Search Results (19,561)

Antibiotic resistance has become a significant challenge for global health. Exploring novel antimicrobial compounds as alternatives to antibiotics is increasingly prominent in combating resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), produced by various organisms, are considered natural antibiotic candidates that can be used against multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The snakin family of plant-based AMPs is a promising candidate for use in the agriculture, food and pharmaceutical industries due to its antimicrobial activity against both phytopathogenic and clinical species. This review summarizes current AMP databases and the snakin family of plant AMPs deposited in the Universal Protein Resource, UniProt. It also provides knowledge about potential uses of this family in biotechnology. Full article

In various areas of human activity, there is a need for new antimicrobial agents that are minimally hazardous to humans and the environment while remaining effective against multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The use of nanomaterials, particularly carbon-based ones, for this purpose is attracting growing interest. This review presents a quantitative analysis, based on published data, of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of various carbon nanomaterials, focusing on fullerenes, nanodiamonds, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes, and carbon dots. Their antimicrobial activity is compared both among themselves and with other antimicrobial agents; the effects of their physicochemical properties, functionalization, and photodynamic activity on this activity are also examined. Full article

Background: A compact, in-house-developed ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system using eight 36 W Philips low-pressure mercury UV-C lamps with a peak emission at 253.7 nm was developed for effective sterilization of bacteria and fungi using a wireless mode of operation. Methods: Under controlled laboratory conditions, the system was tested against representative biofilm-forming microorganisms, including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli K12, and a multidrug-resistant Candida albicans M-207 isolate. Microbial viability was assessed using colony-forming unit (CFU) enumeration and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, with structural changes analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cultures were exposed to 253.7 nm UV-C radiation at distances of 1–5 m for 15–90 min. Results: UV-C exposure resulted in time- and distance-dependent reductions in viable counts for all tested organisms, as determined by CFU analysis. At 1 m and 15 min exposure, viable counts for all tested organisms were reduced below the limit of detection (LOD) of the CFU assay, indicating substantial microbial inactivation under the tested conditions. Reduced efficacy was observed at increased distances (3 m and 5 m), with log₁₀ reductions varying depending on organism and exposure conditions. Residual metabolic activity detected by the MTT assay suggests the presence of non-proliferating or damaged cells, consistent with the different endpoints measured by the two assays. The SEM analysis further revealed disruption of biofilm architecture and reduction in cell density with increasing UV dose. Full article

As a non-pathogenic oomycete, Pythium oligandrum possesses unique advantages, particularly in the context of being a biological control agent. With the increasing awareness of consumer consciousness, people are paying more attention to the use of environmentally friendly strategies in plant disease prevention and control. Pythium oligandrum is a type of biocontrol oomycete that can be developed as a biological control agent, and it does not have adverse effects on humans in the prevention and control of plant diseases. Consequently, there is increasing scientific interest in the beneficial plant–microbe interactions mediated by P. oligandrum. Currently, the main points of focus regarding the beneficial role of P. oligandrum in plant interactions are as follows: (i) P. oligandrum can activate plant defense responses and cause plants to produce resistance, thus protecting them from disease attacks; (ii) it is a strong mycoparasite that can coil around various oomycetes and fungi, directly killing pathogenic microorganisms; (iii) in addition, it can also promote plant growth. In this paper, we will discuss the aforementioned three main features in detail. Full article

