Metagenomic Sequencing for Diagnosing Listeria-Induced Rhombencephalitis in Patient and Contaminated Cheese Samples: A Case Report.

Among the various causes of rhomboencephalitis, infection is the most common. However, conventional microbiological methods often yield negative results, making diagnosis challenging and leading to extensive, often inconclusive, diagnostics. Advanced molecular techniques like metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offer a powerful and efficient approach to pathogen identification.

An Alternative Mode of GPCR Transactivation: Activation of GPCRs by Adhesion GPCRs.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), critical for cellular communication and signaling, represent the largest cell surface protein family and play important roles in numerous pathophysiological processes. Consequently, GPCRs have become a primary focus in drug discovery efforts. Beyond their traditional G protein-dependent signaling pathways, GPCRs are also capable of activating alternative signaling mechanisms, including G protein-independent signaling, biased signaling, and signaling crosstalk.

Dysregulation of FURIN and Other Proprotein Convertase Genes in the Progression from HPV Infection to Cancer.

Productive infections of oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are closely linked to the differentiation of host epithelial cells, a process that the virus manipulates to create conditions favorable to produce virion progeny. This viral interference involves altering the expression of numerous host genes. Among these, proprotein convertases (PCs) have emerged as potential oncogenes due to their central role in cellular functions.

Proteins Implicated in the Reduced Virulence of and Mutants in Osteomyelitis.

Using a murine osteomyelitis model, we recently demonstrated that and mutants generated in the USA300 strain LAC are attenuated to a greater extent than an isogenic mutant and that this can be attributed to a significant extent to the increased production of extracellular proteases in both mutants. Based on this, we used a mass-based proteomics approach to compare the proteomes of LAC, its isogenic , , and mutants, and isogenic derivatives of all four of these strains unable to produce the extracellular proteases aureolysin, SspA, SspB, ScpA, or SplA-F. This allowed us to identify proteins that were present in reduced amounts in , and / mutants owing to the increased production of extracellular proteases.

Feeding Expressed Breast Milk Alters the Microbial Network of Breast Milk and Increases Breast Milk Microbiome Diversity over Time.

Breastfeeding supplies nutrition, immunity, and hormonal cues to infants. Feeding expressed breast milk may result in de-phased milk production and feeding times, which distort the real-time circadian cues carried by breast milk. We hypothesized that providing expressed breast milk alters the microbiotas of both breast milk and the infant's gut.

Assessment of the Utility of Selected Inflammatory Markers in Correlation with Magnetic Resonance Enterography (MRE) Findings in the Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease.

Crohn's Disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The search continues for new markers for assessing the activity of CD. Among them, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines appear promising.

Effects of Semaglutide Treatment on Psoriatic Lesions in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with relapsing nature. Estimates are that approximately 2-3% of the world's population suffers from this disease. More severe forms of psoriasis are conditions of high inflammation, which is confirmed by the clinical picture and numerous inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines and homocysteine, which vary with disease activity.

Reactive Oxygen Species, a Potential Therapeutic Target for Vascular Dementia.

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition prevalent among elderly adults marked by cognitive decline resulting from injured and/or improperly functioning cerebrovasculature with resultant disruptions in cerebral blood flow. Currently, VaD has no specific therapeutics and the exact pathobiology is still being investigated. VaD has been shown to develop when reactive oxygen species (ROS) form from damaged targets at different levels of organization-mitochondria, endothelial cells, or cerebrovasculature.

Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Harboring Isolated from River Water in Ghana.

, known for carrying the gene and linked to various diseases, is widely distributed. However, its prevalence in Ghana is unknown, mainly due to misidentification or inadequate research. In this study, for the first time, we characterized from Densu river water in Ghana.

The HOX Gene Family's Role as Prognostic and Diagnostic Biomarkers in Hematological and Solid Tumors.

The HOX gene family encodes for regulatory transcription factors that play a crucial role in embryogenesis and differentiation of adult cells. This highly conserved family of genes consists of thirty-nine genes in humans that are located in four clusters, A-D, on different chromosomes. While early studies on the HOX gene family have been focused on embryonic development and its related disorders, research has shifted to examine aberrant expression of HOX genes and the subsequent implication in cancer prediction and progression.

Blockade of LIF and PD-L1 Enhances Chemotherapy in Preclinical PDAC Models.

: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), expecting to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030, resists immune checkpoint therapies due to its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a key target in PDAC, promoting stemness, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and therapy resistance. Phase 1 clinical trials showed anti-LIF therapy is safe but with limited efficacy, suggesting better outcomes when combined with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Divergent Crosstalk Between Microglia and T Cells in Brain Cancers: Implications for Novel Therapeutic Strategies.

: Brain cancers represent a formidable oncological challenge characterized by their aggressive nature and resistance to conventional therapeutic interventions. The tumor microenvironment has emerged as a critical determinant of tumor progression and treatment efficacy. Within this complex ecosystem, microglia and macrophages play fundamental roles, forming intricate networks with peripheral immune cell populations, particularly T cells.

Editorial for Special Issue "Antibiotic Combination Therapy: A Strategy to Overcome Bacterial Resistance".

