Search Results (7,991)

Mosquito antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) contribute to innate defense against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and, in some experimental contexts, arboviruses. This narrative review evaluates endogenous mosquito AMP families across Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex species and clearly separates them from heterologous peptides introduced into mosquitoes for transmission-blocking studies. The best-supported endogenous families are cecropins, defensins, gambicin, attacin, and diptericin, although gene repertoires vary among mosquito lineages. Mechanistic evidence is strongest for membrane interaction by individual cecropins and defensins. Evidence for intracellular or redox mechanisms is more limited and peptide- and assay-specific; for example, mitochondrial effects have been demonstrated for Anopheles albimanus cecropin 3 in isolated rat cardiac mitochondria, whereas DNA binding and membrane permeabilization have been shown for an Aedes aegypti cecropin A derivative in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Scorpine, magainin, and human defensin 5 are not mosquito AMPs and are considered separately as heterologous antiplasmodial effectors. Toll and immune deficiency (IMD) pathways regulate mosquito immune genes through NF-κB-family transcription factors, whereas Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK–STAT) is a distinct cytokine-signaling pathway. Translational approaches—including transgenic expression, paratransgenesis, Wolbachia-based control, and peptide engineering—remain promising but require cautious interpretation because efficacy, mechanism, ecological safety, horizontal gene transfer, regulatory oversight, and durability have not been resolved uniformly. By distinguishing direct peptide activity from genetic, expression-only, and inferential evidence, this review provides a more rigorous framework for evaluating mosquito AMPs and their potential use in vector-borne disease control. Full article

Membrane separation technology is extensively used in water treatment. However, during long-term operation, biofouling caused by bacteria and other microorganisms significantly limits the service life of membranes. Introducing antibacterial nanomaterials onto the membrane surface or into the internal structure is an effective way to combat biofouling. This review systematically summarizes recent progress in antibacterial membranes modified with different nanomaterials. First, we classify antibacterial nanomaterials by dimensionality and highlight their physicochemical properties and effects on overall membrane performance. Furthermore, we summarize the advantages, disadvantages, and applicability of three antibacterial nanomaterial modification strategies for membranes, including surface coating, grafting, and blending. Subsequently, we analyze in depth the main antibacterial mechanisms that enhance membrane performance, including metal ion release, reactive oxygen species oxidation, physical contact disruption, and anti-adhesion, as well as their synergistic effects. Finally, we critically evaluate the remaining challenges, such as interfacial compatibility between nanomaterials and polymers, controlled release of metal ions, and environmental safety. This review provides a reference for the rational design of high-performance antibacterial membranes. Full article

Identifying conserved RNAi targets that remain effective across mosquito species and resistance backgrounds is important for developing broadly applicable mosquito control tools. Here, an engineered Escherichia coli HT115-L4440 system was used to produce β-tubulin double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), and its larvicidal activity was evaluated in susceptible and pyrethroid-resistant strains of Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes albopictus. Recombinant bacteria produced species-specific β-tubulin dsRNA fragments of approximately 360 bp. Immersion treatment caused high larval mortality in both species. In Cx. quinquefasciatus, mortality reached 85.00% and 89.00% in susceptible and resistant strains, respectively, compared with 8.00% and 10.00% in controls, while β-tubulin transcript abundance showed maximum reductions of 571-fold and 333-fold, respectively. In Ae. albopictus, mortality reached 91.00% and 82.00% in susceptible and resistant strains, compared with 9% and 8% in controls, with maximum reductions in β-tubulin expression of 157-fold and 337-fold, respectively. These comparable effects suggest that β-tubulin dsRNA is not compromised by conventional pyrethroid-resistance mechanisms. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses showed that β-tubulin knockdown disrupted key cellular processes, including cytoskeletal regulation, metabolism, protein synthesis, intracellular transport, detoxification, oxidative stress, DNA replication, and autophagy. Overall, engineered bacteria-derived β-tubulin dsRNA induced consistent gene silencing and larval mortality in both susceptible and resistant mosquito larvae, supporting β-tubulin as a conserved candidate RNAi target for mosquito control. Full article

