Publications

impact of calcium signaling during infection of neisseria meningitidis to human brain microvascular endothelial cells.	the pili and outer membrane proteins of neisseria meningitidis (meningococci) facilitate bacterial adhesion and invasion into host cells. in this context expression of meningococcal pilc1 protein has been reported to play a crucial role. intracellular calcium mobilization has been implicated as an important signaling event during internalization of several bacterial pathogens. here we employed time lapse calcium-imaging and demonstrated that pilc1 of meningococci triggered a significant increase ...	2014	25464500
acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis associated with autoimmune myopathy.	acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis is a rare acute inflammatory myelinopathy of central nervous system with high mortality. we report a case of an unusual presentation of acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis with autoimmune myopathy and a complete recovery with steroids and plasmapheresis.	2014	25422709
human viruses and cancer.	the first human tumor virus was discovered in the middle of the last century by anthony epstein, bert achong and yvonne barr in african pediatric patients with burkitt's lymphoma. to date, seven viruses -ebv, kshv, high-risk hpv, mcpv, hbv, hcv and htlv1- have been consistently linked to different types of human cancer, and infections are estimated to account for up to 20% of all cancer cases worldwide. viral oncogenic mechanisms generally include: generation of genomic instability, increase in ...	2014	25341666
peripheral nervous system manifestations of infectious diseases.	infectious causes of peripheral nervous system (pns) disease are underrecognized but potentially treatable. heightened awareness educed by advanced understanding of the presentations and management of these infections can aid diagnosis and facilitate treatment. in this review, we discuss the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of common bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections that affect the pns. we additionally detail pns side effects of some frequently used antimicrobial agent ...	2014	25360209
the structure and regulation of flagella in bacillus subtilis.	bacterial flagellar motility is among the most extensively studied physiological systems in biology, but most research has been restricted to using the highly similar gram-negative species escherichia coli and salmonella enterica. here, we review the recent advances in the study of flagellar structure and regulation of the distantly related and genetically tractable gram-positive bacterium bacillus subtilis. b. subtilis has a thicker layer of peptidoglycan and lacks the outer membrane of the gra ...	2014	25251856
the construction and evaluation of reference spectra for the identification of human pathogenic microorganisms by maldi-tof ms.	matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (maldi-tof ms) is an emerging technique for the rapid and high-throughput identification of microorganisms. there remains a dearth of studies in which a large number of pathogenic microorganisms from a particular country or region are utilized for systematic analyses. in this study, peptide mass reference spectra (pmrs) were constructed and evaluated from numerous human pathogens (a total of 1019 strains from 94 species ...	2014	25181391
the sweet tooth of bacteria: common themes in bacterial glycoconjugates.	humans have been increasingly recognized as being superorganisms, living in close contact with a microbiota on all their mucosal surfaces. however, most studies on the human microbiota have focused on gaining comprehensive insights into the composition of the microbiota under different health conditions (e.g., enterotypes), while there is also a need for detailed knowledge of the different molecules that mediate interactions with the host. glycoconjugates are an interesting class of molecules fo ...	2014	25184559
molecular mimicry and clonal deletion: a fresh look.	in this article, i trace the historic background of clonal deletion and molecular mimicry, two major pillars underlying our present understanding of autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. clonal deletion originated as a critical element of the clonal selection theory of antibody formation in order to explain tolerance of self. if we did have complete clonal deletion, there would be major voids, the infamous "black holes", in our immune repertoire. for comprehensive, protective adaptive immunity, f ...	2014	25172771
molecular mimicry and clonal deletion: a fresh look.	in this article, i trace the historic background of clonal deletion and molecular mimicry, two major pillars underlying our present understanding of autoimmunity and autoimmune disease. clonal deletion originated as a critical element of the clonal selection theory of antibody formation in order to explain tolerance of self. if we did have complete clonal deletion, there would be major voids, the infamous "black holes", in our immune repertoire. for comprehensive, protective adaptive immunity, f ...	2014	25172771
a quantitative prioritisation of human and domestic animal pathogens in europe.	disease or pathogen risk prioritisations aid understanding of infectious agent impact within surveillance or mitigation and biosecurity work, but take significant development. previous work has shown the h-(hirsch-)index as an alternative proxy. we present a weighted risk analysis describing infectious pathogen impact for human health (human pathogens) and well-being (domestic animal pathogens) using an objective, evidence-based, repeatable approach; the h-index. this study established the highe ...	2014	25136810
bickerstaff's encephalitis.	bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis is a rare syndrome defined by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and decreased consciousness. it is considered to be a variant of miller fisher syndrome and guillain-barré syndrome but is differentiated from the two by the presence of central nervous system involvement, commonly in the form of impaired consciousness. we present an unusual case of bickerstaff's encephalitis, where the patient presented with pseudobulbar affect.	2014	25080547
secretion of bacterial lipoproteins: through the cytoplasmic membrane, the periplasm and beyond.	bacterial lipoproteins are peripherally anchored membrane proteins that play a variety of roles in bacterial physiology and virulence in monoderm (single membrane-enveloped, e.g., gram-positive) and diderm (double membrane-enveloped, e.g., gram-negative) bacteria. after export of prolipoproteins through the cytoplasmic membrane, which occurs predominantly but not exclusively via the general secretory or sec pathway, the proteins are lipid-modified at the cytoplasmic membrane in a multistep proce ...	2014	24780125
ge23077 binds to the rna polymerase 'i' and 'i+1' sites and prevents the binding of initiating nucleotides.	using a combination of genetic, biochemical, and structural approaches, we show that the cyclic-peptide antibiotic ge23077 (ge) binds directly to the bacterial rna polymerase (rnap) active-center 'i' and 'i+1' nucleotide binding sites, preventing the binding of initiating nucleotides, and thereby preventing transcription initiation. the target-based resistance spectrum for ge is unusually small, reflecting the fact that the ge binding site on rnap includes residues of the rnap active center that ...	2014	24755292
