scholarly journals Prevalence of Treponema species in the Gut Microbiome is Linked to Bifidobacterium sp. and Bacteroides sp.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souad BELKACEMI ◽  
MARYAM TIDJANI ALOU ◽  
Matthieu MILLION ◽  
Anthony LEVASSEUR ◽  
Saber KHELAIFIA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Bifidobacterium Longum ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Bifidobacterium Bifidum ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
And Function ◽  
Gastro Intestinal Tract ◽  
Fermented Dairy

Abstract BackgroundTreponema species as commensals of the human microbiome have a prevalence and function depending on the studied niche. In the oral cavity, treponemes are ubiquitous while they have been strictly linked to rural and ancestral populations in the gastro-intestinal tract and are undetected in urban populations. In this study, an in silico analysis of 1481 metagenomes, selected based on the previous detection of treponemes in such sample types, was conducted to predict putative bacterial antagonists of treponemes, i.e. bacteria present when treponemes are lacking and vice versa. Predicted antagonists were subsequently tested in-vitro against Treponema denticola CSUR P7640.ResultsMost frequent predicted antagonists included members of the Bifidobacteriaceae family (23.3%) among which Bifidobacterium longum was the most significant (63.3% in T- group, p <0.0000001) as well as members of the Bacteroides (6.7%) and Streptococcus (13.3%) genera. The relative abundance of the aforementioned taxa was also anticorrelated with that of the Treponema genus in the metagenomes analyzed in this study. B. longum CSUR P7400, Bifidobacterium bifidum CSUR P1194, Bifidobacterium breve CSUR P7882, Bacteroides ovatus CSUR P4577, Bacteroides uniformis CSUR P2248 and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron CSUR P7324 were able to inhibit the growth of T. denticola with B. longum being the most efficient.ConclusionsThese results highlight an antagonism between Bifidobacterium species, known probiotics and bio-preservatives, and Treponema spp. This may help to explain the variation of Treponema prevalence in high-income countries and middle- and low-income countries which might linked to the differential consumption of fermented dairy foodstuff and processed food and therefore to the phenomenon of nutrition transition.

scholarly journals Nematicidal Activity of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Assisted by Phytochemical Analysis

Toxins ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Nikoletta Ntalli ◽  
Konstantinos M. Kasiotis ◽  
Eirini Baira ◽  
Christos L. Stamatis ◽  
Kyriaki Machera
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Stevia Rebaudiana ◽  
Nematicidal Activity ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Inoculum Level ◽  
Water Extracts

To date, there has been great demand for ecofriendly nematicides with beneficial properties to the nematode hosting plants. Great efforts are made towards the chemical characterization of botanical extracts exhibiting nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne spp., but only a small percentage of these data are actually used by the chemical industry in order to develop new formulates. On the other hand, the ready to use farmer produced water extracts based on edible plants could be a sustainable and economic solution for low income countries. Herein, we evaluate the nematicidal potential of Stevia rebaudiana grown in Greece against Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica, two most notorious phytoparasitic nematode species causing great losses in tomato cultivation worldwide. In an effort to recycle the plant’s remnants, after leaves selection for commercial use, we use both leaves and wooden stems to test for activity. In vitro tests demonstrate significant paralysis activity of both plant parts’ water extracts against the second-stage juvenile (J2) of the parasites; while, in vivo bioassays demonstrated the substantial efficacy of leaves’ powder (95% at 1 g kg−1) followed by stems. Interestingly, the incorporation of up to 50 g powder/kg of soil is not phytotoxic, which demonstrates the ability to elevate the applied concentration of the nematicidal stevia powder under high inoculum level. Last but not least, the chemical composition analyses using cutting edge analytical methodologies, demonstrated amongst components molecules of already proven nematicidal activity, was exemplified by several flavonoids and essential oil components. Interestingly, and to our knowledge, for the flavonoids, morin and robinin, the anthocyanidin, keracyanin, and a napthalen-2-ol derivative is their first report in Stevia species.

scholarly journals Integrated nutrition science: from theory to practice in South Africa

