Pathogenic Ones Research Articles

Indicators of support-spring properties of the foot of schoolchildren with sensory deprivation in the process of adaptive physical education

Based on the data of scientific and methodological work, it was determined that the musculoskeletal system of a person has many functions, the starting points of which are the provision of support, protection and body movements. The foot is the source of upright walking of human organs. In the conditions of natural locomotion, it is the foot that performs not only the function of support, but also organizes the interaction of the human body with the support surface. It is known that the process of development of the musculoskeletal system of schoolchildren occurs under the influence of various factors, including pathogenic ones. As a result, the musculoskeletal system undergoes certain changes, including pathological ones. The purpose of the article is to analyze the morphological features of 7- year-old schoolchildren with sensory deprivation in the process of adaptive physical education, as a prerequisite for the development of a technology for the formation of statodynamic stability. The study found an increase in the number of schoolchildren with sensory deprivation who were diagnosed with postural disorders. It is possible to note the prevalence of stooping in this contingent. In the formation of the support-spring function of the foot of schoolchildren, there is a complex dynamic of the formation of their lower limbs.

Novel triazole-nucleoside hybrids as potential antimicrobial agents: Design, synthesis, and molecular docking

Despite decoding many important genes in the formation of microbes, particularly pathogenic and mutant ones that lead to resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, this opens the door to discovering new antimicrobial compounds, whether synthetic or natural in origin. A new set of nucleoside-triazole hybrids was created to provide a more effective topoisomerase II for microbial therapy. All freshly synthesized compounds' structures were confirmed using spectral data and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized compounds were docked to the area of topoisomerase II's active site; compounds 3, 7, 15, 18, and 19 exhibited distinct hydrogen bonding formation and pi-pi interactions. The results of testing every compound against six different microbial strains were expressed as the width of the inhibitory zone.Except for Aspergillus Niger, most of the synthetic compounds inhibit all bacteria. Compounds 15 and 19 had the lowest MIC values (1.95, 3.9 µg/mL against B. subtills and 1.95, 3.9 µg/mL against S. aureus). Nucleoside 15 had MBC values between 3.9 and B. subtills. The in-vitro topoisomerase II enzyme assay revealed that compounds 3, 15, 18, and 19 had IC50 values of 0.17, 0.05, 0.13, and 0.08 µmol/mL, respectively. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was utilized to assess morphological changes on the bacterial surface following treatment with nucleoside 15. It was discovered that nucleoside 15 induced substantial cell wall weakening, which exacerbated cell membrane rupture.

Xylooligosaccharides alleviate the carbohydrate-enriched diet-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction in carp Megalobrama amblycephala by promoting intestinal development, immunity and gut microbiota

To date, although the high-carbohydrate (HC) feed has been extensively adopted in the aquaculture industry, its effects on the intestinal function and development of aquatic animals still remain unclear. In addition, the corresponding nutritional intervention is still barely reported. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of xylooligosaccharides (XOS) on the intestinal health of Megalobrama amblycephala subjected to a HC feeding. Fish (average weight: 44.55 ± 0.15 g) were randomly offered 3 diets, including a control one (29 % carbohydrate), a HC one (41 % carbohydrate), and a XOS supplemented one (HC + 1.0 % XOS, HCX) respectively for 12 weeks. The HC feeding caused morphological abnormalities of intestine, an increased intestinal permeability, and the intestinal immunosuppression, all of which were markedly reversed by XOS administration. In addition, compared with the HC group, HCX feeding remarkably promoted the intestinal activities of digestive and brush border enzymes, and the expressions of cell proliferation-related proteins (Wnt10b and Cyclin D1). The 16s rDNA sequencing also revealed that XOS administration increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, and decreased that of pathogenic ones. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of XOS improved the intestinal histomorphology, barrier function, cell proliferation and bacterial communities of carbohydrate-overloaded fish Megalobrama amblycephala.

