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Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2021 May 11;204:111831. Epub 2021 May 11.

School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China. Electronic address:

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have shown potent antibacterial activity against numerous bacteria strains. However, their toxicity against mammalian cells is still a big challenge, limiting their in vivo applications. Here, we found that alloying Ag and Au in an atomic level to form Au-Ag nanoalloys (NAs) could effectively reduce the cytotoxicity of AgNPs, and the antimicrobial activity of NAs could be well maintained by tuning the composition of Ag. Read More

Eur J Med Chem 2021 May 1;221:113488. Epub 2021 May 1.

National Pharmaceutical Engineering Center for Solid Preparation in Chinese Herbal Medicine, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330004, PR China; Laboratoire de Méthodologie, Synthèse et Molécules Thérapeutiques (ICMMO), UMR 8182, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, Bât 410, Facultédes Sciences D'Orsay, Orsay, 291405, France; State Key Laboratory for Chemistry and Molecular Engineering of Medicinal Resources, Guangxi Normal University, 15 Yuchai Road, Guilin, 541004, PR China. Electronic address:

Naturally occurring cyclic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) such as tyrocidine A (Tyrc A) and gramicidin S (GS) are appealing targets for the development of novel antibiotics. However, their therapeutic potentials are limited by undesired hemolytic activity and relatively poor activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Inspired by polycationic lipopeptide polymyxin B (PMB), the so called 'last-resort' antibiotic for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, we synthesized and biologically evaluated a series of polycationic analogues derived from Tyrc A. Read More

Biosens Bioelectron 2021 May 9;187:113292. Epub 2021 May 9.

State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic Molecular Physics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, National Centre for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences - Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China. Electronic address:

CRISPR-Cas12a (Cpf1) trans-cleaves ssDNA and this feature has been widely harnessed for nucleic acid detection. Herein, we introduce a new type of Cas12a reporter, G-triplex (G3), and a highly sensitive biosensor termed G-CRISPR. We proved that Cas12a trans-cleaves G3 structures in about 10 min and G3 can serve as an excellent reporter based on the cleavage-induced high-order structure disruption. Read More

Complement Ther Clin Pract 2021 May 3;44:101395. Epub 2021 May 3.

School of Health, Medical and Applied Science, Central Queensland University, Central Queensland University, 6 University Drive, Branyan Queensland, 4670, Australia. Electronic address:

Introduction: For some time, Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) have incorporated animals into their environment to relieve loneliness and isolation for aged-care residents. However, research examining this practice is not as developed. This paper aims to identify the policies and practices influencing the conduct of Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) in RACF focusing on the Australian context. Read More

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2021 May 12;219:112322. Epub 2021 May 12.

Sorbonne Université, CNRS, EPHE, UMR METIS, F-75005, Paris, France; METIS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université PSL, CNRS, 75005 Paris, France.

Some parasites are known to bioaccumulate some environmental pollutants within their host. We hypothesized that these parasites may be beneficial for their hosts in polluted environments. We experimentally increased long-term (five weeks) exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, three levels: 0. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 May 12;787:147589. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. Electronic address:

Previous research has revealed the ecological importance of viruses in different ecosystems. However, bacteriophage-host distribution patterns in soil depth profiles have not been investigated. Environmental factors such as nutrient availability and physiological stress can impact the mode (either lytic or lysogenic) of viral reproduction and subsequent influence of virus infection on ecological processes. Read More

Int J Drug Policy 2021 May 12;95:103269. Epub 2021 May 12.

Digestive Oncology Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Iran is among countries with high opioid agonist therapy (OAT) coverage in prisons, which provides an infrastructure to increase feasibility of HCV programs. We aimed to evaluate the impact of an intervention to improve HCV screening, diagnosis, and treatment, including alongside the provision of OAT, in an Iranian prison.

Methods: During July-December 2018, in the Gorgan prison, all incarcerated adults (>18 years) received HCV antibody rapid testing and, if positive, provided a venepuncture sample for HCV RNA testing. Read More

J Autoimmun 2021 May 12;121:102647. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Radiation Oncology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background: We aimed to evaluate the association between autoimmune disease (AID) and lymphoma incidence in the Korean population. We also aimed to compare the overall survival (OS) in patients with AID-associated lymphoma (AAL) with that in patients with lymphoma without AID.

Material And Methods: We used National Sample Cohort 2002-2015 provided by National Health Insurance Service. Read More

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021 Apr 15;100(4):115389. Epub 2021 Apr 15.

Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Research, School of Pharmacy, Marshall University, Huntington, WV.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a considerable pathogen in the setting of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). MRSA PCR swab testing is widely used in the setting of respiratory tract infections, however little data exists relating to the use of MRSA PCR swab testing in SSTIs. Three thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five patients were included in this retrospective study that aimed to validate the clinical correlation of MRSA PCR wound swab testing in SSTIs through sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) analysis. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr 2021 May 3;15(3):1007-1008. Epub 2021 May 3.

