Listeria monocytogenes Brain Abscess Mimicking Ischemic Stroke in an Immunocompromised Patient: A Case Report

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a Gram-positive bacillus that infects immunocompromised persons, neonates, pregnant women and, occasionally, previously healthy individuals. L. monocytogenes brain abscesses are particularly rare. We present a 62-year-old female on corticosteroid treatment due to a recent diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis, who suddenly developed right hemiparesis mimicking a stroke. A brain computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a brain abscess and the blood cultures drawn yielded L. monocytogenes. A conservative treatment without surgical intervention was selected. The patient was commenced on intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin and showed remarkable improvement. She was successfully discharged on oral amoxicillin with probenecid. Since the subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study and CT scans exhibited reduction in the size of the abscess, the antimicrobial treatment was discontinued after a three-month period. The patient underwent regular follow-up visits with no signs of relapse

Design And Synthesis of a Novel Potent Myelin Basic Protein Epitope 87−99 Cyclic Analogue: Enhanced Stability and Biological Properties of Mimics Render Them a Potentially New Class of Immunomodulators †

A cyclic analogue, [cyclo(87−99)MBP87-99], of the human immunodominant MBP87-99 epitope, was designed based on ROESY/NMR distance information and modeling data for linear epitope 87−99, taking into account T-cell (Phe89, Lys91, Pro96) and HLA (His88, Phe90, Ile93) contact side-chain information. The cyclic analogue was found to induce experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), to bind HLA-DR4, and to increase CD4 T-cell line proliferation, like that of the conformationally related linear MBP87-99 epitope peptide. The mutant cyclic peptides, the cyclo(91−99)[Ala96]MBP87-99 and the cyclo(87−99)[Arg91Ala96]MBP87-99, reported previously for suppressing, to a varying degree, autoimmune encephalomyelitis in a rat animal model, were found in this study to possess the following immunomodulatory properties:  (i) they suppressed the proliferation of a CD4 T-cell line raised from a multiple sclerosis patient, (ii) they scored the best in vitro TH2/TH1 cytokine ratio in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures derived from 13 multiple sclerosis patients, inducing IL-10 selectively, and (iii) they bound to HLA-DR4, first to be reported for cyclic MBP peptides. In addition, cyclic peptides were found to be more stable to lysosomal enzymes and Cathepsin B, D, and H, compared to their linear counterparts. Taken together, these data render cyclic mimics as putative drugs for treating multiple sclerosis and potentially other Th1-mediated autoimmune diseases

The Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1 Genome Sequence Reflects Its Genetic Adaptation to the Human Oral Cavity

Bifidobacteria, one of the relatively dominant components of the human intestinal microbiota, are considered one of the key groups of beneficial intestinal bacteria (probiotic bacteria). However, in addition to health-promoting taxa, the genus Bifidobacterium also includes Bifidobacterium dentium, an opportunistic cariogenic pathogen. The genetic basis for the ability of B. dentium to survive in the oral cavity and contribute to caries development is not understood. The genome of B. dentium Bd1, a strain isolated from dental caries, was sequenced to completion to uncover a single circular 2,636,368 base pair chromosome with 2,143 predicted open reading frames. Annotation of the genome sequence revealed multiple ways in which B. dentium has adapted to the oral environment through specialized nutrient acquisition, defences against antimicrobials, and gene products that increase fitness and competitiveness within the oral niche. B. dentium Bd1 was shown to metabolize a wide variety of carbohydrates, consistent with genome-based predictions, while colonization and persistence factors implicated in tissue adhesion, acid tolerance, and the metabolism of human saliva-derived compounds were also identified. Global transcriptome analysis demonstrated that many of the genes encoding these predicted traits are highly expressed under relevant physiological conditions. This is the first report to identify, through various genomic approaches, specific genetic adaptations of a Bifidobacterium taxon, Bifidobacterium dentium Bd1, to a lifestyle as a cariogenic microorganism in the oral cavity. In silico analysis and comparative genomic hybridization experiments clearly reveal a high level of genome conservation among various B. dentium strains. The data indicate that the genome of this opportunistic cariogen has evolved through a very limited number of horizontal gene acquisition events, highlighting the narrow boundaries that separate commensals from opportunistic pathogens

Die Befriedigungsverfügung nach deutschem und griechischem Recht unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Wettbewerbsrechts: vom summar. vorläufigen zum beschleunigten endgültigen Rechtsschutz?

