ABSTRACT
Obesity represents a significant health challenge, intricately linked to conditions such as type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and hepatic steatosis. Several existing obesity treatments exhibit limited efficacy, undesirable side effects or a limited capability to maintain therapeutics effects in the long-term. Recently, modulation Coenzyme Q (CoQ) metabolism has emerged as a promising target for treatment of metabolic syndrome. This potential intervention could involve the modulation of endogenous CoQ biosynthesis by the use of analogs of the precursor of its biosynthesis, such as ß-resorcylic acid (ß-RA). Here, we show that oral supplementation with ß-RA, incorporated into the diet of diet-induced obese (DIO) mice, leads to substantial weight loss. The anti-obesity effects of ß-RA are partially elucidated through the normalization of mitochondrial CoQ metabolism in white adipose tissue (WAT). Additionally, we identify an HFN4α/LXR-dependent transcriptomic activation of the hepatic lipid metabolism that contributes to the anti-obesity effects of ß-RA. Consequently, ß-RA mitigates WAT hypertrophy, prevents hepatic steatosis, counteracts metabolic abnormalities in WAT and liver, and enhances glucose homeostasis by reducing the insulin/glucagon ratio and plasma levels of gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP). Moreover, pharmacokinetic evaluation of ß-RA supports its translational potential. Thus, ß-RA emerges as an efficient, safe, and translatable therapeutic option for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
Subject(s)
Mice, Inbred C57BL , Obesity , Animals , Obesity/metabolism , Obesity/drug therapy , Mice , Male , Ubiquinone/analogs & derivatives , Ubiquinone/pharmacology , Ubiquinone/metabolism , Ubiquinone/administration & dosage , Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism , Adipose Tissue, White/drug effects , Adipose Tissue, White/pathology , Liver/metabolism , Liver/pathology , Lipid Metabolism/drug effects , Administration, Oral , Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects , HumansABSTRACT
This research investigated the physicochemical, microbiological, and bacterial diversity of Jben cheese, a popular artisanal variety in Morocco. The bacterial diversity was explored using culture-independent methods, including temporal temperature gel electrophoresis (TTGE), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and high-throughput sequencing (HTS). Significant intra-sample differences were observed for most physicochemical parameters within each milk type, while inter-sample differences occurred between cow and goat cheeses for dry matter and ash. Jben cheese exhibited distinct characteristics, with low pH values of 3.96, 4.16, and 4.18 for cow, goat, and mixed cheeses, respectively. Goat cheeses had higher fat (49.23 g/100 g), ash (1.91 g/100 g), and dry matter (36.39 g/100 g) than cow cheeses. All cheeses displayed high microbial counts, with a notable prevalence of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) group, averaging 8.80 ± 0.92 log CFU/g. Jben cheese also displayed high contamination levels with total coliforms, faecal coliforms, yeast, and molds. Fatty acid profiling revealed fraudulent practices in Jben cheese marketing, with cow or mixed cheeses sold as goat cheese, as proven by low capric acid concentration. HTS analysis of Jben cheese identified ten genera and twenty-four species, highlighting Lactococcus lactis as predominant. TTGE and DGGE confirmed the presence of L. lactis but failed to provide the detailed profile achieved through HTS analysis. HTS has been demonstrated to be more reliable, whereas TTGE/DGGE methods, though informative, were more time-consuming and less reliable. Despite limitations, the combined use of TTGE, DGGE, and HTS provided a comprehensive view of indigenous bacterial communities in Jben cheese, identifying L. lactis as the main species.
