BACKGROUND: Only a few studies dealt with the occurrence of endospore-forming clostridia in the microbiota of infants without obvious health complications. METHODS: A methodology pipeline was developed to determine the occurrence of endospore formers in infant feces. Twenty-four fecal samples (FS) were collected from one infant in monthly intervals and were subjected to variable chemical and heat treatment in combination with culture-dependent analysis. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and characterized with biochemical assays. RESULTS: More than 800 isolates were obtained, and a total of 21 Eubacteriales taxa belonging to the Clostridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae families were detected. Clostridium perfringens, C. paraputrificum, C. tertium, C. symbiosum, C. butyricum, and C. ramosum were the most frequently identified species compared to the rarely detected Enterocloster bolteae, C. baratii, and C. jeddahense. Furthermore, the methodology enabled the subsequent cultivation of less frequently detectable gut taxa such as Flavonifractor plautii, Intestinibacter bartlettii, Eisenbergiella tayi, and Eubacterium tenue. The isolates showed phenotypic variability regarding enzymatic activity, fermentation profiles, and butyrate production. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, this approach suggests and challenges a cultivation-based pipeline that allows the investigation of the population of endospore formers in complex ecosystems such as the human gastrointestinal tract.
- MeSH
- Clostridium * genetika MeSH
- feces mikrobiologie MeSH
- Firmicutes genetika MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiota * MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 16S genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
Strains of Limosilactobacillus reuteri are used as starter and bioprotective cultures and contribute to the preservation of food through the production of fermentation metabolites lactic and acetic acid, and of the antimicrobial reuterin. Reuterin consists of acrolein and 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA), which can be further metabolized to 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP). While reuterin has been the focus of many investigations, the contribution of 3-HP to the antimicrobial activity of food related reuterin-producers is unknown. We show that the antibacterial activity of 3-HP was stronger at pH 4.8 compared to pH 5.5 and 6.6. Gram-positive bacteria were in general more resistant against 3-HP and propionic acid than Gram-negative indicator strains including common food pathogens, while spoilage yeast and molds were not inhibited by ≤ 640 mM 3-HP. The presence of acrolein decreased the minimal inhibitory activity of 3-HP against E. coli indicating synergistic antibacterial activity. 3-HP was formed during the growth of the reuterin-producers, and by resting cells of L. reuteri DSM 20016. Taken together, this study shows that food-related reuterin producers strains synthesize a second antibacterial compound, which might be of relevance when strains are added as starter or bioprotective cultures to food products.
- MeSH
- antiinfekční látky chemie metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- Bacteria účinky léků růst a vývoj MeSH
- fermentace MeSH
- glyceraldehyd analogy a deriváty chemie metabolismus MeSH
- glycerol metabolismus MeSH
- koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
- kyselina mléčná analogy a deriváty chemie metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- kyselina octová metabolismus MeSH
- Lactobacillaceae chemie růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- potravinářská mikrobiologie MeSH
- propan chemie metabolismus MeSH
- stabilita léku MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Dietary plant glucosides are phytochemicals whose bioactivity and bioavailability can be modified by glucoside hydrolase activity of intestinal microbiota through the release of acylglycones. Bifidobacteria are gut commensals whose genomic potential indicates host-adaption as they possess a diverse set of glycosyl hydrolases giving access to a variety of dietary glycans. We hypothesized bifidobacteria with β-glucosidase activity could use plant glucosides as fermentation substrate and tested 115 strains assigned to eight different species and from different hosts for their potential to express β-glucosidases and ability to grow in the presence of esculin, amygdalin, and arbutin. Concurrently, the antibacterial activity of arbutin and its acylglycone hydroquinone was investigated. Beta-glucosidase activity of bifidobacteria was species specific and most prevalent in species occurring in human adults and animal hosts. Utilization and fermentation profiles of plant glucosides differed between strains and might provide a competitive benefit enabling the intestinal use of dietary plant glucosides as energy sources. Bifidobacterial β-glucosidase activity can increase the bioactivity of plant glucosides through the release of acylglycone.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
