A novel TNKS/USP25 inhibitor blocks the Wnt pathway to overcome multi-drug resistance in TNKS-overexpressing colorectal cancer

Modulating Tankyrases (TNKS), interactions with USP25 to promote TNKS degradation, rather than inhibiting their enzymatic activities, is emerging as an alternative/specific approach to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Here, we identified UAT-B, a novel neoantimycin analog isolated from Streptomyces conglobatus, as a small-molecule inhibitor of TNKS-USP25 protein-protein interaction (PPI) to overcome multi-drug resistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). The disruption of TNKS-USP25 complex formation by UAT-B led to a significant decrease in TNKS levels, triggering cell apoptosis through modulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Importantly, UAT-B successfully inhibited the CRC cells growth that harbored high TNKS levels, as demonstrated in various in vitro and in vivo studies utilizing cell line-based and patient-derived xenografts, as well as APCmin/+ spontaneous CRC models. Collectively, these findings suggest that targeting the TNKS-USP25 PPI using a small-molecule inhibitor represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for CRC treatment, and UAT-B emerges as a promising candidate for further preclinical and clinical investigations.

Advances in genomics of multi-drug resistant Stenotrophomonas / 生物工程学报

Stenotrophomonas species are non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria that are widely distributed in environment and are highly resistant to numerous antibiotics. Thus, Stenotrophomonas serves as a reservoir of genes encoding antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The detection rate of Stenotrophomonas is rapidly increasing alongside their strengthening intrinsic ability to tolerate a variety of clinical antibiotics. This review illustrated the current genomics advances of antibiotic resistant Stenotrophomonas, highlighting the importance of precise identification and sequence editing. In addition, AMR diversity and transferability have been assessed by the developed bioinformatics tools. However, the working models of AMR in Stenotrophomonas are cryptic and urgently required to be determined. Comparative genomics is envisioned to facilitate the prevention and control of AMR, as well as to gain insights into bacterial adaptability and drug development.

Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors in Children with Acute Leukemia Complicated with Multiple Drug Resistant Bacterial Septicemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of acute leukemia complicated with multi-drug resistant bacterial septicemia in children.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of children with acute leukemia complicated with septicemia admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University from January 2013 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Their flora composition and drug resistance were also analyzed. The children were divided into multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) group and non-multi-drug resistant bacteria (non-MDRB) group according to the drug sensitivity results, and the differences in clinical data between the two group were compared.@*RESULTS@#A total of 108 children had drug sensitivity results, 47 cases in the MDRB group, including 26 strians of Gram-positive bacteria (G+), the most common multi-drug resistant G+ bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and Staphylococcus aureus, and the most common multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria G- bacteria were Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae. Compared with non-MDRB group, children in MDRB group had higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level and mortality rate (P <0.001, P =0.009), lower initial empirical anti-infection efficiency (P <0.001), and were more likely to have septic shock (P =0.003). Logistic analysis showed that the risk factors of acute leukemia complicated with MDRB septicemia in children were previous MDRB infection (OR =6.763, 95% CI: 1.141-40.092, P =0.035), duration of agranulocytosis before infection≥7 days (OR =3.071, 95% CI: 1.139-8.282, P =0.027), and previous use of antimicrobial drugs within 90 days before infection (OR =7.675, 95% CI: 1.581-37.261, P =0.011).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The clinical features of acute leukemia complicated with MDRB septicemia in children include a heavy inflammatory response, significantly elevated CRP, susceptibility to secondary septic shock, low efficiency of initial empirical anti-infective therapy, and high mortality rate. Previous MDRB infection, duration of agranulocytosis before infection≥7 days, and previous use of antimicrobial drugs within 90 days before infection are risk factors of acute leukemia complicated with MDRB septicemia in children.

