Current Research in Microbial Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Characterization of the oral mycobiome of Portuguese with allergic rhinitis and asthma","authors":"Marcos Pérez-Losada ,&nbsp;Eduardo Castro-Nallar ,&nbsp;Jenaro García-Huidobro ,&nbsp;José Laerte Boechat ,&nbsp;Luis Delgado ,&nbsp;Tiago Azenha Rama ,&nbsp;Manuela Oliveira","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Allergic rhinitis and asthma are two prevailing chronic airway diseases and serious public health concerns. Previous research has already described the role of the airway bacteriome in these two diseases, but almost no study so far has explored the mycobiome and its possible association to airway inflammation. Here we sequenced the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 to characterize the oral mycobiome of 349 Portuguese children and young adults with allergic rhinitis alone (AR) or with asthma (ARAS), asthmatics (AS) and healthy controls (HC). Our genomic analyses showed that the two most abundant fungal phyla (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) and 3–5 of the 14 most abundant fungal genera (<em>Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Aleurina, Candida</em> and <em>Rhodotorula</em>) in the mouth differed significantly (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.04) between both rhinitic groups and HC. However, none of the same taxa varied significantly between the three respiratory disease groups (AR, ARAS and AS). The oral mycobiomes of respiratory ill patients showed the highest intra-group diversity (microbial richness and evenness), while HC showed the lowest, with all alpha-diversity indices varying significantly (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.0424) between them. Similarly, all disease groups showed significant differences (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.0052) in microbial structure (i.e., beta-diversity indices) when compared to HC samples. Thirty metabolic pathways (PICRUSt2) were differentially abundant (Wald's test) between AR or ARAS and HC patients, but only one of them (D-galactose degradation I) was over abundant (log2 Fold Change &gt;0.75) in the ARAS group. Spiec-Easi fungal networks varied greatly among groups, which suggests chronic respiratory allergic diseases may alter fungal connectivity in the mouth. This study increases our comprehension of the role of the oral mycobiome in allergy-related conditions. It shows for the first time that the oral mycobiota changes during health and allergic rhinitis (with and without asthma comorbidity) and highlights specific taxa, metabolic pathways and fungal interactions that may relate to chronic airway disease.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100300"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142571886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnosis of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli pathogenesis in urinary tract infection","authors":"Deenadayalan Karaiyagowder Govindarajan ,&nbsp;Biniam Moges Eskeziyaw ,&nbsp;Kumaravel Kandaswamy ,&nbsp;Degisew Yinur Mengistu","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100296","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100296","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Extra-intestinal pathogenic <em>Escherichia coli</em> (ExPEC) is a virulent pathogen found in humans that causes the majority of urinary tract infections, and other infections such as meningitis and sepsis. ExPEC can enter the urinary tract through two modes: ascending from the bladder or descending from the kidneys. Human anatomical structures generally prevent the transmission of pathogens between the extra-intestinal area, kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract. However, adhesins, a virulence protein of ExPEC, promote the initial bacterial attachment and invasion of host cells. In addition to adhesion proteins, ExPEC contains iron acquisition systems and toxins to evade the host immune system, acquire essential nutrients, and gain antibiotic resistance. The presence of antibiotic-resistant genes makes treating ExPEC in urinary tract infections (UTIs) more complicated. Therefore, screening for the presence of ExPEC among other uropathogens in UTI patients is essential, as it can potentially aid in the effective treatment and mitigation of ExPEC pathogens. Several diagnostic techniques are available for detecting ExPEC, including urine culture, polymerase chain reaction, serological testing, loop-mediated isothermal amplification, and biochemical tests. This review addresses strain-specific diagnostic techniques for screening ExPEC in UTI patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100296"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Conservation agriculture practices impact on biological and microbial diversity in earthworm cast under maize-wheat system","authors":"Padma Angmo ,&nbsp;Sandeep Sharma ,&nbsp;H.S. Sidhu ,&nbsp;K.S. Saini","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100273","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;p&gt;Soil degradation is a major global concern due to its negative impact on soil quality and the sustainability of agricultural resources. The conservation agriculture (CA) approach, which includes three key principles such as zero tillage, retention of crop residue and crop rotation has gained widespread adoption to help mitigate the climate change effects on agricultural soils and meet the growing demand for increased production. Earthworm communities, along with microbial activity and diversity, are highly sensitive to tillage practices. Additionally, microbial activity and diversity quickly respond to different cropping systems, making them effective indicators for detecting short-term changes in soil functioning. We therefore, assess the effects of CA innovative approached after 6-years on biological and microbial diversity within earthworm cast in maize-wheat system (MWS). The treatments consist of PBM-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt; (permanent