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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]

A multidisciplinary approach to microbiological implications of indoor air is fruitful for research as well as management of health and building problems. The Finnish and the Danish mold programs are examples of such productive collaborative studies. Dust samples taken from classrooms in schools where occupants complain of building-related symptoms (BRS) demonstrated an inflammatory potential in vitro, measured as a release of cytokine interleukin (IL)-8. An increase of the metabolite NO and liberation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and other cytokines during exposure were obtained in vivo, was presented based on these programs and on epidemiological studies on residential fungal contamination and health conducted in Canada and The Netherlands, New methods for assessing fungal exposure are PCA analysis for the toxigenic mold Stachybotrys chartarum and EPS-Asp/Pen for detecting of Aspergillus and Penicillium in dust. Based on a limited data set it is shown that emission rates of fungal spores are inversely proportional to relative humidity (RH), directly related to flow rate and to surface loading. Poor maintenance, risk constructions and risk materials are described in several studies as the main causes of water damage in buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outcome of microbiological diagnostics may depend on the sampling technique. It was the aim of the present study to compare two widely used sampling techniques for subgingival bacteria using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis were randomized into two groups. [n group A, samples were taken first with a paper point and then with a curet at the same site (single-rooted teeth with probing depth >5 mm) before scaling and root planing and after 10 weeks. The sampling sequence was reversed in group B. The analysis enabled the quantification of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivaIis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythensis and total bacteria! counts (TBCs). Statistical analysis included t test, kappa, and Spearman correlation. Results: Higher TBC was harvested with curets than by paper points (P = 0.008). The plaque composition with regard to total target pathogens was similar for both sampling techniques. A strong positive correlation was found between curet and paper point samples for TBC and single target bacteria. Conclusions: Overall, there was a relatively good agreement for the results of paper point and curet sampling. Thus. both techniques seem to be suitable for microbiological diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lists several upcoming papers related to microbiology published on the January 26, 1990 issue of the "European Journal of Biochemistry."

Fourteen Ganoderma lucidum strains from different geographic regions were identified using ITS region sequencing. Based on the sequences obtained, the genomic relationship between the analyzed strains was determined. All G. lucidum strains were also genetically characterized using the AFLP technique. G. lucidum strains included in the analysis displayed an AFLP profile similarity level in the range from 9.6 to 33.9%. Biolog FF MicroPlates were applied to obtain data on utilization of 95 carbon sources and mitochondrial activity. The analysis allowed comparison of functional diversity of the fungal strains. The substrate utilization profiles for the isolates tested revealed a broad variability within the analyzed G. lucidum species and proved to be a good profiling technology for studying the diversity in fungi. Significant differences have been demonstrated in substrate richness values. Interestingly, the analysis of growth and biomass production also differentiated the strains based on the growth rate on the agar and sawdust substrate. In general, the mycelial growth on the sawdust substrate was more balanced and the fastest fungal growth was observed for GRE3 and FCL192. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A list of the papers that influenced the development of knowledge and practice in the field of periodontology is presented, including "Microbiology of periodontal disease--Present status and future considerations," by S. S. Socransky, "Current view of risk factors for periodontoal diseases," by R. J. Genco and "Periodontal disease in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus," by L. J. Emrich and colleagues.

