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Nutrients Jun 2024To investigate the changes in the intestinal flora in the Chinese elderly with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its correlation with the metabolism of trimethylamine...
To investigate the changes in the intestinal flora in the Chinese elderly with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its correlation with the metabolism of trimethylamine (TMA), the intestinal flora composition of elderly individuals with CVD and healthy elderly individuals was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, the TMA levels in the feces of elderly were detected using headspace-gas chromatography (HS-GC), and four kinds of characterized TMA-producing intestinal bacteria in the elderly were quantified using real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The results showed that , , , , and are the dominant microorganisms of the intestinal flora in the Chinese elderly. And there were significant differences in the intestinal bacteria composition between healthy elderly individuals and those with CVD, accompanied by a notable difference in the TMA content. The richness and diversity of the intestinal flora in the elderly with CVD were higher than those in the healthy elderly. Correlation analysis indicated that certain significantly different intestinal flora were associated with the TMA levels. Our findings showed a significant difference in TMA-producing intestinal flora between healthy elderly individuals and those with CVD. The TMA levels were found to be positively and significantly correlated with , suggesting that this bacterium is closely linked to the production of TMA in the elderly gut. This may have implications for the development and progression of CVD in the elderly population.
Topics: Humans; Methylamines; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Aged; Male; Female; Cardiovascular Diseases; Feces; China; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Bacteria; Middle Aged; Asian People; Aged, 80 and over; East Asian People
PubMed: 38931219
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121864 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The use of rhizospheric SynComs can be a new and sustainable strategy in the agrobiotechnology sector. The objective of this study was to create the most appropriate...
The use of rhizospheric SynComs can be a new and sustainable strategy in the agrobiotechnology sector. The objective of this study was to create the most appropriate SynCom composition; examine the ability to dissolve natural rock phosphate (RP) from Morocco in liquid-modified NBRIP medium; determine organic acids, and phytohormones; and verify plant growth promoting and nutrition uptake effect in the pot experiments of winter wheat (). A total of nine different microorganisms were isolated, which belonged to three different genera: , , and . Out of the 21 treatments tested, four SynComs had the best phosphate-dissolving properties: IJAK-27+44+91 (129.17 mg L), IIBEI-32+40 (90.95 µg mL), IIIDEG-45+41 (122.78 mg L), and IIIDEG-45+41+72 (120.78 mg L). We demonstrate that these SynComs are capable of producing lactic, acetic, gluconic, malic, oxalic, citric acids, and phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid, and abscisic acid. In pot experiments with winter wheat, we also demonstrated that the designed SynComs were able to effectively colonize the plant root rhizosphere and contributed to more abundant plant growth characteristics and nutrient uptake as uninoculated treatment or uninoculated treatment with superphosphate (NPK 0-19-0). The obtained results show that the SynCom compositions of IJAK-27+44+91, IIBEI-32+40, IIIDEG-45+41, and IIIDEG-45+41+72 can be considered as promising candidates for developing biofertilizers to facilitate P absorption and increase plant nutrition.
PubMed: 38931148
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121716 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024There are obvious differences in quality between different varieties of the same plant, and it is not clear whether they can be effectively distinguished from each other...
There are obvious differences in quality between different varieties of the same plant, and it is not clear whether they can be effectively distinguished from each other from a bacterial point of view. In this study, 44 tea tree varieties () were used to analyze the rhizosphere soil bacterial community using high-throughput sequencing technology, and five types of machine deep learning were used for modeling to obtain characteristic microorganisms that can effectively differentiate different varieties, and validation was performed. The relationship between characteristic microorganisms, soil nutrient transformation, and tea quality formation was further analyzed. It was found that 44 tea tree varieties were classified into two groups (group A and group B) and the characteristic bacteria that distinguished them came from 23 genera. Secondly, the content of rhizosphere soil available nutrients (available nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium) and tea quality indexes (tea polyphenols, theanine, and caffeine) was significantly higher in group A than in group B. The classification result based on both was consistent with the above bacteria. This study provides a new insight and research methodology into the main reasons for the formation of quality differences among different varieties of the same plant.
PubMed: 38931118
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121686 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Endophytic microorganisms represent promising solutions to environmental challenges inherent in conventional agricultural practices. This study concentrates on the...
Endophytic microorganisms represent promising solutions to environmental challenges inherent in conventional agricultural practices. This study concentrates on the identification of endophytic bacteria isolated from the root, stem, and leaf tissues of four plant species. Sixty-one strains were isolated and sequenced by 16S rDNA. Sequencing revealed diverse genera among the isolated bacteria from different species, including , , , and . AR11 and VR24 obtained from the roots of and demonstrated significant inhibition on c.f. mycelial growth. In addition, AR11, AR32, and CR25 exhibited significant activity in phosphatase solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and indole production, highlighting their potential to facilitate plant growth. A comparative analysis of species showed that root isolates from , , and have beneficial properties for inhibiting pathogen growth and enhancing plant growth. AR11 with 100% similarity to , could be considered a promising candidate for further investigation as microbial biofertilizers. This finding highlights their potential as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides, thereby contributing to sustainable crop protection practices.
