Hasil untuk "Microbiology"

Xiaoxiao Yuan, Chao Ma, Xiaoli Cao et al.

BackgroundTransferable linezolid resistance determinants in Enterococcus faecium, particularly optrA, poxtA, and cfr, have raised increasing global concern due to their potential dissemination across clinical, animal, food, and environmental reservoirs. However, their population distribution, genomic contexts, and associated virulence backgrounds remain incompletely understood.MethodsWe performed a large-scale genomic analysis of 2,235 publicly available E. faecium genomes to investigate the distribution, sequence types (STs), virulence factors (VFs), and genomic contexts of transferable linezolid resistance genes. Phylogenetic analysis and comparative examination of gene flanking regions were conducted to explore the mechanisms underlying resistance gene dissemination.ResultsA total of 243 genomes (10.9%) carried at least one linezolid resistance gene. poxtA (8.1%) and optrA (6.9%) were more frequently detected than cfr (2.2%). Multiple resistance determinants were simultaneously observed within individual isolates, with optrA + poxtA representing the most frequent gene combination. These resistance genes were distributed across 90 distinct STs, indicating substantial population diversity. Comparative phylogenetic and genomic context analyses revealed significant genetic diversity and a lack of strict phylogenetic clustering, suggesting that horizontal gene transfer mediated by mobile genetic elements plays a major role in the dissemination of these determinants. VF analysis identified 44 virulence genes, with several adherence-associated genes highly conserved across isolates. Notably, certain adherence-related VFs were enriched in isolates harboring multiple resistance genes.ConclusionTogether, these findings highlight the widespread dissemination of optrA-, poxtA-, and cfr-mediated linezolid resistance in diverse E. faecium genomic backgrounds and underscore the important role of horizontal gene transfer in their spread. Continuous genomic surveillance integrating resistance and virulence analyses will be essential for understanding and controlling the global transmission of linezolid-resistant E. faecium.

Rivaaj Monsia, Daniel Young, Olivier Francon et al.

Ensuring the microbiological safety of large, heterogeneous water distribution systems (WDS) typically requires managing appropriate levels of disinfectant residuals including chlorine. WDS include complex fluid interactions that are nonlinear and noisy, making such maintenance a challenging problem for traditional control algorithms. This paper proposes an evolutionary framework to this problem based on neuroevolution, multi-objective optimization, and surrogate modeling. Neural networks were evolved with NEAT to inject chlorine at strategic locations in the distribution network at select times. NSGA-II was employed to optimize four objectives: minimizing the total amount of chlorine injected, keeping chlorine concentrations homogeneous across the network, ensuring that maximum concentrations did not exceed safe bounds, and distributing the injections regularly over time. Each network was evaluated against a surrogate model, i.e. a neural network trained to emulate EPANET, an industry-level hydraulic WDS simulator that is accurate but infeasible in terms of computational cost to support machine learning. The evolved controllers produced a diverse range of Pareto-optimal policies that could be implemented in practice, outperforming standard reinforcement learning methods such as PPO. The results thus suggest a pathway toward improving urban water systems, and highlight the potential of using evolution with surrogate modeling to optimize complex real-world systems.

Angie Nguyen, Lucas J. Ustick, Alyse A. Larkin et al.

ABSTRACT Photoautotrophic diazotrophs, specifically the genera Trichodesmium and UCYN-A, play a pivotal role in marine nitrogen cycling through their capacity for nitrogen fixation. Despite their global distribution, the microdiversity and environmental drivers of these diazotrophs remain underexplored. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the global diversity and distribution of Trichodesmium and UCYN-A using the nitrogenase gene (nifH) as a genetic marker. We sequenced 954 samples from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans as part of the Bio-GO-SHIP project. Our results reveal significant phylogenetic and biogeographic differences between and within the two genera. Trichodesmium exhibited greater microdiversity compared to UCYN-A, with clades showing region-specific distribution. Trichodesmium clades were primarily influenced by temperature and nutrient availability. They were particularly frequent in regions of phosphorus stress. In contrast, UCYN-A was most frequently observed in regions experiencing iron stress. UCYN-A clades demonstrated more homogeneous distributions, with a single sequence variant within the UCYN-A1 clade dominating across varied environments. The biogeographic patterns and environmental correlations of Trichodesmium and UCYN-A highlight the role of microdiversity in their ecological adaptation and reflect their different ecological strategies. These findings underscore the importance of characterizing the global patterns of fine-scale genetic diversity to better understand the functional roles and distribution of marine nitrogen-fixing photoautotrophs.IMPORTANCEThis study provides insights into the global diversity and distribution of nitrogen-fixing photoautotrophs, specifically Trichodesmium and UCYN-A. We sequenced 954 oceanic samples of the nifH nitrogenase gene and uncovered significant differences in microdiversity and environmental associations between these genera. Trichodesmium showed high levels of sequence diversity and region-specific clades influenced by temperature and nutrient availability. In contrast, UCYN-A exhibited a more uniform distribution, thriving in iron-stressed regions. Quantifying these fine-scale genetic variations enhances our knowledge of their ecological roles and adaptations, emphasizing the need to characterize the genetic diversity of marine nitrogen-fixing prokaryotes.

