scholarly journals The complex world of gastrointestinal bacteria

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Anderson

The world of gastrointestinal (GI) bacteria is one of the most complex and intricate of the microbial domain. These bacteria are confronted with a constantly changing (and often hostile) environment, including fluctuations in both physical and chemical conditions. Neighboring microorganisms not only contend for substrate but even launch complex chemical attacks with the apparent purpose of disrupting the activity of their competitors. Yet, some species not only survive, they even flourish, in the GI tract because they possess the ability to adapt to these environmental fluctuations and assaults from other microbes. Such adaptation involves sophisticated programs in the bacterial cell that enable it to monitor its environment and make necessary adjustments of physiological activity and gene expression. Among these adjustments is the ability of cell-to-cell communication, biofilm formation, regulation of cytoplasmic pH, and maintenance of genetic diversity through mutation and horizontal gene transfer. As a consequence, bacteria in the GI tract often manifest very different physiological features than are observed for the same bacteria during routine laboratory cultivation. Key words: Gastrointestinal bacteria, bacteria, gastrointestinal tract, ruminal bacteria, biofilms, quorum-sensing, colonic bacteria

2016 ◽  
Vol 198 (19) ◽  
pp. 2589-2595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Yawata ◽  
Jen Nguyen ◽  
Roman Stocker ◽  
Roberto Rusconi

The advent of microscale technologies, such as microfluidics, has revolutionized many areas of biology yet has only recently begun to impact the field of bacterial biofilms. By enabling accurate control and manipulation of physical and chemical conditions, these new microscale approaches afford the ability to combine important features of natural and artificial microbial habitats, such as fluid flow and ephemeral nutrient sources, with an unprecedented level of flexibility and quantification. Here, we review selected case studies to exemplify this potential, discuss limitations, and suggest that this approach opens new vistas into biofilm research over traditional setups, allowing us to expand our understanding of the formation and consequences of biofilms in a broad range of environments and applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Tonkin ◽  
Shama Khan ◽  
Mohmmad Younus Wani ◽  
Aijaz Ahmad

: Quorum sensing is defined as cell to cell communication between microorganisms, which enables microorganisms to behave as multicellular organisms. Quorum sensing enables many collaborative benefits such as synchronisation of virulence factors and biofilm formation. Both quorum sensing as well as biofilm formation encourage the development of drug resistance in microorganisms. Biofilm formation and quorum sensing are causally linked to each other and play role in the pathogenesis of microorganisms. With the increasing drug resistance against the available antibiotics and antifungal medications, scientists are combining different options to develop new strategies. Such strategies rely on the inhibition of the communication and virulence factors rather than on killing or inhibiting the growth of the microorganisms. This review encompasses the communication technique used by microorganisms, how microorganism resistance is linked to quorum sensing and various chemical strategies to combat quorum sensing and thereby drug resistance. Several compounds have been identified as quorum sensing inhibitors and are known to be effective in reducing resistance as they do not kill the pathogens but rather disrupt their communication. Natural compounds have been identified as anti-quorum sensing agents. However, natural compounds present several related disadvantages. Therefore, the need for the development of synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds has arisen. This review argues that anti-quorum sensing compounds are effective in disrupting quorum sensing and could therefore be effective in reducing microorganism drug resistance.


1993 ◽  
Vol 265 (2) ◽  
pp. H543-H552 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Yuan ◽  
W. M. Chilian ◽  
H. J. Granger ◽  
D. C. Zawieja