PubMed: 38931116
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121684 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Water deficiency has been recognized as a major abiotic stress that causes losses in maize crops around the world. The maize crop is very important due to the range of...
Water deficiency has been recognized as a major abiotic stress that causes losses in maize crops around the world. The maize crop is very important due to the range of products that are derived from this plant. A potential way to reduce the damages caused by water deficiency in maize crops is through the association with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). To define the mechanisms developed by associative PGPB and AMF in maize that are involved in protection against moderate drought (MD), this study evaluated the biometrical, anatomical, biochemical, and physiological parameters of maize grown under MD and inoculated with different PGPB ( strain Ab-V5 and sp. strain ZK) and with AMF. The relative water content did not change in the treatments. The association with ZK increased the shoot:total ratio, total dry weight, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, vascular cylinder thickness, and vascular cylinder area. The Ab-V5 inoculation led to an increment in root dry weight, the area of metaxylem vessel elements, and nitrate reductase activity. The AMF association did not lead to changes in the measured parameters. The results indicate that the association with PGPB is a relevant alternative to contribute to reducing losses in maize crops under drought. However, AMF is not indicated for this crop under drought.
PubMed: 38931099
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121667 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Cadmium (Cd) pollution has been rapidly increasing due to the global rise in industries. Cd not only harms the ecological environment but also endangers human health...
Cadmium (Cd) pollution has been rapidly increasing due to the global rise in industries. Cd not only harms the ecological environment but also endangers human health through the food chain and drinking water. Therefore, the remediation of Cd-polluted soil is an imminent issue. In this work, ryegrass and a strain of Cd-tolerant bacterium were used to investigate the impact of inoculated bacteria on the physiology and biochemistry of ryegrass and the Cd enrichment of ryegrass in soil contaminated with different concentrations of Cd (4 and 20 mg/kg). The results showed that chlorophyll content increased by 24.7% and 41.0%, while peroxidase activity decreased by 56.7% and 3.9%. In addition, ascorbic acid content increased by 16.7% and 6.3%, whereas glutathione content decreased by 54.2% and 6.9%. The total Cd concentration in ryegrass increased by 21.5% and 10.3%, and the soil's residual Cd decreased by 86.0% and 44.1%. Thus, the inoculation of Cd-tolerant bacteria can improve the antioxidant stress ability of ryegrass in Cd-contaminated soil and change the soil's Cd form. As a result, the Cd enrichment in under-ground and above-ground parts of ryegrass, as well as the biomass of ryegrass, is increased, and the ability of ryegrass to remediate Cd-contaminated soil is significantly improved.
PubMed: 38931089
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121657 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024As a toxic Volatile Organic Pollutant (TVOC), formaldehyde has a toxic effect on microorganisms, consequently inhibiting the biochemical process of formaldehyde...
As a toxic Volatile Organic Pollutant (TVOC), formaldehyde has a toxic effect on microorganisms, consequently inhibiting the biochemical process of formaldehyde wastewater treatment. Therefore, the selective degradation of formaldehyde is of great significance in achieving high-efficiency and low-cost formaldehyde wastewater treatment. This study constructed a heterogeneous Fe-ZSM-5/HO Fenton system f or the selective degradation of target compounds. By immobilizing Fe onto the surface of a ZSM-5 molecular sieve, Fe-ZSM-5 was prepared successfully. XRD, BET and FT-IR spectral studies showed that Fe-ZSM-5 was mainly composed of micropores. The influences of different variables on formaldehyde-selective heterogeneous Fenton degradation performance were studied. The 93.7% formaldehyde degradation and 98.2% selectivity of formaldehyde compared with glucose were demonstrated in the optimized Fenton system after 360 min. Notably, the resultant selective Fenton oxidation system had a wide range of pH suitability, from 3.0 to 10.0. Also, the Fe-ZSM-5 was used in five consecutive cycles without a significant drop in formaldehyde degradation efficiency. The use of reactive oxygen species scavengers indicated that the hydroxyl radical was the primary active species responsible for degrading formaldehyde. Furthermore, great degradation performance was acquired with high concentrations of formaldehyde for this system, and the degradation efficiency was more than 95.0%.
PubMed: 38930975
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122911 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Endophytic microorganisms contribute significantly to water bioremediation by enhancing pollutant degradation and supporting aquatic plant health and resilience by... (Review)
Review
Endophytic microorganisms contribute significantly to water bioremediation by enhancing pollutant degradation and supporting aquatic plant health and resilience by releasing bioactive compounds and enzymes. These microorganisms inhabit plant tissues without causing disease or any noticeable symptoms. Endophytes effectively aid in eliminating contaminants from water systems. Nanoparticles serve as potent enhancers in bioremediation processes, augmenting the efficiency of pollutant degradation by increasing surface area and bioavailability, thereby improving the efficacy and rate of remediation. Their controlled nutrient release and ability to stabilize endophytic colonization further contribute to the enhanced and sustainable elimination of contaminated environments. The synergistic effect of endophytes and nanoparticles in water remediation has been widely explored in recent studies, revealing compelling outcomes. Water pollution poses significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and economies; hence, the sixth global goal of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 of the United Nations aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water resources, recognizing their crucial importance for current and future generations. Conventional methods for addressing water pollution exhibit several limitations, including high costs, energy-intensive processes, the production of hazardous by-products, and insufficient effectiveness in mitigating emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics. Noticeably, there is an inability to effectively remove various types of pollutants, thus resulting in incomplete purification cycles. Nanoparticle-enhanced water bioremediation offers an innovative, eco-friendly alternative for degrading contaminants. A growing body of research has shown that integrating endophytic microorganisms with nanoparticles for water bioremediation is a potent and viable alternative. This review examines the potential of using endophytic microorganisms and nanoparticles to enhance water remediation, exploring their combined effects and applications in water purification. The paper also provides an overview of synthetic methods for producing endophyte-nanoparticle composites to optimize their remediation capabilities in aqueous environments. The final section of the review highlights the constraints related to integrating endophytes with nanoparticles.
