Search

As the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) continues to surge in diverse industrial and medical domains, the ecological consequences of their ubiquitous presence have garnered heightened attention. Among the REEs, gadolinium (Gd), commonly used in medical imaging contrast agents, has emerged as a pivotal concern due to its inadvertent introduction into marine ecosystems via wastewater release. This study delves into the complex ecotoxicological implications of Gd contamination, focusing on its impact on the embryonic development and sperm functionality of Mytilus galloprovincialis. The findings from this study underscore the potential hazards posed by this rare element, offering a critical perspective on the ecological risks associated with Gd. Notably, this exploratory work reveals that Gd exerts a significant embryotoxic effect at elevated concentrations, with an observed half maximal effective concentration (EC50) value of 0.026 mg/L. Additionally, Gd exposure leads to a considerable reduction in sperm motility and alters sperm morfo-kinetic parameters, especially at a concentration of 5.6 mg/L. The results highlight a dose-dependent relationship between Gd exposure and the prevalence of specific malformation types in Mytilus embryos, further providing crucial insights into the potential risks imposed by this rare earth element.

The oceans cover over 70% of our planet, hosting a biodiversity of tremendous wealth. Sponges are one of the major ecosystem engineers on the seafloor, providing a habitat for a wide variety of species to be considered a good source of bioactive compounds. In this study, a metataxonomic approach was employed to describe the bacterial communities of the sponges collected from Faro Lake (Sicily) and Porto Paone (Gulf of Naples). Morphological analysis and amplification of the conserved molecular markers, including 18S and 28S (RNA ribosomal genes), CO1 (mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1), and ITS (internal transcribed spacer), allowed the identification of four sponges. Metataxonomic analysis of sponges revealed a large number of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) belonging to the phyla Proteobacteria, Cloroflexi, Dadabacteria, and Poribacteria. In particular, Myxilla (Myxilla) rosacea and Clathria (Clathria) toxivaria displayed several classes such as Alphaproteobacteria, Dehalococcoidia, Gammaproteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Bacteroidia. On the other hand, the sponges Ircinia oros and Cacospongia mollior hosted bacteria belonging to the classes Dadabacteriia, Anaerolineae, Acidimicrobiia, Nitrospiria, and Poribacteria. Moreover, for the first time, the presence of Rhizobiaceae bacteria was revealed in the sponge M. (Myxilla) rosacea, which was mainly associated with soil and plants and involved in biological nitrogen fixation.

Sponge farming has been experimentally performed for more than 100 years, with early attempts mainly devoted for the supply of bath sponges and for ornamental purposes. During the last decades, sponge farming has been proposed to produce biomass specifically for those species from which many structurally diverse bioactive compounds were isolated, frequently present in a low concentration that limits their commercial production. This point is very important because it offers an environmental-friendly approach for the use of sponges as a source of natural compounds for pharmacological, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical industries. In addition, sponges can have an ecological role as filter-feeding animals with a great significance in marine benthic communities. Thanks to their aquiferous system, they can filter large amounts of sea water, retaining up to 80% of suspended particles, resulting in a good system to bioremediate the marine environment from different contaminants. Remarkably, few attempts at integrating aquaculture systems were performed by combining the increase in sponge biomass and their use for bioremediation, showing impressive results and opening new possibilities in the aquaculture sector. This review concerns both in situ and lab-based aquaculture methods for the production of sponge biomass and for the sponge-related bioremediation of the marine environment focusing on microorganisms and contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and others). Moreover, a first overview about integrated aquaculture combining biomass increase and bioremediation, as a challenging perspective for marine biotechnologies, is included.

Staphylea, also called bladdernuts, is a genus of plants belonging to the family Staphyleaceae, widespread in tropical or temperate climates of America, Europe, and the Far East. Staphylea spp. produce bioactive metabolites with antioxidant properties, including polyphenols which have not been completely investigated for their phytotherapeutic potential, even though they have a long history of use for food. Here, we report the isolation of six flavonol glycosides from the hydroalcoholic extract of aerial parts of Staphylea pinnata L., collected in Italy, using a solid-phase extraction technique. They were identified using spectroscopic, spectrometric, and optical methods as three quercetin and three isorhamnetin glycosides. Among the flavonol glycosides isolated, isoquercetin and quercetin malonyl glucoside showed powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound healing promoting activity and thus are valuable as antiaging ingredients for cosmeceutical applications and for therapeutic applications in skin wound repair.

Abstract Background Duplications of the long arm of chromosome 3 are rare, and associated to a well-defined contiguous gene syndrome known as partial trisomy 3q syndrome. It has been first described in 1966 by Falek et al., and since then around 100 patients have been reported. Clinical manifestations include characteristic facial dysmorphic features, microcephaly, hirsutism, congenital heart disease, genitourinary anomalies, hand and feet abnormalities, growth disturbances and intellectual disability. Most of cases are due to unbalanced translocations, inherited from a parent carrying a balanced aberration (reciprocal translocation or inversion), and rarely the genomic anomaly arises de novo. Very few studies report on the prenatal identification of such rearrangements. Case presentation Hereby, we report on a newborn with a rare pure duplication of the long arm of chromosome 3. Noninvasive prenatal test (cell free fetal DNA analysis on maternal blood), performed for advanced parental age and use of assisted reproductive technique, evidenced a partial 3q trisomy. Then, invasive cytogenetic (standard and molecular) investigations, carried out through amniocentesis, confirmed and defined a 3q27.1-q29 duplication spanning 10.9 Mb, and including about 80 genes. Our patient showed clinical findings (typical facial dysmorphic features, esotropia, short neck, atrial septal defect, hepatomegaly, mild motor delay) compatible with partial trisomy 3q syndrome diagnosis, in addition to pre- and postnatal overgrowth. Conclusions Advanced parental age increases the probability of chromosomal and/or genomic anomalies, while ART that of epigenomic defects. Both conditions, thus, deserve more careful prenatal monitoring and screening/diagnostic investigations. Among the latter, cell free fetal DNA testing can detect large segmental aneuploidies, along with chromosomal abnormalities. It identified in our patient a wide 3q rearrangement, then confirmed and defined through invasive molecular cytogenetic analysis. Neonatologists and pediatricians must be aware of the potential risks associated to duplication syndromes. Therefore, they should offer to affected subjects an adequate management and early and careful follow-up. These may be able to guarantee to patients satisfactory growth and development profiles, prevent and/or limit neurodevelopmental disorders, and timely recognition of complications.

Abstract Contamination of microalgae cultures can reduce their productivity and affect the quality of biomass and valuable bioproducts. In this article, after having isolated and identified for the first time the filamentous fungus Penicillium citrinum from heterotrophic cultures of the red polyextremophilic microalga Galdieria sulphuraria, we investigated the biological and metabolic significance of this alga-fungus association. In the same medium, both organisms grow better in each other's presence than separately. Both cell density and cell size of G. sulphuraria increase in co-cultures compared to pure alga cultures. In co-cultures, despite very severe growth conditions, the load of P. citrinum increases compared to pure fungus cultures. Optical microscope images have shown physical contact between cells of P. citrinum hyphae and G. sulphuraria which, however, retain their morphology and cell wall intact. GC–MS-based metabolomics analysis of metabolites excreted in the culture medium shows that pure cultures of the fungus and alga and co-cultures of alga plus fungus can be easily differentiated based on their metabolic products. Indeed, a richer assortment of extracellular metabolites (comprising both products of primary and secondary metabolism) is a distinct feature of co-cultures compared to both pure alga and pure fungus cultures.