Subject(s)
Cheese , Animals , Cattle , Female , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics , Temperature , Electrophoresis , Goats , Saccharomyces cerevisiaeABSTRACT
Introduction: the risk management system is useful to identify, analyze, and reduce the risk occurrence of adverse events (AEs) in health services. This system suggests useful improvements to patients and to the whole institution and also contributes to the acquisition of a collective and organizational safety culture. This study presented a state of the art of the management of AEs identified in different services of a regional hospital in the north of Morocco. Methods: this is a retrospective cross-sectional exploratory study carried out from 2017 to 2019 using observations and semi-structured interviews, which were recorded, re-transcribed, and analyzed. Data was also collected from audit reports, results of investigations of the nosocomial infection control committee and the risk management commission, AEs declaration sheets, and meetings reports. Results: a number of 83 AEs were recorded, 10 of which were urgent. The reported events were related to care, infection risk, the drugs circuit, and medico-technical events. Two hundred cases of nosocomial infections were also recorded, of which 75 occurred in the intensive care unit and 35 in the maternity service. Surgical site infections were the most frequently reported complication. Adverse events were related to organizational failure, equipment problems, and errors related to professional practices. Conclusion: our findings may guide the improvement of the event management system in order to reduce the occurrence of future incidents. Thus, improving the risk management system requires setting up training strategies for staff on the importance of this system and its mode of operation.
Subject(s)
Cross Infection , Medical Errors , Risk Management , Humans , Morocco , Cross-Sectional Studies , Retrospective Studies , Risk Management/organization & administration , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Cross Infection/epidemiology , Medical Errors/prevention & control , Medical Errors/statistics & numerical data , Hospitals , Female , Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control , Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology , MaleABSTRACT
Outbreaks of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria affect some of the poorest parts of Africa, with devastating outcomes. The key to understanding and dealing with this problematic adaptation to environmental changes is comparing gregarious and solitarious locusts, either in nature or in laboratories. Categorising locusts and detecting changes in their phase status is key to such comparisons, which have been hitherto based on applying mathematical models that use behavioural parameters and that each laboratory has to build anew for each experiment. All the models used thus far are different from one another. This implies differences in the tools used for the different experiments and by the different laboratories and, thus, potential noise in the results and interpretations. Standardising the way locusts are categorised is necessary if we want to reduce noise and errors. It is crucial if we seek to make the results and interpretations transferable and comparable between experiments and laboratories for such an important research area. To tackle this problem, we suggested two models as possible standardising tools. However, the problem of a lack of standardised tools re-emerged due to the doubts cast on the validity of those models. Here, we use samples from independent S. gregaria populations in order to test and validate those models. We discuss how successful the two models were at categorising solitarious, intermediate (transient), and gregarious nymph and adult S. gregaria samples. We highlight shortcomings and make more specific recommendations on the use of those models based on the precision differences they show when categorising solitarious and gregarious S. gregaria nymph and adult samples. Overall, both models have proven to be valid since their results were largely replicated and seem reproducible.
ABSTRACT
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is a complicated illness marked by the death of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, which ultimately leads to insulin insufficiency and hyperglycemia. T lymphocytes are considered to destroy pancreatic beta cells in the etiology of T1D as a result of hereditary and environmental factors. Although the latter factors are very important causes of T1D development, this disease is very genetically predisposed, so that there is a significant genetic component to T1D susceptibility. Among the T1D-associated gene mutations, those that affect genes that encode the traditional Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) entail the highest risk of T1D development. Accordingly, the results of decades of genetic linkage and association studies clearly demonstrate that mutations in the HLA genes are the most associated mutations with T1D. They can therefore be used as biomarkers for prediction strategies and may even prove to be of value for personalized treatments. Other immunity-associated genetic loci, are also associated with higher T1D risk. Indeed, T1D is considered an autoimmune disease. Its prevalence is rising globally, especially among children and young people. Given the global rise of, and thus interest in, autoimmune diseases, here we present a short overview of the link between immunity, especially HLA, genes and T1D.
ABSTRACT
Marine organisms such as fish and shellfish are composed of compounds with properties and characteristics that have been proven useful in a variety of sectors such as cosmetics, healthcare (wound healing), food industries, and tissue engineering. Collagen extraction from fish waste as a "blue resource" has attracted research attention over the past decade. Around 75 % of fish waste contains a high concentration of collagen. This has driven research in the conversion of these low-cost by-products into valuable products. Collagen extracted by acidic or/and enzymatic methods is gaining a lot of attention today due to its low cost and high yield. Fermentation and enzymatic hydrolysis stand out as one of the most environmentally sustainable and ecologically friendly methods for collagen extraction. Because of its great biocompatibility, excellent bioactivity, and low antigenicity, marine collagen is receiving more attention. Furthermore, collagen-derived peptides may exhibit interesting antioxidant activity, potent antihypertensive activity, and antimicrobial activity against different strains of bacteria. This review focuses on the advancements in extraction and detection methods of marine collagen, both from a technological and legislative standpoint, in addition to exploring its diverse range of application domains.
