Search Results (786)

As the primary biological risk threatening safe dairy production, bovine mastitis control highly relies on environmental disinfection measures. However, the mechanisms by which chemical disinfectants influence host–environment microbial interactions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the disinfection efficacy and regulatory effects on microbial community composition and diversity of glutaraldehyde-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and glutaraldehyde-didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DAB) at recommended concentrations (2–5%), using 80 environmental samples from intensive dairy farms in Xinjiang, China. Combining 16S rDNA sequencing with culturomics, the results showed that BAC achieved a disinfection rate of 99.33%, higher than DAB’s 97.87%, and reduced the environment–gut microbiota similarity index by 23.7% via a cationic bacteriostatic film effect. Microbiome analysis revealed that BAC selectively suppressed Fusobacteriota abundance (15.67% reduction) and promoted Bifidobacterium proliferation (7.42% increase), enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function through butyrate metabolism. In contrast, DAB induced Actinobacteria enrichment in the environment (44.71%), inhibiting pathogen colonization via bioantagonism. BAC’s long-acting bacteriostatic properties significantly reduced disinfection costs and mastitis incidence. This study first elucidated the mechanism by which quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants regulate host health through “environment-gut” microbial interactions, providing a critical theoretical basis for developing precision disinfection protocols integrating “cost reduction-efficiency enhancement-risk mitigation.” Full article

Background: Microbial communities of insects have distinct roles for their respective hosts. For the black fly (Diptera: Simuliidae), an important vector and ecological indicator, the representative microbiota from the different body regions are not known. Here, we investigated the microbial composition and diversity of the head, thorax, and abdomen of wild-caught Simulium vanluni. Methods: Adult Simulium vanluni were surface-sterilized and dissected into head, thorax, and abdomen. For each body region, 20 individuals were pooled into one sample with six replicates per region. DNA was extracted and sequenced using the 16S rRNA amplification method to assess for possible microbial diversity. Data were analyzed using MicrobiomeAnalyst, where we calculated alpha diversity, beta diversity, and tested compositional differences using PERMANOVA. Results: Across 17 pooled samples, three core genera, Wolbachia (78.33%), Rickettsia (9.74%), and Acinetobacter (9.20%), accounted for more than 97% of the 16S rRNA sequencing reads. Head communities were compositionally distinct compared to the thorax and abdomen (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05). Heads were nearly monodominated by Wolbachia (95–97%), exhibiting significantly lower diversity and evenness compared to other body regions. In contrast, the thoracic and abdominal communities were more even, where thoraces were enriched with Acinetobacter (19.16%) relative to Rickettsia (10.85%), while abdomens harbored higher Rickettsia (10.96%) than Acinetobacter (5.68%). Collectively, the near-monodominance of Wolbachia in heads and inverse abundances of Acinetobacter and Rickettsia in thoraces and abdomens suggest possible anatomical niche partitioning or competition exclusion of microbiota across body regions. Conclusions: Our findings reveal fine-scale anatomical niche partitioning in S. vanluni microbiota, with the heads being almost exclusively colonized by Wolbachia, while the thoracic and abdominal niche regions exhibit distinct enrichment patterns for Acinetobacter and Rickettsia. These spatially distinct microbial distributions suggest potential functional specialization across anatomical regions of S. vanluni. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by the interplay between immune responses and dysbiosis in disease development. Aiming to provide additional insights into disease development and potential treatment strategies, the present study investigates the local effect of oral treatment with polysaccharides obtained from Auricularia auricula’s submerged culture in an experimental model of DSS-induced colitis and its impact on lesion resolution. Methods: The structure and monosaccharide composition of Auricularia polysaccharides were characterized through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). To evaluate the effect of this polysaccharide on the murine model, wild-type and Dectin-1 knockout mice were treated or not with the exopolysaccharide (EPS) while under DSS consumption. During the experimental period, feces samples were collected to evaluate microbial shifts during disease development, and, finally, the colonic tissue was analyzed to assess the inflammatory process and cytokine production. Results: The EPS composition showed a polymeric mixture of glucans and fucogalactomannans. The treatment of the wild-type DSS-induced colitis group improved the inflammatory response by increasing gut–homeostatic cytokines, such as interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The Dectin-1 KO mice group did not show the same enhancement after EPS treatment. The microbiome analysis revealed a difference in the genotype, and the treatment modified the DSS microbiome modulation, with nine and four ASVs in WT and Dectin-1 KO mice, respectively. Conclusions: The EPS treatment demonstrated therapeutic potential in treating inflammatory intestinal diseases by modulating cytokine secretion and microbiota composition, which is dependent on the Dectin-1 receptor’s carbohydrate recognition. Full article