Study on the Mechanism of Multi-Drug Resistance of Agaricus Blazei Extract FA-2-b-β Mediated Wnt Signaling Pathway to Reverse Acute T Lymphoblastic Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the mechanism of drug reversing resistance of Agaricus blazei extract FA-2-b-β on T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines.@*METHODS@#Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay; the apoptosis, cell cycle mitochondrial membrane potential, and intracellular rhodamine accumulation were detected by flow cytometry, and apoptosis-related gene and protein expression were detected by qPCR and Western blot; the membrane surface protein MDR1 was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy.@*RESULTS@#Different concentrations of FA-2-b-β significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of CCRF-CEM and CEM/C1 (P<0.05), and CCRF-CEM cell cycle were arrested at S phase, and CEM/C1 cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase. Western blot and qPCR results show that FA-2-b-β inhibited ABCB1、ABCG2、CTNNB、MYC and BCL-2 expression, but upregulated Bax expression. In addition, FA-2-b-β reversed the resistance characteristics of CEM/C1 drug-resistance cells, which decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and significantly increased the intracellular rhodamine accumulation, and weakening of the expression of the membrane surface protein MDR1. With the Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor (ICG001), the process was further intensified.@*CONCLUSION@#Agaricus Blazei Extract FA-2-b-β inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis, regulates the cell cycle, reduces mitochondrial energy supply, and down-regulate MDR1 expression to reverse the resistance of CEM/C1, which all suggest it is through regulating the Wnt signaling pathway in T-ALL.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles from Sophora flavescens extract and their antibacterial effect against some pathogenic bacteria

Aims@#The current study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of biogenic synthesized golden nanoparticles from Sophora flavescens Aiton roots aqueous extract against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial isolates.@*Methodology and results@#The green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was accomplished using S. flavescens roots aqueous extract and examined using many accepted techniques. The antibacterial activity of S. flavescens extract and the aqueous AuNPs at concentrations (7% and 9%) ppm were investigated against two clinical MDR bacteria, including Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The findings demonstrate inhibitory activity against the selected MDR bacterial isolates for the aqueous extract of S. flavescens and the aqueous AuNPs noted by the significant decrease in the number of bacteria after treatment with highly significant differences (P≤0.01) compared to the untreated control.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Sophora flavescens root extracts and their biosynthesized AuNPs with antibacterial activity may find broad applications in fighting MDR pathogenic bacteria and therapeutic manufacturing.

Characterization of Virulent Bacterial Isolates Associated with Multi-Drug Resistance among Patients with Surgical Site Infections in Selected Specialist Hospitals in Calabar, Nigeria

Aims: Increasing research findings have documented the continuous emergence and threats posed by drug resistant clinical isolates from post-operative wound infections to commonly used antibiotics globally. This hospital-based study investigated virulent bacterial pathogens implicated with post-operative wound infections among surgical site infection (SSI) patients in Calabar, Nigeria and determined their antibiotic resistance pattern. Methodology: A total of 127 bacterial isolates of different genus from 110 SSI patients, were isolated from pus and surgical wound exudates and fully characterized using standard bacteriological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of isolates were determined using Kirby- Bauer disk diffusion method, following the guidelines by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Results: Multi-drug resistant bacteria isolated and their percentage frequency were coagulase Negative Staphylococci (21.3%), Staphylococcus aureus (19.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.2%), Escherichia coli (11.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.4%), Enterococcus faecium (6.3), Enterobacter cloacae (4.7%), Proteus mirabilis (4.7%), Acinetobacter baumannii (3.1%), Pseudomonas putida (3.1%) and Aerococcus viridans (1.6%). Among gram-positive bacteria isolated, S. aureus showed highest resistance to several antimicrobials (100% to oxacillin, 96% to ciprofloxacin, 92% to levofloxacin, and 76% resistance to vancomycin). All recovered S. aureus isolates were cefoxitin screen positive indicating possible MRSA isolates. Additionally, among Gram-negative isolates K. pneumoniae was found to possess higher resistance to several antibiotics (66.7% resistance to each of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ceftazidime, trimethoprim /sulfamethoxazole, cefazolin, ampicillin, tobramycin and 58.3% resistance to each of ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and ampicillin/sulbactam). Statistical analysis of categorical variables of study subjects revealed that length of hospital stay, type of surgery, previous admission history, antibiotic use, and age were significant (p<0.05) in SSI outcome of patients, while patients� gender was not significant (p>0.05) in SSI outcome. Conclusion: Adherence to measures of strict infection control, optimal preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care, including multifaceted approaches involving surveillance, and antimicrobial stewardship, are vital to SSI treatment outcomes.

