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Background: Vaginal microbiota is involved in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer (CC) progression, and the specific changes in vaginal microbial composition during this process remains uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to observe the changes in the specific composition of vaginal microorganisms in different cervical lesions and identify biomarkers at different stages of lesions. Methods: In this study we used the illumina high-throughput gene sequencing technology to determine the V4 region of 16SrRNA and observed the vaginal microbial composition in different cervical lesions. Results: The vaginal microbiota of patients with high-risk HPV infection and cervical lesions is significantly different from that of the normal population, but there is no significant difference in the richness of vaginal microbes. The diversity of vaginal species in CC patients is higher than that in high-risk HPV infection or CIN patients. The main manifestation is an increase in the diversity of vaginal microbes, a decrease in the relative abundance of cyanobacteria and Lactobacillus, and an increase in the relative abundance of dialister, peptonephila and other miscellaneous bacteria. There are characteristic vaginal biomarker in normal women, high risk HPV patients and CC patients. In detail, the biomarker in the normal group was varibaculum, the biomarker in the high-risk HPV group was saccharopolyspora, the biomarker of the CC group was the Proteobacteria, Corynebacterium, Coprococcus, Peptococcus and Ruminococcus. Conclusions: The study indicated that the compositions of vaginal microbes in different cervical lesions is different. The vaginal microbial composition has a certain diagnostic effect on healthy women, patients with high-risk HPV infection and cervical lesions. These microbes may serve as potential biomarkers for CC. It also provided an effective way for the treatment of HPV infections and cervical lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk. (Asteraceae) is a high value medicinal plant which possesses diverse medicinal properties. It is an important herb for the treatment of various disorders, and is primarily used as a hepatoprotectant. Its major biochemical constituents include wedelolactone and dimethyl-wedelolactone (coumestans), which possess anti-hepatotoxic properties. Due to its numerous medicinal properties, it is in high demand by the pharmaceutical industry and therefore requires urgent biotechnological interventions for its improvement. Therefore, the present study was constructed with the aim of developing an efficient genetic transformation protocol for E. alba, which will help in the mass production of the active compounds found in E. alba. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA 4404, containing vector pBI121, was used to genetically transform the plant, and the effect of various factors such as infection type, light cycle effect, effect of pH, among others, on the genetic transformation efficiency was analyzed. Regenerated transformed shoots were confirmed using the standard Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR method. Kanamycin-resistant and beta- glucurosidaseGUS-positive shoots indicated the development of transgenic shoots in E. alba. Amplification of nptll and uidA genes confirmed the integration of t-DNA transgenic shoots. In conclusion, various factors affecting the transformation efficiency were analyzed, and a reliable A. tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation protocol was developed.

Abstract Background The impact of chickens on maintaining the economy and livelihood of rural communities cannot be overemphasized. In recent years, mycoplasmosis has become one of the diseases that affect the success of South African chicken production. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are the most prevalent strains of Mycoplasma in South Africa. MG and MS are significant respiratory pathogens affecting the productivity of chickens. The present study aimed to molecularly detect using qPCR and characterize the presence of MG and MS using phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis was utilized to clarify general evolutionary relationships between related taxa of different MG and MS observed in tracheal swabs from South African chicken breeds. Methods Forty-five tracheal swabs of the Lohmann Brown (n = 9), Rhode Island Red (n = 9), Ovambo (n = 9), Venda (n = 9), and Potchefstroom Koekoek (n = 9) breeds were collected from symptomatic chickens present in the commercial farm. To detect MG and MS, DNA was extracted from tracheal swabs and faecal samples, and qPCR was performed with a 16 s rRNA (310 bp) and vlhA (400 bp) gene fragment. Following the sequencing of all the amplicons, MG, and MS dendrograms showing the evolutionary relationships among the five South African chicken breeds and the GeneBank reference population were constructed. Results The qPCR revealed the presence of MG and MS in 22% (2/9) of the tracheal swab samples tested for MS only in Rhode Island Red breeds; 66.6% (6/9) and 33% (3/9) of the tested samples in Ovambo breeds; and 11.1% (1/9) and 44.4% (4/9) of the tested samples in Venda breeds. No MG or MS were detected in the Lohmann Brown or Potchefstroom Koekoek breed. Furthermore, qPCR revealed the presence of MG in pooled faecal samples from Lohmann Brown and Ovambo breeds. Eight different bacterial isolates were recognized from both samples. Four isolates were of the 16 s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene (named PT/MG51/ck/00, PT/MG48/ck/00, PT/MG41/ck/00 and PT/MG71/ck/00) gene of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and the other was Mycoplasma Synoviae variable lipoprotein hemagglutinin A (vlhA) gene (named PT/MSA22/ck/01, PT/MS41/ck/01, PT/MS74/ck/01 and PT/MS46/ck/01) which were available in GenBank. These isolates were successfully sequenced with 95–100% similarity to the isolates from the gene bank. Conclusion The study revealed the presence of both MG and MS in the chicken breeds sampled. Furthermore, the different breeds of chicken were found to be susceptible to infection under the intensive or commercial management system. Therefore, continuous surveillance is encouraged to prevent the spread and outbreak of MG and MS in the poultry industry in South Africa.

