Input-specific properties of excitatory synapses on oxytocin receptor-expressing neurons in the lateral septum.

Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) is expressed in a distinct population of neurons in the lateral septum (LS), among other brain regions, and is responsible for regulating various social and nonsocial behaviors, including reward processing, feeding, social memory, anxiety, and fear. The LS serves as a key link between the cortical and subcortical regions, yet the synaptic inputs that drive the OXTR-expressing LS neurons have not been characterized. Here, we established retrograde and anterograde viral tracing in the mouse brain to map the input connections of the intermediate part of the LS where OXTR neurons are concentrated.

Concepts and criteria defining emerging microbiome applications.

In recent years, microbiomes and their potential applications for human, animal or plant health, food production and environmental management came into the spotlight of major national and international policies and strategies. This has been accompanied by substantial R&D investments in both public and private sectors, with an increasing number of products entering the market. Despite widespread agreement on the potential of microbiomes and their uses across disciplines, stakeholders and countries, there is no consensus on what defines a microbiome application.

Application of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer assays in primary mouse neuronal cultures.

Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) is widely employed for real-time monitoring of G protein-coupled receptor activity, interactions, and trafficking in heterologous cell lines, yet its use in neuronal systems remains limited. Here, we present a protocol to apply BRET assays to primary neuronal cultures from mouse embryos. We describe steps and key concepts for generating plasmid constructs and lentivirus preparations, plating and lentiviral transduction of primary cultured neurons in 96-well plates, and BRET data collection and analysis.

Robust GRK2/3/6-dependent desensitization of oxytocin receptor in neurons.

Oxytocin plays critical roles in the brain as a neuromodulator, regulating social and other affective behavior. However, the regulatory mechanisms controlling oxytocin receptor (OXTR) signaling in neurons remain unexplored. In this study, we have identified robust and rapid-onset desensitization of OXTR response in multiple regions of the mouse brain.

Genomic insights into plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance in the bacterium Bhargavaea beijingensis strain PS04.

The dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria through environment is a major health concern for public health. Pathogenic bacteria in natural environment can mediate the transfer of antimicrobial-resistant genes via horizontal gene transfer to naturally occurring bacteria in the soil. Bhargavaea beijingensis is a Gram-negative bacterium that is commonly found in soil and water.

The menace of colistin resistance across globe: Obstacles and opportunities in curbing its spread.

Colistin-resistance in bacteria is a big concern for public health, since it is a last resort antibiotic to treat infectious diseases of multidrug resistant and carbapenem resistant Gram-negative pathogens in clinical settings. The emergence of colistin resistance in aquaculture and poultry settings has escalated the risks associated with colistin resistance in environment as well. The staggering number of reports pertaining to the rise of colistin resistance in bacteria from clinical and non-clinical settings is disconcerting.

Draft genome sequences of Bacillus pumilus 36R ATNSAL and B. safensis 13L LOBSAL, two potential candidate probiotic strains for shrimp aquaculture.

Objectives: This work aimed to isolate bacterial strains with antagonist activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the causative agent of acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (VP) that was isolated from outbreaks in Mexico. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of two antagonistic strains, isolated from saline sediment in Sonora, Mexico.

Methods: Cross-streak and well diffusion tests were employed to find the bacterial strains with higher inhibitory activity against VP.

Microbiome ethics, guiding principles for microbiome research, use and knowledge management.

The overarching biological impact of microbiomes on their hosts, and more generally their environment, reflects the co-evolution of a mutualistic symbiosis, generating fitness for both. Knowledge of microbiomes, their systemic role, interactions, and impact grows exponentially. When a research field of importance for planetary health evolves so rapidly, it is essential to consider it from an ethical holistic perspective.

Microbiome Research as an Effective Driver of Success Stories in Agrifood Systems - A Selection of Case Studies.

Increasing knowledge of the microbiome has led to significant advancements in the agrifood system. Case studies based on microbiome applications have been reported worldwide and, in this review, we have selected 14 success stories that showcase the importance of microbiome research in advancing the agrifood system. The selected case studies describe products, methodologies, applications, tools, and processes that created an economic and societal impact.

Structural and Functional Characterization of a Novel Scorpion Toxin that Inhibits Na1.8 via Interactions With the DI Voltage Sensor and DII Pore Module.

Voltage-gated sodium channel Na1.8 regulates transmission of pain signals to the brain. While Na1.

Is Enriched in Gut Microbiome of Kashmiri Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common endocrine condition in women in India. Gut microbiome alterations were shown to be involved in PCOS, yet it is remarkably understudied in Indian women who have a higher incidence of PCOS as compared to other ethnic populations. During the regional PCOS screening program among young women, we recruited 19 drug naive women with PCOS and 20 control women at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Kashmir, North India.

