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Biohazards, which may occur at all supply chain stages, pose significant threats to food safety and public health. Addressing these concerns and enhancing food safety necessitates a nondestructive pathogen surveillance approach capable of continuously and simultaneously detecting multiple pathogens. Detecting and differentiating low concentrations of pathogenic bacteria amid high background microflora levels in foods is challenging, requiring technology with high sensitivity and robust discriminatory capability. This study introduces an artificial neural network-driven paper chromogenic array sensor (ANN-PCA) technique developed for the nondestructive, continuous, and simultaneous detection of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Ec) from a high background microflora in shredded cheddar cheese. This method enables accurate detection of SE and Ec in monoculture and cocktail culture while distinguishing them from a high level of background microflora (∼7.5 log CFU/g), with accuracies ranging from 72 ± 11% to 92 ± 3%. In addition, SE and Ec were successfully identified at concentrations as low as 1 log CFU/g within one day, with an accuracy of 72 ± 11%. This approach exhibits promising potential for integration into a digitalized, smart, and resilient nondestructive surveillance system for real-time pathogen detection in foods throughout the supply chain without enrichment, incubation, or other sample preparation steps. [Display omitted] • Development of a machine learning-driven paper chromogenic array sensor approach. • Non-destructive, continuous, and simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens. • Detection of pathogenic bacteria from a high level of background microflora. • The approach provided potential detection for pathogens throughout the food supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global food systems can benefit significantly from continuous monitoring of microbial food safety, a task for which tedious operations, destructive sampling, and the inability to monitor multiple pathogens remain challenging. This study reports significant improvements to a paper chromogenic array sensor - machine learning (PCA-ML) methodology sensing concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted on a species-specific basis by pathogens by streamlining dye selection, sensor fabrication, database construction, and machine learning and validation. This approach enables noncontact, time-dependent, simultaneous monitoring of multiple pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella , and E. coli O157:H7) at levels as low as 1 log CFU/g with over 90% accuracy. The report provides theoretical and practical frameworks demonstrating that chromogenic response, including limits of detection, depends on time integrals of VOC concentrations. The paper also discusses the potential for implementing PCA-ML in the food supply chain for different food matrices and pathogens, with species- and strain-specific identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for sensitive, portable, and non-destructive analysis of pathogenic bacteria is of significance in point-of-care diagnosis. Herein, we constructed a smart electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor by integrating a flexible paper-based sensing device and a disposable three-electrode detecting system. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-responsive cellulose paper was prepared by employing aptamer as recognition element and a probe DNA (probe DNA-GOD) tagged with glucose oxidase (GOD) as a signal amplification unit. The formation of aptamer- S. aureus complex mediated the quantitative release of probe DNA-GOD. The remaining probe DNA-GOD on the paper-based aptasensor was then activated by glucose, which resulted in a significant decrease in ECL signal. To further improve the ECL performance of biosensor, a large number of Ru(bpy) 3 2+ molecules were embedded into porous zinc-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to form Ru(bpy) 3 2+ functionalized MOF nanoflowers (Ru-MOF-5 NFs). Such biosensor enabled accurate, non-destructive, and real-time monitoring of S. aureus -contaminated food samples, opening a new avenue for sensitive recognition of pathogenic bacteria. [Display omitted] • A wearable, disposable and smart paper-based biosensor was developed. • The sensor realized the sensitive, in situ and non-destructive analysis of S. aureus. • The limit of detection from our sensor was better than that of some existing methods. • The practical application in the field of S. aureus -contaminated foods was feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The present study investigated the properties and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles synthesised through a green method using Salvia officinalis. Extracts were obtained from sage at two different temperatures, and these extracts were then used to synthesise silver nanoparticles through a reaction with AgNO₃. The characteristics of resulting silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial effects on foodborne pathogenic bacteria were examined. During the synthesis, the colour of the silver nanoparticle solution changed from yellow to dark brown, and a significant absorbance peak was observed at 360 nm. The sizes of the synthesised silver nanoparticles were found to be 53.77 and 57.08 nm for the two different extraction temperatures, respectively. The nanoparticles exhibited spherical-rod shapes with silver contents of 83.91% and 84.38% and crystal sizes of 37.15 nm and 34.81 nm, corresponding to the two temperatures. The reduction of silver ions involved functional groups like C=C or C=O. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesised silver nanoparticles was evaluated at concentrations of 10 and 25 mg·mL–1 using the paper disc method against several foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Notably, the sage extract displayed antimicrobial efficacy against Salmonella Typhi, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. However, no significant antimicrobial effect was observed against Escherichia coli O157:H7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the global concern over antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial pathogens causing infections in various settings. The document emphasizes the need for collaboration between specialists in microbiology, medicine, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to understand the mechanisms of resistance development and dissemination. The document also highlights the importance of molecular and whole-genome sequencing methods for detecting global clones and investigating AMR genes. The special issue includes papers on the genomic analysis of specific bacterial strains, molecular and genomic epidemiology studies, and novel methods for bacterial detection and prevention. These findings are valuable for researchers studying bacterial pathogen surveillance, detection, and treatment. [Extracted from the article]

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a plant of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the family Fabaceae/Leguminosae and is a renowned natural herb with a long history of medicinal use dating back to ancient times. Glycyrrhizin (GLY), the main active component of licorice, serves as a widely utilized therapeutic agent in clinical practice. GLY exhibits diverse medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, immunomodulatory, intestinal environment maintenance, and liver protection effects. However, current research primarily emphasizes GLY's antiviral activity, while providing limited insight into its antibacterial properties. GLY demonstrates a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity via inhibiting the growth of bacteria by targeting bacterial enzymes, impacting cell membrane formation, and altering membrane permeability. Moreover, GLY can also bolster host immunity by activating pertinent immune pathways, thereby enhancing pathogen clearance. This paper reviews GLY's inhibitory mechanisms against various pathogenic bacteria-induced pathological changes, its role as a high-mobility group box 1 inhibitor in immune regulation, and its efficacy in combating diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, combining GLY with other antibiotics reduces the minimum inhibitory concentration, potentially aiding