Saffron as a Promising Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory illness of the gastrointestinal tract (GI), characterized by recurrent episodes of inflammation and tissue destruction. It affects an increasing number of individuals worldwide who suffer from Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Despite substantial advances in understanding the underlying causes of IBD, the available treatments remain restricted and are sometimes accompanied by severe consequences. Consequently, there is an urgent need to study alternate therapeutic options. This review assesses the present drugs, identifies their limitations, and proposes the use of saffron, a natural plant with great therapeutic potential based on preclinical and clinical investigations. Saffron has gained attention for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating various ailments due to its established bioactive compounds possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This review covers how saffron impacts the levels of calprotectin, an inflammatory marker, for various inflammatory responses in multiple diseases including IBD. Data from clinical trials were assessed to determine the efficacy and safety of using saffron to counter inflammation in multiple diseases. Studies have shown that saffron may protect against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through several mechanisms by inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6), reducing oxidative stress through antioxidant effects, enhancing mucosal barrier function by upregulating tight junction proteins, and modulating the gut microbiota composition to promote beneficial bacteria while suppressing pathogenic ones; these combined actions contribute to its therapeutic potential in managing and alleviating the symptoms of IBD. This will enable future research endeavors and expedite the translation of saffron-based interventions into clinical practice as a valuable adjunctive therapy or a potential alternative to conventional treatments, thereby enhancing the quality of life for individuals suffering from inflammatory diseases including IBD.

CYP17A1 Pathogenic Variants in 26 Chinese Patients with 17α-Hydroxylase Deficiency by Targeted Long-read Sequencing.

17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase deficiency (17-OHD) is a rare subtype of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic variants in the CYP17A1 gene. This study aimed to identify and characterize pathogenic variants in individuals with 17-OHD, and to classify and validate the pathogenicity of novel variants. Variants were identified via targeted long-read sequencing (TLRS) of the entire CYP17A1 gene in enrolled 17-OHD patients. The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines were employed to assess the pathogenicity of novel variants. A minigene splicing assay was utilized to determine the impact of variants on RNA splicing. This study encompassed 26 patients with 17-OHD, detecting two trans pathogenic variants per patient using the TLRS method. A total of 20 pathogenic variants in the CYP17A1 were identified, with variant c.985_987delinsAA being the most frequent (28/52 alleles), followed by variant c.1459_1467del (4/52 alleles). Five novel variants including c.280T>C, c.470T>A, c.636_637del, c.866A>G, and c.1095del, were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic ones according to ACMG criteria. The minigene assay revealed c.866A>G in exon 5 causes a frameshift due to a 104 base pair deletion, while c.470T>A generates two transcripts, with vast majority spliced like the wild-type, and a small fraction lack 35 base pairs in the 5' flank of exon 3. The TLRS can determine the cis/trans orientation of two distant variants. Five novel pathogenic variants were reported, broadening the spectrum of CYP17A1 pathogenic variant. The variant c.866A>G, located deep in exon, affects gene function through mechanisms of aberrant splicing.

Биологическое загрязнение почв побочными продуктами животноводства

By-products of animal husbandry (BPAH) such as manure, manure effluents (ME) are widely used as organic fertilizers. The main disadvantage of the appropriate fertilizers is the high content of microorganisms (MO) untypical to uncontaminated natural environments, including pathogenic ones. Currently used natural methods of BPAH neutralization can significantly reduce the risks of transferring pathogenic and opportunistic MO into fertilized soil, but do not completely exclude them. The study examined the effects of long-term (more than 7 years) introduction of a neutralized liquid fraction (LF) of pork ME and cattle ME on the chemical composition and sanitary and hygienic condition of the soil of arable fields and wooded areas located at 500 m from the boundaries of the fields. Prolonged application of LF led to an increase in the content of organic matter, mobile phosphorus, potassium and sulfur, an increase in the amount of absorbed bases, a decrease in metabolic acidity in arable land compared with adjacent forest areas. However the sanitary condition of both arable land and adjacent territories deteriorated significantly. A significant increase in the total microbial number (TMN) was revealed in all soil samples in comparison to the normative indicators. Particularly high values of TMN were found in soil fertilized with cattle manure. The corresponding soil was characterized by the highest content of organic matter and neutral reactions of the environment, which provided favorable conditions for the active development of saprophytic microbiota. Fresh faecal contamination was detected in all selected soil samples. Soils are characterized as highly polluted. According to the indicators of the index Escherichia coli, Enterococcus and Clostridium perfringens, the soils of all studied sites are moderately dangerous. Higher values of the corresponding indices were found in arable land fertilized by the LF of pork farms and in the territories adjacent to arable land. In the course of sanitary and bacteriological studies, eggs of helminthes were not found in the soil.