Understanding the interaction between plants and rhizosphere microorganisms is critical for the development of biofertilizers. Fluorescent labeling of rhizosphere microorganisms serves as a key strategy to track their behavior during plant–microbe coculture. However, most newly isolated strains are novel and lack available molecular tools for such studies. In this research, Planococcus dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9^T (P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9^T), a salt-tolerant strain, was obtained from the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC). It significantly increased maize root length by approximately 1.56-fold. To investigate the underlying mechanism, a donor strain (Ec102) and a shuttle plasmid (pAS104) were engineered to mediate conjugation with P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9^T and drive GFP overexpression in the bacterium, generating the genetically labeled strain Pd103. The fluorescence intensity (expressed as GFP/OD₆₀₀, arbitrary units) of Pd103 increased with bacterial growth and was approximately tenfold higher than that of the wild-type strain after 16 h of culture. Following inoculation onto maize seeds, confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Pd103 colonized the epidermis and endodermis of maize roots. These results indicated that P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9^T could invade maize roots and promote maize seedling growth. In summary, we have successfully established a robust fluorescence labeling and tracking system tailored for P. dechangensis NEAU-ST10-9^T, which constitutes a valuable tool for elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing its plant–microbe interaction. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global public health threat, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where critically ill patients are exposed to high antimicrobial pressure. ESKAPE pathogens play a central role in healthcare-associated infections and are frequently associated with multidrug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological profiles and antimicrobial resistance patterns of bacterial isolates from an adult ICU in a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Methods: A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted using microbiological culture data from patients admitted during 2024 to the adult intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Bacterial isolates from clinical specimens were included, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to routine laboratory procedures. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize microorganism frequency and antimicrobial resistance rates. Results: A total of 1869 isolates were analyzed, with predominance of Gram-negative bacteria. The most frequent pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (287/1869; 15.33%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (164/1869; 8.76%), Enterococcus faecalis (144/1869; 7.69%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (135/1869; 7.21%). A high proportion of isolates belonged to the ESKAPE group. Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, showed high resistance to β-lactams, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and quinolones. Among Gram-positive organisms, resistance was high for macrolides, oxacillin, and clindamycin, while glycopeptides and linezolid remained effective. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of continuous microbiological surveillance and robust antimicrobial stewardship strategies. The present study adds novel local epidemiological evidence from a Brazilian ICU by integrating species-level distribution, antimicrobial-specific resistance, and resistance patterns by pharmacological class, with particular emphasis on ESKAPE pathogens. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance genes threaten the effective treatment of infectious diseases, underscoring the importance of their control in line with the EU One Health policy. Wastewater treatment plants are recognized hotspots for antimicrobial resistance. We assessed whether multi-channel mixed-matrix membranes (MCMMMs)—polyethersulfone (PES)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) ultrafiltration membranes with embedded activated carbon—can concurrently reduce microorganisms and extracellular DNA in wastewater effluent, building on prior reports of micropollutant removal. We evaluated the performance of MCMMMs in removing Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model organisms, as well as colony-forming units (CFUs) from wastewater effluent at a transmembrane pressure of 1 bar with a filtration area of 66 cm² over 1 h. DNA was extracted from wastewater effluent following filtration and analyzed to assess changes in microbial community composition. MCMMMs achieved log₁₀ reductions of 5.47 ± 0.42 (Escherichia coli), 5.99 ± 0.46 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and 2.79 ± 0.31 (wastewater CFU); reductions by pure PES/PVP membranes were comparable: higher for Escherichia coli and wastewater CFUs, lower for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Amplicon sequencing showed altered relative abundances in wastewater effluent. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the potential of MCMMMs to simultaneously remove microorganisms, extracellular DNA, and micropollutants, highlighting their suitability for water treatment applications within the One Health framework. Full article

The composition and function of the intestinal microbiota of Xinggao mutton sheep were explored before and post-weaning using non-target metabolomics. Both 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing technology and serum non-target metabolomics were used to determine changes in sheep metabolites and intestinal flora. A random sampling method was used to collect fecal samples from 20 pre-weaning lambs and 20 lambs post-weaning. Analysis of the intestinal flora identified Firmicutes as the predominant phylum pre-weaning and Bacteroidota as the dominant phylum post-weaning. Joint multi-omics analysis revealed that Oscillospiraceae UCG-005 and Prevotella_9 were significantly correlated with serum L-tyrosine, Indole-3-acrylic acid, and taurine-related metabolites, suggesting their potential roles in modulating digestive health in Xinggao mutton sheep. Full article

Miconazole is a commonly used imidazole antifungal drug with a broad spectrum of activity against Candida strains and other microorganisms. However, its poor solubility and low bioavailability have limited its use to topical infections. To overcome this limitation through the use of cocrystalization techniques, the present work focuses on the relatively less explored class of heterocyclic carboxylic acid coformers, containing two nitrogen atoms in the ring, aimed at developing alternative multicomponent forms of miconazole. Five new forms of miconazole were subjected to in-depth structural analysis, including an evaluation of the effect of hydrate formation. Furthermore, layered motifs in the supramolecular crystal architectures were subjected to qualitative and quantitative surface analysis using CSD-Particle. All new forms of miconazole were also characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Water solubility was identified as the most important physicochemical property, and significant improvements were obtained for four of the five salts studied. Notably, the newly synthesized miconazole salts with heterocyclic (di)carboxylic acids exhibited high antifungal activity. The tested compounds effectively inhibited the growth of C. albicans and C. parapsilosis at concentrations several times lower than the parent drug and also showed activity against the important C. auris strain. Therefore, the obtained salts may constitute attractive alternatives to currently used antifungal therapies. Full article

