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Background: In previous decades, large-scale research has been carried out on bacterial meningitis. In every field, citation analysis is the most significant contribution. The study's objective was to identify and analyze the 100 articles on bacterial meningitis that received the most citations between 2000 and 2023, highlighting the most significant developments in the field. Objective: The objective of this study was to find out what makes a highly influential article by identifying and analyzing the characteristics of the 100 articles in the field of bacterial meningitis that receive the most citations. The goal of this study was to find and examine the 100 articles on bacterial meningitis that received the most citations. Methodology: We identified the top 100 most-cited papers in the field of bacterial meningitis from 55 journals using the Dimensions AI database. The results of each author's analysis of 100 articles were then compared. We gathered fundamental data such as the journal's title, country of publication, and study type. Descriptive counts or percentages were used to compare the various categories. Results: Between the year 2000 and the year 2023, articles were published. The total number of citations ranged from 115 to 1176, with 42 papers receiving more than 200 citations. In 2008, 14 articles were published, followed by 10 in 2000 and 2007. One thousand one hundred and seventy-six times were given to the most-cited paper, whereas 115 times were given to the least-cited article. "Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in Adults with Bacterial Meningitis," by Diederik van de Beek, et al. (2004) was the article that received the most citations. 1176 people have cited this article. van de Beek Diederik of the Academic Medical Center in The Netherlands is the author who has written the most articles, was mentioned in 14 of the top 100 articles. Papers were primarily published in Pediatrics (n = 9) publication with 1861 citations. The Netherlands came in second with 18 publications, followed by the United States (n = 46). Conclusion: Our study uses bibliometrics and visualization analysis of the most important articles in this field to show the current state of research in the area of bacterial meningitis, provide a history of research trends, and offer a perspective for future bacterial predicts the growth of meningitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanocatalytic antimicrobial gel responsive to the bacterial infection microenvironment (IME) possessing highly specific antimicrobial properties provides an opportunity to address the bacterial drug resistance. However, the pH conditions and low substrate concentration in the IME limit the catalytic antimicrobial efficiency of these agents, resulting in unsatisfactory performance. The reported transition metal peroxide alleviates endogenous substrate insufficiency due to H2O2 self-supplying properties, but still suffers from difficulties of simple synthesis, long-stem storage and lower intrinsic catalytic efficiency responsive to the IME. In this paper, we report for the first time the use of cerium-manganese bimetallic peroxide nanoparticles (CeMnOx) as a nanocatalyst with high pH responsiveness, H2O2 self-supplying properties, multiple ROS-generating activity and synergistic effect-enhanced cascade catalytic reactions for efficient antimicrobial therapy. CeMnOx achieved more than 95% kill rate at 50 mg mL-1 for E. coli and 100 mg mL-1 for S. aureus, which was superior to those of previously reported works. To further improve the availability, nanoparticle-carrying hydrogels with excellent antimicrobial properties were prepared through in situ gelation, thus adapting to a wider range of antimicrobial application scenarios. Therefore, the in situ molded nanocatalytic antimicrobial gels provide a promising paradigm for efficient treatment of bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abuse of antibiotics urgently requires rapid identification of drug-resistant bacteria at the point of care (POC). Here we report a visual paper sensor that allows rapid (0.25-3 h) discrimination of the subtypes of β-lactamase (the major cause of bacterial resistance) for precision antibiotic therapy. The sensor exhibits high performance in identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria with 100 real samples from patients with diverse bacterial infections, demonstrating 100% clinical sensitivity and specificity. Further, this sensor can enhance the accuracy of antibiotic use from 48% empirically to 83%, and further from 50.6% to 97.6% after eliminating fungal infection cases. Our work provides a POC testing platform for guiding effective management of bacterial infections in both hospital and community settings. The rapid identification of drug-resistant bacteria is vital for effective treatment and to avoid antibiotic misuse. Here authors report a paper-based sensor which utilises chromogenic carbapenem and cephalosporin substrates for the identification and discrimination of β-lactamase subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria and infections such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a serious challenge to global healthcare. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is becoming a highly effective antimicrobial method. Compared with near infrared I (NIR-I), near infrared II (NIR-II) has deeper penetration depth, less light scattering and higher maximum permissible exposure (MPE). The selection of a photothermal agent (PTA) and laser parameters is important. Three kinds of MXenes, Nb2C, Ti3C2 and V2C, were prepared in this paper, and the extinction coefficient and photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of NIR-I and NIR-II were compared. The extinction coefficient of Ti3C2 (26.23 L g−1 cm−1) at 808 nm was greater than those of Nb2C (24.38 L g−1 cm−1) and V2C (19.43 L g−1 cm−1). However, V2C had a higher temperature than Nb2C at 808 nm due to its high PCE (49.26%). Nb2C had a higher extinction coefficient (24.99 L g−1 cm−1) and PCE (45.55%) at 1064 nm, resulting in the highest temperature change. High extinction coefficient and high PCE are the two important factors for an excellent PTA. To reduce laser power used in the treatment, NIR-II laser and a gelation strategy for MXenes were used. The prepared Nb2C/Gel could be rapidly heated to 62 °C at a laser power of 0.112 W (lower than MPE), and the sterilization rate for MRSA was 92.48%. A NIH-3T3 cell activity study showed that the prepared Nb2C had good biocompatibility. Nb2C/Gel has excellent antibacterial properties and it is expected that a rapid, efficient and safe biological antimicrobial strategy against bacterial infections can be established using Nb2C/Gel, especially for drug-resistant bacterial infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Looking into the literature, many articles accuse bacterial persister cells as important causes of infection relapse/recalcitrance. This opinion paper, highlights the knowledge gaps and scientific misconceptions in experimental procedures regarding the role of persisters in relapse/recalcitrance of infections and recommends a roadmap for investigations in this field. Conclusion: It is debated in this paper, that unless the queries and missing points are addressed clearly, persisters cannot be stigmatized as the culprit of infection relapse/recalcitrance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Ashwagandha, a traditional Indian plant, is gaining increasive attention from scientists worldwide due to its potential health benefits, especially in the context of its antibacterial and anticancer properties. Aim of the study The aim of this review was to discuss recent findings regarding the impact of Withania Somnifera on antibacterial effect and its potential applications in anticancer therapy. Materials and methods: The paper was created based on the Pubmed and Google Scholar database. The literature was reviewed using the keywards:,,Ashwagandha”,,,Withania Somnifera”,,,antibacterial ”,,,anticancer”,,,side effects”,,,breats cancer”. Results Studies have confirmed Withania Somnifera, exhibits significant anticacterial and anticancer effects. It inhibits the growth of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Futhermore, it demonstrates anticancer activity, especially in breast cancer, by stimulating apoptosis, induction of cytotoxic effects on cancerous cells and increasing cell sensitivity to radiation. Conclusion Despite promising results, futher research on the benefits of Ashwagandha, particulary in the long term, is essential. There is growing need of more research of the potencial benefits of Ashwagandha in the treatment of various disorders including cancer and bacterial infections and to develop more effective therapeutic strategies. The need for large randomized studies comparing long term clinical effectiveness is emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Tick-borne diseases, caused by bacterial pathogens, pose a growing threat to public health in Europe. This paper provides an overview of the historical context of the discovery