Article
Environmental Sciences
Celine Lavergne, Polette Aguilar-Munoz, Natalia Calle, Frederic Thalasso, Maria Soledad Astorga-Espana, Armando Sepulveda-Jauregui, Karla Martinez-Cruz, Laure Gandois, Andres Mansilla, Rolando Chamy, Maialen Barret, Lea Cabrol
Summary: Freshwater ecosystems play a significant role in methane emissions and this study investigated the effects of temperature on microbial community structure and methane production pathways in sub-Antarctic lake sediments. The research found that temperature had a significant impact on methane production rates, particularly when methanogenic precursors such as acetate and H-2/CO2 were introduced.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Valeria Itskovich, Oxana Kaluzhnaya, Olga Glyzina, Ragothaman Prathiviraj, George Seghal Kiran, Joseph Selvin
Summary: The study of the microbial communities in Baikal sponges revealed significant differences in microbial composition between healthy and diseased sponges, with a decrease in Chlorophyta and an increase in Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria in diseased specimens. Additionally, the bacterial composition of diseased sponges underwent nonspecific changes, indicating a general increase in Cyanobacteria. The findings suggest that the bacterial community composition in sponge microbiomes is influenced by sponge type and the degree of disease affecting them.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Mayu Hayashi, Yasunori Shinozuka, Tomomi Kurumisawa, Takuya Yagisawa, Nagomu Suenaga, Yuko Shimizu, Naoki Suzuki, Kazuhiro Kawai
Summary: This study is the first to examine the changes in the milk microbiota during intramammary administration of antimicrobials for mastitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria. Results showed that the effect of antimicrobial treatment on the milk microbiota composition became evident after the second day, and similarities in the milk microbiota composition among the antimicrobial treatment group were discovered on the seventh day. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of antimicrobial treatment for mild mastitis caused by Gram-positive bacteria on the milk microbiota in dairy cattle.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicolas Pala, Begona Jimenez, Jose L. Roscales, Marco Bertolino, Davide Baroni, Blanca Figuerola, Conxita Avila, Simonetta Corsolini
Summary: Antarctic benthic organisms, especially sponges, have been found to bioaccumulate persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, the role and contamination levels of sponges in Antarctica have been largely overlooked. This study evaluated the bioaccumulation of legacy chlorinated POPs in 35 sponge samples from different locations in Antarctica. The results showed that the overall contamination levels were comparable to other Antarctic benthic organisms, and the predominant contaminants were lower chlorinated organochlorines, indicating long-range atmospheric transportation as the main contamination pathway.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shili Zhang, Shuxian Li, Jiali Huang, Xinyi Ding, Yan Qiu, Xiangrong Luo, Jianfu Meng, YanJun Hu, Hao Zhou, Hongying Fan, Ying Cao, Fang Gao, Yaoming Xue, Mengchen Zou
Summary: The imbalance of the skin microbial community could impair skin immune homeostasis, leading to skin lesions. This study aimed to investigate the composition and function of the foot skin microbiome in relation to the risk of diabetic foot and determine if dysbiosis of the skin microbiome induces diabetic skin lesions.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ton That Huu Dat, Georg Steinert, Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, Pham Viet Cuong, Hauke Smidt, Detmer Sipkema
Summary: Recent reviews have shown that sponge-associated bacteria are valuable sources of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with potent biological activities, making these microbial communities promising for new drug candidates. However, accessing the overall diversity of secondary metabolite biosynthetic potential in bacteria is challenging due to the difficulty in culturing the majority of bacteria in the laboratory. This study investigates the diversity of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters in metagenomes of bacterial communities associated with three different sponge species and identifies numerous potential gene clusters for the production of novel compounds.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
