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27 pages, 3232 KiB  
Article
Genomic and Functional Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant E. coli: Insights into Resistome, Virulome, and Signaling Systems
by Vijaya Bharathi Srinivasan, Naveenraj Rajasekar, Karthikeyan Krishnan, Mahesh Kumar, Chankit Giri, Balvinder Singh and Govindan Rajamohan
Antibiotics 2025, 14(7), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14070667 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 478
Abstract
Introduction: Genetic plasticity and adaptive camouflage in critical pathogens have contributed to the global surge in multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections, posing a serious threat to public health and therapeutic efficacy. Antimicrobial resistance, now a leading cause of global mortality, demands urgent action through diagnostics, [...] Read more.
Introduction: Genetic plasticity and adaptive camouflage in critical pathogens have contributed to the global surge in multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections, posing a serious threat to public health and therapeutic efficacy. Antimicrobial resistance, now a leading cause of global mortality, demands urgent action through diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics. In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research’s surveillance network identifies Escherichia coli as a major cause of urinary tract infections, with increasing prevalence in human gut microbiomes, highlighting its significance across One Health domains. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing of E. coli strain ECG015, isolated from a human gut sample, was performed using the Illumina NextSeq platform. Results: Genomic analysis revealed multiple antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and efflux pump components. Phylogenomic comparisons showed close relatedness to pathovars from both human and animal origins. Notably the genome encoded protein tyrosine kinases (Etk/Ptk and Wzc) and displayed variations in the envelope stress-responsive CpxAR two-component system. Promoter analysis identified putative CpxR-binding sites upstream of genes involved in resistance, efflux, protein kinases, and the MazEF toxin–antitoxin module, suggesting a potential regulatory role of CpxAR in stress response and persistence. Conclusions: This study presents a comprehensive genomic profile of E. coli ECG015, a gut-derived isolate exhibiting clinically significant resistance traits. For the first time, it implicates the CpxAR two-component system as a potential central regulator coordinating antimicrobial resistance, stress kinase signaling, and programmed cell death. These findings lay the groundwork for future functional studies aimed at targeting stress-response pathways as novel intervention strategies against antimicrobial resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genomic Analysis of Drug-Resistant Pathogens)
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22 pages, 11955 KiB  
Article
Coronitic Associations at Gabrish in the Kovdozero Layered Complex in the Southern Part of the Lapland—Belomorian Belt, Kola Peninsula, Russia
by Andrei Y. Barkov, Robert F. Martin, Larisa P. Barkova and Vladimir N. Korolyuk
Minerals 2025, 15(6), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060565 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 411
Abstract
The Paleoproterozoic Kovdozero complex, one of largest in the Fennoscandian Shield, was emplaced in a peripheral region of the SB–TB–LBB (Serpentinite Belt–Tulppio Belt–Lapland–Belomorian Belt) megastructure. Coronitic rocks of ultrabasic–basic compositions, investigated along a cross-section in the Gabrish area, are members of a cryptically [...] Read more.
The Paleoproterozoic Kovdozero complex, one of largest in the Fennoscandian Shield, was emplaced in a peripheral region of the SB–TB–LBB (Serpentinite Belt–Tulppio Belt–Lapland–Belomorian Belt) megastructure. Coronitic rocks of ultrabasic–basic compositions, investigated along a cross-section in the Gabrish area, are members of a cryptically layered series. They crystallized from the northern margin inward, as indicated by variations in mineral compositions and geochemical trends. Unsteady conditions of crystallization arose because of uneven cooling of the shallowly emplaced complex. Rapid drops in temperature likely caused the forced deposition of different generations of variously textured pyroxenes and chromian spinel or resulted in the unique development of narrow recurrent rims of orthopyroxene hosted by olivine. The unstable conditions of crystallization are expressed by (1) textural diversity, (2) broad variations in values of Mg#, and (3) virtual presence of double trends of Mg# as a function of distance. The coronitic textures are intimately associated with interstitial grains of plagioclase (An≤65), also present as relics in a rim of calcic amphibole. The coronas are results of (1) rapid cooling leading to unsteady conditions of crystallization, which caused the sudden cessation of olivine crystallization and the development of an orthopyroxene rim on olivine and (2) an intrinsic enrichment in H2O (and essential Cl in scapolite) coupled with a progressive accumulation of Al and alkalis, giving rise to fluid-rich environments in the intercumulus melt at advances stages of crystallization. These processes were followed by deuteric composite rims of calcic amphibole and reaction of fluid with early rims or grains of pyroxenes and late plagioclase. The coronitic sequences Ol → Opx → Cpx → calcic Amp → Pl (plus Qz + Mca) observed at a microscopic scale reproduce, in miniature, the normal order of crystallization in an ultrabasic–basic complex. A composite orthopyroxene + calcic amphibole corona resembles some rocks in complexes of the Serpentinite Belt. The prominence of such coronas may well be characteristic of the crystallization of komatiite-derived melts. Full article
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13 pages, 319 KiB  
Communication
Genomic Alterations of the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Strain of the GI-23 Lineage Induced by Passages in Chickens and Quails
by Katarzyna Domanska-Blicharz, Joanna Sajewicz-Krukowska, Anna Lisowska, Justyna Opolska, Karolina Tarasiuk and Kamila Dziadek
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(9), 4200; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26094200 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 522
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of the GI-23 lineage, which first emerged in the Middle East in the late 1990s, has since spread worldwide. The factors driving its expansion, whether human involvement, wild bird migration, or the virus’s biological traits, are still unclear. This [...] Read more.