We studied the key geochemical and mineralogical factors that could affect the fractionation of stable thallium (Tl) isotopes in soil. A set of grassland soil samples enriched in geogenic Tl in combination with selected Tl-containing mineral materials from the Czech Republic (Kluky) were investigated for this purpose. The results demonstrate significant incorporation of Tl in pedogenic (specific) Mn-oxide, which led to a large accumulation of the heavy 205Tl isotope (∼+14 ε205Tl units), presumably resulting from oxidative Tl sorption. Consequently, we concluded that the Mn-oxide-controlled Tl uptake is the primary cause of the observed 205Tl enrichment in the middle profile zone, at the A/B soil horizon interface, with up to +4 of ε205Tl. Furthermore, our results displayed a clear relationship between the Tl isotopic fractionation degree and the Mn-oxide soil concentration (R2 = 0.6), as derived from the oxalate-extractable data. A combination of soil and mineralogical considerations suggests that 205Tl enrichment in respective soil samples is also partly due to the Tl present in micaceous clay minerals, mainly illite, which is the predominant pedogenic Tl host phase. In line with our previous results, this Tl behavior can be inferred from systematic Mn-oxide degradation and the associated Tl (enriched in 205Tl) cycling in the studied soils and thus, presumably in the redoximorphic soils in general.
- MeSH
- izotopy MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza MeSH
- půda * MeSH
- thallium analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The establishment of phytoextraction crops on highly contaminated soils can be limited by metal toxicity. A recent proposal has suggested establishing support crops during the critical initial phase by metal immobilization through soil amendments followed by subsequent mobilization using elemental sulphur to enhance phytoextraction efficiency. This 'combined phytoremediation' approach is tested for the first time in a pot experiment with a highly contaminated soil. During a 14-week period, relatively metal-tolerant maize was grown in a greenhouse under immobilization (before sulphur (S) application) and mobilization (after S application) conditions with soil containing Cd, Pb and Zn contaminants. Apart from the control (C) sample, the soil was amended with activated carbon (AC), lignite (Lig) or vermicompost (VC) all in two different doses (dose 1~45 g additive kg-1 soil and dose 2~90 g additive kg-1 soil). Elemental S was added as a mobilization agent in these samples after 9 weeks. Biomass production, nutrient and metal bioavailability in the soil were determined, along with their uptake by plants and the resulting remediation factors. Before S application, Cd and Zn mobility was reduced in all the AC, Lig and VC treatments, while Pb mobility was increased only in the Lig1 and VC1 treatments. Upon sulphur application, Fe, Mn, Cd, Pb and Zn mobility was not significantly affected in the C, AC and VC treatments, nor total Cd, Pb and Zn contents in maize shoots. Increased sulphate, Mn, Cd, Pb and Zn mobilities in soil together with related higher total S, Mn, Pb and Zn contents in shoots were observed in investigated treatments in the last sampling period. The highest biomass production and the lowest metal toxicity were seen in the VC treatments. These results were associated with effective metal immobilization and showed the trend of steady release of some nutrients. The highest remediation factors and total elemental content in maize shoots were recorded in the VC treatments. This increased phytoremediation efficiency by 400% for Cd and by 100% for Zn compared to the control. Considering the extreme metal load of the soil, it might be interesting to use highly metal-tolerant plants in future research. Future investigations could also explore the effect of carbonaceous additives on S oxidation, focusing on the specific microorganisms and redox reactions in the soil. In addition, the homogeneous distribution of the S rate in the soil should be considered, as well as longer observation times.