Background and objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a multifactorial inflammatory condition often associated with microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis). Recent studies highlight the potential role of synbiotics—combinations of probiotics and prebiotics—in modulating the microbiota and supporting immune responses. The authors of this study aimed to evaluate the impact of oral synbiotic supplementation on the sinus microbiota in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for CRS. Materials and Methods: A total of 425 adult patients with CRS were enrolled in a multicenter retrospective study. According to EPOS 2020 guidelines, participants qualified for ESS. The intervention group (n = 194) received a synbiotic preparation for 6–8 weeks before and after surgery; the control group (n = 231) received no supplementation. Intraoperative and follow-up bacteriological samples were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis included chi-square, t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, and ANOVA models. Results: Patients receiving synbiotics showed a significant reduction in pathogenic bacterial colonies postoperatively compared to the control group. In the synbiotic group coagulase-negative staphylococci appeared more frequently. Patients in the synbiotic group required significantly less postoperative antibiotic therapy (p < 0.05). Both groups exhibited an increase in Gram-positive and physiological flora and a decrease in Gram-negative bacteria following ESS. Conclusions: Synbiotic supplementation may beneficially influence the composition of the sinus microbiota and reduce pathogenic bacterial colonization following ESS. The findings suggest that synbiotics could serve as a supportive strategy in CRS treatment, potentially decreasing the need for postoperative antibiotics. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colitis is a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. Purple muscadine wine polyphenols have a unique composition and possible disease-preventive properties. This study aims to determine how dealcoholized muscadine wine (DMW) affects the development of colitis and gut microbiome in IL-10^−/− mice, compared to wild types (WT). Methods: Six-week-old male IL-10^−/− and WT C57BL/6 mice were fed either a DMW-supplemented diet (4.8% v/w) or a control diet based on AIN-93M for 154 days. Colitis severity was evaluated by disease activity, intestinal permeability, gene expression of cytokines and tight junction proteins in the colon, and inflammatory cytokines in the serum. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiome profiling via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: DMW contained predominantly anthocyanins and a significant amount of ellagic acid. IL-10^−/− mice developed mild colitis as indicated by the disease activity index. DMW × gene interactions decreased intestinal permeability, colonic mRNA levels of IL-1β, and serum TNF-α in the IL-10^−/− mice. DMW suppressed the colonic mRNA levels of IL-6, enhanced the gene expression of ZO-1, but did not influence the mRNA level of TNF-α or occludin. While DMW did not alter α-diversity of the gut microbiome, it significantly influenced β-diversity in the WT mice. DMW significantly reduced the relative abundances of Akkermansia in the IL-10^−/− and WT mice. DMW and DMW×gene interaction decreased the relative abundance of Parasutterella only in IL-10^−/− mice. Conclusions: These results suggested that polyphenols from DMW interacted with genes to moderately alleviate the development of colitis in IL-10^−/− mice and could be a useful dietary strategy for IBD prevention. Full article

