Search Results (74)

Water environments and sediments are important reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Under the pressure of antibiotics, ARGs can transform between microorganisms. Lanthanum-modified bentonite (LMB) is a phosphorus passivation material with good prospects in water environment restoration. After a treatment with LMB, the phosphorus forms in water and sediments will change, which may have an impact on microorganisms and the transmission of ARGs. To investigate the effects of LMB and antibiotics on ARGs and bacterial communities in sediment and aquatic environments, LMB and tetracycline (Tet) were added individually and in combination to mixed samples of sediment and water. The results showed that the addition of either LMB or Tet increased the abundance of intI1 and tetA genes in both the sediment and water, with the Tet addition increasing ARGs to more than 1.5 times the abundance in the control group. However, when LMB and Tet were present simultaneously, the abundance of ARGs showed no significant difference compared to the control group. Tet and LMB also affected the bacterial community structure and function in the samples and had different effects on the sediment and water. A correlation analysis revealed that the potential host bacteria of the intI1 and tetA genes were unclassified_Geobacteraceae, Geothrix, Flavobacterium, Anaeromyxobacter, and Geothermobacter. These findings indicate that Tet or LMB may increase the dissemination of ARGs by affecting microbial communities, while LMB may reduce the impact of Tet through adsorption, providing a reference for the safety of the LMB application in the environment and its other effects (alleviating antibiotic pollution) in addition to phosphorus removal. Full article

Antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation complicate Staphylococcus aureus infections, raising concerns for global health. Understanding antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in these pathogens is essential for effective infection management. The current research aimed to assess antibiotic resistance patterns, biofilm formation, and the occurrence of integron classes 1, 2, and 3 in clinical S. aureus isolates. The disc diffusion method tested antibiotic susceptibility. MRSA strains were identified by cefoxitin disc diffusion, and the mecA gene by PCR. The D-test also assessed macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin B. A microtiter plate assay assessed biofilm formation. By PCR, integron classes were examined. Of the 63 S. aureus isolates, 25 were MSSA and 38 were MRSA. Pus (39.5%) was the most prevalent clinical source of MRSA isolates, while blood (24%) was the predominant source of MSSA isolates. MRSA isolates were more resistant to clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, and doxycycline than MSSA isolates. In total, 76.2% of the isolates produced biofilm. Biofilm-producing isolates were more resistant to cefoxitin and clindamycin. The isolates had 33.3% cMLSB resistance. The intI1 gene was found in 21 S. aureus isolates (33.3%), whereas the intI2 or intI3 genes were not detected. Our findings demonstrate the need for strict infection control to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria. Full article

Oil palm cultivation plays a critical role in rural livelihoods in Indonesia, yet previous research has often overlooked systematic institutional differences among smallholders. This study aims to analyze disparities in assets, strategies, and livelihood outcomes among three oil palm smallholder typologies—ex-Perkebunan Inti Rakyat (PIR) transmigrant smallholders who received land through government transmigration programs, independent smallholders who cultivate oil palm without formal partnerships, and plasma smallholders operating under corporate partnership schemes—in Central Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi. A descriptive quantitative approach based on the sustainable livelihoods framework was employed, using chi-square analysis of data collected from 90 respondents through structured interviews and field observations. The results show that ex-PIR smallholders possess higher physical, financial, and social capital and achieve better income and welfare outcomes compared to independent and plasma smallholders. Independent smallholders exhibit resilience through diversified livelihood strategies, whereas plasma smallholders face asset limitations and structural dependency on partner companies, increasing their economic vulnerability. The study concludes that differentiated policy approaches are necessary to enhance the resilience of each group, including improving capital access, promoting income diversification, and strengthening institutions for plasma smallholders. Future research should expand geographical scope and explore factors such as technology adoption, gender dynamics, and intergenerational knowledge transfer to deepen understanding of sustainable smallholder livelihoods in tropical plantation contexts. Full article

