The multifunctional fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium enriches metabolites while degrading seed mucilage of a sand-fixing shrub
The sand-fixing desert shrub Artemisia sphaerocephala produces a large amount of seed mucilage, which plays crucial roles in the adaptation of this species to desert environments. Seed mucilage has been shown to be degraded by Phanerochaete chrysosporium from habitat soils, but the process and products of this degradation remain unclear. To fill this gap, we explored the factors and processes involved in mucilage degradation.
Extraction and characterization of Eucommia ulmoides gum from Eucommia leaves by fermentation with Coprinellus disseminatus
To determine the optimum conditions for extracting Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG) from Eucommia ulmoides leaves during fermentation by Coprinellus disseminatus. At the same time, the EUG characteristics were characterized.
Evaluation of the potential of phage phSE-5 to fight Salmonella Typhimurium in milk, liquid whole egg, and eggshell
This study aimed to evaluate the potential of phage phSE-5 to inactivate Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in milk (at 4, 10, and 25°C), liquid whole egg, and eggshell (at 25°C for both matrices).
Effects of simvastatin on the mevalonate pathway and cell wall integrity of Staphylococcus aureus
To investigate the effects of simvastatin as an antimicrobial, considering its influence on the mevalonate pathway and the bacterial cell wall of S. aureus.
Effect of pipe material and disinfectant on active bacterial communities in drinking water and biofilms
We investigated the combined effects of pipe materials and disinfection chemicals on bacterial community and its active RNA fraction in water and biofilms in a pilot-scale premise plumbing system.
Sulfate-reducing bacteria block cadmium and lead uptake in rice by regulating sulfur metabolism
This study was dedicated to investigating the role of sulfur metabolic processes in sulfate-reducing bacteria in plant resistance to heavy metal contamination.
Sesamin targets ClpP which attenuates virulence of S. aureus and protects mice from fatal pneumonia induced by MRSA
The aim of this study was to identify sesamin as a Casein hydrolase P (ClpP) inhibitor and to determine whether it could attenuate the virulence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Efficacy of cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization modalities for addressing infectious drug-resistant fungi: a review
This is a timely and important review that focuses on the appropriateness of established cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization methods to safely and effectively address infectious fungal drug-resistant pathogens that can potentially contaminate reusable medical devices used in healthcare environment in order to mitigate the risk of patient infection. The release of the World Health Organization (WHO) fungal priority pathogen list (FPPL) in 2022 highlighted the public health crisis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in clinically relevant fungal species. Contamination of medical devices with drug-resistant fungal pathogens (including those on the FPPL) in healthcare is a rare event that is more likely to occur due to cross-transmission arising from lapses in hand hygiene practices. Established disinfection and sterilization methods decontaminate fungal pathogens on single-use and reusable medical devices; however, there are assumptions that reusable devices destined for semi-critical use are appropriately cleaned and do not harbour biofilms that may undermine the ability to effectively decontamination these type devices in healthcare. International standards dictate that manufacturer's instructions for use must provide appropriate guidance to healthcare facilities to meet safe reprocessing expectations that include addressing drug-resistant fungal pathogens. Increased environmental monitoring and vigilance surrounding fungal pathogens in healthcare is advised, including adherence to hand hygiene/aseptic practices and appropriate cleaning encompassing the simplification of reusable device features for 'ease-of-reach'. There are emereging opportunities to promote a more integrated multiactor hub approach to addressing these sophisticated challenges, including future use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for improved diagnostics, monitoring/surveillance (such as healthcare and wastewater-based epidemiology), sterility assurance, and device design. There is a knowledge gap surrounding the occurrence and potential persistence of drug-resistant fungal pathogens harboured in biofilms, particularly for ascertaining efficacy of high-level disinfection for semi-critical use devices.
The pathogenicity traits of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli O25-ST131 associated with avian colibacillosis in Georgia poultry and their genotypic and phenotypic overlap with other extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli
To characterize Escherichia coli O25 ST131 (O25-ST131) isolated from Georgia poultry-a "global high-risk" clonal strain.
Resistome and plasmidome genomic features of mcr-1.1-harboring Escherichia coli: a One Health approach
This study evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic traits of mcr-1.1-harboring Escherichia coli isolates from chickens, pigs, humans, and farm environments. The resistome and the mobile genetic elements associated with the spread of mcr-1.1 in Southern Brazil were also characterized.
Bacillus subtilis MZ-01 alleviates diarrhea caused by ETEC K88 by reducing inflammation and promoting intestinal health
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis supplementation on the health of weaned piglets and whether Bacillus subtilis supplementation can reduce the damage of piglets induced by ETEC K88.
Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis boosts stress resistance and host defense mechanisms in Caenorhabditis elegans
To investigate the effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis strains LL100933 and LL12007 on the host defense mechanisms of Caenorhabditis elegans against pathogenic infections and stressors.