Subject(s)
Collagen , Wound Healing , Animals , Collagen/chemistry , Antihypertensive Agents/chemistry , Antioxidants/chemistry , Peptides/chemistryABSTRACT
Legume plants rely upon multipartite interactions between rhizobia and bacterial endophytes within root nodules to facilitate plant growth. This study aimed to isolate and identify indigenous endophytic bacteria from root nodules of Sulla aculeolata L. in Northeast Morocco. Based on their tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) solubilization capacity, five endophytes were chosen for further evaluation of their plant growth traits. All isolates were hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and siderophore producers, while only BCH24 tested positive for ACC deaminase activity. Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis ranged from 1.27 mgL- 1 to 2.89 mgL- 1, while soluble phosphate concentrations was between 7.99 mg L- 1 and 110.58 mg L- 1. Additionally, all the endophytes were able to produce more than two lytic enzymes. Based on the analysis of 16 S rRNA gene sequences five isolates were identified as Enterobacter sp (BCH13, BCH2), Pseudomonas sp (BCH16, BCH24), and Serratia sp (BCH10). The strains inhibited the growth of three phytopathogenic fungi, with BCH13 exhibiting the highest rate against Aspergillus ochraceus (45%), followed by BCH24 against Fusarium oxysporum (40%) and Botrytis cinerea (35%), respectively. In vivo inoculation of halotolerant strains Enterobacter hormaechei (BCH13) and Pseudomonas moraviensis (BCH16) under gnotobiotic conditions revealed that co-inoculation with Rhizobium sullae KS6 improved plant development compared to single inoculation, making it a promising eco-friendly bio-inoculant for legume Sulla flexuosa L. production.
Subject(s)
Fabaceae , Plant Roots , Plant Roots/microbiology , Fabaceae/microbiology , Plant Development , Fungi , EndophytesABSTRACT
Genomic resources are essential to understanding the evolution and functional biology of organisms. Nevertheless, generating genomic resources from endangered species may be challenging due to the scarcity of available specimens and sampling difficulties. In this study, we compare the transcriptomes of the sporophyte and the gametophyte of the endangered fern Vandenboschia speciosa. After Illumina sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly of the gametophyte, annotation proved the existence of cross-species contamination in the gametophyte sample. Thus, we developed an in silico decontamination step for the gametophyte sequences. Once the quality check of the decontaminated reads passed, we produced a de novo assembly with the decontaminated gametophyte reads (with 43,139 contigs) and another combining the sporophyte and in silico decontaminated gametophyte reads (with 42,918 contigs). A comparison of the enriched GO terms from the top 1000 most expressed transcripts from both tissues showed that the gametophyte GO term set was enriched in sequences involved in development, response to stress, and plastid organization, while the sporophyte GO term set had a larger representation of more general metabolic functions. This study complements the available genomic resources on the life cycle of the endangered fern Vandenboschia speciosa.
Subject(s)
Ferns , Ferns/genetics , Transcriptome/genetics , Germ Cells, Plant/physiology , Genomics , High-Throughput Nucleotide SequencingABSTRACT
Defects in Coenzyme Q (CoQ) metabolism have been associated with primary mitochondrial disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic conditions. The consequences of CoQ deficiency have not been fully addressed, and effective treatment remains challenging. Here, we use mice with primary CoQ deficiency (Coq9R239X), and we demonstrate that CoQ deficiency profoundly alters the Q-junction, leading to extensive changes in the mitochondrial proteome and metabolism in the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, in the brain. CoQ deficiency also induces reactive gliosis, which mediates a neuroinflammatory response, both of which lead to an encephalopathic phenotype. Importantly, treatment with either vanillic acid (VA) or ß-resorcylic acid (ß-RA), two analogs of the natural precursor for CoQ biosynthesis, partially restores CoQ metabolism, particularly in the kidneys, and induces profound normalization of the mitochondrial proteome and metabolism, ultimately leading to reductions in gliosis, neuroinflammation and spongiosis and, consequently, reversing the phenotype. Together, these results provide key mechanistic insights into defects in CoQ metabolism and identify potential disease biomarkers. Furthermore, our findings clearly indicate that the use of analogs of the CoQ biosynthetic precursor is a promising alternative therapy for primary CoQ deficiency and has potential for use in the treatment of more common neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases that are associated with secondary CoQ deficiency.
