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Horizontal genetic transfer (HGT) is a common phenomenon in eukaryotic genomes. However, the mechanisms by which HGT-derived genes persist and integrate into other pathways remain unclear. This topic is of significant interest because, over time, the stressors that initially favoured the fixation of HGT may diminish or disappear. Despite this, the foreign genes may continue to exist if they become part of a broader stress response or other pathways. The conventional model suggests that the acquisition of HGT equates to adaptation. However, this model may evolve into more complex interactions between gene products, a concept we refer to as the 'Integrated HGT Model' (IHM). To explore this concept further, we studied specialized HGT-derived genes that encode heavy metal detoxification functions. The recruitment of these genes into other pathways could provide clear examples of IHM. In our study, we exposed two anciently diverged species of polyextremophilic red algae from the Galdieria genus to arsenic and mercury stress in laboratory cultures. We then analysed the transcriptome data using differential and coexpression analysis. Our findings revealed that mercury detoxification follows a 'one gene-one function' model, resulting in an indivisible response. In contrast, the arsH gene in the arsenite response pathway demonstrated a complex pattern of duplication, divergence and potential neofunctionalization, consistent with the IHM. Our research sheds light on the fate and integration of ancient HGTs, providing a novel perspective on the ecology of extremophiles.

Water serves as a critical vector for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms, playing a pivotal role in the emergence and propagation of numerous diseases. Ozone (O3) disinfection technology offers promising potential for mitigating the spread of these pathogens in aquatic environments. However, previous studies have only focused on the inactivated effect of O3 on a single pathogenic microorganism, lacking a comprehensive comparative analysis of various influencing factors and different types of pathogens, while the cost-effectiveness of O3 technology has not been mentioned. This review synthesized the migration characteristics of various pathogenic microorganisms in water bodies and examined the properties, mechanisms, and influencing factors of O3 inactivation. It evaluated the efficacy of O3 against diverse pathogens, namely bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, and provided a comparative analysis of their sensitivities to O3. The formation and impact of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) during the O3 inactivation process were assessed, alongside an analysis of the cost-effectiveness of this method. Additionally, potential synergistic treatment processes involving O3 were proposed. Based on these findings, recommendations were made for optimizing the utilization of O3 in water inactivation in order to formulate better inactivation strategies in the post-pandemic eras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the inactivation effect of combined TS (thermosonication) and PS (potassium sorbate) treatments on Bacillus subtilis spores. The inactivation effect and potential mechanisms were examined using plate counts, OD600 values, nucleic acid leakage, DPA (dipicolinic acid) leakage, flow cytometry, and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The results showed that, after TS + PS treatments, the integrity of the inner membrane was lost, the permeability of the inner membrane to water molecules was increased, and the intraspore substances leaked. Furthermore, the OD600 value was reduced, indicating that the spore core hydration was enhanced. Spores proportion with damaged inner membrane was significantly increased to 66%, the ordered secondary structure of the protein was changed into a disordered structure and nucleic acid was fragmented after TS + PS treatment. The results indicated that the combined TS and PS treatments may be a useful method for inactivating bacterial spores in food processing and sterilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a novel biosafety aerosol chamber equipped with state-of-theart instrumentation for bubble-bursting aerosol generation, size distribution measurement, and condensation-growth collection to minimize sampling artifacts when measuring virus infectivity in aerosol particles. Using this facility, we investigated the effect of relative humidity (RH) in very clean air without trace gases (except ~400 ppm CO2) on the preservation of influenza A virus (IAV) infectivity in saline aerosol particles. We characterized infectivity in terms of 99%-inactivation time, t99, a metric we consider most relevant to airborne virus transmission. The viruses remained infectious for a long time, namely t99 > 5 h, if RH < 30% and the particles effloresced. Under intermediate conditions of humidity (40% < RH < 70%), the loss of infectivity was the most rapid (t99 ∾ 15-20 min, and up to t99 ∾ 35 min at 95% RH). This is more than an order of magnitude faster than suggested by many previous studies of aerosol-borne IAV, possibly due to the use of matrices containing organic molecules, such as proteins, with protective effects for the virus. We tested this hypothesis by adding sucrose to our aerosolization medium and, indeed, observed protection of IAV at intermediate RH (55%). Interestingly, the t99 of our measurements are also systematically lower than those in 1-mL droplet measurements of organic-free saline solutions, which cannot be explained by particle size effects alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidence of foodborne illness due to bacterial contamination of fresh produce continue to exist despite continuous research on processing interventions to mitigate the problem. In this study, we combined atmospheric cold plasma treatments with an antimicrobial solution containing specific organic acids generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and tested its antimicrobial efficacy against Salmonella enterica inoculated on tomato surfaces. Tomato surfaces were inoculated with at 5.6 log CFU/g of Salmonella by spotting 0.1 mL of 7 log CFU/ml Salmonella onto the tomato stem scars, and by dipping whole tomatoes into a solution of 7 log CFU/ml Salmonella for 3 min to achieve 4.1 log CFU/g. Antimicrobial efficacy of the organic acid‐based sanitizer + cold plasma treatments for 30, 60, 120, 180, and 360 s, were investigated, and significant bacterial inactivation was achieved above 120 s treatments. At 120 s, surviving populations of aerobic mesophilic bacteria recovered on the tomatoes surfaces averaged < 2 logs/g while yeast and mold survival averaged < 1 CFU/g. Treatment combination with this organic acid‐based sanitizer + cold plasma for 120 s resulted in a 4.9 log reduction of Salmonella on the stem scar area and a 3.9 log reduction on the smooth peel surface. Similarly, populations of aerobic mesophilic bacteria recovered on treated tomato surfaces averaged < 0.3 log CFU/g. The results of this study indicate that combining an organic acid‐based sanitizer with cold plasma treatments for ≥ 120 s can inactivates significant populations of Salmonella to enhance the microbial safety of tomato surfaces designated for fresh‐cut salad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major challenge in employing high pressure (HP) at moderate temperature for sterilization is the remarkable resistance of bacterial spores. High isostatic pressure can initiate spore germination, enabling subsequent inactivation under mild conditions. However, not all spores could be triggered to germinate under pressure at temperatures =80°C so far. In this study, germination treatment combinations were evaluated for Bacillus spores involving moderate HP (150 MPa, 37°C, 5 min), very HP (vHP, 550 MPa, 60°C, 2.5 or 9 min), simple and complex nutrient germinants [L-valine, L-alanine, and tryptic soy broth (TSB)], nisin, and incubation at atmospheric pressure (37°C). The most effective combinations for Bacillus subtilis resulted in a reduction of culturable dormant spores by 8 log10 units. The combinations involved nisin, a nutrient germinant (L-valine or TSB), a first vHP treatment (550 MPa, 60°C, 2.5 min), incubation at atmospheric pressure (37°C, 6 h), and a second vHP treatment (550 MPa, 60°C, 2.5 min). Such treatment combination with L-valine reduced Bacillus amyloliquefaciens spores by only 2 log10 units. B. amyloliquefaciens, thus, proved to be substantially more HP-resistant compared to B. subtilis, validating previous studies. Despite combining different germination mechanisms, complete germination could not be achieved for either species. The natural bacteriocin nisin did seemingly not promote HP germination initiation under chosen HP conditions, contrary to previous literature. Nevertheless, nisin might be beneficial to inhibit the growth of HP-germinated or remaining ungerminated spores. Future germination experiments might consider that nisin could not be completely removed from spores by washing, thereby affecting plate count enumeration. IMPORTANCE Extremely resistant spore-forming bacteria are widely distributed in nature. They infiltrate the food chain and processing environments, posing risks of spoilage and food safety. Traditional heat-intensive inactivation methods often negatively affect the product quality. HP germination-inactivation offers a potential solution for better preserving sensitive ingredients while inactivating spores. However, the presence of ungerminated (superdormant) spores hampers the strategy's success and safety. Knowledge of strategies to overcome resistance to HP germination is vital to progress mild spore control technologies. Our study contributes to the evaluation and development of mild preservation processes by evaluating strategies to enhance the HP germination-inactivation efficacy. Mild preservation processes can fulfill the consumers' demand for safe and minimally processed food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a strong oxidizing agent and an efficient disinfectant. Due to its broad-spectrum bactericidal properties, good inactivation effect on the vast majority of bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms, low resistance to drugs, and low generation of halogenated by-products, chlorine dioxide is widely used in fields such as water purification, food safety, medical and public health, and living environment. This review introduced the properties and application status of chlorine dioxide, compared the action mode, advantages and disadvantages of various disinfectants. The mechanism of chlorine dioxide inactivating bacteria, fungi and viruses were reviewed. The lethal target of chlorine dioxide to bacteria and fungi is to destroy the structure of cell membrane, change the permeability of cell membrane, and make intracellular substances flow out, leading