Now showing items 141-160 of 358

    • Host dependent maintenance of a blaNDM-1-encoding plasmid in clinical Escherichia coli isolates 

      Alves Gama, Joao Pedro; Kloos, Julia Maria; Johnsen, Pål Jarle; Samuelsen, Ørjan (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-06-09)
      Dissemination of bacterial clones carrying plasmid-mediated resistance genes is a major factor contributing to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Understanding the evolution of successful clones and the association to mobile resistance elements are therefore crucial. In this study, we determined the sequence of a 145 kb IncC multi-drug resistance plasmid (pK71-77-1-NDM), harbouring ...
    • ZN148 Is a Modular Synthetic Metallo-beta-Lactamase Inhibitor That Reverses Carbapenem Resistance in Gram-Negative Pathogens In Vivo 

      Samuelsen, Ørjan; Åstrand, Ove Alexander Høgmoen; Frøhlich, Christopher; Heikal, Adam; Skagseth, Susann; Carlsen, Trine Josefine Olsen; Leiros, Hanna-Kirsti S.; Bayer, Annette; Schnaars, Christian; Kildahl-andersen, Geir; Lauksund, Silje; Finke, Sarah; Huber, Sandra; Gjøen, Tor; Andresen, Adriana Magalhaes Santos; Økstad, Ole Andreas; Rongved, Pål (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-05-21)
      Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative pathogens are a critical public health threat and there is an urgent need for new treatments. Carbapenemases (β-lactamases able to inactivate carbapenems) have been identified in both serine β-lactamase (SBL) and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) families. The recent introduction of SBL carbapenemase inhibitors has provided alternative therapeutic options. Unfortunately, ...
    • Selective intracellular delivery of thiolated cargo to tumor and neovasculature cells using histidine-rich peptides as vectors 

      Eksteen, Jacobus Johannes; Ausbacher, Dominik; Vasskog, Terje; Rekdal, Øystein; Svendsen, John Sigurd Mjøen (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-03-06)
      Short histidine-rich peptides could serve as novel activatable vectors for delivering cytotoxic payloads to tumor and neovasculature cells. This explorative study reports preliminary results showing that zinc ions, which are found in elevated levels at neovasculature sites, can trigger the intracellular delivery of a short antimicrobial peptide when conjugated to a histidine-rich peptide through a ...
    • Impact of mucin on drug diffusion: Development of a straightforward in vitro method for the determination of drug diffusivity in the presence of mucin 

      Falavigna, Margherita; Stein, Paul C.; Flaten, Gøril Eide; Di Cagno, Massimiliano Pio (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-02-17)
      Mucosal drug delivery accounts for various administration routes (i.e., oral, vaginal, ocular, pulmonary, etc.) and offers a vast surface for the permeation of drugs. However, the mucus layer which shields and lubricates all mucosal tissues can compromise drugs from reaching the epithelial site, thus affecting their absorption and therapeutic effect. Therefore, the effect of the mucus layer on drug ...
    • Quantifying the impact of treatment history on plasmid-mediated resistance evolution in human gut microbiota 

      Tepekule, Burcu; Abel zur Wiesch, Pia; Kouyos, Roger D.; Bonhoeffer, Sebastian (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-10-30)
      To understand how antibiotic use affects the risk of a resistant infection, we present a computational model of the population dynamics of gut microbiota including antibiotic resistance-conferring plasmids. We then describe how this model is parameterized based on published microbiota data. Finally, we investigate how treatment history affects the prevalence of resistance among opportunistic ...
    • Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to self-medication with antimicrobials in Lilongwe, Malawi 

      Sambakunsi, Cecilia S.; Småbrekke, Lars; Varga, Christine A.; Solomon, Vernon; Mponda, John S. (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-12)
      <i>Background</i> - The use of antimicrobials is associated with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and self-medication increases the risk of the inappropriate use of antimicrobials. This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding self-medication with antimicrobials among residents in Lilongwe, Malawi.<p><p> <i>Methodology</i> - This study has ...
    • Changes in the consumption of antiepileptics and psychotropic medicines after starting low dose naltrexone: A nation-wide register-based controlled before-after study 

