The 2023 iteration of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) estimated prevalence, incidence, and health burden for 375 diseases and injuries, including 12 mental disorders. We assess past, current, and emerging trends in the prevalence and burden of mental disorders across sexes and age groups, for 21 regions, 204 countries and territories, and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile, from 1990 to 2023. Mental disorders included in GBD 2023 were anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, conduct disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, idiopathic developmental intellectual disability, and a residual category of other mental disorders. A literature review identified epidemiological data for each disorder. These were analysed via a Bayesian meta-regression to estimate prevalence by disorder, sex, age, location, and year. Disorder-specific prevalence was multiplied by disability weights representing the severity of health loss associated with each disorder to estimate years lived with disability (YLDs). Deaths due to anorexia nervosa were assessed with a Cause of Death Ensemble modelling strategy to estimate deaths by sex, age, location, and year, and then multiplied by the standard life expectancy at age of death to estimate years of life lost (YLLs). YLDs equalled disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for all mental disorders except anorexia nervosa (the only mental disorder considered as an underlying cause of death in GBD), for which DALYs represented the sum of YLDs and YLLs. We presented prevalence, deaths, YLDs, YLLs, and DALYs as counts, age-specific rates per 100 000 population, and age-standardised rates per 100 000 population. We estimated 1·17 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1·06-1·31) prevalent cases of mental disorders globally in 2023, equivalent to an age-standardised prevalence rate of 14 210·7 cases (12 849·5-15 940·1) per 100 000 population. These estimates represented a 95·5% (75·0-121·2) increase in prevalent cases and 24·2% (11·4-41·4) increase in age-standardised prevalence rate between 1990 and 2023. All mental disorders showed increases in prevalent cases between 1990 and 2023, while notable increases were seen in age-standardised prevalence rates for anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, dysthymia, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, schizophrenia, and conduct disorder. There were an estimated 171 million (127-228) DALYs due to mental disorders globally across sex and age in 2023, equivalent to an age-standardised DALY rate of 2070·5 DALYs (1519·1-2750·5) per 100 000 population. Mental disorders contributed to 6·1% (4·8-7·6) of all-cause DALYs in 2023, making them the fifth leading cause of global DALYs (up from 12th in 1990). DALYs were almost entirely composed of YLDs. Mental disorders were the leading cause of YLDs in 2023 (up from second in 1990), explaining 17·3% (14·8-20·6) of all-cause global YLDs. Leading causes of mental disorder DALYs were anxiety disorders (ranked 11th among the 304 diseases and injuries at Level 4 of the GBD cause hierarchy), major depressive disorder (15th), and schizophrenia (41st). Globally in 2023, mental disorder age-standardised DALY rates were higher among females (2239·6 [1643·7-3014·1] per 100 000) than among males (1900·2 [1399·8-2510·8] per 100 000), and peaked in the 15-19 years age group (2617·3 [1850·6-3696·8] per 100 000). All locations showed increased mental disorder DALY rates in 2023 compared with 1990, ranging across countries and territories from 1302·4 (952·7-1683·7) per 100 000 in Viet Nam to 3555·8 (2661·9-4715·0) per 100 000 in the Netherlands. Across SDI quintiles, DALY rates ranged from 1853·0 (1352·1-2469·3) per 100 000 for middle SDI to 2184·1 (1606·1-2890·3) per 100 000 for high SDI. A significant health burden was imposed by mental disorders in all countries and territories in 2023, irrespective of the health resources available. In some instances, this burden has increased over time and is unevenly distributed across populations. Stronger surveillance systems, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, are required. Additionally, we need more coordinated and inclusive policies to reduce the burden through early treatment and prevention, tailored to sex and age differences across locations. Responding to the mental health needs of our global population, especially those most vulnerable, is an obligation, not a choice. Gates Foundation, Queensland Health, and University of Queensland.
