Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Med Mycol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

BCCM/IHEM collection, Mycology and Aerobiology, Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstraat 14, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.

Aspergillus section Nigri is a taxonomically difficult but medically and economically important group. In this study, an update of the taxonomy of A. section Nigri strains within the BCCM/IHEM collection has been conducted. Read More

Radiat Prot Dosimetry 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Institute of Radiation Protection, Department of Radiation Sciences, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, Neuherberg, Germany.

Comprehensive track structure-based simulations of DNA damage induced in human cells by photons (5 keV-1.3 MeV) and light ions (0.25-512 MeV/u) were performed with PARTRAC. Read More

Afr J Emerg Med 2018 Dec 20;8(4):155-157. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Introduction: Respiratory failure is commonly seen in African emergency centres and intensive care units, but little is known about the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Methods: From April to October 2017, we recorded the number of patients intubated and ventilated in the emergency centre and intensive care unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana on a daily basis. We assessed patients for presence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) using the Kigali Modification of the Berlin ARDS criteria. Read More

Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 2018 Oct 16;6(10):e1948. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland, Ohio.

Background: Although education is critical to the mission of academic medical centers in the United States, it is often not quantified and monetized as are their research and clinical missions. We undertook this survey to assess the perceived valuation of educational endeavors of plastic surgeon faculty at the U.S. Read More

Microbiol Resour Announc 2018 Aug 2;7(4). Epub 2018 Aug 2.

Department of Safety and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Karlsruhe, Germany.

We report here the genome sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis MS 501, a potential human pathogen isolated from red lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) in Karlsruhe, Germany. Read More

Zookeys 2018 15(796):347-395. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Florida State Collection of Arthropods, 2606 S. Dundee St., 33629 Tampa, FL, USA Florida State Collection of Arthropods Tampa United States of America.

The genus Bergroth, 1911 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Chlorocorini) is redescribed and five species-group taxa are recognized, keyed, their diagnostic characters illustrated, and the distribution reviewed. Among the five taxa, two species and one subspecies are recognized as new: Bergroth, 1911 (Brazil, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname), (Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama), (French Guiana), Becker & Grazia-Vieira, 1971 (Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru), and (Guyana). The structure of the male genital capsule was found to be the only reliable character for identifying species-group taxa. Read More

PLoS One 2018 7;13(12):e0208364. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.

Antimicrobial multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDRO) can be transmitted between companion animals and their human owners. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) and Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in different companion animal species. Read More

Nat Chem Biol 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Chemistry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

Phagocytes destroy pathogens by trapping them in a transient organelle called the phagosome, where they are bombarded with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Imaging reactive species within the phagosome would directly reveal the chemical dynamics underlying pathogen destruction. Here we introduce a fluorescent, DNA-based combination reporter, cHOClate, which simultaneously images hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and pH quantitatively. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 Dec 10;9(1):5269. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

The epilepsies affect around 65 million people worldwide and have a substantial missing heritability component. We report a genome-wide mega-analysis involving 15,212 individuals with epilepsy and 29,677 controls, which reveals 16 genome-wide significant loci, of which 11 are novel. Using various prioritization criteria, we pinpoint the 21 most likely epilepsy genes at these loci, with the majority in genetic generalized epilepsies. Read More

J Exp Med 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Leibniz Institute on Aging, Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Jena, Germany

Organism aging is characterized by increased inflammation and decreased stem cell function, yet the relationship between these factors remains incompletely understood. This study shows that aged hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) exhibit increased ground-stage NF-κB activity, which enhances their responsiveness to undergo differentiation and loss of self-renewal in response to inflammation. The study identifies /cohesin as a critical mediator of NF-κB signaling, which increases chromatin accessibility in the vicinity of NF-κB target genes in response to inflammation. Read More

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Objective: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment in the abdominal cavity is challenging due to the respiratory motion. In the self-scanning HIFU ablation method the focal spot is kept static and the heating pattern is obtained through natural tissue motion. This paper describes a novel approach for modulating the HIFU power during self-scanning in order to compensate for the effect of tissue motion on thermal build-up. Read More

Sleep Med 2018 Oct 29;54:94-100. Epub 2018 Oct 29.