Zhan Zhang, Xiaonan Zong, Zhaohui Liu et al.

Abstract Background Tuberculosis remains an infectious disease of global concern, with potential impacts on respiratory and intestinal microbiota owing to prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. Despite its potential to cause infertility, the vaginal microbiota of women with genital tuberculosis remains poorly understood. We comprehensively analyzed the vaginal microbiota in Chinese women with genital tuberculosis. Results We recruited women with pelvic (n = 28), endometrial (n = 16), and pulmonary (n = 12) tuberculosis as the research group, and healthy women (n = 11) as the control group. Vaginal discharges were collected for metagenomic analysis of its microbiota. The alpha diversity of the vaginal microbiota in women with genital tuberculosis was slightly higher than that in healthy women, though the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.23). Similarly, no significant differences in alpha diversity were observed between women with genital and pulmonary tuberculosis (P = 0.82) or between those with pelvic and endometrial tuberculosis (P = 0.82). Notably, the lowest alpha diversity was recorded six months to one year after initiating anti-tuberculosis treatment, with this decline being statistically significant (P = 0.023). The dominance of Lactobacillus iners in the vaginal microbiota was more common in women with genital tuberculosis than that of Lactobacillus crispatus. Furthermore, the abundance of short-chain fatty acid -producing anaerobes, such as Actinomycetes, Streptococcus, and Finegoldia, were significantly increased. Short-chain fatty acid precursor pathways, including the ko03010 ribosome pathway, ko00970 aminoacyl-tRNA synthesis, ko00230 purine metabolism, ko00240 pyrimidine metabolism, and ko00010 glycolysis gluconeogenesis pathway, were significantly upregulated in women with endometrial tuberculosis. Conclusions Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly genital tuberculosis and its associated vaginal dysbiosis impacts female fecundity. Vaginal dysbiosis is more pronounced when M. tuberculosis invades the endometrium. Given the effect of antibiotics on vaginal flora, probiotic combined interventions could be used as a future research direction. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Iman Haghani, Abbas Raeisabadi, Javad Akhtari et al.

Abstract Dermatophytosis is a common superficial fungal infection that affects many people worldwide. Although various species of dermatophytes respond to common antifungal drugs, the recently identified Trichophyton indotineae isolates have exhibited significant terbinafine resistance due to mutations in the Squalene Epoxidase (SQLE) gene. Piperlongumine (PL), a natural alkaloid that stimulates ROS production and inhibits some crucial enzymes, has a good capacity to treat these fungal infections. As part of nanotechnology, niosomes can increase the success of the drug by targeting the affected areas. This study investigates the effectiveness of PL niosomal gel 1% in an infected animal model with T. indotineae, providing important insights for infection treatment. Thirty guinea pigs empirically infected with T. indotineae were divided into five groups (e.g., untreated control, treated groups with terbinafine 1%, niosome, PL gel 1%, and PL niosomal gel 1%) and subsequently scored both clinically and mycologically until the 38th day of inoculation. On the 38th day of the study, histological evaluation was performed. In contrast to the terbinafine group, which demonstrated no efficacy (P < 0.05), the 1% PL niosomal gel significantly decreased mycological and clinical lesion scores, leading to complete mycological cure (negative fungal cultures) by day 28. Moreover, histopathological analysis confirmed that this compound reduced epidermal thickness, fungal burden, and inflammation. However, it should be noted that the difference in recovery rate of pigs with PL gel 1% and PL niosomal gel 1% was not statistically significant (p = 0.6). Treatment of T. indotineae dermatophytosis using PL niosomal gel is a safer and more effective alternative to conventional topical and oral antifungal therapies. However, further studies are warranted to correlate these findings with clinical outcomes.

