Browsing by Person "Marongiu, Luigi"

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Determination of optimal phage load and administration time for antibacterial treatment
(2024) Plunder, Steffen; Burkard, Markus; Helling, Thomas; Lauer, Ulrich M.; Hoelzle, Ludwig E.; Marongiu, Luigi
Using phages as antibacterials is becoming a customary practice in Western countries. Nonetheless, successful treatments must consider the growth rate of the bacterial host and the degradation of the virions. Therefore, successful treatments require administering the right amount of phage (viral load, Vφ) at the right moment (administration time, Tφ). The present protocols implement a machine learning approach to determine the best combination of Vφ and Tφ to obtain the elimination of the target bacterium from a system. Basic Protocol 1: One bacterium, one phage. Alternate Protocol 1: One bacterium, one phage (wrapping function). Alternate Protocol 2: One bacterium, one phage (wrapping function, alternative growing model). Basic Protocol 2: Two bacteria, one phage. Alternate Protocol 3: Two bacteria, one phage (launch from terminal).
Exploring the link between fat-soluble vitamins and aging-associated immune system status: a literature review
(2025) Schmieder, Hendrik; Leischner, Christian; Piotrowsky, Alban; Marongiu, Luigi; Venturelli, Sascha; Burkard, Markus; Schmieder, Hendrik; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Leischner, Christian; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Piotrowsky, Alban; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Marongiu, Luigi; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Venturelli, Sascha; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Burkard, Markus; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
The importance of vitamin D for a well-functioning immune system is becoming increasingly evident. Nevertheless, the other fat-soluble vitamins A, E and K also seem to play a central role regarding the adequate function of immune cells and to counteract excessive immune reactions and inflammatory processes. However, recognizing hidden hunger, particularly micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable groups like the elderly, is crucial because older adults often lack sufficient micronutrients for various reasons. This review summarizes the latest findings on the immune modulating functions of fat-soluble vitamins in a physiological and pathophysiological context, provides a graphical comparison of the Recommended Daily Allowances between Deutschland, Austria, Confoederatio Helvetica (D-A-CH; eng. GSA, Germany, Switzerland, Austria), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE; eng. German Nutrition Society) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) across all age groups and, in particular, addresses the question regarding the benefits of supplementation of the respective micronutrients for the aging population of industrialized nations to strengthen the immune system. The following review highlights the importance of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K which play critical roles in maintaining immune system function and, in some cases, in preventing excessive immune activation. Therefore, a better understanding of the relevance of adequate blood levels and consequently potential supplementation strategies may contribute to the prevention and management of infectious diseases as well as better overall health of the elderly.
The non-nutritive sweetener rebaudioside a enhances phage infectivity
(2025) Marongiu, Luigi; Brzozowska, Ewa; Brykała, Jan; Burkard, Markus; Schmidt, Herbert; Szermer-Olearnik, Bożena; Venturelli, Sascha; Marongiu, Luigi; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Brzozowska, Ewa; Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 R. Weigl St, 53114, Wroclaw, Poland; Brykała, Jan; Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 R. Weigl St, 53114, Wroclaw, Poland; Burkard, Markus; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Schmidt, Herbert; Department of Food Microbiology, Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 28, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Szermer-Olearnik, Bożena; Department of Experimental Oncology, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 R. Weigl St, 53114, Wroclaw, Poland; Venturelli, Sascha; Department of Nutritional Biochemistry, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 30, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
Non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) are widely employed in foodstuffs. However, it has become increasingly evident that their consumption is associated with bacterial dysbiosis, which, in turn, is linked to several health conditions, including a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer. Among the NNS, stevia, whose main component is rebaudioside A (rebA), is gaining popularity in the organic food market segment. While the effect of NNS on bacteria has been established, the impact of these sweeteners on bacterial viruses (phages) has been neglected, even though phages are crucial elements in maintaining microbial eubiosis. The present study sought to provide a proof-of-concept of the impact of NNS on phage infectivity by assessing the binding of rebA to phage proteins involved in the infection process of enteropathogenic bacteria, namely the fiber protein gp17 of Yersinia enterocolitica phage φYeO3-12 and the tubular baseplate protein gp31 of Klebsiella pneumoniae phage 32. We employed docking analysis and a panel of in vitro confirmatory tests (microscale thermophoresis, RedStarch ™ depolymerization, adsorption, and lysis rates). Docking analysis indicated that NNS can bind to both fiber and baseplate proteins. Confirmatory assays demonstrated that rebA can bind gp31 and that such binding increased the protein’s enzymatic activity. Moreover, the binding of rebA to gp17 resulted in a decrease in the adsorption rate of the recombinant protein to its host but increased the Yersinia bacteriolysis caused by the whole phage compared to unexposed controls. These results support the hypothesis that NNS can impair phage infectivity, albeit the resulting effect on the microbiome remains to be elucidated.