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Scientific Reports Jan 2024There has recently been an explosion of studies implicating the human microbiome in playing a critical role in many disease and wellness states. The etiology of abnormal... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
There has recently been an explosion of studies implicating the human microbiome in playing a critical role in many disease and wellness states. The etiology of abnormal semen analysis (SA) parameters is not identified in 30% of cases; investigations involving the semen microbiome may bridge this gap. Here, we explore the relationship between the semen microbiome and alterations of sperm parameters. We recruited men presenting for fertility evaluation or vasectomy consultation with proven biological paternity. SA and next generation sequencing was performed. Differential abundance testing using Analysis of composition of Microbiota with Bias Correction (ANCOM-BC) was performed along with canonical correlational analysis for microbial community profiling. Men with abnormal (N = 27) sperm motility showed a higher abundance of Lactobacillus iners compared to those with normal (N = 46) sperm motility (mean proportion 9.4% versus 2.6%, p = 0.046). This relationship persisted on canonical correlational analysis (r = 0.392, p = 0.011). Men with abnormal sperm concentration (N = 20) showed a higher abundance of Pseudomonas stutzeri (2.1% versus 1.0%, p = 0.024) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (0.9% versus 0.7%, p = 0.010), but a lower abundance of Pseudomonas putida (0.5% versus 0.8%, p = 0.020), compared to those with normal sperm concentration (N = 53). Major limitations are related to study design (cross-sectional, observational). Our results suggest that a small group of microorganisms may play a critical role in observed perturbations of SA parameters. Some of these microbes, most notably Lactobacillus iners, have been described extensively within other, fertility-related, contexts, whereas for others, this is the first report where they have potentially been implicated. Advances in our understanding of the semen microbiome may contribute to potentially new therapeutic avenues for correcting impairments in sperm parameters and improving male fertility.
Topics: Humans; Male; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fertility; Infertility, Male; Lactobacillus; Semen; Semen Analysis; Sperm Count; Sperm Motility; Spermatozoa
PubMed: 38212576
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51686-4 -
International Journal of Systematic and... Oct 2023Bacterial strain G20-18 was previously isolated from the rhizosphere of an Arctic grass on Ellesmere Island, Canada and was characterized and described as . However, new...
Bacterial strain G20-18 was previously isolated from the rhizosphere of an Arctic grass on Ellesmere Island, Canada and was characterized and described as . However, new polyphasic analyses coupled with phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic analyses reported here demonstrate that the affiliation to the species was incorrect. The strain is Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic and displays growth at 5-25 °C (optimum, 20-25 °C), at pH 5-9 (optimum, pH 6-7) and with 0-4 % NaCl (optimum, 2 % NaCl). The major fatty acids are C (35.6 %), C cyclo 7 (26.3 %) and summed feature C/C ω7 (13.6 %). The respiratory quinones were determined to be Q9 (93.5 %) and Q8 (6.5 %) and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Strain G20-18 was shown to synthesize cytokinin and auxin plant hormones and to produce 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 59.1 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and multilocus sequence analysis (concatenated 16S rRNA, , and sequences) showed that G20-18 was affiliated with the subgroup within the genus . Comparisons of the G20-18 genome sequence and related type strain sequences showed an average nucleotide identity value of ≤93.6 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of less than 54.4 % relatedness. The phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic data support the hypothesis that strain G20-18 represents a novel species of the genus . As strain G20-18 produces or modifies hormones, the name sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G20-18 (=LMG 33086=NCIMB 15469).
Topics: Fatty Acids; Phospholipids; Plant Growth Regulators; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Poaceae; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sodium Chloride; Genes, Bacterial; DNA, Bacterial; Base Composition; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Pseudomonas
PubMed: 37889848
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006119 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Phosphate fertilization in highly weathered soils has been a major challenge for sugarcane production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the foliar levels of...