to their death. The lethal targets for viruses are the destruction of viral protein capsids and the degradation of RNA fragments. The purpose of this review is to provide more scientific guidance for the application of chlorine dioxide disinfectants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to bioaerosols can result in severe infection and even death, prompting the development of numerous air filters to capture and inactivate bioaerosols. Although the wettability of filter media determines its bioaerosol‐capture efficiency, the dynamic collision behavior of multiscale aqueous bioaerosols on most filter media is poorly understood. A double‐gradient Janus paper (Janus paper) with a pore‐size gradient, asymmetric wettability, and biocidal and bioadhesion properties is fabricated in this study using an industrially available papermaking process. The dynamic collision behavior at the micrometer and millimeter scales indicates that the Janus paper enables the full‐scale blocking and/or capture of aqueous aerosols by a two‐step mechanism where the water‐repellent top layer blocks large‐size aqueous aerosols, while the hydrophilic bottom layer permits the adherence of small‐size aerosols to its fibers. The Janus paper exhibits a higher capture and inactivation capacity (inactivation efficiency: 98.3%), better dust‐holding capacity (> 21 g m−2), and a longer lifetime than commercial filter media. Commercial air purifiers comprising the Janus paper exhibit high potential for large‐scale commercial applications owing to the facile, low‐cost, and scalable fabrication method. This study enables future research on efficient and practicable Janus‐paper filter media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food contact surfaces can harbor and transmit pathogens leading to outbreaks. Decontamination strategies that are user- and environmentally-friendly without toxic by-product formation are needed. Novel UV-C light-emitting diode (LED) technologies are being explored to deliver the required dose to inactivate viruses in food-processing environments. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of 279 nm UV-C LED to 254 nm UV-C against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and feline calicivirus (FCV, a cultivable human norovirus surrogate) on stainless-steel, ceramic, and glass surfaces. Viruses were surface spread on sterile stainless-steel or ceramic coupons (100 μL on 2 × 2 cm2), or glass discs (50 μL on 1 × 1 cm2), air-dried, and UV-C-treated for up to 3.75 min (surface dose = 0–49.2 mJ/cm2 for HAV and 0–24.6 mJ/cm2 for FCV). Each triplicate treatment was assayed in duplicate, and data were statistically analyzed. The D10-values for HAV treated with UV-C at 254 nm on stainless-steel, ceramic, and glass were 9.48 ± 0.34, 14.53 ± 2.52, and 6.91 ± 1.93 mJ/cm2, while with UV-C LED at 279 nm were 19.53 ± 2.45, 26.05 ± 0.60, and 8.77 ± 2.08 mJ/cm2, respectively. The D10-values for FCV treated with UV-C at 254 nm on stainless-steel, ceramic, and glass were 3.65 ± 0.06, 6.25 ± 1.90, and 4.69 ± 0.03 mJ/cm2, while with UV-C LED at 279 nm were 7.097 ± 2.11, 8.31 ± 2.12, and 7.88 ± 0.86 mJ/cm2, respectively. Higher 279 nm UV-C doses were needed to inactivate HAV and FCV compared to 254 nm UV-C on the tested surfaces. Novel UV-C LED systems using appropriate doses show promise to inactivate foodborne viruses on food contact surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Experimental studies in animals have yielded conflicting results on the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in sepsis and endotoxemia, with some reporting adaptive and others inappropriate effects. A meta-analysis of the available literature was performed to determine the factors explaining this discrepancy. Methods: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020167384) prior to data collection. PubMed and Embase were the databases queried. Risk of bias was evaluated using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool. All animal studies investigating sepsis-related mortality and modified TNF signaling were considered eligible. The exclusion criteria were: lack of mortality data, 7-day mortality rates below 10% in both wild type and TNF-altered pathway animals, and absence of an English abstract. To determine the role of TNF according to the experimental protocol, three approaches were used: first an approach based on the statistical significance of each experiment, then the pooled mortality was calculated, and finally the weighted risk ratio for mortality was assessed. Results: A total of 175 studies were included in the analysis, comprising a total of 760 experiments and involving 19,899 animals. The main species used were mice (77%) and rats (21%). The most common method of TNF pathway modulation was TNF pathway inactivation that was primarily associated with an inappropriate secretion of TNF. At the opposite, TNF injection was associated with an adaptive role of TNF. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection was the most used stimulus to establish an infectious model (42%) and was strongly associated with an inappropriate role of TNF. Conversely, live bacterial models, especially the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model, pneumonia, meningitis, and gastrointestinal infection, were associated with an adaptive role. This was particularly evident for Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae. Conclusion: The role of TNF during infection varies depending on the experimental model used. Models that mimic clinical conditions, based on virulent bacteria that cause high mortality even at low inocula, demonstrated an adaptive role of TNF. Conversely, models based on LPS or low-pathogenic live bacteria, administered at doses well above physiological thresholds and combined with early antibiotic therapy, were associated with an inappropriate role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite best efforts in air purification, airborne infectious diseases will continue to spread due to the continuous emission of bioaerosols by the host/infected person. Hence, a shift in focus from air purification to bioaerosol inactivation is urgently needed. To explore the potential of the cold plasma technology for preventing rapid spread of airborne infectious diseases, we studied a cold plasma ionizer (CPI) device and an electrostatic precipitator (ESP)-coupled CPI (CPI-ESP) device for the inactivation and cleaning of surface-spread microorganisms and bioaerosols, using porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and aerosolized E. coli as representatives. We firstly demonstrated that CPI coupled with ESP is an effective technology for inactivating virus and bacteria spread on surfaces in an in-house test chamber. We then demonstrated the efficacy of CPI-coupled ESP for the inactivation of aerosolized E. coli in the same chamber. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the efficiency of a CPI-ESP coupled device for the inactivation of naturally occurring airborne microbials in a few indoor settings (i.e., a living room, a discussion room, a schoolroom, and an office) to determine the treatment duration- and human activity-dependent efficacy. To understand the disinfection mechanism, we conducted a fluorescence microscopy study to reveal different degrees of E. coli bacteria cell membrane damage under CPI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of predictive microbial models used in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) relies on the relevancy of conditions influencing growth or inactivation. The continued use of log‐linear models in studies remains widespread, despite evidence that they fail to accurately account for biphasic kinetics or include parameters to account for the effect of environmental conditions within the model equation. Although many experimental studies detail conditions of interest, studies that do not do so lead to uncertainty in QMRA modeling because the applicability of the predictive microbial models to the conditions in the risk scenarios is questionable or must be extrapolated. The current study systematically reviewed 65 articles that provided quantitative data and documented the conditions influencing the inactivation or growth of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 in leafy greens. The conditions were identified and categorized as environmental, biological, chemical, and/or processing. Our study found that temperature (n = 37 studies) and sanitizing and washing procedures (n = 12 studies) were the most studied conditions in the farm‐to‐table continuum of leafy greens. In addition, relative humidity was also established to affect growth and inactivation in more than one stage in the continuum. This study proposes the evaluation of the interactive effects of multiple conditions in processing and storage stages from controlled experiments as they relate to the fate of STEC O157:H7 in leafy greens for future quantitative analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereals and legumes have a porous structure, being an inert carrier during mass exchange processes; they contain voids in the form of pores and stomata, on the surface of which there are foreign extractable substances in a solid state, in particular, trypsin and urease inhibitor proteins. These substances, due to their harmful effect on the final product, are subject to removal by extraction. One of the methods for inactivating anti-nutritional substances is ultrasonic treatment of soybeans.The article discusses the technology of inactivating inhibitors that worsen food and protein value of vital soybeans. The developed technology was aimed at dissolving a solid substance - soybean inhibitor protein in a liquid, carried out due to molecular diffusion, intensifying the processes of mass transfer and mass return. When creating a suspension by mixing the solid (crushed soybean grain) and liquid (water) phases, water molecules, which are a solvent, penetrate under the action of capillary forces into the pores and stomata of the treated body, begin to penetrate. On this basis, technological directions of research have been established, a sequence has been built and the physical essence of operations has been substantiated, consisting of four main ones - grinding soybean grain, creating a “water-soybean” suspension, ultrasonic (US) treatment of soybeans, drying. As a result of the conducted research, optimal technological parameters have been established for intensifying the process of inactivation of anti-nutritional substances contained in native soybeans: the degree of grinding of soybean grains is 0.5-1.0 mm; the ratio of water-soy suspension (1:1). The efficiency of the developed technological process will be factors affecting the quality of the resulting products, the duration and energy intensity of the process, resource conservation, simplicity of design and low cost of manufacture, the possibility of automation.