A study of clinical and treatment profile of tuberculosis patients attending DOTS centre at Primary Health Centre

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an age-old disease killing significant number of humans over history and one of the major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. It killed 1.4 million people annually worldwide in the year 2019. India had 2.69 million cases in 2019, according to TB report 2020. Despite the presence of the programme for it's control, TB continues to threaten the population due to emergence of more and more resistance cases challenging it's elimination. This study reflects the annual burden of tuberculosis in an area served by a Primary Health Centre in Urban Delhi and the treatment outcomes. The records of the patients attendingMethods: the DOTS centre was obtained from the treatment register at Primary Health Centre, Palam, Delhi. The records of patients visiting between April 2020 to March 2021 were included. Data analysis was done on Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 and appropriate statistical tests were applied. The total number ofResults & Conclusion: tuberculosis patients registered from April 2020 to March 2021 were 260. Out of these 260 patients, 155 (59.6%) were pulmonary and 105 (40.4%) were extra-pulmonary. A total of 175 (67.3%) were microscopically confirmed and 85 (32.7%) were clinically/radiologically diagnosed.

Anti pathogenic studies of new mixed ligand metal chelates

Drug discovery aimed at the methodical extermination of life-threatening bacterial infection, especially considering the emergence of multi-drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria has remained a challenge for medicinal inorganic chemistry. In this article, the mixed ligand complexes of Cu (II), Co (II), and Ni (II) containing heterocyclic ligands were synthesized and characterized by IR, LC-MS, UV, and TG-DTA. Complexes are screened for Anti-microbial activity against human pathogenic bacteria.

Evaluation and management of application of antibiotics in PICU / 中国小儿急救医学

Antibiotics are the most commonly used medicines in PICU.For children with severe infection, it is very important to ensure the curative effect of patients and reduce the adverse effects of antibiotic abuse through reasonable empirical initial use of antibiotics, timely evaluation and regulation, and appropriate course of antibiotic treatment.This review discussed several main problems of clinical application of antibiotics in PICU, in order to help clinicians in PICU improve the evaluation and management of antibiotics use.

Effects of tigacycline-based combination therapy onprocalcitonin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients with multiple drug-resistant acinetobacterbaumannii post-operative abdominal infection in intensive care unit / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of tigacycline-based combination therapy on procalcitonin (PCT), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with multiple drug-resistant acinetobacterbaumannii post-operative abdominal infection in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:Seventy-five patients with multiple drug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii post-operative abdominal infection in ICU admitted to West Central Hospital of Hainan Prorvincefrom October 2015 to October 2018 were selected and divided into the control group (37cases) and the observation group (38 cases) according to random number table method. The control group was treated with cefoperazone-sulbactam on the basis of routine treatment, while the observation group was treated with tegacycline on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 1 week. The clearance of acinetobacterbaumannii and clinical efficacy of the two groups were counted; the levels of serum PCT, hs-CRP and IL-6 and ummune function were compared.Results:The clearance rate of acinetobacterbaumannii in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group: 76.32%(29/38) vs. 54.05%(20/37), χ2 = 4.10, P = 0.043. Compared with before treatment, the levels of serum PCT, hs-CRP and IL-6 in the two groups were decreased after 1 week of treatment, and the levels of serum PCT, hs-CRP and IL-6 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, the levels of peripheral blood CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 4+/CD 8+ were increased and peripheral blood CD 8+ was decreased in both groups, and the levels of peripheral blood CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 4+/CD 8+ in the observation group were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05), while the level of peripheral blood CD 8+ in the observation group was lower than that in the control group ( P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group: 89.47% (34/38) vs. 67.57% (25/37), χ2 = 4.13, P<0.05. Conclusions:Tigacycline combined with cefoperazone-sulbactam in the treatment of intra-abdominal infection after surgery of acinetobacterbaumannii in ICU could reduce the levels of serum PCT, hs-CRP, IL-6, reduce the body′s inflammatory response and improve the immune function, and improve the treatment efficiency of intra-abdominal infection.

