Toll-like receptor 13-mediated signaling protects against the development of colon cancer.

Appropriate host-microbiota interactions are essential for maintaining intestinal homeostasis; hence, an imbalance in these interactions leads to inflammation-associated intestinal diseases. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize microbial ligands and play a key role in host-microbe interactions in health and disease. TLR13 has a well-established function in enhancing host defenses against pathogenic bacteria. However, its role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and controlling colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of TLR13-mediated signaling in intestinal homeostasis and colonic tumorigenesis using ex vivo cell and in vivo CAC animal model. Tlr13-deficient mice were prone to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. During the early stages of the CAC regimen (AOM/DSS-treated), Tlr13 deficiency led to severe ulcerative colitis. Moreover, Tlr13-deficient mice exhibited increased intestinal permeability, as evidenced by elevated levels of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran, endotoxins, and bacterial translocation. Enhanced cell survival and proliferation of colonic intestinal cells were observed in Tlr13-deficient mice. A transcriptome analysis revealed that Tlr13 deficiency is associated with substantial changes in gene expression profile of colonic tumor tissue. Tlr13-deficient mice were more susceptible to CAC, with increased production of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, and TNF-α cytokines and enhanced STAT3, NF-κB, and MAPK signaling in colon tissues. These findings suggest that TLR13 plays a protective role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and controlling CAC. Our study provides a novel perspective on intestinal health via TLR13-mediated signaling, which is crucial for deciphering the role of host-microbiota interactions in health and disease.

Granulicatella seriolae sp. nov., a Novel Facultative Anaerobe Isolated from Yellowtail Marine Fish.

A bacterial strain, designated as S8T, was isolated from the gut contents of Seriola quinqueradiata from the coastal sea area of Jeju Island, South Korea. The strain is a Gram-staining positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic coccus. Optimal growth was observed at 30 °C, pH 8.0-9.0, and 0-0.5% w/v NaCl, under anaerobic conditions. The predominant fatty acids were C18:1 ω9c, C16:0, C18:0, and C16:1 ω9c, while quinone was not detected. The genome was 2,224,566 bp long, with a GC content of 38.2%. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain S8T had 96.2% similarity with Granulicatella adiacens ATCC 49175T, its closest known species according to nomenclature. The DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), average nucleotide identity, and average amino acid identity values between strain S8T and G. adiacens ATCC 49175T were 25.7%, 85.5%, and 77.2%, respectively, all of which fall below the recommended threshold for species differentiation. Based on genomic, phenotypic, and phylogenetic evidence, we propose that strain S8T should be a novel species within the genus Granulicatella, for with the name Granulicatella seriolae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S8T (KCTC 43438T = JCM 35604T).

Kinetic, genomic, and physiological analysis reveals diversity in the ecological adaptation and metabolic potential of Brachybacterium equifaecis sp. nov. isolated from horse feces.

