Mechanisms of medicinal, pharmaceutical, and immunomodulatory action of probiotics bacteria and their secondary metabolites against disease management: an overview.

Probiotics or bacteriotherapy is today's hot issue for public entities (Food and Agriculture Organization, and World Health Organization) as well as health and food industries since Metchnikoff and his colleagues hypothesized the correlation between probiotic consumption and human's health. They contribute to the newest and highly efficient arena of promising biotherapeutics. These are usually attractive in biomedical applications such as gut-related diseases like irritable bowel disease, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, fungal infections, various allergies, parasitic and bacterial infections, viral diseases, and intestinal inflammation, and are also worth immunomodulation. The useful impact of probiotics is not limited to gut-related diseases alone. Still, these have proven benefits in various acute and chronic infectious diseases, like cancer, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diseases, and high serum cholesterol. Recently, different researchers have paid special attention to investigating biomedical applications of probiotics, but consolidated data regarding bacteriotherapy with a detailed mechanistically applied approach is scarce and controversial. The present article reviews the bio-interface of probiotic strains, mainly (i) why the demand for probiotics?, (ii) the current status of probiotics, (iii) an alternative to antibiotics, (iv) the potential applications towards disease management, (v) probiotics and industrialization, and (vi) futuristic approach.

The Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treating Apraxia.

Apraxia can be detected when engaging in mental motor envisioning exercises. The nonverbal skills of manufacturing, representation, strategizing, arithmetic, visual sensitivity, and motor skills are all related to apraxia. Limb apraxia also negatively affects communication gestures and linguistic skills. The impairment of brain regions related to motion patterns is the primary cause of apraxia. People with apraxia may struggle to complete a variety of tasks because they are unable to focus on various movements. Apraxia can result from injury to the premotor cortex since it has a role in the left hemisphere-dependent selection of movements. Cognitive and complicated motor system deficits are hallmarks of the corticobasal syndrome. Apraxia of the limbs and visuospatial abnormalities are typical clinical types. TMS was used to study these problems; however, no research was done on the relationship between TMS parameters and clinical types. It is possible for changes in brain activity to last a long time when repetitive TMS (rTMS) is utilized. Electromyography shows that noninvasive TMS of the motor cortex causes target muscle spasms (MEP). The human motor cortex is a part of the cerebral cortex that is involved in the organization, management, and execution of voluntary movements. TMS and other neuroimaging techniques are frequently used to identify changes in this region. Cortical motor excitability varies among different diagnoses; therefore, it is important to determine the effectiveness of TMS. Therefore, this study aims to review the causes and neurophysiological simulation of apraxia along with the principles and effects of TMS on apraxia.

Characterization of two novel lytic bacteriophages having lysis potential against MDR avian pathogenic Escherichia coli strains of zoonotic potential.

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is associated with local and systemic infections in poultry, ducks, turkeys, and many other avian species, leading to heavy economical losses. These APEC strains are presumed to possess zoonotic potential due to common virulence markers that can cause urinary tract infections in humans. The prophylactic use of antibiotics in the poultry sector has led to the rapid emergence of Multiple Drug Resistant (MDR) APEC strains that act as reservoirs and put human populations at risk. This calls for consideration of alternative strategies to decrease the bacterial load. Here, we report isolation, preliminary characterization, and genome analysis of two novel lytic phage species (Escherichia phage SKA49 and Escherichia phage SKA64) against MDR strain of APEC, QZJM25. Both phages were able to keep QZJM25 growth significantly less than the untreated bacterial control for approximately 18 h. The host range was tested against Escherichia coli strains of poultry and human UTI infections. SKA49 had a broader host range in contrast to SKA64. Both phages were stable at 37 °C only. Their genome analysis indicated their safety as no recombination, integration and host virulence genes were identified. Both these phages can be good candidates for control of APEC strains based on their lysis potential.