two residues predominantly dictate functional difference in motility between shewanella oneidensis flagellins flaa and flab.	nearly half of flagellated microorganisms possess a multiple-flagellin system. although a functional filament can be formed from one of multiple flagellins alone in many bacteria, it is more common that one flagellin is the major constituent and others contribute. underlying mechanisms proposed for such scenarios cover flagellin regulation of various levels, including transcription, translation, post-translational modification, secretion, and filament assembly. in shewanella oneidensis, the flag ...	2014	24733391
molecular architecture of the bacterial flagellar motor in cells.	the flagellum is one of the most sophisticated self-assembling molecular machines in bacteria. powered by the proton-motive force, the flagellum rapidly rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, which ultimately controls bacterial motility and behavior. escherichia coli and salmonella enterica have served as important model systems for extensive genetic, biochemical, and structural analysis of the flagellum, providing unparalleled insights into its structure, function, and gen ...	2014	24697492
superoxide dismutases and superoxide reductases.		2014	24684599
common infection-related conditions and risk of lymphoid malignancies in older individuals.	chronic antigenic stimulation may initiate non-hodgkin (nhl) and hodgkin lymphoma (hl) development. antecedent, infection-related conditions have been associated, but evidence by lymphoproliferative subtype is limited.	2014	24691420
a case of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the sigmoid colon presenting as a semipedunculated polyp.	mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (malt) lymphomas are characterized by lymphoepithelial lesions pathologically. colonic malt lymphomas are relatively rarer than lymphomas of the stomach or small intestine. endoscopically, colonic malt lymphoma frequently appears as a nonpedunculated protruding polypoid mass and/or an ulceration in the cecum and/or rectum. we report a unique case of a colonic malt lymphoma presenting as a semipedunculated polyp. a 54-year-old man was found to have a 2-cm semiped ...	2014	24765604
diagnostic metagenomics: potential applications to bacterial, viral and parasitic infections.	the term 'shotgun metagenomics' is applied to the direct sequencing of dna extracted from a sample without culture or target-specific amplification or capture. in diagnostic metagenomics, this approach is applied to clinical samples in the hope of detecting and characterizing pathogens. here, i provide a conceptual overview, before reviewing several recent promising proof-of-principle applications of metagenomics in virus discovery, analysis of outbreaks and detection of pathogens in contemporar ...	2014	24576467
a potential link between environmental triggers and autoimmunity.	autoimmune diseases have registered an alarming rise worldwide in recent years. accumulated evidence indicates that the immune system's ability to distinguish self from nonself is negatively impacted by genetic factors and environmental triggers. genetics is certainly a factor, but since it normally takes a very long time for the human genetic pattern to change enough to register on a worldwide scale, increasingly the attention of studies has been focused on the environmental factors of a rapidl ...	2014	24688790
catabolism of host-derived compounds during extracellular bacterial infections.	efficient catabolism of host-derived compounds is essential for bacterial survival and virulence. while these links in intracellular bacteria are well studied, such studies in extracellular bacteria lag behind, mostly for technical reasons. the field has identified important metabolic pathways, but the mechanisms by which they impact infection and in particular, establishing the importance of a compound's catabolism versus alternate metabolic roles has been difficult. in this review we will exam ...	2014	24038340
transition metal ions at the crossroads of mucosal immunity and microbial pathogenesis.	transition metal ions are essential micronutrients for all living organisms. in mammals, these ions are often protein-bound and sequestered within cells, limiting their availability to microbes. moreover, in response to infection, mammalian hosts further reduce the availability of metal nutrients by activating epithelial cells and recruiting neutrophils, both of which release metal-binding proteins with antimicrobial function. microorganisms, in turn, have evolved sophisticated systems to overco ...	2014	24478990
nitrate and periplasmic nitrate reductases.	the nitrate anion is a simple, abundant and relatively stable species, yet plays a significant role in global cycling of nitrogen, global climate change, and human health. although it has been known for quite some time that nitrate is an important species environmentally, recent studies have identified potential medical applications. in this respect the nitrate anion remains an enigmatic species that promises to offer exciting science in years to come. many bacteria readily reduce nitrate to nit ...	2014	24141308
incidence of marginal zone lymphoma in the united states, 2001-2009 with a focus on primary anatomic site.	the aetiology of marginal zone lymphoma (mzl) is purported to differ by anatomic site. while this is supported by clinical series of single mzl sites, no population-based study has comprehensively assessed incidence patterns across sites. to gain insight into disease aetiology, we assessed mzl incidence by site using data from 18 u.s. surveillance, epidemiology and end results (seer) program population-based registries. we calculated age-adjusted incidence rates (irs) by sex, race, and calendar ...	2014	24417667
fulminant guillain-barré syndrome with myocarditis.	guillain-barré syndrome (gbs) represents a diverse spectrum of diseases, with variable pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestation, presentation pattern, and degree of severity. we report a rare case of fatal fulminant gbs complicated with myocarditis during the course of illness.	2014	24791246
contribution of six flagellin genes to the flagellum biogenesis of vibrio vulnificus and in vivo invasion.	vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic pathogenic bacterium that is motile due to the presence of a single polar flagellum. v. vulnificus possesses a total of six flagellin genes organized into two loci (flafba and flacde). we proved that all six of the flagellin genes were transcribed, whereas only five (flaa, -b, -c, -d, and -f) of the six flagellin proteins were detected. to understand roles of the six v. vulnificus flagellins in motility and virulence, mutants with single and multiple flagellin d ...	2014	24101693
humans and cattle: a review of bovine zoonoses.	infectious disease prevention and control has been among the top public health objectives during the last century. however, controlling disease due to pathogens that move between animals and humans has been challenging. such zoonotic pathogens have been responsible for the majority of new human disease threats and a number of recent international epidemics. currently, our surveillance systems often lack the ability to monitor the human-animal interface for emergent pathogens. identifying and ult ...	2014	24341911