Phosphate fertilization in highly weathered soils has been a major challenge for sugarcane production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the foliar levels of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) and the technological quality and productivity of second ratoon cane as a function of inoculation with plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) together with the residual effect of phosphate fertilization. The experiment was carried out at the research and extension farm of Ilha Solteira, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The experiment was designed in a randomized block with three replications in a 5 × 8 factorial scheme. The treatments consisted of five residual doses of phosphorus (0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 kg ha of PO, 46% P) applied at planting from the source of triple superphosphate and eight inoculations from three species of PGPB (, and ), applied in single or co-inoculation at the base of stems of sugarcane variety RB92579. Inoculation with PGPBs influenced leaf N concentration, while inoculations with and combinations of bacteria together with the highest doses exerted a positive effect on leaf P concentration. Co-inoculation with + associated with a residual dose of 135 kg ha of PO increased stem productivity by 42%. Thus, it was concluded that inoculations with and their combinations are beneficial for the sugarcane crop, reducing phosphate fertilization and increasing productivity.
PubMed: 37514313
DOI: 10.3390/plants12142699 -
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024Swarming motility in pseudomonads typically requires both a functional flagellum and the production/secretion of a biosurfactant. Published work has shown that the...
Swarming motility in pseudomonads typically requires both a functional flagellum and the production/secretion of a biosurfactant. Published work has shown that the wild-type Pf0-1 is swarming deficient due to a point mutation in the gene, which until recently was thought to inactivate rather than attenuate the Gac/Rsm pathway. As a result, little is known about the underlying mechanisms that regulate swarming motility by Pf0-1. Here, we demonstrate that a Δ Δ Δ mutant, which phenotypically mimics Gac/Rsm pathway overstimulation, is proficient at swarming motility. RsmA and RsmE appear to play a key role in this regulation. Transposon mutagenesis of the Δ Δ Δ mutant identified multiple factors that impact swarming motility, including pathways involved in flagellar synthesis and biosurfactant production/secretion. We find that loss of genes linked to biosurfactant Gacamide A biosynthesis or secretion impacts swarming motility, as does loss of the alternative sigma factor FliA, which results in a defect in flagellar function. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that Pf0-1 can swarm if the Gac/Rsm pathway is activated, highlight the regulatory complexity of swarming motility in this strain, and demonstrate that the cyclic lipopeptide Gacamide A is utilized as a biosurfactant for swarming motility.IMPORTANCESwarming motility is a coordinated process that allows communities of bacteria to collectively move across a surface. For Pf0-1, this phenotype is notably absent in the parental strain, and to date, little is known about the regulation of swarming in this strain. Here, we identify RsmA and RsmE as key repressors of swarming motility modulating the levels of biosurfactant production/secretion. Using transposon mutagenesis and subsequent genetic analyses, we further identify potential regulatory mechanisms of swarming motility and link Gacamide A biosynthesis and transport machinery to swarming motility.
Topics: Pseudomonas fluorescens; Movement; Bacterial Proteins; Methyltransferases; Surface-Active Agents; Mutagenesis; Sigma Factor
PubMed: 38687073
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00166-24 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024In this study, hybrid skeleton material ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was synthesized by the epitaxial growth method and then was utilized as a carrier for encapsulating lipase (PFL)...
In this study, hybrid skeleton material ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was synthesized by the epitaxial growth method and then was utilized as a carrier for encapsulating lipase (PFL) through the co-precipitation method, resulting in the preparation of immobilized lipase (PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67). Subsequently, it was further treated with glutaraldehyde to improve protein immobilization yield. Under optimal immobilization conditions, the specific hydrolytic activity of PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was 20.4 times higher than that of the free PFL. The prepared biocatalyst was characterized and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). Additionally, the thermal stability of PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 at 50 °C was significantly improved compared to the free PFL. After 7 weeks at room temperature, PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 retained 78% of the transesterification activity, while the free enzyme was only 29%. Finally, PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 was applied to the neryl acetate preparation in a solvent-free system, and the yield of neryl acetate reached 99% after 3 h of reaction. After 10 repetitions, the yields of neryl acetate catalyzed by PFL@ZIF-8@ZIF-67 and the free PFL were 80% and 43%, respectively.