To systematize published laboratory methods to inactivate Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and to describe their effectiveness. We carried out a review of the scientific literature to identify the publications that reported methods for the inactivation of MTB, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. The search addressed inactivation methodologies used in Public health laboratories for the treatment of biological material and only included studies reporting the efficacy of the method. The database used were PubMed (National Library of Medicine) and LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences). We evaluated the quality of the studies with the JBI (Joanna Briggs Institute) Critical Instrument Appraisal Checklist. We included 14 publications meeting the established inclusion and exclusion criteria. These 14 studies actually described a total of 35 inactivation methods. Most of them combined heat treatment with some chemical or enzymatic agent, and there were very few applying a single strategy. Twenty-four (68.57%) methods demonstrated significant efficacy in inactivating MTB. The systematic review identified 35 methods of inactivation of MTB, published in 14 studies. Most of the methods combined physical treatment techniques, especially heat, with chemical and/or enzymatic treatment techniques, obtaining mostly good results in preventing the reproduction of the microorganism. PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Ongoing Systematic Reviews) (Code CRD42024503621).

Abstract In this study, we investigated the ozone inactivation efficiency of Bacillus atrophaeus spores attached to various tile surfaces. Eight different types of tiles were employed, considering factors such as porosity (ceramic, porcelain), color (white, black), and glossiness (matte, glossy). Inactivation was performed by exposing the spore-loaded tiles to ozone gas for a specified duration. The inactivation efficiencies of ozone gas on different tile surfaces were compared by analyzing the colony-forming units of desorbed Bacillus atrophaeus cultured in a growth medium. Results revealed a reduction in colony counts with increasing ozone exposure time, indicating a proportional enhancement in inactivation effectiveness on ozone exposure time. After exposure to ozone gas for 30 min or longer, more than 90% of spores on each tile were inactivated. Regarding porosity, ceramic tiles exhibited slightly superior inactivation effects compared to porcelain tiles. Additionally, in terms of glossiness, glossy tiles demonstrated better inactivation effects than matte tiles. However, no significant differences were observed in inactivation effects based on the color of the tiles.

Spores are the main dormant forms of some bacteria under harsh environment conditions, which are widely distributed in nature. Bacterial spores have a rigid structure, which helps resist to environmental stresses such as heat and ultraviolet radiation. At present, it is difficult to inactivate bacterial spores by the conventional sterilization methods used in the food industry. Therefore, bacterial spores are one of the most important factors influencing the food safety. In recent years, the application of non-thermal processing technologies in killing spores has received great deal of attention. Cold plasma is a novel non-thermal physical sterilization technology, which has a broad application prospect in the food industry due to its various advantages such as high bactericidal efficiency, low energy consumption, and secondary pollution-free. In this paper, the application of cold plasma in the inactivation of bacterial spores in foods is reviewed, and the underlying mechanisms are also summarized in detail. Moreover, the effects of diverse factors on cold plasma-induced spores inactivation are analyzed, and the future research direction is also prospected. This article provides important theoretical basis for the practical application of cold plasma in food safety and quality control.

