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Bacteria employ small regulatory RNAs (sRNA) and/or RNA binding proteins (RBPs) to respond to environmental cues. In Enterobacteriaceae , the FinO-domain containing RBP ProQ associates with numerous sRNAs and mRNAs, impacts sRNA-mediated riboregulation or mRNA stability by binding to 5'- or 3'-untranslated regions as well as to internal stem loop structures. Global RNA-protein interaction studies and sequence comparisons identified a ProQ-like homolog (PA2582/ProQ Pae ) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( Pae ). To address the function of ProQ Pae , at first a comparative transcriptome analysis of the Pae strains PAO1 and PAO1Δ proQ was performed. This study revealed more than 100 differentially abundant transcripts, affecting a variety of cellular functions. Among these transcripts were pprA and pprB , encoding the PprA/PprB two component system, psrA , encoding a transcriptional activator of pprB , and oprI , encoding the outer membrane protein OprI. RNA co-purification experiments with Strep-tagged Pae ProQ protein corroborated an association of ProQ Pae with these transcripts. In accordance with the up-regulation of the psrA , pprA , and pprB genes in strain PAO1Δ proQ a phenotypic analysis revealed an increased susceptibility toward the aminoglycosides tobramycin and gentamicin in biofilms. Conversely, the observed down-regulation of the oprI gene in PAO1Δ proQ could be reconciled with a decreased susceptibility toward the synthetic cationic antimicrobial peptide GW-Q6. Taken together, these studies revealed that ProQ Pae is an RBP that impacts antimicrobial resistance in Pae ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Cianciulli Sesso, Resch, Moll, Bläsi and Sonnleitner.)

Aim: To study if functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the peroneal nerve, which activates dorsiflexion, can improve body functions, activities, and participation and could be an effective alternative treatment in individuals with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP)., Method: A randomized cross-over trial was performed in 25 children with unilateral spastic CP (classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I and II) aged 4 to 18 years (median age at inclusion 9 years 8 months, interquartile range = 7 years-13 years 8 months), 15 patients were male. The study consisted of two 12-week blocks of treatment, that is, conventional treatment (ankle foot orthosis [AFO] or adapted shoes) and FES, separated by a 6-week washout period. Outcome measures included the Goal Attainment Scale (GAS), the Cerebral Palsy Quality of Life questionnaire, and a three-dimensional gait analysis., Results: Eighteen patients completed the trial. The proportion of GAS goals achieved was not significantly higher in the FES versus the conventional treatment phase (goal 1 p = 0.065; goal 2 p = 1.00). When walking while stimulated with FES, ankle dorsiflexion during mid-swing decreased over time (p = 0.006, average decrease of 4.8° with FES), with a preserved increased ankle range of motion compared to conventional treatment (p < 0.001, mean range of motion with FES +10.1° compared to AFO). No changes were found in the standard physical examination or regarding satisfaction with orthoses and feelings about the ability to dress yourself. In four patients, FES therapy failed; in 12 patients FES therapy continued after the trial., Interpretation: FES is not significantly worse than AFO; however, patient selection is critical, and a testing period and thorough follow-up are needed., (© 2023 The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Mac Keith Press.)