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Sindhu S, Saini T, Rawat HK, Chahar M, Grover A, Ahmad S, Mohan H. Beyond conventional antibiotics approaches: Global perspectives on alternative therapeutics including herbal prevention, and proactive management strategies in bovine mastitis. Microb Pathog 2024; 196:106989. [PMID: 39357684 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Mastitis, an intramammary inflammation resulting from microbial infectious agents, continues to pose a significant challenge within the dairy sector, adversely affecting animal well-being and leading to substantial economic losses. These losses are attributed to decreased milk production, heightened culling rates, and the expenses related to diagnostics, veterinary care, medication, and labor. Moreover, additional costs emerge due to reduced forthcoming milk yields, compromised reproductive health, and increased susceptibility to various illnesses. Identifying the responsible agents is crucial for disease management and the implementation of antimicrobial treatments. Despite the prevalent use of antibiotic treatment, the pressing need for new therapeutic alternatives to combat bovine mastitis arises from limitations, including low cure rates, rising resistance, and the presence of antibiotic residues in milk. This review explores the potential application of herbal extracts and essential oils known for their antimicrobial properties as alternative options for managing pathogens in mastitis treatment. It examines various treatment methods and management strategies, particularly emphasizing the progress of herbal remedies and natural therapeutics in addressing mastitis, a significant concern in bovine populations and dairy herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Sindhu
- Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Tarun Saini
- Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Harsh Kumar Rawat
- Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Manjeet Chahar
- Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Ankita Grover
- Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India
| | - Sayeed Ahmad
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, India
| | - Hari Mohan
- Centre for Medical Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, India.
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Van Beek R, Spijkerman DJC, van der Burgt N, Hermanns B, Barendse S, Sainsbury PD, Timmis KN, Timmis JK. Guidelines to support the design, and selection and appraisal of multimedia teaching aids for microbiology education. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14553. [PMID: 39163108 PMCID: PMC11334907 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbiology education has a serious handicap - the lack of visibility of the players of the subject and their interactions - which engenders a disproportionate reliance upon multimedia teaching aids (MTAs). The International Microbiology Literacy Initiative (IMiLI) is creating educational resources in societally-relevant microbiology complemented by appropriate MTAs. However, proper guidance supporting microbiology educators in locating and selecting, or commissioning the creation of, adequate MTAs for different target audiences and learning objectives is lacking. The aims of this study were to (i) identify important considerations regarding educational/didactical standards and the design of educational multimedia and (ii) create an evidence-based guideline for selecting and appraising existing, and informing the creation of new, microbiology MTAs. This investigation is based on an exploratory, mixed-methods approach. The results of two literature reviews (covering educational and good practice multimedia design) informed the collation of a preliminary appraisal guideline for videos, animations, comics, and video games. A web-scraping approach was utilised to locate and retrieve existing exemplars of the four multimedia types and create four pertinent multimedia databases (including metadata). The preliminary guideline was piloted (and revised accordingly) by appraising quasi-random (or purposive) samples of each multimedia type. Educational multimedia experts were interviewed to discuss the findings. Finally, the guideline was updated to reflect the expert comments together with the results of the pilot appraisals. The final guideline has four components: (i) central considerations for selecting and appraising multimedia for specific audiences and educational purposes, (ii) multimedia selection tool, (iii) multimedia appraisal tools, and (iv) extensive background information as appendices linking all sections for further comprehension. Broad utilisation of the guideline has significant potential for simplifying and systematising multimedia selection/creation, leading to superior multimedia-based learning outcomes, establishing a rapid selection database (pre-appraised multimedia), reducing disparities in microbiology education and incentivising educational content creators.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Van Beek
- Athena Institute, Faculty of ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - D. J. C. Spijkerman
- Athena Institute, Faculty of ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - N. van der Burgt
- Athena Institute, Faculty of ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - B. Hermanns
- Athena Institute, Faculty of ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - S. Barendse
- Athena Institute, Faculty of ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | | | - K. N. Timmis
- Division of MicrobiologyTechnical University of BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
| | - J. K. Timmis
- Athena Institute, Faculty of ScienceVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Political ScienceUniversity of FreiburgFreiburg im BreisgauGermany
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3
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Timmis K, Hallsworth JE, McGenity TJ, Armstrong R, Colom MF, Karahan ZC, Chavarría M, Bernal P, Boyd ES, Ramos JL, Kaltenpoth M, Pruzzo C, Clarke G, López‐Garcia P, Yakimov MM, Perlmutter J, Greening C, Eloe‐Fadrosh E, Verstraete W, Nunes OC, Kotsyurbenko O, Nikel PI, Scavone P, Häggblom MM, Lavigne R, Le Roux F, Timmis JK, Parro V, Michán C, García JL, Casadevall A, Payne SM, Frey J, Koren O, Prosser JI, Lahti L, Lal R, Anand S, Sood U, Offre P, Bryce CC, Mswaka AY, Jores J, Kaçar B, Blank LM, Maaßen N, Pope PB, Banciu HL, Armitage J, Lee SY, Wang F, Makhalanyane TP, Gilbert JA, Wood TK, Vasiljevic B, Soberón M, Udaondo Z, Rojo F, Tamang JP, Giraud T, Ropars J, Ezeji T, Müller V, Danbara H, Averhoff B, Sessitsch A, Partida‐Martínez LP, Huang W, Molin S, Junier P, Amils R, Wu X, Ron E, Erten H, de Martinis ECP, Rapoport A, Öpik M, Pokatong WDR, Stairs C, Amoozegar MA, Serna JG. A concept for international societally relevant microbiology education and microbiology knowledge promulgation in society. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14456. [PMID: 38801001 PMCID: PMC11129164 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Microbes are all pervasive in their distribution and influence on the functioning and well-being of humans, life in general and the planet. Microbially-based technologies contribute hugely to the supply of important goods and services we depend upon, such as the provision of food, medicines and clean water. They also offer mechanisms and strategies to mitigate and solve a wide range of problems and crises facing humanity at all levels, including those encapsulated in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) formulated by the United Nations. For example, microbial technologies can contribute in multiple ways to decarbonisation and hence confronting global warming, provide sanitation and clean water to the billions of people lacking them, improve soil fertility and hence food production and develop vaccines and other medicines to reduce and in some cases eliminate deadly infections. They are the foundation of biotechnology, an increasingly important and growing business sector and source of employment, and the centre of the bioeconomy, Green Deal, etc. But, because microbes are largely invisible, they are not familiar to most people, so opportunities they offer to effectively prevent and solve problems are often missed by decision-makers, with the negative consequences this entrains. To correct this lack of vital knowledge, the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative-the IMiLI-is recruiting from the global microbiology community and making freely available, teaching resources for a curriculum in societally relevant microbiology that can be used at all levels of learning. Its goal is the development of a society that is literate in relevant microbiology and, as a consequence, able to take full advantage of the potential of microbes and minimise the consequences of their negative activities. In addition to teaching about microbes, almost every lesson discusses the influence they have on sustainability and the SDGs and their ability to solve pressing problems of societal inequalities. The curriculum thus teaches about sustainability, societal needs and global citizenship. The lessons also reveal the impacts microbes and their activities have on our daily lives at the personal, family, community, national and global levels and their relevance for decisions at all levels. And, because effective, evidence-based decisions require not only relevant information but also critical and systems thinking, the resources also teach about these key generic aspects of deliberation. The IMiLI teaching resources are learner-centric, not academic microbiology-centric and deal with the microbiology of everyday issues. These span topics as diverse as owning and caring for a companion animal, the vast range of everyday foods that are produced via microbial processes, impressive geological formations created by microbes, childhood illnesses and how they are managed and how to reduce waste and pollution. They also leverage the exceptional excitement of exploration and discovery that typifies much progress in microbiology to capture the interest, inspire and motivate educators and learners alike. The IMiLI is establishing Regional Centres to translate the teaching resources into regional languages and adapt them to regional cultures, and to promote their use and assist educators employing them. Two of these are now operational. The Regional Centres constitute the interface between resource creators and educators-learners. As such, they will collect and analyse feedback from the end-users and transmit this to the resource creators so that teaching materials can be improved and refined, and new resources added in response to demand: educators and learners will thereby be directly involved in evolution of the teaching resources. The interactions between educators-learners and resource creators mediated by the Regional Centres will establish dynamic and synergistic relationships-a global societally relevant microbiology education ecosystem-in which creators also become learners, teaching resources are optimised and all players/stakeholders are empowered and their motivation increased. The IMiLI concept thus embraces the principle of teaching societally relevant microbiology embedded in the wider context of societal, biosphere and planetary needs, inequalities, the range of crises that confront us and the need for improved decisioning, which should ultimately lead to better citizenship and a humanity that is more sustainable and resilient. ABSTRACT The biosphere of planet Earth is a microbial world: a vast reactor of countless microbially driven chemical transformations and energy transfers that push and pull many planetary geochemical processes, including the cycling of the elements of life, mitigate or amplify climate change (e.g., Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2019, 17, 569) and impact the well-being and activities of all organisms, including humans. Microbes are both our ancestors and creators of the planetary chemistry that allowed us to evolve (e.g., Life's engines: How microbes made earth habitable, 2023). To understand how the biosphere functions, how humans can influence its development and live more sustainably with the other organisms sharing it, we need to understand the microbes. In a recent editorial (Environmental Microbiology, 2019, 21, 1513), we advocated for improved microbiology literacy in society. Our concept of microbiology literacy is not based on knowledge of the academic subject of microbiology, with its multitude of component topics, plus the growing number of additional topics from other disciplines that become vitally important elements of current microbiology. Rather it is focused on microbial activities that impact us-individuals/communities/nations/the human world-and the biosphere and that are key to reaching informed decisions on a multitude of issues that regularly confront us, ranging from personal issues to crises of global importance. In other words, it is knowledge and understanding essential for adulthood and the transition to it, knowledge and understanding that must be acquired early in life in school. The 2019 Editorial marked the launch of the International Microbiology Literacy Initiative, the IMiLI. HERE, WE PRESENT: our concept of how microbiology literacy may be achieved and the rationale underpinning it; the type of teaching resources being created to realise the concept and the framing of microbial activities treated in these resources in the context of sustainability, societal needs and responsibilities and decision-making; and the key role of Regional Centres that will translate the teaching resources into local languages, adapt them according to local cultural needs, interface with regional educators and develop and serve as hubs of microbiology literacy education networks. The topics featuring in teaching resources are learner-centric and have been selected for their inherent relevance, interest and ability to excite and engage. Importantly, the resources coherently integrate and emphasise the overarching issues of sustainability, stewardship and critical thinking and the pervasive interdependencies of processes. More broadly, the concept emphasises how the multifarious applications of microbial activities can be leveraged to promote human/animal, plant, environmental and planetary health, improve social equity, alleviate humanitarian deficits and causes of conflicts among peoples and increase understanding between peoples (Microbial Biotechnology, 2023, 16(6), 1091-1111). Importantly, although the primary target of the freely available (CC BY-NC 4.0) IMiLI teaching resources is schoolchildren and their educators, they and the teaching philosophy are intended for all ages, abilities and cultural spectra of learners worldwide: in university education, lifelong learning, curiosity-driven, web-based knowledge acquisition and public outreach. The IMiLI teaching resources aim to promote development of a global microbiology education ecosystem that democratises microbiology knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute for MicrobiologyTechnical University of BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
| | | | | | | | | | - Zeynep Ceren Karahan
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyAnkara University School of MedicineAnkaraTurkey
| | - Max Chavarría
- Escuela de Química, CIPRONAUniversidad de Costa Rica & Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot)San JoséCosta Rica
| | - Patricia Bernal
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversidad de SevillaSevillaSpain
| | - Eric S. Boyd
- Department of Microbiology and Cell BiologyMontana State UniversityBozemanMontanaUSA
| | - Juan Luis Ramos