Background: The primary causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic is the newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). After being identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan, SARS-CoV-2 quickly spread to every country worldwide. The highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) has the ability to evade the neutralizing antibodies produced by vaccines. This is because the immune response generated by the vaccines is focused on a specific group of receptor-binding domain (RBD) epitopes. The objective of this work is to establish a systematic protocol for isolating, cultivating, and inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in cell lines without causing any genetic alterations. This is done to develop an inactivated vaccine and make it ready for future pre-clinical trials in animal models. Material and methods: This investigation involves the collection of nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 40) from individuals who are suspected to have COVID-19. The molecular identification of SARS-CoV-2 was achieved by Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has been performed for all collected samples (n = 40). The determination of clade assignment, Pangolin lineages, mutation calling, and phylogenetic placement was performed. We selected only one sample for our candidate vaccine, which has the lowest Ct value and represents the most common strain among all the collected samples. The selected virus sample was cultured on the Vero cell line for 7 continuous passages. The confirmation of SARS CoV-2 propagation was based on the data obtained from both RT-qPCR and the observation of cytopathic effect (CPE). The tissue culture infective dose 50% (TCID50) was determined to examine the growth kinetics for each passage in the tissue culture. The genetic stability of our selected sample for the vaccine candidate was investigated by performing whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the propagated virus. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 was fully inactivated by chemical means utilizing beta-propiolactone (βPL), and the overall protein content was assessed. Result: Finally, we will possess a genetically consistent, inactivated form of the SARS CoV-2 Omicron variant, specifically clade 22B and Pango lineage BA.5.2. Conclusion: This inactivated variant will have a known titer and total protein content, making it suitable for further examination in a pre-clinical study aimed at creating an inactivated vaccine for the SARS CoV-2 Omicron variant that was isolated in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on Bacillus cereus spores inactivation and the quality attributes of white peppers. DBD plasma caused inactivation of B. cereus spores inoculated in white peppers in a time-dependent manner. A maximum reduction of 2.77 log10 CFU/g was observed for B. cereus spores following DBD plasma treatment at 30.72 W for 12 min. The samples showed no significant alterations in the color parameters (L*, a*, and b*) after exposure to DBD plasma for 3 to 9 min. However, when the time was extended to 12 min, the values of L*, a*, and whiteness index significantly decreased, while the b* value increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, DBD plasma treatment (30.72 W, 12 min) caused no adverse effects on the hardness, moisture level, bioactive compounds (phenolic compounds, essential oil, and piperine), and antioxidant activity of white peppers. In addition, e-nose results indicated that DBD plasma caused slightly impact on the volatile flavor profile of white peppers. Overall, these results suggest that cold plasma may be a useful technique for inactivating B. cereus in peppers without significant influences on the quality characteristics of final products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the ozone inactivation efficiency of Bacillus atrophaeus spores attached to various tile surfaces. Eight different types of tiles were employed, considering factors such as porosity (ceramic, porcelain), color (white, black), and glossiness (matte, glossy). Inactivation was performed by exposing the spore-loaded tiles to ozone gas for a specified duration. The inactivation efficiencies of ozone gas on different tile surfaces were compared by analyzing the colony-forming units of desorbed Bacillus atrophaeus cultured in a growth medium. Results revealed a reduction in colony counts with increasing ozone exposure time, indicating a proportional enhancement in inactivation effectiveness on ozone exposure time. After exposure to ozone gas for 30 min or longer, more than 90% of spores on each tile were inactivated. Regarding porosity, ceramic tiles exhibited slightly superior inactivation effects compared to porcelain tiles. Additionally, in terms of glossiness, glossy tiles demonstrated better inactivation effects than matte tiles. However, no significant differences were observed in inactivation effects based on the color of the tiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar disinfection (SODIS) is an affordable and sustainable Household Water Treatment (HWT) method endorsed by WHO. However, its limitations include longer sunlight exposure requirements, incomplete microbial inactivation, and post-SODIS microbial regrowth during monsoon and winter seasons in subtropical climates. To address these limitations, the performance of SODIS with H2O2 for microbial inactivation during the monsoon and winter seasons in Bangladesh was evaluated following the WHO HWT protocols. Moreover, the process was verified using drinking water samples collected from restaurants, households, and slums. All SODIS experiments were conducted using reflective reactors with PET bottles and plastic bags, adding 10 mg/L of H2O2, and exposing them to sunlight for 6 h. The results showed that E. coli was completely inactivated within 2 h in plastic bags and within 3 h in PET bottles during the monsoon season, achieving an LRV of > 5. In winter, both achieved an LRV > 5 within 3 h and plastic bags showed more efficient in microbial inactivation than PET bottles. The microbial inactivation rates were 5 times higher than those of conventional SODIS. No regrowth of microorganisms was observed during the subsequent post-SODIS period of 12 h and 24 h at room temperature. The study findings suggest that SODIS with H2O2 has the potential for complete microorganism inactivation with shorter sunlight exposure in subtropical climates with moderate to low solar irradiation and can be adopted as a reliable disinfection option for rural and urban communities with unsafe drinking water supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The opening of the Torpedo CLC-0 chloride (Cl−) channel is known to be regulated by two gating mechanisms: fast gating and slow (common) gating. The structural basis underlying the fast-gating mechanism is better understood than that of the slow-gating mechanism, which is still largely a mystery. Our previous study on the intracellular proton (H+i)-induced inhibition of the CLC-0 anionic current led to the conclusion that the inhibition results from the slow-gate closure (also called inactivation). The conclusion was made based on substantial evidence such as a large temperature dependence of the H+i inhibition similar to that of the channel inactivation, a resistance to the H+i inhibition in the inactivation-suppressed C212S mutant, and a similar voltage dependence between the current recovery from the H+i inhibition and the recovery from the channel inactivation. In this work, we further examine the mechanism of the H+i inhibition of wild-type CLC-0 and several mutants. We observe that an anion efflux through the pore of CLC-0 accelerates the recovery from the H+i-induced inhibition, a process corresponding to the slow-gate opening. Furthermore, various inactivation-suppressed mutants exhibit different current recovery kinetics, suggesting the existence of multiple inactivated states (namely, slow-gate closed states). We speculate that protonation of the pore of CLC-0 increases the binding affinity of permeant anions in the pore, thereby generating a pore blockage of ion flow as the first step of inactivation. Subsequent complex protein conformational changes further transition the CLC-0 channel to deeper inactivated states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses impose a significant public health burden globally, and one of the key elements in controlling their transmission is the ability to inactivate them using disinfectants. However, numerous challenges to inactivating foodborne viruses exist due to inherent viral characteristics (such as recalcitrance to commonly used inactivation agents) and external factors (such as improper cleaning before application of inactivation agent, improper contact time, etc.). Given the potential for improper application of disinfectants (such as shorter than recommended contact time, improper disinfectant concentration, etc.), understanding the performance of a disinfectant in the presence of an organic load is important. To accomplish this, the introduction of simulated organic loads is often used when studying the efficacy of a disinfectant against different viruses. However, the different types of simulated organic loads used in foodborne virus inactivation studies or their relative effects on inactivation have not been reviewed. The purpose of this review is to survey different simulated organic load formulations used in studying foodborne virus inactivation, as well as present and compare the influence of these different formulations on viral inactivation. The findings included in this review