Giant tailed bacterial viruses, or phages, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage ϕKZ, have long genomes packaged into large, atypical virions. Many aspects of ϕKZ and related phage biology are poorly ...understood, mostly due to the fact that the functions of the majority of their proteins are unknown. We hypothesized that the Salmonella enterica phage SPN3US could be a useful model phage to address this gap in knowledge. The 240-kb SPN3US genome shares a core set of 91 genes with ϕKZ and related phages, ∼61 of which are virion genes, consistent with the expectation that virion complexity is an ancient, conserved feature. Nucleotide sequencing of 18 mutants enabled assignment of 13 genes as essential, information which could not have been determined by sequence-based searches for 11 genes. Proteome analyses of two SPN3US virion protein mutants with knockouts in 64 and 241 provided new insight into the composition and assembly of giant phage heads. The 64 mutant analyses revealed all the genetic determinants required for assembly of the SPN3US head and a likely head-tail joining role for gp64, and its homologs in related phages, due to the tailless-particle phenotype produced. Analyses of the mutation in 241, which encodes an RNA polymerase β subunit, revealed that without this subunit, no other subunits are assembled into the head, and enabled identification of a "missing" β' subunit domain. These findings support SPN3US as an excellent model for giant phage research, laying the groundwork for future analyses of their highly unusual virions, host interactions, and evolution.
In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in virology with the realization that extremely large viruses infecting prokaryotes (giant phages) can be found in many environments. A group of phages related to the prototype giant phage ϕKZ are of great interest due to their virions being among the most complex of prokaryotic viruses and their potential for biocontrol and phage therapy applications. Our understanding of the biology of these phages is limited, as a large proportion of their proteins have not been characterized and/or have been deemed putative without any experimental verification. In this study, we analyzed Salmonella phage SPN3US using a combination of genomics, genetics, and proteomics and in doing so revealed new information regarding giant phage head structure and assembly and virion RNA polymerase composition. Our findings demonstrate the suitability of SPN3US as a model phage for the growing group of phages related to ϕKZ.
Pulmonary aspergilloma is commonly associated with comorbidities that cause immunodeficiency such as diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ...and/or a pre-existing parenchymal lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Predisposing factors can further increase the risk of acquiring this mycosis. Our objective was to determine the frequency, clinical and microbiological characteristics of pulmonary aspergilloma in immunocompromised patients.
Retrospective case series of patients diagnosed with pulmonary aspergilloma in a respiratory care unit in Mexico City from 2000 to 2019 was studied. Bronchoalveolar lavage cultures on Sabouraud-dextrose agar and serum galactomannan determination were performed on each patient.
We identified twenty-four patients with pulmonary aspergilloma (sixteen male and eight female), thirteen had a history of tuberculosis (54%), seven of diabetes mellitus (29%), three of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (13%) and one of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (4%). The most commonly reported symptoms were hemoptysis in eighteen patients (75%), dyspnea in sixteen patients (67%) and chest pain in thirteen patients (54%). Aspergillus fumigatus was identified in all cultures and galactomannan was positive in 21 serum samples (87%).
Coexistence of diseases that could suppress the immune system predispose to pulmonary aspergilloma; clinical presentation is often confused with other systemic diseases. A high degree of clinical suspicion is important for early detection.
Within the treatment protocols of patients with cleft lip and palate, the nasoalveolar molding (NAM) acquire more followers every day.Their benefits have been well documented, but not equally their ...complications. The purpose of this study was to describe the complications produced during treatment with Grayson presurgical NAM in nonsyndromic infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.
Bibliographic review on 8 databases using search algorithms. By applying the exclusion and inclusion criteria, 21 articles were detected, which were analyzed in full text. Complication, cause, and solution data were presented in supplemental tables.