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) of the GI-23 lineage, which first emerged in the Middle East in the late 1990s, has since spread worldwide. The factors driving its expansion, whether human involvement, wild bird migration, or the virus’s biological traits, are still unclear. This study aimed to trace the genome evolution of GI-23 IBV in chickens and its adaptability to quails, which are susceptible to both gamma- and deltacoronaviruses. Thirty specific-pathogen-free (SPF) birds, aged between two and three weeks, were used. Initially, three birds were inoculated with the G052/2016 IBV via the oculo-nasal route. On the third day post-infection (dpi), oropharyngeal swabs were collected from the whole group, pooled, and subsequently used to infect three next birds. This process was repeated nine more times during consecutive IBV passages (P-I–P-X), and eventually, virus sequencing was performed using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). The obtained results showed that quails were not susceptible to the IBV GI-23 lineage, as the virus RNA was detected in low amounts only during the first passage (QP-I) with no further detections in later rounds of IBV passaging. In chickens, only mild diarrhea symptoms appeared in a few individuals. The NGS analysis identified sixty-two single nucleotide variants (SNVs), thirty of which caused amino acid changes, twenty-eight were synonymous, and one SNV introduced a stop codon. Three SNVs were found in untranslated regions. However, none of these SNVs lasted beyond seven passages, with forty-four being unique SNVs. The Shannon entropy values measured during passages varied for pol1a, pol1b, S, 5a, 5b, and N genes, with overall genome complexity peaking at CP-VI and CP-X. The highest complexity was observed in the pol1a (CP-X) and S genes (CP-IV, CP-VI, CP-VIII, and CP-X). Along with the S gene that was under positive selection, eight codons in pol1a were also positively selected. These findings suggest that even in an adapted host, IBV variability does not stabilize without immune pressure, indicating continuous molecular changes within its genome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)
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28 pages, 16782 KiB  
Article
Lithosphere Modification Beneath the North China Craton: Geochemical Constraints of Water Contents from the Damaping Peridotite Xenoliths
by Baoyi Yang, Bo Xu, Yi Zhao and Hui Zhang
Crystals 2025, 15(4), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15040349 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 597
Abstract
The water contents and geochemical evidence of nominally anhydrous minerals in peridotite xenoliths provide critical insights into lithospheric mantle features, offering a deep understanding of cratonic destruction and mantle evolution processes. Damaping, located in the central part of the intra-North China Craton, hosts [...] Read more.
