Innovations in Microbiology and Biotechnology Vol. 6

Carbon monooxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC) are the main pollutants generated by spark ignition engines. Because these pollutants are dangerous and create health problems in humans, they must be controlled immediately. The piston crown and interior portion of the cylinder head of the spark ignition engine are covered with 300 micron copper. A variable compression ratio, copper-coated spark ignition engine with a catalytic converter incorporating sponge iron catalyst has been investigated for lowering emissions when run with gasohol (blend of 20 percent ethanol and 80 percent gasoline by volume). The effect of variables such as void ratio, airflow rate, injected air temperature, speed, compression ratio, and engine load on these emissions is investigated. CO/UHC in the exhaust of the engine is measured using a microprocessor-based analyser. The reduction of pollutants in the exhaust is shown to be strongly influenced by speed, load, compression ratio, and air injection into the catalytic converter. When compared to a normal engine running on pure gasoline, a copper-coated spark ignition engine running on gasohol lowered exhaust pollutants significantly.

In the present work, the Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy [FTIRS] was used to type Enterococcus sp. that was isolated from a hospital in an attempt to develop a standardized procedure for the differentiation and characterization of Enterococci. The Enterococcus genus is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections, which can be difficult to treat, especially with the rise of Vancomycin-resistant strains. The study of Enterococcus isolates is critical for epidemiological research. Traditional phenotypic and genotypic approaches are frequently used to type Enterococci. FTIR spectroscopy results compared to antibiotic susceptibility testing and PCR amplification of Vancomycin gene results; the analysis showed that, 6 isolates were positive for Van gene (4 of VanA, 1 of VanB and 1 VanA plus VanB). Three of VanA and VanA plus VanB were resistant to all antibiotic tested (Ampicillin, Teicoplamin and Vancomycin) and VanB was found to be sensitive. FTIR spectroscopy (first deriv- atives) divided the isolates into 8 groups. 3 groups of VanA (4 isolates), one of VanB (one isolate), one of VanA plus VanB (one isolate) and the other 13 Enterococcus isolates were divided into 3 clusters. The study demonstrated that FTIR spectroscopy has good discriminative capacity and high reproducibility as compared to other techniques. This observation also indicates that Enterococci bacteria species have organic compounds which can be used to identify its type and it is believed that FTIR has great potential in such clinical microbiology application.

Anthropogenic activities create very expressive changes in nature, and these activities exert an important selective pressure on different microbial communities in the most varied environments. The use of antimicrobials is considered one of the most incisive forces concerning the selection of resistant microorganisms. The use of large amounts of these xenobiotics in food production, as well as human eating habits, contributes massively to the antimicrobial resistance phenomenon, making foods into reservoirs of resistance genes and sources for their horizontal transfer. In this context, the horizontal genetic flux between exogenous microbiota and human intestinal microbiota is recognized, and food plays an important role in microbial transmission, which influences the implementation of policies that restrict the use of antimicrobials in the food production chain in some countries. Considering the importance of this theme, aspects of the clinical resistome of the human gut microbiota among healthy individuals with different eating habits will be addressed.

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the chemical composition of eight commercial essential oils (EsO) (grapefruit, lemongrass, tea tree (TTO), thyme, verbena, cajeput, Litsea cubeba and garlic) and their fungistatic activity in relation to four species of Fusarium from the Polish population (F. avenaceum FAPL, F. culmorum FCPL, F. graminearum FGPL and F. oxysporum FOPL) and five from the German population (F. culmorum FC1D, F. culmorum FC2D, F. graminearum FG1D, F. graminearum FG2D and F. poae FP0D). In addition, the identification of EsO as potential biofungicides. Phytopathogenic fungi obtained from infected wheat kernels. The species identification of Fusarium isolates was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer. The determination of qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the EsO was carried out using the gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method. The disc plate method was used to investigate the fungicidal activity of EsO (at doses of 0.025; 0.05; 0.125; 0.25; 0.50; 1.0, and 2.0 percent) against Fusarium spp. and zones of growth inhibition were measured. Essential oils (as potential biofungicides) were found to successfully limit the development of Fusarium spp. based on the results presented as a growth rate index. German Fusarium isolates were usually more sensitive than those from the Polish population. Individual Fusarium species had varying degrees of susceptibility.  Their vulnerability, regardless of the isolate origin, in order from the most to the least sensitive, is as follows: F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. poae, F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum. The strongest fungicidal activity, similar to Funaben T, showed thymol chemotype oil (regardless of the concentration). Performance of citral oils (lemongrass and Litsea cubeba) was similar, but in concentration above 0.025%. Garlic and grapefruit oils were the least effective.  