ABSTRACT
Indigenous guinea fowl is an important animal resource for improving rural household income. In order to provide molecular data for a sustainable management of this poultry resource, an assessment of the genetic diversity and phylogenic relationships was undertaken on seven guinea fowl phenotypes from two agroecological zones (Dry Savannah and Atakora) of Togo. Genotyping was carried out using 18 microsatellite markers on 94 individuals from Dry Savannah (59) and Atakora (35) zones. The results obtained showed a high genetic diversity, with six as an average alleles per locus and an observed heterozygosity of 0.512. However, the FIS values varied from 0.047 (Lavender) to 0.257 (Albino), reflecting a deficit of heterozygotes, which suggests low to moderate inbreeding levels. The genetic distances between phenotypes are low, ranging from 0.0068 (Bonaparte-Pearl grey) to 0.1559 (Lavender-Albino), unlike the strong genetic identities that reflect a strong genetic similarity between the seven phenotypes of indigenous guinea fowl studied. These results indicate the existence of a single indigenous guinea fowl population, derived from three probable parental populations, with a high within population genetic diversity (phenotypic or agroecological zone). These results could be of use to conservation and improvement programs aiming at the maintenance and sustainable exploitation of this important socio-cultural and economic resource in Togo.
Subject(s)
Galliformes , Animals , Togo , Galliformes/genetics , Poultry/genetics , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Genetic Variation/geneticsABSTRACT
Hospital surfaces are heavily contaminated with bacteria, which are a potential source of nosocomial infections. This study was undertaken to identify bacterial communities isolated from neglected hospital surfaces after cleaning routine in a Algerian public hospital. Screening of bacterial contamination in patient bed (PB), reception land-line phones (TF), door handles (DH) and medical equipment (ME) during five months generated 108 inocula. Isolates obtained were identiï¬ed based on biochemical characteristics and confirmed by analysis of 16S rRNA sequences. Statistical analysis was performed to reveal possible relationship between bacterial diversity and swabbed surfaces. Our findings showed a high prevalence of bacteria in various hospital surfaces, reaching (65.25%), where a highest contaminated surface was the PB (47.22%) and a lowest contaminated was TF (5.55%). Gram negative bacteria were the dominant group (62.03%) mainly represented by Entrobacteriaceae (42.59%), whereas Staphylococcus aureus belonging to Gram positive was the main expanded pathogen with (15.74%).
Subject(s)
Bacteria , Cross Infection , Algeria , Cross Infection/microbiology , Gram-Negative Bacteria , Hospitals , Humans , RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/geneticsABSTRACT
We sequenced the sporophyte transcriptome of Killarney fern (Vandenboschia speciosa (Willd.) G. Kunkel). In addition to being a rare endangered Macaronesian-European endemism, this species has a huge genome (10.52 Gb) as well as particular biological features and extreme ecological requirements. These characteristics, together with the systematic position of ferns among vascular plants, make it of high interest for evolutionary, conservation and functional genomics studies. The transcriptome was constructed de novo and contained 36,430 transcripts, of which 17,706 had valid BLAST hits. A total of 19,539 transcripts showed at least one of the 7362 GO terms assigned to the transcriptome, whereas 6547 transcripts showed at least one of the 1359 KEGG assigned terms. A prospective analysis of functional annotation results provided relevant insights on genes involved in important functions such as growth and development as well as physiological adaptations. In this context, a catalogue of genes involved in the genetic control of plant development, during the vegetative to reproductive transition, in stress response as well as genes coding for transcription factors is given. Altogether, this study provides a first step towards understanding the gene expression of a significant fern species and the in silico functional and comparative analyses reported here provide important data and insights for further comparative evolutionary studies in ferns and land plants in general.
