Sugarcane leaves-derived polyphenols alleviate metabolic syndrome and modulate gut microbiota of ob/ob mice

Sugarcane leaves-derived polyphenols(SLP)have been demonstrated to have diverse health-promoting benefits,but the mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated.This study aimed to investigate the anti-metabolic disease effects of SLP and the underlying mechanisms in mice.In the current study,we prepared the SLP mainly consisting of three flavonoid glycosides,three phenol derivatives,and two lignans including one new compound,and further demonstrated that SLP reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation,improved glucose and lipid metabolism disorders,ameliorated hepatic steatosis,and regulated short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)production and secondary bile acids metabolism in ob/ob mice.Notably,SLP largely altered the gut microbiota composition,especially enriching the commensal bacteria Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroides acidifaciens.Oral gavage with the above two strains ameliorated metabolic syndrome(MetS),regulated secondary bile acid metabolism,and increased the production of SCFAs in high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice.These results demonstrated that SLP could be used as a prebiotic to attenuate MetS via regulating gut microbiota composition and further activating the secondary bile acids-mediated gut-adipose axis.

Capacity Development of National Reference Centers (NRC) to Face the Challenges of Emerging Infections in Côte d’Ivoire

Background: Some national and international strategies for the detection and prevention of emerging infectious diseases have been established across sectors. The capacity to carry out these tasks varies from country to country, and that remains largely undervalued. The Pasteur Institute of C?te d’Ivoire has created and implemented the capacity of national reference centers to fight against emerging and other infectious diseases. Objective: Show on the one hand the strategies used to develop the National Reference Centers and the IPCI and on the other hand the results obtained by performing these strategies. Method: Datas collection by documentary analysis (published scientific articles and grey literature) was done on Google Scholar, PUBMED and institutional reference documents. The documentary research was carried out to have a better understanding of strategies used to create and develop the NRCs in microbiology of communicable diseases. Results: Seven integrated strategies were launched: 1-training and workforce development;2-investigation of epidemics or public health events;3-strengthening laboratory epidemiological research;4-strengthening surveillance systems;5-improving communication with partners and stakeholders;6-building national and international collaborations;and 7-strengthening technical and technological platforms. In two decades, the number of researchers has risen from 10 in 2004 to ninety (90) in 2021, with 12 senior researchers and 32 junior researchers. A number of health service staff had attended a qualifying training course, 27 investigations into outbreaks and other public health events had been carried out, 18 short-term research projects had been launched, major surveillance programs and epidemiological research efforts on vector-borne, food-borne and nosocomial infections had begun, and several scientific manuscripts had been published or were edited in the writting press. Conclusion: The Ivorian experience shows that, with concerted effort, considerable progress can be made in the development and implementation of an infectious disease control program.

The human-derived novel gut commensal Luoshenia tenuis regulates body weight and food intake in mice

Many studies have revealed that gut microbes modulate host metabolism.In this study,we characterized the therapeutic effects of a novel gut commensal Luoshenia tenuis against host metabolic disorders.First,by in silico analysis,we demonstrated that the L.tenuis was prevalent in the gut microbiomes of healthy humans but were depleted specifically in obesity cohorts.Further in vitro cultivation revealed that L.tenuis produced short chain fatty acids that were verified to modulate host metabolism and some other volatile metabolites to benefit hosts by anti-inflammation and anti-tumor.Second,gavage of the L.tenuis significantly decreased the body weight gain and food intake of high-fat diet-feeding C57BL/6J mice,which was in parallel with the changed expression level of genes related to satiety and feeding behavior.We then performed the gavage trial using diet induced obese mice,and it revealed that the administration of L.tenuis alleviated significantly the abnormal glucose and lipid metabolisms and reduced the inflammatory response.In summary,this study revealed a previously-unknown human gut commensal microbe that benefited host metabolism,and set the stage for the development of novel next-generation probiotic applicable for treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Different mechanisms underlie similar species-area relationships in two tropical archipelagoes