2005 ◽  
Vol 8 (6a) ◽  
pp. 760-765 ◽  
Author(s):  
HH Vorster ◽  
BM Margetts ◽  
CS Venter ◽  
MP Wissing
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Nutrition Science ◽  
Theory To Practice ◽  
Nutrition Research

AbstractObjectiveTo describe an integrated, holistic conceptual framework and research paradigm for a better understanding of the nutrition transition in middle- and low-income countries.MotivationCurrent inability effectively to prevent the increasing burden related to changes in food consumption patterns and other health behaviours of populations in transition motivates a new approach for nutrition research and practice. In this proposed approach, broader and integrated dimensions of science and practice may be applied for a better understanding of this complex phenomenon.ResultExamples from our own studies are given and quoted to illustrate how results from transdisciplinary studies were used to design an integrated, holistic programme to improve quality of life of people infected with HIV.ConclusionBased on these experiences it is argued that the more holistic and integrated approach should and could lead to more effective and sustainable interventions to prevent the adverse health consequences of the nutrition transition. At the same time such an approach will contribute to efforts to conserve the environment and also human, living and natural resources.

scholarly journals Single domain antibodies against enteric pathogen virulence factors are active as curli fiber fusions on probiotic E. coli Nissle 1917

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilia Gelfat ◽  
Yousuf Aqeel ◽  
Jacquiline M Tremblay ◽  
Justyna Jaskiewicz ◽  
Anishma Shrestha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virulence Factors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Bacterial Toxin ◽  
Scanning Electron Micrographs ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Curli Fiber

Enteric microbial pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Shigella and Cryptosporidium species, take a particularly heavy toll in low-income countries and are highly associated with infant mortality. We describe here a means to display anti-infective agents on the surface of a probiotic bacterium. Because of their stability and versatility, VHHs, the variable domains of camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies, have potential as components of novel agents to treat or prevent enteric infectious disease. We isolated and characterized VHHs targeting several enteropathogenic Escherichia.coli (EPEC) virulence factors: flagellin (Fla), which is required for bacterial motility and promotes colonization; both intimin and the translocated intimin receptor (Tir), which together play key roles in attachment to enterocytes; and E. coli secreted protein A (EspA), an essential component of the type III secretion system (T3SS) that is required for virulence. Several VHHs that recognize Fla, intimin, or Tir blocked function in vitro. The probiotic strain E. coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) produces on the bacterial surface curli fibers, which are the major proteinaceous component of E. coli biofilms. A subset of Fla-, intimin-, or Tir-binding VHHs, as well as VHHs that recognize either a T3SS of another important bacterial pathogen (Shigella flexneri), a soluble bacterial toxin (Shiga toxin or Clostridioides difficile toxin TcdA), or a major surface antigen of an important eucaryotic pathogen (Cryptosporidium parvum) were fused to CsgA, the major curli fiber subunit. Scanning electron micrographs indicated CsgA-VHH fusions were assembled into curli fibers on the EcN surface, and Congo Red binding indicated that these recombinant curli fibers were produced at high levels. Ectopic production of these VHHs conferred on EcN the cognate binding activity and, in the case of anti-Shiga toxin, was neutralizing. Taken together, these results demonstrate the potential of the curli-based pathogen sequestration strategy described herein and contribute to the development of novel VHH-based gut therapeutics.

scholarly journals The development of a nano-sized eggshell and titanium dioxide desensitising paste to re-mineralise teeth

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Stanley Chibuzor Onwubu
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Logistic Equation ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Hydrated Silica ◽  
Dentin Tubule ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Bovine Enamel ◽  
New Evidence

