Publications

5-ht7 receptor signaling: improved therapeutic strategy in gut disorders.	serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-ht) is most commonly known for its role as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (cns). however, the majority of the body's 5-ht is produced in the gut by enterochromaffin (ec) cells. alterations in 5-ht signaling have been associated with various gut disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (ibd), irritable bowel syndrome (ibs) and enteric infections. recently, our studies have identified a key role for 5-ht in the pathogenesis of experimental ...	2014	25565996
a review approaches to identify enteric bacterial pathogens.	diarrhea is a common disease across the world. according to who, every year about two billion cases of diarrhea are reported in the world. it occurs mainly in the tropical regions and is a main cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in young children and adults.	2014	25793091
a review approaches to identify enteric bacterial pathogens.	diarrhea is a common disease across the world. according to who, every year about two billion cases of diarrhea are reported in the world. it occurs mainly in the tropical regions and is a main cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in young children and adults.	2014	25793091
in silico analysis of autoimmune diseases and genetic relationships to vaccination against infectious diseases.	near universal administration of vaccines mandates intense pharmacovigilance for vaccine safety and a stringently low tolerance for adverse events. reports of autoimmune diseases (aid) following vaccination have been challenging to evaluate given the high rates of vaccination, background incidence of autoimmunity, and low incidence and variable times for onset of aid after vaccinations. in order to identify biologically plausible pathways to adverse autoimmune events of vaccine-related aid, we u ...	2014	25486901
reduction of campylobacter jejuni in broiler chicken by successive application of group ii and group iii phages.	bacteriophage treatment is a promising tool to reduce campylobacter in chickens. several studies have been published where group ii or group iii phages were successfully applied. however, these two groups of phages are different regarding their host ranges and host cell receptors. therefore, a concerted activity of group ii and group iii phages might enhance the efficacy of a treatment and decrease the number of resistant bacteria.	2014	25490713
transfection of eimeria mitis with yellow fluorescent protein as reporter and the endogenous development of the transgenic parasite.	advancements have been made in the genetic manipulation of apicomplexan parasites. both the in vitro transient and in vivo stable transfection of eimeria tenella have been developed successfully. herein, we report the transient and stable transfection of eimeria mitis.	2014	25490541
role of the streptococcus mutans crispr-cas systems in immunity and cell physiology.	crispr-cas systems provide adaptive microbial immunity against invading viruses and plasmids. the cariogenic bacterium streptococcus mutans ua159 has two crispr-cas systems: crispr1 (type ii-a) and crispr2 (type i-c) with several spacers from both crispr cassettes matching sequences of phage m102 or genomic sequences of other s. mutans. the deletion of the cas genes of crispr1 (δc1s), crispr2 (δc2e), or both crispr1+2 (δc1sc2e) or the removal of spacers 2 and 3 (δcr1sp13e) in s. mutans ua159 did ...	2014	25488301
role of the streptococcus mutans crispr-cas systems in immunity and cell physiology.	crispr-cas systems provide adaptive microbial immunity against invading viruses and plasmids. the cariogenic bacterium streptococcus mutans ua159 has two crispr-cas systems: crispr1 (type ii-a) and crispr2 (type i-c) with several spacers from both crispr cassettes matching sequences of phage m102 or genomic sequences of other s. mutans. the deletion of the cas genes of crispr1 (δc1s), crispr2 (δc2e), or both crispr1+2 (δc1sc2e) or the removal of spacers 2 and 3 (δcr1sp13e) in s. mutans ua159 did ...	2014	25488301
host-specific induction of escherichia coli fitness genes during human urinary tract infection.	uropathogenic escherichia coli (upec) is the predominant etiological agent of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uti), manifested by inflammation of the urinary bladder, in humans and is a major global public health concern. molecular pathogenesis of upec has been primarily examined using murine models of uti. translational research to develop novel therapeutics against this major pathogen, which is becoming increasingly antibiotic resistant, requires a thorough understanding of mechanisms i ...	2014	25489107
significant reduction in helicobacter pylori load in humans with non-viable lactobacillus reuteri dsm17648: a pilot study.	reducing the amount of helicobacter pylori in the stomach by selective bacterial-bacterial cell interaction was sought as an effective and novel method for combating the stomach pathogen. lactobacillus reuteri dsm17648 was identified as a highly specific binding antagonist to h. pylori among more than 700 wild-type strains of lactobacillus species. applying a stringent screening procedure, the strain dsm17648 was identified as selective binder to h. pylori cells under in vivo gastric conditions. ...	2014	25481036
significant reduction in helicobacter pylori load in humans with non-viable lactobacillus reuteri dsm17648: a pilot study.	reducing the amount of helicobacter pylori in the stomach by selective bacterial-bacterial cell interaction was sought as an effective and novel method for combating the stomach pathogen. lactobacillus reuteri dsm17648 was identified as a highly specific binding antagonist to h. pylori among more than 700 wild-type strains of lactobacillus species. applying a stringent screening procedure, the strain dsm17648 was identified as selective binder to h. pylori cells under in vivo gastric conditions. ...	2014	25481036
identification of a lineage specific zinc responsive genomic island in mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis.	maintenance of metal homeostasis is crucial in bacterial pathogenicity as metal starvation is the most important mechanism in the nutritional immunity strategy of host cells. thus, pathogenic bacteria have evolved sensitive metal scavenging systems to overcome this particular host defence mechanism. the ruminant pathogen mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (map) displays a unique gut tropism and causes a chronic progressive intestinal inflammation. map possesses eight conserved lineage spe ...	2014	25481572
nod1 and nod2: signaling, host defense, and inflammatory disease.	the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (nod) proteins nod1 and nod2, the founding members of the intracellular nod-like receptor family, sense conserved motifs in bacterial peptidoglycan and induce proinflammatory and antimicrobial responses. here, we discuss recent developments about the mechanisms by which nod1 and nod2 are activated by bacterial ligands, the regulation of their signaling pathways, and their role in host defense and inflammatory disease. several routes for the entry of ...	2014	25526305