The colonization of textiles by axillary skin bacteria produces an unpleasant odour due to the rapid growth of a selective community of bacteria. Such colonized textiles subsequently act as vectors for transmitting nosocomial infections among healthcare workers and patients. An in-depth understanding of bacterial behaviour on soft surfaces like fabrics is necessary to mitigate the transmission of infections. This study examined the effect of artificial human sweat on biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, on three fabrics, viz. polyester, cotton, and polyester-cotton (70:30) blend. Artificial sweat was constituted to replicate the natural human sweat on textiles. Using atomic force microscopy, the three-dimensional topography of the biofilm was determined, and scanning electron microscopy was employed to visualise the biofilm that had developed on the fabrics. All bacterial strains showed maximum growth on polyester fabric in the presence of sweat. P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were found to be strong biofilm producers, whereas E. coli and E. faecalis were moderate producers. The ability of the four bacterial strains to form biofilm was related to their production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). P. aeruginosa produced viscous EPS in contrast to the EPS produced by other bacterial strains. In conclusion, this study corroborates that sweat plays a major role in the colonization of textiles by bacteria. Regular practice of fabric hygiene, and the development of modified fabrics with anti-pathogen properties, could potentially reduce the prevalence of nosocomial infections in healthcare settings. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01409-0.
Understanding genetic variability of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is essential for addressing malaria transmission patterns and formulating effective treatment strategies. This study aims to examine the genetic structure of Indian Pf population over the past three decades by analysing the evolving patterns of Pfmsp1 and Pfmsp2 genes and the prevalence of Pfcrt-resistant genotypes, while exploring their correlation with infection clonality. A total of 304 malaria-positive samples from 14 Indian states between 1993 and 2023 were analysed. Allelic polymorphism of Pfmsp1 and Pfmsp2 was assessed using PCR, while Pfcrt genetic polymorphism was analysed via amplicon sequencing. Period-wise, multiplicity of infection (MOI) for both Pfmsp1 and Pfmsp2 peaked in 1990s, declining over time, with the lowest MOI observed during 2020-2023. K1 allele of Pfmsp1 and FC27 allele of Pfmsp2 were the most prevalent. Clonality varied significantly across six Indian regions and four time periods. The K76T mutation in Pfcrt, a marker for chloroquine resistance, was predominant in 83.54% of samples. The K1 allele was significantly associated with CVMNK (P = 0.026), FC27 with SVMNT (P = 0.005), and IC/3D7 with both CVMNK and CVIET haplotypes (P < 0.001). The study also included analysis of Indian and global distribution of Pfcrt genotypes. The decline in MOI and polyclonality of Pf populations highlights the success of ongoing malaria control strategies. However, chloroquine-sensitive Pf parasites have yet to re-emerge, as resistant strains continue to persist. To monitor the sensitivity towards chloroquine, molecular surveillance needs to be carried out regularly along with in-vivo studies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-025-01519-3.
The exploration of early evolutionary processes, particularly focusing on archaea, provides valuable insights into the beginnings of life on Earth. Archaea, one of the three domains of life, have significantly shaped our understanding of evolution. Within archaea, the phylum Asgardarchaeota stands out for its crucial role in understanding the origins of eukaryotes and for its unique genomic and metabolic traits that make it an essential piece of the evolutionary puzzle. The study of these archaea is still in its early stages, but they have the potential to change our understanding of cellular evolution. Among the diverse groups within Asgardarchaeota, the class c__Njordarchaeia stands out as particularly intriguing yet underexplored due to its exceptional thermotolerance and metabolic flexibility. This study aims to fill the gaps in our knowledge by using advanced genomics and bioinformatic techniques to explore the genetic makeup, metabolic capabilities, and ecological roles of c__Njordarchaeia archaea in their natural habitats. Specifically, we have identified two previously unknown archaeal genomes from the deep-sea sediments of the Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, India, belonging to the same class within Asgardarchaeota. This discovery sheds light on their evolutionary significance and ecological functions in this unique marine environment. Through comprehensive genomic analysis, including pan-genomics, pathway module profiling, functional gene characterization, and examination of metabolic pathways, as well as basic statistical analysis of genome properties, this study represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the Njordarchaeia class within Asgardarchaeota. It provides deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these newly discovered genomes within the same evolutionary lineage. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-025-01524-6.