in). Manuscript I established that as the brushing days increase the remineralisation or dentin tubule occluded by each respective desensitising agent improved. It was found that the occluding capabilities of EB@TiO2 were more superior to both Pro-argin and NovaMin products in both saliva and without saliva. Manuscript II described the use of the logistic equation to predict the remineralisation of the EB@TiO2. Manuscript II established that the logistic equation effectively predicted the remineralisation trends of EB@TiO2 and Pro-argin toothpaste (Colgate Pro-relief). Manuscript III assesses the abrasivity of EB@TiO2 in comparison with calcium carbonate, and hydrated silica containing toothpaste. Bovine enamel specimen was used for the in vitro experiment. Manuscript III established that enamel loss from the brushed surface, regardless of the sample group, were statistically different when compared to the covered surface. The study found that the abrasivity of EB@TiO2 were comparable with the calcium carbonate toothpaste. It was also established that EB@TiO2 was less abrasive when compared against hydrated silica containing toothpaste. In conclusion, the experimental finding has exhaustively provided evidence on the suitability of EB@TiO2 as an active ingredient in toothpaste formulation. The study, therefore, provides new evidence and approach for the management of DH, particularly in low-income countries where the cost of oral healthcare may be too high.

scholarly journals The Activity of Plant Crude Extracts against Schistosoma mansoni

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hirut Basha ◽  
Hassen Mamo
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Eligibility Criteria

Background. Schistosoma mansoni remains a significant health problem in low-income countries. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, and PZQ resistance is a potential threat towards control of the disease although PZQ is currently effective against all species of schistosomes. Moreover, PZQ is less efficacious against larval stages. In response to these challenges, multiple in vivo/in vitro studies evaluated the anti-S. mansoni activity of crude plant extracts in a bid for novel drug(s). However, these studies appear fragmented and patchy. This systematic review explored the extent of such studies in the past 11 years (2010-2020). Methods. A systematic web search analysis and review of the literature on crude plant extracts tested against S. mansoni was done. Data from 17 articles meeting eligibility criteria were extracted and analyzed. Forty-three plant species have been tested by the 17 studies. The leaves, barks, stems, flowers, rhizomes, and roots of the plants as well as the whole plant part were used for the experiments. Conclusion. Nearly all of the plants significantly reduced schistosome egg output, killed adult worms, and improved liver histology and function. Further studies are required to assess the therapeutic potential of more promising plant species.

Investigating bifidobacteria and human milk oligosaccharide composition of lactating mothers

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Andrea Lugli ◽  
Sabrina Duranti ◽  
Christian Milani ◽  
Leonardo Mancabelli ◽  
Francesca Turroni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Milk ◽  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
Bifidobacterium Longum ◽  
Bifidobacterium Bifidum ◽  
Metagenomic Data ◽  
Bifidobacterium Adolescentis ◽  
Milk Samples ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
Lactating Mothers

ABSTRACT Human milk is known to carry its own microbiota, of which the precise origin remains obscure. Breastfeeding allows mother-to-baby transmission of microorganisms as well as the transfer of many other milk components, such as human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which act as metabolizable substrates for particular bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, residing in infant intestinal tract. In the current study, we report the HMO composition of 249 human milk samples, in 163 of which we quantified the abundance of members of the Bifidobacterium genus using a combination of metagenomic and flow cytometric approaches. Metagenomic data allowed us to identify four clusters dominated by Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, Bifidobacterium crudilactis or Bifidobacterium dentium, as well as a cluster represented by a heterogeneous mix of bifidobacterial species such as Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum. Furthermore, in vitro growth assays on HMOs coupled with in silico glycobiome analyses allowed us to elucidate that members of the Bifidobacterium bifidum and B. breve species exhibit the greatest ability to degrade and grow on HMOs. Altogether, these findings indicate that the bifidobacterial component of the human milk microbiota is not strictly correlated with their ability to metabolize HMOs.

In vitro evaluation of Bifidobacterium strains of human origin for potential use in probiotic functional foods

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.C. Souza ◽  
A.M. Silva ◽  
J.R.P. Drews ◽  
D.A. Gomes ◽  
C.G. Vinderola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Bifidobacterium Longum ◽  
Antagonistic Activity ◽  
Bifidobacterium Bifidum ◽  
In Vitro Tests ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Hydrophobic Property

