The Potential Role of Boron in the Modulation of Gut Microbiota Composition: An In Vivo Pilot Study.

Background/Objectives: The role of the gut microbiome in the development and progression of many diseases has received increased attention in recent years. Boron, a trace mineral found in dietary sources, has attracted interest due to its unique electron depletion and coordination characteristics in chemistry, as well as its potential role in modulating the gut microbiota. This study investigates the effects of inorganic boron derivatives on the gut microbiota of mice. Methods: For three weeks, boric acid (BA), sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB), and sodium perborate tetrahydrate (SPT) were dissolved (200 mg/kg each) in drinking water and administered to wild-type BALB/c mice. The composition of the gut microbiota was analyzed to determine the impact of these treatments. Results: The administration of BA significantly altered the composition of the gut microbiota, resulting in a rise in advantageous species such as Barnesiella and Alistipes. Additionally, there was a decrease in some taxa associated with inflammation and illness, such as Clostridium XIVb and Bilophila. Notable increases in genera like Treponema and Catellicoccus were observed, suggesting the potential of boron compounds to enrich microbial communities with unique metabolic functions. Conclusions: These findings indicate that boron compounds may have the potential to influence gut microbiota composition positively, offering potential prebiotic effects. Further research with additional analyses is necessary to fully understand the interaction between boron and microbiota and to explore the possibility of their use as prebiotic agents in clinical settings.

Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Macrolide Resistance in Laboratory Mutant Helicobacter pylori.

Resistance to clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic used in the first-line treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, is the most important cause of treatment failure. Although most cases of clarithromycin resistance in H. pylori are associated with point mutations in 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), the relationships of other mutations with resistance remain unclear. We examined possible new macrolide resistance mechanisms in resistant strains using next-generation sequencing. Two resistant strains were obtained from clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori following exposure to low clarithromycin concentrations using the agar dilution method. Sanger sequencing and whole-genome sequencing were performed to detect resistance-related mutations. Both strains carried the A2142G mutation in 23S rRNA. Candidate mutations (T1495A, T1494A, T1490A, T1476A, and G1472T) for clarithromycin resistance were detected in the Mutant-1 strain. Furthermore, a novel mutation in the gene encoding for the sulfite exporter TauE/SafE family protein was considered to be linked to clarithromycin resistance or cross-resistance, being identified as a target for further investigations. In the Mutant-2 strain, a novel mutation in the gene that encodes DUF874 family protein that can be considered as relevant with antibiotic resistance was detected. These mutations were revealed in the H. pylori genome for the first time, emphasizing their potential as targets for advanced studies.

Comparison of a commercial water-gas shift catalyst and La modified Cu-based catalysts prepared by deposition-precipitation in methanol steam reforming.

Herein, a performance analysis of La-doped copper-based catalysts (CuO/ZrO2/La-Al2O3) in methanol steam reforming (MSR) was conducted and compared with a commercial low temperature water-gas shift catalyst (HiFUEL W220) to produce H2 with low CO selectivity. The physicochemical properties of as-obtained catalysts were characterized by N2 adsorption, XRD, and ICP-OES. Effect of calcination temperature (750 °C and 1000 °C) on the properties of mixed oxide support (La-Al2O3) were discussed based on catalytic activity. The optimum conditions of H2O/CH3OH ratio (1.0-3.0), space-time ratio (WFA0) (40-120 kg s mol-1), and reaction temperature (180-310 °C) were evaluated by a parametric study using the commercial catalyst (HF220). Additionally, thermodynamic equilibrium calculations of experimentally identified components by using Aspen HYSYS process simulation software were also performed to analyze MSR process. The results were indicated that the calcination temperature significantly affected the structural properties and the activity with respect to CO selectivity. An increasing trend in CO selectivity for catalysts with supports calcined at 750 °C and a decreasing trend for catalysts with supports calcined at 1000 °C were observed. Hence, CZ30LA750 and CZ30LA1000 catalysts were selected to attain low CO selectivity and comparable activity when compared to other catalysts and the simulated thermodynamic calculation results.

