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Background The antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens has become a serious health concern and encourages the search for novel and efficient antimicrobial metabolites. There has been a tremendous increase in interest in screening plants and fungi as a source for compounds with antimicrobial activities. Objectives This current study aimed to determine the possible antimicrobial activity of secondary metabolites of the Cladosporium species against some bacteria (Gram positive and Gram negative) and fungi. Method in the current work, Cladosporium were isolated from air in Cairo by using settle plate method. The samples were purified and identified by using macroscopical and microscopical methods, with the aid of biochemical reactions. Antimicrobial activity was performed by using agar well diffusion method. Those with antimicrobial activity subjected to submerged fermentation and metabolites were extracted using ethyl acetate. Extracts are separated by Chromatographic methods, nature of active metabolites was identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diaiod Array Aided Detector (HPLC-DAD) analysis. The mechanism of antimicrobial activity then investigated by Scan Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron (TEM) Microscopy. Results the current investigation revealed that 5.6% of Cladosporium extracts showed marked antimicrobial activity specially that from C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum and C. cladosporioides species, in addition, by using HPLC-DAD technique revealed the presence of compounds which may be responsible for the antimicrobial activities they elicit, including acropyrone, nigricinol, cladosporin, coumarin, citreoisocoumarin and questinol as major components may be responsible for antimicrobial activity. Scan electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the effect of these compounds on outer surface of tested microorganism. Conclusion Cladosporium species could be a promising source of antimicrobial compounds with pharmaceutical and industrial importance.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), particularly lactobacilli, are major components of the vaginal microbiota. Lactobacilli are facultative anaerobes forming a critical line of defense against pathogenic microorganisms, including those forming biofilms, such as Candida spp. This study aimed to investigate the anti-adhesion capabilities of vaginal Lactobacillus isolates against biofilms formed by pathogenic Candida species. When the extracellular biosurfactant activities of culture supernatants from 120 Lactobacillus isolates were evaluated by the oil-spreading method, clear spreading zones were recognized. Biofilm formation was quantified by the crystal violet plate assay, and different isolates exhibited anti-adhesion activity that ranged from 65.6to 74.4% inhibition against Candida spp. biofilms. Liquid chromatography high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HRESIMS) identified biosurfactants, extracted from three representative Lactobacillus isolates, as surfactin, iturin and lichenysin. Finally, the distribution of representative genes from six different biosynthetic clusters, related to the production of different biosurfactants, was investigated by the polymerase chain reaction. In conclusion, surfactin, iturin and lichenysin were identified for the first time in vaginal Lactobacillus spp. These biosurfactants, which showed strong anti-adherence activity may be used as promising antibiofilm agents in equipment care to prevent vaginal infections by pathogenic Candida spp. with the prospect of reducing nosocomial infections.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics in clinical settings is thought to have led to the global emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. The goal of this study was to investigate the prevalence of genes encoding aminoglycoside resistance and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance among clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae. All K. pneumoniae isolates were phenotypically identified using API 20E and then confirmed genotypically through amplification of the specific K. pneumoniae phoE gene. All isolates were genotyped by the enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction technique (ERIC-PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by a modified Kirby-Bauer method and broth microdilution. All resistant or intermediate-resistant isolates to either gentamicin or amikacin were screened for 7 different genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs). In addition, all resistant or intermediate-resistant isolates to either ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin were screened for 5 genes encoding the quinolone resistance protein (Qnr), 1 gene encoding quinolone-modifying enzyme, and 3 genes encoding quinolone efflux pumps. Biotyping using API 20E revealed 13 different biotypes. Genotyping demonstrated that all isolates were related to 2 main phylogenetic groups. Susceptibility testing revealed that carbapenems and tigecycline were the most effective agents. Investigation of genes encoding AMEs revealed that acc(6′)-Ib was the most prevalent, followed by acc(3′)-II, aph(3′)-IV, and ant(3′′)-I. Examination of genes encoding Qnr proteins demonstrated that qnrB was the most prevalent, followed by qnrS, qnrD, and qnrC. It was found that 61%, 26%, and 12% of quinolone-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates harbored acc(6′)-Ib-cr, oqxAB, and qebA, respectively. The current study demonstrated a high prevalence of aminoglycoside and quinolone resistance genes among clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae.