Molecular Identification and Pathogenicity of Fusarium Species Associated with Wood Canker, Root and Basal Rot in Turkish Grapevine Nurseries.

Fusarium species are agriculturally important fungi with a broad host range and can be found as endophytic, pathogenic, or opportunistic parasites in many crop plants. This study aimed to identify Fusarium species in bare-rooted, dormant plants in Turkish grapevine nurseries using molecular identification methods and assess their pathogenicity. Asymptomatic dormant plants were sampled from grapevine nurseries (43) in different regions of the country, and fungi were isolated from plant roots and internal basal tissues. The Fusarium strains were identified by performing gene sequencing (TEF1-α, RPB2) and phylogenetic analyses. Pathogenicity tests were carried out by inoculating mycelial agar pieces of strains onto the stem or conidial suspensions into the rhizosphere of vines (1103 Paulsen rootstock). Laboratory tests revealed that Fusarium species were highly prevalent in Turkish grapevine nurseries (41 out of 43). Gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses unraveled that 12 Fusarium species (F. annulatum, F. brachygibbosum, F. clavum, F. curvatum, F. falciforme, F. fredkrugeri, F. glycines, F. nanum, F. nematophilum, F. nirenbergiae, F. solani, and Fusarium spp.) existed in the ready-to-sale plants. Some of these species (F. annulatum, F. curvatum and F. nirenbergiae) consistently caused wood necrosis of seedling stems, rotting of the basal zone and roots, and reduced root biomass. Although the other nine species also caused some root rot and root reduction, their virulence was not as severe as the pathogenic ones, and they were considered opportunistic parasites or endophytic species. This study suggests that Fusarium species might play an important role in root-basal rot, wood canker symptoms, and young vine decline in Turkish grapevine nurseries and that these species need to be considered for healthy seedling production.

Composition and Functional Properties of the Edible Spear and By-Products from Asparagus officinalis L. and Their Potential Prebiotic Effect.

Asparagus is a healthy food appreciated for its organoleptic characteristics, nutritional composition and physiological properties. During its industrial processing, a large amount of by-products are generated, since only the apical part of the vegetable is considered edible and a large amount of by-products are generated that could be of nutritional interest. Therefore, the nutritional composition of the edible part and the two by-products of the plant (root and stem) was evaluated, including dietary fiber, inulin, low-molecular-weight carbohydrates, low-molecular-weight polyphenols and macromolecular polyphenols. The hydration properties, oil retention capacity, glucose retardation index and impact on bacterial growth of both probiotic bacteria and pathogenic strains were determined. All samples were high in fiber (>22 g/100 g dw), fructans (>1.5 g/100 g dw) and polyphenolic compounds (>3 g/100 g dw) and had good water-, oil- and glucose-binding capacity. In addition, they promoted the growth of probiotic strains but not pathogenic ones. The effects were more pronounced in the spear by-product samples and appear to be related to the components of dietary fiber. The results indicate that edible spear has potential beneficial effects on host health and microbiota when ingested as part of a healthy diet, while the by-products could be used as supplements and/or as natural ingredients in fiber-enriched foods that require emulsification and are intended to achieve a prebiotic effect.

Exploring the modulatory effects of brown seaweed meal and extracts on intestinal microbiota and morphology of broiler chickens challenged with heat stress

Brown seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum) is known for its prebiotic roles and can improve animal intestinal health by enhancing the growth of beneficial microbes and inhibiting pathogenic ones. However, the gut health-modulatory roles of brown seaweed on chickens challenged with heat stress (HS) are rarely studied. The current study examined the effects of brown seaweed meal (SWM) and extract (SWE) on the ceca microbiota and small intestinal morphology of chickens challenged or unchallenged with HS. Three hundred and thirty-six 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to either a thermoneutral (TN; 24 ± 1°C); or HS room (HS; 32-34°C, 8 h/d from d 21 to 27). All birds in each room were randomly allotted to 4 treatments - control (CON), CON + 1 mL/L seaweed extract (SWE) in drinking water, CON + 2 mL/L SWE in drinking water, and CON + 2% seaweed meal (SWM) in feed and raised for 28 d. On d 14 and 28, 12 and 24 birds per treatment group, respectively, were euthanized to collect the ceca content for gut microbiota analysis and small intestinal tissues for morphological examination. On d 14, 2% SWM increased (P = 0.047) the relative abundance of cecal Fecalibacterium and all brown seaweed treatments improved jejunal villus height (VH) and VH:CD compared to the CON diet. On d 28, HS significantly reduced (P < 0.05) ileal VH, VW, and VH:CD, and duodenal VH and VH:CD. Among the HS group, 2% SWM and 2 mL/L SWE significantly increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Sellimonas, and Fournierella, compared to the CON diet. HS birds fed with 2% SWM had higher ileal VH and VH:CD compared to other treatments. In summary, SWM and SWE enhanced the abundance of beneficial microbes and improved small intestinal morphology among HS chickens. This implies that seaweed could potentially alleviate HS-induced intestinal impairment in chickens.

