Search Results (151)

The results of this study, which involved treating cotton fabrics with three fluorescent hyperbranched polymers modified with 1,8-naphthalamide (P1), acridine (P2), and dansyl (P3) groups, could have applications in the development of antimicrobial textiles with self-disinfecting ability. The polymers, dissolved in DMF/water solution, were deposited on the cotton fabric using the exhaustion method. The fabrics were thoroughly analyzed by reflection spectra, CIEL*a*b* coordinates, and color difference (∆E). The release of the polymers from the cotton surface was studied in a phosphate buffer with pH = 7.4 and an acetate buffer with pH = 4.5 at 37 °C for 10 h. It is shown that at pH = 7.4, the release of the three polymers occurs slowly (about 4–5%). In contrast, in an acidic medium, due to protonation of the tertiary amino group of 1,8-naphthalimide, P1 passes significantly more readily into the aqueous solution (35%). The possibility of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation by the polymers and the cotton fabrics treated with them under sunlight irradiation was followed using an iodometric method. The microbiological activity was investigated against Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa as model bacterial strains in the dark and after irradiation with sunlight. The antimicrobial activity of the polymers increased after light irradiation, as ¹O₂ attacks and destroys the bacterial cell membrane. Scanning electron microscopy showed that a stable bacterial biofilm had formed on the untreated cotton surface, but treatment with hyperbranched polymers prevented its formation. However, many bacteria were still observed on the fiber surface when the microbial test was performed in the dark, whereas only a few single bacteria were noticed after the illumination. A virucidal effect against respiratory viruses HRSV-2 and AAdV-5 was observed only after irradiation with sunlight. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent studies show that the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in the (patho)physiology of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), likely via metabolites they produce that are transported via the portal vein towards the liver where they first encounter liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). LSECs may modulate the effects the gut microbes have on the liver, e.g., on the progression of MASLD. Methods: This review aims to describe the current knowledge on the role of LSECs in mediating the effect of gut microbial products in MASLD. Results: Various studies show that LSECS have a contributing role in MASLD pathogenesis, suggesting that proper LSEC functionality is required to protect the liver from gut-driven attacks. Conclusions: Dedicated studies on the role and effects of gut-derived molecules on LSEC functionality are lacking, likely because such studies depend on labor-intensive techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Full article

Geniposide, the predominant bioactive constituent identified in the traditional Chinese medicine herb Gardenia jasminoides, demonstrates clinically significant pharmacological properties. However, the clinical application of geniposide is significantly limited by its insufficient lipophilicity and consequent compromised oral bioavailability. To enhance the lipophilicity and bioavailability of geniposide, a novel whole-cell-mediated catalytic approach was developed for the first time. Aspergillus oryzae whole cells exhibited the highest catalytic activity among microbial strains screened for geniposide decanoylation in the organic solvents. The optimal reaction conditions were identified as follows: acetonitrile served as the reaction solvent, with a substrate molar ratio of 15:1, a whole-cell dosage of 20 mg/mL, and the reaction temperature maintained at 50 °C. Under these optimized conditions, the initial reaction rate was 6.1 mmol/L·h, the conversion reached 99%, and the regioselectivity exceeded 99%. In addition, nine geniposide esters were successfully synthesized, exhibiting outstanding conversion efficiency and high regioselectivities. The pronounced regioselectivity exhibited by Aspergillus oryzae cells toward the 6′-hydroxy group of the glycoside ring in geniposide can be attributed to the lower steric hindrance at this position relative to other hydroxyl moieties, which may enter into the enzyme’s active site more easily to attack the acyl-enzyme intermediate. Full article

