An indigenous microalgal pool containing Klebsormidium sp. K39 as a stable and efficacious biotechnological strategy for Escherichia coli removal in urban wastewater treatment.

Background: In recent decades the demand for freshwater has drastically increased as a consequence of population growth, economic development, climate change and pollution. Therefore, any strategy for wastewater treatment can play a role in alleviating the pressure on freshwater sources.

Results: In the present study an autochthonous microalgal pool (MP), isolated from a constructed wetland, was proposed as an alternative to the secondary treatment of an urban wastewater treatment system.

Intracellular Trafficking Defects in Congenital Intestinal and Hepatic Diseases.

Enterocytes and liver cells fulfill important metabolic and barrier functions and are responsible for crucial vectorial secretive and absorptive processes. To date, genetic diseases affecting metabolic enzymes or transmembrane transporters in the intestine and the liver are better comprehended than mutations affecting intracellular trafficking. In this review, we explore the emerging knowledge on intracellular trafficking defects and their clinical manifestations in both the intestine and the liver.

Ecotoxicological assessment of cyclic peptides produced by a Planktothrix rubescens bloom: Impact on aquatic model organisms.

Cyanobacterial blooms, a natural phenomenon in freshwater ecosystems, have increased in frequency and severity due to climate change and eutrophication. Some cyanobacteria are able to produce harmful substances called cyanotoxins. These metabolites possess different chemical structures and action mechanisms representing a serious concern for human health and the environment.

Metagenomics analysis reveals presence of the Merida-like virus in Georgia.

Arbovirus surveillance is fundamental for the discovery of novel viruses and prevention of febrile vector-borne illnesses. Vector-borne pathogens can rapidly expand and adapt in new geographic and environmental conditions. In this study, metagenomic surveillance was conducted to identify novel viruses in the Country of Georgia.

Harmful and beneficial properties of cyanotoxins: Two sides of the same coin.

Cyanotoxins are by definition "harmful agents" produced by cyanobacteria. Their toxicity has been extensively studied and reviewed over the years. Cyanotoxins have been commonly classified, based on their poisonous effects on mammals, into three main classes, neurotoxins, hepatotoxins and dermatotoxins, and, considering their chemical features, mainly identified as peptides, alkaloids and lipopolysaccharides.

: An Extremophilic Alga as a Source of Antiviral Bioactive Compounds.

In the last decades, the interest in bioactive compounds derived from natural sources including bacteria, fungi, plants, and algae has significantly increased. It is well-known that aquatic or terrestrial organisms can produce, in special conditions, secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological properties, such as anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. In this study, we focused on the extremophilic microalga as a possible producer of bioactive compounds with antiviral activity.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among recruits in a US Army training environment: a brief report.

Background: In 2020, preventive measures were implemented to mitigate the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) among 600-700 recruits arriving weekly at a basic combat training (BCT) facility in the southern United States. Trainees were sorted into companies and platoons (cocoons) at arrival, tested, quarantined for 14 days with daily temperature and respiratory-symptom monitoring and retested before release into larger groups for training where symptomatic testing was conducted. Nonpharmaceutical measures, such as masking, and social distancing, were maintained throughout quarantine and BCT.

Investigation of an outbreak of COVID-19 among U.S. military personnel and beneficiaries stationed in the Republic of Korea, June-July 2021.

On 28 May 2021, leisure travel restrictions in place to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were eased among vaccinated U.S. military personnel and beneficiaries stationed in South Korea (USFK) allowing access to bars and clubs which were off limits.

Clustered cases of human adenovirus types 4, 7, and 14 infections in US Department of Defense Beneficiaries during the 2018-2019 season.

Human adenoviruses (HAdV) are genetically diverse and can infect a number of tissues with severities varied from mild to fatal. HAdV types 3, 4, 7, 11, 14, 21, and 55 were associated with acute respiratory illnesses outbreaks in the United States and in other countries. The risk of outbreaks can be effectively controlled by HAdV vaccination or mitigated by screening and preventive measures.

Discovery of spp. in mosquitoes collected in Georgia by metagenomics analysis and molecular characterization.

Arthropods have a broad and expanding worldwide presence and can transmit a variety of viral, bacterial, and parasite pathogens. A number of and species associated with ticks, fleas, lice, and mites have been detected in, or isolated from, patients with febrile illness and/or animal reservoirs throughout the world. Mosquitoes are not currently considered vectors for spp.

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in US military compounds in Afghanistan reveals multiple introductions and outbreaks of Alpha and Delta variants.

Background: With the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants, genomic epidemiology and surveillance have proven invaluable tools for variant tracking. Here, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2 samples collected from personnel located at the US/NATO bases across Afghanistan.

Results: Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed at least 16 independent introductions of SARS-CoV-2 into four of these relatively isolated compounds during April and May 2021, including multiple introductions of Alpha and Delta variants.

An Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Four Fungal Metabolites with Potential Application as Biocides for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage.

Biocides based on chemical synthetic compounds have been commonly used to counteract damages caused by microorganisms on stone cultural heritage. However, in the last few years, the use of commercial and traditional biocides has been banned and/or limited due to their dangerous profile for the environment, as well as human and animal health. Natural products could be used as suitable alternatives for cultural heritage purposes, as they have low toxicity and stability compared with synthetic pesticides.