The water contents and geochemical evidence of nominally anhydrous minerals in peridotite xenoliths provide critical insights into lithospheric mantle features, offering a deep understanding of cratonic destruction and mantle evolution processes. Damaping, located in the central part of the intra-North China Craton, hosts abundant mantle peridotite xenoliths’ samples, providing new constraints on lithospheric mantle evolution. In this study, spinel lherzolite samples from Damaping Cenozoic basalts were analyzed for major and trace elements, water content, and oxygen isotope to investigate the factors controlling mantle water distribution and lithospheric mantle modification. The olivines of Damaping spinel lherzolite have a range of Mg# values from 89.73 to 91.01, indicating moderately refractory mantle characteristics. Clinopyroxenes display an LREE-depleted pattern, suggesting a consistency with 1–6% of batch partial melting and 1–5% fractional partial melting. The high (La/Yb)N (0.20–0.73) and low Ti/Eu (3546.98–5919.48) ratios of Damaping clinopyroxenes reveal that the lithosphere mantle beneath the Damaping has undergone silicate metasomatism. The water contents of Damaping clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes range from 13.39 to 19.46 ppm and 4.60 to 7.82 ppm, respectively. The water contents of the olivines are below the detection limit (<2 ppm). The whole-rock water contents can be estimated based on the mineral modes and partition coefficients, with values ranging from 3.21 to 5.44 ppm. Partial melting indicators (Mg# in Ol and Ybn in Cpx) correlate with the water content in clinopyroxenes and orthopyroxenes but show no correlation with the redox state (Fe3+/∑Fe ratios in spinel) or metasomatism ((La/Yb)N in clinopyroxene). These results suggest that the degree of partial melting primarily controls the heterogeneous water distribution in Damaping spinel lherzolite, rather than the redox state or metasomatism. The δ18O values of clinopyroxenes from Damaping spinel lherzolites (5.27–5.59‰) fall within the range of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), indicating a mantle source characterized by MORB-like isotopic signatures. The low whole-rock water contents are attributed to lithospheric reheating resulting from asthenospheric upwelling during the Late Mesozoic–Early Cenozoic. Therefore, the lithosphere is predominantly composed of ancient Proterozoic residues, with localized contributions of younger asthenospheric material near deep faults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Topic Collection: Mineralogical Crystallography)
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19 pages, 1201 KiB  
Article
Temporal Trends in HIV-1 Subtypes and Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Mutations in Istanbul, Türkiye (2021–2024): A Next-Generation Sequencing Study
by Murat Yaman, Begüm Saran Gülcen, Kübra Özgüler, Muammer Osman Köksal, Serap Demir Tekol and Arzu İlki
Viruses 2025, 17(4), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17040478 - 27 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1434
Abstract
HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance tests are routinely performed in virology laboratories in some countries, aiding clinical management. In Istanbul, between January 2021 and March 2024, plasma samples from 1029 HIV-1-infected patients were analyzed using the NGS method, and mutation and drug resistance [...] Read more.
HIV-1 genotyping and drug resistance tests are routinely performed in virology laboratories in some countries, aiding clinical management. In Istanbul, between January 2021 and March 2024, plasma samples from 1029 HIV-1-infected patients were analyzed using the NGS method, and mutation and drug resistance results were retrospectively evaluated alongside demographic data. Subtype B (54.4%) was most frequent in Turkish patients, while Subtype A1 (43.5%) was predominant among foreign nationals. The most common CRFs were CRF02_AG (3.8%) and CRF56_cpx (1.6%). According to the change in detection rates during the study period, Subtype B decreased, and Subtype A increased. The most frequent mutations detected were A62V (38.7%) and M184V (22.4%) for NRTIs; E138A (55.5%) and E138G (11.5%) for NNRTIs; M46I (33.3%) and M46L (25%) for PIs; and E92Q and G for INIs (total rate: 35.2%). Darunavir/ritonavir had the highest sensitivity rate, while resistance rates for NNRTIs and INIs increased over time. We anticipate that this study, in which we evaluate the routine use of an FDA-approved NGS kit alongside integrated bioinformatics data analysis and automated reporting software for the first time in Türkiye, will contribute to both national and international molecular epidemiological data and public health strategies by providing reliable results that align with international standarts. Full article
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22 pages, 4097 KiB  
Article
In Vitro and In Vivo Investigations into the Potential of Quinazoline and Quinoline Derivatives as NorA Efflux Pump Inhibitors Against Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains
by Nishtha Chandal, Nidhi Sharma, Giada Cernicchi, Tommaso Felicetti, Tommaso Rondini, Mattia Acito, Hemraj Nandanwar and Stefano Sabatini
Antibiotics 2025, 14(4), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14040339 - 26 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1115
Abstract
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a highly lethal Gram-positive bacterium that is responsible for over one million deaths annually. As a member of the ESKAPE pathogens, its methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) are prevalent worldwide and exhibit significant antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacterial efflux pumps play a [...] Read more.
Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a highly lethal Gram-positive bacterium that is responsible for over one million deaths annually. As a member of the ESKAPE pathogens, its methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA) are prevalent worldwide and exhibit significant antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Bacterial efflux pumps play a pivotal role in the development of AMR by facilitating the expulsion of a range of antimicrobial agents. Methods: The S. aureus strain SA-1199B, which overexpresses NorA and carries a GrlA mutation, was utilized to comprehensively profile the mechanism of the compounds PQQ16P and PQK4F. To assess the toxicity and genotoxicity of these compounds, RAW macrophages, HEK 293T, and HepG2 cell lines were utilized. Female BALB/c mice were utilized to assess the in vivo synergism of EPIs with CPX, Results: NorA efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs), PQQ16P and PQK4F, enhanced the efficacy of the antibacterial ciprofloxacin (CPX) against resistant S. aureus strains. The mechanism of EPIs involved the inhibition of NorA efflux pump, without compromising bacterial membrane permeability, ATP levels, or mammalian calcium channels. Moreover, the EPIs significantly augmented the bactericidal and post-antibiotic effects of CPX, elevating its mutation prevention concentration without manifesting substantial toxicity to human cells. Furthermore, the EPIs reduced S. aureus invasiveness in macrophages, indicating a role for NorA in bacterial virulence. Notably, the in vivo synergism of these EPIs with CPX was observed in a mouse infection model. Conclusions: This study provides substantial evidence for the potential of employing EPIs in a combination with CPX to counteract AMR, both in vitro and in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efflux Pumps in Bacteria: What They Do and How We Can Stop Them)
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17 pages, 2481 KiB  
Article
Accuracy of Rhythm Diagnostic Systems’ MultiSense® in Detection of Arterial Oxygen Saturation and Respiratory Rate During Hypoxia in Humans: Effects of Skin Color and Device Localization
by Charles Evrard, Amina El Attaoui, Cristina Pistea, Irina Enache, Mark Marriott, Louis Mayaud, Anne Charloux and Bernard Geny
Sensors 2025, 25(1), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25010127 - 28 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1715
Abstract
The continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rates (RRs) are major clinical issues in many cardio-respiratory diseases and have been of tremendous importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The early detection of hypoxemia was crucial since it precedes significant complications, [...] Read more.
The continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation (SpO2) and respiratory rates (RRs) are major clinical issues in many cardio-respiratory diseases and have been of tremendous importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The early detection of hypoxemia was crucial since it precedes significant complications, and SpO2 follow-up allowed early hospital discharge in patients needing oxygen therapy. Nevertheless, fingertip devices showed some practical limitations. In this study, we investigated the reliability of the new Multisense® pulse oximetry system compared to a reference pulse oximeter (Vyntus CPX Pulse Oximeter) during hypoxia. In a population of sixteen healthy male subjects (mean age: 31.5 ± 7.0 years, BMI: 24.9 ± 3.6 kg/m², and 35% with darker skin tones), simultaneous SpO2 and RR measurements were collected over 12.4 h, during which FiO2 was progressively reduced from 21% to 10.5%. The average root mean square error (ARMS) of SpO2 for Multisense® placed on the back and chest was 2.94% and 2.98%, respectively, with permutation testing confirming a significant ARMS below 3.5% for both positions and no statistically significant difference in the ARMS between patch placements. Positive correlations and acceptable accuracy between devices were observed at both locations (r = 0.92, p < 0.001 and r = 0.90, p < 0.001 for back and chest placements, respectively). Bland–Altman analysis further indicated limits of agreement that support consistency across placements, with similar agreement levels noted across skin tones. Similar findings were obtained with the RR measurements. In conclusion, Multisense® demonstrated robust accuracy in measuring SpO2 and RRs during hypoxia in humans comparable to standard hospital-grade equipment. The effectiveness of the findings suggests that this wearable device is a valuable tool for the continuous monitoring of SpO2 and RRs, potentially enhancing patient safety and optimizing hospital resource allocation. Nevertheless, to overcome study limitations and allow generalized use, further work on a larger population sample, including more subjects with a high phototype and desaturation below 80%, would be useful. Full article
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13 pages, 422 KiB  
Review
Ciclopirox and Ciclopirox Olamine: Antifungal Agents in Dermatology with Expanding Therapeutic Potential
by Paulina Mucha, Bartłomiej Borkowski, Anna Erkiert-Polguj and Elzbieta Budzisz
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(24), 11859; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142411859 - 18 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5786
Abstract
Ciclopirox (CPX) and its ethanolamine salt, ciclopirox olamine (CPO), are synthetic hydroxypyridone derivatives with a wide range of antimicrobial activity, making them valuable in dermatology for treating fungal infections. Their mechanism of action is multifaceted, impacting iron-dependent enzymes and disrupting mitochondrial function, cellular [...] Read more.