intraspecies competition for niches in the distal gut dictate transmission during persistent salmonella infection.	in order to be transmitted, a pathogen must first successfully colonize and multiply within a host. ecological principles can be applied to study host-pathogen interactions to predict transmission dynamics. little is known about the population biology of salmonella during persistent infection. to define salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium population structure in this context, 129svj mice were oral gavaged with a mixture of eight wild-type isogenic tagged salmonella (wits) strains. distinct s ...	2014	25474319
reducing campylobacter jejuni colonization of poultry via vaccination.	campylobacter jejuni is a leading bacterial cause of human gastrointestinal disease worldwide. while c. jejuni is a commensal organism in chickens, case-studies have demonstrated a link between infection with c. jejuni and the consumption of foods that have been cross-contaminated with raw or undercooked poultry. we hypothesized that vaccination of chickens with c. jejuni surface-exposed colonization proteins (secps) would reduce the ability of c. jejuni to colonize chickens, thereby reducing th ...	2014	25474206
spinal hydatidosis mimicking guillain barre syndrome: in case of doubt there is no rush to perform lumbar puncture.	guillain barre syndrome (gbs) is a challenging pathology which diagnosis is based essentially on the clinical examination and the results of lumbar puncture. differential diagnosis must be discussed if the clinical picture is not complete. we present the case of a patient who presented to the emergency department with symptoms evoking both gbs and spinal cord compression. the radiology showed a diffused spinal hydatidosis. the lumbar puncture must be carefully considered. in this case, it would ...	2014	25922637
serogroup-specific bacterial engineered glycoproteins as novel antigenic targets for diagnosis of shiga toxin-producing-escherichia coli-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome.	human infection with shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli (stec) is a major cause of postdiarrheal hemolytic-uremic syndrome (hus), a life-threatening condition characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. e. coli o157:h7 is the dominant stec serotype associated with hus worldwide, although non-o157 stec serogroups can cause a similar disease. the detection of anti-o157 e. coli lipopolysaccharide (lps) antibodies in combination with stool culture and detection ...	2014	25472487
serogroup-specific bacterial engineered glycoproteins as novel antigenic targets for diagnosis of shiga toxin-producing-escherichia coli-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome.	human infection with shiga toxin-producing escherichia coli (stec) is a major cause of postdiarrheal hemolytic-uremic syndrome (hus), a life-threatening condition characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. e. coli o157:h7 is the dominant stec serotype associated with hus worldwide, although non-o157 stec serogroups can cause a similar disease. the detection of anti-o157 e. coli lipopolysaccharide (lps) antibodies in combination with stool culture and detection ...	2014	25472487
case report: brucella induced guillain-barré syndrome.	neurobrucellosis is relatively uncommon. in a prospective study of 530 patients with brucellosis, neurologic involvement was reported in only 1.7% of the patients. unlike campylobacter jejuni, the commonest infection implicated in guillain-barré syndrome, there are very few reports in the literature of guillain-barré syndrome in association with brucellosis. out of 1,028 cases of brucellosis, polyneuritis was reported in only 2 out of 58 patients with neurological involvement.	2014	25266352
inactivation of bacterial biothreat agents in water, a review.	water supplies and water distribution systems have been identified as potential targets for contamination by bacterial biothreat agents. since the 2001 bacillus anthracis bioterrorist attacks, additional efforts have been aimed at research to characterize biothreat organisms in regards to their susceptibility to disinfectants and technologies currently in use for potable water. here, we present a review of research relevant to disinfection of bacteria with the potential to pose a severe threat t ...	2014	25473971
outbreaks associated with cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew in the united states, 1973-2011.	fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. melons have been associated with enteric infections. we reviewed outbreaks reported to the centers for disease control and prevention's foodborne disease outbreak surveillance system during 1973-2011 in which the implicated food was a single melon type. we also reviewed published literature and records obtained from investigating agencies. during 1973-2011, 34 outbreaks caused by a single melon type were reported, resulting in ...	2014	25407556
development of multiplex pcr for simultaneous detection of three pathogenic shigella species.	shigella species are among the common causes of bacterial diarrhoeal diseases. traditional detection methods are time-consuming resulting in delay in treatment and control of shigella infections thus there is a need to develop molecular methods for rapid and simultaneous detection of shigella spp. in this study a rapid multiplex pcr were developed for simultaneous detection of three pathogenic shigella species.	2014	26171358
text4peds: feasibility of an educational text-messaging program for pediatrics residents.	there is an ongoing effort to maximize educational material provided to residents who are in a time-constrained work environment. mobile technology, principally smartphone applications and online modules, has shown educational promise.	2014	26140130
klebsiella pneumoniae translocates across the intestinal epithelium via rho gtpase- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/akt-dependent cell invasion.	klebsiella pneumoniae is an important pathogen that causes hospital-acquired septicemia and is associated with the recent emergence of community-acquired pyogenic liver abscess (pla). clinical typing suggests that k. pneumoniae infections originate from the gastrointestinal reservoir. however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. here, we have sought to determine how k. pneumoniae penetrates the intestinal barrier. we identified that bacteremia and pla clinical isolates adhered to and invad ...	2014	25452552
klebsiella pneumoniae translocates across the intestinal epithelium via rho gtpase- and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/akt-dependent cell invasion.	klebsiella pneumoniae is an important pathogen that causes hospital-acquired septicemia and is associated with the recent emergence of community-acquired pyogenic liver abscess (pla). clinical typing suggests that k. pneumoniae infections originate from the gastrointestinal reservoir. however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. here, we have sought to determine how k. pneumoniae penetrates the intestinal barrier. we identified that bacteremia and pla clinical isolates adhered to and invad ...	2014	25452552
