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Cobos-Triguero N, Zboromyrska Y, Morata L, Alejo I, De La Calle C, Vergara A, Cardozo C, Arcas MP, Soriano A, Marco F, Mensa J, Almela M, Martínez JA. Time-to-positivity, type of culture media and oxidase test performed on positive blood culture vials to predict Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with Gram-negative bacilli bacteraemia. REVISTA ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA : PUBLICACION OFICIAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ESPANOLA DE QUIMIOTERAPIA 2017; 30:9-13. [PMID: 27897434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the usefulness of oxidase test and time-to-positivity (TTP) in aerobic and anaerobic blood culture vials to detect the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) bacteraemia. METHODS TTP was recorded for each aerobic and anaerobic blood culture vial of monomicrobial bacteraemia due to GNB. Oxidase test was performed in a pellet of the centrifuged content of the positive blood culture. An algorithm was developed in order to perform the oxidase test efficiently taking into account TTP and type of vial. RESULTS A total of 341 episodes of GNB bacteraemia were analysed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the oxidase test performed on positive vials with GNB to predict P. aeruginosa were 95%, 99%, 91%, and 99%, respectively. When growth was first or exclusively detected in anaerobic vials, P. aeruginosa was never identified hence the performance of the oxidase test could be avoided. When growth was only or first detected in aerobic vials, a TTP≥8h predicted P. aeruginosa in 37% or cases (63 of 169), therefore oxidase test is highly recommended. CONCLUSIONS Oxidase test performed onto positive blood culture vials previously selected by TTP and type of vials is an easy and inexpensive way to predict P. aeruginosa. In most cases, this can lead to optimization of treatment in less than 24 hours.
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Kaur J, Vergara A, Rossi M, Gravagnuolo AM, Valadan M, Corrado F, Conte M, Gesuele F, Giardina P, Altucci C. Electrostatically driven scalable synthesis of MoS2–graphene hybrid films assisted by hydrophobins. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra09878b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Green synthesis of MoS2/biofunctionalized graphene hybrid films assisted by Vmh2 hydrophobin for applications in biosensing and photodetection.
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Vitagliano L, Mazzarella L, Merlino A, Vergara A. Fine Sampling of the R→T Quaternary-Structure Transition of a Tetrameric Hemoglobin. Chemistry 2016; 23:605-613. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201603421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Vergara A. Use of Kirkwood-Buff Integrals for Extracting Distinct Diffusion Coefficients in Macromolecule-Solvent Mixtures. MACROMOL THEOR SIMUL 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/mats.201600040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Zboromyrska Y, Rubio E, Alejo I, Vergara A, Mons A, Campo I, Bosch J, Marco F, Vila J. Development of a new protocol for rapid bacterial identification and susceptibility testing directly from urine samples. Clin Microbiol Infect 2016; 22:561.e1-6. [PMID: 26899829 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The current gold standard method for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTI) is urine culture that requires 18-48 h for the identification of the causative microorganisms and an additional 24 h until the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are available. The aim of this study was to shorten the time of urine sample processing by a combination of flow cytometry for screening and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for bacterial identification followed by AST directly from urine. The study was divided into two parts. During the first part, 675 urine samples were processed by a flow cytometry device and a cut-off value of bacterial count was determined to select samples for direct identification by MALDI-TOF-MS at ≥5 × 10(6) bacteria/mL. During the second part, 163 of 1029 processed samples reached the cut-off value. The sample preparation protocol for direct identification included two centrifugation and two washing steps. Direct AST was performed by the disc diffusion method if a reliable direct identification was obtained. Direct MALDI-TOF-MS identification was performed in 140 urine samples; 125 of the samples were positive by urine culture, 12 were contaminated and 3 were negative. Reliable direct identification was obtained in 108 (86.4%) of the 125 positive samples. AST was performed in 102 identified samples, and the results were fully concordant with the routine method among 83 monomicrobial infections. In conclusion, the turnaround time of the protocol described to diagnose UTI was about 1 h for microbial identification and 18-24 h for AST.
