Latest Articles
Observation | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySinorhizobium meliloti, a Slow-Growing Bacterium, Exhibits Growth Rate Dependence of Cell Size under Nutrient LimitationThe dependence of cell size on growth rate is a fundamental principle in the field of bacterial cell size regulation. Previous studies of cell size regulation mainly focus on fast-growing bacterial species such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologySurface Exposure and Packing of Lipoproteins into Outer Membrane Vesicles Are Coupled Processes in BacteroidesSpecies from the Bacteroides genus are predominant members of the human gut microbiota. OMVs in Bacteroides have been shown to be important for the homeostasis of complex host-commensal relationships, mainly involving immune tolerance and protection from disease. OMVs carry many enzymatic activities involved in the cleavage of complex polysaccharides and have been proposed as public goods that can provide growth to...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTemporal Variability of Escherichia coli Diversity in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Tanzanian Children with and without Exposure to AntibioticsThis study increases the number of resident Escherichia coli genome sequences, and explores E. coli diversity through longitudinal sampling. We investigate the genomes of E. coli isolated from human gastrointestinal tracts as part...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyComplement Susceptibility in Relation to Genome Sequence of Recent Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Thai HospitalsMultidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is responsible for an increasing proportion of nosocomial infections, and emerging hypervirulent K. pneumoniae clones now cause severe community-acquired infections in otherwise healthy individuals. These bacteria are adept at circumventing immune defenses,...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Buoyancy of Cryptococcus neoformans Is Affected by Capsule SizeThe buoyancy of a microbial cell is an important physical characteristic that may affect its transportability in fluids and interactions with tissues during infection. The polysaccharide capsule surrounding C. neoformans is required for infection and dissemination in the host. Our results indicate that the capsule has a significant effect on reducing cryptococcal cell...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceIdentification of an Exceptionally Long Intron in the HAC1 Gene of Candida parapsilosisThe unfolded protein response (UPR) responds to the build-up of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. The UPR has wide-ranging functions from fungal pathogenesis to applications in biotechnology. The UPR is regulated through the splicing of an unconventional intron in the HAC1 gene. This intron has been described in many fungal species and is of variable length. Until now it was believed that some members of the CTG-...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionHydroxypropyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin Reduces Inflammatory Signaling from Monocytes: Possible Implications for Suppression of HIV Chronic Immune ActivationChronic immune activation is a hallmark of HIV infection and is often not controlled even in patients under antiretroviral therapy. Indeed, chronic diseases with inflammatory pathogenesis are being reported as major causes of death for HIV-infected persons. Hydroxypropyl-beta cyclodextrin (HP-BCD) is a cholesterol-sequestering drug that inhibits HIV replication and infectivity in vitro and in vivo. Recent studies have...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyCharacterization of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec Elements from Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius Infections in Australian AnimalsStaphylococcus pseudintermedius is a significant veterinary pathogen and occasional cause of infections in humans. β-Lactams are an important group of antimicrobials used to treat staphylococcal infections in humans and animals. However, when staphylococci become methicillin resistant via the acquisition of a mobile genetic element called staphylococcal cassette...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMixed Chlamydia trachomatis Peptide Antigens Provide a Specific and Sensitive Single-Well Colorimetric Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Detection of Human Anti-C. trachomatis AntibodiesFor detection of anti-C. trachomatis antibodies by serological assays, use of classical chlamydial antigens results in high cross-reactivity and poor sensitivity. Previously, we discovered 48 strongly reactive peptide antigens of C. trachomatis-specific B-cell epitopes from 21 immunodominant...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceThe Enterococcus Cassette Chromosome, a Genomic Variation Enabler in EnterococciEnterococcus faecium is a bacterium found in a great variety of environments, ranging from the clinic as a nosocomial pathogen to natural habitats such as mammalian intestines, water, and soil. They are known to exchange genetic material through horizontal gene transfer and recombination, leading to great variability of accessory genes and aiding environmental...