characterization and localization of the campylobacter jejuni transformation system proteins ctse, ctsp, and ctsx.	the human pathogen campylobacter jejuni is naturally competent for transformation with its own dna. genes required for efficient transformation in c. jejuni include those similar to components of type ii secretion systems found in many gram-negative bacteria (r. s. wiesner, d. r. hendrixson, and v. j. dirita, j bacteriol 185:5408-5418, 2003, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.185.18.5408-5418.2003). two of these, ctse and ctsp, encode proteins annotated as putative nucleotide binding nucleoside tripho ...	2014	25448813
characterization and localization of the campylobacter jejuni transformation system proteins ctse, ctsp, and ctsx.	the human pathogen campylobacter jejuni is naturally competent for transformation with its own dna. genes required for efficient transformation in c. jejuni include those similar to components of type ii secretion systems found in many gram-negative bacteria (r. s. wiesner, d. r. hendrixson, and v. j. dirita, j bacteriol 185:5408-5418, 2003, http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jb.185.18.5408-5418.2003). two of these, ctse and ctsp, encode proteins annotated as putative nucleotide binding nucleoside tripho ...	2014	25448813
the gut microbiome and the brain.	the human gut microbiome impacts human brain health in numerous ways: (1) structural bacterial components such as lipopolysaccharides provide low-grade tonic stimulation of the innate immune system. excessive stimulation due to bacterial dysbiosis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or increased intestinal permeability may produce systemic and/or central nervous system inflammation. (2) bacterial proteins may cross-react with human antigens to stimulate dysfunctional responses of the adaptiv ...	2014	25402818
small-molecule inhibitors of the pseudaminic acid biosynthetic pathway: targeting motility as a key bacterial virulence factor.	helicobacter pylori is motile by means of polar flagella, and this motility has been shown to play a critical role in pathogenicity. the major structural flagellin proteins have been shown to be glycosylated with the nonulosonate sugar, pseudaminic acid (pse). this glycan is unique to microorganisms, and the process of flagellin glycosylation is required for h. pylori flagellar assembly and consequent motility. as such, the pse biosynthetic pathway offers considerable potential as an antivirulen ...	2014	25267679
enhanced transmission of antibiotic resistance in campylobacter jejuni biofilms by natural transformation.	campylobacter jejuni is a leading food-borne pathogen, and its antibiotic resistance is of serious concern to public health worldwide. c. jejuni is naturally competent for dna transformation and freely takes up foreign dna harboring genetic information responsible for antibiotic resistance. in this study, we demonstrate that c. jejuni transfers antibiotic resistance genes more frequently in biofilms than in planktonic cells by natural transformation.	2014	25267685
bordetella parapertussis survives inside human macrophages in lipid raft-enriched phagosomes.	bordetella parapertussis is a human pathogen that causes whooping cough. the increasing incidence of b. parapertussis has been attributed to the lack of cross protection induced by pertussis vaccines. it was previously shown that b. parapertussis is able to avoid bacterial killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (pmn) if specific opsonic antibodies are not present at the site of interaction. here, we evaluated the outcome of b. parapertussis innate interaction with human macrophages, a less aggr ...	2014	25267839
fibronectin-degrading activity of trypanosoma cruzi cysteine proteinase plays a role in host cell invasion.	trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of chagas disease, binds to diverse extracellular matrix proteins. such an ability prevails in the parasite forms that circulate in the bloodstream and contributes to host cell invasion. whether this also applies to the insect-stage metacyclic trypomastigotes, the developmental forms that initiate infection in the mammalian host, is not clear. using t. cruzi cl strain metacyclic forms, we investigated whether fibronectin bound to the parasites and affected target cel ...	2014	25267835
enzymatic characterization and in vivo function of five terminal oxidases in pseudomonas aeruginosa.	the ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen pseudomonas aeruginosa has five aerobic terminal oxidases: bo(3)-type quinol oxidase (cyo), cyanide-insensitive oxidase (cio), aa3-type cytochrome c oxidase (aa3), and two cbb(3)-type cytochrome c oxidases (cbb(3)-1and cbb(3)-2). these terminal oxidases are differentially regulated under various growth conditions and are thought to contribute to the survival of this microorganism in a wide variety of environmental niches. here, we constructed multiple mutant ...	2014	25182500
real-time comparative evaluation of biomerieux vitek ms versus bruker microflex ms, two matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems, for identification of clinically significant bacteria.	matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (maldi-tof ms) recently became available for the identification of bacteria in routine diagnostic laboratories. it is rapid and cost-effective and likely to replace phenotypic identification. this study was undertaken to compare two maldi-tof ms-based, bruker microflex ms (bms) and vitek ms (vms) systems, for identification (id) of clinically significant bacterial isolates. clinically relevant broad diversity of bacteri ...	2014	25433488
microbiota alterations in acute and chronic gastrointestinal inflammation of cats and dogs.	the intestinal microbiota is the collection of the living microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses) inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. novel bacterial identification approaches have revealed that the gastrointestinal microbiota of dogs and cats is, similarly to humans, a highly complex ecosystem. studies in dogs and cats have demonstrated that acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (ibd), are associated with alterations in the small in ...	2014	25469017
delayed-onset flaccid paralysis related to west nile virus reactivation following treatment with rituximab: a case report.	neurological manifestations of west nile virus infection include meningitis, encephalitis and acute flaccid paralysis. typically, west nile virus-associated acute flaccid paralysis is characterized by acute and rapidly progressing limb weakness, occurring early in the course of the disease.	2014	25427863
insights into potential pathogenesis mechanisms associated with campylobacter jejuni-induced abortion in ewes.	campylobacter jejuni is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of many food-animals including sheep without causing visible clinical symptoms of disease. however, c. jejuni has been implicated in ovine abortion cases worldwide. specifically, in the usa, the c. jejuni sheep abortion (sa) clone has been increasingly associated with sheep abortion. in vivo studies in sheep (the natural host) are needed to better characterize the virulence potential and pathogenesis of this clone.	2014	25420712