Serap Süzük Yıldız, Ayşegül Polat, Süleyman Yalçın et al.

Introduction: Most of Bacillus spp. generally avirulent species in healthy patients, but if there is a fragile in the patient, especially their immune system, Bacillus spp. can be an agent for infections. Case Report: In this case, we report that Bacillus paranthracis, diagnosed by whole genome sequencing, is responsible for bacteremia in a T-ALL patient. A 26-year-old male patient was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Bacillus paranthracis was isolated from two sets of blood cultures obtained from a patient with febrile neutropenia. Results: The bacteria was identified as Bacillus cereus group in a routine microbiology laboratory by MALDI TOF MS. Then whole genome sequencing (WGS) confirmed its name as Bacillus paranthracis. The pathogenicity of the bacterium, especially in immunocompromised patients, has also been demonstrated by WGS. Conclusions: In a microbiology laboratory, the use of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is important for diagnosing diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients. It will serve the management of these patients for infection control.

Rakesh Rajendran Nair, Mihai Nita-Lazar, Valeriu Robert Badescu et al.

Vascular tubules in natural leaves form quasi-fractal networks that can be metallized. Traditional metallization techniques for these lignocellulose structures are complex, involving metal sputtering, nanoparticle solutions, or multiple chemical pretreatments. Here we present a novel, facile, and reliable method for metallizing leaf-derived lignocellulose scaffolds using silver microparticles. The method achieves properties on-par with the state-of-the-art, such as broadband optical transmittance of over 80%, sheet resistances below 1 Ohm/sq., and a current-carrying capacity exceeding 6 A over a 2.5 x 2.5 cm^2 quasi-fractal electrode. We also demonstrate copper electrodeposition as a cost-effective approach towards fabricating such conductive, biomimetic quasi-fractals. Additionally, we show that these metallized structures can effectively eliminate pathogenic microorganisms like fecal coliforms and E. coli, which are bacterial indicators of microbiological contamination of water. We finally show that these oligodynamic properties can be significantly enhanced with a small externally applied voltage, indicating the noteworthy potential of such structures for water purification and pollution control.

Solovyeva Elena, Deorari Rajesh, Pushkarna Gaurav et al.

The average age of the participants in this research, which evaluated the effects of public display advertising in smart cities, was found to be 31.2 years, with a gender distribution that is balanced. When compared to a prior review, exposure and memory rates showed a 5% improvement in recall rates and a 12% increase in exposure length, suggesting increased advertising effectiveness and reach. Purchase intent increased by 11.8% and interaction levels improved by 10%, according to consumer engagement ratings. In addition, post-exposure attitudes demonstrated a 2.7% improvement in relevance and a 5.4% rise in likeability, highlighting a favorable opinion of public display advertising. These results contribute to the disciplines of urban informatics and advertising effectiveness by providing insightful information on the changing role of public display advertising in the setting of smart cities.

Navya Jaiswal, Shrijeet Chakraborti, Neema Tiwari et al.

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy is common in clinical practice, with a reported prevalence of 2.4% in the general population. There are numerous aetiologies for peripheral neuropathy like diabetes, ischaemia, vasculitis, inflammatory demyelinating disorders, nutritional deficiencies, paraproteinemic disorders, paraneoplastic syndromes, toxic exposures, and hereditary neuropathies. An exhaustive haematological, biochemical, and serological work-up, cerebrospinal fluid evaluation, electrodiagnostic tests, and nerve biopsy are required when overlapping clinical features present a diagnostic challenge. Aim: To analyse the histopathological characteristics of nerve biopsies in individuals with peripheral neuropathy. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology at Kasturba Medical College from January 2011 to December 2016. Nerve biopsies received in the Department of Pathology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospitals in the Ambedkar Circle and Attavar area, as well as at Government Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India were studied. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from biopsy requisition forms and patient case records from the aforementioned hospitals. Results were presented in numbers and percentages. Results: A total of 134 nerve biopsies were included in the study. The age range of all cases studied was 7-86 years, with a mean age of 51.8 years. The study population consisted of 63.4% males and 36.6% females, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. Vasculitic Neuropathy (VN) accounted for 38.1% cases, followed by chronic inflammatory neuropathies (21.7%) and Diabetic Neuropathy (DN) (12.6%). Other diagnosis included ischaemic neuropathy (6.7%), Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy (HMSN) (3.7%), subacute inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (3.0%), as well as two cases each of Hansen’s neuritis, amyloid neuropathy, and acute inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (1.5% each). One case of toxic neuropathy (0.7%) was identified, while 9.0% of cases displayed histological features that were either non specific or not characteristic of any specific diagnosis. Conclusion: Vasculitic neuropathy was found to be the most common aetiology of peripheral neuropathy, followed by Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) and DN. The histopathological examination of nerve biopsies is a useful tool in distinguishing between diseases with overlapping clinical features, confirming or excluding vasculitis, and diagnosing hereditary conditions in settings where genetic testing is unavailable or unaffordable.