Soil salinization poses a critical threat to global agriculture, necessitating innovative strategies for sustainable remediation. This review synthesizes advances in leveraging plant–microbe interactions to remediate saline–alkali soils, focusing on oilseed crops—Brassica napus, Glycine max, Arachis hypogaea, Helianthus annuus, and Sesamum indicum—as keystone species for ecosystem restoration. These crops exhibit unique adaptive strategies, including root architectural plasticity and exudate-mediated recruitment of stress-resilient microbiomes (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Ascomycota), which collectively stabilize soil structure and enhance nutrient cycling, ion homeostasis, and soil aggregation to mitigate soil salinity and alkalinity. Emerging technologies further amplify these natural synergies: nanomaterials optimize nutrient delivery and microbial colonization, while artificial intelligence (AI) models predict optimal plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) combinations and simulate remediation outcomes. This integration establishes a roadmap for precision microbiome engineering, offering scalable strategies to restore soil health and ensure food security in saline–alkali ecosystems. Full article

The discovery of a resident urinary microbiome has significantly altered the understanding of urolithiasis, expanding its etiology beyond metabolic and dietary factors to include microbial contributions. This review highlights how specific uropathogens—particularly Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli—facilitate stone formation through mechanisms such as urease activity, citrate degradation, urine alkalinization, biofilm development, and inflammatory signaling. We critically examine how antibiotic therapies, while essential for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs), disrupt microbial homeostasis by depleting beneficial taxa like Lactobacillus and enabling colonization by lithogenic and resistant strains. Recurrent or broad-spectrum antibiotic use is linked to persistent dysbiosis and increased risk of stone recurrence. Additionally, this paper explores emerging microbiome-targeted strategies—such as probiotics, prebiotics, bacteriotherapy, and precision antimicrobials—as potential interventions to restore microbial balance and mitigate stone risk. Recognizing the urinary microbiome as a therapeutic target opens new avenues for personalized, microbiota-conscious strategies in the prevention and management of kidney stone disease. Full article

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. MetS is associated with increased intestinal permeability and dysbiosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of peanut shell extract (PSE) and luteolin (LUT) on the kidneys, colon, and ileum in a MetS-like murine model. Methods: Thirty-six male Slc6a14^y/− mice were divided into four groups: low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD + 200 mg PSE/kg BW (PSE, p.o.), and HFD + 100 mg LUT/kg BW (LUT, p.o.) for 4 months. Outcome measures included glucose homeostasis, intestinal permeability, gut microbiome composition, and mRNA gene expression of mitochondrial homeostasis and inflammation/oxidative stress in the kidneys, colon, and ileum. Results: HFD resulted in glucose dysregulation with hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. PSE and LUT improved insulin tolerance and beta-cell function. PSE and LUT mitigated HFD-increased serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein concentration. Perturbations in the gut microbiome were associated with HFD, and PSE or LUT reversed some of these changes. Specifically, Phocaeicola vulgatus was depleted by HFD and reverted by PSE or LUT. Relative to the LFD group, the HFD group (1) upregulated mitochondrial fusion (MFN1, MFN2, OPA1), mitophagy (TLR4, PINK1, LC3B), and inflammation (NFκB, TNFα, IL6), and (2) downregulated mitochondrial fission (FIS1, DRP1), biosynthesis (PGC1α, NRF1, NRF2, TFAM), electron transport chain (complex I), and antioxidant enzyme (SOD1) in the kidneys, colon, and ileum. Conclusions: PSE and LUT reversed such HFD-induced changes in the aforementioned gene expression levels. Full article

Acne is a highly prevalent skin condition with multifactorial pathophysiology, where Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) overgrowths generate inflammation. C. acnes can grow and adhere, through the formation of biofilms, to almost any surface, which enables chronic infections. Acne treatment with antibiotics can induce topical antimicrobial resistance, impair microbiome biodiversity and cause cutaneous dysbiosis. In this study, we assess the effect of a standardized propolis extract (PE) from Greece against C. acnes, whilst maintaining skin’s microbiome biodiversity, and we investigate its effect against genes related to the attachment and colonization of C. acnes, as well as against biofilm formation. The extract has been chemically characterized by GC-MS and was additionally tested for its antioxidant properties by the Folin–Ciocalteu method and the 2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and its regulatory activity on the expression of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory genes in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). The suggested efficacy of PE in targeting pathogenic C. acnes biofilm, via downregulation of virulence genes, represents an alternative strategy to modulate the behavior of skin microbiota in acne, paving the way for next-generation acne-targeting products. Full article

