Extracts of Talaromyces purpureogenus Strains from Apis mellifera Bee Bread Inhibit the Growth of Paenibacillus spp. In Vitro

Honey bees coexist with fungi that colonize hive surfaces and pollen. Some of these fungi are opportunistic pathogens, but many are beneficial species that produce antimicrobial compounds for pollen conservation and the regulation of pathogen populations. In this study, we tested the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Talaromyces purpureogenus strains isolated from bee bread against Paenibacillus alvei (associated with European foulbrood disease) and three Aspergillus species that cause stonebrood disease. We found that methanol extracts of T. purpureogenus strains B18 and B195 inhibited the growth of P. alvei at a concentration of 0.39 mg/mL. Bioactivity-guided dereplication revealed that the activity of the crude extracts correlated with the presence of diketopiperazines, a siderophore, and three unknown compounds. We propose that non-pathogenic fungi such as Talaromyces spp. and their metabolites in bee bread could be an important requirement to prevent disease. Agricultural practices involving the use of fungicides can disrupt the fungal community and thus negatively affect the health of bee colonies.

Genomic and Chemical Decryption of the Bacteroidetes Phylum for Its Potential to Biosynthesize Natural Products

With progress in genome sequencing and data sharing, 1,000s of bacterial genomes are publicly available. Genome mining-using bioinformatics tools in terms of biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) identification, analysis, and rating-has become a key technology to explore the capabilities for natural product (NP) biosynthesis. Comprehensively, analyzing the genetic potential of the phylum Bacteroidetes revealed Chitinophaga as the most talented genus in terms of BGC abundance and diversity. Guided by the computational predictions, we conducted a metabolomics and bioactivity driven NP discovery program on 25 Chitinophaga strains. High numbers of strain-specific metabolite buckets confirmed the upfront predicted biosynthetic potential and revealed a tremendous uncharted chemical space. Mining this data set, we isolated the new iron chelating nonribosomally synthesized cyclic tetradeca- and pentadecalipodepsipeptide antibiotics chitinopeptins with activity against Candida, produced by C. eiseniae DSM 22224 and C. flava KCTC 62435, respectively. IMPORTANCE The development of pipelines for anti-infectives to be applied in plant, animal, and human health management are dried up. However, the resistance development against compounds in use calls for new lead structures. To fill this gap and to enhance the probability of success for the discovery of new bioactive natural products, microbial taxa currently underinvestigated must be mined. This study investigates the potential within the bacterial phylum Bacteroidetes. A combination of omics-technologies revealed taxonomical hot spots for specialized metabolites. Genome- and metabolome-based analyses showed that the phylum covers a new chemical space compared with classic natural product producers. Members of the Bacteroidetes may thus present a promising bioresource for future screening and isolation campaigns.

p53 is functionally inhibited in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): a mechanistic and correlative investigation into genetic and molecular characteristics

Purpose

Although p53 is rarely mutated in ccRCC, its overexpression has been linked to poor prognosis. The current study sought to elucidate the unique role of p53 in ccRCC with genomic, proteomic, and functional analyses.

Materials and methods

Data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were evaluated for genomic and proteomic characteristics of p53; a tissue micro array (TMA) study was carried out to evaluate the association of p53 and phosphorylated p53 (pp53) with clinical outcome. Mechanistic in vitro experiments were performed to confirm a pro-apoptotic loss of p53 in ccRCC and p53 isoforms as well as posttranslational modifications of p53 where assessed to provide possible reasons for a functional inhibition of p53 in ccRCC.

Results

A low somatic mutation rate of p53 could be confirmed. Although mRNA levels were correlated with poor prognosis and clinicopathological features, there was no monotonous association of mRNA levels with survival outcome. Higher p53 protein levels could be confirmed as poor prognostic features. In vitro, irradiation of ccRCC cell lines markedly induced levels of p53 and of activated (phosphorylated) p53. However, irradiated ccRCC cells demonstrated similar proliferation, migration, and p53 transcriptional activity like non-irradiated controls indicating a functional inhibition of p53. p53 isoforms and could not be correlated with clinical outcome of ccRCC patients.