cross-feeding by bifidobacterium breve ucc2003 during co-cultivation with bifidobacterium bifidum prl2010 in a mucin-based medium.	bifidobacteria constitute a specific group of commensal bacteria that commonly inhabit the mammalian gastrointestinal tract. bifidobacterium breve ucc2003 was previously shown to utilize a variety of plant/diet/host-derived carbohydrates, including cellodextrin, starch and galactan, as well as the mucin and hmo-derived monosaccharide, sialic acid. in the current study, we investigated the ability of this strain to utilize parts of a host-derived source of carbohydrate, namely the mucin glycoprot ...	2014	25420416
domain interactions control complex formation and polymerase specificity in the biosynthesis of the escherichia coli o9a antigen.	the escherichia coli o9a o-polysaccharide (o-ps) is a prototype for bacterial glycan synthesis and export by an atp-binding cassette transporter-dependent pathway. the o9a o-ps possesses a tetrasaccharide repeat unit comprising two α-(1→2)- and two α-(1→3)-linked mannose residues and is extended on a polyisoprenoid lipid carrier by the action of a polymerase (wbda) containing two glycosyltransferase active sites. the n-terminal domain of wbda possesses α-(1→2)-mannosyltransferase activity, and w ...	2014	25422321
domain interactions control complex formation and polymerase specificity in the biosynthesis of the escherichia coli o9a antigen.	the escherichia coli o9a o-polysaccharide (o-ps) is a prototype for bacterial glycan synthesis and export by an atp-binding cassette transporter-dependent pathway. the o9a o-ps possesses a tetrasaccharide repeat unit comprising two α-(1→2)- and two α-(1→3)-linked mannose residues and is extended on a polyisoprenoid lipid carrier by the action of a polymerase (wbda) containing two glycosyltransferase active sites. the n-terminal domain of wbda possesses α-(1→2)-mannosyltransferase activity, and w ...	2014	25422321
characterizing the genetic basis of bacterial phenotypes using genome-wide association studies: a new direction for bacteriology.	genome-wide association studies (gwass) have become an increasingly important approach for eukaryotic geneticists, facilitating the identification of hundreds of genetic polymorphisms that are responsible for inherited diseases. despite the relative simplicity of bacterial genomes, the application of gwass to identify polymorphisms responsible for important bacterial phenotypes has only recently been made possible through advances in genome sequencing technologies. bacterial gwass are now about ...	2014	25593593
overview and historical perspectives.	in this overview, we describe the history of shiga toxin (stx)-producing escherichia coli (stec) in two phases. in phase one, between 1977 and 2011, we learned that e. coli could produce shiga toxin and cause both hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans and that the prototype stec-e. coli o157:h7-adheres to and effaces intestinal epithelial cells by a mechanism similar to that of enteropathogenic e. coli. we also recognized that the genes for stx are typically encoded on ...	2014	25590020
pen and pal are nucleotide-sugar dehydratases that convert udp-glcnac to udp-6-deoxy-d-glcnac-5,6-ene and then to udp-4-keto-6-deoxy-l-altnac for cmp-pseudaminic acid synthesis in bacillus thuringiensis.	cmp-pseudaminic acid is a precursor required for the o-glycosylation of flagellin in some pathogenic gram-negative bacteria, a process known to be critical in bacterial motility and infection. however, little is known about flagellin glycosylation in gram-positive bacteria. here, we identified and functionally characterized an operon, named bti_pse, in bacillus thuringiensis israelensis atcc 35646, which encodes seven different enzymes that together convert udp-glcnac to cmp-pseudaminic acid. in ...	2014	25414257
pen and pal are nucleotide-sugar dehydratases that convert udp-glcnac to udp-6-deoxy-d-glcnac-5,6-ene and then to udp-4-keto-6-deoxy-l-altnac for cmp-pseudaminic acid synthesis in bacillus thuringiensis.	cmp-pseudaminic acid is a precursor required for the o-glycosylation of flagellin in some pathogenic gram-negative bacteria, a process known to be critical in bacterial motility and infection. however, little is known about flagellin glycosylation in gram-positive bacteria. here, we identified and functionally characterized an operon, named bti_pse, in bacillus thuringiensis israelensis atcc 35646, which encodes seven different enzymes that together convert udp-glcnac to cmp-pseudaminic acid. in ...	2014	25414257
metagenomes of microbial communities in arsenic- and pathogen-contaminated well and surface water from bangladesh.	the contamination of drinking water from both arsenic and microbial pathogens occurs in bangladesh. a general metagenomic survey of well water and surface water provided information on the types of pathogens present and may help elucidate arsenic metabolic pathways and potential assay targets for monitoring surface-to-ground water pathogen transport.	2014	25414497
antimicrobial activity of low-pressure plasma treatment against selected foodborne bacteria and meat microbiota.	the effects of helium and argon plasma treatments on inactivation of both pure bacterial cultures inoculated onto the surface of agarized media and the surface microbiota of meat were investigated. cold plasmas were generated by high voltage discharge at low pressure (20 kpa) for 2, 5, and 10 min. the number of viable microorganisms was determined using a plate count method. morphological changes were observed using scanning electron microscopy (sem). microbial log reduction depended on time of ...	2014	26273240
antimicrobial activity of low-pressure plasma treatment against selected foodborne bacteria and meat microbiota.	the effects of helium and argon plasma treatments on inactivation of both pure bacterial cultures inoculated onto the surface of agarized media and the surface microbiota of meat were investigated. cold plasmas were generated by high voltage discharge at low pressure (20 kpa) for 2, 5, and 10 min. the number of viable microorganisms was determined using a plate count method. morphological changes were observed using scanning electron microscopy (sem). microbial log reduction depended on time of ...	2014	26273240
oligosaccharide composition of breast milk influences survival of uninfected children born to hiv-infected mothers in lusaka, zambia.	human milk oligosaccharides (hmos) have multiple immunomodulatory functions that influence child health.	2014	25527660
oligosaccharide composition of breast milk influences survival of uninfected children born to hiv-infected mothers in lusaka, zambia.	human milk oligosaccharides (hmos) have multiple immunomodulatory functions that influence child health.	2014	25527660
lymphotoxin-light pathway regulates the interferon signature in rheumatoid arthritis.	a subset of patients with autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (ra) and lupus appear to be exposed continually to interferon (ifn) as evidenced by elevated expression of ifn induced genes in blood cells. in lupus, detection of endogenous chromatin complexes by the innate sensing machinery is the suspected driver for the ifn, but the actual mechanisms remain unknown in all of these diseases. we investigated in two randomized clinical trials the effects on ra patients of baminercept, ...	2014	25405351
