Article
Infectious Diseases
Konstantinos Anagnostakos, Ismail Sahan
Summary: The optimal impregnation of antibiotic-loaded bone cement in the treatment of periprosthetic hip and knee joint infection remains unknown, and there is uncertainty about the association of suboptimal impregnation with infection persistence. The study retrospectively evaluated 93 patients and found that regardless of the type of antibiotic impregnation used, reinfection or persistence of infection was observed in the majority of cases when the organism was susceptible to the locally inserted antibiotics or not tested. Further studies on the investigation of the optimal impregnation of antibiotic-loaded bone cement are needed.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Konstantinos Anagnostakos, Soren L. Becker, Ismail Sahan
Summary: Little is known about the clinical use of antifungal-loaded acrylic bone cement in the treatment of periprosthetic hip and knee joint infections. A literature search identified 10 published reports describing 11 patients and 12 joints where antifungal-loaded cement was used. These studies were mainly case reports or case series, and no randomized controlled trials were found. The majority of the studies focused on Candida infections. Further research is urgently needed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of antifungal-loaded bone cement in periprosthetic joint infections.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephen H. Zinner, Kamilla N. Alieva, Maria Golikova, Elena N. Strukova, Yury A. Portnoy, Alexander A. Firsov
Summary: This study explored the restriction of Staphylococcus aureus resistance to linezolid/daptomycin combinations, showing that the combination therapy prevented the enrichment of linezolid-resistant mutants and restricted the daptomycin-resistant mutants. The anti-mutant effects of the combinations were attributed to the lengthening of time above MPC of both antibiotics, which suggests that T->MPC is a reliable predictor of the efficacy of antibiotic combinations against resistant mutants in in vitro dynamic models.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
I-Cheng Chen, Chen-Ying Su, Wei-Han Nien, Tzu-Tien Huang, Chang-Hung Huang, Yung-Chang Lu, Yu-Jen Chen, Gwo-Che Huang, Hsu-Wei Fang
Summary: By varying the composition of ALBC, we could considerably enhance the antibiotic elution rates by increasing porosity, while maintaining an adequate mechanical strength of the bone cements. This finding might provide insights into controlling antibiotic release from ALBC to achieve effective infection control after total joint replacement surgery.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Louis D. Saravolatz, Joan Pawlak
Summary: Fosfomycin exhibited excellent activity against MRSA, including isolates with reduced susceptibility or resistance to other anti-MRSA drugs. Synergy was observed when fosfomycin was combined with linezolid or daptomycin. These combinations may have potential clinical utility in treating serious infections caused by MRSA.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
David Kugelman, Mackenzie Roof, Alexander Egol, Isabella Guanche, Antonia F. Chen, Ran Schwarzkopf, Vinay K. Aggarwal
Summary: This study compared the outcomes of real-component (RC) and all-cement (AC) articulating spacers for total hip arthroplasty (THA) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) treatment. The RC group showed shorter hospital stays and higher likelihood of being discharged home compared to the AC group, with no significant differences in reinfection and reoperation rates between the two spacer constructs.
JOURNAL OF ARTHROPLASTY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Md Saruar Bhuiyan, Jhih-Hang Jiang, Xenia Kostoulias, Ravali Theegala, Graham J. Lieschke, Anton Y. Peleg
Summary: The study investigated host innate immune responses against clinically derived, daptomycin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates using a zebrafish infection model. Results showed that control of daptomycin-resistant S. aureus infections in vivo was compromised due to cross-resistance to host cationic antimicrobial peptides, shedding light on persistent infections caused by this troublesome pathogen.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Hitoshi Kawasuji, Kentaro Nagaoka, Yasuhiro Tsuji, Kou Kimoto, Yusuke Takegoshi, Makito Kaneda, Yushi Murai, Haruka Karaushi, Kotaro Mitsutake, Yoshihiro Yamamoto
Summary: In a systematic review and meta-analysis, the effectiveness and safety of linezolid (LZD) compared to vancomycin (VCM), teicoplanin (TEIC), or daptomycin (DAP) in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia were evaluated. The study found that LZD had comparable effectiveness as VCM, TEIC, or DAP and similar rates of adverse events. LZD could be a potential first-line drug against MRSA bacteremia.
