Partitioning the replicated genetic material is a crucial process in the cell cycle program of any life form. In bacteria, many plasmids utilize cytoskeletal proteins that include ParM and TubZ, the ancestors of the eukaryotic actin and tubulin, respectively, to segregate the plasmids into the daughter cells. Another distinct class of cytoskeletal proteins, known as the Walker A type Cytoskeletal ATPases (WACA), is unique to Bacteria and Archaea. ParA, a WACA family protein, is involved in DNA partitioning and is more widespread. A centromere-like sequence parS, in the DNA is bound by ParB, an adaptor protein with CTPase activity to form the segregation complex. The ParA ATPase, interacts with the segregation complex and partitions the DNA into the daughter cells. Furthermore, the Walker A motif-containing ParA superfamily of proteins is associated with a diverse set of functions ranging from DNA segregation to cell division, cell polarity, chemotaxis cluster assembly, cellulose biosynthesis and carboxysome maintenance. Unifying principles underlying the varied range of cellular roles in which the ParA superfamily of proteins function are outlined. Here, we provide an overview of the recent findings on the structure and function of the ParB adaptor protein and review the current models and mechanisms by which the ParA family of proteins function in the partitioning of the replicated DNA into the newly born daughter cells.The increasing occurrence of multidrug-resistant strains of the gastric carcinogenic bacterium Helicobacter pylori threatens the efficacy of current eradication therapies. In a previous work, we found that several 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP)-based antihypertensive drugs exhibited strong bactericidal activities against H. pylori by targeting the essential response regulator HsrA. To further evaluate the potential of 1,4-DHP as a scaffold for novel antimicrobials against H. pylori, we determined the antibacterial effects of 12 novel DHP derivatives that have previously failed to effectively block L- and T-type calcium channels. Six of these molecules exhibited potent antimicrobial activities (MIC ≤ 8 mg/L) against three different antibiotic-resistant strains of H. pylori, while at least one compound resulted as effective as metronidazole. Such antimicrobial actions appeared to be specific against Epsilonproteobacteria, since no deleterious effects were appreciated on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The new bactericidal DHP derivatives targeted the H. pylori regulator HsrA and inhibited its DNA binding activity according to both in vitro and in vivo analyses. Molecular docking predicted a potential druggable binding pocket in HsrA, which could open the door to structure-based design of novel anti-H. pylori drugs.Bacterial contamination during meat processing is a concern for both food safety and for the shelf life of pork meat products. The gut microbiota of meat-producing animals is one of the most important sources of surface contamination of processed carcasses. This microbiota is recognized to vary between pigs from different farms and could thus be reflected on the bacterial contamination of carcasses at time of processing. In this study, the microbiota of 26 carcasses of pigs originating from different farms (i.e., batches) were compared to determine if an association could be observed between carcass surface microbiota (top and bottom) and the origin of slaughtered animals. The microbiota of the top and bottom carcass surface areas was analyzed by culturing classical indicator microorganisms (mesophilic aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and lactic bacteria), by the detection of Salmonella, and by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Culture results showed higher Enterobacteria, E. coli, and lactic bacteria counts for the bottom areas of the carcasses (neck/chest/shoulder) when compared to the top areas. Salmonella was not detected in any samples. Globally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed a similar composition and diversity between the top and bottom carcass areas. Despite the presence of some genera associated with fecal contamination such as Terrisporobacter, Escherichia-Shigella, Turicibacter, Clostridium sensustricto1, and Streptococcus on the carcass surface, sequencing analysis suggested that there was no difference between the different batches of samples from the top and bottom areas of the carcasses. The primary processing therefore appears to cause a uniformization of the carcass global surface microbiota, with some specific bacteria being different depending on the carcass area sampled.This study was conducted to investigate the potential pharmacological effects of Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCPs) on fecal-induced peritonitis (FIP) mice. Consequently, the fecal peritonitis (FP)-induced septic mice with the higher levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), histopathological lesion and bacterial burden, and lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). Interestingly, PCP pre-treatment reduced inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in plasma and spleen and improved the resistance to FIP. Inflammatory infiltration and cell death in thymus or splenic tissue were alleviated with PCP pretreatment. Furthermore, Treg cells were moderated in the spleen with PCP pre-administration. In addition, PCP pretreatment downregulated Annexin-V in the thymus of FP-induced septic mice, and apoptosis of splenic cells was dose-dependent. In conclusion, PCPs have pharmacological and biological effects on FP-induced septic mice, and its molecular mechanism is related to antioxidative, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and the reduction of Treg activity in splenic cells.Cross-adaptation phenomena in bacterial populations, induced by sublethal doses of antibacterial solutions, are a major problem in the field of food safety. In this regard, essential oils and their major compounds appear as an