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Bioresour Technol 2021 Mar 29;332:125074. Epub 2021 Mar 29.

Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China.

Interspecies electron transfer (IET) between syntrophic fatty-acid oxidizing bacteria (SFOBs) and methanogens decided the performance of anaerobic digestion. Electron shuttles, as potential IET accelerators, were controversial concerning their influences on methanogenesis. In this study, concentration-dependent effects of anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQS) and cysteine on glucose digestion were firstly demonstrated: low dosage of AQS and cysteine (50 and 100 µM, respectively) had highest methane yield (133. Read More

Environ Pollut 2021 Mar 31;282:117039. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China. Electronic address:

Various microplastics (MPs) are found in the environment and organisms. MP residues in organisms can affect health; however, their impacts on metabolism in aquatic organisms remain unclear. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to polyethylene MPs with sizes ranging from 1 to 4 μm at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 μg/L for 7 days. Read More

Waste Manag 2021 Apr 7;126:466-475. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of All Material Fluxes in River Ecosystems, Peking University, Beijing 100871, PR China. Electronic address:

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) become concerned pollutants in landfill gases, and their composition and concentration varied significantly during waste decomposition. Many environmental factors are known to affect VOC emissions, while the effect of indigenous bacteria in wastes on VOC production remains elusive. In this study, a simplified anaerobic degradation experiment, with the single substrate and the purified bacteria from a landfill, was set up to measure the degradation process and the dynamic changes of VOCs. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2021 Apr 7:102286. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Fellowship in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address:

Background: In this study, the ability of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as a treatment approach and adjuvant therapy using Curcumin-Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) nanoparticles (Cur@PLGA-NPs) to inactivate Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in plasma was investigated. Furthermore, to verify whether the quality requirement of aPDT-treated plasma is acceptable, the differences of the levels of clotting factors, total plasma proteins, and anti-A and/or anti-B antibodies titrations in plasma of patient before and after aPDT treatment were investigated.

Materials And Methods: Cur@PLGA-NPs was synthesized using Electrospinning process and characterized by different analysis including Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy assays. Read More

Int J Biol Macromol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Organic Nanomaterials Lab, Department of Chemistry, Hannam University, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

A green and scalable approach for the preparation of few-layered graphene utilizing the biowaste of potato peels has been developed. The potato peels have been dried and carbonized to obtain a new graphite structure that has been exfoliated in N-methylene phosphonic acid chitosan (MPC). The exfoliation process assisted the formation of graphene sheets with a high size diameter and quality of 50% based on the weight of graphite structure. Read More

J Biotechnol 2021 Apr 7. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Biology Department, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30302-4010, USA. Electronic address:

Plastic waste can serve as a feedstock for microbial bioconversion using a chemical/biological hybrid strategy. We developed a polypropylene (PP) upcycling process that coupled pyrolysis with bioconversion by the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Using virgin PP, we optimized pH, inoculum density, C/N ratio, and osmolarity and increased the fatty acid titer nearly four-fold to 1. Read More

Med Mycol 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Microbiology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan.

Prototheca spp. are achlorophyllous algae, ubiquitous in nature. An increasing number of human and animal cases of Prototheca infection (protothecosis) are reported, and antifungal azoles, which inhibit sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51/ERG11) involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, have empirically been used for the treatment of protothecosis. Read More

Braz J Microbiol 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Beijing Key Laboratory of Seed Disease Testing and Control, Department of Plant Pathology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, People's Republic of China.

Guanosine 5'-diphosphate-3'-diphosphate (ppGpp) is a small molecule nucleotide alarmone that can accumulate under the amino acid starvation state and trigger the stringent response. This study reported the extraction of ppGpp from the Gram-positive bacteria Clavibacter michiganensis through methods using formic acid, lysozyme, or methanol. Following extraction, ppGpp was detected through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Read More

Amino Acids 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Faculty of Chemistry, University of Opole, 45-052, Opole, Poland.

Post-translational modified thiazole-amino acid (Xaa-Tzl) residues have been found in macrocyclic peptides (e.g., thiopeptides and cyanobactins), which mostly inhibit protein synthesis in Gram + bacteria. Read More

Curr Microbiol 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran.

One of the mechanisms of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is the production of β-lactamase enzymes. Among these are the AmpC β-lactamases, which confer resistance to a class of antibiotics. However, little is known about the AmpC β-lactamases of K. Read More

J Biol Chem 2021 Jan 8;296:100257. Epub 2021 Jan 8.