beds No-N control-both residues removed and wheat with zero tillage); PBM+RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW+RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt; (permanent beds No-N control-both residues retained)-50% of maize stover and 25% of wheat residue retained; PBM-RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW- RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; (permanent beds with 120 kg N ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; both residues removed wheat with zero tillage); PBM+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; (permanent beds with 120 kg N ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; both residues retained and wheat with zero tillage) and FBM-RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/CTW-RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; (fresh beds in maize/CT in wheat with 120 kg N ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; both residues removed). The result of present study showed that activities of carbon (C) cycle-related enzymes in the cast soils &lt;em&gt;viz&lt;/em&gt;., dehydrogenase (DHA), β-glucosidase (β-glu), cellulase, and xylanase were significantly higher under PBM+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/ ZTW+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; than under PBM-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;. Specifically, the activities of these enzymes were 21.5, 26.8, and 76.5% higher under the PBM+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; treatment, respectively. Moreover, the Alk-P activity was found to be 1.3 times higher in the PBM+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; treatment than in the PBM-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt; treatment. The bacterial, fungal, and actinomycete counts in the cast soil ranged from 6.87 to 7.47 CFU (colony forming units) x 10&lt;sup&gt;6&lt;/sup&gt; g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; soil, 3.87–3.30 CFU x 10&lt;sup&gt;4&lt;/sup&gt; g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; soil, and 5.09–5.67 CFU x 10&lt;sup&gt;4&lt;/sup&gt; g&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; soil, respectively. Total organic carbon (TOC) showed significant increases of 34.6% under PBM+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW+RN&lt;sub&gt;120&lt;/sub&gt; as compared to PBM-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;/ZTW-RN&lt;sub&gt;0&lt;/sub&gt;. The less labile C (Frac. 3), total carbohydrate carbon (TCHO), phenol oxidase (PHE) and peroxidase (PER) were observed as the sensitive indicators under different tillage, rate of nitrogen and residue management practices. This study suggests that permanent beds with crop residue retention with balance fer","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100273"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000555/pdfft?md5=d6b28c1a7f38bec5297f3f89b679f3ef&pid=1-s2.0-S2666517424000555-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142148034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Leveraging virucidal potential of an anti-microbial coating agent to mitigate fomite transmission of respiratory viruses","authors":"Bommana Chanakya ,&nbsp;Kavitha Karunakaran ,&nbsp;Oliver Christy Dsa ,&nbsp;Anil Prataprai Sanghvi ,&nbsp;Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay ,&nbsp;Piya Paul Mudgal","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory tract infections have emerged as a significant global threat, yet their impact on public health was previously underappreciated. This study investigated the antiviral efficacy of the nano-coating agent BARRIER90, composed of silicon-quaternary ammonium compound and a naturally derived biopolymer, against three distinct respiratory viruses: Influenza A (H1N1), Adenovirus Type 1, and Enterovirus-Coxsackie B1. BARRIER90 exhibited robust and sustained virucidal activity, persisting up to 90 days post-coating, against the enveloped virus, Influenza A, with significant reduction in viral plaques. Contrastingly, its efficacy against non-enveloped viruses revealed transient activity against Enterovirus-Coxsackie B1, with almost no antiviral activity observed against Adenovirus Type 1. These findings indicate the potential of antimicrobial coatings in mitigating viral transmission through contaminated surfaces (fomites), which harbour pathogenic viruses for longer periods. Antimicrobial coatings may facilitate infection control in various settings, including healthcare facilities and shared workspaces.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100261"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000439/pdfft?md5=b03a15078dbb5844912bf479e2b6bdd6&pid=1-s2.0-S2666517424000439-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141606664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial contributions to sustainable paddy straw utilization for economic gain and environmental conservation","authors":"Baljeet Singh Saharan ,&nbsp;Deepika Dhanda ,&nbsp;Neelam Kumari Mandal ,&nbsp;Ramesh Kumar ,&nbsp;Deepansh Sharma ,&nbsp;Pardeep Kumar Sadh ,&nbsp;Dilfuza Jabborova ,&nbsp;Joginder Singh Duhan","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Paddy straw is a versatile and valuable resource with multifaceted benefits for nutrient cycling, soil health, and climate mitigation. Its role as a rich nutrient source and organic matter significantly enhances soil vitality while improving soil structure and moisture retention. The impact of paddy straw extends beyond traditional agricultural benefits, encompassing the promotion of microbial activity, erosion control, and carbon sequestration, highlighting its crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Furthermore, the potential of paddy straw in bioenergy is explored, encompassing its conversion into biogas, biofuels, and thermal energy. The inherent characteristics of paddy straw, including its high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content, position