Background: The impact of chickens on maintaining the economy and livelihood of rural communities cannot be overemphasized. In recent years, mycoplasmosis has become one of the diseases that affect the success of South African chicken production. Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are the most prevalent strains of Mycoplasma in South Africa. MG and MS are significant respiratory pathogens affecting the productivity of chickens. The present study aimed to molecularly detect using qPCR and characterize the presence of MG and MS using phylogenetic analysis. The phylogenetic analysis was utilized to clarify general evolutionary relationships between related taxa of different MG and MS observed in tracheal swabs from South African chicken breeds. Methods: Forty-five tracheal swabs of the Lohmann Brown (n = 9), Rhode Island Red (n = 9), Ovambo (n = 9), Venda (n = 9), and Potchefstroom Koekoek (n = 9) breeds were collected from symptomatic chickens present in the commercial farm. To detect MG and MS, DNA was extracted from tracheal swabs and faecal samples, and qPCR was performed with a 16 s rRNA (310 bp) and vlhA (400 bp) gene fragment. Following the sequencing of all the amplicons, MG, and MS dendrograms showing the evolutionary relationships among the five South African chicken breeds and the GeneBank reference population were constructed. Results: The qPCR revealed the presence of MG and MS in 22% (2/9) of the tracheal swab samples tested for MS only in Rhode Island Red breeds; 66.6% (6/9) and 33% (3/9) of the tested samples in Ovambo breeds; and 11.1% (1/9) and 44.4% (4/9) of the tested samples in Venda breeds. No MG or MS were detected in the Lohmann Brown or Potchefstroom Koekoek breed. Furthermore, qPCR revealed the presence of MG in pooled faecal samples from Lohmann Brown and Ovambo breeds. Eight different bacterial isolates were recognized from both samples. Four isolates were of the 16 s ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene (named PT/MG51/ck/00, PT/MG48/ck/00, PT/MG41/ck/00 and PT/MG71/ck/00) gene of Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and the other was Mycoplasma Synoviae variable lipoprotein hemagglutinin A (vlhA) gene (named PT/MSA22/ck/01, PT/MS41/ck/01, PT/MS74/ck/01 and PT/MS46/ck/01) which were available in GenBank. These isolates were successfully sequenced with 95–100% similarity to the isolates from the gene bank. Conclusion: The study revealed the presence of both MG and MS in the chicken breeds sampled. Furthermore, the different breeds of chicken were found to be susceptible to infection under the intensive or commercial management system. Therefore, continuous surveillance is encouraged to prevent the spread and outbreak of MG and MS in the poultry industry in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, each of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method were used to confirm the biological classification of three Streptomyces isolates having antiviral activities against Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). The strongest anti- TMV effect with an inhibition percentage of 97.5 was recorded for S. rochei- IS-02 followed by S. caeaoi-IS-03 (95.5%) and S. aureocirculatus-IS-01 (92.5%) at dilution ½. Lengths of 771, 663 and 693 nts were determined for the partial nucleotide sequences of 16SrRNA gene of S. aureocirculatus-IS-01, S. rochei-IS-02 and S. caeaoi-IS-03, respectively. Sequences producing significant alignments showed identities ranging from 98.41 to 100%. The phylogenetic relationship confirmed the identification of the Streptomyces isolates. A total of 85 DNA fragments (81 polymorphic and 4 monomorphic) were amplified in RAPD assay of the three Streptomyces isolates using eight random primers and contained unique DNA fragments as positive DNA markers. These DNA fragments were distributed as 48, 41 and 42 for the three isolates. The eight primers produced a total amplified DNA fragments of 85 distributed as follows 8, 10, 13, 12, 12, 10, 11 and 9 for the eight oligonucleotide primers, respectively. The similarities between the three Streptomyces species based on RAPD-PCR ranged from 66.332 to 76.158%. The phylogenetic tree showed that S. aureocirculatus-IS-01 and S. rochei-IS-2 were found together in the same cluster, while, S. caeaoi-IS-03 was found in a separate cluster. As a conclusion 16SrRNA and RAPD-PCR methods were confirmed to be more than suitable tools to differentiate between the Streptomyces species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Rana temporaria is one of the most widespread Palearctic brown frogs, with two main genetic clades in Europe, geographic spatial pattern of which is insufficiently known. We analyzed samples from the understudied western and central Balkans to evaluate the haplotype diversity of widely used 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB mitochondrial gene sequences and to recognize the contour of a possible contact zone between the main clades. The results revealed a suture zone between the Western and Eastern Clades in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. Overall, haplotype diversity in the western and central Balkans sample is high. Harboring both main genetic clades of R. temporaria qualifies the Balkan Peninsula as another important center of species' genetic diversity, as well as rich in unique haplotypes. Rana temporaria is one of the most widespread Palearctic brown frogs. We aimed to clarify distribution pattern of two main genetic clades in the understudied Balkan peninsula by using 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB sequences, already widely applied in analyses of populations from other parts of Europe, while focusing on the broad area along the Morava river (central Balkans) as a known gap in the species distribution. Additionally, we were interested in revealing the extent of haplotype diversity within the main genetic clades in the Balkans, particularly around the supposed suture zone. The results revealed a suture zone between the Western and Eastern Clades in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. This indicated the existence of a historical barrier between the Balkan Mountain Belt and geographically close mountains surrounding the Vlasina Plateau (Rhodope/Serbian–Macedonian Massif). The overall observed haplotype diversity in populations of R. temporaria from the Balkan Peninsula seems high. Harboring both main genetic clades of R. temporaria qualifies the Balkan Peninsula as another important center of species' genetic diversity, as well as rich in unique haplotypes. This points out the necessity of applying conservation measures focused on the common European frog populations and habitats in this part of the species' distribution area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the most serious diabetic complication. Gangrene is caused by successive bacterial infections invading diabetic wounds and may lead to limb amputation for the diabetic patient. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is one of the most prevalent bacterial pathogens recovered from diabetic foot infections (DFIs). It is found worldwide and is a leading cause of disease. Many methods have been used for identifying the associated strains in clinical specimens. Sequencing by 16SrRNA methods is achieved in the identification. The current study aimed to detect s aureus isolated from Diabetic foot ulcers by 16SrRNA. One hundred clinical samples were collected from patients with diabetic foot ulcers at Faida Primary Health Center, Mosul City, Iraq. The bacterium was identified using Gram stain, colony morphology, biochemical tests, selective differential media, and molecular analyses. A total of 60 S. aureus isolates were obtained out of 100. In the molecular study, 10 isolates from 60 were selected for PCR assay. Selected isolates were confirmed by PCR assay that successfully produced amplified product 16SrRNA gene with size 164 bp. Our results support the recent view that gram-positive organisms, depending on the geographical location, may be predominantly DFIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is intimately linked to mucosal immune responses, with nasopharyngeal and intestinal lymphoid tissues being crucial for its abnormal mucosal immunity. The specific pathogenic bacteria in these sites associated with IgAN, however, remain elusive. Our study employs 16S rRNA sequencing and machine learning (ML) approaches to identify specific pathogenic bacteria in these locations and to investigate common pathogens that may exacerbate IgAN.Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, we collected pharyngeal swabs and stool specimens from IgAN patients and healthy controls. We applied 16SrRNA sequencing to identify differential microbial populations. ML algorithms were then used to classify IgAN based on these microbial differences. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to link key bacteria with clinical parameters.Results We observed a reduced microbial diversity in IgAN patients compared to healthy controls. In the gut microbiota of IgAN patients, increases in Bacteroides, Escherichia-Shigella, and Parabacteroides, and decreases in Parasutterella, Dialister, Faecalibacterium, and Subdoligranulum were notable. In the respiratory microbiota, increases in Neisseria, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Porphyromonas, and Ralstonia, and decreases in Prevotella, Leptotrichia, and Veillonella were observed. Post-immunosuppressive therapy, Oxalobacter and Butyricoccus levels were significantly reduced in the gut, while Neisseria and Actinobacillus levels decreased in the respiratory tract. Veillonella and Fusobacterium appeared to influence IgAN through dual immune loci, with Fusobacterium abundance correlating with IgAN severity.Conclusions This study revealing that changes in flora structure could provide important pathological insights for identifying therapeutic targets, and ML could facilitate noninvasive diagnostic methods for IgAN.