crystal structures of sialyltransferase from photobacterium damselae.	sialyltransferase structures fall into either gt-a or gt-b glycosyltransferase fold. some sialyltransferases from the photobacterium genus have been shown to contain an additional n-terminal immunoglobulin (ig)-like domain. photobacterium damselae α2-6-sialyltransferase has been used efficiently in enzymatic and chemoenzymatic synthesis of α2-6-linked sialosides. here we report three crystal structures of this enzyme. two structures with and without a donor substrate analog cmp-3f(a)neu5ac conta ...	2014	25451227
helicobacter pylori and neurological diseases: married by the laws of inflammation.	the purpose of this paper is to review current information about the role of inflammation caused by helicobacter pylori (h. pylori) infection in neurological diseases such as parkinson's disease, alzheimer's disease, guillain-barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and other inflammatory diseases including ischemic stroke. infection with h. pylori usually persists throughout life, resulting in a chronic inflammatory response with local secretion of numerous inflammatory mediators including chemokine ...	2014	25400983
peripheral cd4+ t cell cytokine responses following human challenge and re-challenge with campylobacter jejuni.	campylobacter jejuni is a leading cause of human gastroenteritis worldwide; however, our understanding of the human immune response to c. jejuni infection is limited. a previous human challenge model has shown that c. jejuni elicits ifnγ production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells, a response associated with protection from clinical disease following re-infection. in this study, we investigate t lymphocyte profiles associated with campylobacteriosis using specimens from a new human challeng ...	2014	25397604
structural and functional characterization of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus's class iib fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase.	staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common nosocomial sources of soft-tissue and skin infections and has more recently become prevalent in the community setting as well. since the use of penicillins to combat s. aureus infections in the 1940s, the bacterium has been notorious for developing resistances to antibiotics, such as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa). with the persistence of mrsa as well as many other drug resistant bacteria and parasites, there is a growing need t ...	2014	25390935
a linkage between smeijk efflux pump, cell envelope integrity, and σe-mediated envelope stress response in stenotrophomonas maltophilia.	resistance nodulation division (rnd) efflux pumps, such as the smeijk pump of stenotrophomonas maltophilia, are known to contribute to the multidrug resistance in gram-negative bacteria. however, some rnd pumps are constitutively expressed even though no antimicrobial stresses occur, implying that there should be some physical implications for these rnd pumps. in this study, the role of smeijk in antimicrobials resistance, envelope integrity, and σe-mediated envelope stress response (esr) of s. ...	2014	25390933
global genome comparative analysis reveals insights of resistome and life-style adaptation of pseudomonas putida strain t2-2 in oral cavity.	most pseudomonas putida strains are environmental microorganisms exhibiting a wide range of metabolic capability but certain strains have been reported as rare opportunistic pathogens and some emerged as multidrug resistant p. putida. this study aimed to assess the drug resistance profile of, via whole genome analysis, p. putida strain t2-2 isolated from oral cavity. at the same time, we also compared the nonenvironmental strain with environmentally isolated p. putida. in silico comparative geno ...	2014	25436236
crystal structure of the hiv neutralizing antibody 2g12 in complex with a bacterial oligosaccharide analog of mammalian oligomannose.	human immunodeficiency virus-1 (hiv-1) is a major public health threat that continues to infect millions of people worldwide each year. a prophylactic vaccine remains the most cost-effective way of globally reducing and eliminating the spread of the virus. the hiv envelope spike, which is the target of many vaccine design efforts, is densely mantled with carbohydrate and several potent broadly neutralizing antibodies to hiv-1 recognize carbohydrate on the envelope spike as a major part of their ...	2014	25380763
crystal structure of the hiv neutralizing antibody 2g12 in complex with a bacterial oligosaccharide analog of mammalian oligomannose.	human immunodeficiency virus-1 (hiv-1) is a major public health threat that continues to infect millions of people worldwide each year. a prophylactic vaccine remains the most cost-effective way of globally reducing and eliminating the spread of the virus. the hiv envelope spike, which is the target of many vaccine design efforts, is densely mantled with carbohydrate and several potent broadly neutralizing antibodies to hiv-1 recognize carbohydrate on the envelope spike as a major part of their ...	2014	25380763
encapsulation of biocides by cyclodextrins: toward synergistic effects against pathogens.	host-guest chemistry is useful for the construction of nanosized objects. some of the widely used hosts are probably the cyclodextrins (cds). cds can form water-soluble complexes with numerous hydrophobic compounds. they have been widespread used in medicine, drug delivery and are of interest for the biocides encapsulation. indeed, this enables the development of more or less complex systems that release antimicrobial agents with time. in this paper, the general features of cds and their applica ...	2014	25550722
population dynamics and ecology of arcobacter in sewage.	arcobacter species are highly abundant in sewage where they often comprise approximately 5-11% of the bacterial community. oligotyping of sequences amplified from the v4v5 region of the 16s rrna gene revealed arcobacter populations from different cities were similar and dominated by 1-3 members, with extremely high microdiversity in the minor members. overall, nine subgroups within the arcobacter genus accounted for >80% of the total arcobacter sequences in all samples analyzed. the distribution ...	2014	25426103
norepinephrine and dopamine increase motility, biofilm formation, and virulence of vibrio harveyi.	vibrio harveyi is one of the major pathogens of aquatic organisms, affecting both vertebrates and invertebrates, and causes important losses in the aquaculture industry. in order to develop novel methods to control disease caused by this pathogen, we need to obtain a better understanding of pathogenicity mechanisms. sensing of catecholamines increases both growth and production of virulence-related factors in pathogens of terrestrial animals and humans. however, at this moment, knowledge on the ...	2014	25414697
the impact of the milk glycobiome on the neonate gut microbiota.	human milk is a complete source of nourishment for the infant. exclusive breastfeeding not only sustains the infant's development but also guides the proliferation of a protective intestinal microbiota. among the many components of milk that modulate the infant gut microbiota, the milk glycans, which comprise free oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, are increasingly recognized as drivers of microbiota development and overall gut health. these glycans may display pleiotropic functio ...	2014	25387230