peripheral neuropathy: clinical and electrophysiological considerations.	this article is a primer on the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of peripheral neuropathy for the radiologist. magnetic resonance neurography has utility in the diagnosis of many focal peripheral nerve lesions. when combined with history, examination, electrophysiology, and laboratory data, future advancements in high-field magnetic resonance neurography may play an increasingly important role in the evaluation of patients with peripheral neuropathy.	2014	24210312
peripheral neuropathy: clinical and electrophysiological considerations.	this article is a primer on the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of peripheral neuropathy for the radiologist. magnetic resonance neurography has utility in the diagnosis of many focal peripheral nerve lesions. when combined with history, examination, electrophysiology, and laboratory data, future advancements in high-field magnetic resonance neurography may play an increasingly important role in the evaluation of patients with peripheral neuropathy.	2014	24210312
flexibility and symmetry of prokaryotic genome rearrangement reveal lineage-associated core-gene-defined genome organizational frameworks.	the prokaryotic pangenome partitions genes into core and dispensable genes. the order of core genes, albeit assumed to be stable under selection in general, is frequently interrupted by horizontal gene transfer and rearrangement, but how a core-gene-defined genome maintains its stability or flexibility remains to be investigated. based on data from 30 species, including 425 genomes from six phyla, we grouped core genes into syntenic blocks in the context of a pangenome according to their stabili ...	2014	25425232
emerging and reemerging neglected tropical diseases: a review of key characteristics, risk factors, and the policy and innovation environment.	in global health, critical challenges have arisen from infectious diseases, including the emergence and reemergence of old and new infectious diseases. emergence and reemergence are accelerated by rapid human development, including numerous changes in demographics, populations, and the environment. this has also led to zoonoses in the changing human-animal ecosystem, which are impacted by a growing globalized society where pathogens do not recognize geopolitical borders. within this context, neg ...	2014	25278579
flagellar biosynthesis exerts temporal regulation of secretion of specific campylobacter jejuni colonization and virulence determinants.	the campylobacter jejuni flagellum exports both proteins that form the flagellar organelle for swimming motility and colonization and virulence factors that promote commensal colonization of the avian intestinal tract or invasion of human intestinal cells respectively. we explored how the c. jejuni flagellum is a versatile secretory organelle by examining molecular determinants that allow colonization and virulence factors to exploit the flagellum for their own secretion. flagellar biogenesis wa ...	2014	25041103
biosensors for whole-cell bacterial detection.	bacterial pathogens are important targets for detection and identification in medicine, food safety, public health, and security. bacterial infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. in spite of the availability of antibiotics, these infections are often misdiagnosed or there is an unacceptable delay in diagnosis. current methods of bacterial detection rely upon laboratory-based techniques such as cell culture, microscopic analysis, and biochemical assays. these procedures ...	2014	24982325
the glycosylated rv1860 protein of mycobacterium tuberculosis inhibits dendritic cell mediated th1 and th17 polarization of t cells and abrogates protective immunity conferred by bcg.	we previously reported interferon gamma secretion by human cd4⁺ and cd8⁺ t cells in response to recombinant e. coli-expressed rv1860 protein of mycobacterium tuberculosis (mtb) as well as protection of guinea pigs against a challenge with virulent mtb following prime-boost immunization with dna vaccine and poxvirus expressing rv1860. in contrast, a statens serum institute mycobacterium bovis bcg (bcg-ssi) recombinant expressing mtb rv1860 (bcg-tb1860) showed loss of protective ability compared t ...	2014	24945624
bacterial monologue: an engaging writing activity for nonscience majors.		2014	24839525
a second-generation protein-protein interaction network of helicobacter pylori.	helicobacter pylori infections cause gastric ulcers and play a major role in the development of gastric cancer. in 2001, the first protein interactome was published for this species, revealing over 1500 binary protein interactions resulting from 261 yeast two-hybrid screens. here we roughly double the number of previously published interactions using an orfeome-based, proteome-wide yeast two-hybrid screening strategy. we identified a total of 1515 protein-protein interactions, of which 1461 are ...	2014	24627523
dimeric structure of the bacterial extracellular foldase prsa.	secretion of proteins into the membrane-cell wall space is essential for cell wall biosynthesis and pathogenicity in gram-positive bacteria. folding and maturation of many secreted proteins depend on a single extracellular foldase, the prsa protein. prsa is a 30-kda protein, lipid anchored to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. the crystal structure of bacillus subtilis prsa reveals a central catalytic parvulin-type prolyl isomerase domain, which is inserted into a larger composite nc domain ...	2014	25525259
dimeric structure of the bacterial extracellular foldase prsa.	secretion of proteins into the membrane-cell wall space is essential for cell wall biosynthesis and pathogenicity in gram-positive bacteria. folding and maturation of many secreted proteins depend on a single extracellular foldase, the prsa protein. prsa is a 30-kda protein, lipid anchored to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. the crystal structure of bacillus subtilis prsa reveals a central catalytic parvulin-type prolyl isomerase domain, which is inserted into a larger composite nc domain ...	2014	25525259
detection of zoonotic pathogens and characterization of novel viruses carried by commensal rattus norvegicus in new york city.	norway rats (rattus norvegicus) are globally distributed and concentrate in urban environments, where they live and feed in closer proximity to human populations than most other mammals. despite the potential role of rats as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases, the microbial diversity present in urban rat populations remains unexplored. in this study, we used targeted molecular assays to detect known bacterial, viral, and protozoan human pathogens and unbiased high-throughput sequencing to identify ...	2014	25316698
kdo2 -lipid a: structural diversity and impact on immunopharmacology.	3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid-lipid a (kdo2 -lipid a) is the essential component of lipopolysaccharide in most gram-negative bacteria and the minimal structural component to sustain bacterial viability. it serves as the active component of lipopolysaccharide to stimulate potent host immune responses through the complex of toll-like-receptor 4 (tlr4) and myeloid differentiation protein 2. the entire biosynthetic pathway of escherichia coli kdo2 -lipid a has been elucidated and the nine enzymes ...	2014	24838025