Topics: Nanoparticles; Biodegradation, Environmental; Endophytes; Water Purification; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Humans
PubMed: 38930923
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122858 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Fluconazole (2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(1-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol), which was patented in 1981 and introduced for commercial use in 1988, is a widely utilized... (Review)
Review
Fluconazole (2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(1-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol), which was patented in 1981 and introduced for commercial use in 1988, is a widely utilized antifungal drug whose mechanism of action involves inhibition of the activity of 14-α lanosterol demethylase. Its safety and effectiveness have established it as one of the most frequently employed antifungal agents. Resistance to azole antifungal drugs is becoming more common. It may be related to a mutation of the gene encoding the enzyme. To address this issue, molecules with modifications in three main regions of fluconazole, namely the hydroxyl group, the aromatic ring, and the 1,2,4-triazole rings, have been synthesized in an attempt to create more potent antifungal drugs. These modifications aim at enhancing the effectiveness against microorganisms and improving pharmacokinetic parameters and safety profiles of the synthesized compounds. The present review explores the synthesis of fluconazole derivatives, accompanied by insights into the results of biological studies evaluating the therapeutic effects of these compounds.
Topics: Fluconazole; Antifungal Agents; Humans; Structure-Activity Relationship; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Animals; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38930921
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122855 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024the creation of a dextran coating on cerium oxide crystals using different ratios of cerium and dextran to synthesize nanocomposites, and the selection of the best...
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
the creation of a dextran coating on cerium oxide crystals using different ratios of cerium and dextran to synthesize nanocomposites, and the selection of the best nanocomposite to develop a nanodrug that accelerates quality wound healing with a new type of antimicrobial effect.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nanocomposites were synthesized using cerium nitrate and dextran polysaccharide (6000 Da) at four different initial ratios of Ce(NO)x6HO to dextran (by weight)-1:0.5 (Ce0.5D); 1:1 (Ce1D); 1:2 (Ce2D); and 1:3 (Ce3D). A series of physicochemical experiments were performed to characterize the created nanocomposites: UV-spectroscopy; X-ray phase analysis; transmission electron microscopy; dynamic light scattering and IR-spectroscopy. The biomedical effects of nanocomposites were studied on human fibroblast cell culture with an evaluation of their effect on the metabolic and proliferative activity of cells using an MTT test and direct cell counting. Antimicrobial activity was studied by mass spectrometry using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry against after 24 h and 48 h of co-incubation.
RESULTS
According to the physicochemical studies, nanocrystals less than 5 nm in size with diffraction peaks characteristic of cerium dioxide were identified in all synthesized nanocomposites. With increasing polysaccharide concentration, the particle size of cerium dioxide decreased, and the smallest nanoparticles (<2 nm) were in Ce2D and Ce3D composites. The results of cell experiments showed a high level of safety of dextran nanoceria, while the absence of cytotoxicity (100% cell survival rate) was established for Ce2D and C3D sols. At a nanoceria concentration of 10 M, the proliferative activity of fibroblasts was statistically significantly enhanced only when co-cultured with Ce2D, but decreased with Ce3D. The metabolic activity of fibroblasts after 72 h of co-cultivation with nano composites increased with increasing dextran concentration, and the highest level was registered in Ce3D; from the dextran group, differences were registered in Ce2D and Ce3D sols. As a result of the microbiological study, the best antimicrobial activity (bacteriostatic effect) was found for Ce0.5D and Ce2D, which significantly inhibited the multiplication of after 24 h by an average of 22-27%, and after 48 h, all nanocomposites suppressed the multiplication of by 58-77%, which was the most pronounced for Ce0.5D, Ce1D, and Ce2D.
CONCLUSIONS
The necessary physical characteristics of nanoceria-dextran nanocomposites that provide the best wound healing biological effects were determined. Ce2D at a concentration of 10 M, which stimulates cell proliferation and metabolism up to 2.5 times and allows a reduction in the rate of microorganism multiplication by three to four times, was selected for subsequent nanodrug creation.
Topics: Cerium; Dextrans; Nanocomposites; Humans; Wound Healing; Escherichia coli; Fibroblasts; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Proliferation; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Cell Line
PubMed: 38930918
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122853