Probiotics are known for their health-promoting resources and are considered as beneficial microorganisms. The current study focuses on the isolation, and on a complete in vitro and in vivo characterization, of yeast and lactic acid bacteria acquired from traditional homemade kefir in order to assess their potentiality as probiotic candidates. In particular, the isolates Pichia kudriavzevii Y1, Lactococcus lactis subsp. hordniae LAB1 and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis LAB2 were subjected to in vitro characterization to evaluate their suitability as probiotics. Resistance to acid and bile salts, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, hydrophobicity, and biofilm production capability were examined, as well as their antioxidant activity. A safety assessment was also conducted to confirm the non-pathogenic nature of the isolates, with hemolysis assay and antibiotic resistance assessment. Moreover, mortality in the invertebrate model Galleria mellonella was evaluated. Current findings showed that P. kudriavzevii exhibited estimable probiotic properties, placing them as promising candidates for functional foods. Both lactic acid bacteria isolated in this work could be classified as potential probiotics with advantageous traits, including antimicrobial activity against enteric pathogens and good adhesion ability on intestinal cells. This study revealed that homemade kefir could be a beneficial origin of different probiotic microorganisms that may enhance health and wellness.

Recreational water activities are widely recognized to have a positive impact on our physical and mental well-being. However, recreational water sources and their management are also a risk factor for human health due to different agents, including the overgrowth of cyanobacteria and algae. The presence of cyanobacteria and algae in recreational waters represents a One Health threat because of their potential release and the overuse of biocides. These organisms have the potential to metabolize organic matter and produce thermophilic and thermotolerant toxins. Moreover, different species of algae are involved in biofilm formation processes, thus impacting water quality and safety and also posing risks to the environment and animal and human health. Different species of algae participate in biofilm formation and have an impact on managing water and equipment maintenance. By searching literature databases, e.g., PubMed, we reviewed the state of the art, providing basic definitions, taxonomy, and epidemiological or medical issues related to the recreational uses of water. Methods of treatments and monitoring were summarized, considering both traditional and innovative strategies. Public health and surveillance approaches focus on the detection of toxins, the formation of biofilms, and the understanding of the benthonic and planktonic components as part of the larger microbial biodiversity. The review process allowed us to acknowledge that this is the first comprehensive overview of algae in recreational waters carried out within a wider One Health outlook.

The significantly increasing levels of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in seawater are largely due to multiple anthropogenic activities. Their effects on marine primary producers such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum have not been fully assessed. This study focused on examining the long-term impacts of these two commonly occurring REEs, cerium (Ce) and gadolinium (Gd), on marine diatoms by 28 d of exposure. The 72 h effective concentrations that inhibited the growth of 20% (EC20) and 50% (EC50) of the exposed population were used for long-term exposures. The growth, oxidative stress level, photosynthetic pigments, and chlorophyll fluorescence were assessed in the diatoms, after 7, 14, 21, and 28 d of REEs exposure. Results display a difference in the toxicity induced by the two elements. Exposure to 2.39 mg/L (EC20) and 3.13 mg/L (EC50) of Ce, and to 4.52 mg/L (EC20) and 6.02 mg/L (EC50) of Gd displayed a lower effect on the growth of algae cells, as the response remained below 20% for inhibition or stimulation. Except for GD, the ROS and the activities of SOD, and LPO showed, during the exposure, comparable levels respect to control cells. A change in chlorophyll levels was also observed especially under Ce exposure. Both elements showed changes in photosynthetic performance. This study provides new insights into the different effects of Ce and Gd on P. tricornutum, demonstrating their diverse modes of action on this important primary producer. The findings provide further evidence of the adverse effects of anthropogenic REEs pollution on marine ecosystems.

Persister cells are a small fraction of the microbial population that survive lethal concentrations of antimicrobial agents. Candida albicans causes vaginal candidiasis, including recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, and may survive common antifungal treatments. The triazole VT-1161 is an antifungal agent that specifically targets fungal CYP51, as opposed to the human CYP enzyme. This work illustrates a new role of VT-1161 in eradicating the biofilm created from the persister cells of a primary biofilm of a clinical vaginal isolate of C. albicans. Antifungal activity was determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and the primary biofilm was treated with amphotericin B to obtain persister cells that were able to form a new biofilm. Results obtained using the new azole VT-1161 showed that VT-1161 not only eradicated a secondary biofilm formed from the persister-derived biofilm and counteracted the adhesion of C. albicans in vitro to human cells but also ameliorated C. albicans-induced infection in vivo in Galleria mellonella larvae, suggesting that it could be proposed as an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of recurrent candidiasis.

The opportunistic human fungal pathogen Candida albicans produces and releases into the surrounding medium extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are involved in some processes as communication between fungal cells and host–pathogen interactions during infection. Here, we have conducted the isolation of EVs produced by a clinical isolate of C. albicans during biofilm formation and proved their effect towards the ability of the Gram-negative bacterial pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae to adhere to HaCaT cells and form a biofilm in vitro. The results represent the first evidence of an antagonistic action of fungal EVs against bacteria.

Plastic pollution is an important environmental problem, and microplastics have been shown to have harmful effects on human and animal health, affecting immune and metabolic physiological functions. Further, microplastics can interfere with commensal microorganisms and exert deleterious effects on exposure to pathogens. Here, we compared the effects of 1 µm diameter polystyrene microplastic (PSMPs) on Candida albicans infection in both in vitro and in vivo models by using HT29 cells and Galleria mellonella larvae, respectively. The results demonstrated that PSMPs could promote Candida infection in HT29 cells and larvae of G. mellonella, which show immune responses similar to vertebrates. In this study, we provide new experimental evidence for the risk to human health posed by PSMPs in conjunction with Candida infections.

In recent years, sewage treatment plants did not effectively remove emerging water pollutants, leaving potential threats to human health and the environment. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have emerged as a promising technology for the treatment of contaminated wastewater, and the addition of catalysts such as heavy metals has been shown to enhance their effectiveness. This review focuses on the use of rare earth elements (REEs) as catalysts in the AOP process for the degradation of organic pollutants. Cerium and La are the most studied REEs, and their mechanism of action is based on the oxygen vacancies and REE ion concentration in the catalysts. Metal oxide surfaces improve the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to form hydroxide species, which degrade the organics. The review discusses the targets of AOPs, including pharmaceuticals, dyes, and other molecules such as alkaloids, herbicides, and phenols. The current state-of-the-art advances of REEs-based AOPs, including Fenton-like oxidation and photocatalytic oxidation, are also discussed, with an emphasis on their catalytic performance and mechanism. Additionally, factors affecting water chemistry, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, inorganic species, and natural organic matter, are analyzed. REEs have great potential for enhancing the removal of dangerous organics from aqueous solutions, and further research is needed to explore the photoFenton-like activity of REEs and their ideal implementation for wastewater treatment.