kdo2 -lipid a: structural diversity and impact on immunopharmacology.	3-deoxy-d-manno-octulosonic acid-lipid a (kdo2 -lipid a) is the essential component of lipopolysaccharide in most gram-negative bacteria and the minimal structural component to sustain bacterial viability. it serves as the active component of lipopolysaccharide to stimulate potent host immune responses through the complex of toll-like-receptor 4 (tlr4) and myeloid differentiation protein 2. the entire biosynthetic pathway of escherichia coli kdo2 -lipid a has been elucidated and the nine enzymes ...	2014	24838025
identification and characterization of a putative chemotaxis protein, chey, from the oral pathogen campylobacter rectus.	campylobacter rectus is an understudied oral bacterium that contributes to periodontitis. processes that contribute to the disease-causing capabilities of pathogens, such as chemotaxis, are largely unknown in c. rectus. the aim of this study was to better understand c. rectus chemotaxis, by examining the c. rectus genome for the presence of a chey gene. chey proteins play a part in chemotaxis by acting as two-component response regulators. significantly, chey proteins from several pathogens, inc ...	2014	25598863
n-acetylcysteine and the human serum components that inhibit bacterial invasion of gingival epithelial cells prevent experimental periodontitis in mice.	we previously reported that human serum significantly reduces the invasion of various oral bacterial species into gingival epithelial cells in vitro. the aims of the present study were to characterize the serum component(s) responsible for the inhibition of bacterial invasion of epithelial cells and to examine their effect on periodontitis induced in mice.	2014	25568806
selective microbial genomic dna isolation using restriction endonucleases.	to improve the metagenomic analysis of complex microbiomes, we have repurposed restriction endonucleases as methyl specific dna binding proteins. as an example, we use dpni immobilized on magnetic beads. the ten minute extraction technique allows specific binding of genomes containing the dpni gm6atc motif common in the genomic dna of many bacteria including γ-proteobacteria. using synthetic genome mixtures, we demonstrate 80% recovery of escherichia coli genomic dna even when only femtogram qua ...	2014	25279840
microbial peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (ppiases): virulence factors and potential alternative drug targets.	initially discovered in the context of immunomodulation, peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerases (ppiases) were soon identified as enzymes catalyzing the rate-limiting protein folding step at peptidyl bonds preceding proline residues. intense searches revealed that ppiases are a superfamily of proteins consisting of three structurally distinguishable families with representatives in every described species of prokaryote and eukaryote and, recently, even in some giant viruses. despite the clear-cut ...	2014	25184565
structural basis of pam-dependent target dna recognition by the cas9 endonuclease.	the crispr-associated protein cas9 is an rna-guided endonuclease that cleaves double-stranded dna bearing sequences complementary to a 20-nucleotide segment in the guide rna. cas9 has emerged as a versatile molecular tool for genome editing and gene expression control. rna-guided dna recognition and cleavage strictly require the presence of a protospacer adjacent motif (pam) in the target dna. here we report a crystal structure of streptococcus pyogenes cas9 in complex with a single-molecule gui ...	2014	25079318
oxantel disrupts polymicrobial biofilm development of periodontal pathogens.	bacterial pathogens commonly associated with chronic periodontitis are the spirochete treponema denticola and the gram-negative, proteolytic species porphyromonas gingivalis and tannerella forsythia. these species rely on complex anaerobic respiration of amino acids, and the anthelmintic drug oxantel has been shown to inhibit fumarate reductase (frd) activity in some pathogenic bacteria and inhibit p. gingivalis homotypic biofilm formation. here, we demonstrate that oxantel inhibited p. gingival ...	2014	24165189
dissemination of 6s rna among bacteria.	6s rna is a highly abundant small non-coding rna widely spread among diverse bacterial groups. by competing with dna promoters for binding to rna polymerase (rnap), the rna regulates transcription on a global scale. rnap produces small product rnas derived from 6s rna as template, which rearranges the 6s rna structure leading to dissociation of 6s rna:rnap complexes. although 6s rna has been experimentally analysed in detail for some species, such as escherichia coli and bacillus subtilis, and w ...	2014	25483037
a comparative analysis of methylome profiles of campylobacter jejuni sheep abortion isolate and gastroenteric strains using pacbio data.	campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of human gastrointestinal disease and small ruminant abortions in the united states. the recent emergence of a highly virulent, tetracycline-resistant c. jejuni subsp. jejuni sheep abortion clone (clone sa) in the united states, and that strain's association with human disease, has resulted in a heightened awareness of the zoonotic potential of this organism. pacific biosciences' single molecule, real-time sequencing technology was used to explore the vari ...	2014	25642218
a comparative analysis of methylome profiles of campylobacter jejuni sheep abortion isolate and gastroenteric strains using pacbio data.	campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of human gastrointestinal disease and small ruminant abortions in the united states. the recent emergence of a highly virulent, tetracycline-resistant c. jejuni subsp. jejuni sheep abortion clone (clone sa) in the united states, and that strain's association with human disease, has resulted in a heightened awareness of the zoonotic potential of this organism. pacific biosciences' single molecule, real-time sequencing technology was used to explore the vari ...	2014	25642218
cronobacter sakazakii: stress survival and virulence potential in an opportunistic foodborne pathogen.	a characteristic feature of the opportunistic foodborne pathogen cronobacter sakazakii is its ability to survive in extremely arid environments, such as powdered infant formula, making it a dangerous opportunistic pathogen of individuals of all age groups, especially infants and neonates. herein, we provide a brief overview of the pathogen; clinical manifestations, environmental reservoirs and our current understanding of stress response mechanisms and virulence factors which allow it to cause d ...	2014	25562731
cronobacter sakazakii: stress survival and virulence potential in an opportunistic foodborne pathogen.	a characteristic feature of the opportunistic foodborne pathogen cronobacter sakazakii is its ability to survive in extremely arid environments, such as powdered infant formula, making it a dangerous opportunistic pathogen of individuals of all age groups, especially infants and neonates. herein, we provide a brief overview of the pathogen; clinical manifestations, environmental reservoirs and our current understanding of stress response mechanisms and virulence factors which allow it to cause d ...	2014	25562731