This study reports measurements of albumin permeability in isolated coronary venules. The isolated microvessel technique allows the quantification of transmural exchange of macromolecules under tightly controlled physical and chemical conditions. Transvenular exchange of albumin was studied in isolated coronary venules during alterations in filtration rate caused by changes in intravascular pressure. The apparent permeability coefficient of albumin (Pa) at an intraluminal pressure of 11 cmH2O was 3.92 +/- 0.43 x 10(-6) cm/s. Elevating intraluminal pressure to 16 and 21 cmH2O increased Pa to 5.13 +/- 0.57 x 10(-6) and 6.78 +/- 0.66 x 10(-6) cm/s, respectively. Calculation of the true diffusive permeability coefficient of albumin (Pd) at zero filtration rate was 1.54 x 10(-6) cm/s. The product of hydraulic conductance (Lp) and (1 - sigma), where sigma is the solute reflection coefficient, was 3.25 x 10(-7) cm.s-1 x cmH2O-1. At a net filtration pressure of 4-5 cmH2O, diffusion accounts for > 60% of total albumin transport across the venular wall. Transmural albumin flux is very sensitive to filtration rate, rising 6.7% for each cmH2O elevation of net filtration pressure. At 11 cmH2O net filtration pressure, convection accounts for nearly 70% of net albumin extravasation from the venular lumen. We suggest that the isolated coronary venule is a suitable preparation for the study of solute exchange in the heart.


Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 539
Author(s):  
Benton C. Clark ◽  
Vera M. Kolb ◽  
Andrew Steele ◽  
Christopher H. House ◽  
Nina L. Lanza ◽  
...  

Although the habitability of early Mars is now well established, its suitability for conditions favorable to an independent origin of life (OoL) has been less certain. With continued exploration, evidence has mounted for a widespread diversity of physical and chemical conditions on Mars that mimic those variously hypothesized as settings in which life first arose on Earth. Mars has also provided water, energy sources, CHNOPS elements, critical catalytic transition metal elements, as well as B, Mg, Ca, Na and K, all of which are elements associated with life as we know it. With its highly favorable sulfur abundance and land/ocean ratio, early wet Mars remains a prime candidate for its own OoL, in many respects superior to Earth. The relatively well-preserved ancient surface of planet Mars helps inform the range of possible analogous conditions during the now-obliterated history of early Earth. Continued exploration of Mars also contributes to the understanding of the opportunities for settings enabling an OoL on exoplanets. Favoring geochemical sediment samples for eventual return to Earth will enhance assessments of the likelihood of a Martian OoL.


2013 ◽  
Vol 825 ◽  
pp. 107-110
Author(s):  
Sören Bellenberg ◽  
Robert Barthen ◽  
Mario Vera ◽  
Nicolas Guiliani ◽  
Wolfgang Sand

A functional luxIR-type Quorum Sensing (QS) system is present in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. However, cell-cell communication among various acidophilic chemolithoautotrophs growing on pyrite has not been studied in detail. These aspects are the scope of this study with emphasis on the effects exerted by the N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) type signaling molecules which are produced by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Their effects on attachment and leaching efficiency by other leaching bacteria, such as Acidithiobacillus ferrivorans, Acidiferrobacter spp. SPIII/3 and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans in pure and mixed cultures growing on pyrite is shown.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 393-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Fröls

Biofilms or multicellular structures become accepted as the dominant microbial lifestyle in Nature, but in the past they were only studied extensively in bacteria. Investigations on archaeal monospecies cultures have shown that many archaeal species are able to adhere on biotic and abiotic surfaces and form complex biofilm structures. Biofilm-forming archaea were identified in a broad range of extreme and moderate environments. Natural biofilms observed are mostly mixed communities composed of archaeal and bacterial species of various abundances. The physiological functions of the archaea identified in such mixed communities suggest a significant impact on the biochemical cycles maintaining the flow and recycling of the nutrients on earth. Therefore it is of high interest to investigate the characteristics and mechanisms underlying the archaeal biofilm formation. In the present review, I summarize and discuss the present investigations of biofilm-forming archaeal species, i.e. their diverse biofilm architectures in monospecies or mixed communities, the identified EPSs (extracellular polymeric substances), archaeal structures mediating surface adhesion or cell–cell connections, and the response to physical and chemical stressors implying that archaeal biofilm formation is an adaptive reaction to changing environmental conditions. A first insight into the molecular differentiation of cells within archaeal biofilms is given.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 2068-2079 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Ciulla ◽  
Antonio Di Stefano ◽  
Lisa Marinelli ◽  
Ivana Cacciatore ◽  
Giuseppe Di Biase