Short-rotation sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivation in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine is often accompanied by increased phytopathogenic pressure and impaired rhizosphere functioning, creating a need for biological tools to stabilize the plant–soil system. This study evaluated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza and an antagonistic microbial consortium on pathogen pressure, rhizosphere activity, yield, and technological quality of sugar beet under different crop rotations. Field experiments were conducted in 2023–2025 using a three-factor design that included rotation, mycorrhizal inoculation, and microbial inoculation. The highest phytopathogenic pressure was recorded in the maize–soybean–sugar beet rotation, where the cumulative frequency of dominant pathogens reached 94.0% and the root rot severity index in the control was 28.6%. Arbuscular mycorrhiza reduced disease development by 14.6–16.4%, whereas the antagonistic consortium reduced it by 25.6–27.9% relative to the control. Their combined application was most effective, decreasing root rot severity to 9.6–17.1% and increasing root colonization, available phosphorus, and dehydrogenase activity in the rhizosphere. The highest yield (80.5 t/ha) and sugar content (18.5%) were obtained in the soybean–winter wheat–sugar beet rotation under combined inoculation. AMF can improve phosphorus acquisition and mycorrhiza-induced tolerance, whereas antagonistic fungi can directly suppress soil-borne pathogens through competition, antibiosis, and mycoparasitism, their combined use may provide complementary protection in disease-conducive rotations. Overall, integrating arbuscular mycorrhiza with antagonistic microorganisms is a promising approach for reducing pathogen pressure and improving sugar beet performance in short-rotation systems. Full article

Marine macroalgae, microalgae, and associated microorganisms are increasingly recognised as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with applications across biotechnology and health. The environmental and ecological conditions they inhabit shape their metabolite diversity, leading to the production of high-value compounds such as sulphated polysaccharides, lipids, pigments, phenolics, and peptides. These compounds exhibit conserved biological activities that underpin potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and pro-regenerative effects with strong potential for translation. Although external factors drive rich metabolite diversity, continual variation can also lead to translational constraints including heavy-metal accumulation, inconsistency in extract composition, and regulatory complexity. This review examines the environmental drivers of metabolite diversity and the functional potential of bioactives derived from marine algae. We focus on their translational application within four areas of growing interest: nutraceuticals, cosmetics, regenerative medicine, and oncology, where emerging evidence suggests their promise as next-generation bioactive ingredients and therapeutic leads. In addition, insights from Irish and Welsh Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are collated to identify key bottlenecks in commercialisation and the requirements for effective marine biodiscovery pipelines. We consider the importance of controlled cultivation, standardised analytics, preclinical testing platforms, and collaborative innovation ecosystems and highlight the need for coordinated scientific, technical, and regulatory advances to unlock the full translational potential of marine-derived compounds. Full article

The increasing volume of plant-based waste generated by the agri-food sector represents both an environmental challenge and an underexploited biotechnological resource. These wastes, rich in lignocellulosic compounds, constitute a natural habitat for specialized microorganisms. The aim of this article is to provide a critical review of the potential use of such wastes—specifically straw, pomace, and manure—in two complementary ways: (1) as a specific source for isolating new microbial strains with high biodegradation capacity and plant-growth-promoting potential, and (2) as a low-cost substrate for their propagation, e.g., in solid-state fermentation processes. This dual perspective represents a novel, integrative approach, as previous reviews typically address these aspects in isolation rather than considering their synergistic potential. The article discusses the relationship between the chemical composition of selected wastes (straw, pomace, manure) and the targeted selection of desirable microbiological traits. Particular emphasis is placed on advanced, integrated approaches for assessing microbial potential, combining phenotyping (zymography, activity assays), genomics (whole-genome sequencing—WGS, identification of CAZyme genes and biosynthetic gene clusters), and metabolomics (metabolite profiling, 3D MSI imaging). The limitations of individual methods are critically evaluated, and key research gaps are identified, including the need for in situ validation of omics-based findings and the development of stable microbial consortia with predictable performance under variable environmental conditions. These gaps are discussed in the broader context of circular bioeconomy and sustainable agriculture, highlighting the strategic relevance of integrating waste valorization with microbiome-based biotechnological innovations. Full article