campylobacter jejuni acquire new host-derived crispr spacers when in association with bacteriophages harboring a crispr-like cas4 protein.	campylobacter jejuni is a worldwide cause of human diarrhoeal disease. clustered repetitively interspaced palindromic repeats (crisprs) and associated proteins allow bacteria and archaea to evade bacteriophage and plasmid infection. type ii crispr systems are found in association with combinations of genes encoding the crispr-associated cas1, cas2, cas4 or csn2, and cas9 proteins. c. jejuni possesses a minimal subtype ii-c crispr system containing cas1, cas2, and cas9 genes whilst cas4 is notabl ...	2014	25601859
campylobacter jejuni acquire new host-derived crispr spacers when in association with bacteriophages harboring a crispr-like cas4 protein.	campylobacter jejuni is a worldwide cause of human diarrhoeal disease. clustered repetitively interspaced palindromic repeats (crisprs) and associated proteins allow bacteria and archaea to evade bacteriophage and plasmid infection. type ii crispr systems are found in association with combinations of genes encoding the crispr-associated cas1, cas2, cas4 or csn2, and cas9 proteins. c. jejuni possesses a minimal subtype ii-c crispr system containing cas1, cas2, and cas9 genes whilst cas4 is notabl ...	2014	25601859
combining electrochemical sensors with miniaturized sample preparation for rapid detection in clinical samples.	clinical analyses benefit world-wide from rapid and reliable diagnostics tests. new tests are sought with greatest demand not only for new analytes, but also to reduce costs, complexity and lengthy analysis times of current techniques. among the myriad of possibilities available today to develop new test systems, amperometric biosensors are prominent players-best represented by the ubiquitous amperometric-based glucose sensors. electrochemical approaches in general require little and often enoug ...	2014	25558994
combining electrochemical sensors with miniaturized sample preparation for rapid detection in clinical samples.	clinical analyses benefit world-wide from rapid and reliable diagnostics tests. new tests are sought with greatest demand not only for new analytes, but also to reduce costs, complexity and lengthy analysis times of current techniques. among the myriad of possibilities available today to develop new test systems, amperometric biosensors are prominent players-best represented by the ubiquitous amperometric-based glucose sensors. electrochemical approaches in general require little and often enoug ...	2014	25558994
rapid and sensitive detection of listeria ivanovii by loop-mediated isothermal amplification of the smcl gene.	a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (lamp) assay for rapid and sensitive detection of the l. ivanovii strains had been developed and evaluated in this study. oligonucleotide primers specific for l. ivanovii species were designed corresponding to smcl gene sequences. the primers set comprise six primers targeting eight regions on the species-specific gene smcl. the lamp assay could be completed within 1 h at 64°c in a water bath. amplification products were directly observed by the loopamp f ...	2014	25549337
role of the nuclease of nontypeable haemophilus influenzae in dispersal of organisms from biofilms.	nontypeable haemophilus influenzae (nthi) forms biofilms in the middle ear during human infection. the biofilm matrix of nthi contains extracellular dna. we show that nthi possesses a potent nuclease, which is a homolog of the thermonuclease of staphylococcus aureus. using a biofilm dispersal assay, studies showed a biofilm dispersal pattern in the parent strain, no evidence of dispersal in the nuclease mutant, and a partial return of dispersion in the complemented mutant. quantitative pcr of mr ...	2014	25547799
role of the nuclease of nontypeable haemophilus influenzae in dispersal of organisms from biofilms.	nontypeable haemophilus influenzae (nthi) forms biofilms in the middle ear during human infection. the biofilm matrix of nthi contains extracellular dna. we show that nthi possesses a potent nuclease, which is a homolog of the thermonuclease of staphylococcus aureus. using a biofilm dispersal assay, studies showed a biofilm dispersal pattern in the parent strain, no evidence of dispersal in the nuclease mutant, and a partial return of dispersion in the complemented mutant. quantitative pcr of mr ...	2014	25547799
nuclease activity of legionella pneumophila cas2 promotes intracellular infection of amoebal host cells.	legionella pneumophila, the primary agent of legionnaires' disease, flourishes in both natural and man-made environments by growing in a wide variety of aquatic amoebae. recently, we determined that the cas2 protein of l. pneumophila promotes intracellular infection of acanthamoeba castellanii and hartmannella vermiformis, the two amoebae most commonly linked to cases of disease. the cas2 family of proteins is best known for its role in the bacterial and archeal clustered regularly interspaced s ...	2014	25547789
nuclease activity of legionella pneumophila cas2 promotes intracellular infection of amoebal host cells.	legionella pneumophila, the primary agent of legionnaires' disease, flourishes in both natural and man-made environments by growing in a wide variety of aquatic amoebae. recently, we determined that the cas2 protein of l. pneumophila promotes intracellular infection of acanthamoeba castellanii and hartmannella vermiformis, the two amoebae most commonly linked to cases of disease. the cas2 family of proteins is best known for its role in the bacterial and archeal clustered regularly interspaced s ...	2014	25547789
a sequential statistical approach towards an optimized production of a broad spectrum bacteriocin substance from a soil bacterium bacillus sp. yas 1 strain.	bacteriocins, ribosomally synthesized antimicrobial peptides, display potential applications in agriculture, medicine, and industry. the present study highlights integral statistical optimization and partial characterization of a bacteriocin substance from a soil bacterium taxonomically affiliated as bacillus sp. yas 1 after biochemical and molecular identifications. a sequential statistical approach (plackett-burman and box-behnken) was employed to optimize bacteriocin (bac yas 1) production. u ...	2014	25614886
immunoglobulin g fc n-glycosylation in guillain-barré syndrome treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.		2014	25546781
colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma identified by chromoendoscopy.	colonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (malt) lymphomas are a rare occurrence and the definitive treatment has not been established. solitary or multiple, elevated or polypoid lesions are the usual appearances of malt lymphoma in the large intestine and sometimes the surface may reveal abnormal vascularity. herein, we report a case of malt lymphoma and review the relevant literature. upon colonoscopy, a suspected pathologic lesion was observed in the proximal transverse colon. the lesion coul ...	2014	25561821