Despite much research in the field of island biogeography,mechanisms regulating insular diversity remain elusive.Here,we aim to explore mechanisms underlying plant species-area relationships in two tropical archipelagoes in the South China Sea.We found positive plant species-area relationships for both coral and continental archipelagoes.However,our results showed that different mechanisms contributed to similar plant species-area relationships between the two archipelagoes.For coral islands,soil nutrients and spatial distance among communities played major roles in shaping plant community structure and species diversity.By contrast,the direct effect of island area,and to a lesser extent,soil nutrients determined plant species richness on continental islands.Intriguingly,increasing soil nutrients availability(N,P,K)had opposite effects on plant diversity between the two archipelagoes.In summary,the habitat quality effect and dispersal limitation are important for regulating plant diversity on coral islands,whereas the passive sampling effect,and to a lesser extent,the habitat quality effect are important for regulating plant diversity on continental islands.More generally,our findings indicate that island plant species-area relationships are outcomes of the interplay of both niche and neutral processes,but the driving mechanisms behind these relationships depends on the type of islands.

Determination of the available energy values and amino acid digestibility of Flammulina velutipes stem waste and its effects on carcass trait and meat quality fed to growing-finishing pigs

Background:Flammulina velutipes stem waste(FVS)is the by-product of mushroom industry.The objectives of this study were to determine the available energy and amino acid digestibility of FVS fed to pigs,and to evaluate the effects of dietary FVS inclusion on growth performance,biochemical profile of serum,fecal short chain fatty acid(SCFA)concentration,carcass traits,meat quality,intestinal morphology and microflora of pigs.In Exp.1,twelve crossbred barrows with initial body weight(IBW)of 37.48±4.31 kg were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments,including a corn basal diet and an experimental diet containing 24.35%FVS.In Exp.2,twelve barrows fitted with an ileal T-cannula(IBW:32.56±1.67 kg)were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments,which included a N-free diet and an experimental diet containing 40.0%FVS.In Exp.3,ninety growing pigs(IBW:63.98±6.89 kg)were allotted to 1 of 3 treatment diets for 63 d,including a basal diet and 2 experimental diets with 2.5%and 5%FVS,respectively.Results:The digestible energy(DE)and metabolizable energy(ME)of FVS were 4.58 and 4.06 MJ/kg on dry matter basis,respectively,and the standardized ileal digestibility(SID)of indispensable AAs ranged from 17.50%to 59.47%.Pigs fed diets with 2.5%FVS showed no difference on average daily gain(ADG)and gain to feed ratio(G/F).Although dietary 5%FVS inclusion impaired apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of organic matter and gross energy,it elevated the SCFA concentration(P≤0.04)in gut and antioxidant capacity in serum.In addition,dietary FVS inclusion depressed the backfat thickness(P=0.03)in pigs.The longissimus dorsi muscle of pigs fed FVS revealed higher n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid concentration and optimized fatty acid composition.Dietary 2.5%FVS inclusion also improved the intestinal development and health by increasing the villius height to crypt depth ratio(V/C)in jejunum(P<0.01),and promoting microbial diversity and beneficial microbiota proliferation.Conclusions:It is feasible to include moderate content of FVS as an unconventional fiber ingredient in diet of growingfinishing pigs.

Amelioration of metabolic disorders by a mushroom-derived polyphenols correlates with the reduction of Ruminococcaceae in gut of DIO mice

A polyphenolic alkaloid-enriched extract(PAE)was prepared from the fruiting bodies of a wild edible mushroom Sarcodon leucopus.Oral administration of PAE reduced hyperglycemia,hyperlipidemia,hepatic steatosis,and LPS-related infl ammation in high fat diet-induced obese(DIO)mice.Furthermore,we show that PAE produces taxonomic and predicted functional changes in the gut microbiome of DIO mice.A signifi cant decrease in the family of Ruminococcaceae,especially the secondary bile acid-producing bacteria of Intestinimonas and Anaerotruncus,is detected in the gut microbiome of PAE-treate mice.Accordingly,reductions of deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid are found in the feces of PAE-treated DIO mice,which benefi ts for the intestinal integrity and the reduction of infl ammation.A gut microbiota related mechanism for the anti-metabolic syndrome effects of the PAE is proposed.We suppose the polyphenolic alkaloid extract from S.leucopus be a new and benefi cial prebiotic regulating glucose and lipid metabolisms.

