Pneumococcal surface proteins as targets for next-generation vaccines: Addressing the challenges of serotype variation.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major global pathogen causing significant morbidity and mortality, particularly among children, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations. While pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) have successfully reduced invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), challenges such as serotype replacement and non-encapsulated strains necessitate serotype-independent vaccine strategies. Pneumococcal surface proteins, including pneumolysin (Ply), choline-binding proteins (CBPs), and histidine triad proteins (PHTs), represent promising universal vaccine targets due to their conserved nature and roles in adhesion, immune evasion, and biofilm formation.

Emergence of armA and rmtB genes among VIM, NDM, and IMP metallo-β-lactamase-producing multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.

In the recent years, it has been noted that microorganisms with acquired resistance to almost all available potent antibiotics are increasing worldwide. Hence, the use of antibiotics in every clinical setup has to be organized to avoid irrational use of antibiotics. This study was aimed to establish the pattern of antibiotic sensitivity and relevance of antimicrobial resistance in aerobic Gram-negative bacilli.

Nasal PCR assay for the detection of Mycobacterium leprae pra gene to study subclinical infection in a community.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Identification of Mycobacterium leprae is difficult in part due to the inability of the leprosy bacillus to grow in vitro. A number of diagnostic methods for leprosy diagnosis have been proposed.

Biphasic dose-dependent effect of lithium chloride on survival of human hormone-dependent breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Lithium, the first element of Group I in the periodic system, is used to treat bipolar psychiatric disorders. Lithium chloride (LiCl) is a selective inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a serine/threonine kinase that regulates many cellular processes, in addition to its role in the regulation of glycogen synthase. GSK-3β is emerged as a promising drug target for various neurological diseases, type-2 diabetes, cancer, and inflammation.

In vitro mechanisms involved in the regulation of cell survival by lithium chloride and IGF-1 in human hormone-dependent breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Lithium, the lightest of all solid elements, has been used for the treatment of bipolar disorder since 1970s and prescribed to millions of women worldwide. Lithium chloride (LiCl) has been considered to be a potent inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), a serine/threonine kinase that is involved in the control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. In addition, GSK-3β has been found to be inhibited endogenously by insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a potent mitogen that plays an important role in the survival, growth, and differentiation of normal and neoplastic cells.