Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease in which dysbiosis of gut and skin microbiota contributes to pathogenesis and severity. Washed microbiota transplantation (WMT)-an improved form of fecal microbiota transplantation with enhanced safety and microbiota quality control-has shown efficacy in a single reported adolescent case. However, clinical data on WMT in AD and its effects on the skin and gut microbiota remain limited. Twenty-three patients with moderate-to-severe AD received at least two courses of WMT between January 2022 and December 2023. Disease activity was evaluated using the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for itch, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Peripheral blood counts, cytokine profiles, lymphocyte subsets, and gut and skin microbiota were assessed before and after treatment. WMT was well tolerated (58 sessions; 5.2% mild adverse events) and significantly improved SCORAD, EASI, DLQI, and NRS scores, with greater EASI reductions in adults than in children. Absolute basophil counts decreased significantly after treatment, whereas other hematologic and cytokine parameters remained stable. Gut microbiota showed an increased Gut Microbiome Health Index, a decreased Microbial Dysbiosis Index, and enrichment of short-chain fatty acid-producing taxa, including the Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group, Lachnospiraceae, and Coprococcus. Skin microbiota shifted from Staphylococcus dominance to higher abundances of Acinetobacter, Perlucidibaca, and other potentially protective genera, inversely correlating with disease severity and systemic inflammation. WMT appears safe and effective in alleviating clinical manifestations of AD while reshaping both gut and skin microbiota. These parallel microbial shifts support the gut-skin axis as a therapeutic target and highlight WMT as a promising microbiota-centered intervention for immune-mediated skin diseases.

M. abscessus (Mabs) is one of the principal pathogenic strains among nontuberculous mycobacterial. Mabs infections pose a significant global public health challenge, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. However, a standard treatment regimen has not yet been established. The goal of this study was to provide clear insights into constructing regimens. We evaluated the efficacy of 7 clinically available drugs against Mabs under various environments through microplate alamar blue assay (MABA), biofilm assays, Wayne model and nutrient-starvation model. The checkerboard assay was employed to assess drug-drug interactions. Finally, we assessed the efficacy, degree of organ damage, and prevalence of resistant strains associated with different triple-drug combinations in a BALB/c mouse model. Bedaquiline (BDQ) was active against replicating and nonreplicating planktonic bacteria. Moxifloxacin (MFX) was potent in preventing biofilm formation and inhibiting the viability of biofilm-resident bacteria. ABM (Azithromycin-Bedaquiline-Moxifloxacin) and CBM (Clofazimine-Bedaquiline-Moxifloxacin) combinations were effective in bacillary load reduction and organ injury alleviation in BALB/c mouse model. ABM and CBM regimens show great promise against Mabs in vivo. We strongly recommend carrying out additional clinical trials to explore their efficacy.

Fruit juice is a rich source of vitamins, dietary fiber, and polyphenols; however, it also contains high concentrations of free sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Excessive consumption of these sugars negatively affects human health. For example, high fructose consumption is regarded as a contributing factor to metabolic syndrome. Therefore, various methods have been explored to reduce free sugar content in fruit juice, among which microbial fermentation is a promising approach due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. In this study, we investigated the reduction of free sugars in apple and orange juices through fermentation using fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) which possess a unique ability to preferentially utilize fructose over glucose as a carbon source. Ten FLAB strains and five lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were used. Apple and orange juices were fermented by each strain at 37°C for 18h. The concentrations of glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mannitol in the fermented juices were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Based on the sugar reduction performance, Apilactobacillus kunkeei was selected for further evaluation under high osmotic pressure and low pH conditions. FLAB strains reduced glucose and fructose levels more effectively than the other LAB strains. Notably, A. kunkeei and Apilactobacillus zhangqiuensis markedly reduced not only glucose and fructose but also sucrose levels compared with other Apilactobacillus species. The total free sugar reduction rate by these two strains exceeded 40% in apple juice and 50% in orange juice. Furthermore, A. kunkeei retained its sugar-reducing ability under low pH (pH 4.0) and high osmotic pressure (40° Brix) conditions. This study demonstrates that FLAB, especially A. kunkeei, are capable of efficiently reducing free sugars, i.e. glucose, fructose, and sucrose, in apple and orange juices. The sugar-reducing activity of A. kunkeei remains effective even under acidic conditions and high osmotic pressure. These characteristics suggest that fermentation with A. kunkeei is a promising approach for reducing the free sugar content in fruit juices.