A Glimpse at Siderophores Production by UTEX 1444.

In this study, a strain of UTEX 1444 was cultivated in six different concentrations of iron (III). Cultures were extracted with organic solvents and analyzed using our dereplication strategy, based on the combined use of high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry and molecular networking. The analysis showed the presence of the siderophores' family, named synechobactins, only in the zero iron (III) treatment culture.

Acid Tolerant and Acidophilic Microalgae: An Underexplored World of Biotechnological Opportunities.

Despite their large number and diversity, microalgae from only four genera are currently cultivated at large-scale. Three of those share common characteristics: they are cultivated mainly autotrophically and are extremophiles or tolerate "extreme conditions." Extreme growth conditions aid in preventing contamination and predation of microalgae, therefore facilitating outdoor cultivation.

Thermo resistant antioxidants from photoautotrophic microorganisms: screening and characterization.

The demand for natural antioxidants to be used in food industry is increasing, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic and have high production costs. Specifically, food processing and preservation require antioxidants resistant to thermal sterilization processes. In this study, twenty-five strains among microalgae and cyanobacteria were screened as antioxidants producers.

Phenanthrene Dimers: Promising Source of Biologically Active Molecules.

To date, just over a hundred phenanthrenoid dimers have been isolated. Of these, forty-two are completely phenanthrenic in nature. They are isolated from fourteen genera of different plants belonging to only five families, of which Orchidaceae is the most abundant source.

Fungal Metabolites with Antagonistic Activity against Fungi of Lithic Substrata.

Fungi are among the biotic agents that can cause deterioration of building stones and cultural heritage. The most common methods used to control fungal spread and growth are based on chemical pesticides. However, the massive use of these synthetic chemicals produces heavy environmental pollution and risk to human and animal health.

Gastric perforation in blunt abdominal trauma. Report of two cases and review of literature.

Gastric perforations as a result of blunt abdominal traumas are rare, with a reported incidence of less than 2%. Usually associated with other solid visceral injuries, isolated gastric ruptures following a blunt abdominal injury are extremely uncommon. The severity of injury, timing of presentation, time elapsed since the last meal, as well as the presence of concomitant injuries are important prognostic factors.

Cyanobacteria and Microalgae as Sources of Functional Foods to Improve Human General and Oral Health.

In the scenario of promising sources of functional foods and preventive drugs, microalgae and cyanobacteria are attracting global attention. In this review, the current and future role of microalgae as natural sources of functional foods for human health and, in particular, for oral health has been reported and discussed in order to provide an overview on the state of art on microalgal effects on human oral health. It is well known that due to their richness in high-valuable products, microalgae offer good anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-glycemic, cholesterol-lowering, and antimicrobial activity.

Comparison of Galdieria growth and photosynthetic activity in different culture systems.

In the last years, the acidothermophilic red microalga Galdieria sulphuraria has been increasingly studied for industrial applications such as wastewater treatment, recovery of rare earth elements, production of phycobilins. However, even now it is not possible an industrial cultivation of this organism because biotechnological research on G. sulphuraria and allied species is relatively recent and fragmented.

Microbial biofilm community structure and composition on the lithic substrates of Herculaneum Suburban Baths.

In this work, we want to investigate the impact of different substrates and different environmental condition on the biofilm communities growing on plaster, marble, and mortar substrates inside the Herculaneum Suburban Baths. To do so, we measured environmental conditions and sampled biofilm communities along the walls of the baths and used culture-dependent and -independent molecular techniques (DGGE) to identify the species at each sampling sites. We used the species pool to infer structure and richness of communities within each site in each substrate, and confocal light scanning microscopy to assess the three-dimensional structure of the sampled biofilms.

Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Growth Conditions Modify Biomolecole Production in the Microalga (Cyanidiophyceae, Rhodophyta).

Algae have multiple similarities with fungi, with both belonging to the Thallophyt, a polyphyletic group of non-mobile organisms grouped together on the basis of similar characteristics, but not sharing a common ancestor. The main difference between algae and fungi is noted in their metabolism. In fact, although algae have chlorophyll-bearing thalloids and are autotrophic organisms, fungi lack chlorophyll and are heterotrophic, not able to synthesize their own nutrients.

Nutrient removal efficiency of green algal strains at high phosphate concentrations.

The effects of autotrophic and mixotrophic conditions on microalgae growth and nutrient removal efficiency from synthetic wastewater by different microalgae were investigated. Although several studies have demonstrated the suitability of microalgae technologies for ammonia-rich wastewater treatment, only a few have been used for treatment of phosphate-rich industrial wastewaters. In this work, six microalgae were cultivated in batch mode in a growth medium with a high phosphate concentration (0.

Green Compressed Fluid Technologies To Extract Antioxidants and Lipids from in a Biorefinery Approach.

A green cascade approach was used to recover phycocyanins, carotenoids and lipids from . Phycocyanin extraction was performed by high pressure homogenization and purified by ultrafiltration, whereas carotenoids were obtained by a pressurized liquid extraction and lipids by supercritical fluid extraction. The second step of this innovative, green, and cost-effective procedure is able to improve the recovery of zeaxanthin and β-carotene up to 40%, without affecting the quality of compounds and avoiding the use of organic solvents and the drying processes.