Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathryn J. Green, Ivan L. Lawag, Cornelia Locher, Katherine A. Hammer
Summary: This study collected 29 manuka/Leptospermum honey samples and quantified their antibacterial activity using multiple methods. The results showed variations in antibacterial activity among different honey samples and bacterial species, and the correlation between MGO content and antibacterial activity differed for different test organisms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danielle M. Matriano, Rosanna A. Alegado, Cecilia Conaco
Summary: Research has identified at least 175 candidate HGTs in the genome of the colonial choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta, most of which are orthologous to genes in bacterial and microalgal lineages but display genomic features consistent with the rest of the genome. The functions of these potential HGTs include enzymes involved in metabolism, cell signaling, and the synthesis of extracellular matrix components. These functions may have contributed to the ability of choanoflagellates to assimilate novel metabolites and support their adaptation, survival, and response to external cues in diverse ecological niches, possibly playing a role in the evolution of multicellularity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mahere Momenijavid, Himen Salimizand, Aazam Korani, Omid Dianat, Bijan Nouri, Rashid Ramazanzadeh, Amjad Ahmadi, Jino Rostamipour, Mohammad Rastegar Khosravi
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of calcium hydroxide on the morphology and physicochemical properties of Enterococcus faecalis biofilm. It was found that calcium hydroxide could contribute to a denser biofilm structure with more cavities and a granular surface, resulting in increased biomass, thickness, colony size, and volume of the biofilm.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Li Li, Zuxian Xu, Ruipin Cao, Jiaxin Li, Chang-Jer Wu, Yinglu Wang, Hu Zhu
Summary: We investigated the influence of hydroxyl groups on the anti-quorum-sensing (anti-QS) and anti-biofilm activity of cyclic dipeptides against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. The presence of hydroxyl groups improved the inhibition of virulence factors and cytotoxicity, but reduced the ability to inhibit biofilm formation. These cyclic dipeptides interacted with the QS-related protein LasR, and the introduction of hydroxyl groups enhanced their self-assembly ability.
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Tatyana L. Povolotsky, Alona Keren-Paz, Ilana Kolodkin-Gal
Summary: For bacteria, the transition from unicellular entities to multicellular biofilm communities generates distinct metabolic microenvironments. Dynamic and programmed metabolic responses allow the biofilms to react to local changes in nutrient levels and contribute to phenotypic antibiotic resistance of the community. Novel therapeutic approaches targeting biofilms may stem from these metabolic adaptations.
TRENDS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Woraphot Tantisiriwat, Jirawat Buppanharun, Chatchai Ekpanyaskul, Kwanchai Onruang, Thitiya Yungyuen, Pattarachai Kiratisin, Somchai Santiwatanakul
Summary: This study aimed to assess the in vitro activity of ceftolozane-tazobactam (C-T) against resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and investigate the resistant genes in PA strains that were resistant to C-T.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tomasz Bogiel, Malgorzata Prazynska, Joanna Kwiecinska-Pirog, Agnieszka Mikucka, Eugenia Gospodarek-Komkowska
Summary: The study compared the frequency of selected enzymatic virulence factor genes among non-duplicated carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolates, finding a higher prevalence of alkaline protease gene and a 37.4% detection rate for neuraminidase-1 gene. Significant differences in the prevalence of lasB and nan1 were observed between MBL-positive and MBL-negative strains.
Article
Microbiology
Xuerui Bao, Ellen Goeteyn, Aurelie Crabbe, Tom Coenye
Summary: D,L-malate enhances ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa, improving antibiotic therapy in infection environments. The choice of model system influences the outcome of the experiment, emphasizing the importance of using models that closely mimic the in vivo environment. This study confirms the potential of D,L-malate to enhance ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa-associated infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Courtney Reichhardt
Summary: The ability of bacteria to adhere to each other and both biotic and abiotic surfaces is key to biofilm formation. Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses the fibrillar adhesin called CdrA to promote bacterial aggregation and biofilm formation.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Louis M. M. Mouterde, Julien Couvreur, Maxime M. J. Langlait, Fanny Brunois, Florent Allais
Summary: The study identified a potentially new cyclohexanone monooxygenase (CHMO) sequence from the complete genome of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain Pa1242, which was confirmed through bioconversion to obtain a key precursor 2H-HBO. The novel sequence exhibited CHMO activity and achieved high productivity and total conversion rates through optimization of culture conditions.