This study presents an electrothermal coating approach for synthesizing cell-imprinted polymers (CIPs) on metallic microwires through localized resistive heating-induced polymerization. Imprinted polymers (IPs) are robust, cost-effective synthetic affinity materials widely used in sensing applications. However, conventional fabrication methods, including bulk and suspension polymerization, often lack spatial control, producing non-specific polymerization, heterogeneous coatings, and reduced sensor reproducibility. Electrochemical polymerization provides improved spatial control but requires specialized instrumentation and restricts monomer selection. Here, applying direct current (DC) to metallic microwires immersed in a prepolymer solution generated localized Joule heating, enabling controlled in situ polymerization and uniform coatings while minimizing undesired bulk polymerization. By optimizing the applied current and polymerization time, CIP coatings with tunable thicknesses were fabricated on gold-coated microwires. Under optimized conditions, ~6 µm thick coatings were imprinted using Salmonella templates. Scanning electron microscopy revealed bacteria-shaped cavities consistent with template removal and the formation of imprinted cavities. Rebinding experiments demonstrated enhanced bacterial capture, with CIP-coated microwires achieving ~70% capture efficiency, compared to 22% for bare microwires and 33% for non-imprinted polymer (NIP) controls. These results support the effectiveness of the proposed method for localized polymerization and demonstrate the enhanced capture of the template species by CIP-coated microwires relative to bare microwires and NIP-coated controls. Full article

Aphids are important agricultural pests that interact with diverse bacterial taxa living within or associated with their bodies. Some bacteria, such as the obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola, provide essential nutritional functions and are predominantly inherited vertically, whereas other aphid-associated bacteria may have more variable distributions and ecological roles. In this study, we investigated patterns of association between aphid evolutionary relationships and selected bacterial taxa. Aphids were identified using morphological characteristics and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences, and host phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using mitochondrial DNA data. We then compared the host phylogeny with that of the obligate symbiont Buchnera aphidicola based on 16S rRNA sequences and screened aphid specimens for selected aphid-associated bacteria (Wolbachia, Pantoea, and Arsenophonus) using diagnostic PCR assays. The host and Buchnera phylogenies showed significant global congruence, consistent with a strong long-term host-associated evolutionary relationship and predominantly vertical inheritance of Buchnera. In contrast, the selected aphid-associated bacteria showed heterogeneous detection patterns across the sampled aphid taxa. Pantoea was detected relatively frequently and across a broad range of sampled hosts, whereas Wolbachia and Arsenophonus showed more variable and restricted detection patterns. Given the small and uneven sample sizes among aphid species, these findings are interpreted as descriptive screening patterns rather than species-level prevalence estimates. Overall, the results highlight contrasting patterns of host-associated evolution between Buchnera and other aphid-associated bacteria and provide a basis for further investigation of the ecological and evolutionary processes underlying these associations. Full article