dismicrobism in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer: changes in response of colocytes.	patients with inflammatory bowel disease (ibd) have an increased risk of 10%-15% developing colorectal cancer (crc) that is a common disease of high economic costs in developed countries. the crc has been increasing in recent years and its mortality rates are very high. multiple biological and biochemical factors are responsible for the onset and progression of this pathology. moreover, it appears absolutely necessary to investigate the environmental factors favoring the onset of crc and the pro ...	2014	25561781
the use of genome wide association methods to investigate pathogenicity, population structure and serovar in haemophilus parasuis.	haemophilus parasuis is the etiologic agent of glässer's disease in pigs and causes devastating losses to the farming industry. whilst some hyper-virulent isolates have been described, the relationship between genetics and disease outcome has been only partially established. in particular, there is weak correlation between serovar and disease phenotype. we sequenced the genomes of 212 isolates of h. parasuis and have used this to describe the pan-genome and to correlate this with clinical and ca ...	2014	25539682
the structures of the colonic mucosa-associated and luminal microbial communities are distinct and differentially affected by a prolonged murine stressor.	the commensal microbiota of the human gastrointestinal tract live in a largely stable community structure, assisting in host physiological and immunological functions. changes to this structure can be injurious to the health of the host, a concept termed dysbiosis. psychological stress is a factor that has been implicated in causing dysbiosis, and studies performed by our lab have shown that restraint stress can indeed shift the cecal microbiota structure as well as increase the severity of a co ...	2014	25536463
agricultural and management practices and bacterial contamination in greenhouse versus open field lettuce production.	the aim of this study was to gain insight into potential differences in risk factors for microbial contamination in greenhouse versus open field lettuce production. information was collected on sources, testing, and monitoring and if applicable, treatment of irrigation and harvest rinsing water. these data were combined with results of analysis on the levels of escherichia coli as a fecal indicator organism and the presence of enteric bacterial pathogens on both lettuce crops and environmental s ...	2014	25546272
agricultural and management practices and bacterial contamination in greenhouse versus open field lettuce production.	the aim of this study was to gain insight into potential differences in risk factors for microbial contamination in greenhouse versus open field lettuce production. information was collected on sources, testing, and monitoring and if applicable, treatment of irrigation and harvest rinsing water. these data were combined with results of analysis on the levels of escherichia coli as a fecal indicator organism and the presence of enteric bacterial pathogens on both lettuce crops and environmental s ...	2014	25546272
the vibrio cholerae vpra-vprb two-component system controls virulence through endotoxin modification.	the bacterial cell surface is the first structure the host immune system targets to prevent infection. cationic antimicrobial peptides of the innate immune system bind to the membrane of gram-negative pathogens via conserved, surface-exposed lipopolysaccharide (lps) molecules. we recently reported that modern strains of the global intestinal pathogen vibrio cholerae modify the anionic lipid a domain of lps with a novel moiety, amino acids. remarkably, glycine or diglycine addition to lipid a alt ...	2014	25538196
a cronobacter turicensis o1 antigen-specific monoclonal antibody inhibits bacterial motility and entry into epithelial cells.	cronobacter turicensis is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that can cause a rare but sometimes lethal infection in neonates. little is known about the virulence mechanisms and intracellular lifestyle of this pathogen. in this study, we developed an igg monoclonal antibody (mab; mab 2g4) that specifically recognizes the o1 antigen of c. turicensis cells. the antilipopolysaccharide antibody bound predominantly monovalently to the o antigen and reduced bacterial growth without causing cell agglu ...	2014	25534937
a cronobacter turicensis o1 antigen-specific monoclonal antibody inhibits bacterial motility and entry into epithelial cells.	cronobacter turicensis is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen that can cause a rare but sometimes lethal infection in neonates. little is known about the virulence mechanisms and intracellular lifestyle of this pathogen. in this study, we developed an igg monoclonal antibody (mab; mab 2g4) that specifically recognizes the o1 antigen of c. turicensis cells. the antilipopolysaccharide antibody bound predominantly monovalently to the o antigen and reduced bacterial growth without causing cell agglu ...	2014	25534937
molecular characterization of a homolog of the ferric-uptake regulator, fur, from the marine bacterium marinobacter algicola dg893.	full length recombinant iron regulatory protein, fur, has been isolated and characterized from the algal-associated marine bacterium marinobacter algicola dg893. under nondenaturing conditions the fur protein behaves on size exclusion chromatography as a dimer while it is monomeric under sds page conditions. icp-ms and fluorescence quenching experiments show that mb-fur binds a single metal ion (zn, mn, or co) per monomer. electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to probe the interaction ...	2014	25528647
molecular characterization of a homolog of the ferric-uptake regulator, fur, from the marine bacterium marinobacter algicola dg893.	full length recombinant iron regulatory protein, fur, has been isolated and characterized from the algal-associated marine bacterium marinobacter algicola dg893. under nondenaturing conditions the fur protein behaves on size exclusion chromatography as a dimer while it is monomeric under sds page conditions. icp-ms and fluorescence quenching experiments show that mb-fur binds a single metal ion (zn, mn, or co) per monomer. electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to probe the interaction ...	2014	25528647
detection of campylobacter in human faecal samples in fiji.	data on campylobacteriosis in developed countries are well documented; in contrast, few studies on campylobacteriosis have been conducted in developing countries. this study was undertaken to test for campylobacter in human faecal samples sent to the two major pathology laboratories in fiji.	2014	25685603
evaluation of detection methods for campylobacter infections among under-fives in mwanza city, tanzania.	campylobacter species are recognized as a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans throughout the world. the diagnosis is mainly based on stool culture. this study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of staining methods (gram stain using 0.3% carbol fuchsin as counter stain and 1% carbol fuchsin direct stain) versus culture as the gold standard.	2014	25995788
the aeromonas caviae aha0618 gene modulates cell length and influences swimming and swarming motility.	aeromonas caviae is motile via a polar flagellum in liquid culture, with a lateral flagella system used for swarming on solid surfaces. the polar flagellum also has a role in cellular adherence and biofilm formation. the two subunits of the polar flagellum, flaa and flab, are posttranslationally modified by o-linked glycosylation with pseudaminic acid on 6-8 serine and threonine residues within the central region of these proteins. this modification is essential for the formation of the flagellu ...	2014	25515520
