Mutualistic interactions of lactate-producing lactobacilli and lactate-utilizing Veillonella dispar: Lactate and glutamate cross-feeding for the enhanced growth and short-chain fatty acid production.

The human gut hosts numerous ecological niches for microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions. Gut lactate homeostasis in humans is crucial and relies on various bacteria. Veillonella spp.

A Modified Tip-to-Base LAMPOON to Prevent Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction in Valve-in-Ring or Valve-in-Valve Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement.

Background: The Laceration of the Anterior Mitral leaflet to Prevent Outflow ObtructioN (LAMPOON) procedure may be performed from the leaflet tip to base to prevent left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in patients with high-risk anatomy undergoing valve-in-valve (VIV) or valve-in-(complete)-ring (VIR) transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR).

Methods And Results: Thirteen consecutive patients (6 females, average age 67.7 years) with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 60%, a median STS score of 3.

Enhancing antibody detection sensitivity in lateral flow immunoassays using endospores of Bacillus subtilis as signal amplifiers.

Antibody detection is the critical first step for tracking the spread of many diseases including COVID-19. Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is the most commonly used method for rapid antibody detection because it is easy-to-use and inexpensive. However, LFIA has limited sensitivity when gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are used as the signals.

Significance of Cytomegalovirus gB Genotypes in Adult Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Insights from a Single-Centre Investigation.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major clinical issue after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The CMV envelope glycoproteins are key in viral pathogenesis; the glycoprotein B (gB) encoded by the gene might be an important determinant of viral virulence and disease severity marker in patients treated with allogeneic HSCT. Our aim was to investigate the molecular diversity of CMV gB and inquire into the associations between gene variations and clinical manifestations in adult patients treated with allogeneic HSCT.

Herpesviridae and Atypical Bacteria Co-Detections in Lower Respiratory Tract Samples of SARS-CoV-2-Positive Patients Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit.

Shortly after the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), cases of viral, bacterial, and fungal coinfections in hospitalized patients became evident. This retrospective study investigates the prevalence of multiple pathogen co-detections in 1472 lower respiratory tract (LRT) samples from 229 SARS-CoV-2-positive patients treated in the largest intensive care unit (ICU) in Slovenia. In addition to SARS-CoV-2, (rt)RT-PCR tests were used to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and atypical bacteria: , and spp.

Exploring Clinical Predictors of Severe Human Metapneumovirus Respiratory Tract Infections in Children: Insights from a Recent Outbreak.

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important pathogen that causes both upper (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children. The virus can be implicated in severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia, necessitating hospitalization, with certain cases requiring intensive care unit intervention. As part of a retrospective observational study, we aimed to identify indicators of severe hMPV respiratory tract infections in children referred to the University Children's Hospital Ljubljana and the Department of Infectious Diseases Ljubljana, Slovenia, during a recent outbreak.

Friend or Foe? Exploring the Role of Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) Infection in Head and Neck Tumors.

Although not regarded as an oncogenic pathogen, the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been associated with a wide array of malignancies. Conversely, a number of studies report on possible anti-tumor properties of the virus, apparently mediated via HCMV-galvanized T-cell tumor killing; these were recently being investigated in clinical trials for the purposes of anti-cancer treatment by means of dendritic cell vaccines and HCMV-specific cytotoxic T cells. In the present study, we have analyzed the relation between a complement of head-and-neck tumors and HCMV infection across 73 countries worldwide using Spearman correlation, univariate and multivariate regression analysis.

The influenza landscape and vaccination coverage in older adults during the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic: data from Several European Countries and Israel.

Introduction: The Raise Awareness of Influenza Strategies in Europe (RAISE) group gathered information about the healthcare burden of influenza (hospitalizations, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, and excess deaths), surveillance systems, and the vaccine coverage rate (VCR) in older adults in 18 European countries and Israel.

Areas Covered: Published medical literature and official medical documentation on the influenza disease burden in the participating countries were reviewed from 2010/11 until the 2022/23 influenza seasons. Information on the framework for monitoring the disease burden and the provision for ensuring older adults had access to vaccination in their respective countries was provided.

Human Cytomegalovirus Oncoprotection across Diverse Populations, Tumor Histologies, and Age Groups: The Relevance for Prospective Vaccinal Therapy.

The oncogenicity of the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is currently being widely debated. Most recently, mounting clinical evidence suggests an anti-cancer effect via CMV-induced T cell-mediated tumor destruction. However, the data were mostly obtained from single-center studies and in vitro experiments.

Eucalypt Extracts Prepared by a No-Waste Method and Their 3D-Printed Dosage Forms Show Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

The pharmaceutical industry usually utilizes either hydrophobic or hydrophilic substances extracted from raw plant materials to prepare a final product. However, the waste products from the plant material still contain biologically active components with the opposite solubility. The aim of this study was to enhance the comprehensive usability of plant materials by developing a new no-waste extraction method for eucalypt leaves and by investigating the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of eucalypt extracts and their 3D-printed dosage forms.

