Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose a formidable health threat owing to their multidrug resistance (MDR) nature, robust biofilms and persistence. Natural product-based medications are a highly viable strategy for challenging MDR and biofilm persistence with diverse therapeutic benefits. In this study, the triterpenoid Astrakurkurone, previously purified from a wild edible mushroom Astraeus hygrometricus, showed antibacterial efficacy against MRSA BAA1717 and a clinical isolate (MRSA CI-1) with MICs ranging from 150 to 300 μg/mL. 1/2 MIC concentration of Astrakurkurone also inhibited 93.95% and 88.31% of MRSA BAA1717 and MRSA CI-1 biofilms through downregulating quorum sensing and virulence factors such as agrA, sarA, bap, sasG, icaA, and hla. The inhibition of staphyloxanthin production by Astrakurkurone was another interesting insight, sensitizing bacterial cells to reactive oxygen species (ROS). The accumulation of ROS was observed as one of the primary mechanisms of Astrakurkurone that affected potential and integrity of cell membrane. Intriguingly, Astrakurkurone acted as a β-lactamase inhibitor by downregulating blaZ expression by ∼11.11 fold. Moreover, a synergistic and additive interaction of Astrakurkurone with β-lactam antibiotic cefoxitin was evinced, supporting its β-lactamase inhibitory nature. Furthermore, the antibiotic-induced and biofilm-induced persister cells were eliminated by Astrakurkurone, providing another important insight for recurrent and chronic disease management. Astrakurkurone eradicated matured biofilms from urinary catheter, goat skin wound, skin burn wound and lung sections, strengthening applicability potential. In summary, the antibiofilm, antivirulence and antipersister nature of Astrakurkurone could emerge as a promising therapeutic alternative for the cure of medicinal implant-associated maladies, severe skin and lung infections with enhanced efficacy.
Nature builds functional materials through simple yet powerful processes that generate structured architecture across scales-from the lamellar patterns in seashells to the zonal organization of living tissues. Emulating such complexity in engineered systems remains challenging and often requires microfabricated components, external fields, or specialized hardware. Previously, we introduced chaotic printing as a deterministic and flow- and geometry-driven strategy for fabricating structured filaments, using static mixers embedded within extrusion printheads-primarily in the context of biofabrication. We broaden the architectural and functional scope of chaotic printing by exploring diverse static mixer designs and demonstrating its compatibility with three distinct deposition modes: wet-printing, dripping, and direct ink writing. These modalities enable the generation of material constructs with chemically and biologically relevant internal organization. We showcase examples ranging from zonally arranged mammalian cells that prefigure microtissue compartments to spatially patterned bacterial consortia composed of strict and facultative anaerobes and localized mineral precipitation within hydrogel filaments. These proof-of-concept-demonstrations underscore the potential of chaotic printing for fabricating structured soft matter where internal microarchitecture enables biologically and chemically relevant processes. This study positions chaotic printing as a modular, scalable, accessible platform for generating architected materials across fields ranging from cell culture and microbiology to functional soft materials.
This narrative review evaluates the current evidence on the efficacy of probiotic interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in both medicated and drug-naïve paediatric and adult populations and assesses the implications for clinical dietetic practice. A narrative review synthesizing randomized controlled trials and observational microbiome studies in paediatric and adult populations, specifically distinguishing between probiotic monotherapy and adjunctive protocols. Observational data confirm gut microbiome alterations in ADHD populations, although specific bacterial signatures vary across studies. Evidence from treatment trials demonstrates that the efficacy of probiotics as monotherapy for core ADHD symptoms remains inconclusive. However, specific adjunctive trials combining probiotics with conventional medication have reported preliminary positive findings on symptom reduction, though results remain heterogeneous. Adult evidence is sparse but indicates potential benefits for emotional dysregulation in specific contexts. This review concludes that current data do not support universal probiotic supplementation or routine clinical recommendation. However, when families inquire about complementary approaches, the existing literature enables evidence informed guidance within a shared decision-making framework that acknowledges the preliminary nature of current findings and sets realistic expectations.