Antibiotic-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) poses a serious global public health threat. However, research on the resistance mechanisms and accompanying phenotypic changes in carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent KP (CR-hvKP) under antibiotic treatment remains limited. This study aims to investigate the resistance mechanisms of CR-hvKP to ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) and its concomitant phenotypic shifts, employing an in vitro induction assay. Six ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI)-susceptible CR-hvKP clinical isolates were subjected to in-vitro resistance induction. We used pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, whole-genome sequencing, biofilm formation, a Galleria mellonella infection model, and in-vitro competitive growth assays to characterize the virulence and adaptive changes of the isolates. CAZ-AVI-resistant CR-hvKP demonstrated enhanced biofilm formation capacity, but the G. mellonella infection model indicated a decrease in virulence of the drug-resistant strain. While resistant strains exhibited diminished competitive fitness in vitro, growth curves did not differ significantly. Genomic characterization identified both resistant and susceptible isolates as ST11, with resistant isolates exhibiting an expanded resistance gene profile, primarily involving KPC-2 variants. All strains carried typical virulence determinants, including iroE (a glycosidase gene within the salmochelin siderophore system), iucABCD (the aerobactin biosynthesis operon), and iutA (the gene encoding the outer membrane receptor for ferric-aerobactin). CAZ-AVI resistance acquisition in CR-hvKP primarily occurs through KPC-2 mutations. Strains harboring such mutations exhibit enhanced biofilm formation capacity but attenuated virulence and competitiveness. Research into these adaptive changes will facilitate the development of improved clinical strategies for the treatment and control of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae.

In recent years, the inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to the widespread emergence of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-K. pneumoniae), resulting in infections that are increasingly challenging to manage clinically. Bacteriophages (phages) are emerging as promising alternatives to antibiotics. This study aimed to isolate and characterize lytic phages targeting MDR-K. pneumoniae, providing biological resources and experimental data for phage-based control of MDR-K. pneumoniae infections. A lytic phage, designated vB_KpnA_Pkp-1 (Pkp-1), was successfully isolated. TEM revealed that Pkp-1 belongs to the Caudoviricetes class, featuring an icosahedral head (62 ± 2nm) and a short tail (17 ± 1nm), with plaques displaying clear centers and translucent halos. Pkp-1 exhibited strict specificity for porcine-derived ST967 K. pneumoniae isolates. Its optimal MOI was 0.00001, with a latent period of 25min and a burst size of 108 PFU/cell. Pkp-1 demonstrated high stability at 40°C-60°C and pH 4.0-11.0, effectively inhibiting planktonic bacteria and suppressing/eradicating biofilms. Genomic analysis revealed a 38,455bp dsDNA genome with 48 open reading frames (ORFs), functions of 30 proteins were predicted (e.g., DNA polymerase, tail fiber), while the remaining 18 proteins were annotated as hypothetical. Genomic analysis confirmed the absence of virulence, lysogeny-related, and antibiotic resistance genes. Pkp-1 shared high identity with phages phi1_146013 (98.71%) and P7124 (97.25%). Recombination analysis revealed 19 recombination events, with two specifically located within the tail protein gene. Notably, this tail protein gene exhibits significant divergence from those of other classified Kayfunavirus phages. The lytic phage Pkp-1 represents a novel recombinant chimera within the Kayfunavirus genus, characterized by rapid replication, strict host specificity, environmental resilience, potent bactericidal activity, and biofilm clearance capability. The significant divergence of its tail protein from other Kayfunavirus phages suggests unique adaptive evolution. It represents a novel recombinant chimeric phage of the genus Kayfunavirus, with multiple recombination events in its genome. Its tail protein exhibits significant differences from those of other phages in the genus Kayfunavirus, indicating that it possesses adaptive evolutionary characteristics. These attributes position Pkp-1 as a potential biocontrol agent against MDR-K. pneumoniae infections, particularly in livestock and clinical settings. Further studies on in vivo efficacy and safety are warranted.

Asthma prevalence has been increasing, particularly among children and in populations transitioning to Western lifestyle. According to the hygiene hypothesis, early-life exposure to microorganisms may protect against asthma and other allergic conditions. Previous studies demonstrated that Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG A-905 reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness, airway and lung inflammation, and restore IL-10 and IFN-γ. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate the potential pathways by which S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 modulates asthma. Wild-type and Il17a⁻/⁻ mice were treated daily with live yeast or its supernatant (postbiotic) by oral gavage, starting ten days before OVA sensitization and maintained during sensitization and challenge. Control groups received saline. Lung tissues were analyzed by flow cytometry to assess dendritic cells and regulatory T cells. Gene expression of TLR-9, NLRP3, Dectin-1, and Mincle was quantified by qPCR. Short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids were measured in feces using gas chromatography, while gut cytokine were evaluated by ELISA. Treatment with S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 led to an increase in CD11c⁺MHCII⁺CD11b⁺CD103⁻ dendritic cells, regulatory T cells (CD4⁺CD25⁺FOXP3⁺), and NLRP3 gene expression in the lung, and the fecal levels of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid. Neither gut cytokines nor OVA specific IgE were affected, and the supernatant did not significantly alter cell counts. The beneficial effects were partially dependent on IL-17A. The effects observed with S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 correlated with modulation of Th17, dendritic-cell and regulatory T-cell responses, upregulation of NLRP3, and increased fatty acid production, suggesting gut-lung axis involvement.

