bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interaction with Lipid II Induces Conformational Changes in Bovicin HC5 Structure
Authors: Paiva Aline Dias , Irving Nicole , Breukink Eefjan , Mantovani Hilário Cuquetto 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Bovicin HC5 is a lantibiotic produced by
Streptococcus bovis
HC5 that targets the cell wall precursor lipid II. An understanding of the modes of action against target bacteria can help broadening the clinical applicability of lantibiotics in human and veterinary medicine. In this study, the interaction of bovicin HC5 with lipid II was examined using tryptophan fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy with model membrane systems that do or do not allow pore formation by bovicin HC5. In the presence of lipid II, a blue-shift of 12 nm could be observed for the fluorescence emission maximum of the tryptophan residue for all of the membrane systems tested. This change in fluorescence emission was paralleled by a decrease in accessibility toward acrylamide and phospholipids carrying a spin-label at the acyl chain; the tryptophan residue of bovicin HC5 was located near the twelfth position of the membrane phospholipid acyl chains. Moreover, the binding of lipid II by bovicin HC5 induced remarkable conformational changes in the bovicin HC5 structure. The interaction of bovicin HC5 with lipid II was highly stable even at pH 2.0. These results indicate that bovicin HC5 interacts directly with lipid II and that the topology of this interaction changes under different conditions, which is relevant for the biological activity of the peptide. To our knowledge, bovicin HC5 is the only bacteriocin described thus far that is able to interact with its target in extreme pH values, and this fact might be related to its unique structure and stability.
In Vitro
Activity and Microbiological Efficacy of Tedizolid (TR-700) against Gram-Positive Clinical Isolates from a Phase 2 Study of Oral Tedizolid Phosphate (TR-701) in Patients with Complicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Authors: Prokocimer Philippe , Bien Paul , DeAnda Carisa , Pillar Chris M. , Bartizal Ken 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Tedizolid (TR-700, formerly torezolid) is the active moiety of the prodrug tedizolid phosphate (TR-701), a next-generation oxazolidinone, with high potency against Gram-positive species, including methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). A recently completed randomized, double-blind phase 2 trial evaluated 200, 300, or 400 mg of oral tedizolid phosphate once daily for 5 to 7 days in patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections. This report examines the
in vitro
activity of tedizolid and Zyvox (linezolid) against Gram-positive pathogens isolated at baseline and describes the microbiological and clinical efficacy of tedizolid. Of 196 isolates tested, 81.6% were
S. aureus
, and of these, 76% were MRSA. The MIC
50
and MIC
90
of tedizolid against both methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) and MRSA were 0.25 μg/ml, compared with a MIC
50
of 1 μg/ml and MIC
90
of 2 μg/ml for linezolid. For coagulase-negative staphylococci (
n
= 7), viridans group streptococci (
n
= 15), and beta-hemolytic streptococci (
n
= 3), the MICs ranged from 0.03 to 0.25 μg/ml for tedizolid and from 0.12 to 1 μg/ml for linezolid. The microbiological eradication rates at the test-of-cure visit (7 to 14 days posttreatment) in the microbiologically evaluable population (
n
= 133) were similar in all treatment groups, with overall eradication rates of 97.7% for all pathogens, 97.9% for MRSA, and 95.7% for MSSA. The clinical cure rates for MRSA and MSSA infections were 96.9% and 95.7%, respectively, across all dose groups. This study confirms the potent
in vitro
activity of tedizolid against pathogenic Gram-positive cocci, including MRSA, and its 4-fold-greater potency in comparison with linezolid. All dosages of tedizolid phosphate showed excellent microbiological and clinical efficacy against MRSA and MSSA.