suggest that many simulated organic load formulations can reduce disinfectants' efficacy against viruses. Based on the findings in this review, blood, particularly serum or feces, are among the most commonly used and efficacious forms of simulated organic load in many tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Derived from the denitrifying bacterium Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1 (Azoarcus sp.), the enzyme S-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol dehydrogenase (S-HPED) belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family. Using research techniques like UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, thermal-shift assay and HPLC, we investigated the catalytic and structural stability of S-HPED over a wide temperature range and within the pH range of 5.5 to 9.0 under storage and reaction conditions. The relationship between aggregation and inactivation of the enzyme in various pH environments was also examined and interpreted. At pH 9.0, where the enzyme exhibited no aggregation, we characterized thermally induced enzyme inactivation. Through isothermal and multitemperature analysis of inactivation data, we identified and confirmed the first-order inactivation mechanism under these pH conditions and determined the kinetic parameters of the inactivation process. Additionally, we report the positive impact of glucose as an enzyme stabilizer, which slows down the dynamics of S-HPED inactivation over a wide range of pH and temperature and limits enzyme aggregation. Besides characterizing the stability of S-HPED, the enzyme's catalytic activity and high stereospecificity for 10 prochiral carbonyl compounds were positively verified, thus expanding the spectrum of substrates reduced by S-HPED. Our research contributes to advancing knowledge about the biocatalytic potential of this catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is a global public health threat. As high-risk environments for transmission, hospitals require effective methods to inactivate the virus on surfaces and in the air to prevent further spread among hospitals. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the use of ozone gas to inactivate surface and airborne SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings. A systematic literature search was performed in databases including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science from 2019 to 2024. Studies that assessed the use of ozone gas to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings were included. The quality assessment of the studies was done using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Studies have reported that ozone effectively inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces and air in hospital environments. However, there were variations in ozone concentration, exposure time, and relative humidity (RH) used in each study. Ozone demonstrates promise as an effective disinfectant for inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces and air in hospital environments. It should be focused on determining the optimal conditions for maximum efficiency and establishing relevant protocols in terms of human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic inactivation has been proved to be one of the most promising strategies for controlling pathogenic microorganisms. Herein, a novel Ag nanoparticles (NPs) decorated sulfur doped g-C3 N4 (Ag/SCN) composite was successfully prepared by combining thermal polymerization and photoreduction methods using urea and thiobarbituric acid as precursors. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS and UV-Vis DRS, the inactivation properties and mechanism against E. coli were investigated in depth. The results indicate that Ag NPs are uniformly and tightly decorated on the surface of SCN and the Ag/SCN composites exhibite significantly enhanced visible light response. When the decorating amount of Ag is 6%, the Ag/SCN-6 achieves the optimal photocatalytic antibacterial activity, which could completely inactivate 6. 2 lg CFU·mL-1 of E. coli within 60 min of visible light irradiation. Moreover, active species trapping experiments reveal that the generated superoxide radicals (·O-2) following with holes (h+) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) dominate the photocatalytic antibacterial process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spores are the main dormant forms of some bacteria under harsh environment conditions, which are widely distributed in nature. Bacterial spores have a rigid structure, which helps resist to environmental stresses such as heat and ultraviolet radiation. At present, it is difficult to inactivate bacterial spores by the conventional sterilization methods used in the food industry. Therefore, bacterial spores are one of the most important factors influencing the food safety. In recent years, the application of non-thermal processing technologies in killing spores has received great deal of attention. Cold plasma is a novel non-thermal physical sterilization technology, which has a broad application prospect in the food industry due to its various advantages such as high bactericidal efficiency, low energy consumption, and secondary pollution-free. In this paper, the application of cold plasma in the inactivation of bacterial spores in foods is reviewed, and the underlying mechanisms are also summarized in detail. Moreover, the effects of diverse factors on cold plasma-induced spores inactivation are analyzed, and the future research direction is also prospected. This article provides important theoretical basis for the practical application of cold plasma in food safety and quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the synergistic effect of combining flavourzyme, a natural enzyme, and floating electrode–dielectric barrier discharge (FE-DBD) plasma (1.1 kV, 43 kHz, N2 1.5 m/s) treatment, a non-thermal decontamination technology, against Escherichia coli biofilms in squid. E. coli (ATCC 35150 and ATCC 14301) biofilms were formed on the surface of squid and treated with different minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of flavourzyme (1/8; 31.25 μL/mL, 1/4; 62.5 μL/mL, 2/4; 125 μL/mL, and 3/4 MIC; 250 μL/mL) and FE-DBD plasma (5, 10, 30, and 60 min). Independently, flavourzyme and FE-DBD plasma treatment decreased by 0.26–1.71 and 0.19–1.03 log CFU/cm2, respectively. The most effective synergistic combination against E. coli biofilms was observed at 3/4 MIC flavourzyme + 60 min FE-DBD plasma exposure, resulting in a reduction of 1.55 log CFU/cm2. Furthermore, the combined treatment exhibited higher efficacy in E. coli biofilm inactivation in squid compared to individual treatments. The pH values of the synergistic combinations were not significantly different from those of the untreated samples. The outcomes indicate that the combined treatment with flavourzyme and FE-DBD plasma can effectively provide effective control of E. coli biofilms without causing pH changes in squid. Therefore, our study suggests a new microbial control method for microbial safety in the seafood industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removal of pathogenic viruses from water resources is critically important for sanitation and public health. Nanotechnology is a promising technology for virus inactivation. In this paper, the effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) anatase nanoparticles (NPs) on human adenovirus type 35 (HAdV-35) removal under static and dynamic (with agitation) batch conditions were comprehensively studied. Batch experiments were performed at room temperature (25 °C) with and without ambient light using three different initial virus concentrations. The virus inactivation experimental data were satisfactorily fitted with a pseudo-first-order expression with a time-dependent rate coefficient. The experimental results demonstrated that HAdV-35 sorption onto TiO2 NPs was favored with agitation under both ambient light and dark conditions. However, no distinct relationships between virus initial concentration and removal efficiency could be established from the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a novel biosafety aerosol chamber equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for bubble-bursting aerosol generation, size distribution measurement, and condensation-growth collection to minimize sampling artifacts when measuring virus infectivity in aerosol particles. Using this facility, we investigated the effect of relative humidity (RH) in very clean air without trace gases (except ∼400 ppm CO2) on the preservation of influenza A virus (IAV) infectivity in saline aerosol particles. We characterized infectivity in terms of 99%-inactivation time, t99, a metric we consider most relevant to airborne virus transmission. The viruses remained infectious for a long time, namely t99 > 5 h, if RH < 30% and the particles effloresced. Under intermediate conditions of humidity (40% < RH < 70%), the loss of infectivity was the most rapid (t99 ≈ 15–20 min, and up to t99 ≈ 35 min at 95% RH). This is more than an order of magnitude faster than suggested by many previous studies of aerosol-borne IAV, possibly due to the use of matrices containing organic molecules, such as proteins, with protective effects for the virus. We tested this hypothesis by adding sucrose to our aerosolization medium and, indeed, observed protection of IAV at intermediate RH (55%). Interestingly, the t99 of our measurements are also systematically lower than those in 1-μL droplet measurements of organic-free saline solutions, which cannot be explained by particle size effects alone.