The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group, Rochester, MN, USA.

Introduction: The International Restless Legs Study Group (IRLSSG) has developed the IRLS (International Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale) and validated it as a clinician/researcher administered scale to be used when both patient and examiner are present. The IRLSSG recognized the need for a self-completing scale that can be used economically in clinical practice and in large population-based studies. In this study the validity and the reliability of the IRLS as a self-administered scale (sIRLS) is assessed. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Oct 4. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Department of Surgery, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether seeding density of placental mesenchymal stromal cells (PMSCs) on extracellular matrix (ECM) during in utero repair of myelomeningocele (MMC) affects motor function and neuronal preservation in the ovine model.

Methods: MMC defects were surgically created in 33 fetuses and repaired following randomization into four treatment groups: ECM only (n = 10), PMSC-ECM (42 K cells/cm) (n = 8), PMSC-ECM (167 K cells/cm) (n = 7), or PMSC-ECM (250-300 K cells/cm) (n = 8). Motor function was evaluated using the Sheep Locomotor Rating Scale (SLR). Read More

Dev Cell 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Molekulare Pflanzenphysiologie & Biophysik, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Julius-von-Sachs-Platz 2, Würzburg 97082, Germany. Electronic address:

Guard cells integrate various hormone signals and environmental cues to balance plant gas exchange and transpiration. The wounding-associated hormone jasmonic acid (JA) and the drought hormone abscisic acid (ABA) both trigger stomatal closure. In contrast to ABA however, the molecular mechanisms of JA-induced stomatal closure have remained largely elusive. Read More

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2018 Nov 13. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Plastic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery Unit, Department of Plastic Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann St., Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel. Electronic address:

Background: Anatomically shaped permanent expandable implants are dual-chambered devices, which allow their postoperative expansion for the adjustment of volume. Their use is optional when 1-stage immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) direct to permanent implant is not feasible. The aim of this study is to present one center's long-term experience with the anatomical Becker expandable implant in a large series of patients who underwent either IBR or a salvage procedure for IBR with the device. Read More

Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2018 Dec 9:1055665618817654. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

1 Division of Speech & Language Pathology, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.

J Thorac Oncol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) Partner Site Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.

Introduction: Quality of life (QoL) of comorbid patients with pulmonary malignancies is a key issue in considering stereotactic fractionated body radiotherapy (SBRT) indication. This study investigates the early impact of SBRT on QoL.

Methods: 100 patients with pulmonary lesions were treated with SBRT from 02/2011 to 11/2014 within the prospective, monocenter, phase II STRIPE trial. Read More

Sleep 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Centre and Discipline of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.

Objectives: Longitudinal data on the course and relationship of concurrent psychopathology in youth are scarce but are of need for better practical patient care and prevention. This study explores the course of (and relationships over time) between sleep problems and concurrent dimensional difficulties relating to anxiety/depression, attention deficiency and aggressive behaviors in childhood and adolescence. The latter three may jointly form a broad syndrome, the dysregulation profile. Read More

Eur Radiol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Zurich, Ramistrasse 100, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of bone texture analysis (TA) combined with machine learning (ML) algorithms in standard CT scans to identify patients with vertebrae at risk for insufficiency fractures.

Materials And Methods: Standard CT scans of 58 patients with insufficiency fractures of the spine, performed between 2006 and 2013, were analyzed retrospectively. Every included patient had at least two CT scans. Read More

PeerJ 2018 28;6:e5979. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA.

Predicting and simplifying which pathogens may spill over from animals to humans is a major priority in infectious disease biology. Many efforts to determine which viruses are at risk of spillover use a subset of viral traits to find trait-based associations with spillover. We adapt a new method-phylofactorization-to identify not traits but lineages of viruses at risk of spilling over. Read More

Front Microbiol 2018 21;9:2809. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.

Colistin is one of the last resort antimicrobials for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. After the emergence of transferable colistin resistance genes (-1-5), a reliable culture-based screening method to detect colonization with colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CRGN) is needed. The objective of this study was to test the performance of SuperPolymyxin™ medium to screen for CRGN in stool samples and to compare different methods for the confirmation of colistin resistance (e. Read More

Nat Commun 2018 12 5;9(1):5179. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, USA.