Urolithiasis has been associated with microbial alterations in individual anatomical niches; however, whether microbial signatures across urinary, intestinal, and oral habitats represent shared, site-specific, or complementary disease-associated information remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize multi-habitat microbiome alterations associated with urolithiasis and to evaluate whether integrated multi-site profiling captures internally cross-validated disease-associated microbial information. Salivary, clean-catch midstream urinary, and fecal samples were collected from 80 stone formers (SF) and 40 healthy controls (HC) and profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. After quality control, the final analytical dataset comprised 101 urinary, 117 fecal, and 120 salivary samples, with 98 participants contributing complete three-habitat profiles. Habitat-specific alpha- and beta-diversity, taxonomic alterations, and exploratory inferred-network and predicted-functional profiles were evaluated. Random forest models were assessed using repeated nested stratified cross-validation to examine internal discriminatory information from single- and multi-habitat microbial features. Urolithiasis was associated with statistically detectable but modest differences in microbial community structure across all three habitats, with small PERMANOVA effect sizes and significant dispersion differences. Fecal samples from SF showed significantly reduced richness, including lower Sobs, Chao1, and ACE indices than HC after false discovery rate correction (all q = 0.022), whereas urinary and salivary alpha-diversity did not show broad loss. Taxonomic alterations were habitat dependent: saliva yielded the broadest covariate-robust genus-level candidate set, feces showed fewer stable HC-enriched genera alongside reduced richness, and urinary candidate associations were identified but require prospective contamination-controlled validation because of the low-biomass nature of urine and the absence of negative controls. In matched participants, the combined multi-habitat microbiome model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.865 (95% CI, 0.839-0.886), exceeding the limited clinical-only model based on age, sex, and body mass index (AUC, 0.738; delta-AUC, 0.128; 95% CI, 0.026-0.229). Improvement over the best single-habitat microbiome model was not statistically conclusive. External contextual analyses provided partial urinary community-level support in KiSMi and an inverse but FDR-non-significant NHANES oral-richness association after extensive covariate adjustment, supporting harmonized prospective validation. These findings identify habitat-dependent microbiome alterations in urolithiasis and show that integrated multi-habitat profiling captures disease-associated microbial information beyond a limited clinical baseline. The combination of reduced fecal richness, broad salivary covariate-robust candidates, biologically proximal urinary candidates, and external contextual signals supports simultaneous multi-site profiling as a valuable framework for future mechanistic and translational studies. Prospective studies with rigorous low-biomass controls, comprehensive exposure metadata, direct functional measurements, and prespecified independent validation are warranted.
Non-aeruginosa Pseudomonas (NAP) species represent a diverse and ubiquitous group of Gram-negative bacteria inhabiting a wide range of environmental niches, from soil and water to plant rhizospheres and clinical settings. While Pseudomonas aeruginosa has historically dominated clinical and research focus, the significance of NAP species, such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas stutzeri, as both opportunistic human pathogens and versatile biotechnological agents is increasingly recognized. Their remarkable genomic plasticity, driven by large accessory genomes and mobile genetic elements, underpins their metabolic versatility and adaptability but also facilitates the acquisition of virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance genes, contributing to their emergence in healthcare settings, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of NAP species, focusing on recent advances in their taxonomy facilitated by genomic tools like Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST), which reveal complex species groups and challenge traditional classifications. We delve into the genomic landscape, exploring pangenome dynamics, horizontal gene transfer (HGT), and the genomic signatures that may differentiate clinical from environmental isolates. The clinical relevance of NAPs is examined, detailing the spectrum of infections, epidemiological trends, risk factors, and insights into virulence mechanisms, including secretion systems (T3SS, T6SS) and pathogenicity islands. Addressing a critical need, this review incorporates detailed sections on the diagnostic challenges posed by NAPs, including common misidentifications and the role of modern techniques like MALDI-TOF MS and WGS, and outlines current and novel therapeutic strategies, considering the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within this group. Furthermore, the biotechnological applications of NAPs in bioremediation and biocatalysis are discussed alongside evolving biosafety considerations, reflecting the shift from strict containment to integrated monitoring approaches for genetically engineered strains. By synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting research gaps, this review underscores the necessity of integrated, One Health approaches to understand and manage the dual nature of non-aeruginosa Pseudomonas species as both environmental inhabitants and clinically relevant pathogens.