Complications are related to soft tissues, hard tissues, and those derived from care.
irritation, ulceration, gingival, facial, or nasal bleeding. Candidiasis. An overexpanded nostril creation to improper placement or modifications of the nasal stent at home.The most frequent were lip and cheeks skin irritation by taping, and gingival ulceration due to excessive pressure.
misalignment of alveolar segments and the premature eruption of teeth.
inadequate device retention, adherence problems to treatment, poor/excessive care of the caregiver, intolerance to the device, eating problems, breathing, and socioeconomic issues.
The main complications occur in soft tissues, related to the retention mechanisms and an inadequate adjustment of the device.The benefits of NAM exceed the complications. It is necessary to know them to avoid any harmful results since they could prolong or stop the treatment, compromising the result. The active collaboration of the family in the insertion and maintenance of the device is crucial for success.
Pulmonary Histoplasmosis in a Referral Hospital in Mexico City Hernández Solís, Alejandro; Araiza Santibáñez, Javier; Tejeda Olán, Jazmín Guadalupe ...
The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology,
06/2022, Letnik:
2022
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Pulmonary histoplasmosis is caused by inhaling Histoplasma capsulatum. Less than 1% develops the disease. Risk factors in immunocompetent individuals are environmental exposures in endemic areas. The ...objective of this study is to determine the frequency, clinical, and microbiological characteristics in immunocompetent patients. A retrospective case series study of patients diagnosed with pulmonary histoplasmosis was performed in a respiratory care unit in Mexico City from 2000 to 2020. Each patient had bronchial lavage, and three patients underwent thoracoscopy for the lung tissue sample taken for the culture in Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. Twelve patients were identified, 8 males and 4 females; the predominant symptoms were fever (83%), dyspnea (75%), chest pain (66%), hemoptysis (41%), and weight loss (33%). The computed tomography of the chest showed the following findings: patchy consolidation 12 (100%), hilar adenopathy 6 (50%), pleural effusion 6 (50%), caverns 3 (25%), and solitary pulmonary nodule in one patient (8%). Histoplasma capsulatum was found in the culture of all twelve patients. The signs and symptoms of the disease are mediated by the immune status of the host. The clinical picture is often confused with systemic diseases. It is important to have a high degree of clinical suspicion to make a timely diagnosis.
Patients with respiratory diseases face adverse situations such as symptom management, general condition deterioration, and a hostile perception of the hospital environment, favoring the appearance ...of anxiety and depression.
A total of 317 patients hospitalized for a disease of pulmonary origin were analyzed and divided into the following subgroups: infectious, oncological, acute, and chronic diseases. Patients over 18 years of age with preserved cognitive capacity were included in the study. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was applied to them on the second or fourth day of their hospital stay and five days after the first evaluation. Multiple linear regression models were carried out to analyze the association between anxiety and depression measured over two different periods. The models present the statistically significant variables with a 95% confidence level.
The patients presented with anxiety in 74.4% of cases, mainly those with acute respiratory diseases (42.4%) and neoplastic diseases (27.5%). A total of 69.5% presented with depression, with symptoms more significant in those with chronic and oncological pulmonary diseases and those with no job. Patients with at least one comorbidity presented with anxiety in 53.9% of cases and depression in 52.1% of cases. Linear regression models were carried out and showed that anxiety was 1.75 and 1.84 times more frequent in patients with chronic diseases compared to those with infectious pathologies in the first and second reviews, respectively. The linear regression model also showed a higher frequency of depressive symptoms in patients with chronic conditions (1.62 times) compared to the group with infectious and contagious pathologies, and prolonged hospital stays were associated with depressive symptoms 1.37 times more than short stays.
Anxiety and depression are frequent disorders in patients with respiratory diseases, negatively affecting the prognosis. Routine mental health screening and multidisciplinary management are essential in this population.
•Controlling the molar ratio of choline to geranic acid in a choline and geranic acid (CAGE) deep eutectic solvent (DES) led to anticancer properties.•CAGE DES reduced the viability of skin cancer ...cells without harming normal cells.•CAGE DES did not trigger the expression of biomarkers of inflammation.•CAGE DES did not rupture the cell membrane but increased oxidative stress on cancer cells.•CAGE had the potential for application in anti-squamous cell carcinoma chemotherapy.