Review
Microbiology
Amber Grace, Rajnish Sahu, Donald R. R. Owen, Vida A. A. Dennis
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common pathogen that has been identified as a multi-drug resistant strain. PAO1 and PA14, two laboratory strains, have contributed significantly to our understanding of the bacterium. However, there are discrepancies between their behaviors and therapeutic susceptibilities observed in human infections. This review aims to compare the two strains and propose methods to improve their clinical relevance.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dolonchapa Chakraborty, Andrew J. Darwin
Summary: The lipoprotein LbcA in Pseudomonas aeruginosa promotes the activity of the protease CtpA by recruiting the protease and its substrates independently, playing a crucial role in proteolysis. The copurification partners of LbcA are enriched for cell wall-associated proteins, with some being novel CtpA substrates. Additionally, some copurification partners not cleaved by CtpA may participate in multienzyme complexes containing CtpA substrates. These findings are significant for understanding CTPs and their associated proteins in peptidoglycan remodeling and virulence in various bacterial species.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yiwei Zhu, Jie Chen, Han Shen, Zhongju Chen, Qi-Wen Yang, Jin Zhu, Xi Li, Qing Yang, Feng Zhao, Jingshu Ji, Heng Cai, Yue Li, Linghong Zhang, Sebastian Leptihn, Xiaoting Hua, Yunsong Yu
Summary: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KPC-PA) strains were found in 40.4% of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) isolates, with half of them resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI). Eight plasmid types and two mobile genetic elements mediating bla(KPC-2) transmission were identified through sequencing. Curing bla(KPC-2) plasmids in 28 strains restored CAZ-AVI susceptibility, indicating its role in resistance.
Article
Microbiology
Alexandra J. J. Lee, Georgia Doing, Samuel L. L. Neff, Taylor Reiter, Deborah A. A. Hogan, Casey S. S. Greene
Summary: This article studies the genomic heterogeneity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, compares the expression patterns of core genes and accessory genes between PAO1 and PA14 strains, and finds differences in the expression patterns of some core genes among different strains.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tian Liu, Shilin Yang, Zixian Wu, Yufei Cai, Jiawei Zhou, Mingjun Liao
Summary: A flurbiprofen-degrading strain LY.1, identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA), was isolated from the Xunsi River in Wuhan City, China. LY.1 strain exhibited the ability to grow in flurbiprofen-containing medium as the sole carbon source and degrade flurbiprofen into 3-fluoro-4(1-ethylcarboxy) phenylpropionic acid (FCB). Optimal growth conditions for LY.1 strain were found to be at temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 degrees C, pH 6-8, and substrate concentrations between 100 and 800 mg/L.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Zhengyang Zhou, Hung-Chih Ku, Sydney E. Manning, Ming Zhang, Chao Xing
Summary: This study presents a flexible statistical procedure to detect gene-environment interaction (GxE) regardless of whether the underlying relationship is linear or not. By modeling the joint genetic and GxE effects as a varying-coefficient function of the environmental factor, the proposed model is able to capture dynamic trajectories of GxE. A likelihood ratio test with a fast Monte Carlo algorithm is employed for hypothesis testing. Simulations and real data analysis demonstrate the validity and power of the proposed model in various settings, especially for nonlinear GxE.