Amino Acid-Derived 1,2-Benzisothiazolinone Derivatives as Novel Small-Molecule Antifungal Inhibitors: Identification of Potential Genetic Targets
Authors: Alex Deepu , Gay-Andrieu Francoise , May Jared , Thampi Linta , Dou Dengfeng , Mooney Aileen , Groutas William , Calderone Richard 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTWe have identified four synthetic compounds (DFD-VI-15, BD-I-186, DFD-V-49, and DFD-V-66) from an amino acid-derived 1,2-benzisothiazolinone (BZT) scaffold that have reasonable MIC50values against a panel of fungal pathogens. These compounds have no structural similarity to existing antifungal drugs. Three of the four compounds have fungicidal activity againstCandidaspp.,Cryptococcus neoformans, and several dermatophytes, while one is fungicidal toAspergillus fumigatus. The kill rates of our compounds are equal to those in clinical usage. The BZT compounds remain active against azole-, polyene-, and micafungin-resistant strains ofCandidaspp. A genetics-based approach, along with phenotype analysis, was used to begin mode of action (MOA) studies of one of these compounds, DFD-VI-15. The genetics-based screen utilized a homozygous deletion collection of approximately 4,700Saccharomyces cerevisiaemutants. We identified mutants that are both hypersensitive and resistant. Using FunSpec, the hypersensitive mutants and a resistantace2mutant clustered within a category of genes related directly or indirectly to mitochondrial functions. InCandida albicans, the functions of the Ace2p transcription factor include the regulation of glycolysis. Our model is that DFD-VI-15 targets a respiratory pathway that limits energy production. Supporting this hypothesis are phenotypic data indicating that DFD-VI-15 causes increased cell-reactive oxidants (ROS) and a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. Also, the same compound has activity when cells are grown in a medium containing glycerol (mitochondrial substrate) but is much less active when cells are grown anaerobically.
Critical Role for MyD88-Mediated Neutrophil Recruitment during Clostridium difficile Colitis
Authors: Jarchum Irene , Liu Mingyu , Shi Chao , Equinda Michele , Pamer Eric G. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTClostridium difficilecan infect the large intestine and cause colitis when the normal intestinal microbiota is altered by antibiotic administration. Little is known about the innate immune signaling pathways that marshal inflammatory responses toC. difficileinfection and whether protective and pathogenic inflammatory responses can be dissociated. Toll-like receptors predominantly signal via the MyD88 adaptor protein and are important mediators of innate immune signaling in the intestinal mucosa. Here, we demonstrate that MyD88-mediated signals trigger neutrophil and CCR2-dependent Ly6Chimonocyte recruitment to the colonic lamina propria (cLP) during infection, which prevent dissemination of bystander bacteria to deeper tissues. Mortality is markedly increased in MyD88-deficient mice followingC. difficileinfection, as are parameters of mucosal tissue damage and inflammation. Antibody-mediated depletion of neutrophils markedly increases mortality, while attenuated recruitment of Ly6Chimonocytes in CCR2-deficient mice does not alter the course ofC. difficileinfection. Expression of CXCL1, a neutrophil-recruiting chemokine, is impaired in the cLP of MyD88−/−mice. Our studies suggest that MyD88-mediated signals promote neutrophil recruitment by inducing expression of CXCL1, thereby providing critical early defense againstC. difficile-mediated colitis.
MprA and DosR Coregulate a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence Operon Encoding
Rv1813c
and
Rv1812c
Authors: Bretl Daniel J. , He Hongjun , Demetriadou Crystalla , White Mark J. , Penoske Renee M. , Salzman Nita H. , Zahrt Thomas C. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
remains a significant global pathogen, causing extensive morbidity and mortality worldwide. This bacterium persists within granulomatous lesions in a poorly characterized, nonreplicating state. The two-component signal transduction systems MprAB and DosRS-DosT (DevRS-Rv2027c) are responsive to conditions likely to be present within granulomatous lesions and mediate aspects of
M. tuberculosis
persistence
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Here, we describe a previously uncharacterized locus,
Rv1813c-Rv1812c
, that is coregulated by both MprA and DosR. We demonstrate that MprA and DosR bind to adjacent and overlapping sequences within the promoter region of
Rv1813c
and direct transcription from an initiation site located several hundred base pairs upstream of the
Rv1813
translation start site. We further show that
Rv1813c
and
Rv1812c
are cotranscribed, and that the genomic organization of this operon is specific to
M. tuberculosis
and
Mycobacterium bovis
. Although
Rv1813c
is not required for survival of
M. tuberculosis
in vitro
, including under conditions in which MprAB and DosRST signaling are activated, an
M. tuberculosis
Δ
Rv1813c
mutant is attenuated in the low-dose aerosol model of murine tuberculosis, where it exhibits a lower bacterial burden, delayed time to death, and decreased ability to stimulate proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-12. Interestingly, overcomplementation of these phenotypes is observed in the
M. tuberculosis
Δ
Rv1813c
mutant expressing both
Rv1813c
and
Rv1812c
, but not
Rv1813c
alone, in
trans
. Therefore, Rv1813c and Rv1812c may represent general stress-responsive elements that are necessary for aspects of
M. tuberculosis
virulence and the host immune response to infection.