- MeSH
- biodegradace MeSH
- biologická dostupnost MeSH
- biomasa MeSH
- dřevěné a živočišné uhlí chemie MeSH
- fosfor farmakokinetika MeSH
- kompostování MeSH
- kukuřice setá účinky léků růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- regenerace a remediace životního prostředí metody MeSH
- síra * farmakokinetika MeSH
- těžké kovy analýza farmakokinetika MeSH
- výhonky rostlin účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The aim of this study was to determine the content, distribution and behaviour of Al in soils under beech forest with different parent rock, and to assess the role of herbaceous vegetation on soil Al behaviour. We hypothesize that the contents of elements in the soil sorption complex (Al etc.) are strongly influenced by vegetation cover. Also, low molecular mass organic acids (LMMOA) can be considered as an indicator of soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition and vegetation litter turnover. Speciation of LMMOA, nutrition content (PO43-, Ca2+, K+) and element composition in aqueous extracts were determined by means of ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) respectively. Active and exchangeable pH, sorption characteristics and exchangeable Al (Alex) were determined in BaCl2 extracts by ICP-OES. Elemental composition of parent rocks was assessed by means of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Herb-poor localities showed lower pH, less nutrients (PO43-, Ca2+, K+), less LMMOA, a larger stock of SOM and greater cation exchange capacity. There was also lower mobilisation of Al in organic horizons, which explains the larger pools of Al. Generally, we can conclude that LMMOA, and thus soil vegetation cover, play an important role in the Al soil cycle.
- MeSH
- buk (rod) chemie účinky léků růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- chelátory analýza chemie MeSH
- fyzikální absorpce účinky léků MeSH
- fyziologická absorpce účinky léků MeSH
- geologické sedimenty chemie MeSH
- hliník analýza chemie metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- huminové látky analýza MeSH
- koncentrace vodíkových iontů MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza chemie metabolismus toxicita MeSH
- léčivé rostliny účinky léků růst a vývoj metabolismus MeSH
- lesy MeSH
- molekulová hmotnost MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- rostliny účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- rozpustnost MeSH
- vývoj rostlin účinky léků MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
We studied arid desert soils from Namibia (Rosh Pinah) that were contaminated with up to 7 mg kg-1 of thallium (Tl) via dust emitted from a local flotation tailing dam. Chemical extractions of waste and soil materials indicated that most of the Tl is strongly bound, in accordance with X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy data that point to the predominant association of Tl with metal sulfides and phyllosilicates. The isotope fractionation factor ε205Tl of the soil samples (from -0.4 to +3.8) shows a positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.62) with 1/Tl, indicative for the mixing of two major Tl pools, presumably anthropogenic Tl and geogenic Tl. The ε205Tl value for the topmost soil samples (∼+3) closely matches the ε205Tl value for post-flotation waste particles with a diameter of <0.05 mm, whereas the bulk flotation waste exhibits a significantly larger ε205Tl value (∼+6). These variations are in accordance with predominant atmospheric transfer of Tl from the tailings to the adjacent soils via fine (dust) particles. The identified minimal Tl alteration in soils indicates that only a small part of the Tl could be potentially released and passively enter the vegetation, local population and/or food chain in the long term. From this viewpoint, Tl does not represent such an important environmental concern as other (abundant) contaminants at the locality. Furthermore, there could be a relevance for other alkaline desert soils, including those where Tl pollution plays a major role.
- MeSH
- izotopy MeSH
- látky znečišťující půdu analýza MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí metody MeSH
- potravní řetězec MeSH
- pouštní klima MeSH
- půda chemie MeSH
- thallium analýza MeSH
- znečištění životního prostředí MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Namibie MeSH
Strains of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis are well-known health-promoting probiotics used commercially. B. animalis subsp. lactis has been isolated from different sources, and little is known about animal isolates of this taxon. The aim of this study was to examine the genotypic and phenotypic diversity between B. animalis subsp. lactis strains different animal hosts including Cameroon sheep, Barbary sheep, okapi, mouflon, German shepard and to compare to BB12, food isolates and the collection strain DSM 10140. Ten strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis from different sources were characterised by phenotyping, fingerprinting, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Regardless of origin, MLST and phylogenetic analyses revealed a close relationship between strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis with commercial and animal origin with the exception of isolates from ovine cheese, mouflon and German Shepard dog. Moreover, isolates from dog and mouflon showed significant differences in fermentation profiles and peptide mass fingerprints (MALDI-TOF). Results indicated phenotypic and genotypic diversity among strains of B. animalis subsp. lactis.