Phospholipases D (PLDs) are lipolytic enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis of the distal phosphodiester bond of various membrane phospholipids (PLs). These enzymes generate invariant phosphatidic acid (PA) and a polar head group whose nature depends on the PL substrate. PA is both a key metabolic intermediate in the synthesis of lipids and a second messenger involved in diverse processes, including cellular signaling, development of cancer in mammals, bacterial pathogenesis, and defense responses in plants. Regarding the diversity of PL nature and composition, all PLDs described so far can act on several PLs. Furthermore, the molecular determinants of PL recognition by PLDs and the preference of one PL over another remain poorly understood. We previously described the biochemical characterization of a PLD, called DaPLD1, from the bacterium Dechloromonas aromatica RCB. This PLD did indeed have a strong preference for phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) over all other PLs but was also able to hydrolyze phosphatidylcholine (PC). Here, we identified a second PLD called DaPLD2, which shares only 38% peptide identity with DaPLD1. We have recombinantly expressed this PLD in Escherichia coli and characterized it biochemically. Unlike DaPLD1, DaPLD2 exhibits an exclusive specificity for PE and is inactive toward other PLs, including PC. DaPLD2 is distant phylogenetically from DaPLD1 but shares common features and key residues found in bacterial PLDs. Altogether, this unique property of DaPLD2 towards PE provides valuable insights into PL metabolism in bacteria and holds potential for development as a tool enzyme to selectively transform PE among other PLs.
In this study, we report the first antibacterial evaluation of a focused library of 12 previously synthesized α-sulfamidophosphonate derivatives (4a-4l) against a panel of nine Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, including ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales. The overall hit rate was modest, as most compounds were inactive at the highest tested concentration (MIC ≥ 256 µg/mL), indicating a narrow and strain-selective profile. Nevertheless, selected derivatives showed noteworthy activity against individual isolates: 4 g inhibited Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213 at 4 µg/mL, 4c inhibited KPC-3-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae at 2 µg/mL, and 4e and 4l inhibited VIM-producing Escherichia coli at 4 µg/mL. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to examine substituent-dependent electronic features, whereas docking and 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to test whether the scaffold can adopt plausible binding modes in a dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) model. Because no biochemical DHPS assay was performed, the computational results should be regarded as hypothesis-generating rather than mechanistic proof. In silico ADMET predictions were used as an exploratory triage step and similarly await experimental validation. Overall, the present work identifies α-sulfamidophosphonates as preliminary antibacterial hits for further optimization, while emphasizing the need for broader microbiology, cytotoxicity, bactericidal, and target-validation studies.
Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) is an uncommon but serious manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, accounting for approximately 1-2% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases. Its diagnosis remains challenging because of the paucibacillary nature of the infection and the limited sensitivity of conventional diagnostic methods. Patients suspected of having tuberculous pericarditis between 2022 and 2024 were analyzed in this prospective case series. Various diagnostic tests were performed in suspected cases of tuberculous pericarditis, and the Cartridge-Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CBNAAT) detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis in three samples. Clinical data, radiological findings, pericardial fluid characteristics, and microbiological test results were reviewed and analyzed for the patients with tuberculous pericarditis. Our study suggests that men in the middle to older age groups may be at higher risk. The most common clinical findings were fever, dyspnoea, and pericardial effusion. This study highlights the heterogeneous clinical and laboratory profile of TBP, which can occur in diverse patient populations, ranging from immunocompromised individuals to otherwise healthy adults.
Intratumoral microbiota, an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), have attracted increasing attention in cancer immunotherapy. Emerging evidence links intratumoral microbiota to tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remodeling, immune cell infiltration, and heterogeneous responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, the overall research landscape, knowledge base, and hotspot evolution in this field remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to systematically map this field through bibliometric and visualization analyses. Publications up to November 8, 2025, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, and PubMed. After screening, deduplication, and data standardization, bibliometric analyses were performed using R, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica to examine publication trends, collaboration networks, knowledge bases, and keyword evolution. A total of 245 publications were included, comprising 141 original articles and 104 reviews. Since the first publication appeared in 2017, the field has grown exponentially, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 63.1% from 2017 to 2024. China ranked first in publication output, followed by the United States, while the United States occupied a more central position in total citations and international collaboration. Frontiers in Immunology was the most productive journal, whereas Science, Cell, and Nature constituted the major co-cited knowledge base, with 1,172, 729, and 670 co-citations, respectively. Keyword analysis showed that "intratumoral microbiota" was the most frequent term (90 occurrences), with excellent clustering quality (modularity Q = 0.6963; silhouette S = 0.9351). Research hotspots have gradually shifted from early explorations of gut microbiota, CD8+ T cells, and immune mechanisms toward immunotherapy resistance, microbial biomarkers, and microbiota-targeted interventions, including engineered bacteria, extracellular vesicles, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Research on intratumoral microbiota in cancer immunotherapy has rapidly developed into a distinct interdisciplinary field. Current hotspots are moving from mechanistic exploration toward response prediction and translational intervention. Future studies should prioritize standardized detection, spatial and multi-omics validation, and multicenter prospective evaluation to support the clinical translation of microbiota-based biomarkers and therapeutic strategies.