The human intestine is a habitat for microorganisms and, recently, the composition of the intestinal microbiota has been correlated with the etiology of diseases such as inflammations, sores, and tumors. Although many studies have been conducted to understand the composition of that microbiota, expanding these studies to more samples and different backgrounds will improve our knowledge. In this work, we showed the colon microbiota composition and diversity of healthy subjects, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and colon cancer by metagenomic sequencing. Our results indicated that the relative abundance of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes differs between the healthy vs. tumor biopsies, tumor vs. IBD biopsies, and fresh vs. paraffin-embedded tumor biopsies. Fusobacterium, Escherichia-Shigella, and Streptococcus genera were relatively abundant in fresh tumor biopsies, while Pseudomonas was significantly elevated in IBD biopsies. Additionally, another opportunist pathogen Malasseziales was revealed as the most abundant fungal clade in IBD biopsies, especially in ulcerative colitis. We also found that, while the Basidiomycota:Ascomycota ratio was slightly lower in tumor biopsies compared to biopsies from healthy subjects, there was a significant increase in IBD biopsies. Our work will contribute to the known diversity of prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes in the colon biopsies in patients with IBD and colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocarbons are considered as one of the most common and harmful environmental pollutants affecting human health and the environment. Bioremediation as an environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and cost-effective method in remediating oil-contaminated environments has been interesting in recent decades. In this study, hydrocarbon degrader bacterial strains were isolated from the highly petroleum-contaminated soils in the Dehloran oil field in the west of Iran. Out of 37 isolates, 15 can grow on M9 agar medium that contains 1.5 g L−1 of crude oil as the sole carbon source. The morphological, biochemical, and 16SrRNA sequencing analyses were performed for the isolates. The choosing of the isolates as the hydrocarbon degrader was examined by evaluating the efficacy of their crude oil removal at a concentration of 10 g L−1 in an aqueous medium. The results showed that five isolates belonging to Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Roseomonas aestuarii, Pantoea agglomerans, and Arthrobacter sp. had a hyper hydrocarbon-degrading activity and they could remove more than 85% of the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) after 96 h. The highest TPH removal of about 95.75% and biodegradation rate of 0.0997 g L−1 h−1 was observed for P. agglomerans. The gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis was performed during the biodegradation process by P. agglomerans to detect the degradation intermediates and final products. The results confirmed the presence of intermediates such as alcohols and fatty acids in the terminal oxidation pathway of alkanes in this biodegradation process. A promising P. agglomerans NB391 strain can remove aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Due to adaptations to a completely subterranean lifestyle, blind mole rats have become an interesting research model for longevity and cancer resistance. The lesser blind mole rat from the genus Nannospalax is additionally characterized by extensive chromosomal changes, with 74 chromosomal forms described. As a result of these changes and of their morphological similarity, their taxonomy is unclear; consequently, many unrecognized species are endangered due to habitat fragmentation and reduction. Their official conservation status is still undefined due to insufficient data. Among the 25 chromosomal forms of N. leucodon in Europe, five have been identified as completely reproductively isolated and genetically divergent cryptic species in Serbia. The most endangered, N. l. syrmiensis, which was described 50 years ago as a group of populations endemic to Serbia, has been declared extinct in the literature. Using nucleotide comparison of two mitochondrial gene segments between old, archived and recently sampled material, we provide evidence that N. l. syrmiensis is not extinct. However, it has disappeared in a large part of its former range, mainly due to urbanization, invasive agriculture, and treatment as a pest. In order to preserve biodiversity, detailed monitoring, population-structure studies, risk assessment and appropriate conservation measures are required. Blind mole rats (genus Nannospalax) attract a great deal of attention because of their cancer resistance and longevity. Due to the high rate of chromosome rearrangements, 74 Nannospalax chromosomal forms have been discovered. The convergence of their external morphology complicates their taxonomy, and many cryptic species remain unrecognized. Thus, the European N. leucodon supersp. is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with "Data Deficient" status. It is crucial for the conservation of biodiversity to clarify its taxonomy, to recognize each cryptic species, and assign to them the correct conservation status. Of the more than 20 chromosomal forms described within N. leucodon, five cryptic species occur in Serbia. The most threatened among them—N. l. syrmiensis, described and named 50 years ago in the regions of Srem, Belgrade and Mačva—has been declared extinct in the literature, which may have negative consequences for the conservation of wildlife genetic diversity. Through five years of fieldwork and comparison of 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB gene segments between old, archived teeth and recently collected material, we show that N. l. syrmiensis is not extinct. However, its habitat has been fragmented and reduced, owing primarily to anthropogenic impact. Therefore, detailed surveillance, population-structure studies, risk assessment, and appropriate conservation measures are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the leading cause of bacteremia in hospitalized patients and the most prevalent nosocomial infection, making up as much as 35% of all infections in healthcare facilities. Clinical microbiology labs deal with many cases of UTI, and the most common cause of UTI is still enteric bacteria, namely Escherichia coli (E. coli). Objective To isolate and identify E. coli in urine and determine their connection to antibiotic resistance. Methods A consultant doctor from many hospitals oversaw the patients and a nurse was collected of 100 urine samples from patients suffering from UTI. Due to the large number of E. coli isolates (50 in total) and the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology for molecular detection of the diagnostic element 16SrRNA, the conventional techniques of bacterial identification were verified before PCR. Results A total of 50 (50%) of the bacterial isolates were determined to be E. coli after culturing, biochemical, and molecular testing. E. coli was shown to be multidrug resistant (MDR) after an antibiotic susceptibility test. Assessment of antibiotic resistance was done on 25 isolates, and revealed that one (4%) is resistant to Nitrofurantoin, seven (28%) to Gentamicin, fifteen (60%) to Ciprofloxacin, and sixteen (64%) to Tetracycline. A total of 24 (96%) bacterial isolates are Carbenicillin-resistant; 18 (72%) of these isolates are resistant to Novobiocin, 20 (80%) to Cefotaxime, 22 (88%) to Ceftazidime, 23 (92%) to Rifampin, and 24 (96%) to Carbenicillin. Based on PCR results, all E. coli bacteria had the diagnostic gene 16SrRNA. Conclusion This study found that nitrofurantoin is the antibiotic of choice for treating E. coli UTI, and the 16SrRNA gene is a confirmative diagnostic gene for E. coli infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, gut microbiome research has experienced significant growth, driven by technological advances that enable quantifying bacterial taxa with greater precision. Age, diet, and living environment have emerged as three key factors influencing gut microbes. Dysbiosis, resulting from alterations in these factors, may lead to changes in bacterial metabolites that regulate pro- and anti-inflammatory processes and consequently impact bone health. Restoration of a healthy microbiome signature could mitigate inflammation and potentially reduce bone loss associated with osteoporosis or experienced by astronauts during spaceflight. However, current research is hindered by contradictory findings, insufficient sample sizes, and inconsistency in experimental conditions and controls. Despite progress in sequencing technology, defining a healthy gut microbiome across global populations remains elusive. Challenges persist in identifying accurate gut bacterial metabolics, specific taxa, and their effects on host physiology. We suggest greater attention be directed towards this issue in Western countries as the cost of treating osteoporosis in the United States reaches billions of dollars annually, with expenses projected to continue rising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rana temporaria is one of the most widespread Palearctic brown frogs. We aimed to clarify distribution pattern of two main genetic clades in the understudied Balkan peninsula by using 16SrRNA and MT-CYTB sequences, already widely applied in analyses of populations from other parts of Europe, while focusing on the broad area along the Morava river (central Balkans) as a known gap in the species distribution. Additionally, we were interested in revealing the extent of haplotype diversity within the main genetic clades in the Balkans, particularly around the supposed suture zone. The results revealed a suture zone between the Western and Eastern Clades in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula. This indicated the existence of a historical barrier between the Balkan Mountain Belt and geographically close mountains surrounding the Vlasina Plateau (Rhodope/Serbian–Macedonian Massif). The overall observed haplotype diversity in populations of R. temporaria from the Balkan Peninsula seems high. Harboring both main genetic clades of R. temporaria qualifies the Balkan Peninsula as another important center of species’ genetic diversity, as well as rich in unique haplotypes. This points out the necessity of applying conservation measures focused on the common European frog populations and habitats in this part of the species’ distribution area.

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that alterations in the gut microbiota are closely associated with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) development. However, the value of gut microbiota for early diagnosis of ACS remains understudied.MethodsWe recruited 66 volunteers, including 29 patients with a first diagnosis of ACS and 37 healthy volunteers during the same period, collected their fecal samples, and sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Functional prediction of the microbiota was performed using PICRUSt2. Subsequently, we constructed a nomogram and corresponding webpage based on microbial markers to assist in the diagnosis of ACS. The diagnostic performance and usefulness of the model were analyzed using boostrap internal validation, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsCompared to that of healthy controls, the diversity and composition of microbial community of patients with ACS was markedly abnormal. Potentially pathogenic genera such as Streptococcus and Acinetobacter were significantly increased in the ACS group, whereas certain SCFA-producing genera such as Blautia and Agathobacter were depleted. In addition, in the correlation analysis with clinical indicators, the microbiota was observed to be associated with the level of inflammation and severity of coronary atherosclerosis. Finally, a diagnostic model for ACS based on gut microbiota and clinical variables was developed with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.963 (95% CI: 0.925–1) and an AUC value of 0.948 (95% CI: 0.549–0.641) for bootstrap internal validation. The calibration curves of the model show good consistency between the actual and predicted probabilities. The DCA showed that the model had a high net clinical benefit for clinical applications.ConclusionOur study is the first to characterize the composition and function of the gut microbiota in patients with ACS and healthy populations in Southwest China and demonstrates the potential effect of the microbiota as a non-invasive marker for the early diagnosis of ACS.

