The erratic antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infections

Increasing trend of antibiotic resistance and expression of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs) are serious threats for public health as they render the treatment ineffective. Present study was designed to elucidate the antibiotic-susceptibility patterns of ESBL and non-ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae causing urinary tract infections so that the ineffective antibiotics could be removed from the line of treatment. The bacterial isolates obtained from the urine of patients visiting a tertiary health care facility were cultured for strain identification using API20E. Antimicrobial susceptibility and ESBL detection were done by Kirby-bauer diffusion technique. Almost 53.4 % isolates of E. coli and 24.5 % isolates of K. pneumoniae were found to be ESBL producers. The ESBL producing bacteria were found to be more resistant towards various antibiotics. The most effective drugs against E. coli ESBL isolates were imipenem (99.54 %), ampicillin-sulbactam (97.48 %), piperacillin-tazobactam (96.86 %), fosfomycin (94.51 %), amikacin (92.26 %) and nitrofurantoin (90.68 %). The most effective drugs against K. pneumoniae ESBL isolates were imipenem (97.62 %), piperacillin-tazobactam (95.35 %), ampicillin-sulbactam (90.48 %) and amikacin (88.37 %). The antibiotics having the highest resistance, particularly by the ESBL producers were amoxicillin clavulanic acid, sulphamethoxalzole/ trimethoprim, cefuroxime, cefpirome, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. Most of the isolates showed multi drug resistance (MDR). High frequency of ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae were observed as compared to previous data. Penicillins, cephalosporins and some representatives of fluoroquinolones were least effective against the common UTIs and are recommended to be removed from the line of treatment

Ternary Copper (II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline and coumarin-based oxylacetates as pro-apoptotic UPR CHOP inducer

We prepared six complexes with formula [Cu(phen)2(Lx)](ClO4)(x: 1 – 6) where the auxiliary ligands Lx are coumarin carboxylate derivatives bearing an oxylacetate moiety in the 6th or 7th position and different substituents in the 3rd or 4th position. Complexes show a pentacoordinated geometry around the metal ion. The possibility to complete the coordination sphere in an octahedral geometry makes the molecule able to further react. Complexes show affinity toward DNA mainly through electrostatic interactions and groove binding, while the interactions with DNA base pairs are guaranteed by the auxiliary ligands. The heteroleptic Cu(II) complexes show cytotoxic activity in the micromolar concentration range, and mechanistic studies have pointed out how they can interfere at Endotelial Reticulum level inducing the pro-apoptotic branch of the Unfoled Protein Response (UPR). The actin-normalized chop to bip density ratios suggest that the novel compounds induce preferentially the pro-apoptotic UPR signalling driven by chop, in a dose-dependent way and according to the substituents in the coumarinic moiety

Feasibility Study on a Portable Field Pest Classification System Design Based on DSP and 3G Wireless Communication Technology

This paper presents a feasibility study on a real-time in field pest classification system design based on Blackfin DSP and 3G wireless communication technology. This prototype system is composed of remote on-line classification platform (ROCP), which uses a digital signal processor (DSP) as a core CPU, and a host control platform (HCP). The ROCP is in charge of acquiring the pest image, extracting image features and detecting the class of pest using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) classifier. It sends the image data, which is encoded using JPEG 2000 in DSP, to the HCP through the 3G network at the same time for further identification. The image transmission and communication are accomplished using 3G technology. Our system transmits the data via a commercial base station. The system can work properly based on the effective coverage of base stations, no matter the distance from the ROCP to the HCP. In the HCP, the image data is decoded and the pest image displayed in real-time for further identification. Authentication and performance tests of the prototype system were conducted. The authentication test showed that the image data were transmitted correctly. Based on the performance test results on six classes of pests, the average accuracy is 82%. Considering the different live pests’ pose and different field lighting conditions, the result is satisfactory. The proposed technique is well suited for implementation in field pest classification on-line for precision agriculture

Evasion of anti-growth signaling: a key step in tumorigenesis and potential target for treatment and prophylaxis by natural compounds

The evasion of anti-growth signaling is an important characteristic of cancer cells. In order to continue to proliferate, cancer cells must somehow uncouple themselves from the many signals that exist to slow down cell growth. Here, we define the anti-growth signaling process, and review several important pathways involved in growth signaling: p53, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), retinoblastoma protein (Rb), Hippo, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A), Notch, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) pathways. Aberrations in these processes in cancer cells involve mutations and thus the suppression of genes that prevent growth, as well as mutation and activation of genes involved in driving cell growth. Using these pathways as examples, we prioritize molecular targets that might be leveraged to promote anti-growth signaling in cancer cells. Interestingly, naturally-occurring phytochemicals found in human diets (either singly or as mixtures) may promote anti-growth signaling, and do so without the potentially adverse effects associated with synthetic chemicals. We review examples of naturally-occurring phytochemicals that may be applied to prevent cancer by antagonizing growth signaling, and propose one phytochemical for each pathway. These are: epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for the Rb pathway, luteolin for p53, curcumin for PTEN, porphyrins for Hippo, genistein for GDF15, resveratrol for ARID1A, withaferin A for Notch and diguelin for the IGF1-receptor pathway. The coordination of anti-growth signaling and natural compound studies will provide insight into the future application of these compounds in the clinical setting

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Is Induced by Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Regulates Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Related Genes

Liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are commonly induced by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to identify and characterize the involvement of previously screened cytokine GDF15 in HCV pathogenesis. We examined the GDF15 expression after HCV infection both in vitro and in vivo. Cultured JFH-1 HCV was used to determine the GDF15 function on virus propagation. GDF15 overexpression and RNA interference were employed to profile the GDF15-regulated genes, signaling pathways and cell biology phenotypes. The mRNA expression and protein secretion of GDF15 was dramatically increased in HCV-infected hepatoma cells, which maybe a host response to viral proteins or infection-induced cell stress. Patients infected with HCV had an average 15-fold higher blood GDF15 level than that of healthy volunteers. Three HCC individuals in the HCV cohort showed extremely high GDF15 concentrations. Transfection or exogenously supplied GDF15 enhanced HCV propagation, whereas knockdown of endogenous GDF15 resulted in inhibition of virus replication. Overexpressed GDF15 led to Akt activation and the phosphorylation of Akt downstream targeted GSK-3β and Raf. Several HCC-related molecules, such as E-cadherin, β-catenin, Cyclin A2/B1/D1, were up-regulated by GDF15 stimulation in vitro. Overexpression of GDF15 in hepatoma cells resulted in increased DNA synthesis, promoted cell proliferation, and importantly enhanced invasiveness of the cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that an elevated serum GDF15 level is a potential diagnostic marker for viral hepatitis, and GDF15 may contribute to HCV pathogenesis by altering the signaling and growth of host cells

RegNetB: Predicting Relevant Regulator-Gene Relationships in Localized Prostate Tumor Samples

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A central question in cancer biology is what changes cause a healthy cell to form a tumor. Gene expression data could provide insight into this question, but it is difficult to distinguish between a gene that causes a change in gene expression from a gene that is affected by this change. Furthermore, the proteins that regulate gene expression are often themselves not regulated at the transcriptional level. Here we propose a Bayesian modeling framework we term RegNetB that uses mechanistic information about the gene regulatory network to distinguish between factors that cause a change in expression and genes that are affected by the change. We test this framework using human gene expression data describing localized prostate cancer progression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The top regulatory relationships identified by RegNetB include the regulation of RLN1, RLN2, by PAX4, the regulation of ACPP (PAP) by JUN, BACH1 and BACH2, and the co-regulation of PGC and GDF15 by MAZ and TAF8. These target genes are known to participate in tumor progression, but the suggested regulatory roles of PAX4, BACH1, BACH2, MAZ and TAF8 in the process is new.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Integrating gene expression data and regulatory topologies can aid in identifying potentially causal mechanisms for observed changes in gene expression.</p

LARVAL MORPHOLOGY AND ANATOMY OF THE PARASITOID EXORISTA LARVARUM (DIPTERA: TACHINIDAE), WITH AN EMPHASIS ON CEPHALOPHARYNGEAL SKELETON AND DIGESTIVE TRACT

The endogenous development of the tachinid gregarious larval parasitoid Exorista larvarum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) has been analyzed in the last larval instar of a factitious host, the wax moth Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), using histological techniques and scanning electron microscopy. This study has focused on the parasitoid internal body structures and their changes during the larval development. The first and second instar are enveloped by a host-derived hemocyte capsule attached to the respiratory funnel via a prominent anal hook located between 2 anal lobes. The third instar abandons the respiratory funnel and migrates free in the body cavity of the already dead host. Emphasis is given to the prominent cephalopharyngeal skeleton, highlighting the morphological aspects of its sclerotized as well as non-sclerotized components. In addition to the cephalopharyngeal skeleton, the anterior third of the larval parasitoid body is occupied by large salivary glands, massive proventriculus, and cerebral ganglia. The extensive digestive tract, which occupies the major part of the body, is differentiated into well-marked individual parts. The abdomen is predominantly filled with the extremely long mesenteron that increases in size during the larval development. The whole body is covered by an apparently thin integument, with strong spines that are especially numerous in the anterior and posterior body parts

Morphology and larval development of the parasitoid fly Exorista larvarum (L.)

This study reveals the morphology of immature E. larvarum and the changes during its development and offers detailed investigations on the larval body structures from the histological point of view

Penetration and encapsulation of the larval endoparasitoid Exorista larvarum (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the factitious host Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The tachinid fly Exorista larvarum (L.) (Diptera: Tachinidae) is a polyphagous larval endoparasitoid that deposits its eggs on the host exoskeleton of lepidopteran and tenthredinid larvae. The attachment of larval E. larvarum and the formation of the respiratory funnel were studied during infestation in the last larval instar of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The tachinid larvae burrow through the host integument after hatching, using their robust cephalopharyngeal skeleton, leaving a dark spot at the point of their penetration as a result of host cuticle melanization. Endoparasitoid penetration induces the host cellular defence, resulting in the formation of a haemocyte capsule consisting of multi-cellular sheaths. This enveloping capsule later undergoes melanization, which is mostly obvious towards the posterior part of the endoparasitoid. The endoparasitoid uses the host encapsulation response to build a respiratory funnel from the modified host integument, leading to the host surface. The encapsulated larva remains attached to the respiratory funnel via an anal hook and cuticular spines until fully developed. Additional immunohistochemical analyses were used to study host\u2013parasitoid interactions. Indirect immunofluorescence showed no labelling of potential tachinid antigens and confirmed no effect on the surrounding host tissues. A simulated parasitization with coated polybead microspheres revealed the mortal impact of tachinid antigens to the host. Hosts injected with antigen-coated polybeads died as a consequence of an acute and extensive immunological response to the tachinid antigens and not due to the trauma caused by foreign objects inside their body.