Review
Microbiology
Daniela Rothschild-Rodriguez, Morgen Hedges, Merve Kaplan, Sercan Karav, Franklin L. Nobrega
Summary: The interaction between the gut mucosa and the bacterial component of the microbiota in the human gastrointestinal tract plays a crucial role in digestion, immune regulation, and overall health. Gut bacteria residing in the mucus layer can influence the integrity of the mucosal barrier, affecting health or disease progression. The viral members, particularly bacteriophages, also have the potential to interact with gut mucus, but their effects remain largely unexplored. This review discusses the role of bacteriophages in influencing mucosal integrity and their potential impact on health and disease states.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maxwell McDermott, Antonio R. Cerullo, James Parziale, Eleonora Achrak, Sharmin Sultana, Jennifer Ferd, Safiyah Samad, William Deng, Adam B. Braunschweig, Mande Holford
Summary: Mucins are glycosylated proteins secreted by animals for various functions, with snails producing them in mucus for purposes like microbial protection and lubrication. Recently, snail mucins have found applications in diverse fields such as skincare, wound healing, and biomedicine. Advancements in omics technologies have led to better understanding and utilization of gastropod mucins for novel biomaterials.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacob Vieira, Tara Gallagher, Hui-Yu Sui, Sirus Jesudasen, Katrine Whiteson, George A. O'Toole, Kurt Hanselmann, Peggy S. Lai
Summary: The study focuses on the role of airway microbial communities in cystic fibrosis and other chronic pulmonary diseases, particularly in understanding how high oxygen levels affect lung microbial communities. A new model using hyperoxic conditions in artificial sputum medium successfully cultured a variety of pathogens and commensals commonly found in CF sputum, leading to different culture phenotypes under varying oxygen conditions. This approach may provide insights into the effects of oxygen therapy in pwCF on airway microbial communities and respiratory pathogens.
JOVE-JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xuan Mei, Junlang Li, Zhenzhen Wang, Dashuai Zhu, Ke Huang, Shiqi Hu, Kristen D. Popowski, Ke Cheng
Summary: Researchers developed an inhalable bioadhesive hydrogel called SHIELD, which forms a dense hydrogel layer in the airway to enhance barrier properties against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The method was shown to effectively protect against SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in mice and non-human primates.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Julia Hankel, Sophie Kittler, Bussarakam Chuppava, Eric Galvez, Till Strowig, Andre Becker, Maren von Koeckritz Blickwede, Madeleine Plotz, Christian Visscher
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the interactions between the host microbiota and Campylobacter jejuni in broiler chickens. The results showed that the infection status of C. jejuni significantly influenced the microbial composition in the chicken's intestines, with the presence of certain bacterial families being associated with C. jejuni infection. The Christensenellaceae R-7 group was found to have a negative correlation with the colonization of C. jejuni.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Oanh N. Hoang, Anna Ermund, Ana M. Jaramillo, Dalia Fakih, Cory B. French, Jose R. Flores, Harry Karmouty-Quintana, Jesper M. Magnusson, Giorgio Fois, Michael Fauler, Manfred Frick, Peter Braubach, Joshua B. Hales, Richard C. Kurten, Reynold Panettieri, Leoncio Vergara, Camille Ehre, Roberto Adachi, Michael J. Tuvim, Gunnar C. Hansson, Burton F. Dickey
Summary: MUC5AC and MUC5B can be packaged within individual secretory granules in both mice and humans, either together or separately. This study provides important insights into the pathogenesis of chronic lung diseases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marco Calvigioni, Adelaide Panattoni, Francesco Biagini, Leonardo Donati, Diletta Mazzantini, Mariacristina Massimino, Costanza Daddi, Francesco Celandroni, Giovanni Vozzi, Emilia Ghelardi
Summary: Culturing gut microbiota in vitro is a viable approach for studying microbial dynamics and the effects of perturbations on the gut community. This study aimed to replicate mucus-associated microbial populations using an established three-dimensional model of the human gut microbiota. Gelatin structures coated with or without mucins were inoculated with fecal samples and compared for microbial adhesion, growth, and composition of colonizing communities. Mucin-coated structures promoted the enrichment of mucosa-associated microorganisms like Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Faecalibacterium.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bethany D. Batson, Bryan T. Zorn, Giorgia Radicioni, Stephanie S. Livengood, Tadahiro Kumagai, Hong Dang, Agathe Ceppe, Phillip W. Clapp, Michael Tunney, J. Stuart Elborn, Noel G. McElvaney, Marianne S. Muhlebach, Richard C. Boucher, Michael Tiemeyer, Matthew C. Wolfgang, Mehmet Kesimer