Topics: Enzymes, Immobilized; Pseudomonas fluorescens; Lipase; Esterification; Enzyme Stability; Zeolites; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Temperature; Acetates; X-Ray Diffraction; Biocatalysis; Imidazoles
PubMed: 38930986
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122922 -
International Journal of Biological... Apr 2024Microbial amphiphiles play an important role in environmental activities such as microbial signaling, bioremediation, and biofilm formation. Microorganisms rely on their...
Microbial amphiphiles play an important role in environmental activities such as microbial signaling, bioremediation, and biofilm formation. Microorganisms rely on their unique characteristics of interfaces to carry out critical biological functions, which are helped by amphipathic biomolecules known as amphiphiles. Bacillus amyloids aid in cell adhesion and biofilm formation. Pseudomonas sp. are essential in biofilm development and are a vital survival strategy for many bacteria. Furthermore, Pseudomonas and Bacillus are well-known for their ability to produce biosurfactants with a range of applications, including bioremediation and removing biological pollutants from different environments. The study employed 31 different media types and a range of analytical techniques to assess the presence of amyloid proteins and the absence of biosurfactants in Bacillus licheniformis K125 (GQ850525.1) and Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0. The presence of amyloid proteins was confirmed through Congo red and thioflavin T staining. The carefully constructed medium also efficiently inhibited the synthesis of biosurfactants by these bacteria. Additionally, surface tension measurements, emulsification index, thin-layer chromatography, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography analyses indicated the absence of biosurfactants in the tested media.
Topics: Bacillus; Bacteria; Bacillus licheniformis; Biofilms; Amyloidogenic Proteins; Surface-Active Agents
PubMed: 38492695
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130909 -
Transfer of maternal immunity using a polyvalent vaccine and offspring protection in Nile tilapia, .F1000Research 2021Vaccination is an effective and alternative means of disease prevention, however, it cannot be conducted on the offspring of fish. For this process to take place, the...
BACKGROUND
Vaccination is an effective and alternative means of disease prevention, however, it cannot be conducted on the offspring of fish. For this process to take place, the transfer of maternal immunity should be implemented. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of transferring immunity from the broodstock to the offspring using a polyvalent vaccine against and in Nile tilapia,
METHODS
Nile tilapia broodstock with an average weight of 203g (±SD 23) was reared in spawning ponds until mass spawning and harvested one week post-spawning for vaccination. After being vaccinated according to the treatment, each fish broodstock was reared in 3x3 m cages installed in an earthen pond with a density of 20 broodstock, consisting of 15 females and 5 males. The vaccine used was a formalin-killed whole-cell vaccine at a density of 10 cfu/mL injected intramuscularly ( ) at a dose of 0.4 mL/kg fish. Nile tilapia was injected with a vaccine used as a treatment. Example include monovalent (MA) monovalent (MS) monovalent (MP), and bivalent (BAS) and bivalent (BAP), and bivalent (BPS), and and polyvalent vaccines (PAPS). While the control was fish that were injected with a PBS solution. The broodstock's immune response was observed on the 7 , 14 , 21 , and 28 days, while the immune response and challenge test on the offspring was conducted on the 10 , 20 , 30 , and 40 day during the post-hatching period. The parameters observed consisted of total leukocytes, phagocytic activity, antibody titer, lysozyme, and relative survival percentage (RPS).
RESULT
The application of PAPS in broodstock could significantly induce the best immune response and immunity to multiple diseases compared to other treatments. The RPS of the PAPS was also higher than the other types of vaccines. This showed that the transfer of immunity from the broodstock to the Nile tilapia offspring could protect it against bacterial diseases such as , , and .
