dilution to Detect and Correct Matrix Interferences in Inductively Coupled Plasma-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS).

Our research group earlier used dispersion that occurs during flow injection to detect and reduce matrix interference in inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ICP-TOFMS). In the absence of a matrix interference, the ratio of signals from any two sample constituents should remain constant, independent of the dilution, over the course of a flow-injection transient. However, when an interferent is present, the signal ratio from different analytes will change with dilution, owing to the difference in severity of the interference on specific analytes.

Phylogeography and pigment type diversity of Synechococcus cyanobacteria in surface waters of the northwestern pacific ocean.

The widespread unicellular cyanobacteria Synechococcus are major contributors to global marine primary production. Here, we report their abundance, phylogenetic diversity (as assessed using the RNA polymerase gamma subunit gene rpoC1) and pigment diversity (as indirectly assessed using the laterally transferred cpeBA genes, encoding phycoerythrin-I) in surface waters of the northwestern Pacific Ocean, sampled over nine distinct cruises (2008-2015). Abundance of Synechococcus was low in the subarctic ocean and South China Sea, intermediate in the western subtropical Pacific Ocean, and the highest in the Japan and East China seas.

Prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in a multiethnic Asian population in Singapore: A community-based study.

Background And Objective: Limited data exist on the prevalence variation in sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) across different Asian ethnicities. This population study aimed to estimate the prevalence of SDB in Singapore, a multiethnic nation, and to quantify the prevalence variation among Chinese, Malays and Indians.

Methods: The Singapore Health Study 2012 was a cross-sectional population study conducted on adults aged 21-79 years.

A Genome-wide hybrid incompatibility landscape between Caenorhabditis briggsae and C. nigoni.

Systematic characterization of ẖybrid incompatibility (HI) between related species remains the key to understanding speciation. The genetic basis of HI has been intensively studied in Drosophila species, but remains largely unknown in other species, including nematodes, which is mainly due to the lack of a sister species with which C. elegans can mate and produce viable progeny.

Antiviral activity of lanatoside C against dengue virus infection.

Dengue infection poses a serious threat globally due to its recent rapid spread and rise in incidence. Currently, there is no approved vaccine or effective antiviral drug for dengue virus infection. In response to the urgent need for the development of an effective antiviral for dengue virus, the US Drug Collection library was screened in this study to identify compounds with anti-dengue activities.

Gd4Ge(3-x)Pn(x) (Pn = P, Sb, Bi, x = 0.5-3): stabilizing the nonexisting Gd4Ge3 binary through valence electron concentration. Electronic and magnetic properties of Gd4Ge(3-x)Pn(x).

Gd(4)Ge(3-x)Pn(x) (Pn = P, Sb, Bi; x = 0.5-3) phases have been prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction, wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy, and magnetization measurements. All Gd(4)Ge(3-x)Pn(x) phases adopt a cubic anti-Th(3)P(4) structure, and no deficiency on the Gd or p-element site could be detected.

A method for rapid and simultaneous mapping of genetic loci and introgression sizes in nematode species.

Caenorhabditis briggsae is emerging as an attractive model organism not only in studying comparative biology against C. elegans, but also in developing novel experimentation avenues. In particular, recent identification of a new Caenorhabditis species, C.

Antibodies against trimeric S glycoprotein protect hamsters against SARS-CoV challenge despite their capacity to mediate FcgammaRII-dependent entry into B cells in vitro.

Vaccine-induced antibodies can prevent or, in the case of feline infectious peritonitis virus, aggravate infections by coronaviruses. We investigated whether a recombinant native full-length S-protein trimer (triSpike) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) was able to elicit a neutralizing and protective immune response in animals and analyzed the capacity of anti-S antibodies to mediate antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of virus entry in vitro and enhancement of replication in vivo. SARS-CoV-specific serum and mucosal immunoglobulins were readily detected in immunized animals.