Concerns about environment pollution by antibiotics raised notable attention. In this context, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can produce an excellent platform for toxicant removal from water environments. In the current investigation, eight MOFs (ZIF-67-NO3, ZIF-67-Cl, ZIF-67-SO4, ZIF-67-OAC, ZIF-8-Octahedron, ZIF-8-Leaf, ZIF-8-Cuboid, and ZIF-8-Cube) with different chemical and textural compositions were synthesized, and furthermore, the adsorption of Tetracycline (TC) by them was evaluated. Also, the key experimental conditions were modeled using response surface methodology (RSM). Among the prepared MOFs, the highest tendency for TC removal was nominated to ZIF-67- Acetate (ZIF-67-OAC). By model optimization approach, the optimum system conditions as contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH and adsorbed antibiotic concentration were reported as 26.8 min, 0.63 g/L, 5.9, and 74.6 mg/L, respectively. The proposed equilibrium model showed that the TC accumulated on ZIF-67-OAC surface is reversible in multilayer with the highest monolayer capacity of 446.9 mg/g. Furthermore, based on separation factor (KL), TC adsorption is more favorable at a higher amount of MOFs added. Moreover, according to the fitted kinetic model, the process was controlled by chemisorption. ZIF-67-OAC shows excellent structural stability during mechanical agitation in an aqueous environment, and the TC removal capacities of regenerated adsorbent did not change considerably at the end of cycle 4 compared to the first cycle. Considering the findings among the examined MOFs, the ZIF-67-OAC can be approached as a promising adsorbent for the removal of antibiotics from aqueous environments.

Staphylococcus aureus infection is a healthcare problem to mankind for a considerable period of time. Once when it enters the bloodstream of an individual, it may potentially result in life-threatening conditions. The resistance of S. aureus to various drugs such as penicillin, methicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, and tetracycline have been well documented. Presently vancomycin is the drug of choice for methicillin resistant S. aureus. Scientists believe that S. aureus would completely develop resistance to vancomycin as well. Therefore there is a commensurate need to develop a drug to replace vancomycin. In the current study, we have focussed on FtsA, an important and vital cell division protein, which is found only in S. aureus and in other prokaryotic cells. We have carried out virtual screening process for FtsA against ZINC database, the best hit molecules obtained from the preliminary docking studies were subjected to SYBYL X 2.0 docking. The molecules ZINC74432848, ZINC37769607, and ZINC96896268 displayed the highest C-score value of 4.89, 4.49, and 4.22, respectively. The top ranked molecule ZINC74432848 was observed to form 4 hydrogen bonds with FtsA. The simulation study reveals the greater stability of the FtsA-ZINC74432848 complex. If the in vitro and in vivo study turns out affirmative, then ZINC74432848 could be developed as a potent drug for FtsA.

In this study, flower-like AgI/BiOCOOH heterojunctions were constructed through a two-step procedure involving the solvothermal synthesis of BiOCOOH microflowers followed by AgI modification using a precipitation method. These novel photocatalysts were systematically examined by XRD, UV-vis DRS, SEM, TEM, EDS, and PL spectroscopy techniques. The AgI/BiOCOOH heterojunction were studied as a decent photocatalyst for the removal of the industrial dye (rhodamine B, and methyl blue) and antibiotic (tetracycline) under visible light. The AgI/BiOCOOH heterojunctions are much more active than bare BiOCOOH, and AgI, which could be ascribed to the improved separation of charge carriers, resulting from the formation of p-n heterojunction between two constituents. The holes (h+) and superoxide radical (•O 2 - ) were detected as the main active species responsible for the pollutant degradation. The results showed that a highly efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic system was developed for the decomposition of toxic pollutants.

This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from subclinical bovine mastitis cases in China. Enterococcus faecalis isolates were identified by 16S rRNA amplification and sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disc diffusion method. Antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes were tested by PCR. Overall, E. faecalis was recovered from 81 of 1,787 (4.5%) mastitic milk samples. The isolates showed high resistance against tetracycline (87.7%) and erythromycin (79.0%). The most prevalent resistance genes found in the E. faecalis were tetK (96.3%), tetL (79.0%), and tetM (87.7%) for tetracycline and ermC (97.5%) for erythromycin. Moreover, gelE (70.4%), esp (85.2%), efaA (91.4%) were the most common virulence genes. This is the first report to characterize E. faecalis recovered from subclinical bovine mastitis cases in China.