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]

Background Patient and public involvement ( PPI) is increasingly recognized as bringing a range of benefits to clinical and health services research. Recent systematic reviews have identified and synthesized many benefits (eg higher recruitment rates) and some costs (eg extra time need). Much of the literature focuses on PPI in long-term conditions rather than more acute health care in which the majority of microbiological research is undertaken. Objectives The aim was to identify the extent, quality and impact of PPI in antimicrobial drug development research. Objectives were to identify any relevant reporting of PPI in antimicrobial research; appraise the quality of reporting on PPI using recognized PPI reporting and critical appraisal tools; and extract and synthesize data on the impact of PPI. Search strategy A systematic review was undertaken with a search strategy based on four word groups ( PPI, patients, antimicrobial drug development and outcomes). Eight online databases were searched. Inclusion criteria English language publication, publication between 1996 and 2016 and studies describing PPI in antimicrobial drug development research. Main results No studies were found through online searching that met the search strategy and inclusion criteria. One relevant protocol paper with a brief mention of PPI was identified through expert recommendation. Commentary papers recommending PPI were identified through website searching and expert opinion. Discussion and conclusions Despite strong policy guidance encouraging PPI at the international and national levels, and anecdotal accounts of PPI taking place, evidence for the extent, quality and impact of PPI in antimicrobial drug development research has not yet appeared in the peer-reviewed literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote graduate students' active learning, deep reading of high quality papers was done by graduate students enrolled in biochemistry and microbiology pharmacy curriculum offered by college of life science, Jiangxi Normal University from 2013 to 2015. The number of graduate students, who participated in the course in 2013, 2014, and 2015 were eleven, thirteen and fifteen, respectively. Through deep reading of papers, presentation, and group discussion in the lecture, these graduate students have improved their academic performances effectively, such as literature search, PPT document production, presentation management, specialty document reading, academic inquiry, and analytical and comprehensive ability. The graduate students also have increased their understanding level of frontier research, scientific research methods, and experimental methods. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(4):305-312, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents research on equine veterinary education Topics of research highlighted include the complicated nature of equine faecal microbiota and colic, the occurrence of eosinophilic keratitis in Mid-Atlantic U.S., and the comparison of romifidine constant rate infusion with or without butorphanol for horse sedation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the results of microbiological RNA-probe analysis after subgingival plaque sampling applying two different strategies. Methods: in 220 patients, clinical examinations were obtained prior to commencement of therapy for aggressive or generalized severe chronic periodontitis (n = 113), after combined mechanical and antibiotic anti-infective periodontal therapy (n = 43), or because of periodontal pockets despite adequate therapy (n = 64). Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from the three pockets with the deepest probing depths. Two sterile paper points were inserted simultaneously into the periodontal pockets. One paper point from each pocket was put into a separate transport vial; the second paper point was pooled (multiple site test [MT3]) with paper points from each of the two other sampling sites from the respective patient into a transport vial. The content of each vial was analyzed separately for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythensis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema denticola (Td) with a commercially available RNA-probe test. Results: For all tested pathogens, log-transformed numbers of bacteria were higher in pooled samples compared to the mean values for the separate samples (P≤0.01). However, for Td only, statistically significant differences in frequency were seen between the separate samples and MT3. These findings were observed over all samples as well as after evaluation of subgroups separately. Conclusions: Pooling of plaque samples increased the bacterial counts per analysis compared to separate samples and thus may increase the probability of detecting existing pathogens. However, this observation only was statistically significant for the frequency of Td. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory reports written in the style of a standard scientific article are commonly used to assess student learning in biochemistry laboratory courses. While most students can complete the Materials and Methods or Results sections successfully, many have difficulty with the Introduction and Discussion. They fail to place their data in a larger experimental context or to compare their results to those previously published. To address this issue in a laboratory course focusing on l‐lactate dehydrogenase, a new exercise was introduced that was designed 1) to provide more background information about l‐lactate dehydrogenase; 2) to give students additional experience in using PubMed and Web of Science to locate specific papers about l‐lactate dehydrogenase; 3) to introduce the major bioinformatics databases at the National Center for Biological Information, ExPASy (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics), BRENDA (Braunschweig Enzyme Database), and the Protein Data Bank; 4) to allow students to recover detailed information about l‐lactate dehydrogenases; and 5) to provide practice in reading a research article that is similar to what they do in the lab. The students completed a data sheet summarizing these activities and then prepared three laboratory reports. The lab reports improved over the course of the semester and were qualitatively better than in past years. The materials developed for this laboratory course can be adapted to similar projects that use another protein as a model system. They could also be modified for use in Course‐based Undergraduate Research Experiences or research projects for undergraduate or graduate students. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(6):619–622, 2018. [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]

Microbial cellulases have shown their potential application in various industries including pulp and paper, textile, laundry, biofuel production, food and feed industry, brewing, and agriculture. Due to the complexity of enzyme system and immense industrial potential, cellulases have been a potential candidate for research by both the academic and industrial research groups. Nowadays, significant attentions have been devoted to the current knowledge of cellulase production and the challenges in cellulase research especially in the direction of improving the process economics of various industries. Scientific and technological developments and the future prospects for application of cellulases in different industries are discussed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents several research works related to immunology. "Innate mechanisms for Bifidobacterium lactis to activate transient pro-inflammatory host responses in intestinal epithelial cells after the colonization of germfree rats," by Pedro Ruiz, Micha Hoffmann and Silke Szcesny; "Paired immunoglobulin-like receptors and their MHC class I recognition," by Toshiyuki Takai; "Activation of murine dendritic cells and macrophages induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium," by Ruwani Sagarika Kalupahana, Pietro Mastroeni and Duncan Maskell.