Ciclopirox (CPX) and its ethanolamine salt, ciclopirox olamine (CPO), are synthetic hydroxypyridone derivatives with a wide range of antimicrobial activity, making them valuable in dermatology for treating fungal infections. Their mechanism of action is multifaceted, impacting iron-dependent enzymes and disrupting mitochondrial function, cellular energy production, and membrane integrity. The compounds’ favorable physicochemical properties allow effective skin absorption, while the olamine salt enhances solubility and bioavailability. Research is ongoing to explore therapeutic uses beyond dermatology, including applications in autoimmune diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. In cosmetics, ciclopirox is used primarily in anti-dandruff and skincare products, combining therapeutic effects with minimal side effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cosmetics Ingredients Research - 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 7316 KiB  
Article
A Virulence Factor from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Targets the Host Chloroplast Proteins to Promote Infection
by Wenjing Cui, Kunqin Xiao, Feng Yang, Kaibin Qiao, Xun Xu, Songyang Gu, Jinxin Guo, Zhuojian Song, Hongyu Pan, Fengting Wang, Yanhua Zhang and Jinliang Liu
Plants 2024, 13(23), 3430; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13233430 - 6 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1225
Abstract
Chloroplasts are not only places for photosynthesis, but also participate in plant immunity and are important targets of pathogens. Pathogens secrete chloroplast-targeted proteins (CTPs) that disrupt host immunity and promote infection. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a phytopathogenic fungus with a broad [...] Read more.
Chloroplasts are not only places for photosynthesis, but also participate in plant immunity and are important targets of pathogens. Pathogens secrete chloroplast-targeted proteins (CTPs) that disrupt host immunity and promote infection. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is a phytopathogenic fungus with a broad host range. However, little is known about the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this wide host range. In this study, we investigated the role of Chloroplast-Targeted Protein 1 (SsCTP1) secreted by S. sclerotiorum in pathogenesis, which inhibits plant immunity and promotes pathogen infections. SsCTP1 was highly up-regulated during the early stages of S. sclerotiorum infection in various hosts, and its transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that it was predominantly localized within chloroplasts. Mutants with SsCTP1 deletion exhibited a similar growth rate and colony morphology to the wild type, but significantly reduced pathogenicity in various hosts. Moreover, SsCTP1 inhibited chitin-induced callose deposition and defense gene expression, and enhanced sensitivity to S. sclerotiorum in N. benthamiana. Similarly, transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing SsCTP1 displayed an increased susceptibility to S. sclerotiorum. Furthermore, two host proteins that interact with SsCTP1, Coproporphyrinogen-III oxidase (GmCPX), and shikimate kinase 2 (GmSKL2) were identified by screening the soybean cDNA library, and these interactions were confirmed in vivo. Importantly, the silencing of NbCPX by virus-induced gene silencing enhanced N. benthamiana resistance to S. sclerotiorum. Our results indicate that SsCTP1 is an important pathogenic factor that contributes to the wide host range of S. sclerotiorum and may inhibit plant immunity by targeting the chloroplast proteins GmCPX and GmSKL2, which are ubiquitous in host plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Pathology and Epidemiology for Grain, Pulses, and Cereal Crops)
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16 pages, 4306 KiB  
Article
Roles of Response Regulators in the Two-Component System in the Formation of Stress Tolerance, Motility and Biofilm in Salmonella Enteritidis
by Mengjun Hu, Zhuoan Zhou, Chenqi Liu, Zeqiang Zhan, Yan Cui, Shoukui He and Xianming Shi
Foods 2024, 13(22), 3709; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13223709 - 20 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1387
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCS) of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis are composed of a histidine kinase and a response regulator (RR) and represent a critical mechanism by which bacteria develop resistance to environmental stress. Here, we characterized the functions of RRs in TCS in the [...] Read more.