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased susceptibility to fracture and this risk gradually rises as renal disease progresses. Chronic Kidney Disease-Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD- MBD) encompasses the mineral, bone, hormonal and calcific cardiovascular abnormalities that develop in these patients. Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) corresponds to the histopathologic description of bone lesions associated with CKD-MBD. Fragility fracture approach in CKD stages 1-3a may be similar to that of the general population. However, in stages 3b-5, osteoporosis cannot be established by the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria based on bone mineral density (BMD) or the presence of fragility fractures, because low BMD and fractures can also occur in the different forms of ROD. The gold standard for the diagnosis and classification of ROD is tetracycline double-labelled transiliac bone biopsy, with bone histology and histomorphometric analysis. By informing on bone turnover, mineralization and volume, it is a valuable tool that may help guide the management of CKD patients with fragility fractures, as therapeutic measures are distinct depending if the patient has osteoporosis or one of the forms of ROD. For patients with stages 1-3 CKD, without biochemical abnormalities suggestive of CKD-MBD, who sustained low-trauma fractures, any therapeutic approved for use in osteoporosis could be used. However, there is little evidence for the efficacy and safety of conventional anti-osteoporotic agents in patients with more advanced CKD stages, so currently the approach is opinion-based and must be patient-tailored depending on the presence or absence of ROD.

Fragile X Syndrome is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders and it is an X-linked disorder in which there is a deficiency of the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 protein. This protein is crucial in regulating translation of mRNAs related to dendritic maturation and cognitive development. The phenotype of FXS is characterized by neurobehavioral alterations, social deficits, communication difficulties, and findings which suggest an alteration of connective tissue, especially in the ligaments and muscles, cardiovascular system and genitourinary system. Connective tissue connects and supports all other tissues of the body, and is composed of cells and extracellular matrix. Severalproteins have been involved in the connective tissue abnormalities associated with the FXS, such as matrix metalloproteinase 9, which plays an important role in the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix, being a potential therapeutic target for certain tetracycline antibiotics that have shown beneficial effects in FXS.Here we review connective tissue problems described in Fragile X Syndrome. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a major challenge for patient care. Community-associated MRSA (CA)-MRSA often have fitness and virulence advantage compared to their nosocomial counterpart. Increased mobility, travel activities and migration accelerate the intercontinental spread of virulent CA-MRSA. Out-patient clinics are the most important route of entry for CA-MRSA into hospitals. However, systematic data on CA-MRSA in Germany is limited. We characterized community onset MRSA SSTI isolates in the Rhine-Neckar Region from 2012-2016 to gain insight into the molecular epidemiology and monitor potential introduction of virulent and dominant MRSA strains into our hospital. We identified 2475 patients with S. aureus SSTI in the outpatient departments of our hospital, of which 3.8% (94/2475) were MRSA. 40% of the community onset-MRSA harboured the virulence factor Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL). ST8-t008-MRSA-IVa/c (26%, 10/38) and ST80-t044-IVc MRSA (16%, 6/38) were the predominant PVL+ MRSA in our hospital. Molecular typing and epidemiological data revealed that 42.5% (n=40/94) of strains could be traced back to local origin and 44.7% (n=42/94) were endemic outside of Europe. Antibiotic resistance to quinolones, clindamycin and macrolides was common, while resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, mupirocin, chlorhexidine and fusidic acid was low. No resistance to rifampicin, fosfomycin and linezolid was observed. Our study provides insight into the clonal composition of community onset-MRSA in the Rhine-Neckar Region. The increase of PVL+ MRSA and the introduction of imported strains may affect the local MRSA landscape in the near future and should be monitored closely.

Minocycline is an old broad-spectrum tetracycline indicated for the treatment of various infections, including those due to minocycline-susceptible Acinetobacter spp. Susceptibility data worldwide are showing increasing rates of resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii to almost all antimicrobial classes, whereas minocycline seems to remain relatively potent against this significant pathogen. Since no new effective drugs have been released against MDR A. baumannii, minocycline is an attractive choice. Tracing back minocycline CLSI susceptibility breakpoints, it is evident that they have been based on old pharmacokinetic approaches. In an attempt to integrate the scarce new pharmacodynamic data, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed. It seems that the currently used breakpoints are, 8-fold elevated according to the approved dosage regimen, giving erroneously higher rates of minocycline susceptibility of A. baumannii. Therefore, current minocycline breakpoints merit re-evaluation in order to deliver reliable susceptibility profiles for selecting the appropriate therapy.

Mutations in ubiquilin2 (UBQLN2) have been linked to abnormal protein aggregation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The mechanisms underlying UBQLN2-related neurodegenerative diseases remain unclear. Using a tetracycline-regulated gene expression system, the ALS-linked UBQLN2P497H mutant was selectively expressed in either the spinal motor neurons or astrocytes in rats. We found that selectively expressing mutant UBQLN2P497H in the spinal motor neurons caused several core features of ALS, including the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, the denervation atrophy of skeletal muscles, and the abnormal protein accumulation. Furthermore, mutant UBQLN2P497H accumulation was associated with an age-dependent decrease in several core autophagy-related proteins. ALS-like phenotypes were not observed when mutant UBQLN2P497H was overexpressed in the astrocytes, however, even though the expression of the mutant UBQLN2P497H protein was higher in these rats. Our results suggest that selectively expressing mutant UBQLN2P497H in motor neurons is sufficient to trigger the development of ALS in rats. Our results further indicate that the compromised autophagy-lysosomal pathway plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of UBQLN2-related neurodegenerative diseases.