Three New Heptelidic Acid Derivatives from the Culture of Mushroom Lentinellus ursinus

Three new heptelidic acid derivatives(1-3)including two new dimeric esters and two known heptelidic acid analogues(4 and 5)were isolated from the solid culture of mushroom Lentinellus ursinus.The structures of new compounds were confirmed by the analysis of NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic data.The biosynthetic origin of compounds 1-5 was postulated.Compounds 1-5 exhibited no antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli at the dose of 100 μM.

Evaluating effective Trichoderma isolates for biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani causing root rot of Vigna unguiculata

The highly diverse genus Trichoderma has provided many formulations that are alternatives to the chemical pesticides in agriculture.The present study was undertaken to investigate the biocontrol potential of eight Trichoderma species,T.atrobrunneum,T.guizhouense,T.paratroviride,T.pyramidale,T.rufobrunneum,T.simmonsii,T.thermophilum and T.viridulum,against the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani.Trichoderma isolates were first evaluated in vitro by dual culture tests for their antagonism,mycoparasitic ability and antifungal activity against R.solani.Their growth promoting potential was further assessed in relation to phosphate solubilization,indole acetic acid and siderophore production.Five of the isolates were selected and evaluated for their abilities to prompt plant growth and to control R.solani infecting Vigna unguiculata(cowpea)seedlings in vivo.Two most effective isolates,T.guizhouense 9185 and T.simmonsii 8702,significantly(P<0.05)reduced the disease severity incidences(36.6 and 45.0%,respectively)and promoted plant growth,which have good prospects for application.

Effect of Notoginsenoside-Rg_1 on the Expression of Several Proteins in the Striatum of Rat Models with Parkinson′s Disease

After establishing hemi-Parkinsonian rat models, the relationships between neuron death and the expression of several proteins, such as c-Fos, GFAP, GDNF, NF-κB and some cytokines were determined. Therapeutics experiments with notoginsenoside-Rg1 were carried out. The research results show that the expressions of GFAP, NF-Kκ and c-Fos will obviously increase in the lesion side of the striatum and the expression of GDNF will decrease, which implies that the signal transduction pathway may participate in the apoptosis in neurons. The levels of some cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β in the striatum of PD rat models increased compared to those of normal rats. The results of the therapeutics experiments show that notoginsenoside-Rg1 may repress the immune inflammation response and regulate the immune function through the neuro-immune molecular network. Therefore, notoginsenoside-Rg1 can be used as an effective drug for anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation, and can be used in the therapy of Parkinson＇s disease（PD）.

The enriched gut commensal Faeciroseburia intestinalis contributes to the anti-metabolic disorders effects of the Ganoderma meroterpene derivative

Previous study demonstrated that Ganoderma meroterpene derivative(GMD)increased the abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria in gut and subsequently delivered anti-metabolic disorder effect of host.To specify the key commensal bacteria associating with the beneficial effects,we tried to isolate and compare the microbiota from the cecal samples of GMD-and vehicle-treated ob/ob mice,and further identified butyrate-producing bacterial strains.It was found that Faeciroseburia intestinalis was enriched and 11 strains affiliated to F.intestinalis were cultivated from the gut of GMD-treated mice.In vitro assay attested butyrate production by representative strain of F.intestinalis.Oral administration with F.intestinalis further demonstrated its benefits on regulating hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia,on decreasing plasma lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and inflammation,and on improving hepatic injuries.Treatment with F.intestinalis effectively enhanced the level of gut butyrate,which subsequently ameliorated the intestinal barrier function and activated epithelial PPAR-γ signaling pathway to regulate microbiome homeostasis in gut.Our study demonstrated that the causal relationship between the butyrate-producing bacteria and the GMD's therapeutic effects and confirmed the important function of the butyrate-producing F.intestinalis in maintaining host metabolism homeostasis.