The root-associated microbiome significantly influences plant health and pest resistance, yet the temporal dynamics of its compositional and functional change in response to Ectropis grisescens Warren (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) infestation remain largely unexplored. The study took samples of leaves, roots, and rhizosphere soil at different times after the plants were attacked by E. grisescens. These samples were analyzed using transcriptomic and high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA techniques. The goal was to understand how the plant’s defense mechanisms and the microbial community around the roots changed after the attack. Additionally, bacterial feedback assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of selected microbial strains on plant growth and pest defense responses. By conducting 16S rRNA sequencing on the collected soil samples, we found significant shifts in bacterial communities by the seventh day, suggesting a lag in community adaptation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that E. grisescens attack induced reprogramming of the tea root transcriptome, upregulating genes related to defensive pathways such as phenylpropanoid and flavonoid biosynthesis. Metagenomic data indicated functional changes in the rhizosphere microbiome, with enrichment in genes linked to metabolic pathways and nitrogen cycling. Network analysis showed a reorganization of core microbial members, favoring nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Burkholderia species. Bacterial feedback assays confirmed that selected strains, notably Burkholderia cepacia strain ABC4 (T1) and a nine-strain consortium (T5), enhanced plant growth and defense responses, including elevated levels of flavonoids, polyphenols, caffeine, jasmonic acid, and increased peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. This study emphasizes the potential of utilizing root-associated microbial communities for sustainable pest management in tea cultivation, thereby enhancing resilience in tea crops while maintaining ecosystem balance. Full article

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common and potentially severe gastrointestinal condition characterized by acute inflammation of the pancreas. The pathophysiology of AP is multifactorial and intricate, involving a cascade of events that lead to pancreatic injury and systemic inflammation. The progression of AP is influenced by many factors, including genetic predispositions, environmental triggers, and immune dysregulation. Recent studies showed a critical involvement of the gut microbiota in shaping the immune response and modulating inflammatory processes during AP. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the emerging role of gut microbiota and probiotics in AP. We analyzed the implication of gut microbiota in pathogenesis of AP and the modification during an acute attack. The primary goals of microbiome-based therapies, which include probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and enteral nutrition, are to alter the composition of the gut microbial community and the amount of metabolites derived from the microbiota. By resetting the entire flora or supplementing it with certain beneficial organisms and their byproducts, these therapeutic approaches aim to eradicate harmful microorganisms, reducing inflammation and avoiding bacterial translocation and the potential microbiota-based therapeutic target for AP from nutrition to pre- and probiotic supplementation to fecal transplantation. Full article

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a severe chronic T-cell mediated autoimmune disease that attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. The multifactorial nature of T1D involves both genetic and environmental components, with recent research focusing on the gut microbiome as a crucial environmental factor in T1D pathogenesis. The gut microbiome and its metabolites play an important role in modulating immunity and autoimmunity. In recent years, studies have revealed significant alterations in the taxonomic and functional composition of the gut microbiome associated with the development of islet autoimmunity and T1D. These changes include reduced production of short-chain fatty acids, altered bile acid and tryptophan metabolism, and increased intestinal permeability with consequent perturbations of host (auto)immune responses. Methods/Results: In this review, we summarize and discuss recent observational, mechanistic and etiological studies investigating the gut microbiome in T1D and elucidating the intricate role of gut microbes in T1D pathogenesis. Moreover, we highlight the recent advances in intervention studies targeting the microbiota for the prevention or treatment of human T1D. Conclusions: A deeper understanding of the evolution of the gut microbiome before and after T1D onset and of the microbial signals conditioning host immunity may provide us with essential insights for exploiting the microbiome as a prognostic and therapeutic tool. Full article