Background/objectives: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting various age groups and is associated with multiple factors. Conventional therapies often encounter complications from opportunistic infections, particularly oral candidiasis. This study examines the relationships between Candida colonization and oral microbiome composition in OLP patients. Through meta-analysis, we clarify these interactions and their implications for OLP progression. Methods: The PICOS is a systematic research strategy, following PRISMA 2020 and MeSH descriptors: oral lichen planus, oral microbiome, oral fungal, and non-Candida oral fungal. Results: A search of CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science identified 313 studies. Twelve studies were suitable for a systematic review, with four appropriate for meta-analysis. Findings showed a significant association between OLP and oral microbiota, with an OR of 4.155 (95% CI: 1.278–13.511, p = 0.024). Although analyses of C. albicans and non-albicans species lacked significance, particular non-albicans species were noted. The subgroup analysis of oral microbiota approached significance, indicated by an OR of 11.739 (95% CI: 0.654–210.713, p = 0.059). Conclusions: This study highlights the roles of Candida species and the oral microbiota in OLP, revealing a complex interaction between Candida colonization and the oral microbiome. Full article

Deciphering the spatiotemporal distribution of bacteria during breast cancer progression may provide critical insights for developing bacterial-based therapeutic strategies. Using a murine breast cancer model, we longitudinally profiled the microbiota in breast tumor tissue, mammary gland, spleen, and cecal contents at 3-, 5-, and 7- weeks post-tumor implantation through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Breast tumor progression was associated with lung metastasis and splenomegaly, accompanied by distinct tissue-specific microbial dynamics. While alpha diversity remained stable in tumors, mammary tissue, and cecal contents, it significantly increased in the spleen (p < 0.05). Longitudinal analysis revealed a progressive rise in Firmicutes and a decline in Proteobacteria abundance within tumors, mammary tissue, and cecum, whereas the spleen microbiota displayed unique phylum-level compositional shifts. Tissue- and time-dependent microbial signatures were identified at phylum, genus, and species levels during breast tumor progression. Strikingly, the spleen microbiota integrated nearly all genera enriched in other sites, suggesting its potential role as a microbial reservoir. Gut-associated genera (Lactobacillus, Desulfovibrio, Helicobacter) colonized both cecal contents and the spleen, with Lactobacillus consistently detected across all tissues, suggesting microbial translocation. The spleen exhibited uniquely elevated diversity and compositional shifts, potentially driving splenomegaly. These results delineated the trajectory of microbiota translocation and colonization, and demonstrated tissue-specific microbial redistribution during breast tumorigenesis, offering valuable implications for advancing microbiome-targeted cancer therapies. Full article

Background: Symbiotic gut microbiota can enhance cancer therapy efficacy, while treatment-induced dysbiosis may reduce effectiveness or increase toxicity. Our preclinical study compared the anticancer effects and impact on fecal microbiota and metabolites of two water-soluble SN-38 derivatives (BN-MePPR and BN-MOA), with those observed after treatment with Irinotecan, and the FOLFOX regimen in NOD scid gamma mice bearing patient-derived colon adenocarcinoma xenografts (CRC PDX). Methods: Five individual experiments with Irinotecan and its derivatives and eight individual experiments with FOLFOX were conducted using eight CRC PDX models. Chemotherapeutics were administered intraperitoneally 4–5 times at 5-day intervals. Fecal samples were collected before and after treatment. Microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 regions) sequencing. Mass spectrometry was used to quantify short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and amino acids (AAs). Results: All treatments significantly inhibited tumor growth versus controls. However, no significant changes were observed in gut microbiota α- and β-diversity between treated and untreated groups. Tumor progression in controls was associated with increased abundance of Marvinbryantia, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and [Eubacterium] nodatum group. FOLFOX-treated mice showed increased Marvinbryantia, Bacteroides, and Candidatus Arthromitus, and decreased Akkermansia. No distinct taxa changes were found in the Irinotecan or derivative groups. SCFA levels remained unchanged across groups, while BN-MePPR, BN-MOA, and Irinotecan all increased AA concentrations. Conclusions: Contrary to earlier toxicological data, these findings indicate a relatively limited impact of the tested chemotherapeutics on the gut microbiome and metabolome, emphasizing the importance of research method selection in preclinical studies. Full article