Global Health Drug Discovery Institute, Haidian, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains the deadliest pathogenic bacteria worldwide. The search for new antibiotics to treat drug-sensitive as well as drug-resistant tuberculosis has become a priority. The essential enzyme phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (PheRS) is an antibacterial drug target because of the large differences between bacterial and human PheRS counterparts. Read More

Phytochem Anal 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Introduction: Syringa pubescens Turcz. was reported to be abundant in the Funiu Mountains of Henan Province and can be used to treat hepatitis and cirrhosis. In order to develop and utilise the resource, a fast and simple technique to extract bioactive compounds is needed. Read More

Allergy 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Federal Medico-biological Agency of Russia.

Background: First vaccines for prevention of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are becoming available but there is a huge and unmet need for specific forms of treatment. In this study we aimed to evaluate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect of siRNA both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: To identify the mosteffective molecule out of a panel of 15 in silico designed siRNAs, an in vitro screening system based on vectors expressing SARS-CoV-2 genes fused with the firefly luciferase reporter gene and SARS-CoV-2-infected cells was used. Read More

Odontology 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Functional Occlusal Treatment, The Nippon Dental University Graduate School of Life Dentistry At Niigata, 1-8 Hamaura-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata-shi, Niigata, 951-8580, Japan.

Photocatalysts have attracted attention in the medical field for their antibacterial effects. However, typical photocatalysts are activated by ultraviolet rays, which may have adverse effects. Therefore, we focused on a new photocatalyst that is activated by visible light, hydroxyapatite (HAp), and amino acid complex with gray titania, and evaluated its antibacterial effects against Porphyromonas gingivalis and effect by toothbrushing. Read More

Appl Environ Microbiol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Food, Nutrition and Health Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada

Rapid identification of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles and mechanisms is critical for clinical management and drug development. However, the current AMR detection approaches take up to 48 h to obtain a result. Here we demonstrate a Raman spectroscopy-based metabolomic approach to rapidly determine the AMR profile of , a major cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Read More

Appl Environ Microbiol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA

The biosynthesis and incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into phospholipid membranes is a unique feature of certain marine Gammaproteobacteria inhabiting high-pressure and/or low temperature environments. In these bacteria, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids are produced via the classical dissociated Type II fatty acid synthase mechanism, while omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA (20:53) and DHA (22:63) are produced by a hybrid polyketide/fatty acid synthase - encoded by the genes - also referred to as the secondary lipid synthase mechanism. In this work, phenotypes associated with partial or complete loss of monounsaturated biosynthesis are shown to be compensated for by several-fold increased production of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the model marine bacterium SS9. Read More

Surgeon 2021 Apr 6. Epub 2021 Apr 6.

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Turkey. Electronic address:

Background: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a disease of unknown etiology, involving a chronic inflammatory process, characterized by noncaseating granuloma formation. IGM can mimic a tumor clinically and radiologically. Since we are a tertiary referral center, most of our patients (n = 56, 87. Read More

J Dermatol Sci 2021 Mar 26. Epub 2021 Mar 26.

Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan; Laboratory of Statistical Immunology, Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Japan; Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease for which the crosstalk between genetic and environmental factors is responsible. To date, no definitive diagnostic criteria for psoriasis yet, and specific biomarkers are required.

Objective: We performed metabolome analysis to identify metabolite biomarkers of psoriasis and its subtypes such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and cutaneous psoriasis (PsC). Read More

Biotechnol Biofuels 2021 Apr 9;14(1):92. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Botany and Microbiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 31, 3001, Leuven-Heverlee, Flanders, Belgium.

Background: Presence of inhibitory chemicals in lignocellulose hydrolysates is a major hurdle for production of second-generation bioethanol. Especially cheaper pre-treatment methods that ensure an economical viable production process generate high levels of these inhibitory chemicals. The effect of several of these inhibitors has been extensively studied with non-xylose-fermenting laboratory strains, in synthetic media, and usually as single inhibitors, or with inhibitor concentrations much higher than those found in lignocellulose hydrolysates. Read More

BMC Complement Med Ther 2021 Apr 9;21(1):116. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Biotechnology, National College, Tribhuvan University, Naya Bazar, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Background: A biofilm is an extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) composed of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that impede antibiotics and immune cells, thus providing a shielded environment for bacterial growth. Due to biofilm formation, some microbes can show up to 1000 fold increased resistance towards the antibiotics than the normal planktonic forms. The study was conducted to screen the crude extracts of medicinal plants used in Nepal for their in vitro antibiofilm activities. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021 Mar;118(11)

Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037;