The fungal species Candida parapsilosis and the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus may be responsible for hospital-acquired infections in patients undergoing invasive medical interventions or surgical procedures and often coinfect critically ill patients in complicating polymicrobial biofilms. The efficacy of the re-purposing therapy has recently been reported as an alternative to be used. PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) may be used alone or in combination with currently available traditional antimicrobials to prevent and manage various infections overcoming antimicrobial resistance. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of Resolvin D1 (RvD1) as an antimicrobial on S. aureus and C. parapsilosis, as well as the activity against the mixed biofilm of the same two species. Microdilution assays and time–kill growth curves revealed bacterial and fungal inhibition at minimum concentration values between 5 and 10 μg mL−1. In single-species structures, an inhibition of 55% and 42% was reported for S. aureus and C. parapsilosis, respectively. Moreover, RvD1 demonstrated an eradication capacity of 60% and 80% for single- and mixed-species biofilms, respectively. In association with the inhibition activity, a downregulation of genes involved in biofilm formation as well as ROS accumulation was observed. Eradication capability was confirmed also on mature mixed biofilm grown on silicone platelets as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In conclusion, RvD1 was efficient against mono and polymicrobial biofilms in vitro, being a promising alternative for the treatment of mixed bacterial/fungal infections.

Fungi represent a very important cause of microbial eye infections, especially in tropical and developing countries, as they could cause sight-threating disease, such as keratitis and ocular candidiasis, resulting in irreversible vision loss. Candida species are among the most frequent microorganisms associated with fungal infection. Although Candida albicans is still the most frequently detected organism among Candida subspecies, an important increase in non-albicans species has been reported. Mycotic infections often represent an important diagnostic-clinical problem due to the difficulties in performing the diagnosis and a therapeutic problem due to the limited availability of commercial drugs and the difficult penetration of antifungals into ocular tissues. The ability to form biofilms is another feature that makes Candida a dangerous pathogen. In this review, a summary of the state-of-the-art panorama about candida ocular pathology, diagnosis, and treatment has been conducted. Moreover, we also focused on new prospective natural compounds, including nanoparticles, micelles, and nanocarriers, as promising drug delivery systems to better cure ocular fungal and biofilm-related infections. The effect of the drug combination has also been examined from the perspective of increasing efficacy and improving the course of infections caused by Candida which are difficult to fight.

Nowadays, the increase in antimicrobial-resistant fungi (AMR) is certainly a major health concern, and the development of alternative therapeutic strategies has become crucial. Natural products have been used to treat various infections, and their chemical properties contribute to the performance of their biological activities, such as antifungal action. The various virulence factors and mechanisms of resistance to antifungals contribute to making Candida glabrata one of the most frequent agents of candidiasis. Here we investigate the in vitro and in vivo activity of β-escin against Candida glabrata. The β-escin MICs were determined for a reference strain and two clinical isolates of C. glabrata. Furthermore, growth kinetics assays and biofilm inhibition/eradication assays (crystal violet) were performed. The differences in the expression of some anti-biofilm-associated genes were analyzed during biofilm inhibition treatment so that reactive oxygen species could be detected. The efficacy of β-escin was evaluated in combination with fluconazole, ketoconazole, and itraconazole. In addition, a Galleria mellonella infection model was used for in vivo treatment assays. Results have shown that β-escin had no toxicity in vitro or in vivo and was able to inhibit or destroy biofilm formation by downregulating some important genes, inducing ROS activity and affecting the membrane integrity of C. glabrata cells. Furthermore, our study suggests that the combination with azoles can have synergistic effects against C. glabrata biofilm. In summary, the discovery of new antifungal drugs against these resistant fungi is crucial and could potentially lead to the development of future treatment strategies.

Irbesartan belongs to the Sartan family, whose members are used in the treatment of arterial hypertension and kidney disease among patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus as part of a treatment based on antihypertensive drugs. This drug has reached surface waters, accumulating to the extent of being considered an emerging pollutant, along with other substances from the same class. Wastewater treatment plants, which constitute the main environmental source of this compound, fail to completely reduce its presence in wastewater and generate additional toxic byproducts through the chlorine-based disinfection process. This study provides a comprehensive investigation into the chlorination mechanisms of irbesartan, revealing the identity of twelve new byproducts, which were characterized using NMR and mass spectrometry (MS-TOF). The other six byproducts were published in a previous study, allowing for the confirmation of some aspects of the supposed mechanisms of degradation, along with the identification of those that had only been hypothesized. An ecotoxicological assessment of a mixture and isolated byproducts was performed using Raphidocelis subcapitata for algal growth inhibition, Daphnia magna for immobility, and Aliivibrio fischeri for luminescence inhibition. The results revealed the variable toxicity of irbesartan and its byproducts. Different organisms exhibited varying sensitivities to the byproducts, with Aliivibrio fischeri being the most sensitive. The coexistence of multiple byproducts in the environment, their high toxicity, and their potential interactions highlight the significant environmental risks associated with chlorination and its derivates. Our study highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the generation of disinfection byproducts.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are metals including the 15 lanthanides together with Yttrium and Scandium. China is the leading country in their exploitation and production (∼90%). REEs are necessary for the production of several technological devices. This extended use of REEs has raised concerns about human health safety. In this review, we investigated the hazard of REEs to human health and the main gaps into the knowledge like as the need to develop further focused research activity. We categorized the research papers collected into eight main sections: environmental exposure, association of REEs with health problems, exposure to REEs due to lifestyle, REE exposure through the food chain, Gd contrast agents causing health problems, occupational REE exposure, and cytotoxicity studies of REEs. This review provided information about the exposome of REEs (the exposure of REEs to the human body), the existing research data, and the gaps that require attention and must be further investigated. More than one third of the literature about REE toxicity to human health concerns their cytotoxicity to human cell lines, while hair, blood serum and blood are the most studied matrices. The main results evidenced that REEs can enter human body via several routes, are associated with numerous diseases, can cause ROS production, DNA damage and cell death, and are more toxic to cancer cells than normal cells.

The application of rare earth elements (REEs) in several areas, including high-tech technology, agriculture, medicine, and fuels, has made them an essential component of our everyday life. This extensive use of REEs in several technologies is expected to potentially impact human health. Even if several studies investigated the levels of REEs in human matrices, until now no standard method has been established for analyzing these elements in human matrices. The sample analysis should be of high quality, and the methods should be validated properly to ensure the quality of the procedure and traceability of the analytical data. In this research, we compared the validation and effectiveness of two different methods of sample preparation for human urine samples: a simple dilution of the sample (DIL) was compared with microwave assisted-acid decomposition (MIN) for tracing REE levels in human urine samples. The analysis was carried out by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The working conditions have been set in high-sensitivity mode. Accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by spiking the sample matrix with known concentrations of analyte standards. Both methods showed adequate precision of repeatability and intra-laboratory reproducibility, with the DIL method showing better precision of both repeatability and reproducibility than the MIN method. The CVr% values of repeatability range from 1.5 to 12% for the DIL and from 8.4 to 16% for the MIN method. The CVr% values of reproducibility range from 6.2–23% for the DIL and from 8.6 to 24% for the MIN method. REE recoveries for both methods were very close to 100%. Both methods proved to be effective for the determination of REE levels in human urine matrices.