in the clinical development of combination therapies against drug-resistant bacteria. Sources of information were searched using PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, and GreenMedical for the keywords "licorice", "Glycyrrhizin", "antibacterial", "anti-inflammatory", "HMGB1", and combinations thereof, mainly from articles published from 1979 to 2024, with no language restrictions. Screening was carried out by one author and supplemented by others. Papers with experimental flaws in their experimental design and papers that did not meet expectations (antifungal papers, etc.) were excluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal microbiota and its metabolites are involved in many physiological processes of the human body and play a vital role in maintaining human health. The occurrence of kidney disease can cause intestinal microbiota imbalance, resulting in diarrhea. The change of intestinal microbiota and its metabolites content can aggravate renal function injury, which has a bidirectional regulating effect. The theory of renal-intestinal axis further clarified that the impaired renal function is related to the imbalance of intestinal microorganisms, and the impaired intestinal barrier is related to the accumulation of toxin products. Because of its unique therapeutic advantages, Traditional Chinese Medicine can treat diarrhea by enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and immune regulation, and slow down the continuous deterioration of kidney disease. This paper focuses on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and its metabolites and diarrhea, the influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine on intestinal microbiota in the treatment of diarrhea, and the role of intestinal microbiota and its metabolites in the renal-intestinal axis. It provides a theoretical basis for Traditional Chinese Medicine to regulate intestinal microbiota and its metabolites based on the renalintestinal axis theory to treat nephrology-induced diarrhea, and also provides a new idea and method for Traitional Chinese Medicine to treat nephrologyinduced diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone is a molecule that has gained increasing interest in recent years by food industries for sanitization of food-grade surfaces. Compared to chemical sanitizers such as chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, or peracetic acid, ozone shows undeniable advantages, such as the absence of by-products that should affect human health or the possibility of generating it when needed. Therefore, the aim of this paper was the assessment of the resistance to ozonized water of two pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella) and of three airborne food-spoiling fungi (Aspergillus brasiliensis, Hyphopichia burtonii, and Penicillium nordicum) inoculated on stainless steel tiles and treated in static conditions with 1 to 6 mg L−1 (pathogens) or 8.5 mg L−1 (filamentous fungi). Ozonized water gave different results based on the tested microorganisms: pathogenic bacteria proved markedly more sensible to ozone than filamentous fungi, even if great differences were observed at inter- and intra-specific levels for both categories of microorganisms. Nevertheless, the non-linear inactivation kinetics of the studied strains made the calculation of a punctual F-value difficult, so in industrial practice, adequate tailoring of the treatments to be applied, based on the registered extrinsic factors and the industrial bio-burden, would be appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ensuring the availability of safe drinking water remains a critical challenge in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the prevalence of fecal coliform and E. coli bacteria and, geographical, children availability, and seasonal exposure assessment through a meta-analysis. Methods: Two independent review groups extensively searched internet databases for English-language research articles published between 2013 and 2023. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of each included study was evaluated using the STROBE guidelines. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of a funnel plot and then tested by the Egger regression test, and meta-analysis was performed using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with inverse variance weighting. Subgroup analyses were also conducted to explore heterogeneity. Results: Out of 48 potentially relevant studies, only 21 fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were considered for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of fecal coliform and E. coli was 64% (95% CI: 56.0–71.0%, I2 = 95.8%) and 54% (95% CI: 45.7–62.3%, I2 = 94.2%), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that the prevalence of fecal coliform bacteria increased during the wet season (70%) compared to the dry season (60%), particularly in households with under-five children (74%) compared to all households (61%), in rural (68%) versus urban (66%) areas, and in regions with high prevalence such as Amhara (71%), Gambela (71%), and Oromia (70%). Similarly, the prevalence of E. coli was higher in households with under-five children (66%) than in all households (46%). Conclusions: The analysis highlights the higher prevalence of fecal coliform and E. coli within households drinking water, indicating that these bacteria are a significant public health concern. Moreover, these findings emphasize the critical need for targeted interventions aimed at improving drinking water quality to reduce the risk of fecal contamination and enhance public health outcomes for susceptible groups, including households with under-five children, in particular geographical areas such as the Amhara, Gambela, and Oromia regions, as well as rural areas, at point-of-use, and during the rainy season. Registration: This review was registered on PROSPERO (registration ID - CRD42023448812). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial summarizing a special issue of the journal Water on the topic of pathogen detection and identification in wastewater. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for research in this area, with a focus on wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The special issue includes 11 papers from researchers around the world, covering topics such as molecular detection methods, tracing COVID-19 variants in wastewater, the effects of temperature and water types on virus decay, and the development and evaluation of pathogen detection methods. The articles highlight the diverse applications and challenges of WBE as a supplementary tool for epidemiological surveillance. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the importance of standardizing sampling, analysis, and data reporting protocols to improve the reproducibility and comparability of wastewater surveillance studies. [Extracted from the article]

Bacteria are known to be constantly adapting to become resistant to antibiotics. Currently, efficient antibacterial compounds are still available; however, it is only a matter of time until these compounds also become inefficient. Ribonucleases are the enzymes responsible for the maturation and degradation of RNA molecules, and many of them are essential for microbial survival. Members of the PNPase and RNase II families of exoribonucleases have been implicated in virulence in many pathogens and, as such, are valid targets for the development of new antibacterials. In this paper, we describe the use of virtual high-throughput screening (vHTS) to identify chemical compounds predicted to bind to the active sites within the known structures of RNase II and PNPase from Escherichia coli. The subsequent in vitro screening identified compounds that inhibited the activity of these exoribonucleases, with some also affecting cell viability, thereby providing proof of principle for utilizing the known structures of these enzymes in the pursuit of new antibacterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evaluation of the potentiality of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from fermented products to inhibit Botrytis cinerea and Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth on spinach and lettuce was conducted. From a total of forty LAB strains tested, three were selected due to their high inhibitory effect on plant pathogenic fungi. The identification of these isolates based on a 16S rRNA gene