Plastic pollution has become one of the most critical environmental issues, as rapidly increasing production, compounded by persistence of plastic wastes in the environment, are outpacing efforts to ...keep ecosystems plastic-free. A switch to plastics more amenable to microbial attack is one of several possible responses. Against this background, the current study describes the isolation, enumeration and polyphasic characterization of plastic-degrading bacteria present in Norwegian terrestrial and aquatic habits. It shows that these bacteria are present in relatively high numbers, and that plastic-degrading capabilities are found in several taxa, most especially
. Some isolates wereable to degrade several plastics. Notably, a
sp. and a
sp. degraded, respectively, four and six of the eight plastics investigated and a number of other polymers relevant for plastic blends. The paper also has a methodological aspect, presenting various approaches for assaying plastic-degrading properties and a PCR/sequencing-based approach for the identification of potential polyethylene terephthalate-degrading genes. A candidate gene was detected in several
isolates. The study shows that Norwegian environments are a rich source of bacteria with the ability to degrade bioplastics possibly representing a natural remediation capacity, as well as a potential source of useful enzymes.
New knowledge about the gut microbiota and its interaction with the host's metabolic regulation has emerged during the last few decades. Several factors may affect the composition of the gut ...microbiota, including dietary fiber. Dietary fiber is not hydrolyzed by human digestive enzymes, but it is acted upon by gut microbes, and metabolites like short-chain fatty acids are produced. The short-chain fatty acids may be absorbed into the circulation and affect metabolic regulation in the host or be a substrate for other microbes. Some studies have shown improved insulin sensitivity, weight regulation, and reduced inflammation with increases in gut-derived short-chain fatty acids, all of which may reduce the risk of developing metabolic diseases. To what extent a dietary intervention with fiber may affect the human gut microbiota and hence metabolic regulation, is however, currently not well described. The aim of the present review is to summarize recent research on human randomized, controlled intervention studies investigating the effect of dietary fiber on gut microbiota and metabolic regulation. Metabolic regulation is discussed with respect to markers relating to glycemic regulation and lipid metabolism. Taken together, the papers on which the current review is based, suggest that dietary fiber has the potential to change the gut microbiota and alter metabolic regulation. However, due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a firm conclusion describing the causal relationship between gut microbiota and metabolic regulation remains elusive.
There is a growing awareness of the importance of indoor microbiomes for human health. Given their complexity, these microbiomes can only be adequately surveyed using high throughput sequencing ...techniques. Oxford Nanopore's MinION is the newest third generation sequencing technology on the market. With its many advantages such as portability, user friendliness, simplicity, speed of sequencing and long read length, the technology is now an actual contender to established sequencing platforms. MinION's main disadvantage is a relatively low read accuracy compared to several other platforms, although this is constantly improving. The present study, which appears to be the first of its kind, provides the results of a preliminary analysis of the microbial communities in indoor environments based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, using both the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinIOn and the Illumina MiSeq DNA sequencers. At the level of family and above, there was no significant difference between the microbial compositions as revealed by the two platforms. However, at the genus, and particularly at the species level, the ONT MinION reported greater taxonomic resolution than Illumina MiSeq.
An important challenge relating to clinical diagnostics of the foodborne pathogen Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), is that PCR-detection of the shiga-toxin gene (stx) in DNA from stool samples ...can be accompanied by a failure to identify an STEC isolate in pure culture on agar. In this study, we have explored the use of MinION long-read sequencing of DNA from bacterial culture swipes to detect the presence of STEC, and bioinformatic tools to characterize the STEC virulence factors. The online workflow "What's in my pot" (WIMP) in the Epi2me cloud service, rapidly identified STEC also when it was present in culture swipes together with multiple other E. coli serovars, given sufficient abundance. These preliminary results provide useful information about the sensitivity of the method, which has potential to be used in clinical diagnostic of STEC, particularly in cases where a pure culture of the STEC isolate is not obtained due to the 'STEC lost Shiga toxin' phenomenon.
Polyethylene terephthalate is used in the manufacture of many products. Microbes able to hydrolyze the plastic are known, and offer promise for practical waste management. Screening for hydrolysis ...usually involves unwieldy culturing in the presence of film. A rapid screening method based on culturing on agar plates is here described.
•Polyethylene terephthalate degrading microbes might aid recycling efforts.•Few microbes degrading polyethylene terephthalate have so far been found.•An agar-based test for detecting bacterial polyethylene terephthalate biodegradation is described.
In Norway, 91% of children aged 1-5 attend kindergarten where they are exposed to indoor microbiomes which can have relevance for development and health. In order to gain a better understanding of ...the composition of the indoor microbiome and how it is affected by occupancy over time, floor dust samples from a newly opened kindergarten were investigated. Samples were collected during an 11-month period. Samples were analyzed for bacterial composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Samples were also screened for four clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes. In addition, Petrifilm analyses were used to evaluate surface hygiene.
Significant changes in the microbial community composition were observed over time (PERMANOVA, P < 0.05). Particularly, changes in the abundance and the proportions of human associated bacteria were found. A decrease in the prevalence of Propionibacterium from over 16% abundance to less than 1% and an increase in Streptococcus from 10 to 16% were the most significant findings. Four classes of clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes were tested for; three were detected in the dust, indicating the presence of resistant bacteria and a potential for resistance spread. Petrifilm analysis showed that some surfaces in the kindergarten were of consistent poor hygienic quality, and new hygienic routines are required.
This study, which is the first of its kind performed at a newly opened kindergarten, reveals changes in the microbiome over time as well as the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and hygiene issues which are of relevance for occupant health.
To investigate artificial tears containing different preservatives for antimicrobial efficacy. Based on the challenge test outlined in the European Pharmacopoeia, products were tested in their ...original containers to see whether their component preservative had sufficient activity.