To address the issues of high water exchange rates and significant negative environmental impacts associated with eel aquaculture, this study explored the use of yellow clay as a carrier for nitrifying bacterial communities. By pre-enhancing the nitrification capacity of the yellow clay, we aimed to improve the control of inorganic nitrogen in the aquaculture water. Three experimental groups were established: NF-YCA (nitrifying-functional yellow clay-added eel aquaculture system); NN-YCA (non-nitrifying yellow clay-added eel aquaculture system); and YC-F (yellow clay-free eel aquaculture system, blank control). The NF-YCA group had zero water exchange, while the YC-F and NN-YCA groups underwent water exchange equivalent to 28.36 times the system volume. Nitrification was most pronounced in the NF-YCA group, where both mean and peak concentrations of total ammonia nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen were lower than in the YC-F and NN-YCA groups, whereas nitrate nitrogen concentrations in the NF-YCA group were significantly higher than in the other two groups. No significant differences were observed in the survival rate and specific growth rate of elvers among the three systems during the experiment. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota were the most dominant phyla across all systems. However, the bacterial community structure in NF-YCA was more abundant and stable, and nitrification-related genera, such as Nitrosomonas, were detected in high abundance in this system. The preliminary results demonstrate that the eel aquaculture system with enhanced yellow clay nitrification function, can effectively maintain water quality without water exchange, highlighting its potential for practical application. Full article

The present study provides a comprehensive investigation into the hydrodynamic performance of grooved rubber journal bearings (GRJBs) employed as shaft supports in various rotating systems, with particular emphasis on marine applications. These bearings are lubricated with non-Newtonian fluids such as modern oil containing additives and viscoelastic water-based lubricant, which—owing to its complex composition including hydrocarbon chains, metal oxides, and impurity particles and contaminants such as salts, organic substances, microalgae, biopolymers, and microorganisms—deviates from the ideal Newtonian fluid model and demonstrates non-Newtonian rheological behavior. By examining various theories used in the analysis of non-Newtonian fluid behavior, the power-law model, which has a high degree of generality, has been employed in the present study. Also, to improve modeling accuracy, the elastic deformation of the rubber bush in this study is characterized using the Winkler foundation approach and analyzed via the finite element method (FEM). This advanced mechanical formulation, integrated with non-Newtonian lubrication modeling of lubricant using the power-law fluid model, and the parametric assessment of groove number and dimensions on steady-state bearing performance parameters, constitutes the core of this research. The investigation focuses on groove configurations of 4, 6, 8, and 10 channels. The findings indicate that increasing the groove count partitions the convergent pressure film zone into discrete segments, thereby reducing the maximum hydrodynamic pressure while intensifying the overall energy dissipation within the bearing. Additionally, the influences of rheological properties of the fluid—namely the power-law index (n) and the consistency index (m)—on key performance characteristics are thoroughly examined. An increase in both parameters enhances the effective viscosity and load carrying capacity; however, the exponential amplification due to the power-law index exhibits a more pronounced effect on load capacity and peak pressure compared to the consistency index. Full article

Although sedimentary zones in Lake Taihu differ in external inputs, hydrodynamic conditions, and sedimentary settings, the spatial differentiation of eukaryotic microbial communities and their assembly mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study analyzed sediment cores from four typical sedimentary zones of Lake Taihu: Dapu (DP), Gonghu (GH), the central lake area (HX), and Xuhu (XH). By integrating physicochemical measurements, 18S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing, redundancy analysis, functional annotation, iCAMP, and co-occurrence network analysis, we characterized the composition, environmental associations, and assembly mechanisms of sedimentary eukaryotic microbial communities. The results showed that eukaryotic microbial communities in Lake Taihu sediments exhibited marked spatial heterogeneity, with dominant taxonomic groups including Chlorophyta, Intramacronucleata, and Diatomea. Alpha diversity was higher in the GH zone and lower in the HX zone, whereas beta diversity showed significant separation among lake zones. NH₄⁺-N, NO₃⁻-N, TN, TP, TOC, D50, MWC, and pH were associated with variation in community composition, but the main associated factors differed among zones. FunGuild annotation showed that annotated fungal functional groups exhibited distinct trophic distribution patterns across sedimentary zones. iCAMP analysis indicated that community assembly was generally dominated by stochastic processes, with dispersal limitation prevailing in the GH zone and ecological drift dominating in the DP, HX, and XH zones. Co-occurrence network analysis further revealed marked differentiation in potential biological associations among sedimentary zones. Overall, this study showed that nutrient conditions and sediment physical properties in different sedimentary environments of Lake Taihu jointly shaped the spatial patterns of eukaryotic microbial communities and their ecological associations, providing baseline information for understanding sedimentary ecological processes in eutrophic shallow lakes. Full article