CONCLUSION
The application of polyvalent vaccine vaccines increased the broodstock's immune response and it was transferred to their offsprings. Polyvalent vaccines derived from maternal immunity can protect offspring from disease up to 30 days of age. They were able to produce tilapia seeds that are immune to diseases caused by , and
Topics: Animals; Male; Cichlids; Vaccines, Combined; Streptococcal Infections; Vaccines; Streptococcus agalactiae
PubMed: 37767359
DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.52932.3 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jan 2024Swarming motility in pseudomonads typically requires both a functional flagellum and production/secretion of a biosurfactant. Published work has shown that the wild-type...
Swarming motility in pseudomonads typically requires both a functional flagellum and production/secretion of a biosurfactant. Published work has shown that the wild-type Pf0-1 is swarming-deficient due to a point mutation in the gene, which until recently, was thought to inactivate rather than attenuate the Gac/Rsm pathway. As a result, little is known about the underlying mechanisms that regulate swarming motility by Pf0-1. Here, we demonstrate that a Δ Δ Δ mutant, which phenotypically mimics Gac/Rsm pathway overstimulation, is proficient at swarming motility. RsmA and RsmE appear to play a key role in this regulation. Transposon mutagenesis of the Δ Δ Δ mutant identified multiple factors that impact swarming motility, including pathways involved in flagellar synthesis and biosurfactant production/secretion. We find that loss of genes linked to biosurfactant Gacamide A biosynthesis or secretion impact swarming motility, as does loss of the alternative sigma factor FliA, which results in a defect in flagellar function. Collectively, these findings provide evidence that Pf0-1 can swarm if the Gac/Rsm pathway is activated, highlight the regulatory complexity of swarming motility in this strain, and demonstrate that the cyclic lipopeptide Gacamide A is utilized as a biosurfactant for swarming motility.
PubMed: 38293239
DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.17.576057 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Nov 2023Mupirocin is a clinically important antibiotic produced by a trans-AT Type I polyketide synthase (PKS) in Pseudomonas fluorescens. The major bioactive metabolite,...
Mupirocin is a clinically important antibiotic produced by a trans-AT Type I polyketide synthase (PKS) in Pseudomonas fluorescens. The major bioactive metabolite, pseudomonic acid A (PA-A), is assembled on a tetrasubstituted tetrahydropyran (THP) core incorporating a 6-hydroxy group proposed to be introduced by α-hydroxylation of the thioester of the acyl carrier protein (ACP) bound polyketide chain. Herein, we describe an in vitro approach combining purified enzyme components, chemical synthesis, isotopic labelling, mass spectrometry and NMR in conjunction with in vivo studies leading to the first characterisation of the α-hydroxylation bimodule of the mupirocin biosynthetic pathway. These studies reveal the precise timing of hydroxylation by MupA, substrate specificity and the ACP dependency of the enzyme components that comprise this α-hydroxylation bimodule. Furthermore, using purified enzyme, it is shown that the MmpA KS shows relaxed substrate specificity, suggesting precise spatiotemporal control of in trans MupA recruitment in the context of the PKS. Finally, the detection of multiple intermodular MupA/ACP interactions suggests these bimodules may integrate MupA into their assembly.
Topics: Mupirocin; Polyketide Synthases; Hydroxylation; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 37768840
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202312514 -
Sensors & Diagnostics Sep 2023Rapid and precise identification of infectious microorganisms is important across a range of applications where microbial contamination can cause serious issues ranging...
Rapid and precise identification of infectious microorganisms is important across a range of applications where microbial contamination can cause serious issues ranging from microbial resistance to corrosion. In this paper a screen-printed, polymeric β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) modified electrode, affording nanocavities for inclusion of the analytes, is shown as a disposable sensor capable of identifying bacteria by their metabolites. Three bacterial species were tested: two from the genus, () and (), and (), a member of the family, . On biofilm formation each species gave distinct, reproducible, redox fingerprints with a detection limit of 4 × 10 M. Square wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV) was used for detection. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) techniques were used to characterize the morphology and electrical conductivity of the modified electrode. In comparison to the bare screen-printed electrode, the modified electrode showed a considerably higher performance and offered an excellent sensitivity along with a relatively fast analysis time.
PubMed: 38014404
DOI: 10.1039/d3sd00074e