Article
Microbiology
Amy S. Gargis, Lori M. Spicer, Alyssa G. Kent, Wenming Zhu, Davina Campbell, Gillian McAllister, Thomas O. Ewing, Valerie Albrecht, Valerie A. Stevens, Mili Sheth, Jasmine Padilla, Dhwani Batra, J. Kristie Johnson, Alison Laufer Halpin, J. Kamile Rasheed, Christopher A. Elkins, Maria Karlsson, Joseph D. Lutgring
Summary: Enterococcus faecalis and faecium isolates with resistance to daptomycin and/or linezolid have become increasingly prevalent worldwide. This study presents the genomic characterization of daptomycin- and linezolid-resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates from the United States between 2013 and 2016. The majority of daptomycin-resistant E. faecium isolates belonged to the emerging ST736 clone and contained mutations previously associated with resistance. However, some isolates did not contain these mutations. Linezolid resistance was rare, but two linezolid-resistant E. faecium isolates also exhibited resistance to daptomycin and vancomycin. The resistance mechanisms were identified and characterized through long-read sequencing.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xue Wang, Siyu Wang, Lingling Yuan, Zhihua Liang, Xiaoyue Zhang, Danle Lin, Xiaoli Hu
Summary: The surface properties of materials have an influence on bacterial adhesion and antibiotic resistance. This study found that the expression of the CroRS system in Enterococcus faecalis biofilm can be influenced by the surface properties of poly-ethylene (PE) and stainless steel (SS), leading to differences in cephalosporin resistance. The modification of surface properties may be a strategy to enhance the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH PART A
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yutong Yang, Xiaobo Yang, Hongrui Zhou, Yuanyuan Niu, Jing Li, Xinyue Fu, Shang Wang, Bin Xue, Chenyu Li, Chen Zhao, Xi Zhang, Zhiqiang Shen, Jingfeng Wang, Zhigang Qiu
Summary: The enrichment and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) induced by environmental chemical pollution pose a threat to human health and ecological safety. This study established a new conjugation model and confirmed that environmentally relevant concentrations of bisphenols (BPs) can significantly promote the conjugation of ARGs mediated by plasmid pCF10. The findings provide new insight into the environmental behavior and biological effect of BPs and offer a new method and theory for studying the enrichment and spread of ARGs induced by environmental chemical pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yutong Yang, Xiaobo Yang, Hongrui Zhou, Yuanyuan Niu, Jing Li, Xinyue Fu, Shang Wang, Bin Xue, Chenyu Li, Chen Zhao, Xi Zhang, Zhiqiang Shen, Jingfeng Wang, Zhigang Qiu
Summary: Chemical pollution in the environment enhances the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), posing a threat to human health and ecological safety. Bisphenols (BPs) have been found to significantly promote the conjugation of ARGs mediated by plasmids in bacteria. Bisphenol A (BPA) upregulates pheromone expression, promotes bacterial aggregation, and even directly activates conjugation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Allan Victor Ribeiro, Evelyn Giuliana Velasquez-Espedilla, Mirela Cesar de Barros, Leticia Lobo de Melo Simas, Flaviana Bombarda de Andrade
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of surface topography of gutta-percha (GP) cones and plasticized disks of GP on the initial adhesion of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). The roughness and waviness of the GP cones were higher compared to the plasticized disks. After contamination, bacterial accumulation was greater in cones, but the surface and topography became more homogeneous and smoother, with no differences between disks and cones. Plasticization of GP is recommended to reduce surface irregularities and bacterial retention.