Antheraea assamensis Helfer is an economically important, endemic, lepidopteran insect native to Northeast India that produces a lustrous golden-coloured silk of distinct quality and durability. To date, the gut microbiota of A. assamensis has remained largely unexplored. The present work aimed to comprehensively identify and characterize the gut microbial community of A. assamensis through culture-independent approach. The gene expression analysis of the gut microbial community was studied through metatranscriptomic analysis. The influence of the host leaf-associated microbiota on larval gut microbial composition and its variation to changes in host plant was also investigated. The results have identified over 30 bacterial and archaeal phyla indicating a highly diverse gut microbial community of A. assamensis dominated by Proteobacteria (25.78%), Patescibacteria (12.77%), Planctomycetota (12.66%), Chloroflexi (8.63%), Acidobacteria (6.85%) and Actinobacteria (3.39%). Functional analysis of A. assamensis gut microbiota through shotgun metagenomic and metatranscriptomic investigation revealed key associations between the insect and its gut microbial community including host leaf digestion, metabolite detoxification, chitinase production and fat body metabolism. The host leaf-associated microbiota was found to occupy a major portion of the total larval gut microbiota. However, the diversity of the larval gut microbiota was greater than the host leaf-associated microbiota. The findings of this study will illustrate the structure of the gut microbial community of A. assamensis, their key interactions with the host organism and the role of host leaf-associated microbiota on the holobiont. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-025-01525-5.
The aim of the study was to investigate the enzyme production of psychrotrophic lignocellulolytic, silicolytic, and xylanolytic fungi for the development of the consortium at low temperature paddy straw degradation. To achieve this, a series of enrichment, isolation, and screening steps were conducted, resulting in the isolation of twenty-one fungi from cold-adapted regions, namely Balim, Gurdaspur, Punjab. In the qualitative screening at 15 °C, a total of thirteen fungal isolates were selected. These screened isolates were further subjected to quantitative estimation of different enzymes at three low temperatures (10, 15, and 20 °C). The maximum enzyme production was observed in isolate LTF 7 for CMCase and LiP, in LTF 21 for FPase, in LTF 1 and 5 for xylanase, in LTF 13 for laccase, and in isolates LTF 16, 17, and 19 for MnP and silicase. Furthermore, based on the data, tolerance of low temperature was checked by radial growth measurement at 15 °C, resulting in 100% growth for isolates LTF 1, 7, 13, 16, 17, and 21 under 7 days of incubation. The survivability of those isolates was also checked for adaptation in the colder region through a freeze-thawing experiment, in which, LTF 13, 21, 1 and 7 recorded maximum population in a series of 20 days experiments. Cross compatibility assay was used to develop the different consortia and its efficiency was checked by different degradation assays using paddy straw at low temperature (15 °C). Among the various experiments, the consortium named LTF 1-13-21 recorded the highest degradation efficiency and ITS sequences of isolates 1, 13 and 21 were identified as Penicillium aethiopicum, Penicillium echinulatum and Penicillium chrysogenum. This study not only indicated a valuable psychrotrophic paddy straw degrading strain but also offered meaningful evidence for further exploration of the microbial degradation mechanism in cold regions.
Bioremediation is a promising method for cleaning up sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs), with bioaugmentation being a common strategy that involves the use of microbial consortia to treat these sites. However, using a single bacterium is not effective in treating PHC contamination due to the range of compounds present. The use of different strains as a consortium can improve treatment, but bioaugmentation often fails due to various factors, especially in large-scale applications. The number and survival of introduced microorganisms are critical during bioremediation, and immobilization by using carrier materials such as biochar can protect added microorganisms from adverse impacts. Advanced composting methods can also be effective in treating petroleum-polluted sites in commercial-scale applications. By adjusting environmental factors and adding compost, native microorganisms can be biostimulated. This review aims to critically analyze the challenges associated with bioaugmentation and field-scale applications of bioremediation for petroleum-contaminated sites, specifically identifying key variables that impact the success of bioremediation efforts and evaluating the effectiveness of different bioremediation strategies in field conditions. The review addresses the primary factors contributing to the failure of bioaugmentation in large-scale applications, how the survival and activity of introduced microbial consortia can be enhanced in contaminated environments, and the most effective strategies for field-scale bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated sites. The strategies discussed are evaluated based on their ability to enhance microbial survival, their practicality in large-scale applications, their environmental impact, and their overall effectiveness in reducing PHC levels. By providing a comprehensive analysis of these aspects, this review aims to offer insights into optimizing bioremediation processes for field-scale applications.