The increasing use and demand of rare earth elements in many emerging technologies is leading to a potentially higher input to the marine environment. This study compared for the first time the effect of lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), neodymium (Nd), samarium (Sm), europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), dysprosium (Dy), and erbium (Er) to the microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin. The algal growth inhibition was investigated after 72 h of exposure. The median effect concentrations (EC50) ranged from 0.98 mg/L to 13.21 mg/L and elements were ranked as follows: Gd > Ce > Er > La > Eu > Nd > Dy > Sm. The comparison of predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for hazard and risk assessment with measured environmental concentrations showed that ecological risks deriving from REEs could be present, but limited to specific environments like estuarine waters. The results support evidence of actions to manage the REE impact in seawater environments, looking to improve the monitoring tailored to the different and dynamic nature of ecosystems.

Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) is an invasive C4 perennial grass species that substantially reduces native plant diversity of the Sonoran Desert through fire promotion and resource competition. Broad-spectrum herbicides are essentially used for its control, but they have a negative environmental and ecological impact. Recently, phytotoxicity on C. ciliaris has been discovered for two metabolites produced in vitro by the phytopathogenic fungi Cochliobolus australiensis and Pyricularia grisea. They were identified as (10S,11S)-(—)-epi-pyriculol and radicinin and resulted in being potential candidates for the development of bioherbicides for buffelgrass biocontrol. They have already shown promising results, but their ecotoxicological profiles and degradability have been poorly investigated. In this study, ecotoxicological tests against representative organisms from aquatic ecosystems (Aliivibrio fischeri bacterium, Raphidocelis subcapitata alga, and Daphnia magna crustacean) revealed relatively low toxicity for these compounds, supporting further studies for their practical application. The stability of these metabolites in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 8692:2012 culture medium under different temperatures and light conditions was also evaluated, revealing that 98.90% of radicinin degraded after 3 days in sunlight. Significant degradation percentages (59.51–73.82%) were also obtained at room temperature, 30 °C or under ultraviolet (254 nm) light exposure. On the other hand, (10S,11S)-epi-pyriculol showed more stability under all the aforementioned conditions (49.26–65.32%). The sunlight treatment was also shown to be most effective for the degradation of this metabolite. These results suggest that radicinin could provide rapid degradability when used in agrochemical formulations, whereas (10S,11S)-epi-pyriculol stands as a notably more stable compound.

Natural bioactive compounds represent a new frontier of antimicrobial molecules, and the marine ecosystem represents a new challenge in this regard. In the present work, we evaluated the possibility of changes in the antibacterial activity of protamine-like (PL) proteins, the major nuclear basic protein components of Mytilus galloprovincialis sperm chromatin, after the exposure of mussels to subtoxic doses of chromium (VI) (1, 10, and 100 nM) and mercury (1, 10, and 100 pM) HgCl2, since these metals affect some properties of PL. After exposure, we analyzed the electrophoretic pattern of PLs by both acetic acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (AU-PAGE) and SDS-PAGE and determined the MIC and MBC of these proteins on different gram+ and gram– bacteria. PLs, particularly after mussels were exposed to the highest doses of chromium and mercury, showed significantly reduced antibacterial activity. Just at the highest doses of exposure to the two metals, changes were found in the electrophoretic pattern of PLs, suggesting that there were conformational changes in these proteins, which were confirmed by the fluorescence measurements of PLs. These results provide the first evidence of a reduction in the antibacterial activity of these proteins following the exposure of mussels to these metals. Based on the results, hypothetical molecular mechanisms that could explain the decrease in the antibacterial activity of PLs are discussed.

Community-acquired urinary tract infections represent the most common infectious diseases in the community setting. Knowing the antibiotic resistance patterns of uropathogens is crucial for establishing empirical treatment. The aim of the current study is to determine the incidence of the causative agents of UTIs and their resistance profiles. Patients of all ages and both sexes were enrolled in the study, and admitted to San Ciro Diagnostic Center in Naples between January 2019 and Jun 2020. Bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing were carried out using Vitek 2 system. Among the 2741 urine samples, 1702 (62.1%) and 1309 (37.9%) were negative and positive for bacterial growth, respectively. Of 1309 patients with infection, 760 (73.1%) were females and 279 (26.9%) were males. The greatest number of positive cases were found in the in the elderly (>61 years). Regarding uropathogens, 1000 (96.2%) were Gram-negative while 39 (3.8%) were Gram-positive strains. The three most isolated pathogenic strains were Escherichia coli (72.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.4%), and Proteus mirabilis (9.0%). Strong biofilm formation ability was observed in about 30% of the tested isolates. The low resistance rates recorded against nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, piperacillin–tazobactam, and gentamicin could suggest them as the most appropriate therapies for CA-UTIs.

Commonly found colonizing the human microbiota, Candida albicans is a microorganism known for its ability to cause infections, mainly in the vulvovaginal region, and is responsible for 85% to 90% of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) cases. The development of drug resistance in C. albicans isolates after long-term therapy with fluconazole is an important complication to solve and new therapeutic strategies are required to target this organism and its pathogenicity. In the present study, phenyllactic acid (PLA) an important broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound was investigated for its antifungal and antivirulence activities against clinical isolates of C. albicans. Previously characterized strains of C. albicans isolates from women with VVC and C. albicans ATCC90028 were used to evaluate the antimicrobial and time dependent killing assay activity of PLA showing a MIC 7.5 mg mL−1 and a complete reduction of viable Candida cells detected by killing kinetics after 4 h of treatment with PLA. Additionally, PLA significantly reduced the biomass and the metabolic activity of C. albicans biofilms and impaired biofilm formation also with changes in ERG11, ALS3, and HWP1 genes expression as detected by qPCR. PLA eradicated pre-formed biofilms as showed also with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) observations. Furthermore, the compound prolonged the survival rate of Galleria mellonella infected by C. albicans isolates. These results indicate that PLA is a promising candidate as novel and safe antifungal agents for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

VT-1161 is a novel tetrazole antifungal agent with high specificity for fungal CYP51 (compared to human CYP enzymes) which has been proven to have fewer adverse effects and drug–drug interaction profiles due to fewer off-target inhibitors. In this study, we evaluated the anti-biofilm potential of VT-1161 against mono- and dual-species biofilms of Candida albicans, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. VT-1161 inhibited planktonic growth of all three strains, with an MIC value of 2 µg mL−1 for C. albicans and 0.5 µg mL−1 for K. pneumoniae and S. aureus, and killed 99.9% of the microbial populations, indicating a cytocidal action. Additionally, VT-1161 showed an excellent anti-biofilm action, since it inhibited mono-microbial biofilms by 80% at 0.5 µg mL−1, and dual-species biofilms of C. albicans/K. pneumoniae and C. albicans/S. aureus by 90% at the same concentration. Additionally, the eradication of mature biofilms after 24 h of VT-1161 exposure was excellent, reaching 90% at 2 μg mL−1 for both mono- and dual-species biofilms. In such mixed biofilms, the use of VT-1161 was revealed to be an alternative treatment because it was able to reduce the number of cells of each species during both inhibition and eradication. Since long-term therapy is necessary for most fungal biofilm infections due to their recurrence and obstinacy, VT-1161 showed low cytotoxicity against normal human cell lines and also against the invertebrate model Caenorhabditis elegans. Considering the excellent anti-biofilm potential and its GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status, VT-1161 may find use in the prevention or therapeutic treatment of mono- or poly-microbial biofilms.

