Hasil untuk "Microbiology"

E. Matuschek, D.F.J. Brown, G. Kahlmeter

M. Espy, J. Uhl, L. Sloan et al.

S. Eykyn

S. Pryde, S. Duncan, G. Hold et al.

H. Flint, S. Duncan, K. Scott et al.

T. Kaminski, O. Scheler, P. Garstecki

Droplet microfluidics has rapidly emerged as one of the key technologies opening up new experimental possibilities in microbiology. The ability to generate, manipulate and monitor droplets carrying single cells or small populations of bacteria in a highly parallel and high throughput manner creates new approaches for solving problems in diagnostics and for research on bacterial evolution. This review presents applications of droplet microfluidics in various fields of microbiology: i) detection and identification of pathogens, ii) antibiotic susceptibility testing, iii) studies of microbial physiology and iv) biotechnological selection and improvement of strains. We also list the challenges in the dynamically developing field and new potential uses of droplets in microbiology.

P. Kilgore, Abdulbaset Salim, M. Zervos et al.

Hyunwoo Yoo, Gail L. Rosen

Traditional machine learning models struggle to generalize in microbiome studies where only metadata is available, especially in small-sample settings or across studies with heterogeneous label formats. In this work, we explore the use of large language models (LLMs) to classify microbial samples into ontology categories such as EMPO 3 and related biological labels, as well as to predict pathogen contamination risk, specifically the presence of E. Coli, using environmental metadata alone. We evaluate LLMs such as ChatGPT-4o, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Grok-3, and LLaMA 4 in zero-shot and few-shot settings, comparing their performance against traditional models like Random Forests across multiple real-world datasets. Our results show that LLMs not only outperform baselines in ontology classification, but also demonstrate strong predictive ability for contamination risk, generalizing across sites and metadata distributions. These findings suggest that LLMs can effectively reason over sparse, heterogeneous biological metadata and offer a promising metadata-only approach for environmental microbiology and biosurveillance applications.

Ahmed Morad Asaad, Sara A. Saied, Mohammad M. Torayah et al.

Abstract Background Recent advances in nanomedicine have derived novel prospects for development of various bioactive nanoparticles and nanocomposites with significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. This study aims to investigate some characteristics of the novel Se-NPs/Cu2O nanocomposite such as morphological, physicochemical, and optical properties, as well as to assess the antibacterial activity of this fabricated composite in different concentrations against some MDR Gram-positive and Gram-negative clinical bacterial isolates. Methods The Se-NPs/Cu2O nanocomposite was fabricated using the chemical deposition method. The fabricated nanocomposite was fully characterized by X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD), fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The antimicrobial activity of Se-NPs/Cu2O was investigated using the standard broth microdilution method. The fabricated Se-NPs/Cu2O nanocomposites were detected as stable and highly crystallized nanospheres with an average size of 98.6 nm. Results The Se-NPs/Cu2O nanocomposite showed a potent antimicrobial activity with MIC values ranged from 6.25 to 12.5 µg/ml for Gram-positive isolates, and 25 to 50 µg/ml for gram-negative isolates. The bactericidal activity was higher for gram-negative isolates with MBC/MIC ratios of 1–2 µg/ml for gram-negative, versus 8 µg/ml for gram positive pathogens. Conclusion These findings would support further research in development of a novel Se-NPs/Cu2O nanocomposite as a promising alternative therapeutic option for improving the quality of patients’ management.

Lili Tian, Lili Tian, Jian Sun et al.

IntroductionMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major clinical challenge due to its virulence and multidrug resistance. Antivirulence strategies targeting key pathogenic mechanisms without affecting bacterial viability provide a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.MethodsThe inhibitory effect of isoliquiritigenin (ISL) on S. aureus sortase A (SrtA) was assessed using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay. Fluorescence quenching and molecular docking analyses were performed to elucidate the binding interaction between ISL and SrtA. Adhesion and biofilm formation were evaluated on fibrinogen- and fibronectin-coated surfaces, and bacterial growth was monitored to confirm non-bactericidal activity. The therapeutic efficacy of ISL was further examined in a murine pneumonia model through bacterial load quantification, histopathological analysis, and survival evaluation.ResultsISL inhibited SrtA activity in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 = 13.34 µg/mL), disrupted adhesion and biofilm formation without affecting bacterial growth, and bound reversibly to key catalytic residues of SrtA. In vivo, ISL treatment significantly reduced pulmonary bacterial burden, alleviated tissue damage, and improved survival in infected mice.DiscussionISL effectively attenuates MRSA pathogenicity by targeting SrtA-mediated virulence rather than bacterial viability. These results highlight ISL as a promising antivirulence agent and a potential adjuvant for combating antibiotic-resistant S. aureus infections.

Safwaan H. Khan, Safwaan H. Khan, Yeonjoo Choi et al.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematologic malignancies, achieving remarkable clinical success with FDA-approved therapies targeting CD19 and BCMA. However, the extension of these successes to solid tumors remains limited due to several intrinsic challenges, including antigen heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in CAR T cell therapy aimed at overcoming these obstacles. We discuss the importance of antigen identification by emphasizing the identification of tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens and the development of CAR T therapies targeting these antigens. Furthermore, we highlight key structural innovations, including cytokine-armored CARs, protease-regulated CARs, and CARs engineered with chemokine receptors, to enhance tumor infiltration and activity within the immunosuppressive microenvironment. Additionally, novel manufacturing approaches, such as the Sleeping Beauty transposon system, mRNA-based CAR transfection, and in vivo CAR T cell production, are discussed as scalable solution to improve the accessibility of CAR T cell therapies. Finally, we address critical therapeutic limitations, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), and suboptimal persistence of CAR T cells. An examination of emerging strategies for countering these limitations reveals that CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genetic modifications and combination therapies utilizing checkpoint inhibitors can improve CAR T cell functionality and durability. By integrating insights from preclinical models, clinical trials, and innovative engineering approaches, this review addresses advances in CAR T cell therapies and their performance in solid tumors.

Dana Kamp

Lithium salts have strong medical properties in neurological disorders such as bipolar disorder and lithium-responsive headaches. They have recently gathered attention due to their potential preventive effect in viral infections. Though the therapeutic effect of lithium was documented by Cade in the late 1940s, its underlying mechanism of action is still disputed. Acute lithium exposure has an activating effect on excitable organic tissue and organisms, and is highly toxic. Lithium exposure is associated with a strong metabolic response in the organism, with large changes in phospholipid and cholesterol expression. Opposite to acute exposure, this metabolic response alleviates excessive cellular activity. The presence of lithium ions strongly affects lipid conformation and membrane phase unlike other alkali ions, with consequences for membrane permeability, buffer property and excitability. This review investigates how lithium ions affect lipid membrane composition and function, and how lithium response might in fact be the body's attempt to counteract the physical presence of lithium ions at cell level. Ideas for further research in microbiology and drug development are discussed.

Md. Makshuder Rahman Zim, Nurnabi Ahmed, Mostak Ahmed et al.

Bovine anaplasmosis is an infectious, tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma species, which is accountable for huge economic loss in dairy industry. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of bovine anaplasmosis on randomly selected 61 commercial dairy farms in 3 intensive regions of Bangladesh. A total of 1472 sera were analysed using VMRD Anaplasma Antibody Test Kit cELISA v2 for the presence of Anaplasma-specific antibodies. The highest regional seroprevalence of Anaplasma was 45.93% in individual level and 74.4% in herd level recorded in the southeast region, whereas it was 48.8% in individual level and 83.3% in herd level in Khagrachari and Sherpur districts, indicating an emerging state of the disease. The herd size and type in herd level and regions, districts, sex, age and breed in individual level were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with anaplasmosis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that cattle aged >1 year had 1.86 times higher odds compared to cattle younger than 1 year. Dairy cows had the highest odds (2.25) of anaplasmosis, followed by dairy heifers (1.68), compared to bulls. Compared to herd sizes of <4, the odds of Anaplasma infection were 11.3 and 7.45 times greater in herd sizes of >28 and 4–28. Crossbred cattle had 2.4 times higher odds of anaplasmosis compared to indigenous cattle. This first seroprevalence study signifies the widespread presence and underscores the importance of monitoring and managing anaplasmosis to safeguard cattle health in Bangladesh. Study on the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Anaplasma among cattle populations should be prioritized.