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Caterino M, Petruk AA, Vergara A, Ferraro G, Marasco D, Doctorovich F, Estrin DA, Merlino A. Mapping the protein-binding sites for iridium(iii)-based CO-releasing molecules. Dalton Trans 2016; 45:12206-14. [DOI: 10.1039/c6dt01685e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry, Raman microspectroscopy, circular dichroism and X-ray crystallography have been used to investigate the reaction of CO-releasing molecule Cs2IrCl5CO with the model protein RNase A.
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Neto A, Arshad S, Sartori F, Vayakis G, Ambrosino G, Batista A, Bas I, Campagnolo R, Carvalho B, De Magneval G, De Tommasi G, Dominguez O, Fernandez-Hernando J, Pironti A, Simrock S, Sousa J, Sterle C, Vergara A, Winter A, Zabeo L. Conceptual architecture of the plant system controller for the magnetics diagnostic of the ITER tokamak. FUSION ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fusengdes.2015.06.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Vinciguerra R, Galano E, Vallone F, Greco G, Vergara A, Bonaduce I, Marino G, Pucci P, Amoresano A, Birolo L. Deglycosylation Step to Improve the Identification of Egg Proteins in Art Samples. Anal Chem 2015; 87:10178-82. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b02423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Alejo-Cancho I, Bosch J, Vergara A, Mascaro JM, Marco F, Vila J. Dermatitis by Dermatophilus congolensis. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:e73-4. [PMID: 26100375 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Revised: 06/12/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Tesser R, Vitiello R, Carotenuto G, Garcia Sancho C, Vergara A, Maireles Torres P, Li C, Di Serio M. Niobia supported on silica as a catalyst for Biodiesel production from waste oil. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/cse-2015-0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe activity and stability of niobia supported
on silica catalyst have been tested in continuous
micro-pilot reactors, for biodiesel production starting
from acid vegetable oils. A catalyst was prepared
by the impregnation of silica pellets with a loading
of 12% of Nb and was extensively characterized.
The activity of this catalyst in both esterification and
transesterification was tested in a continuous micro-pilot
laboratory plant in which acid oil was fed (FFA 10% w/w)
at a temperature of 220°C and at a pressure of 60 bar.
The niobia based catalyst resulted in a very active
catalyst in both esterification (FFA conversion =
95-90%) and transesterification reactions (FAME
yield = 80-90%), and the activity remained
quite constant for more than 100 h on stream.
Notwithstanding this stability, a non-negligible leaching
phenomena has been detected, in the case of long-time
continuous runs, as the Nb concentration on the spent
catalyst resulted lower than that on the fresh one. The
obtained result confirms that the leaching of the active
specie is one of the most strong problem in heterogeneous
catalysis for biodiesel production.
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Merlino A, Caterino M, Russo Krauss I, Vergara A. Missing gold atoms in lysozyme crystals used to grow gold nanoparticles. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 10:285. [PMID: 25855250 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2015.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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Di Ciccio P, Vergara A, Festino A, Paludi D, Zanardi E, Ghidini S, Ianieri A. Biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus on food contact surfaces: Relationship with temperature and cell surface hydrophobicity. Food Control 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Di Fiore A, Vergara A, Caterino M, Alterio V, Monti SM, Ombouma J, Dumy P, Vullo D, Supuran CT, Winum JY, De Simone G. Hydroxylamine-O-sulfonamide is a versatile lead compound for the development of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Chem Commun (Camb) 2015; 51:11519-22. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cc03711e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxylamine-O-sulfonamide has been investigated as CA inhibitor by means of kinetic and structural studies clarifying its mechanism of action.