Brachybacterium species have been identified in various ecological niches and belong to the family Dermabacteriaceae within the phylum Actinobacteria. In this study, we isolated a novel Brachybacterium equifaecis JHP9 strain from horse feces and compared its kinetic, biochemical, and genomic features with those of other Brachybacterium strains. Moreover, comparative genomic analysis using publicly available Brachybacterium genomes was performed to determine the properties involved in their ecological adaptation and metabolic potential. Novel species delineation was determined phylogenetically through 16S rRNA gene similarity (up to 97.9%), average nucleotide identity (79.5-82.5%), average amino acid identity (66.7-75.8%), and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization (23.7-27.9) using closely related strains. This study also presents the first report of the kinetic properties of Brachybacterium species. Most of the Brachybacterium strains displayed high oxygen (K m(app) =1.6-24.2 µM) and glucose (K m(app) =0.73-1.22 µM) affinities, which may manifest niche adaptations. Various carbohydrate metabolisms under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, antibiotic resistance, mobile genetic elements, carbohydrate-active enzymes, lactic acid production, and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas and bacteriophage exclusion systems were observed in the genotypic and/or phenotypic properties of Brachybacterium species, suggesting their genome flexibility, defense mechanisms, and adaptability. Our study contributes to the knowledge of the kinetic, physiological, and genomic properties of Brachybacterium species, including the novel JHP9 strain, which advocates for their tolerant and thriving nature in various environments, leading to their ecological adaptation. IMPORTANCE Basic physiological and genomic properties of most of the Brachybacterium isolates have been studied; however, the ability of this bacterium to adapt to diverse environments, which may demonstrate its role in niche differentiation, is to be identified yet. Therefore, here, we explored cellular kinetics, metabolic diversity, and ecological adaptation/defensive properties of the novel Brachybacterium strain through physiological and comparative genomic analysis. In addition, we presented the first report examining Brachybacterium kinetics, indicating that all strains of Brachybacterium, including the novel one, have high oxygen and glucose affinity. Furthermore, the comparative genomic analysis also revealed that the novel bacterium contains versatile genomic properties, which provide the novel bacterium with significant competitive advantages. Thus, in-depth genotypic and phenotypic analysis with kinetic properties at the species level of this genus is beneficial in clarifying its differential characteristics, conferring the ability to inhabit diverse ecological niches.

Draft Genome Sequence of Granulicatella sp. Strain S8, Isolated from a Marine Fish, Seriola quinqueradiata.

In this study, Granulicatella sp. strain S8 was isolated from the gut of a marine fish, Seriola quinqueradiata, and the draft genome was sequenced. Various genes responsible for pathogenesis, metabolite biosynthesis, defense, and lactic acid production were predicted. The genome sequence of this facultative anaerobe provides insights into its distinctive features.

Novel multiple criteria decision-making analysis under m-polar fuzzy aggregation operators with application.

Aggregation is a very efficient indispensable tool in which several input values are transformed into a single output value that further supports dealing with different decision-making situations. Additionally, note that the theory of m-polar fuzzy (mF) sets is proposed to tackle multipolar information in decision-making problems. To date, several aggregation tools have been widely investigated to tackle multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) problems in an m-polar fuzzy environment, including m-polar fuzzy Dombi and Hamacher aggregation operators (AOs). However, the aggregation tool to deal with m-polar information under Yager's operations (that is, Yager's t-norm and t-conorm) is missing in the literature. Due to these reasons, this study is devoted to investigating some novel averaging and geometric AOs in an mF information environment through the use of Yager's operations. Our proposed AOs are named as the mF Yager weighted averaging (mFYWA) operator, mF Yager ordered weighted averaging operator, mF Yager hybrid averaging operator, mF Yager weighted geometric (mFYWG) operator, mF Yager ordered weighted geometric operator and mF Yager hybrid geometric operator. The initiated averaging and geometric AOs are explained via illustrative examples and some of their basic properties, including boundedness, monotonicity, idempotency and commutativity are also studied. Further, to deal with different MCDM situations containing mF information, an innovative algorithm for MCDM is established under the under the condition of mFYWA and mFYWG operators. After that, a real-life application (that is, selecting a suitable site for an oil refinery) is explored under the conditions of developed AOs. Moreover, the initiated mF Yager AOs are compared with existing mF Hamacher and Dombi AOs through a numerical example. Finally, the effectiveness and reliability of the presented AOs are checked with the help of some existing validity tests.

Ecological Aerobic Ammonia and Methane Oxidation Involved Key Metal Compounds, Fe and Cu.

Interactions between metals and microbes are critical in geomicrobiology and vital in microbial ecophysiological processes. Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms (AOM) are key members in aerobic environments to start the C and N cycles. Ammonia and methane are firstly oxidized by copper-binding metalloproteins, monooxygenases, and diverse iron and copper-containing enzymes that contribute to electron transportation in the energy gain pathway, which is evolutionally connected between MOB and AOM. In this review, we summarized recently updated insight into the diverse physiological pathway of aerobic ammonia and methane oxidation of different MOB and AOM groups and compared the metabolic diversity mediated by different metalloenzymes. The elevation of iron and copper concentrations in ecosystems would be critical in the activity and growth of MOB and AOM, the outcome of which can eventually influence the global C and N cycles. Therefore, we also described the impact of various concentrations of metal compounds on the physiology of MOB and AOM. This review study could give a fundamental strategy to control MOB and AOM in diverse ecosystems because they are significantly related to climate change, eutrophication, and the remediation of contaminated sites for detoxifying pollutants.

