Microbiome and Resistome Studies of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea Coast and the Curonian Lagoon Waters and Sediments.

Background: the widespread use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine has contributed to the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, posing significant environmental and public health risks.

Objectives: this study aimed to examine the microbiome and resistome dynamics across a salinity gradient, analyzing water and sediment samples from the Baltic Sea coast and the Curonian Lagoon between 2017 and 2023.

Methods: the composition of the water and sediment bacterial community was determined by Full-Length Amplicon Metagenomics Sequencing, while ARG detection and quantification were performed using the SmartChipTM Real-Time PCR system.

Draft genome sequence data of 33C isolated from Lithuanian fermented food.

This strain was isolated from traditionally (homemade) fermented Lithuanian cherry tomatoes. The genome consists of 55 contigs with a total size of 3,326,119 bp, an N50 of 170738, and a GC% of 44.3 %.

The Co-Inoculation Effect on Growth with Synthetic Microbial Communities (SynComs) and Their Potential in Agrobiotechnology.

The use of rhizospheric SynComs can be a new and sustainable strategy in the agrobiotechnology sector. The objective of this study was to create the most appropriate SynCom composition; examine the ability to dissolve natural rock phosphate (RP) from Morocco in liquid-modified NBRIP medium; determine organic acids, and phytohormones; and verify plant growth promoting and nutrition uptake effect in the pot experiments of winter wheat (). A total of nine different microorganisms were isolated, which belonged to three different genera: , , and .

Induction of Apoptosis with Silver Nanoparticles Obtained Using Thermophilic Bacteria.

Yeasts resistant to antifungals have become an increasing risk to human health. One of the best antimicrobial properties is reported to be present in silver nanoparticles (AgNPs); however, little is known about the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs produced using thermophilic bacteria. How AgNPs cause cell death is different depending on the type of the cell, and the mode of death induced is cell-type specific.

screening and characterization of lactic acid bacteria from Lithuanian fermented food with potential probiotic properties.

The present work aimed to identify probiotic candidates from Lithuanian homemade fermented food samples. A total of 23 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from different fermented food samples. Among these, only 12 showed resistance to low pH, tolerance to pepsin, bile salts, and pancreatin.

Corrigendum to: Draft genome sequence dataset of PN39MY isolated from fermented vegetables Data in Brief, 49 (2023) 109436.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.

Draft genome sequence dataset of PN39MY isolated from fermented vegetables.

Here we report the draft genome sequence of the PN39MY strain. The strain was isolated from Lithuanian traditionally (homemade) fermented cucumber. The genome consisted of 83 contigs with a total size of 1,899,018 bp, an N50 of 40562 and a GC% of 42.

Insights in MICP dynamics in urease-positive Staphylococcus sp. H6 and Sporosarcina pasteurii bacterium.

Microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is an efficient and eco-friendly technique that has attracted significant interest for resolving various problems in the soil (erosion, improving structural integrity and water retention, etc.), remediation of heavy metals, production of self-healing concrete or restoration of different concrete structures. The success of most common MICP methods depends on microorganisms degrading urea which leads to the formation of CaCO crystals.

Effect of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles on the Growth of the Green Microalga and Astaxanthin Synthesis.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely known for their antimicrobial activity in various systems from microorganisms to cell cultures. However, the data on their effects on microalgae are very limited. Unicellular green algae is known for its ability to accumulate large amounts of astaxanthin under stress conditions.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Produced Using spp. Bacteria.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are well known for their unique physical and chemical properties, which can be incorporated into a wide range of applications. The growing resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobial compounds promoted the use of AgNPs in antimicrobial therapy. AgNPs can be obtained using physical and chemical methods, but these technologies are highly unfriendly to nature and produce large amounts of side compounds (for example, sodium borohydride and -dimethylformamide).

Mono- and combinational drug therapies for global viral pandemic preparedness.

Broadly effective antiviral therapies must be developed to be ready for clinical trials, which should begin soon after the emergence of new life-threatening viruses. Here, we pave the way towards this goal by reviewing conserved druggable virus-host interactions, mechanisms of action, immunomodulatory properties of available broad-spectrum antivirals (BSAs), routes of BSA delivery, and interactions of BSAs with other antivirals. Based on the review, we concluded that the range of indications of BSAs can be expanded, and new pan- and cross-viral mono- and combinational therapies can be developed.

Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism sp. MVY-004 and Its Significance for Biomineral Fertilizers' Development in Agrobiotechnology.

In this study, a phosphate solubilizing microorganism was isolated from the soil of an agricultural field in Lithuania. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain was identified as sp. and submitted to the NCBI database, Sector of Applied Bio-catalysis, University Institute of Biotechnology, Vilnius, Lithuania and allocated the accession number KY882273.