The fermentation of bioethanol from cellulose as a raw material offers an effective means to mitigate environmental pollution caused by agricultural waste, holding significant economic and ecological importance. However, during the production of cellulosic ethanol fermentation, a significant amount of cellulosic ethanol wastewater (CEW) rich in nutrients is generated. In this research, four strains of oleaginous yeasts (Trichosporon dermatis, Rhodotorula glutinis, Lipomyces starkeyi, and Yarrowia lipolytica) were fermented in CEW. Biomass, lipid content, lipid yield, fatty acid composition, substrate metabolism and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal were assessed for these strains. The results showed that T. dermatis had the maximum fermentation effectively when biomass is 18.702 g/L, lipid content is 9.08%, lipid yield is 1.70 g/L and COD removal is 50.8%, respectively. To elucidate the effects of pivotal fermentation parameters, a comprehensive series of single-factor experiments was methodically conducted to evaluate the influences of cultivation temperature, initial pH, inoculation concentration, and carbon-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio) on the growth characteristics of T. dermatis, and the optimal conditions were 28 ℃, pH 7.5, inoculation concentration 15%, and C/N ratio 64:1. Meanwhile, fermentation efficiency reached its peak, with biomass, lipid content, lipid yield, and COD removal measured at 18.375 g/L, 13.65%, 2.51 g/L, and 72%, respectively. Building on these findings, response surface analysis was performed, with COD removal as the primary factor, to identify the optimal process parameters. It was determined that at a pH of 8, an inoculation rate of 15%, and a C/N ratio of 60:1, the COD removal reached its maximum value of 73.7%.
Foodborne pathogens pose a serious public health threat, causing widespread illness and severe consequences. A major challenge in their control is the formation of biofilms on surfaces in food production environments, enhancing bacterial survival, antimicrobial resistance, and persistence. This review investigates biofilm formation strategies employed by key pathogens like Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes, emphasizing the pivotal role of biofilm management in addressing food safety concerns. The study explores the genetic, molecular, and environmental factors influencing biofilm development, which are crucial for devising effective control measures. Strategies employed by bacteria, such as quorum sensing, adhesion mechanisms, and extracellular polymeric substance production, are detailed. This review also discusses current control measures, including chemical and physical interventions, novel approaches like bacteriophages and biofilm-disrupting enzymes, and considerations in surface material design to minimize biofilm formation. In conclusion, a comprehensive understanding of biofilm formation strategies and effective control measures is essential for ensuring food safety. This review provides insights into managing biofilm-associated risks in the food industry, contributing to innovative and sustainable approaches for mitigating the impact of foodborne pathogens.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), a precursor of the essential coenzymes flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide, plays a critical role in numerous cellular metabolic pathways, including redox reactions, energy production, and biosynthetic processes. Due to its fundamental importance in human and animal nutrition, riboflavin has found wide application across the food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. In recent decades, the development of metabolic engineering techniques has revolutionized riboflavin production, transitioning from traditional chemical synthesis to environmentally sustainable microbial fermentation. Microorganisms such as A. gossypii, Candida famata, and Bacillus subtilis have been extensively engineered to enhance riboflavin yield at an industrial scale. Key metabolic engineering strategies include reprogramming the purine metabolic network, mutating ribulose-5-phosphate 3-epimerase, and relieving regulatory constraints on purine biosynthesis. These advances have significantly improved the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability of industrial riboflavin production. This review article presents an in-depth analysis of biotechnological methods aimed at increasing riboflavin production, ensuring a consistent supply of this crucial micronutrient for both human and animal nutrition. It stands as a significant reference for researchers and industry stakeholders.
