Article
Immunology
Xuejiao Liao, Dapeng Li, Zhenghua Ma, Lina Zhang, Baoqi Zheng, Zhiyan Li, Guobao Li, Lei Liu, Zheng Zhang
Summary: This study characterized the dynamic changes in liver function abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 during the acute and recovery phases. The findings showed that liver damage in COVID-19 patients was usually temporary and could return to normal at the end of the 12-month follow-up.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hye-Bin Cho, Jun-Ho Ahn, Hyeon-Gyu Yang, Jaeick Lee, Wu-Jin Park, Young-Wan Kim
Summary: The research findings indicate that the hydrolysis and transpeptidation activities of the recombinant BAGGT enzyme can be controlled by changing pH and the presence of NaCl.
FOOD SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Javier Casado, Angel Lanas, Andres Gonzalez
Summary: Two-component regulatory systems (TCRS) are important signal transduction mechanisms in bacteria that play a crucial role in bacterial viability and pathogenicity. H. pylori and C. jejuni, which are classified as high priority pathogens, express various TCRS and orphan response regulators, controlling multiple physiological processes and virulence factors. These microbial molecules hold potential as novel therapeutic targets for the development of new antibiotics.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Wayne T. Muraoka, Anna A. Korchagina, Qingqing Xia, Sergey A. Shein, Xi Jing, Zhao Lai, Korri S. Weldon, Li-Ju Wang, Yidong Chen, Lawrence W. Kummer, Markus Mohrs, Eric Vivier, Ekaterina P. Koroleva, Alexei V. Tumanov
Summary: Research showed that IFN-γ-producing ILCs can promote intestinal pathology in a mouse model of enterocolitis caused by Campylobacter jejuni, arising from RORγt(+) progenitors. This highlights the importance of these ILCs in intestinal immune regulation.
MUCOSAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaan Koper, Sang-Woo Han, Delia Casas Pastor, Yasuo Yoshikuni, Hiroshi A. Maeda
Summary: This review summarizes the evolutionary history, diverse metabolic roles, reaction mechanisms, and structure-function relationships of the Aminotransferases (ATs) enzyme family, with a special emphasis on their substrate promiscuity and multifunctionality.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Ziqin Lai, Zhu Li, Mengnan Huang, Yang Wang, Lin Li, Fanfan Liu, Tong Yang, Yijia Liu, Qiang Xu, Shan Gao, Chunquan Yu
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between gamma-glutamyltransferase/alanine aminotransferase (GGT/ALT) ratio and carotid plaques in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The study found a significant association between GGT/ALT ratio and carotid plaque risk, with a stronger correlation in men and middle-aged patients. GGT/ALT ratio was also significantly associated with different types of plaque echoes.
Review
Microbiology
Noel Gahamanyi, Dae-Geun Song, Leonard E. G. Mboera, Mecky I. Matee, Dieudonne Mutangana, Raghavendra G. Amachawadi, Erick V. G. Komba, Cheol-Ho Pan
Summary: Campylobacter jejuni is influenced by TCSs and single regulators, playing a key role in its pathogenicity by affecting motility, colonization, nutrient acquisition, and stress response. Limited research has been conducted on C. jejuni, but TCSs are still considered important contributors to its virulence.
MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Subham Purkayastha, Ashish K. Jha, Ravikant Kumar, Vishwa Mohan Dayal, Sanjeev K. Jha
Summary: The diagnostic performance of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio (GPR) for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients was investigated. The study found that GPR had comparable performance to transient elastography (TE) in predicting significant and extensive liver fibrosis. GPR may be considered as a low-cost alternative for predicting compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) in CHB patients.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anne-Xander van der Stel, Emily R. Gordon, Arnab Sengupta, Allyson K. Martinez, Dorota Klepacki, Thomas N. Perry, Alba Herrero del Valle, Nora Vazquez-Laslop, Matthew S. Sachs, Luis R. Cruz-Vera, C. Axel Innis
Summary: The study identifies a mechanism where the TnaC-ribosome complex captures L-Trp to initiate termination arrest, with nascent TnaC preventing release factor 2 from adopting an active conformation. The relative rates of L-Trp binding and peptidyl-tRNA cleavage determine the tryptophan sensitivity of each variant. This reveals a strategy whereby a nascent peptide assists the ribosome in detecting a small metabolite.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jiannan Cui, Coco Duizer, Lieneke Bouwman, Kristel S. van Rooijen, Carlos G. P. Voogdt, Jos P. M. van Putten, Marcel R. de Zoete
Summary: Authors identified ADP-heptose and/or related heptose phosphates released by Campylobacter jejuni as a potent activator of inflammation in intestinal epithelial cells, signaling through the ALPK1 receptor. These results suggest a potential therapeutic target to treat Campylobacter infection and elucidate the virulence mechanisms involved in the development of bacterial enteritis.