Synergistic Interferon-Alpha-Based Combinations for Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Viral Infections.

Background: There is an urgent need for new antivirals with powerful therapeutic potential and tolerable side effects.

Methods: Here, we tested the antiviral properties of interferons (IFNs), alone and with other drugs in vitro.

Results: While IFNs alone were insufficient to completely abolish replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), IFNα, in combination with remdesivir, EIDD-2801, camostat, cycloheximide, or convalescent serum, proved to be more effective.

The Impact of Intensive Fish Farming on Pond Sediment Microbiome and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Composition.

Aquaculture is a fast-growing animal food sector, and freshwater fish farming is particularly common in Central and Eastern Europe. As the biodiversity of fishery ponds is changed toward fulfilling the industrial needs, precautions should be taken to keep the system sustainable and protect the adjacent environment from possible damage. Due to risk of infectious diseases, antibiotics are used in aquaculture production systems.

Microbial and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Microbiota in Common Carps () from Aquacultured and Wild Fish Populations.

In this study we analyzed differences in microbial composition and antimicrobial resistance profiles in common carp living in two different environments: fish ponds, where carp have been kept under the same growing conditions over the last 50 years, and from the wild. The results demonstrated that wild fish carry a great variety of bacterial species (448 species with a prevalence of at least 0.01% from the total number of reads).

Study of individual domains' functionality in fused lipolytic biocatalysts based on Geobacillus lipases and esterases.

The prospects of industrial uses of microbial enzymes have increased greatly during the 21st century. Fused lipolytic enzymes (where one or both fused domains possess lipolytic activity) is a rapidly growing group of industrial biocatalysts. However, the most effective fusion strategy, catalytic behavior of each domain and influence of added linkers on physicochemical and kinetic characteristics of such biocatalysts has not been yet explored.

New engineered Geobacillus lipase GD-95RM for industry focusing on the cleaner production of fatty esters and household washing product formulations.

This study presents a new microbial lipolytic enzyme GD-95RM designed via random mutagenesis using previously characterized GD-95 lipase as a template. The improvement in activity of GD-95 lipase was caused by E100K, F154V and V174I mutations. Compared with GD-95 lipase, the GD-95RM lipase had 1.

Development of a new Geobacillus lipase variant GDlip43 via directed evolution leading to identification of new activity-regulating amino acids.

In this study three lipases GD-28, GD-95 and GD-66 (all 43 kDa in size), isolated from Geobacillus spp. were subjected to directed evolution experiments to yield a new synthetic lipolytic enzyme. This new lipase, obtained by DNA shuffling and epPCR, was named GDlip43 (also 43 kDa in size).

Geobacillin 26 - high molecular weight bacteriocin from a thermophilic bacterium.

Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized peptides/proteins produced by bacteria. These compounds have antibacterial activity against other bacteria that are usually closely related to the producer strain. Here we describe bacteriocin geobacillin 26 from a thermophilic Gram-positive bacterium Geobacillus stearothermophilus 15.

Nanosecond duration pulsed electric field together with formic acid triggers caspase-dependent apoptosis in pathogenic yeasts.

Antifungal substances that are used for the treatment of candidiasis have considerable side effects and Candida yeasts are known to obtain drug resistance. The multidrug resistance cases are promoting the search for the new alternative methods and pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment could be the alternative or could be used in combination with conventional therapy for the enhancement of the effect. We have shown that nanosecond range PEF is capable to induce apoptosis in the S.

Inactivation of Using Nanosecond Electric Fields and Nisin Nanoparticles: A Kinetics Study.

Nisin is a recognized bacteriocin widely used in food processing, however, being ineffective against gram-negative bacteria and in complex food systems. As a result, the research of methods that have cell wall-permeabilizing activity is required. In this study, electroporation to trigger sensitization of gram-negative bacteria to nisin-loaded pectin nanoparticles was used.

Non-invasive nanosecond electroporation for biocontrol of surface infections: an in vivo study.

Invasive infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria are frequently responsible for fatal sepsis, morbidity and mortality rates. In this work, we propose a new methodology based on nanosecond high frequency electric field bursts, which enables successful eradication of bacteria in vivo. High frequency (15 kHz) 15-25 kV/cm 300-900 ns pulsing bursts were used separately and in combination with acetic acid (0.

Induction of Different Sensitization Patterns of MRSA to Antibiotics Using Electroporation.

Treatment of bacteria-associated infections is complicated and antibiotic treatment alone is often inadequate to overcome biofilm infections. Physical methods allow overcoming this problem and propose solutions that are non-dependent on drug resistance. In this work, we investigated the feasibility of pulsed electric fields for sensitization of MRSA to common antibiotics.