of the most impactful pathogens transmitted by ticks, including Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Francisella spp., Ehrlichia spp., and Neoehrlichia mikurensis. Understanding the historical context of their discovery provides insight into the evolution of our understanding of these pathogens. Methods and results: Systematic investigation of the prevalence and transmission dynamics of these bacterial pathogens is provided, highlighting the intricate relationships among ticks, host organisms, and the environment. Epidemiology is explored, providing an in-depth analysis of clinical features associated with infections. Diagnostic methodologies undergo critical examination, with a spotlight on technological advancements that enhance detection capabilities. Additionally, the paper discusses available treatment options, addressing existing therapeutic strategies and considering future aspects. Conclusions: By integrating various pieces of information on these bacterial species, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive resource for researchers and healthcare professionals addressing the impact of bacterial tick-borne diseases in Europe. This review underscores the importance of understanding the complex details influencing bacterial prevalence and transmission dynamics to better combat these emerging public health threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease, as well as a complex immune disease. The occurrence, development, and prognosis of TB are not only related to the pathogenicity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), but also related to the patient's own immune state. The research and development of immunotherapy drugs can effectively regulate the body's anti-TB immune responses, inhibit or eliminate Mtb, alleviate pathological damage, and facilitate rehabilitation. This paper reviews the research progress of immunotherapeutic compounds for TB, including immunoregulatory compounds and repurposing drugs, and points out the existing problems and future research directions, which lays the foundation for studying new agents for host-directed therapies of TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specificity of phages and their ability to evolve and overcome bacterial resistance make them potentially useful as adjuncts in the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. The goal of this study was to mimic a natural grouping of phages of interest and to evaluate the nature of their proliferation dynamics with bacteria. We have, for the first time, transferred naturally occurring phage groups directly from their sources of isolation to in vitro and identified 13 P. aeruginosa and 11 K. pneumoniae phages of 18 different genera, whose host range was grouped as 1.2–17%, 28–48% and 60–87%, using a large collection of P. aeruginosa (n = 102) and K. pneumoniae (n = 155) strains carrying different virulence factors and phage binding receptors. We introduced the interpretation model curve for phage liquid culturing, which allows easy and quick analysis of bacterial and phage co-proliferation and growth of phage-resistant mutants (PRM) based on qualitative and partially quantitative evaluations. We assayed phage lytic activities both individually and in 14 different cocktails on planktonic bacterial cultures, including three resistotypes of P. aeruginosa (PAO1, PA14 and PA7) and seven K. pneumoniae strains of different capsular serotypes. Based on the results, the natural phage cocktails designed and tested in this study largely performed well and inhibited PRM growth either synergistically or in proto-cooperation. This study contributes to the knowledge of phage behavior in cocktails and the formulation of therapeutic phage preparations. The paper also provides a detailed description of the methods of working with phages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial de-escalation refers to reducing the spectrum of antibiotics used in treating bacterial infections. This strategy is widely recommended in many antimicrobial stewardship programs and is believed to reduce patients' exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics and prevent resistance. However, the ecological benefits of de-escalation have not been universally observed in clinical studies. This paper conducts computer simulations to assess the ecological effects of de-escalation on the resistance prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa—a frequent pathogen causing nosocomial infections. Synthetic data produced by the models are then used to estimate the sample size and study period needed to observe the predicted effects in clinical trials. Our results show that de-escalation can reduce colonization and infections caused by bacterial strains resistant to the empiric antibiotic, limit the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, and avoid inappropriate empiric therapies. Further, we show that de-escalation could reduce the overall super-infection incidence, and this benefit becomes more evident under good compliance with hand hygiene protocols among health care workers. Finally, we find that any clinical study aiming to observe the essential effects of de-escalation should involve at least ten arms and last for four years—a size never attained in prior studies. This study explains the controversial findings of de-escalation in previous clinical studies and illustrates how mathematical models can inform outcome expectations and guide the design of clinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and analyzing mixed pathogenic bacteria is important for clinical diagnosis and antibiotic therapy of multiple bacterial infection. In this paper, a dual-mode hyperspectral microscopic detection technology with hybrid deep neural networks (DNNs) was proposed for simultaneous quantitative analysis of four kinds of pathogenic bacteria in mixed samples. To acquire both transmission and fluorescence spectra regarding the mixed pathogens, we developed a dual-mode hyperspectral detection system with fine spectral resolution and wide wavelength range, which can also generate spatial images that can be used to calculate the total amount of mixed bacteria. The dual-mode spectra were regarded as mixed proportion characteristics and the input of the neural network for predicting the proportion of each bacterium present in the mixture. To better analyze the dual-mode spectral data, we customized a mixed bacteria measurement network (MB-Net) with hybrid DNNs architectures based on spectral feature fusion. Using the fusion strategy, two DNNs frameworks applied for transmission/fluorescence spectral feature processing were stacked to form the MB-Net that processes these features simultaneously, and the achieved average coefficient of determination (R2) and RMSE of validation set are 0.96 and 0.03, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time of simultaneously detecting four types of mixed pathogenic bacteria using spectral detection technology, showing excellent potential in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phages of phytopathogenic bacteria are considered to be promising agents for the biological control of bacterial diseases in plants. This paper reports on the isolation and characterisation of a new Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris phage, Murka. Phage morphology and basic kinetic characteristics of the infection were determined, and a phylogenomic analysis was performed. The phage was able to lyse a reasonably broad range (64%, 9 of the 14 of the Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris strains used in the study) of circulating strains of the cabbage black rot pathogen. This lytic myovirus has a DNA genome of 44,044 bp and contains 83 predicted genes. Taxonomically, it belongs to the genus Foxunavirus. This bacteriophage is promising for use as a possible means of biological control of cabbage black rot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that is well-known in the palaeopathological record because it can affect the skeleton and consequently leaves readily identifiable macroscopic alterations. Palaeopathological case studies provide invaluable information about the spatio-temporal distribution of TB in the past. This is true for those archaeological periods and geographical regions from when and where no or very few TB cases have been published until now–as in the Sarmatian period (1st–5th centuries CE) in the Barbaricum of the Carpathian Basin. The aim of our paper is to discuss five newly discovered TB cases (HK199, HK201, HK225, HK253, and HK309) from the Sarmatian-period archaeological site of Hódmezővásárhely–Kenyere-ér, Bereczki-tanya (Csongrád-Csanád county, Hungary). Detailed macromorphological evaluation of the skeletons focused on the detection of bony changes likely associated with different forms of TB. In all five cases, the presence of endocranial alterations (especially TB-specific granular impressions) suggests that these individuals suffered from TB meningitis. Furthermore, the skeletal lesions observed in the spine and both hip joints of HK225 indicate that this juvenile also had multifocal osteoarticular