1.Comparative proteomics profiling reveals down-regulation of Staphylococcus aureus virulence in achieving intermediate vancomycin resistance
Xin-Ee Tan ; Hui-min Neoh ; Mee-Lee Loo ; Toh Leong Tan ; Salasawati Hussin ; Longzhu Cui ; Keiichi Hiramatsu ; Rahman Jamal
Malaysian Journal of Microbiology 2016;12(6):498-505
Aims: VraSR and GraSR were shown to be important in conferring intermediate vancomycin resistance in VISA.
Nevertheless, the exact mechanism modulated by these systems leading to the development of VISA remains unclear.
We employed a proteomic approach to determine the VraS and GraR regulons and subsequently derive the possible
vancomycin resistance regulatory pathway(s) in the Mu50 lineage of Staphylococcus aureus.
Methodology and results: Staphylococcus aureus strains Mu50Ω, Mu50Ω-vraSm and Mu50Ω-vraSm-graRm are
isogenic strains with ascending levels of vancomycin resistance. Total proteins were extracted from the 3 strains and
trypsin digested prior to protein isolation and identification by LC-ESI MS/MS and PLGS 2.4. Expression profiles of
resulting proteins were analyzed using Progenesis LC/MS software. Differential expression profiles revealed 3 regulons,
each controlled by VraS (Mu50Ω-vraSm vs Mu50Ω), GraR (Mu50Ω-vraSm-graRm vs Mu50Ω-vraSm) and VraS-GraR
(Mu50Ω-vraSm-graRm vs Mu50Ω), respectively. The regulon down-regulated by VraS in Mu50Ω-vraSm were proteins
associated with virulence (MgrA, Rot, and SarA), while GraR up-regulated resistance-associated proteins (TpiA, ArcB
and IsaA) in Mu50Ω-vraSm-graRm. The VraS-GraR regulon mediated both up-regulation of resistance-associated
proteins (ArgF, ArcB, VraR and SerS) and down-regulation of virulence-associated protein GapB.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Down-regulation of virulence- in concert with up-regulation of
resistance-associated proteins appears to be integral for development of intermediate-vancomycin resistance in the
Mu50 lineage of S. aureus.
Staphylococcus aureus
2.Faculty development in medical education: an environmental scan in countries within the Asia pacific region
Dujeepa D. SAMARASEKERA ; Shuh Shing LEE ; Ardi FINDYARTINI ; Rita MUSTIKA ; Hiroshi NISHIGORI ; Shunsuke KIMURA ; Young-Mee LEE
Korean Journal of Medical Education 2020;32(2):119-130
Purpose:
In recent years, faculty development (FD) research is more noticeable within an inter-professional context and in allied health education. However, there is a paucity of published literature on FD medical education programs in Asia. With the formation of the Asia Pacific Medical Education Network (APME-Net) in 2015, a scoping review of an environmental scan of FD medical education programs in main institutions in South East Asia and Australia in 2018 was conducted.
Methods:
A survey was developed to collect data on FD in medical education after several rounds of discussion with APME-Net members. The representatives from nine countries in Asia and Australia were invited to partner in this research project. They sent the questionnaire to the Dean of all different medical schools after ethical clearance. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results:
Only institutions in four countries responded to the questionnaire. The medical/health professions education center/department/unit has been established in most educational institutions in these countries. These centers/departments/units mostly carry out FD programs to improve the teaching and learning skills of trained participants, particularly clinical teachers via workshops and seminars. Staffing issues and participant buy-in are the current key priorities of the center/department/unit in terms of FD. Lastly, research related FD program has not been well-supported in these countries, hence, the lack of publication in this area.
Conclusion
Collaboration between countries to address key areas of interest and develop more standardized and productive FD medical education is required especially in research.