Search

Chicken meat is well known for its high nutritional value. Its shelf life is short, due to the pronounced perishability, even under refrigeration. Paper bags are usually used as packaging materials, due to their biodegradability. The main negative aspect concerning paper is its high porosity and low moisture barrier. In this regard, it has to be coated/modified with efficient moisture barrier materials. The storage of chicken breast meat wrapped in four types of paper‐based materials currently in use in Romania (RO), Italy (IT), Spain (SP) and Slovenia (SLO) is reported. RO and IT are paper coated with polyethylene (PE) film, SP is waxed paper, and SLO is paper modified with hydrophobized starch. The influence of the coating film on the organoleptical, biochemical and microbiological characteristics of the chicken breast meat stored at 4°C was the aim of the study. The mathematical modelling revealed two aspects: (1) the stability period in which the meat safe for consumption is in the range 1.92–2.18 days in the case of all paper types, and (2) cadaverine, the amine generated by protein degradation, is a less sensitive indicator of the meat alteration than microbial growth. The papers coated with PE (RO and IT samples) and with hydrophobized starch (SLO paper) were packaging materials more efficient that the waxed paper (SP sample). The polyethylene film reduced the conversion of putrescine into spermidine in a higher extent than wax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hackathons are collaborative events that bring together diverse groups to solve predefined challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has emphasized the need for portable and reproducible genomics analysis pipelines to study the genetic susceptibility of the human host and investigate human-SARS-CoV-2 protein interactions. To build and strengthen institutional capacities in OMICS data analysis applied to host-pathogen interaction (HPI), the PHINDaccess project organized two hackathons in 2020 and 2021. These hackathons are aimed at developing bioinformatics pipelines related to the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome, its phylodynamic transmission, and the identification of human genome host variants, with a focus on addressing global health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This paper outlines the preparation, proceedings, and lessons learned from these hackathons, including the challenges faced by participants and our recommendations based on our experience for organizing hackathons in LMIC and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bibliometric analyses are often used as a means of visualising the knowledge base and associated trends and patterns in a target scientific field based on a quantitative review of the corresponding literature. In this study, we explore the current status of research pertaining to biofilms in wound healing and elucidate trends in this research space. Through this process, we gain insight into findings from papers indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection. These references were then analysed and plotted using Microsoft Excel 2019, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace V. The results provide a fresh perspective regarding global trends and hotspots in biofilm‐related wound healing research. These findings also offer a foundation that researchers can use to identify active hotspots of scientific interest to guide further research endeavours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An evidence synthesis approach compiling biological/laboratory data is effective in advancing health‐related knowledge. However, this approach is still underused in the oral health field. Methods: This commentary discusses the opportunities and challenges of systematic and scoping reviews of laboratory data in dentistry. Special focus is on the potential of these reviews to elucidate etiological and treatment concepts of oral diseases, such as periodontitis and peri‐implantitis. Results: The following difficulties associated with such studies are discussed: (i) selection of ideal study design, (ii) assessment of "risk of bias" and definition of "certainty of evidence", (iii) evidence assembly and summary, and (iv) the paper review process. Discussion: Despite those challenges, high‐quality reviews integrating laboratory data may generate relevant scientific information and help identify new avenues for future investigations. Experts in different oral health topics should build a process capable of helping researchers assemble and interpret these types of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sulfolane, an industrial solvent commonly used for sweetening natural gas, has recently emerged as a contaminant of concern in Alberta because of its widespread detection around many gas processing sites. In the work reported in this paper, the aerobic biodegradation of sulfolane by Pseudomonas strain or Archaea strain and mixed bacterial cultures was studied. The evaluation was furtherly conducted using Pseudomonas which had been acclimated to water contaminated with sulfolane. The impacts of co‐contaminant, initial sulfolane concentration and soil content on biodegradation of sulfolane using acclimated Pseudomonas were also investigated. RESULTS: The results showed that Pseudomonas degraded sulfolane at a rate of 2.03 mg L−1 h−1 while Archaea strain degraded sulfolane at a rate of 0.04 mg L−1 h−1. Pseudomonas and Archaea inoculated with aquifer sediments containing indigenous microbes achieved a higher sulfolane degradation rate. Acclimation of Pseudomonas to sulfolane environment sufficiently mitigated the lag period before the onset of the biodegradation process. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudomonas is a good candidate for aerobic biodegradation of sulfolane in groundwater. Aerobic biodegradation of sulfolane by Pseudomonas can be significantly enhanced through inoculation with sulfolane‐contaminated sediments or acclimatization to sulfolane environment. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interdisciplinary studies on cultural heritage artworks provide efficient solutions to control fungal growth and the negative effects of biodeterioration. In this study, we aimed to identify the population of filamentous fungi colonizing an engraving by the Dutch painter Rembrandt, whose conservation status was compromised and showed visible stains of biodeterioration. Microbiological techniques, such as cultivation‐dependent approaches and molecular biology, have been used to identify fungal populations. In addition, the anaerobic atmosphere technique and eco‐friendly antifungal agents, such as essential oils (EOs) of Curcuma longa, Thymus vulgaris, and Melaleuca alternifolia, were tested against the metabolically active fungal population Cladoposporium spinulosum. Furthermore, in vitro assays revealed that the interaction between the fungal strains and EO was positive, inhibiting the growth of these fungi, and the EOs from T. vulgaris and M. alternifolia showed low minimum inhibitory concentration values. Exposure to anaerobic conditions for 35 days was effective in the total elimination of isolated fungal strains. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the effectiveness of a nondestructive technique for artwork on engraving colonized by fungal strains and using EO as an alternative to toxic antifungals used in conventional treatments in artworks. Thus, this interdisciplinary study involving applied microbiology and botanical and preventive conservation presents a tool to control microbial growth while maintaining artwork integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular microbiology, which is the interaction between harmful microbes and infected cells, is important in the determination of the bacterial infection processes and in the progression of data of different cellular mechanisms. The therapeutic role of bacteria has gained attention since the known methods such as radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy have got drawbacks. Bacteria have demonstrated a favorable impact in treating cancer through eradication of tumors. Bacteria, in cancer treatment, have proven to be promising and have been shown in some of the previous work that it can successfully suppress the growth of tumors. In this paper, we analyzed the difficulties and settlement for using bacteria in cancer therapy as well the mechanisms in which bacteria works in order to achieve tumor eradication. Future works may focus on the use of bacteria along with other treatments in order to achieve effective tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented milk products play a vital role in the diets of Ethiopians. They are produced from either spontaneous fermentation or back‐slopping methods at the household level, in which lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts