Staphylococcus aureus sortase A can anchor virulence proteins, which are responsible for bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and inflammation, to the cell membrane surface. The ability of β-lactam antibiotics to combat S. aureus infections is limited by the presence of β-lactamases in this pathogen. In this study, we determined that epicatechin gallate (ECG) and its analogues inhibited the transpeptidase activity of sortase A by interacting with it directly, and the biofilm formation and adhesion abilities of the bacterium decreased after treatment with ECG and its analogues. Additionally ..read more

BackgroundThe Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) serves as a globally significant vector for arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. The extensive application of pyrethroid insecticides has led to a growing resistance in Ae. albopictus populations, thereby compromising mosquito control initiatives. This study examines the mechanisms underlying pyrethroid resistance and the related genetic mutations in Ae. albopictus within the framework of urbanization, with the objective of informing the development of effective control strategies.MethodsAe. albopictus larvae were sampled from ..read more

IntroductionCOVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has emerged as a global public health crisis. Understanding the factors associated with disease severity and outcomes is crucial for effective patient management. This study aimed to investigate the association between cycle threshold (CT) values, demographic data, medical history, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings in hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Semnan, Iran.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 86 patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to two hospitals in Semnan, Iran, between December 2022 and March 2023 ..read more

Given the heightened focus on high-risk populations, this study aimed to provide insights into early susceptibility and preventive strategies for colorectal cancer (CRC) by focusing on high-risk populations. In this research, fecal samples from 1,647 individuals across three discovery cohorts and nine external validation cohorts were sequenced using whole-genome metagenomic sequencing. A prediction model based on random forest was constructed using the nine external cohorts and independently validated with the three discovery cohorts. A disease probability (POD) model based on microbial biomar ..read more

As the population ages, intestinal health in the elderly has become a key area of concern, with gut microbiota dysbiosis emerging as a significant issue. This review summarizes the factors influencing dysbiosis and interventions from both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine, offering a reference for future research. A comprehensive search of global databases up to March 2024 identified 617 original studies on gut microbiota dysbiosis in individuals aged 65 and older. After applying strict PRISMA guidelines, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Key findings are summarized ..read more

IntroductionBrucella infection in humans or animals can lead to brucellosis, which has the potential to significantly impact both the economy and public health. Currently, molecular biological methods for diagnosing brucellosis are either complex or have low sensitivity, and it is difficult to apply them in real-life settings in the field. Therefore, this study aims to establish a rapid and convenient nucleic acid-based molecular biology method for on-site rapid detection of Brucella and early clinical screening of brucellosis. MethodsBased on the conserved sequence of the Brucella Bcsp31 gene ..read more

BackgroundModic changes are caused by various factors, such as degenerative processes, inflammation, biomechanical, genetic, and metabolic factors, infection, and smoking. Bacteria have been identified in human intervertebral discs by 16S rRNA sequencing; however, the low microbial biomass in intervertebral disc tissue limits species-level analyses using this approach. In this study, we employed 2bRAD-M (2b Restriction Site Associated DNA sequencing for Microbiome), a new sequencing technology capable of accurately characterizing bacteria, fungi, and archaea in samples with low microbial bioma ..read more

IntroductionThe rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial species poses a critical threat by reducing the efficacy of antibiotics and complicating infection treatment. Bacteriocins, such as klebicin KvarM, have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics due to their targeted antimicrobial activity. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of Eudragit-coated klebicin KvarM in a mouse model of Klebsiella pneumoniae intestinal colonization, assessing both its antimicrobial effectiveness and impact on commensal gut microbiota.MethodsAntimicrobial activity of K ..read more

IntroductionGlycocholic acid (GCA) is a steroid acid and one of the main glycine-conjugated bile components in mammalian bile, which is involved in the emulsification and absorption of fats and sterols. It is long-known that the amphipathic nature of bile acids enables them to interact with the lipid membrane of Gram-positive bacteria and act as potent antimicrobial compounds. Nevertheless, Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae species inhabiting the intestinal tract of mammals are considered to be more bile-resistant compared to Gram-positive bacteria and are thought to tolerate high bile concentr ..read more

BackgroundPigmented gallstone disease (PGS) is prevalent in China. Biliary microbiota is certified to be related to the PGS formation.MethodsWe performed 16S sequencing on both bile and gallstone samples in 16 patients with gallstone disease. We analyzed the microbial composition of the biliary tract and identified crucial bacteria related to the formation of PGS.ResultsBiliary tract bacterial composition analysis showed heterogeneity of dominated genus among individuals and correlation in bacterial composition between bile and gallstones. We screened 10 prevalent genera with significant abund ..read more