Hasil untuk "Microbiology"

Aisha Alayna Brown, Michael Widdowson, Sarah Brandt et al.

Abstract Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that often persists into adulthood and is accompanied by comorbid mental health problems. This cross-sectional cohort study analyzed 411 18-year-olds from the Danish COPSAC2000 birth cohort to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome, fasting and postprandial systemic inflammation, ADHD symptoms, and symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. ADHD was assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), while depression, stress, and anxiety were evaluated with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21). Fecal metagenomic data and inflammation levels, measured as glycosylated protein A (GlycA), were analyzed following a standardized meal challenge. In males, higher ADHD symptom scores correlated significantly with increased abundance of a tryptophan biosynthesis pathway (MetaCyc Metabolic Pathways Database) and elevated fasting and postprandial GlycA levels (p < 0.05). While the severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms showed weak associations with GlycA and the gut microbiome, our findings indicate a significant link between ADHD symptoms and postprandial inflammation, warranting further investigation into underlying mechanisms.

Bingqian Du, Ziyu Song, Jirao Shen et al.

<i>Nocardia</i>, an easily missed but potentially fatal opportunistic pathogen, can lead to serious infections like lung and brain abscesses. Intranasal inoculation (IN) is the traditional approach for constructing a <i>Nocardia</i>-induced pneumonia mice model, while it usually only results in limited local bacterial infection in the lungs. To comprehensively assess infection dynamics across distinct pulmonary inoculation routes in mice models, this study compared the pathogenicity of three different <i>Nocardia farcinica</i> pneumonia models established via IN, intratracheal aerosolization (ITA), and intratracheal instillation (ITI). C57BL/6J mice were infected with <i>N. farcinica</i> through IN, ITA and ITI with comparative analyses of bacterial distribution in lungs, survival rate, weight, bacterial load, inflammatory cytokines, histopathological characteristics and transcriptome differences. The findings suggest that ITA <i>N. farcinica</i> infections caused severer clinical symptoms, higher mortality, pulmonary bacterial load, levels of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and more significant histopathological damage to lungs than IN and ITI. Furthermore, ITA resulted in better lung bacterial distribution and delivery efficiency than ITI and IN. Transcriptome analysis of lungs from <i>N. farcinica</i> infected mice via IN, ITA and ITI revealed significant differential gene expression, whereas ITA route resulted in a larger fold change. ITA provides a more consistent and severe model of <i>N. farcinica</i> pneumonia in mice than IN and ITI, which can make the bacteria more evenly distributed in the lungs, leading to more severe pathological damage and higher mortality rates. In conclusion, ITA is an optimal route for developing animal models of <i>N. farcinica</i> pneumonia infections.

Jutarat Phuensuriya, Panida Thanyasrisung, Chutima Trairatvorakul et al.

Abstract Objective Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is widely used for caries arrest due to its ease of application, minimal caries removal, low patient discomfort, and cost-effectiveness. However, the recommended 60-second (sec) application time may be impractical in patients with limited compliance. This study evaluated the effects of 10-sec versus 60-sec SDF application, with and without light curing, on arresting artificial dentinal caries by analyzing three parameters—percentage change in mean lesion depth (%∆LD), percentage change in mean mineral density (%∆MD), and penetration depth (PD)— assessing surface morphology and elemental composition of the lesions. Materials and methods Artificial dentin lesions were prepared on 40 slices from 10 permanent molars and randomly assigned to four groups (n = 10): (1) SDF60 (60 s application), (2) SDF10 (10 s application), (3) SDF60LC (60 s application + 20 s light curing), and (4) SDF10LC (10 s application + 20 s light curing). The caries activity was generated by a 7-day bacterial pH-cycling model. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was used to analyze %∆LD, %∆MD, and PD. Surface morphology and elemental composition were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Results SDF60LC produced the greatest reduction in lesion depth (%∆LD), the largest increase in mineral density (%∆MD), and the highest penetration depth (PD). SDF10 showed significantly less %∆LD and %∆MD compared with both SDF60 and SDF60LC. %∆LD and %∆MD of SDF10LC were not significantly different from either SDF60 or SDF10. However, SDF10LC achieved significantly greater PD than SDF10. Conclusions A 60-sec SDF application with light curing appeared to produce the most favorable outcomes in terms of lesion depth reduction, mineral density gain, and penetration depth. A 10-sec SDF application with light curing produced results comparable to a 60-sec SDF application. Clinical relevance Although a 60-sec SDF application with light curing seems the most effective under laboratory conditions, a shortened 10-sec SDF application with light curing may offer a practical alternative in low-compliance patients. Clinical studies are required to confirm these findings.

