Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jong Hwan Jeong, Manbong Heo, Sunmi Ju, Seung Jun Lee, Yu Ji Cho, Yi Yeong Jeong, Jong Deog Lee, Jung-Wan Yoo
Summary: The study revealed a significant association between pulmonary mycobacterial infection and increased 28-day mortality in patients with ARDS. Patients with pulmonary mycobacterial infection had a higher rate of severe complications and required more aggressive treatment compared to those without infection.
Article
Immunology
Joseph M. Rocco, Elizabeth Laidlaw, Frances Galindo, Megan Anderson, Ornella Sortino, Safia Kuriakose, Andrea Lisco, Maura Manion, Irini Sereti
Summary: People with HIV and mycobacterial infections may develop immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after starting antiretroviral therapy. The pathophysiology of mycobacterial-IRIS overlaps with primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (pHLH). By evaluating protein-altering variants in genes associated with HLH, it was found that 23.2% of IRIS patients had these variants, compared to only 3.8% of those without IRIS. These findings suggest a possible genetic component in the risk of mycobacterial IRIS in people with HIV and mycobacterial infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Joanna Holowka, Tomasz Lebkowski, Helge Feddersen, Giacomo Giacomelli, Karolina Druzka, Lukasz Makowski, Damian Trojanowski, Natalia Broda, Marc Bramkamp, Jolanta Zakrzewska-Czerwinska
Summary: Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) play a crucial role in organizing bacterial chromatin and regulating gene expression. HupB and mycobacterial integration host factor (mIHF) are highly expressed NAPs in mycobacteria, but their role in mycobacterial chromosome organization is unknown. This study used various approaches to analyze the roles of HupB and mIHF in chromosome organization and found that HupB maintains chromosome integrity while mIHF binds DNA transiently and is susceptible to chromosomal DNA topology changes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Akila Cooray, Jeongsook Kim, Beno Ramesh Nirujan, Nishani Jayanika Jayathilake, Kyu Pil Lee
Summary: Sperm ion channels play a crucial role in the quality and type of flagellar movement, with the principal potassium ion channel being responsible for membrane hyperpolarization and sperm capacitation. This study aimed to determine the channel identity of boar sperm for the primary K+ current. Pharmacological dissection was employed, and the results suggest that the Slo3 gene encodes the main K+ channel in boar spermatozoa. Localization of the Slo3 channel on the sperm flagellum and its inhibition not affecting sperm viability were observed. These findings have potential implications for improving assisted reproductive methods in industrial livestock production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
McLean L. D. Worsham, Parvathi Nair, J. Randy Gibson, David Rodriguez, Benjamin F. Schwartz, Weston H. Nowlin
Summary: This study examines the behavioral and physiological reactions to light in six species of amphipods and finds that the similarities between species in their responses are weakly correlated with genetic relatedness but are correlated with habitat type. Additionally, the breadth of variation in phenotype is found to be correlated with phylogenetic relationships, suggesting that population level trait evolution likely involves interactions between standing population level variation and strength of selection.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Bo Tian, Jianjun Sun, Jinsong Bai, Renfang Zhang, Jun Liu, Yinzhong Shen, Chongxi Li, Li Liu, Jun Chen, Tangkai Qi, Hongzhou Lu
Summary: This study investigated the association between CMV viremia and disseminated NTM disease in AIDS patients, finding that patients with CMV viremia had a significantly poorer prognosis and higher risk of death. Patients with CD8 count above 250 cells/mu L had a better prognosis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Young Jae Kim, Eun-Jin Park, Sang-Hee Lee, Prashanta Silwal, Jin Kyung Kim, Jeong Seong Yang, Jake Whang, Jichan Jang, Jin-Man Kim, Eun-Kyeong Jo
Summary: In this study, dimethyl itaconate (DMI) was found to have potential as a candidate for host-directed therapy (HDT) against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and nontuberculous mycobacteria. It can activate multiple immune defense mechanisms in the host to promote intracellular killing of mycobacteria and suppress inflammation. This research contributes to the development of new anti-tuberculosis drugs.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lucy M. McCully, Jasmine Graslie, Alana R. McGraw, Adam S. Bitzer, Authur M. Sigurbjornsdottir, Oddur Vilhelmsson, Mark W. Silby
Summary: Bacteria in soil form multispecies communities where interactions can lead to emergent properties. Research shows that social spreading behavior is not restricted to specific bacterial strains but is widespread among certain clades of P. fluorescens and Pedobacter isolates. Understanding microbial interactions and emergent properties is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of microbial community functions.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Victor Campo-Perez, Alejandro Sanchez-Chardi, Marina Luquin, Esther Julian
Article
Cell Biology
Susana Benet, Cristina Galvez, Francis Drobniewski, Irina Kontsevaya, Lilibeth Arias, Marta Monguio-Tortajada, Itziar Erkizia, Victor Urrea, Ruo-Yan Ong, Marina Luquin, Maeva Dupont, Jakub Chojnacki, Judith Dalmau, Paula Cardona, Olivier Neyrolles, Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino, Christel Verollet, Esther Julian, Hansjakob Furrer, Huldrych F. Gunthard, Paul R. Crocker, Gustavo Tapia, Francesc E. Borras, Jacques Fellay, Paul J. McLaren, Amalio Telenti, Pere-Joan Cardona, Bonaventura Clotet, Cristina Vilaplana, Javier Martinez-Picado, Nuria Izquierdo-Useros
Summary: The SIGLEC1 null variant is significantly associated with extrapulmonary dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, potentially leading to delayed immunity and local bacterial spread. Lack of Siglec-1 limits antigen exchange, increasing the risk of extrapulmonary dissemination.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Gloria Esteso, Nacho Aguilo, Esther Julian, Omodele Ashiru, Mei. M. Ho, Carlos Martin, Mar Vales-Gomez