predominate. As a result, the processing steps are not standardized and overall safety is still of public health relevance. Therefore, quality and safety improvement, standardization of traditional manufacturing practices, and commercialization of products to a wider market are important. Hence, this systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the microbiology of traditional Ethiopian fermented milk products, including ergo (spontaneously fermented whole milk), dhanaan (fermented camel milk), ititu (concentrated sour milk or spontaneously fermented milk curd), ayib (traditional cottage cheese), qibe (traditional butter), arrera (defatted buttermilk), and hazo (spiced fermented buttermilk). We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and searched relevant databases and search engines, including the Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. Furthermore, the pertinent literature was checked individually and identified. Dairy fermentation provides shelf‐life extension and improves the organoleptic quality of products. Nonetheless, the aforementioned Ethiopian fermented foods may be contaminated with Escherichia coli 0157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., or Staphylococcus aureus due to inadequate processing and handling practices. This systematic review also revealed that these traditional milk products lack consistent quality and safety due to poor hygienic preparation techniques, non‐controlled fermentation, and limited knowledge or awareness of small‐holder dairy farmers. Therefore, the use of suitable procedures including good hygienic practices and controlled fermentation is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Natural products are widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries due to their high‐value bioactive compounds, which make for "greener" and more environmentally friendly ingredients. These natural compounds are also considered a safer alternative to antibiotics, which may result in antibiotic resistance as well as unfavorable side effects. The development of cosmeceuticals, which combine the cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields to create skincare products with therapeutic value, has increased the demand for unique natural resources. The objective of this review is to discuss the biological properties of extracts derived from larvae of the black soldier fly (BSF; Hermetia illucens), the appropriate extraction methods, and the potential of this insect as a novel active ingredient in the formulation of new cosmeceutical products. This review also addresses the biological actions of compounds originating from the BSF, and the possible association between the diets of BSF larvae and their subsequent bioactive composition. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify and evaluate the various biological properties of the BSF. Results: One such natural resource that may be useful in the cosmeceutical field is the BSF, a versatile insect with numerous potential applications due to its nutrient content and scavenging behavior. Previous research has also shown that the BSF has several biological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and wound healing effects. Conclusion: Given the range of biological activities and metabolites possessed by the BSF, this insect may have the cosmeceutical potential to treat a number of skin pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This methods issue focuses on new approaches and techniques to study pathogen biology and infection, but many of these may be applied to a range of studies in microbiology. In this special issue of I Molecular Microbiology i , we profile an exceptional collection of papers describing emerging methods in the study of microbiology. In the study of host-pathogen interactions, in vitro models of infection remain critical to dissecting the host and pathogen components that promote or fight infection. [Extracted from the article]

Predictive microbiology is a rapidly evolving field that has gained significant interest over the years due to its diverse application in food safety. Predictive models are widely used in food microbiology to estimate the growth of microorganisms in food products. These models represent the dynamic interactions between intrinsic and extrinsic food factors as mathematical equations and then apply these data to predict shelf life, spoilage, and microbial risk assessment. Due to their ability to predict the microbial risk, these tools are also integrated into hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) protocols. However, like most new technologies, several limitations have been linked to their use. Predictive models have been found incapable of modeling the intricate microbial interactions in food colonized by different bacteria populations under dynamic environmental conditions. To address this issue, researchers are integrating several new technologies into predictive models to improve efficiency and accuracy. Increasingly, newer technologies such as whole genome sequencing (WGS), metagenomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are being rapidly adopted into newer-generation models. This has facilitated the development of devices based on robotics, the Internet of Things, and time-temperature indicators that are being incorporated into food processing both domestically and industrially globally. This study reviewed current research on predictive models, limitations, challenges, and newer technologies being integrated into developing more efficient models. Machine learning algorithms commonly employed in predictive modeling are discussed with emphasis on their application in research and industry and their advantages over traditional models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the possibility of using active coatings based on Zedo gum containing essential oils of Zataria multiflora Boiss (ZE) and tarragon (TE) to increase the shelf life and maintain the quality of freshly cut potato strips. The chemical compositions of ZE and TE were initially identified, and their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated. ZE consisted mainly of carvacrol (26.26%), p‐cymene (21.50%), thymol (18.05%), and linalool (11.31%), and those of TE comprised p‐allylanisole (81.92%), β‐Ocimene E (8.06%), and β‐Ocimene Z (5.35%). Afterwards, a Zedo gum active coating (1% v/w) containing 1% (v/v) essential oil was prepared, and the produced coating solutions were used to soak the potato strips for 5 min. The coated potatoes were kept fresh in a refrigerator for 9 days, and their quality characteristics were examined every 3 days. The results show that the weight loss, browning index, total microbial count, and mold and yeast counts in the strips increased during 9 days of cold storage, and hardness decreased (p <.05). However, the coatings of strips, especially those containing essential oils, reduced the intensity of changes in moisture, color, and hardness, increased microbial stability, and maintained the sensory acceptance of strips compared with the uncoated sample (control). Finally, this study demonstrated that the quality and shelf life of fresh potato strips can be improved by using active coatings based on Zedo gum containing ZE and TE (especially ZE). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a major public health threat and conjugative plasmids play a key role in the dissemination of AMR genes among bacterial pathogens. Interestingly, the association between AMR plasmids and pathogens is not random and certain associations spread successfully at a global scale. The burst of genome sequencing has increased the resolution of epidemiological programs, broadening our understanding of plasmid distribution in bacterial populations. Despite the immense value of these studies, our ability to predict future plasmid-bacteria associations remains limited. Numerous empirical studies have recently reported systematic patterns in genetic interactions that enable predictability, in a phenomenon known as global epistasis. In this perspective, we argue that global epistasis patterns hold the potential to predict interactions between plasmids and bacterial genomes, thereby facilitating the prediction of future successful associations. To assess the validity of this idea, we use previously published data to identify global epistasis patterns in clinically relevant plasmid-bacteria associations. Furthermore, using simple mechanistic models of antibiotic resistance, we illustrate how global epistasis patterns may allow us to generate new hypotheses on the mechanisms associated with successful plasmid-bacteria associations. Collectively, we aim at illustrating the relevance of exploring global epistasis in the context of plasmid biology. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is a major public health threat and plasmids play a key role in AMR gene dissemination. This Review discusses the relevance of global epistasis patterns for predicting AMR evolution and generating hypotheses about the mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most extensively utilized material in construction is concrete, decreasing life of structure pointing toward loses in structural health. The crack is the major problem faced in the concrete construction. This causes the corrosion in the steel reinforcement. The structure gets deteriorated with the developing cracks; therefore need the proper attention toward this problem. The present work consists of the different self‐healing techniques used by the researchers to inhibit the crack and prevent further deterioration in the structure. The self‐healing mechanism proves advantageous in use of natural fibers to inhibit the corrosion process, to increase compressive strength, and to decrease water absorption is present in this study. The maximum strength increased and the width of crack get healed with the help of these techniques is also mentioned in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Høiby N. Louis Pasteur and the birth of microbiology in Denmark. APMIS 2022. Louis Pasteur's work initiated the birth of microbiology in Denmark. Carl Julius Salomonsen was the pioneer who inspired and taught Christian Gram, Thorvald Madsen and Bernhard Bang bacteriological techniques in his annual bacteriological course which he started in 1883 at the University of Copenhagen. These pioneers developed Danish human and veterinary microbiology and became world famous. Emil Chr. Hansen developed Danish technical/industrial microbiology in the Carlsberg Laboratory and purified yeast and designed equipment for the propagation of pure yeast which was used worldwide in beer brewing. He also became world famous. The fascinating birth and development of Danish microbiology is summarized in this article, which is dedicated to the 200th birthday of Louis Pasteur, December 27, and 100th birthday of the Danish Pasteur Society, October 25, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Louis Pasteur, born December 27, 1822 in Dole, France, showed in his childhood and youth great abilities as an artistic painter; however by an age of 19, his interest changed toward science, and he moved to Paris to study chemistry and physics at École Normale Supérieure. During graduation, he initiated research on chiral crystallography and stereochemistry and got his doctorates in 1847 in both chemistry and physics. In 1848, he started as high school teacher in Dijon, but shortly after he became a deputy professor at the University of Strasbourg in chemistry and got married to the rector's daughter Marie Laurent. They had five children, of which only two survived. The family moved to Lille in 1854, where he worked as professor in chemistry and became the dean at the new Faculty of Science at the University of Lille. He initiated his famous research on fermentation in 1855. Louis Pasteur moved back to École Normale Supérieure in 1857, where a major part of his innovative research on fermentation took place ending up with the development of pasteurization in 1864. Through genius experiments, he disputed the spontaneous genesis theory and founded the basis for the germ theory, later confirmed by his enemy Robert Koch and several other research teams, which he for lifetime competed with on the cure and prevention against infectious disease causes by both bacteria such as cholera, anthrax, and virus‐induced infections as yellow fever and rabies. However, most of his experiments were done on animals since Pasteur and his colleagues at École Normale Superiére were not physicians but scientists. The first successful attenuated vaccine used in humans against rabies was, when the 9‐year‐old Joseph Meister was cured or prevented from rabies in 1885 after 13 vaccine injections done by the young pediatrician Joseph Grancher. This worldwide known intervention is both world famous and ethically criticized and disputed. The Pasteur Institute was inaugurated in 1888—now an international prestigious research institute—which has been expanded since in a network of affiliated Pasteur institutes over the whole world. There were multiple links to Danish scientists of the 19th century and to the Danish brewery industry. Most well known is the strong friendship between Louis Pasteur and the Carlsberg brewery and especially to its founder Jacob Christian Jacobsen, who was a great believer on a scientific approach to a cleaner fermentation process and better beer quality. Louis Pasteur stands as a milestone example of the fruitful outcome of scientific competition and collaboration and should therefore be remembered as an inspiration for present and future scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report summarises the outcomes from the EFSA funded ListeriaPredict Partnering Project based on the consortium's proposal of "Application of novel predictive microbiology techniques to shelf‐life studies on Listeria monocytogenes in ready‐to‐eat foods (ListeriaPredict)" submitted under EFSA open call for partnering grant projects. The consortium consisted of four partners, University College Dublin (Coordinator), Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Abruzzo e Molise and Universidad de Córdoba. Listeria monocytogenes is a major hazard of concern in the broad ready‐to‐eat (RTE) food sector both at EU level and globally. Its ability to grow at refrigerated temperatures causes particular food safety concerns for RTE foods. There has been substantial activity within the European Union to provide guidance on how to conduct laboratory shelf‐life studies on L. monocytogenes in RTE foods to assure product safety. Shelf‐life studies, by their nature, are expensive and pose considerable resourcing challenges to small and medium sized companies that dominate the food sector across Europe. Predictive microbiology has a critical role in interpreting the results of experimental challenge tests and extending their application under varying environmental conditions. This project worked to substantially enhance capacity in the four partner institutions across Europe in applying predictive microbiology techniques to shelf‐life studies on L. monocytogenes in RTE foods. Knowledge transfer activities included workshops, online webinars and short scientific visits. Knowledge exchange activities targeted the broad area of predictive dynamic modelling. Static and dynamic growth experiments undertaken by one of the project partners was used as input to collectively develop a series of dynamic modelling approaches to obtain the optimum growth rates and cardinal parameters governing the growth of L. monocytogenes. To ensure continuity, the project disseminated the expertise and knowledge accumulated within the consortium to a wider audience through archiving training materials in the EFSA Knowledge Junction repository to allow the resources generated by the project to be available beyond the lifetime of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the prognostic accuracy of microbial biomarkers and their associations with the response to active periodontal treatment (APT) and supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). Microbial dysbiosis plays a crucial role in the disease processes of periodontitis. Biomarkers based on microbial composition may offer additional prognostic value, supplementing the limitations of current clinical parameters. While these microbial biomarkers have been clinically evaluated, there is a lack of consensus regarding their prognostic accuracy. A structured search strategy was applied to MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Embase on 1/11/2022 to identify relevant publications. Prospective clinical studies involving either APT or SPT, with at least 3‐month follow‐up were included. There were no restrictions on the type of microbial compositional analysis. 1918 unique records were retrieved, and 13 studies (comprising 943 adult patients) were included. Heterogeneity of the studies precluded a meta‐analysis, and none of the included studies had performed the sequence analysis of the periodontal microbiome. Seven and six studies reported on response to APT and SPT, respectively. The prognostic accuracy of the microbial biomarkers for APT and SPT was examined in only two and four studies, respectively. Microbial biomarkers had limited predictive accuracy for APT and inconsistent associations for different species across studies. For SPT, elevated abundance of periodontal pathogens at the start of SPT was predictive of subsequent periodontal progression. Similarly, persistent high pathogen loads were consistently associated with progressive periodontitis, defined as an increased pocket probing depth or clinical attachment loss. While there was insufficient evidence to support the clinical use of microbial biomarkers as prognostic tools for active periodontal treatment outcomes, biomarkers that quantify periodontal pathogen loads may offer prognostic value for predicting progressive periodontitis in the subsequent supportive periodontal therapy phase. Additional research will be required to translate information regarding subgingival biofilm composition and phenotype into clinically relevant prognostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial activity of surfactants is an important factor to consider for improving skin conditions in cosmetic and skin care products. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of 16 nonionic surfactants containing ethylene oxide, ester, and ether functional groups against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis). 12:0 MG ester and 6–12 diol, which showed antibacterial activity against both Staphylococci, had compact hydrophilic groups with low polarity. In contrast, 12:0 PEG‐10 ester and 12:0 Sor ester, which showed antibacterial activity only against S. aureus, had large hydrophilic groups and high polarity. These results suggest that the hydrophilicity and polarity of the surfactant may be involved in its antibacterial behavior against Staphylococci. These findings will be useful in the design of surfactant molecules and in the development of cosmetics and body cleansers that exhibit antibacterial activity only against S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study aimed to improve the bioactive properties of yogurt by adding black and green tea at concentrations of 0.5 and 1% (w/v) (Control (C), B05, B1, G05, and G1). In general, tea addition increased the selected mineral concentrations in yogurt while no change in fat or protein contents was observed. Both black (B05: 148.82; B1: 253.29 μg GAE/g) and green (G05: 630.96 μg; G1: 1264.20 GAE/g) tea have enhanced the total phenolic content (C: 50.79 μg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity of yogurt significantly (P < 0.05), that is 100‐times increase in G1 compared to C. Although relatively higher syneresis rates were observed for green tea added yogurt, both teas and their increasing concentrations increased the syneresis. However, higher pH values and generally better textural qualities were observed in green tea‐added yogurt samples during storage. Increasing amounts of tea, especially green tea, resulted in a lower overall acceptability of yogurts, the most important reason for which is the decrease in flavour value. This study showed that the bioactive properties of yogurt could be improved through black and green tea additions without harming its microbial (>107 cfu/g during storage) and textural qualities and maintaining adequate sensory acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal systems form at divergent and convergent boundaries of lithospheric plates and within plates due to weakened crust and mantle plumes, playing host to diverse microbial ecosystems. Little is known of how differences in tectonic setting influence the geochemical and microbial compositions of these hydrothermal ecosystems. Here, coordinated geochemical and microbial community analyses were conducted on 87 high‐temperature (>65°C) water and sediment samples from hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA (n = 41; mantle plume setting), Iceland (n = 41, divergent boundary), and Japan (n = 5; convergent boundary). Region‐specific variation in geochemistry and sediment‐associated 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequence variant (ASV) composition was observed, with 16S rRNA gene assemblages being nearly completely distinguished by region and pH being the most explanatory parameter within regions. Several low abundance ASVs exhibited cosmopolitan distributions across regions, while most high‐abundance ASVs were only identified in specific regions. The presence of some cosmopolitan ASVs across regions argues against dispersal limitation primarily shaping the distribution of taxa among regions. Rather, the results point to local tectonic and geologic characteristics shaping the geochemistry of continental hydrothermal systems that then select for distinct microbial assemblages. These results provide new insights into the co‐evolution of hydrothermal systems and their microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Super‐resolution optical imaging tools are crucial in microbiology to understand the complex structures and behavior of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. However, the capabilities of these tools, particularly when it comes to imaging pathogens and infected tissues, remain limited. MicroMagnify (µMagnify) is developed, a nanoscale multiplexed imaging method for pathogens and infected tissues that are derived from an expansion microscopy technique with a universal biomolecular anchor. The combination of heat denaturation and enzyme cocktails essential is found for robust cell wall digestion and expansion of microbial cells and infected tissues without distortion. µMagnify efficiently retains biomolecules suitable for high‐plex fluorescence imaging with nanoscale precision. It demonstrates up to eightfold expansion with µMagnify on a broad range of pathogen‐containing specimens, including bacterial and fungal biofilms, infected culture cells, fungus‐infected mouse tone, and formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded human cornea infected by various pathogens. Additionally, an associated virtual reality tool is developed to facilitate the visualization and navigation of complex 3D images generated by this method in an immersive environment allowing collaborative exploration among researchers worldwide. µMagnify is a valuable imaging platform for studying how microbes interact with their host systems and enables the development of new diagnosis strategies against infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical methodologies that include food safety and hygiene education in pedagogical activities are strategies to prevent foodborne diseases (FBDs). Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of 7th‐grade middle school students regarding food microbiology and food safety, and to apply workshop‐based educational strategies that focus on scientific literacy. The students (144) were initially evaluated using a Likert‐scale questionnaire (pre‐intervention, Q0) with ten objective questions on microbiology and food safety. Once the questionnaire was evaluated, interventions were conducted through five science workshops of 50 min, over a period of 5 months. The workshops included educational games, laboratory practices, videos, and lectures that addressed microorganisms that are known to cause the most common FBDs in Brazil. After each workshop, students were asked to express their opinions and understanding of the content through semi‐structured interviews. Six months after the end of the practical interventions, the students completed a second identical Likert‐scale questionnaire (post‐intervention, Q1), and the answers to both questionnaires (Q0 and Q1) were analyzed by calculating the middle rank. The middle rank of Q1 (mean = 0.65 ± 0.13) was 21% greater than the middle rank of Q0 (mean = 0.44 ± 0.16), and statistical significance was observed (p =.0135). This demonstrates that new information acquired during the workshops positively influenced learning. We believe that when practical approaches to food safety are included in school education as a priority, the prevalence of FBD will decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explored the suspected pathogens of chronic periodontitis at different stages of occurrence and development. We collected 100 gingival crevicular fluid samples, 27, 27, and 26 from patients with mild, moderate, and severe chronic periodontitis, respectively, and 20 from healthy individuals. Pathogens were detected using a 16S rRNA metagenomic approach. Quantitative Insights in Microbial Ecology, Mothur, and other software were used to analyze the original data, draw relative abundance histograms and heat maps, and calculate flora abundance and diversity indexes. We identified 429 operational taxonomic units, covering 13 phyla, 20 classes, 32 orders, 66 families, and 123 genera from the four groups of samples. Each group showed microbial diversity, and the number of new species of bacterial flora in the gingival crevicular fluid samples gradually increased from the healthy to the severe chronic periodontitis group. There was a significant difference in the relative abundance of the core flora at the phylum, class, order, family, and genus classification levels. Our data indicated a certain correlation between the changes in the subgingival microbial structure and the occurrence and development of chronic periodontitis, which might be able to provide a reference for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chronic periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial systems biology