Air pollution is a growing environmental and public health concern, particularly in urban areas where vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and public events contribute to deteriorating air quality. This study examines air pollution concentrations in two districts of Cusco, Peru, using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates environmental monitoring and social risk perception analysis. Air quality measurements revealed elevated levels of PM2.5 and NO₂, with 40–60% of data falling within “Moderate” or “Unhealthy for sensitive groups” categories according to international standards. Notably, major cultural events such as Inti Raymi were associated with a threefold increase in pollutant concentrations, highlighting their impact on urban air quality. Simultaneously, surveys and interviews assessed public perception, revealing a varied understanding of pollution risks and a general concern for health impacts, especially in more polluted and densely populated areas. However, trust in scientists remains limited, which poses challenges for the implementation of evidence-based environmental strategies. This study highlights significant environmental inequality within the city, with central districts facing greater pollution burdens than peripheral zones. These findings underscore the need for holistic air quality management strategies that combine scientific assessments with community engagement. Strengthening trust between scientists and local populations is essential to develop inclusive and effective interventions that align with both technical and social priorities, particularly in rapidly urbanizing contexts such as Cusco. Full article

Background: Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales have steadily multiplied over time, becoming a major threat to healthcare systems due to limited therapeutic options and high case-fatality rates. Case report: We studied a patient who, after being discharged from an ICU, developed salmonellosis caused by an antibiotic-susceptible S. enteritidis. After undergoing treatment with ciprofloxacin, the patient presented an episode of asymptomatic bacteriuria originated by a carbapenem and ciprofloxacin-resistant S. enteritidis. Results: Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed that both Salmonella isolates belonged to the same strain, and that isolate SEn_T2 acquired a plasmid carrying both bla_NDM-1 and qnrA1 genes (pIncCSEn) which was previously present in the patient’s gut in at least one Enterobacter cloacae isolate. Additionally, pIncCSEN was identified as a putatively new sub-lineage of IncC2 plasmids which lacked the first copy of the methyltransferase gene dcm and the rhs gene. The resistance genes bla_NDM-1 and qnrA1 were incorporated into a Tn21-derived transposon that included a complex class 1 integron whose genetic arrangement was: intI1- dfrA12- orfF- aadA2- qacEΔ1-sul1-ISCR1- trpF- ble- bla_NDM-1 (in reverse direction)- ISAba125-ISCR1- qnrA- cmlA1- qacEΔ1-sul1. Conclusions: Antimicrobial persistence and co-selection of antibiotic resistance play an important role in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes; in this regard, a joint effort involving the infection control team, effective antibiotic stewardship, and genomic surveillance could help mitigate the spread of these multidrug resistant microorganisms. Full article

Human activities are the main sources of antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the ecosystems of lakes. This research analyzed the abundance of four ARGs (sulI, tetX, cmlA, and aac(6′)-Ib-cr) and one MGE (intI) in sediments from the typical urban and aquacultural polluted areas in Nansi Lake, and further evaluated the risk factors affecting the distribution and occurrence of ARGs. We used 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to elucidate the relationship between microbial diversity and ARGs while identifying the possible hosts and sources of ARGs. The results indicated that all five ARGs and MGEs were found in the sampling areas. The abundance of ARGs varied significantly, ranging from 1.29 × 10⁻⁶ to 5.59 × 10⁻⁴ (copies per 16S rRNA), and the abundance of MGEs was 3.44 × 10⁻⁶ to 4.30 × 10⁻⁵ (copies per 16S rRNA). The values were relatively higher in the human urban and aquacultural polluted areas than in the pristine environment with minimal nutrient pollution. ARGs exhibited significant correlations with some environmental factors, indicating that environmental factors, such as NH₄⁺-N, total organic carbon (TOC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), played crucial roles in the proliferation of ARGs. A network analysis showed that Thermoanaerobaculum, Desulfatiglans, Ignavibacterium, Vibrio, and Spirochaeta were significantly associated with ARGs and MEGs. Meanwhile, these bacterial groups were likely hosts for ARGs and MGEs in the sediments of Nansi Lake. These results underscored the various effects of human activities on the dissemination of ARGs and the composition of microbial communities. Full article

