Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder that is spreading alarmingly around the globe. Type-2 DM (T2DM) is characterized by low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance and is closely linked to obesity. T2DM is mainly controlled by lifestyle/dietary changes and oral antidiabetic drugs but requires insulin in severe cases. Many of the drugs that are currently used to treat DM are costly and present adverse side effects. Several cellular, animal, and clinical studies have provided compelling evidence that flavonoids have therapeutic potential in the management of diabetes and its complications. Quercetin is a flavonoid, present in various natural sources, which has demonstrated in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic properties. It improves oral glucose tolerance, as well as pancreatic β-cell function to secrete insulin. It inhibits the α-glucosidase and DPP-IV enzymes, which prolong the half-life of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Quercetin also suppresses the release of pro-inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, and TNF-α. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mode(s) of action of quercetin at the molecular level. This review demonstrates the therapeutic potential of quercetin in the management of T2DM.

Due to the numerous adverse effects of synthetic drugs, researchers are currently studying traditional medicinal plants to find alternatives for diabetes treatment. Eucalyptus citriodora is known to be used as a remedy for various illnesses, including diabetes. This study aimed to explore the effects of ethanol extract of Eucalyptus citriodora (EEEC) on in vitro and in vivo systems, including the mechanism/s of action. The methodology used involved the measurement of insulin secretion from clonal pancreatic β-cells, BRIN BD11, and mouse islets. Other in vitro systems further examined EEEC’s glucose-lowering properties. Obese rats fed a high-fat-fed diet (HFF) were selected for in vivo evaluation, and phytoconstituents were detected via RP-HPLC followed by LC-MS. EEEC induced insulin secretion in a concentration-dependent manner with modulatory effects, similar to 1 µM glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which were partly declined in the presence of Ca^2+-channel blocker (Verapamil), K_ATP-channel opener (Diazoxide), and Ca²⁺ chelation. The insulin secretory effects of EEEC were augmented by isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), which persisted in the context of tolbutamide or a depolarizing concentration of KCl. EEEC enhanced insulin action in 3T3-L1 cells and reduced glucose absorption, and protein glycation in vitro. In HFF rats, it improved glucose tolerance and plasma insulin, attenuated plasma DPP-IV, and induced active GLP-1 (7-36) levels in circulation. Rhodomyrtosone B, Quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, rhodomyrtosone E, and quercitroside were identified as possible phytoconstituents that may be responsible for EEEC effects. Thus, these findings revealed that E. citriodora could be used as an adjunct nutritional supplement to manage type 2 diabetes.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains an urgent public health threat due to the many life-threatening diseases it causes, wide dissemination of multidrug resistan

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes a variety of acute and chronic infections in humans. However, the genetic basis of it

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen that can be transmitted to humans through contaminated food or contact with infected animals. Here, we aim to characterize the population diversity and genome characteristics of the clinical STEC population in New York State collected over a span of six years. A total of 1,655 clinical isolates were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic reconstruction, in silico identification of acquired antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid types, and delineation of genetic clusters. The STEC population consists of 178 serotypes based on unique combinations of the O and H antigens. Four serotypes were most frequently detected: O103:H2 ( n = 295 genomes), O157:H7 ( n = 207), O26:H11 ( n = 137), and O111:H8 ( n = 126). The accessory genome content of O157:H7 was more divergent from those of other three serotypes. A total of 93 genetic determinants associated with resistance to 13 classes of antimicrobial agents were identified. Across the whole data set, we detected 10 subtypes of the Shiga toxin gene stx . The gene encoding intimin ( eae ) was present in 70.39% of the genomes. Of the 56 plasmid replicon types detected, the most abundant was IncFIB(AP001918). Using a cutoff of 10 SNPs in the core gene alignment, we identified 28 genetic clusters implicating at least ten serotypes. O157:H7 genomes were identified in eight clusters. These genetically linked cases, spanning anywhere between 1 day and 63 months and traversing multiple counties across the state, suggest either cryptic outbreaks or long-term local persistence. IMPORTANCE: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections are a major public health burden. We show that while serotypes O103:H2 and O157:H7 remain the major causes of STEC infections in New York State, the rising incidence of less common serotypes is a cause of concern, especially given the large pool of AMR, virulence genes, and plasmids they carry. Genomic surveillance of STEC is critical in informing public health efforts to reduce the burden of multidrug-resistant STEC, minimize onward transmission, and prevent more severe disease outcomes.