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Scientific Reports May 2024In the present study, ten (10) selected bacteria isolated from chasmophytic wild Chenopodium were evaluated for alleviation of drought stress in chickpea. All the...
In the present study, ten (10) selected bacteria isolated from chasmophytic wild Chenopodium were evaluated for alleviation of drought stress in chickpea. All the bacterial cultures were potential P, K and Zn solubilizer. About 50% of the bacteria could produce Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. The bacteria showed wide range of tolerance towards pH, salinity, temperature and osmotic stress. Bacillus paralicheniformis L38, Pseudomonas sp. LN75, Enterobacter hormachei subsp. xiangfengensis LJ89, B. paramycoides L17 and Micrococcus luteus LA9 significantly improved growth and nutrient (N, P, K, Fe and Zn) content in chickpea under water stress during a green house experiment conducted following a completely randomized design (CRD). Application of Microbacterium imperiale LJ10, B. stercoris LN74, Pseudomonas sp. LN75, B. paralicheniformis L38 and E. hormachei subsp. xiangfengensis LJ89 reduced the antioxidant enzymes under water stress. During field experiments conducted following randomized block design (RBD), all the bacterial inoculations improved chickpea yield under water stress. Highest yield (1363 kg ha) was obtained in plants inoculated with Pseudomonas sp. LN75. Pseudomonas sp. LN75, B. paralicheniformis L38 and E. hormachei subsp. xiangfengensis LJ89 have potential as microbial stimulants to alleviate the water stress in chickpea. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of using chasmophyte associated bacteria for alleviation of water stress in a crop plant.
Topics: Cicer; Droughts; Stress, Physiological; Bacteria; Indoleacetic Acids; Nutrients; Carbon-Carbon Lyases; Enterobacter; Pseudomonas; Antioxidants
PubMed: 38806526
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58695-3 -
Microorganisms May 2024Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication and a common cause of death in patients with liver cirrhosis. Between January 2017 and March 2024, a...
Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication and a common cause of death in patients with liver cirrhosis. Between January 2017 and March 2024, a retrospective study was conducted involving 302 patients (>18 years old) with ascites treated at a tertiary referral center in south-eastern Poland. Microbiological analysis of the ascitic fluids was performed in all patients. The presence of microorganisms was found in samples from 17 patients, and 21 pathogens were isolated, including 15 Gram-positive bacteria and 6 Gram-negative bacteria. , MRCNS (methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci, resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics: penicillins, penicillins with beta-lactamase inhibitor, cephalosporins and carbapenems) was the main pathogen detected (19.05%, 4/21), followed by (9.52%, 2/21), (9.52%, 2/21), , MRCNS (4.76%, 1/21), (9.52%, 2/21), (9.52%, 2/21), (4.76%, 1/21) and spp. (4.76%, 1/21). The following Gram-negative bacteria were also found in the specimens examined: , ESBL (extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing ) (4.76%, 1/21), (4.76%, 1/21), (4.76%, 1/21), (9.52%, 2/21) and (4.76%, 1/21). Gram-positive bacteria caused nosocomial infections in nine patients with SBP, Gram-negative bacteria caused nosocomial infections in two patients. In six patients with SBP, community-acquired infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria were found in three cases, Gram-positive bacteria in two cases, and in one case, community-acquired infection was caused by mixed Gram-positive and Gram-negative. Bacteria isolated from patients with hospital-acquired SBP showed higher drug resistance than those found in patients with non-hospital SBP. Bacterial infections in cirrhotic patients with complications may be responsible for their deteriorating health. Prompt intervention is critical to reducing mortality.
PubMed: 38792837
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12051008 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Prediction of the antibacterial activity of new chemical compounds is an important task, due to the growing problem of bacterial drug resistance. Generalized linear...
Prediction of the antibacterial activity of new chemical compounds is an important task, due to the growing problem of bacterial drug resistance. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were created using 85 amidrazone derivatives based on the results of antimicrobial activity tests, determined as the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Gram-positive bacteria: , , , , and . For the analysis of compounds characterized by experimentally measured MIC values, we included physicochemical properties (e.g., molecular weight, number of hydrogen donors and acceptors, topological polar surface area, compound percentages of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, melting points, and lipophilicity) as potential predictors. The presence of R1 and R2 substituents, as well as interactions between melting temperature and R1 or R2 substituents, were also considered. The set of potential predictors also included possible biological effects (e.g., antibacterial, antituberculotic) of tested compounds calculated with the PASS (Prediction of Activity Spectra for Substances) program. Using GLMs with least absolute shrinkage and selection (LASSO), least-angle regression, and stepwise selection, statistically significant models with the optimal value of the adjusted determination coefficient and of seven fit criteria were chosen, e.g., Akaike's information criterion. The most often selected variables were as follows: molecular weight, PASS_antieczematic, PASS_anti-inflam, squared melting temperature, PASS_antitumor, and experimental lipophilicity. Additionally, relevant to the bacterial strain, the interactions between melting temperature and R1 or R2 substituents were selected, indicating that the relationship between MIC and melting temperature depends on the type of R1 or R2 substituent.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Structure-Activity Relationship; Molecular Structure
PubMed: 38792231
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29102369 -
PeerJ 2024Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have gained massive attention in the scientific community in recent years due to their valuable properties. Among various AgNPs...
