Dispersal of linezolid-resistant enterococci carrying poxtA or optrA in retail meat and food-producing animals from Tunisia

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 2865-2869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houyem Elghaieb ◽  
Ana R Freitas ◽  
Mohamed Salah Abbassi ◽  
Carla Novais ◽  
Mohamed Zouari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Developed Countries ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Urban Wastewater ◽  
Virulence Markers ◽  
Linezolid Resistance ◽  
Alternative Measures ◽  
Retail Meat ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Abstract Objectives The epidemiology of Enterococcus resistant to priority antibiotics including linezolid has mainly been investigated in developed countries and especially in hospitals. We aimed to evaluate the contribution of different non-human reservoirs for the burden of MDR enterococci in Tunisia, where scarce data are available. Methods Samples (n = 287) were collected from urban wastewater (n = 57), retail meat (n = 29; poultry/bovine/ovine), milk (n = 89; bovine/ovine), farm animal faeces (n = 80; poultry/bovine/ovine) and pets (n = 32; rabbit/dogs/cats/birds) in different Tunisian regions (2014–17). They were plated onto Slanetz–Bartley agar after pre-enrichment without antibiotics. Standard methods were used for bacterial identification and characterization of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes (PCR), antibiotic susceptibility testing (disc diffusion/broth microdilution; EUCAST/CLSI) and clonality (SmaI-PFGE/MLST). Results All samples carried Enterococcus (n = 377 isolates) resistant to antibiotics considered to be critical or highly important by WHO. Even without antibiotic selection, 38% of Enterococcus faecalis (Efs) and 22% of Enterococcus faecium (Efm) were identified as MDR. Linezolid-resistant isolates (5%; MIC = 8 mg/L) comprised six poxtA-carrying Efm (cow milk), seven optrA-carrying Efs (chicken faeces/meat) and five Efm lacking cfr/optrA/poxtA (poultry/bovine/ovine/wastewater). Clinically relevant Efm clones (clade A1) were identified in animal/meat sources. Ampicillin resistance (1%) was confined to ST18/ST78-like MDR Efm clones from bovine meat/milk samples carrying relevant virulence markers (e.g. ptsD/IS16). Conclusions This study provides evidence of the contribution of livestock and foodstuffs to the dispersal of acquired linezolid resistance genes including poxtA and optrA. We report the first poxtA-carrying Efm in Tunisia, and for the first time in bovine samples, stressing the urgent need for alternative measures to counteract the spread of linezolid-resistant enterococci globally.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of α-Glucosidase Inhibition Flavonol Glycosides from Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (11) ◽  
pp. 2481
Author(s):  
Anita M. Sutedja ◽  
Emiko Yanase ◽  
Irmanida Batubara ◽  
Dedi Fardiaz ◽  
Hanifah N. Lioe
Keyword(s):  
2D Nmr ◽  
The Other ◽  
Inhibition Activity ◽  
Jack Bean ◽  
Canavalia Ensiformis ◽  
Kaempferol Glycosides ◽  
Uv Visible ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Although the intake of jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.), an underutilized tropical legume, can potentially decrease the risk of several chronic diseases, not much effort has been directed at profiling the polyphenolics contained therein. Hence, this work aimed to identify and quantify the dominant jack bean polyphenolics, which are believed to have antioxidant and other bioactivities. Four major compounds were detected and identified as kaempferol glycosides with three or four glycoside units. Their structures were established based on UV-visible, 1D, 2D NMR, and HR-ESI-MS analyses. Specifically, kaempferol 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→6)- β-d-glucopyranosyl (1→2)-β-d-galactopyranosyl-7-O-[3-O-o-anisoyl]-α-l-rhamnopyranoside was detected for the first time, while the other three compounds have already been described in plants other than jack bean. This new compound was found to have a higher α-glucosidase inhibition activity compared to acarbose.

scholarly journals A small mitochondrial protein present in myzozoans is essential for malaria transmission

