Search results for "AGENTS"
showing 10 items of 7330 documents
Antiviral Agents From Fungi : Diversity, Mechanisms and Potential Applications
2018
Viral infections are amongst the most common diseases affecting people worldwide. New viruses emerge all the time and presently we have limited number of vaccines and only few antivirals to combat viral diseases. Fungi represent a vast source of bioactive molecules, which could potentially be used as antivirals in the future. Here, we have summarized the current knowledge of fungi as producers of antiviral compounds and discuss their potential applications. In particular, we have investigated how the antiviral action has been assessed and what is known about the molecular mechanisms and actual targets. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of accurate fungal species identification on ant…
Detection of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance, mcr-1 gene, in Escherichia coli isolated from high-risk patients with acute leukemia in Spain
2019
Background: Bacterial infections in immunocompromised patients are associated with a high mortality and morbidity rate. In this high-risk group, the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly bacteria that harbor a transferable antibiotic resistance gene, complicates the management of bacterial infections. In this study, we investigated the presence of the transferable colistin resistance mcr genes in patients with leukemia in Spain. Methods: 217 fecal samples collected in 2013-2015 from 56 patients with acute leukemia and colonized with MDR Enterobacteriaceae strains, were screened on September 2017 for the presence of the colistin resistance mcr genes (mcr-1 to -5) by mu…
Management of febrile neutropenia in the perspective of antimicrobial de-escalation and discontinuation.
2019
Introduction: Infections are among the most frequent complications in patients with hematological and oncological diseases. They might be classified as fever of unknown origin and microbiologically or clinically documented infections. Optimal duration of antimicrobial treatment is still unclear in these patients.Areas covered: We provide an overview on the management of febrile neutropenia in the perspective of antimicrobial de-escalation and discontinuation.Expert opinion: Patients with febrile high-risk neutropenia should be treated empirically with an anti-pseudomonal agent such as piperacillin/tazobactam. Several clinical studies support the assumption that the primary antibiotic regime…
The role of dalbavancin for Gram positive infections in the COVID-19 era: state of the art and future perspectives
2021
INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically challenged the national health systems worldwide in the last months. Dalbavancin is a novel antibiotic with a long plasmatic half-life and simplified weekly administration regimens, thus representing a promising option for the outpatient treatment of Gram-positive infections and the early discharge of hospitalized patients. Dalbavancin is approved for the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs). Many preliminary data seem to support its use in other indications, such as osteomyelitis, prosthetic joint infections, and infective endocarditis. AREAS COVERED: A search in the literature using validated keyword…
Evaluation of a mass spectrometry and Vitek 2 combined protocol for rapid identification and susceptibility testing of Enterobacterales directly from…
2020
Abstract Objective The aim was to evaluate a rapid method which would combine identification and susceptibility testing directly from positive blood cultures for Gram-negative bacilli of the Enterobacterales. Material and methods Gram-negative rods from blood cultures were directly identified by MALDI-TOF. Samples with Enterobacterales were selected for direct antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Vitek 2. The results were compared to those obtained with our laboratory's standard method. Results MALDI-TOF directly from blood cultures identified correctly 83% of the samples. Enterobacterales (n = 68) were identified at gender and species level in 85% of blood cultures with a score >1.7. In…
The mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ modulates oxidative stress, inflammation and leukocyte-endothelium interactions in leukocytes isolated fr…
2016
It is not known if the mitochondria-targeted antioxidants such as mitoquinone (MitoQ) can modulate oxidative stress and leukocyte-endothelium interactions in T2D patients. We aimed to evaluate the beneficial effect of MitoQ on oxidative stress parameters and leukocyte-endothelium interactions in leukocytes of T2D patients. The study population consisted of 98 T2D patients and 71 control subjects. We assessed metabolic and anthropometric parameters, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX-1), NFκB-p65, TNFα and leukocyte-endothelium interactions. Diabetic patients exhibited higher weight, BMI, waist circumference, SBP, DBP, glucose, insulin, HOMA…
Does Metformin Protect Diabetic Patients from Oxidative Stress and Leukocyte-Endothelium Interactions?
2017
Since metformin can exert beneficial vascular effects, we aimed at studying its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, antioxidant enzyme expression, levels of adhesion molecules, and leukocyte-endothelium interactions in the leukocytes from type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients. The study was carried out in 72 T2D patients (41 of whom were treated with metformin for at least 12 months at a dose of 1700 mg per day), and in 40 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Leukocytes from T2D patients exhibited enhanced levels of mitochondrial ROS and decreased mRNA levels of glutathione peroxidase 1 (gpx1) and sirtuin 3 (sirt3) with respect to controls, whereas metformin was shown to revert t…
Ribosome-Targeting Antibiotics Impair T Cell Effector Function and Ameliorate Autoimmunity by Blocking Mitochondrial Protein Synthesis
2019
Summary While antibiotics are intended to specifically target bacteria, most are known to affect host cell physiology. In addition, some antibiotic classes are reported as immunosuppressive for reasons that remain unclear. Here, we show that Linezolid, a ribosomal-targeting antibiotic (RAbo), effectively blocked the course of a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Linezolid and other RAbos were strong inhibitors of T helper-17 cell effector function in vitro, showing that this effect was independent of their antibiotic activity. Perturbing mitochondrial translation in differentiating T cells, either with RAbos or through the inhibition of mitochondrial elongation factor G1 (mEF-G1) progressi…
Oncogenic Deregulation of EZH2 as an Opportunity for Targeted Therapy in Lung Cancer.
2016
Abstract As a master regulator of chromatin function, the lysine methyltransferase EZH2 orchestrates transcriptional silencing of developmental gene networks. Overexpression of EZH2 is commonly observed in human epithelial cancers, such as non–small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), yet definitive demonstration of malignant transformation by deregulated EZH2 remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate the causal role of EZH2 overexpression in NSCLC with new genetically engineered mouse models of lung adenocarcinoma. Deregulated EZH2 silences normal developmental pathways, leading to epigenetic transformation independent of canonical growth factor pathway activation. As such, tumors feature a transcrip…
Bioactive triterpenes of protium heptaphyllum gum resin extract display cholesterol-lowering potential
2021
Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease, the risk of which is further increased if other forms of dyslipidemia occur. Current therapeutic strategies include changes in lifestyle coupled with drug administration. Statins represent the most common therapeutic approach, but they may be insufficient due to the onset of resistance mechanisms and side effects. Consequently, patients with mild hypercholesterolemia prefer the use of food supplements since these are perceived to be safer. Here, we investigate the phytochemical profile and cholesterol-lowering potential of Protium heptaphyllum gum resin extract (PHE). Chemical characterization via HPLC-APCI-HRMS2 and…