Two-component systems (TCS) of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis are composed of a histidine kinase and a response regulator (RR) and represent a critical mechanism by which bacteria develop resistance to environmental stress. Here, we characterized the functions of RRs in TCS in the formation of stress tolerance, motility and biofilm using twenty-six S. Enteritidis RR-encoding gene deletion mutants. The viability results unraveled their essential roles in resistance to elevated temperature (GlrR), pH alterations (GlrR, TctD, YedW, ArcA and YehT), high salt (PhoB, BaeR, CpxR, PhoP, UvrY and TctD), oxidative stress (PhoB, YedW, BaeR, ArcA, PhoP, UvrY, PgtA and QseB) and motility (ArcA, GlnG, PgtA, PhoB, UhpA, OmpR, UvrY and QseB) of S. Enteritidis. The results of the crystal violet staining, microscopy observation and Congo red binding assays demonstrated that the absence of ArcA, GlnG, PhoP, OmpR, ZraR or SsrB in S. Enteritidis led to a reduction in biofilms and an impairment in red/dry/rough macrocolony formation, whereas the absence of UvrY exhibited an increase in biofilms and formed a brown/smooth/sticky macrocolony. The results indicated the regulatory effects of these RRs on the production of biofilm matrix, curli fimbriae and cellulose. Our findings yielded insights into the role of TCSs, making them a promising target for combating S. Enteritidis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria: Prevalence and Control: Third Edition)
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16 pages, 1818 KiB  
Article
Changes in Exercise Performance in Patients During a 6-Week Inpatient Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program and Associated Effects on Depressive Symptoms
by Philipp Birnbaumer, Claudia Traunmüller, Christian Natmessnig, Birgit Senft, Caroline Jaritz, Sigurd Hochfellner, Andreas Schwerdtfeger and Peter Hofmann
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2024, 9(4), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk9040233 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1391
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The impact of exercise on affective disorders has been demonstrated in various studies. However, almost no data are available on performance effects. Therefore, this study investigated exercise performance related to the severity of depression symptoms in a pre–post within-subjects design in [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The impact of exercise on affective disorders has been demonstrated in various studies. However, almost no data are available on performance effects. Therefore, this study investigated exercise performance related to the severity of depression symptoms in a pre–post within-subjects design in a 6-week standard inpatient psychiatric rehabilitation program. Methods: A total of 53 individuals (20 female; mean age, 40.98 ± 11.33) with a primary diagnosis of depression performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) to obtain maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), maximal power output (Pmax), and the first and second ventilatory threshold (VT1, VT2) at the start and the end of the rehabilitation. Degree of depression was assessed by Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Brief Symptom Inventory test (BSI). Overall activity was measured by accelerometer step-counts. Results: Mean total step-count per day during rehabilitation was high (12,586 ± 2819 steps/day). Patients’ BDI and BSI at entry were 21.6 ± 8.83 and 65.1 ± 6.8, respectively, and decreased significantly (p < 0.001) following rehabilitation, to 10.1 ± 9.5 and 54.5 ± 11.3, respectively. Pmax and VO2max increased significantly (p < 0.001) from entry values (182.6 ± 58.7 W, 29.74 ± 5.92 mL·kg−1·min−1) following rehabilitation: by 11.91 ± 12.09 W and 1.35 ± 2.78 mL·kg−1·min−1, respectively. VT1 and VT2 showed a similar behavior. An increase in physical performance could predict improvement in BDI (R2 = 0.104, F(1,48) = 5.582, p = 0.022) but not in BSI. Conclusions: The program was associated with improved mental health status in all patients and increased performance in the majority of patients, although increases were small. Since improvements in exercise performance may be positively related to depression symptoms and comorbidities, it is recommended to individualize and tailor exercise programs, which could yield larger effects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Exercise for Health Promotion)
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12 pages, 2427 KiB  
Article
Validity and Reliability of a New Wearable Chest Strap to Estimate Respiratory Frequency in Elite Soccer Athletes
by Adriano Di Paco, Diego A. Bonilla, Rocco Perrotta, Raffaele Canonico, Erika Cione and Roberto Cannataro
Sports 2024, 12(10), 277; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports12100277 - 12 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4066
Abstract
Assessing respiratory frequency (fR) is practical in monitoring training progress in competitive athletes, especially during exercise. This study aimed to validate a new wearable chest strap (wCS) to estimate fR against ergospirometry as a criterion device in soccer players. [...] Read more.