Background: Poultry litter is the main waste of poultry farming and is widely used as an agricultural fertilizer. However, owing to the use of antimicrobials in animal production, it can accumulate antimicrobial residues, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB), and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of poultry litter use on the microbiome and resistome of agricultural soils. Methods: Soil samples from fertilized and unfertilized plots were collected from two horticultural farms that intensively use poultry litter. Microbiome composition was assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing. A culture-dependent method was used to isolate resistant strains on CHROMagar plates supplemented with sulfamethoxazole or ciprofloxacin. ARGs and integrase-encoding genes were identified by PCR. Results: Microbiome analysis revealed significant differences in structure and composition between poultry litter-fertilized and unfertilized soils. Fertilized soils exhibited greater alpha diversity and richness. Bacillota, commonly found in the avian gastrointestinal tract, were more abundant in fertilized soils. A total of 62 resistant strains were isolated, and 23 clinically relevant strains harbored ARGs, including fluoroquinolone (qnrA and qnrB) and β-lactam (bla_GES, bla_TEM, and bla_SHV) resistance genes. Class 1 and 2 integron-associated genes (intI1 and intI2) were also detected. Notably, the rare bla_GES gene was detected in Bacillus sp. from unfertilized soil. Similarly, qnrA co-occurred with bla_SHV in a Bosea sp. strain from unfertilized soil. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential for ARB dissemination in agricultural environments, where ARB and ARGs, once introduced into soils, may spread by weathering and other environmental factors, complicating negative control selection in in situ studies. Full article

Farms are a major source of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB), and previous research mainly focuses on polluted soils and breeding environments. However, slaughtering is an important link in the transmission of ARGs and ARB from farmland to dining table. In this study, we aim to reveal the pollution of ARGs and ARB in the slaughter process of broilers. First, by qualitative and quantitative analysis of ARGs in samples collected from the broiler slaughtering and processing production chain, the contamination level of ARGs was reflected; secondly, potential hosts for ARGs and microbial community were analyzed to reflect the possible transmission rules; thirdly, through the antibiotic susceptibility spectrum analysis of four typical food-borne pathogens, the distribution of ARB was revealed. The results showed that 24 types of ARGs were detected positive on the broiler slaughter production line, and tetracycline-resistance genes (20.45%) were the most frequently detected. The types of ARGs vary with sampling process, and all sampling links contain high levels of sul2 and intI1. The most abundant ARGs were detected in chicken surface in the scalding stage and entrails surface in the evisceration stage. There was a significant correlation between intI1 and tetM, suggesting that tetM might be able to enter the human food chain through class-1 integrons. The host range of the oqxB gene is the most extensive, including Sphingobacterium, Bacteroidia unclassified, Rothia, Microbacterium, Algoriella, etc. In the relevant links of the slaughter production line, the microbial community structure is similar. Removing viscera may cause diffusion of ARGs carried by intestinal microorganisms and contaminate chicken and following processing production. The four food-borne pathogens we tested are widely present in all aspects of the slaughter process, and most of them have multi-drug resistance and even have a high degree of resistance to some veterinary drugs banned by the Ministry of Agriculture. Our study preliminarily revealed the pollution of ARGs and ARB in the slaughter process of broilers, and these results are helpful to carry out food safety risk assessment and formulate corresponding control measures. Full article

Animal manure is a desirable fertilizer because of its rich nitrogen, but it also contains a large and diverse reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes (ARGs). To reduce this AMR reservoir, five treatments (passive aeration, forced aeration, static or anaerobic incubations, autoclaving) were assessed for their impact on the poultry litter resistome. Bacterial DNA was extracted from the litter and the qPCR-estimated copy number of 16S rrs, class1 integrons (intI1) and associated resistance genes (aadA, sul1). Then, 16S amplicon metagenomic sequencing was used to determine community diversity and composition. Depending on incubation conditions, class 1 integrons and their associated ARGs were reduced by 0.5 to 1.0 Log₁₀/g poultry litter. Only autoclaving reduced integrons and associated AMR genes by three Log₁₀. Changes in AMR abundance reflected fluctuations in litter bacteriome composition at the family, genus, and sequence variant level. There was a negative correlation between class 1 integron and AMR genes, with genera belonging to Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria phyla. While these poultry litter treatments failed to reduce AMR abundance, aerobic and anaerobic treatments reduced taxons that contained pathogenic species. The approach to remediating resistance in poultry litter may be more effective if is focused on reducing bacterial pathogens. Full article