Summary: The use of Natural Killer cell receptors in immunotherapy is a promising area of research, with cytokine activation inducing potent NK anti-tumor responses. BCG therapy has been shown to activate cytotoxic NK cells that efficiently recognize bladder cancer cells, demonstrating different components of mycobacteria can stimulate various immune subpopulations suitable for cancer elimination.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Marina Luquin, Esther Julian
Summary: Mycobacteria species exhibit differences in growth rate, pigmentation, colony morphology, and other phenotypic characteristics. However, they share a unique and highly hydrophobic cell wall. The study of mycobacterial lipids is of significant interest due to their potential applications in understanding pathogenicity, as well as in immunomodulation for treating infectious diseases and other pathologies.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Robotics
Ana C. Hortelao, Cristina Simo, Maria Guix, Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Esther Julian, Diana Vilela, Luka Rejc, Pedro Ramos-Cabrer, Unai Cossio, Vanessa Gomez-Vallejo, Tania Patino, Jordi Llop, Samuel Sanchez
Summary: Enzyme-powered nanomotors exhibit swarming behavior and have been successfully tracked using PET both in vitro and in vivo. This technology demonstrates enhanced fluid mixing and collective migration capabilities, marking a key advancement in the field of biomedical nanorobotics.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Victor Campo-Perez, Maria del Mar Cendra, Esther Julian, Eduard Torrents
Summary: This study improved electroporation procedures for transforming fast-growing rough mycobacteria by addressing three well-known limitations, resulting in significantly improved efficiencies. The use of specific strategies during electroporation is highly recommended for this purpose.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Alejandra Ben Aissa, Barbara Araujo, Esther Julian, Maria Valnice Boldrin Zanoni, Maria Isabel Pividori
Summary: This study successfully combines IMS and paper-based nucleic acid immunochromatographic assay for sensitive detection of Mycolicibacterium fortuitum. The preconcentration of bacteria and amplification of genome using specific primers were highlighted, along with the comparison of analytical performance of different immunochromatographic platforms.
Review
Immunology
Neelam Mukherjee, Esther Julian, Jordi B. Torrelles, Robert S. Svatek
Summary: The BCG vaccine, originally developed to protect against active tuberculosis, has shown impressive antitumor activity, particularly in preventing bladder cancer. Recent studies indicate the importance of both innate and adaptive cell responses in BCG therapy, with cells like NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, as well as T cells playing key roles in eradicating cancer cells.
Article
Immunology
Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Farners Alminana-Rapun, Victor Campo-Perez, Eduard Torrents, Marina Luquin, Esther Julian
Summary: The growth conditions of BCG strains have an impact on their lipidic profile, physico-chemical properties, and interaction with host cells.
Article
Oncology
Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Victor Campo-Perez, Miriam Perez-Trujillo, Cecilia Cabrera, Jordi Senserrich, Alejandro Sanchez-Chardi, Rosa Maria Rabanal, Elisabet Gomez-Mora, Estela Noguera-Ortega, Marina Luquin, Esther Julian
Summary: The mechanism of action of intravesical Mycobacterium bovis BCG immunotherapy treatment for bladder cancer is not completely understood. The culture conditions of BCG strains can impact their antitumor effect. This study found that each mycobacterium requires specific culture conditions for an effective antitumor response. M. brumae-A60 and BCG-G15 showed the highest survival rates and immune responses in a murine bladder cancer model.
Article
Immunology
Jordi Senserrich, Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Elisabet Gomez-Mora, Victor Urrea, Bonaventura Clotet, Esther Julian, Cecilia Cabrera
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluated the immune microenvironment in the bladder after treatment with different types of mycobacteria. The findings showed that the mycobacteria had species-specific effects on the immune cells and could improve survival.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Victor Campo-Perez, Sandra Guallar-Garrido, Marina Luquin, Alejandro Sanchez-Chardi, Esther Julian
Summary: This study compared the lipid profiles of the nonpathogenic immunomodulatory agent Mycobacterium brumae under different culture conditions and found that the lipid composition and dynamics were related to pellicle maturation and the culture media used. The lipid synthesis in M. brumae showed high plasticity and versatility under different culture conditions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Chantal Renau-Minguez, Paula Herrero-Abadia, Paula Ruiz-Rodriguez, Vicente Sentandreu, Eduard Torrents, Alvaro Chiner-Oms, Manuela Torres-Puente, Inaki Comas, Esther Julian, Mireia Coscolla
Summary: This study describes the genome of M. brumae and compares it with other strains. M. brumae is a non-pathogenic rapidly growing mycobacterium with high immunogenicity but lacks virulence-related genes. This work provides important genomic data for studying the therapeutic potential of this bacterium.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Victor Campo-Perez, Julia Alcacer-Almansa, Esther Julian, Eduard Torrents
Summary: This study developed a quantitative strategy for studying dual-species biofilms. By expressing specific fluorescent or bioluminescent proteins, the presence of different microbial species within the biofilm can be analyzed effectively.
Meeting Abstract
Clinical Neurology
G. Pagano, K. Taylor, J. Anzures-Cabrera, W. Zago, R. Tripuraneni, T. Nikolcheva, H. Svoboda, J. Azulay, B. Mollenhauer, L. Lopez Manzanares, D. Russell, J. Boyd, A. Nicholas, M. Luquin, R. Hauser, T. Simuni, T. Gasser, W. Poewe, G. Kinney, R. Doody, P. Fontoura, D. Umbricht, A. Bonni
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2021)