The fungus Candida glabrata and the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis are important biofilm-forming microorganisms responsible of nosocomial infections in patients. In addition to causing single-species disease, these microorganisms are also involved in polymicrobial infections leading to an increased antimicrobial resistance. To expand knowledge about polymicrobial biofilms, in this study we investigate the formation of single- and dual-species biofilms of these two opportunistic pathogens employing several complementary approaches. First, biofilm biomass, biofilm metabolic activity and the microbial composition in single- and dual-species biofilms were assessed and compared. Then, the expression of three genes of C. glabrata and three genes of S. epidermidis positively related to the process of biofilm formation was evaluated. Although S. epidermidis is a stronger biofilm producer than C. glabrata, both biological and genetic data indicate that S. epidermidis growth is inhibited by C. glabrata which dominates the dual-species biofilms. To better understand the mechanisms of the interactions between the two microorganisms, a broad GC-MS metabolomic dataset of extracellular metabolites for planktonic, single- and dual-species biofilm cultures of C. glabrata and S. epidermidis was collected. As demonstrated by Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) of GC-MS metabolomic data, planktonic cultures, single- and dual-species biofilms can be sharply differentiated from each other by the nature and levels of an assortment of primary and secondary metabolites secreted in the culture medium. However, according to our data, 2-phenylethanol (secreted by C. glabrata) and the synergistically combined antifungal activity of 3-phenyllactic acid and of the cyclic dipeptide cyclo-(l-Pro-l-Trp) (secreted by S. epidermidis) play a major role in the race of the two microorganisms for predominance and survival.

Abstract Background Congenital malformations of the central nervous system (CNS) consist of a wide range of birth defects of multifactorial origin. Methods Concentrations of 44 metals were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry in serum of 111 mothers in the second trimester of pregnancy who carried a malformed fetus and compared them with serum concentrations of the same metals in 90 mothers with a normally developed fetus at the same week of pregnancy. Data are reported as means ± standard deviations. Results We found a direct relationship between congenital defects of the CNS and maternal serum concentration of aluminum: it was statistically higher in women carrying a fetus with this class of malformation, compared both to mothers carrying a fetus with another class of malformation (6.45 ± 15.15 μg/L Vs 1.44 ± 4.21 μg/L, p

Fungal infections are often consequent to prolonged antibiotic treatments. Vancomycin (Van) is the first-choice antibiotic in the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections associated with colonization of catheter surfaces. We demonstrate the direct effect of Van in promoting the formation of the biofilm of the emergent yeast pathogen Candida auris, developed in the conventional polystyrene microwell plate model, as well as on silicone surfaces (22 and 28% increase in total biomass, respectively) and on an S. aures biofilm, residual after vancomycin treatment, where C. auris achieved 99% of the mixed biofilm population. The effect of Van was assessed also in vivo, in the Galleria mellonella infection model, which showed higher mortality when infected with the yeast pathogen in the presence of the antibiotic. This evidence enhances awareness of the potential risk associated with prolonged antibiotic use in promoting fungal infections.

Candida tropicalis is an emerging pathogen with a high mortality rate due to its virulence factors, including biofilm formation, that has important repercussions on the public health system. The ability of C. tropicalis to form biofilms, which are potentially more resistant to antifungal drugs and the consequent increasing antimicrobial resistance, highlights an urgent need for the development of novel antifungal. The present study analyzed the antibiofilm capacity of the arylamidine T-2307 on two strains of Candida tropicalis. Antimicrobial activity and time-killing assays were performed to evaluate the anticandidal effects of T-2307, the antibiofilm ability on biomass inhibition and eradication was evaluated by the crystal violet (CV) method. Furthermore, in Galleria mellonella infected larvae an increased survival after pre—and post- treatment with T-2307 was observed. The MTT test was used to determine the viability of immortalized human prostate epithelial cells (PNT1A) after exposure to different concentrations of T-2307. Levels of interleukin IL-4, IL-8, IL-10 were quantified after Candida infection of PNT1A cells and treatment. Active doses of T-2307 did not affect the viability of PNT1A cells, and drug concentrations of 0.005 or 0.01 µg mL−1 inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, these results provide new information on T-2307, indicating this drug as a new and promising alternative therapeutic option for the treatment of Candida infections.

Objectives: To describe a case of Shanghai fever disease and to analyze other published reports in non-Asiatic countries, defining clinical characteristics and highlighting that this is not only an Asian disease. Study design: A computerized search without language restriction was conducted using PubMed and Scopus; all references listed were hand-searched to identify any other relevant literature. An article was considered eligible for inclusion in the systematic review if it reported cases with Shanghai fever described in non-Asiatic countries. Our case was also included in the analysis. Results: Ten articles reporting 10 cases of Shanghai fever disease were considered. Fever, diarrhea and ecthyma gangrenosum were the most frequent symptoms observed. Blood was the most common site of isolation for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Three patients underwent surgery due to necrotizing enteritis and intestinal perforation. Meningitis was documented in one case. None of the patients received antipseudomonal antibiotics within 24 h of admission. The outcome was good in nine cases; only one patient died due to multiple organ failure from Pseudomonas sepsis. No common primary immune deficiency was identified in these patients. Extremely young age (

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are in all respect a class of new contaminants that may have toxic effects on organisms and microorganisms and information on their interactions with natural ligands should be of value to predict and control their diffusion in natural environments. In the current study, we investigate interactions of tripositive cations of praseodymium, europium, holmium, and thulium with harzianic acid (H2L), a secondary metabolite produced by selected strains of fungi belonging to the Trichoderma genus. We applied the same techniques and workflow previously employed in an analogous study concerning lanthanum, neodymium, samarium, and gadolinium tripositive cations. Therefore, in the current study, HPLC-ESI-HRMS experiments, circular dichroism (CD), and UV-Vis spectrophotometric absorption data, as well as accurate pH measurements, were applied to characterize bonding interactions between harzianic acid and Pr3+, Eu3+, Ho3+, and Tm3+ cations. Problems connected to the low solubility of harzianic acid in water were overcome by employing a 0.1 M NaClO4/(CH3OH + H2O 50/50 w/w) mixed solvent. For Pr3+, Ho3+, and Tm3+, only the mono complexes PrL+, HoL+, and TmL+ were detected and their formation constant determined. Eu3+ forms almost exclusively the bis complex EuL2− for which the corresponding formation constant is reported; under our experimental conditions, the mono complex EuL+ is irrelevant. Combining the results of the present and previous studies, a picture of interactions of harzianic acid with rare-earth cations extending over 8 of the 17 REEs can be composed. In order to complement chemical information with toxicological information, a battery of bioassays was applied to evaluate the effects of praseodymium, europium, holmium, and thulium tripositive cations on a suite of bioindicators including Aliivibrio fischeri (Gram-negative bacterium), Raphidocelis subcapitata (green alga), and Daphnia magna (microcrustacean), and median effective concentration (EC50) values of Pr3+, Eu3+, Ho3+, and Tm3+ for the tested species were assessed.