Sequential Plasmodium chabaudi and Plasmodium berghei Infections Provide a Novel Model of Severe Malarial Anemia
Authors: Harris Juliana V. , Bohr Tiffany M. , Stracener Catherine , Landmesser Mary E. , Torres Vladimir , Mbugua Amos , Moratz Chantal , Stoute José A. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTLack of an adequate animal model ofPlasmodium falciparumsevere malarial anemia (SMA) has hampered the understanding of this highly lethal condition. We developed a model of SMA by infecting C57BL/6 mice withP. chabaudifollowed after recovery byP. bergheiinfection.P. chabaudi/P. berghei-infected mice had an initial 9- to 10-day phase of relatively low parasitemia and severe anemia, followed by a second phase of hyperparasitemia, more profound anemia, reticulocytosis, and death 14 to 21 days after infection.P. chabaudi/P. berghei-infected animals had more intense splenic hematopoiesis, higher interleukin-10 (IL-10)/tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-12/gamma interferon (IFN-γ) ratios, and higher antibody levels againstP. bergheiandP. chabaudiantigens thanP. berghei-infected orP. chabaudi-recovered animals. Early treatment with chloroquine or artesunate did not prevent the anemia, suggesting that the bulk of red cell destruction was not due to the parasite. Red cells fromP. chabaudi/P. berghei-infected animals had increased surface IgG and C3 by flow cytometry. However, C3−/−mice still developed anemia. Tracking of red cells labeledex vivoandin vivoand analysis of frozen tissue sections by immunofluorescence microscopy showed that red cells fromP. chabaudi/P. berghei-infected animals were removed at an accelerated rate in the liver by erythrophagocytosis. This model is practical and reproducible, and its similarities withP. falciparumSMA in humans makes it an appealing system with which to study the pathogenesis of this condition and explore potential immunomodulatory interventions.
The association of dental plaque with cancer mortality in Sweden. A longitudinal study
Authors: Söder Birgitta , Yakob Maha , Meurman Jukka H , Andersson Leif C , Söder Per-Östen 
Published: June 2012

ObjectivesTo study whether the amount of dental plaque, which indicates poor oral hygiene and is potential source of oral infections, associates with premature death from cancer.DesignProspective cohort study.Participants1390 randomly selected healthy young Swedes followed up from 1985 to 2009. All subjects underwent oral clinical examination and answered a questionnaire assessing background variables such as socioeconomic status and smoking.Outcome measuresCauses of death were recorded from national statistics and classified according to the WHO International Classification of Diseases. Unpaired t test, χ2tests and multiple logistic regressions were used.ResultsOf the 1390 participants, 4.2% had died during the follow-up. Women had died at a mean age of 61.0 (±2.6 SD) years and men at the age of 60.2 (±2.9 SD) years. The amount of dental plaque between those who had died versus survived was statistically significant (p<0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, dental plaque appeared to be a significant independent predictor associated with 1.79 times the OR of death (p<0.05). Age increased the risk with an OR of 1.98 (p<0.05) and gender (men) with an OR of 1.91 (p<0.05). The malignancies were more widely scattered in men, while breast cancer was the most frequent cause of death in women.ConclusionsThis study hypothesis was confirmed by showing that poor oral hygiene, as reflected in the amount of dental plaque, was associated with increased cancer mortality.
