Frozen chemistry controls bacterial infections
By sciencedaily.com
Chemists and molecular biologists have made an unexpected discovery in infection biology. The researchers can now show that two proteins that bind to one another slow down a chemical reaction central to the course of the disease in the bacteria Yersinia pseudotuberculosis. The results have been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
"The discovery paves way for new insights in the regulation of bacterial virulence. The results have given us a new opportunity to study the pathogenic ability in bacteria," says Magnus Wolf-Watz, researcher at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University, who led the study together with Hans Wolf-Watz, professor at the Department of Molecular Biology.
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and many similar bacteria infect humans by injecting toxins, so-called effector proteins, through a needle-like organelle called injectisome. Previous research has already shown that the protein YscU plays an important part in the regulation of effector protein transportation. YscU is unique in its ability to cleave itself in two parts, as a consequence, one of these parts is then transported out through the injectisome.
By combining biological experiments with studies on atomic level, the research team discovered that another protein, YscP, binds to YscU and regulates its self-cleaving abilities. When the proteins bound to one another, the speed of the self-cleaving was greatly reduced.
"The chemical process behind the self-cleaving was cooled down by the interaction and was hence slowed down. The result is a good example of how biology and chemistry nearly always go hand in hand and is a huge step forward. This gives us new opportunities to study the regulation of the course of diseases," says Hans Wolf-Watz.
The studies on atomic level were conducted using magnetic resonance spectroscopy at the Department of Chemistry at the NMR for Life platform, which is a national infrastructure for NMR in Sweden.
"The initial investment to fund an NMR instrument that the Kempe Foundations facilitated paved way for further funding from both the Wallenberg Foundations and SciLifeLab. Also, the protein expertise platform in our labs was of crucial importance for undertaking the research project," says Magnus Wolf-Watz.
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170303100420.htm
Sunday, May 17, 2026
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) - Nausea - Patient guide - What to expect
Patients choosing dimenhydrinate for recurrent motion nausea often ask if generic product changes can affect reliability during critical travel days. Appearance changes between refills can raise concern, especially when symptom control has been inconsistent. Most benefit comes from stable routine, clear dosing, and trigger reduction, but refill verification still helps prevent confusion and errors. Before visits, patients can review dimenhydrinate care guidance and prepare refill questions. Refill checks should confirm dose strength, label directions, and expected side effects. Patients can keep simple log with fill date, manufacturer, travel context, and symptom response. This record helps clinicians identify whether flare-ups reflect medication timing mistakes, stronger motion exposure, poor sleep, or potential tolerance issues. Pattern visibility supports safer treatment changes. Safety counseling is essential for people who drive, supervise children, or perform attention-heavy tasks. Drowsiness and slower reaction time can increase risk if patients dose too close to demanding activities. Alcohol and other sedating medicines can intensify these effects. If sedation burden limits function, clinicians may adjust plan and discuss alternatives while preserving nausea control. Supportive non-drug measures improve reliability. Hydration before travel, light meals, reduced screen focus in moving vehicles, and periodic fresh-air breaks can lower symptom intensity. Patients prone to severe episodes may benefit from preplanned trip routines that include rest, meal timing, and medication reminders. Persistent symptoms despite preventive strategy should trigger reassessment for vestibular disease, migraine-related nausea, gastrointestinal causes, or medication interactions. Urgent warning signs include repeated vomiting with poor fluid retention, severe abdominal pain, blood in vomit, confusion, or near-fainting. For broader prevention tools and self-monitoring templates, patients can use nausea management resources and bring written logs to follow-up. Strong dimenhydrinate outcomes usually come from refill clarity, preventive timing, and rapid clinical response when symptoms worsen. Structured routines reduce relapse risk during long travel schedules.
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