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Garcia-Fernandez S, Morosini MI, Marco F, Gijon D, Vergara A, Vila J, Ruiz-Garbajosa P, Canton R. Evaluation of the eazyplex(R) SuperBug CRE system for rapid detection of carbapenemases and ESBLs in clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates recovered at two Spanish hospitals. J Antimicrob Chemother 2014; 70:1047-50. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dku476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Gelzo M, Grimaldi M, Vergara A, Severino V, Chambery A, Dello Russo A, Piccioli C, Corso G, Arcari P. Comparison of binder compositions in Pompeian wall painting styles from Insula Occidentalis. Chem Cent J 2014; 8:65. [PMID: 25419232 PMCID: PMC4240868 DOI: 10.1186/s13065-014-0065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although the pigment composition of Pompeian wall paintings has been the object of several studies, a comprehensive characterization of paint binder components is still lacking. This work aimed investigated at a molecular level the binder composition differences among wall paintings belonging to different periods of Pompeii’s history. Analytical investigations were performed on representative samples of the first, second, third, and fourth painting styles excavated from the house of Marcus Fabius Rufus (Insula Occidentalis). The application of sensitive experimental methodologies was complemented by historical knowledge to gain insight in painting techniques and materials used by Pompeian artists. Results Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate the organic components and pigments present in powders obtained from samples of the four painting styles. No proteinaceous components were detected in the samples with liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-hybrid quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Liquid chromatography, gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry of polar and non-polar components extracted from powders were used to evaluate and compare the free amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids profiles. Conclusions Pigments and natural products (lipids, gums and wheat flours) were the main components of all samples. This supports the hypothesis that artists likely used water tempera for Pompeian wall paintings. Scheme of the multi-analytical approach followed to compare Pompeian paint binders composition.Scheme of the multi-analytical approach followed to compare Pompeian paint binders composition. ![]()
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13065-014-0065-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Petruk AA, Vergara A, Marasco D, Bikiel D, Doctorovich F, Estrin DA, Merlino A. Interaction between Proteins and Ir Based CO Releasing Molecules: Mechanism of Adduct Formation and CO Release. Inorg Chem 2014; 53:10456-62. [DOI: 10.1021/ic501498g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Merlino A, Vergara A, Vitagliano L. Comments on structural studies of haemoglobin from pisces species shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) at 1.9 Å resolution by P. Ramesh et al. (2013). J. Synchrotron Rad.20, 843-847. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2014; 21:832-833. [PMID: 24971983 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577514010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
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Messori L, Scaletti F, Massai L, Cinellu MA, Gabbiani C, Vergara A, Merlino A. The mode of action of anticancer gold-based drugs: a structural perspective. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 49:10100-2. [PMID: 24045294 DOI: 10.1039/c3cc46400h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between a few representative gold-based drugs and hen egg white lysozyme were studied by X-ray crystallography. High resolution crystal structures solved for three metallodrug-protein adducts provide valuable insight into the molecular mechanism of these promising metal compounds and the inherent protein metalation processes.
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Mazzarella L, Merlino A, Vitagliano L, Verde C, di Prisco G, Peisach J, Vergara A. Structural modifications induced by the switch from an endogenous bis-histidyl to an exogenous cyanomet hexa-coordination in a tetrameric haemoglobin. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra03317e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two EPR- and structurally-distinct bis-histidyl conformers of the ferric haemoglobin from Trematomus bernacchii react differently with CN−
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Messori L, Scaletti F, Massai L, Cinellu MA, Russo Krauss I, di Martino G, Vergara A, Paduano L, Merlino A. Interactions of gold-based drugs with proteins: crystal structure of the adduct formed between ribonuclease A and a cytotoxic gold(iii) compound. Metallomics 2014; 6:233-6. [DOI: 10.1039/c3mt00265a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Vergara A, Russo Krauss I, Montesarchio D, Paduano L, Merlino A. Investigating the Ruthenium Metalation of Proteins: X-ray Structure and Raman Microspectroscopy of the Complex between RNase A and AziRu. Inorg Chem 2013; 52:10714-6. [DOI: 10.1021/ic401494v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Petruk AA, Vergara A, Estrin D, Merlino A. Molecular basis of the NO trans influence in quaternary T-state human hemoglobin: A computational study. FEBS Lett 2013; 587:2393-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Krauss IR, Merlino A, Vergara A, Sica F. An overview of biological macromolecule crystallization. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:11643-91. [PMID: 23727935 PMCID: PMC3709751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms140611643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The elucidation of the three dimensional structure of biological macromolecules has provided an important contribution to our current understanding of many basic mechanisms involved in life processes. This enormous impact largely results from the ability of X-ray crystallography to provide accurate structural details at atomic resolution that are a prerequisite for a deeper insight on the way in which bio-macromolecules interact with each other to build up supramolecular nano-machines capable of performing specialized biological functions. With the advent of high-energy synchrotron sources and the development of sophisticated software to solve X-ray and neutron crystal structures of large molecules, the crystallization step has become even more the bottleneck of a successful structure determination. This review introduces the general aspects of protein crystallization, summarizes conventional and innovative crystallization methods and focuses on the new strategies utilized to improve the success rate of experiments and increase crystal diffraction quality.
