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BackgroundIn this study, we aimed to address the low utilization of straw and poor fermentation quality of paper mulberry silage (under natural fermentation conditions). Straw was combined with paper mulberry for ensiling, and the fermentation characteristics, bacterial community, and metabolite composition of the mixed straw and paper mulberry silage were investigated. Four treatment groups were established: corn-straw treatment 2 (3:7 ratio of corn straw to paper mulberry), corn-straw treatment 3 (5:5 ratio of corn straw to paper mulberry), wheat-straw treatment 2 (3:7 ratio of wheat straw to paper mulberry), wheat-straw treatment 3 (5:5 ratio of wheat straw to paper mulberry), and a control group (ensiling of paper mulberry alone).ResultsThe control group demonstrated the highest pH and ammonia (AN) and acetic acid (AA) content compared with all the treatment groups. Corn-straw treatment 2 had the highest lactic acid content (54.70 g/kg dry weight) compared with the control and other treatment groups. The relative abundance of Enterobacter (7.085%) was the lowest in the control than in the other treatment groups (p

Effective hand drying is an important part of hand hygiene that can reduce the risk of infectious disease transmission through cross-contamination of surfaces by wet hands. However, hand drying methods may also cause aerosolisation of pathogenic microorganisms if they are present in washed hands. This study investigated experimentally the impact of washing hands and different hand drying methods on the concentration and size distribution of aerosols and bacteria in indoor air. In this experiment, aerosol and bacteria concentrations were measured in indoor air while volunteers rinsed their hands with water or washed with soap and water prior to drying them with paper towels or jet air dryers. Results showed that the concentration of aerosols and bacteria in air increased with people walking in the room and washing hands, with a further increase during the hand drying process. The concentration of aerosols decreased with particle size, with maximum concentrations after drying hands of 6.63 × 106 ± 6.49 × 105 and 2.28 × 104 ± 9.72 × 103 particles m−3 for sizes 0.3 to

Infectious diseases account for millions of deaths each year. To reduce the number of infectious disease related deaths, diagnostic testing needs to be more accessible to patients in low-income countries as well as developed countries. Current diagnostic methods involve centralized laboratories, trained personnel, and are time-intensive, limiting translation to the point-of-care (POC). Microfluidic devices are a popular alternative for diagnostics due to reduced assay times, reduced sample volume, and lower cost. Microfluidic devices are small (<10 cm) and can perform complex assays. Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) are a popular approach to help translate diagnostics to the POC but historically suffer from poor sensitivity when compared to established laboratory methods. Magnetically labeling analytes allows samples to be sorted resulting in improved sensitivity and specificity. Microfluidic magnetophoresis is the process of manipulating magnetic particles in a magnetic field and offers the ability to wash and concentrate a sample during flow. However, until recently, magnetophoresis has not been used in conjunction with µPADs because magnetophoresis requires complex and expensive instrumentation to control flow. Coupling magnetophoresis with µPADs enables pump-free flow control, simple operation, and low cost. Early magnetophoresis µPADs showed detection limits similar to traditional methods but higher than targets for clinical use. In this work, we demonstrate a novel, simple MagnEtophoretic Slider Assay (MeSA) that is free of any external instrumentation and offers a new platform for POC diagnostics. We demonstrate the assay's capability through biotin competitive assays and a sandwich immunoassay for E. coli detection. The calculated limit of detection for E. coli was 1.62 × 103 Colony Forming Units per mL (CFU/ml). The work described is a novel and simple microfluidic platform that has potential for a wide range of future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing understanding that soil bacteria play a critical role in ecosystem servicing has led to a number of large-scale biogeographical surveys of soil microbial diversity. However, most of such studies have focused on northern hemisphere regions and little is known of either the detailed structure or function of soil microbiomes of sub-Saharan African countries. In this paper, we report the use of high-throughput amplicon sequencing analyses to investigate the biogeography of soil bacteria in soils of Côte d'Ivoire. 45 surface soil samples were collected from Côte d'Ivoire, representing all major biomes, and bacterial community composition was assessed by targeting the V4-V5 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Causative relationships of both soil physicochemical properties and climatic data on bacterial community structure were infered. 