Xiangyu Huang, Guihu Yin, Yiqin Cai et al.

In the original publication [...]

Syarki Maria, Sidorova Anastasia, Slastina Julia

There are over 60,000 lakes in the Republic of Karelia (Northwest Russia). In recent years, this region has been increasingly used for tourism and recreation. The development of amateur and sport fishing increases the relevance of rational use of the bioresources of the lakes in this region. Due to the unique features of their natural potential, lakes Kroshnozero and Urozero are a favorite vacation spot for local residents, centers of attraction for tourists, and fishing enthusiasts. To assess the fish productivity of two Karelian lakes, Kroshnozero and Urozero, the mass- balance model of V.V. Bulyon was used. This model reflects the most general patterns of distribution of organic matter and energy in trophic networks of a lake ecosystem. The model was verified using hydrochemical and hydrobiological parameters of lakes (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macrozoobenthos biomass) obtained in field conditions over the past decade. Comparison of empirical data with model calculations showed good convergence. It was shown that the adequacy of the model in describing lake processes allows its use as a tool for assessing fish productivity in various reservoirs.

Antipina Oksana, Rasputina Alla

The article analyzes the most important sphere of the economy of any state, which is the agro-industrial complex. It provides production of the most important products necessary for human life and society as a whole. At the same time it is the innovation and implementation of innovation activities that can ensure the competitiveness of the country’s agricultural products in the world arena. The aim of this article is to identify the features of scientific support of innovative development of agro-industrial complex in modern economic conditions. The key priorities of scientific support of the process of implementation of advanced technologies in this area have been considered. The features of the implementation of innovation processes in agriculture have been investigated. The model of innovative development of agriculture of the country is offered.

Supriyanta B, Wahyurini E, Alana A D

Plant breeding programs in assembling high yielding varieties of melon need to know the qualitative and quantitative characters. The superior melon plants that people are interested in are fresh fruit, sweet taste, thick and durable fruit flesh. The study was to obtain character nine of strains melon, clustering analysis, determine the estimated value of genetic diversity and determine potential melon strains for future breeding programs. The research method was a field experiment in a Completely Randomized Block Design with a single factor and three replications. The treatments used were 9 strains of melons DS-1-2-10-21-11, DS-1-2-10-21-22, DS-1-2-10-21-31, DNG-1-47-13, DNG-1-47-22, DNG-1-47-31, DNG-1-47-32, APL-11 and APL-12. The data were analyzed using Analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with a level 5%. Estimation of genetic diversity is done by calculating the coefficient of diversity and heritability values in a broad sense. Clustering was analyzed using the Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering Method. The coefficient of similarity between strains was measured using the Euclidian Distance measurement transformation matrix. The character of the melon strains 1-2-10-21-31 is shorter, the stem diameter is large, the female flowering ages faster, the fruit diameter is large and the fruit flesh is thick. There are three clusters formed based on parameters. Variable plant height at 2 wap has a wide range of genetic diversity coefficients. A potential strains for further breeding programs is DS-1-2-10-21-31.