Background. Probiotics are living micro-organisms added to food which beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Objective. This paper aims to present a general background on probiotics and its health effects in children, and to examine the evidence for oral colonization and the possible impact on oral health in children and young adults. Methods. For delivery and general health effects, recent systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and other relevant papers were used. Concerning oral installation and oral effects, a broad search for publications in English was conducted through February 2007 in PubMed. Studies describing an installation or intervention trial in humans with a controlled design and an oral endpoint measure were considered. Fourteen papers with dental focus were identified, of which two were narrative reviews. Results. Only one study of dental interest was conducted in children. Four papers dealt with oral installation of probiotic bacteria, and although detectable levels were found in saliva shortly after intake, the studies failed to demonstrate a long-term installation. Seven papers evaluated the effect of lactobacilli- or bifidobacteria-derived probiotics on the salivary levels of caries-associated bacteria in placebo-controlled designs. All but one reported a hampering effect on mutans streptococci and/or yeast. The single study carried out in early childhood reported a significant caries reduction in 3- to 4-year-old children after 7 months of daily consumption of probiotic milk. Conclusion. Bacteriotheraphy in the form of probiotic bacteria with an inhibitory effect on oral pathogens is a promising concept, especially in childhood, but this may not necessarily lead to improved oral health. Further placebo controlled trials that assess carefully selected and defined probiotic strains using standardized outcomes are needed before any clinical recommendations can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study evaluated the effect of periodontal therapy plus amalgam overhang removal (PT+AOR) on periodontal status and the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Streptococcus mutans and compared two microbiological sampling techniques. Methods: Molar teeth with Class II overhang restorations were selected as the test group, and homologous sound teeth were selected as the control group. Periodontal probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and plaque and gingival indices were measured, and restorations were evaluated using radio graphs and clinical exploration at baseline (T1) and 90 days after PT+AOR (T2). Microbial samples were taken with dental floss and paper points at T1 and T2. S. mutans and A. actinomycetemcomitans were detected using culture and commercial kits. Results: Mean values of plaque and gingival indices did not show statistically significant differences between test and control teeth between T1 and T2. At T2, the mean CAL decreased among test teeth, and the number of test teeth positive for A. actinomycetemcomitans showed a decrease, whereas positive samples for S. mutans increased, At T1, an association between the two sampling techniques for both bacteria was found. At T2, dental floss presented low sensitivity values for A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas paper points showed low sensitivity for S. mutans. Conclusions: PT+AOR showed a beneficial effect on clinical parameters and a decrease of A. actinomycetemcomitans. At T1, both sampling techniques showed appropriate results. At T2, the use of paper points was a more sensitive sampling technique for isolate A. actinomycetemcomitans, whereas dental floss was found to be an alternative sampling method for isolate S. mutans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been recently observed that in implants with screw-retained abutments, in in vitro as well as in vivo conditions, bacteria can penetrate inside the internal cavity of the implant as a consequence of leakage at the implant-abutment interface An alternative to screw-retained abutments is represented by implants that can receive cemented abutments. In this case, the abutment goes through a transmucosal friction implant extension (collar) and is cemented inside the internal hexagonal portion of the implant. The aim of the present research was to compare fluids and bacteria] penetration in 2 different implant systems, one with cement-retained abutment; (CRA) and the other with screw-retained abutments (SRA). Methods: Twelve CRA dental implants and 12 SRA implants were used in this study. The research was done in 3 steps; scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis, fluid penetration analysis, and bacterial penetration analysis. Results: 1) Under SEM it was possible to observe in the SRA implants a mean 2 to 7 µ gap between implant and abutment, while in the CRA implants, the gap was 7 µ. In the latter group, however, the gap was always completely filled by the fixation cement. All the spaces between abutment and implant were filled by the cement. 2) With SRA implants, it was possible to observe the presence of toluidine blue at the level of the fixture-abutment interface and the internal threads; the absorbent paper was stained in all cases. With CRA implants, the absorbent paper inside the hollow portion of the implants was never stained by toluidine blue. No penetration of toluidine blue was observed at the implant-abutment interface and inside the hollow portion of the implants. 3) In all the SRA implant assemblies, bacterial penetration was observed at the implant-abutment interface. No bacteria were detected in the hollow portion of the CRA implants. Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained in the present study using 2 different implant systems, we conclude that CRA implants offer better results relating to fluid and bacterial permeability compared to SRA implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hidradenitis suppurativa ( HS) is a chronic inflammatory disabling skin disease consisting of recurrent nodules, sinuses, fistulas and scarring involving the intertriginous regions. HS is often a therapeutic challenge and most treatments are off-label. A better understanding of aetiology and pathogenesis of HS may facilitate the development of effective treatment. Although the clinical presentation is strongly reminiscent of bacterial infection, the role of bacteria remains controversial. Studies have isolated an array of different bacteria specimens. Consistent findings of Gram-positive cocci and Gram-positive rods including Staphylococus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci (Co NS) and Corynebacterium species in deep tissue samples have been demonstrated in HS and may constitute a central target for the immune system. Efficacy of antibiotics, that is rifampicin, clindamycin or tetracycline, supports a microbial role in disease pathogenesis. However, these antibiotics also work as immunomodulators of especially T cells, and the underlying mechanisms may therefore be more complex. We performed a systematic review of previous studies investigating the bacterial flora in hidradenitis suppurativa. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Royal Danish Library and Cochrane library (search date 11 December 2014). A total of 66 papers were identified and nine papers published between 1988 and 2014 matched our inclusion criteria, yielding bacteriological data of a total of 324 patients with HS (mean age 36.8 years and female/male ratio 215/109). This overview of the bacteriology may aid researchers and physicians exploring the potential role of bacteria in HS. Furthermore, to stimulate a broader debate, we also present different viewpoints on the possible role of bacteria in HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactase is the enzyme responsible for the digestion of the disaccharide lactose, and deficiency in this enzyme causes the prevalent medical condition lactose intolerance. Management of lactose intolerance can be achieved through the administration of lactase supplements. Lactase is an appropriate platform for advanced enzymatic study because its medical application is a motivator for student learning. The following is an upper‐level biochemistry laboratory sequence that integrates student inquiry and exposure to advanced laboratory techniques. Students investigate three different lactase supplements through experimentation that includes the Bradford assay, SDS‐PAGE, continuous and discontinuous kinetic assays, and zymography. Upon completion of this project, students compile their results and conclusions in a scientifically formatted paper comparing supplement protein content and activity. This safe and inexpensive laboratory project enriches student understanding of key biochemical concepts while mirroring work performed in a realistic research setting. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(6):652–662, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the relationship between the life sciences of anatomy, physiology, microbiology and pharmacology and the teaching/learning problems of their application in nursing. A theoretical model is proposed derived from a conceptual consideration of nursing tasks and of nursing actions developed to account for a direct link between these sciences and nursing. It is argued that a 'bio-nursing' approach to the use of the life sciences in nursing is comparable to that of a 'bio-medical' approach in medical education and practice. The paper suggests that an appropriate examination of the contributions of the life sciences to nursing education will provide a more concentrated and illuminating exercise with regard to making teaching/learning implications for nurse education and the development of a distinctive knowledge base derived from these sciences are discussed. [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]

Comparison of the ability of newly designed rotary files to eliminate viable Enterococcus faecalis populations from long oval root canals of extracted human teeth to that of the self-adjusting file ( SAF). One hundred caries-free, single-rooted, long oval teeth were contaminated with E. faecalis. The teeth were randomly distributed into four groups ( n = 25) as follows: G.1, manual; G.2, SAF; G.3, ProTaper Next; and G.4, BT-Race. Two microbial samples were obtained from each tooth with sterile paper points, (s1) before and (s2) after instrumentation. The relative reduction in colony-forming units ( CFUs) from s1 to s2 measurements was calculated and compared among the groups using parametric Kruskal-Wallis one-way anova on ranks and Dunn's method ( a = 0.05). The results indicated a descending order of the groups with regard to efficacy as follows: BT-Race, Next, SAF and manual. The statistical analysis showed that the relative percentage reduction ( RR) of CFUs was lower in the manual group than in the other groups, while the SAF group showed a significantly lower RR than the BT-Race group ( P < 0.05). The efficacy in reduction of the microbiological load of viable E. faecalis from long oval root canals was different between the tested endodontic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Microbiology research and teaching must be conducted in a fashion that assures the health and well-being of the practitioner and the safety of the community. This paper presents some biosafety issues and discusses how the interaction of the pathogen being studied, the person conducting the research and the practices being used can be manipulated to assure safety. The characterization of pathogens into risk groups, how these relate to biosafety levels, and the personal practices and laboratory design criteria associated with each biosafety level are explained. The importance of preventing or containing aerosols, limiting opportunities for cross-contamination, and taking a flexible multicomponent approach to biosafety is emphasized. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Safety is an important, but often overlooked issue in food microbiology laboratories. This paper raises awareness, puts forth some approaches for dealing with biohazards and hopefully advances the safe practice of food microbiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