An Epidemiological Survey to Investigate the Prevalence of Cystic Echinococcosis in Slaughtered Bovine Hosts in Punjab, Pakistan.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease of worldwide geographical distribution. CE is most common in underdeveloped and herding communities where people survive on animal husbandry and agricultural activities. The prevalence of CE in livestock and its risk factors are widely underreported, because of inefficient surveillance systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics and prevalence of CE in cattle in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from slaughterhouses from September 2021 to February 2022. Ante- and postmortem examination and cyst characterization were performed. Epidemiological, demographic, and one health data were collected. A total of 8877 animals (8096 buffalo, 781 cattle) were examined, and the prevalence of CE was 6.22% (n = 552) in all animals, with a higher prevalence in cattle (15.20% vs. buffalo 5.83%). Prevalence was not significantly different in males and females. Of the 23 districts studied, the highest prevalence was in the Haripur district of KP (20.85%). The majority of animals studied were older than 3 years. Most cysts were found in animals older than 5 years. Lungs and liver were the predominant sites for the presence of cysts (65.58% and 31.34%, respectively. Of the collected cysts, 29.71% were fertile. The findings may be useful in estimating the eco-epidemiology of CE and improving surveillance and prevention programs in Pakistan.

The Metabolic Role of Ketogenic Diets in Treating Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a long-term neurological condition that results in recurrent seizures. Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The ketogenic diet (KD) is considered an effective alternative treatment for epileptic patients. The aim of this study was to identify the metabolic role of the KD in epilepsy. Ketone bodies induce chemical messengers and alterations in neuronal metabolic activities to regulate neuroprotective mechanisms towards oxidative damage to decrease seizure rate. Here, we discuss the role of KD on epilepsy and related metabolic disorders, focusing on its mechanism of action, favorable effects, and limitations. We describe the significant role of the KD in managing epilepsy disorders.

Screening of Antibacterial Efficacy of Chitosan Encapsulated Probiotics (Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus curvattus) against Clinical Bacterial Pathogens.

Probiotics frontier in depressing the clinical bacterial pathogens to avoid multidrug resistance phenomenon. The present study aimed to determine the antibacterial efficiency of chitosan encapsulated probiotics isolated from buffalo milk samples against clinical bacterial pathogens. The Agar well method was used for antibacterial activity. Lactococcus lactis (A) and Lactobacillus curvattus (B) were isolated from fresh buffalo milk samples, identified via culturing media, Gram's staining, biochemical tests, and antibiogram analysis. Encapsulation of probiotics was carried out using chitosan and was characterized via a scanning electron microscope. Antibiogram analysis elicit that L. lactis culture (A1) was highly sensitive to chloramphenicol (17.66±0.47 mm), tobramycin (15.33±0.47 mm), and ciprofloxacin (12.33±0.47 mm) and resistant against tetracycline, Penicillin G, Erythromycin, Amoxycillin, Ceftriaxone, Cephalothin, and Cephradine, while L. curvattus culture (B1) was affected by Ceftriaxone (18.67±0.47 mm), Amoxycillin (14.33±0.94 mm), Cephalothin (13.67±0.47 mm), Erythromycin (13.33±0.47 mm), Penicillin G (12.67±0.47 mm), Cephradine (10.33±0.47 mm), and Chloramphenicol (9.67±0.47 mm) and resistant against tetracycline, Tobramycin, and Ciprofloxacin. Antibacterial efficacy of non-encapsulated probiotic cultures was significant and maximum inhibition of bacterial were recorded compared to their cellular components. SEM of encapsulated probiotics revealed that they were successfully covered with a chitosan protective layer and could be effective as bio-preservatives due to being slowly released at the target site. The current study concluded that L. lactis, L. curvattus, and their cellular components have a significant bactericidal effect against infectious pathogens and could be used as a potential therapeutic drug against infectious diseases.