Article
Microbiology
Razieh Kebriaei, Kyle C. Stamper, Katherine L. Lev, Taylor Morrisette, Jacinda C. Abdul-Mutakabbir, Raymond Schuch, Dario Lehoux, Michael J. Rybak
Summary: Exebacase is a lysin that shows lytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA. Time-kill analysis experiments demonstrate the bactericidal activity of exebacase-daptomycin combination against MRSA strains. Additionally, in an ex vivo pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic simulated model, exebacase in combination with daptomycin reduces CFU/g counts of MRSA strain MW2 effectively.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Michael K. Lavdas, Ryan Willing, Brent A. Lanting, Matthew G. Teeter
Summary: A telemetric sensor system was designed and evaluated to measure knee joint temperature with high precision and accuracy in cadaveric testing, showing promising potential for clinical application.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yanlei Xu, Bingjie Wang, Huilin Zhao, Xinyi Wang, Lulin Rao, Wenxiu Ai, Jingyi Yu, Yinjuan Guo, Xiaocui Wu, Fangyou Yu, Shuying Chen
Summary: The study found that all MRSA isolates remained sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid and daptomycin, but an increase in MIC50 and MIC90 was observed for linezolid.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jingjuan Feng, Feng Xiang, Jian Cheng, Yeli Gou, Jun Li
Summary: Among 20 eligible randomized controlled trials, linezolid was found to have higher rates of clinical and microbiological success in the treatment of MRSA-caused SSTIs, with no significant differences in safety. Therefore, based on limited evidence, linezolid may be the preferred antibiotic for MRSA-caused SSTIs.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Joaquin Garcia-Garcia, Galo Azuara, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Cielo Garcia-Montero, Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon, Sara Ruiz-Diez, Melchor Alvarez-Mon, Julia Bujan, Natalio Garcia-Honduvilla, Miguel A. Ortega, Basilio de la Torre
Summary: This study improves the tissue response to bone infection by modifying bone cement with PLGA microspheres and combining it with daptomycin and vancomycin.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Grace Kaul, Abdul Akhir, Manjulika Shukla, Kundan S. Rawat, Chandra P. Sharma, Komal G. Sangu, Haridas B. Rode, Atul Goel, Sidharth Chopra
Summary: Nitazoxanide exhibits potent activity against clinical drug-resistant S. aureus and Enterococcus spp., concentration-dependent killing, ability to eradicate S. aureus biofilm, and lack of generation of resistance in S. aureus. Nitazoxanide synergizes strongly with linezolid against linezolid-susceptible and -resistant S. aureus, showing superior activity compared to untreated control and drug-alone treatment groups, both in vitro and in vivo.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Wenbin Zhu, Fang Liu, Biao Yu, Jingwei He
Summary: Incorporating BTTMA into acrylic bone cement improved some properties such as flexural modulus and compressive strength, but also decreased setting time and certain mechanical properties. Additionally, bone cement with 15 wt% of BTTMA showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Communication
Carlos Lopezosa, Lluis Codina, Ariadna Fernandez-Planells, Pere Freixa
Summary: This article systematically reviews various new journalistic formats, such as structured journalism, immersive journalism, 360 degrees video reports, virtual reality and augmented reality applied to journalism, newsgames and docugames. It analyzes the academic impact of these studies and tracks their evolution over time. The opinions of leading researchers in the field are also obtained through interviews, providing insights into the future of journalism and changing trends in journalistic formats. The findings reveal a peak in academic publications on journalistic innovation in 2019, with a focus on information and content, audience, methods and resources, and news media companies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beatriz G. G. de la Torre, Fernando Albericio
Summary: While the world was battling with the COVID-19 Omicron wave at the end of 2021, except for China, most countries ended 2022 with COVID-19 being treated like the flu. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only authorized 37 new drugs this year, compared to an average of 52 in the previous four years. This marks the second lowest number of drug approvals in the last six years, even though it may change in the future. The decrease in FDA approvals mainly applies to small molecule drugs, while biologics and TIDES have remained relatively constant.