the impact of the milk glycobiome on the neonate gut microbiota.	human milk is a complete source of nourishment for the infant. exclusive breastfeeding not only sustains the infant's development but also guides the proliferation of a protective intestinal microbiota. among the many components of milk that modulate the infant gut microbiota, the milk glycans, which comprise free oligosaccharides, glycoproteins, and glycolipids, are increasingly recognized as drivers of microbiota development and overall gut health. these glycans may display pleiotropic functio ...	2014	25387230
structural and mechanistic basis of zinc regulation across the e. coli zur regulon.	commensal microbes, whether they are beneficial or pathogenic, are sensitive to host processes that starve or swamp the prokaryote with large fluctuations in local zinc concentration. to understand how microorganisms coordinate a dynamic response to changes in zinc availability at the molecular level, we evaluated the molecular mechanism of the zinc-sensing zinc uptake regulator (zur) protein at each of the known zur-regulated genes in escherichia coli. we solved the structure of zinc-loaded zur ...	2014	25369000
in vivo function and comparative genomic analyses of the drosophila gut microbiota identify candidate symbiosis factors.	symbiosis is often characterized by co-evolutionary changes in the genomes of the partners involved. an understanding of these changes can provide insight into the nature of the relationship, including the mechanisms that initiate and maintain an association between organisms. in this study we examined the genome sequences of bacteria isolated from the drosophila melanogaster gut with the objective of identifying genes that are important for function in the host. we compared microbiota isolates ...	2014	25408687
diagnostic yields in solid organ transplant recipients admitted with diarrhea.	although diarrhea is a frequent complaint among solid organ transplant recipients, the contribution of infectious etiologies remains incompletely defined. we sought to define the etiologies of diarrhea and the yields of testing at our institution.	2014	25371488
diagnostic yields in solid organ transplant recipients admitted with diarrhea.	although diarrhea is a frequent complaint among solid organ transplant recipients, the contribution of infectious etiologies remains incompletely defined. we sought to define the etiologies of diarrhea and the yields of testing at our institution.	2014	25371488
interoceptive dysfunction: toward an integrated framework for understanding somatic and affective disturbance in depression.	depression is characterized by disturbed sleep and eating, a variety of other nonspecific somatic symptoms, and significant somatic comorbidities. why there is such close association between cognitive and somatic dysfunction in depression is nonetheless poorly understood. an explosion of research in the area of interoception-the perception and interpretation of bodily signals-over the last decade nonetheless holds promise for illuminating what have until now been obscure links between the social ...	2014	25365763
interoceptive dysfunction: toward an integrated framework for understanding somatic and affective disturbance in depression.	depression is characterized by disturbed sleep and eating, a variety of other nonspecific somatic symptoms, and significant somatic comorbidities. why there is such close association between cognitive and somatic dysfunction in depression is nonetheless poorly understood. an explosion of research in the area of interoception-the perception and interpretation of bodily signals-over the last decade nonetheless holds promise for illuminating what have until now been obscure links between the social ...	2014	25365763
the biosynthesis of udp-d-fucnac-4n-(2)-oxoglutarate (udp-yelosamine) in bacillus cereus atcc 14579: pat and pyl, an aminotransferase and an atp-dependent grasp protein that ligates 2-oxoglutarate to udp-4-amino-sugars.	surface glycan switching is often observed when micro-organisms transition between different biotic and abiotic niches, including biofilms, although the advantages of this switching to the organism are not well understood. bacillus cereus grown in a biofilm-inducing medium has been shown to synthesize an unusual cell wall polysaccharide composed of the repeating subunit →6)gal(α1-2)(2-r-hydroxyglutar-5-ylamido)fuc2nac4n(α1-6)glcnac(β1→, where galactose is linked to the hydroxyglutarate moiety of ...	2014	25368324
rapid and accurate detection of bacteriophage activity against escherichia coli o157:h7 by propidium monoazide real-time pcr.	conventional methods to determine the efficacy of bacteriophage (phage) for biocontrol of e. coli require several days, due to the need to culture bacteria. furthermore, cell surface-attached phage particles may lyse bacterial cells during experiments, leading to an overestimation of phage activity. dna-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qpcr) is a fast, sensitive, and highly specific means of enumerating pathogens. however, qpcr may underestimate phage activity due to its i ...	2014	25530959
evaluation of anatomically designed flocked rectal swabs for molecular detection of enteric pathogens in children admitted to hospital with severe gastroenteritis in botswana.	two-hundred eighty matched bulk stool and anatomically designed flocked rectal swab samples were collected from children admitted to the hospital with acute diarrhea in botswana. their parents were asked about the acceptability of the swab collection method compared with bulk stool sampling. all samples underwent identical testing with a validated 15-target (9 bacterial, 3 viral, and 3 parasite) commercial multiplex pcr assay. the flocked swabs had a 12% higher yield for bacterial pathogen targe ...	2014	25165077
direct detection and quantification of bacterial genes associated with inflammation in dna isolated from stool.	although predominantly associated with health benefits, the gut microbiota has also been shown to harbor genes that promote inflammation. in this work, we report a method for the direct detection and quantification of these pro-inflammatory bacterial genes by pcr and qpcr in dna extracted from human stool samples. pcr reactions were performed to detect (i) the pks island genes, (ii) tcpc, which is present in some strains of escherichia coli and (iii) gele presented in some strains of enterococcu ...	2014	25635239
acquisition and role of molybdate in pseudomonas aeruginosa.	in microaerophilic or anaerobic environments, pseudomonas aeruginosa utilizes nitrate reduction for energy production, a process dependent on the availability of the oxyanionic form of molybdenum, molybdate (moo4 (2-)). here, we show that molybdate acquisition in p. aeruginosa occurs via a high-affinity atp-binding cassette permease (modabc). moda is a cluster d-iii solute binding protein capable of interacting with molybdate or tungstate oxyanions. deletion of the moda gene reduces cellular mol ...	2014	25172858