Nanotechnology and nanoparticles have gained massive attention in the scientific community in recent years due to their valuable properties. Among various AgNPs synthesis methods, microbial approaches offer distinct advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, biocompatibility, and eco-friendliness. In the present research work, investigators have synthesized three different types of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), namely AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, by using (MBC34), (MBC23), and (MBX6), respectively. The morphological, chemical, and elemental features of the synthesized AgNPs were analyzed by using UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). UV-Vis absorbance peaks were obtained at 475, 428, and 503 nm for AgNPs-K, AgNPs-M, and AgNPs-E, respectively. The XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline nature of the synthesized AgNPs, having peaks at 26.2°, 32.1°, and 47.2°. At the same time, the FTIR showed bands at 599, 963, 1,693, 2,299, 2,891, and 3,780 cm for all the types of AgNPs indicating the presence of bacterial biomolecules with the developed AgNPs. The size and morphology of the AgNPs varied from 10 nm to several microns and exhibited spherical to porous sheets-like structures. The percentage of Ag varied from 37.8% (wt.%) to 61.6%, ., highest in AgNPs-K and lowest in AgNPs-M. Furthermore, the synthesized AgNPs exhibited potential for environmental remediation, with AgNPs-M exhibiting the highest removal efficiency (19.24% at 120 min) for methyl orange dye in simulated wastewater. Further, all three types of AgNPs were evaluated for the removal of methyl orange dye from the simulated wastewater, where the highest dye removal percentage was 19.24% at 120 min by AgNPs-M. Antibacterial potential of the synthesized AgNPs assessment against both Gram-positive (GPB) (MBC23), (MBC24), and Gram-negative bacteria (MBP13) revealed promising results, with AgNPs-M, exhibiting the largest zone of inhibition (12 mm) against GPB . Such investigation exhibits the potential of the bacteria for the synthesis of AgNPs with diverse morphology and potential applications in environmental remediation and antibacterial therapy-based synthesis of AgNPs.
Topics: Silver; Metal Nanoparticles; Azo Compounds; Micrococcus luteus; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Anti-Infective Agents; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Enterobacter aerogenes; X-Ray Diffraction; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Coloring Agents
PubMed: 38770094
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17328 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Human skin acts as a protective barrier between the body and the external environment. Skin microbiome and intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum (SC) are essential...
Human skin acts as a protective barrier between the body and the external environment. Skin microbiome and intercellular lipids in the stratum corneum (SC) are essential for maintaining skin barrier function. However, the interplay between skin bacteria and the lipids is not fully understood. In this study, we characterized the skin microbiome and SC lipid profiles from the forearm and face in a cohort of 57 healthy participants. 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed the skin microbial composition is significantly different between body locations and genders. Female forearm samples have the highest microbial diversity. The relative abundance of and sp. are significantly higher in the forearm than the face. The predictive functional analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing by Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt2) and ANCOM-BC showed different bacterial metabolic pathway profiles between body locations or genders, and identified 271 differential pathways, including arginine and polyamine biosynthesis, chorismate biosynthesis pathways, which are more abundant in the female forearm, and sulfur oxidation pathway, which is more abundant in the male face. The SC lipid profiles differ between the body locations as well. Total free fatty acids (FFA), cholesterol sulfate and sphingosine are more abundant in the face. Dihydro-/6-hydroxy/phyto-ceramides are more abundant in the forearm. The correlation analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing and lipids revealed novel interplay between the bacteria and skin lipids. Shannon entropy and negatively correlated with FFA, cholesterol sulfate and sphingosine; while positively correlated with dihydro-/6-hydroxy/phyto-ceramides. The correlation of predictive pathway profiles and lipids identified pathways involved in amino acids metabolism, carbohydrates degradation, aromatic compounds metabolism and fatty acid degradation metabolism are positively correlated with dihydro-/6-hydroxy/phyto-ceramides and negatively correlated with FFA, cholesterol sulfate and sphingosine. This study provides insights on the potential correlation between skin microbiome and lipids.