Subject(s)
Endangered Species , Ferns/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Genome, Plant , Germ Cells, Plant/metabolism , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Transcriptome , Ferns/growth & development , Ferns/metabolism , Genomics , Molecular Sequence Annotation , Plant Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
Abnormalities of one carbon, glutathione and sulfide metabolisms have recently emerged as novel pathomechanisms in diseases with mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are not clear. Also, we recently showed that sulfide oxidation is impaired in Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency. This finding leads us to hypothesize that the therapeutic effects of CoQ10, frequently administered to patients with primary or secondary mitochondrial dysfunction, might be due to its function as cofactor for sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase (SQOR), the first enzyme in the sulfide oxidation pathway. Here, using biased and unbiased approaches, we show that supraphysiological levels of CoQ10 induces an increase in the expression of SQOR in skin fibroblasts from control subjects and patients with mutations in Complex I subunits genes or CoQ biosynthetic genes. This increase of SQOR induces the downregulation of the cystathionine ß-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase, two enzymes of the transsulfuration pathway, the subsequent downregulation of serine biosynthesis and the adaptation of other sulfide linked pathways, such as folate cycle, nucleotides metabolism and glutathione system. These metabolic changes are independent of the presence of sulfur aminoacids, are confirmed in mouse models, and are recapitulated by overexpression of SQOR, further proving that the metabolic effects of CoQ10 supplementation are mediated by the overexpression of SQOR. Our results contribute to a better understanding of how sulfide metabolism is integrated in one carbon metabolism and may explain some of the benefits of CoQ10 supplementation observed in mitochondrial diseases.
Subject(s)
Ataxia/pathology , Carbon/metabolism , Electron Transport Complex I/metabolism , Mitochondria/pathology , Mitochondrial Diseases/pathology , Muscle Weakness/pathology , Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors/metabolism , Sulfides/metabolism , Ubiquinone/analogs & derivatives , Ubiquinone/deficiency , Animals , Ataxia/genetics , Ataxia/metabolism , Electron Transport , Electron Transport Complex I/genetics , Fibroblasts/drug effects , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Fibroblasts/pathology , Glutathione/metabolism , Humans , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondrial Diseases/genetics , Mitochondrial Diseases/metabolism , Muscle Weakness/genetics , Muscle Weakness/metabolism , Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors/genetics , Skin/drug effects , Skin/metabolism , Skin/pathology , Transcriptome , Ubiquinone/genetics , Ubiquinone/metabolism , Ubiquinone/pharmacology , Vitamins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to determine for the first time, in Morocco, the nasal carriage rate, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and virulence genes of Staphylococcus. aureus isolated from animals and breeders in close contact. METHODS: From 2015 to 2016, 421 nasal swab samples were collected from 26 different livestock areas in Tangier. Antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes were determined by disk diffusion according to EUCAST 2015. The presence of nuc, mecA, mecC, lukS/F-PV, and tst genes were determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for all isolates. RESULTS: The overall S. aureus nasal carriage rate was low in animals (9.97%) and high in breeders (60%) with a statistically significant difference, (OR = 13.536; 95% CI = 7.070-25.912; p < 0.001). In general, S. aureus strains were susceptible to the majority of antibiotics and the highest resistance rates were found against tetracycline (16.7% in animals and 10% in breeders). No Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was detected in animals and breeders. A high rate of tst and lukS/F-PV genes has been recovered only from animals (11.9 and 16.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite the lower rate of nasal carriage of S. aureus and the absence of MRSA strains in our study, S. aureus strains harbored a higher frequency of tst and lukS/F-PV virulence genes, which is associated to an increased risk of infection dissemination in humans. This highlights the need for further larger and multi-center studies to better define the transmission of the pathogenic S. aureus between livestock, environment, and humans.