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientificasEstación Experimental del ZaidínGranadaSpain
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Insect SymbiosisMax Planck Institute for Chemical EcologyJenaGermany
| | - Carla Pruzzo
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences (DISTAV)University of GenoaGenoaItaly
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science and APC Microbiome IrelandUniversity College CorkCorkIreland
| | | | - Michail M. Yakimov
- Institute of Polar SciencesItalian National Research Council (ISP‐CNR)MessinaItaly
| | | | - Chris Greening
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonAustralia
| | - Emiley Eloe‐Fadrosh
- Metagenome Program, DOE Joint Genome InstituteLawrence Berkeley National LabBerkeleyCaliforniaUSA
| | - Willy Verstraete
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET)Ghent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Olga C. Nunes
- LEPABE‐Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of EngineeringUniversity of PortoPortoPortugal
| | | | - Pablo Iván Nikel
- Systems Environmental Microbiology Group, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for BiosustainabilityTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | - Paola Scavone
- Departamento de MicrobiologíaInstituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente EstableMontevideoUruguay
| | - Max M. Häggblom
- Department of Biochemistry and MicrobiologyRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Rob Lavigne
- Laboratory of Gene TechnologyKU LeuvenHeverleeBelgium
| | - Frédérique Le Roux
- Département de Microbiologie, Infectiologie et ImmunologieUniversité de MontréalMontrealQuebecCanada
| | - James K. Timmis
- Department of Political ScienceUniversity of FreiburgFreiburg im BreisgauGermany
| | - Victor Parro
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB)CSICINTAMadridSpain
| | - Carmen Michán
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología MolecularUniversidad de CórdobaCórdobaSpain
| | - José Luis García
- Environmental Biotechnology LaboratoryCentro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB‐MS, CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Arturo Casadevall
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Shelley M. Payne
- Department of Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of Texas at AustinAustinTexasUSA
| | - Joachim Frey
- Vetsuisse FacultyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Omry Koren
- Azrieli Faculty of MedicineBar‐Ilan UniversitySafedIsrael
| | | | - Leo Lahti
- Department of ComputingUniversity of TurkuTurkuFinland
| | - Rup Lal
- Acharya Narendra Dev CollegeUniversity of DelhiNew DelhiDelhiIndia
| | - Shailly Anand
- Department of Zoology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya CollegeUniversity of DelhiNew DelhiDelhiIndia
| | - Utkarsh Sood
- Department of Zoology, Kirori Mal CollegeUniversity of DelhiNew DelhiDelhiIndia
| | - Pierre Offre
- Department of Marine Microbiology and BiogeochemistryNIOZ–Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea ResearchDen BurgThe Netherlands
| | - Casey C. Bryce
- Cabot Institute for the EnvironmentUniversity of BristolBristolUK
| | | | - Jörg Jores
- Institute of Veterinary BacteriologyUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Betül Kaçar
- Department of BacteriologyUniversity of Wisconsin–MadisonMadisonWisconsinUSA
| | | | - Nicole Maaßen
- Institute of Applied MicrobiologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Phillip B. Pope
- Faculty of BiosciencesNorwegian University of Life SciencesAsNorway
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food ScienceNMBUAsNorway
| | - Horia L. Banciu
- Department of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyBabeș‐Bolyai UniversityCluj‐NapocaRomania
| | | | - Sang Yup Lee
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular EngineeringKAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)DaejeonSouth Korea
| | - Fengping Wang
- International Center for Deep Life Investigation (ICDLI)Shanghai JiaoTong UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Thulani P. Makhalanyane
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and MicrobiologyUniversity of PretoriaHatfieldSouth Africa
| | - Jack A. Gilbert
- Department of Pediatrics and Scripps, Institution of OceanographyUC San DiegoLa JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Thomas K. Wood
- Department of Chemical EngineeringPennsylvania State UniversityUniversity ParkPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Branka Vasiljevic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic EngineeringUniversity of BelgradeBelgradeSerbia
| | - Mario Soberón
- Instituto de BiotecnologíaUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoMexico CityMexico
| | - Zulema Udaondo
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientificasEstación Experimental del ZaidínGranadaSpain
| | - Fernando Rojo
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Centro Nacional de BiotecnologíaCSICMadridSpain
| | | | - Tatiana Giraud
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution (ESE)Université Paris‐SaclayGif‐sur‐YvetteFrance
| | - Jeanne Ropars
- Laboratoire Ecologie, Systématique et Evolution (ESE)Université Paris‐SaclayGif‐sur‐YvetteFrance
| | - Thaddeus Ezeji
- Department of Animal SciencesThe Ohio State University & OARDCWoosterOhioUSA
| | - Volker Müller
- Molekulare Mikrobiologie & BioenergetikGoethe‐Universität FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Hirofume Danbara
- Shibasaburo Kitasato Memorial MuseumKitasato UniversityMinato‐kuJapan
| | - Beate Averhoff
- Molekulare Mikrobiologie & BioenergetikGoethe‐Universität FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | | | | | - Wei Huang
- Department of Engineering ScienceUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Pilar Junier
- Laboratory of MicrobiologyUniversity of NeuchâtelNeuchâtelSwitzerland
| | - Ricardo Amils
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo OchoaMadridSpain
| | - Xiao‐Lei Wu
- Department of Energy Resources EngineeringPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Eliora Ron
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer ResearchTel Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
| | - Huseyin Erten
- Department of Food EngineeringCukurova UniversityAdanaTurkey
| | | | - Alexander Rapoport
- Institute of Microbiology and BiotechnologyUniversity of LatviaRigaLatvia
| | - Maarja Öpik
- Department of BotanyUniversity of TartuTartuEstonia
| | | | | | | | - Jéssica Gil Serna
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y MicrobiologíaUniversidad Complutense de MadridMadridSpain
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Karayanni H, Motsiou E, Sapountzi V, Meggou L, Pagkoutsou M, Triantafyllidi A, Markouti AK, Zervou S, Anastasopoulos S, Efthimiou G. Microbes and us: microbiology literacy in Greece. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2024; 371:fnae008. [PMID: 38305148 PMCID: PMC10878407 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fnae008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbes are ubiquitous and provide numerous services to humans and our planet. However, a query arises as to whether these microbial services are valued by the general public especially after unprecedented conditions like the COVID-19 pandemic. In this context a survey was conducted to investigate the concept of microbe in Greece. Thematic analysis of 672 anonymous responses (age range 4-75yo) received for the open-ended prompt "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word microbe?" revealed five thematic categories: Negative emotions, Fuzzy associations, Biology, Entities and Health. Almost 80% of responses fell under "Biology" and "Health" and the general pattern of answers was the same across all age groups. Microbes took a variety of forms in the minds of respondents, however, the concept of "microbe" seems to be more unshaped at younger ages (4-11yo), as revealed in children's language choices. Overall, the often-negative perception of microorganisms seems to be confirmed in this study. Although this research was limited to participants from Greece, it remains relevant to other countries around the world as well. We discuss the reasons behind this negative perception and offer suggestions for reversing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hera Karayanni