Acute high-altitude hypoxia can lead to intestinal damage and changes in gut microbiota. Sustained and reliable oxygen enrichment can resist hypoxic damage at high altitude to a certain extent. However, it remains unclear whether oxygen enrichment can protect against gut damage and changes in intestinal flora caused by acute altitude hypoxia. For this study, eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, control (NN), hypobaric hypoxic (HH), and oxygen-enriched (HO). The NN group was raised under normobaric normoxia, whereas the HH group was placed in a hypobaric hypoxic chamber simulating 7,000 m for 3 days. The HO group was exposed to oxygen-enriched air in the same hypobaric hypoxic chamber as the HH group for 12 h daily. Our findings indicate that an acute HH environment caused a fracture of the crypt structure, loss of epithelial cells, and reduction in goblet cells. Additionally, the structure and diversity of bacteria decreased in richness and evenness. The species composition at Phylum and Genus level was characterized by a higher ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroides and an increased abundance of Lactobacillus with the abundance of Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group decreased in the HH group. Interestingly, after oxygen enrichment intervention, the intestinal injury was significantly restrained. This was confirmed by an increase in the crypt depth, intact epithelial cell morphology, increased relative density of goblet cells, and higher evenness and richness of the gut microbiota, Bacteroidetes and Prevotellaceae as the main microbiota in the HO group. Finally, functional analysis showed significant differences between the different groups with respect to different metabolic pathways, including Amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and metabolism. In conclusion, this study verifies, for the first time, the positive effects of oxygen enrichment on gut structure and microbiota in animals experiencing acute hypobaric hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is the most common negative gram bacteria obligate intracellular pathogen that causes sexually transmitted diseases, including ocular trachoma worldwide. the objective was to diagnose genital CT infection among reproductive-age women attending AlBatool Hospital in Mosul-Iraq. including Immuno-chromatographic test and quantitative Polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A total of 125 females were included in this research, out of which 100 were infertile and 25 were fertile. Endo-cervical swabs were collected from all participants during the study period (July 2022 to September 2022). The immune chromatographic for chlamydia (ICT) and qPCR method was utilized to amplify and quantify chlamydial 16srRNA, known for its high specificity and sensitivity. qPCR is considered an ultrasensitive marker for the detection of CT. and was used to confirm the positive cases identified by ICT. Among the 125 women tested, a total of 12 cases (12%) were found to be positive for CT infection, all positive cases identified through immunographic test showed increased amplicon copy numbers with variable concentrations when analyzed by qPCR, providing strong evidence for the accuracy and reliability of molecular test. Out of the 100 infertile women, 12 were positive for CT infection, while none of the 25 fertile women tested positive. These findings suggest a potential association between CT infection and female infertility. The research demonstrated the utility of quantitative Polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in diagnosing genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection among reproductive-age women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial pneumonia is the main cause of illness and death in children under 5 years old. We isolated and cultured pathogenic bacteria LE from the intestines of children with pneumonia and replicated the pediatric pneumonia model using an oral gavage bacterial animal model. Interestingly, based on 16srRNA sequencing, we found that the gut and lung microbiota showed the same imbalance trend, which weakened the natural resistance of this area. Further exploration of its mechanism revealed that the disruption of the intestinal mechanical barrier led to the activation of inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-17, which promoted the recruitment of ILC-3 and the release of IL-17 and IL-22, leading to lung inflammation. The focus of this study is on the premise that the gut and lung microbiota exhibit similar destructive changes, mediating the innate immune response to promote the occurrence of pneumonia and providing a basis for the development and treatment of new drugs for pediatric pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yellow digger scorpion, Scorpio maurus, is a medically important scorpion for which little is known about its genetic diversity. Polymerase chain reaction products of 16srRNA gene fragments were generated from scorpion specimens named SmKh1 and SmKh2. These sequences showed high similarity with the only partial sequence of S. maurus isolate SCA1 large subunit ribosomal RNA gene available in the Genbank database. The drawing of the phylogeny tree showed two clusters, A and B. The two specimens (SmKh1 and SmKh2), which are placed in sub-cluster A2, were provided from Behbahan, Iran, and they have the closest relationship with the only sequence of S. maurus (MW281771), which is also collected from Behbahan. It is noteworthy that the two sequences obtained from S. maurus scorpions recorded from Miandoab (MK170444) and Mahabad (KU705354), which are in sub-cluster A1, are more similar to the scorpions isolated from the Mediterranean basin than those collected from Behbahan. This issue is probably due to the fact that patterns of genetic diversity are a reflection of variation in gene flow, which is also influenced by factors such as territorial barriers and geographical distances. We conclude that the scorpions of this study accompanied by similar scorpions in the Mediterranean basin, belong to the same species despite the insignificant differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Dental caries is the most common disease worldwide, and is a major healthcare problem. Streptococcus mutans is considered as the main factor causing dental caries. This study was conducted to assess Streptococcus mutans by its 16S rRNA gene and adhesin gene (spaP) as an early predictor of caries development. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 80 Iraqi pre-school children aged 3-5 years old. Subjects were divided into two groups: the case group, which included 40 children with severe caries, and the control group, which included 40 caries-free children. A dental examination was performed by diagnostic criteria of World Health Organization (WHO). Unstimulated salivary samples were taken from all children, and DNA of Streptococcus mutans was extracted from the all saliva samples. The 16S rRNA and spaP genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and their presence was compared to dental caries severity. Findings: The age and gender of the children had no significant effect in this study. The prevalence of the Streptococcus mutans 16SrRNA gene was 98.8% positive and 1.2% negative in all study groups. Regarding spaP, a significant difference discovered between the case (92.5%) and control (50%) groups (p≥0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the presence of spaP gene of Streptococcus Mutans can predict caries development. Therefore, more dental care is emphasized in these people.

Objective: This study aimed to isolate Aliarcobacter cryaerophilus in ready-to-cook poultry meat in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Thirty drumstick samples were collected from super shops in Dhaka city (n = 10), Mymensingh city (n = 10), and Patuakhali town (n = 10). After sample processing, they were cultured in Blood agar media with Campylobacter base using a microfilter (0.42 nm). Suspected colonies were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR assay targeting 16SrRNA genes. Then, sequencing was performed for confirmation. Results: Of 30 samples, 3 (10%) were positive for A. cryaerophilus. Phylogenetic analysis shows that our isolate has strong similarities with one of the isolates from China. Conclusion: The presence of this organism in ready-to-cook poultry meat is a significant concern for consumers as it bears zoonotic importance. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(1.000): 113-117]

The main storage form of phosphorus is phytate (Myo-inositol Hexakisphosphate) in legume crops, such as clover and alfalfa, which are of high importance in terms of nutrition for humans and animals. In animals, due to a lack of phytase enzymes in their intestines, it is not possible to break the phytic acid (a nutritional constituent). Hence, phytic acid acts as an anti-nutritional chelating agent for various metal ions like Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, etc., so it reduces the nutritive quality of food. Since phytase is an important enzyme in the food/feed industry, the objective of this study is to isolate phytase-producing bacteria cells to analyze phytate molecules. The present study was conducted in the laboratory of the Sana Institute of Higher Education. In this study, 8 soil samples of alfalfa and clover fields located in Isfahan (Khomeini Shahr and Morche Khort Regions) were collected and several bacteria isolates were separated using differential media. To examine the phytase activity, the isolated bacteria on the specific media fortified with phytate were cultivated and positive phytate bacteria were identified using morphological traits, biochemical tests, and 16srRNA sequencing determination. The data obtained from quantitative properties showed that two isolates of B1 and D1 have 17 and 20 mm size of zone diameters, respectively. Based on morphological properties, the B1 bacteria showed a big size of the colony, with a bump hanging in the margin surrounding the colony and white pigment, which was gram-positive. However, the D1 sample indicated a small colony size, with a wavy margin, smooth bump, and creamy pigment which was gram-positive. By biochemical recognition test, among all bacteria cells, two bacteria colonies were distinguished concerning the phytase activity and were recognized as Bacillus sp. In addition, the 16srRNA sequencing analysis showed that one strain belongs to Bacillus paralicheniformis (95%) and the other one is related to Bacillus endophyticus (95%), both of which are found in soil usually.