Evelyn Maluleke, Maleho Annastasia Lekganyane, Kgabo L. Maureen Moganedi

Marula wine is produced from ripe fruits of the <i>Sclerocarya birrea</i> subspecies <i>caffra</i> tree through spontaneous fermentation. A few culture-based studies have shown that the fermentation is largely driven by yeasts, although, in the early stages, some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and acetic acid bacteria may be detected. Some of the microbes may produce undesirable metabolites that lead to the spoilage and short shelf life of the wine. However, there is generally limited information on the microbial composition and its contribution to the chemical characteristics of the resultant marula wine. The aim of this study was to characterise the microbial population of marula wine from different localities in the Limpopo province, South Africa. MALDI-TOF and amplicon sequencing technique were used to identify microbial strains and to determine their diversity and changes in the different stages of fermentation. The phylogenetic relationships of LAB and <i>S. cerevisiae</i> were analysed using multilocus sequence typing. Bacterial species that were common in the different marula wines included <i>Gluconobacter oxydans</i>, <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i>, <i>Levilactobacillus brevis</i>, <i>Lacitilactobacillus nagelii</i>, <i>Lentilactobacillus kefiri</i> and <i>Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri</i>, and the yeasts were <i>Hanseniaspora guiliermondii</i>, <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>, <i>Rhodotorula mucilaginosa</i> and <i>Pichia kudriavzevii</i>. The MLST data indicated common microbiota from different marula wines with low intraspecific diversity, suggesting that the LAB and <i>S. cerevisiae</i> strains that are mainly responsible for the spontaneous fermentation of marula wine are similar irrespective of the geographical differences and production preferences.

Marc Joyeux

The genomic DNA of bacteria occupies only a fraction of the cell called the nucleoid, although it is not bounded by any membrane and would occupy a volume hundreds of times larger than the cell in the absence of constraints. The two most important contributions to the compaction of the DNA coil are the cross-linking of the DNA by nucleoid proteins (like H-NS and StpA) and the demixing of DNA and other abundant globular macromolecules which do not bind to the DNA (like ribosomes). The present work deals with the interplay of DNA-bridging proteins and globular macromolecular crowders, with the goal of determining the extent to which they collaborate in organizing the nucleoid. In order to answer this question, a coarse-grained model was developed and its properties were investigated through Brownian dynamics simulations. These simulations reveal that the radius of gyration of the DNA coil decreases linearly with the effective volume ratio of globular crowders and the number of DNA bridges formed by nucleoid proteins in the whole range of physiological values. Moreover, simulations highlight the fact that the number of DNA bridges formed by nucleoid proteins depends crucially on their ability to self-associate (oligomerize). An explanation for this result is proposed in terms of the mean distance between DNA segments and the capacity of proteins to maintain DNA--bridging in spite of the thermal fluctuations of the DNA network. Finally, simulations indicate that non-associating proteins preserve a high mobility inside the nucleoid while contributing to its compaction, leading to a DNA/protein complex which looks like a liquid droplet. In contrast, self-associating proteins form a little deformable network which cross-links the DNA chain, with the consequence that the DNA/protein complex looks more like a gel.

Valentina Sciutteri, Valentina Sciutteri, Francesco Smedile et al.

Shallow water hydrothermal vents represent highly dynamic environments where strong geochemical gradients can shape microbial communities. Recently, these systems are being widely used for investigating the effects of ocean acidification on biota as vent emissions can release high CO2 concentrations causing local pH reduction. However, other gas species, as well as trace elements and metals, are often released in association with CO2 and can potentially act as confounding factors. In this study, we evaluated the composition, diversity and inferred functional profiles of microbial biofilms in Levante Bay (Vulcano Island, Italy, Mediterranean Sea), a well-studied shallow-water hydrothermal vent system. We analyzed 16S rRNA transcripts from biofilms exposed to different intensity of hydrothermal activity, following a redox and pH gradient across the bay. We found that elevated CO2 concentrations causing low pH can affect the response of bacterial groups and taxa by either increasing or decreasing their relative abundance. H2S proved to be a highly selective factor shaping the composition and affecting the diversity of the community by selecting for sulfide-dependent, chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. The analysis of the 16S rRNA transcripts, along with the inferred functional profile of the communities, revealed a strong influence of H2S in the southern portion of the study area, and temporal succession affected the inferred abundance of genes for key metabolic pathways. Our results revealed that the composition of the microbial assemblages vary at very small spatial scales, mirroring the highly variable geochemical signature of vent emissions and cautioning for the use of these environments as models to investigate the effects of ocean acidification on microbial diversity.

Elbaradei Amira, Sayedahmed Mahrous S., El-Sawaf Gamal et al.