Tesfaye Tadesse, Yericho Berhanu, Ginjo Gitima et al.

Land use and cover changes alter the functions and structures of ecosystem, resulting in variations in Ecosystem Service Values (ESVs). Thus, we examined the impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) changes on ESVs from 1992 to 2052 using geospatial technologies. The Landsat images were classified using the supervised maximum likelihood classification technique, and future changes in LULC were predicted using the CA-Markov model. Ecosystem Service Values coefficients were adopted from empirical studies and ESVs changes were evaluated based on the benefit transfer method using LULC data for the study periods, with their corresponding modified ESVs coefficients. The results revealed that, the proportions of grassland, forestland and shrubland declined by 58.5 %, 48.15 % and 33.48 %, respectively, from 1992 to 2022. Simultaneously, the highest rate of expansions of waterbodies (34 times), farmland and settlement threefold as well as bareland (60.2 %) from 1992 to 2022 was noticed. As a result, decreasing trends were experienced in the total ESVs of the district from US$33.6 million in 1992 to US$27.79 million in 2022, and are anticipated to further decline to US$25.94 million in 2052. The ESVs of forestland, shrubland and grassland shrank from 53.1 %, 40 % and 2.78 % in 1992 to 33.28 %, 33.16 % and 1.4 % in 2022 these changes are anticipated to continue for the next three decades, except trend for the increase in grassland ecosystem service value. Therefore, the government should redesign effective land management strategies to alleviate the negative consequences of LULC changes, facilitate payment for ecosystem services, and design ecotourism to boost the income of residents for major land use management-based production systems to increase the ESV in the district.

MUNEEBA, Abdul KHALIQ, Faran MUHAMMAD et al.

Salinity poses a significant constraint to cereal productivity particularly in arid and semiarid regions. The application of allelochemical has shown promising results in mitigating the intensity of abiotic stresses. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the efficacy of different concentrations of aqueous allelopathic extract derived from moringa leaves in mitigating the adverse impacts of salinity on the germination and growth of maize cultivars via seed priming. The study involved three variables: two cultivars of maize, ‘Pioneer 30Y87’ (salt tolerant) and ‘Pioneer 30T60’ (salt sensitive) e seed priming with moringa leaf extract (MLE) at varying concentrations of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, 3.0%, and hydro-priming as control; and different salinity levels of 0, 6, and 12 dS m-1. Salinity had a negative impact on the germination process, leading to delayed and suboptimal growth of seedlings. Additionally, salinity reduced the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments (20-50%), photosynthesis, transpiration, internal carbon, and stomatal conductance. Further, MLE also improved the antioxidant activities (catalase: CAT and peroxidase: POD) by 22-56% which reduced the hydrogen peroxide production. Moreover, ‘P-30Y87’ exhibited favorable performance in terms of better germination, growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities.  The application of moringa leaf extract (3%) resulted in a more notable hermetic effect in elevating salinity stress thereby enhancing germination, growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities. In the conclusion, application of MLE (3%) is a promising approach to mitigate the adverse impacts of salinity by improving germination, growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant activities.

