Browse Articles

Soil cultivation methods rather than catch crop species enhance bacterial diversity in soil over a three-year experiment

Regulated Electronic and Ionic Conductive Framework for High Energy Density Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Clinical application of nanopore sequencing for haplotype linkage analysis in preimplantation genetic testing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

High-Efficiency Hydrocracking of Polyolefin Plastics by Controlling Intimacy between Pt Clusters and Zeolite Acid Sites

DNA-Templated Spatially Controlled Proteolysis Targeting Chimera for Cyclin D1–CDK4/6 Complex Protein Degradation

Dexamethasone-eluting cochlear implants reduce inflammation and foreign body response in human and murine cochleae

Atomic-Level Design and Understanding of Hydroxyl-Mediated Ag Sites with Catalytic Versatility

Enhancing frozen histological section images using permanent-section-guided deep learning with nuclei attention

The Role of Ethanol in Lithium-Mediated Nitrogen Reduction

Machine learning-based prediction model for post-stroke cerebral-cardiac syndrome: a risk stratification study

Probing the Mechanism of Selective Phosphate Adsorption from Wastewater Using Aqueous and Synchrotron X-ray Characterization

Immunostimulatory activity of inactivated environmental Bacillus isolates and their endospores

Abstract The spore-forming capacity of Bacillus spp. enables environmental persistence and stable product formulations, yet the interactions of environmental Bacillus spores and vegetative cells with the human immune system are not fully understood. We investigated the immunostimulatory potential of seven environmental Bacillus isolates (B. subtilis, B. velezensis, B. licheniformis, B. pumilus) and optimized their inactivation methods to preserve surface integrity and immunostimulatory activity. Inactivation was evaluated using heat/UV-C and 10–100% formalin, followed by scanning electron microscopy and human reporter cell assays (THP1-Dual monocytes, HEK-Blue hTLR2/6 and hTLR4). Heat/UV-C treatment retained Bacillus morphology and enhanced immune activation compared to 10–100% formalin treatment. Spores and vegetative cells activated key immune transcription factors (nuclear factor kappa B and interferon regulatory factors) in human monocytes, with spores inducing 1.5- to 8-fold lower responses compared to vegetative cells, and strain- and species-dependent effects observed. All tested Bacillus isolates significantly activated Toll-like receptor TLR2/6, but not TLR4. Genome analysis identified Bacillus spore envelope components (SpsAEIK, CotBCGQ) that may influence differences in immune responses. Our findings improve understanding of Bacillus-human immune interactions, revealing strain- and species-specific immunostimulatory activity. These results support further exploration of Bacillus isolates for immune-related and environmental applications.

Unusual O–H Activation-Initiated C–C Bond Cleavage Reaction by a Nonheme Fe Enzyme in Antifungal Nucleoside Biosynthesis

Biosynthesis and characterization of copper oxide nanoparticles from Plumbago zeylanica leaf extract for antibacterial and antioxidant activities

Abstract In recent years, green synthesis has become a prevalent method for producing metallic oxide nanoparticles, preferred over traditional physical and chemical processes because of its low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize and characterize CuO NPs using P. zeylanica leaf extract, as well as to assess their total phytochemical content, in vitro antibacterial properties, and antioxidant activity. The synthesized CuO NPs were analyzed using UV–visible spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, FTIR, and TGA/DTA. UV–visible spectroscopy revealed SPR peaks at 376 nm, confirming the formation of CuONPs, with a band gap energy of 3.22 eV indicating their semiconductor nature. FTIR analysis reveals the presence of Cu–O bonds around 528cm−1. XRD analysis further confirmed the monoclinic phase of CuO NPs, with an average crystallite size of 25.15 nm. The spherical shapes of the synthesized CuO NPs were determined using SEM analysis. TGA/DTA analysis revealed a weight loss of 19.3% within the temperature range of 21–600 °C. Along with this study, the antibacterial activity of the biosynthesized CuONPs was evaluated using an agar well diffusion assay against three gram-negative and two gram-positive. The results demonstrate that CuO NPs were more effective against gram-negative bacteria, showing inhibition zones of 19.33 mm, 20.30 mm, and 16.50 mm against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. The antioxidant activity was evaluated, and IC50 values for DPPH assays of the synthesized CuO NPs, P. zeylanica leaf extract, and ascorbic acid were determined to be 123.77 ± 1.96, 97.28 ± 1.85, and 27.08 ± 0.15 μg/mL, respectively. These results indicate significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity for CuO NPs.

Origins of Tetrahedral Order in Ice

A novel extension of the power lindley distribution with statistical properties and application to COVID-19 data

Photoelectrochemical Asymmetric Epoxidation of Alkenes with Water as an Oxygen Source in a Biphasic System

Real time wire rope detection method based on Rockchip RK3588

Tailoring Artificial Hydration Microenvironments in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Enhanced Enzymatic Catalysis in Organic Media

Atopic dermatitis-alleviating effects of lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5195 paraprobiotics through microbiome modulation and safety assessment via genomic characterization and in vitro analysis

Abstract The efficacy of paraprobiotics from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LRCC5195 (LP5195-P) in alleviating atopic dermatitis (AD) through microbiome modulation and its safety were evaluated in AD-induced mice. Oral administration of LP5195-P to mice for 8 weeks after AD induction was used to investigate changes in microbiota, immune regulation, and symptoms of dermatitis. Taxonomic analysis of the gut microbiota revealed substantially higher bacterial diversity and abundance in LP5195-P treated group compared to that in negative control. Metabolic analysis revealed significant changes in short-chain fatty acid levels. These microbiome changes correlated with alterations in immune modulation. Furthermore, LP5195-P treatment decreased gene expression related to Treg and Th2 responses in the ileum and skin. Improvements in AD symptoms, including edema and erythema, were observed, and inhibitory effects on histamine release and β-hexosaminidase activity were demonstrated. In conclusion, LP5195-P administration induced a balanced immune response involving gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for AD.