Microbiota Accessible Carbohydrates And Susceptibility To Clostridioides Difficile Infection,
2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Microbiota Accessible Carbohydrates And Susceptibility To Clostridioides Difficile Infection, Keegan Schuchart, Jennifer Auchtung, Thomas Auchtung
UCARE: Research Products
This experiment looked into the effects of dietary microbiota accessible carbohydrates (MACs)on the composition of human GI microbe colonies and their susceptibility to pathogen infection. Three different concentrations of MAC ingrained media were tested in mini bioreactor arrays, treated with antibiotics, infected with Clostridioides difficile, then allowed to recover. Microbe community was examined for strain composition and diversity before and after the antibiotic treatment and Clostridioides difficile infection. After the initial mini bioreactor run, individual isolates were investigated in their ability to respond to specific MACs Arabinoglactina, Inulin, and Soluble starch at experimental concentrations.
Biological Sex Influences Susceptibility To Acinetobacter Baumannii Pneumonia In Mice,
2020
Rutgers University - Newark
Biological Sex Influences Susceptibility To Acinetobacter Baumannii Pneumonia In Mice, Sílvia Pires, Adeline Peignier, Jeremy Seto, Davida S. Smyth, Dane Parker
Publications and Research
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an extremely versatile multidrug-resistant pathogen with a very high mortality rate; therefore, it has become crucial to understand the host response during its infection. Given the importance of mice for modeling infection and their role in preclinical drug development, equal emphasis should be placed on the use of both sexes. Through our studies using a murine model of acute pneumonia with A. baumannii, we observed that female mice were more susceptible to infection. Likewise, treatment of male mice with estradiol increased their susceptibility to infection. Analysis of the airway compartment revealed enhanced inflammation and reduced …
Antimicrobial Properties Of An Unknown Microorganism Isolated From The Local Environment,
2020
Otterbein University
Antimicrobial Properties Of An Unknown Microorganism Isolated From The Local Environment, Danielle Duryea
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects
Bacterial species that cause disease can usually be combatted with antibiotics; but as the years pass, more and more bacterial pathogens are becoming resistant to these treatments. In fact, the Center for Disease Control has identified eighteen classes of bacteria ranging from urgent to concerning threats due antibiotic resistance (2019), warning the advance of an antibiotic resistance crisis in which untreatable bacterial infections will become a leading cause of death (Bennadi, 2014). The Small World Initiative is a program created in 2012 at Yale University to address the antibiotic crisis through a crowdsourcing effort where undergraduate students are encouraged to …
Histidine-Triad Hydrolases Provide Resistance To Peptide-Nucleotide Antibiotics.,
2020
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology
Histidine-Triad Hydrolases Provide Resistance To Peptide-Nucleotide Antibiotics., Eldar Yagmurov, Darya Tsibulskaya, Alexey Livenskyi, Marina Serebryakova, Yury I Wolf, Sergei Borukhov, Konstantin Severinov, Svetlana Dubiley
Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research
The Escherichia coli microcin C (McC) and related compounds are potent Trojan horse peptide-nucleotide antibiotics. The peptide part facilitates transport into sensitive cells. Inside the cell, the peptide part is degraded by nonspecific peptidases releasing an aspartamide-adenylate containing a phosphoramide bond. This nonhydrolyzable compound inhibits aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. In addition to the efficient export of McC outside the producing cells, special mechanisms have evolved to avoid self-toxicity caused by the degradation of the peptide part inside the producers. Here, we report that histidine-triad (HIT) hydrolases encoded in biosynthetic clusters of some McC homologs or by standalone genes confer resistance to McC-like …
Validation Of A Lysis Buffer Containing 4 M Guanidinium Thiocyanate (Gitc)/ Triton X-100 For Extraction Of Sars-Cov-2 Rna For Covid-19 Testing: Comparison Of Formulated Lysis Buffers Containing 4 To 6 M Gitc, Roche External Lysis Buffer And Qiagen Rtl Lysis Buffer,
2020
School of Microbiology, University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland
Validation Of A Lysis Buffer Containing 4 M Guanidinium Thiocyanate (Gitc)/ Triton X-100 For Extraction Of Sars-Cov-2 Rna For Covid-19 Testing: Comparison Of Formulated Lysis Buffers Containing 4 To 6 M Gitc, Roche External Lysis Buffer And Qiagen Rtl Lysis Buffer, Martina F. Scallan, Catherine Dempsey, John Mcsharry, Isabelle O'Callaghan, Paula M. O'Connor, Conor P. Horgan, Edel Durack, Paul D. Cotter, Sarah Hudson, Humphrey A. Moynihan, Brigid Lucey
Dept. of Biological Sciences Preprints