it as a viable candidate for bioenergy production through innovative processes like pyrolysis, gasification, anaerobic digestion, and combustion. Recent research has uncovered state-of-the-art techniques and innovative technologies capable of converting paddy straw into valuable products, including sugar, ethanol, paper, and fiber, broadening its potential applications. This paper aims to underscore the possibilities for value creation through paddy straw, emphasizing its potential use in bioenergy, bio-products, and other environmental applications. Therefore, by recognizing and harnessing the value of paddy straw, we can advocate for sustainable farming practices, reduce waste, and pave the way for a resource-efficient circular economy. Incorporating paddy straw utilization into agricultural systems can pave the way for enhanced resource efficiency and a more sustainable circular economy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100264"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000464/pdfft?md5=85663c8ca88d7bb242da35d1d00533d2&pid=1-s2.0-S2666517424000464-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141846682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acridones as promising drug candidates against Oropouche virus","authors":"Marielena Vogel Saivish ,&nbsp;Gabriela de Lima Menezes ,&nbsp;Roosevelt Alves da Silva ,&nbsp;Leticia Ribeiro de Assis ,&nbsp;Igor da Silva Teixeira ,&nbsp;Umberto Laino Fulco ,&nbsp;Clarita Maria Secco Avilla ,&nbsp;Raphael Josef Eberle ,&nbsp;Igor de Andrade Santos ,&nbsp;Karolina Korostov ,&nbsp;Mayara Lucia Webber ,&nbsp;Gislaine Celestino Dutra da Silva ,&nbsp;Maurício Lacerda Nogueira ,&nbsp;Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim ,&nbsp;Luis Octavio Regasin ,&nbsp;Mônika Aparecida Coronado ,&nbsp;Carolina Colombelli Pacca","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2023.100217","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Oropouche virus (OROV) is an emerging vector-borne arbovirus found in South America that causes Oropouche fever, a febrile infection similar to dengue fever. It has a high epidemic potential, causing illness in over 500,000 cases diagnosed since the virus was first discovered in 1955. Currently, the prevention of human viral infection depends on vaccination, but availability for many viruses is limited, and they are classified as neglected viruses. At present, there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments available. An alternative approach to limiting the spread of the virus is to selectively disrupt viral replication mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate the inhibitory effect of acridones, which efficiently inhibited viral replication by 99.9 % <em>in vitro</em>. To evaluate possible mechanisms of action, we conducted tests with dsRNA, an intermediate in virus replication, as well as MD simulations, docking, and binding free energy analysis. The results showed a strong interaction between FAC21 and the OROV endonuclease, which possibly limits the interaction of viral RNA with other proteins. Therefore, our results suggest a dual mechanism of antiviral action, possibly caused by ds-RNA intercalation. In summary, our findings demonstrate that a new generation of antiviral drugs could be developed based on the selective optimization of molecules.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100217"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S266651742300038X/pdfft?md5=abf89b7a169016aafa40b65605884d97&pid=1-s2.0-S266651742300038X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139109225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancement in the development of gene/protein-based vaccines against African swine fever virus","authors":"Ning Wang ,&nbsp;Pan Huang ,&nbsp;Jun Zhang ,&nbsp;Minqi Lin ,&nbsp;Xiaoru Lai ,&nbsp;Jianwen Chen ,&nbsp;Chungen Pan","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100232","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious acute hemorrhagic viral disease, with the mortality rate of up to 100 % in domestic pigs. In recent years, ASF outbreaks have caused huge economic losses in numerous countries and regions, especially in Asia. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop safe and effective vaccines against infection of the causative pathogen, African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASFV contains a large genome composed of double-stranded DNA with a size of 170–194 kb, which encodes nearly 200 viral proteins. Understanding the function of these complex genes/proteins and their roles in the generation of protective immunity will help in the development of ASFV vaccines. In this article, the gene/protein-based vaccine candidate are summarized, and the structural proteins which have been previously reported to protect animals from the virus challenge were emphatically described.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"6 ","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666517424000142/pdfft?md5=577c2c1d51722e2a55abf9ee21b17e8e&pid=1-s2.0-S2666517424000142-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140160678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Graphing the Green route: Enzymatic hydrolysis in sustainable decomposition","authors":"Rajat Singh ,&nbsp;Rajul Jain ,&nbsp;Priyanka Soni ,&nbsp;Sergio de los Santos-Villalobos ,&nbsp;Sourav Chattaraj ,&nbsp;Deblina Roy ,&nbsp;Debasis Mitra ,&nbsp;Ashish Gaur","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100281","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100281","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This graphical review article explores how sustainable decomposition contributes to environmental sustainability in waste management with a focus on enzymatic hydrolysis. Methods such as composting and anaerobic digestion efficiently break down organic waste and reduce landfill use and greenhouse gas emissions, while producing valuable resources such as compost and biogas. In particular, enzymatic hydrolysis