N. E. Gasz, M. J. Geary, S. L. Doggett, M. L. Harvey
Summary: The blowfly species Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina play roles as agricultural pests, in forensics, and in medicine. While L. sericata larvae are used in maggot debridement therapy, L. cuprina larvae are major initiators of sheep myiasis in certain regions. Bacterial DNA extraction and sequencing showed that digestive tracts and female salivary glands carried the most bacteria in both species, with genera Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium being highly represented. Further research could focus on key organs like spermathecae and salivary glands to understand the role of bacteria in the blowfly life cycle.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Weijiao Liu, Muhammad Nasir, Mengjie Yan, Xiangzhen Zhu, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Li Wang, Kaixin Zhang, Dongyang Li, Jichao Ji, Xueke Gao, Junyu Luo, Jinjie Cui
Summary: This study examined the effects of Cry1B protein on the growth and development of non-target natural enemies. The results showed that Cry1B protein had no significant impact on the health indicators of P. astrigera, but it did reduce the number of symbiotic bacteria species and species diversity. The effects of Cry1B protein on symbiotic bacteria varied by growth and development stage and sex.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Qian Zhang, Shumin Wang, Xinyu Zhang, Kexin Zhang, Ying Li, Yansong Yin, Ruiling Zhang, Zhong Zhang
Summary: The gut microenvironment of houseflies plays a crucial role in their development and immune response. This study isolates and analyzes different bacterial strains from housefly larvae, and finds that the oral administration of various bacteria has differential effects on larval development and immunity. Beneficial bacteria can be used as probiotic additives for larvae feeding, while harmful bacteria could be targeted for pest control. Additionally, the study provides insights into the immune response of houseflies to external microorganism stimulation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yongjing Chen, Guijia Liu, Maria Rafraf Ali, Mingzhu Zhang, Guowei Zhou, Qingye Sun, Mingjun Li, Jazbia Shirin
Summary: Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution poses a significant threat to flora and fauna due to its non-degradable and transferable nature. This study investigated the impact of endogenous Cd-polluted mulberry leaves on the gut microbiota of silkworms (Bombyx mori). The results revealed that Cd exposure caused significant changes in the gut bacterial composition of the silkworms, but had negligible effects on the phyllosphere bacteria of mulberry leaves. The findings suggest that the perturbations in the gut microbiota of B. mori are driven by Cd content rather than phyllosphere bacteria.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Anderson Carlos Camargo, Edite Andrade Costa, Andressa Fusieger, Rosangela de Freitas, Luis Augusto Nero, Antonio Fernandes de Carvalho
Summary: Minas Gerais is a Brazilian state known for being the largest cheese producer in Brazil, with Entre Serras region experiencing a resurgence in artisanal cheese production. The predominant bacterial species in Entre Serras MAC was found to be Lactococcus lactis, with some farms showing high levels of contamination, possibly due to poor hygiene practices.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Inna Burakova, Yuliya Smirnova, Mariya Gryaznova, Mikhail Syromyatnikov, Pavel Chizhkov, Evgeny Popov, Vasily Popov
Summary: Obesity is causing many concomitant diseases, and new strategies for treatment and prevention are being developed using probiotics to modulate the gut microbiota. A study found an increase in Actinobacteriota and a decrease in Bacteroidota in obese patients taking lactic acid bacteria. Beneficial groups like Bifidobacterium and Lactococcus increased, while harmful groups like Faecalibacterium and Clostridium decreased. Modulating the gut microbiota with lactic acid bacteria may be a way to treat obesity.