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex multifactorial neurodegenerative disease process resulting in progressive cognitive deterioration and synaptic dysfunction. The primary research approach in AD has traditionally focused on amyloid- pathology however an increasingly evidence suggests that tau protein is a key mediator of neuronal damage via a direct action on mitochondrial bioenergetics. In this chapter we look at the nature of the tau-mitochondrial interface, and propose a paradigm of tau-induced energy failure in AD. Physiologically tau provides stability to the microtubules and is involved in transport mechanisms within cells. In AD, tau is excessively post-translationally modified hyperphosphorylated and truncated tau species form toxic oligomers that incorrectly translocate to mitochondria, interacting pathologically with critical proteins such as voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) and adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), impeding the mitochondrial ATP/ADP exchange and reducing oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Tau also further damages mitochondria by excessive fission, inhibition of axonal transport and Inhibition of mitophagy by interrupting PINK1-Parkin signaling. In turn, the build-up of dysfunctional mitochondria leads to ROS production, mtDNA damage and calcium imbalance creating a vicious cycle toward oxidative stress and tau pathology. At the cellular level they cause an energy depletion of the synapse and at the systems level cause glucose hypometabolism and activation of neuroinflammation. The chapter additionally discusses novel therapeutic approaches that target both tau and mitochondrial abnormalities, namely antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), mitochondria targeted compounds and mitophagy modifiers, stressing that it would be more effective to utilize a cocktail of these inhibitors. As a whole, in the context of decreased bioenergetics, the tau-mitochondria axis is an important factor to consider in the successful treatment of AD.
Background: Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, remains a major neglected tropical disease, with millions of people living with the infection worldwide. Current treatments are effective in the acute stage of the disease, but are poorly tolerated and show reduced efficacy in chronic infections, highlighting an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. A key bottleneck in early-stage drug discovery is target identification, which is traditionally dependent on costly and low-throughput experimental methods. Computational approaches offer a cost-effective and fast alternative to traditional methods. Methods: In this study, we present an integrated in silico pipeline that combines ligand-based and structure-based computational approaches to prioritize potential molecular targets for bioactive compounds against T. cruzi. The ligand-based component performed similarity searches across curated bioactivity databases containing known ligand-protein associations, and the most similar candidates were then further evaluated using a structure-based approach through pairwise structural alignment against the T. cruzi proteome from AlphaFold. Results: The pipeline was validated using eight compounds with known targets, successfully recovering the correct target in six cases. Additionally, two compounds with anti-T. cruzi activity but unknown mechanisms of action were analyzed to hypothesize their potential targets. Conclusions: Overall, the pipeline demonstrated moderate success, with limitations arising from challenges in handling novel chemotypes and poorly annotated targets. Nevertheless, its modular nature allows for an easy adaptation to other neglected tropical diseases, providing a flexible and cost-effective framework for early-stage target prioritization.
Targeting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) represents an attractive therapeutic strategy in acute myeloid leukemia, which exhibits exceptional dependence on mitochondrial respiration compared to normal hematopoietic cells. However, clinical attempts to exploit this vulnerability have been limited by on-target toxicity to healthy tissue. Here, we comprehensively compare the cellular consequences of inhibiting distinct nodes of the electron transport chain in AML. We demonstrate that selective inhibition of the F1 subunit of ATP synthase with EB2023 (ammocidin A) delivers an energetic stress to AML cells without the profound redox stress that characterizes complex I inhibition, preventing NAD+/NADH imbalance and allowing continued TCA cycling. Further, the duration of OXPHOS inhibition is transient in nature in vivo, a finding revealed through pharmacokinetic and serial pharmacodynamic monitoring of AMPK phosphorylation accompanied by OPA1-mediated mitochondrial structural remodeling that primes AML cells for BCL2 inhibitor synergy. EB2023 in combination with venetoclax demonstrates potent anti-AML activity across cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models at doses that spare normal hematopoietic progenitors and avoid the neuropathy and sustained detrimental systemic metabolic rewiring in healthy tissues associated with prior efforts to target OXPHOS. These findings establish F1-selective ATP synthase inhibition as a clinically actionable therapeutic strategy in AML and establish the duration of OXPHOS inhibition as a critical and previously underappreciated determinant of therapeutic index.