PubMed: 38666261
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1383656 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2024This study investigates the biological activities of essential oil (LPEO), an endemic lavender species from the Canary Islands, traditionally used in treating various...
This study investigates the biological activities of essential oil (LPEO), an endemic lavender species from the Canary Islands, traditionally used in treating various ailments. LPEO was extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed using GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH radical scavenging and total antioxidant capacity assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion, MIC, MBC, and MFC determination against bacterial () and fungal () strains. Antidiabetic and anti-gout potential were investigated through α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and xanthine oxidase inhibition assays. Antityrosinase activity was determined using a modified dopachrome method. Cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay against breast (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468), liver (HepG2), colon (HCT-15) cancer cells, and normal cells (PBMCs). LPEO exhibits potent antiradical activity (IC50 = 148.33 ± 2.48 μg/mL) and significant antioxidant capacity (TAC = 171.56 ± 2.34 μg AA/mg of EO). It demonstrates notable antibacterial activity against four strains ( and ) with inhibition zones ranging from 18.70 ± 0.30 mm to 29.20 ± 0.30 mm, along with relatively low MIC and MBC values. LPEO displays significant antifungal activity against four strains ( and ) with a fungicidal effect at 1 mg/mL, surpassing the positive control (cycloheximide), and MIC and MFC values indicating a fungicidal effect. It exhibits substantial inhibition of xanthine oxidase enzyme (IC50 = 26.48 ± 0.90 μg/mL), comparable to allopurinol, and marked inhibitory effects on α-amylase (IC50 = 31.56 ± 0.46 μg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC50 = 58.47 ± 2.35 μg/mL) enzymes.The enzyme tyrosinase is inhibited by LPEO (IC50 = 29.11 ± 0.08 mg/mL). LPEO displays moderate cytotoxic activity against breast, liver, and colon cancer cells, with low toxicity towards normal cells (PBMC). LPEO exhibits greater selectivity than cisplatin for breast (MCF-7) and colon (HCT-15) cancer cells but lower selectivity for liver (HepG2) and metastatic breast (MDA-MB-468) cancer cells. These findings suggest the potential of LPEO as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-gout, antidiabetic, and anticancer agent.
PubMed: 38660570
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1383731 -
The Journal of Hospital Infection Jun 2024Despite their role being historically overlooked, environmental surfaces have been shown to play a key role in the transmission of pathogens causative of...
BACKGROUND
Despite their role being historically overlooked, environmental surfaces have been shown to play a key role in the transmission of pathogens causative of healthcare-associated infection. To guide infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions and inform clinical risk assessments, more needs to be known about microbial surface bioburdens.
AIM
To identify the trends in culturable bacterial contamination across communal touch sites over time in a hospital setting.
METHODS
Swab samples were collected over nine weeks from 22 communal touch sites in a paediatric bone marrow transplant unit. Samples were cultured on Columbia blood agar and aerobic colony counts (ACC) per 100 cm were established for each site. Individual colony morphologies were grouped and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry or 16s rDNA sequencing.
FINDINGS
Highest mean counts were observed for sites associated with ward management activity and computer devices (3.29 and 2.97 ACC/100 cm respectively). A nurses' station keyboard had high mean ACC/100 cm counts (10.67) and diversity, while laundry controls had high mean ACC/100 cm counts (4.70) and low diversity. Micrococcus luteus was identified in all sampling groups. Clinical staff usage sites were contaminated with similar proportions of skin and environmental flora (52.19-46.59% respectively), but sites associated with parental activities were predominantly contaminated by environmental microflora (86.53%).
CONCLUSION
The trends observed suggest patterns in microbial loading based on site activities, surface types and user groups. Improved understanding of environmental surface contamination could help support results interpretation and IPC interventions, improving patient safety.