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Eleni Motsiou
- Department of Early Childhood Education, University of Thessaly, 38221 Volos, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Sapountzi
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Lydia Meggou
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Maria Pagkoutsou
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Aikaterini Triantafyllidi
- Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Georgios Efthimiou
- Centre for Biomedicine, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, HU67RX, Hull, United Kingdom
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Olmo R, Wetzels SU, Berg G, Cocolin L, Hartmann M, Hugas M, Kostic T, Rattei T, Ruthsatz M, Rybakova D, Sessitsch A, Shortt C, Timmis K, Selberherr E, Wagner M. Food systems microbiome-related educational needs. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1412-1422. [PMID: 37338855 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the European-funded Coordination and Support Action MicrobiomeSupport (https://www.microbiomesupport.eu/), the Workshop 'Education in Food Systems Microbiome Related Sciences: Needs for Universities, Industry and Public Health Systems' brought together over 70 researchers, public health and industry partners from all over the world to work on elaborating microbiome-related educational needs in food systems. This publication provides a summary of discussions held during and after the workshop and the resulting recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocío Olmo
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefanie Urimare Wetzels
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
- Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Luca Cocolin
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Moritz Hartmann
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marta Hugas
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), EU, Parma, Italy
| | - Tanja Kostic
- Bioresouces Unit, Center for Health & Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Tulln, Austria
| | - Thomas Rattei
- Centre for Microbiology and Environmental Systems Science, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Daria Rybakova
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Angela Sessitsch
- Bioresouces Unit, Center for Health & Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Tulln, Austria
| | | | - Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Evelyne Selberherr
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Wagner
- FFoQSI GmbH - Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation, Tulln, Austria
- Unit of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Safety, Food Technology and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
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6
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Hallsworth JE, Udaondo Z, Pedrós‐Alió C, Höfer J, Benison KC, Lloyd KG, Cordero RJB, de Campos CBL, Yakimov MM, Amils R. Scientific novelty beyond the experiment. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1131-1173. [PMID: 36786388 PMCID: PMC10221578 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Practical experiments drive important scientific discoveries in biology, but theory-based research studies also contribute novel-sometimes paradigm-changing-findings. Here, we appraise the roles of theory-based approaches focusing on the experiment-dominated wet-biology research areas of microbial growth and survival, cell physiology, host-pathogen interactions, and competitive or symbiotic interactions. Additional examples relate to analyses of genome-sequence data, climate change and planetary health, habitability, and astrobiology. We assess the importance of thought at each step of the research process; the roles of natural philosophy, and inconsistencies in logic and language, as drivers of scientific progress; the value of thought experiments; the use and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies, including their potential for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research; and other instances when theory is the most-direct and most-scientifically robust route to scientific novelty including the development of techniques for practical experimentation or fieldwork. We highlight the intrinsic need for human engagement in scientific innovation, an issue pertinent to the ongoing controversy over papers authored using/authored by artificial intelligence (such as the large language model/chatbot ChatGPT). Other issues discussed are the way in which aspects of language can bias thinking towards the spatial rather than the temporal (and how this biased thinking can lead to skewed scientific terminology); receptivity to research that is non-mainstream; and the importance of theory-based science in education and epistemology. Whereas we briefly highlight classic works (those by Oakes Ames, Francis H.C. Crick and James D. Watson, Charles R. Darwin, Albert Einstein, James E. Lovelock, Lynn Margulis, Gilbert Ryle, Erwin R.J.A. Schrödinger, Alan M. Turing, and others), the focus is on microbiology studies that are more-recent, discussing these in the context of the scientific process and the types of scientific novelty that they represent. These include several studies carried out during the 2020 to 2022 lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic when access to research laboratories was disallowed (or limited). We interviewed the authors of some of the featured microbiology-related papers and-although we ourselves are involved in laboratory experiments and practical fieldwork-also drew from our own research experiences showing that such studies can not only produce new scientific findings but can also transcend barriers between disciplines, act counter to scientific reductionism, integrate biological data across different timescales and levels of complexity, and circumvent constraints imposed by practical techniques. In relation to urgent research needs, we believe that climate change and other global challenges may require approaches beyond the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Zulema Udaondo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Carlos Pedrós‐Alió
- Department of Systems BiologyCentro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Juan Höfer
- Escuela de Ciencias del MarPontificia Universidad Católica de ValparaísoValparaísoChile
| | - Kathleen C. Benison
- Department of Geology and GeographyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Karen G. Lloyd
- Microbiology DepartmentUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Radamés J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Claudia B. L. de Campos
- Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP)São José dos CamposSPBrazil
| | | | - Ricardo Amils
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC‐UAM)Nicolás Cabrera n° 1, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Department of Planetology and HabitabilityCentro de Astrobiología (INTA‐CSIC)Torrejón de ArdozSpain
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7