- MeSH
- Bifidobacterium animalis chemie klasifikace genetika izolace a purifikace fyziologie MeSH
- fenotyp * MeSH
- fylogeneze MeSH
- genetická variace * MeSH
- genotyp * MeSH
- molekulární typizace MeSH
- potravinářská mikrobiologie * MeSH
- savci mikrobiologie MeSH
- spektrometrie hmotnostní - ionizace laserem za účasti matrice MeSH
- techniky typizace bakterií MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The Drosophila salivary glands (SGs) were well known for the puffing patterns of their polytene chromosomes and so became a tissue of choice to study sequential gene activation by the steroid hormone ecdysone. One well-documented function of these glands is to produce a secretory glue, which is released during pupariation to fix the freshly formed puparia to the substrate. Over the past two decades SGs have been used to address specific aspects of developmentally-regulated programmed cell death (PCD) as it was thought that they are doomed for histolysis and after pupariation are just awaiting their fate. More recently, however, we have shown that for the first 3-4 h after pupariation SGs undergo tremendous endocytosis and vacuolation followed by vacuole neutralization and membrane consolidation. Furthermore, from 8 to 10 h after puparium formation (APF) SGs display massive apocrine secretion of a diverse set of cellular proteins. Here, we show that during the period from 11 to 12 h APF, the prepupal glands are very active in calcium oxalate (CaOx) extrusion that resembles renal or nephridial excretory activity. We provide genetic evidence that Prestin, a Drosophila homologue of the mammalian electrogenic anion exchange carrier SLC26A5, is responsible for the instantaneous production of CaOx by the late prepupal SGs. Its positive regulation by the protein kinases encoded by fray and wnk lead to increased production of CaOx. The formation of CaOx appears to be dependent on the cooperation between Prestin and the vATPase complex as treatment with bafilomycin A1 or concanamycin A abolishes the production of detectable CaOx. These data demonstrate that prepupal SGs remain fully viable, physiologically active and engaged in various cellular activities at least until early pupal period, that is, until moments prior to the execution of PCD.
- MeSH
- aktivní transport fyziologie MeSH
- Drosophila melanogaster MeSH
- protein-serin-threoninkinasy genetika metabolismus MeSH
- proteiny Drosophily genetika metabolismus MeSH
- proteiny přenášející anionty biosyntéza genetika metabolismus MeSH
- slinné žlázy sekrece MeSH
- šťavelan vápenatý metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Increased ingestion of aluminum (Al) can lead to its accumulation in the human body, especially in people with kidney problems. Al is also associated with several nervous diseases and its negative influence on embryo development during pregnancy has been proven in animal models. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. petals are widely used alone or in fruit tea formulas, which are recommended for drinking during pregnancy instead of tea. Its petals can contain similar and even higher amounts of Al as tea, which is a known Al accumulator. Our research investigated whether the regular intake of H. sabdariffa infusion leads to increased burden of Al. Sixteen days of ingestion of H. sabdariffa infusion (c Al = 0.5 mg.L(-1)) led to increased but unbalanced levels (15-86 μg L(-1)) of Al in urine compared to a period when the infusion was not ingested. The highest amounts of Al excreted were observed every third day during the ingestion. Mild health problems, such as nausea and dizziness (which could be related to plant properties) were reported by more sensitive volunteers.Our results suggest that the tea infusion from H. sabdariffa petals increases body burden of Al and, therefore, sensitive individuals as pregnant women and people with kidney problems should be cautious with excessive consumption of hibiscus infusion or fruit teas containing this plant. However, further study including more individuals is needed to fully confirm our preliminary results.