Z-guggulsterone reversed multi-drug resistance of hepatocarcinoma chemotherapy through down-regulating a PXR/P-gp pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the improved effects of Z-guggulsterone on the chemotherapy agents-induced proliferation and apoptosis through regulating PXR(pregnane X receptor)/P-gp(P-glycoprotein)signaling pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.Methods HepG2 cells were treated with Z-guggulsterone, DDP(cis-platinum)and 5-FU(5-fluorouracil)alone or in combination.CCK-8(Cell Counting Kit-8), Annexin-FITC/PI(Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer/propidium iodide)flow cytometry, RT-qPCR(Real-time quantitively Polymerase Chain Reaction)and Western blot were used to determine cell proliferation, apoptosis, the expression of MDR1 mRNA, PXR and P-gp respectively.Results Compared to DDP or 5-FU treatment alone, Z-guggulsterone(30 μmol·L-1)enhanced the inhibitory effects of DDP or 5-FU on the proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells.Z-guggulsterone(30 μmol·L-1)also significantly reduced the expression levels of PXR,P-gp and MDR1 mRNA in HepG2 cells.Further research demonstrated that rifampicin, one agonist of PXR, increased the expression of PXR and P-gp, while Z-guggulsterone reversed its effects.Meanwhile, the expressions of PXR and P-gp were reduced by ketoconazole, one antagonist of PXR, and further decreased by co-administration with Z-guggulsterone.Conclusion Z-guggulsterone can improve the effects of chemotherapy on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines by down-regulating the PXR/P-gp signaling pathway.

Research progress on drug resistance mechanism and treatment of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / 中华临床感染病杂志

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a gram-negative bacillus which widely exists in natural and hospital environment, and it is also one of the common opportunistic pathogens in clinical settings. The virulence and pathogenicity of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are weak, however, due to resistance to a variety of antibacterial drugs, it can cause bloodstream infections or pneumonia in immunocompromised or critically ill patients, leading to poor prognosis. Moreover, the inherent drug resistance and increasing acquired drug resistance may make the treatment of the first line antibiotics, like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or quinolone ineffective. Therefore, it is important to understand the drug resistance mechanism and the main countermeasures for it. In this article, the research progress on drug resistance mechanism and treatment for Stenotrophomonas maltophilia are reviewed.

Prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance using CRISPR-Cas system: a review / 生物工程学报

Bacterial multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a global challenge in the fields of medicine and health, agriculture and fishery, ecology and environment. The cross-region spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among different species is one of the main cause of bacterial MDR. However, there is no effective strategies for addressing the intensifying bacterial MDR. The CRISPR-Cas system, consisting of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR associated proteins, can targetedly degrade exogenous nucleic acids, thus exhibiting high application potential in preventing and controlling bacterial MDR caused by ARGs. This review briefly introduced the working mechanism of CRISPR-Cas systems, followed by discussing recent advances in reducing ARGs by CRISPR-Cas systems delivered through mediators (e.g. plasmids, bacteriophages and nanoparticle). Moreover, the trends of this research field were envisioned, providing a new perspective on preventing and controlling MDR.