Gram-positive bacteria assemble a multilayered cell wall that provides tensile strength to the cell. The cell wall is composed of glycan strands cross-linked by nonribosomally synthesized peptide stems. Herein, we modify the peptide stems of the Gram-positive bacterium with noncanonical electrophilic d-amino acids, which when in proximity to adjacent stem peptides form novel covalent 5,3-cross-links. Read More

Int J Food Microbiol 2021 Mar 31;347:109190. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China. Electronic address:

Previous researchers have shown the potential of sourdough and isolated lactic acid bacteria in reducing wheat allergens. As the interactions of lactic acid bacteria with yeast is a key event in sourdough fermentation, we wished to investigate how yeast affects metabolism of lactic acid bacteria, thereby affecting protein degradation and antigenic response. In this study, three strains isolated from sourdough were selected for dough fermentation, namely Pediococcus acidilactici XZ31, Saccharomyces cerevisiae JM1 and Torulaspora delbrueckii JM4. Read More

Carbohydr Res 2021 Apr 2;503:108299. Epub 2021 Apr 2.

Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Analytical Science of Food Safety and Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Analysis and Detection for Food Safety, Eel Farming and Processing, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350108, PR China. Electronic address:

Abuse of antibiotics makes antibiotic-resistance become a huge challenge in bacterial infection treatment. The discovery of new antibiotics is of great significance to human health. In this study, the antibacterial mechanism of Sparassis crispa polysaccharides (SCPs) was explored. Read More

Nucleic Acids Res 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Retroviral RNA genome (gRNA) harbors cis-acting sequences that facilitate its specific packaging from a pool of other viral and cellular RNAs by binding with high-affinity to the viral Gag protein during virus assembly. However, the molecular intricacies involved during selective gRNA packaging are poorly understood. Binding and footprinting assays on mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) gRNA with purified Pr77Gag along with in cell gRNA packaging study identified two Pr77Gag binding sites constituting critical, non-redundant packaging signals. Read More

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2021 Apr;71(4)

Medical Laser Research Center, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea.

Soybean pods, separated and enclosed from the outside environment, are considered a suitable place to find new microbes. A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic bacterium, bacterial strain (YB22) was isolated from the pod of (soybean) collected from a rural area in Republic of Korea and characterized by using polyphasic taxonomy. Cells of the strain were rod-shaped (approximately 0. Read More

Mycopathologia 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.

Treating fungal infections is challenging and frequently requires long-term courses of antifungal drugs. Considering the limited number of existing antifungal drugs, it is crucial to evaluate the possibility of repositioning drugs with antifungal properties and to revisit older antifungals for applications in combined therapy, which could widen the range of therapeutic possibilities. Undecanoic acid is a saturated medium-chain fatty acid with known antifungal effects; however, its antifungal properties have not been extensively explored. Read More

Arch Microbiol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Culture Collection and Application, State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology Southern China, Guangdong Open Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Guangdong Microbial Culture Collection Center (GDMCC), Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510070, People's Republic of China.

The two novel bacterial strains designated 1Y17 and 4Y10 from aquaculture water were characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strains 1Y17 and 4Y10 belonged to the genus Inhella and were close to Inhella crocodyli CCP-18, Inhella inkyongensis IMCC1713 and Inhella fonticola TNR-25. Strains 1Y17 and 4Y10 shared 98. Read More

Int J Food Sci 2021 23;2021:5580976. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Food Science and Technology, Science Division, International College, Mahidol University, Buddhamonthon 4 Rd, Nakhonpathom, Salaya 73170, Thailand.

This research investigated the microbial quality and the protein contents of Thai commercial frozen products of silkworm (), bamboo caterpillar (), and field cricket (). Total mesophilic aerobic counts were about 8-8.4 log cfu/g, while lactic acid bacteria numbers were up to 5. Read More

Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021 23;9:642671. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Sustainable Food Processing Laboratory, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Microalgae are emerging as a next-generation biotechnological production system in the pharmaceutical, biofuel, and food domain. The economization of microalgal biorefineries remains a main target, where culture contamination and prokaryotic upsurge are main bottlenecks to impair culture stability, reproducibility, and consequently productivity. Automated online flow cytometry (FCM) is gaining momentum as bioprocess optimization tool, as it allows for spatial and temporal landscaping, real-time investigations of rapid microbial processes, and the assessment of intrinsic cell features. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2021 25;2021:6634821. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

National Engineering Laboratory of Biological Feed Safety and Pollution Prevention and Control, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

Bacterial infections are among the major factors that cause stress and intestinal diseases in piglets. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of the Gram-negative bacteria outer membrane, is commonly employed for inducing an immune response in normal organisms for convenience. The association between LPS stimulation and gut immunity has been reported. Read More