Carbapenem non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae

Purpose: This work aims at studying Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, which has recently been reported as a new, multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen in several hospitals from various Italian regions. Methods: Through Micronet, a new Italian sentinel laboratory-based surveillance network, researchers studied the trend of non-susceptibility of K. pneumoniae to selected carbapenems (imipenem and/or meropenem) in 14 of the 15 hospitals participating in the network. Results: Analysis of data from 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2012 revealed a statistically significant increasing trend (p<0.01) in the proportion of carbapenem non-susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates from clinical specimens (from 2.2 % in 2009 to 19.4% in 2012). The increase in the proportion of non-susceptibility was very large for isolates from the respiratory tract (from 5.3% in 2009 to 38.5% in 2012) and blood (from 5.4% in 2009 to 29.2% in 2012). Conclusions: The results demonstrate the urgent need in Italy for infection control, guidelines, antibiotic stewardship programmes and utilisation of surveillance systems, such as Micronet, which are capable of receiving data from hospitals in real time for many pathogens and types of clinical specimens

Meta-analysis of Quality of Life Data in Subjects at High Risk for Psychosis.

The nosology of the psychosis high-risk (HR) state is highly controversial. Traditionally conceived as an 'at-risk" state for the development of psychotic disorders, it is also conceptualized as a clinical syndrome associated with functional impairment and disability. In this meta-analysis quality of life (QoL) in HR were compared to healthy controls (HC) and psychotic patients (PS). We performed a systematic search of studies published until 2013 selecting cross-sectional studies addressing QoL in HR. Raw scores, demographic data were extracted by two independent authors. We performed the meta-analyses comparing QoL data between HR, HC and PS 945 subjects : mean age 23, 40% female). The analysis found HR subjects experience a significantly worse QoL than healthy controls (Hedges' g=-1.824, 95% CI from −2.853 to −0.795, p=0.001, 4 studies included), while no difference with psychotic subjects was found (Hedges' g=0.017, 95% CI from −0.636 to 0.671, p=0.958, 3 studies included). Despite the high heterogeneity (l2=95,18%) the effect size of each study comparing HR and healthy controls was significant and coherent in the direction of the effect. Our results indicate that the HR state is characterised by consistent and large reduction in QoL, a clinical indicator for functional disruption: these impairments would call not only for prevention of a future transition to psychosis, but also for treatment of the current disorder. Acknowledging the limitation of our study, due to the reduced number of studies included and the high heterogeneity, these preliminary results urge for further research on this domain

Use of systemic and in situ lactoferrin in MRONJ surgical management: proposal for a therapeutic solution

Aim: Lactoferrin (Lf) is an antimicrobial and iron chelator glycoprotein contained in exocrine secretion, including saliva, and in secondary granules of neutrophil granulocytes. Lf performs its antibacterial and antiviral action through two pathways: the first deprives bacteria of the iron they need for their reproduction and for biofilm formation; the second contributes to restore the inflammatory homeostasis which is essential for tissue health modulating the level of cytokines, like IL-6. The study intends to propose the use of systemic and in situ Lf effectiveness in the healing of oral mucosa and bone tissue affected by medication-related ostenecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), after surgical excision or spontaneous elimination of necrotic bone

Fluorescent labelling of the actin cytoskeleton in plants using a cameloid antibody

Background: Certain members of the Camelidae family produce a special type of antibody with only one heavy chain. The antigen binding domains are the smallest functional fragments of these heavy-chain only antibodies and as a consequence have been termed nanobodies. Discovery of these nanobodies has allowed the development of a number of therapeutic proteins and tools.In this study a class of nanobodies fused to fluorescent proteins (chromobodies), and therefore allowing antigen-binding and visualisation by fluorescence, have been used. Such chromobodies can be expressed in living cells and used as genetically encoded immunocytochemical markers. Results: Here a modified version of the commercially available Actin-Chromobody® as a novel tool for visualising actin dynamics in tobacco leaf cells was tested. The actin-chromobody binds to actin in a specific manner. Treatment with latrunculin B, a drug which disrupts the actin cytoskeleton through inhibition of polymerisation results in loss of fluorescence after less than 30 min but this can be rapidly restored by washing out latrunculin B and thereby allowing the actin filaments to repolymerise. To test the effect of the actin-chromobody on actin dynamics and compare it to one of the conventional labelling probes, Lifeact, the effect of both probes on Golgi movement was studied as the motility of Golgi bodies is largely dependent on the actin cytoskeleton. With the actin-chromobody expressed in cells, Golgi body movement was slowed down but the manner of movement rather than speed was affected less than with Lifeact. Conclusions: The actin-chromobody technique presented in this study provides a novel option for in vivo labelling ofthe actin cytoskeleton in comparison to conventionally used probes that are based on actin binding proteins. The actin-chromobody is particularly beneficial to study actin dynamics in plant cells as it does label actin without impairing dynamic movement and polymerisation of the actin filaments