Group decision-making analysis with complex spherical fuzzy N-soft sets.

This paper develops the ELiminating Et Choice Translating REality (ELECTRE) method under the generalized environment of complex spherical fuzzy $ N $-soft sets ($ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f}Ss $) that have distinctive and empirical edge of non-binary parametrization and also indeed overcome the limitations and flaws of existing ELECTRE I methods. We propose an innovatory decision-making technique, namely, $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $-ELECTRE I method where the data and information are in modern modes. The proposed $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $-ELECTRE I method enjoys all the distinct and modern attributes of uncertain information which mainly comprises of parameterizations, neutral perspective, multi-valuation and two-dimensional representations. We support the proposed work by a flowchart along with an algorithm and then utilize it to solve the MAGDM problem under $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $ environment. This novel technique employs the principles of $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $ concordance and $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $ discordance sets which are established on score and accuracy functions and engrossed to enjoin the most superior alternative. Ultimately, the decision graph and aggregated outranking Boolean matrix are formulated by merging the outcomes of $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $ concordance and $ CSFN\mathcal{S}_{f} $ discordance indices which are evaluated through score function and distance measures, respectively. Moreover, linear-ranking order is evaluated which provides linear ordering of decision alternatives. A prime MAGDM problem of poverty alleviation is addressed from socio-economic field that approve the flexibility of the intended approach. We perform a sustaining comparison with another approach (CSF-ELECTRE I approach) to assure the productivity and potency of the proposed methodology. We also provide an allegorical line graph of this comparison that demonstrate the admissibility of the resulting outcomes.

A hybrid DNA sequencing approach is needed to properly link genotype to phenotype in multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are now viewed as emerging contaminants posing a potential worldwide human health risk. The degree to which ARGs are transferred to other bacteria via mobile genetic elements (MGEs), including insertion sequences (ISs), plasmids, and phages, has a strong association with their likelihood to function as resistance transfer determinants. Consequently, understanding the structure and function of MGEs is paramount to assessing future health risks associated with ARGs in an environment subjected to strong antibiotic pressure. In this study we used whole genome sequencing, done using MinION and HiSeq platforms, to examine antibiotic resistance determinants among four multidrug resistant bacteria isolated from fish farm effluent in Jeju, South Korea. The combined data was used to ascertain the association between ARGs and MGEs. Hybrid assembly using HiSeq and MinION reads revealed the presence of IncFIB(K) and pVPH2 plasmids, whose sizes were verified using pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Twenty four ARGs and 95 MGEs were identified among the 955 coding sequences annotated on these plasmids. More importantly, 22 of 24 ARGs conferring resistance to various antibiotics were found to be located near MGEs, whereas about a half of the ARGs (11 out of 21) were so in chromosomes. Our results also suggest that the total phenotypic resistance exhibited by the isolates was mainly contributed by these putatively mobilizable ARGs. The study gives genomic insights into the origins of putatively mobilizable ARGs in bacteria subjected to selection pressure.

Fish farm effluents as a source of antibiotic resistance gene dissemination on Jeju Island, South Korea.