Preparation, Characterization and in Vitro Evaluation of the Antitumor Activity of the Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

This study was concentrated on the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from Penicillium aurantiogresium (IMI 89372) with a focus on its cytotoxicity in MCF-7 and MCT cancer cell lines as well as Vero (normal) cell line that was assessed by crystal violet assay after treatment with various concentrations (0.44 – 145 μg/ml) for 24 h. The cell morphology was examined by inverted light microscopy. Further, the radiosensitizing effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on MCF-7 was also demonstrated by assessing cell morphology, cell proliferation of MTT assay, LDH activity and induction of apoptosis through checking of some apoptotic genes that altered during carcinogenesis, including caspase-3, Bax and Bcl-2. Caspase-3 activity was also estimated. Synthesis of AgNPs was determined by UV-Visible spectrum and it was further characterized by TEM, FT-IR and X-Ray analysis (EDX, XRD). The biosynthesized AgNPs were spherical and of 12.7 nm in size as recorded by direct electron microscopy visualization. The biosynthesized AgNPs showed variation in cytotoxicity against MCF-7, MCT and Vero cell lines in a concentration dependant response with a varied degree of alteration in cell morphology. The result showed that AgNPs were highly toxic towards MCF-7 with IC50 value of 10.5 μg/ml. Treatment of MCF-7 (10.5 μg/ml) prior to irradiation improved the effect of irradiation dose (6 Gy) via increasing alteration of cell morphology, inhibition of cell proliferation, activation of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and caspase-3 leading to induction of apoptosis which was further confirmed through increasing nuclear DNA damage and up regulation of caspase 3 and Bax genes and downrgulation of Bcl-2 genes. In conclusion, the present findings clearly indicated that AgNPs showed dose dependant cytotoxicity and verified that AgNPs acted as a potent radiosensitizer and could enhance gamma irradiation induced killing of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Biological activities of chamomile(Matricaria chamomile) flowers' extract against the survival and egg laying of the cattle fever tick(Acari Ixodidae)

In the present work, the potential of acaricidal activity of chamomile flowers' extract was studied against engorged Rhipicephalus annulatus tick under laboratory condition. For this purpose, the engorged females of Rhipicephalus annulatus were exposed to two-fold serial dilutions of chamomile flowers' extract (0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0% and 8.0%) using "dipping method" in vitro. The engorged ticks were immersed in different plant dilutions (five ticks for each dilution) for 1 min and they were imme-diately incubated in separate Petri dishes for each replicate at 26 °C and 80% relative humidity. Mortality rate for each treatment was recorded 5 d after incubation. The mortality rate caused by different dilutions of chamomile flowers' extract ranged from 6.67% to 26.7%, whereas no mortality was recorded for non-treated control group. The mass of produced eggs varied from 0.23 g (in 8.0% solution) to 0.58 g (in control), with no statistical differences between the treatments and control (P>0.05). Also the chamomile flowers' extract in highest concentration used (8.0%) caused 46.67% failure in egg laying in engorged females while no failure was observed for non-treated control group. Macroscopic observations indicated that in effective concentrations of plant (4.0% and 8.0%), patchy hemorrhagic swelling appeared on the skin of treated ticks. The results presented for the first time in this study imply that chamomile may be considered as a promising plant for biocontrol of cattle fever tick disease in the field condition.