UV light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been regarded as feasible alternatives for traditional UV lamps since the early 2000s, owing to their improved safety features, environmental advantages, and efficiency. Because of the inherent challenges associated with lower intensity of LEDs over extended distances, our findings demonstrated the optimized disinfection efficiency using various LED setups. This study evaluated the antimicrobial effectiveness of single, six, and eight-LED configurations against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), specifically emphasizing attaining the utmost disinfection efficiency within an extended range of up to 60 cm. With an 8-LED configuration, the study achieved a substantial reduction of 6.10×104 CFU/mL from an initial level of 5.20×109 CFU/mL, corresponding to 4.9-log10 inactivation, requiring a dose of 264 µJ-cm−2. 2.9-log10 inactivation was achieved using a 6-LED, yielding lower yet comparable efficiency requiring 192 µJ-cm−2 of dose. However, with 60 µJ-cm−2 of dose, a single LED could only reduce the bacterial burden from the initial level to merely 0.2-log10 inactivation, corresponding to 2.9 × 109 CFU/mL, under similar exposure settings. In conclusion, UV-LEDs show promise for disinfection, with LED configuration and distance significantly impacting their efficiency, holding perspective for various applications, particularly within healthcare facilities.

A learned sensory-motor behavior engages multiple brain regions, including the neocortex and the basal ganglia. How a target stimulus is detected by these regions and converted to a motor response remains poorly understood. Here, we performed electrophysiological recordings and pharmacological inactivations of whisker motor cortex and dorsolateral striatum to determine the representations within, and functions of, each region during performance in a selective whisker detection task in male and female mice. From the recording experiments, we observed robust, lateralized sensory responses in both structures. We also observed bilateral choice probability and preresponse activity in both structures, with these features emerging earlier in whisker motor cortex than dorsolateral striatum. These findings establish both whisker motor cortex and dorsolateral striatum as potential contributors to the sensory-to-motor (sensorimotor) transformation. We performed pharmacological inactivation studies to determine the necessity of these brain regions for this task. We found that suppressing the dorsolateral striatum severely disrupts responding to task-relevant stimuli, without disrupting the ability to respond, whereas suppressing whisker motor cortex resulted in more subtle changes in sensory detection and response criterion. Together these data support the dorsolateral striatum as an essential node in the sensorimotor transformation of this whisker detection task.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Selecting an item in a grocery store, hailing a cab - these daily practices require us to transform sensory stimuli into motor responses. Many decades of previous research have studied goal-directed sensory-to-motor transformations within various brain structures, including the neocortex and the basal ganglia. Yet, our understanding of how these regions coordinate to perform sensory-to-motor transformations is limited because these brain structures are often studied by different researchers and through different behavioral tasks. Here, we record and perturb specific regions of the neocortex and the basal ganglia and compare their contributions during performance of a goal-directed somatosensory detection task. We find notable differences in the activities and functions of these regions, which suggests specific contributions to the sensory-to-motor transformation process.

The modern consumer prefers natural products with minimal processing, which allows maximum preservation of the nutritional value of the product and fresh taste and aroma. The purpose of this article is to review the results of studies concerning the effect of ohmic heating on the product in comparison with heat treatment and considering the combined use of this method with non-thermal technologies in the production of canned fruit and vegetables. The material for this study was 105 scientific publications. A search for scientific literature in English and Russian on the use of the ohmic heating technology in the process of processing fruits and vegetables was carried out in the bibliographic databases Scopus, Web of Science, as well as in other sources. The period 2010–2023 was adopted as the time frame for the review of scientific publications. To review the subject field of the study, an algorithm was used in accordance with the PRISMA protocol. A scientific search and review of scientific publications on the research topic showed a limited number of studies assessing the ohmic heating (OH) technology in the processing of fruits and vegetables. In the process of using this technology, electric current is applied, ensuring uniform and rapid release of heat inside the food matrix. OH has a shorter processing time, which helps preserve the organoleptic quality of the product and its nutritional value. Compared to heat treatment, the OH technology not only inactivates microorganisms and food enzymes, but also prevents overheating, which reduces the negative impact of temperature on the chemical composition of the product. Evaporation/concentration, dehydration/drying of fruit juices or purees using OH resulted in higher energy efficiency and reduced processing time compared to traditional processing methods. Despite many advantages, there are limitations to large-scale industrial application of the OH method, including corrosion of the electrodes, which can have a negative impact on the product, as well as uneven heating of some types of fruit and vegetable raw materials during continuous processing. The results of this review can be used in the process of conducting further scientific research, which is advisable to continue in order to determine specific processing parameters and eliminate uneven heating of food raw materials.

Listeria monocytogenes, which causes human listeriosis after consumption of contaminated food, can adapt and survive under a wide range of physiological and chemical stresses. In this study, the overall proteomic response of the L. monocytogenes strain F2365—a strain with mutations limiting its ability to tolerate acidic conditions—to progressive non-thermal acidic inactivation was investigated. The challenge process was investigated in the early stationary growth phase where F2365 cultures were acidified (pH 3.0, HCl) at 5 min, 1 h, and 2 h, generating pH 4.8, pH 4.1, and pH 3.5, respectively, with protein abundance measured using iTRAQ. Approximately 73 proteins increased in abundance and 8 declined when acidic stress became non-growth-permissive (pH < 4.1) and inactivation accelerated to approximately 2 log units/h. The functional categories of responding proteins were broad but the proteins involved were specific in nature and did not include whole pathways. Many responses likely accentuate energy conservation and compensate vital metabolic processes. For example, further repression of FlaA, normally repressed under acidic stress, occurs accompanied by an increase in quinol oxidase subunit QoxA and glycerol kinase GlpK. Proteins maintaining cell wall integrity, such as Iap and CwlO, manifested the overall largest abundance increase trend. Virulence proteins were also induced, including InlA, InlC, Hyl, Mpl, PlcA, and PlcB, suggesting that acidification may have mimicked conditions inducing some host survival traits. The overall suite of proteins affected appears to be the "last ditch" responses to non-thermal inactivation above and beyond the standard protections afforded in the stationary-growth phase. The array of proteins found here may provide a deeper understanding of the physiological responses of this pathogen during non-thermal inactivation.

Objective: Establish a computer model for predicting the inactivation of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii in apple juice by surface discharge plasma (SDP). Methods: The numerical simulation software COMSOL multiphysics was used to model SDP inactivation of Z. rouxii LB. The inactivation efficiency was evaluated under different conditions of discharge voltage, bubble size and sample volume. The model was then validated. Results: SDP was highly effective in deactivating hyperosmotic-resistant yeast in apple juice. The reaction rate coefficient decreased with an increase in the initial concentration of bacteria. Furthermore, the increase in discharge voltage shortened the time needed to inactivate yeasts. Bubble size variations had no significant effect on the inactivation of Z. rouxii LB, and the inactivation time was prolonged with increasing sample volume. The model simulation results agreed with the experimental data.

Abstract Background The polysaccharides in lignocellulosic biomass hold potential for production of biofuels and biochemicals. However, achieving efficient conversion of this resource into fermentable sugars faces challenges, especially when operating at industrially relevant high solid loadings. While it is clear that combining classical hydrolytic enzymes and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) is necessary to achieve high saccharification yields, exactly how these enzymes synergize at high solid loadings remains unclear. Results An LPMO-poor cellulase cocktail, Celluclast 1.5 L, was spiked with one or both of two fungal LPMOs from Thermothielavioides terrestris and Thermoascus aurantiacus, TtAA9E and TaAA9A, respectively, to assess their impact on cellulose saccharification efficiency at high dry matter loading, using Avicel and steam-exploded wheat straw as substrates. The results demonstrate that LPMOs can mitigate the reduction in saccharification efficiency associated with high dry matter contents. The positive effect of LPMO inclusion depends on the type of feedstock and the type of LPMO and increases with the increasing dry matter content and reaction time. Furthermore, our results show that chelating free copper, which may leak out of the active site of inactivated LPMOs during saccharification, with EDTA prevents side reactions with in situ generated H2O2 and the reductant (ascorbic acid). Conclusions This study shows that sustaining LPMO activity is vital for efficient cellulose solubilization at high substrate loadings. LPMO cleavage of cellulose at high dry matter loadings results in new chain ends and thus increased water accessibility leading to decrystallization of the substrate, all factors making the substrate more accessible to cellulase action. Additionally, this work highlights the importance of preventing LPMO inactivation and its potential detrimental impact on all enzymes in the reaction.