fragment sequence analysis confirmed the genus of Levilactobacillus sp. and Lactiplantibacillus sp. An effective method of coating LAB isolates on the lettuce and spinach surface was developed. The leaves were immersed in bacterial suspension (5.0 × 106 cfu mL−1) for 4 s and drained on tissue paper. LAB survived on lettuce and spinach leaves for 8 days at 6 log10 cfu g−1. Additionally, these bacteria decreased the number of filamentous fungi on the leaves. These isolates were found to inhibit the growth of B. cinerea and E. coli O157:H7 in vitro conditions in growing microbiological media. Their efficacy was confirmed in vivo conditions. These isolates inhibited the development of grey mould caused by B. cinerea on lettuce leaves. Two LAB isolates reduced the abundance of the pathogenic bacterium E. coli on spinach leaves by about 0.7 log10 cfu g−1. In glasshouse conditions, LAB stimulated the growth of examined plants. The lactic acid bacteria used in this study showed the capacity to be used as possible alternatives to chemical compounds in the protection of leafy vegetables against grey mould and for a decrease in E. coli O157:H7 contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacteria frequently encounter nutrient limitation in nature. The ability of living in this nutrient shortage environment is vital for bacteria to preserve their population and important for some pathogenic bacteria to cause infectious diseases. Usually, we study how bacteria survive after nutrient depletion, a total starvation condition when bacteria almost cease growth and try to survive. However, nutrient limitation may not always lead to total starvation. Methods: Bacterial adaptation to nutrient shortage was studied by determining bacterial growth curves, intracellular pH, intracellular amino acid contents, gene transcription, protein expression, enzyme activity, and translation and replication activities. Results: No exogenous supply of methionine results in growth attenuation of Streptococcus pneumoniae, a human pathogen. In this paper, we refer to this inhibited growth state between ceased growth under total starvation and fullspeed growth with full nutrients as semi-starvation. Similar to total starvation, methionine semi-starvation also leads to intracellular acidification. Surprisingly, it is intracellular acidification but not insufficient methionine synthesis that causes growth attenuation under methionine semi-starvation. With excessive glutamine supply in the medium, intracellular methionine level was not changed, while bacterial intracellular pH was elevated to ~ 7.6 (the optimal intracellular pH for pneumococcal growth) by glutamine deamination, and bacterial growth under semi-starvation was restored fully. Our data suggest that intracellular acidification decreases translation level and glutamine supply increases intracellular pH to restore translation level, thus restoring bacterial growth. Discussion: This growth with intracellular pH adjustment by glutamine is a novel strategy we found for bacterial adaptation to nutrient shortage, which may provide new drug targets to inhibit growth of pathogenic bacteria under semi-starvation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing research on the exploitation of rumen microbial resources, rumen probiotics have attracted much attention for their positive contributions in promoting nutrient digestion, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, and improving production performance. In the past two decades, macrogenomics has provided a rich source of new-generation probiotic candidates, but most of these "dark substances" have not been successfully cultured due to the restrictive growth conditions. However, fueled by high-throughput culture and sorting technologies, it is expected that the potential probiotics in the rumen can be exploited on a large scale, and their potential applications in medicine and agriculture can be explored. In this paper, we review and summarize the classical techniques for isolation and identification of rumen probiotics, introduce the development of droplet-based high-throughput cell culture and single-cell sequencing for microbial culture and identification, and finally introduce promising cultureomics techniques. The aim is to provide technical references for the development of related technologies and microbiological research to promote the further development of the field of rumen microbiology research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensification of aquaculture practices brings about disease outbreaks, resulting in high mortality among farmed species and great economic losses. In order to prevent huge economic losses, various types of antibiotics have been used for the treatment of infections. Nevertheless, frequent use of synthetic antibiotics leads to an increase in antibiotics-resistant pathogenic bacteria and aggravating water pollution. Thereby, herbal medicine appeared to be an alternative for chemotherapy replacement due to its characteristics of being eco-friendly, having a high tolerance in animals, and being less toxic to the environment. Current research on the use of phytogenic compounds to combat some pathogens that cause diseases in aquaculture raises great worldwide interest due to their capability to act as immunostimulants, antibacterials, antioxidants, anti-parasites, and anti-viruses. This review paper aimed to review the past 5 years (2019–2023) on the usage of herbal medicine in disease mitigation, their mechanisms of action, and the effectiveness of various dosages and routes of administration during application in several aquatic species. The potential toxicological effects observed during the application of medicinal plants also were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria can synthesize extracellular exopolysaccharides (EPSs) that have versatile physicochemical and biological properties. In this paper, the EPSs synthesized by Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ŁOCK 0943 were characterized. Their structure, biological, and technological activity, as well as application potential, were analyzed. Chemical analysis showed that this strain produces mannan and β-1,6-glucan. Their emulsifying, antagonistic, and antioxidant properties, along with their prebiotic potential, were assessed. The analysis of the tested polymers' ability to create a stable emulsion showed that their emulsifying activity depends mainly on the type of oily substance used. The analysis of the antagonistic activity revealed that these EPSs can inhibit the growth of yeasts (e.g., Candida albicans ATCC 10231) and potentially pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Clostridium acetobutylicum ŁOCK 0831, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212). Moreover, EPSs positively influenced the growth of all tested probiotic bacteria. Furthermore, EPSs can be successfully used as a preservative in cosmetic products. The most effective results were obtained with the use of a 0.05% solution of a chemical preservative (bronopol) and 0.25 mg/mL of the EPSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A healthy animal intestine hosts a diverse population of bacteria in a symbiotic relationship. These bacteria utilize nutrients in the host's intestinal environment for growth and reproduction. In return, they assist the host in digesting and metabolizing nutrients, fortifying the intestinal barrier, defending against potential pathogens, and maintaining gut health. Bacterial colonization is a crucial aspect of this interaction between bacteria and the intestine and involves the attachment of bacteria to intestinal mucus or epithelial cells through nonspecific or specific interactions. This process primarily relies on adhesins. The binding of bacterial adhesins to host receptors is a prerequisite for the long-term colonization of bacteria and serves as the foundation for the pathogenicity of pathogenic bacteria. Intervening in the adhesion and colonization of bacteria in animal intestines may offer an effective approach to treating gastrointestinal diseases and preventing pathogenic infections. Therefore, this paper reviews the situation and mechanisms of bacterial colonization, the colonization characteristics of various bacteria, and the factors influencing bacterial colonization. The aim of this study was to serve as a reference for further research on bacteria–gut interactions and improving animal gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Litopenaeus vannamei is a common species in aquaculture and has a high economic value. However, Litopenaeus vannamei are often invaded by pathogenic bacteria and die during the breeding process, so it is of great significance to study the identification of shrimp pathogenic bacteria. The wide application of Raman spectroscopy in identifying directions of inquiry provides a new means for this. However, the traditional Raman spectroscopy classification task requires a large amount of data to ensure the accuracy of its classification. Therefore, the question of how to obtain higher classification accuracy through the means of a small amount of Raman spectrum data is a difficult point in the research. This paper proposes a distributed deep learning network based on data enhancement for few-shot Raman spectral classification of Litopenaeus vannamei pathogens. The network consists of RSEM, RSDM, and DLCM modules. The RSEM module uses an improved generative adversarial network combined with transfer learning to generate a large amount of spectral data. The RSDM module uses improved U-NET to denoise the generated data. In addition, we designed a distributed learning classification model (DLCM) which significantly speeds up model training, improves the efficiency of the algorithm, and solves the network degradation problem that often occurs during deep learning model training. The average classification accuracy of our proposed network on four shrimp pathogenic bacteria reaches 98.9%, which is higher than several models commonly used in Raman spectroscopy classification tasks. The method proposed in this article only needs the Raman spectra of a small number of microorganisms to complete the efficient and rapid identification of shrimp pathogenic bacteria, and this method certainly has the potential to solve the problem of the spectral classification of other microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though a wide variety of antimicrobial medications have been discovered and developed, multidrug resistance still poses a severe threat to public health and is continuously increasing mortality. Recently, a lot of research has focused on developing solutions to these problems. In this paper, we demonstrated how various antibiotics can be combined with antimicrobial substances like LAB and plant extracts to provide synergistic effects if each therapy concentrates on a different target or signalling pathway and acts via a different mechanism. MDR bacteria were isolated from chicken organs using standard methods, and they were confirmed using 16S RNA. In Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, 100 different samples of chicken organs (including the breast, drumstick, liver, wings, skin, intestine, pins, giblets, heart, and legs) were taken at random from six different sites. Bacillus was the associated pathogenic bacteria obtained from the isolated chicken organs and was confirmed using molecular, biochemical, and microbiological techniques. The most efficient extracts that proved to have bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties against the highly resistant strains of pathogenic bacteria were found to be the LactoBacillus plantarum EMCC1027. The LAB applied in the study has excellent antibacterial properties and can be used as a safe substitute for antibiotics to inhibit the growth of the food-borne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying and analyzing mixed pathogenic bacteria is important for clinical diagnosis and antibiotic therapy of multiple bacterial infection. In this paper, a dual-mode hyperspectral microscopic detection technology with hybrid deep neural networks (DNNs) was proposed for simultaneous quantitative analysis of four kinds of pathogenic bacteria in mixed samples. To acquire both transmission and fluorescence spectra regarding the mixed pathogens, we developed a dual-mode hyperspectral detection system with fine spectral resolution and wide wavelength range, which can also generate spatial images that can be used to calculate the total amount of mixed bacteria. The dual-mode spectra were regarded as mixed proportion characteristics and the input of the neural network for predicting the proportion of each bacterium present in the mixture. To better analyze the dual-mode spectral data, we customized a mixed bacteria measurement network (MB-Net) with hybrid DNNs architectures based on spectral feature fusion. Using the fusion strategy, two DNNs frameworks applied for transmission/fluorescence spectral feature processing were stacked to form the MB-Net that processes these features simultaneously, and the achieved average coefficient of determination (R2) and RMSE of validation set are 0.96 and 0.03, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time of simultaneously detecting four types of mixed pathogenic bacteria using spectral detection technology, showing excellent potential in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), commonly referred to as host defense peptides, are found in a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, plants, and both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. They function as an initial defense mechanism against pathogenic microorganisms, modulate immune responses, and in specific instances, confer protection against the onset of cancer. Pleurocidin (Ple) is a linear antimicrobial peptide with amphipathic a-helical conformation, isolated originally from the winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus), notable for its wide-ranging effectiveness against both bacteria and fungi. While the majority of research on pleurocidin's biological characteristics has primarily focused on deciphering its mechanisms of interaction with the biological membranes of pathogenic bacteria and host cells, as well as investigating its modes of killing activities, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that pleurocidin and pleurocidin-derived analogs might be effectively employed as anti-cancer agents against breast carcinoma and leukemia due to their potent cytotoxic properties and selectivity towards cancer cells. Notably, some characteristics of pleurocidin observed in microbiological investigations of this compound could be effectively applied in examining the anti-cancer capabilities of Ple-like derivatives. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on the biological activities of pleurocidin, pleurocidin-derived peptides, pleurocidin-containing hybrid peptides, and nanosystems. The primary emphasis is on elucidating the range of activities exhibited by these compounds, evaluating their potential therapeutic applications, assessing their safety profile, and identifying any limits observed thus far. This paper will also discuss potential areas for further investigation into the anti-cancer effects of Ple and its derivatives, drawing insights from microbiological research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prioritisation study was conducted to address the lack of adequate information about potential pests likely to be introduced in Zambia and become invasive. The study was conducted by subject matter experts from relevant institutions in and outside Zambia. Although this study focused on major pest categories, this paper only addresses bacteria and Protista. A list of 306 bacterial and 10 Protista species adjudged to affect plants was generated using CABI's Horizon Scanning Tool. The 316 (total) pest species were refined to focus on pests that affect value chains important to Zambia's economy. This resulted in a final list of 133 bacteria and eight Protista. Four additional bacteria species considered of phytosanitary interest were added and all 137 bacteria and eight Protista species were subjected to a rapid risk assessment using agreed guidelines. Vectors reported to transmit any of the pathogenic organisms were also subjected to a risk assessment. A proportion of 53% (n = 77 of 145) comprising 73 bacteria and four Protista species were reported as present in Africa. Of these, 42 (57%, n = 73) bacterial species and two (n=4) Protista species were reported in neighbouring countries. Considering a cut-off of 54, the highest scor- ing pests were 40 bacteria (highest score of 140) and three Protista (highest score of 125). Three actions were suggested for high-scoring pests, a detection surveillance, a pest-initiated pest risk analysis (PRA) or