the aeromonas caviae aha0618 gene modulates cell length and influences swimming and swarming motility.	aeromonas caviae is motile via a polar flagellum in liquid culture, with a lateral flagella system used for swarming on solid surfaces. the polar flagellum also has a role in cellular adherence and biofilm formation. the two subunits of the polar flagellum, flaa and flab, are posttranslationally modified by o-linked glycosylation with pseudaminic acid on 6-8 serine and threonine residues within the central region of these proteins. this modification is essential for the formation of the flagellu ...	2014	25515520
antibiotic adjuvants: diverse strategies for controlling drug-resistant pathogens.	the growing number of bacterial pathogens that are resistant to numerous antibiotics is a cause for concern around the globe. there have been no new broad-spectrum antibiotics developed in the last 40 years, and the drugs we have currently are quickly becoming ineffective. in this article, we explore a range of therapeutic strategies that could be employed in conjunction with antibiotics and may help to prolong the life span of these life-saving drugs. discussed topics include antiresistance dru ...	2014	25393203
antibiotic adjuvants: diverse strategies for controlling drug-resistant pathogens.	the growing number of bacterial pathogens that are resistant to numerous antibiotics is a cause for concern around the globe. there have been no new broad-spectrum antibiotics developed in the last 40 years, and the drugs we have currently are quickly becoming ineffective. in this article, we explore a range of therapeutic strategies that could be employed in conjunction with antibiotics and may help to prolong the life span of these life-saving drugs. discussed topics include antiresistance dru ...	2014	25393203
the dam replacing gene product enhances neisseria gonorrhoeae fa1090 viability and biofilm formation.	many neisseriaceae do not exhibit dam methyltransferase activity and, instead of the dam gene, possess drg (dam replacing gene) inserted in the leus/dam locus. the drg locus in neisseria gonorrhoeae fa1090 has a lower gc-pairs content (40.5%) compared to the whole genome of n. gonorrhoeae fa1090 (52%). the gonococcal drg gene encodes a dna endonuclease drg, with gmeatc specificity. disruption of drg or insertion of the dam gene in gonococcal genome changes the level of expression of genes as sho ...	2014	25566225
mycobacteriophage cell binding proteins for the capture of mycobacteria.	slow growing mycobacteriumavium subsp. paratuberculosis (map) causes a deadly condition in cattle known as johne's disease where asymptomatic carriers are the major source of disease transmission. map was also shown to be associated with chronic crohn's disease in humans. mycobacterium smegmatis is a model mycobacterium that can cause opportunistic infections in a number of human tissues and, rarely, a respiratory disease. currently, there are no rapid, culture-independent, reliable and inexpens ...	2014	26713219
selective gelatinase inhibition reduces apoptosis and pro-inflammatory immune cell responses in campylobacter jejuni-infected gnotobiotic il-10 deficient mice.	increased levels of the matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (also referred to gelatinase-a and -b, respectively) can be detected in intestinal inflammation. we have recently shown that selective gelatinase blockage by the synthetic compound ro28-2653 ameliorates acute murine ileitis and colitis. we here investigated whether ro28-2653 exerts anti-inflammatory effects in acute campylobacter jejuni-induced enterocolitis of gnotobiotic il-10(-/-) mice generated following antibiotic treatment. mice we ...	2014	25544894
the b-type channel is a major route for iron entry into the ferroxidase center and central cavity of bacterioferritin.	bacterioferritin is a bacterial iron storage and detoxification protein that is capable of forming a ferric oxyhydroxide mineral core within its central cavity. to do this, iron must traverse the bacterioferritin protein shell, which is expected to occur through one or more of the channels through the shell identified by structural studies. the size and negative electrostatic potential of the 24 b-type channels suggest that they could provide a route for iron into bacterioferritin. residues at t ...	2014	25512375
the b-type channel is a major route for iron entry into the ferroxidase center and central cavity of bacterioferritin.	bacterioferritin is a bacterial iron storage and detoxification protein that is capable of forming a ferric oxyhydroxide mineral core within its central cavity. to do this, iron must traverse the bacterioferritin protein shell, which is expected to occur through one or more of the channels through the shell identified by structural studies. the size and negative electrostatic potential of the 24 b-type channels suggest that they could provide a route for iron into bacterioferritin. residues at t ...	2014	25512375
cd169-dependent cell-associated hiv-1 transmission: a driver of virus dissemination.	sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (hiv-1) occurs across mucosal surfaces of the genital and gastrointestinal tracts and accounts for the vast majority of newly acquired infections worldwide. in the absence of an effective vaccine, interventional strategies such as microbicides that target viral attachment and entry into mucosa-resident target cells are particularly attractive and might have the greatest impact on reducing the hiv-1 pandemic. rational development of micro ...	2014	25414418
use of in vivo induced antigen technology to identify genes from aeromonas salmonicida subsp. salmonicida that are specifically expressed during infection of the rainbow trout oncorhynchus mykiss.	aeromonas salmonicida is a major fish pathogen associated with mass mortalities in salmonid fish. in the present study, we applied in vivo induced antigen technology (iviat), a technique that relies on antibodies adsorbed against in vitro cultures of the pathogen, to a clinical isolate of a. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida.	2014	25495705
reversal of igm deficiency following a gluten-free diet in seronegative celiac disease.	selective igm deficiency (sigmd) is very rare; it may be associated with celiac disease (cd). we present the case of an 18-year-old man with sigmd masking seronegative cd. symptoms included abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss. laboratory tests showed reduced igm, dq2-hla and negative anti-transglutaminase. villous atrophy and diffuse immature lymphocytes were observed at histology. tissue transglutaminase mrna mucosal levels showed a 6-fold increase. the patient was treated with a gluten-fr ...	2014	25516687
innate endogenous adjuvants prime to desirable immune responses via mucosal routes.	vaccination is an effective strategy to prevent infectious or immune related diseases, which has made remarkable contribution in human history. recently increasing attentions have been paid to mucosal vaccination due to its multiple advantages over conventional ways. subunit or peptide antigens are more reasonable immunogens for mucosal vaccination than live or attenuated pathogens, however adjuvants are required to augment the immune responses. many mucosal adjuvants have been developed to prim ...	2014	25503634