To understand the effects of continuous cropping on the growth of Paulownia paulownia and microbial community changes of its roots and rhizosphere, P. fortunei saplings that were cultivated using continuous cropping for 1-3 years were analyzed using 16S rRNA and ITS gene high-throughput sequencing technology to examine the community structure of bacteria and fungi communities in the root and rhizosphere of the selected plants. The analysis indicated that, for all the selected P. fortunei plants, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the main bacteria in the root, while Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the main fungi. The main rhizosphere bacteria were Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, and Chloroflexi, whereas the main rhizosphere fungi were Ascomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Basidiomycota. Continuous cropping decreased the Chaol index of the bacteria and fungi in the roots and altered the community structure of the rhizosphere microbial community. In addition, continuous cropping increased the abundances of the pathotroph-saprotrophic, pathotroph-saprotroph-symbiotrophic, and saprotrophic fungi in the roots, and decreased the abundances of symbiotrophic fungi in roots and rhizosphere. Notably, the analysis of bacteria-fungi coexistence network revealed a core rhizosphere microbial community, in which the abundance of the plant pathogen, Fusarium, increased as the trees aged. Alternatively, the abundance of plant beneficial bacteria, Pseudomonas, increased initially, but subsequently decreased as the trees grew older. Collectively, continuous cropping can cause growth disorders in P. fortunei, alters the structure and function of the bacterial and fungal communities in the tree's root and rhizosphere, and allows for the proliferation of Fusarium in the rhizosphere; thereby, negatively affecting the cultivation of P. fortunei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Actinomycetes can colonize surfaces of tools and equipment and can be transferred to meat and meat products during manufacture, processing, handling, and storage. Moreover, washing the meat does not eliminate the microorganisms; it only spreads them. As a result, these opportunistic pathogens can enter the human body and cause various infections. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen, identify, and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Actinomycetes species from meat and meat products in the Markazi province of Iran. Methods: A total of 60 meat and meat product samples, including minced meat, mutton, beef, chicken, hamburgers, and sausages, were collected from slaughterhouses, butchers, and restaurants in the Markazi province of Iran. The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological protocols for the isolation and characterization of Actinomycetes. PCR amplification of hsp65 and 16SrRNA genes and sequence analysis of 16SrRNA were used for genus and species identification. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution method and interpreted according to the CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 21 (35%) Actinomycetes isolates from 5 genera and 12 species were isolated from 60 samples. The most prevalent Actinomycetes were from the genus Mycobacterium, with six (28.6%) isolates (M. avium complex, M. terrae, M. smegmatis, and M. novocastrense), followed by the genus Rhodococcus with five (23.8%) isolates (R. equi and R. erythropolis), the genus Actinomyces with four (19.1%) isolates (A. ruminicola and A. viscosus), the genus Nocardia with four (19.1%) isolates (N. asiatica, N. seriolae, and N. niigatensis), and the genus Streptomyces with two (9.5%) isolates (S. albus). Chicken and sausage samples had the highest and lowest levels of contamination, with six and one isolates. Respectively, the results of drug susceptibility testing (DST) showed that all isolates were susceptible to Ofloxacin, Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Levofloxacin, whereas all of them were resistant to Doxycycline and Rifampicin. Discussion: The findings suggest that meat and meat products play an important role as a reservoir for the transmission of Actinomycetes to humans, thus causing life-threatening foodborne diseases such as gastrointestinal and cutaneous disorders. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate basic hygiene measures into the cycle of meat production to ensure food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Due to the constant increase in the number of plant diseases and the lack of available treatments, there has been a growing interest in plant extracts over the past few decades. Numerous studies suggest that plant extract molecules possess valuable antimicrobial activities, particularly against fungi and bacteria. This suggests that these biomaterials could potentially serve as attractive therapeutic options for the treatment of phytopathogen infections. In the present study, we investigated and analyzed the methanolic extract of Eryngium campestre L. whole plant extract using HPLC. The analysis revealed the presence of several polyphenolic constituents, with benzoic acid, catechol, quercetin, vanillic acid, resveratrol, naringenin, and quinol being the most abundant. The amounts of these constituents were determined to be 2135.53, 626.728, 579.048, 356.489, 323.41, 153.038, and 128.77 mg/kg, respectively. Furthermore, we isolated and identified different plant fungal and bacterial isolates from symptomatic potato plants, which were accessioned as Rhizoctonia solani (OQ880458), Fusarium oxysporum (OQ820156) and Fusarium solani (OQ891085), Ralstonia solanacearum (OQ878653), Dickeya solani (OQ878655), and Pectobacterium carotovorum (OQ878656). The antifungal activity of the extract was assessed using fungal growth inhibitions (FGI) at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 µg/mL. The results showed that at the lowest concentration tested (100 µg/mL), the extract exhibited the highest effectiveness against R. solani with an FGI of 78.52%, while it was least effective against F. solani with an FGI of 61.85%. At the highest concentration tested, the extract demonstrated the highest effectiveness against R. solani and F. oxysporum, with FGIs of 88.89% and 77.04%, respectively. Additionally, the extract displayed a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on all three bacterial pathogens. At the highest concentration tested (3000 µg/mL), the extract was able to inhibit the growth of all three bacterial pathogens, although the inhibition zone diameter varied. Among the bacterial pathogens, D. solani exhibited the highest sensitivity to the extract, as it showed the largest inhibition zone diameter at most of the extract concentrations. These findings highlight the potential of the E. campestre extract as a source of natural antimicrobial agents for controlling various plant pathogens. Consequently, it offers a safer alternative to the currently employed protective methods for plant disease management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An opportunistic bacterium called Acinetobacter baumannii has significantly increased the frequency of infections in recent years. With only a limited number of “traditional” virulence factors, It is infections have spread rapidly through hospitals across the globe. The present study aimed to work out the relationship between the multi-drug resistance (MDR) of A. Baumannii and biofilm formation. A total of 150 samples were collected from various clinical sources from different age groups and gender patients in Ghazi AL Hariri Hospital and Baghdad Teaching laboratories in Medical City in Baghdad, Iraq from December 2021 to March 2022. Microscopical inspection and cultural features on various culture media, including culturing on selective medium CHROMagar, were used to identify bacterial isolates. The characteristics of the isolates were then established by some biochemical tests. Identification was confirmed using the Vitek-2 system with an accuracy of 99%, which revealed that only (50) isolates were given identical morphological characteristics and biochemical tests belonging to Acinetobacter baumannii isolates. 28 (56%) isolates were collected from burns. 10 isolates (20%) and 9 isolates (18% were collected from wound and sputum cultures of A. baumannii, respectively, while only 3 isolates (6%) were from urine culture. The susceptibility test for all the fifty clinical isolates of A. baumannii was performed against 10 different antibiotics. The results showed that A. baumannii isolates were Multidrug-resistant (MDR) (98%), while the other (2%) of the isolates were extensively drug-resistance (XDR) to the majority of antibiotics tested. All 50 isolates in the present study were subjected to the micro-titer plate (MTP) assay method (96 walls). The results indicated that strong biofilm was detected in 40 (80.0%) of the tested isolates. Thirty bacterial isolates were were found to be MDR and had strong biofilm production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This healthy volunteer control-based study was conducted to explore alterations of compositions and function of gut microbiota in Chinese pSS patients. Method: The high-throughput Illumina Miseq sequencing method, targeting the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, was used to compare the microbiota communities between 30 pSS patients and 30 age-matched healthy volunteers. The intestinal dysbiosis of pSS patients was evaluated and its correlation with some disease phenotypes was analyzed. Furthermore, we performed the amino acid sequence alignment analysis to illustrate the molecular mimicry patterns of new microbial peptides. Results: Compared with that in healthy controls, the composition and function of the gut microbiota significantly differed in pSS patients. Certain genera and species, including genera: Escherichia-Shigella, Sardovia, Veillonella, Insteinimonas, and Lactobacillales; species: Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus phage Sal3, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus lutetiensis, Streptococcus mutans, Scardovia wiggsiae, and Fusobacterrium ulcerans were found to be enriched in the feces of pSS patients, while butyrate-producing bacteria were less abundant in pSS patients. Certain genera (including Lactobacillales) and species (including Lactobacillus gasseri) were associated with disease severity and therapy resistance parameters. Autoantigen epitopes of "WPSALPT, NPARSFG, MNPARSFG, and AFGLAIGT" from aquaporin-5 were aligned perfectly with one enriched microbiota of patients with pSS, namely Escherichia coli. Conclusions: The composition and function of the gut microbiota significantly differed in pSS patients compared with that in healthy controls. Our study would facilitate the possible research on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of pSS. Key Points • The composition and function of the gut microbiota significantly differed in pSS patients compared with that in healthy controls. • Certain genera (including Lactobacillales) and species (including Lactobacillus gasseri) were associated with disease severity and therapy resistance parameters. • The amino acid sequence of Escherichia coli, an enriched species in pSS patients, is similar to those of the pSS-relevant auto-epitopes, such as WPSALPT, NPARSFG, MNPARSFG, and AFGLAIGT, which provides us new clues to explore the exact mechanisms by which Escherichia coli contributes to pSS pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In developing countries, ocular infections are a significant public health concern, particularly bacterial infections, which are common. This research aimed to estimate how often Gram-positive and negative bacteria are present in individuals who have external ocular infections in Wasit province. Materials and Methods: One hundred twenty-one eye swabs were gathered from patients with various eye infections in the consulting clinics of AL-Zahra Hospital between October 1, 2021, and March 1, 2022. Various bacterial colonies with different morphological and biochemical characteristics were detected through growth testing. Results: Of all the external ocular samples collected, 56 (46.2%) had a positive culture for bacterial pathogens. Most of the isolated bacteria were Gram-positive, accounting for 73.2% (41 cases) of the total. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were the most commonly identified Gram-positive bacteria, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus lentus, Staphylococcus hominis spp. Novobiosepticus, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus lugdunesis, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Staphylococcus vitulinus, Staphylococcus cohnii, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Kocuria rosea, Micrococcus luteus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and, among which, Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 26.8% such as Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pantoea spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Citrobacter sedlakii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. DNA extraction and their purity and concentration were confirmed using Nanodrop. A monoplex pattern of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect Gram-positive specific 16S rRNA. Conclusion: A majority of the bacterial strains identified in patients with ocular infections, particularly Gram-positive bacteria, also concluded that the largest percentage of eye infections was for patients who lived in rural areas, this explains the reason for the isolation of some bacterial species that inhabit animals such as S. lentus, S. gallinarum, S. pseudintermedius, S. vitulinus, S. cohnii, and L. mesenteroides. In addition, most of the bacterial species found in patients with eye infections were resistant to multiple drugs, indicating the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the study population, also concluded that the most prevalent forms of external ocular infections were blepharitis, followed by conjunctiva.