Over the past two decades, the application of photocatalytic reactions in organic synthesis has increased remarkably. Porphyrins, renowned for their exceptional photophysical properties, photostability, and prevalence in natural catalytic processes, are attracting significant attention as promising photocatalysts for reactions proceeding through energy transfer and one-electron transfer. In this work, we synthesized the indium(III) complex of 2-[4-(diethoxyphosphoryl)phenyl]-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]-5,10,15,20-tetramesitylporphyrin (InTMPIP) and explored its application as a photocatalyst for the oxidation of sulfides by dioxygen or air. Complex InTMPIP was found to generate singlet oxygen with quantum yield of 0.92 (toluene) and enables efficient photooxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides by dioxygen in “green” acetonitrile/water (4:1 v/v) or methanol/chloroform (2:1 v/v) solvent mixtures with almost quantitative yield. Furthermore, InTMPIP was grafted onto hydrated mesoporous titania and materials InTMPIP/TiO₂-1 and InTMPIP/TiO₂-2 with different In/Ti ratios were obtained and investigated. The composition and structure of the materials were studied using a combination of elemental analysis, various spectroscopic methods, gas adsorption measurements, and SEM imaging. Finally, the photocatalytic efficiency of InTMPIP/TiO₂-2 was explored in aerobic photooxidation of sulfides. The heterogenized complex enables selective synthesis of sulfoxides under “green” conditions; however, it is prone to leaching into the solution when irradiated with both blue and red LEDs. Full article

Plant-derived foods are potential vehicles for microbial antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can be transferred to the human microbiome if consumed raw or minimally processed. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the amount of clinically relevant ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in differently processed smoothies (freshly prepared, cold-pressed, pasteurized and high-pressure processed) and fresh produce samples (organically and conventionally cultivated) to assess potential health hazards associated with their consumption. The MGE ISPps and the class 1 integron-integrase gene intI1 were detected by probe-based qPCR in concentrations up to 10⁴ copies/mL in all smoothies, lettuce, carrots and a single tomato sample. The highest total (2.2 × 10⁵ copies/mL) and the most diverse ARG and MGE loads (16/26 targets) were observed in freshly prepared and the lowest prevalences (5/26) and concentrations (4.1 × 10³ copies/mL) in high-pressure-processed (HPP) smoothies. Bla_CTX-M-1-15 (1.2 × 10⁵ c/mL) and strB (6.3 × 10⁴ c/mL) were the most abundant, and qacEΔ1 (95%), bla_TEM1 (85%), ermB and sul1 (75%, each) were the most prevalent ARGs. QnrS, vanA, sat-4, bla_KPC, bla_NDM-1 and bla_OXA-10 were never detected. HPP treatment reduced the microbial loads by ca. 5 logs, also destroying extracellular DNA potentially encoding ARGs that could otherwise be transferred by bacterial transformation. The bacterial microbiome, potential pathogens, bacterial ARG carriers and competent bacteria able to take up ARGs were identified by Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing. To reduce the risk of AMR spread from smoothies, our data endorse the application of DNA-disintegrating processing techniques such as HPP. Full article

The purpose of this study was to compare the internal and external load in continuous and intermittent small-sided games (SSG) formats. Eight semi-professional soccer players participated in the study, and they completed three protocols: (a) I-intermittent SSG protocol (Int-I, 4 sets of 4 min with a 3 min recovery); (b) Continuous SSG protocol (Con, 2 sets of 8 min with a 3 min recovery); (c) II-SSG protocol (Int-II, 4 sets of 4 min, where each set includes 1 min of exercise with varying recovery periods (10, 20, 30 s), with a 3 min recovery period between sets). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the dependent variables, with significance determined at p < 0.05. The three protocols differed in total distance covered and in distance covered at speeds >19 km/h, with the Int-II protocol resulting in the greatest distance covered (p < 0.05). Additionally, players in the Con protocol exercised at a higher percentage of their maximum heart rate (%HRmax) (p < 0.05), while the highest RPE value was observed in the Int-I interval protocol (p < 0.05). The external load experienced by players in intermittent SSG protocols is higher, while internal load (%HRmax) remains relatively low. This effect is especially notable in the new intermittent exercise model proposed in this study, which incorporates progressively increasing recovery times within each exercise set. Coaches can use this model to increase players’ external load without causing a heightened perception of fatigue. Full article