      Raknes, Guttorm; Småbrekke, Lars (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-10-21)
      In this controlled before-after study based on data from the Norwegian Prescription Database, we examine whether starting off-label use of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is followed by changes in the consumption of psychotropic medicines including antiepileptics. Patients that collected LDN for the first time in 2013 (N = 11247) were included and stratified into three groups based on LDN exposure. We ...
    • Evidence for limited adaptive responsiveness to large-scale spatial variation of habitat quality 

      Werner, Karl-Michael; Taylor, Marc; Diekmann, Rabea; Lloret, Josep; Möllmann, Christian; Primicerio, Raul; Fock, Heino O. (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-10-24)
      The ability of organisms to adapt their foraging behaviour to spatial variations in food availability and habitat quality is crucial to maximize energy intake and hence fitness. Under ideal conditions, habitat selection should result in a spatial distribution of individuals such that their fitness (energy reserves or condition) is roughly equal across habitats of varying quality. Using 11 yr of field ...
    • Pharmacists’ expectations and perceptions of electronic medication management: lessons from Australia 

      Lehnbom, Elin; Baysari, MT; Westbrook, JI (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019)
      <p><i>Background - </i>Implementing electronic medication management systems (eMMS) is likely to influence established work practices. <p><i>Objective - </i>To explore Australian hospital pharmacists’ expectations of, or experiences with, eMMS. <p><i>Methods - </i>Semi-structured individual phone interviews with pharmacists from six Australian States and Territories were conducted in 2014. ...
    • The Antimicrobial Properties of Chitosan Can be  Tailored by Formulation 

      Jøraholmen, May Wenche; Bhargava, Abhilasha; Julin, Kjersti; Johannessen, Mona; Skalko-Basnet, Natasa (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2020-01-31)
      Topical administration of drugs into the vagina can provide local therapy of vaginal infections, preventing the possible systemic side effects of the drugs. The natural polysaccharide chitosan is known for its excellent mucoadhesive properties, safety profile, and antibacterial effects, and thus it can be utilized in improving localized vaginal therapy by prolonging the residence time of a drug at ...
    • Mucoadhesive buccal films based on a graft co-polymer – A mucin-retentive hydrogel scaffold 

      Alopaeus, Julia Fredrika; Hellfritzsch, Marie; Gutowski, Tobias; Scherließ, Regina; Almeida, Andreia F; Sarmento, Bruno; Skalko-Basnet, Natasa; Tho, Ingunn (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-11-07)
      From a patient-centric perspective, oromucosal drug delivery is highly attractive due to the ease of administration without the need of swallowing, and improved patient safety. The aim of the presented work was to prepare a buccal film using a self-forming micellar drug solubiliser as the film matrix, combining it with a mucoadhesive polymer for an enhanced retention on the buccal mucosa. Specifically, ...
    • Multi-scale modeling of drug binding kinetics to predict drug efficacy 

      Clarelli, Fabrizio; Liang, Jingyi; Martinecz, Antal; Heiland, Ines; Abel zur Wiesch, Pia (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-11-25)
      Optimizing drug therapies for any disease requires a solid understanding of pharmacokinetics (the drug concentration at a given time point in different body compartments) and pharmacodynamics (the effect a drug has at a given concentration). Mathematical models are frequently used to infer drug concentrations over time based on infrequent sampling and/or in inaccessible body compartments. Models are ...
    • Evaluation by metabolic profiling and in vitro autoradiography of two promising GnRH‐receptor ligands for brain SPECT imaging 

      Fjellaksel, Richard; Moldes-Anaya, Angel; Vasskog, Terje; Oteiza, Ana; Martin-Armas, Maria Montserrat; Hjelstuen, Ole Kristian; Hansen, Jørn H; Riss, Patrick; Sundset, Rune (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-12-18)
      The increased expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRH‐R) in brain has been strongly linked to Alzheimer disease. Therefore, the development of radiolabeled imaging agents for GnRH‐R is relevant for early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. We have recently disclosed the discovery of two promising compounds displaying nanomolar‐range affinity for the GnRH‐R. In the present study, a ...
    • The hypotonic environmental changes affect liposomal formulations for nose-to-brain targeted drug delivery 