Flow-simulated thrombin generation profiles as a predictor of thrombotic risk among pre-menopausal women
Authors: Jordan Sumanas W. , Corriere Matthew A. , Vossen Carla Y. , Rosendaal Frits R. , Chaikof Elliot L. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryA large number of individuals are at risk for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) due to alterations in multiple coagulation factors and inhibitors secondary to malignancy, drug interactions, or other general medical conditions. Traditional metrics of haemostasis such as prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and bleeding time, generally estimate anticoagulation status and bleeding risk rather than thrombosis risk. The objective of this study was to correlate a novel, systems-based metric of clotting potential to risk of DVT from a database derived from the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS). We utilised a computational model of blood coagulation, which addresses the interplay between biochemical factors, blood flow, and physiologic surface initiation of coagulation, to calculate an individualised, systems-based metric of clotting potential, termed the flow-simulated thrombin generation (FSTG), for 210 pre-menopausal women in LETS. Both DVT and oral contraceptive (OC) use were associated with higher values of FSTG. We demonstrated a nearly three-fold increased risk of DVT for each standard deviation increase above the mean in FSTG determined under venous flow conditions, which remained highly predictive after adjustment for age and OC status (adjusted odds ratio 2.66; 95% confidence interval 1.69–4.19; p<0.0001). In conclusion, a systems-based screening approach that integrates biochemical factors and flow haemodynamics identifies small subgroups of patients at risk of thrombosis that may benefit from oral anticoagulants.
Kistrin, a polypeptide platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist, enhances and sustains coronary arterial thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator in a canine preparation.
Authors: Yasuda T , Gold H K , Leinbach R C , Yaoita H , Fallon J T , Guerrero L , Napier M A , Bunting S , Collen D 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND
Kistrin is a 68-amino acid polypeptide from the venom of the Malayan pit viper Agkistrodon rhodostoma, which inhibits the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor. Its effect on thrombolysis, reocclusion, and bleeding associated with administration of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was studied in a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS
Coronary patency was monitored for 2 hours by ultrasonic flow probe and repeated coronary angiography. The rt-PA was given as 0.45-mg/kg bolus injections at 15-minute intervals until recanalization or to a maximum of four boluses. Four groups of four or five dogs were studied: a control group that received intravenous heparin (4,000-unit bolus and 1,000 units each hour) and three groups that received heparin and 0.48, 0.24, or 0.12 mg/kg kistrin, administered as a 10% bolus injection and an infusion during a 60-minute period. In the control group, reflow occurred in four of five dogs within 37 +/- 47 minutes but was followed by cyclic reflow and reocclusion. Kistrin at a dose of 0.48 and 0.24 mg/kg reduced the time to reflow to 6 +/- 5 and 10 +/- 3 minutes, respectively, and abolished reocclusion. With 0.12 mg/kg kistrin, reflow occurred in all four animals, within 27 +/- 23 minutes, and reocclusion occurred in two animals. Kistrin induced a dose-related prolongation of the template bleeding time: with 0.48 mg/kg kistrin, the bleeding time was prolonged from 3.8 +/- 1.3 minutes before infusion to 29 +/- 2 minutes during infusion, but it was shortened to 8.3 +/- 2.6 minutes at 90 minutes after the end of infusion. Kistrin also caused a dose-related inhibition of platelet aggregation with ADP and collagen: with 0.48 mg/kg kistrin, platelet aggregation was abolished during the infusion but had partially recovered toward the end of the observation period. Pathological examination of recanalized coronary arterial segments of dogs given 0.48 or 0.24 mg/kg kistrin revealed widely patent arteries with some platelets layered on the damaged intimal surface.

CONCLUSIONS
Kistrin increases the rate and extent of thrombolysis with a reduced dose of rt-PA, and it prevents reocclusion. At an effective dose, it is associated with a transient prolongation of the bleeding time and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Kistrin may offer promise as adjunctive treatment to thrombolytic agents in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Relative efficacy of antithrombin compared with antiplatelet agents in accelerating coronary thrombolysis and preventing early reocclusion.