The present study investigated the chemical composition, antimicrobial, insecticidal, and food preservation potential of Ligusticum chuanxiong CO₂ oil (LCCO) standardised to a ligustilide content of ≥35%. The volatile composition of LCCO was characterised by GC-MS and found to be dominated by cis-ligustilide (63.3%), senkyunolide (15.8%), 3-butylidenephthalide (5.4%), and trans-neocnidilide (4.9%). In vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and broth microdilution against six bacterial and five yeast reference strains. The largest inhibition zones were observed against Enterococcus faecalis (14.33 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (13.67 mm). MIC₅₀ values ranged from 0.064 mg/mL (Yersinia enterocolitica) to 3.492 mg/mL (Candida tropicalis), while MIC₉₀ values ranged from 0.151 to 3.800 mg/mL. In situ vapour-phase antimicrobial activity was evaluated on pear, banana, white radish, and carrot at concentrations of 62.5–500 µL/L, demonstrating a clear concentration-dependent inhibitory effect across all tested food matrices and microorganisms. Insecticidal activity against Callosobruchus maculatus and Megabruchidius dorsalis was confirmed under fumigation conditions, with LC₅₀ values of 17.50% and 20.99% and LC90 values of 83.10% and 87.60%, respectively. The effect of LCCO, applied alone and in combination with vacuum packaging, on the microbiological quality of fresh white radish was evaluated over 28 days of refrigerated storage at 4 °C. The combined treatment resulted in the lowest total viable count (2.75 log CFU/g) and coliform bacteria count (2.58 log CFU/g) on day 28. A total of 404 bacterial isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper, comprising 22 species. Acinetobacter pittii was the predominant species (33%), followed by Pantoea agglomerans (7%) and Serratia nematodiphila (7%). No Pseudomonas species were recovered from the EO vacuum treatment. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of LCCO, particularly in combination with vacuum packaging, as a natural antimicrobial agent for the postharvest preservation of fresh white radish. Full article

Background: To date, several studies have confirmed the fact that over 700 species of microbiota interacts with host, modulating immunity, controlling the homeostasis environment, and thus maintaining systemic condition. Dysbiosis in the subgingival biofilm can initiate chronic inflammation of the gingiva, potentially progressing to periodontitis. Advances in DNA sequencing analysis of the subgingival microbial community have shown that periodontal treatment causes a microbial shift in subgingival plaque, affecting the taxonomic composition (disease- and health-associated taxa). Yet, none of these have been investigated in Indonesia. Objective: The objective was to profile the composition of oral microbiome in Indonesian population with healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis status. Further, we analyzed the subgingival bacterial alteration following the therapy in periodontitis group. Methods: Twelve subjects consisting of healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis patients were included. Additionally, the periodontitis group was observed at baseline, 1-month, and 3-month. Subgingival dental plaque were sampled and 16S rRNA NGS analysis was performed. Alpha (Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices) and beta diversity (PCoA plots based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity) were observed. Microbiota composition at the genus and species levels was analyzed. Results: No statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found for Chao1, Shannon, and Simpson indices amongst groups and in periodontitis patients across the observation. At the genus level, PCoA plots based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity revealed that the clinical status accounted for 21.9% of the total variation (R² = 0.219, p = 0.197), while at the species level, it accounted for 19.8% (R²= 0.198, p = 0.281). Periodontitis samples across all timepoints showed no distinct clustering at either the genus 7.6% (R² = 0.076 p = 0.097) or species levels 9.7% (R² = 0.097 p = 0.995). Top five subgingival microbiota at the genus and species levels in all groups showed definite pattern of composition. Although no significant association was found (p > 0.05), it described that Veillonella parvula, Campylobacter gracilis, and Capnocytophaga granulosa were more abundant in healthy subjects than in gingivitis and periodontitis. Prevotella oris and Selenomonas noxia were less abundant in healthy subject than in gingivitis and periodontitis. In periodontitis subjects, Prevotella intermedia was increased by the therapy at 1 month and reduced again at 3 months. On the other hand, Capnocytophaga granulosa was increased by the therapy at 1 and 3 months. Hoylesella loescheii was reduced by the time. Porphyromonas gingivalis was reduced at 1 month and increased again at 3 months. Discussion: The result showed that the number of alpha diversity was notably higher in the gingivitis and periodontitis groups compared to health group, supporting a trend toward increased community richness and evenness in diseases states. The microbial richness and evenness remained relatively stable across the evaluated periods within periodontitis cohort. Oral microbial composition defines the periodontal status and disease. More abundance of Red Complex bacteria is associated with disease-associated condition. Pathogen re-colonization may occur 3 months after the therapy. Conclusions: These findings suggest that maintaining health-associated microbiome may be beneficial to the clinical status. Periodontal recall may be addressed from 1 to 3 months after the therapy to avoid bacterial re-colonization. Suppressing bacterial dysbiosis and regulating periodontal homeostasis are the main key in managing periodontal treatment. Full article