The present study investigated some in vitro properties for probiotic use of four strains of bifidobacteria isolated from faeces of healthy children (Bifidobacterium longum 51A, Bifidobacterium breve 1101A, Bifidobacterium pseudolongum 1191A and Bifidobacterium bifidum 1622A). In vitro tests were carried out to compare growth rate, aerotolerance, antagonistic activity against pathogens, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and cell wall hydrophobicity. Mean doubling time of B. longum 51A was shorter compared to the other strains. All strains were aerotolerant up to 72 h of exposure to oxygen. In vitro antagonism showed that B. longum 51A and B. pseudolongum 1191A were able to produce inhibitory diffusible compounds against all pathogenic bacteria tested, but not against Candida albicans. B. longum 51A was sensitive to all the antimicrobials tested, except neomycin. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was highest for B. bifidum 1622A. Based on these parameters, B. longum 51A showed the best potential for probiotic use among the tested strains, presenting the greatest sensitivity to antimicrobials, the best growth rate and the highest capacity to produce antagonistic substances against various pathogenic microorganisms.

scholarly journals One-step design of a stable variant of the malaria invasion protein RH5 for use as a vaccine immunogen

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 998-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Campeotto ◽  
Adi Goldenzweig ◽  
Jack Davey ◽  
Lea Barfod ◽  
Jennifer M. Marshall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Emerging Pathogens ◽  
Surface Polarity ◽  
Computational Stability ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
One Step

Many promising vaccine candidates from pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and parasites are unstable and cannot be produced cheaply for clinical use. For instance,Plasmodium falciparumreticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (PfRH5) is essential for erythrocyte invasion, is highly conserved among field isolates, and elicits antibodies that neutralize in vitro and protect in an animal model, making it a leading malaria vaccine candidate. However, functional RH5 is only expressible in eukaryotic systems and exhibits moderate temperature tolerance, limiting its usefulness in hot and low-income countries where malaria prevails. Current approaches to immunogen stabilization involve iterative application of rational or semirational design, random mutagenesis, and biochemical characterization. Typically, each round of optimization yields minor improvement in stability, and multiple rounds are required. In contrast, we developed a one-step design strategy using phylogenetic analysis and Rosetta atomistic calculations to design PfRH5 variants with improved packing and surface polarity. To demonstrate the robustness of this approach, we tested three PfRH5 designs, all of which showed improved stability relative to wild type. The best, bearing 18 mutations relative to PfRH5, expressed in a folded form in bacteria at >1 mg of protein per L of culture, and had 10–15 °C higher thermal tolerance than wild type, while also retaining ligand binding and immunogenic properties indistinguishable from wild type, proving its value as an immunogen for a future generation of vaccines against the malaria blood stage. We envision that this efficient computational stability design methodology will also be used to enhance the biophysical properties of other recalcitrant vaccine candidates from emerging pathogens.

scholarly journals Developmental programming of offspring adipose tissue biology and obesity risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Rodgers ◽  
Amanda N. Sferruzzi-Perri
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
The Body ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Tissue Biology ◽  
And Function

AbstractObesity is reaching epidemic proportions and imposes major negative health crises and an economic burden in both high and low income countries. The multifaceted nature of obesity represents a major health challenge, with obesity affecting a variety of different organs and increases the risk of many other noncommunicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, dementia, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer. The defining organ of obesity is the adipose tissue, highlighting the need to more comprehensively understand the development and biology of this tissue to understand the pathogenesis of obesity. Adipose tissue is a miscellaneous and highly plastic endocrine organ. It comes in many different sizes and shades and is distributed throughout many different locations in the body. Though its development begins prenatally, quite uniquely, it has the capacity for unlimited growth throughout adulthood. Adipose tissue is also a highly sexually dimorphic tissue, patterning men and women in different ways, which means the risks associated with obesity are also sexually dimorphic. Recent studies show that environmental factors during prenatal and early stages of postnatal development have the capacity to programme the structure and function of adipose tissue, with implications for the development of obesity. This review summarizes the evidence for a role for early environmental factors, such as maternal malnutrition, hypoxia, and exposure to excess hormones and endocrine disruptors during gestation in the programming of adipose tissue and obesity in the offspring. We will also discuss the complexity of studying adipose tissue biology and the importance of appreciating nuances in adipose tissue, such as sexual dimorphism and divergent responses to metabolic and endocrine stimuli. Given the rising levels of obesity worldwide, understanding how environmental conditions in early life affects adipose tissue phenotype and the subsequent development of obesity is of absolute importance.

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