Sunlight is the dominant control on phytoplankton biosynthetic activity, and darkness deprives them of their primary external energy source. Changes in the biochemical composition of phytoplankton communities over diel light cycles and attendant consequences for carbon and energy flux in environments remain poorly elucidated. Here we use lipidomic data from the North Pacific subtropical gyre to show that biosynthesis of energy-rich triacylglycerols (TAGs) by eukaryotic nanophytoplankton during the day and their subsequent consumption at night drives a large and previously uncharacterized daily carbon cycle. Read More

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Purpose Of Review: To examine the recent literature on extracorporeal septoplasty.

Recent Findings: The literature suggests that extracorporeal septoplasty is an effective approach for both functional and cosmetic treatment of moderate to severe deformities of the caudal and dorsal septum. The procedure can be performed via an endonasal or external approach based on the nature of the deformity and the experience of the surgeon, although recent literature highlights various advantages of an external approach. Read More

J Consult Clin Psychol 2018 Dec;86(12):1005-1016

Salus Clinic Lindow.

Objective: Alcohol-dependent patients show attentional and approach biases for alcohol-related stimuli. Computerized cognitive bias modification (CBM) programs aim to retrain these biases and reduce relapse rates as add-ons to treatment. Retraining of alcohol-approach tendencies has already yielded significant reductions of relapse rates in previous studies, and retraining of biased attention toward alcohol is promising approach. Read More

Am J Transplant 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.

In November, UNOS was selected by HRSA to continue serving as the OPTN for up to five more years. UNOS' proposal for the 2018 contract builds on the continued improvements for the donation and transplant community, in organ matching, data analysis, electronic data exchange and member and patient education, that have helped facilitate year over year system wide performance improvement over this past contract period. This article is protected by copyright. Read More

Genome Res 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Wageningen University & Research;

Identifying the sources of natural variation underlying metabolic differences between plants will enable a better understanding of plant metabolism and provide insights into the regulatory networks that govern plant growth and morphology. So far, however, the contribution of epigenetic variation to metabolic diversity has been largely ignored. In the present study, we utilized a panel of epigenetic recombinant inbred lines (epiRILs) to assess the impact of epigenetic variation on the metabolic composition. Read More

Nitric Oxide 2018 Nov 29;82:35-47. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Miami, Florida, 33101, USA. Electronic address:

Defects in neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) splice variant localization and signaling in skeletal muscle are a firmly established pathogenic characteristic of many neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD and BMD, respectively). Therefore, substantial efforts have been made to understand and therapeutically target skeletal muscle nNOS isoform signaling. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent salient advances in understanding of the regulation, targeting, and function of nNOSμ and nNOSβ splice variants in normal and dystrophic skeletal muscle, primarily using findings from mouse models. Read More

J Biomech 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Mechanical tuning of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is important in improving gait in individuals post-stroke. Alignment and resistance are two factors that are tunable in articulated AFOs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of changing AFO ankle alignment on lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics with constant dorsiflexion and plantarflexion resistance in individuals post-stroke. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany. Electronic address:

Background: Progress in contemporary medicine is associated with an increasing number of immunocompromised individuals. In this vulnerable group, the underlying disease together with long-term hospitalization and the use of medical devices facilitate infections by opportunistic pathogens for which coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) represent a prime example.

Objectives: The diversity of CoNS with species- and strain-specific differences concerning virulence and clinical impact is highlighted. Read More

Hum Pathol 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Institute of Pathology, Klinikum Bayreuth, Preuschwitzer Str. 101, 95445 Bayreuth, Germany. Electronic address:

J Leukoc Biol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Chemokine Research Group, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Chemokines are members of a large family of chemotactic cytokines that signal through their receptors to mediate leukocyte recruitment during inflammation and homeostasis. The chemokine receptor CXCR2 has largely been associated with neutrophil recruitment. However, there is emerging evidence of roles for chemokines and their receptors in processes other than leukocyte migration. Read More

Phys Rev Lett 2018 Nov;121(21):211801

CERN, Geneva, Switzerland.