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in increased need for diagnostic testing using reverse transcriptase real-time PCR (RT-PCR). An exponential increase in demand has resulted in a shortage of numerous reagents in particular those associated with the lysis buffer required to extract the viral RNA. Herein, we describe a rapid collective effort by hospital laboratory scientists, academic researchers and the biopharma industry to generate a validated lysis buffer. We have formulated a 4M Guanidinium thiocyanate (GITC)/ Triton X-100 Lysis buffer which provides comparable results with the recommended reagents. This buffer will ease the burden on hospital labs in their heroic efforts …
Fungicide Sensitivity Of Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum Isolates Selected From Five Different States That Use Different Fungicide Treatments,
2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Fungicide Sensitivity Of Sclerotinia Sclerotiorum Isolates Selected From Five Different States That Use Different Fungicide Treatments, Cristian Wulkop Gil
UCARE: Research Products
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes a disease called white mold that can infect more than 450 plant species including soybeans, dry beans, green beans, canola, and sunflower. This pathogen is capable of up to $252M in losses every year (U.S. Canola Association, 2014). Fungicides are widely used in developed agricultural systems to control disease. However, resistance to the most effective fungicides has emerged and spread in pathogen populations and there have been multiple reports of S. sclerotiorum isolates becoming resistant to certain fungicides. Since different fields in different states use different fungicide treatments on plants and …
Variation In The Microbiota Associated With Daphnia Magna Across Genotypes, Populations, And Temperature,
2020
Boise State University
Variation In The Microbiota Associated With Daphnia Magna Across Genotypes, Populations, And Temperature, Jonas Frankel-Bricker, Michael J. Song, Maia J. Benner, Sarah Schaack
University Author Recognition Bibliography: 2020
Studies of how the microbiome varies among individuals, populations, and abiotic conditions are critical for understanding this key component of an organism’s biology and ecology. In the case of Daphnia, aquatic microcrustaceans widely used in population/community ecology and environmental science studies, understanding factors that influence microbiome shifts among individuals is useful for both basic and applied research contexts. In this study, we assess differences in the microbiome among genotypes of D. magna collected from three regions along a large latitudinal gradient (Finland, Germany, and Israel). After being reared in the lab for many years, we sought to characterize any …
Genome Sequencing Analysis Of Laboratory Isolate Of Francisella Noatunensis Subs. Orientalis,
2020
University of Rhode Island
Genome Sequencing Analysis Of Laboratory Isolate Of Francisella Noatunensis Subs. Orientalis, Joseph Paquette
Senior Honors Projects
Francisella noatunensis subs. orientalis is a known fish pathogen that has been most notably isolated from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Costa Rica. The genome of this Francisella species pathogen has been sequenced using Next-Generation Sequencing and been made available for the scientific community. Dr. Kathryn Ramsey’s research laboratory in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Rhode Island works with several Francisella species pathogens and is interested in identifying the differences, if any, between the known genome sequence of Francisella noatunensis and that of a laboratory isolate of the same species. With the use …
Exosomes In Transmission And Blocking Of Arthropod-Borne Flaviviral Infection And Pathogenesis,
2020
Old Dominion University
Exosomes In Transmission And Blocking Of Arthropod-Borne Flaviviral Infection And Pathogenesis, Wenshuo Zhou
Biomedical Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are human illnesses that are transmitted by vectors such as ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas. These arthropods transmit infectious pathogens such as viruses, protozoa, and bacteria, to humans during their blood-feeding. According to the estimation of the WHO, billions of people are affected by VBDs worldwide, and about 700,000 deaths are reported annually. Currently, very few reliable VBDs control approaches and vaccines available to treat various VBDs. Additionally, approaches to control arthropod’ proliferation and migration are difficult to develop. Furthermore, molecular determinants and mechanisms for the transmission are poorly understood. This work describes two studies identifying the novel …
Role Of Ixodes Scapularis Sphingomyelinase-Like Protein (Issmase) In Tick Pathogen Interactions,
2020
Old Dominion University
Role Of Ixodes Scapularis Sphingomyelinase-Like Protein (Issmase) In Tick Pathogen Interactions, Pravesh Regmi
Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations
Arthropod-borne diseases are one of the major concerns throughout the world. Ixodes scapularis (hard tick) is one of the major vectors that is involved in arthropod-borne disease transmission. Langat virus (LGTV) is a model pathogen that is very similar to other medically important flaviviruses such as Tick-Borne Encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Powassan virus (POWV). Sphingomyelinase-like protein (IsSMase, a Sphingomyelinase D or SMase D, a venomous protein ortholog of spiders) is an enzyme present in ticks that helps to catalyze the hydrolysis of the sphingomyelin (cell membrane lipid) into phosphocholine and ceramide. The objective of our study is to delineate the …