has made enormous advances in relating microbial physiology to the underlying biochemistry and molecular biology. By meticulously studying model microorganisms, in particular Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, increasingly comprehensive computational models predict metabolic fluxes, protein expression, and growth. The modeling rationale is that cells are constrained by a limited pool of resources that they allocate optimally to maximize fitness. As a consequence, the expression of particular proteins is at the expense of others, causing trade‐offs between cellular objectives such as instantaneous growth, stress tolerance, and capacity to adapt to new environments. While current computational models are remarkably predictive for E. coli and S. cerevisiae when grown in laboratory environments, this may not hold for other growth conditions and other microorganisms. In this contribution, we therefore discuss the relationship between the instantaneous growth rate, limited resources, and long‐term fitness. We discuss uses and limitations of current computational models, in particular for rapidly changing and adverse environments, and propose to classify microbial growth strategies based on Grimes's CSR framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wounds remain a therapeutic and financial challenge for physicians and the health care systems. Innovative, inexpensive and effective treatment methods would be of immense value. The sublesional fat grafting could be such treatment, although effectiveness and safety have only been assessed in a few randomised clinical trials. The fat graft was obtained by liposuction, washed with the Coleman method and then injected sublesional and into the wound margins after surgical debridement. For the control group, saline solution was used instead of fat. The primary endpoint was to determine the wound size reduction in both groups. The wounds were measured preoperatively, intraoperatively and 3, 7, 21 and 60 days after the intervention. A p‐value of <0.05 was considered significant. Furthermore, histology and microbiology of the wounds and pain were assessed. A temporary effect of the treatment was observed after 14 and 21 days. The wound size reduction was significantly larger in the intervention group, whereas after 60 days, no significant difference was detected between both groups. No adverse events could be reported and the pain level was almost equal in the control and intervention group. Sublesional fat grafting temporarily enhanced healing of chronic wounds. The procedure was safe and the pain level was low. Repeated interventions could lead to complete wound closure, which should be determined in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prospective studies have reported conflicting results regarding the adjunctive effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on clinical and microbiological parameters in individuals under periodontal maintenance therapy (PMT). This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and microbiological adjunctive effects of aPDT using indocyanine green (ICG) in residual sites with probing depth (PD) ≥5 mm during PMT in comparison with scaling and root planing (SRP) alone. Methods: A split‐mouth randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted with 24 individuals in a PMT program. Contralateral quadrants with eligible residual sites were randomly assigned to either SRP + aPDT (test group) or SRP alone (control). aPDT included ICG dye and diode laser (909 nm) performed together with SRP and repeated 15 days after. Periodontal clinical parameters, periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) index, and subgingival biofilm samples were collected at baseline (T1), 3 (T2), and 6 months later (T3). Microbiological analyses were performed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Significant improvements were observed in all clinical and microbiological parameters in both groups from T1 to T3. However, no significant differences were observed regarding plaque index, PD, and clinical attachment level. Test group showed significantly greater reductions in bleeding on probing (BOP), PISA index, and Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans levels, when compared with controls. Conclusions: Both treatments resulted in significant clinical periodontal improvements, but with no significant differences between groups except from inflammation parameters. aPDT using ICG resulted in significant reductions in BOP and PISA index, as well as in P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore whether adjunctive antibiotics can relevantly influence long‐term microbiota changes in stage III–IV periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial on periodontal therapy with adjunctive 500 mg amoxicillin and 400 mg metronidazole or placebo thrice daily for 7 days. Subgingival plaque samples were taken before and 2, 8, 14 and 26 months after mechanical therapy. The V4‐hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced with Illumina MiSeq 250 base pair paired‐end reads. Changes at the ribosomal sequence variant (RSV) level, diversity and subgingival‐microbial dysbiosis index (SMDI) were explored with a negative binomial regression model and non‐parametric tests. Results: Overall, 50.2% of all raw reads summed up to 72 RSVs (3.0%) that were generated from 163 stage III–IV periodontitis patients. Of those, 16 RSVs, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, changed significantly over 26 months because of adjunctive systemic antibiotics. SMDI decreased significantly more in the antibiotic group at all timepoints, whereas the 2‐month differences in alpha and beta diversity between groups were not significant at 8 and 14 months, respectively. Conclusions: Mechanical periodontal therapy with adjunctive antibiotics induced a relevant and long‐term sustainable change towards an oral microbiome more associated with oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a reliable test result to be obtained the following (external) controls should be included for each series of nucleic acid extraction and amplification of the target organism and target nucleic acid, respectively: Negative isolation control (NIC) to monitor contamination during nucleic acid extraction: nucleic acid extraction and subsequent amplification preferably of a sample of uninfected matrix, or if not available clean extraction buffer. Essential Procedural Information 3.1 Controls For a reliable test result to be obtained, the following (external) controls should be included for each series of nucleic acid extraction and amplification of the target organism and target nucleic acid, respectively Negative isolation control (NIC) to monitor contamination during nucleic acid extraction: nucleic acid extraction and subsequent amplification preferably of a sample of uninfected matrix or if not available clean extraction buffer. Inclusivity 100% evaluated on 55 target strains belonging to I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I fastidiosa i , I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I pauca i , I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I sandyi i , I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I multiplex i . A validation study with non-European I X. fastidiosa i strains (Harper et al., [56]) showed that the RST31/33 primer failed to detect the following American strains from grapes and oaks: I X. fastidiosa i , I Vitis vitifolia i , US (PD0001); I X. fastidiosa i , I V. vitifolia i , US (R. Almeida); I X. fastidiosa i , I Vitis rotundifolia i , US (C. Chang); I X. fastidiosa i , I Quercus laevis i , US (OAK0023); I X. fastidiosa i , I Quercus rubra i , US (OAK0024); I X. fastidiosa i , I Quercus rubra i , US (C. Chang). Inclusivity: 100% tested on 10 target strains ( I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I fastidiosa i , I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I pauca i , I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I sandyi i , I X. fastidiosa i subsp. I multiplex i ). [Extracted from the article]