Nucleotide differences in the mbf1 gene of the lichenized fungus Umbilicaria decussata collected in polar and non-polar regions

Multiprotein bridging factor 1 （MBF1） is a transcriptional co-activator related to stress tolerance in various organisms. We investigated the nucleotide differences in the mbfl gene in the lichen-forming fungus Umbilicaria decussata collected from polar （i.e., Antarctica and the Arctic） and non-polar （i.e., Armenia） regions. The 552-bp Udmbfl genes isolated from eight samples contained numerous sequence variations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms as well as insertions and deletions. The frequency of nucleotide changes was higher in the intron than in the coding sequence. The nucleotide polymorphism levels （n=0.01792, 0=-0.01792） and haplotype diversity （Hd=-l） in the Udmbfl gene from Antarctic samples were relatively high. Additionally, of the 19 detected nucleotide sequence variation sites, 15 were observed only in Antarctic samples. The resulting amino acid changes occurred in the N-terminal, whose function remains unknown. Although these DNA polymorphisms and amino acid changes have been verified in Antarctic samples of U. decussata, there is still little evidence indicating that different environmental conditions affected the functional evolution of Udmbfl. Additional studies involving more U. decussata samples fi＇om representative ecotypes will be necessary to tmcover the relationships among DNA polymorphisms, functional gene evolution, and lichen habitats.

Diversity of Filamentous Fungi of Area from Brazilian Caatinga and High-Level Tannase Production Using Mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i>L.) and Surinam Cherry (<i>Eugenia uniflora</i>L.) Leaves under SSF

Tannase is a biotechnologically important enzyme that can be produced during fungal fermentation of organic matter. The Caatinga is an exclusive Brazilian ecosystem that has been largely unexplored by science, particularly its filamentous fungal diversity. This study evaluated the diversity of filamentous fungi in the Caatinga soils of Pernambuco, Brazil, and their potential for tannase production by solid-state fermentation (SSF) of mango (Mangifera indica L.) and Surinam cherry (Eugenia uniflora L.) leaves. A total of 4711 isolates were obtained, 2090 during the rainy seasonand 2621 during the dry season. The isolates belonged to 18 genera and 66 species, with Aspergillus and Penicillium having the highest species richness. The dry season had a higher diversity index. Aspergillus was the dominant genus, and A. flavus, A. sclerotiorum, and A. ochraceus the most abundant species. A representative of each species was tested for tannase production using dried mango and Surinam cherry leaves as substrates;the leaves contained 14.28 and 7.0 g/L tannin, respectively. Most fungal species produced tannase, but the highest yields were obtained when mango leaves were used as substrate for Penicillium restrictum (accession URM 6044), Aspergillus flavofurcatus (URM 6142), and A. stromatoides (URM 6609), which produced 104.16, 87.51, and 81.83 U/mL tannase, respectively. These yields exceeded previously published reports. Filamentous fungi from Caatinga soils have great potential for producing tannase by SSF, and low-cost mango leaves make excellent substrate.

Solid-State Cultivation of Edible Oyster Mushrooms, <i>Pleurotus</i>spp. under Laboratory Conditions

Oyster mushrooms of genus Pleurotus are well known as valuable edible mushrooms which are broadly cultivated in the world as well as wildly propagated in forests of the temperate climate zones including Russia. Indoor cultivation conditions adapted for a laboratory with non-specialized facilities were suggested for effective solid-state cultivation and fruit bodies’ production of Pleurotus species. Seven of 9 Pleurotus species of different origin produced fruit bodies successfully. The best fructification was shown for species P. sajor-caju, P. ostreatus, and P. pulmonarius with fruit body yields of 74%, 72%, and 61% by dry substrate weight in the first flushing cycle. Fruit bodies appeared in five to 10-day flushes. “Spawn run” stage was completed within 17 to 24 days, the longest colonization stage (26 days) being for the pink oyster, P. djamor. The cultivation parameters proposed in this study can be employed with ease for laboratory and “home” cultivation of oyster mushrooms. The species and strains’ identification was confirmed by restriction analysis of ITS region of rRNA gene cluster. Molecular barcodes based on restriction enzyme (AluI, and BsuRI) profiles of ITS sequences were shown to be applicable for molecular genotyping of Pleurotus species of different origin.