Antimicrobial resistance represents a global dilemma. Our present study aimed to investigate the presence of mcr-1 among different Gram-negative bacteria including Enterobacteriaceae (except intrinsically resistant to colistin) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-negative bacterial isolates were collected from different ICUs in several Alexandria hospitals from June 2019 to June 2020. The identification of these Gram-negative isolates was made using the VITEK-2® system (BioMérieux, France). SYBR Green-based PCR was used to screen for the presence of mcr-1 using a positive control that we amplified and sequenced earlier in our pilot study. All isolates were screened for the presence of mcr-1 regardless of their colistin susceptibility. Isolates that harbored mcr-1 were tested for colistin susceptibility and for the presence of some beta-lactamase genes. Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates harboring mcr-1 were capsule typed using the wzi sequence analysis. Four hundred eighty isolates were included in this study. Only six isolates harbored mcr-1.1. Of these, four were resistant to colistin, while two (K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa) were susceptible to colistin. Five of the six isolates were resistant to carbapenems. They harbored blaOXA-48, and three of them co-harbored blaNDM-1. K-58 was the most often found among our K. pneumoniae harboring mcr-1.1. To our knowledge, this is the first time to report colistin susceptible P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae harboring the mcr-1.1 gene in Egypt. Further studies are needed to investigate the presence of the mcr genes among colistin susceptible isolates to shed more light on its significance as a potential threat.

Aki Sugano, Yutaka Takaoka, Haruyuki Kataguchi et al.

Previously, we developed a mathematical model via molecular simulation analysis to predict the infectivity of six SARS-CoV-2 variants. In this report, we aimed to predict the relative risk of the recent new variants of SARS-CoV-2 based on our previous research. We subjected Omicron BA.4/5 and BA.2.75 variants of SARS-CoV-2 to the analysis to determine the evolutionary distance of the spike protein gene (S gene) of the variants from the Wuhan variant so as to appreciate the changes in the spike protein. We performed molecular docking simulation analyses of the spike proteins with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to understand the docking affinities of these variants. We then compared the evolutionary distances and the docking affinities of these variants with those of the variants that we had analyzed in our previous research. As a result, BA.2.75 has both the highest docking affinity (ratio per Wuhan variant) and the longest evolutionary distance of the S gene from the Wuhan variant. These results suggest that BA.2.75 infection can spread farther than can infections of preexisting variants.

Keren Masha Rabinowitz, Michal Navon, Hadar Edelman-Klapper et al.

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with anti-tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) exhibited lower serologic responses one-month following the second dose of the COVID-19 BNT162b2 vaccine compared to those not treated with anti-TNFα (non-anti-TNFα) or to healthy controls (HCs). We comprehensively analyzed long-term humoral responses, including anti-spike (S) antibodies, serum inhibition, neutralization, cross-reactivity and circulating B cell six months post BNT162b2, in patients with IBD stratified by therapy compared to HCs. Subjects enrolled in a prospective, controlled, multi-center Israeli study received two BNT162b2 doses. Anti-S levels, functional activity, specific B cells, antigen cross-reactivity, anti-nucleocapsid levels, adverse events and IBD disease score were detected longitudinally. In total, 240 subjects, 151 with IBD (94 not treated with anti-TNFα and 57 treated with anti-TNFα) and 89 HCs participated. Six months after vaccination, patients with IBD treated with anti-TNFα had significantly impaired BNT162b2 responses, specifically, more seronegativity, decreased specific circulating B cells and cross-reactivity compared to patients untreated with anti-TNFα. Importantly, all seronegative subjects were patients with IBD; of those, >90% were treated with anti-TNFα. Finally, IBD activity was unaffected by BNT162b2. Altogether these data support the earlier booster dose administration in these patients.

Alex E. Bernardini, Orfeu Bertolami

Quantum frameworks for modeling competitive ecological systems and self-organizing structures have been investigated under multiple perspectives yielded by quantum mechanics. These comprise the description of the phase-space prey-predator competition dynamics in the framework of the Weyl-Wigner quantum mechanics. In this case, from the classical dynamics described by the Lotka-Volterra (LV) Hamiltonian, quantum states convoluted by statistical gaussian ensembles can be analytically evaluated. Quantum modifications on the patterns of equilibrium and stability of the prey-predator dynamics can then be identified. These include quantum distortions over the equilibrium point drivers of the LV dynamics which are quantified through the Wigner current fluxes obtained from an onset Hamiltonian background. In addition, for gaussian ensembles highly localized around the equilibrium point, stability properties are shown to be affected by emergent topological quantum domains which, in some cases, could lead either to extinction and revival scenarios or to the perpetual coexistence of both prey and predator agents identified as quantum observables in microscopic systems. Conclusively, quantum and gaussian statistical driving parameters are shown to affect the stability criteria and the time evolution pattern for such microbiological-like communities.