effective alternative to common sanitizers in food industry environments. The present study aimed to evaluate the untargeted metabolomics perturbations of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis that has been previously exposed to the sublethal doses of the major components of essential oils cinnamaldehyde, citral, and linalool (CIN, CIT, and LIN, respectively). Cinnamaldehyde appeared to be the most efficient compound in the assays evaluating the inhibitory effects [0.06% (v/v) as MBC]. Also, preliminary tests exhibited a phenotype of adaptation in planktonic and sessile cells of S. Enteritidis when exposed to sublethal doses of linalool, resulting in tolerance to previously lethal concentrations of citral. A metabolomics approach on S. Enteritidis provided an important insight into the phenomenon of cross-adaptation induced by sublethal doses of major compounds of some essential oils. In addition, according to the results obtained, when single molecules were used, many pathways may be involved in bacterial tolerance, which could be different from the findings revealed in previous studies regarding the use of phytocomplex of essential oils. Orthogonal projection to latent structures (OPLS) proved to be an interesting predictive model to demonstrate the adaptation events in pathogenic bacteria because of the global engagement to prevent and control foodborne outbreaks.In this study, we isolated 10 H5N1 strains from water samples in Dongting Lake and 4 H5N1 strains from lakeside backyard poultry. These isolates belonged to three distinct clades (clade 2.3.2, 2.3.4, and 7). Phylogenetic analysis showed a diversified genome constellation. The genetic characteristics of some viruses isolated from water samples were extremely similar to those from lakeside poultry. Pathogenic experiments showed that selected represented isolates in this study were highly pathogenic for SPF chickens but had a diversified virulence in mice. The results of our study suggested the potential transmission of avian influenza (H5N1) between the poultry and wild waterfowls and water body around the habitat may play an important role.Antimicrobials with nonselective antibacterial efficacy such as chlorhexidine can be effective in reducing biofilm, but bear the risk of inducing resistance in specific bacteria. In clinical practice, bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus have been found resistant to chlorhexidine, but other bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, have largely remained susceptible to chlorhexidine despite its widespread use in oral healthcare. Here, we aim to forward a possible reason as to why S. aureus can acquire resistance against chlorhexidine, while S. mutans remains susceptible to chlorhexidine. Measurement of surface-enhanced fluorescence indicated that chlorhexidine caused gradual, but irreversible deformation to adhering green fluorescent S. aureus due to irreparable damage to the cell wall. Concurrently, the metabolic activity of adhering staphylococci was higher than of planktonic bacteria, suggesting efflux mechanisms may have been activated upon cell wall deformation, impeding the buildup of a high chlorhexidine concentration in the cytoplasm and therewith stimulating the development of chlorhexidine resistance in S. aureus. Exposure of S. mutans to chlorhexidine caused immediate, but reversible deformation in adhering streptococci, indicative of rapid self-repair of cell wall damage done by chlorhexidine. Due to cell wall self-repair, S. mutans will be unable to effectively reduce the chlorhexidine concentration in the cytoplasm causing solidification of the cytoplasm. In line, no increased metabolic activity was observed in S. mutans during exposure to chlorhexidine. Therewith, self-repair is suicidal and prevents the development of a chlorhexidine-resistant progeny in S. mutans.The mini-genome reporter assay is a key tool for conducting RNA virus research. However, procedural complications and the lack of adequate literature pose a major challenge in developing these assay systems. Here, we present a novel, yet generic and simple, cloning strategy for the construction of an influenza B virus reporter RNA template and describe an extensive standardization of the reporter RNP/polymerase activity assay for monitoring viral RNA synthesis in an infection-free setting. Using this assay system, we showed for the first time the effect of viral protein NS1 and host protein kinase C delta (PKCD) on influenza B virus RNA synthesis. In addition, the assay system showed promising results in evaluating the efficacy of antiviral drugs targeting viral RNA synthesis and virus propagation. Together, this work offers a detailed protocol for the standardization of the influenza virus minigenome assay and an excellent tool for screening of host factors and antivirals in a fast, user-friendly, and high-throughput manner.Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are Gram-positive bacteria which are considered for use as adjuvant therapeutics in management of various disease ailments, including obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance and cancer. To investigate the possible use of Lactococcus lactis strains from our collection in treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, we tested them for the ability to arrest proliferation of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2). Results of the BrdU assay showed that the anti-proliferative activity of L. lactis cells is strain-specific. We found that particularly, two strains, L. lactis IBB109 and L. lactis IBB417, exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect. PI3K peptide Moreover, both strains triggered interleukin 18 gene expression, normally inhibited in Caco-2 (cancer) cells. To examine the probiotic potential of the two strains, we tested them for bile salts and acid tolerance, as well as adhesion properties. Both isolates exhibited probiotic potential-they survived in the presence of 0.3% bile salts and tolerated exposure to low pH and osmotic stress.