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections have emerged as a critical global health threat, challenging the efficacy of existing antibiotics and undermining advances in modern medicine [...

Gut Microbiota Secondary Metabolites: Key Roles in GI Tract Cancers and Infectious Diseases.

The gut microbiota, a dynamic ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms, produces secondary metabolites that profoundly influence host health. Recent research has highlighted the significant role of these metabolites, particularly short-chain fatty acids, indoles, and bile acids, in modulating immune responses, impacting epigenetic mechanisms, and contributing to disease processes. In gastrointestinal (GI) cancers such as colorectal, liver, and gastric cancer, microbial metabolites can drive tumorigenesis by promoting inflammation, DNA damage, and immune evasion.

Antibacterial Potential of Honeybee Venom and Extracellular Metabolites Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Bacteria.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, driving the search for alternative treatments to conventional antibiotics. In this study, the antibacterial properties of honeybee venom (BV) and fungal red dye (RD) were evaluated against three multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Extracts of BV and RD exhibited dose-dependent antibacterial activity against the three tested bacteria, with their strongest effectiveness against (minimum inhibitory concentrations [MIC] = 3.

Unlocking the Potential of RNA Sequencing in COVID-19: Toward Accurate Diagnosis and Personalized Medicine.

COVID-19 has caused widespread morbidity and mortality, with its effects extending to multiple organ systems. Despite known risk factors for severe disease, including advanced age and underlying comorbidities, patient outcomes can vary significantly. This variability complicates efforts to predict disease progression and tailor treatment strategies.

Comparative evaluation of antifungal susceptibility testing methods of invasive Candida species and detection of FKS genes mutations in caspofungin intermediate and resistant isolates.

Background: Fungal invasive infections caused by Candida species pose a substantial public health risk with limited therapeutic options. Antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) is necessary to optimize the therapy. The study aimed to compare different AFST methods of Candida spp.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Curable Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Purpose Of Review: Antimicrobial resistance in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has become an urgent global public health threat, raising the specter of untreatable infections. This review summarizes the determinants of resistance among the five most common curable STIs Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Treponema pallidum, and Trichomonas vaginalis, as well as strategies to mitigate the spread of resistance.

Recent Findings: Genetic mutations are key drivers of resistance for N.

Dermanyssus gallinae as a pathogen vector: Phylogenetic analysis and associated health risks in pigeons.

Dermanyssus gallinae (D. gallinae) is a nocturnal, blood-feeding ectoparasite that primarily infests poultry, causing significant economic losses. This study aimed to identify poultry red mites and detect associated pathogens using morphological and molecular techniques.

Pediatric Transplant and Cellular Therapy Consortium RESILIENT Conference on Pediatric Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Survivorship after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Part II. Organ Dysfunction and Immune Reconstitution Considerations for children with chronic GVHD after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation.

While highly morbid forms of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) and severe late effects of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) can impact children and adults alike, unique considerations arise in pediatric cases regarding diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and likelihood of resolution. As children can present with atypical features of cGVHD, and with more significant disease due to inability to communicate symptoms, they may be at increased risk for highly morbid forms of cGVHD and incur greater subsequent late effects, which may be more pronounced in those with underlying chromosomal breakage syndromes, with higher prevalence in pediatric HCT recipients. The long-term effects of cGVHD and its therapies include impaired immune reconstitution, leading to increased risks of infection and secondary malignant neoplasms.

Optimized peptide inhibitor Aqs1C targets LasR to disrupt quorum sensing and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Insights from MD simulations and in vitro studies.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a critical pathogen, and its antibiotic resistance is largely driven by the quorum-sensing regulator LasR. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and characterization of Aqs1C, a mutated peptide derivative of Aqs1, optimized to inhibit LasR and its quorum-sensing pathway. By introducing a targeted mutation, Aqs1C exhibited enhanced stability and binding affinity for LasR protein compared to its predecessor, Aqs1B.

Insight into the anti-allergic impacts of fucoidan from Gracilaria lemaneiformis in mitigating allergic reactions induced by shrimp tropomyosin via regulating Th1/Th2 cytokines and T cell subsets.

Fucoidan is a natural sulfated polysaccharide with immunoregulatory function. In this work, the anti-allergic impacts of Gracilaria lemaneiformis fucoidan (GLF) in mitigating allergic reactions induced by shrimp tropomyosin were investigated. As the results, GLF performed significant hyaluronidase inhibition ability (IC = 0.

Development and characterization of a reverse genetics system for the lineage II Chicava strain of Machupo virus in a guinea pig model.

Background: Machupo virus (MACV) is a New World mammarenavirus (hereafter referred to as "arenavirus") and the etiologic agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF). No vaccine or antiviral therapy exists for BHF, which causes up to 35% mortality in humans. New World arenaviruses evolve separately in different locations.

Massively parallel barcode sequencing revealed the interchangeability of capsule transporters in .

Multidrug/oligosaccharidyl-lipid/polysaccharide (MOP) family transporters are essential in glycan synthesis, flipping lipid-linked precursors across cell membranes. Yet, how they select their substrates remains enigmatic. Here, we investigate the substrate specificity of the MOP transporters in the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) synthesis pathway in .