Topics: Humans; Environmental Microbiology; Bone Marrow Transplantation; Bacteria; Colony Count, Microbial; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Child; DNA, Ribosomal
PubMed: 38621514
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.03.015 -
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences May 2024Camels are highly suited for severe desert conditions and able to provide most of the natural products like urine, which has been used as alternative medicine to treat... (Review)
Review
Camels are highly suited for severe desert conditions and able to provide most of the natural products like urine, which has been used as alternative medicine to treat diverse infections and disorders. There is, however, a shortage and paucity of scientific reviews highlighting the antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects of camel urine. By better understanding its antimicrobial characteristics, our overarching aim is to provide an exhaustive overview of this valuable natural product by synthesizing and summarizing data on the efficacy of this biofluid and also describing the potential substances exhibiting antimicrobial properties. We searched three databases in order to point out relevant articles (Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar) until December 2022. Research articles of interest evaluating the antimicrobial effects of camel urine were selected. Overall, camel urine furnished promising antibacterial activities against gram-positive bacteria, namely (30 mm), (22 mm), (25 mm) and (21 mm), as well as gram-negative bacteria, especially and spp., without forgetting its efficiency on as well. The excretion also showed its potency against H1N1 virus, vesicular stomatitis virus and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Similarly, the camel urine featured strong antifungal activity against and dermatophytes with a minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.625 μg/ml against , 2.5 μg/ml against and 1.25 μg/ml against and . This comprehensive review will be valuable for researchers interested in investigating the potential of camel urine in the development of novel broad-spectrum key molecules targeting a wide range of drug-resistant pathogenic microorganisms.
PubMed: 38495380
DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2024.103966 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research May 2024To evaluate the prevalence of oral bacteria in the conjunctiva of brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence of oral bacteria in the conjunctiva of brachycephalic and nonbrachycephalic dogs.
ANIMALS
12 brachycephalic (9.58 ± 3.55 years) and 12 nonbrachycephalic (8.33 ± 4.92 years) dogs without systemic disease, regardless of breed and sex, were included in the study, and half of the dogs in each group had periodontitis.
METHODS
This prospective study investigated clinical data including craniofacial ratio, ophthalmic examination results, and periodontal status of the included dogs. Bacterial samples were collected by swabbing the oral mucosa and conjunctival surfaces. The presence and quantity of bacteria were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, and the 10-fold dilution method. Statistical analyses were performed to assess correlations and factors influencing the presence of oral bacteria in the conjunctiva.
RESULTS
The most common bacteria in the conjunctival flora in both groups were Micrococcus luteus, Corynebacterium spp, and Staphylococcus spp. The prevalence of oral bacteria on the conjunctival surface was 33%, with a significantly higher incidence in brachycephalic dogs (P = .027). Oral bacteria detected in the conjunctiva were predominantly Frederiksenia canicola, Neisseria spp, and Moraxella spp. Multiple regression analysis identified age, craniofacial ratio, and gingival index as factors influencing the presence of oral bacteria in the conjunctival flora.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Oral resident bacteria have often been isolated from severe infectious corneal ulcers. This study provided evidence that brachycephalic dogs may require dental prophylaxis to reduce their oral bacterial load and that the association of oral bacteria in ocular diseases should be considered.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Conjunctiva; Female; Male; Dog Diseases; Prospective Studies; Craniosynostoses; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Mouth; Bacteria
PubMed: 38422613
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.11.0260 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2024The genus Psidium, belonging to the family Myrtaceae, encompasses several plant species rich in essential oils. Several studies involving different research areas have...
The genus Psidium, belonging to the family Myrtaceae, encompasses several plant species rich in essential oils. Several studies involving different research areas have shown promising results for essential oils, which has attracted interest from diverse sectors, including pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of the essential oil extracted from Psidium bahianum leaves (EOPb) collected in an Atlantic Forest remnant in the northern coast of the state of Bahia, Brazil. EOPb was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed through proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). The free radical scavenging activity was assessed using the DPPH methodology (analyzing the scavenging of the stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). Antimicrobial disk diffusion assays were conducted; toxicity was determined through assays on sheep erythrocytes and Artemia salina. 1H-NMR evaluation showed the presence mainly of monoterpenes and sesquisterpenes. The percentage of antioxidant activity was 18.03±2.53 53 for 125 125 µg mL-1. Antimicrobial assays showed that the essential oil at a concentration of 10 mg mL-1 inhibited the growth of the microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and C. glabrata. The toxicity results indicated that concentrations of EOPb at 10, 100, 250, and 500 µg mL-1 were not toxic to sheep erythrocytes. The toxicity assay on A. salina showed that the lethal concentration for 50% of individuals (LC50) within 24 and 48 hours were 371.48 and 302 µg mL-1 of EOPb, respectively, which were considered moderately toxic, whereas the LC50 within 72 horas was 33.11 µg mL-1, considered highly toxic. These findings are promising, as the essential oil from P. bahianum leaves showed antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The data obtained for the essential oil toxicity in A. salina could be tested on different tumor cell lines.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Sheep; Oils, Volatile; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Psidium; Myrtaceae; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Antioxidants; Free Radicals; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 38422301
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.28048