Hookworm infection remains a major public health concern, particularly in tropical regions such as Southeast Asia (SEA), where environmental and socio-economic conditions favour transmission. Despite the substantial burden, current knowledge of hookworm epidemiology in SEA remains fragmented as limited efforts have been made to synthesis findings across human and small animal populations. This systematic review aimed to summarize existing literature from January 1, 2015 through March 7, 2025 on the prevalence and risk factors of hookworm infection in both human and small animal populations across SEA. Pooled hookworm prevalence was 9.1% (95% CI: 6.6%-12.3%) among 10 2064 humans and 34.3% (95% CI: 21.6%-49.8%) among 4 219 small animals. In humans, the most prevalent combination was hookworm, Trichuris spp., and Ascaris spp. (15.6%, 95% CI:14.7%-16.5%), followed by hookworm and Strongyloides spp. (14.0%, 95% CI: 13.2%-14.8%). Animal hookworm coinfection was frequently associated with Toxocara spp. (57.7%, 95% CI: 52.4%-62.9%). These findings highlight the complex nature of hookworm transmission in SEA, imply the need for integrated One Health based control strategies. Future research is recommended to focus on urban settings and investigate host-parasites interactions underlying coinfections to support the development of more effective and context specific intervention strategies.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health concern. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a key pathogen in healthcare-associated infections due to the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), which limit therapeutic options. To estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with the presumptive ESBL phenotype in K. pneumoniae isolates from hospitals in the Meta Department, Colombia, between 2018 and 2022. We conducted a retrospective analytical cross-sectional study using 4,808 non-carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from routine microbiological surveillance. Bivariate analyses (Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests) and multivariable logistic regression were performed to evaluate associations between ESBL production and demographic, clinical, and institutional variables. A total of 4,808 non-carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were included after applying exclusion criteria. The overall prevalence of the presumptive ESBL phenotype was 22.9% (n = 1,100). In bivariate analysis, ESBL phenotype was significantly associated with male sex, older age, inpatient care, hospital type, and specimen type, particularly urine and blood samples. In multivariable analysis, male sex, inpatient status, and urine specimens remained independently associated, along with variability across specific hospitals, indicating the influence of institutional factors. The model showed limited discriminative ability (AUC = 0.62) and low explanatory power (pseudo-R² 0.03-0.05). The presumptive ESBL phenotype in Klebsiella pneumoniae is highly prevalent and increasing over time. Its association with demographic, clinical, and institutional factors highlights the multifactorial nature of antimicrobial resistance and supports the need for strengthened surveillance and targeted antimicrobial stewardship strategies.
The Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) complex comprises mosquito-borne neurotropic alphaviruses maintained in nature by mosquitoes. Although rare, human infections caused by these viruses can lead to febrile illness that may progress to severe encephalitis, for which there are no vaccines for prevention and no specific therapeutics for treatment. Moreover, a high percentage of human cases show long-term neurological sequelae. Here, we review the literature on cases, diagnosis, and management. Current gaps in clinical care include an urgent need to develop rapid diagnostic tests, new therapeutics, and vaccines.
The increasing global demand for renewable and environmentally sustainable energy has positioned biodiesel as an important component of future fuel strategies, particularly in biodiesel-producing countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. Owing to its favourable properties as a fuel composed primarily of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), including biodegradability and compatibility with existing diesel infrastructure, biodiesel contrib utes to both environmental protection and energy security. However, maintaining fuel quality during storage remains a significant challenge, especially under warm and humid climate. This review examines the factors contributing to microbial growth in biodiesel and biodiesel-diesel blend storage systems. Key factors include the hygroscopic nature of biodiesel, water accumulation during prolonged storage, temperature conditions and the influence of storage tank materials. These conditions promote microbial growth such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts, leading to biofilm formation, fuel degradation, corrosion and fuel filter clogging. Major challenges identified include long-term storage, inadequate water control and oxidative instability of biodiesel. Mitigation strategies discussed in this review include improved storage tank design and materials, water and temperature management, routine monitoring and maintenance, and the use of additives such as antioxidants, biocides and corrosion inhibitors to minimize microbial contamination and maintain fuel stability.