- Traumatic dental injuries could expose the dentin and, even the pulp, to the oral environment, making possible their contamination. The presence of microorganisms causes pulpal disease and further a tecidual clutter in the periradicular region. The therapy of periradicular pathosis is the consequence of a correct diagnoses which depends on the knowledge of the nature and complexity of endodontic infections. As there is no information on the microbiology of primary endodontic infection in young teeth, the aim of the current study was to investigate the microbiologic status of root canals from permanent young teeth with primary endodontic infection. Twelve patients with the need for endodontic treatment participated in the study. The selected teeth were uniradicular and had an incomplete root formation. They had untreated necrotic pulp. After the access preparation, nineteen microbiologic samples were obtained from the root canals with sterile paper points. Afterwards, the paper points were pooled in a sterile tube containing 2 ml of prereduced transport fluid. The samples were diluted and spread onto plates with selective medium for Enterococcus spp. and for yeast species and onto plates with non-selective medium. A quantitative analysis was performed. The mean number of cultivable bacterial cells in the root canals was 5.7 × 106. In four samples (21.05%) black pigmented species were recovered and the mean number of cells was 6.5 × 105. One specimen (5.25%) showed the growth of Enterococcus species and the mean number of cells in this case was of 1.5 × 104. The results showed a root canal microbiota with similar design as seen in completely formed teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents some quotes from reviews of manuscripts made by the Editorial Board Members and ad hoc reviewers for the periodical "Environmental Microbiology" for 2005. These include comments on the use of jargons by microbiologists, molecular techniques of population analysis and the use of data from the same experiment published in another paper.

The risk of transmitting airborne pathogens is an important consideration in dentistry and has acquired special significance in the context of recent respiratory disease epidemics. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to examine (1) what is currently known regarding the physics of aerosol creation, (2) the types of environmental contaminants generated by dental procedures, (3) the nature, quantity, and sources of microbiota in these contaminants and (4) the risk of disease transmission from patients to dental healthcare workers. Most dental procedures that use ultrasonics, handpieces, air-water syringes, and lasers generate sprays, a fraction of which are aerosolized. The vast heterogeneity in the types of airborne samples collected (spatter, settled aerosol, or harvested air), the presence and type of at-source aerosol reduction methods (high-volume evacuators, low volume suction, or none), the methods of microbial sampling (petri dishes with solid media, filter paper discs, air harvesters, and liquid transport media) and assessment of microbial bioload (growth conditions, time of growth, specificity of microbial characterization) are barriers to drawing robust conclusions. For example, although several studies have reported the presence of microorganisms in aerosols generated by ultrasonic scalers and high-speed turbines, the specific types of organisms or their source is not as well studied. This paucity of data does not allow for definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding saliva as a major source of airborne microorganisms during aerosol generating dental procedures. Well-controlled, large-scale, multi center studies using atraumatic air harvesters, open-ended methods for microbial characterization and integrated data modeling are urgently needed to characterize the microbial constituents of aerosols created during dental procedures and to estimate time and extent of spread of these infectious agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The cultivation of yeasts from up to 5000‐year‐old beer vessels in Israel allows insights into early domestication of microbes for food production, but also raises questions about long‐term survival of microbes under dormancy or slow growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bombyx mori bidensovirus (BmBDV) of the family Bidnaviridae is the unique animal multipartite virus until now, which contains two-segmented linear single-stranded DNA genome VD1 (6.5 kb) and VD2 (6.0 kb). Both two segments and their complementary strands are encapsidated separately. Although the different frequencies of genome segments were reported in multipartite viruses of plants, the relative abundances of segments in the animal multipartite virus has not been studied yet. In this paper, the relative frequencies of VD1 and VD2 composing the genome of BmBDV were determined by qPCR in different samples. The