This exploratory study compared the flowers, leaves, and roots of Hypochaeris sessiliflora to evaluate physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, in vitro chemical antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and locomotion-disrupting effects on Caenorhabditis elegans. Bioactive compounds were determined by liquid chromatography; in vitro chemical antioxidant activity by microplate spectrophotometry; antimicrobial activity against a range of ATCC and multidrug-resistant microorganisms; and locomotion-disrupting effects on Caenorhabditis elegans. The results revealed significant differences between plant organs. The leaves contained the highest concentrations of calcium (1163.1 mg/100 g DW), potassium (3256.6 mg/100 g DW), vitamin C (39.2 mg/100 g DW), organic acids (1213.5 mg/100 g DW), and total quantified chlorophylls (89.0 mg/100 g DW). The flowers had the highest levels of total quantified carotenoids (152.1 mg/100 g DM) and total quantified phenolic compounds (12,341.1 mg/100 g DM). They exhibited the highest in vitro chemical antioxidant activity, as measured by the ABTS assay (6.1 mmol TE/100 g DW). The extracts exhibited antimicrobial activity that depended on the plant organ and the microorganism tested, with the root extract being the most active against Staphylococcus epidermidis (MIC = 8.2 mg/mL). No activity was detected against Candida species or against multidrug-resistant bacteria under the experimental conditions used. Furthermore, the extracts under the experimental conditions used did not significantly alter C. elegans’ locomotion. Overall, this study provides baseline evidence of the organ-specific chemical composition and biological properties of H. sessiliflora, supporting further investigation of the compounds responsible for the observed in vitro chemical antioxidant and selective and antimicrobial activities. Full article

In 2024, an accident involving two tankers in the Kerch Strait resulted in the release of approximately 2400 tons of fuel oil into the Black Sea, causing significant contamination of seawater and the coastal zone. This study presents the first microbiological and molecular–ecological assessment of prokaryotic community composition and hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria (HOB) in coastal seawater and sand near Anapa (Russian Federation) following the spill. The taxonomic composition of nine samples was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes (V3–V4 regions), identifying Bacteria as the dominant domain (85.3–99.8%). In seawater samples, bacteria of the phyla Pseudomonadota, Cyanobacteriota, and Bacteroidota and archaea of the phyla Thermoplasmatota and Crenarchaeota predominated. Eighteen aerobic bacterial strains, including members of the genera Shewanella, Pseudoalteromonas, Halopseudomonas, Marinomonas, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, Alcanivorax, Ectopseudomonas, Nitratireductor, and Echinicola, were isolated from the zone of fuel oil spill. Several isolates demonstrated heavy oil degradation and biosurfactant production. Screening of collection strains isolated from other habitats revealed that Rhodococcus erythropolis TG65 and Marinobacter lutaoensis Pd1 and Pd2 degraded 92–94% of fuel oil n-alkanes. Elevated dissolved iron concentrations in the seawater indicate the possibility of a metabolic coupling between hydrocarbon oxidation and microbial iron reduction, mediated by indigenous Shewanella and Pseudomonas species. These findings indicate that indigenous HOB may contribute to the natural attenuation of aliphatic hydrocarbons in fuel oil. Full article

Lotus corniculatus is a superior leguminous forage with multiple values including forage, ecological, ornamental and medicinal uses. It is also an ideal material for plant bioreactors. As a core technical approach, genetic transformation overcomes the constraints of traditional breeding and facilitates the targeted improvement in stress resistance and agronomic traits in this species. This review summarizes the research progress of the Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of L. corniculatus, focusing on key procedures such as explant selection, strain selection, infection and co-cultivation regimes, basal medium composition, phytohormone regulation, as well as bacteria elimination and transformant screening strategies. We further elaborate on the applications of this transformation system in enhancing tolerance to abiotic stresses (salt, drought and heat), regulating quality-related traits, and developing plant-based vaccine bioreactors. Additionally, this paper critically discusses the major bottlenecks and challenges constraining existing genetic transformation systems in L. corniculatus, and evaluates the prospects for establishing high-efficiency and genetically stable transformation platforms. This review aims to provide theoretical foundations and technical references for germplasm innovation, molecular breeding and comprehensive utilization of L. corniculatus. Full article