2.3.2 PCR conditions first round: 95°C for 2 min followed by 30 cycles of (95°C for 30 s, 65°C for 30 s and 72°C for 45 s) followed by a final extension step of 5 min at 72°C 2.3.3 PCR conditions second round: 95°C for 2 min followed by 30 cycles of (95°C for 30 s, 58°C for 30 s and 72°C for 45 s) followed by a final extension step of 5 min at 72°C Essential Procedural Information B Controls: b For a reliable test result to be obtained, the following (external) controls should be included for each series of nucleic acid extraction and amplification of the target organism and target nucleic acid, respectively Negative isolation control (NIC) to monitor contamination during nucleic acid extraction: nucleic acid extraction and subsequent amplification preferably of a sample of uninfected matrix or if not available clean extraction buffer. 2.2.2 PCR conditions: 95°C for 10 min, followed by 40 cycles of (95°C for 15 s and 60°C for 1 min) Essential Procedural Information 3.1 Controls For a reliable test result to be obtained, the following (external) controls should be included for each series of nucleic acid extraction and amplification of the target organism and target nucleic acid, respectively Negative isolation control (NIC) to monitor contamination during nucleic acid extraction: nucleic acid extraction and subsequent amplification preferably of a sample of uninfected matrix or if not available clean extraction buffer. 36 Pooler MR, Ritchie DF & Hartung JS (1996) Genetic relationships among strains of Xanthomonas fragariae based on random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR, repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR data and generation of multiplexed PCR primers useful for the identification of this phytopathogen. [Extracted from the article]

Lake Victoria, the second-largest freshwater lake in the world, provides an important source of food and income, particularly fish for both domestic consumption and for export market. In recent years, Lake Victoria has suffered massive pollution from both industrial and wastewater discharge. Microplastic biomes, pharmaceutical residues, drugs of abuse, heavy metals, agrochemicals, and personal care products are ubiquitous in the aquatic ecosystem of Winam Gulf. These pollutants are known to alter microbial assemblages in aquatic ecosystems with far-reaching ramification including a calamitous consequence to human health. Indeed, some of these pollutants have been associated with human cancers and antimicrobial resistance. There is a paucity of data on the microbial profiles of this important but heavily polluted aquatic ecosystem. The current study sought to investigate the metagenomic profiles of microbial assemblages in the Winam Gulf ecosystem. Water and sediment samples were collected from several locations within the study sites. Total genomic DNA pooled from all sampling sites was extracted and analyzed by whole-genome shotgun sequencing. Analyses revealed three major kingdoms: bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes belonging to 3 phyla, 13 classes, 14 families, 9 orders, 14 genera, and 10 species. Proteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Comamonadaceae, Burkholdariales, and Arcobacter were the dominated phyla, class, family, order, genera, and species, respectively. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes indicated the highest number of genes involved in metabolism. The presence of carbohydrate metabolism genes and enzymes was used to infer organic pollutions from sewage and agricultural runoffs. Similarly, the presence of xylene and nutrotoluene degradation genes and enzyme was used to infer industrial pollution into the lake. Drug metabolism genes lend credence to the possibility of pharmaceutical pollutants in water. Taken together, there is a clear indication of massive pollution. In addition, carbohydrate-active enzymes were the most abundant and included genes in glycoside hydrolases. Shotgun metagenomic analyses conveyed an understanding of the microbial communities of the massively polluted aquatic ecosystem of Winam Gulf, Lake Vicoria, Kenya. The current study documents the presence of multiclass pollutants in Lake Victoria and reveals information that might be useful for a potential bioremediation strategy using the native microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P-01.1-08 Melanoma therapies compromise signaling processes in the vascular endothelium S. Bromberger 1, M.R. Larsen 2, K. Schossleitner 1 1 Skin & Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Department of Dermatology, Medical Univers... Melanoma and other malignancies often bear mutations in the MAPK pathway - most commonly BRAF SP V600E sp , which contributes to uncontrolled proliferation and survival of tumor cells. The disruption of communication between tumor cells and TAMs could be the base of an efficient anti-cancer strategy to prevent tumor progression. Adamecz 1, P. Bicskei 1, H. Árva 1, N. Igaz 1, É. Veres 2, A. Rónavári 3, A. Gácse... 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2... Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) - as a result of re-programming driven by tumor and other stromal cells - can create and maintain an immunosuppressive environment and promote tumor malignancy. In tumour cells, ER stress is caused by their high degree of translation and metabolism as well as the tumour microenvironment. [Extracted from the article]

The area of chemical communication in bacteria has grown explosively since the end of the 20th century. Among a number of key individuals and seminal findings that broke open this area of microbiology, the contributions of Bonnie Bassler and her colleagues are immense and multi‐layered. In this short and informal review, I provide perspective on my own entry into this research field, my introduction to Dr. Bassler and her early findings, followed by the founding of the Bassler lab and the flood of brilliant experimentation and public outreach that has done so much to propel the field of bacterial chemical communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial electrochemical systems (MESs) are a highly versatile platform technology with a particular focus on power or energy production. Often, they are used in combination with substrate conversion (e.g., wastewater treatment) and production of value‐added compounds via electrode‐assisted fermentation. This rapidly evolving field has seen great improvements both technically and biologically, but this interdisciplinarity sometimes hampers overseeing strategies to increase process efficiency. In this review, we first briefly summarize the terminology of the technology and outline the biological background that is essential for understanding and thus improving MES technology. Thereafter, recent research on improvements at the biofilm–electrode interface will be summarized and discussed, distinguishing between biotic and abiotic approaches. The two approaches are then compared, and resulting future directions are discussed. This mini‐review therefore provides basic knowledge of MES technology and the underlying microbiology in general and reviews recent improvements at the bacteria–electrode interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because BA produced by I Clostridium i could not be detected in soil, we used an indirect approach to evaluate I in situ i BA biosynthesis in response to rice root exudates by examining the expression of bacterial BA biosynthesis-related genes, I butyrate kinase i ( I buk i ) and I phosphotransbutyrase i ( I ptb i ; Fig. Keywords: butyric acid; Clostridium; induced systemic resistance (ISR); plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR); rice; volatiles EN butyric acid Clostridium induced systemic resistance (ISR) plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) rice volatiles 1755 1761 7 05/02/23 20230601 NES 230601 Introduction I Clostridium i species (phylum Firmicutes) are gram-positive endospore-forming anaerobic bacteria that inhabit diverse environments including animal and human gut, sewage, lake sediments, and paddy soil. Rice seeds immersed in a Clostridium spp. suspension were sown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) agar medium containing Clostridium spp. 14-d-old seedlings were inoculated with Xoo (OD600 = 1.0) by leaf clipping method using scissors. These results are consistent with the relative abundance and percent of I Clostridium i present in total read counts, indicating that I Clostridium i species were enriched in the rhizosphere and were less frequent in the endosphere and bulk soil (Figs 1e, S2a-e). [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to determine the intraradicular microbiota of previously root canal‐treated teeth with apical periodontitis and to investigate the antibacterial effectiveness of different intracanal medicaments. Sixteen patients with post‐treatment apical periodontitis were allocated into two groups according to the intracanal medicament used: calcium hydroxide (CH) and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate gel (CHX) group. Total bacterial loads, as well as the amount of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) were determined before (S1) and after (S2) chemomechanical preparation and finally, after intracanal medication (S3) by means of ddPCR. The unpaired t test was used to compare parametric. S3‐total bacteria copy number of the CH group was lower than the CHX group (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between the CHX‐ and the CH groups in terms of E.faecalis copy number (p > 0.05). But in terms of total bacteria, CH is better than CHX. Consequently, CH can be used to optimise the antibacterial efficiency