Regenerative agriculture and the use of bioinputs have been gaining prominence in the global agribusiness sector, driven by the growing demand for healthier foods produced with minimal impact on ecosystems. In this context, compost and its derivatives (compost extracts and teas) are used to provide effective microorganisms to crops, although production processes affect the efficiency of compost extracts, as well as the soil microbiota. Thus, the hypothesis raised was that the organic matter source used for compost formation affects the agronomic efficiency of compost extracts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of compost extracts based on litterfall of angiosperm (AC) and gymnosperm (GC) species, and the use of inoculation with the nitrogen-fixing bacteria Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense (Bra+Azo), on soil quality, crop growth, grain yield, and disease control in soybean (Glycine max L.) crops. Using AC and GC resulted in varying effects on soybean growth and soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), confirming the hypothesis that the organic matter source affects the agronomic efficiency of compost extracts. Plants inoculated with Bra+Azo exhibited higher chlorophyll contents, resulting in a higher photochemical yield than for those treated with compost extracts (AC and GC). However, plants inoculated with AC and GC exhibited high plasticity in mitigating photochemical stress, reaching similar photosynthetic and transpiration rates to those observed in plants inoculated with Bra+Azo. Additionally, inoculation with Bra+Azo, overall, improved the photosynthetic efficiency of soybean plants, and the compost extracts (AC and GC) were more effective than the inoculation with Bra+Azo in increasing soybean 1000-grain weight, probably due to improvements in root development. The growth promotion observed with AC and GC is likely attributed to increases in SMBC by these compounds, denoting improvements in soil quality and biocontrol of damage caused by insect attacks. Full article

The objective of this study is to evaluate the degradation of end-of-life BWRO membranes sourced from a factory in France by analyzing their water permeability, roughness, and chemical composition in order to diagnose the level of degradation incurred during their first life cycle in water softening. Following this, two new applications for the end-of-life BWRO membranes were investigated: (i) as ultrafiltration membranes (UF) for domestic effluent treatment and (ii) as cation exchange membranes (CEM) for use in fungal microbial fuel cells (FMFC). The UF membrane was renovated with an acetic acid treatment and, subsequently, used for domestic effluent filtration. The cation exchange membrane was developed in two steps: (i) chlorine treatment and (ii) the deposition of an Amer Sil layer, a functional coating formed by an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) made of sulfonated polyether sulfone (S-PES) in a cross-linked matrix of acrylic acid and divinylbenzene. Full article

Microbial attack, particularly fungal degradation of cellulose, is a leading cause of paper damage. To address fungal spores and the rising concern of microbial drug resistance, a nano-Germanium dioxide (GeO₂)/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) complex (nano-GeO₂/CTAB complex) with potent antibacterial properties was synthesized. Its inhibitory effects were evaluated against bacteria, including Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, as well as fungi isolated from paper (Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., and Penicillium citrinum). The nano-GeO₂/CTAB complex exhibited significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory effects against S. aureus and E. coli. Moreover, a 60 min treatment with 1 mg/mL of the complex significantly inhibited the growth of all tested fungi and reduced their biomass after five days of culture, while 4 mg/mL completely deactivated spores. Filter paper pre-treated with the nano-GeO₂/CTAB complex showed complete resistance to microbial attack, exhibiting no fungal growth and a clear inhibition zone devoid of bacterial growth. In contrast, untreated controls displayed fungal coverage exceeding 95% within five days. These findings highlight the nano-GeO₂/CTAB complex as a promising antimicrobial agent for protecting paper materials from microbial degradation. Full article

Cereal grains are frequently attacked by microorganisms and insects during storage and processing, which negatively affects their quality, safety, and market value. Therefore, protecting stored grains from microbial contamination is crucial for food industries, farmers, public health associations, and environmental agencies. Due to the negative impact of synthetic gray chemicals, antimicrobial plant-based essential oils (EOs) can serve as alternative, safer, environmentally friendly preservatives that can prolong the shelf life of cereals. However, high volatility, low solubility, hydrophobicity, and quick oxidation limit their practical applicability. Using nanotechnology for the nanoencapsulation of EOs into polymeric matrices allows sustained release and ensures targeted delivery without significantly altering the organoleptic attributes of cereals, making EOs a new-generation green preservative. This ultimately overcomes the challenges of practical applications. The application of nanoencapsulated EOs in grain storage provides an effective and novel defense against microbes, insects, and other contaminants. Hence, the current review thoroughly examines the preservative potential of nanoencapsulated EOs in terms of antimicrobial and insecticidal efficacy for protecting stored cereal grains. It also highlights the challenges encountered during application and the safety concerns of using nanoencapsulated EOs in protecting cereal grains during post-harvest storage. Full article