Valeriana microphylla is a medicinal species traditionally used in the Andean region. The study aimed to evaluate the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant, antimicrobial, haemolytic, and nematode locomotion-disrupting l activities in the flowers and leaves of V. microphylla. Minerals were quantified by atomic absorption spectrometry, whereas bioactive compounds were analysed by liquid chromatography. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and biological activities were determined by microplate spectrophotometry. Antimicrobial activity was tested against ATCC and multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Haemolytic activity was assessed by haemolysis of sheep erythrocytes, and nematode locomotion-disrupting activity by analysis of the locomotor behaviour of Caenorhabditis elegans. Potassium was the predominant mineral in leaves (2372.1 mg/100 g DW). In contrast, flowers contained the highest concentrations of citric acid (567.0 mg/100 g DW), total carotenoids (58.9 mg/100 g DW), and total phenolics (24,788.1 mg/100 g DW). Both extracts inhibited the growth of several ATCC bacterial strains, showing the lowest inhibitory concentrations against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Edwardsiella tarda and Listeria monocytogenes, but showed no activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria or against Candida species. Furthermore, both extracts exhibited haemolysis rates of less than 1.3% and affected the locomotion of C. elegans by eliminating the frequency of body bends and reducing locomotion speed. These findings provide an initial phytochemical and in vitro biological characterisation of V. microphylla and support further investigation of its bioactive constituents. Full article

Foodborne pathogens such as E. coli, B. cereus, L. monocytogenes, and S. aureus cause many illnesses in Europe each year due to traits like biofilm formation, spore production, and high resistance to harsh conditions. This study investigated plasma-treated water (PTW) as an eco-friendly antimicrobial approach and examined its effect on bacterial growth curves to improve food safety. PTW was generated using a microwave plasma source, then applied to bacterial cultures that were monitored by optical density and colony counts. The bacterial growth was described by application of a logistic growth model to the optical density and colony count data. Results show that PTW mainly prolonged the lag phase of growth, with a stronger effect on Gram-positive bacteria than on Gram-negative bacteria. Although PTW initially reduced viable cell numbers, most bacteria eventually recovered and reached the stationary phase after a delay of about 2 to 11 h depending on the species. These effects may be due to cell damage, cell death, viable but nonculturable state induction, or stress responses such as spore formation. Further studies are needed to confirm how PTW performs in real food systems and biofilm settings. Full article

As an endemic woody plant resource widely distributed in the arid regions of northwestern China, Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. sinensis Rousi possesses both ecological and medicinal value. Elucidating the effects of climate and soil conditions on the composition, structure, and function of its root-associated bacterial communities is of practical significance for the development and utilization of these indigenous plant resources in this water-limited region. In this study, root samples of H. rhamnoides were collected from 12 sampling sites in the arid region of Northwest China. High-throughput amplicon sequencing was employed to examine bacterial composition, alpha and beta diversity, molecular co-occurrence networks, and PICRUSt-based functional prediction. Mantel tests and redundancy analysis (RDA) were further applied to identify what is associated with shaping bacterial community structure. The main results are summarized as follows: (1) There were significant differences in the number of ASVs among the various sampling sites, with the P8 site having the highest number (435) and the P5 site having the lowest (156). The dominant phyla in the community were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Cyanobacteria. (2) Both α and β diversity showed significant differentiation among the 12 sampling sites. The Ace and Chao1 indices of P8 sampling sites were the highest, while P5 sampling sites were the lowest. In terms of community aggregation, P7 and P12 sampling sites showed tighter clustering, whereas P4 and P5 sampling sites showed more scattered bacterial assemblages. (3) Functional prediction suggested that metabolism, environmental information processing, and genetic information processing functional potential may all be dominant across 12 sampling sites. The abundance of environmental information predicted that the processing functional potential of the P9 sampling site was higher than that of the other 11 sampling sites, while the genetic information processing functional potential was low. (4) Cluster analysis grouped the 12 sampling sites into two groups: sampling sites P10, P11, and P12 were grouped into Group 1, while the remaining 9 sampling sites were grouped into Group 2. (5) RDA revealed that altitude was associated with shaping the root endophytic bacterial community structure of H. rhamnoides, followed by soil total nitrogen. Taken together, the H. rhamnoides populations investigated and sampled in this study were predominantly distributed in neutral-to-alkaline arid soils. The relevant environmental factors are significantly correlated with the alpha diversity patterns of root endophytic bacteria of this species, and they can modulate the community assembly processes, functional allocation characteristics, and co-occurrence network structures of these root endophytic bacteria. Full article