Uzakov Gulom, Chudov Ivan, Yunusov Khudaynazar et al.

Within the framework of the presented proceedings, the results of the conducted III International Conference on Current Issues of Breeding, Technology and Processing of Agricultural Crops, and Environment (CIBTA-III-2024).

Vachirapong Charoennitiwat, Kittipong Chaisiri, Sumate Ampawong et al.

The parasitic nematode Paracapillaria (Ophidiocapillaria) najae De, 1998, found in the Indian cobra Naja naja is redescribed and re-illustrated in the present study. The monocled cobra Naja kaouthia was discovered to be a new host for this parasite in central Thailand. A comprehensive description extending the morphological and molecular characteristics of the parasites is provided to aid species recognition in future studies. The morphometric characters of 41 parasites collected from 5 cobra specimens are compared with those described in the original studies. Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and nuclear 18S ribosomal RNA genes were performed to provide novel information on the systematics of P. najae. Similar characteristics were observed in the examined nematode samples, despite being found in different hosts, confirming their identity as P. najae. The molecular genetic results support the species status of P. najae, indicating P. najae is well defined and separated from other related nematode species in the family Capillariidae. Morphological descriptions, genetic sequences, evolutionary relationships among capillariids and new host and distribution records of P. najae are discussed. Paracapillaria najae specimens found in the Thai cobra had some morphological variation, and sexual size dimorphism was also indicated. Paracapillaria najae was found to infect various cobra host species and appeared to be common throughout the Oriental regions, consistent with its hosts' distribution.

João Diogo Dias, Nazim Sarica, Axel Cournac et al.

Viruses that transcribe their DNA within the nucleus have to adapt to the existing cellular mechanisms that govern transcriptional regulation. Recent technological breakthroughs have highlighted the highly hierarchical organization of the cellular genome and its role in the regulation of gene expression. This review provides an updated overview on the current knowledge on how the hepatitis B virus interacts with the cellular 3D genome and its consequences on viral and cellular gene expression. We also briefly discuss the strategies developed by other DNA viruses to co-opt and sometimes subvert cellular genome spatial organization.

Malik Sallam, Kholoud Al-Mahzoum, Latefa Ali Dardas et al.

<i>Background and Objective:</i> The recent multi-country outbreak of human monkeypox (HMPX) in non-endemic regions poses an emerging public health concern. University students in health schools/faculties represent a core knowledgeable group that can be helpful to study from a public health point of view. As future healthcare workers, assessment of their knowledge and attitude towards emerging zoonotic viral infections can be helpful to assess their taught material and courses with potential improvement if gaps in knowledge were identified. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the level of HMPX knowledge, conspiracy beliefs regarding emerging virus infections, as well as their associated determinants among university students studying Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and Rehabilitation in Jordanian health schools/faculties. In addition, we sought to evaluate the correlation between HMPX knowledge and the extent of holding conspiracy beliefs regarding emerging viral infection. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> A convenient sample of university students was obtained through an electronic survey distributed in late May 2022 using the chain-referral approach. Assessment of HMPX knowledge and general attitude towards emerging virus infections was based on survey items adopted from previously published literature. <i>Results:</i> The study sample comprised 615 students with a mean age of 20 years and a majority of females (432, 70.2%) and medical students (<i>n</i> = 351, 57.1%). Out of eleven monkeypox knowledge items, three were identified correctly by >70% of the respondents. Only 26.2% of the respondents (<i>n</i> = 161) knew that vaccination to prevent monkeypox is available. Age was significantly associated with better HMPX knowledge for a majority of items. Older age, females, and affiliation to non-medical schools/faculties were associated with harboring higher levels of conspiracy beliefs regarding emerging virus infections. Our data also indicate that lower levels of HMPX knowledge were associated with higher levels of conspiracy beliefs. <i>Conclusion:</i> The current study pointed to generally unsatisfactory levels of knowledge regarding the emerging HMPX among university students in Jordanian health schools/faculties. Conspiracy beliefs regarding emerging virus infections were widely prevalent, and its potential detrimental impact on health behavior should be evaluated in future studies.

Neslihan Zengin, Alkan Bal, Sinem Atik et al.