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Coppola D, Abbruzzetti S, Nicoletti F, Merlino A, Gambacurta A, Giordano D, Howes BD, De Sanctis G, Vitagliano L, Bruno S, di Prisco G, Mazzarella L, Smulevich G, Coletta M, Viappiani C, Vergara A, Verde C. ATP regulation of the ligand-binding properties in temperate and cold-adapted haemoglobins. X-ray structure and ligand-binding kinetics in the sub-Antarctic fish Eleginops maclovinus. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2013; 8:3295-304. [PMID: 23086282 DOI: 10.1039/c2mb25210d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The major haemoglobin of the sub-Antarctic fish Eleginops maclovinus was structurally and functionally characterised with the aim to compare molecular environmental adaptations in the O(2)-transport system of sub-Antarctic fishes of the suborder Notothenioidei with those of their high-latitude relatives. Ligand-binding kinetics of the major haemoglobin of E. maclovinus indicated strong stabilisation of the liganded quaternary T state, enhanced in the presence of the physiological allosteric effector ATP, compared to that of high-Antarctic Trematomus bernacchii. The activation enthalpy for O(2) dissociation was dramatically lower than that in T. bernacchii haemoglobin, suggesting remarkable differences in temperature sensitivity and structural changes associated with O(2) release and exit from the protein. The haemoglobin functional properties, together with the X-ray structure of the CO form at 1.49 Å resolution, the first of a temperate notothenioid, strongly support the hypothesis that in E. maclovinus, whose life-style varies according to changes in habitat, the mechanisms that regulate O(2) affinity and the ATP-induced Root effect differ from those of high-Antarctic Notothenioids.
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Vergara A, Grassi M, Sica F, Pizzo E, D'Alessio G, Mazzarella L, Merlino A. A novel interdomain interface in crystallins: structural characterization of the βγ-crystallin from Geodia cydonium at 0.99 Å resolution. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D: BIOLOGICAL CRYSTALLOGRAPHY 2013; 69:960-7. [PMID: 23695240 DOI: 10.1107/s0907444913003569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The βγ-crystallin superfamily includes highly diverse proteins belonging to all of the kingdoms of life. Based on structural topology, these proteins are considered to be evolutionarily related to the long-lived βγ-crystallins that constitute the vertebrate eye lens. This study reports the crystallographic structure at 0.99 Å resolution of the two-domain βγ-crystallin (geodin) from the sponge Geodia cydonium. This is the most ancient member of the βγ-crystallin superfamily in metazoans. The X-ray structure shows that the geodin domains adopt the typical βγ-crystallin fold with a paired Greek-key motif, thus confirming the hypothesis that the crystallin-type scaffold used in the evolution of bacteria and moulds was recruited very early in metazoans. As a significant new structural feature, the sponge protein possesses a unique interdomain interface made up by pairing between the second motif of the first domain and the first motif of the second domain. The atomic resolution also allowed a detailed analysis of the calcium-binding site of the protein.
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