L-Carnitine, sourced from red meat, dairy, and endogenous synthesis, plays a vital role in fatty acid metabolism and energy production. While beneficial for cardiovascular, muscular, and neural health, its interaction with the gut microbiota and conversion into trimethylamine (TMA) and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) raise concerns about heart health. TMAO, produced through the gut-microbial metabolism of L-carnitine and subsequent liver oxidation, is associated with cardiovascular risks, including atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke. It contributes to cholesterol deposition, vascular dysfunction, and platelet aggregation. Omnivorous diets, rich in L-carnitine, are associated with higher TMAO levels compared to plant-based diets, which are linked to lower cardiovascular disease risks. Dietary interventions, such as increasing fiber, polyphenols, and probiotics, can modulate the gut microbiota to reduce TMAO production. These strategies seek to balance L-carnitine’s benefits with its potential risks related to TMAO production. Future research should focus on personalized approaches to optimize L-carnitine use while mitigating its cardiovascular impacts, exploring microbial modulation and dietary strategies to minimize the TMAO levels and associated risks. Full article

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG) in the atmosphere and the substrate for the photosynthetic fixation of carbohydrates in plants. Increasing GHGs from anthropogenic emissions is warming the Earth’s atmospheric system at an alarming rate and changing its climate, which can affect photosynthesis and other biochemical reactions in crop plants favorably or unfavorably, depending on plant species. For the substrate role in plant carbon reduction reactions, CO₂ concentration ([CO₂]) in air potentially enhances photosynthesis. However, N uptake and availability for protein synthesis can be a potential limiting factor in enhanced biomass synthesis under enriched [CO₂] conditions across species. Legumes are C₃ plants and symbiotic N fixers and are expected to benefit from enhanced [CO₂] in the air. However, the concurrent increase in air temperatures with enhanced [CO₂] demands more detailed investigations on the effects of [CO₂] enhancement on grain legume growth and yield. In this article, we critically reviewed and presented the online literature on growth, phenology, photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, productivity, soil health, and insect behavior under elevated [CO₂] and temperature conditions. The review revealed that specific leaf weight, pod weight, and nodule number and weight increased significantly under elevated [CO₂] of up to 750 ppm. Under elevated [CO₂], two mechanisms that were affected were the photosynthesis rate (increased) and stomatal conductivity (decreased), which helped enhance water use efficiency in the C₃ legume plants to achieve higher yields. Exposure of legumes to elevated levels of [CO₂] when water stressed resulted in an increase of 58% in [CO₂] uptake, 73% in transpiration efficiency, and 41% in rubisco carboxylation and decreased stomatal conductance by 15–30%. The elevated [CO₂] enhanced the yields of soybean by 10–101%, peanut by 28–39%, mung bean by 20–28%, chickpea by 26–31%, and pigeon pea by 31–38% over ambient [CO₂]. However, seed nutritional qualities like protein, Zn, and Ca were significantly decreased. Increased soil temperatures stimulate microbial activity, spiking organic matter decomposition rates and nutrient release into the soil system. Elevated temperatures impact insect behavior through higher plant feeding rates, posing an enhanced risk of invasive pest attacks in legumes. However, further investigations on the potential interaction effects of elevated [CO₂] and temperatures and extreme climate events on growth, seed yields and nutritional qualities, soil health, and insect behavior are required to develop climate-resilient management practices through the development of novel genotypes, irrigation technologies, and fertilizer management for sustainable legume production systems. Full article