Assessing respiratory frequency (fR) is practical in monitoring training progress in competitive athletes, especially during exercise. This study aimed to validate a new wearable chest strap (wCS) to estimate fR against ergospirometry as a criterion device in soccer players. A total of 26 elite professional soccer players (mean [standard deviation]: 23.6 [4.8] years; 180.6 [5.7] cm; 77.2 [5.4] kg) from three Italian Serie A League teams participated in this cross-sectional study. The sample included attackers, midfielders, and defenders. fR was assessed during a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill using (i) a breath-by-breath gas exchange analyzer (Vyntus® CPX, Vyaire Medical) and (ii) a novel wCS with sensors designed to assess breath frequency following chest expansions. Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), adjusted coefficient of determination (aR2), Bland–Altman plot analysis, and Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (ρc) were used for comparative analysis (correlation and concordance) among the methods. The repeated measures correlation coefficient (rrm) was used to assess the strength of the linear association between the methods. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Finn coefficient (rF) were used for inter-rater reliability. All statistical analyses were performed within the R statistical computing environment, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) reported and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 16529 comparisons were performed after collecting the CPET data. The robust time series analysis with Hodges–Lehmann estimation showed no significant differences between both methods (p > 0.05). Correlation among devices was statistically significant and very large (r [95% CI]: 0.970 [0.970, 0.971], p < 0.01; aR2 [95% CI]: 0.942 [0.942, 0.943], p < 0.01) with strong evidence supporting consistency of the new wCS (BF10 > 100). In addition, a high concordance was found (ρc [95% CI]: 0.970 [0.969, 0.971], bias correction factor: 0.999). VyntusTM CPX, as a standard criterion, showed moderate agreement with wCS after Bland–Altman analysis (bias [95% lower to the upper limit of agreement]; % agree: 0.170 [−4.582 to 4.923] breaths·min−1; 69.9%). A strong association between measurements (rrm [95% CI]: 0.960 [0.959, 0.961]), a high absolute agreement between methods (ICC [95% CI]: 0.970 [0.970, 0.971]), and high inter-rater reliability (rF: 0.947) were found. With an RMSE = 2.42 breaths·min−1, the new wCS seems to be an valid and reliable in-field method to evaluate fR compared to a breath-by-breath gas exchange analyzer. Notwithstanding, caution is advised if methods are used interchangeably while further external validation occurs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promoting and Monitoring Physical Fitness in All Contexts)
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23 pages, 103115 KiB  
Article
Miocene Petit-Spot Basanitic Volcanoes on Cretaceous Alba Guyot (Magellan Seamount Trail, Pacific Ocean)
by Igor S. Peretyazhko, Elena A. Savina and Irina A. Pulyaeva
Geosciences 2024, 14(10), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14100252 - 25 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1269
Abstract
New data obtained from core samples of two boreholes and dredged samples from the Alba Guyot in the Magellan Seamount Trail (MST), Western Pacific, including the 40Ar/39Ar age determinations of basanite, and the mineralogy of basanite, tuff, tuffite, mantle-derived inclusions [...] Read more.
New data obtained from core samples of two boreholes and dredged samples from the Alba Guyot in the Magellan Seamount Trail (MST), Western Pacific, including the 40Ar/39Ar age determinations of basanite, and the mineralogy of basanite, tuff, tuffite, mantle-derived inclusions in basanite and tuff (lherzolite xenolith and Ol, Cpx, and Opx xenocrysts), and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, have implications for the guyot′s development and history. Volcanic units in the upper part of the Alba Guyot main edifice and its Oma Vlinder satellite, at sea depths between 3600 and 2200 m, were deposited during the Cretaceous 112 to 86 Ma interval. In the following ~60 myr, the Alba Guyot became partly submerged and denuded with the formation of a flat summit platform while the respective fragment of the Pacific Plate was moving to the Northern Hemisphere. Volcanic activity in the northeastern part of the guyot summit platform was rejuvenated in the Miocene (24–15 Ma) and produced onshore basanitic volcanoes and layers of tuff in subaerial and tuffite in shallow-water near-shore conditions. In the Middle-Late Miocene (10–6 Ma), after the guyot had submerged, carbonates containing calcareous nannofossils were deposited on the porous surfaces of tuff and tuffite. Precipitation of the Fe-Mn crust (Unit III) recommenced during the Pliocene–Pleistocene (<1.8 Ma) when the guyot summit reached favorable sea depths. The location of the MST guyots in the northwestern segment of the Pacific Plate near the Mariana Trench, along with the Miocene age and alkali-basaltic signatures of basanite, provide first evidence for petit-spot volcanism on the Alba Guyot. This inference agrees with the geochemistry of Cenozoic petit-spot basaltic rocks from the Pacific and Miocene basanite on the Alba Guyot. Petit-spot volcanics presumably originated from alkali-basaltic melts produced by decompression partial melting of carbonatized peridotite in the metasomatized oceanic lithosphere at the Lithosphere–Asthenosphere Boundary level. The numerous volcanic cones with elevations of up to 750 m high and 5.1 km in basal diameter, discovered on the Alba summit platform, provide the first evidence of voluminous Miocene petit-spot basanitic volcanism upon the Cretaceous guyots and seamounts of the Pacific. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Geochemistry)
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18 pages, 3488 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of Ciprofloxacin and Lidocaine by Non-Fibrous Raw Mg-Clays: The Role of Composition and Texture
by Maria Eugenia Roca-Jalil, Telma Musso, Vanina Rodriguez-Ameijide, Micaela Sanchez, Andrea Maggio, Miria Teresita Baschini, Gisela Pettinari, Luis Villa, Manuel Pozo and Alejandro Pérez-Abad
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100966 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1047
Abstract
This study evaluated non-fibrous Mg-clays as potential adsorbents of emerging contaminants (ECs) from water. The materials were characterized, and their textural and structural properties were related to their ability to remove two model EC molecules: ciprofloxacin (CPX) and lidocaine (LID). The results showed [...] Read more.