Industrial hemp is a chemically rich plant increasingly explored within sustainable production systems aimed at the full utilization of all plant fractions. While hemp inflorescences have been extensively investigated, the biological potential of seed-depleted infructescences remains largely underexplored. This study compared essential oils (EOs) distilled from inflorescences and seed-depleted infructescences of hemp (Cannabis sativa L. cv. Futura 75). Their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and their cytotoxicity, hemocompatibility, effects on blood coagulation, and antibacterial activity against a panel of 11 Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and microaerophilic bacterial strains were evaluated. The major EO constituents included α-Pinene, (E)-Caryophyllene, Myrcene, α-Humulene, Caryophyllene oxide, and Cannabidiol. EOs obtained from seed-depleted infructescences exhibited distinct chemical profiles, low cytotoxicity toward BJ human skin fibroblasts, minimal haemolytic activity, no significant effects on blood coagulation, and, in most cases, stronger antibacterial activity than inflorescence-derived EOs. Particularly high activity was observed against skin- and oral-associated bacteria, including Cutibacterium acnes and Streptococcus species. These findings demonstrate that seed-depleted infructescences represent underutilized post-harvest biomass and a valuable and sustainable source of biologically active EOs, supporting their further investigation for potential pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and oral healthcare applications. Full article

The biosynthesis of copper and copper oxide nanoparticles (Cu/CuO-NPs) has attracted considerable interest due to its non-toxic, eco-friendly nature and wide-ranging applications, especially in nanomedicine and biomedical fields. Traditional nanoparticle production methods often involve toxic chemicals and generate harmful byproducts. In contrast, biological synthesis provides a cleaner, safer, more cost-effective, and sustainable alternative. Various biological sources, including plants, bacteria, fungi, and yeast, have been employed for the efficient and non-toxic production of Cu/CuO-NPs. These organisms contain diverse biomolecules such as enzymes, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, flavonoids, and alkaloids that function as reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents during nanoparticle formation. The biologically synthesized Cu/CuO-NPs are characterized using UV-VIS spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, TGA, XPS, FTIR, DLS, zeta potential analyzer, etc. Cu/CuO-NPs hold promise for applications in nanomedicine, primarily because of their strong antimicrobial and anticancer activities and potential use as disinfectants against infectious diseases. Various reports have suggested that the biologically synthesized Cu/CuO-NPs have exhibited significant antimicrobial and anticancer efficacies against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses and various cancer cells. Due to their nanoscale dimensions and extensive surface area, Cu/CuO nanoparticles can readily infiltrate cell walls, disrupt membrane integrity, generate reactive oxygen species, and hinder both DNA replication and protein production, leading to cell death. The present review comprehensively describes the biological synthesis of Cu/CuO-NPs, their characterization techniques, and potential antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer applications. The modes of action for antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer properties have also been explored critically. Full article