Differentiation of Fungal Destructive Behaviour of Wood by the White-Rot Fungus Fomes fomentarius by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

There are many methods to identify and recognize the molecular and behavioural differences between organisms.One of the methods for the detection and identification of unknown organisms as well as intermolecular and intramolecular structural differences is MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.Therefore,differentiation of Fomes fomentarius decay capabilities on the chemical properties of the wood cell wall of the tree species Quercus castaneifolia,Juglans regia,and Carpinus betulus were used to determine and characterize the destructive behaviour of F.fomentarius decay by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.The results showed that the fungus had more significant destructive behaviour on J.regia than the other species.For this evidence,completely removal of xylan hemicellulose fragment+Na+at peak 1227 Da and severe digestion of fragment of glucomannan hemicellulose at peak 1477–1480 Da that it seems that signs of soft-rot patterns were obtained from the decayed sample of J.regia,while these were incremental and unchanged for C.betulus and Q.castaneifolia,respectively.However,C.betulus had different peaks of atomic mass than J.regia and Q.castaneifolia wood,respectively.These results showed that this technique could be useful for separating and identifying unknown compounds of the wood cell wall attacked by fungi relying on their biological behaviour.

Distribution and Association of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Different Cultivars of Wheat from Lalganj Pratapgarh District of Utter Pradesh, India

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are key components of soil micro-flora and obviously interact with other microorganisms in the rhizosphere which is the zone of influence of plant roots on microbial populations and other soil constituents. Keeping in view the importance of AM fungi, the present study was undertaken for assessing the AM fungal spore population dynamics in the rhizosphere soil and its colonization in rhizosphere soils in relation to soil physico-chemical factors. Present study represents an attempt to establish the qualitative and quantitative distribution of AM fungal species in rhizosphere soils of wheat. Thirteen different wheat cultivars collected from four different sites of Lalganj Pratapgarh (U.P.), India were examined for the AM infection. All the wheat cultivars were found to be infected with arbuscular mycorrhizae. However, their population in rhizosphere and root infection varied to a considerable extent from species to species. The maximum spore population and highest percentage of root colonization were found with the rhizosphere soil of cultivars Ankur Kedar.

Vegetative Growth and Molecular Identification of Fusarium equiseti Isolated from Wilt Disease of Centella asiatica L. in Bangladesh

Centella asiatica (L.) is commonly known as Thankuni plant and has ethnobotanical importance in Bangladesh. Present experiment was conceded to investigate the wilt disease of C. asiatica, vegetative growth and molecular characterization of pathogenic fungi. Pathogenic fungus, Fusarium equiseti was identified as a causal agent of wilt disease in C. asiatica. The effect of culture media on the mycelial growth of F. equiseti showed the highest (89.25 mm) on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium followed by carrot agar (CA) medium and the lowest growth (40.25 mm) was measured in HA medium. The optimal temperature and pH for mycelial growth of F. equiseti were 30&deg;C and 7, respectively. The genetic variation of the selected species of fungi, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified using ITS4 and ITS5 primers and sequenced. The PCR product of the ITS region of F. equiseti was 535 bp. Phylogenetic tree of thirty-seven strains of Fusarium sp. based on the nucleotide sequences of the ITS region using the neighbor-joining method with 1000 bootstrapping indicated that 98% - 100% identity with MN886590.1 JUF0046 (F. equiseti). ITS sequences are generally constant, or show little variation within species, but vary between species in a genus. The ITS region is relatively short and can be easily amplified by PCR using universal single primer pairs. Genetic distance exhibited high level of similarity with identical ITS sequences. To date, no published research articles are found on the molecular identification of F. equiseti, the causal agent of fusarium wilt disease of C. asiatica in Bangladesh.

First record of Eutypella vitis causing branch dieback on new host trees in Canada

Eutypella vitis is reported for the first time on several new host trees viz.Fagus grandifolia,Fraxinus pennsylvanica and Syringa reticulata with associated branch dieback symptoms in the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario,Canada.Morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of ITS sequence data confirmed the species identification.Eutypella vitis is known as a woody plant pathogen causing dieback of grapevines and other economically important fruit trees widely cultivated in Ontario.The fungus ability to infect several alternate new hosts can promote its faster and wider spread across vineyards and consequently increase a dieback hazard to viticulture in Canada.