The increased incidence of mixed infections requires that the scientific community develop novel antimicrobial molecules. Essential oils and their bioactive pure compounds have been found to exhibit a wide range of remarkable biological activities and are attracting more and more attention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate myrtenol (MYR), one of the constituents commonly found in some essential oils, for its potential to inhibit biofilms alone and in combination with antimicrobial drugs against Candida auris/Klebsiella pneumoniae single and mixed biofilms. The antimicrobial activity of MYR was evaluated by determining bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MIC), and biofilm formation at sub-MICs was analyzed in a 96-well microtiter plate by crystal violet, XTT reduction assay, and CFU counts. The synergistic interaction between MYR and antimicrobial drugs was evaluated by the checkerboard method. The study found that MYR exhibited antimicrobial activity at high concentrations while showing efficient antibiofilm activity against single and dual biofilms. To understand the underlying mechanism by which MYR promotes single/mixed-species biofilm inhibition, we observed a significant downregulation in the expression of mrkA, FKS1, ERG11, and ALS5 genes, which are associated with bacterial motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation as well as increased ROS production, which can play an important role in the inhibition of biofilm formation. In addition, the checkerboard microdilution assay showed that MYR was strongly synergistic with both caspofungin (CAS) and meropenem (MEM) in inhibiting the growth of Candida auris/Klebsiella pneumoniae-mixed biofilms. Furthermore, the tested concentrations showed an absence of toxicity for both mammalian cells in the in vitro and in vivo Galleria mellonella models. Thus, MYR could be considered as a potential agent for the management of polymicrobial biofilms.

Octocrylene is an organic sunscreen whose main action is to absorb UVB radiation and short UVA wavelengths; it is used in various cosmetic products in order to provide an adequate sun-protection factor or to protect the cosmetic formulations themselves from UV radiation. This filter is believed to be a possible endocrine disruptor and is also questioned due to its allergic and/or photoallergic potential. However, it continues to be widely used, and it has been found in various environments, not least those of swimming pools, where it is evidently released by consumers, to the point that it is now considered an emerging micropollutant. The present investigation presents the possible chemical fate of octocrylene in the typical chlorination conditions of wastewater or swimming pools. A total of 11 disinfection byproducts were identified, and 6 were identified for the first time, and separated by HPLC. These products were identified through careful mass spectrometry studies and 1D and 2D NMR experiments. A formation mechanism has been proposed that justifies the chemical structures of all of the compounds identified. The ecotoxicological assessment of octocrylene and their products was carried out by employing Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Brachionus plicatilis and Aliivibrio fischeri as bioindicators. The ecotoxicity results reveal that toxic byproducts might be generated during the oxidation process, increasing the potential risk to the marine environment.

Waterborne pathogens represent one of the most widespread environmental concerns. Conventional disinfection methods, including chlorination and UV, pose several operational and environmental problems; namely, formation of potentially hazardous disinfection by-products (DBPs) and high energy consumption. Therefore, there is high demand for effective, low-cost disinfection treatments. Among advanced oxidation processes, the photocatalytic process, a form of green technology, is becoming increasingly attractive. A systematic review was carried out on the synthesis, characterization, toxicity, and antimicrobial performance of innovative engineered photocatalysts. In recent decades, various engineered photocatalysts have been developed to overcome the limits of conventional photocatalysts using different synthesis methods, and these are discussed together with the main parameters influencing the process behaviors. The potential environmental risks of engineered photocatalysts are also addressed, considering the toxicity effects presented in the literature.

Orobanche cumana is an obligate holoparasitic plant with noxious effects in sunflower crops. Bellardia trixago is a facultative hemiparasitic plant that infects ruderal plants without noxious significance in agriculture and is known to produce a wide spectrum of bioactive metabolites. The objective of this study was to evaluate the allelopathic effects of B. trixago on the growth of O. cumana seedlings. Three different extracts using solvents of increasing polarity (n-hexane, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate) were prepared from the flowers, aerial green organs and roots of two populations, a white-flowered and a yellow-flowered population of B. trixago, both collected in southern Spain. Each extract was studied using allelopathic screenings on O. cumana which resulted in the identification of allelopathic activity of the ethyl acetate extracts against Orobanche radicles. Five iridoid glycosides were isolated together with benzoic acid from the ethyl acetate extract of aerial green organs by bio-guided purification. These compounds were identified as bartsioside, melampyroside, mussaenoside, gardoside methyl ester and aucubin. Among them, melampyroside was found to be the most abundant constituent in the extract (44.3% w/w), as well as the most phytotoxic iridoid on O. cumana radicle, showing a 72.6% inhibition of radicle growth. This activity of melampyroside was significantly high when compared with the inhibitory activity of benzoic acid (25.9%), a phenolic acid with known allelopathic activity against weeds. The ecotoxicological profile of melampyroside was evaluated using organisms representing different trophic levels of the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, namely producers (green freshwater algae Raphidocelis subcapitata and macrophyte Lepidium sativum), consumers (water flea Daphnia magna and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans) and decomposers (bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri). The ecotoxicity of melampyroside differed significantly depending on the test organism showing the highest toxicity to daphnia, nematodes and bacteria, and a lower toxicity to algae and macrophytes. The findings of the present study may provide useful information for the generation of green alternatives to synthetic herbicides for the control of O. cumana.

Biocides based on chemical synthetic compounds have been commonly used to counteract damages caused by microorganisms on stone cultural heritage. However, in the last few years, the use of commercial and traditional biocides has been banned and/or limited due to their dangerous profile for the environment, as well as human and animal health. Natural products could be used as suitable alternatives for cultural heritage purposes, as they have low toxicity and stability compared with synthetic pesticides. Even if most of the investigated solutions have already shown promising results, their efficiency, ecotoxicological, and chemical features are poorly investigated. In this manuscript, we aimed to evaluate the ecotoxicological profile of four fungal metabolites—namely, cavoxin, epi-epoformin, seiridin, and sphaeropsidone—with potential antimicrobial properties for monumental artworks. A battery of ecotoxicological tests using Aliivibrio fischeri (bacterium), Raphidocelis subcapitata (alga), Raphanus sativus L. (macrophyte), Daphnia magna (crustacean), and Caenorhabditis elegans (nematode) revealed a relative lower toxicity of these compounds, especially when compared with Preventol® and Rocima®, commercial biocides mainly used for the conservation of cultural heritage.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) consist of a group of over 100 different organic compounds mainly generated by anthropogenic activities. Because of their low water solubility, they tend to be accumulated in sediment, where their degradation rate is very low. Few studies have been carried out so far to investigate the effects of PAHs on Artemia franciscana. Artemia is easy to manage at laboratory scale, but it is not a sensitive biological model considering the traditional endpoints (i.e., mortality). In addition to evaluating the lethality on nauplii and adults of A. franciscana after 24 and 48 h, we focused on the genotoxicity to investigate the potential effects of phenanthrene (PHE), naphthalene (NAP), fluoranthene (FLT), and benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF). Results showed that FLT was the most toxic both for nauplii and adults after 48 h of exposure. Real-time qPCR showed that all toxicants, including BkF, which had no negative effects on the survival of the crustacean, were able to switch the gene expression of all nine genes. This work has important ecological implications, especially on contaminated sediment assessment considering that PAHs represent the most abundant organic group of compounds in marine environment, opening new perspectives in understanding the molecular pathways activated by crustaceans.