Authors: Haskel E J , Prager N A , Sobel B E , Abendschein D R 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND
Optimal coronary thrombolysis should be prompt and persistent. Although activation of platelets and increased thrombin activity have been associated with clinical thrombolysis, the role of each in delaying thrombolysis or inducing early coronary reocclusion has been difficult to define.

METHODS AND RESULTS
In conscious dogs with coronary thrombosis induced by electrical current, we assessed the impact on the rapidity of thrombolysis and the incidence of reocclusion of two types of adjunctive treatment given concomitantly with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA): 1) inhibition of platelet function with a peptide mimetic antagonist of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors or with lysine acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and 2) inhibition of thrombin activity with recombinant hirudin or with heparin. ASA but not the receptor antagonist shortened the time to thrombolysis with t-PA (20 +/- 13 [mean +/- SD] minutes with ASA, 36 +/- 15 minutes with receptor antagonist, and 43 +/- 16 minutes with the saline control). Reocclusion occurred promptly after completion of the infusion of t-PA in all seven dogs given saline. Reocclusion was delayed and prevented in some dogs within 90 minutes after the end of the infusion of t-PA by both antiplatelet agents but still occurred in 42% despite continued inhibition of platelet function (i.e., three of six dogs given ASA and two of six given receptor antagonist). In contrast, inhibition of thrombin activity with recombinant hirudin in a dose that prolonged the partial thromboplastin time modestly (1.5-2-fold) resulted in accelerated lysis (19 +/- 10 minutes) and prevention of reocclusion in each of six dogs. Heparin given in doses that elicited similar prolongation of the partial thromboplastin time did not accelerate lysis nor prevent reocclusion, which occurred in five of six dogs.

CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of thrombin by recombinant hirudin facilitates thrombolysis and maintains patency of coronary arteries recanalized with t-PA particularly effectively. The benefit conferred may reflect direct anticoagulant effects plus diminished activation of platelets secondary to decreased thrombin activity.
Prospective comparison of a conventional and an accelerated protocol for programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with coronary artery disease.
Authors: Morady F , Kadish A , de Buitleir M , Kou W H , Calkins H , Schmaltz S , Rosenheck S , Sousa J 
Published: June 2012

BACKGROUND
This study compared the sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency of a "conventional" and "accelerated" programmed stimulation protocol in 293 patients with coronary artery disease who had a history of sustained or nonsustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT).

METHODS AND RESULTS
In the conventional protocol, one and two extrastimuli were introduced during sinus rhythm and during basic drive trains at cycle lengths of 600 and 400 msec at the right ventricular apex and then at the outflow tract or septum. In the accelerated protocol, one, two, and then three extrastimuli were introduced at each of three basic drive train cycle lengths (350, 400, and 600 msec) at the right ventricular apex; the procedure was repeated at a second right ventricular site. Six hundred thirty-four electrophysiological tests were performed using one of these two protocols either in the baseline state (293 tests) or during drug testing (341 tests). The yield of sustained, monomorphic VT was 89% with the conventional protocol and 92% with the accelerated protocol during baseline tests in patients who had a history of sustained VT (p = 0.05); 20% and 34%, respectively, during baseline tests in patients with a history of nonsustained VT (p = 0.06); and 70% and 77%, respectively, during drug testing (p = 0.2). To induce sustained, monomorphic VT, 10.1 +/- 5.0 (mean +/- SD) protocol steps and 14.4 +/- 8.7 minutes were required with the conventional protocol, compared with 4.0 +/- 3.7 steps and 5.6 +/- 6.1 minutes with the accelerated protocol (p less than 0.001 for each comparison). Among the tests in which sustained, monomorphic VT was induced, sustained polymorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation was induced more often with the conventional protocol (3.6%) than with the accelerated protocol (0.9%, p = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The efficiency of programmed stimulation can be improved by the early use of a basic drive train cycle length of 350 msec and three extrastimuli. Compared with a conventional stimulation protocol, the accelerated protocol used in this study reduces the number of protocol steps and duration of time required to induce monomorphic VT by an average of more than 50% and improves the specificity of programmed stimulation without impairing the yield of monomorphic VT.