Brian T.

Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the taxonomic and phylogenomic placement of the proposed genus ‘Solwaraspora’ within the context of other marine genera using a dual-omics approach. Initially, we isolated bacteria from marine tunicates, squirts, and sponges, which were morphologically similar to an emerging genus (identified as ‘Micromonospora_E’ by the GTDB-tk2 database using whole genome sequence data) by colony shape, size, and clustering pattern, but only found five strains in our dataset belonging to this distinction. Due to the minimally explored nature of this genus, we sought to identify more bacterial strains with similar morphology to Micromonospora‘Micromonospora_E’ by whole genome sequencing (WGS). Within our collection, we noted 35 strains that met this criterion and extracted genomic information to perform WGS on these strains. With this information, we studied taxonomic and phylogenomic relationships among these organisms. Using the data gathered from WGS, we were able to identify an additional five strains labeled by the GTDB-tk2 database as Micromonospora‘Micromonospora_E’, as well as construct phylogenomic trees to examine the evolutionary relationships between these strains. ANI values were calculated between strains from our dataset and type strains of Micromonospora and Plantactinospora as well as against an outgroup Streptomyces strain. No type strains are available for ‘Solwaraspora’. Using MALDI-TOF MS, we positively identified ‘Solwaraspora’, which was supported by the phylogenomic tree showing Micromonospora’Micromonospora_E’ (‘Solwaraspora’) in a distinct clade from Plantactinospora and Micromonospora. Additionally, we discovered gene cluster families (GCFs) in alignment with genera, as well as a large representation of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) coming from the ‘Solwaraspora’ strains. These findings suggest significant potential to discover novel chemistry from ‘Solwaraspora’, adding to the importance of investigating this new genus of bacteria.

Infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, is uncommon in the United States (U.S.), leading to delays in pathogen identification and clinical diagnosis which can often lead to laboratory exposures. The indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) is the primary serological test for confirming exposure to B. pseudomallei. In the U.S., a titer of ≥1:40 suggests exposure to B. pseudomallei or a closely related species, and a 4-fold rise in IHA titer ≥1:40 with clinically compatible illness is considered diagnostically probable. A retrospective analysis of 160 voluntarily reported laboratory exposure events to B. pseudomallei across 29 U.S. jurisdictions and 5 countries between 2008–2024 was conducted. This analysis included post-exposure management data and IHA results for 855 exposed laboratory personnel who had serological monitoring performed at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among exposed laboratory personnel, 105 (12%) had a seropositive titer. Of these, ninety-one (87%) laboratory personnel remained seropositive (≥1:40) at their last IHA test. Five (1%) people had a 4-fold rise in titers, though none developed melioidosis. This report underscores the need for prospective studies to evaluate seropositive laboratory personnel and to update risk guidance for laboratory exposures in non-endemic areas.

UB Center of Infectious Diseases, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA

Bacterial immune systems exhibit remarkable diversity and modularity, as a consequence of the continuous selective pressures imposed by phage preda...

Multiple primate species, including humans, evolved brains that are exceptionally large relative to their body sizes. These large brains coevolved ...

Background/Objectives: Botanical supplements are increasingly investigated for their potential to address women’s health concerns. Compounds that modulate progesterone receptor (PR) signaling may help manage gynecologic disorders such as endometriosis, uterine hyperplasia, and preterm birth. Because PR ligands often cross-react with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), this study examined two botanical compounds, paeoniflorin from Paeonia lactiflora (white peony root) and isoorientin from Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry), that were identified as modulators of GR or PR signaling. Methods: Luciferase reporter assays were performed in OVCAR5, Ishikawa PR-B, and T47D A1-2 cells to evaluate GR and PR signaling. GR target gene expression was measured by qPCR. A receptor binding assay and computational docking were used to assess interaction with GR. Adipogenesis was evaluated in 3T3-L1 cells using Oil Red O staining and FABP4 protein expression by Western blot. Results: Paeoniflorin and isoorientin inhibited dexamethasone-放induced GR signaling in OVCAR5 and Ishikawa PR-B cells. In T47D A1-2 cells, a variant of T47D engineered to express GR, both compounds blocked luciferase induction stimulated by progesterone; this effect was not observed in the parental line that expresses PR but lacks GR. In OVCAR5 cells, paeoniflorin or isoorientin combined with dexamethasone downregulated GILZ and DUSP1/MKP1 mRNA. Isoorientin directly bound GR, and computational analysis supported potential binding poses. Both compounds also reduced lipid accumulation during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and decreased FABP4 expression, consistent with GR antagonist activity and reduced adipogenesis. Conclusions: These findings identify paeoniflorin and isoorientin as botanical modulators that suppress GR signaling and limit GR-dependent adipogenic responses across multiple cell-based models under controlled in vitro conditions.