Creation Of An Influenza B Epigraph Vaccine,
2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Creation Of An Influenza B Epigraph Vaccine, Leigh Jahnke, Kristine Hoagstrom, Eric A. Weaver
UCARE: Research Products
The CDC struggles to predict the upcoming influenza viruses resulting in an ineffective influenza vaccine. The 2019 – 2020 influenza vaccine provides an example of vaccine mismatch where the vaccine poorly matches the circulating influenza strains. We have created Influenza B Epigraph hemagglutinin (HA) immunogens that are computationally designed to select the greatest coverage of B and T cell epitopes in the natural population. Our preliminary data shows Epigraph immunogens induce superior cross-reactive antibody responses, overall T cell immunity, breadth of T cell epitopes, and protection against influenza virus. The primary goal of this study is to clone the influenza …
Senior Project: An Investigative Study Into The Bacterial Contamination Of Little Black Creek,
2020
Grand Valley State University
Senior Project: An Investigative Study Into The Bacterial Contamination Of Little Black Creek, Margaret I. Brenneman
Honors Projects
An investigation of Escherichia coli concentrations in a west Michigan stream was conducted to determine sources of fecal contamination that impact water quality. Little Black Creek (LBC) is located in Muskegon County and discharges into Lake Michigan at the P.J. Hoffmaster Campground Beach. Often referred to as an “indicator bacteria,” water contaminated with E. coli has a high probability to contain other enteric pathogens as well. Beach water testing in 2020 using Colilert-18 methods revealed E. coli levels of 579 cfu/100mL in the creek discharge area that exceeded total body contact criteria of 300 cfu/100mL. A follow-up study of the …
Functional Sites Within The Ihnv Nonvirion Protein That Regulate Host Cellular Responses,
2020
Wright State University - Main Campus
Functional Sites Within The Ihnv Nonvirion Protein That Regulate Host Cellular Responses, Jeff Ringiesn, Bartolomeo Gorgoglione, Douglas W. Leaman
Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials
Fish Rhabdoviruses are responsible for causing fatal epizootics within commercial and wild populations of various fish species around the world. Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), also known as the Salmonid novirhabdovirus, is enzootic along the Pacific Coast of North America and is comprised of five genogroups, each of which is endemic to a specific geographical location. Once the virus enters the host through the fin epithelia, IHNV infection causes infectious hematopoietic necrosis in salmonid species. The disease is highly fatal and presents with signs such as abdominal distension, bulging of the eyes, anemia, and necrosis of vital organs such as …
Anthrax Event Detection Using Twitter: Analysis Of Unigram And Bigrams For Relevant Vs Non-Relevant Tweets,
2020
Wright State University - Main Campus
Anthrax Event Detection Using Twitter: Analysis Of Unigram And Bigrams For Relevant Vs Non-Relevant Tweets, Michele Miller, William L. Romine
Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials
Due to the lack of anthrax attacks in recent times, researchers have used naturally occurring events to assess their anthrax detection models, but these provide little information on how the models will perform in the context of an unannounced, intentional release of a bioterrorism agent, like anthrax. Therefore, it is important to develop a detection model using data surrounding real anthrax scares and events.We develop a methodology to detect an anthrax-related event on Twitter. We describe a process to separate the tweets concerning anthrax-related events from those not related so experts can address misconceptions and fears in real-time.Most tweets were …
Enhanced Expression Of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Mer (Mertk) On Socs3-Treated Polarized Raw 264.7 Anti-Inflammatory M2c Macrophages,
2020
Wright State University - Main Campus
Enhanced Expression Of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Mer (Mertk) On Socs3-Treated Polarized Raw 264.7 Anti-Inflammatory M2c Macrophages, Sankhadip Bhadra
Celebration of Undergraduate & Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials
Macrophages are phagocytic cells located in tissues, organs and even circulated within our body as white blood cells. Based on the local cytokine milieu in tissue sites, macrophages may be polarized into pro-inflammatory M1 or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. Receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (MERTK) helps in clearing dead neutrophils and other apoptotic cells from damaged tissue sites preventing chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. MERTK aids in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and wound healing. Phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) present on the surface of apoptotic cells release “eat me” signals which are recognized by the two “bridging ligands” of MERTK receptor, Gas6 and ProS. …