TB. Thanks to the discovery of HK199, HK201, HK225, HK253, and HK309, the number of TB cases known from the Sarmatian-period Carpathian Basin doubled, implying that the disease was likely more frequent in the Barbaricum than previously thought. Without the application of granular impressions, the diagnosis of TB could not have been established in these five cases. Thus, the identification of TB in these individuals highlights the importance of diagnostics development, especially the refinement of diagnostic criteria. Based on the above, the systematic macromorphological (re-)evaluation of osteoarchaeological series from the Sarmatian-period Carpathian Basin would be advantageous to provide a more accurate picture of how TB may have impacted the ancestral human communities of the Barbaricum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern due to the growth of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms, which makes it difficult to treat infection. Due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against a diverse array of bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus larval antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have demonstrated potential as antimicrobial agents for the treatment of microbial infections and prevention of antibiotic resistance. This study emphasizes the unexplored mechanisms of action of R. ferrugineus larvae against microorganisms. Among the most widely discussed mechanisms is the effect of AMPs in larvae in response to a threat or infection. Modulation of immune-related genes in the intestine and phagocytic capacity of its hemocytes may also affect the antimicrobial activity of R. ferrugineus larvae, with an increase in phenoloxidase activity possibly correlated with microbial clearance and survival rates of larvae. The safety and toxicity of R. ferrugineus larvae extracts, as well as their long-term efficacy, are also addressed in this paper. The implications of future research are explored in this paper, and it is certain that R. ferrugineus larvae have the potential to be developed as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with proper investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diphtheria is a fatal bacterial infection primarily affecting the respiratory system, characterized by a thick membrane formation in the throat, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This manuscript elucidates sociological interventions, aimed at protecting the population of Nigeria from diphtheria, a preventable yet persisting health threat. It delves into diverse strategies that could be employed to combat misconceptions, navigate deeply ingrained cultural biases, and instill the significance of vaccination within the context of diphtheria outbreak and prevention. The research question was: "What are the sociological interventions, used to address misconceptions, cultural biases, and promote vaccination in the context of diphtheria prevention in Nigeria?" In response to this inquiry, a comprehensive review methodology was employed to systematically gather, evaluate, and synthesize relevant literature outputs. The literature search, conducted across diverse academic databases and repositories, yields a rich collection of studies, reports, and case studies. The lens of Symbolic Interactionism was applied. The sociological interventions, considered in this context, engage directly with communities, healthcare providers, and local leaders. It addresses the vital need to combat misconceptions, cultural biases, and vaccine hesitancy, fostering a deeper understanding of the dynamic interplay between sociological factors and healthcare interventions. Sociological interventions for diphtheria protection in Nigeria require culturally sensitive approaches, community engagement, health education, addressing vaccine hesitancy, offering accessible vaccination services, tackling socioeconomic barriers, targeted messaging, behavioral change communication, data collection, and research collaborations to understand and address sociocultural factors influencing vaccine uptake and prevention. The findings and implications offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers, and lay the groundwork for more effective strategies to protect the population from this preventable disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus is a native species to most Asian countries, including Malaysia which faced series of bacterial disease such as edwardsiellosis caused by E.ictaluri. Edwardsiella ictaluri is a Gram-negative intracellular bacterial pathogen which had caused mortalities in farmed or wild fish in lots of countries and accountable for large economic losses. This study was conducted to determine disease status of Pangasius spp due to Edwardsiella ictaluri and to determine the risk factors of E.ictaluri in striped catfish in Pahang River, Malaysia. Four sampling sites were chosen, two sites in Pekan (Kampung Belimbing and Kampung Tanjung Pulai) and two sites in Temerloh (Kampung Teluk Ira and Kampung Bintang). Thirty samples were collected from each farm for 6 months consecutively and four organ tissues were taken which were liver, spleen, kidney, and brain. External and internal clinical signs were recorded accordingly. DNA was extracted from all tissues and pursued for PCR to detect the presence of Edwardsiella ictaluri. Results show that the infected fish has gross internal clinical signs such as patchy liver, white nodular spleen, and congested kidney. The prevalence rate of E.ictaluri was highest at Kampung Tanjung Pulai in June with 16.67% compared to all farms. No infection of E.ictaluri shown at Kampung Belimbing during the whole sampling session. Spearman's rho correlation showed that the prevalence of E.ictaluri has strong correlation with temperature in Kampung Tanjung Pulai (p > 0.05). Meanwhile those bacteria prevalence have strong relationship with ammonia, sulfide and total suspended solid (TSS) with p< 0.05. The susceptible size for this bacterium in striped catfish is between 1 to 50g. To our knowledge, this paper is the first report for Edwardsiella ictaluri in cage cultured P.hypopthalmus in Pahang River, Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been one of the most common bacterial infections in clinical practice worldwide. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) based algorithms have been increasingly applied in UTI case identification and prediction. However, the overall performance of AI/ML algorithms in identifying and predicting UTI has not been evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively evaluate the application value of AI/ML in identifying and predicting UTI cases. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and PubMed databases were systematically searched for articles published up to December 31, 2023. Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2) and Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) were used to assess the risk of bias. Study characteristics and detailed algorithm information were extracted. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were synthesized using a bivariate mix-effects model. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were conducted to test the source of heterogeneity. Results: In total, 11 studies with 14 AI/ML models were included in the final meta-analysis. The overall pooled AUC was 0.89 (95%CI 0.86–0.92). Additionally, the pooled Sen, Spe, PLR, NLR, and DOR were 0.78 (95%CI 0.71–0.84), 0.89 (95%CI 0.83–0.93), 6.99 (95%CI 4.38–11.14), 0.25 (95%CI 0.18–0.34) and 28.07 (95%CI 14.27–55.20), respectively. The results of meta-regression suggested that reference standard definitions might be the source of heterogeneity. Conclusion: AI/ML algorithms appear to be promising to help clinicians detect and identify patients at high risk of UTIs. However, further studies are demanded to evaluate the application value of AI/ML more thoroughly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a significant global concern, necessitating the development of either new antibiotics or advanced delivery methods. With this in mind, we report on the synthesis and characterisation of a new family of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs), OnG6 MOFs, designed to act as multi-drug carriers for bacterial infection treatment. OnG6 is based on the pro-drug 4,4′-azodisalicylic acid (AZDH4), which in vivo produces two equivalents of para-aminosalicylic acid (ASA), a crucial drug for M. tuberculosis treatment. X-ray and computational studies revealed that OnG6 MOFs are mesoporous MOFs with etb topology and an [M2(AZD)] formula (M = Zn, OnG6-Zn; Mg, OnG6-Mg; Cu, OnG6-Cu; and Co, OnG6-Co), featuring 1-dimensional channel type pores of 25 Å diameter. OnG6 MOFs are the first reported MOFs bearing the ligand AZDH4, joining the family of mesoporous MOFs arranged in a honeycomb pattern. They absorb isoniazid (INH) and ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) with the former being a specific antibiotic for M. tuberculosis, and the latter being a broader-spectrum antibiotic. The stability of the MOFs and their capacity for antibiotic uptake depend on the nature