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a persistent heterogeneous autoimmune disease that affects multisystem of the body. Because systemic lupus erythematosus is a multisystem disease, it can affect any tissues, organs, or even whole systems. There are several types of lupus, including cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE), which affects the skin and causes a malar rash, discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), and systemic lupus erythematosus, which affects one or more internal organs. The inflammation induced by direct antibody reactions to bodily tissues, as well as the deposition of immune complexes, cause the harm. Glucocorticoids, immunosuppressant, and anti-malarial are the combination therapy used to treat SLE besides providing counseling and awareness. Lupus erythematosus in any form particularly SLE are prevalent in women compared to men with ratio of 6:1. It affects people of all ages, but women between the ages of 20 and 45 are the most commonly affected.  Lupus is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation of various tissues of the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system.

Hepatitis E Virus Nanoparticle (HEVNP), a modularized theranostics capsule produced from the HEV virus-like particle (VLP), has been presented as a multifunctional platform for cancer targeting, imaging, and therapeutic applications. This can be accomplished by using HEVNPs' flexible domain to attach various functional peptides and/or chemicals to the capsule surface while encapsulating medicines, DNA/RNA, or even inorganic beads inside the capsule's core. VLPs have advantages in terms of effective cell penetration via active endocytosis, polyvalence (the ability to anchor several copies of active substances), and biocompatibility (the ability to withstand proteolytic degradation after delivery). HEVNP's tumor targeting, and encapsulation capabilities could be used as a modularized theranostics nano-capsule in a variety of medical applications, including oral vaccines, cancer imaging, tumor-directed hyperthermia treatment, organ/tissue targeting gene therapy, and other therapeutics that lack targeting capability.

Background: Pseudomonas mosselli is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic, non-sporing, motile bacterium that coexists with plants in the soil and protects them from fungal and bacterial illnesses by creating a variety of molecules. In immunocompromised hosts, it causes opportunistic infections. Most common presentations of respiratory infection include fever, respiratory distress and purulent cough.  The objective of our study is to highlight the infective potential of rare isolates like Pseudomonas mosselii in immunocompromised patients.

Cases: In our case series, we've included three cases, of which case 1 had type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease and hypertension and was also diagnosed SARS- CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR (Real time polymerase chain reaction), case 2 had Takosubo cardiomyopathy with impending heart failure and case 3 suffered from advanced renal failure on weekly dialysis and steroid therapy. Pseudomonas mossellii was isolated from respiratory samples of these patients admitted to a tertiary care centre. Identification was performed by the culture characteristics, biochemical reactions and species identification, performed by Matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization- time of flight- mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

Conclusion: Pseudomonas mosselii causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients. It causes respiratory infections that are easily treated with antibiotics and then tested for antibiotic susceptibility.

The achievements of Human Genome Project and subsequent advancements in Genotyping have led to an influx of exciting new developments in genetics. Genome-wide association studies have identified new genetic risk factors for many common human diseases and have forced the genetics community to think on a genome-wide scale. Looking towards the future, it seems evident that the current enhancements in Genome Wide Association Studies is going to transform through changes for finding genetic susceptibilities that are responsible for causing characteristics unique to a familial trait. Innovation has furnished researchers with an exhaustive information on human genomes as human genome is currently skilled to impel top to bottom and exact information data that permits admittance to definite DNA groupings to dissect clinical inquiries. The strategies utilized have been advanced to analyze the use of Genome Wide Association Studies with populace based legal examinations. Genome Wide Association Studies related approaches have likewise been consolidated in routine clinical practice.

Anti-sperm antibodies (ASAs) are generated in both males and females. A plethora of evidence suggests that in humans and in other species, at least some antibodies that bind to sperm  antigens can cause infertility. Globally, certain infectious and/or inflammatory diseases of the male reproductive tract (MRT), varicocele, cryptorchidism, and homosexuality have been proposed as risk factors for the formation of ASAs in males. Up till now, cross-reactivity with microbial antigens, putative role of antibody idiotypes, and interferon gamma-mediated potentiation of antisperm immune response in women whose male partners have ASAs in their semen have all been offered as possibilities for the genesis of sperm immunity in females. Although an association between these risk factors and ASAs formation has been claimed, but in several studies, this link still remains controversial, suggesting that the understanding of these conditions is not yet complete. Hence, this chapter reviews the already available literature to identify the probable risk factors of ASAs production and their detection.