Background: Treatment of Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) infections has become very difficult especially in the last decades as the levels of antibiotic resistance are becoming increasingly a serious problem throughout the world. Aim: The growing number and rapid increase in carbapenems resistance which are the last resort of treatment of K. pneumoniae infections has urged for investigating some of these possible resistance mechanisms. Materials and Methods: A total of 202 K. pneumoniae isolates were selected from 593 specimens collected from patients attended 4 hospitals during the period from October 2013 to August 2014. Fifty-three multi-drug resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae isolates which showed resistance to imipenem and/or meropenem were tested phenotypically and gynotypically for the producibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenmase (KPC) and New Delhi metallo β-lactamase (NDM) and the presence of blaKPC and blaNDM genes encoding for these enzymes respectively. Results:The rate of production of both potential KPC and NDM was 35/53 (66.04%), whereas only 8 of these 53 MDR K. pneumoniae isolates (15.1%) were positive for NDM but not KPC production. The rates of detection of potential blaKPC and blaNDM genes among the 35 MDR K. pneumoniae positive isolates for the production of both KPC and NDM were 10/35 (28.57%) and 5/35 (14.28%) respectively. Conclusion: blaKPC and blaNDM were detected in some MDR isolates. However, the presence of isolates devoid of both genes suggests that resistance against carbapenems could be due to mechanisms other than the production of KPC and NDM-β-lactamases.

Background We reported that DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is critical for the expression of nuclear factor κB–dependent genes in TNF-α–treated glioblastoma cells, suggesting an involvement in inflammatory diseases. Objective We sought to investigate the role of DNA-PK in asthma. Methods Cell culture and ovalbumin (OVA)– or house dust mite–based murine asthma models were used in this study. Results DNA-PK was essential for monocyte adhesion to TNF-α–treated endothelial cells. Administration of the DNA-PK inhibitor NU7441 reduced airway eosinophilia, mucus hypersecretion, airway hyperresponsiveness, and OVA-specific IgE production in mice prechallenged with OVA. Such effects correlated with a marked reduction in lung vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression and production of several cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, IL-2, and IL-12 and the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine, with a negligible effect on IL-10/IFN-γ production. DNA-PK inhibition by gene heterozygosity of the 450-kDa catalytic subunit of the kinase (DNA-PKcs +/− ) also prevented manifestation of asthma-like traits. These results were confirmed in a chronic model of asthma by using house dust mite, a human allergen. Remarkably, such protection occurred without causing severe combined immunodeficiency. Adoptive transfer of T H 2-skewed OT-II wild-type CD4 + T cells reversed IgE and T H 2 cytokine production but not airway hyperresponsiveness in OVA-challenged DNA-PKcs +/− mice. DNA-PK inhibition reduced IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eotaxin, IL-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 production without affecting IL-2, IL-12, IFN-γ, and interferon-inducible protein 10 production in CD3/CD28-stimulated human CD4 + T cells, potentially by blocking expression of Gata3 . These effects occurred without significant reductions in T-cell proliferation. In mouse CD4 + T cells in vitro DNA-PK inhibition severely blocked CD3/CD28-induced Gata3 and T-bet expression in CD4 + T cells and prevented differentiation of T H 1 and T H 2 cells under respective T H 1- and T H 2-skewing conditions. Conclusion Our results suggest DNA-PK as a novel determinant of asthma and a potential target for the treatment of the disease.