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Noel D, Hallsworth JE, Gelhaye E, Darnet S, Sormani R, Morel-Rouhier M. Modes-of-action of antifungal compounds: Stressors and (target-site-specific) toxins, toxicants, or Toxin-stressors. Microb Biotechnol 2023. [PMID: 37191200 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi and antifungal compounds are relevant to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. However, the modes-of-action of antifungals-whether they are naturally occurring substances or anthropogenic fungicides-are often unknown or are misallocated in terms of their mechanistic category. Here, we consider the most effective approaches to identifying whether antifungal substances are cellular stressors, toxins/toxicants (that are target-site-specific), or have a hybrid mode-of-action as Toxin-stressors (that induce cellular stress yet are target-site-specific). This newly described 'toxin-stressor' category includes some photosensitisers that target the cell membrane and, once activated by light or ultraviolet radiation, cause oxidative damage. We provide a glossary of terms and a diagrammatic representation of diverse types of stressors, toxic substances, and Toxin-stressors, a classification that is pertinent to inhibitory substances not only for fungi but for all types of cellular life. A decision-tree approach can also be used to help differentiate toxic substances from cellular stressors (Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015 33: 228-259). For compounds that target specific sites in the cell, we evaluate the relative merits of using metabolite analyses, chemical genetics, chemoproteomics, transcriptomics, and the target-based drug-discovery approach (based on that used in pharmaceutical research), focusing on both ascomycete models and the less-studied basidiomycete fungi. Chemical genetic methods to elucidate modes-of-action currently have limited application for fungi where molecular tools are not yet available; we discuss ways to circumvent this bottleneck. We also discuss ecologically commonplace scenarios in which multiple substances act to limit the functionality of the fungal cell and a number of as-yet-unresolved questions about the modes-of-action of antifungal compounds pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eric Gelhaye
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, IAM, Nancy, France
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8
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Timmis K. A Road to Microbiology Literacy (and More): an Opportunity for a Paradigm Change in Teaching. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2023; 24:e00019-23. [PMID: 37089226 PMCID: PMC10117087 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00019-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microbial activities pervasively impact the wellbeing of all organisms, including humans, and the functioning of the planet itself. In order for society to form informed opinions and take effective actions related to its welfare, it must be able to understand the causes of issues of importance and to appreciate the range of possible responses and their likely effectiveness. Society must become microbiology literate. The International Microbiology Literacy Initiative is creating a comprehensive range of teaching resources that will constitute a child-centric school curriculum of societally relevant microbiology. The core of the teaching resources, the lessons, are somewhat unusual in that each one is designed to be essentially stand-alone, so courses can be individually structured by teachers according to their perception of what is interesting and important for their charges. Moreover, the lessons deal not only with societally pertinent microbial activities, but also discuss and propose discussion of their relevance to sustainable development, of their impact on policies and decisions (personal, community, and national), and of issues of stewardship and stakeholder responsibilities. The class lessons are complemented by other child-centric teaching resources whose functions are to add value, to stimulate pupil imagination and excitement in discovery, to engage pupil interest and enthusiasm for topics like sustainability, climate change, international cooperation, citizen science, etc., and to empower pupils as stakeholders in their microbiology education and as educators and multiplicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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9
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Timmis K. Microbiology education: a significant path to sustainably improve the human and biosphere condition. MICROLIFE 2023; 4:uqad013. [PMID: 37223743 PMCID: PMC10117706 DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In this short piece, I connect the dots between the pervasive influence of microbial activities on our health and that of the planet, including their positive and negative roles in current polycrises, our ability to influence microbes to promote their positive influences and mitigate their negative impacts, the roles of everyone as stewards and stakeholders in personal, family, community, national, and global wellbeing, the need for stewards and stakeholders to possess relevant information in order to fulfil their roles and obligations, and the compelling case for microbiology literacy and introduction of a societally relevant microbiology curriculum in school.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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10
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Timmis K. Environmental Microbiology is 25! Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:1-4. [PMID: 36043245 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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11
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Timmis K. Microbiology education and human stewardship of Planet Earth: The generational contract. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:49-53. [PMID: 36314688 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute for Microbiology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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12
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Sood U, Dhingra GG, Anand S, Hira P, Kumar R, Kaur J, Verma M, Singhvi N, Lal S, Rawat CD, Singh VK, Kaur J, Verma H, Tripathi C, Singh P, Dua A, Saxena A, Phartyal R, Jayaraj P, Makhija S, Gupta R, Sahni S, Nayyar N, Abraham JS, Somasundaram S, Lata P, Solanki R, Mahato NK, Prakash O, Bala K, Kumari R, Toteja R, Kalia VC, Lal R. Microbial Journey: Mount Everest to Mars. Indian J Microbiol 2022; 62:323-337. [PMID: 35974919 PMCID: PMC9375815 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-022-01029-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A rigorous exploration of microbial diversity has revealed its presence on Earth, deep oceans, and vast space. The presence of microbial life in diverse environmental conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme temperature, pH, salinity, oxygen, radiations, and altitudes, has provided the necessary impetus to search for them by extending the limits of their habitats. Microbiology started as a distinct science in the mid-nineteenth century and has provided inputs for the betterment of mankind during the last 150 years. As beneficial microbes are assets and pathogens are detrimental, studying both have its own merits. Scientists are nowadays working on illustrating the microbial dynamics in Earth's subsurface, deep sea, and polar regions. In addition to studying the role of microbes in the environment, the microbe-host interactions in humans, animals and plants are also unearthing newer insights that can help us to improve the health of the host by modulating the microbiota. Microbes have the potential to remediate persistent organic pollutants. Antimicrobial resistance which is a serious concern can also be tackled only after monitoring the spread of resistant microbes using disciplines of genomics and metagenomics The cognizance of microbiology has reached the top of the world. Space Missions are now looking for signs of life on the planets (specifically Mars), the Moon and beyond them. Among the most potent pieces of evidence to support the existence of life is to look for microbial, plant, and animal fossils. There is also an urgent need to deliberate and communicate these findings to layman and policymakers that would help them to take an adequate decision for better health and the environment around us. Here, we present a glimpse of recent advancements by scientists from around the world, exploring and exploiting microbial diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utkarsh Sood