Article
Microbiology
Alba Regueira-Iglesias, Lara Vazquez-Gonzalez, Carlos Balsa-Castro, Nicolas Vila-Blanco, Triana Blanco-Pintos, Javier Tamames, Maria Jose Carreira, Inmaculada Tomas
Summary: This study analyzed the coverage of 16S rRNA gene primers used in oral microbiome studies and identified the best primers. The findings showed that the optimal primers can be utilized for detecting both oral bacteria and archaea, with a wide coverage range.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Hidalgo-Arias, Victor Munoz-Hisado, Pilar Valles, Adelina Geyer, Eva Garcia-Lopez, Cristina Cid
Summary: Endolithic microorganisms living in the cracks of rocks in Deception Island, Antarctica exhibit diverse adaptations to extreme environmental conditions and show potential significance in astrobiology research.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Xiaohui Wen, Shengjun Luo, Dianhong Lv, Chunling Jia, Xiurong Zhou, Qi Zhai, Li Xi, Caijuan Yang
Summary: This study used high-throughput sequencing technology to investigate the gut microbiota of different horse breeds and found variations in microbial composition and function. Thoroughbred horses had a more diverse microbiota, while Hybrid horses showed intermediate diversity. The metabolic pathways also differed significantly between breeds.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Matt Jellicoe, Aghil Igder, Clarence Chuah, Darryl B. Jones, Xuan Luo, Keith A. Stubbs, Emily M. Crawley, Scott J. Pye, Nikita Joseph, Kasturi Vimalananthan, Zoe Gardner, David P. Harvey, Xianjue Chen, Filomena Salvemini, Shan He, Wei Zhang, Justin M. Chalker, Jamie S. Quinton, Youhong Tang, Colin L. Raston
Summary: The study demonstrates that efficient mixing and separation of immiscible liquids can be achieved without the need for additional substances, through specific designs utilizing liquids of different densities. Innovative designs of tube shapes and control of rotation speeds can enable high inter-phase mass transfer, helping to overcome limitations at liquid interfaces.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xuan Luo, Wanling Cai, Kasturi Vimalanathan, Aghil Igder, Zoe Gardner, Spencer Petticrew, Shan He, Clarence Chuah, Youhong Tang, Peng Su, Wei Zhang, Colin L. Raston
Summary: This study reports a fast and sustainable technique for catalytically degrading organic dyes under flow. By utilizing a vortex fluidic device (VFD) with different applications, the researchers have successfully fabricated a composite catalytic material with enhanced activity. Furthermore, chemical modification of the VFD tube reactor has dramatically improved the degradation efficiency. Real-time monitoring of the reaction and evaluation of the coating layer post-reaction were achieved using a UV-visible spectroscopy-based probe.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Srijan Shrestha, Jae Sue Choi, Wei Zhang, Scott D. Smid
Summary: Phlorotannins exhibit neuroprotective activity against oxidative stress and amyloid beta exposure, with fucofuroeckol-type phlorotannins showing broader neuroprotective effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Bunu Tamang, Qi Liang, Biju Balakrishnan, Su Peng, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study compared the yield and antiproliferative activity of polysaccharide-rich extracts from Hengshan Astragalus Shiitake (HAS) using three different extraction techniques. The results showed that both HAS-A and HAS-B extracts contained significantly higher amounts of polysaccharides compared to the control (Shiitake extract). The HAS-B extract also exhibited significantly higher antiproliferative activity in human colorectal carcinoma cells when using the ultrasound-enzyme assisted extraction method.
Article
Microbiology
Qi Yang, Jackson K. B. Cahn, Jorn Piel, Yue-Fan Song, Wei Zhang, Hou-Wen Lin
Summary: Sponges host abundant microbial symbionts that can produce an impressive number of novel bioactive metabolites. However, knowledge on intracellular (endosymbiotic) microbiota is scarce. By separating sponge cells and enriching intracellular microbes, we characterize the composition and function of the endosymbiotic microbiome, uncovering a noteworthy number of taxa exclusively in the endosymbiotic microbiome. Our study achieves a more comprehensive sponge microbial community profile, which demonstrates the structural and functional specificity of the endosymbiotic microbiome.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Thanh H. Hoang, Qi Liang, Xuan Luo, Youhong Tang, Jian G. Qin, Wei Zhang
Summary: This review assesses the potential of marine-derived bioactives in improving reproductive and sexual health issues. While there have been some advancements, there are still gaps in knowledge and technology that need further research. Developing simple, low-cost, and scalable processes for extraction and purification, as well as optimizing culturing conditions for sustainable production, are suggested. Mechanistic studies and clinical trials are urgently needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of extracts and marine-derived bioactives.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Correction