Background and Aims: Although Helicobacter pylori is the most important bacterial carcinogen in gastric cancer (GC), GC can emerge even after H. pylori eradication. Studies suggest that various constituents of the gastric microbiome may influence GC development, but the role of individual pathogens is unclear. Methods: Human gastric mucosal samples were analyzed by 16SrRNA sequencing to investigate microbiome composition and its association with clinical parameters, including GC risk. Identified bacteria in the stomach were cocultured with gastric epithelial cells or inoculated into mice, and transcriptomic changes, DNA damage, and inflammation were analyzed. Bacterial reads in GC tissues were examined together with transcriptomic and genetic sequencing data in the cancer genome atlas dataset. Results: Patients after Helicobacter pylori eradication formed 3 subgroups based on the microbial composition revealed by 16SrRNA sequencing. One dysbiotic group enriched with Fusobacterium and Neisseria species was associated with a significantly higher GC incidence. These species activated prooncogenic pathways in gastric epithelial cells and promoted inflammation in mouse stomachs. Sugar chains that constitute gastric mucin attenuate host-bacteria interactions. Metabolites from Fusobacterium species were genotoxic, and the presence of the bacteria was associated with an inflammatory signature and a higher tumor mutation burden. Conclusion: Gastric microbiota in the dysbiotic stomach is associated with GC development after H. pylori eradication and plays a pathogenic role through direct host-bacteria interaction.

Objective: This study aimed to isolate Aliarcobacter cryaerophilus in ready-to-cook poultry meat in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: Thirty drumstick samples were collected from super shops in Dhaka city (n = 10), Mymensingh city (n = 10), and Patuakhali town (n = 10). After sample processing, they were cultured in Blood agar media with Campylobacter base using a microfilter (0.42 nm). Suspected colonies were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR assay targeting 16SrRNA genes. Then, sequencing was performed for confirmation. Results: Of 30 samples, 3 (10%) were positive for A. cryaerophilus. Phylogenetic analysis shows that our isolate has strong similarities with one of the isolates from China. 3Conclusion: The presence of this organism in ready-to-cook poultry meat is a significant concern for consumers as it bears zoonotic importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionActinomycetes can colonize surfaces of tools and equipment and can be transferred to meat and meat products during manufacture, processing, handling, and storage. Moreover, washing the meat does not eliminate the microorganisms; it only spreads them. As a result, these opportunistic pathogens can enter the human body and cause various infections. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen, identify, and determine the antibiotic susceptibility of Actinomycetes species from meat and meat products in the Markazi province of Iran.MethodsA total of 60 meat and meat product samples, including minced meat, mutton, beef, chicken, hamburgers, and sausages, were collected from slaughterhouses, butchers, and restaurants in the Markazi province of Iran. The samples were analyzed using standard microbiological protocols for the isolation and characterization of Actinomycetes. PCR amplification of hsp65 and 16SrRNA genes and sequence analysis of 16SrRNA were used for genus and species identification. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents were determined by the broth microdilution method and interpreted according to the CLSI guidelines.ResultsA total of 21 (35%) Actinomycetes isolates from 5 genera and 12 species were isolated from 60 samples. The most prevalent Actinomycetes were from the genus Mycobacterium, with six (28.6%) isolates (M. avium complex, M. terrae, M. smegmatis, and M. novocastrense), followed by the genus Rhodococcus with five (23.8%) isolates (R. equi and R. erythropolis), the genus Actinomyces with four (19.1%) isolates (A. ruminicola and A. viscosus), the genus Nocardia with four (19.1%) isolates (N. asiatica, N. seriolae, and N. niigatensis), and the genus Streptomyces with two (9.5%) isolates (S. albus). Chicken and sausage samples had the highest and lowest levels of contamination, with six and one isolates. Respectively, the results of drug susceptibility testing (DST) showed that all isolates were susceptible to Ofloxacin, Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Levofloxacin, whereas all of them were resistant to Doxycycline and Rifampicin.DiscussionThe findings suggest that meat and meat products play an important role as a reservoir for the transmission of Actinomycetes to humans, thus causing life-threatening foodborne diseases such as gastrointestinal and cutaneous disorders. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate basic hygiene measures into the cycle of meat production to ensure food safety.

