A  sexually transmitted infections  ( STI ) is a  disease  which  spreads  by having  sex . STIs can spread through  oral sex  or  anal sex , or when two people's  genitals  touch. STIs can be caused by  viruses ,  bacteria , or  parasites . Examples of the most common STIs are listed on this page. Types of STDs STIs caused by viruses Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Main article:  Human immunodeficiency virus HIV causes the  immune system  - the system in the body that is

Highlights Meta-analysis of 11,115 gut metagenomes links uncultured species to human health Healthy individuals show enrichment and greater diversity of uncultured bacteria The genus CAG-170 contains uncultured taxa with the strongest health signatures CAG-170 is ecologically important in healthy populations Summary The human gut microbiome is important for host health, yet over 60% of gut species remain uncultured and inaccessible to experimental manipulation. Here, we analy

Highlights Severe IAV infection imparts a long-lasting decline in cardiac function Atypical GMP-independent CD319+ pro-DC3s transport infectious IAV to cardiomyocytes Direct IFN-I signaling on cardiomyocytes drives cardiac dysfunction mod-mRNA delivery of dominant-negative IFNAR1 on cardiomyocytes ameliorates damage Summary Abundant evidence has correlated influenza infection with cardiovascular disease, yet mechanisms linking infection with the heart remain poorly understood

Highlights Three NlpC/P60 endopeptidases identified in  Deinococcus radiodurans CwlA is essential for cell viability and cell wall integrity CwlB is involved in cell septation whereas CwlC is dispensable Regulatory link between CwlA expression and the genotoxic stress response pathway ABSTRACT The bacterial cell wall is composed of peptidogylcane (PG), a sugar polymer cross-linked by short peptide stems. PG determines cell morphology and protects it from environmental stresse

Highlights We have discovered an alternative mechanism mediated by insoluble dietary fiber that contributes to the prevention of colorectal tumorigenesis, potentially accounting for the paradoxical role of SCFAs. Microbial enzyme encoded by K12373 promotes tumorigenic glycosphingolipid GM3 production, which can be suppressed by high-fiber diet. As a key node in glycosphingolipid metabolism, K12373 directs metabolic flux primarily towards the GM3 branch and, to a lesser extent

Abstract Porphyromonas gingivalis  is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis, known for its ability to invade gingival epithelial cells and persist intracellularly. Conventional antimicrobials are often ineffective against intracellular pathogens, and natural products remain poorly explored in this context. Here, we investigated the antimicrobial effects of  Boswellia serrata  extract and its bioactive compounds on the dynamics of  P. gingivalis  infection in human gingival epi

Highlights Chickpea oligosaccharides are broadly utilized by gut commensal bacteria. Algal polysaccharide use is limited to specific Bacteroidota species. Algae and chickpea fibers enhance short-chain faty acid production. Transcriptomics reveal coordinated genes for raffinose metabolism. Abstract Diet is a key driver of gut microbiome functions, largely via microbial fermentation of dietary fibers. We investigated how 15 human gut commensals from Bacteroidota, Bacillota, and

Chronic inflammation can be a silent killer, but your diet can play a role in tamping it down.   Experts sometimes describe inflammation as a necessary evil. On one hand, this essential immune system response helps you stay safe and heal from illnesses, though it isn’t always pleasant: often causing symptoms like redness, swelling and soreness. But when inflammation levels in your body remain high for months or years at a time — even in the absence of a threat — it can create

Highlights Avs5 is activated at the early phage infection vesicle Avs5 hydrolyzes NAD+ to block jumbo phage nucleus formation Divergent Avs5 clades sense JADA to inhibit jumbo phage infection JADA is an essential early phage protein with a novel protein fold Summary Jumbo phages protect their genomes from DNA-sensing bacterial defense systems by enclosing them within vesicles and nucleus-like compartments. Very little is known about defense systems specialized to counter thes

Highlights Ketogenic diet (KD) alleviates sepsis-induced lung injury via the gut microbiota KD-enriched lactobacilli produce azelaic acid (AZA) that migrates to sepsis lung Lung AZA induces MerTK+ macrophages via PPAR-γ toward efferocytosis AZA associates with improved clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis Summary Sepsis is characterized by impaired immunity to infection, leading to multi-organ dysfunction, with the lung being the most vulnerable organ. Here, we show that