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Telmo O. Paiva, Albertus Viljoen, Yves F. Dufrene
Summary: Advancements in atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques and methodologies in microbiology have enhanced our understanding of microbial cell surfaces. Recent studies have shown that AFM imaging of cells and membranes at or near molecular resolution enables detailed visualization of membrane-drug interactions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu-Chieh Lin, Eric H-L Chen, Rita P-Y Chen, Gary M. Dunny, Wei-Shou Hu, Kung-Ta Lee
Summary: The study revealed that the culture fluid of Bacillus subtilis subsp. natto contains nattokinase, which can inhibit the transfer of antibiotic resistance plasmid pCF10 in Enterococcus faecalis populations. This inhibition is attributed to the cleavage of peptide pheromones by the extracellular proteases of B. subtilis subsp. natto, reducing the frequency of conjugative plasmid transfer and providing a potential probiotic-based method for interfering with antibiotic resistance transfer in E. faecalis.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Andreas Weber, Daniel Tyrakowski, Jose L. Toca-Herrera
Summary: Bacterial cells actively tune their mechanical properties for various functions, and the cell envelope is crucial for mechanical properties. This study used AFM to investigate the viscoelastic properties of E. coli cells and successfully fitted the experimental results with power law rheology models. The findings provide valuable evidence for the interchangeability of properties derived from different measurement approaches.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sonia Nina Coccitto, Marzia Cinthi, Simona Fioriti, Gianluca Morroni, Serena Simoni, Carla Vignaroli, Cristiana Garofalo, Marina Mingoia, Andrea Brenciani, Eleonora Giovanetti
Summary: This study characterized a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum isolate from pigs that carried the cfr, optrA, and poxtA genes. Two plasmids were identified, each carrying different resistance genes. The plasmids showed features of circular intermediates and were not transferable to other enterococcal strains. The persistence of these plasmids in the absence of selective pressure is concerning.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ewa Wardal, Dorota Zabicka, Waleria Hryniewicz, Ewa Sadowy
Summary: The study characterized the epidemiological situation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Polish hospitals. The majority of isolates belonged to clonal complexes CC2 and CC87, indicating a polyclonal group. The repUS1(pVEF1)-vanA plasmids were the main factor behind the acquisition of vancomycin resistance in E. faecalis circulating in Polish hospitals.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hongrui Zhou, Xiaobo Yang, Yutong Yang, Yuanyuan Niu, Jing Li, Xinyue Fu, Shang Wang, Bin Xue, Chenyu Li, Chen Zhao, Xi Zhang, Zhiqiang Shen, Jingfeng Wang, Zhigang Qiu
Summary: In this study, the addition of 5 mu g/mL docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found to significantly reduce the conjugative transfer of pCF10 plasmid in E. faecalis. DHA disrupted pheromone transport by inhibiting the mRNA levels of the prgZ gene, leading to the accumulation of iCF10 pheromone in donor bacteria and the formation of an inhibitory phase. This resulted in down-regulation of genes related to conjugative transfer, inhibiting biofilm formation and bacterial adhesion, thus inhibiting conjugative transfer. Overall, DHA showed an admirable inhibitory effect on the transfer of ARGs in E. faecalis. This study provided a technical option to control the transfer of ARGs.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Biao Tang, Chenhui Zou, Stefan Schwarz, Chunyan Xu, Wenbo Hao, Xiao-Mei Yan, Yuting Huang, Juan Ni, Hua Yang, Xiang-Dang Du, Xinxin Shan
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the transferability of acquired linezolid resistance genes and associated mobile genetic elements in Enterococcus faecalis isolate QZ076. By analyzing the genome and conducting conjugation experiments, it was found that the resistance genes were present on multiple plasmids and a pseudocompound transposon. Furthermore, the transfer of these resistance genes was observed between different bacterial species. This study highlights the potential for the rapid dissemination of acquired linezolid resistance genes and emphasizes the importance of monitoring and controlling their spread.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Franziska Woitschach, Marlen Kloss, Karsten Schlodder, Alexander Borck, Niels Grabow, Emil Christian Reisinger, Martina Sombetzki
Summary: Biofilm-associated implant infections are a major challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. Enterococcus faecalis is the most common bacterium causing such infections. This study aimed to evaluate the colonization and biofilm formation of E. faecalis on different implant materials. The results showed that the investigated materials did not have any antimicrobial effect against E. faecalis, indicating that the antimicrobial effects of novel implant materials may not apply to all bacterial strains.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Irem Demir-Yilmaz, Nadiia Yakovenko, Clement Roux, Pascal Guiraud, Fabrice Collin, Christophe Coudret, Alexandra ter Halle, Cecile Formosa-Dague