Summary: The study investigates the effect of CF airway environment on mucin quantity and quality, and the correlation between mucin parameters and microbiome and clinical data. The results show elevated concentrations of MUC5AC and MUC5B in CF compared to healthy subjects, and mucin parameters correlate with age and neutrophil elastase activity. The findings suggest the interaction of mucins, pathogens, epithelium, and inflammatory cells leads to proteomic and glycomic changes, reflecting a persistent mucoobstructive, infectious, and inflammatory state.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Benjamin X. Wang, Chloe M. Wu, Katharina Ribbeck
Summary: Healthy mucus houses a stable and diverse microbial community, essential for human health to support commensal bacteria and prevent pathogen overgrowth. Mucus may regulate microbiota composition and function through various strategies, while compromised mucus barriers in disease can lead to microbial dysbiosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elex Harris, Molly Easter, Janna Ren, Stefanie Krick, Jarrod Barnes, Steven M. Rowe
Summary: This study reports the development and characterization of a novel ex vivo trachea model that utilizes both wild type and CFTR-/- rat tracheae cultured on a porcine gelatin matrix. The ex vivo tracheae remain viable for weeks, maintain a CF disease phenotype, and respond to stimulation of mucus and fluid secretion. The model can be used for well-controlled pharmacological treatments and high mucus protein yields for subsequent studies.
Article
Microbiology
Diego A. Rojas, Carolina A. Ponce, Adriel Bustos, Vicente Cortes, Daniela Olivares, Sergio L. Vargas
Summary: Inflammation and mucus hypersecretion are common features of chronic respiratory diseases. Pneumocystis infection can aggravate disease by activating pathways that induce airway pathology. This study demonstrates that Pneumocystis is a co-factor for disease severity in an elastase-induced COPD model, highlighting the relevance of the STAT6 pathway in Pneumocystis pathogenesis.
Review
Immunology
Stylianos Vagios, Caroline M. Mitchell
Summary: Research has shown complex interactions between cervicovaginal mucus and the female genital tract microbiome, which could impact the dominance of specific bacterial species and subsequently affect reproductive health.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Baxolele Mhlekude, Annasara Lenman, Phikolomzi Sidoyi, Jim Joseph, Jochen Kruppa, Charles Bitamazire Businge, Mana Lungisa Mdaka, Frank Konietschke, Andreas Pich, Gisa Gerold, Christine Goffinet, Anwar Suleman Mall
Summary: The study demonstrates that the proteinaceous fraction of cervical mucus plugs exhibits anti-HIV-1 activity with some degree of specificity among different HIV-1 strains. There is a lower effectiveness of inhibition against cell-associated HIV-1 compared to cell-free HIV-1, and samples with high antiviral potency show distinct proteomic profiles compared to less potent samples.
Article
Microbiology
Andrea Laconi, Ilenia Drigo, Nicola Palmieri, Lisa Carraro, Elena Tonon, Raffaela Franch, Luca Bano, Alessandra Piccirillo
Summary: The study revealed that Campylobacter isolates from chicken livers possessed a higher number of virulence-associated genes, which might contribute to the development of pathological lesions in these isolates within the host.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Tom Breugelmans, Baptiste Oosterlinck, Wout Arras, Hannah Ceuleers, Joris De Man, Georgina L. Hold, Benedicte Y. De Winter, Annemieke Smet
Summary: Mucins play a crucial role in the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier and are involved in bidirectional interactions with the gut microbiota. They are also associated with various cell signaling pathways and have potential applications in the diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
LANCET GASTROENTEROLOGY & HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Alexandros Ch Stratakos, Umer Zeeshan Ijaz, Patrick Ward, Mark Linton, Carmel Kelly, Laurette Pinkerton, Pam Scates, Jane McBride, Ioan Pet, Adriana Criste, Ducu Stef, Jillian M. Couto, William T. Sloan, Nick Dorrell, Brendan W. Wren, Lavinia Stef, Ozan Gundogdu, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adriana Criste, Adriana Cristina Urcan, Andrea Bunea, Flavia Roxana Pripon Furtuna, Neli Kinga Olah, Robert H. Madden, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Article
Microbiology
Laurette Pinkerton, Mark Linton, Carmel Kelly, Patrick Ward, Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Ioan Pet, Lavinia Stef, Filip Sima, Tabita Adamov, Ozan Gundogdu, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mairead Campbell, Jordi Ortuno, Alexandros Ch. Stratakos, Mark Linton, Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Tara Elliott, Anastasios Koidis, Katerina Theodoridou
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lauren Ford, Alexandros Ch Stratakos, Katerina Theodoridou, Jaimie T. A. Dick, Gary N. Sheldrake, Mark Linton, Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Pamela J. Walsh
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Ozan Gundogdu, Mariana-Carmen Chifiriuc, Luminita Gabriela Marutescu, Bogdan Ispas, Octavian Savu
