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Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and at present, specialty coffees are developing for better tastes, flavors, or functions. Fermented coffees also reflect this trend and some brands are commercialized. Unlike general fermented coffees, we tried to ferment coffee extract with several lactic acid bacteria. Finally, we selected three strains that persisted in the coffee extract, and show strong antimicrobial activity, for the fermentation starters. The strains were identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus (KNUT 0384), Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (CJNU 1840), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (CJNU 0441) based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. During the fermentation process, the total acidities (p < 0.05 vs. the control, non-fermented coffee extract) and cell masses increased, which indicates that the bacteria metabolized properly in the extract. Furthermore, the fermented coffee extracts showed increased antimicrobial activities against Listeria monocytogenes (p < 0.05 vs. the control) and Streptococcus mutans (p < 0.05 vs. the control), increased anti-oxidative activities (p < 0.05 vs. the control, except for the KNUT 0384 sample), decreased caffeine content (p < 0.05 vs. the control, except for the KNUT 0384 sample), and increased chlorogenic acid content (p < 0.05 vs. the control). Taken together, the fermented coffee extracts with the selected lactic acid bacteria could be specialty coffees where several functions are improved when compared with a control coffee extract.

Magnetic spinel ferrite nanoparticles (MSF-NPs) are potential candidates for biomedical applications, especially in cancer diagnosis and therapy due to their excellent physiochemical and magnetic properties. In the current study, MSF-NPs were fabricated by sol-gel auto combustion method. The crystal structure and surface morphology were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The magnetic properties were studied by VSM (vibrating sample magnetometer). As increasing Gd3+ concentration, the saturation magnetization values decreased from (17.8-2.3) emu/g, while the coercivity decreased from (499-133) Oe at room temperature. Finally, the fabricated MSF-NPs were tested against anticancer activity by MTT assay. The IC50 = 21.27 μg/mL value was observed, showing the strong antiproliferative activity of these nanoparticles. These results suggested that the obtained MSF-NPs would be useful for remote-controlled hyperthermia therapy for cancer treatment and MRI application due to their excellent magnetic properties. These distinct properties make MSF-NPs most suitable for cancer treatment and bright Contrast Agents (T1-MRI).

هدفت هذه الدراسة للتعرف على أثر لجان التدقيق(حجم لجنة التدقيق، الخبرة المالية لأعضاء لجنة التدقيق، استقلالية لجنة التدقيق) على جودة التدقيق الداخلي في البنوك التجارية الأردنية من خلال استخدم المنهج الوصفي، وتم تحديد عينة الدراسة ضمن المسميات الوظيفية (مدقق داخلي، عضو لجنة تدقيق، رئيس تنفيذي لمدققين الداخليين) في البنوك التجارية الأردنية، حيث تكونت من (110) موظفين ضمن المسميات الوظيفية المحددة مسبقاً، وبعد إجراء التحليل الإحصائي باستخدام الانحدار الخطي المتعدد لاختبار فرضيات الدراسة، تم التوصل إلى العديد من النتائج كان من أهمها: يوجد أثر إيجابي لحجم لجنة التدقيق على جودة التدقيق الداخلي في البنوك التجارية الأردنية، يوجد أثر إيجابي للخبرة المالية لأعضاء لجنة التدقيق على جودة التدقيق الداخلي في البنوك التجارية الأردنية، لا يوجد أثر لاستقلالية لجنة التدقيق على جودة التدقيق الداخلي في البنوك التجارية الأردنية.

Soilborne Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) pathogens disrupt microbial communities as they invade roots and fatally wilt plants. RSSC pathogens secrete antimicrobial toxins using a type VI secretion system (T6SS). To investigate how evolution and ecology have shaped the T6SS of these bacterial pathogens, we analyzed the T6SS gene content and architecture across the RSSC and their evolutionary relatives. Our analysis reveals that two ecologically similar Burkholderiaceae taxa, xylem-pathogenic RSSC and Paracidovorax, have convergently evolved to wield large arsenals of T6SS toxins. To understand the mechanisms underlying genomic enrichment of T6SS toxins, we compiled an atlas of 1,066 auxiliary T6SS toxin clusters (aux clusters) across 99 high-quality RSSC genomes. We classified 25 types of aux clusters with toxins that predominantly target lipids, nucleic acids, or unknown cellular substrates. The aux clusters were located in diverse genetic neighborhoods and had complex phylogenetic distributions, suggesting frequent horizontal gene flow. Phages and other mobile genetic elements account for most of the aux cluster acquisition on the chromosome but very little on the megaplasmid. Nevertheless, RSSC genomes were more enriched in aux clusters on the megaplasmid. Although the single, ancestral T6SS was broadly conserved in the RSSC, the T6SS has been convergently lost in atypical, non-soilborne lineages. Overall, our data suggest dynamic interplay between the lifestyle of RSSC lineages and the evolution of T6SSes with robust arsenals of toxins. This pangenomic atlas poises the RSSC as an emerging, tractable model to understand the role of the T6SS in shaping pathogen populations.IMPORTANCEWe explored the eco-evolutionary dynamics that shape the inter-microbial warfare mechanisms of a globally significant plant pathogen, the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex. We discovered that most Ralstonia wilt pathogens have evolved extensive and diverse repertoires of type VI secretion system-associated antimicrobial toxins. These expansive toxin arsenals potentially enhance the ability of Ralstonia pathogens to invade plant microbiomes, enabling them to rapidly colonize and kill their host plants. We devised a classification system to categorize the Ralstonia toxins. Interestingly, many of the toxin gene clusters are encoded on mobile genetic elements, including prophages, which may be mutualistic symbionts that enhance the inter-microbial competitiveness of Ralstonia wilt pathogens. Moreover, our findings suggest that the convergent loss of this multi-gene trait contributes to genome reduction in two vector-transmitted lineages of Ralstonia pathogens. Our findings demonstrate that the interplay between microbial ecology and pathogen lifestyle shapes the evolution of a genetically complex antimicrobial weapon.

BACKGROUND: Fosmanogepix is a first-in-class antifungal targeting the fungal enzyme Gwt1, with broad-spectrum activity against yeasts and moulds, including multidrug-resistant fungi, formulated for intravenous (IV) and oral administration. METHODS: This global, multicenter, non-comparative study evaluated the safety and efficacy of fosmanogepix for first-line treatment of candidaemia in non-neutropenic adults. Participants with candidaemia, defined as a positive blood culture for Candida spp. within 96 h prior to study entry, with ≤2 days of prior systemic antifungals, were eligible. Participants received fosmanogepix for 14 days: 1000 mg IV twice daily on Day 1, followed by maintenance 600 mg IV once daily, and optional switch to 700 mg orally once daily from Day 4. Eligible participants who received at least one dose of fosmanogepix and had confirmed diagnosis of candidaemia (