Review
Communication
Carlos Lopezosa, Javier Guallar, Lluis Codina, Mario Perez-Montoro
Summary: This study conducted a systematic review of content curation and journalism using the scoping review format. The results indicate that 2020 witnessed the highest number of academic works published in this area. Research topics included content curation and new journalistic formats, curation on social media and online tools, algorithmic curation, and content curation and misinformation.
REVISTA MEDITERRANEA COMUNICACION-JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION
(2023)
Article
Communication
Lluis Codina, Alejandro Morales-Vargas, Rafael Pedraza Jimenez, Sergi Cortinas-Rovira
Summary: Scholarly communication refers to a wide range of activities related to the publication and dissemination of academic works. It includes tasks such as dissemination, treatment, analysis, and information retrieval carried out by databases and other agents that are not only directly connected to publication but also mutually influenced. In addition, other interconnected activities such as preservation and increased visibility, as well as specialized actions carried out by university libraries, need to be considered. Therefore, a unified discipline is needed to study academic communication and address its main problems.
INDEX COMUNICACION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonel Pekarek, Alicia Sanchez Cendra, Eduardo D. Roberts D. Cervantes, Cristina Sanchez Cendra, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Cielo Garcia-Montero, Raul Diaz-Pedrero, Diego Torres-Carranza, Laura Lopez-Gonzalez, Soledad Aguado-Henche, Antonio Rios-Parra, Luis M. Garcia-Puente, Natalio Garcia-Honduvilla, Julia Bujan, Melchor Alvarez-Mon, Miguel A. Saez, Miguel A. Ortega
Summary: Breast cancer is a common malignancy in women and can either be localized or metastatic. The discovery of targeted therapies has revolutionized the prognosis for patients with metastatic disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Carlos Lopezosa, Dimitrios Giomelakis, Leyberson Pedrosa, Lluis Codina
Summary: This paper is the first academic study on the application of Google Discover in online journalism. By conducting 61 semi-structured interviews, the researchers found different opinions on the main dimensions of Google Discover in Brazil, Spain, and Greece, and proposed a set of best practices for journalists and digital media teams to increase their visibility on Google Discover.
ONLINE INFORMATION REVIEW
(2023)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Miguel A. Ortega, Diego De Leon-Oliva, Cielo Garcia-Montero, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Diego Liviu Boaru, Maria del Val Toledo Lobo, Ignacio Garcia-Tunon, Mar Royuela, Natalio Garcia-Honduvilla, Julia Bujan, Luis G. Guijarro, Melchor Alvarez-Mon, Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon
Summary: Histone acetylation is essential for chromatin organization, gene expression, and cell cycle control. Histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1), the first identified acetyltransferase, remains poorly understood. HAT1 acetylates newly synthesized H4 and H2A in the cytoplasm but loses acetylation marks after 20 minutes of assembly. It also has noncanonical functions, including regulating nuclear translocation, DNA replication, histone production, DNA damage repair, and various diseases. HAT1 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target, and new therapeutic approaches are being explored.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
K. P. Nandhini, Mahama Alhassan, Clinton G. L. Veale, Fernando Albericio, Beatriz G. de la Torre
Summary: The solid-phase synthesis of Met-containing peptides often leads to the formation of impurities, Met(O) and sulfonium salt, due to oxidation and S-alkylation reactions. These reactions occur during the final acidolytic cleavage step. In this study, two new cleavage solutions were developed to eliminate oxidation and reduce S-alkylation. The optimal mixture for Cys-containing peptides was TFA-anisole-TMSCl-Me2S-TIS with triphenyl phosphine, while TIS was not required for other peptides. Both cleavage solutions were effective for sensitive amino acids like Cys and Trp. The sulfonium salt was successfully reversed to free Met-containing peptide by heating with acetic acid.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander C. Martins, Fernando Albericio, Beatriz G. de la Torre
Summary: The year 2022 saw the successful control of the COVID-19 pandemic in most countries through social and hygiene measures and vaccination campaigns. However, there was a decrease in total drug approvals by the FDA, particularly for small molecules. The Biologics class, on the other hand, maintained its figures with the authorization of 15 novel molecules.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Othman Al Musaimi, Danah Al Shaer, Fernando Albericio, Beatriz G. de la Torre