Summary: This study investigated the role of plastic microparticles in the aggregation of freshwater microalgae. The results showed that plastic particles can trigger cell aggregation by direct contact or by inducing the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) by the cells. These findings are important for understanding the consequences of plastic pollution on a large scale.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amanda Pacholak, Wojciech Juzwa, Agnieszka Zgola-Grzeskowiak, Ewa Kaczorek
Summary: The excessive presence of antibiotics and their residues can pose a danger to the natural environment. This study aimed to explore the potential of bacterial strains in degrading nitrofurantoin (NFT) and reducing its negative impact. Single strains isolated from contaminated areas were utilized, and their degradation efficiency and dynamic changes in NFT biodegradation were investigated. Serratia marcescens ODW152 showed the highest performance in NFT removal, with significant modifications observed in cell shape and surface structure. The study suggests that nitrofurantoin biodegradation produces stable transformation products that significantly affect bacterial cell physiology and structure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Barbara Prandi, Tullia Tedeschi, Silvia Folloni, Gianni Galaverna, Stefano Sforza
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2017)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilaria Menozzi, Francesca Vallese, Eugenia Polverini, Claudia Folli, Rodolfo Berni, Giuseppe Zanotti
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giuseppe Zanotti, Francesca Vallese, Alberto Ferrari, Ilaria Menozzi, Tadeo E. Saldano, Paola Berto, Sebastian Fernandez-Alberti, Rodolfo Berni
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilaria Menozzi, Eugenia Polverini, Rodolfo Berni
ARCHIVES OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOPHYSICS
(2018)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Fatma Boukid, Silvia Folloni, Roberto Ranieri, Elena Vittadini
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Cedrix J. Dongmo Foumthuim, Alessandra Corazza, Rodolfo Berni, Gennaro Esposito, Federico Fogolari
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marialaura Marchetti, Anastasia Liuzzi, Beatrice Fermi, Romina Corsini, Claudia Folli, Valentina Speranzini, Francesco Gandolfi, Stefano Bettati, Luca Ronda, Laura Cendron, Rodolfo Berni, Giuseppe Zanotti, Riccardo Percudani
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2016)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Brunella Miano, Laura Righetti, Roberto Piro, Chiara Dall'Asta, Silvia Folloni, Gianni Galaverna, Michele Suman
FOOD ADDITIVES AND CONTAMINANTS PART A-CHEMISTRY ANALYSIS CONTROL EXPOSURE & RISK ASSESSMENT
(2018)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Laura Righetti, Martina Cirlini, Silvia Folloni, Roberto Ranieri, Gianni Galaverna, Terenzio Bertuzzi, Chiara Dall'Asta, Paola Battilani, Paola Giorni
JOURNAL OF CEREAL SCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valentina Loconte, Ilaria Menozzi, Alberto Ferrari, Claudia Folli, Bruno P. Imbimbo, Giuseppe Zanotti, Rodolfo Berni
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Martina Cirlini, Giovanni Luzzini, Elisa Morini, Silvia Folloni, Roberto Ranieri, Chiara Dall'Asta, Gianni Galaverna
EUROPEAN FOOD RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Marco Spaggiari, Laura Righetti, Silvia Folloni, Roberto Ranieri, Chiara Dall'Asta, Gianni Galaverna
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Stefano Maggi, Alberto Ferrari, Korotoum Yabre, Aleksandra Anna Bonini, Claudio Rivetti, Claudia Folli
Summary: Optimizing methodological strategies to study recombinant Escherichia coli host cells by tightly repressing toxin expression and using fluorescence approaches to monitor toxin activity; Fluorescence microscopy and stains like DAPI and ethidium bromide are effective tools to observe membrane integrity changes associated with toxin activity; Atomic force microscopy can be readily employed to characterize toxin-induced membrane damages.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Fatma Boukid, Silvia Folloni, Stefano Sforza, Elena Vittadini, Barbara Prandi
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Righetti, Josep Rubert, Gianni Galaverna, Silvia Folloni, Roberto Ranieri, Milena Stranska-Zachariasova, Jana Hajslova, Chiara Dall'Asta
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2016)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ankita Chadda, Alexander G. Kozlov, Binh Nguyen, Timothy M. Lohman, Eric A. Galburt
Summary: In this study, it was found that the DNA damage response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis differs from well-studied model bacteria. The DNA repair helicase UvrD1 in Mtb is activated through a redox-dependent process and is closely associated with the homo-dimeric Ku protein. Additionally, Ku protein is shown to stimulate the helicase activity of UvrD1.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2024)