Article
Microbiology
Maikke B. Ohlson, Jennifer L. Eitson, Alexandra I. Wells, Ashwani Kumar, Seoyeon Jang, Chunyang Ni, Chao Xing, Michael Buszczak, John W. Schoggins
Summary: Viruses rely on host ribosomes for protein synthesis, but the specific factors involved in translation of viral RNAs are not fully understood. Through a CRISPR screen, researchers identified multiple host factors, including 60S ribosome biogenesis proteins, that are required for viral protein synthesis. In addition, the study revealed the importance of SBDS and SPATA5 in viral replication for a wide range of viruses.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Leah S. Imlay, Aloysus K. Lawong, Suraksha Gahalawat, Ashwani Kumar, Chao Xing, Nimisha Mittal, Sergio Wittlin, Alisje Churchyard, Hanspeter Niederstrasser, Benigno Crespo-Fernandez, Bruce A. Posner, Francisco-Javier Gamo, Jake Baum, Elizabeth A. Winzeler, Benoit Laleu, Joseph M. Ready, Margaret A. Phillips
Summary: Current malaria treatments face drug resistance and there is an urgent need for new drugs. Through a screening process, we discovered (S)-SW228703 ((S)-SW703), a tyrosine amide with activity against asexual blood and liver stages of malaria and a fast-killing profile. Resistance to (S)-SW703 is associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus (Pf CARL) and P. falciparum acetyl CoA transporter (PfACT), similar to other compounds with fast and liver-stage activity. The exact mechanism of action or binding mode of these compounds, which are thought to act in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), remains unknown. (S)-SW703 provides a new chemical series with broad activity against multiple life-cycle stages and a fast-killing mechanism of action, which can be further optimized for the development of new malaria treatments.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Michael L. Neugent, Neha Hulyalkar, Ashwani Kumar, Chao Xing, Philippe E. Zimmern, Vladimir Shulaev, Nicole J. De Nisco
Summary: Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are linear polysaccharides with negative charges, composed of uronic acid and amino sugars. The bladder epithelium is covered by a layer of GAGs, which are believed to serve as a protective barrier and potential interaction site for the urinary microbiome. This study investigated urinary GAG composition in postmenopausal women and found that chondroitin sulfate (CS) is the major GAG. The study also identified an elevation of urinary CS in women with active recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI). Additionally, the study revealed associations between urinary GAGs and urobiome composition, including specific bacterial species associated with different GAG types and vaginal dysbiosis.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Qiya Huang, Xianmei Lan, Hebing Chen, Hao Li, Yu Sun, Chao Ren, Chao Xing, Xiaochen Bo, Jizheng Wang, Xin Jin, Lei Song
Summary: This study used whole genome sequencing data and polygenic risk score models to estimate the genetic predisposition of stroke in the Chinese population and its association with disease burden. The results showed a north-south gradient in the genetic predisposition to stroke in China, and a strong correlation with blood pressure, body mass index, and alcohol use. Genetic risk accounted for an independent effect of 1-6% on stroke mortality, disability-adjusted life years, and years of life lost.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew B. McDougal, Anthony M. De Maria, Maikke B. Ohlson, Ashwani Kumar, Chao Xing, John W. Schoggins
Summary: Interferons control viral infection by inducing the expression of antiviral effector proteins encoded by interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Using CRISPR-based loss-of-function screens, this study identified a limited set of ISGs that mediate interferon-mediated suppression of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). Combinatorial gene targeting revealed that three antiviral effectors, ZAP, IFIT3, and IFIT1, together constitute the majority of interferon-mediated restriction of VEEV, while accounting for < 0.5% of the interferon-induced transcriptome. These findings suggest a refined model of the antiviral interferon response.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martyna Kosno, Simon L. Currie, Ashwani Kumar, Chao Xing, Michael K. Rosen
Summary: In this study, the formation of biomolecular condensates by the oncogenic fusion protein BRD4-NUT and its associated histone acetyltransferase p300 were investigated. The researchers found that a minimal fragment of NUT fused with BRD4 is sufficient to bind p300 and form condensates. The results suggest a model for condensate formation involving positive feedback and phase separation, and identify different regions of p300 that contribute to condensate formation and transcriptional regulation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Widler Casy, Irvin T. Garza, Xin Chen, Thomas Dong, Yuhui Hu, Mohammed Kanchwala, Cynthia B. Trygg, Charles Shyng, Chao Xing, Bruce A. Bunnell, Stephen E. Braun, Steven J. Gray
Summary: The use of AAV capsid libraries with selection strategies has successfully generated novel AAVs with enhanced features. However, the inability to sequence the complete capsid gene in a high-throughput manner has limited capsid engineering. To overcome this limitation, AAV capsid shuffled libraries were generated and directed evolution was applied in mice and non-human primates to yield AAVs compatible for translational applications. The use of single molecule real-time sequencing and nuclei-enrichment step provided insights for variant identification in the central nervous system.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Fieke W. Hoff, Chao Xing, Vinaya Simha, Anil K. Agarwal, Xunzhi Zhang, Leena Lekkala, Madhumati S. Vaishnav, Frank Vuitch, Abhimanyu Garg
Summary: Through a study on an Asian Indian family, it was found that 4 family members had Werner's syndrome instead of the common types of diabetes. The research suggests that the diagnosis of Werner's syndrome should be considered in cases with consanguinity, dysmorphic features, and malignancy.