      Wu, Iren Yeeling; Nikolaisen, Trygg Einar; Skalko-Basnet, Natasa (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-03-16)
      Systemic administration of drugs is ineffective in the treatment of central nervous system disorders because of the blood-brain barrier. Nasal administration has been suggested as an alternative administration route as drugs absorbed in the olfactory epithelium bypass the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain within minutes. However, the nasal mucosa properties (e.g., tonicity, pH) are not constant ...
    • Interpreting non-linear drug diffusion data: Utilizing Korsmeyer-Peppas model to study drug release from liposomes 

      Wu, Iren Yeeling; Bala, Sonali; Skalko-Basnet, Natasa; Di Cagno, Massimiliano Pio (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-07-30)
      The aim of this work was to clarify the dynamics behind the influence of ionic strength on the changes in drug release from large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs). For this purpose, we have investigated the transport of two different model drugs (caffeine and hydrocortisone) formulated into liposomes through different types of barriers with different retention properties (regenerated cellulose and the ...
    • Academic detailing as a method of continuing medical education 

      Dyrkorn, Roar; Langaas, Harald Chr.; Giverhaug, Trude; Espnes, Ketil Arne; Rowett, Debra; Spigset, Olav (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019)
      <i>Introduction</i>: Academic detailing is an interactive educational outreach to prescribers to present unbiased, non-commercial, evidence-based information, mostly about medications, with the goal of improving patient care. Academic detailing in Norway is an approach for providing continuing medical education to general practitioners (GPs). The basis of academic detailing is a one-to-one discussion ...
    • Mucosal Metabolomic Profiling and Pathway Analysis Reveal the Metabolic Signature of Ulcerative Colitis 

      Diab, Joseph; Hansen, Terkel; Goll, Rasmus; Stenlund, Hans; Jensen, Einar; Moritz, Thomas; Florholmen, Jon; Forsdahl, Guro (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-11-27)
      The onset of ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by a dysregulated mucosal immune response triggered by several genetic and environmental factors in the context of host–microbe interaction. This complexity makes UC ideal for metabolomic studies to unravel the disease pathobiology and to improve the patient stratification strategies. This study aims to explore the mucosal metabolomic profile in ...
    • Lipidomics in ulcerative colitis reveal alteration in mucosal lipid composition associated with the disease state 

      Diab, Joseph; Hansen, Terkel; Goll, Rasmus; Stenlund, Hans; Ahnlund, Maria; Jensen, Einar; Moritz, Thomas; Florholmen, Jon; Forsdahl, Guro (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-05-11)
      <p><i>Background - </i>The onset of ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with alterations in lipid metabolism and a disruption of the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules. Only a few studies describe the mucosal lipid biosignatures during active UC. Moreover, the dynamics of lipid metabolism in the remission state is poorly defined. Therefore, this study aims to characterize mucosal ...
    • Curcumin-In-Deformable Liposomes-In-ChitosanHydrogel as a Novel Wound Dressing 

      Ternullo, Selenia; Schulte Werning, Laura; Holsæter, Ann Mari; Skalko-Basnet, Natasa (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-12-20)
      A liposomes-in-hydrogel system as an advanced wound dressing for dermal delivery of curcumin was proposed for improved chronic wound therapy. Curcumin, a multitargeting poorly soluble active substance with known beneficial properties for improved wound healing, was incorporated in deformable liposomes to overcome its poor solubility. Chitosan hydrogel served as a vehicle providing superior wound ...
    • Interactions between plasmids and other mobile genetic elements affect their transmission and persistence 

      Dionisio, Francisco; Zilhão, Rita; Alves Gama, Joao Pedro (Journal article; Tidsskriftartikkel; Peer reviewed, 2019-02-14)
      Plasmids are genetic elements that play a role in bacterial evolution by providing new genes that promote adaptation to diverse conditions. Plasmids are also known to reduce bacterial competitiveness in the absence of selection for plasmid-encoded traits. It is easier to understand plasmid persistence when considering the evidence that plasmid maintenance can improve during co-evolution with the ...