Backgound. As biofilms are known to harbour (multi-)resistant species, their presence in health settings must be considered critical. Although there is evidence that bacteria spread from drains to the outside, there is still a lack of research data focusing on drain biofilms from hospitals. Methods. We sampled biofilms from various wards of Helios Hospital Krefeld (Germany), where comprehensive antibiotic consumption data were available. Biofilms were analysed by cell counting, isolation of relevant bacterial groups and genetic and phenotypical resistance parameters. Data were correlated with the prescribed antibiotics of the respective ward. Furthermore, an ex situ biofilm model was employed to investigate the influence of sub-inhibitory antibiotics on the bacterial community and the prevalence of class 1 integrons. Results. Our results show that every ward harboured medically relevant bacterial species. While no significant differences were found in cell counts, the median prevalence of the resistance marker gene intI1 correlated with the amount of prescribed antibiotics. In contrast, phenotypical resistances showed no similar tendency. In addition, melting curve analysis data and changes in intI1 prevalence show that the composition of the bacterial community shifted depending on the biofilm and antibiotic. Conclusions. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first considering possible correlations between the consumption data of hospital wards and resistances in drain biofilms the way we did. Based on our results, we conclude that sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics have no general effect on biofilms in terms of bacterial community shift and occurrence of antibiotic-resistant species. Amongst other things, the effect depends on the initial composition of the bacterial community, the antibiotic used and the intrinsic bacterial resistance, e.g., prevalence of class 1 integrons. Full article

Bone meal has been used as economic and effective additive for heavy metals (HMs) pollution remediation due to the distinct components and structures that enable their favorable properties, such as its low cost, high adsorption capacity, acid-base adjustability, and ion-exchange capability. However, no attempt has been made to establish whether cow bone could promote the passivation of HMs and the removal of metal resistance genes (MRGs) and antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) during the composting process. Two sizes of cow bone (meal (T2) and granule (T3)) were added to investigate their effects on humification, HMs passivation and the abundance of ARGs and MRGs during swine manure composting. Excitation-emission matrix (EEM)-parallel factor analysis showed that the percentage of maximum fluorescence intensity of humic-like substances were higher in T2 (91.82%) than in T3 (88.46%), implying that T2 could promote the humification process compared to T3. In comparison with control (T1), the addition of T2 and T3 could promote the change of exchangeable Cu and reducible Cu into oxidizable Cu, thus reducing the mobility factors (MF) of Cu in T2 and T3 treatments by 10.48% and 6.98%, respectively. In addition, T2 and T3 could increase exchangeable Zn into reducible Zn and oxidizable Zn, thereby reducing the MF of Zn in T2 and T3 treatments by 18.80% and 2.0%, respectively. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that the total abundances of MRGs were decreased by 100% in T2 and T3 treatments, and T2 decreased the total relative abundance of ARGs. Furthermore, the relative abundance of ARGs and MRGs had significantly correlated with intI1 and bio-available of Cu and Zn, which was triggered by selective pressure of HMs and horizontal gene transfer. The present study suggested that cow bone meal as additives can be a feasible approach to promote the passivation of HMs and enhance the removal of MGRs and ARGs by decreasing horizontal gene transfer and selective pressure by bioavailable HMs. Full article

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) catalysts are primarily utilized under ultraviolet light, and their potential in industrial applications remains largely untapped. To address this issue, our study uses a one-pot impregnation method to prepare a series of In-TiO₂/TSS(X) (TSS, Tobacco stem silk. X, the molar ratio of In/Ti) catalysts. Among them, the degradation performance of the In-TiO₂/TSS(2.0) material increased from 13.8% for TiO₂ to an impressive 92.9%. By establishing a first-order kinetic model, it was determined that the degradation performance of the In-TiO₂/TSS(2.0) material surpassed that of TiO₂ by a factor of 24. Structural characterization revealed that the introduction of tobacco stem silk templates did not alter the crystal phase of TiO₂ and that the main component of the catalyst remained TiO₂. Not only that, an O–In structure formed on the surface of the TiO₂, leading to a significant increase in the material’s specific surface area. Furthermore, principle tests were conducted, revealing significant enhancements in its light absorption capacity, intensity, and photocurrent density. Through active species trapping experiments, it was observed that, in the photocatalytic degradation process of this catalyst series, holes (h⁺) played the primary role, while the hydroxyl ion (·OH) and superoxide ion (·O²⁻) acted as auxiliary species. Full article