Five brands of over-the-counter artificial tears each containing different preservatives (benzalkonium chloride/EDTA, parabens, chlorobutanol, silver chloride complex, and Purite-stabilized oxychloro complex) were inoculated with test microorganisms (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans). Changes in the microbial start concentration with time were followed by plating onto growth media to provide a measure of the preservative efficacy. In another test, artificial tears were applied to paper disks that were then placed onto agar growth media seeded with microorganisms. Zones of inhibition were measured after incubation.
Only the brand of artificial tears containing benzalkonium chloride/EDTA satisfied the major criteria for antimicrobial preservation for all the test microorganisms. Only a benzalkonium chloride/EDTA-containing disk placed on agar seeded with S. aureus produced a zone of inhibition in the agar diffusion test.
The brand of artificial tears containing benzalkonium chloride/EDTA is suitable for sale in countries adopting the monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia. Other brands would only be suitable for sale if justified reasons for not meeting the major criteria for preservative efficacy can be provided.
Antibiotics are drugs essential for the treatment of bacterial infections. Widespread and often improper use of antibiotics are driving the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally. A ...better understanding of the communicated and understood use of antibiotics as well as improved adherence to treatments are needed to meet this public health threat.
The aim of the study is to explore how knowledge of antibiotic use is collected and communicated between patients, physicians, and pharmacists, and how patients seek, understand and use available information on antibiotics in adherence to prescribed treatment.
Seven focus group interviews were conducted with community pharmacists (three groups, eleven participants), physicians/general practitioners (two groups, thirteen participants), and patients (two groups, eight participants) in Norway. Four focus group interviews were conducted offline and three online. The interview data were analyzed using systematic text condensation in a four-step, descriptive and explorative thematic analysis.
Three main themes were developed about patients' adherence to antibiotics: 1. patients' knowledge about antibiotics and AMR; 2. sources of information about antibiotics/AMR; and 3. relational communication. Patient knowledge about both antibiotics and AMR was somewhat limited, and showed considerable variation. Patients relied on the internet, chat sites, printed information, and face-to-face meetings with health professionals for information. Relational communication between patients, physicians, and pharmacists was found to be important in reducing misunderstandings.Vulnerability, limited time, and lack of communication were barriers to receiving and understanding information during patient-physician encounters. Increased knowledge about antibiotics and AMR may result in better adherence to prescribed medications.
Patients seek information about antibiotics and AMR in three arenas; digital platforms, printed material and face to face encounters. However, patients often misunderstand important facts relating to this issue. Relational communication between patients, physicians, and pharmacists was important to ensure adherence to treatment regimens. Pharmacists are encouraged to use open-ended questions and build upon the information obtained from the physician to provide patients with tailored advice and ensure proper adherence. Pharmacists' contribution is crucial in optimizing antibiotic use and combating AMR, as they are the final healthcare point of contact before treatment initiation.
Through a culture-based approach using sludge from drinking water treatment plants, this study reports on the presence of aminoglycoside resistant bacteria at 23 different geographical locations in ...Norway. Sludge samples are derived from a large environmental area including drinking water sources and their surrounding catchment areas. Aminoglycoside resistant bacteria were detected at 18 of the sample sites. Only five samples did not show any growth of isolates resistant to the selected aminoglycosides, kanamycin and gentamycin. There was a statistically significant correlation between the numbers of kanamycin and gentamycin resistant bacteria isolated from the 23 samples, perhaps suggesting common determinants of resistance. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing of 223 aminoglycoside resistant isolates, three different genera of
were found to dominate across samples. These were
and
Further phenotypic and genotypic analyses showed that efflux pumps, reduced membrane permeability and four assayed genes coding for aminoglycoside modifying enzymes AAC(6')-Ib, AAC(3')-II, APH(3')-II, APH(3')-III, could only explain the resistance of a few of the isolates selected for testing.
'
was detected in 1.6% of total isolates,
'
and
'
in 0.8%, while
'
was not detected in any of the isolates. The isolates, for which potential resistance mechanisms were found, represented 13 different genera suggesting that aminoglycoside resistance is widespread in bacterial genera indigenous to sludge. The present study suggests that aminoglycoside resistant bacteria are present in Norwegian environments with limited anthropogenic exposures. However, the resistance mechanisms remain largely unknown, and further analyses, including culture-independent methods, could be performed to investigate other potential resistance mechanisms. This is, to our knowledge, the first large scale nationwide investigation of aminoglycoside resistance in the Norwegian environment.
Skeletal muscle plays an important role in glycaemic control and metabolic homeostasis, making it a tissue of interest with respect to type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to ...determine if ligands of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) could have an impact on energy metabolism and myokine expression and secretion in cultured human skeletal muscle cells. The myotubes expressed mRNA for TLRs 1-6. TLR3, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR6 ligands (TLRLs) increased glucose metabolism. Furthermore, TLR4L and TLR5L increased oleic acid metabolism. The metabolic effects of TLRLs were not evident until after at least 24 h pre-incubation of the cells and here the metabolic effects were more evident for the metabolism of glucose than oleic acid, with a shift towards effects on oleic acid metabolism after chronic exposure (168 h). However, the stimulatory effect of TLRLs on myokine expression and secretion was detected after only 6 h, where TLR3-6L stimulated secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). TLR5L also increased secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8), while TLR6L also increased secretion of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Pre-incubation of the myotubes with IL-6 for 24 h increased oleic acid oxidation but had no effect on glucose metabolism. Thus IL-6 did not mimic all the metabolic effects of the TLRLs, implying metabolic effects beyond the actions of this myokine.
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