Thermodynamic modelling and optimization of oxy-reforming and oxy-steam reforming of biogas by RSM.

In this study, a comparative thermodynamic equilibrium calculation of biogas oxy-reforming and oxy-steam reforming processes to produce syngas has been conducted by Aspen Plus simulation software. The effects of temperature (600-800°C), pressure (1-20 atm), and inlet O2/CH4 (0-1.0), H2O/CH4 (0-3.0), and CO2/CH4 (0.3-1.0) mole ratios on the equilibrium compositions of products were determined. The operation of the process was optimized using Gibbs free energy minimization method and statistical approach: response surface methodology (RSM). Optimum operating conditions CH4/CO2/O2 = 1:0.51:0.12 at 788°C and 1 atm for oxy-reforming and CH4/CO2/H2O/O2 = 1:0.63:0.19:0.07 at 780°C and 1 atm for oxy-steam reforming were obtained to reach maximum H2 yield, CH4 and CO2 conversions by minimizing carbon selectivity to produce syngas for methanol production.

First Report and In Silico Analysis of Leishmania virus (LRV2) identified in an autochthonous Leishmania major isolate in Turkey.

Leishmania virus (LRV) has previously been identified in different Leishmania species. Host-LRV interaction is associated with exacerbated clinical manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and may cause poor therapeutic response. CL cases due to L. major with large skin lesions resistant to routine therapy were recently identified in Turkey. Here, we report the first autochthonous case of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by LRV-positive Leishmania major, using conventional PCR targeting the viral capsid protein of LRV. The lesion of the case was 6 months old, relatively large (4 cm), and did not recover despite three consecutive intralesional applications of glucantime. Assessment of LRV's influence on prognosis and clinical outcomes of leishmaniasis, based on additional studies, is required.

Expression Profile of Glossina pallidipes MicroRNAs During Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Infection With Glossina pallidipes Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus (Hytrosavirus).

The Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus (GpSGHV) infects tsetse flies predominantly asymptomatically and occasionally symptomatically. Symptomatic infections are characterized by overt salivary gland hypertrophy (SGH) in mass reared tsetse flies, which causes reproductive dysfunctions and colony collapse, thus hindering tsetse control via sterile insect technique (SIT). Asymptomatic infections have no apparent cost to the fly's fitness. Here, small RNAs were sequenced and profiles in asymptomatically and symptomatically infected G. pallidipes flies determined. Thirty-eight host-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) were present in both the asymptomatic and symptomatic fly profiles, while nine host miRNAs were expressed specifically in asymptomatic flies versus 10 in symptomatic flies. Of the shared 38 miRNAs, 15 were differentially expressed when comparing asymptomatic with symptomatic flies. The most up-regulated host miRNAs in symptomatic flies was predicted to target immune-related mRNAs of the host. Six GpSGHV-encoded miRNAs were identified, of which five of them were only in symptomatic flies. These virus-encoded miRNAs may not only target host immune genes but may also participate in viral immune evasion. This evidence of differential host miRNA profile in Glossina in symptomatic flies advances our understanding of the GpSGHV-Glossina interactions and provides potential new avenues, for instance by utilization of particular miRNA inhibitors or mimics to better manage GpSGHV infections in tsetse mass-rearing facilities, a prerequisite for successful SIT implementation.

Invertebrate Iridoviruses: A Glance over the Last Decade.