48 phyla, 92 classes, 152 orders, 356 families, and 1,234 genera of bacteria were identified. The core bacteriobiome consisted of 10 genera ranked in the following order of total abundance: Gp6, Gaiella, Spartobacteria_ genera_incertae_sedis, WPS-1_genera_incertae_sedis, Gp4, Rhodoplanes, Pseudorhodoplanes, Bradyrhizobium, Subdivision3_genera_incertae_sedis, and Gp3. Some of these genera, including Gp4 and WPS-1_genera_incertae_sedis, were unequally distributed between forest and savannah areas while other taxa (Bradyrhizobium and Rhodoplanes) were consistently found in all biomes. The distribution of the core genera, together with the 10 major phyla, was influenced by several environmental factors, including latitude, pH, Al and K. The main pattern of distribution that was observed for the core bacteriobiome was the vegetation-independent distribution scheme. In terms of predicted functions, all core bacterial taxa were involved in assimilatory sulfate reduction, while atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) reduction was only associated with the genus Bradyrhizobium. This work, which is one of the first such study to be undertaken at this scale in Côte d'Ivoire, provides insights into the distribution of bacterial taxa in Côte d'Ivoire soils, and the findings may serve as biological indicator for land management in Côte d'Ivoire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing understanding that soil bacteria play a critical role in ecosystem servicing has led to a number of large-scale biogeographical surveys of soil microbial diversity. However, most of such studies have focused on northern hemisphere regions and little is known of either the detailed structure or function of soil microbiomes of sub-Saharan African countries. In this paper, we report the use of high-throughput amplicon sequencing analyses to investigate the biogeography of soil bacteria in soils of Côte d’Ivoire. 45 surface soil samples were collected from Côte d’Ivoire, representing all major biomes, and bacterial community composition was assessed by targeting the V4-V5 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Causative relationships of both soil physicochemical properties and climatic data on bacterial community structure were infered. 48 phyla, 92 classes, 152 orders, 356 families, and 1,234 genera of bacteria were identified. The core bacteriobiome consisted of 10 genera ranked in the following order of total abundance: Gp6, Gaiella, Spartobacteria_ genera_incertae_sedis, WPS-1_genera_incertae_sedis, Gp4, Rhodoplanes, Pseudorhodoplanes, Bradyrhizobium, Subdivision3_genera_incertae_sedis, and Gp3. Some of these genera, including Gp4 and WPS-1_genera_incertae_sedis, were unequally distributed between forest and savannah areas while other taxa (Bradyrhizobium and Rhodoplanes) were consistently found in all biomes. The distribution of the core genera, together with the 10 major phyla, was influenced by several environmental factors, including latitude, pH, Al and K. The main pattern of distribution that was observed for the core bacteriobiome was the vegetation-independent distribution scheme. In terms of predicted functions, all core bacterial taxa were involved in assimilatory sulfate reduction, while atmospheric dinitrogen (N2) reduction was only associated with the genus Bradyrhizobium. This work, which is one of the first such study to be undertaken at this scale in Côte d’Ivoire, provides insights into the distribution of bacterial taxa in Côte d’Ivoire soils, and the findings may serve as biological indicator for land management in Côte d’Ivoire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is an essential immune response of the host against infections but is often over-activated, leading to a variety of disorders. Autophagy, a conserved degradation pathway, also protects cells by capturing intracellular pathogens that enter the cell and transporting them to the lysosome for clearance. Dysfunctional autophagy is often associated with uncontrolled inflammatory responses during infection. In recent years, more and more research has focused on the crosstalk between autophagy and inflammation. In this paper, we review the latest research advances in this field, hoping to gain insight into the mechanisms by which the body balances autophagy and inflammation in infections and how this mechanism can be used to fight infections better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Otitis media (OM) encompasses a spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from the readily identifiable Acute OM (AOM), which is characterised by otalgia and fever, to chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) where impaired hearing due to middle ear effusion may be the only clinical symptom. Chronic suppurative OM (CSOM) presents as a more severe form of OM, involving perforation of the tympanic membrane. The pathogenesis of OM in these varied clinical presentations is unclear but activation of the innate inflammatory responses to viral and/or bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract performs an integral role. This localised inflammatory response can persist even after pathogens are cleared from the middle ear, eustachian tubes and, in the case of respiratory viruses, even the nasal compartment. Children prone to OM may experience an over exuberant inflammatory response that underlies the development of chronic forms of OM and their sequelae, including hearing impairment. Treatments for chronic effusive forms of OM are limited, with current therapeutic guidelines recommending a "watch and wait" strategy rather than active treatment with antibiotics, corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory drugs. Overall, there is a clear need for more targeted and effective treatments that either prevent or reduce the hyper-inflammatory response associated with chronic forms of OM. Improved treatment options rely upon an in-depth understanding of OM pathogenesis, particularly the role of the host innate immune response during acute OM. In this paper, we review the current literature regarding the innate immune response within the middle ear to bacterial and viral otopathogens alone, and as co-infections. This is an important consideration, as the role of respiratory viruses as primary pathogens in OM is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, increased reporting from PCR-based diagnostics, indicates