The different adsorption-degradation behaviors of SARS-CoV-2 by bioactive chemicals in wastewater: The suppression kinetics and their implications for wastewater-based epidemiology.

Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (WBE) is widely used to monitor the progression of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. While there is a clear correlation between the number of COVID patients in a sewershed and the viral load in the wastewater, there is notable variability across different treatment plants. In particular, some facilities consistently exhibit higher viral content per diagnosed patient, implying a potential underestimation of the number of COVID patients, while others show a low viral load per diagnosed case, indicating potential attenuation of genetic material from the sewershed.

Does environmental replication contribute to Bacillus anthracis spore persistence and infectivity in soil?

Bacillus anthracis is the zoonotic causal agent of anthrax. Its infectious form is the spore, which can persist in soil. Herbivores usually acquire the disease from grazing in spore-contaminated sites.

Roles and Organization of BxpB (ExsFA) and ExsFB in the Exosporium Outer Basal Layer of Bacillus anthracis.

BxpB (also known as ExsFA) and ExsFB are an exosporium basal layer structural protein and a putative interspace protein of Bacillus anthracis that are known to be required for proper incorporation of the BclA collagen-like glycoprotein on the spore surface. Despite extensive similarity of the two proteins, their distribution in the spore is markedly different. We utilized a fluorescent fusion approach to examine features of the two genes that affect spore localization.

ExsY, CotY, and CotE Effects on Bacillus anthracis Outer Spore Layer Architecture.

Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus cereus, and Bacillus thuringiensis are the major pathogens of the spore-forming genus and possess an outer spore layer, the exosporium, not found in many of the nonpathogenic species. The exosporium consists of a basal layer with the ExsY, CotY, and BxpB proteins being the major structural components and an exterior nap layer containing the BclA glycoprotein. During the assembly process, the nascent exosporium basal layer is attached to the spore coat by a protein linker that includes the CotO and CotE proteins.

Biomarkers selection for population normalization in SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been one of the most cost-effective approaches to track the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) levels in the communities since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in 2020. Normalizing SARS-CoV-2 concentrations by the population biomarkers in wastewater is critical for interpreting the viral loads, comparing the epidemiological trends among the sewersheds, and identifying the vulnerable communities. In this study, five population biomarkers, pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), creatinine (CRE), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), caffeine (CAF) and its metabolite paraxanthine (PARA) were investigated and validated for their utility in normalizing the SARS-CoV-2 loads through two normalizing approaches using the data from 64 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Missouri.

Identification and quantification of bioactive compounds suppressing SARS-CoV-2 signals in wastewater-based epidemiology surveillance.

Recent SARS-CoV-2 wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance have documented a positive correlation between the number of COVID-19 patients in a sewershed and the level of viral genetic material in the wastewater. Efforts have been made to use the wastewater SARS-CoV-2 viral load to predict the infected population within each sewershed using a multivariable regression approach. However, reported clear and sustained variability in SARS-CoV-2 viral load among treatment facilities receiving industrial wastewater have made clinical prediction challenging.

Biomarkers Selection for Population Normalization in SARS-CoV-2 Wastewater-based Epidemiology.

Unlabelled: Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been one of the most cost-effective approaches to track the SARS-CoV-2 levels in the communities since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Normalizing SARS-CoV-2 concentrations by the population biomarkers in wastewater can be critical for interpreting the viral loads, comparing the epidemiological trends among the sewersheds, and identifying the vulnerable communities. In this study, five population biomarkers, pepper mild mottle virus (pMMoV), creatinine (CRE), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), caffeine (CAF) and its metabolite paraxanthine (PARA) were investigated for their utility in normalizing the SARS-CoV-2 loads through developed direct and indirect approaches.

Defining biological and biophysical properties of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in wastewater.

SARS-CoV-2 genetic material has been detected in raw wastewater around the world throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and has served as a useful tool for monitoring community levels of SARS-CoV-2 infections. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material is highly detectable in a patient's feces and the household wastewater for several days before and after a positive COVID-19 qPCR test from throat or sputum samples. Here, we characterize genetic material collected from raw wastewater samples and determine recovery efficiency during a concentration process.

A Spore-Based Display System for Bioremediation of Atrazine.

Owing to human activities, a large number of organic chemicals, including petroleum products, industrial solvents, pesticides, herbicides (including atrazine [ATR]), and pharmaceuticals, contaminate soil and aquatic environments. Remediation of these pollutants by conventional approaches is both technically and economically challenging. endospores are highly resistant to most physical assaults and are capable of long-term persistence in soil.