Identification and characterization of the novel bioactive compounds from microalgae and cyanobacteria for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Microalgae and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are used as food by humans. They have gained a lot of attention in recent years because of their potential applications in biotechnology. Microalgae and cyanobacteria are good sources of many valuable compounds, including important biologically active compounds with antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities.

Delineating the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance: An Indian perspective.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shattered millions of lives globally and continues to be a challenge to public health due to the emergence of variants of concern. Fear of secondary infections following COVID-19 has led to an escalation in antimicrobial use during the pandemic, while some antimicrobials have been repurposed as treatments for SARS-CoV-2, further driving antimicrobial resistance. India is one of the largest producers and consumers of antimicrobials globally, hence the task of curbing antimicrobial resistance is a huge challenge.

Identification of genotypic variants and its proteomic mutations of Brazilian SARS-CoV-2 isolates.

The second wave of COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2) is rapidly spreading over the world. Mechanisms behind the flee from current antivirals are still unclear due to the continuous occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants. Brazil is the world's second-most COVID-19 affected country.

Gut microbiome responses in the metabolism of human dietary components: Implications in health and homeostasis.

The gut microbiome and its link with human health and disease have gained a lot of attention recently. The microbiome executes its functions in the host by carrying out the transformation of dietary components and/or synthesis of various essential nutrients. The presence of complex microbial communities makes it difficult to understand the host-microbiome interplay in the metabolism of dietary components.

A novel anti-infective molecule nesfactin identified from sponge associated bacteria Nesterenkonia sp. MSA31 against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Overuse of antibiotics coupled with biofilm-forming ability has led to the emergence of multi-drug P. aeruginosa strains worldwide. Quorum sensing is a bacterial cell-cell communication system that regulates the expression of genes, including virulence factors, through production of acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Fatty Acid Methyl Esters From the Coral-Associated Bacterium Inhibit Virulence and Biofilm Phenotypes in Multidrug Resistant : An Approach.

In an attempt to study the antibacterial, antivirulence and antibiofilm potentials of bacteria residing the tissue and surface mucus layers of the pristine corals, we screened a total of 43 distinct bacterial morphotypes from the coral sp. Among the isolates, strain CBMGL12 with showed antibacterial, antivirulence and antibiofilm activity against multidrug resistant pathogenic strains of (reference strain: MTCC96; community-acquired methicillin resistant strain: CA-MRSA). Extracellular products (ECP) from the coral-associated bacterium were solvent extracted, fractionated by chromatographic techniques such as silica column and HPLC-UV with concomitant bioassays guiding the fractionation of metabolites.

A gelatinized lipopeptide diet effectively modulates immune response, disease resistance and gut microbiome in Penaeus vannamei challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Penaeus vannamei is one of the most economically vital shrimp globally, but infectious diseases have hampered its proper production and supply. As antibiotics pose a huge threat to the environment and humankind, it is essential to seek an alternative strategy to overcome infection and ensure proper culture and production. The present study investigates the effect of an anti-infective biosurfactant derivative lipopeptide MSA31 produced by a marine bacterium on the growth performance, disease resistance, and the gut microbiome of P.

Promising treatment strategies to combat biofilm infections: an updated review.

is a leading cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. The formation of biofilm by this pathogen renders it resilient to antimicrobial agents, which complicates the treatment of such infections. can form biofilms with other pathogens and cause polymicrobial infections recalcitrant to antimicrobial agents.

Zoonotic evolution and implications of microbiome in viral transmission and infection.

The outbreak and spread of new strains of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) remain a global threat with increasing cases in affected countries. The evolutionary tree of SARS-CoV-2 revealed that Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus 2, which belongs to the Beta arterivirus genus from the Arteriviridae family is possibly the most ancient ancestral origin of SARS-CoV-2 and other Coronaviridae. This review focuses on phylogenomic distribution and evolutionary lineage of zoonotic viral cross-species transmission of the Coronaviridae family and the implications of bat microbiome in zoonotic viral transmission and infection.

Phylogenomic proximity and comparative proteomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) belongs to the family Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). It can be more severe for some persons and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties resulting in the death of immune-compromised patients. We performed a phylogenomic and phylogeographic tree from the collected datasets.

Gender-Based Vegetarian and Nonvegetarian Dietary Impact on Cardiac Autonomic Function of Heart Rate Variability.

Cardiovascular disease is one among the major mortality threats throughout the world. Autonomic activity of the nervous system can be examined by heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. Association of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities is directly related to HRV modulation.

Revealing the Efficacy of Thermostable Biosurfactant in Heavy Metal Bioremediation and Surface Treatment in Vegetables.

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules which showed application in the food, medical, and cosmetics industries and in bioremediation. In this study, a marine sponge-associated bacteria (MSI 54) was identified as a biosurfactant producer which showed high emulsification and surface tension-reducing property. The isolate MSI 54 was identified as sp.