that viral/bacterial co-infections in the middle ear are more common than bacterial infections alone. Increasingly, the mechanisms by which viral/bacterial co-infections may drive or maintain complex innate immune responses and inflammation during OM as a chronic response require investigation. Improved understanding of the pathogenesis of chronic OM, including host innate immune response within the middle ear is vital for development of improved diagnostic and treatment options for our children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fermented meat products have a long history in China. These products exhibit a characteristic unique flavor, compact meat quality, clear color, long shelf life and wide variety and are easy to transport. During the processing and storage of fermented meat products, microorganisms are present and exhibit diverse characteristics. Microorganisms can accelerate the degradation of proteins and fats to produce flavor compounds, inhibit the growth and reproduction of heterozygous bacteria, and reduce the content of chemical pollutants. This paper reviews the microbial diversity of Chinese ham, sausage, preserved meat, pressed salted duck, preserved fish and air-dried meat and provides analyses of the microbial compositions of various products. Due to the differences in raw materials, technology, auxiliary materials, and fermentation technology, the microbial species found in various fermented meat products in China are different. However, most fermented meat products in China are subjected to pickling and fermentation, so their microbial compositions also have similarities. Microorganisms in fermented meat products mainly include staphylococci, lactobacilli, micrococci, yeasts, and molds. The study of microbial diversity is of great significance for the formation of quality flavor and the safety control of fermented meat products, and it provides some theoretical reference for the study of fermented meat products in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastics are of great significance in today’s world due to their extensive use such as packaging food and carrying other goods, which have improved the quality of human life. However, plastics have low biodegradability and are persistent in the environment, becoming a major source of pollution. With regard to the current methods used in the management of plastic wastes, the degradation of plastics using beneficial soil microorganisms has recently gained attention due to their ability to degrade different types of plastics including polyethylene (PE) polymers. The study herein was conducted to isolate and identify microorganisms from agricultural soils capable of degrading plastics. Soil samples were inoculated into nutrient, potato dextrose, and starch-casein agar for the isolation of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, respectively. During isolation, fungi and bacterial plates were incubated for 5 days and for 14 days, respectively. The population of bacteria ranged from 1 × 105 to 1.215 × 105 and that of fungi from 1.604 × 104 to 8.6 × 104 whereby actinomycetes ranged from 1.045 × 105 to 2.995 × 105 CFU/g of soil. However, the tested microorganisms showed significant (p ≤ 0.05) differences in the ability to degrade PE bags and bottles as depicted by the diameters of clear zones around the colonies. The diameters of clear zones ranged from 19.3 to 47.5 mm and 25.9 to 32.2 mm after 17 days for bacteria and actinomycetes, respectively, and those of fungi ranged from 30.0 to 66.3 mm after 13 days. Among the bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, un sequenced bacterial and actinomycete isolates B1 and A3 as well as Aspergillus sp. (F7) were the most efficient degraders of PE plastic bags. This retrospective study sheds light on our understanding and the need for the bioprospecting of agricultural soils, water bodies, and landfills containing plastic wastes that could lead to the identification of more efficient microbial species with the ability to degrade plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lymphocystis viral disease (LVD) is a highly transmissible disease known to affect multiple fishes worldwide. Although this disease is usually benign, mortalities can occur in cases where infection is severe or secondary infection with bacterial pathogens and parasites occur. However, little is known about the bacterial dynamics of fish with LVD or what bacterial pathogens may be responsible for secondary infections. Here we assessed the effects of LVD on the skin microbiome of gilthead seabream by comparing 30 symptomatic, asymptomatic and recovered (three weeks after infection) fish using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Our results show that LVD is associated with significant changes in microbiome structure and function. Importantly, fish pathogens like Tenacibaculum maritimum and some Vibrio species increased their abundance. Moreover, microbial metabolic activities of the commensal microbiota that may confer some protection to fish were suppressed in diseased fish. After reducing fish cage density to treat symptoms and three weeks of recovery, the abundance of pathogens was significantly reduced and microbiome functionality was recovered, although community structure remained significantly different. These results show that LVD can severely disrupt the bacterial communities of the skin of the gilthead seabream, leading to an increase in bacterial pathogens responsible for relevant diseases in gilthead seabream farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Celiac disease is an autoimmune enteropathy caused by the ingestion of minute amounts of gluten in a subset of genetically predisposed individuals. Its onset occurs at different ages and with