The abuse or misuse of antibiotics is directly linked to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. Most fish farms located on Jeju Island operate a flow-through system that pumps in seawater for fish farming and discharges it back to the ocean. To investigate the amount of ARGs that these fish farm effluents discharge into the marine environment, we conducted a metagenomic-based resistome analysis. We observed higher levels of ARGs in fish farm effluents than in seawater at beach and residential areas. A greater proportion of ARGs was found on plasmid rather than on chromosomal DNA, especially for sulfonamide and phenicol classes. The distribution of ARGs did not differ between summer and winter, but the microbial community did. In addition, fish farm samples contained significantly more opportunistic pathogens (i.e., Vibrio, Photobacterium, Aliivibrio, and Tenacibaculum) and virulence factors than non-fish farm samples. Vibrio was the most frequently identified host of ARGs and virulence factors. The presence of Vibrio in the coastal area has been increasing owing to the recent rise in the temperature of seawater. This study suggests the need for actions to treat or monitor ARGs in the coastal areas where fish farms operating a flow-through system are located.

Computations of the M-Polynomials and Degree-Based Topological Indices for Dendrimers and Polyomino Chains.

Topological indices correlate certain physicochemical properties like boiling point, stability, and strain energy of chemical compounds. In this report, we compute M-polynomials for PAMAM dendrimers and polyomino chains. Moreover, by applying calculus, we compute nine important topological indices of under-study dendrimers and chains.

M-Polynomials and Degree-Based Topological Indices of the Crystallographic Structure of Molecules.

Topological indices are numerical parameters used to study the physical and chemical properties of compounds. In quantitative structure⁻activity relationship QSARs, topological indices correlate the biological activity of compounds with their physical properties like boiling point, stability, melting point, distortion, and strain energy etc. In this paper, we determined the M-polynomials of the crystallographic structure of the molecules Cu2O and TiF2 [p,q,r]. Then we derived closed formulas for some well-known topological indices using calculus. In the end, we used Maple 15 to plot surfaces associated with the topological indices of Cu2O and TiF2 [p,q,r].

On Molecular Descriptors of Carbon Nanocones.

Many degree-based topological indices can be obtained from the closed-off M-polynomial of a carbon nanocone. These topological indices are numerical parameters that are associated with a structure and, in combination, determine the properties of the carbon nanocone. In this paper, we compute the closed form of the M-polynomial of generalized carbon nanocone and recover many important degree-based topological indices. We use software Maple 2015 (Maplesoft, Waterloo, ON, Canada) to plot the surfaces and graphs associated with these nanocones, and relate the topological indices to the structure of these nanocones.

In vitro effectiveness of triterpenoids and their synergistic effect with antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus strains.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of four triterpenoids such as oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, cycloastragenol, and beta-boswellic acid alone and in combination with antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus strains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen clinical strains of S. aureus from infected wounds were isolated. Eight were methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA), and the other eight were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The activity was also seen in reference S. aureus American Type Culture Collection™ strains. The activity of all the triterpenoids and antibiotics against S. aureus was evaluated by broth microdilution method. The effectiveness was judged by comparing the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the compounds with antibiotics. The combination of antibiotics with compounds was evaluated by their fractional inhibitory concentrations (FIC). RESULTS: Against both clinical and reference MSSA strains, none of the compounds exhibited comparable activity to antibiotics vancomycin or cefradine except for ursolic acid (MIC 7.8 µg/ml). Against MRSA, all compounds (MIC 16-128 µg/ml) showed lesser activity than vancomycin (MIC 5.8 µg/ml). Among triterpenoid-antibiotic combinations, the most effective were ursolic acid and vancomycin against clinical strain MSSA (FICS 0.17). However, overall, different combinations between triterpenoids and antibiotics showed 95%-46% (P < 0.05) reduction in MICs of antibiotics compared to when antibiotics were used alone. Cefradine, a drug not suitable for treating MRSA (MIC = 45 µg/ml), showed a remarkable decrease in its MIC (87% P< 0.01) when it was used in combination with oleanolic acid or ursolic acid in both clinical and reference strains. CONCLUSION: The tested triterpenoids are relatively weaker than antibiotics. However, when used in combination with antibiotics, they showed remarkable synergistic effect and thus can help in prolonging the viability of these antibiotics against S. aureus infections. Furthermore, reduction in MIC of cefradine with oleanolic acid indicates their potential use against MRSA.