This study evaluated non-fibrous Mg-clays as potential adsorbents of emerging contaminants (ECs) from water. The materials were characterized, and their textural and structural properties were related to their ability to remove two model EC molecules: ciprofloxacin (CPX) and lidocaine (LID). The results showed that Ad-6 and Ad-7 are mixed-layer kerolite/stevensite, while Ad-5 and Ad-8 are mainly composed of smectite minerals like stevensite and saponite, respectively. Ad-8 exhibited the highest CPX-adsorption capacity (0.91 mmol·g−1 clay), likely due to its saponite content. Mixed-layer materials also performed well, with Ad-6 and Ad-7 achieving an adsorption capacity of 0.8 and 0.55 mmol·g−1 clay, respectively. Adsorption studies suggested that CPX is adsorbed through ion exchange in materials with high smectite content (Ad-8 and Ad-5), while interstratified materials showed enhanced retention due to kerolite presence, which improves their porous structures. Similar findings were observed for LID, indicating a cationic-exchange mechanism for LID adsorption in all the materials and suggesting that the molecular size of the EC could regulate the removal capacity of these materials. This work showed that the studied Mg-clays could be effectively used for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants, expanding their commercial possibilities. Full article
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22 pages, 5374 KiB  
Article
Resistome Signature and Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms in Rhizospheric Soil Bacteriomes of Mecca Region, Saudi Arabia: Insights into Impact on Human Health
by Rewaa S. Jalal and Hana S. Sonbol
Life 2024, 14(8), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080928 - 24 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1831
Abstract
The objective of this investigation is to ascertain the distinctive profile of the rhizospheric soil resistome within the Mecca region, while also evaluating the potential risks associated with the horizontal transfer of resistome determinants to the open environment and human clinical isolates. We [...] Read more.
The objective of this investigation is to ascertain the distinctive profile of the rhizospheric soil resistome within the Mecca region, while also evaluating the potential risks associated with the horizontal transfer of resistome determinants to the open environment and human clinical isolates. We have made metagenomic whole-genome shotgun sequencing for rhizospheric microbiomes of two endemic plants, namely Moringa oleifera and Abutilon fruticosum. The rhizospheric resistomes of the two plants and the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were identified by cross-referencing encoded proteins with the comprehensive antibiotic resistance database (CARD). The identified ARGs were then analyzed for their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) mechanisms. Predominantly within this soil are the two bacterial species Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These opportunistic human pathogens are implicated in respiratory infections and are correlated with heightened mortality rates. The most prevalent array of ARGs existing in this soil comprises mexA, mexC, mexE, and cpxR, associated with mechanisms of antibiotic active efflux, along with ACC(2), ACC(3), AAC(6), and APH(6), in addition to arr1, arr3, arr4, iri, rphA, and rphB, implicated in antibiotic inactivation. Furthermore, vanS, vanR, and vanJ are identified for antibiotic target alteration, while rpoB2 and RbpA are noted for antibiotic target replacement and protection, respectively. These mechanisms confer resistance against a diverse spectrum of drug classes encompassing fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, glycopeptides, and rifampicins. This study underscores the potential hazards posed to human health by the presence of these pathogenic bacteria within the rhizospheric soil of the Mecca region, particularly in scenarios where novel ARGs prevalent in human populations are harbored and subsequently transmitted through the food chain to human clinical isolates. Consequently, stringent adherence to good agricultural and food transportation practices is imperative, particularly with regard to edible plant parts and those utilized in folkloric medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microbiology)
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