From obligate to opportunistic ectoparasites: unlikely heroes of environmental monitoring.

Ectoparasites and opportunistic protists exhibit species-, toxicant-, and environment-specific responses to different pollutants. This review summarises the effects of organic, inorganic, and emerging pollutants on ectoparasites and opportunistic protists, and their applicability in environmental monitoring. From an indicator context, most studies have focused on endoparasites, largely because they fulfil key criteria used to assess the general suitability of parasites as indicators.

Clinical presentation, genotypic diversity, and intracellular bacteria in keratitis patients treated at a referral eye hospital in Sydney, Australia.

Objectives: keratitis (AK) is an emerging corneal infection. This study evaluated the prevalence of AK, assessed circulating genotypes, and identified potential sources of infection.

Methods: A prospective case series study was conducted at the Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia, from June 2021 and October 2022.

Comparative performance evaluation of triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry and orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry for analysis of antibiotics in creek water impacted by CETP discharge.

The widespread detection of antibiotics in aquatic environments, particularly in effluent-receiving surface waters, poses significant ecological and public health concerns due to their role in promoting antimicrobial resistance. Accurate trace-level antibiotic measurement is essential for environmental risk assessment and for improving wastewater treatment strategies. This study presents the development, optimization, and validation of two complementary liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) workflows for the simultaneous quantification of nine antibiotics across five therapeutic classes in creek water impacted by a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP).

'Mind the gaps': stakeholder perspectives on addressing antimicrobial resistance in the environment in the Indian context.

Background: There is growing global awareness of the pivotal role environmental factors, including pharmaceutical manufacturing waste, play in the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). India bears one of the highest burdens of AMR globally and possesses a substantial manufacturing sector, but limited insight is available on how to practically mitigate environmental AMR-related risk in this context.

Objective: To understand the barriers and opportunities in managing manufacturing waste for addressing AMR in the environment from the perspectives of stakeholders in India.

Acanthamoeba spp.: Neglected Protists in Veterinary Medicine.

Propose: Acanthamoebaspp. are widespread free-living protists found in various natural and man-made habitats. At times, they can become parasitic, leading to conditions such as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), and systemic infections in humans and animals.

Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training alters the tongue microbiome and impacts nitrate and nitrite levels in previously sedentary men.

Nitric oxide (∗NO) is a key signalling molecule, produced enzymatically via ∗NO synthases (NOS) or following the stepwise reduction of nitrate to nitrite via oral bacteria. Exercise training upregulates NOS expression and improves systemic health, but its effect on oral health, and more particularly the oral microbiome, has not been investigated. We used an exercise training study design to investigate changes in the tongue dorsum microbiome, and in nitrate and nitrite levels in the saliva, plasma and muscle, before, during and after an exercise training period.

Isolation of Acanthamoeba Species and Bacterial Symbiont Variability in Puna Salt Plains, Argentina.

Acanthamoeba spp. are widespread protists that feed on bacteria via phagocytosis. This predation pressure has led many bacteria to evolve strategies to resist and survive inside these protists.

Periodontal treatment causes a longitudinal increase in nitrite-producing bacteria.

Background: The oral microbiome-dependent nitrate (NO )-nitrite (NO )-nitric oxide (NO) pathway may help regulate blood pressure. NO -producing bacteria in subgingival plaque are reduced in relative abundance in patients with untreated periodontitis compared with periodontally healthy patients. In periodontitis patients, the NO -producing bacteria increase several months after periodontal treatment.

Sodium Metabisulfite Inhibits Trophozoite Growth through Thiamine Depletion.

keratitis (AK) is a severe infection of the cornea. Prevention and treatment are difficult due to the inefficacy of currently available compounds. The impact of many commonly used compounds for routine examinations of is unexplored but might offer insight useful in combatting AK.

Zooming in on the intracellular microbiome composition of bacterivorous isolates.

, a free-living amoeba in water and soil, is an emerging pathogen causing severe eye infection known as keratitis. In its natural environment, performs a dual function as an environmental heterotrophic predator and host for a range of microorganisms that resist digestion. Our objective was to characterize the intracellular microorganisms of phylogenetically distinct spp.

The effects of nitrate on the oral microbiome: a systematic review investigating prebiotic potential.

Background: Nitrate (NO) has been suggested as a prebiotic for oral health. Evidence indicates dietary nitrate and nitrate supplements can increase the proportion of bacterial genera associated with positive oral health whilst reducing bacteria implicated in oral disease(s). In contrast, chlorhexidine-containing mouthwashes, which are commonly used to treat oral infections, promote dysbiosis of the natural microflora and may induce antimicrobial resistance.

The role of naturally acquired intracellular Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the development of Acanthamoeba keratitis in an animal model.