a detection surveillance followed by pest-initiated PRA. A "no action" was suggested where the risk was very low although, for some pathogenic organisms, a "no action" was followed by periodic monitoring. This information will contribute towards proactive prevention and management of biological invasions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, antisense oligonucleotide technology has emerged as a promising approach to tackling various healthcare issues and diseases, such as antimicrobial resistance, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the numerous improvements in the structure and modifications of the antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), there are still specific problems with their clinical efficacy and preclinical cytotoxicity results. To better understand the effects of the ASOs in this paper, we conducted many MTT assays to assess the general and specific cytotoxicity of four new chimeric ASOs in bacterial cells and human cell lines. We demonstrate the absence of inhibitory activity in the human pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus by non-specific ASOs. The pVEC-ASO1 and pVEC-ASO2 are designed to have no specific targets in S. aureus. They have only partial hybridization to the guanylate kinase mRNA. The pVEC-ASO3 targets UBA2 mRNA, a hallmark cancer pathology in MYC-driven cancer, while pVEC-ASO4 has no complementary sequences. We discovered some cytotoxicity of the non-specific ASOs in healthy and cancer human cell lines. The results are compared with two other ASOs, targeting specific mRNA in cancer cells. All ASOs are delivered into the cell via the cell-penetrating oligopeptide pVEC, which is attached to them. We draw a good correlation between the thermodynamic stability of ASO/target RNA and the toxicity effect in human cell lines. The data obtained signify the importance of thorough bioinformatic analysis and high specificity in designing and developing novel ASOs for safer therapeutic agents in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many researchers consider gut microbiota (trillions of microorganisms) an endogenous organ of its animal host, which confers a vast genetic diversity in providing the host with essential biological functions. Particularly, the gut microbiota regulates not only gut tissue structure but also gut health and gut functionality. This paper first summarized those common bacterial species (dominated by the Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria phyla) in swine gut and then briefly discussed their roles in swine nutrition and health, which include roles in nutrient metabolism, pathogen exclusion, and immunity modulation. Secondly, the current knowledge on how dietary nutrients and feed additives affect the gut bacterial composition and nutrient metabolism in pigs was discussed. Finally, how dietary amino acids affect the relative abundances and metabolism of bacteria in the swine gut was reviewed. Tryptophan supplementation promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and suppresses pathogens, while arginine metabolism affects nitrogen recycling, impacting gut immune response and health. Glutamate and glutamine supplementations elevate the levels of beneficial bacteria and mitigate pathogenic ones. It was concluded that nutritional strategies to manipulate gut microbial ecosystems are useful measures to optimize gut health and gut functions. For example, providing pigs with nutrients that promote the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can lead to better gut health and growth performance, especially when dietary protein is limited. Further research to establish the mechanistic cause-and-effect relationships between amino acids and the dynamics of gut microbiota will allow swine producers to reap the greatest return on their feed investment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriophages infect and replicate inside a bacterial host as well as serve as natural bio-control agents. Phages were once viewed as nuisances that caused fermentation failures with cheese-making and other industrial processes, which lead to economic losses, but phages are now increasingly being observed as being promising antimicrobials that can fight against spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Pathogen-free meals that fulfil industry requirements without synthetic additives are always in demand in the food sector. This study introduces the readers to the history, sources, and biology of bacteriophages, which include their host ranges, absorption mechanisms, lytic profiles, lysogenic profiles, and the influence of external factors on the growth of phages. Phages and their derivatives have emerged as antimicrobial agents, biodetectors, and biofilm controllers, which have been comprehensively discussed in addition to their potential applications in the food and gastrointestinal tract, and they are a feasible and safe option for preventing, treating, and/or eradicating contaminants in various foods and food processing environments. Furthermore, phages and phage-derived lytic proteins can be considered potential antimicrobials in the traditional farm-to-fork context, which include phage-based mixtures and commercially available phage products. This paper concludes with some potential safety concerns that need to be addressed to enable bacteriophage use efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition and expression of antibiotic resistance implies changes in bacterial cell physiology, imposing fitness costs. Many human opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, such as those causing urinary tract or bloodstream infections, colonize the gut. In this opinionated review, we will examine the various types of stress that these bacteria might suffer during their intestinal stay. These stresses, and their compensatory responses, probably have a fitness cost, which might be additive to the cost of expressing antibiotic resistance. Such an effect could result in a disadvantage relative to antibiotic susceptible populations that might replace the resistant ones. The opinion proposed in this paper is that the effect of these combinations of fitness costs should be tested in antibiotic resistant bacteria with susceptible ones as controls. This testing might provide opportunities to increase the bacterial gut stress boosting physiological biomolecules or using dietary interventions. This approach to reduce the burden of antibiotic-resistant populations certainly must be answered empirically. In the end, the battle against antibiotic resistance should be won by antibiotic-susceptible organisms. Let us help them prevail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impairment of fish growth and immune system due to stress and disease are major constraints in aquaculture industry. Traditionally, antibiotic was used as prophylactic agent in the health management of aquaculture species. However, antibiotic only provide a temporary solution to the problem of disease outbreak. Over-reliance on antibiotic also has led to the increasing cases of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria from aquaculture sites and contamination of antibiotic residues into human food chain. Probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic are therefore suggested as alternatives to prophylactic antibiotic to be used in the aquaculture industry. A potential prophylactic agent is polysaccharide that could be developed into an alternative antibiotic for aquatic animals. In this review paper, definition, sources, and mode of action of polysaccharide are presented. The roles of polysaccharides in fish farming with emphasis on growth improvement, immune system enhancement, disease resistance stimulation in tilapia farming, and the effects of polysaccharides on abiotic stressors are summarized and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point-of-care testing of pathogens is becoming more and more important for the prevention and control of food poisoning. Herein, a power-free colorimetric biosensor was presented for rapid detection of Salmonella using a microfluidic SlipChip for fluidic control and Au@PtPd nanocatalysts for signal amplification. All the procedures, including solution mixing, immune reaction, magnetic separation, residual washing, mimicking catalysis and colorimetric detection, were integrated on this SlipChip. First, the mixture of the bacterial sample, immune