Centre of Nutrition & Metabolic Research (C-NET), National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), SDA, New Delhi, India; Diabetes Foundation (India), SDA, New Delhi, India; Fortis C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, Chirag Enclave, Nehru Place, New Delhi, India. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: Vaccinations for COVID19 are now open to all adults in India. However, spread of COVID19 infection continues unabated. We aimed to ascertain number of breakthrough COVID19 infections after vaccinations in a chronic care, diabetes-centric healthcare facility. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2021 May 9;258:109103. Epub 2021 May 9.

Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address:

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is an important swine and human pathogen, causing severe meningitis with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Microglial activation and inflammation are responsible for bacterial meningitis. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2021 May 6;258:109102. Epub 2021 May 6.

MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China. Electronic address:

Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (SS2) is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes serious economic losses in the pig industry. Phosphorylation is an important mechanism of protein modification. Recent studies have reported that the serine/threonine kinase (STK) gene contributes to the growth and virulence of SS2. Read More

Curr Opin Microbiol 2021 May 12;62:1-7. Epub 2021 May 12.

Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA. Electronic address:

Disseminated candidiasis is a hospital-acquired infection that results in high degree of mortality despite antifungal treatment. Autopsy studies revealed that kidneys are the major target organs in disseminated candidiasis and death due to kidney damage is a frequent outcome in these patients. Thus, the need for effective therapeutic strategies to mitigate kidney damage in disseminated candidiasis is compelling. Read More

J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS), Peter Doherty Research Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Level 5, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Department of Medicine- RMH, Royal Parade, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan St, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Infectious Diseases, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, 792 Elizabeth St, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address:

Objectives: There have been efforts to promote timely antimicrobial administration for patients with sepsis, but the importance for other infections is uncertain. This study analysed whether time to first antimicrobial dose (TFAD) in patients with lower limb cellulitis influenced outcome measures such as length of acute hospital stay (LOS) and 30-day hospital readmission rates for cellulitis.

Methods: Medical records of patients admitted with lower limb cellulitis or erysipelas over a 15-month period (1 May 2019 to 30 November 2019 & 1 March 2020 to 31 October 2020) were reviewed. Read More

Vet Parasitol 2021 May 10;294:109449. Epub 2021 May 10.

Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Trypanosomosis and helminthosis, considered as part of neglected tropical diseases, are parasitic infections of public health importance, especially in Africa. Medicinal plants have been used in most parts of Africa, to treat these parasitic infections. The study aims to determine the anti-trypanosomal and anthelminthic properties of Tetrapleura tetraptera (fruit and stembark). Read More

Infect Dis Now 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

GPIP, Groupe de Pathologie Infectieuse Pédiatrique, Créteil, France; Service de pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Armand trousseau, Paris, France.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced incidence of many viral and bacterial infections has been reported in children: bronchiolitis, varicella, measles, pertussis, pneumococcal and meningococcal invasive diseases. The purpose of this opinion paper is to discuss various situations that could lead to larger epidemics when the non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic will no longer be necessary. While NPIs limited the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, they also reduced the spread of other pathogens during and after lockdown periods, despite the re-opening of schools since June 2020 in France. Read More

Infect Dis Now 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Pharmacy Department, Laikon General Hospital, Athens, Greece.

Objective: To assess the predictive value for infection with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) of reasons for empirical prescription of restricted antibiotics (rABX), in a setting with high resistance rates.

Methods: We prospectively studied all rABX prescriptions in a 550-bed tertiary teaching hospital from April 15 to June 14, 2018 and from September 1 to October 30, 2018. Prescribing physicians had to justify their decision by choosing one or more prespecified reasons. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

School of Bioresources and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bang Khun Thian, Bangkok 10150, Thailand. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate, a developed microfluidic paper based analytical device (DEN-NS1-PAD) based on rapid NS1 antigen test for diagnosing dengue at the point of care.

Methods: 219 serum samples from suspected dengue cases were tested with the developed DEN-NS1-PAD and commercial RDT by SD BIOLINE. The results were compared with the nested-PCR results. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Botswana-University of Pennsylvania Partnership, Gaborone, Botswana; Division of Infectious Diseases, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana.

Objectives: Plasmodium vivax malaria was thought to be rare in Africans who lack the Duffy blood group antigen expression. However, recent studies indicate that P. vivax can infect Duffy-negative individuals and has penetrated into areas of high Duffy-negativity across Africa. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. Electronic address:

Objectives: Our objective was to systematically investigate false-negative histidine-rich protein 2 rapid diagnostic tests (HRP2-RDT) in imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases from travellers to the UK and Northern Ireland (RoI).

Methods: Five imported malaria cases in travellers returning to the UK and RoI from East Africa, reported to the PHE Malaria Reference Laboratory as negative by histidine-rich protein (HRP2)-RDT. We systematically investigated the cases using microscopy, RDT, molecular, genomic and in in vitro approaches. Read More

Clin Microbiol Infect 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

IHU Méditerranée Infection, 19-21 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France; Aix-Marseille Univ., Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), MEPHI, 27 boulevard Jean Moulin, 13005 Marseille, France. Electronic address:

Objectives: Our surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology led us to detect several variants since summer 2020. We report the recent spread of a new SARS-CoV-2 spike 501Y variant.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 sequences obtained from human nasopharyngeal samples by Illumina next-generation sequencing were analyzed using Nextclade and an in-house Python script and compared using BLASTn to the GISAID database. Read More

Microb Pathog 2021 May 12:104885. Epub 2021 May 12.

Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China. Electronic address:

To prevent and control H3N8 subtype equine influenza, we prepared virus-like particles (VLPs) comprising the HA, NA and M1 proteins of H3N8 equine influenza virus (EIV) through the insect cell-baculovirus expression system. The results of Western blot and hemagglutination analyses demonstrated that the constructed VLPs comprising HA, NA and M1 proteins have good hemagglutination activity. Immunoelectron microscope revealed that the VLPs share similar morphology and structure with natural virus particles. Read More

J Ethnopharmacol 2021 May 12:114181. Epub 2021 May 12.

Federal University of Alfenas - UNIFAL. Alfenas, MG, Brazil. Electronic address:

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic mycosis with high prevalence in South America and especially in Brazil with severe clinical consequences that need broadened therapeutic options. Propolis is a natural resin from bees used in folk medicine for centuries with the first report in the ancient history of Egypt by Eberly papyrus, in Middle-Ages used to wash the newborn's umbilical cord and World War II as antiseptic or antibiotics. Nowadays it is a natural product worldwide consumed as food and traditionally used for oral and systemic diseases as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and other diseases. Read More

J Hepatol 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Section of Digestive Diseases, Department of internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, U.S.A.. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: COVID-19 is associated with liver injury and elevated IL-6. We hypothesized that IL-6 trans-signaling in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) leads to endotheliopathy (a proinflammatory and procoagulant state) and liver injury in COVID-19.

Methods: Coagulopathy, endotheliopathy, and ALT were retrospectively analyzed in a subset (n=68), followed by a larger cohort(n=3,780) of COVID-19 patients. Read More

J Chem Neuroanat 2021 May 12:101966. Epub 2021 May 12.

Dept. of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Electronic address:

Inappropriate use of pesticides has globally exposed mankind to a number of health hazards. Still their production is rising at the rate of 11 % annually and, has already exceeded more than 5 million tons in 2000 (FAO 2017). Plenty of available data reveals that pesticides exposures through agricultural use and food-preservative residue consumption may lead to neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Read More

Int J Pharm 2021 May 12:120706. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Drug and Medicines, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil. Zip Code: 14.800-903. Electronic address:

The rate of infections caused by resistant bacteria to the antimicrobials available for human use grows exponentially every year, which generates major impacts on human health and the world economy. In the last two decades, human beings can witness the expressive increase in the Science and Technology worldwide, and areas such as Health Sciences have benefited from these advances in favor of human health, such as the advent of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology as an important approach applied for bacterial infections treatment with resistance profile to available antibiotics. This review of the scientific literature brings the applicability of nanotechnology-based lipid systems as an innovative tool in the improvement of bacterial infections treatment. Read More

J Microbiol Methods 2021 May 12:106238. Epub 2021 May 12.

Genomic Division, Seri Biotech Research Laboratory, Carmelaram Post, Kodathi, Bengaluru 560035, India.

"Pébrine" is a devastating disease of Bombyx mori silkworms that is highly contagious and can completely destroy an entire crop of silkworms and is thus a serious threat for the viability and profitability of sericulture. The disease is most commonly attributed to microsporidians of the genus Nosema, which are obligate intracellular parasites that are transmitted through spores. Nosema infections in silkworms are diagnosed primarily through light microscopy, which is labour intensive and less reliable, sensitive, and specific than PCR-based techniques. Read More

Urology 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Division of Urology, Newark, NJ; RWJ BarnabasHealth, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Division of Urology, Livingston, NJ.

Fistula formation between the kidney and the colon is a rare occurrence. Colorenal fistulas have been reported after renal cryoablation, calculous pyonephrosis, and renal cell carcinoma. Fistula formation is reported in as many as 35% of patients with Crohn's disease. Read More

Int J Parasitol 2021 May 12. Epub 2021 May 12.

Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N 18 W 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0818, Japan. Electronic address:

The early-phase migration dynamics of Echinococcus multilocularis in the intermediate hosts remain largely unknown. We compared the parasite burden in the intestine, liver and faeces of DBA/2 and C57BL/6 mouse strains using parasite-specific quantitative PCR. Our results indicated that the parasites invaded mainly from the middle segments of the small intestine and completed migration to the liver within 24 h p. Read More

Life Sci 2021 May 12:119580. Epub 2021 May 12.

Cancer and Inflammatory Disorder Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India. Electronic address:

COVID-19 pandemic is still a major risk to human civilization. Besides the global immunization policy, more than 5lac new cases are documented every day. Some countries newly implement partial/complete nationwide lockdown to mitigate recurrent community spreading. Read More