Isolation, characterization, and screening of antioxidant activity of endophytic bacteria from Leea Indica (Burm. F) Merr. Leaf

Endophytic bacteria are bacteria that live within plant tissues and can produce the same compounds as their host. Leea indica, commonly known as bandicoot berry, is a medicinal plant with various bioactive compounds. A study on the diversity and antioxidant activity of endophytic bacteria from L. indica has never been reported. So this study is essential to conduct to explore the diversity and antioxidant activity of endophytic bacteria in the L.indica plant. The objective of the study was to isolate, identify, and screening of antioxidant activity of endophytic bacteria from L. indica leaf. We obtained 51 bacterial isolates with various of morphology. Microscopic identification showed that 44 isolates were categorized into Gram-negative (23 rod-shaped, 18 cocci-shaped, and 3 cocci bacilli-shaped isolates), and the other 7 isolates were categorized into Gram-positive (6 rod-shaped and 1 cocci-shaped isolates). The biochemical test showed that 100% of isolates have positive catalase, and 13.7% were suspected of having pathogenic activity on blood agar. The antioxidant activity showed that 17 isolates (more than 70%) had high inhibition by scavenging free radicals. It can be concluded that there are various endophytic bacteria isolated from L. Indica leaf and potentially producing antioxidant activity as their host.

Categorizing sequences of concern by function to better assess mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis

To identify sequences with a role in microbial pathogenesis, we assessed the adequacy of their annotation by existing controlled vocabularies and sequence databases. Our goal was to regularize descriptions of microbial pathogenesis for improved integration with bioinformatic applications. Here we review the challenges of annotating sequences for pathogenic activity. We relate the categorization of more than 2750 sequences of pathogenic microbes through a controlled vocabulary called Functions of Sequences of Concern (FunSoCs). These allow for an ease of description by both humans and machines. We provide a subset of 220 fully annotated sequences in the supplementary material as examples. The use of this compact (∼30 terms) controlled vocabulary has potential benefits for research in microbial genomics, public health, biosecurity, biosurveillance, and the characterization of new and emerging pathogens.

Longitudinal Pathogenic Properties and N-Glycosylation Profile of Antibodies from Patients with Pemphigus after Corticosteroid Treatment

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease that occurs due to pathogenic autoantibodies that recognize the following epidermal adhesion proteins: desmogleins. Systemic corticosteroids usually decrease the titers of anti-desmoglein autoantibodies and improve patients’ conditions. Since modifications of IgG N-glycosylation have been described in some autoimmune diseases, we hypothesized that changes in the pathogenic activity of pemphigus IgG could be related to changes in their N-glycosylation profile. The purpose of this study was to assess, longitudinally, the pathogenicity of pemphigus serum IgG and their N-glycosylation profile during phases of disease activity and clinical remission. The pathogenic activity of serum IgG was measured in vitro on immortalized keratinocytes, by immunofluorescence and dissociation assays, and IgG N-glycans were analyzed by mass spectrometry. We showed (i) a correlation between pemphigus clinical activity and the pathogenicity of serum IgG at baseline and at month 6, while the persistence of the in vitro pathogenic activity of IgG during its evolution, even in patients in clinical remission, seemed to be predictive of relapse; (ii) that modifications of the N-glycan structure were altered the in vitro pathogenicity of patients’ autoantibodies; (iii) that the pathogenic properties of pemphigus IgG did not appear to be related to the disparity in IgG N-glycans during the course of pemphigus.

Etiological issues of chronic tonsillitis

Хронический тонзиллит характеризуется воспалительным процессом инфекционного генеза, но конкретный возбудитель до настоящего времени не идентифицирован. Продолжают появляться публикации, содержащие новые сведения о спектре микрофлоры в нёбных миндалинах. В обзоре представлены наиболее интересные из них. Этиологическое значение в развитии хронического тонзиллита какого-либо одного или ассоциации нескольких микроорганизмов пока остаётся обсуждаемым. Обращает на себя внимание обилие видов микроорганизмов, представителей всех царств микробов, которые сопровождают хроническое воспаление и гипертрофию нёбных миндалин. Кроме того, имеются сведения о нарушении барьерной функции системы иммунитета при данном заболевании. Обсуждается вопрос, чему принадлежит инициирующая роль в формировании хронического тонзиллита - патогенной активности микрофлоры или изначальному ослаблению иммунной защиты организма. Это обусловливает трудности в диагностике, необходимой для принятия решения о выборе способа лечения. Chronic tonsillitis is characterized by the inflammatory process of infectious genesis, however, a specific pathogen has not been identified yet. Publications that continue to appear contain new information about the spectrum of microflora in the tonsils. This review presents the most interesting of them. The etiological significance of any single microorganism or an association of several ones in the development of chronic tonsillitis is still under discussion. Of interest is the abundance of microorganism species that represent all three kingdoms of microbes and accompany chronic inflammation and hypertrophy of the tonsils. In addition, information is available about disturbance of the barrier function of the immune system in this disease. A question is debated whether the development of chronic tonsillitis is initiated primarily by the pathogenic activity of microflora or by the initial weakening of the immune defense. This leads to difficulties in the diagnosis required to make a decision on the choice of treatment.