Optimizing the silage processing technology for mulberry is essential to improve the utilization efficiency of this feed resource. This study investigated the effects of a wilting pretreatment and silage additives on fermentation dynamics, microbial community structure, metabolites, and in situ ruminal degradation characteristics of whole-plant mulberry silage. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two conditions (62% vs. 73% moisture content) and three silage additives (control, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), and organic acids (OA)) was applied in a completely randomized design with 6 replications. All samples were ensiled for 60 days before analysis. The wilting procedure increased lactic acid and crude protein (CP) contents while lowering pH (P < 0.05). Both OA and LP additive treatments reduced pH and increased CP content in mulberry silage (P < 0.05). The LP treatment specifically reduced ammonia nitrogen and pH and improved lactic acid content (P < 0.05). The interaction between wilting and additive led to decreases in acetic acid and neutral detergent fiber contents (P < 0.05). 16S rRNA sequence revealed that LP inoculation enriched the relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus while suppressing that of Enterococcus (P < 0.05). Lactiplantibacillus abundance was positively correlated with contents of lactic acid, CP, and beneficial metabolites L-arginine and salicin (P < 0.05). These two differential metabolites were enriched in phosphotransferase system and arginine biosynthesis pathways (P < 0.05). The in situ ruminal study further confirmed that wilting improved DM digestibility while reducing methane and ammonia nitrogen concentration. The LP treatment also reduced ruminal ammonia nitrogen level (P < 0.05). The combined application of a wilting pretreatment and LP inoculant presents a validated and effective approach to comprehensively improve the fermentation quality and nutritive value of mulberry silage.

During the fermentation of cigar tobacco leaves, cross-kingdom interactions between fungal and bacterial communities collectively regulate the formation of flavor compounds and reduce the content of irritating compounds. However, the interaction mechanisms among key microbial taxa and their regulatory effects on flavor metabolism remain poorly understood. There is an urgent need to elucidate the synergistic patterns of core microorganisms during this fermentation process, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the targeted improvement of tobacco leaf quality. This study utilized the cigar tobacco variety QX103 to systematically determine the conventional chemical components throughout its fermentation stages, analyze the microbial community structure on the leaf surface via high-throughput sequencing, and investigate microbial interactions using multi-omics approaches. This study identified Aspergillus (fungi) and Pseudomonas (bacteria) as the key microbial taxa critical for enhancing the fermentation quality of the wrapper tobacco QX103. Community diversity analysis revealed that the α-diversity of these two microbial groups increased during the initial fermentation stage but decreased after the mid-phase. Meanwhile, shifts in β-diversity indicated that bacterial community restructuring occurred earlier than fungal succession. Based on time-series analysis of Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, the fermentation process was clearly delineated into three dynamic phases: a rapid change phase (T1-T3), a slow change phase (T3-T5), and a stable phase (T5-T7). Network analysis further revealed a strong positive correlation between Proteobacteria and Ascomycota, wherein Pseudomonas and Aspergillus, as functional hubs, collaboratively maintained the stability of the fermentation ecosystem. Their synergistic metabolism may potentially contribute to nicotine degradation and the formation of volatile compounds, which are known to influence sensory attributes in fermented tobacco. This study reveals the pivotal role of the cross-kingdom microbial interaction network during cigar tobacco leaf fermentation. It elucidates the microbial regulatory principles governing the fermentation quality of QX103, thereby providing a novel strategy for constructing functional microbial consortia to achieve targeted regulation of cigar flavor.

Diet regulates the gut microbiota, which in turn affects animal performance, but how diet shapes the animal performance and gut microbiota remains largely unknown. To fill this gap, the author conducted a comprehensive study of the influence of total mixed ration (TMR) or fermented TMR (FTMR) on the animal performance and gut microbiome. Sixteen Simmental male cattle were randomly allocated to two treatments (one cattle per pen). The animals were fed with the TMR and FTMR diets respectively. The results showed that the contents of ADF, NDF, cellulose and total cellulose in the FTMR were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), the average daily weight gain of the Simmental male cattle shows an increasing trend (TMR: 0.31 vs. FTMR: 0.62), while no significant (p = 0.2382) difference was found between the two treatments. The metagenomics analysis showed significant (p < 0.05) difference in the α-diversity and β-diversity, and the dominant bacterial genera were Weissella, Lactiplantibacillus, Levilactobacillus and Companilactobacillus. The 16S rRNA sequencing indicated that a significant (p = 0.018) difference in the bacterial communities between the cattle fed with TMR or FTMR diet, while no significant (p < 0.05) differences were detected on the primary genus. It can be found that the FTMR diet increased the average daily gain of cattle by improving the chemical composition and microbial functional profile of the FTMR diet, and affected the growth performance of cattle.