magnetic nanobeads (IMBs) and immune Au@PtPd nanocatalysts (INCs), washing buffer and H2O2–TMB chromogenic substrate were preloaded into the sample, washing and catalysis chambers, respectively. After the top layer of this SlipChip was slid to connect the sample chamber with the separation chamber, the mixture was moved back and forth through the asymmetrical split-and-recombine micromixer by using a disposable syringe to form the IMB–Salmonella–INC sandwich conjugates. Then, the conjugates were captured in the separation chamber using a magnetic field, and the top layer was slid to connect the washing chamber with the separation chamber for washing away excessive INCs. Finally, the top layer was slid to connect the catalysis chamber with the separation chamber, and the colorless substrate was catalyzed by the INCs with peroxidase-mimic activity to generate color change, followed by using a smartphone app to collect and analyze the image to determine the bacterial concentration. This all-in-one microfluidic biosensor enabled simple detection of Salmonella as low as 101.2 CFU mL−1 within 30 min and was featured with low cost, straightforward operation, and compact design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in the abundance of certain bacterial species within the colorectal microbiota correlate with colorectal cancer (CRC) development. While carcinogenic mechanisms of single pathogenic bacteria have been characterized in vitro, limited tools are available to investigate interactions between pathogenic bacteria and both commensal microbiota and colonocytes in a physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment. To address this, we developed a microfluidic device that can be used to co-culture colonocyte spheroids and colorectal microbiota. The device was used to explore the effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum, an opportunistic pathogen associated with colorectal cancer development in humans, on colonocyte gene expression and microbiota composition. F. nucleatum altered the transcription of genes involved in cytokine production, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and proliferation in colonocytes in a contact-independent manner; however, most of these effects were significantly diminished by the presence of commensal microbiota. Interestingly, F. nucleatum significantly altered the abundance of multiple bacterial clades associated with mucosal immune responses and cancer development in the colon. Our results highlight the importance of evaluating the potential carcinogenic activity of pathogens in the context of a commensal microbiota, and the potential to discover novel inter-species microbial interactions in the CRC microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using probiotics represents a potential solution to post-weaning diarrheal diseases in piglets on commercial farms. The gastrointestinal tract of wild boars serves as a promising reservoir of novel lactic acid bacteria with suitable probiotic characteristics. In this study, we isolated eight bacterial strains from the intestinal content of wild boars identified as representatives of the species Bifidobacterium apri, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Ligilactobacillus salivarius. These isolates underwent in vitro analysis and characterisation to assess their biological safety and probiotic properties. Analysis of their full genome sequences revealed the absence of horizontally transferrable genes for antibiotic resistance. However, seven out of eight isolates harboured genes encoding various types of bacteriocins in their genomes, and bacteriocin production was further confirmed by mass spectrometry analysis. Most of the tested strains demonstrated the ability to inhibit the growth of selected pathogenic bacteria, produce exopolysaccharides, and stimulate the expression of interleukin-10 in porcine macrophages. These characteristics deem the isolates characterised in this study as potential candidates for use as probiotics for piglets during the post-weaning period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline in amphibian populations in recent decades may be linked to the occurrence of infectious diseases such as chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). It is known that symbiotic bacteria protect the host due to their inhibitory nature. However, how the population dynamics of amphibians is affected by additional effects provided by symbiotic bacteria has not been analyzed in depth. In this paper, a model is proposed to describe the interaction among susceptible amphibians, susceptible amphibians with symbiotic bacteria and amphibians with chytrid fungus. When the modeling takes into account the additional reproductive benefits that the symbiont Pseudomonas sp. grants to the host, multiple endemic equilibrium points can exist if R0 < 1 (R0 is the basic reproduction number for Bd). In this scenario, the existence of a subcritical bifurcation at R0 = 1, which can occur in two different disease-free equilibrium points, gives rise to complex dynamics and stability scenarios. Particularly, the analysis of the model shows that a sudden increase of fungus-infected amphibians can occur even when R0 < 1 due to bistability phenomena. In this scenario, the existence of a subcritical bifurcation, which translates for the fungus into colonization even for values of R0 less than one, represents an advantage for the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis since the pathogen should benefit from remaining as close as possible to an endemic equilibrium. To control the fungal infection, R0 must be reduced to a value below one until the endemic equilibrium points disappear. Finally, we show that the amphibian population can reach a critical population level close to an extinction scenario when R0 increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's world, which is entangled with numerous foodborne pathogenic bacteria and viruses, it appears to be essential to rethink detection methods of these due to the importance of food safety in our lives. The vast majority of detection methods for foodborne pathogenic bacteria and viruses have suffered from sensitivity and selectivity due to the small size of these pathogens. Besides, these types of sensing approaches can improve on-site detection platforms in the fields of food safety. In recent, microfluidics systems as new emerging types of portable sensing approaches can introduce efficient and simple biodevice by integration with several analytical methods such as electrochemical, optical and colorimetric techniques. Additionally, taking advantage of aptamer as a selective bioreceptor in the sensing of microfluidics system has provided selective, sensitive, portable and affordable sensing approaches. Furthermore, some papers use increased data transferability ability and computational power of these sensing platforms by exploiting smartphones. In this review, we attempted to provide an overview of the current state of the recent aptasensor based on microfluidic for screening of foodborne pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Working strategies, benefits and disadvantages of these sensing approaches are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the results of tests, and an evaluation of sheep leather quality, tanned according to the new chrome-free tanning technology. The leathers were tested for physico-chemical parameters and antimicrobial activity. The tests were performed in accordance with Polish standards. Sheep leathers tanned according to the technology developed were characterized by high durability, health and hygiene parameters. Sheep leather samples protected with a zinc pyrithione formulation, showed effective action against all pathogenic bacteria and fungi used in the study. Anti-decubitus sheets, made of sheep leathers with fleece were tested during use by immobilized people lying for a long time. The sheets were rated as comfortable for the sick in the prevention of bedsores and the formation of other skin lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Morocco, there are many different types of desert truffles, including Terfezia, Tirmania, Delastria, Picoa, and Tuber. The Maamora Forest, Doukkala-Abda Sahel, northeast of Morocco, and the Moroccan Sahara are the four truffle regions where the geographical distribution of these ascomycetes has been noted most frequently. In addition to