Abstract Background Little is known about the association between bacterial DNA in human blood and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Methods A case-cohort study was performed based on a 9 ½ year follow-up of the Oslo II study from 2000. Eligible for this analysis were men born in 1923 and from 1926 to 1932. The cases were men (n = 227) who had died from CVD, and the controls were randomly selected participants from the same cohort (n = 178). Analysis of the bacterial microbiome was performed on stored frozen blood samples for both cases and controls. Association analyses for CVD mortality were performed by Cox proportional hazard regression adapted to the case-cohort design. We used the Bonferroni correction due to the many bacterial genera that were identified. Results Bacterial DNA was identified in 372 (82%) of the blood samples and included 78 bacterial genera from six phyla. Three genera were significantly associated with CVD mortality. The genera Kocuria (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 8.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) (4.05, 17.84)) and Enhydrobacter (HR 3.30 (2.01, 5.57)) indicate an association with CVD mortality with increasing levels. The genera Paracoccus (HR 0.29 (0.15, 0.57)) was inversely related. Significant predictors of CVD mortality were: the feeling of bad health; and the consumption of more than three cups of coffee per day. The following registered factors were borderline significant, namely: a history of heart failure; increased systolic blood pressure; and currently taking antihypertensive drugs now, versus previously. Conclusions The increasing levels of two bacterial genera Kocuria (skin and oral) and Enhydrobacter (skin) and low levels of Paracoccus (soil) were associated with CVD mortality independent of known risk factors for CVD.

Background and Objective: Dental caries is the most common disease worldwide, and is a major healthcare problem. Streptococcus mutans is considered as the main factor causing dental caries. This study was conducted to assess Streptococcus mutans by its 16S rRNA gene and adhesin gene (spaP) as an early predictor of caries development. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 80 Iraqi pre-school children aged 3-5 years old. Subjects were divided into two groups: the case group, which included 40 children with severe caries, and the control group, which included 40 caries-free children. A dental examination was performed by diagnostic criteria of World Health Organization (WHO). Unstimulated salivary samples were taken from all children, and DNA of Streptococcus mutans was extracted from the all saliva samples. The 16S rRNA and spaP genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and their presence was compared to dental caries severity. Findings: The age and gender of the children had no significant effect in this study. The prevalence of the Streptococcus mutans 16SrRNA gene was 98.8% positive and 1.2% negative in all study groups. Regarding spaP, a significant difference discovered between the case (92.5%) and control (50%) groups (p≥0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that the presence of spaP gene of Streptococcus Mutans can predict caries development. Therefore, more dental care is emphasized in these people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau region is fragile. And the excessive altitude and lower temperatures can lead to regional variations in the community composition and metabolic processes of microorganisms in wastewater treatment systems. To identify these variations, this paper explores the microbial community structure and metabolic processes of activated sludge in A2O wastewater treatment systems in alpine regions based on 16S rRNA sequencing technology and the PICRUSt2 database. Also, the effect of gradual changes in DO concentration on the biological treatment system was examined and analyzed. The results show that the composition of the microbial community is distinct compared to that of the plain areas. norank_f__AKYH767 and IMCC26207 were found as enriched bacterial genera in the aerobic and anoxic tanks in the alpine region, respectively. Microbial communities in alpine areas are more perceptive and competent in processing environmental signals. The degradation of carbon and nitrogen pollutants is not strongly affected by high altitude, provided that the DO concentration is not lower than 1.0 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have detrimental effects on human, ecosystem, and biodiversity. Bioremediation is an option that has been used to remediate and reduce the risk of contaminants such as PAHs. Microorganisms are readily available to screen and can be rapidly identified to be used in many extreme environmental conditions. Mycobacteria have a great potential for the production of bioactive compound, which have degradation activity. Due to this issue, and also, as there is no study conducted on the biodiversity of biodegradable Mycobacterium in Markazi province, the present study aimed to assess the isolation and identification of biodegradable Mycobacterium species from diverse Markazi province ecosystems. Methods: Mycobacterium were screened from a total of 30 soil, water, and sludge samples from the oilpolluted ecosystems of Markazi province and characterized to the genus and species level by applying molecular and conventional microbiological assay including the PCR amplification and sequence analysis of 16SrRNA and hsp65 genes. The growth rate in the presence of PAHs, turbidometry, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine their bioremediation capability. Results: In total, 6 Mycobacterium isolates (20%) were screened from 30 samples, which belonged to two species of Mycobacterium consisting of M. porcinum (4 isolates) and M. celeriflavum (2 isolates). The strains of M. porcinum and M. celeriflavum could degrade 70% and 90% of 1 mg/L PAH solution in 7 days. Conclusion: According to the results, the M. porcinum and M. celeriflavum have a significant capability to biodegrade the PAHs. Therefore, more investigations are recommended for separation and applicational use of the mycobacterium species for bioremediation of PAHs.

Abstract. The identification of effective indigenous strains of Bradyrhizobia could lead to the development of efficient and affordable inoculants for improving soil fertility. This can also promote nitrogen fixation in smallholder farming systems of Nigeria and as well make the use of nitrogen fertilizers unnecessary. This study was conducted to characterize and evaluate the nodulating properties of indigenous Bradyrhizobium species in soybean plant. A total of 18 strains were isolated using Bradyrhizobium japonicum selective medium (BJSM) from the root nodules of plants harvested from five sites on Ahmadu Bello University farm, Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria. These isolates were evaluated for nodulating potential in a screen house using soybean (TGx 1448-2E) as a test crop. The total number of nodules, percentage effective nodules, nodule fresh and dry weights, shoot fresh and dry weight and plant nitrogen content were assessed. The nodules produced by the isolates showed high percentage effectiveness with isolate A4 having significantly higher nodule dry weight (78.00 mg) than the rest of the test isolates. The soybean inoculant, BIOFIX used in this study performed poorly having a nodule dry weight of 6.0 mg. There was positive and highly significant correlation between the nodule dry weight, shoot dry weight and plant nitrogen content (r=0.740, 0.641, 0.616, respectively) at p

Bacterial pneumonia is the main cause of illness and death in children under 5 years old. We isolated and cultured pathogenic bacteria LE from the intestines of children with pneumonia and replicated the pediatric pneumonia model using an oral gavage bacterial animal model. Interestingly, based on 16srRNA sequencing, we found that the gut and lung microbiota showed the same imbalance trend, which weakened the natural resistance of this area. Further exploration of its mechanism revealed that the disruption of the intestinal mechanical barrier led to the activation of inflammatory factors IL-6 and IL-17, which promoted the recruitment of ILC-3 and the release of IL-17 and IL-22, leading to lung inflammation. The focus of this study is on the premise that the gut and lung microbiota exhibit similar destructive changes, mediating the innate immune response to promote the occurrence of pneumonia and providing a basis for the development and treatment of new drugs for pediatric pneumonia.