S. aureus under the biofilm mode of growth is often related to several nosocomial infections, more frequently associated with indwelling medical devices (catheters, prostheses, portacaths or heart valves). As a biofilm, the biopolymer matrix provides an excellent growth medium, increasing the tolerance to antibiotics and host immune system. To date, the antimicrobial therapy alone is not effective. A novel strategy to prevent biofilm formation is based on the interference with the bacterial cell–cell communication, a process known as quorum sensing (QS) and mediated by the RNA-III-activating peptide (RAP) and its target protein TRAP (Target of RAP). The RNAIII inhibiting peptide (RIP) is able to inhibit S. aureus pathogenesis by disrupting QS mechanism competing with RAP, thus inhibiting the phosphorylation of TRAP. This alteration leads to a reduced adhesion and to the inhibition of RNAIII synthesis, with the subsequent suppression of toxins synthesis. The present paper will provide an overview on the activity and potential applications of RIP as biofilm inhibiting compound, useful in the management of S. aureus biofilm infections. Moreover, medicinal chemistry strategies have been examined to better understand which modifications and/or structure alterations were able to produce new derivatives of this QS inhibitor with an improved antibiofilm activity.


2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1102-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Magno-Pérez-Bryan ◽  
P. M. Martínez-García ◽  
J. Hierrezuelo ◽  
P. Rodríguez-Palenzuela ◽  
E. Arrebola ◽  
...  

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 8237 and CECT 8238, formerly known as Bacillus subtilis UMAF6639 and UMAF6614, respectively, contribute to plant health by facing microbial pathogens or inducing the plant’s defense mechanisms. We sequenced their genomes and developed a set of ad hoc scripts that allowed us to search for the features implicated in their beneficial interaction with plants. We define a core set of genes that should ideally be found in any beneficial Bacillus strain, including the production of secondary metabolites, volatile compounds, metabolic plasticity, cell-to-cell communication systems, and biofilm formation. We experimentally prove that some of these genetic elements are active, such as i) the production of known secondary metabolites or ii) acetoin and 2-3-butanediol, compounds that stimulate plant growth and host defense responses. A comparison with other Bacillus genomes permits us to find differences in the cell-to-cell communication system and biofilm formation and to hypothesize variations in their persistence and resistance ability in diverse environmental conditions. In addition, the major protection provided by CECT 8237 and CECT 8238, which is different from other Bacillus strains against bacterial and fungal melon diseases, permits us to propose a correlation with their singular genetic background and determine the need to search for additional blind biocontrol-related features.


Author(s):  
Fitri Andriyani

Binuangeun Mangrove Ecosystem is located in the south western Java Island, in the area of ​​Lebak Regency, Banten Province. Mangrove ecosystems are ecosystems that located at the Coastal areas which are a habitat for a variety of marine animals which are associated with it, mostly fish, because of its complex or a very effective root structure which can provide a place for fish to be able to live, take shelter, develop, breed and also look for food. This research was conducted to determine the physical and chemical condition and the variety of fishes which found in the Binuangeu, Banten Mangrove Ecosystem. This research method uses literature study. Physical and chemical conditions of the Binuangeun Mangrove Ecosystem, Banten have degrees of temperature ranging from 28.20 - 32.20; acidity range between 7.00 - 8.09; turbidity ranges from 22.50 - 76.00 NTU; water current ranged from 0.079 to 0.189; phosphate content ranges from 0.02 - 0.008; salinity ranges from 30-35 PSU; and dissolved oxygen content ranges from 5.67 - 8.70. The types of fish found in the Binuangeun Mangrove Ecosystem, Banten are 45 species from 22 Family. The most abundant and relatively high species of existence is the Gobiidae with 10 species.   Keywords: Banten, Binuangeun, Ecosystems, Fish, Mangroves


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