results showed that the copy number of VD2 is 1.22-, 1.47-, and 1.73-fold as much as that of VD1 in purified virions, excrement of BmBDV-infected silkworm, and BmBDV-infected midguts, respectively. These results demonstrated that the various genome segments also accumulate with different frequency in BmBDV populations and the copy number of short-segment VD2 is more than that of long-segment VD1, indicating that the imbalance of segmental genome copy number is a common phenomenon in multipartite viruses of plants and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, fermented beverage and condiments are made by using different conventional practices, raw materials, and microorganisms. This paper presents the available literature review on the technology and microbiology of traditional Ethiopian beverages and condiment products. Traditional fermented beverage and condiment products have essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that are all enhanced through the process of traditional fermentation practices. In Ethiopia, fermented beverage and condiment products have practiced in a long history. During the production of traditional fermented beverage and condiment products, controlled natural fermentation process with the absence of starter cultures are used to initiate it. Moreover, the preparation of many traditionally fermented beverage and condiment products is still practiced in a household art, thereby a wide variety of fermented beverages and condiments are consumed in Ethiopia. In conclusion, the review discusses the nature of the beverage and condiment preparation, poor traditional household processing, and the extent and limitation of scientific work done so far and suggests some recommendations to limit the problem in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to colonize the intestinal tract is the main characteristic of probiotic bacteria (Balcázar et al., [1]). Nowadays, few papers have been published about the use of probiotics for clownfish (Wesseling et al., [22]), but there is no reports about the use of autochthonous bacteria as probiotics for I Amphiprion ocellaris i . Nonetheless, some lactic acid bacteria used as probiotics show resistance to different salinity levels (Ricciardi, Parente, & Zotta, [13]; Vieira et al., [20]), for example I L. plantarum i . This is the first report of the autochthonous probiotic for clownfish I Amphiprion ocellaris i recommending I L. plantarum i as a potential probiotic. [Extracted from the article]

A new technique called support vector machine ( SVM), which is used to predict the microbial growth, is presented in this paper. Experimental data on temperature, pH and NaCl from a previously published paper were modeled as inputs, and the kinetic growth parameters, including generation time ( GT) and lag phase duration ( LPD), were used as outputs of the SVM model. The results derived from SVM model, published artificial neural network ( ANN) model and a traditional statistical model were compared using several evaluation criteria: accuracy factor ( Af), bias factor ( Bf), mean relative percentage residual, mean absolute relative residual, root mean square residual, internal validation ( Q2) and external validation ( Q2ext). Graphical plots were also used for model comparison. The results show that SVM outperforms ANN and statistical model on predicting microbial GT and LPD, especially when predicting data not used for model development. Sensitivity analyses of the three environmental factors show that the most influential on LPD of A eromonas hydrophila is temperature, followed by pH and NaCl, and the most influential on GT is pH, followed by temperature and then NaCl. Practical Applications A eromonas hydrophila is a foodborne microorganism, which has been isolated from seafood, red meat, poultry, vegetables and water. Predictive microbiology describes microbial behavior using mathematical models to predict the microbiological safety and quality of a food. A nonlinear modeling technique, termed support vector machine ( SVM), is proposed to predict lag phase duration and generation time of A . hydrophila. Statistical criteria show that SVM has a better predictive performance for the generation time and lag phase duration than neural network and traditional statistical models. Sensitivity analyses of the SVM can reveal which condition is the most influential factor on the lag phase duration and generation time, respectively. Therefore, SVM could become an alternative to other modeling approaches, all of which are faster than traditional microbiological experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two papers in this issue of Molecular Microbiology from Carol Gross and colleagues describe experiments that investigate how two alternative Escherichia coliσ proteins recognize target promoter −10 regions. A combination of genetics, biochemistry and bioinformatics is used to show that determinants in two adjacent domains of the σ proteins contact discrete sequence elements in the −10 regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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]