The properties of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are tunable, providing a route to new functions. Choline and geranic acid (CAGE) class of DESs shows antimicrobial properties, acts as drug delivery systems, and functions as anti-obesity agents. We hypothesize that new properties are attainable by rational variation of the molar ratios of choline and geranic acid. This study assessed the anticancer properties of a series of CAGE DESs, aiming to develop novel topical chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Cell viability assay demonstrated that varying the molar ratio of choline and geranic acid provided a strategy to significantly reduce the viability of human squamous carcinoma of the skin cell line (A431) without compromising the viability of human normal skin fibroblast cell line (CRL-2091). This molar ratio did not induce CRL-2091 to release interleukin–1β (IL–1β), a biomarker of acute and chronic inflammation, suggesting that the therapeutic dose of CAGE is unlikely to trigger skin inflammation. The anticancer property of CAGE is attributable to geranic acid, which also reduced the viability of A431 and CRL-2091 cell lines. With regards to mechanism, the therapeutic dose of CAGE did not rupture the cell membrane but induced oxidative stress on the A431 cell line. Concluding, rationally varying choline and geranic acid molar ratios provides a strategy to endow new properties on CAGE as demonstrated by selective activity against squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
Kinetics of calmodulin binding to calcineurin Quintana, Andrea R.; Wang, Dan; Forbes, Joanna E. ...
Biochemical and biophysical research communications,
08/2005, Letnik:
334, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Calcineurin (CaN) binds Ca
2+-saturated calmodulin (CaM) with relatively high affinity; however, an accurate steady-state
K
d value has not been determined. In this report, we describe, using ...steady-state and stopped-flow fluorescence techniques, the rates of association and dissociation of Ca
2+-saturated CaM from CaN heterodimer (CaNA/CaNB) and CaNA only. The rate of Ca
2+/CaM association was determined to be 4.6
×
10
7
M
−1
s
−1. The rate of Ca
2+/CaM dissociation from CaN was slower than previously reported and was approximately 0.0012
s
−1. In preparations of CaNA alone (no regulatory CaNB subunit), the dissociation rate was slowed further to 0.00026
s
−1. From these data we calculate a
K
d for binding of Ca
2+-saturated CaM to CaN of 28
pM. This
K
d is significantly lower than previously reported estimates of ∼1
nM and indicates that CaN is one of the highest affinity CaM-binding proteins identified to date.
La tuberculosis extrapulmonar es aquella tuberculosis diagnosticada clínicamente y confirmada por estudios bacteriológicos que afecta a tejidos y órganos fuera del parénquima pulmonar. México es el ...tercer lugar en América Latina en incidencia de tuberculosis pulmonar y extrapulmonar. Los métodos de cultivo siguen siendo el método de referencia para el diagnóstico de tuberculosis extrapulmonar, ya que identifican la especie y la sensibilidad a los fármacos.
Objective: To identify and describe the risk factors that increase susceptibility in older adults to infection by SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). Material and methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study in ...adults over 60 years, patients with a positive result (RT-PCR) were analysed to detect SARS-CoV-2. The study was carried out from May 17 to July 21, 2020. A multiple logistic regression model was used to analyse the risk factors of the study population. Results: 102 older adults were included with a mean age of 82.5 ± 8.8 years, 55 (54%) were positive and 47 (46%) were negative. When analysing the risk factors related to higher mortality coupled with Covid-19 infection, the statistically significant variable was frailty, with an OR of 11.6 in frail adults compared to robust individuals (p-value = 0.024.) Conclusion: In the vulnerable population, risk factors must be identified and treated, but above all, such factors must be prevented in advance; early detection, isolation, effective treatment must be carried out as well as follow-up of contacts and prevention of the spread of the new virus to reduce mortality in vulnerable groups.
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