The extensive use of β-lactam antibiotics has led to emergence and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of 7 different ESBL genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaVEB, blaPER, blaGES, and blaOXA-10) and O25b-ST131 high-risk clone among 61 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli. Also, one broad-spectrum β-lactamase (blaOXA-1) was investigated. This study was also constructed to evaluate iodometric overlay method in detection of ESBL production. Phenotypic identification of E. coli isolates using API 20E revealed 18 distinct biotypes. DNA fingerprinting using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) differentiated all isolates into 2 main phylogenetic groups with 60 distinct genetic profiles. Elevated values of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)50 and MIC90 for third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins were observed. Phenotypic tests revealed that 85.24% of isolates were ESBL producers. The inci...

A continuous validation programs for disinfectants are very important in controlling microbial bioburden of environmentally controlled area. Carrier test was chosen because it is more challenging than the usual suspension test. Materials used represent floor, wall, and stainless steel surfaces. This experiment showed that detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulphate improved sporicidal effect on microorganisms even with those who demonstrated relatively high resistance to the used antimicrobial. The used surfactant enhanced the sporicidal activity within five minutes contact time with most commonly found Bacillus species in the pharmaceutical facility. However, Bacillus licheniformis spores showed greatest tolerance among studied environmental isolates.

Caspase-activated DNase (CAD) is the most favorable candidate for chromatin degradation during apoptosis. Ca2+-dependent endonucleases are equally important in internucleosomal DNA fragmentation (INDF), including the PARP-1-regulated DNAS1L3. Despite the elaborate work on these endonucleases, the question of whether these enzymes cooperate during INDF was not addressed. Here, we show a lack of correlation between INDF and CAD expression levels and inactivation by cleavage of its inhibitor (ICAD) during apoptosis. The cells that failed to induce INDF accumulated large amounts of 50-kb breaks, which is suggestive of incomplete chromatin processing. Similarly, INDF was blocked by Ca2+ chelation without a block in ICAD cleavage or caspase-3 activation, which is consistent with the involvement of CAD in 50-kb DNA fragmentation and its Ca2+ independence. However, DNAS1L3 expression in INDF-deficient cells promoted INDF during apoptosis and was blocked by Ca2+ chelation. Interestingly, expression of DNAS1L3 in ICAD-deficient cells failed to promote tumor necrosis factor α-induced INDF but required the coexpression of ICAD. These results suggest a cooperative activity between CAD and DNAS1L3 to accomplish INDF. In HT-29 cells, endogenous DNAS1L3 localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and translocated to the nucleus upon apoptosis induction but prior to INDF manifestation, making it the first reported Ca2+-dependent endonuclease to migrate from the ER to the nucleus. The nuclear accumulation of DNAS1L3, but not its exit out of the ER, required the activity of cysteine and serine proteases. Interestingly, the endonuclease accumulated in the cytosol upon inhibition of serine, but not cysteine, proteases. These results exemplify the complexity of chromatin degradation during apoptosis. Background: The mechanism by which apoptotic internucleosomal DNA fragmentation occurs remains unclear. Results: CAD and DNAS1L3 cooperate to process chromatin degradation during apoptosis. DNAS1L3 achieves such function by translocating from the ER to the nucleus. Conclusion: The results provide new insight on the mechanism by which chromatin degradation takes place during apoptosis. Significance: Our results exemplify the complexity of chromatin degradation during apoptosis.

Regular environmental monitoring samples for microbiological quality of different locations in pharmaceutical facility are by far very critical measure in controlling clean area and environment which have direct impact on the microbiological quality of the final pharmaceutical products. Different methods were used to collect samples from different locations. These samples were processed and followed by isolation and identification. The obtained data were analyzed to find microbial distribution in the environment of pharmaceutical facility. Twenty one bacterial and fungal species were isolated from different locations in the pharmaceutical facility. Group of genus Staphylococci contributes to 38.4% of total positive samples while genus Micrococci contributes to 22.4% and Gemella morbillorum represents 1.1%. Genus Bacilli represents 35.0%, Candida albicans 1.3%, Klebsiella pneumonia 1.0% and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 0.01%. Most microorganisms found among 7 identified genuses were belonging to Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Bacillus species.