ABSTRACTThis work aimed to study the kinetics and mechanisms of Botrytis cinerea conidia inactivation by aqueous ozone treatments (2.5 ± 0.8 mg O3 L−1 and 4.2 ± 0.2 mg O3 L−1, 0.5–16 min), using conventional plate count technique, flow cytometry analysis (FCM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of treatments on the mold incidence on two artificially contaminated strawberries cultivars over refrigerated storage (6 ± 1 °C) was also investigated. The inactivation pattern of B. cinerea conidial suspensions depended on initial level of the microorganism, dissolved ozone concentration and treatment time. Non-linear survival curves were obtained and fitted successfully with the Weibullian model. FCM and TEM analysis revealed alterations in the physiological state and ultrastructure of ozonated conidia that depended on the ozone dose. Ozonation (4.4 mg O3L−1, 5–10 min) reduced B. cinerea incidence throughout storage in strawberries of cv. Fortuna, but no effect was found in cv. Aroma.

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the inactivation mechanism and kinetics of dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) plasma against Escherichia coli O157:H7. DBD plasma exhibited a remarkable bactericidal effect, and the inactivation kinetics was well described with the Weibull model. Using the ambient air as the working gas, surviving E. coli O157:H7 in phosphate-buffered saline achieved an undetectable level (

Drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters are major determinants of the absorption, disposition, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs, and changes in ADME gene expression or function may alter the pharmacokinetics/ pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) and further influence drug safety and therapeutic outcomes. ADME gene functions are controlled by diverse factors, such as genetic polymorphism, transcriptional regulation, and coadministered medications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a superfamily of regulatory small noncoding RNAs that are transcribed from the genome to regulate target gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The roles of miRNAs in controlling ADME gene expression have been demonstrated, and such miRNAs may consequently influence cellular drug metabolism and disposition capacity. Several types of miRNA mimics and small interfering RNA (siRNA) reagents have been developed and widely used for ADME research. In this review article, we first provide a brief introduction to the mechanistic actions of miRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes, transporters, and transcription factors. After summarizing conventional small RNA production methods, we highlight the latest advances in novel recombinant RNA technologies and applications of the resultant bioengineered RNA (BioRNA) agents to ADME studies. BioRNAs produced in living cells are not only powerful tools for general biological and biomedical research but also potential therapeutic agents amenable to clinical investigations.