Background: Acanthamoeba is an environmental host for various microorganisms. Acanthamoeba is also becoming an increasingly important pathogen as a cause of keratitis. In Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), coinfections involving pathogenic bacteria have been reported, potentially attributed to the carriage of microbes by Acanthamoeba.

Identification and quantification of Acanthamoeba spp. within seawater at four coastal lagoons on the east coast of Australia.

Acanthamoeba is an opportunistic free-living heterotrophic protist that is the most predominant amoeba in diverse ecological habitats. Acanthamoeba causes amoebic keratitis (AK), a painful and potentially blinding corneal infection. Major risk factors for AK have been linked to non-optimal contact lens hygiene practices and Acanthamoeba contamination of domestic and recreational water.

Towards direct detection of tetracycline residues in milk with a gold nanostructured electrode.

Tetracycline antibiotics are used extensively in veterinary medicine, but the majority of the administrated dose is eliminated unmodified from the animal through various excretion routes including urine, faeces and milk. In dairy animals, limits on residues secreted in milk are strictly controlled by legislation. Tetracyclines (TCs) have metal chelation properties and form strong complexes with iron ions under acidic conditions.

Sublethal Exposure to Plasma-Activated Water Influences the Morphological Characteristics, Phagocytic Ability, and Virulence of Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the ultrastructure, cytotoxicity, phagocytosis, and antioxidant responses of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites exposed to sublethal plasma-activated water.

Methods: Trophozoites were exposed to a sublethal treatment of PAW and compared to untreated viable trophozoites via adhesion assays on macrophage monolayers, osmo- and thermotolerance tests. Bacterial uptake was assessed in treated cells to evaluate their phagocytic characteristics.

Exposure to sublethal concentrations of chlorine enhances the cytotoxicity of Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Free-living amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba are the causative agents of infections in humans and animals. Many studies are being conducted to find effective compounds against amoebae, but their sublethal concentration effects on surviving amoebae seem to have been overlooked. Chlorine is a common disinfection agent commonly added to public water facilities and supplies.

The Effect of Substrate on Water Quality in Ornamental Fish Tanks.

Almost all home aquaria contain substrate, either as intentional enrichment or for aesthetic purposes. For fishes, benefits of structural enrichment have been well considered, particularly in research and aquaculture settings. However, our understanding of the impacts of tank substrate as enrichment is limited.

Assessment of genotypes, endosymbionts and clinical characteristics of Acanthamoeba recovered from ocular infection.

Introduction: Acanthamoeba is an emerging pathogen, infamous for its resilience against antiprotozoal compounds, disinfectants and harsh environments. It is known to cause keratitis, a sight-threatening, painful and difficult to treat corneal infection which is often reported among contact lens wearers and patients with ocular trauma. Acanthamoeba comprises over 24 species and currently 23 genotypes (T1-T23) have been identified.

Acanthamoeba, an environmental phagocyte enhancing survival and transmission of human pathogens.

The opportunistic protist Acanthamoeba, which interacts with other microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, shows significant similarity in cellular and functional aspects to human macrophages. Intracellular survival of microbes in this microbivorous amoebal host may be a crucial step for initiation of infection in higher eukaryotic cells. Therefore, Acanthamoeba-microbe adaptations are considered an evolutionary model of macrophage-pathogen interactions.

Aerosol reduction efficacy of different intra-oral suction devices during ultrasonic scaling and high-speed handpiece use.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant changes in the provision of dental services, aimed at reducing the spread of respiratory pathogens through restrictions on aerosol generating procedures (AGPs). Evaluating the risk that AGPs pose in terms of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is complex, and measuring dental aerosols is challenging. To date, few studies focus on intra-oral suction.

Diagnostic Considerations for Non- Amoebic Keratitis and Clinical Outcomes.

Cases of amoebic keratitis involving species other than are hypothesised to be underdiagnosed and poorly understood. Amoebic keratitis is debilitating and associated with chronic visual impairment. Understanding associated symptoms of non- amoebic keratitis could facilitate new diagnostic procedures and enable prompt treatment, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes.

Emerging Electrochemical Sensors for Real-Time Detection of Tetracyclines in Milk.

Antimicrobial drug residues in food are strictly controlled and monitored by national laws in most territories. Tetracyclines are a major broad-spectrum antibiotic class, active against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and they are the leading choice for the treatment of many conditions in veterinary medicine in recent years. In dairy farms, milk from cows being treated with antibiotic drugs, such as tetracyclines, is considered unfit for human consumption.

Gene expression during THP-1 differentiation is influenced by vitamin D3 and not vibrational mechanostimulation.

Background: In injury or infection, monocytes migrate into the affected tissues from circulation and differentiate into macrophages which are subsequently involved in the inflammatory responses. Macrophage differentiation and activation have been studied in response to multiple chemokines and cytokines. However, mechanical, and physical stimuli can also influence macrophage differentiation, activation, cytokine production, and phagocytic activity.