Tarkhineh as a new microencapsulation matrix improves the quality and sensory characteristics of probiotic Lactococcus lactis KUMS-T18 enriched potato chips

In the present study, probiotic potato chips containing a newly isolated probiotic Lactococcus lactis KUMS-T18 strain were produced by using a simple spraying method and then enhancing the stability, survival rate, and sensory characteristics of product during storage at 4 °C and 25 °C was examined for four months. Based on the results, Lactococcus lactis KUMS-T18 isolated from traditional Tarkhineh as a safe strain had high tolerance to low pH and high bile salt, anti-pathogenic activity, hydrophobicity, adhesion to human epithelial cells, auto- and co-aggregation, cholesterol assimilation and antibiotic susceptibility. Meanwhile, by micro-coating the probiotic cells in Tarkhineh formulations, elliptical to spherical shape (460–740 µm) probiotic drops were produced. The results revealed that potato chips produced with turmeric and plain Tarkhineh during storage at 4 °C, had excellent protection abilities for probiotic cells with about 4.52 and 3.46 log decreases in CFU/g respectively. On the other hand, probiotic potato chips, compared to non-probiotic and commercial potato chips, showed the criteria of probiotic products such as excellent quality and superior sensory characteristics. In summary, this study proved that probiotic Lactococcus lactis KUMS-T18 strain covered by Tarkhineh formulations as protective matrix has high potential to be used in the production of probiotic potato chips.

Short Communication: Histopathology of red chilli fruit (Capsicum annuum) infected with Colletotrichum acutatum of Java, Indonesia isolates

Muljowati JS, Soesanto L, Nugroho LH. 2021. Short Communication: Histopathology of red chilli fruit (Capsicum annuum) infected with Colletotrichum acutatum of Java, Indonesia isolates. Biodiversitas 22: 874-880. Colletotrichum acutatum isolates from Malang, Temanggung, Kulonprogo, Brebes, Garut, and Pandeglang in Indonesia varied in their ability to produce pigments. In the present study, the histopathological status of red chilli was investigated during the early phase of infection by C. acutatum Java isolate. The results included a description of the histopathological features of red chillies (Capsicum annuum) in the early phase of infection by C. acutatum isolates and the relationship between the origin of the isolates and the time of onset of infection. The red chilli fruits were inoculated with fungal conidia suspension and then the histopathology of chilli fruits was observed at 0 hours (uninfected control), 8 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours, and 32 hours after inoculation. The results showed that C. acutatum isolates from Kulonprogo caused host damage within 8 hours, while the other isolates (from Malang, Brebes, Garut and Pandeglang) began to produce similar symptoms at 16 hours or 24 hours. This study revealed for the first time that pathogenic activity begins at the onset of infection, and the resulting anatomical damage to red chillies begins at different times.

Synopsis of the macrofungi (Basidiomycota) on wood of fruit trees in the Central Black Earth Region of Russia

Aim. To summarise and analyse data on the species diversity, distribution and substrate spectra of wood-inhabiting basidial macromycetes growing on fruit trees in the Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Lipetsk, Oryol and Tambov Regions.Material and Methods. The work involved a critical examination of literature sources, LE, OHHI, and VU herbaria. We undertook field researches in 2019-2020, identified specimens collected based on light microscopy techniques and isolated the basidial fungi in a pure culture.Results. Data on 97 species of basidial macrofungi from 68 genera associated with Malus, Pyrus and Prunus wood in the Central Black Earth Region are summarised. Antrodia serpens and Ceriporia torpida are newly known to Russia. 65 new dikaryot-ic strains for 22 species of Agaricomycetes have been introduced into the LE-BIN. A total of 65 species are associated with Malus, 34 species with Pyrus and 29 species with Prunus. Five species (Lyomyces crustosus, Stereum hirsutum, Trametes hirsuta, T. ochracea and T. versicolor) grow on all three genera of host. These species specialise in fruit trees include Sarcodontia crocea and Phellinus pomaceus.Conclusion. Pathogenic activity has been clearly observed for 32 species of fungi found on trunks and branches of living trees, causing necrosis and trunk rot. Furthermore, it is recommended that regular phytopathological monitoring of orchards should be carried out, taking the group of xylotrophic fungi into account.