Open Biology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 160034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Klug ◽  
Gunnar R. Mair ◽  
Friedrich Frischknecht ◽  
Ross G. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Developmental Defect ◽  
Mitochondrial Mass ◽  
First Time ◽  
Potential Drug Targets ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Myzozoans (which include dinoflagellates, chromerids and apicomplexans) display notable divergence from their ciliate sister group, including a reduced mitochondrial genome and divergent metabolic processes. The factors contributing to these divergent processes are still poorly understood and could serve as potential drug targets in disease-causing protists. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a small mitochondrial protein from the rodent-infecting apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium berghei that is essential for development in its mosquito host. Parasites lacking the gene mitochondrial protein ookinete developmental defect ( mpodd ) showed malformed parasites that were unable to transmit to mosquitoes. Knockout parasites displayed reduced mitochondrial mass without affecting organelle integrity, indicating no role of the protein in mitochondrial biogenesis or morphology maintenance but a likely role in mitochondrial import or metabolism. Using genetic complementation experiments, we identified a previously unrecognized Plasmodium falciparum homologue that can rescue the mpodd(−) phenotype, thereby showing that the gene is functionally conserved. As far as can be detected, mpodd is found in myzozoans, has homologues in the phylum Apicomplexa and appears to have arisen in free-living dinoflagellates. This suggests that the MPODD protein has a conserved mitochondrial role that is important for myzozoans. While previous studies identified a number of essential proteins which are generally highly conserved evolutionarily, our study identifies, for the first time, a non-canonical protein fulfilling a crucial function in the mitochondrion during parasite transmission.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of a Rhodopsin Kinase Gene in the Suckers of Octopus vulgaris: Looking around Using Arms?

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 936
Author(s):  
Al-Sayed Al-Soudy ◽  
Valeria Maselli ◽  
Stefania Galdiero ◽  
Michael J. Kuba ◽  
Gianluca Polese ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Structure ◽  
Complete Characterization ◽  
Octopus Vulgaris ◽  
Kinase Gene ◽  
Light Sensing ◽  
Rhodopsin Kinase ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

In their foraging behavior octopuses rely on arm search movements outside the visual field of the eyes. In these movements the environment is explored primarily by the suckers that line the entire length of the octopus arm. In this study, for the first time, we report the complete characterization of a light-sensing molecule, Ov-GRK1, in the suckers, skin and retina of Octopus vulgaris. We sequenced the O. vulgaris GRK1 gene, defining a phylogenetic tree and performing a 3D structure model prediction. Furthermore, we found differences in relative mRNA expression in different sucker types at several arm levels, and localized it through in situ hybridization. Our findings suggest that the suckers in octopus arms are much more multimodal than was previously shown, adding the potential for light sensing to the already known mechanical and chemical sensing abilities.

scholarly journals Identification and Characterization of Circular RNA as a Novel Regulator and Biomarker in Preterm Birth

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxin Ran ◽  
Nanlin Yin ◽  
Dongni Huang ◽  
Yangyu Zhao ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Roc Analysis ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Circular Rna ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Discrimination Ability ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Preterm birth (PTB), as the leading cause of neonatal death, is a severe threat to maternal–fetal health. The diagnosis and treatment of PTB are difficult as its underlying mechanism still unknown. Circular RNA (circRNA) is an emerging molecule that plays an essential role in the pathological processes of various diseases. However, it is still unclear whether circRNAs are abnormal or involves in the PTB pathology. In this study, we analyzed RNA-seq data of peripheral blood from preterm and term pregnant women and verified with microarray data. There were 211 circRNA expression disorders in PTB, of which 68 increased and 143 decreased. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the top 20 circRNAs competitively bind 68 miRNAs, thereby regulating 622 mRNAs mainly related to immunity, inflammation, and nerve activity, which may ultimately contribute to the occurrence of PTB. Moreover, 6 regulatory pairs, including hsa-MORC3_0001–hsa-miR-1248–CHRM2 were the core parts of this mechanism network, which might be therapeutic targets for PTB. Besides, ROC analysis indicated that hsa-ANKFY1_0025, hsa-FAM13B_0019, and hsa-NUSAP1_0010 (AUC = 0.7138, 0.9589, 1.000) have an excellent discrimination ability for PTB. Taken together, we explored for the first time the circRNA expression profile of PTB, and preliminarily analyzed its regulatory mechanism and predictive value for PTB, thus bringing new light to the diagnosis and treatment of PTB.