Breast cancer, a world serious health issue of women and rarely men, is in demand of effective and breakthrough treatment approaches. Oncolytic virotherapy, especially herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that expresses granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), has shown promise in cancer therapy. Metformin, an antidiabetic drug, has also reflected anticancer features. Hence, in this scientific project, we intended to evaluate the synergistic influences of combination of GM-CSF-expressing oncolytic HSV-1 (OHSV-GM-CSF) with metformin in cell lines related to breast cancer. To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the potential therapeutic interplay between OHSV-GM-CSF and metformin, suggesting a unique approach to enhance oncolytic virotherapy in the treatment of this malignancy. For this purpose, recombinant HSV-1 viruses expressing GM-CSF were generated, and their effectiveness, both with and without metformin, was assessed on breast cancer cell lines, including MCF7 (hormone receptor-positive) and MDA-MB231 (triple-negative). Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and immune activation were explored using MTT assays, flow cytometry, and ELISA. Also, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were used to examine immune responses. Co-treatment with OHSV-GM-CSF and metformin significantly improved the cytotoxic impacts on breast cancer cells, elevated apoptosis, and potentiated immune activation compared to each treatment separately. GM-CSF expression was strong, and the production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in PBMCs was significantly higher in the combination group. Moreover, metformin further promoted the cytotoxic and immunostimulatory impacts of OHSV-GM-CSF. The combination of OHSV-GM-CSF and metformin reveals synergistic anticancer influences, promoting cytotoxicity, immune activation, and PBMC proliferation, suggestive of a promising approach for breast cancer therapy that necessitates further preclinical and clinical investigation. This strategy holds clear promise for future clinical application and warrants prioritization in translational cancer research. Breast cancer cells (i.e., MCF7 and MDA-MB231) infected with a combination of recombinant HSV-1 viruses that express granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and metformin exhibit a synergistic effect in promoting the expression of interferon-ϒ (IFN-ϒ) found within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and exerting apoptotic and cytotoxic effects in the mentioned malignant cells. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-025-01523-7.
The prevalence of cariogenic bacteria in dental caries is attributed to acidification of the oral microenvironment. Cariogenic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated from dental caries. A total of 101 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from 55 samples (n = 55). The isolates were classified based on their acid tolerance and acidogenic properties. The isolated bacterial strains were cultured in soy peptone (2%) and maintained in a simulated oral environment. The survival rate of the isolates varied from 40.2 ± 2.1 to 74.7 ± 1.8%, and only 11 strains had a significant survival rate (> 60%). Among these DS47 strain exhibited strong biofilm production, with an optical density value significantly higher than that of the other isolates (p < 0.01). This strain was further tested to determine its demineralization effect on teeth. The biofilm-forming bacteria DS47 released Ca2+ ions in a time-dependent manner (p < 0.01), indicating its potential role in enamel demineralization. Additionally, the DS47 isolate was found to be multidrug-resistant, showing resistance to tobramycin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, amoxicillin, trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, amikacin, ceftazidime, cefoxitin, and gentamicin. The New Delhi metallo β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1) gene and blaVIM-1 genes were detected in the drug-resistant P. aeruginosa DS47. The biofilm-producing P. aeruginosa showed cariogenicity and contributed to dental caries. These findings suggest that biofilm-producing P. aeruginosa plays a significant role in cariogenicity and contributes to dental caries.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing public health concern in India. It is driven largely by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. This qualitative study aimed to examine how the Training and Communication (T and C) package influenced antibiotic prescribing practices of healthcare providers and prescription adherence among patients and caregivers at Civil Hospital, Manimajra, Chandigarh. A grounded theory approach was applied to qualitative data collected at baseline and endline. Purposive sampling was used to conduct focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers. The topic guides were developed with reference to the capacity, opportunity, motivation-behavior framework. Data were transcribed, translated, manually coded, and thematically analyzed to identify drivers and barriers to prescription adherence before and after the intervention. Drivers of, and barriers to, prescription adherence included patient characteristics, doctor's workload, patient's knowledge about antibiotic uses, expectations for cheaper medicines, and the attitude of healthcare providers before the intervention. Based on these findings, a T and C package was developed for healthcare providers and patient communication. The use of rapid diagnostic tests and prescription communication helped in early diagnosis and increased patient's adherence to the prescribed medicine after the intervention. Patients in the intervention arm reported supportive engagement with the healthcare professionals. The affordability of medicine was a major barrier to prescription adherence across arms, pre- and postintervention. Training of service providers and communication with patients were important for ensuring prescription adherence and optimal use of antibiotics. The affordability of medicines was the biggest challenge.