of chemomechanical preparation in previously root canal‐treated teeth with apical periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This randomized clinical trial assessed changes in protein biomarker levels and bacterial profiles after surgical reconstructive therapy of peri‐implantitis and investigated whether the adjunctive use of Er:YAG laser impacts protein biomarker and microbial outcomes. Materials and Methods: Twenty‐four patients received surgical reconstructive therapy for peri‐implantitis with guided bone regeneration following mechanical debridement with (test) or without (control) the adjunctive irradiation of Er:YAG laser. Bacterial and peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) samples were collected over 6 months and analyzed with bacterial qPCR and luminex multiplex assays. Results: Surgical reconstructive treatment significantly affected the concentration of PICF protein biomarkers, including a 50% reduction in IL‐1β between 2 and 4 weeks (p <.0001). Both MMP‐9 (p <.001) and VEGF (p <.05) levels steadily decreased after treatment. In the laser group, the peak increase in IL‐1β was attenuated at 2 weeks, followed by significant reduction in MMP‐9 (p <.01) and VEGF (p <.05) across all follow‐up appointments compared with the control nonlaser group. The total bacterial load was reduced 2 weeks after treatment, especially in the laser group, but recolonized to presurgical levels after 4 weeks in both groups (p <.01). The composition of selective pathogens varied significantly over the follow‐up, but recolonization patterns did not differ between groups. Conclusions: Reconstructive therapy of peri‐implantitis significantly altered PICF protein biomarker and microbial levels during the healing process. The adjunctive use of Er:YAG laser significantly modulated the inflammatory response through reduced levels of MMP‐9 and VEGF during the postsurgical period. The bacterial load was reduced immediately after therapy, but recolonization was observed by 4 weeks in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Cosmetic Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

BACKGROUND: Ripened cheeses, such as pecorino, are susceptible to mites and molds contamination on the crust area that must be removed before the product can be marketed. This study investigates the effectiveness of gaseous ozone treatment in the control of microbiological and mite growth without negatively affecting product quality. RESULTS: Cheese samples were treated with gaseous ozone at 200 and 300 ppb for 8 h per day (overnight) for 150 days in storage rooms under controlled conditions (12 °C and 85% relative humidity). The results showed that ozone at 200 ppb limits the growth of mites starting from 25 days of storage and significantly reduced bacteria, molds, and yeasts counts starting from 75 days of storage. Concerning the physicochemical and qualitative parameters evaluated during ripening (weight loss, moisture content, dry weight, ash, fat, protein, total nitrogen, color, non‐destructive firmness), no significant differences were shown between the control samples and ozone treatment at 200 ppb. Sensory analysis (consumer test) also showed no specific defects with the ozone‐treated samples. It was observed that the ozone treatment at 300 ppb had limited microbiological growth and no alteration of sensory aspects but did not have the same positive impact on some aspects of overall quality, compared with ozone treatment at 200 ppb. CONCLUSION: The use of gaseous ozone treatments during ripening of pecorino cheese can potentially offer an excellent solution for the control of mite growth, while preserving the quality and sensory characteristics of the product. For this reason, this technique could be very useful for commercial purposes. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article honors Dr. Anne Haffajee's career, her highest research standards, scholarly integrity, and inspirational mentorship. Anne—as she liked to be called—was one of the most productive clinical scientists of her time. Gifted with the unique combination of knowledge in the fields of clinical research, oral ecology, data analysis, and computer programing, her work triggered unprecedented advances in the diagnosis, progression, and treatment of periodontitis. Anne's pivotal clinical trials elucidated the effects of non‐surgical and surgical periodontal therapies. In addition to her scholarly achievements, Anne played an important role in mentoring young scientists, many of whom have developed independent leadership careers in periodontal research. She always found time to help her mentees, and ultimately became a warm‐hearted friend to many of them, including myself. Anne was consistently devoted to contributing to the future of clinical investigation, and more specifically concerned about the lack of interest by (1) funding agencies in supporting such studies and by (2) the new generation of investigators in pursuing a career in the area. She passed away prematurely, in 2013, at the age of 65. Undoubtedly, her work and legacy assured the continuity of high‐standard clinical studies in periodontics and the survival of a whole generation of clinical researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Respiratory testing with rapid antigen tests (RATs) in children under 5 years of age may be uncomfortable and presents specific challenges to testing due to compliance and procedural distress. The aim of this study was to investigate sensitivity and feasibility of self‐collected nasal and saliva RAT tests compared with a combined nose and throat (CTN) swab PCR in children under 5. Methods: Children aged between 1 month and 5 years, with confirmed COVID‐19 or who were a household contact within 7 days were included. A saliva RAT, nasal RAT and CTN swab were collected by the parent. SARS‐CoV‐2 cycle threshold (Ct) values for CTN tested by PCR were compared with saliva and nasal RAT results. Parent preference for method of sample was recorded. Results: Forty‐one children were recruited with median age of 1.5 (interquartile range 0.7–4.0) years. Only 22/41 (54%) of parents were able to successfully collect a saliva RAT from their child. Sensitivity of the nasal RAT and saliva RAT was 0.889 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.739–0.969) and 0.158 (95% CI 0.034–0.396), respectively. Upper limit of nasal RAT detection by CTN Ct value was higher than saliva (36.05 vs. 27.29). While saliva RAT was rated most comfortable, nasal RAT was rated the preferred specimen by parents for future testing, due to saliva collection difficulties and time taken. Conclusions: Rapid antigen testing with nasal RAT is a more feasible and sensitive method for SARS‐CoV‐2 detection in young children compared with saliva RAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) using microbes still requires huge research efforts to fulfill the needs of aviation, both in the biological utilization of raw materials as well as in the biological processes to convert these materials (oils, sugars, aromatic compounds and others) into SAFs. However, we should also be aware of the microbiology constraints that, in some cases, will not allow us to reach the commercial level and that, by creating false expectations we will harm the credibility of microbiologists. However, in our opinion microbiologists can and should continue to find new avenues for producing SAFs, and for evaluating the advantages and feasibility of their production. This last step will require a close collaboration between researchers and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Filifactor alocis has recently emerged as a periodontal pathobiont that appears to thrive in the oral cavity of smokers. We hypothesized that identification of smoke‐responsive F. alocis genes would provide insight into adaptive strategies and that cigarette smoke would enhance F. alocis pathogenesis in vivo. Materials and Methods: F. alocis was grown in vitro and cigarette smoke extract‐responsive genes determined by RNAseq. Mice were exposed, or not, to mainstream 1R6F research cigarette smoke and infected with F. alocis, or not, in an acute ligature model of periodontitis. Key clinical, infectious, and immune data were collected. Results: In culture, F. alocis growth was unaffected by smoke conditioning and only a small number of genes were specifically regulated by smoke exposure. Reduced murine mass, differences in F. alocis‐cognizant antibody production, and altered immune profiles as well as altered alveolar bone loss were all attributable to smoke exposure and/or F. alocis infection in vivo. Conclusions: F. alocis is well‐adapted to tobacco‐rich conditions and its pathogenesis is enhanced by tobacco smoke exposure. A smoke‐exposed ligature model of periodontitis shows promise as a tool with which to further unravel mechanisms underlying tobacco‐enhanced, bacteria‐induced disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontitis is a chronic non‐communicable disease caused by a dysbiotic microbiota. Pathogens can spread to the bloodstream, colonize other tissues or organs, and favor the onset of other pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pathogens could permanently or transiently colonize the brain and induce an immune response. Thus, we analyzed the evidence combining oral bacteria's detection in the brain, both in animals and humans affected with AD. This systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA guideline. Studies that detected oral bacteria at the brain level were selected. The search was carried out in the Medline, Latindex, SciELO, and Cochrane Library databases. SYRCLE tool and Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale were used for the risk of bias assessment. 