Dissecting the role of the MS-ring protein FliF in Bacillus cereus flagella-related functions.

The flagellar MS-ring, uniquely constituted by FliF, is essential for flagellar biogenesis and functionality in several bacteria. The aim of this study was to dissect the role of FliF in the Gram-positive and peritrichously flagellated Bacillus cereus. We demonstrate that fliF forms an operon with the upstream gene fliE.

Anti-staphylococcal activity of a polyphenol-rich citrus extract: synergy with β-lactams and low proficiency to induce resistance.

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance represents one of the most significant threats to public health in the 21st century. Polyphenols, natural molecules with antibacterial activity produced by plants, are being considered as alternative antimicrobial strategies to manage infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of a polyphenol mixture extracted from citrus fruits, against both antibiotic-susceptible and resistant strains of and .

Anti-Staphylococcal Biofilm Effects of a Liposome-Based Formulation Containing Citrus Polyphenols.

Biofilms are surface-associated microbial communities embedded in a matrix that is almost impenetrable to antibiotics, thus constituting a critical health threat. Biofilm formation on the cornea or ocular devices can lead to serious and difficult-to-treat infections. Nowadays, natural molecules with antimicrobial activity and liposome-based delivery systems are proposed as anti-biofilm candidates.

Impact of on the Human Gut Microbiota in a 3D In Vitro Model.

In vitro models for culturing complex microbial communities are progressively being used to study the effects of different factors on the modeling of in vitro-cultured microorganisms. In previous work, we validated a 3D in vitro model of the human gut microbiota based on electrospun gelatin scaffolds covered with mucins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of , a pathogen responsible for food poisoning diseases in humans, on the gut microbiota grown in the model.

Development of an Model of the Gut Microbiota Enriched in Mucus-Adhering Bacteria.

Culturing the gut microbiota in models that mimic the intestinal environment is increasingly becoming a promising alternative approach to study microbial dynamics and the effect of perturbations on the gut community. Since the mucus-associated microbial populations in the human intestine differ in composition and functions from their luminal counterpart, we attempted to reproduce the microbial consortia adhering to mucus using an already established three-dimensional model of the human gut microbiota. Electrospun gelatin structures supplemented or not with mucins were inoculated with fecal samples and compared for their ability to support microbial adhesion and growth over time, as well as to shape the composition of the colonizing communities.

HPLC-MS-MS quantification of short-chain fatty acids actively secreted by probiotic strains.

Introduction: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are the main by-products of microbial fermentations occurring in the human intestine and are directly involved in the host's physiological balance. As impaired gut concentrations of acetic, propionic, and butyric acids are often associated with systemic disorders, the administration of SCFA-producing microorganisms has been suggested as attractive approach to solve symptoms related to SCFA deficiency.

Methods: In this research, nine probiotic strains ( NR, OC, SIN, and T, ATCC 7050, DSM 16604, DSM 17938, ATCC 53103, and CNCM I-745) commonly included in commercial formulations were tested for their ability to secrete SCFAs by using an improved protocol in high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS).

Prevalence, Virulence Potential, and Growth in Cheese of Strains Isolated from Fresh and Short-Ripened Cheeses Sold on the Italian Market.

This study investigated presence in 122 samples belonging to 34 typologies of fresh or short-ripened cheeses made from cow, sheep, goat, or buffalo pasteurized milk, and sold on the Italian market. was isolated at a prevalence of 9.8%, with a marked variability among cheese categories, and at low counts (always below 2.

Low Represented Mutation Clustering in SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 Sublineage Group with Synonymous Mutations in the E Gene.

Starting in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat that is difficult to monitor. SARS-CoV-2 is known to undergo frequent mutations, including SNPs and deletions, which seem to be transmitted together, forming clusters that define specific lineages. Reverse-Transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has been used for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and is still considered the gold standard method.

Heteroaryl-Ethylenes as New Lead Compounds in the Fight against High Priority Bacterial Strains.

The widespread use of antibiotics has led to a gradual increase in drug-resistant bacterial infections, which severely weakens the clinical efficacy of antibacterial therapies. In recent decades, stilbenes aroused great interest because of their high bioavailability, as well as their manifold biological activity. Our research efforts are focused on synthetic heteroaromatic stilbene derivatives as they represent a potentially new type of antibiotic with a wide antibacterial spectrum.