The Power of Confidence: How It Shapes Our Desire for Feedback and Boosts Learning

New research reveals how low confidence drives feedback-seeking, enhancing learning with insights for education and rehabilitation strategies. A new study from co-lead author Christopher J. Cagna, PhD, of Kessler Foundation examines the determinants of feedback-seeking behavior and their impact on learning. In collaboration with fellow co-lead author, Jamil P. Bhanji, PhD, of Rutgers University, the
HomeHealthBladderUnveiling the Power of E. coli in Causing Urinary Tract Infections: Understanding...

Unveiling the Power of E. coli in Causing Urinary Tract Infections: Understanding the Pathogen’s Mechanism

New research has investigated the⁣ ability of the bacteria Escherichia coli, also known as⁤ E. coli, to⁢ rapidly ⁤reproduce using host nutrients during urinary ‌tract infections (UTIs), despite the typically sterile​ environment of fresh‌ urine. This is especially‍ relevant for women, as almost half of them ‌experience a UTI‍ at some point ‌in ⁢their lives. Scientists have ⁣spent years ⁤researching how bacteria are able to ⁤infect healthy individuals, examining factors‍ such as their movement and ability to adhere to ​surfaces⁢ inside the body.The research published in ⁤the ‍PNAS investigates how‍ the bacteria Escherichia coli, ⁣or E. ⁣coli, which is responsible‍ for most⁢ UTIs, ⁤can reproduce rapidly during ‍infection ​despite the sterile environment of fresh urine. Dr. Harry Mobley⁣ and his team at the University of Michigan Medical School started by studying mutant strains that were not as effective at replicating in ​mouse ⁣models ‌to identify bacterial genes⁤ that could be crucial for establishing infection.⁢ They studied various ⁢aspects of the ​bacteria’s⁢ behavior, from its ability‌ to adhere to the bladder to its method of deploying toxins to⁣ cause ​uncomfortable and​ painful symptoms.The researchers ⁢at the‍ University of Michigan discovered a set ⁣of genes that are⁤ essential⁢ in⁤ controlling transport systems⁢ that allow bacteria to obtain the nutrients ⁣they ‍need ‍to grow. According to ⁤Dr. Mobley, a professor ⁢of Microbiology and Immunology, bacteria can acquire the necessary nutrients⁣ for growth in two ways: by producing it⁣ themselves, or by stealing it from their host⁢ using transport ‌systems. ‌Their ⁤previous‌ research showed that about 25% of bacterial genes are involved in replication strategies, such‌ as ⁢the transport systems that are used by ‌E.⁣ coli to bring in ​various amino acids.Mobley stated that the bacteria​ can release hundreds⁣ of molecules per second. The​ first author of⁢ the study, Allyson Shea, Ph.D., who used to work in Mobley’s lab and is now ‍an assistant professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of South Alabama, compared a library of ⁢transport proteins from ‍E. coli with other species ⁤of UTI pathogens to identify important proteins for infection. She found that ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters were crucial for the process. Using ⁢organ agar made from the mouse urinary tract,⁣ she confirmed that ABC⁢ transporters were indeed essential ‌for⁣ infection.Bacterial strains that do ‍not ⁢have⁢ these‌ nutrient import systems ⁢struggled to grow on bladder and kidney organ agar. According to Shea,‍ it seems⁤ that bacteria invest in these ATP transport systems in order‍ to have a greater attraction to the energy sources they need. These systems are⁤ highly efficient at bringing nutrients into the cell. The ‍discovery of these findings could lead to the creation ‍of new treatments, which is crucial in ​a time when ⁢antibiotic resistance is on⁤ the rise. Inhibiting these ‍transport‌ systems may be a ⁤way to ⁣slow down the rapid growth of these ⁤bacteria.”Doing so won’t be easy,” notes Shea, as bacteria have evolved multiple ⁢backup systems for this⁣ important class of ‌transporters. According to Shea, all members ⁣of the ⁤ATP-binding family have an ATP binding subunit that provides ‌the energy ​needed⁢ to transport nutrients across the cell membrane. Targeting this subunit could potentially render‌ the entire family of transporters⁣ dysfunctional. While this wouldn’t necessarily replace antibiotics, Shea says it could slow down growth, allowing antibiotics⁣ and the host immune system to be more effective.Preventing the bugs.