23 studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria. Infection with oral pathogens in animals was related to developing neuropathological characteristics of AD and bacteria detection in the brain. In patients with AD, oral bacteria were detected in brain tissues, and increased levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines were also detected. There is evidence of a microbiological susceptibility to develop AD when the most dysbiosis‐associated oral bacteria are present. The presence of bacteria in the brain is related to AD's pathological characteristics, suggesting an etiological oral‐brain axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water status, which refers to the wetness or dryness of soils, is crucial for the productivity of agroecosystems, as it determines nutrient cycling and uptake physically via transport, biologically via the moisture‐dependent activity of soil flora, fauna, and plants, and chemically via specific hydrolyses and redox reactions. Here, we focus on the dynamics of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) and review how soil water is coupled to the cycling of these elements and related stoichiometric controls across different scales within agroecosystems. These scales span processes at the molecular level, where nutrients and water are consumed, to processes in the soil pore system, within a soil profile and across the landscape. We highlight that with increasing mobility of the nutrients in water, water‐based nutrient flux may alleviate or even exacerbate imbalances in nutrient supply within soils, for example, by transport of mobile nutrients towards previously depleted microsites (alleviating imbalances), or by selective loss of mobile nutrients from microsites (increasing imbalances). These imbalances can be modulated by biological activity, especially by fungal hyphae and roots, which contribute to nutrient redistribution within soils, and which are themselves dependent on specific, optimal water availability. At larger scales, such small‐scale effects converge with nutrient inputs from atmospheric (wet deposition) or nonlocal sources and with nutrient losses from the soil system towards aquifers. Hence, water acts as a major control in nutrient cycling across scales in agroecosystems and may either exacerbate or remove spatial disparities in the availability of the individual nutrients (N, P, S) required for biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Diarrhea caused by bacterial pathogens such as Shigella spp. is one of the prominent public health concerns. The evolution of vast antibiotic resistance by these pathogens, leading to failure in the infections eradication, has made an impetus to seek and develop novel approaches. Recently, some alternative therapies such as phage therapy have been investigated. Bacteriophages are viruses that target specific bacterial species. The objective of this study was to assess the therapeutic effect of phages obtained from hospital sewage against Shigella sonnei (S. sonnei) ATCC® 9290 and S. flexneri ATCC 12022 standard and clinical strains. Methods. Four various lytic bacteriophages were isolated from animal fecal and sewage samples and propagated using S. sonnei and S. flexneri as host organisms. The phages' morphology was determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The lytic potential and host specificity of isolated phages were evaluated using double layer plaque assay and spot test. Moreover, bacterial turbidity values were evaluated in coculture with phages in the Luria Bertani (LB) medium for 24 hours at time intervals of 30 min. Results. Phage cocktails (Shs1, Shs2, Shf1, and Shf2) exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than single phage application against S. sonnei and S. flexneri standard strains. The phages belonged to Podoviridae and Myoviridae families according to TEM-assisted morphological features analysis. In addition, the phages exhibited host specificity using the spot test against 18 Shigella clinical isolates. Conclusion. In this study, phage cocktail of Podoviridae and Myoviridae families from sewage conferred substantial antibacterial effects against S. sonnei and S. flexneri. However, single phage effects were unstable in the LB coculture. Moreover, the phages had host specificity using the spot test performed against Shigella spp. clinical isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to screen the lactic acid bacteria for fermentation of adlay bran and evaluate the anti‐wrinkle effect of fermented and non‐fermented adlay bran. Methods: Adlay bran was fermented with candidate LAB and extracted with 70% ethanol. The extracts from LAB‐fermented adlay bran and non‐fermented adlay bran were evaluated for the anti‐wrinkle effects by measuring the hyaluronan, collagen, and elastin production in cells using ELISA kit. The molecular anti‐wrinkle mechanism was investigated by RT‐qPCR. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content were also determined. Results: Among the tested LAB, Lactobacillus brevis MJM60390 was selected for the highest glycosidase activity. Both extracts from adlay bran (NFAB) and L. brevis MJM60390‐fermented adlay bran (LBFAB) showed anti‐wrinkle effect, and LBFAB showed higher activity. Compared with control, hyaluronan production was increased by 24.73% and 59.38%, collagen production was increased by −13.08% and 34.19%, and the elastin production was increased by 29.78% and 53.73% by NFAB and LBFAB treatment, respectively. Investigation on the mRNA expression showed that LBFAB upregulated the expression of Has 2 and Has 3 and downregulate HYAL1 and HYAL2. LBFAB also upregulated the mRNA expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, ELN and inhibited the expression of collagenase and elastase. However, not all of these genes were regulated by NFAB. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was significantly increased after fermentation, and the content of the phenolic and flavonoid compounds also increased in the LBFAB. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated that fermentation of adlay bran with L. brevis MJM60390 enhanced the anti‐wrinkle activity through increasing the hyaluronan synthesis in keratinocytes and improving collagen and elastin production in dermal fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated the association between menopausal hormone therapy (HT) use and the subgingival microbiome, for which published information is limited.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1270 postmenopausal women, aged 53-81 years, who completed clinical examinations. Detailed information on HT use (type, delivery mode, duration) was obtained from questionnaires. HT use was categorized into three groups (never, former, current). 16S rRNA sequencing was performed on subgingival plaque samples obtained during dental examinations. Operational taxonomic units were centered log2-ratio (CLR) transformed to account for the compositional data structure. Analysis of variance was used to compare mean microbial relative abundances across HT categories with Benjamini-Hochberg correction.Results: Significantly higher alpha diversity (Shannon Index) and beta diversity (Aitchison distance) was observed in never compared with current HT users (p < 0.05, each). Of the total 245 microbial taxa identified, 18 taxa differed significantly among the three HT groups, 11 of which were higher in current users and seven of which were lower in current users as compared with never users (p < 0.05, each). Differences in relative abundance between never and current HT users were materially unchanged after adjustment for age, body mass index, and oral hygiene.Conclusions: Relative abundance of several subgingival bacteria differed significantly between never and current HT users in a cohort of postmenopausal women. Additional studies are needed to determine the extent that these relationships might account for the previously reported inverse association between HT use and periodontal disease in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]