Study on Periplaneta americana Polypeptide PAE2 in Reversing Multidrug Resistance for Liver Cancer / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of PAE₂， a polypeptide of <italic>Periplaneta americana， </italic>in reversing multidrug resistance （MDR） for liver cancer <italic>in vivo</italic>. Method:Balb/c-nude mice were inoculated with HepG2 and HepG2/ADM cells under the armpits to establish animal models of liver cancer sensitive strains and animal models of MDR respectively. After successful modeling， the nude mice were randomly divided into normal group， HepG2 model group， HepG2/ADM model group， sorafenib group （positive drug control group， <italic>ig</italic> 30 mg·kg^-1）， HepG2/ADM+PAE₂ （<italic>iv</italic>） low， medium and high dose groups （50， 100， 200 mg·kg^-1）， HepG2/ADM+PAE₂ （<italic>ig</italic>） low， medium， and high dose groups （50， 100， 200 mg·kg^-1）， skim cream group （<italic>ig</italic> 200 mg·kg^-1）， and CⅡ-3 group （<italic>ig</italic> 200 mg·kg^-1）， all of which received corresponding drug treatment. The body weight and tumor volume of nude mice were measured and recorded every 2 days. The next day after the last administration， tumor tissues of nude mice were taken to record the tumor weight. The effect of <italic>P. americana </italic>polypeptide PAE₂ on permeability-glycoprotein（P-gp）， lung resistance protein（LRP） ， breast cancer resistance protein（BCRP）， protein kinase C（PKC）， glutathione S-transferase-π（GST-π）， topo-isomerase typeⅡ（ToPoⅡ）， multidurg resistance gene 1（MDR1）and Multidrug resistance-associated proteins（MRP1） of the protein level and gene level expression in tumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry （IHC） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. In addition， both oral and intravenous administration groups were set up at the same time for preliminary study on the basic pharmacokinetic characteristics of <italic>P. americana </italic>polypeptide PAE₂. Result:After the successful modeling， the body weight of the nude mice was significantly lower than that in the normal mice（<italic>P</italic><0.05）. After treatment with corresponding drugs， the body weight increased to a certain extent， but it was still not as good as the normal nude mice. In <italic>iv</italic> administration， the medium-dose <italic>P. americana </italic>polypeptide PAE₂ showed the best anti-tumor effect as compared with the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）， while in oral administration， the anti-effect increased with the increase of the dose， so the high-dose group showed the best effect （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Preliminary crude extract CII-3 had no obvious anti-tumor effect， and skim cream showed a certain anti-tumor effect （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. <italic>P. americana </italic>polypeptide PAE₂ had certain effects on MDR related proteins and enzymes<italic> in vivo</italic>， mainly by inhibiting the expression of LRP and BCRP in tumor tissues and affecting the expression of these related proteins and genes to different degrees to inhibit intracellular drugs outflow， thereby promoting tumor apoptosis， and the effect was superior to that of the <italic>P. americana</italic> crude extract CⅡ-3 and skim cream. Conclusion:<italic>P. americana</italic> polypeptide PAE₂ may reduce the drug efflux， promote intracellular drug accumulation and apoptosis by affecting the expression of related proteins and enzymes that mediate multidrug resistance， thereby exerting a reverse effect on HepG2/ADM cells Balb/c MDR in nude mice.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns and prevalence of integrons in Shigella species isolated from children with diarrhea in southwest Iran

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns and prevalence of integrons in Shigella species isolated from children with diarrhea in southwest Iran. Methods: In this study, 1 530 stool samples were collected from children under 15 years with diarrhea referred to teaching hospitals in Ahvaz and Abadan, southwest Iran. Shigella spp. were identified by standard biochemical tests and PCR. The antibiotic resistance pattern of all Shigella isolates was determined by the disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by E-test. Results: Of 1 530 stool samples, 91 (5.9%, 91/1 530) were positive for Shigella spp. the most common Shigella isolates were Shigella flexneri 47 (51.6%, 47/1 530). Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the highest antibiotic resistance was related to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (87.9%, 80/91) and ampicillin (86.8%, 79/91). Multiplex PCR results revealed that 56% and 86.9% of Shigella isolates carried integron class I and integron class II genes, respectively. None of the isolates included the integron class III gene. Conclusions: The high prevalence of multi-drug resistance in Shigella isolates in our area increases the concerns about dissemination of the antibiotic-resistant isolates in this bacterium.

A comparative profile of bactericidal action of a partially purified bacteriocin from lactic acid bacteria with antibiotics

Aims@#The menace of antibiotic resistance has led to the search for alternatives, which in turn has diverted the attention to bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by bacteria for their bactericidal properties. The aim of our study was to isolate and partially purify bacteriocin from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and comparing its antimicrobial activity with antibiotics.@*Methodology and results@#Among 38 LAB screened using agar spot assay, LAB 28D1 showed the highest antimicrobial activity against the test bacterial strains. The proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compound extracted from LAB 28D1 was confirmed by its inactivation after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. The crude bacteriocin was found to be stable over a wide range of temperatures (60-100 °C) and pH (4-9). The bacteriocin was partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation (ASP) and the activity units were 204,800 AU/mL. The total protein and the specific activity of partially purified bacteriocin were found to be 24.585 mg and 124,954.24 AU/mg respectively. The molecular weight of partially purified bacteriocin was determined to be 8.5 kDa approximately. The efficacy of the partially purified bacteriocin against indicator bacterial strains was compared with antibiotics by the disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). According to our study, the hospital waste isolate Enterococcus spp. was found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR) but sensitive to bacteriocin from LAB (MIC 0.06 ± 0 µg/mL).@*Conclusion, significance and impact of the study@#Bacteriocin from LAB has potential in combating MDR enterococcal infections.