Phenotypic characterization and genome analysis of a novel Salmonella Typhimurium phage having unique tail fiber genes.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a foodborne pathogen causing occasional outbreaks of enteric infections in humans. Salmonella has one of the largest pools of temperate phages in its genome that possess evolutionary significance for pathogen. In this study, we characterized a novel temperate phage Salmonella phage BIS20 (BIS20) with unique tail fiber genes. It belongs to the subfamily Peduovirinae genus Eganvirus and infects Salmonella Typhimurium strain (SE-BS17; Acc. NO MZ503545) of poultry origin. Phage BIS20 was viable only at biological pH and temperature ranges (pH7 and 37 °C). Despite being temperate BIS20 significantly slowed down the growth of host strain for 24 h as compared to control (P < 0.009). Phage BIS20 features 29,477-base pair (bp) linear DNA genome with 53% GC content and encodes for 37 putative ORFs. These ORFs have mosaic arrangement as indicated by its ORF similarity to various phages and prophages in NCBI. Genome analysis indicates its similarity to Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg prophage (SEStP) sequence (Nucleotide similarity 87.7%) and Escherichia virus 186 (~ 82.4% nucleotide similarity). Capsid genes were conserved however those associated with tail fiber formation and assembly were unique to all members of genus Eganvirus. We found strong evidence of recombination hotspot in tail fiber gene. Our study identifies BIS20 as a new species of genus Eganvirus temperate phages as its maximum nucleotide similarity is 82.4% with any phage in NCBI. Our findings may contribute to understanding of origin of new temperate phages.

Genome Analysis and Therapeutic Evaluation of a Novel Lytic Bacteriophage of Salmonella Typhimurium: Suggestive of a New Genus in the Subfamily Vequintavirinae.

Salmonella Typhimurium, a foodborne pathogen, is a major concern for food safety. Its MDR serovars of animal origin pose a serious threat to the human population. Phage therapy can be an alternative for the treatment of such MDR Salmonella serovars. In this study, we report on detailed genome analyses of a novel Salmonella phage (Salmonella-Phage-SSBI34) and evaluate its therapeutic potential. The phage was evaluated for latent time, burst size, host range, and bacterial growth reduction in liquid cultures. The phage stability was examined at various pH levels and temperatures. The genome analysis (141.095 Kb) indicated that its nucleotide sequence is novel, as it exhibited only 1-7% DNA coverage. The phage genome features 44% GC content, and 234 putative open reading frames were predicted. The genome was predicted to encode for 28 structural proteins and 40 enzymes related to nucleotide metabolism, DNA modification, and protein synthesis. Further, the genome features 11 tRNA genes for 10 different amino acids, indicating alternate codon usage, and hosts a unique hydrolase for bacterial lysis. This study provides new insights into the subfamily Vequintavirinae, of which SSBI34 may represent a new genus.

Physicochemical, Sensorial and Microbiological Characterization of PoroCheese, an Artisanal Mexican Cheese Made from Raw Milk.

Poro cheese is a regional product originally from the area of Los Rios, Tabasco in Mexico. In the context of preserving the heritage of Poro cheese and protecting the specific characteristics that define its typicity through an origin designation, the present study was conducted to establish a general profile of Poro cheese by characterizing their physicochemical, textural, rheological, sensorial and microbiological characteristics. Differences in moisture, proteins, fats, NaCl, titrable acidity, pH, color texture and rheology amongst cheese factories were observed and ranges were established. Fifteen descriptors were generated to provide a descriptive analysis, eight of which were significantly different amongst the factories with no differences in the global acceptability of cheese. The favorite cheese had the highest scores for aroma attributes. Conventional and molecular methods were used to identify the main microorganisms, for which Lactobacillus plantarum, L. fermentum, L. farciminis and L. rhamnosus were the main microorganisms found in Porocheese. The obtained data constituted the parameters for characterizing Poro cheese, which will strongly help to support its origin appellation request process.