Article
Microbiology
Mostafa Asadpoor, Georgia-Nefeli Ithakisiou, Jos P. M. van Putten, Roland J. Pieters, Gert Folkerts, Saskia Braber
Summary: AOS and COS affect the growth of GBS V and S. aureus wood 46, functioning as anti-biofilm agents. The combination of AOS and COS with different antibiotics may provide new opportunities to combat antimicrobial resistance.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yang Cai, Jos P. M. S. van Putten, Myrthe S. Gilbert, Walter J. J. Gerrits, Gert Folkerts, Saskia Braber
Summary: The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in infections has created a need for new intervention strategies. Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) show potential as an alternative to antibiotics due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesive properties. Mannheimia haemolytica is a major bacteria associated with bovine lung infections, and the study demonstrates that GOS can reduce its viability and enhance the efficacy of antibiotics. GOS also exhibit anti-adhesive and anti-invasive activities in primary bronchial epithelial cells, which can be attributed to their downregulation of toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Furthermore, GOS have been shown to relieve lung infections/inflammation and reduce M. haemolytica positivity in vivo without altering clinical performance. These findings highlight the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of GOS and its potential as a promising agent for preventing infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Narczyk, Marta Ilona Wojtys, Ivana Lescic Asler, Biserka Zinic, Marija Luic, Elzbieta Katarzyna Jagusztyn-Krynicka, Zoran Stefanic, Agnieszka Bzowska
Summary: Helicobacter pylori is a global health threat, infecting around 50% of the world's population. This study suggests that purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) could be a new drug target for H. pylori eradication. The inhibition constants of PNP inhibitors were in the micromolar range, with 6-benzylthio-2-chloropurine having the lowest constant. X-ray structures of PNP-inhibitor complexes provided insights into possible tighter binding structures.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. M. Kroes, A. Miranda-Bedate, R. H. J. Jacobi, E. van Woudenbergh, G. den Hartog, J. P. M. van Putten, J. de Wit, E. Pinelli
Summary: This study investigated the response of human airway epithelial cells to Bordetella pertussis infection. The infection resulted in reduced epithelial barrier integrity and disrupted mucociliary transport. The study suggests that B. pertussis only induces mild immunological activation in the epithelial cells and requires communication with local immune cells for a broad immune response.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Pawel Laniewski, Melissa M. Herbst-Kralovetz
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Emily A. Kaelin, Peter T. Skidmore, Pawel Laniewski, LaRinda A. Holland, Dana M. Chase, Melissa M. Herbst-Kralovetz, Efrem S. Lim
Summary: The link between the cervicovaginal bacterial microbiome, HPV infection, and cervical cancer provides insight into the development of cervical cancer. However, the role of the cervicovaginal virome remains poorly understood.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Xuefeng Cao, Chris H. A. van de Lest, Liane Z. X. Huang, Jos P. M. van Putten, Marc M. S. M. Wosten
Summary: Research reveals that lysophospholipids of Campylobacter jejuni have toxicity to host cells, especially the short-chain lysoPEs (C:14) may be considered as a novel virulence factor.
Article
Biology
Jason D. Maarsingh, Pawel Laniewski, Melissa M. Herbst-Kralovetz
Summary: Specific bacteria of the human microbiome can influence carcinogenesis at different anatomical sites. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)-associated bacteria may facilitate a tumor-promoting microenvironment in gynecologic cancers.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nicole R. R. Jimenez, Jason D. D. Maarsingh, Pawel Laniewski, Melissa M. M. Herbst-Kralovetz
Summary: The vaginal microbiome in reproductive-age women is mainly composed of certain Lactobacillus species, which are associated with optimal cervicovaginal health. However, the metabolic contributions of other lactobacilli to cervicovaginal health are still not well understood.
Article
Microbiology
Martine P. Bos, Robin van Houdt, Linda Poort, Anne-Xander van der Stel, Edgar J. Peters, Rachid Saouti, Paul Savelkoul, Andries E. Budding
Summary: Diagnosis of bone and joint infections relies on microbiological culture, which is time-consuming and challenging for certain bacterial species. IS-pro, a rapid molecular method, can detect and identify most bacteria to the species level and measure the amount of human DNA as a measure of leukocyte levels. The study found that IS-pro showed excellent performance for fast diagnostics of bacterial bone and joint infections.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Catia Pacifico, Marc M. S. M. Woesten, Friederike Hilbert
Summary: Campylobacter (C.) spp. are significant foodborne, bacterial, and zoonotic pathogens globally. It is crucial to monitor the resistance of foodborne bacterial pathogens as a part of the One Health approach to control antimicrobial resistance. The discovery and functionality of new resistance genes are important for improving screening methods using whole genome sequencing (WGS). The tet(O)_3 gene, similar to tet(O) in Streptococcus pneumoniae, has been identified in C. jejuni isolates, conferring tetracycline resistance below the epidemiological cut-off value. These isolates also possess other resistance genes, such as fluoroquinolone resistance and a multidrug efflux pump.
Article
Microbiology
Maitrayee Chatterjee, Liane Z. X. L. Huang, Anna Mykytyn, Chunyan Wang, Mart B. Lamers, Bart Westendorp, Richard B. Wubbolts, Jos P. M. van Putten, Berend-Jan B. Bosch, Bart Haagmans, Karin B. Strijbis
Summary: In this study, the role of host mucins and mucin glycans on SARS-CoV-2 entry into airway epithelial cells was investigated. The removal of mucins from the surface of cells increased the binding of the virus and enhanced infection. This study demonstrates the important role of glycosylated extracellular mucin domains in the entry of SARS-CoV-2.