Conclusions

p53 is rarely mutated but the wildtype p53 is functionally inhibited in ccRCC. To investigate mechanisms that underlie functional inhibition of p53 may provide attractive therapeutic targets in ccRCC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00432-021-03786-1.

Combination of high-throughput microfluidics and FACS technologies to leverage the numbers game in natural product discovery

High-throughput platforms facilitating screening campaigns of environmental samples are needed to discover new products of natural origin counteracting the spreading of antimicrobial resistances constantly threatening human and agricultural health. We applied a combination of droplet microfluidics and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based technologies to access and assess a microbial environmental sample. The cultivation performance of our microfluidics workflow was evaluated in respect to the utilized cultivation media by Illumina amplicon sequencing of a pool of millions of droplets, respectively. This enabled the rational selection of a growth medium supporting the isolation of microbial diversity from soil (five phyla affiliated to 57 genera) including a member of the acidobacterial subgroup 1 (genus Edaphobacter). In a second phase, the entire diversity covered by 1071 cultures was used for an arrayed bioprospecting campaign, resulting in > 6000 extracts tested against human pathogens and agricultural pests. After redundancy curation by using a combinatorial chemical and genomic fingerprinting approach, we assigned the causative agents present in the extracts. Utilizing UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS-guided fractionation and microplate-based screening assays in combination with molecular networking the production of bioactive ionophorous macrotetrolides, phospholipids, the cyclic lipopetides massetolides E, F, H and serratamolide A and many derivatives thereof was shown.

Evaluation of a new hybrid VMAT simultaneous integrated boost technique for breast radiotherapy

In this survey we propose a new hybrid simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) delivery method for breast radiotherapy that was implemented in our department of Radiation Oncology. This technique encompasses non-modulated tangential fields as well as VMAT-arcs and combines the robustness and the dose confinement properties of tangential opposed fields with the benefits of a complex VMAT-technique. The results of the dosimetric evaluation indicate that the proposed technique enables a balanced mix between dose coverage, homogeneity and conformity versus the exposure of the organs-at-risks. More precisely, the proposed technique is on par with other recently published SIB techniques for breast radiotherapy.

Automated thin-film microextraction coupled to a flow-through cell: somewhere in between passive and active sampling

A prototype for the automated thin-film microextraction of pharmaceuticals from aqueous solutions has been developed and is presented here for the first time. With a software-controlled setup, extraction methods for ivermectin and iohexol have been developed. The widely used antiparasitic agent ivermectin is non-polar and has a high tendency to sorb to surfaces. In contrast to this, the nonionic but polar iodinated X-ray contrast agent iohexol is freely water soluble. With these two substances, a wide range of polarity is covered. Sorption kinetics and thermodynamics of ivermectin and iohexol were studied. With the presented passive sampling approach, it was possible to extract up to 96.2% ivermectin with a C₁₈-phase within 1 h and up to 74.6% of iohexol with a PS-DVB phase within 36 h out of water. Using abamectin as internal standard, it was possible to quantitatively follow dissipation of ivermectin in a simulated surface water experiment. Predominantly, the newly developed prototype can be used for automated and time-resolved extraction of xenobiotics from waterbodies under field conditions, for the extraction of substances under laboratory conditions as an alternative to the elaborate solid-phase extraction, and for the automated control of chemical reaction kinetics.

Structure property relationships affecting the proton conductivity in imidazole loaded Al-MOFs

A systematic investigation on the influence of steric effects and the possibility to form host-guest interactions on the proton conductivity was carried out using imidazole loaded derivatives of Al-MIL-53 [Al(OH)(1,4-BDC-(CH₃)_x)] (x = 0, 1, 2) and CAU-11.