Summary: The global incidence of T1DM is increasing and research suggests that the gut microbiota may play a role in its pathogenesis. Interventions such as probiotics may help prevent and treat T1DM, emphasizing the importance of further clinical trials to confirm their efficacy and safety.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Ozan Gundogdu
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Igori Balta, Lavinia Stef, Ioan Pet, Tiberiu Iancu, Ducu Stef, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Summary: Cardiovascular diseases have become a leading cause of global mortality due to the impact of modern lifestyles on essential fatty acid consumption. Scientific research has focused on the cardio-protective role of certain fatty acids, such as PUFA and omega 3 fatty acids, in preventing heart disorders and associated risk factors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eugenia Butucel, Igori Balta, Mirela Ahmadi, Gabi Dumitrescu, Florica Morariu, Ioan Pet, Lavinia Stef, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Summary: This review discusses the biological mechanisms of biocides against foodborne pathogens, with a focus on the latest developments in their antipathogen effects. Understanding these mechanisms can aid in the selection of more efficient disinfection strategies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Janie Liaw, Ozan Gundogdu, Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Iuliana Ilie, Luciana Oprea, Madalina Musat, Mariana-Carmen Chifiriuc
Summary: This study aims to investigate the role of gut microbiota in the development of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The findings show that MetSyn patients have reduced microbial diversity and loss of butyrate producers in their gut microbiome. Furthermore, T2DM patients with MetSyn exhibit distinct gut microbiota signatures. The study also highlights the impact of metformin treatment on the gut microbiome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Eugenia Butucel, Igori Balta, David McCleery, Florica Morariu, Ioan Pet, Cosmin Alin Popescu, Lavinia Stef, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Summary: Farm biosecurity management is a set of measures used to prevent and limit the spread of infections. The focus of research in this field is mainly on antimicrobial resistance in bacterial biofilms and the mechanisms involved. Interventions using antimicrobial compounds and investigating biological mechanisms can effectively reduce and combat biofilm formation.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Osman Y. Y. Koyun, Igori Balta, Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Todd R. R. Callaway
Summary: North America is a major beef producer, with about 12% of the world's cattle inventory. Feedlots play a crucial role in modern cattle production by providing high-quality protein food for humans. Cattle in feedlots are vulnerable to certain zoonotic diseases that affect their health, growth, and meat quality, as well as human health. These diseases can be transmitted among pen-mates or through the environment, vectors, or fomites. Pathogens carried by cattle in their gastrointestinal tract can contaminate food and the feedlot environment, leading to the prolonged circulation of fecal-oral transmission pathogens within the cattle population. Diseases such as Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter, commonly associated with animal-derived foods, can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected cattle or consumption of contaminated meat. Neglected zoonotic diseases like Brucellosis, anthrax, and leptospirosis, have significant impacts on both human and animal health.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nicolae Corcionivoschi, Igori Balta, Eugenia Butucel, David Mccleery, Ioan Pet, Maria Iamandei, Lavinia Stef, Sorin Morariu
Summary: The study investigates the effect of organic acid-based mixtures (Ac) on the attachment and biofilm formation of Campylobacter jejuni and Escherichia coli on various surfaces, and explores their impact on bacterial gene expression and surface polysaccharide structures. Results show that Ac significantly affects gene expression and surface structure, resulting in reduced bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. This highlights the potential of natural antimicrobials in industries such as poultry production and healthcare.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Igori Balta, Eugenia Butucel, Valentyn Mohylyuk, Adriana Criste, Daniel Severus Dezmirean, Lavinia Stef, Ioan Pet, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
Summary: Probiotics have gained public attention in recent years, showcasing their immunomodulatory capabilities, anti-viral properties, anti-allergic effects, anticancer potential, and ability to improve neurological status. They offer therapeutic options for various diseases by regulating the immune system and microbiota.
Article
Biology
Vlad A. Ungureanu, Alexandros Ch. Stratakos, Ozan Gundogdu, Lavinia Stef, Ioan Pet, Elena Pet, Nicolae Pacala, Nicolae Corcionivoschi
BMC RESEARCH NOTES
(2019)