Subject(s)
Nose/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/veterinary , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Animals , Animals, Domestic/microbiology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Carrier State , Drug Resistance, Bacterial/drug effects , Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics , Humans , Leukocidins/genetics , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Micrococcal Nuclease/genetics , Morocco/epidemiology , Penicillin-Binding Proteins/genetics , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcus aureus/genetics , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Staphylococcus aureus/pathogenicity , Tetracycline/pharmacology , Virulence/geneticsABSTRACT
Self-fertilization has recurrently evolved in plants, involving different strategies and traits and often loss of attractive functions, collectively known as the selfing syndrome. However, few traits that actively promote self-fertilization have been described. Here we describe a novel mechanism promoting self-fertilization in the Brassicaceae species Erysimum incanum. This mechanism, which we called "anther rubbing," consists of autonomous, repeated, and coordinated movements of the stamens over the stigma during flower opening. We have documented anther rubbing by time-lapse videos and experimentally show that it causes self-pollen deposition on stigmas and is sufficient to achieve maximal reproductive output in E. incanum. We predict that these movements should occur in species with limited inbreeding depression, and indeed we find that inbreeding depression in seed production is negligible in this species. While many studies have documented complex floral traits that promote outcrossing, the occurrence of anther rubbing demonstrates that plants can evolve elaborate and underappreciated adaptations to promote self-fertilization.
Subject(s)
Erysimum/physiology , Flowers/physiology , Pollination , Self-FertilizationABSTRACT
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiency has been associated with primary defects in the CoQ biosynthetic pathway or to secondary events. In some cases, the exogenous CoQ supplementation has limited efficacy. In the Coq9R239X mouse model with fatal mitochondrial encephalopathy due to CoQ deficiency, we have tested the therapeutic potential of ß-resorcylic acid (ß-RA), a structural analog of the CoQ precursor 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and the anti-inflammatory salicylic acid. ß-RA noticeably rescued the phenotypic, morphological, and histopathological signs of the encephalopathy, leading to a significant increase in the survival. Those effects were due to the decrease of the levels of demethoxyubiquinone-9 (DMQ9) and the increase of mitochondrial bioenergetics in peripheral tissues. However, neither CoQ biosynthesis nor mitochondrial function changed in the brain after the therapy, suggesting that some endocrine interactions may induce the reduction of the astrogliosis, spongiosis, and the secondary down-regulation of astrocytes-related neuroinflammatory genes. Because the therapeutic outcomes of ß-RA administration were superior to those after CoQ10 supplementation, its use in the clinic should be considered in CoQ deficiencies.
Subject(s)
Hydroxybenzoates/administration & dosage , Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/drug therapy , Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/pathology , Neuroprotective Agents/administration & dosage , Ubiquinone/analogs & derivatives , Animals , Brain/pathology , Brain/physiopathology , Disease Models, Animal , Energy Metabolism , Histocytochemistry , Mice , Salicylic Acid/administration & dosage , Survival Analysis , Treatment Outcome , Ubiquinone/analysis , Ubiquinone/deficiency , Ubiquinone/genetics , Ubiquinone/metabolismABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an ubiquitous bacterium causes various community-acquired and nosocomial infections. In this investigation, we aimed to screen the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and the prevalence of virulence factor genes in a set of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from nosocomial and community-acquired infections in the Northwestern of Morocco. METHODOLOGY: A total of 155 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were collected (January 2015 - December 2016) from nosocomial and community-acquired infections at hospital centers and clinical laboratories in the Northwestern of Morocco. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by the standard disk diffusion method. In addition, PCR assays were used for screening five virulence encoding genes (lasB, algD, plcH, exoA, and exoS). RESULTS: Our results revealed that high level of antimicrobial resistance was detected towards aztreonam (27.1%) followed by meropenem (14.2%). The resistance to imipenem was significantly higher in strains isolated from nosocomial infections (12.7%) than strains isolated from community-acquired infections (1.5%). The results highlighted that lasB (98.7%) and exoS (98.7%) were the most frequent virulence genes. CONCLUSIONS: This survey provides data about phenotypic and genotypic properties of Pseudomonas aeruginosa emerged in the Northwestern of Morocco. It could be helpful for the health workers to improve infection control measures and to establish a surveillance system.