- The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Shailly Anand
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Princy Hira
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Roshan Kumar
- Post-Graduate Department of Zoology, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar India
| | | | - Mansi Verma
- Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Sukanya Lal
- Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Jaspreet Kaur
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Priya Singh
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Ankita Dua
- Shivaji College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Anjali Saxena
- Bhaskaracharya College of Applied Sciences, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Perumal Jayaraj
- Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Seema Makhija
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Renu Gupta
- Maitreyi College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Sahni
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Namita Nayyar
- Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | - Pushp Lata
- Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Renu Solanki
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Nitish Kumar Mahato
- University Department of Zoology, Kolhan University, Chaibasa, Jharkhand India
| | - Om Prakash
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Pune, Maharashtra India
| | - Kiran Bala
- Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Kumari
- College of Commerce, Arts and Science, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar India
| | - Ravi Toteja
- Acharya Narendra Dev College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | | | - Rup Lal
- The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India
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13
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Lal R, Singh B, Sar P, Phale P. Microbiology in India: Status, Challenges, and Scope. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2607-2611. [PMID: 35411614 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rup Lal
- The Energy & Resources Institute, New Delhi, 110003, India
| | - Brajesh Singh
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, 2751, Australia
| | - Pinaki Sar
- Global Centre for Land-Based Innovation, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, 2751, Australia
| | - Prashant Phale
- Environmental Microbiology and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.,Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, 400076, India
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14
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Liu Y, Zhang LJ, Yang L. A Corpus Linguistics Approach to the Representation of Western Religious Beliefs in Ten Series of Chinese University English Language Teaching Textbooks. Front Psychol 2022; 12:789660. [PMID: 35126241 PMCID: PMC8812336 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.789660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The early Sino-Western contact was through the way in which religion and language interact to produce language contact. However, research on this contact is relatively limited to date, particularly in the realm of English language materials. In fact, there is a paucity of research on Western religions in English Language Teaching (ELT) textbooks. By applying corpus linguistics as a tool and the Critical Discourse Analysis as the theoretical framework, this manuscript critically investigates the significant semantic domains in ten English language textbook series that are officially approved and are widely used in Chinese universities. The findings suggest that various Western religious beliefs, which are the highly unusual topics in previous Chinese ELT textbooks, are represented in the textbook corpus. The results also show that when presenting the views and attitudes toward Western religious beliefs, these textbooks have adopted an eclectic approach to the material selection. Surprisingly, positive semantic prosody surrounding the concept of religion is evident and no consistent negative authorial stance toward religion is captured. Atheism has been assumed to be in the center of Chinese intellectual traditions and the essence of the Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party. Interestingly, the findings from this study provide a new understanding of Chinese foreign language textbooks in the new era, and its addition to the literature on the study of ELT textbooks, as well as its development worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- School of Foreign Studies, Yanshan University, Qinghuangdao, China
| | - Lawrence Jun Zhang
- Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Li Yang
- School of Foreign Languages, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, China
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15
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Brancini GTP, Hallsworth JE, Corrochano LM, Braga GÚL. Photobiology of the keystone genus Metarhizium. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 226:112374. [PMID: 34954528 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2021.112374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Metarhizium fungi are soil-inhabiting ascomycetes which are saprotrophs, symbionts of plants, pathogens of insects, and participate in other trophic/ecological interactions, thereby performing multiple essential ecosystem services. Metarhizium species are used to control insect pests of crop plants and insects that act as vectors of human and animal diseases. To fulfil their functions in the environment and as biocontrol agents, these fungi must endure cellular stresses imposed by the environment, one of the most potent of which is solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here, we examine the cellular stress biology of Metarhizium species in context of their photobiology, showing how photobiology facilitates key aspects of their ecology as keystone microbes and as mycoinsectides. The biophysical basis of UV-induced damage to Metarhizium, and mechanistic basis of molecular and cellular responses to effect damage repair, are discussed and interpreted in relation to the solar radiation received on Earth. We analyse the interplay between UV and visible light and how the latter increases cellular tolerance to the former via expression of a photolyase gene. By integrating current knowledge, we propose the mechanism through which Metarhizium species use the visible fraction of (low-UV) early-morning light to mitigate potentially lethal damage from intense UV radiation later in the day. We also show how this mechanism could increase Metarhizium environmental persistence and improve its bioinsecticide performance. We discuss the finding that visible light modulates stress biology in the context of further work needed on Metarhizium ecology in natural and agricultural ecosystems, and as keystone microbes that provide essential services within Earth's biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme T P Brancini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Luis M Corrochano
- Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Gilberto Ú L Braga
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP 14040-903, Brazil.
