The Eighth Central European Conference "Chemistry towards Biology": snapshot

The Eighth Central European Conference "Chemistry towards Biology" was held in Brno, Czech Republic, on 28 August – 1 September 2016The Eighth Central European Conference "Chemistry towards Biology" was held in Brno, Czech Republic, on 28 August-1 September 2016 to bring together experts in biology, chemistry and design of bioactive compounds; promote the exchange of scientific results, methods and ideas; and encourage cooperation between researchers from all over the world. The topics of the conference covered "Chemistry towards Biology", meaning that the event welcomed chemists working on biology-related problems, biologists using chemical methods, and students and other researchers of the respective areas that fall within the common scope of chemistry and biology. The authors of this manuscript are plenary speakers and other participants of the symposium and members of their research teams. The following summary highlights the major points/topics of the meeting

CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY LITERATURE FOCUSED ON ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP FROM JANUARY 2000 TO MARCH 2013

Objective. This project was conducted to describe characteristics of primary literature on antimicrobial stewardship (AS) to better understand the state of research on this topic. Background. Antimicrobial resistance, infection control measures, and the scarcity of new antimicrobial agents are important to nations worldwide, sparking global interest in AS. Methods. A PubMed search of the term “antimicrobial stewardship” was conducted in 6/2013 with these filters: abstract available, human species, English language, and publication range 1/1/2000-3/31/2013. Publications not reporting AS intervention outcomes were excluded. Collected data included basic identifiers in addition to publication year, journal professional affiliation(s), author discipline(s), and core and supplemental AS elements used. Three student pharmacists documented initial findings in a Microsoft® Excel® database. Final results were cross-referenced with a second student pharmacist for accuracy. Results. Out of 218 publications, 58 (27%) met inclusion criteria. No study prior to 2007 was included. Medical and pharmacy journals published most (69% and 26%, respectively). Fifty-five percent of studies featured collaborations between physicians and pharmacists. Overall, 47% of studies assessed at least one of the two core AS strategies, and 66% examined multiple AS elements. The most frequently assessed AS elements were: comprehensive multidisciplinary antimicrobial management programs (40%), guidelines/clinical pathways (40%), and the two core AS strategies (26% each). Conclusion. Further studies are required to elucidate optimal management of the numerous potential AS endeavors. Moreover, development of an AS-specific interprofessional journal may be warranted. Grants. All authors have no financial assistance disclosures to report

High Mobility Group Box 1 and TLR4 Signaling Pathway in Gnotobiotic Piglets Colonized/Infected with L. amylovorus, L. mucosae, E. coli Nissle 1917 and S. Typhimurium

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a DNA-binding nuclear protein that can be actively secreted by immune cells after different immune stimuli or passively released from cells undergoing necrosis. HMGB1 amplifies inflammation, and its hypersecretion contributes to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death. We tested possible immunomodulatory effect of commensal Lactobacillus amylovorus (LA), Lactobacillus mucosae (LM) or probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) in infection of gnotobiotic piglets with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST). Transcription of HMGB1 and Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2, 4, and 9 and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), TLR4-related molecules (MD-2, CD14, and LBP), and adaptor proteins (MyD88 and TRIF) in the ileum and colon were measured by RT-qPCR. Expression of TLR4 and its related molecules were highly upregulated in the ST-infected intestine, which was suppressed by EcN, but not LA nor LM. In contrast, HMGB1 expression was unaffected by ST infection or commensal/probiotic administration. HMGB1 protein levels in the intestine measured by ELISA were increased in ST-infected piglets, but they were decreased by previous colonization with E. coli Nissle 1917 only. We conclude that the stability of HMGB1 mRNA expression in all piglet groups could show its importance for DNA transcription and physiological cell functions. The presence of HMGB1 protein in the intestinal lumen probably indicates cellular damage