M. Kuefer

Thomaz F. S. Bastiaanssen, Thomas P. Quinn, Amy Loughman

The microbiome-gut-brain-axis field is multidisciplinary, benefiting from the expertise of microbiology, ecology, psychiatry, computational biology, and epidemiology amongst other disciplines. As the field matures and moves beyond a basic demonstration of its relevance, it is critical that study design and analysis are robust and foster reproducibility. In this companion piece to Bugs as Features (part I), we present techniques from adjacent and disparate fields to enrich and inform the analysis of microbiome-gut-brain-axis data. Emerging techniques built specifically for the microbiome-gut-brain axis are also demonstrated. All of these methods are contextualised to inform several common challenges: how do we establish causality? How can we integrate data from multiple 'omics techniques? How might we account for the dynamicism of host-microbiome interactions? This perspective is offered to experienced and emerging microbiome scientists alike, to assist with these questions and others, at the study conception, design, analysis and interpretation stages of research.

Naoki Masuda, Zachary M. Boyd, Diego Garlaschelli et al.

Many empirical networks originate from correlational data, arising in domains as diverse as psychology, neuroscience, genomics, microbiology, finance, and climate science. Specialized algorithms and theory have been developed in different application domains for working with such networks, as well as in statistics, network science, and computer science, often with limited communication between practitioners in different fields. This leaves significant room for cross-pollination across disciplines. A central challenge is that it is not always clear how to best transform correlation matrix data into networks for the application at hand, and probably the most widespread method, i.e., thresholding on the correlation value to create either unweighted or weighted networks, suffers from multiple problems. In this article, we review various methods of constructing and analyzing correlation networks, ranging from thresholding and its improvements to weighted networks, regularization, dynamic correlation networks, threshold-free approaches, comparison with null models, and more. Finally, we propose and discuss recommended practices and a variety of key open questions currently confronting this field.

Feng Yongchun, Zou Tonghua, Zhang Zekai

Using the high-quality Crown Pear as the subject of experimental research, an analysis of the changes in the quality of Crown Pears during a storage period is conducted to provide a theoretical basis for the development of the pear cold storage industry. The study utilizes a handheld digital refractometer, texture analyzer, colorimeter, T-type thermocouple, and electronic balance to explore six aspects of Crown Pears: soluble solids content, hardness, color difference, freezing point, drying loss, and taste. The results reveal the following changes in pear quality during different storage periods within one cycle: the content of soluble solids in Crown Pears initially increases and then decreases during the storage period; hardness decreases with increasing storage time; the external appearance of pears gradually darkens; and drying loss increases with storage time. During the cold storage process of Crown Pears, the optimal temperature setting for the cold storage should be maintained at -1°C to 0.5°C. The flavor of Crown Pears is not optimal during the early stage of storage. The storage time for Crown Pears should be within four months.

Yunqi Zhu, Tong Liu, Yingsi Wang et al.

Chitin synthases (CHSs) are vital enzymes for the synthesis of chitin and play important and differential roles in fungal development, cell wall integrity, environmental adaptation, virulence, and metabolism in fungi. However, except for ChsC, a class III CHS, little is known about the functions of CHSs in <i>Aspergillus niger</i>, an important fungus that is widely applied in the fermentation industry and food processing, as well as a spoilage fungus of food and a human pathogen. This study showed the important functions of ChsA, a class II CHS, in <i>A. niger</i> using multi-phenotypic and transcriptional analyses under various conditions. The deletion of <i>chsA</i> led to severe defects in conidiation on different media and resulted in the formation of smaller and less compact pellets with less septa in hyphal cells during submerged fermentation. Compared with the WT, the Δ<i>chsA</i> mutants exhibited less chitin content, reduced growth under the stresses of cell wall-disturbing and oxidative agents, more released protoplasts, a thicker conidial wall, decreased production of amylases, pectinases, cellulases, and malic acid, and increased citric acid production. However, Δ<i>chsA</i> mutants displayed insignificant changes in their sensitivity to osmotic agents and infection ability on apple. These findings concurred with the alteration in the transcript levels and enzymatic activities of some phenotype-related genes. Conclusively, ChsA is important for cell wall integrity and mycelial morphology, and acts as a positive regulator of conidiation, cellular responses to oxidative stresses, and the production of malic acid and some enzymes, but negatively regulates the citric acid production in <i>A. niger</i>.