scholarly journals Biomacromolecules in recent phosphate-shelled brachiopods: identification and characterization of chitin matrix

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oluwatoosin B. A. Agbaje ◽  
Glenn A. Brock ◽  
Zhifei Zhang ◽  
Kingsley C. Duru ◽  
Yue Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matrix ◽  
Gravimetric Analysis ◽  
Thermal Gravimetric ◽  
Shallow Marine ◽  
The Core ◽  
Spectroscopic Analyses ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Abstract Phosphate-shelled brachiopods differ in filter-feeding lifestyle, with Lingula anatina an active infaunal burrower, and Discinisca tenuis a shallow marine epibenthic animal. The shells of these animals are built of organophosphatic constituents, the organic fibres/sheets reinforced with calcium phosphate to provide a sophisticated ultrastructural robustness. This investigation examined the nature of the organic fibres in order to improve understanding of how living organisms produce hierarchically structured biomaterials. Unlike powdered samples commonly used in previous studies, organic fibres were isolated for the first time and the shell fractions were purified, in order to study the content and nature of the biopolymer fibres. Biochemical methods including Calcofluor staining revealed a chitin matrix. Ultrastructural analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and spectroscopic analyses show that the core polysaccharide framework is composed of layers of β-chitin sheets and/or fibrils that are coated with a fibrous organic matrix. There is more chitin matrix in the L. anatina shells (26.6 wt.%) compared to the D. tenuis shells (12.9 wt.%). Taken together, the data show that the chitin matrix contributes to increased skeletal strength, making L. anatina highly adapted for life as an active burrower. In comparison, D. tenuis contains less chitin and lives as attached epibenthos in a shallow marine environment. Graphical abstract First spectroscopic evidence of β-chitin sheets in recent organophosphatic brachiopods

scholarly journals Molecular Identification and Characterization of an Essential Pyruvate Transporter from Trypanosoma brucei

2013 ◽  
Vol 288 (20) ◽  
pp. 14428-14437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Sanchez
Keyword(s):  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Drug Target ◽  
Life Cycle Stage ◽  
Bloodstream Form ◽  
Potential Drug Target ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Physiological Relevance ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Pyruvate export is an essential physiological process for the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei as the parasite would otherwise accumulate this end product of glucose metabolism to toxic levels. In the studies reported here, genetic complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been employed to identify a gene (TbPT0) that encodes this vital pyruvate transporter from T. brucei. Expression of TbPT0 in S. cerevisiae reveals that TbPT0 is a high affinity pyruvate transporter. TbPT0 belongs to a clustered multigene family consisting of five members, whose expression is up-regulated in the bloodstream form. Interestingly, TbPT family permeases are related to polytopic proteins from plants but not to characterized monocarboxylate transporters from mammals. Remarkably, inhibition of the TbPT gene family expression in bloodstream parasites by RNAi is lethal, confirming the physiological relevance of these transporters. The discovery of TbPT0 reveals for the first time the identity of the essential pyruvate transporter and provides a potential drug target against the mammalian life cycle stage of T. brucei.

scholarly journals Search for Structural Basis of Interactions of Biogenic Amines with Human TAAR1 and TAAR6 Receptors

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Anna V. Glyakina ◽  
Constantine D. Pavlov ◽  
Julia V. Sopova ◽  
Raul R. Gainetdinov ◽  
Elena I. Leonova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biogenic Amines ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Gamma Aminobutyric Acid ◽  
Class A ◽  
Trace Amine ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