Evaluation of the recovery effects of antibiotic-resistant lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. Plantarum ATCC14917 on the antibiotic-disturbed intestinal microbiota using a mice model
Supplementing Lactobacillus alongside antibiotic treatment was a curative strategy to modulate gut microbiota and alleviate antibiotic-associated dysbiosis. But the lactobacilli that are used as probiotics are sensitive or have a low level of resistance to antibiotics, so they usually cannot achieve their beneficial effect, since they are killed by the applied antibiotics. This work aimed to develop the highly resistant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum ATCC14917 to cephalexin and evaluate its recovery effects of antibiotic-resistant L. plantarum on the antibiotic-disturbed intestinal microbiota using a mice model.
Galangin synergistically revives the antibacterial activity of vancomycin against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium
Enterococcus faecium is one of the most important opportunistic pathogens threatening human health worldwide. Resistance to vancomycin (VAN) is increasing at an alarming rate. Resurrecting antibiotics using a combination approach is a promising alternative avenue. Galangin (GAL) is a bioactive compound constituted in herbal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic activity of the combination of GAL and VAN and mode of action against vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (VREfm) strains.
Making sense of sentinels: wildlife as the One Health bridge for environmental antimicrobial resistance surveillance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), arising from decades of imprudent anthropogenic use of antimicrobials in healthcare and agriculture, is considered one of the greatest One Health crises facing healthcare globally. Antimicrobial pollutants released from human-associated sources are intensifying resistance evolution in the environment. Due to various ecological factors, wildlife interact with these polluted ecosystems, acquiring resistant bacteria and genes. Although wildlife are recognized reservoirs and disseminators of AMR in the environment, current AMR surveillance systems still primarily focus on clinical and agricultural settings, neglecting this environmental dimension. Wildlife can serve as valuable sentinels of AMR in the environment, reflecting ecosystem health, and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. This review explores knowledge gaps surrounding the ecological factors influencing AMR acquisition and dissemination in wildlife, and highlights limitations in current surveillance systems and policy instruments that do not sufficiently address the environmental component of AMR. We discuss the underutilized opportunity of using wildlife as sentinel species in a holistic, One Health-centred AMR surveillance system. By better integrating wildlife into systematic AMR surveillance and policy, and leveraging advances in high-throughput technologies, we can track and predict resistance evolution, assess the ecological impacts, and better understand the complex dynamics of environmental transmission of AMR across ecosystems.
Molecular characterization of an endophytic strain of Bacillus subtilis with plant growth-promoting properties from a wild relative of papaya
Bacillus subtilis is usually found in soil, and their biocontrol and plant growth-promoting capabilities are being explored more recently than ever. However, knowledge about metabolite production and genome composition of endophytic B. subtilis from seeds is limited. In the present study, B. subtilis EVCu15 strain isolated from the seeds of Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis (mountain papaya) was subjected to whole genome sequencing and detailed molecular and functional characterization.
Improvement of plant growth and fruit quality by introducing a phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase mutation into Methylorubrum populi
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the introduction of a phosphoribosylpyrophosphate synthetase (PRS) mutation into a plant growth-promoting strain of Methylorubrum on the enhancement of phyllosphere colonization, with the ultimate goal of improving plant growth and quality.
Supporting wild bee development with a bacterial symbiont
Wild bees foster diverse microbiota that may determine survival success of developing larvae. Here, we compare survivorship and microbial communities of Ceratina calcarata small carpenter bees reared from eggs across three treatments: maternally collected control provisions with diverse microbiota, sterile provisions, and probiotic provisions supplemented with a beneficial symbiont, Apilactobacillus kunkeei.
Unconventional approaches for the induction of microbial natural products
Expansion of the microbial drug discovery pipeline has been impeded by a limited and skewed appreciation of the microbial world and its full chemical capabilities and by an inability to induce silent biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Typically, these silent genes are not expressed under standard laboratory conditions, instead requiring particular interventions to activate them. Genetic, physical, and chemical strategies have been employed to trigger these BGCs, and some have resulted in the induction of novel secondary metabolites. This review encompasses a wide range of literature and emphasizes selected successful induction of microbial secondary metabolites examples through unconventional approaches such as quorum sensing, epigenetic modulation, and ribosome engineering. Whenever applicable, we will also discuss their mechanisms and optimizations to improve the microbial drug discovery process.
Isolation optimization and screening of halophilic enzymes and antimicrobial activities of halophilic archaea from the high-altitude, hypersaline Da Qaidam Salt Lake, China
The aim of this study is to increase the diversity of culturable halophilic archaea by comparing various isolation conditions and to explore the application of halophilic archaea for enzyme-producing activities and antimicrobial properties.
Humic substances modulate bacterial communities and mitigate adverse effects of temperature stress in coral reef organisms
In the present study, we tested if terrestrially-derived humic substances (HS) could mitigate the adverse effects of elevated temperature and UVB radiation on the bacterial communities of two hard corals (Montipora digitata and Montipora capricornis), one soft coral (Sarcophyton glaucum), sediment and water. We also examined the impact of temperature, UVB radiation and HS supplementation on coral photosynthetic activity, a proxy for coral bleaching.