Grapefruit bioactive limonoids modulate E. coli O157:H7 TTSS and biofilm

Author: Vikram, A.; Jesudhasan, P.R.; Jayaprakasha, G.K.; Pillai, B.S.; Patil, B.S. Description: Limonoids are important constituents of the grapefruit and other citrus fruits. Research on health benefits suggests that citrus limonoids may act as anti-cancer, cholesterol lowering, anti-HIV and anti-feedant compounds. However, antimicrobial activities of citrus limonoids are not reported. In the present investigation, limonoids were purified from grapefruit seed and evaluated for their potential to antagonize cell-to-cell communication, biofilm formation and expression of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) type three secretion system (TTSS). The results of the present study suggest…

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Mechanisms of biofilm resistance to antimicrobial agents

Author: Mah, T.F.; O’Toole, G.A. Description: Biofilms are communities of microorganisms attached to a surface. It has become clear that biofilm-grown cells express properties distinct from planktonic cells, one of which is an increased resistance to antimicrobial agents. Recent work has indicated that slow growth and/or induction of an rpoS-mediated stress response could contribute to biocide resistance. The physical and/or chemical structure of exopolysaccharides or other aspects of biofilm architecture could also confer resistance by exclusion of biocides from the bacterial community. Finally, biofilm-grown bacteria might develop a biofilm-specific biocide-resistant…

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Simple animal models for microbiome research

Author: Douglas, Angela E. Description: The health and fitness of animals, including humans, are influenced by the presence and composition of resident microbial communities. The development of rational microbial therapies to alleviate chronic immunological, metabolic and neurobiological diseases requires an understanding of the processes underlying microbial community assembly and the mechanisms by which microorganisms influence host traits. For fundamental discovery, simple animal models (that is, lower vertebrate and invertebrate species with low diversity microbiomes) are more cost-effective and time-efficient than mammal models, especially for complex experimental designs and sophisticated genetic…

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From acids to osmZ: multiple factors influence synthesis of the OmpF and OmpC porins in Escherichia coli

Author: Pratt, L.A.; Hsing, W.; Gibson, K.E.; Silhavy, T.J. Description: In Escherichia coli, levels of the two major outer membrane porin proteins, OmpF and OmpC, are regulated in response to a variety of environmental parameters, and numerous factors have been shown to influence porin synthesis. EnvZ and OmpR control porin-gene transcription in response to osmolarity, and the antisense RNA, MicF, influences ompF translation. In contrast to these characterized factors, some of the components reported to influence porin expression have only modest effects and/or act indirectly. For others, potential regulatory roles,…

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Biodiversity, community structure and function of biofilms in stream ecosystems

Author: Besemer, K. Description: Multi-species, surface-attached biofilms often dominate microbial life in streams and rivers, where they contribute substantially to biogeochemical processes. The microbial diversity of natural biofilms is huge, and may have important implications for the functioning of aquatic environments and the ecosystem services they provide. Yet the causes and consequences of biofilm biodiversity remain insufficiently understood. This review aims to give an overview of current knowledge on the distribution of stream biofilm biodiversity, the mechanisms generating biodiversity patterns and the relationship between biofilm biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Subject…

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Incidence of class 1 integron and other antibiotic resistance determinants in Aeromonas spp. from rainbow trout farms in Australia

Author: Ndi, O.L.; Barton, M.D. Description: There is limited information on antibiotic resistance determinants present in bacteria of aquaculture origin in Australia. The presence of integron and other resistance determinants was investigated in 90 Aeromonas isolates derived from nine freshwater trout farms in Victoria (Australia). Polymerase chain reaction was carried out for the detection of integrase genes Int1, Int2 and Int3, gene cassette array, integron-associated aadA, sul1 and qac1 genes, streptomycin resistance genes strA-strB, beta-lactamase resistance genes bla(TEM) and bla(SHV) , and tetracycline resistance genes tetA-E and tetM. Clonal analysis…

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Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options

Author: Flores-Mireles, A.L.; Walker, J.N.; Caparon, M.; Hultgren, S.J. Description: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a severe public health problem and are caused by a range of pathogens, but most commonly by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. High recurrence rates and increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens threaten to greatly increase the economic burden of these infections. In this Review, we discuss how basic science studies are elucidating the molecular details of the crosstalk that occurs at the host-pathogen interface, as well as the consequences…

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Molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance

Author: Blair, J.M.A.; Webber, M.A.; Baylay, A.J.; Ogbolu, D.O.; Piddock, L.J.V. Description: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are difficult or impossible to treat are becoming increasingly common and are causing a global health crisis. Antibiotic resistance is encoded by several genes, many of which can transfer between bacteria. New resistance mechanisms are constantly being described, and new genes and vectors of transmission are identified on a regular basis. This article reviews recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which bacteria are either intrinsically resistant or acquire resistance to antibiotics, including…

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Efficacy of Listerine, Meridol and chlorhexidine mouthrinses on plaque, gingivitis and plaque bacteria vitality

Author: Brecx, M.; Netuschil, L.; Reichert, B.; Schreil, G. Description: The experimental gingivitis model was used to compare the anti-plaque, anti-gingivitis and anti-microbial efficacies of a phenolic compound (Listerine) and an amine/stannous fluoride mouthwash (Meridol), using a placebo preparation as negative control and a chlorhexidine solution as positive control in a double-blind study. After professional toothcleaning, 36 volunteers performed optimal oral hygiene for a period of 2 weeks. They then ceased all oral hygiene procedures for 21 days during which they rinsed twice daily with 1 of the 4 mouthrinses….

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Why is Deinococcus radiodurans so resistant to ionizing radiation?

Author: Battista, J.R.; Earl, A.M.; Park, M.J. Description: When exponential-phase cultures of Deinococcus radiodurans are exposed to a 5000-Gray dose of gamma radiation, individual cells suffer massive DNA damage. Despite this insult to their genetic integrity, these cells survive without loss of viability or evidence of mutation, repairing the damage by as-yet-poorly-understood mechanisms. Subject headings: DNA Damage; DNA Replication; DNA, Bacterial/metabolism; Gamma Rays; Genome, Bacterial; Gram-Positive Cocci/genetics/growth & development/radiation effects; Radiation Tolerance; Recombination, Genetic Publication year: 1999 Journal or book title: Trends in Microbiology Volume: 7 Issue: 9 Pages: 362-365…

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