An overview on the chemistry, pharmacology and anticancer properties of tetrandrine and fangchinoline (alkaloids) from Stephania tetrandra roots / 中西医结合学报

Tetrandrine (TET) and fangchinoline (FAN) are dominant bisbenzylisoquinoline (BBIQ) alkaloids from the roots of Stephania tetrandra of the family Menispermaceae. BBIQ alkaloids comprise two benzylisoquinoline units linked by oxygen bridges. The molecular structures of TET and FAN are exactly the same, except that TET has a methoxy (-OCH

Research progress on the traditional Chinese medicine-pharmaceutical drug interaction mediated by the ABC transporter family / 药学学报

ABC transporters on the intestinal barrier, blood-brain barrier and on tumor cells will affect drug bioavailability, transport across the blood-brain barrier and multidrug resistance. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines can affect the function and expression of ABC transporters. When combined with pharmaceuticals the potential interaction between the two can change the efficacy of the medicines. We review the ABC transporter superfamily and their distribution with regard to their relationship and interactions with traditional Chinese medicine on the intestinal barrier and the blood-brain barrier, as well as their role in tumor multidrug resistance mediated by ABC transporters. We summarize the research progress over the past five years.

Cytotoxicity study on FC58, an indole-chalcone, against multi-drug resistant leukemia cells / 药学实践杂志

Objective To synthesize and investigate cytotoxicity of an indole-chalcone derivative FC58. Methods The target compound was synthesized through the Aldol condensation with 1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one and 1H-indole-3-carbaldehyde. The Cell Titer-Blue method was used to determine in vitro cytotoxicity. The cell cycle experiment was performed to analyze the action characteristics of FC58. Results FC58 exhibited high cytotoxicity against various leukemia cells and resulted in G2/M phase arrest. It showed stronger drug resistant index than traditional tubulin inhibitors such as paclitaxel, vinblastine and doxorubicin. Conclusion FC58 represents a promising lead compound for multi-drug resistant leukemia.

Actividad antimicrobiana de ceftolozano-tazobactam y ceftazidima-avibactam contra bacilos gramnegativos clínicamente relevantes aislados en México / Ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam antimicrobial activity against clinically relevant gram-negative bacilli isolated in Mexico

Resumen Introducción: Existe poca información acerca de la efectividad de las combinaciones ceftolozano/tazobactam y ceftazidima/avibactam en cepas clínicamente relevantes aisladas en México. Objetivo: Determinar el perfil antimicrobiano de ambos antibióticos en nuestra comunidad. Método: El presente estudio de investigación fue prospectivo, descriptivo y transversal. Se incluyeron cepas clínicamente relevantes aisladas a partir de cultivos de cepa pura durante el periodo de agosto de 2018 a enero de 2019 en Mexicali, Baja California, México. Resultados: Se analizaron 74 cepas de enterobacterias y 19 cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa; el porcentaje de sensibilidad de ceftazidima/avibactam fue de 100 % contra enterobacterias y de 72.7 % contra Pseudomonas aeruginosa; el porcentaje de sensibilidad de ceftolozano/tazobactam fue de 90.5 % para enterobacterias y de 72.7 % para Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusiones: Las combinaciones ceftolozano/tazobactam y ceftazidima/avibactam ofrecen buena sensibilidad antimicrobiana in vitro, tanto contra enterobacterias productoras de betalactamasas de espectro extendido como contra Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Se requieren más datos para valorar la respuesta clínica en pacientes que reciben esas combinaciones de antibióticos.

Abstract Introduction: There is limited information on the effectiveness of ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam combinations on clinically relevant strains isolated in Mexico. Objective: To determine the antimicrobial profile of both antibiotic combinations in our community. Method: The present research study was prospective, descriptive and cross-sectional. Clinically relevant strains isolated from pure-strain cultures were included during the period from August 2018 to January 2019 in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico. Results: 74 enterobacteriaceae and 19 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were analyzed; the percentage of sensitivity of ceftazidime/avibactam was 100 % for enterobacteriaceae and 72.7 % for Pseudomonas aeruginosa; the percentage of sensitivity of ceftolozane/tazobactam for enterobacteriaceae was 90.5 % and 72.7 % for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusions: The ceftolozane/tazobactam and ceftazidime/avibactam combinations offer good antimicrobial sensitivity in vitro, both for ESBL-producing enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. More data are required to assess clinical response in patients receiving these antibiotic combinations.