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16
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Bradshaw A. Microbiological literacy and the role of social science: a response to Timmis et al. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:6350-6354. [PMID: 34672065 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Bradshaw
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neuroscience, University College London, G04, Darwin Building, London, WC1E 6AA, UK
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17
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Gupta S, Mathews BJ, Ghantaa SN, Amerneni KC, Karuna T, Pakhare A, Joshi D, Khadanga S. Foldscope: Diagnostic Accuracy and Feasibility of its Use in National Malaria Control Program. J Microsc Ultrastruct 2021; 10:114-117. [PMID: 36504592 PMCID: PMC9728086 DOI: 10.4103/jmau.jmau_103_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malaria has been an important public health all over the globe. Although conventional light microscopy is the gold standard of diagnosis, light microscopes are heavy, fragile, costly, and electricity dependent. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have become more popular but perform badly in temperate climate. This is because the RDT kits require maintenance of cold chain for its optimal use. In this regard, there is a recent interest in handheld malaria microscopy at the point of care in the field setting. Foldscopes are cheap, handy, nonfragile, and use mobile camera for illumination. The purpose of the study was to find whether foldscope can be used in the national vector borne disease control program (NVBDCP) in India. Methods Ten laboratory technicians were trained in identifying malaria parasites using foldscope and their mobiles. Later, they were provided with unassembled foldscope to document their test results for the preidentified malaria slides. The blood smears were stained as per the protocol of NVBDCP. The report of the index test (foldscope microscopy) was compared with the reference test (conventional microscopy). Results The sensitivity and specificity of the index test was found to be 13.3% (6.257-26.18), specificity of 97.78% (88.43-99.61), positive predictive value 85.71% (48.69-97.43), and negative predictive value 53.01% (42.38-63.38). The devise failure rate and test failure rate were 20% and 11.7%. The kappa agreement between the index and reference microscopy was only 11% and the McNemar P < 0.01. Conclusion The ×400 foldscope at its present magnification and illumination cannot be utilized in the field under NVBDCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Gupta
- Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | | | | | - T. Karuna
- Department of Microbiology, AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | | | - Deepti Joshi
- Department of Pathology, AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Sagar Khadanga
- Department of Medicine, AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India,Address for correspondence: Dr. Sagar Khadanga, Department of Medicine, AIIMS, Saket Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. E-mail:
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18
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Lopez‐Fernandez M, Jroundi F, Ruiz‐Fresneda MA, Merroun ML. Microbial interaction with and tolerance of radionuclides: underlying mechanisms and biotechnological applications. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:810-828. [PMID: 33615734 PMCID: PMC8085914 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Radionuclides (RNs) generated by nuclear and civil industries are released in natural ecosystems and may have a hazardous impact on human health and the environment. RN-polluted environments harbour different microbial species that become highly tolerant of these elements through mechanisms including biosorption, biotransformation, biomineralization and intracellular accumulation. Such microbial-RN interaction processes hold biotechnological potential for the design of bioremediation strategies to deal with several contamination problems. This paper, with its multidisciplinary approach, provides a state-of-the-art review of most research endeavours aimed to elucidate how microbes deal with radionuclides and how they tolerate ionizing radiations. In addition, the most recent findings related to new biotechnological applications of microbes in the bioremediation of radionuclides and in the long-term disposal of nuclear wastes are described and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Lopez‐Fernandez
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of GranadaAvenida Fuentenueva s/nGranada18071Spain
- Present address:
Institute of Resource EcologyHelmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden‐RossendorfBautzner Landstraße 400Dresden01328Germany
| | - Fadwa Jroundi
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of GranadaAvenida Fuentenueva s/nGranada18071Spain
| | - Miguel A. Ruiz‐Fresneda
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of GranadaAvenida Fuentenueva s/nGranada18071Spain
- Present address:
Departamento de Cristalografía y Biología EstructuralCentro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)Instituto de Química‐Física Rocasolano (IQFR)Calle Serrano 119Madrid28006Spain
| | - Mohamed L. Merroun
- Department of MicrobiologyUniversity of GranadaAvenida Fuentenueva s/nGranada18071Spain
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Timmis K, Ramos JL. The soil crisis: the need to treat as a global health problem and the pivotal role of microbes in prophylaxis and therapy. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:769-797. [PMID: 33751840 PMCID: PMC8085983 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Soil provides a multitude of services that are essential to a healthily functioning biosphere and continuity of the human race, such as feeding the growing human population and the sequestration of carbon needed to counteract global warming. Healthy soil availability is the limiting parameter in the provision of a number of these services. As a result of anthropogenic abuses, and natural and global warming-promoted extreme weather events, Planet Earth is currently experiencing an unprecedented crisis of soil deterioration, desertification and erosive loss that increasingly prejudices the services it provides. Such services are pivotal to the Sustainability Development Goals formulated by the United Nations. Immediate and coordinated action on a global scale is urgently required to slow and ultimately reverse the loss of healthy soils. Despite the 'dirt-dust', non-vital appearance of soil, it is a highly dynamic living entity, whose life is overwhelmingly microbial. The soil microbiota, which constitutes the greatest reservoir and donor of microbial diversity on Earth, acts as a vast bioreactor, mediating a myriad of chemical reactions that turn the biogeochemical cycles, recycle wastes, purify water, and underpin the multitude of other services soil provides. Fuelling the belowground microbial bioreactor is the aboveground plant and photosynthetic surface microbial life which captures solar energy, fixes inorganic CO2 to organic carbon, and channels fixed carbon and energy into soil. In order to muster an effective response to the crisis, to avoid further deterioration, and to restore unhealthy soils, we need a new and coherent approach, namely to deal with soils worldwide as patients in need of health care and create (i) a public health system for development of effective policies for land use, conservation, restoration, recommendations of prophylactic measures, monitoring and identification of problems (epidemiology), organizing crisis responses, etc., and (ii) a healthcare system charged with soil care: the promotion of good practices, implementation of prophylaxis measures, and institution of therapies for treatment of unhealthy soils and restoration of drylands. These systems need to be national but there is also a desperate need for international coordination. To enable development of effective, evidence-based strategies that will underpin the efforts of soil healthcare systems, a substantial investment in wide-ranging interdisciplinary research on soil health and disease is mandatory. This must lead to a level of understanding of the soil:biota functionalities underlying key ecosystem services that enables formulation of effective diagnosis-prophylaxis-therapy pathways for sustainable use, protection and restoration of different types of soil resources in different climatic zones. These conservation-regenerative-restorative measures need to be complemented by an educative-political-economic-legislative framework that provides incentives encouraging soil care: knowledge, policy, economic and others, and laws which promote international adherence to the principles of restorative soil management. And: we must all be engaged in improving soil health; everyone has a duty of care (https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/why-soil-is-one-of-the-most-amazing-things-on-eart/p090cf64). Creative application of microbes, microbiomes and microbial biotechnology will be central to the successful operation of the healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnical University BraunschweigBraunschweigGermany
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20
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Pinheiro APG, Bücker A, Cortez AC, Hallsworth JE, de Souza JVB, de Souza ÉS. Vinegar production from <i>Theobroma grandiflorum</i> SCHUM (cupuassu). AIMS BIOENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3934/bioeng.2021022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
<abstract>
<p>The tropical fruit cupuassu comes from <italic>Theobroma grandiflorum</italic> (SCHUM), a close relative of cocoa. Cupuassu has a rich yet delicate flavour profile with notes of chocolate, pineapple, passion fruit and other fruits. Here, we produced a cupuassu-fruit wine using a <italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</italic> inoculum (and univariate analysis to determine conditions for optimum ethanol production) and then fermented this wine to produce a delicate and unique cupuassu vinegar using acid-acid bacteria. The cupuassu wine was produced by fermentation of juice chaptalized with sucrose, with a final ethanol concentration of 10% (v/v). Acetic-acid fermentations were carried out in both a bubble-column reactor and a mechanically non-aerated reactor (high-surface reactor), producing final concentrations of 4.5 and 3.3% (w/v) acetic acid, respectively. The ethanol- and acetic-acid yields obtained were comparable to those of other fruit wines and fruit vinegars. The cupuassu vinegar retained the rich flavor profile of the cupuassu. We believe that the production of flavorsome products from local plants can have benefits for conservation by promoting ecologically sustainable agriculture and may contribute to cultural identity of Amazon people.</p>
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Timmis K, Timmis J, Jebok F. The urgent need for microbiology literacy in society: children as educators. Microb Biotechnol 2020; 13:1300-1303. [PMID: 32649058 PMCID: PMC7415351 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbes and their activities have pervasive influence and deterministic roles in the functioning and health of the geosphere, atmosphere and biosphere, i.e. in nature. Microbiology can be considered a language of nature. We have argued that the relevance of microbes for everyday personal decisions and collective policies requires that society attains microbiology literacy, through the introduction of child-relevant microbiology topics into school curricula. That is: children should learn the microbiology language of nature. Children can be effective transmitters of new and/or rapidly evolving knowledge within families and beyond, where there is a substantive information asymmetry (witness digital technology, social media, and new languages in foreign countries). They can thus be key disseminators of microbiology knowledge, where there will be information asymmetry for the foreseeable future, and thereby contribute to the attainment of microbiology literacy in society. The education of family and friends can be encouraged/stimulated by home assignments, family leisure projects, and school-organised microbiology-centric social-education events. Children are key stakeholders in family decisions. Their microbiology knowledge, and their dissemination of it, can help inform and increase the objectivity of such decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Timmis
- Institute of MicrobiologyTechnical UniversityBraunschweigGermany
| | - James Timmis
- Athena InstituteVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
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