chicken juice enhances surface attachment and biofilm formation of campylobacter jejuni.	the bacterial pathogen campylobacter jejuni is primarily transmitted via the consumption of contaminated foodstuffs, especially poultry meat. in food processing environments, c. jejuni is required to survive a multitude of stresses and requires the use of specific survival mechanisms, such as biofilms. an initial step in biofilm formation is bacterial attachment to a surface. here, we investigated the effects of a chicken meat exudate (chicken juice) on c. jejuni surface attachment and biofilm f ...	2014	25192991
campylobacter jejuni motility is required for infection of the flagellotropic bacteriophage f341.	previous studies have identified a specific modification of the capsular polysaccharide as receptor for phages that infect campylobacter jejuni. using acapsular kpsm mutants of c. jejuni strains nctc11168 and nctc12658, we found that bacteriophage f341 infects c. jejuni independently of the capsule. in contrast, phage f341 does not infect c. jejuni nctc11168 mutants that either lack the flagellar filaments (δflaab) or that have paralyzed, i.e., nonrotating, flagella (δmota and δflgp). complement ...	2014	25261508
gastroduodenal mucosal defense.	to review recent developments in the field of gastroduodenal mucosal defense.	2014	25229259
etiology of childhood diarrhea after rotavirus vaccine introduction: a prospective, population-based study in nicaragua.	nicaragua was the first developing nation to implement routine immunization with the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (rv5). in this rv5-immunized population, understanding infectious etiologies of childhood diarrhea is necessary to direct diarrhea treatment and prevention efforts.	2014	24879131
outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis transmitted by person-to-person contact--united states, 2009-2010.		2014	25295609
effect of fresh garlic on lipid oxidation and microbiological changes of pork patties during refrigerated storage.	the effects of two levels (1.4 vs 2.8%) of fresh garlic on lipid oxidation and microbial growth in pork patties were evaluated. hunter color (l, a, b), ph, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (tbars), oxidative volatile compounds, total bacteria and enterobacteriaceae in the pork patties with or without fresh garlic were measured during storage at 4℃. addition of fresh garlic decreased redness (a), while increased ph and yellowness (b) values of the fresh pork patties were observed, regardle ...	2014	26761498
transcriptional regulation of bacterial virulence gene expression by molecular oxygen and nitric oxide.	molecular oxygen (o2) and nitric oxide (no) are diatomic gases that play major roles in infection. the host innate immune system generates reactive oxygen species and no as bacteriocidal agents and both require o2 for their production. furthermore, the ability to adapt to changes in o2 availability is crucial for many bacterial pathogens, as many niches within a host are hypoxic. pathogenic bacteria have evolved transcriptional regulatory systems that perceive these gases and respond by reprogra ...	2014	25603427
glycoarrays with engineered phages displaying structurally diverse oligosaccharides enable high-throughput detection of glycan-protein interactions.	glycan microarrays have become a powerful platform to investigate the interactions of carbohydrates with a variety of biomolecules. however, the number and diversity of glycans available for use in such arrays represent a key bottleneck in glycan array fabrication. to address this challenge, we describe a novel glycan array platform based on surface patterning of engineered glycophages that display unique carbohydrate epitopes. specifically, we show that glycophages are compatible with surface i ...	2014	25263089
glycoarrays with engineered phages displaying structurally diverse oligosaccharides enable high-throughput detection of glycan-protein interactions.	glycan microarrays have become a powerful platform to investigate the interactions of carbohydrates with a variety of biomolecules. however, the number and diversity of glycans available for use in such arrays represent a key bottleneck in glycan array fabrication. to address this challenge, we describe a novel glycan array platform based on surface patterning of engineered glycophages that display unique carbohydrate epitopes. specifically, we show that glycophages are compatible with surface i ...	2014	25263089
overlapping guillain-barré syndrome and bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis associated with epstein barr virus.	a flaccid tetraparesis in bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis (bbe) is presumed to be a sign of overlapping guillain-barré syndrome (gbs). in addition, bbe and fisher syndrome, which are clinically similar and are both associated with the presence of the immunoglobulin g anti-gq1b antibody, represent a specific autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of symptoms that include ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. a 2-year-old boy presented with rapidly progressive ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, hyporeflexia, we ...	2014	25379047
bacterial etiologies of five core syndromes: laboratory-based syndromic surveillance conducted in guangxi, china.	under the existing national surveillance system in china for selected infectious diseases, bacterial cultures are performed for only a small percentage of reported cases. we set up a laboratory-based syndromic surveillance system to elucidate bacterial etiologic spectrum and detect infection by rare etiologies (or serogroups) for five core syndromes in the given study area.	2014	25360596
antimicrobial peptides and the enteric mucus layer act in concert to protect the intestinal mucosa.	the intestinal mucosa squares the circle by allowing efficient nutrient absorption while generating a firm barrier toward the enteric microbiota, enteropathogenic microorganisms and high luminal concentrations of potent immunostimulatory molecules. the mucus layer together with local antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory peptides significantly contribute to this ability. here we summarize the recent progress made to better understand the critical importance of this dynamic, complex and highly stru ...	2014	25483327
intestinal microbiota pathogenesis and fecal microbiota transplantation for inflammatory bowel disease.	the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in inflammatory bowel disease (ibd). the pathogenesis of ibd involves inappropriate ongoing activation of the mucosal immune system driven by abnormal intestinal microbiota in genetically predisposed individuals. however, there are still no definitive microbial pathogens linked to the onset of ibd. the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites are indeed disturbed in ibd patients. the special alterations of gut m ...	2014	25356041
evidence-based assessment of proton-pump inhibitors in helicobacter pylori eradication: a systematic review.	peptic ulcer disease continues to be issue especially due to its high prevalence in the developing world. helicobacter pylori (h. pylori) infection associated duodenal ulcers should undergo eradication therapy. there are many regimens offered for h. pylori eradication which include triple, quadruple, or sequential therapy regimens. the central aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for h. pylori therapy from a meta-analytical outlook. the consequence of the dose, type of proto ...	2014	25356018