Mitochondria As A Potential Antifungal Target For Isocyanide Compounds,
2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Mitochondria As A Potential Antifungal Target For Isocyanide Compounds, Nancy Nguyen, Virendra Tiwari, Medhanjali Dasgupta, David Berkowitz, Mark A. Wilson, Wayne R. Riekhof
UCARE: Research Products
The discovery of antibiotics and antifungals greatly impacted medicine and human health, allowing the effective treatment of infections that were previously deadly. However, due to routine and sometimes excessive usage of these compounds, the development of antimicrobial resistance has created a need for new antibiotic and antifungal compounds. Isocyanide compounds have been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-cancer properties, but very little is known about their biochemical effects. Our research aims to understand the mechanism of action of isocyanide compounds. We have conducted a genetic screen of a Saccharomyces gene-deletion (“knockout”) collection on media containing an easily synthesized model …
Assembly And Identification Of Novel Viruses In The Aquatic Invertebrate Daphnia Magna,
2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Assembly And Identification Of Novel Viruses In The Aquatic Invertebrate Daphnia Magna, Freddy L. Gonzalez, Reilly O. Cooper, Clayton E. Cressler
UCARE: Research Products
Microbiome studies have been critical to understanding host health and life history. Many studies primarily focus on understanding the impacts of bacteria on the host, while fewer examine the impacts of viruses on host fitness or the interaction between viruses and bacteria within a host. Here, we utilized shotgun sequencing to identify whether viruses were present in the model organism Daphnia magna. VIBRANT, a bioinformatic tool that utilizes hybrid machine learning and protein similarity to identify lytic genomes and other novel viruses, was used on sequencing data from four samples of adult and juvenile Daphnia. We found a …
Assessing Seed Handling Processes To Facilitate A Community-Engaged Approach To Regional Forest Restoration,
2020
Five RIvers Metroparks
Assessing Seed Handling Processes To Facilitate A Community-Engaged Approach To Regional Forest Restoration, Meredith Cobb, Michaela J. Woods, Ryan Mcewan
Biology Faculty Publications
In the Midwestern United States, there is a strong management impetus toward reforestation to replace trees lost to due to tree mortality and to establish forests on previously cleared properties. Here, we describe a public outreach and volunteer effort that aimed to generate positive, community-engaged restoration outcomes and report on a practical experiment involving seed handling. We obtained tree seeds that were donated by members of the community to local land managers. We evaluated the size of the seeds collected and tested the influence of common stratification media (none, sand and vermiculite) and seed size on germination success of three …
Diatom Community Composition Shifts Driven By Coherent Cyclonic Mesoscale Eddies In The California Current System,
2020
Old Dominion University
Diatom Community Composition Shifts Driven By Coherent Cyclonic Mesoscale Eddies In The California Current System, Zuzanna Maria Abdala
OES Theses and Dissertations
The California Current System (CCS) is characterized by an equatorward flowing eastern boundary current, as well as seasonal wind-driven coastal upwelling which supplies nutrient-rich waters to the surface and drives high coastal productivity. Cyclonic mesoscale eddies form off the coast in the CCS where they trap the highly productive upwelled coastal waters, along with their resident planktonic communities, and transport them offshore into the more oligotrophic California Current waters. The interaction between waters within and outside of the eddies is limited, and so the eddies act as natural mesocosms, where the resident phytoplankton population undergo ecological succession as the eddy …
Compliance Of Hand Written Transfusion Requisition Form And Improvement After Online Request - A Clinical Audit,
2020
Aga Khan University
Compliance Of Hand Written Transfusion Requisition Form And Improvement After Online Request - A Clinical Audit, Nadia Nasir, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Natasha Ali, Shabneez Hussain
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objective: To assess the compliance of healthcare personnel with regard to sending completely filled transfusion requisition forms.
Methods: The audit was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised requisition slips received at the hospital blood bank from September 2014 to February 2015. The British Committee for Standards in Haematology guidelines was used as the standard. Percentage of each variable on the proforma was analsyed. Rating Results: The audit and the re-audit both comprised 1000 transfusion requisition forms each. In the audit, The sum of total scores of all the transfusion requisition forms was 4911, indicating a compliance rate …