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Pseudomonas Infections/microbiology , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/drug effects , Genes, Bacterial , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Morocco , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genetics , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/isolation & purification , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/pathogenicity , Virulence/genetics , Virulence Factors/geneticsABSTRACT
We report and discuss the results of a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of the expression patterns of seven three amino acid loop extension (TALE) homeobox genes (four KNOTTED-like homeobox (KNOX) and three BEL1-like homeobox (BELL) genes) identified after next generation sequencing (NGS) and assembly of the sporophyte and gametophyte transcriptomes of the endangered fern species Vandenboschia speciosa. Among the four KNOX genes, two belonged to the KNOX1 class and the other two belonged to the KNOX2 class. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences supported the typical domain structure of both types of TALE proteins, and the homology to TALE proteins of mosses, lycophytes, and seed plant species. The expression analyses demonstrate that these homeodomain proteins appear to have a key role in the establishment and development of the gametophyte and sporophyte phases of V. speciosa lifecycle, as well as in the control of the transition between both phases. Vandenboschia speciosa VsKNAT3 (a KNOX2 class protein) as well as VsBELL4 and VsBELL10 proteins have higher expression levels during the sporophyte program. On the contrary, one V. speciosa KNOX1 protein (VsKNAT6) and one KNOX2 protein (VsKNAT4) seem important during the development of the gametophyte phase. TALE homeobox genes might be among the key regulators in the gametophyte-to-sporophyte developmental transition in regular populations that show alternation of generations, since some of the genes analyzed here (VsKNAT3, VsKNAT6, VsBELL4, and VsBELL6) are upregulated in a non-alternating population in which only independent gametophytes are found (they grow by vegetative reproduction outside of the range of sporophyte distribution). Thus, these four genes might trigger the vegetative propagation of the gametophyte and the repression of the sexual development in populations composed of independent gametophytes. This study represents a comprehensive identification and characterization of TALE homeobox genes in V. speciosa, and gives novel insights about the role of these genes in fern development.
ABSTRACT
The Gram-negative bacterium Stenotrophomonas bentonitica BII-R7T was isolated from bentonite formations. Like other species within the genus Stenotrophomonas, strain BII-R7T possesses high tolerance to numerous heavy metals, suggesting potential for bioremediation purposes. The draft genome sequence reported here comprises 4.37 Mb with a G+C content of 66.5% and 3,796 predicted protein-coding sequences.
ABSTRACT
A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterial strain, BII-R7T, was isolated during a study targeting the culture-dependent microbial diversity occurring in bentonite formations from southern Spain. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that BII-R7T represented a member of the genus Stenotrophomonas (class Gammaproteobacteria), and was related most closely to Stenotrophomonas rhizophila e-p10T (99.2â% sequence similarity), followed by Stenotrophomonas pavanii ICB 89T (98.5â%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia IAM 12423T, Stenotrophomonas chelatiphaga LPM-5T and Stenotrophomonas tumulicola T5916-2-1bT (all 98.3â%). Pairwise sequence similarities to all other type strains of species of the genus Stenotrophomonas were below 98â%. Genome-based calculations (orthologous average nucleotide identity, original average nucleotide identity, genome-to-genome distance and DNA G+C percentage) indicated clearly that the isolate represents a novel species within this genus. Different phenotypic analyses, such as the detection of a quinone system composed of the major compound ubiquinone Q-8 and a fatty acid profile with iso-C15â:â0 and anteiso-C15â:â0 as major components, supported this finding at the same time as contributing to a comprehensive characterization of BII-R7T. Based on this polyphasic approach comprising phenotypic and genotypic/molecular characterization, BII-R7T can be differentiated clearly from its phylogenetic neighbours, establishing a novel species for which the name Stenotrophomonas bentonitica sp. nov. is proposed with BII-R7T as the type strain (=LMG 29893T=CECT 9180T=DSM 103927T).