Objective: This study aimed to report the respiratory tract viruses we detected in the respiratory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) samples taken from patients admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Service with suspicion of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the early stages of the pandemic, in addition to the clinical course, and laboratory features of the disease caused by these identified respiratory tract viruses. Method: All upper respiratory tract PCR samples were taken simultaneously from patients suspected of having COVID-19 disease. All pediatric patients who came to the Pediatric Emergency Department with suspicion of COVID-19 disease between March and June 2020 were included in the study. We retrospectively compared the laboratory findings, clinical manifestations, and primary outcomes of the children aged between 1 month and 18 years infected with respiratory viruses (RVs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Results: Fifty-eight pediatric patients were tested. SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in 27 (46.6%) patients and other RVs in 31 (53.4%) patients. The detection rate of SARS-CoV-2 was significantly higher in the older age group of children (p<0.01). We didn't detect co-infections with SARS-CoV-2 and other RVs in these patients. Compared to the children with COVID-19, those infected with other RVs required markedly higher rates of oxygen supplementation (p<0.01). There was no need for hospitalization in the COVID-19 patient group, and 23 of 31 critically ill children infected with other RVs were followed up in the pediatric intensive care unit. Conclusion: RVs are common causes of childhood infections and may cause critical illness. Infections caused by other RVs progressed with more severe clinical findings than those of COVID-19 disease in pediatric patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, other RVs that cause mortality and morbidity in children should be also kept in mind.

Masaji Mase, Kanae Hiramatsu, Satoko Watanabe et al.

In the original publication [...]

Regina Rabinovich, Carlos J Chaccour, Achla Marathe et al.

J. Skujins

Sandra Cabo Verde, S. Almeida, J. Matos et al.

Luciano Teixeira Gomes, Yvelise Terezinha Morato-Conceição, Ana Vitória Mota Gambati et al.

Introduction: Leprosy reactions, classified as type 1 and type 2 reactions, are acute clinical conditions of exacerbation of localized or systemic inflammatory response inpatients with leprosy. No laboratory biomarker is available to predict the emergence of these reactions. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an accurate biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of various inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the accuracy of the NLR in the diagnosis of leprosy reactions. Materials and methods: NLR was calculated for all patients and a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were generated to identify the NLR cut-off point. Results: A total of 123 patients with leprosy were included, 98 with leprosy reactions of which 56 (45.5%) had type 1 and 42 (34.1%) with type 2. Mean NLR was higher among patients with reactions than among those without. It was also statistically higher among patients with type 2 reactions than in those with type 1 reactions. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to identify the NLR cut-off point. The area under the ROC curve was 0.794 for diagnosis of any leprosy reaction and 0.796 for the diagnosis of type 2 reaction. The NLR cut-off points for diagnosis of any leprosy reaction and for type 2 reaction were 2.75 (sensitivity 61.0%, specificity 92.0%, accuracy 77.0%) and 2.95 (sensitivity 81.0%, specificity 74.0%, accuracy 78.0%), respectively. Conclusion: These results suggest that NLR could be a potential biomarker for diagnosis of leprosy reaction and useful for discriminating patients with type 2 reactions from those with type 1 leprosy reactions.

Yanqiang Ding, Yanqiang Ding, Yanqiang Ding et al.

Sweetpotato can be cultivated in the reclaimed rocky soil in Sichuan Basin, China, which benefits from the release of mineral nutrients in the rocky soil by microorganisms. Shortage of nitrogen (N) in the rocky soil limits sweetpotato yield, which can be compensated through N fertilization. Whereas high N fertilization inhibits biological N fixation and induces unintended environmental consequences. However, the effect of low N fertilization on microorganism community and sweetpotato yield in the N-deficient rocky soil is still unclear. We added a low level of 1.5 g urea/m2 to a rocky soil cultivated with sweetpotato, and measured rocky soil physiological and biochemical properties, rhizosphere microbial diversity, sweetpotato physiological properties and transcriptome. When cultivating sweetpotato in the rocky soil, low N fertilization (1.5 g urea/m2) not only improved total N (TN) and available N (AN) in the rocky soil, but also increased available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK), and nitrogenase and urease activity. Interestingly, although low N fertilization could reduce bacterial diversity through affecting sweetpotato root exudates and rocky soil properties, the relative abundance of P and K-solubilizing bacteria, N-fixing and urease-producing bacteria increased under low N fertilization, and the relative abundance of plant pathogens decreased. Furthermore, low N fertilization increased the phytohormones, such as zeatin riboside, abscisic acid, and methyl jasmonate contents in sweetpotato root. Those increases were consistent with our transcriptome findings: the inhibition of the lignin synthesis, the promotion of the starch synthesis, and the upregulated expression of Expansin, thus resulting in promoting the formation of tuberous roots and further increasing the sweetpotato yield by half, up to 3.3 kg/m2. This study indicated that low N fertilization in the N-deficient rocky soil improved this soil quality through affecting microorganism community, and further increased sweetpotato yield under regulation of phytohormones pathway.