A combination of the searches for pair-produced vectorlike partners of the top and bottom quarks in various decay channels (T→Zt/Wb/Ht, B→Zb/Wt/Hb) is performed using 36.1  fb^{-1} of pp collision data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The observed data are found to be in good agreement with the standard model background prediction in all individual searches. Read More

Phys Rev Lett 2018 Nov;121(21):212301

CERN, Geneva, Switzerland.

This Letter presents a measurement of γγ→μ^{+}μ^{-} production in Pb+Pb collisions recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with an integrated luminosity of 0.49  nb^{-1}. Read More

Endocrinology 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL.

Glucokinase (GCK) is the principal hexokinase (HK) in the liver, operating as a glucose sensor to regulate glucose metabolism and lipid homeostasis. Recently, we proposed Hexokinase Domain Containing-1 (HKDC1) to be a novel 5th HK with expression in the liver. Here, we reveal HKDC1 to have low glucose-phosphorylating ability and demonstrate its association with the mitochondria in hepatocytes. Read More

J Endourol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Vivantes Auguste Viktoria Klinikum, 27156, Urology, Berlin, Berlin, Germany ;

Introduction & Objectives To evaluate the safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients on oral anticoagulation (OA) with respect to intra- and postoperative bleeding complications. Methods Between 01/2013 and 10/2016, 2178 patients were included in this study, of whom 94 received direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and 151 received Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) before HoLEP. All patients either ceased OA (DOACs) or were bridged subtherapeutically (VKAs, INR<2) during surgery. Read More

Acta Crystallogr C Struct Chem 2018 Dec 15;74(Pt 12):1641-1649. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 West Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois 60660, USA.

Treatment of the ortho-triazacyclophane 1,4-dimethyltribenzo[b,e,h][1,4,7]triazacyclonona-2,5,8-triene [(CH)(NH)(NCH), L1] with Fe[N(SiMe)] yields the dimeric iron(II) complex bis(μ-1,4-dimethyltribenzo[b,e,h][1,4,7]triazacyclonona-2,5,8-trien-7-ido)bis[(μ-1,4-dimethyltribenzo[b,e,h][1,4,7]triazacyclonona-2,5,8-trien-7-ido)iron(II)], [Fe(CHN)] or Fe(L1) (9). Dissolution of 9 in tetrahydrofuran (THF) results in solvation by two THF ligands and the formation of a simpler monoiron complex, namely bis(μ-1,4-dimethyltribenzo[b,e,h][1,4,7]triazacyclonona-2,5,8-trien-7-ido-κN)bis(tetrahydrofuran-κO)iron(II), [Fe(CHN)(CHO)] or (L1)Fe(THF) (10). The reaction is reversible and 10 reverts in vacuo to diiron complex 9. Read More

Genetics 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

South Dakota State University.

Mutations are the ultimate source of all genetic variation. However, few direct estimates of the contribution of mutation to molecular genetic variation are available. To address this issue, we first analyzed the rate and spectrum of mutations in the reference accession after 25 generations of single-seed descent. Read More

Int J Health Geogr 2018 Dec 4;17(1):43. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 2520 SW Campus Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.

Background: A growing number of studies observe associations between the amount of green space around a mother's home and positive birth outcomes; however, the robustness of this association and potential pathways of action remain unclear.

Objectives: To examine associations between mother's residential green space and term birth weight within the Canadian Healthy Infant Longitudinal Development (CHILD) study and examine specific hypothesized pathways.

Methods: We examined 2510 births located in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto Canada. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Dec 4:194599818815881. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

6 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.

Objective: Endoscopic resection of sinonasal cancer has become an alternative to open craniofacial surgery and leads to safe and satisfying results in emerging numbers. Randomized study data comparing outcomes between approaches are missing. Hence, it remains unclear which subgroups of patients might profit most from each technique. Read More

Zookeys 2018 21(798):63-107. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Entomology, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Vautierstraat 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences Brussels Belgium.

