Mostly Microbes and Infection

Дэвид Оджиус (David M. Ojcius), Тони Дарвилл (Toni Darville), Патрик Баволи (Patrik M. Bavoil) Хламидии, внутриклеточные паразиты, вызывают серьезные офтальмологические патологии, пневмонию, бесплодие и даже влияют на возникновение сердечно-сосудистых заболеваний. Исследователи надеются, что вскоре они смогут сдерживать распространение этих микроорганизмов. Возбудителями болезни служат крошечные микроорганизмы рода Chlamydia. При этом штамм C. trachomatis вызывает конъюнктивит и трахому (а также инфекции, передающиеся половым путем), штамм C. pneumoniae – фарингит, бронхит и пневмонию. Установлена даже связь между инфекцией C. pneumoniae и развитием атеросклероза (сужением кровеносных сосудов, приводящим к инфарктам и инсультам) (см. табл. на стр. 57). Для борьбы с хламидиями можно использовать антибиотики. К сожалению, хламидиозы (например, урогенитальные инфекции) часто протекают бессимптомно, и лечение начинают слишком поздно. В развивающихся же странах, население которых страдает о...

by  David Vang   ,  Aline Cristina Abreu Moreira-Souza   ,  Nicholas Zusman   ,  German Moncada   ,  Harmony Matshik Dakafay   ,  Homer Asadi   ,  David M. Ojcius   and  Cassio Luiz Coutinho Almeida-da-Silva   Abstract Frankincense is produced by  Boswellia  trees, which can be found throughout the Middle East and parts of Africa and Asia.  Boswellia serrata  extract has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects. Periodontitis is an oral chronic inflammatory disease that affects nearly half of the US population. We investigated the antimicrobial effects of  B. serrata  extract on two oral pathogens associated with periodontitis. Using the minimum inhibitory concentration and crystal violet staining methods, we demonstrated that  Porphyromonas gingivalis  growth and biofilm formation were impaired by treatment with  B. serrata ...

Scientists are investigating how our biology changes as the years add up, and whether there are ways to stop it.  

The highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza H5N1 ( bird flu ) has killed millions of birds & unknown numbers of mammals, particularly during the past 3 years.

 by William Zhao, Shrey Shah, Scott Davis, David Ojcius and Hung-Chi Yang.  Caenorhabditis elegans  is a nematode that survives naturally in a variety of environments throughout the world. This nematode has been used for decades as a model system for development, cancer and aging, since it shares with humans key genes and signaling pathways that are involved in disease. In addition, this nematode is easy to maintain in the laboratory and is genetically tractable. Major discoveries relevant for human cancer, innate immunity and longevity have been made with  C. elegans , but this nematode has not been used yet for studying genes or microbiota relevant for oral health. Several laboratories in the world are starting to study the effect of the gut microbiota on the health of  C. elegans . We propose to study the effect of the oral microbiota on  C. elegans , by feeding the nematodes bacteria isolated from human saliva. From a dentistry perspective, being able t...

Abstract The unceasing global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) calls for the development of novel therapeutics. Although many newly developed antivirals and repurposed antivirals have been applied to the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), antivirals showing satisfactory clinical efficacy are few in number. In addition, the loss of sensitivity to variants of concern (VOCs) and lack of oral bioavailability have also limited the clinical application of some antivirals. These facts remind us to develop more potent and broad-spectrum antivirals with better pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties to fight against infections from SARS-CoV-2, its variants, and other human coronaviruses (HCoVs). In this review, we summarize the latest advancements in the clinical development of antivirals against infections by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.  

Interdisciplinary seminars presented by faculty and staff at the University of the Pacific. Seminars are hosted by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the Assistant Provost for Research, David Ojcius. All presentations are open to the public.