being a great source of protein, amino acids, carbon hydrates, and fiber, desert truffles are also regarded as a valuable source of antibiotic alternatives for pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Due to the widespread appreciation of truffles, we could use these resources to develop local populations, especially in truffle-producing regions. The biodiversity of desert truffles in Morocco and other Maghreb countries is one of the characteristics of truffles that are briefly discussed in this paper review. Ecology, biology, geographical spread, and final considerations include the mycorrhizal association of truffles, biochemistry, and physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevalent disease caused by microbial infection, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality within the intensive care unit (ICU). The rapid and accurate identification of pathogenic bacteria causing VAP can assist clinicians in formulating timely treatment plans. In this study, we attempted to differentiate bacterial species in VAP by utilizing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by pathogens. We cultured 6 common bacteria in VAP in vitro, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Staphylococcus aureus, which covered most cases of VAP infection in clinic. After the VOCs released by bacteria were collected in sampling bags, they were quantitatively detected by a proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), and the characteristic ions were qualitatively analyzed through a fast gas chromatography-proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (FGC-PTR-MS). After conducting principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM), we discovered that the VOCs released by 6 bacteria exhibited differentiation following 3 h of quantitative cultivation in vitro. Additionally, we further investigated the variations in the types and concentrations of bacterial VOCs. The results showed that by utilizing the differences in types of VOCs, 6 bacteria could be classified into 5 sets, except for A. baumannii and E. cloacae which were indistinguishable. Furthermore, we observed significant variations in the concentration ratio of acetaldehyde and methyl mercaptan released by A. baumannii and E. cloacae. In conclusion, the VOCs released by bacteria could effectively differentiate the 6 pathogens commonly associated with VAP, which was expected to assist doctors in formulating treatment plans in time and improve the survival rate of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • UV ozone treated glass fiber pad integrated lateral flow platform enables the detection of pathogenic bacteria in a very small volume of 10 µL in 12 min. • Through the platform, a DNA recovery rate of over 90 % was achieved. • The detection of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria was confirmed by qPCR as well as LAMP PCR. The need for a fast and reliable platform for the detection of pathogens in point-of-care (POC) applications is increasing day by day. Molecular detection of pathogens is made possible by a good DNA isolation method, which allows for efficient and pure extraction from the cell. To address this need, our work presents a new lateral flow platform based on UV ozone-treated glass fiber pads for high-throughput DNA isolation from very low volumes of bacterial samples. The platform we developed mainly consists of UV ozone-treated glass fiber, which serves as the essential component binding DNA, and a cellulose-based absorbent pad acting as a reservoir for washing buffers and undesired substances from bacterial cells. UV ozone treatment increased the DNA recovery efficiency of glass fiber by 2.5 times compared to untreated glass fiber. qPCR results confirmed the isolation of pure DNA from both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria samples performed on the developed platform. For five different bacteria concentrations (10–109 cfu/mL), a good linearity between Cq values and bacteria concentrations was obtained. A minimum concentration of 10 cfu/mL could be detected for both bacterial samples of 10 µL. The developed DNA extraction platform was also integrated with a portable heater for the LAMP-based detection application. We successfully demonstrated that the proposed extraction platform, combined with the colorimetric LAMP-based system, can detect Staphylococcus aureus bacteria spiked in whole blood samples in under one hour, including both extraction and detection processes. Our simplified paper-based platform will be a good alternative for the DNA extraction and molecular detection of pathogens without the need for complex laboratory equipment in POC applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental caries and oral infections result from various causes, and the germs responsible for these diseases show an increase in resistance towards the standard antibiotics used in treatment due to the inappropriate and indiscriminate use of these antibiotics. Research has directed towards making use of natural products to treat these infections. In this paper, a study was conducted to prepare nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite based on pure chemical materials. The prepared particles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, and AFM techniques, tests confirmed the formation of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles 80 nm. Active compounds were extracted from the Syrian Inula plant using an ethanol solvent. The active compounds present in the extract were identified using gas chromatography technology. Equipped with a GC-MASS mass spectrometer. The plant extract was loaded onto the prepared hydroxyapatite particles. The main bacterial species causing dental caries were obtained from Aleppo University laboratories. The sensitivity of the tested germs to a group of standard antibiotics and the prepared hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified with the plant extract were studied. The results proved the effectiveness of the prepared particles against the studied germs. It exceeded the effectiveness of all studied antibiotics. • In this paper, nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite were prepared, then modified by Syrian Inula extracted. • Effectiveness of modified nano hydroxyapatite were studied against bacteria of dental caries, then compared with standard antibiotics. • Results proved the effectiveness of modified nano hydroxyapatite against the studied germs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) represents a significant pathogenic threat, often responsible for community-acquired pneumonia with potentially life-threatening consequences if left untreated. This underscores the pressing clinical need for rapid and accurate detection of this harmful bacteria. In this study, we report the screening and discovery of a novel biomarker for S. pneumoniae detection. We used S. pneumoniae nucleases as biomarker and we have identified a specific oligonucleotide that works as substrate. This biomarker relies on a specific nuclease activity found on the bacterial membrane, forming the basis for the development of both fluorescence and electrochemical biosensors. We observed an exceptionally high sensitivity in the performance of the electrochemical biosensor, detecting as low as 102 CFU mL−1, whereas the fluorescence sensor demonstrated comparatively lower efficiency, with a detection limit of 106 CFU mL−1. Moreover, the specificity studies have demonstrated the biosensors' remarkable capacity to identify S. pneumoniae from other pathogenic bacteria. Significantly, both biosensors have demonstrated the ability to identify S. pneumoniae cultured from clinical samples, providing compelling evidence of the potential clinical utility of this innovative detection system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections are a serious threat to human health. The development of rapid and sensitive detection methods for pathogenic bacteria is crucial for accurate drug administration. In this research, by combining the advantages of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we synthesized nanozymes with high catalytic performance, namely pomegranate seed-structured bimetallic gold–platinum nanomaterials (Ps-PtAu NPs), which can catalyze a colorless TMB substrate into oxidized TMB (oxTMB) with blue color to achieve colorimetric analysis of S. aureus. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed biosensor could quantitatively detect S. aureus at levels ranging from 1.0 × 101 to 1.0 × 106 CFU mL−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 3.9 CFU mL−1. Then, an integrated color picker APP on a smartphone enables on-site point-of-care testing (POCT) of S. aureus with LOD as low as 1 CFU mL−1. Meanwhile, the proposed biosensor is successfully applied to the detection of S. aureus in clinical samples with high sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household garbage rooms release abundant bioaerosols and are an important source of pathogens; however, information on the distribution and survival patterns of pathogens in different waste components is limited. In this study, a culture method and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing were used to determine bacterial communities, culturable pathogens, and human bacterial pathogens (HBPs). The results showed that abundant culturable bacteria were detected in all waste types, and a large number of S. aureus was detected on the surface of recyclable wastes, whereas S. aureus , total coliforms, Salmonella , Enterococcus , and hemolytic bacteria were detected in food waste and other waste. The activities of these detected pathogenic bacteria decreased after 24 h of storage but re-activated within one week. Factors affecting the emergence of pathogens varied with different waste components. Sequencing results showed that Pseudomonas , Acinetobacter, and Burkholderia were abundant in the waste samples, whereas Achromobacter , Exiguobacteriums, Bordetella , and Corynebacterium were the primary pathogens in the bioaerosol and wall attachment. The results of traceability analysis showed that bioaerosol microbes were mainly derived from raw kitchen waste (5.98%) and plastic and paper contaminated with food waste (19.93%) in garbage rooms. In addition, bioaerosols were the main source of microflora in the wall attachment, which possessed high HBP diversity and required more attention. These findings will help in understanding the microbial hazards in different waste components and provide guidance for the control and risk reduction of bioaerosols during waste management and recycling. [Display omitted] • Abundant Staphylococcus aureus were detected on the surface of recyclable wastes. • Diverse pathogenic bacteria were detected in food wastes and other wastes. • The activities of pathogens decreased after 24 h but re-activated within one week. • Abundant and diverse human bacterial pathogens were detected in the wall attachment. • Raw kitchen waste and contaminated plastic and paper were main sources of bioaerosol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ecofriendly synthesis of Andrographis echioides mediated ZnONPs. • Ae-ZnONPs exhibited a significant inhibitory effect against pathogenic bacteria through ROS production. • Ae-ZnONPs exhibited an enhanced free radical quenching effect. • Ae-ZnONPs showed good biocompatibility when exposed to blood. • Ae-ZnONPs showed potent cytotoxicity against HeLa cell line. Finding alternatives to traditional antibiotics has become crucial due to the emerging antibiotic resistance shown by various microorganisms. Metal nanoparticles are arising as one such alternative. This paper presents an efficient and environmentally benign approach for preparing ZnO nanoparticles via greener approaches using Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees leaf extract and unravel the possible applications and mechanisms behind their toxicity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The characterization studies show a peak at 362 nm (λmax) in the UV–Vis spectroscopic measurement with a bandgap energy of 3.10 eV. Hexagonal wurtzite structure is revealed in the XRD investigation of Ae-ZnONPs with a crystallite size of ≈14 nm. Ae-ZnONPs' spherical structure and their mean size ranging between 15 and 35 nm, are confirmed by SEM and TEM assessment respectively. The FTIR analysis revealed various functional groups and molecular interactions of plant extract and Ae-ZnONPs. Investigation into the antibacterial mechanism of action of Ae-ZnONPs revealed that these nanoparticles exhibit bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus through the means of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing elevated lipid peroxidation and breakage of the membrane, and subsequent events culminating in cell death. These nanoparticles showed distinct antioxidant properties by scavenging DPPH, SOD, ABTS, and FRAP free radicals. Ae-ZnONPs were biocompatible with human RBC indicating their biosafe nature. Cytotoxicity evaluation of Ae-ZnONPs alone revealed concentration-dependent toxicity towards HeLa cells while remaining non-toxic to normal cells at the maximal concentration (100 μg/mL), showcasing anticancer potential which was further elucidated via ROS, live/dead cell imaging, and apoptotic study. Molecular alterations in HeLa cells were investigated through RT-PCR that showed upregulation of apoptotic and downregulation of antiapoptotic genes. The comprehensive findings suggest that Ae-ZnONPs can be employed as alternatives to antibiotics which also exhibit potential as anticancer agents, laying the foundation for future extensive research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyco sylated bacterio cins , known as glycocins, were first discovered in 2011. These bioactive peptides are produced by bacteria to gain survival advantages. They exhibit diverse types of glycans and demonstrate varied antimicrobial activity. Currently, there are 13 experimentally known glycocins, with over 250 identified in silico across different bacterial phyla. Notably, glycocins are recognized for their glycan-mediated antimicrobial activity, proving effective against drug-resistant and foodborne pathogens. Many glycocins contain rare S-linked glycans. Glycosyltransferases (GTs), responsible for transferring sugar to glycocins and involved in glycocin biosynthesis, often cluster together in the producer's genome. This clustering makes them valuable for custom glycoengineering with diverse substrate specificities. Heterologous expression of glycocins has paved the way for the establishment of microbial factories for glycopeptide and glycoconjugate production across various industries. In this review, we emphasize the primary roles of fully and partially characterized glycocins and their glycosylating enzymes. Additionally, we explore how specific glycan structures facilitate these functions in antibacterial activities. Furthermore, we discuss newer approaches and increasing efforts aimed at exploiting bacterial glycobiology for the development of food preservatives and as replacements or complements to traditional antibiotics, particularly in the face of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. • Analysis of recent developments in glycocin research and applications, based on papers and patents over the last decade. • Current methods for enhancing glycocin synthesis and purification and glycoengineering. • Future prospective and applications of glycocins in various sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive and accurate detection of harmful pathogenic bacteria in food is of great significance to public health. In this paper, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) sensor based on biological signal amplification was constructed. The carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) was used as both the probe skeleton and the chelating agent to realize the fast chelating adsorption of the signal source gadolinium ion. Finally, the magnetic complex and biotinylated antibody formed an immune probe through the biological bridge to achieve rapid capture of Salmonella. In addition, non-target bacteria such as Proteus vulgaris and Listeria monocytogenes were used to test the specificity of the constructed sensor. The sensor can detect Salmonella within 1.5 h under optimal conditions, the detection limit in milk is 7.4 × 103 CFU mL−1, and the RSD (Relative standard deviation) of reproducibility experiment is 2.35%, which has good reproducibility. [Display omitted] • The NMR biosensor is easy to operate, and has a low detection limit of 7.4 × 103 CFU mL−1. • The streptavidin-biotin system enables double amplification of the NMR signal. • This technique offered a rapid detection of salmonella within 1.5 h in complex food samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]