In the present paper the Oriental species of the genus Enderlein, 1912 are revised based on the type material of known species and new material from Singapore and Cambodia. A re-description and illustration of the holotype female of (Wiedemann, 1824) is given but since it has been described on the basis of a female only and its provenance India Orientalis is only a vague indication of its type locality, it is considered as a nomen dubium. All the species put as junior synonyms by Becker (1922) of are re-established to their original status with diagnosis: (Loew, 1864) and Enderlein, 1912. Read More

Appl Ergon 2019 Feb 12;75:230-242. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia; Clinical Skills Development Service, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia; School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, Brisbane, Queensland, 4006, Australia.

Particular design features intended to improve usability - including graphically displayed observations and integrated colour-based scoring-systems - have been shown to increase the speed and accuracy with which users of hospital observation charts detect abnormal patient observations. We used eye-tracking to evaluate two potential cognitive mechanisms underlying these effects. Novice chart-users completed a series of experimental trials in which they viewed patient data presented on one of three observation chart designs (varied within-subjects), and indicated which observation was abnormal (or that none were). Read More

Respir Res 2018 Dec 4;19(1):238. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Institute of Functional and Applied Anatomy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Background: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is used by an increasing number of transplant centres. It is still controversial whether an acellular or cellular (erythrocyte enriched) perfusate is preferable. The aim of this paper was to evaluate whether acellular (aEVLP) or cellular EVLP (cEVLP) preserves functional lung ultrastructure better and to generate a hypothesis regarding possible underlying mechanisms. Read More

Curr Opin Biotechnol 2018 Nov 28;56:130-137. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Glycom A/S, Kogle Allé 4, Hørsholm, DK-2970, Denmark. Electronic address:

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) constitute an important, highly abundant part of mothers' milk delivering many health benefits to the neonate. Until recently, limited availability of HMOs has prevented their use in infant nutrition and impeded research into their biological effects. The shift from chemical synthesis to biotechnological manufacturing has made them accessible in quantities and at prices that are within reach for commercial applications, including infant formula. Read More

Parasite Immunol 2018 Nov 30:e12608. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Unidad de Investigación en Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Hospital General de México, Dr. Balmis 148, Colonia Doctores, C. P, 06726, Ciudad de México, México.

Parasites have been engineered to express fluorescent reporter proteins, yet the impact of red fluorescent proteins on Leishmania infections remains largely unknown. We analyzed the infection outcome of L. mexicana parasites engineered for the constitutive expression of mKate protein and evaluated their immunogenicity in BALB/c mice. Read More

PLoS Pathog 2018 Nov 30;14(11):e1007423. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Lydia Becker Institute for Immunology & Infection, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Ym1 and RELMα are established effector molecules closely synonymous with Th2-type inflammation and associated pathology. Here, we show that whilst largely dependent on IL-4Rα signaling during a type 2 response, Ym1 and RELMα also have IL-4Rα-independent expression patterns in the lung. Notably, we found that Ym1 has opposing effects on type 2 immunity during nematode infection depending on whether it is expressed at the time of innate or adaptive responses. Read More

Biochemistry 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Deeper exploration of uncharacterized Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases has the potential to expand our knowledge of the types of molecules that can be acylated by this important superfamily of enzymes and may offer new opportunities for biotechnological applications. While determining native or biologically relevant in vivo functions of uncharacterized proteins is ideal, their alternative or promiscuous in vitro capabilities provide insight into key active site interactions. Additionally, this knowledge can be exploited to selectively modify complex molecules and reduce byproducts when synthetic routes become challenging. Read More

Bioorg Chem 2018 Nov 19;84:87-97. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

LORIA, Lorraine University, Nancy, France.

Drug repositioning is the process of discovery, validation and marketing of previously approved drugs for new indications. Our aim was drug repositioning, using ligand-based and structure-based computational methods, of compounds that are similar to two hit compounds previously selected by our group that show promising antifungal activity. Through the ligand-based method, 100 compounds from each of three databases (MDDR, DrugBank and TargetMol) were selected by the Tanimoto coefficient, as similar to LMM5 or LMM11. Read More