Ahmed R. Sofy, Akram A. Aboseidah, El-Shahat El-Morsi et al.

The biggest problem in the world today is antimicrobial resistance, which undermines human health and increases morbidity and mortality associated with life-threatening serious diseases. Scientists from different fields are therefore examining plants for their antimicrobial use in the face of multidrug-resistant bacteria with a new eye. So, the aim of this research to find a new antibacterial from five aqueous extracts of Nigella sativa, Ziziphus spina-christi, Rosmarinus officinalis, Origanum majorana, and Allium sativum medicinal plants tested against the most multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates from clinical specimens which were Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram-negative), Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). Also, to investigate the antibiofilm activity of the most potent extract. From all tested plants, the total extract of Z. spina-christi appeared a strong antibacterial effect against all tested MDR-strains. Besides, its polyphenol fraction showed a stronger effect. Furthermore, the total extract MIC ranged between 3.125-12.5 mg/ml with MBC was 3.125-25 mg/ml against previous strains. While, polyphenol fraction MIC and MBC were about 0.312- 1.25 mg/ml and 0.312-2.5 mg/ml, respectively. In contrast to the antibacterial strength of polyphenol fraction, the antibiofilm effect was weaker than the total extract antibiofilm effect, where at ½ MIC, the reduction of biofilm was about 78.18%, 81.9% and 99.48% against S. aureus, MRSA and P. aeruginosa, respectively. While, in the case of polyphenol fraction, the biofilm reduction effect against previous strains was 63.82%, 59.97%, and 87.95%, respectively.

Chao Zhang, Peixiu Du, Hailin Yan et al.

“Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus” (CLas) is a phloem-restricted Gram-negative bacterium that is the causal agent of citrus huanglongbing (HLB). In this study, we identified a CLas-encoded Sec-dependent secretory protein CLIBASIA_04405 that could contribute to the pathogenicity of this bacterium. The gene expression level of CLIBASIA_04405 was significantly higher in citrus than in psyllids. Transient overexpression of the mature CLIBASIA_04405 protein (m4405) in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves could suppress hypersensitive response (HR)-based cell death and H2O2 accumulation triggered by the mouse BAX and the Phytophthora infestans INF1. An alanine-substitution mutagenesis assay revealed the essential of amino acid clusters EKR45–47 and DE64–65 in cell death suppression. Challenge inoculation of the transgenic N. benthamiana-expressing m4405 with Pseudomonas syringae DC3000ΔhopQ1-1 demonstrated the greatly reduced bacterial proliferation. Remarkably, transcriptome profiling and RT-qPCR analysis disclosed that the gene expression of six small heat shock proteins (sHSPs), a set of plant defense regulators, were significantly elevated in the transgenic m4405 lines compared with those in wild-type N. benthamiana. In addition, the transgenic m4405 lines displayed phenotypes of dwarfism and leaf deformation. Altogether, these data indicated that m4405 was a virulence factor of CLas.

J. Dunn, J. Starke, P. Revell

A. Batırel, I. Balkan, O. Karabay et al.

Kay B. Barnes, Karleigh A. Hamblin, Mark I. Richards et al.

The efficacy of the novel fluoroquinolone finafloxacin was evaluated as a potential therapeutic in vitro and in vivo, following an intranasal infection of Francisella tularensis strain SchuS4 in BALB/c mice. We demonstrated that short treatment courses of finafloxacin provide high levels of protection, with a single dose resulting in a significant increase in time to death when compared to ciprofloxacin. In addition, following investigation into the window of opportunity for treatment, we have shown that finafloxacin can provided protection when administered up to 96 h post-challenge. This is particularly encouraging since mice displayed severe signs of disease at this time point. In summary, finafloxacin may be a promising therapy for use in the event of exposure to F. tularensis, perhaps enabling the treatment regimen to be shortened or if therapy is delayed. The efficacy of finafloxacin against other biological threat agents also warrants investigation.

P. Mañas, Rafael Pagán