During an infection, a single or multispecies biofilm can develop. Infections caused by non-dermatophyte molds, such as Fusarium spp. and yeasts, such as Candida spp., are particularly difficult to treat due to the formation of a mixed biofilm of the two species. Fusarium oxysporum is responsible for approximately 20% of human fusariosis, while Candida albicans is responsible for superficial mucosal and dermal infections and for disseminated bloodstream infections with a mortality rate above 40%. This study aims to investigate the interactions between C. albicans and F. oxysporum dual-species biofilm, considering variable formation conditions. Further, the ability of the WMR peptide, a modified version of myxinidin, to eradicate the mixed biofilm when used alone or in combination with fluconazole (FLC) was tested, and the efficacy of the combination of WMR and FLC at low doses was assessed, as well as its effect on the expression of some biofilm-related adhesin and hyphal regulatory genes. Finally, in order to confirm our findings in vivo and explore the synergistic effect of the two drugs, we utilized the Galleria mellonella infection model. We concluded that C. albicans negatively affects F. oxysporum growth in mixed biofilms. Combinatorial treatment by WMR and FLC significantly reduced the biomass and viability of both species in mature mixed biofilms, and these effects coincided with the reduced expression of biofilm-related genes in both fungi. Our results were confirmed in vivo since the synergistic antifungal activity of WMR and FLC increased the survival of infected larvae and reduced tissue invasion. These findings highlight the importance of drug combinations as an alternative treatment for C. albicans and F. oxysporum mixed biofilms.

The World Health Organization Global Action Plan recommends integrated surveillance programs as crucial strategies for monitoring antibiotic resistance. Although several national surveillance programs are in place for clinical and veterinary settings, no such schemes exist for monitoring antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment. In this transnational study, we developed, validated, and tested a low-cost surveillance and easy to implement approach to evaluate antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by targeting cefotaxime-resistant (CTX-R) coliforms as indicators. The rationale for this approach was: i) coliform quantification methods are internationally accepted as indicators of fecal contamination in recreational waters and are therefore routinely applied in analytical labs; ii) CTX-R coliforms are clinically relevant, associated with extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), and are rare in pristine environments. We analyzed 57 WWTPs in 22 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and North America. CTX-R coliforms were ubiquitous in raw sewage and their relative abundance varied significantly (

Rare-earth elements are emerging contaminants of soil and water bodies which destiny in the environment and effects on organisms is modulated by their interactions with natural ligands produced by bacteria, fungi and plants. Within this framework, coordination by harzianic acid (H2L), a Trichoderma secondary metabolite, of a selection of tripositive rare-earth cations Ln3+ (Ln3+ = La3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, and Gd3+) was investigated at 25 °C, and in a CH3OH/0.1 M NaClO4 (50/50 w/w) solvent, using mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, UV–Vis spectrophotometry, and pH measurements. Experimental data can be satisfactorily explained by assuming, for all investigated cations, the formation of a mono-complex (LnL+) and a bis-complex (LnL2−). Differences were found between the formation constants of complexes of different Ln3+ cations, which can be correlated with ionic radius. Since gadolinium is the element that raises the most concern among lanthanide elements, its effects on organisms at different levels of biological organization were explored, in the presence and absence of harzianic acid. Results of ecotoxicological tests suggest that harzianic acid can decrease gadolinium biotoxicity, presumably because of complex formation with Gd3+.

Candida species are the most common fungal pathogens infecting humans and can cause severe illnesses in immunocompromised individuals. The increased resistance of Candida to traditional antifungal drugs represents a great challenge in clinical settings. Therefore, novel approaches to overcome antifungal resistance are desired. Here, we investigated the use of an antimicrobial peptide WMR against Candida albicans and non-albicans Candida species in vitro and in vivo. Results showed a WMR antifungal activity on all Candida planktonic cells at concentrations between 25 μM to >50 μM and exhibited activity at sub-MIC concentrations to inhibit biofilm formation and eradicate mature biofilm. Furthermore, in vitro antifungal effects of WMR were confirmed in vivo as demonstrated by a prolonged survival rate of larvae infected by Candida species when the peptide was administered before or after infection. Additional experiments to unravel the antifungal mechanism were performed on C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. The time-killing curves showed their antifungal activity, which was further confirmed by the induced intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species accumulation; WMR significantly suppressed drug efflux, down-regulating the drug transporter encoding genes CDR1. Moreover, the ability of WMR to penetrate within the cells was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. These findings provide novel insights for the antifungal mechanism of WMR against Candida albicans and non-albicans, providing fascinating scenarios for the identification of new potential antifungal targets.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia in the elderly population, representing a global public health priority. Despite a large improvement in understanding the pathogenesis of AD, the etiology of this disorder remains still unclear, and no current treatment is able to prevent, slow, or stop its progression. Thus, there is a keen interest in the identification and modification of the risk factors and novel molecular mechanisms associated with the development and progression of AD. In this context, it is worth noting that several findings support the existence of a direct link between neuronal and non-neuronal inflammation/infection and AD progression. Importantly, recent studies are now supporting the existence of a direct relationship between periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory oral disease, and AD. The mechanisms underlying the association remain to be fully elucidated, however, it is generally accepted, although not confirmed, that oral pathogens can penetrate the bloodstream, inducing a low-grade systemic inflammation that negatively affects brain function. Indeed, a recent report demonstrated that oral pathogens and their toxic proteins infect the brain of AD patients. For instance, when AD progresses from the early to the more advanced stages, patients could no longer be able to adequately adhere to proper oral hygiene practices, thus leading to oral dysbiosis that, in turn, fuels infection, such as periodontitis. Therefore, in this review, we will provide an update on the emerging (preclinical and clinical) evidence that supports the relationship existing between periodontitis and AD. More in detail, we will discuss data attesting that periodontitis and AD share common risk factors and a similar hyper-inflammatory phenotype.

A cosmetic product is a substance or mixture intended to be applied on the outer surfaces of the human body or on teeth, on the mucous membranes of the mouth, with the purpose of cleaning, smelling, modifying, protecting, maintaining them in good condition. In order to prevent microbial proliferation in cosmetics, substances with antimicrobial activity are used, to inhibit the development of microorganisms. Among the most commonly used cosmetic contaminants, there are spore-forming bacteria, molds, yeasts and bacteria. In the following study through the challenge test, four cosmetics products were analyzed, including an ultra-moisturizing anti-aging facial cream, a biphasic tonic, an aqueous tanning gel and a hair wax. The main goal was to evaluate the conservative properties of products in catching any microbial contamination, that may occur as a result of use. The Challenge Test has proved to be useful and appropriate to predict the behavior of cosmetics in the event of bacterial contamination. Starting from a high microbial charge for all products, microbial growth after 7 days is stopped, thus demonstrating the good conservative properties of the analyzed products.