Molecular Modeling, Synthesis, and Antihyperglycemic Activity of the New Benzimidazole Derivatives - Imidazoline Receptor Agonists.

Introduction: The paper presents the results of a study on the first synthesized benzimidazole derivatives obtained from labile nature carboxylic acids. The synthesis conditions of these substances were studied, their structure was proved, and some components were found to have sugar-reducing activity on the model of alloxan diabetes in rats.

Methods: The study used molecular modeling methods such as docking based on the evolutionary model (igemdock), RP_HPLC method to monitor the synthesis reaction, and 1H NMR and 13C NMR, and other methods of organic chemistry to confirm the structures of synthesized substances.

Elevated levels of serum muscle enzymes in the initial phase of tick-borne encephalitis.

Purpose: Since some patients with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) have pronounced myalgias, and since myositis is reported in diseases such as dengue, we performed systematic search for abnormalities of muscle enzymes in a group of patients in whom the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA in the first phase of the disease was demonstrated and who developed second phase of TBE.

Methods: Total leukocyte and platelet blood counts were determined routinely at the initial examination during the first and the second phase of TBE. Activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine kinase (CK), myoglobin and troponin was determined from the available stored serum specimens; the first and second phase disease specimens were tested simultaneously.

Biomarkers for prediction of CAR T therapy outcomes: current and future perspectives.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy holds enormous potential for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Despite its benefits, it is still used as a second line of therapy, mainly because of its severe side effects and patient unresponsiveness. Numerous researchers worldwide have attempted to identify effective predictive biomarkers for early prediction of treatment outcomes and adverse effects in CAR T cell therapy, albeit so far only with limited success.

Prospective Longitudinal Study of Dynamics of Human Papillomavirus 6 and 11 Infection in Anogenital Hairs and Eyebrows of Male Patients with Anogenital Warts and Age-Matched Controls.

To better understand the natural history of anogenital warts (AGWs) and the dynamics of HPV6/11 infection in regional hairs, 32 newly diagnosed male patients with AGWs and 32 age-matched healthy controls were closely followed. During enrollment and six follow-up visits (every 2.6 months), 43 AGW tissues and 1232 anogenital and eyebrow hair samples were collected.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress response in immune cells contributes to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis pathogenesis in rats.

We examined the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the ensuing unfolded protein response (UPR) in the development of the central nervous system (CNS)-directed immune response in the rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The induction of EAE with syngeneic spinal cord homogenate in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) caused a time-dependent increase in the expression of ER stress/UPR markers glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) in the draining lymph nodes of both EAE-susceptible Dark Agouti (DA) and EAE-resistant Albino Oxford (AO) rats. However, the increase in ER stress markers was more pronounced in AO rats.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria at a Slovenian Tertiary Medical Center.

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained healthcare systems globally. Shortages of hospital beds, reassignment of healthcare workers to COVID-19-dedicated wards, an increased workload, and evolving infection prevention and control measures have potentially contributed to the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB). To determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic at the University Medical Center Ljubljana, a tertiary teaching hospital, we analyzed the monthly incidence of select bacterial species per patient from 2018 to 2022.

MyD88 exacerbates inflammation-induced bone loss by modulating dynamic equilibrium between Th17/Treg cells and subgingival microbiota dysbiosis.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the contribution of myeloid differentiation primary-response gene 88 (MyD88) on the differentiation of T helper type 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells and the emerging subgingival microbiota dysbiosis in Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced experimental periodontitis.

Methods: Alveolar bone loss, infiltrated inflammatory cells, immunostained cells for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were quantified by microcomputerized tomography and histological staining between age- and sex-matched homozygous littermates (wild-type [WT, Myd88] and Myd88 on C57BL/6 background). The frequencies of Th17 and Treg cells in cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) and spleen were determined by flow cytometry.

2023 global inventory of commercial molecular tests for human papillomaviruses (HPV).

To suit the needs of the human papillomaviruses (HPV) community comprehensively, a range of commercial HPV tests with different performance characteristics are required. Four periodic inventories of commercial HPV molecular tests present in the global market were published previously in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2020. For the fifth inventory, data were retrieved from internal files and a detailed search using the main bibliographic databases as well as general internet search without period or language restrictions was performed in December 2023.

Whole genome sequencing and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with bacteraemia in Slovenia.

Purpose: Data on the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with bacteraemia in Slovenia are lacking. The aim of this study was to phenotypically and genotypically investigate 82 MRSA strains isolated from patients with bloodstream infections in central Slovenia between 2019 and 2022.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing of selected strains was performed to characterize the strains based on sequence typing, antimicrobial resistance, toxin, and virulence factors genes.

Decreased interleukin-17RA expression is associated with good prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer and inhibits tumor growth and vascularity in mice.

Background: Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a vital role in the promotion of tumorigenesis in various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Based on current evidence, IL-17 binds to interleukin-17 receptor A (IL-17RA); however, the role of IL-17RA has not been elucidated in previous studies on CRC. In this study, we explored the role of IL-17RA in human CRC tissues and the progression of CRC in humans and mice.