Identifying Antibacterial Compounds in Black Walnuts () Using a Metabolomics Approach.

Black walnut ( L.) is one of the most economically valuable hardwood species and a high value tree for edible nut production in the United States. Although consumption of black walnut has been linked to multiple health-promoting effects (e.

Sequence Analysis of Staphylococcus hyicus ATCC 11249T, an Etiological Agent of Exudative Epidermitis in Swine, Reveals a Type VII Secretion System Locus and a Novel 116-Kilobase Genomic Island Harboring Toxin-Encoding Genes.

Staphylococcus hyicus is the primary etiological agent of exudative epidermitis in swine. Analysis of the complete genome sequence of the type strain revealed a locus encoding a type VII secretion system and a large chromosomal island harboring the genes encoding exfoliative toxin ExhA and an EDIN toxin homolog.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bovine Mastitis Isolate Staphylococcus agnetis CBMRN 20813338.

Presented here is a draft genome sequence for Staphylococcus agnetis CBMRN 20813338, isolated from a lactating dairy cow with subclinical mastitis. The genome is approximately 2,416 kb and has 35.79% G+C content.

Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus simulans UMC-CNS-990, Isolated from a Case of Chronic Bovine Mastitis.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are frequently isolated from cases of subclinical bovine mastitis. Reported here is a draft genome sequence of Staphylococcus simulans UMC-CNS-990, an isolate recovered from a chronic intramammary infection of a Holstein cow. Unexpectedly, a cluster of genes encoding gas vesicle proteins was found within the 2,755-kb genome.

Genome Sequence Analysis of Staphylococcus equorum Bovine Mastitis Isolate UMC-CNS-924.

Intramammary infections in dairy cattle are frequently caused by staphylococci, resulting in mastitis and associated economic losses. A draft genome sequence was determined for Staphylococcus equorum UMC-CNS-924, isolated from the milk of a Holstein cow, to better understand the genetic basis of its pathogenesis and adaptation to the bovine mammary gland.

Evaluation of PCR-based quantification techniques to estimate the abundance of atrazine chlorohydrolase gene atzA in rhizosphere soils.

There are many challenges in the accurate quantification of bacterial genes, such as the atrazine-degrading enzyme antA from Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP, from soil samples. We compared four quantitative methods for enumeration of atrazine-degrading bacteria in rhizosphere environments and utilized the optimal probe-based real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method in an ongoing bioremediation experiment to monitor atzA copy number over time.

The co-dependence of BxpB/ExsFA and BclA for proper incorporation into the exosporium of Bacillus anthracis.

The outermost layer of the Bacillus anthracis spore consists of an exosporium comprised of two distinct layers, an outer hair-like nap layer and an internal basal layer. The hair-like nap is primarily comprised of the glycosylated collagen-like protein BclA. BclA is found in a trimeric form in close association with many other exosporium proteins in high-molecular weight complexes.

Regulation of Rot expression in Staphylococcus aureus.

Repressor of toxins (Rot) is known to be a global regulator of virulence gene expression in Staphylococcus aureus. The function of Rot, but not the transcription of rot, is regulated by the staphylococcal accessory gene regulator (Agr) quorum-sensing system. In addition, the alternative sigma factor (sigma(B)) has a repressive effect on rot expression during the postexponential phase of growth.

Purification and characterization of a recombinant alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase from Clostridium perfringens.

Clostridium perfringens alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alphaNAG) hydrolyzed the terminal N-acetyl-alpha-d-galactosamine from the blood type A(2) antigen producing H antigen, blood type O. Blood type O is universally compatible in the ABO system. Purification of the native enzyme is difficult with very low yields.

Clostridium perfringens alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase blood group A2-degrading activity.

Enzymic modification of type A(2) erythrocyte membranes with Clostridium perfringens alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase was investigated. An ELISA demonstrated hydrolysis of type A(2) epitopes under conditions of red-blood-cell collection and storage. The enzyme hydrolysed the terminal N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine from the blood type A(2) antigen, producing H antigen, blood group O, which is universally compatible in the ABO system.

Identification, molecular cloning and expression of an alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase gene from Clostridium perfringens.

The Clostridium perfringens gene encoding the previously characterized alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (alphaNAG) was identified by protein microsequencing and database searching. The alphaNAG protein, designated AagA, was found to be encoded by a hypothetical gene of unknown function in the recently completed genome sequence of C. perfringens strain 13.