Histone deacetylase inhibitors induce cell death and enhance the susceptibility to ionizing radiation, etoposide, and TRAIL in medulloblastoma cells

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) are a promising new class of antineoplastic agents with the ability to induce apoptosis and growth arrest of cancer cells. In addition, HDIs have been suggested to enhance the anticancer efficacy of other therapeutic regimens, such as ionizing radiation (IR) or chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of HDIs against medulloblastoma cells when applied either as single agents or in combination with IR, cytostatics, or TRAIL. The HDIs, suberoyl anilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), sodium butyrate, and trichostatin A, were examined for their effects on the medulloblastoma cell lines, DAOY and UW228-2. We found that treatment with HDIs induced the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and -3 and, consequently, apoptotic cell death. Moreover, all three HDIs significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects of IR in DAOY cells. Likewise, treatment with SAHA markedly augmented the cytotoxicity of etoposide, while it had no effect on vincristine-mediated cell death. HDIs also potently increased the killing efficiency of TRAIL. TRAIL-induced, but not SAHA-induced, cell killing could be prevented by the caspase-8 inhibitor, z-IEDT-fmk. We conclude that HDIs may be useful for the treatment of medulloblastoma as monotherapy and particularly when given in combination with IR, appropriate cytostatics, or TRAIL.

Hsp70 expression and free radical release after exposure to non-thermal radio-frequency electromagnetic fields and ultrafine particles in human Mono Mac 6 cells

The contemporary urban environment has become increasingly complex in its composition, leading to discussions regarding possible novel health effects. Two factors that recently have received considerable attention are ultrafine particles (UFP; <0.1 microm) produced by combustion processes and emissions from wireless communication devices like mobile phones that emit in the radio-frequency (RF) part of the spectrum. Several studies have shown biological effects of both these exposures in various cell systems. Here we investigate if exposure to UFP (12-14 nm, 100 microg/ml) and RF-electromagnetic fields (EMF; 2 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR); continuous wave (CW) or modulated (217Hz or GSM-nonDTX)), alone or in combination influences levels of the superoxide radical anion or the stress protein heat-shock protein (Hsp70) in the human monocyte cell line Mono Mac 6. Heat treatment (42-43 degrees C, 1h) was used as positive control for both stress reaction and for heat development in the RF exposure setup. Our results clearly show that Mono Mac 6 cells are capable to internalise UFP, and that this phagocytic activity is connected to an increased release of free radicals. This increase (40-45% above negative control) is stronger than the effect of heat treatment. On the other hand, none of the employed RF exposures showed any effects on free radical levels. Co-exposure of RF and UFP did not potentiate the UFP effect either. Our investigations showed a significantly increased Hsp70 expression level by heat treatment in a time-dependent manner, whereas UFP, RF, or UFP+RF were without any effect. Therefore, we conclude that in the investigated Mono Mac 6 cells, RF exposure alone or in combination with UFP cannot influence stress-related responses.

Free radical release and HSP70 expression in two human immune-relevant cell lines after exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency radiation

The goal of this study was to investigate whether radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic-field (EMF) exposure at 1800 MHz causes production of free radicals and/or expression of heat-shock proteins (HSP70) in human immune-relevant cell systems. Human Mono Mac 6 and K562 cells were used to examine free radical release after exposure to incubator control, sham, RF EMFs, PMA, LPS, heat (40 degrees C) or co-exposure conditions. Several signals were used: continuous-wave, several typical modulations of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): GSM-non DTX (speaking only), GSM-DTX (hearing only), GSM-Talk (34% speaking and 66% hearing) at specific absorption rates (SARs) of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 W/kg. Heat and PMA treatment induced a significant increase in superoxide radical anions and in ROS production in the Mono Mac 6 cells when compared to sham and/or incubator conditions. No significant differences in free radical production were detected after RF EMF exposure or in the respective controls, and no additional effects on superoxide radical anion production were detected after co-exposure to RF EMFs+PMA or RF EMFs+LPS. The GSM-DTX signal at 2 W/kg produced a significant difference in free radical production when the data were compared to sham because of the decreasing sham value. This difference disappeared when data were compared to the incubator controls. To determine the involvement of heat-shock proteins as a possible inhibitor of free radical production, we investigated the HSP70 expression level after different RF EMF exposures; no significant effects were detected.