Highlights Intratumor bacteria promote breast cancer metastatic recurrence in a preclinical model Cytosolic bacteria induce immune suppressive neutrophils via cGAS-STING-IL-17B Intra- and extracellular bacteria can play opposite roles in determining neutrophil states A bacteria invasion signature is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients Summary Intratumor bacteria represent an understudied yet influential component of the cancer ecosystem, critically imping

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(H)) and its phosphorylated form NADP(H) are vitamin B3-derived redox cofactors essential for numerous metabolic reactions and protein modifications. Various health conditions are associated with disturbances in NAD+ homeostasis. To restore NAD+ levels, the main biosynthetic pathways have been targeted, with nicotinamide (Nam), nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) being the most prominent boosters. However, whi

Highlights MT is dominated by Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus. MT has high ester, JS features elevated aldehydes, reflecting regional sensory. Saccharomyces and Pichia correlate with esters. Abstract This research focused on Maotai-flavour Baijiu from three representative production regions in the Chishui River Basin, namely Maotai Town (MT), Jinsha (JS), and Renhuai (RH). By integrating metabolomics and macrogenomics techniques, the study analyzed the differences in volatile

Highlights A significant proportion (∼11%) of  bla KPC genes were chromosome-integrated in  P. aeruginosa . Tn 4401 /Tn 7247 -like structures were the major transposons mobilizing  bla KPC. Tn 4401 - and Tn 7247 -like structures differed in geographic distribution and plasmid/chromosome localization. IS 26  and IS 6100  formed prevalent chimeric structures with truncated transposons to mobilize  bla KPC. Integrative mobilizable elements (IMEs) facilitated inter-cellular trans

Highlights Impairment of circadian rhythm by long-term rest-phase time-restricted feeding (TRF) induces bone loss and gut microbiota dysbiosis in male mice TRF feeding mice showed a decreased  Muribaculaceae  and propionate in feces Muribaculaceae  abundance level is positively correlated with bone mass Fecal microbiota transplantation from TRF donors to germ-free recipients leaded to increased Th17 cell populations Increased Th17 cell populations enhanced osteomorphs fusion

Highlights Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans  is a causative agent of periodontitis. Fimbriae are key modulators of  A. actinomycetemcomitans  virulence. Fimbriae drive aggregation, colonization, immune evasion and pathogenicity. Fimbriae limit bacterial vesicle and extracellular cytoplasmic protein release. Fimbriae are key therapeutic targets to control periodontal disease. Abstract Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans  is a major contributor to aggressive periodontiti

Highlights Glutathione biosynthesis is required for GSH production in  A. baumannii Loss of GSH impairs stress resistance and motility gshA, gshB , and  gsnoR  mutants are sensitive to nitrosative stress and impaired in biofilm formation GSH deficiency alters expression of pili, siderophore, and metabolic genes Exogenous GSH or GSH-containing media restores biofilm formation in mutants Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii  is a Gram-negative nosocomial bacterium that is a member

Background Quantifying human health impacts throughout plastics lifecycles can inform global action against pollution that promotes sustainability across environmental, economic, and health concerns. Methods We combined material flow analysis, using the Plastics-to-Ocean model, with lifecycle assessment (LCA) to quantitatively compare disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) associated with plastics lifecycles, under different global consumption and waste management scenarios b

Highlights Extreme temperatures caused dysbiosis in lung and gut of mice. Low temperature affects pentanoic and butyric acid production in mice. High temperature promotes intestinal inflammation in mice. Extreme temperatures altered the proteome profile and pathways in the lung and gut of mice. Abstract Climate change has a strong effect on respiratory health, the effects of extreme temperatures on the lung-gut axis remains unclear. This study investigates the impact of extre

Highlights H5-naive individuals show low but detectable A/Texas/37/2024-neutralizing IgG Mapping of H5 serum neutralization among 76 historical and recent influenza A strains Isolation of H5/H1 cross-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies targeting the HA stem H5-neutralizing monoclonals protect mice from lethal H5N1 challenge  in vivo Summary The transmission of influenza A virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b from cattle to humans highlights the risk of an H5N1 pandemic. Pre-existing immu