Members of the family Iridoviridae (iridovirids) are large dsDNA viruses that infect both invertebrate and vertebrate ectotherms and whose symptoms range in severity from minor reductions in host fitness to systemic disease and large-scale mortality. Several characteristics have been useful for classifying iridoviruses; however, novel strains are continuously being discovered and, in many cases, reliable classification has been challenging. Further impeding classification, invertebrate iridoviruses (IIVs) can occasionally infect vertebrates; thus, host range is often not a useful criterion for classification. In this review, we discuss the current classification of iridovirids, focusing on genomic and structural features that distinguish vertebrate and invertebrate iridovirids and viral factors linked to host interactions in IIV6 (Invertebrate iridescent virus 6). In addition, we show for the first time how complete genome sequences of viral isolates can be leveraged to improve classification of new iridovirid isolates and resolve ambiguous relations. Improved classification of the iridoviruses may facilitate the identification of genus-specific virulence factors linked with diverse host phenotypes and host interactions.

Draft Genome Sequences of Two Heat-Resistant Mutant Strains (A52 and B41) of the Photosynthetic Hydrogen-Producing Bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus.

The draft genome sequences of two heat-resistant mutant strains, A52 and B41, derived from Rhodobacter capsulatus DSM 1710, and with different hydrogen production levels, are reported here. These sequences may help understand the molecular basis of heat resistance and hydrogen production in R. capsulatus.

Pretreatment of poultry litter improves Bacillus thuringiensis-based biopesticides production.

Pretreated poultry litter was used in batch cultures for the production of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)-based biopesticide of lepidoptera- and diptera-specific Cry1 and Cry2, diptera-specific Cry4Ba and Cry11Aa and coleoptera-specific Cry3Aa toxins by Bt subsp. kurstaki 81, subsp. israelensis HD500 and subsp. tenebrionis 3203, respectively. Bt kurstaki 81 showed improved growth and produced more toxin in this medium as compared to other subspecies. Base and acid hydrolysis were tested as the methods of substrate pretreatment. The use of poultry litter pretreated with 2N HCl yielded 94% more bioinsecticidal protein than 2N NaOH-pretreated poultry litter when Bt kurstaki 81 was cultured. With appropriate pretreatment, poultry litter demonstrated potential as a valuable raw material for a low-cost complex medium to produce Bt-based biopesticides.

Low-dose botulinum toxin with short-term electrical stimulation in poststroke spastic drop foot: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare low-dose botulinum toxin injections followed by short-term electrical stimulation with high-dose botulinum toxin for poststroke spastic drop foot. DESIGN: Twelve patients with spastic drop foot were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. The first group (n = 6) received low-dose (100 units) botulinum toxin injection to the posterior tibial muscle in combination with short-term electrical stimulation, and the second group (n = 6) received a total of 400 units of botulinum toxin injections in equal doses to the posterior tibial, soleus, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius muscles. The patients were evaluated before and 2, 4, 8, and 12 wks after the treatment by the following variables: resting position angle, active and passive ankle range of motion, Modified Ashworth Scale, time walking 10 m, clonus score, Brace Wear Scale, and Global Assessment of Spasticity Scale. RESULTS: Improvement was recorded in both groups for all variables except brace wear. No significant difference was found between the study groups after treatment. The effects lasted shorter in the first group, whereas more side effects were seen in the second group. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary single-blind study was unable to find a difference in terms of effectiveness between low-dose (100 units) botulinum toxin combined with short-term electrical stimulation and high-dose (400 units) application in spastic drop foot.

Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in temporomandibular disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder and to compare treatment effects in myogenic and arthrogenic cases. METHODS: Thirty-five patients were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and randomly allocated to active treatment (n=20) and placebo treatment (n= 15) groups. In addition to a daily exercise program, all patients were treated with fifteen sessions of low-level laser therapy. Pain, joint motion, number of joint sounds and tender points were assessed. RESULTS: Significant reduction in pain was observed in both active and placebo treatment groups. Active and passive maximum mouth opening, lateral motion, number of tender points were significantly improved only in the active treatment group. Treatment effects in myogenic and arthrogenic cases were similar. CONCLUSION: Low-level laser therapy can be considered as an alternative physical modality in the management of temporomandibular disorder.