Chronic antibiotic-resistant cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections are the leading cause of death in adults with CF. Despite advances in highly effective modulator therapies, microbial communities persist in the CF lung. The pathogenesis of CF airway infections can be exacerbated by pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which communicates with primary human bronchial epithelial cells (pHBEC) by secreting bacterial extracellular vesicles (bEVs) that diffuse through mucus and deliver virulence factors, DNA, and RNA to pHBEC. However, most CF lung infections are polymicrobial in nature, and therefore, the contribution of polymicrobial bEVs remains to be determined. By using a polymicrobial culture model representing a 'pulmotype' detected in ∼34% of lung infections in people with CF (pwCF), comprised of P. aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguinis and Prevotella melaninogenica grown in synthetic sputum medium under anoxia, we report that each bacterial genus in the polymicrobial community secretes bEVs containing proteins and RNAs predicted to promote the establishment of chronic infection by reducing Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) stimulated CF pHBEC CFTR Cl- secretion, enhancing virulence and biofilm formation, and upregulating the stress response and pro-inflammatory pathways in pHBEC. This response is most pronounced in CF pHBEC. ETI, a highly effective modulator therapy, did not ameliorate the response of CF pHBEC or return it to WT levels. These studies provide insight into why ETI does not eliminate polymicrobial lung infections and a hyperinflammatory lung environment in pwCF.
Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production is a common feature of microbial carbohydrate metabolism during fermentation; however, glucan-type EPS produced by Bacillus species in fermented vegetable systems remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to isolate an EPS-producing bacterium from naturally fermented cucumber and to perform a preliminary physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization of the produced polymer. An EPS-producing bacterial isolate was recovered and identified as Bacillus tequilensis, a member of the Bacillus subtilis species complex, based on 16 S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The extracellular polysaccharide was partially purified and analyzed using FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, revealing structural features consistent with a glucan-type EPS. Rheological analysis demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in viscosity, confirming the macromolecular nature of the polymer in aqueous systems. Sucrose-hydrolyzing activity was detected under optimized conditions, indicating active carbohydrate metabolism associated with EPS production. In vitro cytocompatibility assessment using Vero and WI-38 cell lines showed high cell viability at low to moderate concentrations, with a dose-dependent reduction observed at higher levels. Overall, this study reports the isolation of an EPS-producing Bacillus tequilensis strain from Egyptian fermented cucumber and provides preliminary insights into the properties of its glucan-type exopolysaccharide, highlighting fermented vegetable microbiota as a potential source of functional biopolymers.
We report the case of a 33-year-old male mountaineer, presenting with chest pain, severe headache, dyspnea, and lower extremity edema, on his first expedition to Paraw mountain located in Kermanshah Province. His condition involved a complex thrombotic presentation, including both venous and arterial events, such as a myocardial infarction due to stenosis of the left main coronary artery, which we believe to be a coincidental pathology. His neurological symptom includes headache, vomiting, and slight drowsiness associated with chest pain, which were evaluated alongside confirmatory testing for protein C-S deficiency. Physical examination revealed right lower extremity edema, respiratory distress (RR = 34), and mid-drowsiness. Chest X ray showed lung congestion. A history of recurrent thrombophlebitis, along with the current myocardial infarction, raised suspicion of a thrombophilic state. The final diagnosis of these complications was confirmed to have protein C-S deficiency based on laboratory tests performed during the acute phase. However, the hereditary nature of this deficiency remains unconfirmed as no genetic testing or family screening was undertaken. The patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting of left anterior descending artery (LAD) and LCX associated with anticoagulant therapy, and his neurologic sign and symptom and lower extremity deep vein thrombosis recovered uneventfully.
Anthropogenic pollution profoundly alters urban rivers, yet its effects on microbial community assembly remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated spatial patterns of bacterial community structure and assembly along the Tietê River (Brazil), a heavily polluted tropical urban river. We combined 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with physicochemical characterization across a Water Quality Index (WQI) gradient and quantified ecological assembly processes using the iCAMP framework. Contrary to the expected pollution-driven loss of diversity, alpha diversity was significantly higher in severely degraded stretches. Community composition shifted from freshwater-associated taxa, such as Comamonadaceae, in less impacted sites to pollution-tolerant groups, particularly Arcobacteraceae, in degraded reaches. Homogeneous selection predominated in Good and Regular WQI sites but declined markedly under Poor WQI conditions, where drift and dispersal limitation became the dominant assembly processes. These results indicate that extreme pollution alters the nature of environmental filtering, favoring disturbance-tolerant functional traits distributed across phylogenetically diverse taxa and increasing the influence of stochastic assembly. Consequently, taxonomic composition becomes less predictable from local environmental conditions. Our findings provide a mechanistic framework for understanding how chronic anthropogenic disturbance reshapes microbial community assembly in tropical urban rivers.