Summary: In 2022, a total of 37 new drug entities were approved, with TIDES class drugs gaining five authorizations, consisting of four peptides and one oligonucleotide. The majority of these drugs (23 out of 37) were first-in-class and received fast-track designation by the FDA. This analysis focuses on the TIDES approved in 2022, examining their chemical structure, medical target, mode of action, administration route, and common adverse effects.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Miguel A. Ortega, Cielo Garcia-Montero, Oscar Fraile-Martinez, Diego De Leon-Oliva, Diego Liviu Boaru, Coral Bravo, Juan A. De Leon-Luis, Miguel A. Saez, Angel Asunsolo, Ignacio Romero-Gerechter, Alejandro Sanz-Giancola, Raul Diaz-Pedrero, Laura Lopez-Gonzalez, Luis G. Guijarro, Silvestra Barrena-Blazquez, Julia Bujan, Natalio Garcia-Honduvilla, Melchor Alvarez-Mon, Miguel Angel Alvarez-Mon, Guillermo Lahera
Summary: Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a loss of touch with reality. A first-episode psychosis during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both the mother and newborn. This study aimed to analyze the gene and protein expression of oxytocin (OXT), oxytocin receptor (OXTR), vasopressin (AVP), and vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) in the placental tissue of pregnant women after a first-episode psychosis. The results showed increased gene and protein expression of OXT, AVP, OXTR, and AVPR1A in the placental tissue of these women. This suggests that an abnormal paracrine/endocrine activity of the placenta may be associated with a first-episode psychosis during pregnancy, negatively impacting the well-being of both the mother and fetus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tanya Roman, Gerardo Acosta, Beatriz G. de la Torre, Constanza Cardenas, Fanny Guzman, Fernando Albericio
Summary: This study presents an optimized procedure for activating 2-chlorotrityl chloride (2-CTC) resin, reducing the use of activation reagent and activation time. It also demonstrates the feasibility of reusing the resin and achieving different degrees of activation by varying the amount of thionyl chloride (SOCl2).
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Babita Kushwaha, Sinenhlanhla N. Mthembu, Anamika Sharma, Fernando Albericio, Beatriz G. de la Torre
Summary: We have synthesized disulfide-reducing agents DPDT and DMPDT from serinol and methyl serinol, respectively. DPDT demonstrated higher stability than DMPDT. The reducing capacity of DPDT was found to be comparable to that of DTT, and its effectiveness was evaluated in both liquid and solid phases.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
K. P. Nandhini, Danah Al Shaer, Fernando Albericio, Beatriz G. G. de la Torre
Summary: Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) are important mimics of DNA/RNA that can effectively bind with high affinity and specificity. Due to their metabolic stability, PNAs have broad applications in various fields. However, PNA synthesis faces challenges such as difficulties in preparing monomers and their solubility, as well as obstacles related to intra/inter chain aggregation and side reactions. Different protecting group strategies can be employed to overcome these hurdles and optimize the synthesis process.
CHEMICAL SOCIETY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
K. P. Nandhini, Sikabwe Noki, Edikarlos Brasil, Fernando Albericio, Beatriz G. de la Torre
Summary: Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) are a class of synthetic biomolecules with great potential in medicine. A new PNA SPS strategy based on a safety-catch protecting group scheme has been developed, allowing the synthesis of PNAs using Boc as a temporal protecting group.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Greta Camilla Magnano, Marika Quadri, Elisabetta Palazzo, Roberta Lotti, Francesca Loschi, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Michela Abrami, Francesca Larese Filon, Alessandra Marconi, Dritan Hasa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the loading of sildenafil citrate in three commercial transdermal vehicles using 3D full-thickness skin equivalent and compare the results with permeability experiments using porcine skin. The results showed that the results obtained using the 3D skin equivalent were comparable to those obtained using porcine skin, suggesting that the 3D skin model can be a valid alternative for ex-vivo skin absorption experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2024)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
James W. Mckeage, Andrew Z. H. Tan, Andrew J. Taberner
Summary: Needle-free jet injection is a promising alternative drug delivery technique that offers rapid, non-invasive, and large-volume injections. The study presents a prototype multi-orifice nozzle and a computational fluid dynamic model to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this technology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2024)