Isolation, characterization, and circulation sphere of a filovirus in fruit bats

Bats are associated with the circulation of most mammalian filoviruses (FiVs), with pathogenic ones frequently causing deadly hemorrhagic fevers in Africa. Divergent FiVs have been uncovered in Chinese bats, raising concerns about their threat to public health. Here, we describe a long-term surveillance to track bat FiVs at orchards, eventually resulting in the identification and isolation of a FiV, Dehong virus (DEHV), from Rousettus leschenaultii bats. DEHV has a typical filovirus-like morphology with a wide spectrum of cell tropism. Its entry into cells depends on the engagement of Niemann-Pick C1, and its replication is inhibited by remdesivir. DEHV has the largest genome size of filoviruses, with phylogenetic analysis placing it between the genera Dianlovirus and Orthomarburgvirus, suggesting its classification as the prototype of a new genus within the family Filoviridae. The continuous detection of viral RNA in the serological survey, together with the wide host distribution, has revealed that the region covering southern Yunnan, China, and bordering areas is a natural circulation sphere for bat FiVs. These emphasize the need for a better understanding of the pathogenicity and potential risk of FiVs in the region.

Swine Gastrointestinal Microbiota and the Effects of Dietary Amino Acids on Its Composition and Metabolism.

Many researchers consider gut microbiota (trillions of microorganisms) an endogenous organ of its animal host, which confers a vast genetic diversity in providing the host with essential biological functions. Particularly, the gut microbiota regulates not only gut tissue structure but also gut health and gut functionality. This paper first summarized those common bacterial species (dominated by the Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, and Proteobacteria phyla) in swine gut and then briefly discussed their roles in swine nutrition and health, which include roles in nutrient metabolism, pathogen exclusion, and immunity modulation. Secondly, the current knowledge on how dietary nutrients and feed additives affect the gut bacterial composition and nutrient metabolism in pigs was discussed. Finally, how dietary amino acids affect the relative abundances and metabolism of bacteria in the swine gut was reviewed. Tryptophan supplementation promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and suppresses pathogens, while arginine metabolism affects nitrogen recycling, impacting gut immune response and health. Glutamate and glutamine supplementations elevate the levels of beneficial bacteria and mitigate pathogenic ones. It was concluded that nutritional strategies to manipulate gut microbial ecosystems are useful measures to optimize gut health and gut functions. For example, providing pigs with nutrients that promote the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can lead to better gut health and growth performance, especially when dietary protein is limited. Further research to establish the mechanistic cause-and-effect relationships between amino acids and the dynamics of gut microbiota will allow swine producers to reap the greatest return on their feed investment.

Genome‐Based Molecular Diversity of Extended‐Spectrum β‐Lactamase‐Producing Escherichia coli From Pigeons in China

Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli (ESBL‐EC) strains present a significant menace to the well‐being of both animals and humans. However, limited information is available regarding their profiles in pigeons. Using a combination of whole genome sequencing, drug susceptibility testing, and bioinformatics analysis, we examined the genomic features and epidemiology of 95 ESBL‐EC strains (41 racing and 54 meat pigeons) that were isolated from 11 Chinese cities. These strains belonged to seven phylogenetic groups (A, B1, B2, C, D, E, and F). Moreover, these isolates have 51 serotypes, including several pathogenic ones (e.g., O51, O8, O4, O25, and O6). Notably, two high‐risk clones, ST131 O25:H4, were found in racing pigeons and were responsible for the worldwide outbreaks of highly pathogenic and multidrug‐resistant (MDR) E. coli infections. In addition, we found 41 multilocus sequence typing types, of which the dominant types were ST155, ST20, ST1011, and ST1196. In total, 91 isolates (95.79%) showed MDR, while eight isolates (8.42%) showed resistance to up to eight classes of antibiotics. Furthermore, we identified a series of ESBL genes in these isolates, including blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaOXA, blaLAP, and blaCMY. Also, 50 other antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were accompanied by the carriage of 33 plasmid replicon types, facilitating the horizontal spread of ARGs. Interestingly, three mcr-1, four mcr-1.1, and one tet(X4) were found in isolates of meat pigeons, and it was possible to successfully transfer the plasmids containing tet(X4) and mcr-1.1 to E. coli C600. In summary, this work presents the complexity of MDR profiles, plasmid profiles, and multiple typing profiles of Chinese ESBL‐EC isolates of pigeon origin for the first time. The thorough investigation of ESBL‐EC in pigeons presented in this work suggests that racing and meat pigeons are significant ARGs reservoirs.

Differential diagnosis of Eimeria species in farmed Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica)

Similarly to poultry industry, coccidiosis may cause significant economic losses also in the commercial quail industry, an emerging sector undergoing uneven development around the world. Although scant and mostly dated, the available literature reports detailed morphological and morphometric features of both oocysts and sporocysts of the Eimeria species hitherto recognized in Japanese quails, i.e. E. tsunodai, E. uzura, E. bateri, and E. fluminensis. Mixed infections are very common in the field and require an accurate differential diagnosis of diverse species of coccidia, identifying the highly pathogenic ones, in particular E. tsunodai (localized in the caeca), and E. uzura (localized in both caeca and small intestine). This goal is hampered by time-consuming laboratory procedures involving highly qualified staff and facilities, and poorly compatible with routine management practices in farmed quails. A supplemental difficulty is represented by the lack of nucleotide sequences available in GenBank. To overcome these issues, copromicroscopic and molecular analyses (amplifying the 18S rRNA region, and the internal transcribed spacers regions ITS1-5.8rRNA-ITS2) were performed on oocysts populations separately isolated from pools of 12 caecal and 12 cloacal contents collected from 240 naturally infected laying Japanese quails. Data on morphological and morphometric features of 1,000 sporulated oocysts were statistically compared, demonstrating the presence of different Eimeria species colonizing the 2 intestinal tracts. This result was also confirmed by PCR and phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. Overall results allowed to hypothesize the presence of E. uzura in our Japanese quails. Although a certain identification at species level was not obtained, the present study demonstrates that reasonable turnaround times of monitoring procedures performed on Japanese quail farms, shedding light on the in vivo and post-mortem differential diagnosis of coccidiosis can be achieved, and provide obvious benefits in disease understanding and control.

Grain Seed Treatment by a Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Field

The paper notes the potential for enhancing seed productivity through exposure to an electromagnetic field. It touches upon both theoretical and practical considerations for developing an experimental laboratory plant for pre-sowing seed treatment using a low-frequency electromagnetic field and aiming to achieve a magnetobiological effect. (Research purpose) The study aims to investigate the influence of low-frequency electromagnetic field on the composition and properties of grain seeds. (Materials and methods) Standard emitters, characterized by a magnetic induction variability of 3-75 millitesla and a radiation frequency of 1-100 Hertz, were employed to ensure the necessary treatment parameters for a batch of seeds. (Results and discussion) The study investigates the impact of magnetization on the germination process, germination energy, and the physical and chemical properties of seeds subjected to different parameters of a low-frequency electromagnetic field (ranging from 3 to 75 millitesla in magnetic induction and a radiation frequency of 10-16 Hertz).The quality of the effect was analyzed with respect to the installation parameters and seed mass, ranging from 10 to 500 grams, across various cereal crops. Subsequently, specific modes were identified, and a functional irradiation program was devised to ensure a highly effective impact on seeds, optimizing their germination, sprouting and development. (Conclusions) The impact of a low-frequency electromagnetic field on the composition and properties of grain has been studied. An experimental laboratory plant with sources of a low-frequency electromagnetic field has been developed and irradiation modes have been justified. The pre-sowing treatment of an industrial batch, the magnetobiological effect is contingent upon several factors, including the crop type and variety, activation of a biological complex in a cell that initiates the development of a seedling, seed quality and moisture content, the presence of microorganisms on the surface, pathogenic ones included, and the characteristics of irradiation sources and energy parameters. The parameters of the low-frequency electromagnetic field were determined as follows: magnetic induction ranging from 3 to 75 millitesla, a frequency 10-16 Hertz, and seed weight varying from 10 to 500 grams. These identified parameters will be applied in the development of an industrial unit designed for the preparation of seed material and enhancement of its sowing properties.