Abstract Background Drinking tea constitutes a tradition which is deeply rooted in the culture of several countries. Moreover, in recent years, tea consumption is growing all over the world. Improper herbal tea storage (long periods, humid environments) represents a relevant health hazard for consumers because of the growth of bacteria and molds. Results This study analyzed 32 samples of commercially available black and green teas – purchased from southern Italy markets and online-shops – and the monitoring of microbiological quality of the tea bag content was performed. Evaluations were conducted with the aim of characterizing pathogens indicated by the European and American guidelines (total bacterial count, fungi and Escherichia coli) and on the research of Pseudomonas spp. and Clostridium perfringens. The presence of ochratoxin A in tea matrix-leaves and infusions was further assessed, using a validated and accredited HPLC-FLD method. Microbial loads, for over 80% samples, ranged from 1.0 × 102 to 2.8 × 105 CFU/g tea: most of identified microorganisms were classified as Bacillaceae. The utilization of rapid detection and identification methods (PCR and sequencing), allowed the characterization of strains of Pseudomonas psychrotolerans, Staphylococcus warneri, Pantoea gaviniae and the isolation of one strain of Clostridium perfringens, whose ability to produce toxins can result in harmful outcomes for consumers. Fungi were isolated from 70% samples: the most prevalent molds were Aspergillus niger strains, followed by Aspergillus tubingensis. Ochratoxin A was detected in 22 of 32 tea solid samples investigated: concentrations resulted over the indicated limits for food products for 50% samples. Conclusions Results obtained demonstrated the need to develop targeted regulations for the safety of herbal teas.

Tattooing is a technique that introduces colored substances under the skin in order to color it permanently. Decomposition products of tattoo pigments produce numerous damages for the skin and other organs. We studied the effects of a commercial red ink tattoo, PR170, on Xenopus laevis embryos and Daphnia magna nauplii using concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg/L. For Xenopus, we applied the FETAX protocol analyzing survival, malformations, growth, heart rate, and the expression of genes involved in the development. In D. magna, we evaluated the toxicity with an immobilization test. Moreover, we investigated the production of ROS, antioxidant enzymes, and the expression of the ATP-binding cassette in both models. Our results indicate that PR170 pigment has nanoparticle dimensions, modifies the survival and the ATP-binding cassette activity, and induces oxidative stress that probably produces the observed effects in both models. Deformed embryos were observed in Xenopus, probably due to the modification of expression of genes involved in development. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was also modified in this amphibian. We think that these effects are due to the accumulation of PR170 and, in particular, to the presence of the azoic group in the chemical structure of this pigment. Further studies needed to better understand the effects of commercial tattoo inks.

The high virulence of Candida auris, a pathogen fungus considered as a global threat for public health, is due to its peculiar traits such as its intrinsic resistance to conventional antifungals. Its biofilm lifestyle certainly promotes the prolonged survival of C. auris after disinfection or antifungal treatments. In this work, for the first time, we detected persister cells in a biofilm of C. auris in a microwell plate model, following caspofungin treatment. Furthermore, we showed how persisters can progressively develop a new biofilm in situ, mimicking the re-colonization of a surface which may be responsible for recalcitrant infections. Plant-derived compounds, such as essential oils, may represent a valid alternative to combat fungal infections. Here, Lavandula angustifolia essential oil, as free or encapsulated in liposomes, was used to eradicate primary and persister-derived biofilms of C. auris, confirming the great potential of alternative compounds against emergent fungal pathogens. As in other Candida species, the action of essential oils against C. auris involves ROS production and affects the expression of some biofilm-related genes.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) represent the most common pollutants in the marine sediments. Previous investigations demonstrated short-term sublethal effects of sediments polluted with both contaminants on the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus after 2 months of exposure in mesocosms. In particular, morphological malformations observed in P. lividus embryos deriving from adults exposed to PAHs and PCBs were explained at molecular levels by de novo transcriptome assembly and real-time qPCR, leading to the identification of several differentially expressed genes involved in key physiological processes. Here, we extensively explored the genes involved in the response of the sea urchin P. lividus to PAHs and PCBs. Firstly, 25 new genes were identified and interactomic analysis revealed that they were functionally connected among them and to several genes previously defined as molecular targets of response to the two pollutants under analysis. The expression levels of these 25 genes were followed by Real Time qPCR, showing that almost all genes analyzed were affected by PAHs and PCBs. These findings represent an important further step in defining the impacts of slight concentrations of such contaminants on sea urchins and, more in general, on marine biota, increasing our knowledge of molecular targets involved in responses to environmental stressors.

The microbiological monitoring of mineral bottled waters results is crucial for the prevention of outbreaks in consumers. European and International regulations establish the quality of water intended for human consumption in order to preserve human health from the negative effects deriving from water contamination. Advanced methods targeting the faster detection of potential pathogens in drinking water may consent to the creation of an early warning system, enhancing water quality management. This study aimed to suggest the implementation of standard water quality evaluations, based on the characterization of the microbial composition of mineral bottled water brands, contributing to the periodic control of the water’s microbiological stability along with the shelf life, and, consequently, the stability of the supplying sources. Bottled water microbiota analysis was combined with the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of microbial loads in time, and the monitoring was performed in two seasons and two different storage conditions for a total of sixty days. The employment of molecular microbiology techniques (NGS and Sanger sequencing), compared to standardized cultural methods and integrated with metagenomic analysis, combining chemical and physical indicators for each sample, allowing for the generation of specific fingerprints for mineral bottled waters, pointing at simplifying and improving the foreseen risk assessment strategies to ensure the adequate traceability, quality and safety management of drinking water.

Emergence of Candida tropicalis, which causes potential life-threatening invasive candidiasis, is often associated with colonization of medical devices as biofilm. Biofilm plays an important role in the virulence of the pathogen because of its complex structure, which provides resistance to conventional antimicrobials. In this study, the metabolic response of a clinical strain of C. tropicalis colonizing three distinct surfaces (polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene, and polycarbonate) as well as the expression of virulence and stress related genes (ALS3, Hsp21, SAP1, SAP2, SAP3, and CYR1), were explored. Our results showed that lesser biofilm was developed on PTFE compared to polystyrene and polycarbonate. GS-MS metabolic analysis identified a total of 36 metabolites in the intracellular extract of cells grown on polystyrene, polycarbonate, and PTFE, essentially belonging to central carbon metabolism, amino acids, and lipids metabolism. The metabolic analysis showed that saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are preferentially produced during biofilm development on polycarbonate, whereas trehalose and vitamin B6, known as cellular protectors against a variety of stressors, were characteristic of biofilm on PTFE. The results of the transcriptomic analysis consider the different degrees of colonization of the three substrates, being CYR1, which encodes the component of signaling pathway of hyphal formation-cAMP-PKA, downregulated in PTFE biofilm compared to polycarbonate or polystyrene biofilms, while Hsp21 was upregulated in concomitance with the potential unfavorable conditions for biofilm formation on PTFE. Overall, this work provides new insights into the knowledge of C. tropicalis biofilm development on surfaces of medical relevance in the perspective of improving the management of Candida infections.

In recent years, many studies have reported the frequent detection of antihypertensive agents such as sartans (olmesartan, valsartan, irbesartan and candesartan) in the influents and effluents of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and in the superficial waters of rivers and lakes in both Europe and North America. In this paper, the degradation pathway for candesartan (CAN) was investigated by simulating the chlorination process that is normally used to reduce microbial contamination in a WWTP. Twelve isolated degradation byproducts (DPs), four of which were isolated for the first time, were separated on a C-18 column by employing a gradient HPLC method, and their structures were identified by combining nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry and comparing the results with commercial standards. On the basis of these results, a mechanism of formation starting from the parent drug is proposed. The ecotoxicity of CAN and its DPs was studied by conducting a battery of ecotoxicity tests; bioassays were performed using Aliivibrio fischeri (bacterium), Daphnia magna (planktonic crustacean) and Raphidocelis subcapitata (alga). The ecotoxicity results shed new light on the increased toxicity of DPs compared with the parent compound.