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a well-established technology for removing phosphorus from wastewater. However, the process remains operationally unstable in many systems, primarily because there is a lack of understanding regarding the microbiology of EBPR. This paper presents a review of advances made in the study of EBPR microbiology and focuses on the identification, enrichment, classification, morphology, and metabolic capacity of polyphosphate- and glycogen-accuinulating organisms. The paper also highlights knowledge gaps and research challenges in the field of EBPR microbiology. Based on the review, the following recommendations regarding the future direction of EBPR microbial research were developed: (I) shifting from a reductionist approach to a more holistic system-based approach, (2) using a combination of culture-dependent and culture- independent techniques in characterizing microbial composition, (3) integrating ecological principles into system design to enhance stability, and (4) reexamining current theoretical explanations of why and how EBPR occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The oral occurrence of putative microbial pathogens in humans has been documented in health and disease. The presence of periodontopathogens in patients with a history of periodontal disease may have a negative impact on bone regeneration. This investigation was conducted to confirm the presence of periodontal pathogens in bone particles harvested intraorally for maxillary sinus augmentation and to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes 6 to 12 months after bone augmentation. Methods: Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based identification were performed by paper-point sampling of intraorally harvested bone particles in a group of 12 maintenance patients undergoing maxillary sinus augmentation. Radiographs were taken to assess and compare bone healing and volume gain at baseline and at 6 to 12 months after augmentation. Results: The presence of periodontal pathogens (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans [previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans], Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia [previously T. forsythensis], Fusobacterium nucleatum, Parvimonas micra [previously Peptostreptococcus micros or Micromonas micros], Campylobacter rectus, enteric Gram-negative rods, and Dialister pneumosintes) was identified in 10 of 12 patients (83%) by culture, PCR, or both and was associated with greater bone volume loss at 6 months postaugmentation. The PCR-positive triad, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. intermedia, was associated with pronounced volume loss of the grafted sinus at 6 months. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to confirm osseous microbial contamination with major periodontopathogens in individuals undergoing maxillary sinus augmentation with a history of periodontitis. The effect on the grafting outcome translated into bone volume loss in the grafted sinus 6 months postaugmentation. Specific microbial contamination may have an impact on osteogenesis in osseous regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm formation on oral implants can cause inflammation of peri-implant tissues, which endangers the long-term success of osseointegrated implants. It has been reported previously that implants revealing signs of peri-implantitis contain subgingival microbiota similar to those of natural teeth with periodontitis. The purpose of the first part of this study was an atraumatic, quantitative investigation of biofilm formation on oral implant abutments; the objective of the second part was to investigate whether Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were present in the crevicular fluid around oral implants. Biofilm formation on 14 healing abutments, inserted for 14 days in 10 patients, was analysed quantitatively by use of secondary-electron and Rutherford-backscattering-detection methods. A 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction detection method was used to detect the presence of H. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis in the crevicular fluid. For this investigation, samples of sulcus fluid were collected with sterile paper points at four measurement points per abutment. The difference between biofilm coverage of supragingival surfaces (17·5 ± 18·3%) and subgingival surfaces (0·8 ± 1·0%) was statistically significant ( P < 0·05). By use of universal primers, bacteria were found in all the samples taken, although the two periodontal pathogens were not found in any of the samples. The absence of periodontal pathogens from the sulcus fluid during initial bacterial colonization, despite massive supragingival biofilm formation, substantiates the assumption that cellular adherence of peri-implant tissue by means of hemidesmosoma, actin filaments and microvilli reduces the risk of formation of anaerobic subgingival pockets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine to what extent does calcium hydroxide intracanal medication eliminate bacteria from human root canals, compared with the same canals before medication, as measured by the number of positive cultures, in patients undergoing root canal treatment for apical periodontitis (teeth with an infected root canal system). Methodology CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched. Reference lists from identified articles were scanned. A forward search was undertaken on the authors of the identified articles. Papers that had cited these articles were also identified through the Science Citation Index to identify potentially relevant subsequent primary research. Review methods The included studies were pre-/post-test clinical trials comparing the number of positive bacterial cultures from treated canals. Data in those studies were independently extracted. Risk differences of included studies were combined using the generic inverse variance and random effect method. Results Eight studies were identified and included in the review, covering 257 cases. Sample size varied from 18 to 60 cases; six studies demonstrated a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-medicated canals, whilst two did not. There was considerable heterogeneity among studies. Pooled risk difference was −21%; 95% CI: −47% to 6%. The