of the metal ion, with OnG6-Mg demonstrating the highest drug absorption. The antimicrobial activity of these species was assessed against S. aureus and E. coli, revealing that the carriers containing CIPRO displayed optimal efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year, an estimated 7·7 million deaths are attributed to bacterial infections, of which 4.95 million are associated with drug-resistant pathogens, and 1·27 million are caused by bacterial pathogens resistant to the antibiotics available. Access to effective antibiotics when indicated prolongs life, reduces disability, reduces health-care expenses, and enables access to other life-saving medical innovations. Antimicrobial resistance undoes these benefits and is a major barrier to attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, including targets for newborn survival, progress on healthy ageing, and alleviation of poverty. Adverse consequences from antimicrobial resistance are seen across the human life course in both health-care-associated and community-associated infections, as well as in animals and the food chain. The small set of effective antibiotics has narrowed, especially in resource-poor settings, and people who are very young, very old, and severely ill are particularly susceptible to resistant infections. This paper, the first in a Series on the challenge of antimicrobial resistance, considers the global scope of the problem and how it should be measured. Robust and actionable data are needed to drive changes and inform effective interventions to contain resistance. Surveillance must cover all geographical regions, minimise biases towards hospital-derived data, and include non-human niches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achilles tendon defect is caused by direct or indirect violence that makes it difficult for the tensile strength of the Achilles tendon to resist external forces. It is characterized by a lack of tissue integrity around the Achilles tendon, local bruising or bacterial infection, and ultimately leads to abnormal gait. This paper reviews the recent research progress of biodegradable polymeric materials in treating Achilles tendon defects at home and abroad, mainly introducing the therapeutic impact on the repair of Achilles tendon defects from materials alone, materials combined with drugs or cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time of day affects how well the immune system responds to viral or bacterial infections. While it is well known that the immune system is regulated by the circadian clock, the dynamic origin of time-of-day-dependent immunity remains unclear. In this paper, we studied the circadian control of immune response upon infection of influenza A virus through mathematical modeling. Dynamic simulation analyses revealed that the time-of-day-dependent immunity was rooted in the relative phase between the circadian clock and the pulse of viral infection. The relative phase, which depends on the time the infection occurs, plays a crucial role in the immune response. It can drive the immune system to one of two distinct bistable states, a high inflammatory state with a higher mortality rate or a safe state characterized by low inflammation. The mechanism we found here also explained why the same species infected by different viruses has different time-of-day-dependent immunities. Further, the time-of-day-dependent immunity was found to be abolished when the immune system was regulated by an impaired circadian clock with decreased oscillation amplitude or without oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections are a leading cause of death globally. The detection of DNA sequences correlated to the causative pathogen has become a vital tool in medical diagnostics. In practice, PCR-based assays for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens currently rely on probe-based quantitative strategies that require expensive equipment but have limited sensitivity or multiplexing capabilities. Hence, novel approaches to address the limitations of the current gold standard methods are still in high demand. In this study, we propose a simple multiplex PCR/SERS assay for the simultaneous detection of four bacterial pathogens, namely P. aeruginosa, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and M. smegmatis. Wherein, specific primers for amplifying each target gDNA were applied, followed by applying SERS nanotags functionalized with complementary DNA probes and Raman reporters for specific identification of the target bacterial pathogens. The PCR/SERS assay showed high specificity and sensitivity for genotyping bacterial pathogen gDNA, whereby as few as 100 copies of the target gDNA could be detected. With high sensitivity and the convenience of standard PCR amplification, the proposed assay shows great potential for the sensitive detection of multiple pathogen infections to aid clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Veterinarians are at risk for numerous zoonotic infections. In this paper, we summarise descriptions of zoonotic infections from a questionnaire study and a series of work-related zoonotic cases, aiming to add to the knowledge on occupational zoonotic risks of veterinarians. We collected data on zoonotic infections contracted by veterinarians in Finland in two studies:1) using a questionnaire in 2009, and 2) inviting veterinarians who had encountered an occupational zoonosis to report it in structured interviews in 2019. In the questionnaire study in 2009, of 306 veterinarians several reported zoonotic bacterial skin infections (12%), dermatophytosis (ringworm; 4.2%), virus infections (3.9%), bacterial gastroenteritis (3.3%), other bacterial zoonoses (2.3%), and parasitic infections/infestations (2.3%). In the 2019 interviews, 16 occupational zoonosis cases were reported. Of them, seven were selected to the case series. The selected cases included Capnocytophaga canimorsus sepsis following a dog bite, cryptosporidiosis after a contact with calves, cutaneous listeriosis following calving assistance, Salmonella gastroenteritis contracted at laboratory, Trichophyton dermatophytosis after equine contact, Bacillus anthracis exposure at necropsy, and exposure to rabies through a horse bite. In four of the seven cases, the veterinarian disagreed or strongly disagreed with having had good knowledge of the zoonosis before the incident. The results from the questionnaire study and the case series illustrate the variety of zoonotic pathogens that veterinarians may encounter. There is a need to improve the occupational health of veterinarians and to increase awareness in the occupational health sector. We encourage addressing this need using a One Health approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This paper presents a rare case of subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE) following a herpes zoster (HZ) episode, with no prior records found in the existing literature. Patient information Specifically, we describe a case of a 76-year-old female whose diagnosis of SBE was hindered by the concurrent manifestation of HZ symptoms, which had emerged 3 weeks before the onset of SBE indicators. Follow-up and outcomes This delay in diagnosis resulted in profound complications, including a cerebrovascular accident and significant mitral valve destruction. Discussion HZ episodes have not conventionally been linked in the medical literature to the occurrence of SBE. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that HZ infections have been associated with the development of other consequential bacterial infections, such as pneumonia and necrotizing fasciitis. This case underscores the necessity for medical practitioners to recognize the possibility of HZ symptoms obscuring indications of critical underlying conditions and infections. The implications of this report highlight the significance of maintaining heightened vigilance for signs of other severe infections when managing patients presenting with HZ symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles have shown inhibitory capabilities and its use in battling viral infections are strengthened by its potent antibacterial activity. Notably, since it directly affects antiviral efficacy, the proper choice of synthesis process for making silver nanoparticles is a vital element to be taken into consideration. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles for the treatment of viral and bacterial infections involves creating silver particles at the nanoscale with unique antimicrobial properties. Various methods exist for synthesizing silver nanoparticles, including chemical reduction, green synthesis, and physical methods. Chemical reduction involves using reducing agents to convert silver ions into silver nanoparticles. Green synthesis employs reducing agents in an environmentally friendly manner. Physical methods rely on techniques such as laser ablation or thermal evaporation to produce silver nanoparticles. In order to provide technological guidance for choosing antiviral silver nanoparticle manufacturing methods, this paper introduces and explores alternative synthesis methods for creating silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In countries like India, diseases in plants are a major concern in the agricultural sector. Crop loss due to diseases led to reduction in the quality and quantity of agricultural products. This also leads to economic losses. Hence, timely monitoring of plants is necessary. But monitoring diseases in large fields is a difficult task. To overcome this problem, effective management strategies should be taken to control diseases in plants. It can be done by acquiring data for disease identification and automation of the recognition of diseases. Deep learning is of great use in this area using the principles of object detection. In this paper, we are using YOLOv3 (you only look once) to determine the diseases in plants, based on the symptoms seen on the leaves. The advantage of using YOLOv3 is that multiple diseases can be detected on the image of a single leaf. An important feature of YOLOv3 is that it can detect small disease spots seen on the leaves. Here, we are concentrating on the bacterial spot disease seen on the bell pepper plant. The identification results show a mean average precision of 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriophages can help the treatment of bacterial infections yet require in-silico models to deal with the great genetic diversity between phages and bacteria. Despite the tolerable prediction performance, the application scope of current approaches is limited to the prediction at the species level, which cannot accurately predict the relationship of phages across strain mutants. This has hindered the development of phage therapeutics based on the prediction of phage–bacteria relationships. In this paper, we present, PB-LKS, to predict the phage–bacteria interaction based on local K-mer strategy with higher performance and wider applicability. The utility of PB-LKS is rigorously validated through (i) large-scale historical screening, (ii) case study at the class level and (iii) in vitro simulation of bacterial antiphage resistance at the strain mutant level. The PB-LKS approach could outperform the current state-of-the-art methods and illustrate potential clinical utility in pre-optimized phage therapy design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains is reducing the efficacy of conventional treatments for bacterial infections and complicating the issue of biofilm formation. Herein, we synthesized selenium nanoparticles@reduced graphene oxide (nSe@rGO) to obtain nanocomposites with high antibacterial abilities. Importantly, the nanocomposite was synthesized at room temperature by bio-reduction employing the fruit extract of Phyllanthus emblica, which concurrently acted as a reducing agent for the synthesis of both nSe and rGO. To ensure sustained release and enhance long-term performance, the nanocomposite was incorporated into a hydrogel matrix of polyacrylamide and gum tragacanth. These nanocomposite hydrogels exhibited a significant 74% reduction in protein adsorption, highlighting their antifouling behavior. The hydrogels displayed a remarkable efficacy in reducing biofilm formation by the prevalent pathogens responsible for biofilm-associated infections, namely, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, achieving significant reductions of 97% and 86%, respectively. Notably, the hydrogels demonstrated sustained release of the nSe@rGO nanocomposite and maintained the bactericidal efficacy for an extended period of 5 days. The nSe@rGO nanocomposite hydrogels were capable of disrupting the well-established bacterial biofilms, achieving up to 80% reduction in biomass. In light of the remarkable potential mentioned above, these hydrogels offer a unique approach to tackle both planktonic and biofilm-associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After nearly two decades of substantial investment in the field of nanomedicine within South Africa, this study undertakes an investigation into the specific diseases that have been targeted for research and development, as well as the key actors and collaborative networks involved in this burgeoning field. To accomplish this, the study adopts a mixed-method approach, combining bibliometric and scientometric techniques alongside a comprehensive review of existing literature. The study’s findings illuminate that the diseases selected for emphasis in nanomedicine research closely align with the prevalent health challenges faced by South Africa. Notably, these ailments encompass cancer, bacterial infections, and tuberculosis, all of which significantly contribute to the country’s disease burden. Furthermore, the investigation highlights that research-intensive South African universities play a pivotal role as the primary actors in advancing nanomedicine initiatives. Over time, collaborative endeavors among these key actors have seen a noteworthy upswing. These collaborations have fostered robust connections between South African institutions and counterparts in Asian nations and the Middle East. It is worth emphasizing that nanomedicine is a resource-intensive field, necessitating substantial capital investment. Collaborative initiatives have, in turn, granted access to critical infrastructure and materials that would have otherwise been beyond the reach of some participating entities. Remarkably, these collaborative partnerships have not only facilitated scientific progress but have also cultivated social capital and trust among involved stakeholders. These valuable intangible assets hold great potential as South Africa advances towards more exploitative phases of technology development within the domain of nanomedicine. Moreover, South Africa is strategically positioning itself to cultivate a critical mass of expertise in nanomedicine, recognising the significance of skilled human resources in harnessing the full potential of this technology in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Antibiotic overuse in humans and agriculture leads to antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) emergence. • ARB can contaminate the environment through various means, forming a reservoir. • This environmental reservoir allows ARB to re-emerge in humans, potentially as superbugs. • The "reverse zoonosis transfer cycle" highlights the interconnection of human, animal, and environmental health. • Implentation of stringent regulations use of antibiotics may be solution to combat AR and avoid RZTC in environment. The uncontrolled use of antibiotics for the treatment of human diseases and animal farming led to a global crisis in the form of the re-emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). This paper critically explores the reverse zoonosis transfer cycle and highlights facts about ARB in the environment and re-infections in humans. ARB shed by humans through various routes contaminates the environment, where it can persist and even thrive. The contaminated reservoir and various environmental sources aid ARB strains to re-enter the human vicinity and re-infect human populations, where they may be in the healthcare system in the form of resistance to multiple antibiotics. These strains are called "superbugs," leading to potentially untreatable infections. This paper discusses the evidence for this hypothesis, highlighting the consequences for public health and the environment. Hence, it explores the implications for antibiotic stewardship and emphasizes the urgency of developing alternative strategies to combat antibiotic resistance (AR) and the reverse zoonosis transfer cycle (RZTC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The importance of saccharides in the antibacterial activity and resistance elimination is analyzed. • The antibacterial activity and SAR of agents containing mono- or di- or oligosaccharide are summarized. • Strategies for the development of novel antimicrobial agents and avoidance of resistance are proposed. Bacterial infections are the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the evolution and widespread distribution of antibiotic-resistance elements in bacterial pathogens exacerbate the threat crisis. Carbohydrates participate in bacterial infection, drug resistance and the process of host immune regulation. Numerous antimicrobials derived from carbohydrates or contained carbohydrate scaffolds that are conducive to an increase in pathogenic bacteria targeting, the physicochemical properties and druggability profiles. In the paper, according to the type and number of sugar residues contained in antimicrobial molecules collected from the literatures ranging from 2014 to 2024, the antimicrobial activities, action mechanisms and structure–activity relationships were delineated and summarized, for purpose to provide the guiding template to select the type and size of sugars in the design of oligosaccharide-based antimicrobials to fight the looming antibiotic resistance crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zebrafish Danio rerio has become a popular model host to explore disease pathology caused by infectious agents. A main advantage is its transparency at an early age, which enables live imaging of infection dynamics. While multispecies infections are common in patients, the zebrafish model is rarely used to study them, although the model would be ideal for investigating pathogen-pathogen and pathogen-host interactions. This may be due to the absence of an established multispecies infection protocol for a defined organ and the lack of suitable image analysis pipelines for automated image processing. To address these issues, we developed a protocol for establishing and tracking single and multispecies bacterial infections in the inner ear structure (otic vesicle) of the zebrafish by imaging. Subsequently, we generated an image analysis pipeline that involved deep learning for the automated segmentation of the otic vesicle, and scripts for quantifying pathogen frequencies through fluorescence intensity measures. We used Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, three of the difficult-to-treat ESKAPE pathogens, to show that our infection protocol and image analysis pipeline work both for single pathogens and pairwise pathogen combinations. Thus, our protocols provide a comprehensive toolbox for studying single and multispecies infections in real-time in zebrafish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Live vaccines are ideal for inducing immunity but suffer from the need to attenuate their pathogenicity or replication to preclude the possibility of escape. Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) provide a strategy to engineer stringent auxotrophies, yielding conditionally replication incompetent live bacteria with excellent safety profiles. Here, we engineer Pseudomonas aeruginosa to maintain auxotrophy for the UAA p-benzoyl-l-phenylalanine (BzF) through its incorporation into the essential protein DnaN. In vivo evolution using an Escherichia coli-based two-hybrid selection system enabled engineering of a mutant DnaN homodimeric interface completely dependent on a BzF-specific interaction. This engineered strain, Pa Vaccine, exhibits undetectable escape frequency (<10−11) and shows excellent safety in naïve mice. Animals vaccinated via intranasal or intraperitoneal routes are protected from lethal challenge with pathogenic P. aeruginosa PA14. These results establish UAA-auxotrophic bacteria as promising candidates for bacterial vaccine therapy and outline a platform for expanding this technology to diverse bacterial pathogens. In this work, authors develop a live vaccine candidate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa using an unnatural amino acid-based auxotrophic strategy. They provide insight on the vaccine's in vivo safety profile and protection of mice against lethal P. aeruginosa challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the dynamic evolution of Salmonella is vital for effective bacterial infection management. This study explores the role of the flexible genome, organised in regions of genomic plasticity (RGP), in shaping the pathogenicity of Salmonella lineages. Through comprehensive genomic analysis of 12,244 Salmonella spp. genomes covering 2 species, 6 subspecies, and 46 serovars, we uncover distinct integration patterns of pathogenicity-related gene clusters into RGP, challenging traditional views of gene distribution. These RGP exhibit distinct preferences for specific genomic spots, and the presence or absence of such spots across Salmonella lineages profoundly shapes strain pathogenicity. RGP preferences are guided by conserved flanking genes surrounding integration spots, implicating their involvement in regulatory networks and functional synergies with integrated gene clusters. Additionally, we emphasise the multifaceted contributions of plasmids and prophages to the pathogenicity of diverse Salmonella lineages. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive blueprint of the pathogenicity potential of Salmonella. This unique insight identifies genomic spots in nonpathogenic lineages that hold the potential for harbouring pathogenicity genes, providing a foundation for predicting future adaptations and developing targeted strategies against emerging human pathogenic strains. Effective management of Salmonella infections requires understanding its dynamic evolution. This study shows how specific genomic regions influence the distribution of pathogenicity factors in Salmonella, highlighting the potential for targeted infection control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial pathogens utilize the factors of their hosts to infect them, but which factors they exploit remain poorly defined. Here, we show that a pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) exploits host polyamines for the functional expression of virulence factors. An STm mutant strain lacking principal genes required for polyamine synthesis and transport exhibited impaired infectivity in mice. A polyamine uptake-impaired strain of STm was unable to inject effectors of the type 3 secretion system into host cells due to a failure of needle assembly. STm infection stimulated host polyamine production by increasing arginase expression. The decline in polyamine levels caused by difluoromethylornithine, which inhibits host polyamine production, attenuated STm colonization, whereas polyamine supplementation augmented STm pathogenesis. Our work reveals that host polyamines are a key factor promoting STm infection, and therefore a promising therapeutic target for bacterial infection. Bacterial pathogens often exploit host factors to enhance their infectivity. This study shows that Salmonella Typhimurium boosts host polyamine production, which is crucial for the expression and needle assembly of its type 3 secretion system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the variability in the number of somatic cells in cisternal and alveolar milk of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The obtained results showed that the SCC and the analyzed characteristics exhibited high variability caused by the influence of various environmental and genetic factors. In reference to cisternal and alveolar milk, inconclusive results were obtained, suggesting that the SCC levels in milk collected from different milking phases were similar. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the milking phase on somatic cell count (SCC) in milk obtained from the cisternal and alveolar parts of udders of selected Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The study also assessed the impact of other genetic and environmental factors on SCC variability in cisternal and alveolar milk, including: the individual cow, lactation stage, age of cow, production level, milking speed, fat-to-protein ratio, and milking type. The research included 15 cows of Polish Holstein-Friesian breed at different ages, lactation stages, and with varying daily milk yield. A total of 210 milk observations were conducted, including 105 for 1 min milking and 105 for 8 min milking. The results obtained in the study indicated that milk obtained during two different milking phases exhibited similar SCC levels (F for LOGSCC = 0.79). The average actual SCC in milk produced by 15 cows in 105 observations for 1 min milking was 219,000 cells/mL, while for 8 min milking it was 229,000 cells/mL. The results were inconclusive, suggesting that SCC in cisternal and alveolar milk must be influenced by factors other than the milking phase. The analysis of variance conducted for this purpose provided the basis for stating a highly statistically significant effect of the individual cow (F for LOGSCC = 147.9), lactation stage (F for LOGSCC = 54.64), age of cow (F for LOGSCC = 12.39), daily production level (F for LOGSCC = 34.49), milking speed (F for LOGSCC = 17.56), and fat-to-protein ratio (F for LOGSCC = 22.99) on the variability of characteristics defining SCC in milk. In summary, SCC is characterized by high variability, influenced by a range of environmental and genetic factors such as the individual cow, lactation stage, age of cow, milking speed, and dietary fat-to-protein ratio. The influence of milking phase (1 min or 8 min) and milking type (morning or evening) should be considered inconclusive based on the entire population studied. For half of the cows, SCC in cisternal milk was higher than in alveolar milk, while for the other half, the situation was reversed. Further observations are required to confirm the hypothesis regarding the extent to which cows' immunological response to bacterial infections is concentrated in the cisternal or alveolar part of the udder under national environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial infections are a great threat to human health, and the irrational use of antibiotics has largely compromised the efficacy of antibiotic therapy due to the emergence of drug‐resistant pathogens. It is known that synthesizing new antibiotics is difficult and time‐consuming. In this case, developing antibiotics‐independent antibacterial approaches is of great importance and significance. In the past decade, various functional nanomaterials have shown great potentials in the treatment of bacterial infections. Among these nanomaterials, transition metal carbides or nitrides, namely MXene, have attracted much attention. As the novel 