innate endogenous adjuvants prime to desirable immune responses via mucosal routes.	vaccination is an effective strategy to prevent infectious or immune related diseases, which has made remarkable contribution in human history. recently increasing attentions have been paid to mucosal vaccination due to its multiple advantages over conventional ways. subunit or peptide antigens are more reasonable immunogens for mucosal vaccination than live or attenuated pathogens, however adjuvants are required to augment the immune responses. many mucosal adjuvants have been developed to prim ...	2014	25503634
helical shape of helicobacter pylori requires an atypical glutamine as a zinc ligand in the carboxypeptidase csd4.	peptidoglycan modifying carboxypeptidases (cps) are important determinants of bacterial cell shape. here, we report crystal structures of csd4, a three-domain protein from the human gastric pathogen helicobacter pylori. the catalytic zinc in csd4 is coordinated by a rare his-glu-gln configuration that is conserved among most csd4 homologs, which form a distinct subfamily of cps. substitution of the glutamine to histidine, the residue found in prototypical zinc carboxypeptidases, resulted in decr ...	2014	25505267
helical shape of helicobacter pylori requires an atypical glutamine as a zinc ligand in the carboxypeptidase csd4.	peptidoglycan modifying carboxypeptidases (cps) are important determinants of bacterial cell shape. here, we report crystal structures of csd4, a three-domain protein from the human gastric pathogen helicobacter pylori. the catalytic zinc in csd4 is coordinated by a rare his-glu-gln configuration that is conserved among most csd4 homologs, which form a distinct subfamily of cps. substitution of the glutamine to histidine, the residue found in prototypical zinc carboxypeptidases, resulted in decr ...	2014	25505267
is dosing of therapeutic immunoglobulins optimal? a review of a three-decade long debate in europe.	the consumption of immunoglobulins (ig) is increasing due to better recognition of antibody deficiencies, an aging population, and new indications. this review aims to examine the various dosing regimens and research developments in the established and in some of the relevant off-label indications in europe. the background to the current regulatory settings in europe is provided as a backdrop for the latest developments in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies and in immunomodulatory indicati ...	2014	25566244
siderophore-mediated iron acquisition influences motility and is required for full virulence of the xylem-dwelling bacterial phytopathogen pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii.	iron is a key micronutrient for microbial growth but is often present in low concentrations or in biologically unavailable forms. many microorganisms overcome this challenge by producing siderophores, which are ferric-iron chelating compounds that enable the solubilization and acquisition of iron in a bioactive form. pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, the causal agent of stewart's wilt of sweet corn, produces a siderophore under iron-limiting conditions. the proteins involved in the biosynthesi ...	2014	25326304
siderophore-mediated iron acquisition influences motility and is required for full virulence of the xylem-dwelling bacterial phytopathogen pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii.	iron is a key micronutrient for microbial growth but is often present in low concentrations or in biologically unavailable forms. many microorganisms overcome this challenge by producing siderophores, which are ferric-iron chelating compounds that enable the solubilization and acquisition of iron in a bioactive form. pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, the causal agent of stewart's wilt of sweet corn, produces a siderophore under iron-limiting conditions. the proteins involved in the biosynthesi ...	2014	25326304
identification of ypqp as a new bacillus subtilis biofilm determinant that mediates the protection of staphylococcus aureus against antimicrobial agents in mixed-species communities.	in most habitats, microbial life is organized in biofilms, three-dimensional edifices sustained by extracellular polymeric substances that enable bacteria to resist harsh and changing environments. under multispecies conditions, bacteria can benefit from the polymers produced by other species ("public goods"), thus improving their survival under toxic conditions. a recent study showed that a bacillus subtilis hospital isolate (ndmed) was able to protect staphylococcus aureus from biocide action ...	2014	25326298
identification of ypqp as a new bacillus subtilis biofilm determinant that mediates the protection of staphylococcus aureus against antimicrobial agents in mixed-species communities.	in most habitats, microbial life is organized in biofilms, three-dimensional edifices sustained by extracellular polymeric substances that enable bacteria to resist harsh and changing environments. under multispecies conditions, bacteria can benefit from the polymers produced by other species ("public goods"), thus improving their survival under toxic conditions. a recent study showed that a bacillus subtilis hospital isolate (ndmed) was able to protect staphylococcus aureus from biocide action ...	2014	25326298
in silico detection of virulence gene homologues in the human pathogen sphingomonas spp.	there is an ongoing debate about the clinical significance of sphingomonas paucimobilis as a virulent bacterial pathogen. in the present study, we investigated the presence of different virulence factors and genes in sphingomonas bacteria. we utilized phylogenetic, comparative genomics and bioinformatics analysis to investigate the potentiality of sphingomonas bacteria as virulent pathogenic bacteria. the 16s ribosomal rna gene (16s rdna) phylogenetic tree showed that the closest bacterial taxon ...	2014	25574122
impact of the lab-score on antibiotic prescription rate in children with fever without source: a randomized controlled trial.	the lab-score, based on the combined determination of procalcitonin, c-reactive protein and urinary dipstick results, has been shown accurate in detecting serious bacterial infections (sbi) in children with fever without source (fws) on retrospective cohorts. we aimed to prospectively assess the utility of the lab-score in safely decreasing antibiotic prescriptions in children with fws and to determine its diagnostic characteristics compared to common sbi biomarkers.	2014	25503770
vibrio parahaemolyticus: a review on the pathogenesis, prevalence, and advance molecular identification techniques.	vibrio parahaemolyticus is a gram-negative halophilic bacterium that is found in estuarine, marine and coastal environments. v. parahaemolyticus is the leading causal agent of human acute gastroenteritis following the consumption of raw, undercooked, or mishandled marine products. in rare cases, v. parahaemolyticus causes wound infection, ear infection or septicaemia in individuals with pre-existing medical conditions. v. parahaemolyticus has two hemolysins virulence factors that are thermostabl ...	2014	25566219