Traditional mushroom breeding faces many limitations in improving strains such as insufficient genetic diversity and long breeding cycles. To solve these problems, this study utilized protoplast fusion technology to combine the excellent shapes of different parents to generate strains with new genetic characteristics. The study first optimized the protoplast isolation and fusion conditions of small oyster mushroom and golden mushroom, and then screened and analyzed strain fusions to identify strains with excellent agronomic shapes. The results showed that the protoplast yields of small oyster mushroom X01 and golden mushroom J01 were excellent. These two samples then served as the matrix for strain fusion experiments, and the obtained equations had high reliability. The regeneration rates of small oyster mushroom under single-layer plate culture and liquid-solid phase combined culture were 0.44% and 0.41%, respectively. The regeneration rates of golden mushroom under these two culture conditions were 0.41% and 0.44%, respectively. Based on the results and the convenience of experiment, the single-layer plate culture method was selected as the culture method. In addition, the best inactivation effect of protoplasts was obtained by bathing in water at 50°C for 25 minutes. The fusion was significantly better than the parent strain in terms of growth rate and yield. The results indicated that protoplast fusion technology was an effective tool for improving edible fungi, which could effectively improve the breeding of small oyster mushroom and golden mushroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to test the inactivation of viruses on germ carriers of different types of wood using a disinfectant in order to assess the biosafety of wood as a building material in animal husbandry. The laboratory disinfectant efficacy tests were based on German testing guidelines and current European standards. Five different types of wood germ carriers, i.e., spruce (Picea abies), pine (Pinus sylvestris), poplar (Populus sp.), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), were inoculated with enveloped or non-enveloped viruses and then treated with one of three different disinfectants. The results revealed that intact, fine-sawn timber with a low roughness depth can be effectively inactivated. Peracetic acid proved to be the most effective disinfectant across all tests. Regardless of the pathogen and the type of wood, a concentration of 0.1% of the pure substance at a temperature of 10 °C and an exposure time of one hour can be recommended. At a temperature of −10 °C, a concentration of 0.75% is recommended. The basic chemicals formic acid and glutaraldehyde demonstrated only limited effectiveness overall. The synergistic effects of various wood components on the inactivation of viruses offer potential for further investigation. Disinfectant tests should also be conclusively verified in field trials to ensure that the results from standardised laboratory tests can be transferred to real stable conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical warfare nerve agents and pesticides, known as organophosphorus compounds inactivate cholinesterases (ChEs) by phosphorylating the serine hydroxyl group located at the active site of ChEs. Over the course of time, phosphorylation is followed by loss of an organophosphate‐leaving group and the bond with ChEs becomes irreversible, a process known as aging. Differently, structurally related irreversible catalytic poisons bearing sulfur instead of phosphorus convert ChEs in its aged form only by covalently binding to the key catalytic serine. Kinetic and crystallographic studies of the interaction between Torpedo californica acetylcholinesterase (TcAChE) and a small organosulfonate, methanesulfonyl fluoride (MSF), indeed revealed irreversibly methylsulfonylated serine 200, to be isosteric with the bound aged sarin/soman analogues. The potent bulky reversible inhibitor 7‐bis‐tacrine (BTA) adopts, in the active site of the crystal structure of the MSF‐enzyme adduct, a location and an orientation that closely resemble the one being found in the crystal structure of the BTA‐enzyme complex. Remarkably, the presence of BTA accelerates the rate of methanesulfonylation by a factor of two. This unexpected result can be explained on the basis of two facts: i) the steric hindrance exerted by BTA to MSF in accessing the active site and ii) the acceleration of the MSF‐enzyme adduct formation as a consequence of the lowering of the rotational and translational degrees of freedom in the proximity of the catalytic serine. It is well known that pralidoxime (2‐Pyridine Aldoxime Methyl chloride, 2‐PAM) alone or in the presence of the substrate acetylcholine cannot reactivate the active site serine of the TcAChE‐MSF adduct. We show that the simultaneous presence of 2‐PAM and the additional neutral oxime, 2‐[(hydroxyimino)methyl]‐l‐methylimidazol (2‐HAM), triggers the reactivation process of TcAChE within the hour timescale. Overall, our results pave the way toward the likely use of a cocktail of distinctive oximes as a promising recipe for an effective and fast reactivation of aged cholinesterases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the 60 million tons of legumes produced globally, beans account for 17,662,028. Turkey ranks third among the producers of green beans worldwide, with an annual production of 587, 967. Bean rust disease (Uromyces appendiculatus), root rot disease (Rhizoctonia solani), and bean common mosaic disease (Bean common mosaic potyvirus) are the primary afflictions affecting bean crops in the Aegean Region. Diseases can result in significant crop loss and reduced seed quality. Therefore, it is crucial to carry out pest control activities using sustainable agricultural techniques to minimize the impacts on human and environmental health, agroecosystems, and biological balance. This study aimed to establish mycorrhiza applications in beans as a sustainable approach for plant protection activities, providing more profitable production advantage by reducing fungicide use when combined within the framework of integrated disease management. Based on these findings, mycorrhiza application reduced rust infection by 40% and BCMV infection by 30.2% in the sensitive genotypes. Our field experiments demonstrated that the application of mycorrhiza resulted in 34% reduction of rust disease outbreaks and 65% less use of fungicides compared to the untreated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the methods to inactivate viruses is to denature viral proteins using released ions. However, there have been no reports detailing the effects of changes in humidity or contamination with body fluids on the inactivation of viruses. This study investigated the effects of humidity changes and saliva contamination on the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 inactivation with ions using multiple viral strains. Virus solutions with different infectious titers were dropped onto a circular nitrocellulose membrane and irradiated with ions from 10 cm above the membrane. After the irradiation of ions for 60, 90, and 120 min, changes in viral infectious titers were measured. The effect of ions on virus inactivation under different humidity conditions was also examined using virus solutions containing 90% mixtures of saliva collected from 10 people. A decrease in viral infectivity was observed over time for all strains, but ion irradiation further accelerated the decrease in viral infectivity. Ion irradiation can inactivate all viral strains, but at 80% humidity, the effect did not appear until 90 min after irradiation. The presence of saliva protected the virus from drying and maintained infectiousness for a longer period compared with no saliva. In particular, the Omicron strain retained its infectivity titer longer than the other strains. Ion irradiation demonstrated a consistent reduction in the number of infectious viruses when compared to the control across varying levels of humidity and irradiation periods. This underscores the notable effectiveness of irradiation, even when the reduction effect is as modest as 50%, thereby emphasizing its crucial role in mitigating the rapid dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, Ag/CuBi2O4 composite photocatalyst films with excellent photocatalytic sterilization properties were prepared by photodeposition. The photocatalytic activity of silver-modified CuBi2O4 (Ag/CuBi2O4) under the photocatalytic-Fenton coupling system was verified by its inactivation rate of Escherichia coli in seawater. The results showed that the photocatalytic sterilizing performance of CuBi2O4 loaded with Ag in the presence of trace amounts of H2O2 was significantly improved. 15Ag/CuBi2O4 possessed the optimal photocatalytic activity, and its sterilizing rate in 30 min could reach 96.6%. Its sterilization rate in 30 min could reach 96.6%, which is about 70% higher than that of pure CuBi2O4. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the enhanced sterilization performance of Ag/CuBi2O4 in the photocatalytic-Fenton coupled system was investigated. Firstly, according to the electrochemical results, the loading of Ag can significantly improve the charge separation efficiency of CuBi2O4. And promotes the conversion of H2O2 to hydroxyl radicals(·OH); Secondly, the valence band potential of 15Ag/CuBi2O4 is more positive than that of CuBi2O4, which suggests that Ag loading can enhance the oxidation of CuBi2O4 cavities. Comprehensive radical trapping experiments demonstrate that ·OH and holes (h+) are the main active species for inactivating Escherichia coli (E. coli). In this work, effective conversion of H2O2 to ·OH in a wide spectral range was achieved by loading Ag nanoparticles on the surface of CuBi2O4, which provides a new idea for the development of photocatalytic-Fenton coupling technology and ballast water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a critical need for an inactivation method that completely inactivates pathogens at the time of sample collection while maintaining the nucleic acid quality required for diagnostic PCR testing. This inactivation method is required to alleviate concerns about transmission potential, minimize shipping complications and cost, and enable testing in lower containment laboratories, thereby enhancing disease diagnostics through improved turn-around time. This study evaluated a panel of 10 surrogate viruses that represent highly pathogenic animal diseases. These results showed that a commercial PrimeStore® molecular transport media (PSMTM) completely inactivated all viruses tested by >99.99%, as determined by infectivity and serial passage assays. However, the detection of viral nucleic acid by qRT-PCR was comparable in PSMTM and control-treated conditions. These results were consistent when viruses were evaluated in the presence of biological material such as sera and cloacal swabs to mimic diagnostic sample conditions for non-avian and avian viruses, respectively. The results of this study may be utilized by diagnostic testing laboratories for highly pathogenic agents affecting animal and human populations. These results may be used to revise guidance for select agent diagnostic testing and the shipment of infectious substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold plasma is a promising alternative for water treatment owing to pathogen control and a plethora of issues in the agriculture and food sectors. Shellfish pose a serious risk to public health and are linked to large viral and bacterial outbreaks. Hence, current European regulations mandate a depuration step for shellfish on the basis of their geographical growth area. This study investigated the inactivation of relevant viral and bacterial pathogens of three plasma-activated seawaters (PASWs), and their reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) composition, as being primarily responsible for microbial inactivation. Specifically, F-specific (MS2) and somatic (φ174) bacteriophage, cultivable surrogate (murine norovirus, MNV, and Tulane virus, TV), and human norovirus (HuNoV GII.4) inactivation was determined using plaque counts and infectivity assays, including the novel human intestinal enteroid (HIE) model for HuNoV. Moreover, the kinetic decay of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was characterized. The results showed the complete inactivation of phages (6–8 log), surrogates (5–6 log), HuNoV (6 log), and bacterial (6–7 log) pathogens within 24 h while preventing cytotoxicity effects and preserving mussel viability. Nitrites (NO2−) were found to be mostly correlated with microbial decay. This research shows that PASWs are a suitable option to depurate bivalve mollusks and control the biohazard risk linked to their microbiological contamination, either viral or bacterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The polysaccharides in lignocellulosic biomass hold potential for production of biofuels and biochemicals. However, achieving efficient conversion of this resource into fermentable sugars faces challenges, especially when operating at industrially relevant high solid loadings. While it is clear that combining classical hydrolytic enzymes and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) is necessary to achieve high saccharification yields, exactly how these enzymes synergize at high solid loadings remains unclear. Results: An LPMO-poor cellulase cocktail, Celluclast 1.5 L, was spiked with one or both of two fungal LPMOs from Thermothielavioides terrestris and Thermoascus aurantiacus, TtAA9E and TaAA9A, respectively, to assess their impact on cellulose saccharification efficiency at high dry matter loading, using Avicel and steam-exploded wheat straw as substrates. The results demonstrate that LPMOs can mitigate the reduction in saccharification efficiency associated with high dry matter contents. The positive effect of LPMO inclusion depends on the type of feedstock and the type of LPMO and increases with the increasing dry matter content and reaction time. Furthermore, our results show that chelating free copper, which may leak out of the active site of inactivated LPMOs during saccharification, with EDTA prevents side reactions with in situ generated H2O2 and the reductant (ascorbic acid). Conclusions: This study shows that sustaining LPMO activity is vital for efficient cellulose solubilization at high substrate loadings. LPMO cleavage of cellulose at high dry matter loadings results in new chain ends and thus increased water accessibility leading to decrystallization of the substrate, all factors making the substrate more accessible to cellulase action. Additionally, this work highlights the importance of preventing LPMO inactivation and its potential detrimental impact on all enzymes in the reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]