Modifying Escherichia coli to mimic Shigella for medical microbiology laboratory teaching: a new strategy to improve biosafety in class.

Laboratory teaching of medical microbiology involves highly pathogenic microorganisms, thus posing potential biosafety risks to the students and the teacher. To address these risks, non/low-pathogenic microorganisms were modified to mimic highly pathogenic ones or highly pathogenic microorganisms were attenuated directly using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. This study describes the modification of Escherichia coli DH5α to mimic Shigella and its evaluation as a safe alternative for medical laboratory teaching. To generate E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a, the tnaA and FliC genes in E. coli DH5α were knocked out using CRISPR/Cas9 technology; a plasmid bearing the O-antigen determinant of S. flexneri 2a was then constructed and transformed. Acid tolerance assays and guinea pig eye tests were used to assess the viability and pathogenicity, respectively. Questionnaires were used to analyze teaching effectiveness and the opinions of teachers and students. The survey revealed that most teachers and students were inclined towards real-time laboratory classes than virtual classes or observation of plastic specimens. However, many students did not abide by the safety regulations, and most encountered potential biosafety hazards in the laboratory. E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a was biochemically and antigenically analogous to S. flexneri 2a and had lower resistance to acid than E. coli. There was no toxicity observed in guinea pigs. Most of teachers and students were unable to distinguish E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a from pure S. flexneri 2a in class. Students who used E. coli DH5α△FliC△tnaA2a in their practice had similar performance in simulated examinations compared to students who used real S. flexneri 2a, but significantly higher than the virtual experimental group. This approach can be applied to other high-risk pathogenic microorganisms to reduce the potential biosafety risks in medical laboratory-based teaching and provide a new strategy for the development of experimental materials.

The multifaceted role of macrophages during acute liver injury.

The liver is situated at the interface of the gut and circulation where it acts as a filter for blood-borne and gut-derived microbes and biological molecules, promoting tolerance of non-invasive antigens while driving immune responses against pathogenic ones. Liver resident immune cells such as Kupffer cells (KCs), a subset of macrophages, maintain homeostasis under physiological conditions. However, upon liver injury, these cells and others recruited from circulation participate in the response to injury and the repair of tissue damage. Such response is thus spatially and temporally regulated and implicates interconnected cells of immune and non-immune nature. This review will describe the hepatic immune environment during acute liver injury and the subsequent wound healing process. In its early stages, the wound healing immune response involves a necroinflammatory process characterized by partial depletion of resident KCs and lymphocytes and a significant infiltration of myeloid cells including monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) complemented by a wave of pro-inflammatory mediators. The subsequent repair stage includes restoring KCs, initiating angiogenesis, renewing extracellular matrix and enhancing proliferation/activation of resident parenchymal and mesenchymal cells. This review will focus on the multifaceted role of hepatic macrophages, including KCs and MoMFs, and their spatial distribution and roles during acute liver injury.

Prophylactic influences of prebiotics on gut microbiome and immune response of heat-stressed broiler chickens

Climatic changes and elevated ambient temperature are significant environmental stressors with a negative impact on birds’ physiological, immunological, and behavioral status, increasing their susceptibility to stressors and immunosuppression and consequently increasing intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Prebiotics have been utilized to stop or diminish the harmful effects of stress in chickens. We aimed to evaluate the role of mannan-oligosaccharides, and beta-d-glucan prebiotics supplements in drinking water against experimentally induced heat stress (HS) on broiler chickens and study their impact on birds’ performance, gut microbiome, and immune response. A total of 120 1-day-old Ross broiler chicks were allocated into four groups (30 birds/group), and each group was subdivided into triplicates (10 birds each). The experimental groups were classified as follows; the 1st (G1) control birds, the 2nd (G2) birds exposed experimentally to HS, the 3rd (G3) birds administered prebiotics in drinking water without exposure to HS, and the 4th (G4) birds exposed to HS and administered prebiotics in drinking water. After each vaccination, blood samples and serum samples were collected to evaluate the birds’ immune status. Fecal samples were also collected for the molecular evaluation of the gut microbiome based on the genetic analyses and sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that HS has reduced the birds’ performance and badly affected the birds’ immune response and gut microbiome. However, the addition of prebiotics to drinking water, with or without stress, enhanced the growth rate, maintained a normal gut microbiome, and improved immune parameters. Moreover, the usage of prebiotics improved the chicken gut microbiome and alleviated the negative effect of heat stress. Administering prebiotics significantly (p < 0.05) increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria and eradicated pathogenic ones in the birds’ gut microbiome. Prebiotics showed a positive effect on the gut microbiome and the immune status of chickens under HS in addition to their efficacy as a growth promoter.