Molecular crosstalk between the gut microbiome and human diet represent a potential therapeutic avenue requiring further investigation as it can be applied to human health management and treatment. Colon cancer, the third leading cause of cancer mortality, is often linked to the gut microbiome. In vitro and in vivo studies and metagenomic research have revealed alterations in gut microbial flora among diseased individuals. The human diet is connected to these changes in microbial inhabitants related to the pathophysiology underlying colorectal cancer (CRC). Polyphenols are well-studied, naturally occurring plant secondary metabolites recognized for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The anticancer activities of these compounds are increasingly reported, offering insights into the administration of these natural molecules for managing various types of cancer and developing novel medications from them. Recent investigations have highlighted the prebiotic-like effects of these compounds on gut microbial dysbiosis and their metabolism concerning colorectal cancer, influencing colon cancer by interfering with multiple signaling pathways. This review will focus on the existing literature regarding the prebiotic potential of dietary polyphenols, and further research in this area would be valuable, as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can enable analysis of the connections between unique gut microbiome profiles and other dependent factors such as physiological and genetic variables, paving the way for personalized treatment strategies in gut microbiome-based health management and precision medicine. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence increases markedly with age, yet chronological age is an inadequate proxy for the complex biological processes involved. Colon aging, the intrinsic biological aging of the colonic tissue, is emerging as a crucial, active driver of CRC development. This review comprehensively analyzes the interplay between colon aging and CRC pathogenesis by examining fundamental hallmarks of aging—such as altered tissue homeostasis, epigenetic dysregulation, and microenvironmental shifts including chronic inflammation (inflammaging), gut microbiome dysbiosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling—manifest specifically within the aging colon to synergistically foster a pro-tumorigenic environment. Key findings synthesized from the literature highlight the critical roles of impaired colonic stem cell function, epithelial barrier disruption (“leaky gut”), persistent low-grade inflammation, and altered microbial communities and their metabolites in promoting CRC initiation and progression. Translating this mechanistic understanding holds significant promise: insights from colon aging research can inform novel biomarkers for improved early detection and risk stratification, guide the development of personalized preventative strategies and therapeutic interventions targeting aging pathways, and underpin public health initiatives focused on healthy colon aging. Ultimately, recognizing colon aging as a modifiable contributor to CRC offers a powerful avenue to potentially reduce CRC incidence and enhance patient outcomes, particularly in the vulnerable aging population. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) scaffold systems have proven instrumental in advancing our understanding of polymicrobial biofilm dynamics and probiotic interactions within the oral environment. Among oral probiotics, Streptococcus salivarius K12 (Ssk12) has shown considerable promise in modulating microbial homeostasis; however, its long-term therapeutic benefits are contingent upon successful and sustained colonization of the oral mucosa. Despite its clinical relevance, the molecular mechanisms underlying the adhesion, persistence, and integration of Ssk12 into the native oral microbiome/biofilm remain inadequately characterized. In this pilot study, we explored the temporal colonization dynamics of Ssk12 and its impact on the structure and functional profiles of salivary-derived biofilms cultivated on melt-electrowritten poly(ε-caprolactone) (MEW-mPCL) scaffolds, which emulate the native oral niche. Colonization was monitored via fluorescence in situ hybridization (smFISH), confocal microscopy, and RT-qPCR, while shifts in community composition and function were assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing and meta-transcriptomics. A single administration of Ssk12 exhibited transient colonization lasting up to 7 days, with detectable presence diminishing by day 10. This was accompanied by short-term increases in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium populations. Functional analyses revealed increased transcriptional signatures linked to oxidative stress resistance and metabolic adaptation. These findings suggest that even short-term probiotic colonization induces significant functional changes, underscoring the need for strategies to enhance probiotic persistence. Full article