identification of a virulence-related surface protein xf in piscine streptococcus agalactiae by pre-absorbed immunoproteomics.	since 2009, large-scale streptococcus agalactiae infections have broken out in cultured tilapia farms in china, resulting in considerable economic losses. screening of the surface proteins is required to identify virulence factors or protective antigens involved in piscine s.agalactiae infections in tilapia. pre-absorbed immunoproteomics method (paim) is a useful method previously established in our laboratory for identifying bacterial surface proteins.	2014	25344337
uracil-dna glycosylases-structural and functional perspectives on an essential family of dna repair enzymes.	uracil-dna glycosylases (udgs) are evolutionarily conserved dna repair enzymes that initiate the base excision repair pathway and remove uracil from dna. the udg superfamily is classified into six families based on their substrate specificity. this review focuses on the family i enzymes since these are the most extensively studied members of the superfamily. the structural basis for substrate specificity and base recognition as well as for dna binding, nucleotide flipping and catalytic mechanism ...	2014	25252105
the genome of the intracellular bacterium of the coastal bivalve, solemya velum: a blueprint for thriving in and out of symbiosis.	symbioses between chemoautotrophic bacteria and marine invertebrates are rare examples of living systems that are virtually independent of photosynthetic primary production. these associations have evolved multiple times in marine habitats, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and reducing sediments, characterized by steep gradients of oxygen and reduced chemicals. due to difficulties associated with maintaining these symbioses in the laboratory and culturing the symbiotic bacteria, studies of ch ...	2014	25342549
effect of the l499m mutation of the ascomycetous botrytis aclada laccase on redox potential and catalytic properties.	laccases are members of a large family of multicopper oxidases that catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of organic and inorganic substrates accompanied by the reduction of dioxygen to water. these enzymes contain four cu atoms per molecule organized into three sites: t1, t2 and t3. in all laccases, the t1 copper ion is coordinated by two histidines and one cysteine in the equatorial plane and is covered by the side chains of hydrophobic residues in the axial positions. the redox potential of ...	2014	25372682
glycan-specific whole cell affinity chromatography: a versatile microbial adhesion platform.	we have sought a universal platform for elucidating and exploiting specificity of glycan-mediated adhesion by potentially uncharacterized microorganisms. several techniques exist to explore microbial interactions with carbohydrate structures. many are unsuitable for investigating specific mechanisms or uncharacterized organisms, requiring pure cultures, labeling techniques, expensive equipment, or other limitations such as questionable stability, stereospecificity, or scalability. we have adapte ...	2014	26150959
uneven genetic robustness of hiv-1 integrase.	genetic robustness (tolerance of mutation) may be a naturally selected property in some viruses, because it should enhance adaptability. robustness should be especially beneficial to viruses like hiv-1 that exhibit high mutation rates and exist in immunologically hostile environments. surprisingly, however, the hiv-1 capsid protein (ca) exhibits extreme fragility. to determine whether fragility is a general property of hiv-1 proteins, we created a large library of random, single-amino-acid mutan ...	2014	25339768
uneven genetic robustness of hiv-1 integrase.	genetic robustness (tolerance of mutation) may be a naturally selected property in some viruses, because it should enhance adaptability. robustness should be especially beneficial to viruses like hiv-1 that exhibit high mutation rates and exist in immunologically hostile environments. surprisingly, however, the hiv-1 capsid protein (ca) exhibits extreme fragility. to determine whether fragility is a general property of hiv-1 proteins, we created a large library of random, single-amino-acid mutan ...	2014	25339768
identification of antigenic proteins of the nosocomial pathogen klebsiella pneumoniae.	the continuous expansion of nosocomial infections around the globe has become a precarious situation. key challenges include mounting dissemination of multiple resistances to antibiotics, the easy transmission and the growing mortality rates of hospital-acquired bacterial diseases. thus, new ways to rapidly detect these infections are vital. consequently, researchers around the globe pursue innovative approaches for point-of-care devices. in many cases the specific interaction of an antigen and ...	2014	25333280
crossroads between bacterial and mammalian glycosyltransferases.	bacterial glycosyltransferases (gt) often synthesize the same glycan linkages as mammalian gt; yet, they usually have very little sequence identity. nevertheless, enzymatic properties, folding, substrate specificities, and catalytic mechanisms of these enzyme proteins may have significant similarity. thus, bacterial gt can be utilized for the enzymatic synthesis of both bacterial and mammalian types of complex glycan structures. a comparison is made here between mammalian and bacterial enzymes t ...	2014	25368613
epidemiology of human parechovirus, aichi virus and salivirus in fecal samples from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis in hong kong.	emerging human picornaviruses, including human parechovirus (hpev), aichi virus (aiv) and salivirus (salv) were found to be associated with gastroenteritis, but their roles in enteric infections are not fully understood. in addition, no report on the circulation of these viruses in hong kong is available. the objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of hpev, aiv and salv in fecal samples from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis in hong kong.	2014	25326707
bioluminescence atp monitoring for the routine assessment of food contact surface cleanliness in a university canteen.	atp bioluminescence monitoring and traditional microbiological analyses (viable counting of total mesophilic aerobes, coliforms and escherichia coli) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of sanitation standard operating procedures (ssop) at a university canteen which uses a haccp-based approach. to that end, 10 cleaning control points (cps), including food contact surfaces at risk of contamination from product residues or microbial growth, were analysed during an 8-month monitoring period. ar ...	2014	25329534
flooding and emergency room visits for gastrointestinal illness in massachusetts: a case-crossover study.	floods and other severe weather events are anticipated to increase as a result of global climate change. floods can lead to outbreaks of gastroenteritis and other infectious diseases due to disruption of sewage and water infrastructure and impacts on sanitation and hygiene. floods have also been indirectly associated with outbreaks through population displacement and crowding.	2014	25329916