Isolation, Identification and Evaluation of the Effects of Native Entomopathogenic Fungi from Côte d'Ivoire on Galleria mellonella.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a polyphagous pest highly damaging to maize and other food crops in Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire. Chemical pesticides not only have often proved to be unsuccessful, but cause adverse effects on the environment and human health; therefore, entomopathogenic fungi could represent an alternative biocontrol solution. Against this background, fungi were isolated from soil samples collected in maize fields in three regions of Côte d'Ivoire, by the methods of soil dilution and baiting with Galleria mellonella. The resulting 86 fungal isolates were phenotypically and genetically identified. The pathogenicity of seven isolates of Metarhizium spp., three isolates of Beauveria bassiana and two isolates of Trichoderma sp. was evaluated on fifth instar larvae (L5) of G. mellonella. Larval mortality rates and the median lethal time (LT50) were determined seven days after inoculation for each of these selected isolates. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined for a selection of isolates. Beauveria bassiana isolate A214b was the most effective, causing 100% mortality, with an LT50 of 2.64 days and an LC50 of 1.12 × 104 conidia mL-1. Two other promising isolates, A211 and A214a, belonging to B. bassiana, caused 100% mortality with LT50 values of 3.44 and 4.04 days, respectively. Mortality caused by Metarhizium isolates varied from 65.38% to 100%, with Metarhizium anisopliae isolate T331 causing 100% mortality with an LT50 of 3.08 days at an LC50 of 3.33 × 104 conidia mL-1. Trichoderma sp. isolates were the least pathogenic ones. Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium isolates showed to be virulent against the model Lepidopteran G. mellonella and will be tested on S. frugiperda.

Understanding heterogeneity of human bone marrow plasma cell maturation and survival pathways by single-cell analyses

Human bone marrow (BM) plasma cells are heterogeneous, ranging from newly arrived antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) to long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs). We provide single-cell transcriptional resolution of 17,347 BM ASCs from five healthy adults. Fifteen clusters are identified ranging from newly minted ASCs (cluster 1) expressing MKI67 and high major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II that progress to late clusters 5-8 through intermediate clusters 2-4. Additional ASC clusters include the following: immunoglobulin (Ig) M predominant (likely of extra-follicular origin), interferon responsive, and high mitochondrial activity. Late ASCs are distinguished by G2M checkpoints, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling, distinct metabolic pathways, CD38 expression, utilization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-receptor superfamily members, and two distinct maturation pathways involving TNF signaling through nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). This study provides a single-cell atlas and molecular roadmap of LLPC maturation trajectories essential in the BM microniche. Altogether, understanding BM ASC heterogeneity in health and disease enables development of new strategies to enhance protective ASCs and to deplete pathogenic ones.

The spread of microbiota in the air of an underground hard coal mine – A case study

The environment of underground hard coal mines, due to high humidity and temperature, combined with the presence of organic substances and very high dust content, provides optimal conditions for the growth and development of microorganisms, including pathogens. The presented research was aimed at determining the quantitative and qualitative diversity of air in underground mining excavations. Microbiological tests of air samples were carried out according to standard microbiological techniques. The study of microbial communities made it possible to determine the unit concentrations of microorganisms, identify potential pathogens, and analyze the manner of their spread in the air of an underground mine. A large number and variety of microorganisms were observed in the bioaerosol, including pathogenic ones (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus) that may pose a potential threat to humans by causing lung and skin diseases. Due to the insufficient state of global knowledge in this area of research the obtained results are helpful in the modernization of existing and designing new mining excavation ventilation systems, as well as in refreshing particularly hazardous places.