The increasing global population has heightened the demand for food, leading to escalated food production and, consequently, the generation of significant food waste. Factors such as rapid ripening, susceptibility to physiological disorders, and vulnerability to microbial attacks have been implicated as contributing to the accelerated senescence associated with food waste generation. Fruits and vegetables, characterized by their high perishability, account for approximately half of all food waste produced, rendering them a major area of concern. Various postharvest technologies have thus been employed, including the application of phytohormone treatments, to safeguard and extend the storability of highly perishable food products. This review, therefore, explores the physicochemical properties and biological aspects of phytohormones that render them suitable for food preservation. Furthermore, this review examines the effects of externally applied phytohormones on the postharvest physiology and quality attributes of fresh produce. Finally, the review investigates the mechanisms by which exogenous phytohormones preserve food quality and discusses the associated limitations and safety considerations related to the use of these compounds in food applications. Full article

Pandemics of infectious disease and growing anti-microbial resistance (AMR) pose major threats to global health, trade, and security. Conflict and climate change compound and accelerate these threats. The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, but is grounded in the biomedical model, which reduces health to the absence of disease. Biomedical responses are insufficient to meet the challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic is the most recent example of the failure of this biomedical model to address global threats, the limitations of laboratory-based surveillance, and the exclusive focus on vaccination for disease control. This paper examines the current paradigm through the lens of polio and the global campaign to eradicate it, as well as other infectious threats including mpox and drug-resistant tuberculosis, particularly in the context of armed conflict. Decades before vaccines became widely available, public health measures—ventilation, chlorination, nutrition and sanitation— led to longer, healthier, and even taller lives. Chlorine, our primary tool of public health, conquered cholera and transformed infection control in hospitals. The World Health Organization (WHO), part of the One Health alliance, focuses mainly on antibiotics and vaccines to reduce deaths due to superbugs and largely ignores the critical role of chlorine to control water-borne diseases (including polio) and other infections. Moreover, the One Health approach ignores armed conflict. Contemporary wars are characterized by indiscriminate bombing of civilians, attacks targeting healthcare, mass displacement and lack of humanitarian access, conditions which drive polio outbreaks and incubate superbugs. We discuss the growing trend of attacks on healthcare and differentiate between types: community-driven attacks targeting vaccinators in regions like Pakistan, and state-sponsored attacks by governments such as those of Syria and Russia that weaponize healthcare to deliberately harm whole populations. Both fuel outbreaks of disease. These distinct motivations necessitate tailored responses, yet the WHO aggregates these attacks in a manner that hampers effective intervention. While antimicrobial resistance is predictable, the escalating pandemic is the consequence of our reliance on antibiotics and commitment to a biomedical model that now borders on pathological. Our analysis reveals the international indenture to the biomedical model as the basis of disease control is the root driver of AMR and vaccine-derived polio. The unique power of vaccines is reduced by vaccination-only strategy, and in fact breeds vaccine-derived polio. The non-specific effects of vaccines must be leveraged, and universal vaccination must be supplemented by international investment in water chlorination. This will reduce health costs and strengthen global health security. While vaccines are an important weapon to combat pandemics and AMR, they must be accompanied by the entire arsenal of public health interventions. Full article

Forensic microbiology is a subject of interest and research development across the forensic community. Studies of pathogen outbreaks, biocrime or bioterrorism attacks, and analyses of crime scenes fall within this field. Significant progress has been made in evolving DNA sequencing technologies in recent decades. These newly emerged transformative tools have become available to both biomedicine and forensics. Based on the published literature, this review provides an overview of the current trends and developments of NGS (next-generation sequencing) technologies applied to forensic microbiology. These new methods present numerous advantages over traditional sequencing technology and are useful in several practical applications within this forensic field. This article then examines the main challenges and limitations of this technology in forensics, providing a comprehensive review of NGS technology capabilities in expanding the precision and effectiveness of microbial forensic investigations—with the aim of inspiring scientists, forensic experts, lawyers, public health professionals, and policymakers alike to approach this newly powerful sequencing tool appropriately. Full article