MOLECULAR GENETICS & GENOMIC MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Bogale Aredo, Ashwani Kumar, Bo Chen, Chao Xing, Rafael L. Ufret-Vincenty
Summary: In this study, the fundus camera-delivered light-induced retinal degeneration model was used to analyze cell type-specific responses to retinal oxidative injury. It was found that a subpopulation of Muller glia cells plays a crucial role in the cellular recovery process. These findings may contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches for minimizing damage and promoting recovery.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Brian C. Leonard, Sangwan Park, Soohyun Kim, Laura J. Young, Iman Jalilian, Krista Cosert, Xunzhi Zhang, Jessica M. Skeie, Hanna Shevalye, Nayeli Echeverria, Vanessa Rozo, Xin Gong, Chao Xing, Christopher J. Murphy, Mark A. Greiner, V. Vinod Mootha, Vijay Krishna Raghunathan, Sara M. Thomasy
Summary: This study examines the role of Wwtr1 in murine ocular structure and function, and its relationship with FECD. The results suggest that Wwtr1 deficient mice exhibit phenotypic abnormalities similar to FECD-affected patients, indicating that they could serve as a murine model for late-onset FECD.
INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chunhui Jiang, Ashwani Kumar, Ze Yu, Tracey Shipman, Yong Wang, Renee M. McKay, Chao Xing, Lu Q. Le
Summary: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common tumor-predisposing genetic disorder characterized by the development of benign neurofibromas. This study explored the mechanism of extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition during neurofibroma development and treatment response. The researchers found that basement membrane (BM) proteins, rather than major collagen isoforms, were upregulated in the ECM during plexiform neurofibroma (pNF) development. They also identified TGF-β1 signaling as a key regulator of ECM dynamics and demonstrated that TGF-β1 overexpression promoted pNF progression. The findings suggest that BM proteins could serve as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring the treatment response of NF1.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Leah S. Imlay, Aloysus K. Lawong, Suraksha Gahalawat, Ashwani Kumar, Chao Xing, Nimisha Mittal, Sergio Wittlin, Alisje Churchyard, Hanspeter Niederstrasser, Benigno Crespo-Fernandez, Bruce A. Posner, Francisco-Javier Gamo, Jake Baum, Elizabeth A. Winzeler, Benoit Laleu, Joseph M. Ready, Margaret A. Phillips
Summary: Current malaria treatments face the threat of drug resistance, necessitating the development of new drugs. Through a screening process, (S)-SW228703 ((S)-SW703) was identified as a potential antimalarial with activity against asexual blood and liver stages and a fast-killing profile. Resistance to (S)-SW703 is associated with mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum cyclic amine resistance locus (Pf CARL) and P. falciparum acetyl CoA transporter (PfACT). The discovery of (S)-SW703 offers a new chemical series with broad activity for multiple life-cycle stages and a fast-killing mechanism, which can be further optimized for malaria treatment.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Islam Oguz Tuncay, Darlene Devries, Ashlesha Gogate, Kiran Kaur, Ashwani Kumar, Chao Xing, Kimberly Goodspeed, Leah Seyoum-Tesfa, Maria H. Chahrour
Summary: This study investigates the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in an East African population, revealing a higher prevalence of ASD and decreased genetic heterogeneity. The findings highlight the importance of African genetic variation and admixture analysis in understanding the genetic architecture of complex disorders.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lei Bao, Ashwani Kumar, Ming Zhu, Yan Peng, Chao Xing, Jennifer E. Wang, Yingfei Wang, Weibo Luo
Summary: SAP30 is an important protein in breast cancer, and its upregulation is associated with unfavorable prognosis. Research has shown that SAP30 promotes tumor growth and metastasis through mechanisms other than canonical gene silencing. Additionally, SAP30 enhances cell motility, angiogenesis, and lymphangiogenesis by interacting with other proteins, thereby driving breast cancer progression.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