Different bacteria produce different iron(III) chelating small molecules called siderophores to fetch iron(III) from the surrounding environment. Aerobactin is a hydroxamate siderophore discovered in Aerobacter aerogenes in 1969. Aerobactin synthesizing and importing proteins are encoded by iuc-iutA operon which was found to confer growth advantage in pColV bearing pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli in case of human and animal infections. Being an important virulence factor in pathogenic Escherichia, Shigella, Klebsiella and Yersinia, aerobactin export and import mediating proteins like ShiF and IutA respectively as well as its synthesizing enzymes are potential therapeutic targets. Aerobactin encoding machinery can be horizontally transferred to many other bacteria leading to niche diversification of pathogens. So, keeping track of its spread is medically very important. Knowledge about different regulators of aerobactin expression helps to further diversify the therapeutic approaches. Iron sequestration function of aerobactin is used by different bacteria for competition in the environment, formation of multicellular structures like swarming colonies and biofilm as well as predation. Suitable modification and conjugation of aerobactin may lead to potential beneficial applications. Unfortunately, this area is far less developed in aerobactin compared to other siderophores. Progress in development of specific inhibitors for different steps of aerobactin synthesis is wanted. Also, development of sensitive, easy to handle inhibitor assay methods are needed. Hence, it is important to draw attention to the different aspects of this siderophore. So, using data from several published literatures, this review is discussing aerobactin from its synthesis, regulation of expression, functions in different bacteria, ways of potential modifications and future directions of this field.
The re-isolation of already known compounds in natural product research is a significant challenge. To address this, genome mining and optimization studies serve as dereplication strategies. This study focused on optimizing the growth and analyzing the genome of endophytic Streptomyces sp. strain PGLac3x isolated from Piper guineense. The growth optimization study assessed mycelium dry weight in mg/100 mL of media. Genomic DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA gene and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were performed via Sanger and Illumina Miseq technologies. Comprehensive genome analysis was conducted using the Bacterial and Viral Bioinformatics Resource Center (BV-BRC) database, and antibiotic and secondary metabolite analysis shell (antiSMASH) tool version 6.1.1. PGLac3x optimally grew on potato dextrose media at 32 °C, pH 7-8, and 2% salt concentration over 16 days. Based on the 16S rRNA gene blast, PGLac3x is closely related to Streptomyces sampsonii ATCC 25495 T (99.31%), Streptomyces albidoflavus NBRC 100770 T (99.30%) and Streptomyces champavatii NRRL B-5682 T (99.24%). The genome size is 6.96 Mb, with 59 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and a guanine-cytosine content of 73.46%. The genome contained 6477 coding sequences (CDS), 50 tRNAs, and 3 rRNAs, along with genes for polyketide synthases (T1PKS, T2PKS, T3PKS), terpenes, non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS), and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). PGLac3x's phylogenetic distinctiveness and low gene similarity to the BGCs of known compounds suggests its potential to synthesize of distinct compounds. This study unveiled the biosynthetic potential, genetic diversity of secondary metabolites of Streptomyces sp. PGLac3x and provided a fresh insight for the exploration of new bioactive compounds. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-025-01532-6.
Climate change along with infectious disease and antimicrobial resistance are imposing threat to public health globally. Climate change mediates frequent rise in antimicrobial resistance leading to the emergence of zoonotic vectors. Both climate change and AMR contribute significantly to global morbidity and mortality and impose burden on the healthcare sector. Overexploitation of antimicrobials in various sectors causes broader dissemination of AMR. Therefore, the application of a holistic "One Health Approach" is required to combat both climate change and antimicrobial resistance. Increasing public awareness about the negative consequences of climate change and antimicrobial resistance is essential. Also, the discovery of new antimicrobials has become the need of the present world. The application of metagenomics has the potential to shed light on microbial community dynamics (taxonomic abundance and predominant biochemical pathways) in response to climate change. The application of modern tools like functional metagenomics has the potential to yield new antimicrobial compounds for combating AMR. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-024-01430-3.
Potentilla nepalensis (Family: Rosaceae) has been traditionally used to treat burns, gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, dysentery, colds, and skin diseases. This study investigates the synergistic antibacterial interactions between methanolic extracts of P. nepalensis roots and shoots with selected antibiotics, supported by molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Phytochemical profiling revealed comparable constituents in root and shoot extracts, with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) quantification highlighting significant variations in key bioactive compounds. Synergistic antibacterial interactions were evaluated using combinations of roots and shoot extracts with ampicillin and chloramphenicol against S. aureus and E. coli. These combinations demonstrated significant bioactivity enhancements ranging from 5-32.26 folds with ampicillin and 8-62.5 folds with chloramphenicol. Molecular docking revealed strong binding of ellagic acid to the NorA efflux pump (PDB ID: 7LO8) and multidrug transporter protein, AcrB (PDB ID: 4DX5). MD simulations further confirmed the stability of these protein-ligand complexes, supported by MM-GBSA analysis. Pharmacokinetic evaluations indicated poor solubility and low permeability of ellagic acid leading to primary fecal elimination. However, its favorable safety profile and minimal drug-drug interaction suggest its potential as a safe therapeutic agent. The findings underscore the potential of P. nepalensis as an adjuvant in antibiotic therapy, offering a promising strategy to combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. Further in vivo studies and clinical evaluations are warranted to confirm its therapeutic efficacy.