Endophytes are microorganisms residing within plant tissues. Bacterial endophytes are important sources for production of pharmaceutically important metabolites. Berberis lycium is an important medicinal plant and there exist no report regarding isolation and determination of bioactive potential of its bacterial endophytes. Therefore the present study was aimed to isolate and identify bacterial endophytes from Berberis lycium. The study resulted in isolation of 20 strains of bacterial endophytes. Based on their antibacterial activity three strains were identified as Bacillus cereus (LBL6), Bacillus thuringiensis (SBL3) and Bacillus anthracis (SBL4) on basis of 16SrRNA gene using universal primers. Crude ethyl acetate extracts of LBL6, SBL3 and SBL4 were further evaluated for antioxidant and antifungal activities. Moderate antioxidant activity (56 %) at a concentration of 1000 µg/mL was observed for LBL6 followed by 45 and 43 % activity by SBL4 and SBL3 respectively. Significant antifungal activity was observed against Aspergillus niger (60 %) and Aspergillus flavus (56 %) at concentration of 4 mg/mL of SBL3 and SBL4 respectively. GCMS analysis of extract (LBL6) exhibited presence of 12 bioactive secondary metabolites corresponding to antimicrobial, antifungal, antioxidant, antitumor and anticancer activities. In conclusion, present study highlighted the importance of Berberis lycium to host diverse bacterial endophytes of pharmaceutical importance.

Ruirui Zhang,1 Shanjun Gao,2 Shenghui Wang,3 Jiewen Zhang,1,3 Yingying Bai,3 Shuang He,3 Pan Zhao,3 Hongju Zhang1,3 1Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China; 2Microbiome Laboratory, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hongju ZhangDepartment of Neurology, Henan Provincial People’s Hospital Affiliated to Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail hongjuz@sina.comPurpose: To explore the characteristics of gut microbiota and its relationship between clinical manifestations in patients with type 1 narcolepsy (NT1).Patients and Methods: Scale and polysomnography were performed in 20 NT1 patients and 16 healthy controls (HC group) to evaluate the clinical characteristics of NT1. Illumina sequencing was performed on bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA gene using V3-V4 regions to compare the fecal microbiota in all subjects. Associations between clinical characteristics and gut microbiota were analyzed using partial correlation analysis.Results: Compared with the HC group, the NT1 group had a significantly higher ESS score, longer total sleep time, increased wakefulness, decreased sleep efficiency, disturbance of sleep structure, shorter mean sleep latency, and increased sleep-onset REM periods (all P < 0.05). No differences in alpha and beta diversity were observed between the two groups. In contrast, there were significant differences at the level of class, order, family, and genus (all P < 0.05). LEfSe analysis showed that the relative abundance of Klebsiella in the NT1 group was higher than that in the HC group (P < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Blautia, Barnesiellaceae, Barnesiella, Phocea, Lactococcus, Coriobacteriia, Coriobacteriales, Ruminiclostridium_5, and Bilophila were lower (all P < 0.05). Partial correlation analysis revealed that partial differential bacteria in the NT1 group were correlated with total sleep time, sleep efficiency, stage 1 sleep, arousal index, and sleep latency (all P < 0.05).Conclusion: Our data revealed differences in intestinal flora structure between NT1 patients and the normal population, thus providing a theoretical basis for future microecological therapy for narcolepsy. However, future larger sample size studies and different study designs are needed to further clarify the possible pathogenesis and potential causality of intestinal flora in NT1 patients and explore the new treatment strategies.Keywords: type 1 narcolepsy, gut microbiota, 16SrRNA, high throughput sequencing

In this text, a laboratory-scale A2O was performed in Linzhi City at a 3000-m altitude. During the test operation, the UV irradiation was carried out in oxic tank for 0, 5, 10, 30, and 180 min. The 16SrRNA gene sequencing was performed on the activated sludge in anaerobic, anoxic, and oxic tanks, and the colony structure characteristics of phyla, genera, and species classification levels in the sludge were analyzed. There were significant differences in the numbers of genera and species (p ≤ 0.05). The community richness, uniformity, diversity, and other indicators differed to some degree compared with those of other regions. The analysis of composition of bacterial colonies revealed different levels. The significance test of the difference between the groups, the significance of the dominant species, and the mechanism of UV was analyzed. A CCA diagram was used to verify that UV is an important factor in the colony structure composition, and the correlation heatmap diagram was used to analyze the microorganisms that are significantly related to UV. A sample hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the time of UV exposure can be divided into two categories, and the effects of UV exposure increase sequentially as the time of exposure increases. A comprehensive analysis found that the enhancing and inhibitory effects of UV affect the composition of the colony structure in the sample, and the time of irradiation will affect the enhancing or inhibitory effect, that is, the colony structure from the samples that were irradiated for different amounts of time differs greatly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Three hemoplasma species, Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis, have been identified in domestic and wild felids. M. haemofelis may cause severe clinical manifestations in domestic cats, whereas others can lead to mild infections. Identification of these pathogens is done using molecular diagnostic tools like conventional-PCR or real-time PCR. However, these have disadvantages, such as the failure to differentiate species or high cost. This study aimed to develop a triplex-PCR method for the diagnosis and discrimination of feline hemoplasma species. Furthermore, it is aimed at providing molecular data on the epidemiology of feline hemoplasma species in Türkiye, where there is a paucity of information on these pathogens. Triplex-PCR primers amplifying the 16S rRNA gene regions of M. haemofelis (1022 bp), Ca. Mycoplasma haemominutum (607 bp), and Ca. Mycoplasma turicensis (456 bp) species were designed and optimized. Moreover, the detection limits of the method were also determined and it was found that the primers could detect 0.001 ng/μL amount of DNA for M. haemofelis, 0.0001 ng/μL for Ca. Mycoplasma haemominutum, and 0.0002 ng/μL for Ca. Mycoplasma turicensis in the sample. 286 cat blood samples obtained from Sivas province were researched for feline hemoplasma species. Feline hemoplasma species were detected in samples of 29 out of 286 cats (10.23 %). Five samples (1.74 %) were infected with only M. haemofelis, whereas 22 (7.69 %) were only infected with Ca. Mycoplasma haemominutum. Two samples (0.69 %) were found to be infected with both M. haemofelis and Ca. Mycoplasma haemominutum. Ca. Mycoplasma turicensis was not detected in this study. A triplex-PCR method that can be used for the identification and species differentiation of feline hemoplasma species in hosts was developed. Moreover, hemoplasma species were found to be circulating in cats in the study area, and it is recommended that veterinarians and animal owners take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their cats from these pathogens., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Vaginal microbiota is involved in human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer (CC) progression, and the specific changes in vaginal microbial composition during this process remains uncertain., Objective: This study aimed to observe the changes in the specific composition of vaginal microorganisms in different cervical lesions and identify biomarkers at different stages of lesions., Methods: In this study we used the illumina high-throughput gene sequencing technology to determine the V4 region of 16SrRNA and observed the vaginal microbial composition in different cervical lesions., Results: The vaginal microbiota of patients with high-risk HPV infection and cervical lesions is significantly different from that of the normal population, but there is no significant difference in the richness of vaginal microbes. The diversity of vaginal species in CC patients is higher than that in high-risk HPV infection or CIN patients. The main manifestation is an increase in the diversity of vaginal microbes, a decrease in the relative abundance of cyanobacteria and Lactobacillus, and an increase in the relative abundance of dialister, peptonephila and other miscellaneous bacteria. There are characteristic vaginal biomarker in normal women, high risk HPV patients and CC patients. In detail, the biomarker in the normal group was varibaculum, the biomarker in the high-risk HPV group was saccharopolyspora, the biomarker of the CC group was the Proteobacteria, Corynebacterium, Coprococcus, Peptococcus and Ruminococcus., Conclusions: The study indicated that the compositions of vaginal microbes in different cervical lesions is different. The vaginal microbial composition has a certain diagnostic effect on healthy women, patients with high-risk HPV infection and cervical lesions. These microbes may serve as potential biomarkers for CC. It also provided an effective way for the treatment of HPV infections and cervical lesions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Fan, Han, Fan, Zeng and Zhao.)