Mantzourani-Tschaschnig M-M. Die Befriedigungsverfügung nach deutschem und griechischem Recht unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Wettbewerbsrechts: vom summar. vorläufigen zum beschleunigten endgültigen Rechtsschutz?. Europäische Hochschulschriften : Reihe 2, Rechtswissenschaft ; 556. Frankfurt am Main: Lang; 1986

Ηγέτης ή διευθυντής; Οι απόψεις των εκπαιδευτικών της πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης

Η παρούσα μελέτη ασχολήθηκε με το ζήτημα της ηγεσίας στους σχολικούς διευθυντές και τις απόψεις των εκπαιδευτικών της πρωτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης και ολοκληρώθηκε μέσα από τρία κεφάλαια, όπου πιο συγκεκριμένα, αρχικά η εργασία αναφέρθηκε σε εισαγωγικά στοιχεία για το θέμα. Στη συνέχεια, το πρώτο κεφάλαιο στη βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση έκανε λόγο για την ηγεσία, θεωρίες αυτής, έρευνες πάνω στο θέμα και αναφορές για μοντέλα ηγεσίας. Εστίαση έγινε στο σχολικό διευθυντή και πώς λειτουργεί ως ηγέτης. Πιο αναλυτικά αναφέρθηκε ότι οι έννοιες της ηγεσίας, της διαχείρισης και της διοίκησης αλληλεπικαλύπτονται και έχουν δοθεί διαφορετικές σημασίες με την πάροδο του χρόνου και σε διαφορετικά πλαίσια. Η χρήση τους ποικίλλει μεταξύ των χωρών. Ο ρόλος της σχολικής ηγεσίας έχει λάβει ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα εδώ και πάνω από μια δεκαετία και μια αυξημένη εστίαση στην κατάρτιση, τα προσόντα και την επαγγελματική ανάπτυξη για την ανάδειξη σχολικών ηγετών σε ένα εθνικό πλαίσιο προσόντων. Ενώ οι σχολικοί ηγέτες και οι εκπαιδευτές των εκπαιδευτικών συμφωνούν με την ανάγκη συνεχούς κατάρτισης και ανάπτυξης των εκπαιδευτικών, οι συνθήκες που οδηγούν στη μεταφορά της γνώσης των εκπαιδευτικών για τη βελτίωση της πρακτικής στην τάξη είναι λιγότερο κατανοητές. Το δεύτερο κεφάλαιο στη συνέχεια, αναφέρθηκε στη μεθοδολογία της έρευνας όπου καταγράφηκαν οι τρόποι που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν για να ολοκληρωθεί η έρευνα. Έπειτα, το τρίτο κεφάλαιο ανέφερε αναλυτικά τα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν από την έρευνα και τέλος η εργασία έκλεισε με τα συμπεράσματα.The present study dealt with the issue of leadership in school managers and the views of primary school teachers and was completed through three chapters, where, in particular, the work was initially referred to in the introduction. Then, the first chapter in the bibliographic review spoke about leadership, its theories, surveys on the subject and references to leadership models. Focus was on the school manager and how he works as a leader. Analytically, it was reported that the concepts of leadership, management and administration overlap and have given different meanings over time and in different contexts. Their use varies between countries. The role of school leadership has been particularly important for more than a decade and an increased focus on training, qualifications and professional development for school leaders in a national qualifications framework. While school leaders and teacher trainers agree with the need for continuing teacher training and development, the conditions that lead to the transfer of teacher knowledge to improve classroom practice, are less understandable. The second chapter then referred to the survey methodology, where the ways used to complete the survey were recorded. Then, the third chapter detailed the results obtained from the survey and finally, the work ended with the conclusions

Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Pomegranate, Cranberry, and Black Chokeberry Extracts against Foodborne Pathogens

Herbal and plant extracts are being applied to a wide range of foods against different types of foodborne pathogens. In the present study, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of different concentrations (5% v/v, 10% v/v, and 20% v/v) from cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), and pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) plants were applied in five concentrations (62.5 to 1000 mg/mL) against foodborne strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pyogenes. The results revealed that a low concentration of solvents (5% v/v) did not exhibit decreased antimicrobial activity in comparison with higher solvent concentrations (10% and 20% v/v). Additionally, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts were highly effective against pathogens even in their low concentrations (62.5 mg/mL and 125 mg/mL). Likewise, the extracts exhibited promising results (aqueous extracts of pomegranate, cranberry, and black chokeberry in a food-compatible concentration of 2% w/v) were applied to raw pork meatball production, and their antimicrobial activity was recorded versus Enterobacteriaceae, total mesophilic bacteria (TMB), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and yeasts/molds. The outcome demonstrated that meatballs that contained aqueous extracts of pomegranate were more resistant to spoilage compared to all of the other samples, as it was preserved for more days. Likewise, these extracts of a plant origin could be used as natural preservatives in meat products, even in their low concentrations

α-Ketoheterocycles Able to Inhibit the Generation of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in Rat Mesangial Cells.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a key mediator of inflammation, and consequently huge efforts have been devoted to the development of novel agents able to regulate its formation. In this work, we present the synthesis of various α-ketoheterocycles and a study of their ability to inhibit the formation of PGE2 at a cellular level. A series of α-ketobenzothiazoles, α-ketobenzoxazoles, α-ketobenzimidazoles, and α-keto-1,2,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized and chemically characterized. Evaluation of their ability to suppress the generation of PGE2 in interleukin-1β plus forskolin-stimulated mesangial cells led to the identification of one α-ketobenzothiazole (GK181) and one α-ketobenzoxazole (GK491), which are able to suppress the PGE2 generation at a nanomolar level