Better understanding of microbiota of mosquitoes with greater taxonomic resolution will not only enable real time comprehensive microbial profile, it might help in identification of suitable paratransgenesis candidates. It's critical to characterize mosquito microbiomes at the regional level in order to find previously unidentified organisms, including agents that may be used in vector control studies. In this study, we investigated comprehensive bacterial microbiota profiling of field-collected Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, two major mosquito vectors of Odisha, India, by employing full-length 16S rRNA sequencing. The study identified 915 bacterial species in Ae. aegypti and 327 bacterial species in Cx. quinquefasciatus, highlighting substantial differences in microbial composition between the two species. Aedes aegypti was found to harbor a more diverse bacterial microbiota, predominantly Methylobacterium, whereas Cx. quinquefasciatus was mainly dominated by Wolbachia. The Shannon and Simpson indices of both Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus were 3.67, 0.27, and 0.94, 0.07, respectively, indicating index values were high in Ae. aegypti and very low in Cx. quinquefasciatus. This comprehensive dataset on the microbiota provides valuable insights for future research on bacterial interactions related to insecticide resistance, pathogen transmission, and other mosquito physiological processes, with the ultimate goal of developing targeted vector control measures. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12088-025-01492-x.
The end products of glucose fermentation by Escherichia coli include organic acids such as formic, acetic, lactic, and succinic acid. Anions are transported out of the cell along with protons by a symport mechanism mediated by the FOF1-ATPase operating in the hydrolysis mode. The present work measures and analyzes new data on H+ efflux, K+ influx, and anionic formate, acetate, lactate, and succinate efflux rates in whole cells of E. coli grown at 2 g L-1 and 8 g L-1 glucose under fermentative conditions at pH 7.5, with 2 g L-1 added glucose. The experiments are performed both in the presence and absence of 0.2 mM N N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD), and in the presence and absence of external formate. At 2 g L-1 glucose in the growth medium, and addition of 2 g L-1 glucose, the mean DCCD-sensitive H+ efflux rate of (1.83 ± 0.20) × 10-3 mmol min-1 is almost exactly compensated by a (succinate + K+) transport rate of (1.94 ± 0.12) × 10-3 mmol min-1. This equivalence also holds in other experimental conditions investigated, e.g. in the presence of 10 mM external formate, and with 8 g L-1 glucose in the growth medium and 2 g L-1 added glucose. Comparison of ion transport rates between wild type and mutant atpB (a) and atpE (c) E. coli cells at a growth pH of 7.5 with 2 g L-1 added glucose are also made. Biochemical implications of these findings are discussed, and a structural model involving cotransport and supercomplex formation with the FOF1-ATPase that is consistent with the experimental observations is presented. Finally, the great scope for future work, and the innovations needed for further progress on these key aspects of bioenergetics and transport across biomembranes are discussed.
Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), particularly HPV16 and HPV18, is the leading cause of cervical cancer. While molecular diagnostics offer high sensitivity, their deployment in decentralized settings remains limited. This study presents a proof-of-concept CRISPR/dCas9-based membrane-assisted detection platform for HR-HPV genotyping. A membrane-based assay integrating recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) with CRISPR/dCas9-mediated sequence-specific recognition was developed. FAM-labeled amplicons were captured by immobilized dCas9-sgRNA ribonucleoprotein complexes and detected via antibody-mediated colorimetric readout. The assay enabled specific detection of HPV16 and HPV18 using genotype-specific sgRNAs, producing visually interpretable signals on a nitrocellulose membrane. No signal was observed in negative controls, demonstrating high analytical specificity. Semi-quantitative signal assessment confirmed clear differentiation between positive and negative samples. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a CRISPR/dCas9-based membrane-assisted detection system for HR-HPV genotyping. While not yet configured as a fully integrated lateral flow device, the platform provides a foundation for future development of simplified, point-of-care molecular diagnostics.