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MOSTLY MICROBES AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Welcome to Mostly Microbes and Infectious Diseases. David Ojcius posts newspaper and journal articles in the broad field of microbiology.

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Modelling Fusobacterium lifestyles transitions by integrating transcriptomics and growth data
Highlights Reconstructed and curated of the genome-scale metabolic model (GEM) of Fusobacterium nucleatum Experimental data used to refine and validate the GEM, including biomass formulation with BOFdat (Biomass Objective Function from experimental data) Integrated transcriptomic data to build context-specific metabolic models Metabolic rewiring links F. nucleatum adaptation to colorectal cancer (CRC) context Provides a systems framework to explore host-microbe metabolic i
David Ojcius
2 hours ago2 min read


A multi-glycoprotein synergized recombinant virus system resolves the research dilemma of Epstein-Barr virus entry and facilitates the development of entry-specific drugs or vaccines
Highlights A novel virus system rEBV-VSV was developed realizing efficient and native EBV entry via multi-synergetic glycoproteins with sensitive bioluminescence detection. rEBV-VSV was especially competent for rapid and high-throughput entry-inhibition evaluation of drugs, antibodies, or sera and accurate study of EBV entry mechanisms via flexible mutations or recombination on rEBV-VSV. Glycoprotein 42 (gp42) was found to mediate diverse functions of an important mutation L6
David Ojcius
1 day ago2 min read


Genomic atlas of Bifidobacterium infantis and B. longum informs infant probiotic design
Highlights Genome catalog of 4,098 B. infantis and B. longum shows distinct biogeography and ecology B. infantis is depleted in Westernized populations but highly common in LMIC infants Massively expanded B. infantis diversity and functions are absent from current probiotics Geo-specific strain library informs diet- and population-tailored infant probiotic design Summary Bifidobacterium longum and B. infantis are pioneer colonizers of the neonatal gut and are widely
David Ojcius
3 days ago1 min read


Can the shingles vaccine slow ageing? The evidence is surprisingly strong
D EMENTIA IS tragically common among the elderly. In 2021 57m people worldwide were thought to have the condition. Ageing is a risk factor for many other ailments too, ranging from chronic inflammation to a decline in organ function. A growing body of work, however, suggests that simply taking a course of the shingles vaccine can meaningfully slow the decline. The new data, from a range of countries, suggests that it cuts risk by 20%. Shingles is a painful skin condition cau
David Ojcius
6 days ago2 min read


Bacteriophage cocktail in drinking water suppresses systemic avian pathogenic Escherichia coli infection and pathology in laying hens
Highlights Administration of the bacteriophage cocktail at a high MOI reduced APEC-induced morbidity and mortality by 20-30% in laying hens, validating its potential as an antimicrobial alternative. The oral route (drinking water) demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy compared to intramuscular injection, resulting in the complete absence of macroscopic lesions and a noticeable reduction in median histopathological scores, particularly in the spleen. The administered phag
David Ojcius
6 days ago2 min read


Sexually transmitted disease
A sexually transmitted infections ( STI ) is a disease which spreads by having sex . STIs can spread through oral sex or anal sex , or when two people's genitals touch. STIs can be caused by viruses , bacteria , or parasites . Examples of the most common STIs are listed on this page. Types of STDs STIs caused by viruses Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Main article: Human immunodeficiency virus HIV causes the immune system - the system in the body that is
David Ojcius
Feb 143 min read


Meta-analysis of the uncultured gut microbiome across 11,115 global metagenomes reveals a candidate signature of health
Highlights Meta-analysis of 11,115 gut metagenomes links uncultured species to human health Healthy individuals show enrichment and greater diversity of uncultured bacteria The genus CAG-170 contains uncultured taxa with the strongest health signatures CAG-170 is ecologically important in healthy populations Summary The human gut microbiome is important for host health, yet over 60% of gut species remain uncultured and inaccessible to experimental manipulation. Here, we analy
David Ojcius
Feb 131 min read


Influenza hijacks myeloid cells to inflict type-I interferon-fueled damage in the heart
Highlights Severe IAV infection imparts a long-lasting decline in cardiac function Atypical GMP-independent CD319+ pro-DC3s transport infectious IAV to cardiomyocytes Direct IFN-I signaling on cardiomyocytes drives cardiac dysfunction mod-mRNA delivery of dominant-negative IFNAR1 on cardiomyocytes ameliorates damage Summary Abundant evidence has correlated influenza infection with cardiovascular disease, yet mechanisms linking infection with the heart remain poorly understood
David Ojcius
Feb 131 min read


Specific role of two NlpC/P60 endopeptidases in cell division and membrane vesicle formation in Deinococcus radiodurans
Highlights Three NlpC/P60 endopeptidases identified in Deinococcus radiodurans CwlA is essential for cell viability and cell wall integrity CwlB is involved in cell septation whereas CwlC is dispensable Regulatory link between CwlA expression and the genotoxic stress response pathway ABSTRACT The bacterial cell wall is composed of peptidogylcane (PG), a sugar polymer cross-linked by short peptide stems. PG determines cell morphology and protects it from environmental stresse
David Ojcius
Feb 132 min read


Repression of Gut Microbiota-Derived GM3 by Insoluble Fiber Attenuates the Colorectal Tumorigenesis in mice
Highlights We have discovered an alternative mechanism mediated by insoluble dietary fiber that contributes to the prevention of colorectal tumorigenesis, potentially accounting for the paradoxical role of SCFAs. Microbial enzyme encoded by K12373 promotes tumorigenic glycosphingolipid GM3 production, which can be suppressed by high-fiber diet. As a key node in glycosphingolipid metabolism, K12373 directs metabolic flux primarily towards the GM3 branch and, to a lesser extent
David Ojcius
Feb 132 min read