Background An important portion of asthmatics do not respond to current therapies. Thus, the need for new therapeutic drugs is urgent. We have demonstrated a critical role for PARP in experimental asthma. Olaparib, a PARP inhibitor, was recently introduced in clinical trials against cancer. The objective of the present study was to examine the efficacy of olaparib in blocking established allergic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness similar to those observed in human asthma in animal models of the disease. Methods We used ovalbumin (OVA)-based mouse models of asthma and primary CD4+ T cells. C57BL/6J WT or PARP-1−/− mice were subjected to OVA sensitization followed by a single or multiple challenges to aerosolized OVA or left unchallenged. WT mice were administered, i.p., 1 mg/kg, 5 or 10 mg/kg of olaparib or saline 30 min after each OVA challenge. Results Administration of olaparib in mice 30 min post-challenge promoted a robust reduction in airway eosinophilia, mucus production and hyperresponsiveness even after repeated challenges with ovalbumin. The protective effects of olaparib were linked to a suppression of Th2 cytokines eotaxin, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-13, and M-CSF, and ovalbumin-specific IgE with an increase in the Th1 cytokine IFN-γ. These traits were associated with a decrease in splenic CD4+ T cells and concomitant increase in T-regulatory cells. The aforementioned traits conferred by olaparib administration were consistent with those observed in OVA-challenged PARP-1−/− mice. Adoptive transfer of Th2-skewed OT-II-WT CD4+ T cells reversed the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, the chemokine GM-CSF, the Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ, and ovalbumin-specific IgE production in ovalbumin-challenged PARP-1−/−mice suggesting a role for PARP-1 in CD4+ T but not B cells. In ex vivo studies, PARP inhibition by olaparib or PARP-1 gene knockout markedly reduced CD3/CD28-stimulated gata-3 and il4 expression in Th2-skewed CD4+ T cells while causing a moderate elevation in t-bet and ifn-γ expression in Th1-skewed CD4+ T cells. Conclusions Our findings show the potential of PARP inhibition as a viable therapeutic strategy and olaparib as a likely candidate to be tested in human asthma clinical trials.

The present study establishes poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase's (PARP's) role in chronic asthma, demonstrates that it is activated in human asthma, increases the clinical relevance of targeting PARP for blocking or preventing chronic asthma in humans and presents olaparib as a likely candidate drug., Our laboratory established a role for poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) in asthma. To increase the clinical significance of our studies, it is imperative to demonstrate that PARP is actually activated in human asthma, to examine whether a PARP inhibitor approved for human testing such as olaparib blocks already-established chronic asthma traits in response to house dust mite (HDM), a true human allergen, in mice and to examine whether the drug modulates human cluster of differentiation type 4 (CD4+) T-cell function. To conduct the study, human lung specimens and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and a HDM-based mouse asthma model were used. Our results show that PARP is activated in PBMCs and lung tissues of asthmatics. PARP inhibition by olaparib or gene knockout blocked established asthma-like traits in mice chronically exposed to HDM including airway eosinophilia and hyper-responsiveness. These effects were linked to a marked reduction in T helper 2 (Th2) cytokine production without a prominent effect on interferon (IFN)-γ or interleukin (IL)-10. PARP inhibition prevented HDM-induced increase in overall cellularity, weight and CD4+ T-cell population in spleens of treated mice whereas it increased the T-regulatory cell population. In CD3/CD28-stimulated human CD4 +T-cells, olaparib treatment reduced Th2 cytokine production potentially by modulating GATA binding protein-3 (gata-3)/IL-4 expression while moderately affecting T-cell proliferation. PARP inhibition inconsistently increased IL-17 in HDM-exposed mice and CD3/CD28-stimulated CD4+ T cells without a concomitant increase in factors that can be influenced by IL-17. In the present study, we provide evidence for the first time that PARP-1 is activated in human asthma and that its inhibition is effective in blocking established asthma in mice.