Verbesserung des Impfschutzes für sozial benachteiligte Gruppen unter Mitarbeit von Vertrauenspersonen - Ergebnisse einer kultur- und sprachsensiblen Intervention des Gesundheitsamtes Stade und des Ethno-Medizinischen Zentrums für Migrantenkinder im Altländer Viertel

In January 2002, a vaccination campaign against measles, mumps and rubella was carried out in the Altlander Viertel, a district in Stade, Germany. The campaign was directed towards children of immigrants, a group often at a disadvantage in terms of health. This campaign was organised and carried out by the public health department in Stade for the first time in September 2002. During regular health screenings when children were enrolled for school it was found that they children were poorly protected by vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella. Since several attempts to improve the situation, for example by organising information events, had not been successful, it was decided to develop special measures for this particular group in order to improve their health. Together with the Ethno-Medical Centre in Hanover the concept of a vaccination campaign considering the special situation of immigrants was developed. The core measures were to find, train and use key persons within the groups of immigrants are living in the Altlander Viertel in Stade. These key persons helped to inform and motivate the immigrants to go to the vacciantion stations set up in the district. In this way it was possible to carry out a successful intervention (vaccination campaign).

Immunological detection of Nitrospira-like bacteria in various soils

Chemolithotrophic nitrite oxidizers were enriched from five different soils including freshwater marsh, permafrost, garden, agricultural, and desert soils and monitored during the cultivation procedure. Immunoblot analysis was used to identify the nitrite oxidizing organisms with monoclonal antibodies, which recognize the key enzyme of nitrite oxidation in a genus-specific reaction [Bartosch et al. (1999) Appl Environ Microbiol 65:4126-4133]. The morphological characteristics of the enriched nitrite oxidizers were additionally studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence microscopy. By means of the antibodies and TEM analysis Nitrospira could be clearly identified in enrichment cultures derived from freshwater marsh and from permafrost soil. Nitrospira cells were enriched simultaneously with cells of the genus Nitrobacter when nitrite concentrations of 0.2 g of NaNO2 L(-1) were used. However, in enrichment cultures containing 2 g of NaNO2 L(-1) Nitrobacter was exclusively detected. During fluorescence microscopic observations of DAPI stained samples microcolonies were found in enrichment cultures from freshwater marsh, permafrost, garden, and agricultural soil. They had a similar morphology to Nitrospira-like microcolonies from activated sludge. In conclusion, Nitrospira seems to be not only a common aquatic but also a usual soil bacterium.

Activity of amikacin against Mycobacteria in vitro and in murine tuberculosis

Amikacin was found to be a potent inhibitor of clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro. The drug was also active against some, but not all, strains of M. intracellulare, M. kansasii and rapidly growing mycobacteria in concentrations that may be attained clinically. Activity was independent of susceptibility or resistance of the isolates to commonly used antituberculosis agents. Groups of mice were infected intravenously with M. tuberculosis H37Rv and then treated daily with amikacin, streptomycin, isoniazid or kanamycin. One third of the mice in each group were killed 30, 60 and 90 days after infection. Extent of pulmonary disease was recorded and tubercle bacilli were enumerated in lungs. Isoniazid eradicated tubercle bacilli from the lungs within 90 days. The remaining drugs were suppressive. Amikacin was more efficacious than streptomycin or kanamycin given in equivalent or greater dosages. Because of its potent activity in vitro, efficacy in experimental tuberculosis and activity against drug resistant mycobacteria, amikacin merits further study as a potential therapeutic agent for tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.