Boswellia serrata Extract and Its Bioactive Compound 3-O-Acetyl-11-Keto-β-Boswellic Acid Induce ROS-Mediated Intracellular Clearance of Porphyromonas gingivalis in Human Gingival Epithelial Cells
Abstract Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis, known for its ability to invade gingival epithelial cells and persist intracellularly. Conventional antimicrobials are often ineffective against intracellular pathogens, and natural products remain poorly explored in this context. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial effects of Boswellia serrata extract and its bioactive compounds on the dynamics of P. gingivalis infection in human gingival epi
David Ojcius
Feb 113 min read


Interactions Between Gut Commensal Bacteria and Polysaccharides Derived from Algae and Legumes: Identification of Metabolites Produced and Pathways Involved
Highlights Chickpea oligosaccharides are broadly utilized by gut commensal bacteria. Algal polysaccharide use is limited to specific Bacteroidota species. Algae and chickpea fibers enhance short-chain faty acid production. Transcriptomics reveal coordinated genes for raffinose metabolism. Abstract Diet is a key driver of gut microbiome functions, largely via microbial fermentation of dietary fibers. We investigated how 15 human gut commensals from Bacteroidota, Bacillota, and
David Ojcius
Feb 102 min read


The Foods That Fight Inflammation
Chronic inflammation can be a silent killer, but your diet can play a role in tamping it down. Experts sometimes describe inflammation as a necessary evil. On one hand, this essential immune system response helps you stay safe and heal from illnesses, though it isn’t always pleasant: often causing symptoms like redness, swelling and soreness. But when inflammation levels in your body remain high for months or years at a time — even in the absence of a threat — it can create
David Ojcius
Feb 81 min read


Molecular basis for anti-jumbo phage immunity by AVAST type 5
Highlights Avs5 is activated at the early phage infection vesicle Avs5 hydrolyzes NAD+ to block jumbo phage nucleus formation Divergent Avs5 clades sense JADA to inhibit jumbo phage infection JADA is an essential early phage protein with a novel protein fold Summary Jumbo phages protect their genomes from DNA-sensing bacterial defense systems by enclosing them within vesicles and nucleus-like compartments. Very little is known about defense systems specialized to counter thes
David Ojcius
Feb 71 min read


Ketogenic diet alleviates septic lung injury via microbial gut-lung axis
Highlights Ketogenic diet (KD) alleviates sepsis-induced lung injury via the gut microbiota KD-enriched lactobacilli produce azelaic acid (AZA) that migrates to sepsis lung Lung AZA induces MerTK+ macrophages via PPAR-γ toward efferocytosis AZA associates with improved clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis Summary Sepsis is characterized by impaired immunity to infection, leading to multi-organ dysfunction, with the lung being the most vulnerable organ. Here, we show that
David Ojcius
Feb 71 min read


Divergent tumor immunity determined by bacteria-cancer cell engagement
Highlights Intratumor bacteria promote breast cancer metastatic recurrence in a preclinical model Cytosolic bacteria induce immune suppressive neutrophils via cGAS-STING-IL-17B Intra- and extracellular bacteria can play opposite roles in determining neutrophil states A bacteria invasion signature is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients Summary Intratumor bacteria represent an understudied yet influential component of the cancer ecosystem, critically imping
David Ojcius
Feb 51 min read


The differential impact of three different NAD+ boosters on circulatory NAD and microbial metabolism in humans
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) and its phosphorylated form NADP(H) are vitamin B3-derived redox cofactors essential for numerous metabolic reactions and protein modifications. Various health conditions are associated with disturbances in NAD+ homeostasis. To restore NAD+ levels, the main biosynthetic pathways have been targeted, with nicotinamide (Nam), nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) being the most prominent boosters. However, whi
David Ojcius
Feb 33 min read


Integrated Metagenomic and Metabolomic Analysis Reveals Regional Style Differences in Maotai-Flavour Baijiu
Highlights MT is dominated by Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus. MT has high ester, JS features elevated aldehydes, reflecting regional sensory. Saccharomyces and Pichia correlate with esters. Abstract This research focused on Maotai-flavour Baijiu from three representative production regions in the Chishui River Basin, namely Maotai Town (MT), Jinsha (JS), and Renhuai (RH). By integrating metabolomics and macrogenomics techniques, the study analyzed the differences in volatile
David Ojcius
Feb 31 min read


Tn4401/Tn7247 transposon-derived structures driving the cross-transmission of blaKPC among plasmids and chromosomes in clinical carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Highlights A significant proportion (∼11%) of bla KPC genes were chromosome-integrated in P. aeruginosa . Tn 4401 /Tn 7247 -like structures were the major transposons mobilizing bla KPC. Tn 4401 - and Tn 7247 -like structures differed in geographic distribution and plasmid/chromosome localization. IS 26 and IS 6100 formed prevalent chimeric structures with truncated transposons to mobilize bla KPC. Integrative mobilizable elements (IMEs) facilitated inter-cellular trans
David Ojcius
Feb 22 min read


Circadian rhythms regulate osteoclast recycling through gut microbiota-dependent Th17 cell expansion
Highlights Impairment of circadian rhythm by long-term rest-phase time-restricted feeding (TRF) induces bone loss and gut microbiota dysbiosis in male mice TRF feeding mice showed a decreased Muribaculaceae and propionate in feces Muribaculaceae abundance level is positively correlated with bone mass Fecal microbiota transplantation from TRF donors to germ-free recipients leaded to increased Th17 cell populations Increased Th17 cell populations enhanced osteomorphs fusion
David Ojcius
Feb 21 min read
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