Chemistry, Applied
Renao Bai, Peng Su, Guo Zhen, Trung T. Nguyen, Yong Diao, Kirsten Heimann, Wei Zhang
JOURNAL OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xuan Luo, Wenjin Xing, Iliana Delcheva, Fayed Abdullah Alrashaidi, Amir Heydari, Dennis Palms, Vi Khanh Truong, Krasimir Vasilev, Zhongfan Jia, Wei Zhang, Peng Su, Kasturi Vimalanathan, Aghil Igder, Gregory A. Weiss, Youhong Tang, Melanie MacGregor, Colin L. Raston
Summary: A shear-stress-mediated platform called portable vortex-fluidic device (P-VFD) has been developed to overcome the diffusion-limit and achieve fast reaction rates. The platform consists of a plasma oxazoline-coated polyvinyl chloride (POx-PVC) film with tough hydrogel covalently bound to its surface and a reactor tube for reactions. The hydrogel arrays on the film provide a strong matrix for entrapping biomolecules and tolerate shear stress, resulting in a >6-fold increase in reaction rate.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Wanling Cai, Wei Zhang, Zuliang Chen
Summary: Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with high surface area and biodegradability have potential in drug release. Fe3O4 nanoparticles and MOFs composite materials, with magnetic features, were investigated for norfloxacin loading and release. The composite showed pH-sensitive properties and high release efficiency, making it suitable for targeted drug delivery. Its antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was also tested, indicating its potential as a microbial inhibitor.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Trung T. T. Nguyen, Thanh Hoang, Tuyet Pham, Vi Khanh Truong, Xuan Luo, Jian Qin, Wei Zhang
Summary: Shell wastes impose burdens on the shellfish industry, but they can be used for commercial chitin production to minimize negative impacts and maximize economic value.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Renao Bai, Trung T. Nguyen, Yali Zhou, Yong Diao, Wei Zhang
Summary: Arthrospira maxima is a sustainable source of proteins with diverse functionalities. The residue of spent biomass still contains proteins with potential for biopeptide production. The hydrolyzed product with the highest antioxidative activity was further fractionated and purified, and the resulting biopeptides have potential applications in food and nutraceutical products.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tuyet Pham, Tien Thanh Nguyen, Ngoc Huu Nguyen, Andrew Hayles, Wenshao Li, Duy Quang Pham, Chung Kim Nguyen, Trung Nguyen, Jitraporn Vongsvivut, Neethu Ninan, Ylias Sabri, Wei Zhang, Krasimir Vasilev, Vi Khanh Truong
Summary: This study presents a novel sustainable technology, using argon atmospheric plasma jet, to transform microalgae into bioactive coatings with excellent antibacterial activity and biological compatibility. This technology has the potential to combat wound infections and advance wound care research.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dechao Chen, Muhammad Usman Zia, Fan Yang, Yuting Wang, Frederic D. L. Leusch, Nam-Trung Nguyen, Wei Zhang, Yongsheng Gao, Dongyuan Zhao, Colin L. L. Raston, Qin Li
Summary: A ligand-mediated, spatially-confined synthesis method is developed to produce high-quality carbon dots from crude bioresources. The choice of solvent plays a critical role in the formation and properties of the carbon dots. The ligand-carbon interactions and electron transfer result in the formation of uniform colloidal carbon dots with multiple emissions. These carbon dots can be easily dispersed in various solvents and fabricated into thin-film devices, making them suitable for optoelectronic applications.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Suvimol Charoensiddhi, Pawadee Methacanon, Peng Su, Wei Zhang
Summary: This study investigated the anti-skin aging potential of three Southern Australian brown seaweed extracts. The results showed that the extracts from Cystophora moniliformis and Cystophora siliquosa exhibited strong inhibitory effects on glycation activity and stimulated collagen production, suggesting their potential as skin anti-aging supplements. Further in vivo studies are warranted.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kasturi Vimalanathan, James Scott, Xun Pan, Xuan Luo, Soraya Rahpeima, Qiang Sun, Jin Zou, Nidhi Bansal, Elisabeth Prabawati, Wei Zhang, Nadim Darwish, Mats R. Andersson, Qin Li, Colin L. Raston
Summary: This study presents a method for fabricating highly processible graphene oxide directly from graphite, which significantly reduces waste generation. The resulting 'green' graphene oxide exhibits unique properties, including exceptional electrical and optical characteristics.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2022)