difference between pre- and post-medication was not statistically significant ( P = 0.12). Conclusions Calcium hydroxide has limited effectiveness in eliminating bacteria from human root canal when assessed by culture techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When considering how people are infected and what can be done to prevent the infections, answers from many disciplines are sought: microbiology, epidemiology, medicine, engineering, and physics. There are many pathways to infection spread, and among the most significant from the epidemiological point of view is airborne transport. Microorganisms can become airborne when droplets are generated during speech, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or atomization of feces during sewage removal. The fate of the droplets is governed by the physical principles of transport, with droplet size being the most important factor affecting their dispersion, deposition on surfaces and determining the survival of microorganisms within the droplets. In addition, physical characteristics of the indoor environment as well as the design and operation of building ventilation systems are of critical importance. Do we understand the mechanisms of infection spread and can we quantify the droplet dynamics under various indoor conditions? Unfortunately no, as this aspect of infection spread has attracted surprisingly little scientific interest. However, investigations of numerous cases in which a large number of people were infected show how critical the physics of microorganism spread can be. This paper reviews the state of knowledge regarding mechanisms of droplet spread and solutions available to minimize the spread and prevent infections. Practical Implications Every day tens of millions of people worldwide suffer from viral infections of different severity at immense economic cost. There is, however, only minimal understanding of the dynamics of virus-laden aerosols, and so the ability to control and prevent virus spread is severely reduced, as was clearly demonstrated during the recent severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic. This paper proposes the direction to significantly advance fundamental and applied knowledge of the pathways of viral infection spread in indoor atmospheric systems, through a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach and application of state-of-the-art scientific methods. Knowledge gained will have the potential to bring unprecedented economical gains worldwide by minimizing/reducing the spread of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information related to the journal "Molecular Microbiology." Although the majority of papers published in the journal have addressed prokaryotic microorganisms, the journal has increasingly received and published papers on eukaryotic microorganisms. Thus, the journal has added new expertise to its editorial team in order to expand coverage and solicit the most important papers in molecular parasitology and molecular mycology. Three new editors have joined the editorial team of the journal: Alan Cowman, Bill Goldman and David Holden.

The large size of poxvirus virions (∼250–300 µm) makes them dependent on active transport for intracellular movement during infection. Several recent papers have reported the utilization of the microtubule network by poxviruses during viral egress and their use of conventional kinesin for intracellular transport. This review looks at recent reports of poxvirus intracellular transport for virion egress and their interaction with the microtubule network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts of various research papers related to microbiology. One of the papers determines the prevalence and intensity of bacteraemia associated with intra- and extra-canal manipulation of instruments in asymptomatic teeth associated with periapical disease. The study was designed to account for confounding factors that may also potentially result in bacteraemia. Another paper compares culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques to detect persistent root canal bacteria following chemomechanical debridement, retrieved by a novel apical sampling protocol.

This paper presents the findings of a study aimed at evaluating the available techniques for estimating missing fecal coliform (FC) data on a temporal basis. The techniques investigated include: linear and nonlinear regression analysis and interpolation functions, and the use of artificial neural networks (ANNs). In all, seven interpolation, two regression, and one ANN model structures were investigated. This paper also investigates the validity of a hypothesis that estimating missing FC data by developing different models using different data corresponding to different dynamics associated with different trends in the FC data may result in a better model performance. The FC data (counts/100 ml) derived from the North Fork of the Kentucky River in Kentucky were employed to calibrate and validate various models. The performance of various models was evaluated using a wide variety of standard statistical measures. The results obtained in this study are able to demonstrate that the ANNs can be preferred over the conventional techniques in estimating missing FC data in a watershed. The regression technique was not found suitable in estimating missing FC data on a temporal basis. Further, it has been found that it is possible to achieve a better model performance by first decomposing the whole data set into different categories corresponding to different dynamics and then developing separate models for separate categories rather than developing a single model for the composite data set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]