The identification and characterization of ligand-receptor binding sites are important for drug development. Trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs, members of the class A GPCR family) can interact with different biogenic amines and their metabolites, but the structural basis for their recognition by the TAARs is not well understood. In this work, we have revealed for the first time a group of conserved motifs (fingerprints) characterizing TAARs and studied the docking of aromatic (β-phenylethylamine, tyramine) and aliphatic (putrescine and cadaverine) ligands, including gamma-aminobutyric acid, with human TAAR1 and TAAR6 receptors. We have identified orthosteric binding sites for TAAR1 (Asp68, Asp102, Asp284) and TAAR6 (Asp78, Asp112, Asp202). By analyzing the binding results of 7500 structures, we determined that putrescine and cadaverine bind to TAAR1 at one site, Asp68 + Asp102, and to TAAR6 at two sites, Asp78 + Asp112 and Asp112 + Asp202. Tyramine binds to TAAR6 at the same two sites as putrescine and cadaverine and does not bind to TAAR1 at the selected Asp residues. β-Phenylethylamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid do not bind to the TAAR1 and TAAR6 receptors at the selected Asp residues. The search for ligands targeting allosteric and orthosteric sites of TAARs has excellent pharmaceutical potential.

scholarly journals A NovelMycobacterium cosmeticum-Like Bacterium Isolated from the Ear Swab of a Patient with Otitis Externa

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Jeanette W. P. Teo ◽  
Janet W. S. Cheng ◽  
Roland Jureen ◽  
Raymond T. P. Lin
Keyword(s):  
Male Patient ◽  
Adult Male ◽  
Otitis Externa ◽  
Nontuberculous Mycobacterium ◽  
Ear Infection ◽  
First Time ◽  
Adult Male Patient ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Biochemical Features

We describe the identification and characterization of a novel nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM), isolated from an ear swab of an adult male patient with chronic otitis externa. Genetically, the bacterium is most closely related toMycobacterium cosmeticum; however, growth and biochemical features indicate that it is distinctly different. Here, we highlight for the first time an unusual NTM that is a probable cause of ear infection.

Identification and characterization of nested-abbreviated terms in scientific discourse

Terminology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-253
Author(s):  
Natalia Rivas ◽  
Gabriel Quiroz ◽  
John Jairo Giraldo
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Noun Phrase ◽  
Scientific Discourse ◽  
Semantic Features ◽  
Terminology Extraction ◽  
Specialized Languages ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Abstract This paper analyzes nested-abbreviated terms from a linguistic perspective by describing their morphological, syntactic, and semantic features for terminology purposes. Nested-abbreviated terms can be considered as abbreviated forms, either initialisms or acronyms, which have within their meaning another abbreviated term. To carry out the analysis, 433 nested-abbreviated terms were extracted from two specialized dictionaries in English. Data analysis showed that, from the morphological and semantic perspective, nested-abbreviated terms behave like typical abbreviations. Important differences were found from a syntactic standpoint where nested abbreviated terms behave as premodifiers in the noun phrase (NP) in 98.93% of the cases. As this is the first time nested-abbreviated terms are studied, they were not only described but also analyzed and defined. Although the percentage of nested-abbreviated terms obtained from the dictionaries is relatively low, less than 1% of total abbreviations, it was found that it is highly relevant to study this growing phenomenon in specialized languages for terminology extraction, as well as for other purposes.

Identification and characterization of different tissues in blood vessel by multiplexed fluorescence lifetimes

The Analyst ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 143 (10) ◽  
pp. 2243-2248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teng Luo ◽  
Danying Lin ◽  
Ting Zhou ◽  
Yuan Lu ◽  
Shaoxiong Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Vessel ◽  
Umbilical Artery ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetimes ◽  
Lifetime Imaging ◽  
First Time ◽  
Identification And Characterization ◽  
Different Tissues

Herein, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) was used to directly measure eosin fluorescence lifetimes from H&E-stained umbilical artery, and a further utilization of eosin for high-content and multi-target analysis was proposed for the first time.

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