offers advantages over chemical methods because it operates under mild conditions, targets specific substrates precisely, and yields purer products with fewer side reactions. Its renewable and biodegradable nature aligns with sustainability goals, making it suitable for waste decomposition, biorefining, and resource recovery. Enzymatic waste conversion reduces waste and pollution, conserves natural resources, and supports circular economy. Various ongoing studies have aimed to enhance the efficiency and environmental benefits of enzymatic hydrolysis, enabling innovative waste-to-value solutions that address environmental, economic, and social challenges. This article emphasizes the importance of its timely examination of enzymatic hydrolysis as a prominent method for sustainable waste decomposition, stressing its environmental, economic, and societal benefits. It distinguishes itself through its extensive analysis of chemical methods, its emphasis on the circular economy, and its delineation of future research directions and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to advance this innovative technology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100281"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142424262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Revalorization of degraded maguey pulquero substrate for Lycopersicon esculentum germination","authors":"B.S. Velázquez-De Lucio ,&nbsp;E.M. Hernández-Domínguez ,&nbsp;M.P. Falcón-León ,&nbsp;A. Téllez-Jurado ,&nbsp;J Álvarez-Cervantes","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100283","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100283","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The bagasse of <em>Agave salmiana</em> (maguey pulquero) is a residue generated during the exploitation of the plant to obtain pulque, inulin, honey, etc. Due to its chemical composition, it can be used for the cultivation of fungi of the <em>Pleurotus</em> genus and the subsequent use of the degraded material \"degraded substrate (DS)\" as a support for the germination of vegetables. The objective of the study was to characterize the bagasse of maguey pulquero biodegraded by <em>Pleurotus djamor</em> as a new perspective in its value chain, and subsequent use for the germination of <em>Lycopersicon esculetum</em> (tomato). The DS was recovered at 60 d from the <em>P. djamor</em> culture, characterized physicochemically and the conformation of the plant tissue was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The DS showed a decrease in protein (4.8–3.3 %) content and fibrous fraction (54–36 %), but dry matter digestibility increased from 47 to 71 %; in addition, changes in mineral composition were observed, mainly in calcium concentration (6 %). Due to its composition, it is possible to revalue DS in the germination of L. <em>esculetum</em> to reduce the use of peat moss (commercial peat). The results show that up to 25 % of maguey DS mixed with 75 % peat moss can be used (25:75), reaching a germination percentage of 85 % and increasing the seedling emergence speed index from 0.96 – 1.25. Concluding that it is possible to implement a circular strategy in which agave bagasse is used for mushroom cultivation and the subsequent recovery of the spent substrate for tomato germination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100283"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142424263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a luminescence-based method for measuring West Nile Virus MTase activity and its application to screen for antivirals","authors":"Alejandra Álvarez-Mínguez ,&nbsp;Natalia del Río ,&nbsp;Ana Belén-Blázquez ,&nbsp;Elena Casanova ,&nbsp;José-María Orduña ,&nbsp;Patricia Camarero ,&nbsp;Carolina Hurtado-Marcos ,&nbsp;Carmen del Águila ,&nbsp;María–Jesús Pérez-Pérez ,&nbsp;Miguel A. Martín-Acebes ,&nbsp;Rubén Agudo","doi":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100282","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100282","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus responsible for causing febrile illness and severe neurological diseases, with an increasing impact on human health around the world. However, there is still no adequate therapeutic treatment available to struggle WNV infections. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new techniques to accelerate the discovery of drugs against this pathogen. The main protein implicated in the replication of WNV is the non-structural protein 5 (NS5). This multifunctional protein contains methyltransferase (MTase) activity involved in the capping formation at the 5′-end of RNA and the methylation of internal viral RNA residues, both functions being essential for viral processes, such as RNA translation and escape from the innate immune response.</div><div>We have developed a straightforward luminescence-based assay to monitor the MTase activity of the WNV NS5 protein with potential for high-throughput screening. We have validated this method as a sensitive and suitable assay for the identification of WNV MTase inhibitors assessing the inhibitory effect of the broad MTase inhibitor sinefungin, a natural nucleoside analog of the universal methyl donor S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). The screening of a small series of purine derivatives identified an adenosine derivative as a dose-dependent inhibitor of the MTase activity. The antiviral efficacy of this compound was further confirmed in WNV infections, displaying a measurable antiviral effect. This result supports the utility of this novel method for the screening of inhibitors against WNV MTase activity, which can be of special relevance to the discovery and development of therapeutics against WNV.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34305,"journal":{"name":"Current Research in Microbial Sciences","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100282"},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142424328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}