2D nanosheets, MXene can serve either as a direct antibacterial agent due to its intrinsic antibacterial activity and photothermal effect, or as an efficient carrier to load photosensitizers and photocatalysts for photodynamic and photocatalytic therapy. In recent few years, the number of literatures regarding MXene‐based antibacterial therapy has increased rapidly. Thus, it is the time to systematically summarize the applications of MXene in the treatment of bacteria, especially those with drug resistance. Herein, it is aimed to summarize the preparation methods for MXene and provide a comprehensive understanding of its properties and applications in antibacterial therapy. Also, its use for bacterial detection and the challenges for practical use are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Replicating maternal care and incubating octopus embryos artificially is advantageous to improve access to embryonic stages, split and share broods, and reduce the required space to culture large quantities of embryos. However, without female care and adequate rearing systems, the risk of bacterial and fungal infections can be high. This study evaluated the potential effects of low‐concentration sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as a disinfectant on embryonic survival, hatchling survival, and growth. Embryos of a holobenthic octopus, Amphioctopus fangsiao, and of a merobenthic octopus, Octopus sinensis, were disinfected with 0.004% NaOCl for 3 min either once at the start (IB), at the start and halfway point (RB), and without disinfection (control). Survival of A. fangsiao embryos differed among treatments initially, but the final number of hatchings did not differ among treatments. No differences in the final survival for O. sinensis embryos were observed among the three treatments. Wet weight and growth for A. fangsiao juveniles did not differ among treatments at any point. In contrast, initial and final dry weight for O. sinensis paralarvae from the control treatment were heavier compared to the IB and RB treatments. These results suggest that NaOCl used as disinfectant has a species‐specific effect on early hatchlings depending on the octopus life history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is present throughout nature and is a common opportunistic pathogen in the human body. Carbapenem antibiotics are typically utilized as a last resort in the clinical treatment of multidrugresistant infections caused by P. aeruginosa. The increase in carbapenemresistant P. aeruginosa poses an immense challenge for the treatment of these infections. Bacteriophages have the potential to be used as antimicrobial agents for treating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Methods and Results: In this study, a new virulent P. aeruginosa phage, Phage_ Pae01, was isolated from hospital sewage and shown to have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against clinical P. aeruginosa isolates (83.6%). These clinical strains included multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa and carbapenemresistant P. aeruginosa. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the phage possessed an icosahedral head of approximately 80 nm and a long tail about 110 m, indicating that it belongs to the Myoviridae family of the order Caudovirales. Biological characteristic analysis revealed that Phage_Pae01 could maintain stable activity in the temperature range of 4~ 60°C and pH range of 4 ~ 10. According to the in vitro lysis kinetics of the phage, Phage_ Pae01 demonstrated strong antibacterial activity. The optimal multiplicity of infection was 0.01. The genome of Phage_Pae01 has a total length of 93,182 bp and contains 176 open reading frames (ORFs). The phage genome does not contain genes related to virulence or antibiotic resistance. In addition, Phage_Pae01 effectively prevented the formation of biofilms and eliminated established biofilms. When Phage_Pae01 was combined with gentamicin, it significantly disrupted established P. aeruginosa biofilms. Conclusion: We identified a novel P. aeruginosa phage and demonstrated its effective antimicrobial properties against P. aeruginosa in both the floating and biofilm states. These findings offer a promising approach for the treatment of drugresistant bacterial infections in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This systematic review aims to review and assess the importance and relationship between host defence antimicrobial peptides with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complications and the correlation of their expression with hyperglycaemic status. Main body: The systematic search included three electronic databases (PMC, PubMed, and Google Scholar) that were searched from July to November 2023. After identifying and screening the research articles, eleven studies fulfilled the selection criteria and were included (six case–control and five cross-sectional studies). The Newcastle Ottawa Scale assessed the selected studies' quality. Most studies indicated a correlation between certain types of AMPs and diabetic complications. Conclusion: Hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects the expression of certain types of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) which have a dual function (antibacterial and modulation of immune response) that may enhance inflammation which may correlate with the development of long-term complications, increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, and impaired wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) play key roles in intestinal inflammation. Olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) is highly expressed in the colon and has a potential role in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying the effects of OLFM4 on ILC3-mediated colitis remain unclear. In this study, we identify OLFM4 as a positive regulator of IL-22+ILC3. OLFM4 expression in colonic ILC3s increases substantially during intestinal inflammation in humans and mice. Compared to littermate controls, OLFM4-deficient (OLFM4−/−) mice are more susceptible to bacterial infection and display greater resistance to anti-CD40 induced innate colitis, together with impaired IL-22 production by ILC3, and ILC3s from OLFM4−/−mice are defective in pathogen resistance. Besides, mice with OLFM4 deficiency in the RORγt compartment exhibit the same trend as in OLFM4−/−mice, including colonic inflammation and IL-22 production. Mechanistically, the decrease in IL-22+ILC3 caused by OLFM4 deficiency involves the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)- p38 MAPK signaling-dependent downregulation of RAR-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγt) protein. The OLFM4-metadherin (MTDH) complex upregulates p38/RORγt signaling, which is necessary for IL-22+ILC3 activation. The findings indicate that OLFM4 is a novel regulator of IL-22+ILC3 and essential for modulating intestinal inflammation and tissue homeostasis. The modulation of ASK1-p38/RORγt signaling by OLFM4 suggests a novel mechanism in the regulation of ILC3-mediated gut inflammation, providing valuable insights for potential therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tilapia is one of the most important farmed fish in the world and the most cultivated in Brazil. The increase of this farming favors the appearance of diseases, including bacterial diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal activity of copaiba oil, Copaifera duckei, against Streptococcus agalactiae and Flavobacterium columnare and the dietary effect of copaiba oil on zootechnical performance, hematological, biochemical, immunological, and histological analysis before and after an intraperitoneal infection (body cavity) with S. agalactiae in Nile tilapia. For this, fish were randomly distributed into 15 fiber tanks in five treatments (0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0%) and fed with a commercial diet supplemented with copaiba oil for 30 days. After this period, the fish were randomly redistributed for the experimental challenge with S. agalactiae into six treatments (T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5), the fish were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected to assess hematological, biochemical, immunological, and histological parameters. Copaiba oil showed bactericidal activity against Streptococcus spp. and Flavobacterium spp. in vitro. In addition, concentrations of 0.75 and 1.0% of copaiba oil have an anti-inflammatory effect and improve hematological and immunological parameters, increasing leukocyte numbers, albumin, and serum lytic activity. Furthermore, there is an increase in the intestinal villus length and tissue damage in groups at concentrations of 0.75 and 1.0% of copaiba oil. In conclusion, copaiba oil presented bactericidal activity against Streptococcus spp. and Flavobacterium spp. in vitro, and oral supplementation at concentrations of 0.75 and 1.0% compared to the control group enhanced non-specific immune parameters and digestibility in Nile Tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections are increasingly associated with or directly responsible for morbidity and mortality from bacterial infections in sub-Saharan Africa where there are limited antibiotic options. CRE rectal colonization of patients in healthcare facilities provides a reservoir of these organisms and could potentially cause invasive infections in these settings. The prevalence of rectal carriage among patients attending healthcare facilities in Nigeria has not been previously described. We set out to assess the prevalence of rectal CRE carriage and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns among patients attending healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from December 2021 to September 2022 in Ibadan, in which patients attending primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities were screened for rectal carriage of CRE by microscopy, culture and sensitivity of rectal swab specimens. Results: A total of 291 patients were screened; 45 (15.5%), 66 (22.7%) and 180 (61.8%) at primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, respectively. All but one of them had received a third-generation cephalosporin or carbapenem in the preceding 30 days. The mean age was 28.8 years and 55.7% were male. Overall, 51 (17.5%) participants had CRE colonization, with 5(11.1%), 9(13.6%) and 37(20.6%) at primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities, respectively (p = 0.243). Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility, 43(84.3%) CRE isolates were resistant to at least 3 different classes of antibiotics while two Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to all 5 classes of antibiotics tested. The lowest rates of CRE resistance were to tigecycline (6, 11.5%) and colistin (8, 15.7%). Conclusions: In this first study on CRE colonization in Nigeria, we found that a substantial proportion of patients in three levels of healthcare facilities had rectal carriage of CRE, including pan-resistant isolates. Active surveillance and appropriate infection prevention and control practices (IPC) need to be urgently strengthened to mitigate the risk of active CRE infection. Trial registration: Not applicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of increasing antimicrobial tolerance and resistance there is a global obligation to optimise oral antimicrobial dosing strategies including narrow spectrum penicillins, such as penicillin-V. We conducted a randomised, crossover study in healthy volunteers to characterise the influence of probenecid on penicillin-V pharmacokinetics and estimate the pharmacodynamics against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Twenty participants took six doses of penicillin-V (250 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg four times daily) with and without probenecid. Total and free concentrations of penicillin-V and probenecid were measured at two timepoints. A pharmacokinetic model was developed, and the probability of target attainment (PTA) calculated. The mean difference (95% CI) between penicillin-V alone and in combination with probenecid for serum total and free penicillin-V concentrations was significantly different at both timepoints (total: 45 min 4.32 (3.20–5.32) mg/L p < 0.001, 180 min 2.2 (1.58–3.25) mg/L p < 0.001; free: 45 min 1.15 (0.88–1.42) mg/L p < 0.001, 180 min 0.5 (0.35–0.76) mg/L p < 0.001). There was no difference between the timepoints in probenecid concentrations. PTA analysis shows probenecid allows a fourfold increase in MIC cover. Addition of probenecid was safe and well tolerated. The data support further research into improved dosing structures for complex outpatient therapy and might also be used to address penicillin supply shortages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a survey of gall-inducing aphids on pistachio trees in Razavi-Khorasan Province, larvae of a parasitic mite were collected inside the galls of Forda hirsuta (Aphididae). The mite was identified as Erythraeus (Erythraeus) pistacicus Haitlinger, Mehrnejad & Šundić based on morphological, and molecular data. This is the first record of this mite from the host aphid, F. hirsuta, and also the third record of the occurrence of the mite in Iran. The survey of possible infections with bacterial symbionts in natural populations of E. (E.) pistacicus from Mashhad and Feizabad localities in northeastern Iran revealed the presence of three bacterial symbionts, Wolbachia, Planomicrobium, and Cardinium at different infection rates (55%, 30%, and 10% respectively), while Arsenophonus, Rickettsia, and Spiroplasma were not detected. Investigating bacterial symbionts in predatory insects/mites provide a valuable framework for better understanding the complex interactions between symbionts and their hosts and will lead to developing more efficacious biocontrol strategies particularly, those seeking to decrease reliance on chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neutrophilic myocarditis often stems from bacterial or fungal infections, and it is typically detectable through blood cultures or analyses of the primary infection site. However, research specifically addressing the morphological features of acute myocarditis in complex sepsis cases is scarce, with existing studies primarily dating back to the pre-antibiotic era. Methods: This study constitutes a retrospective and descriptive analysis encompassing 22 forensic cases. We collected data from forensic reports emphasising clinical details, disease history, gross observations, and histopathological findings. Results: The results show that using positive-air-pressure ventilation could be related to cardiac inflammation (45.45%, 10/22). Despite large-spectrum antibiotic therapy, the blood samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA strain), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ESBL strain), Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Colonies developed in the myocardium of 36% of the patients (8/22), where 4 of them had septic emboli. Fungal myocarditis accompanied bacterial infections (2/8) and were unsuspected clinically. Background changes, such as interstitial fibrosis and arteriosclerosis, were associated with a greater degree of inflammation and septic embolism. Conclusion: Neutrophilic myocarditis in patients with emerging sepsis is linked to fatal virulent infections, where bacteria and/or fungi contaminate and impair the myocardium syncytium. Prolonged hospitalisation and positive-air-pressure ventilation may be a risk factor for this condition and needs further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hsp40–Hsp70 typically function in concert as molecular chaperones, and their roles in post-infection immune responses are increasingly recognized. However, in the economically important fish species Scophthalmus maximus (turbot), there is still a lack in the systematic identification, interaction models, and binding site analysis of these proteins. Herein, 62 Hsp40 genes and 16 Hsp70 genes were identified in the turbot at a genome-wide level and were unevenly distributed on 22 chromosomes through chromosomal distribution analysis. Phylogenetic and syntenic analysis provided strong evidence in supporting the orthologies and paralogies of these HSPs. Protein–protein interaction and expression analysis was conducted to predict the expression profile after challenging with Aeromonas salmonicida. dnajb1b and hspa1a were found to have a co-expression trend under infection stresses. Molecular docking was performed using Auto-Dock Tool and PyMOL for this pair of chaperone proteins. It was discovered that in addition to the interaction sites in the J domain, the carboxyl-terminal domain of Hsp40 also plays a crucial role in its interaction with Hsp70. This is important for the mechanistic understanding of the Hsp40–Hsp70 chaperone system, providing a theoretical basis for turbot disease resistance breeding, and effective value for the prevention of certain diseases in turbot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8) have been intensely studied in relation to various inflammatory conditions, including acute gastroenteritis, as they are activated in response to infection. This review aims to evaluate the ability of IL-6 and IL-8 to distinguish between bacterial and viral etiologies of acute gastroenteritis in children and to assess whether their levels correlate with the severity of this condition in light of currently available data. A scientific database search was performed to identify studies that investigated the role of IL-6 and IL-8 in acute gastroenteritis in the pediatric population. We identified nine studies that matched the review's objective. Both cytokines show increased values in acute gastroenteritis, but IL-6 levels are significantly higher in cases of bacterial infections. IL-8 levels do not present an increase to the same extent in cases of bacterial diarrhea in children but seem to be associated with the severity of the disease. The lack of sufficient research focusing on IL-6 and -8 as diagnostic, prognostic and severity biomarkers of acute gastroenteritis in children leaves room for further research on this topic, which must include larger cohort studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]