variable symptoms. The gut microbiome may contribute to this variability. This review aims to provide an overview of the available research on celiac disease gut microbiome and identify the knowledge gap that could guide future studies. Following the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), four electronic databases were searched for literature from January 2000 to July 2023 addressing celiac disease gut microbiome characterization using next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. From the 489 publications retrieved, 48 publications were selected and analyzed, focusing on sample characterization (patients, controls, and tissues) and methodologies used for NGS microbiome analysis and characterization. The majority of the selected publications regarded children and adults, and four were randomized clinical trials. The number of participants per study greatly varied and was typically low. Feces were the most frequently tested sample matrix, and duodenal samples were analyzed in one-third of the studies. Incomplete and diverse information on the methodological approaches and gut microbiome results was broadly observed. While similar trends regarding the relative abundance of some phyla, such as Pseudomonadota (former Proteobacteria), were detected in some studies, others contradicted those results. The observed high variability of technical approaches and possibly low power and sample sizes may prevent reaching a consensus on celiac disease gut microbiome composition. Standardization of research protocols to allow reproducibility and comparability is required, as interdisciplinary collaborations to further data analysis, interpretation, and, more importantly, health outcome prediction or improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs) of Antarctica are a mosaic of extreme habitats which are dominated by microbial life. The MDVs include glacial melt holes, streams, lakes, and soils, which are interconnected through the transfer of energy and flux of inorganic and organic material via wind and hydrology. For the first time, we provide new data on the viral community structure and function in the MDVs through metagenomics of the planktonic and benthic mat communities of Lakes Bonney and Fryxell. Viral taxonomic diversity was compared across lakes and ecological function was investigated by characterizing auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) and predicting viral hosts. Our data suggest that viral communities differed between the lakes and among sites: these differences were connected to microbial host communities. AMGs were associated with the potential augmentation of multiple biogeochemical processes in host, most notably with phosphorus acquisition, organic nitrogen acquisition, sulfur oxidation, and photosynthesis. Viral genome abundances containing AMGs differed between the lakes and microbial mats, indicating site specialization. Using procrustes analysis, we also identified significant coupling between viral and bacterial communities (p = 0.001). Finally, host predictions indicate viral host preference among the assembled viromes. Collectively, our data show that: (i) viruses are uniquely distributed through the McMurdo Dry Valley lakes, (ii) their AMGs can contribute to overcoming host nutrient limitation and, (iii) viral and bacterial MDV communities are tightly coupled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amplifying small subunit (SSU) rRNA genes with universal primers in assessing microbial populations diversity, but target microorganisms are sometimes omitted due to inadequate primer coverage. Adding degenerate bases to primers can help, but existing methods are complex and time-consuming. This study introduces a user-friendly tool called "Degenerate primer 111" for adding degenerate bases to existing universal primers. By aligning one universal primer with one uncovered target microorganism's SSU rRNA gene, this tool iteratively generates a new primer, maximizing coverage for the target microorganisms. The tool was used to modify eight pairs of universal primers (515F Parada-806R Apprill, S-D-Bact-0341-b-S-17/S-D-Bact-0785-a-A-21, OP_F114-KP_R013, 27F-1492R, 341F-806R, OP_F066-KP_R013, 515F Parada-926R Quince, 616*F-1132R), and generated 29 new universal primers with increased coverage of specific target microorganisms without increasing coverage of non-target microorganisms. To verify the effectiveness of the improved primers, one set of original and improved primers (BA-515F-806R and BA-515F-806R-M1) was used to amplify DNA from the same sample, and high-throughput sequencing of the amplicons confirmed that the improved primers detected more microbial species compared to the original primers. Future researchers can use this tool to develop more personalized primers to meet their diverse microorganism detection needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bacterial infection and biofilm formation contribute to impaired healing in chronic diabetic wounds. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are found in human diabetic wound biofilms. They may develop antibiotic resistance, increasing the urgency for alternative or complementary therapies. Diabetic wound healing may be improved with the use of biomedically engineered scaffolds, which can also serve as delivery systems for antibacterial compounds. Manuka honey is a potent antibacterial and wound care agent due to its high osmolarity, low pH, and constituents (such as methylglyoxal). Honey exhibits bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, modulates the expression of biofilm forming genes, and restores antibiotic susceptibility in previously drug resistant pathogens. Methods: In this study, we created a dermal regeneration template (DRT) composed of polycaprolactone-gelatin (PCL-gelatin) and Manuka honey to retain honey in the wound and also provide a scaffold for tissue regeneration. Results and discussion: Soluble Manuka honey inhibited the planktonic and biofilm growth of both S. aureus (UWH3) and P. aeruginosa (PA14) co-cultures. Manuka honey embedded PCL-gelatin scaffolds did not exhibit bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects on cocultures of UHW3 and PA14; however, they promoted the expression of AgrA, a gene associated with dispersal of S. aureus biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The relationships among microelements and soil microbial communities are essential for understanding the maintenance of soil's ecological functions and their effects on fruit quality in orchards. However, these relationships have not been adequately studied, despite the importance of microelements for the growth of microorganisms and plants. Methods: To address this research gap, we investigated the relationships among microelements (K, Ca, Na, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu), the diversity and composition of soil microbiomes, and fruit quality in loquat orchards. Results: We found that microelements explained more variations in microbial community structures than geographic position, basic soil properties, and macroelements, with 19.6-42.6% of bacterial, 4.3-27.7% of fungal, and 5.9- 18.8% of protistan genera significantly correlated with microelements. Among the microelements, AMg and ACu were the most influential in determining the soil microbiome. The soil microbes exhibited varied threshold values for environmental breadth among the microelements, with the broadest range for AMg and the narrowest for AZn. Additionally, the microbes showed significant phylogenetic signals for all microelements, with an increasing divergence of soil microelements. The dominant community assembly shifted from homogeneous selection to stochastic, and then to heterogeneous selection. Moreover, microelements and the microbiome were the top two factors individually explaining 11.0 and 11.4% of fruit quality variation, respectively. Discussion: These results highlight the importance of microelement fertilization in orchard management and provide scientific guidance for improving fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim is to identify new small molecules with antimicrobial potential, especially against colistin-resistant (Col-R) Acinetobacter baumannii and Escherichia coli. After initial hits identification by fingerprint similarity, MIC of 24 heterocyclic derivatives for A. baumannii and E. coli reference strains, and bactericidal activity of selected thiophenes against Col-R strains were determined. We analyzed changes in bacterial membrane permeability and the OMPs profile. Additionally, we determined bacterial adherence to host cells and performed molecular docking studies to assess their binding to bacterial targets. The compounds’ MICs ranged from 4 to >64 mg/L. Thiophene derivatives 4, 5 and 8 exhibited MIC50 values between 16 and 32 mg/L for Col-R A. baumannii and 8 and 32 mg/L for Col-R E. coli. The time-kill curve assay demonstrated that thiophenes 4 and 8 had bactericidal effects against Col-R A. baumannii and E. coli. Furthermore, treatment with them resulted in increased membrane permeabilization and reduced adherence of these isolates to host cells. Finally, the docking studies showed a stronger binding affinity to CarO1 and Omp33 of A. baumannii and OmpW and OmpC of E. coli. These findings indicate that thiophene derivatives possess antibacterial activity against Col-R A. baumannii and E. coli, suggesting that they may enhance the repertoire of drug treatments against bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a serious public health problem. They can be associated with morbidity and mortality and are responsible for the increase in patient hospitalization. Antimicrobial resistance among pathogens causing HAI has increased at alarming levels. In this paper, a robust method for analyzing genome-scale metabolic networks of bacteria is proposed in order to identify potential therapeutic targets, along with its corresponding web implementation, dubbed FindTargetsWEB. The proposed method assumes that every metabolic network presents fragile genes whose blockade will impair one or more metabolic functions, such as biomass accumulation. FindTargetsWEB automates the process of identification of such fragile genes using flux balance analysis (FBA), flux variability analysis (FVA), extended Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) file parsing, and queries to three public repositories, i.e., KEGG, UniProt, and DrugBank. The web application was developed in Python using COBRApy and Django. Results: The proposed method was demonstrated to be robust enough to process even non-curated, incomplete, or imprecise metabolic networks, in addition to integrated host-pathogen models. A list of potential therapeutic targets and their putative inhibitors was generated as a result of the analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa metabolic networks available in the literature and a curated version of the metabolic network of a multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa strain belonging to a clone endemic in Brazil (P. aeruginosa ST277). Genome-scale metabolic networks of other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Haemophilus influenzae , were also analyzed using FindTargetsWEB. Multiple potential targets have been found using the proposed method in all metabolic networks, including some overlapping between two or more pathogens. Among the potential targets, several have been previously reported in the literature as targets for antimicrobial development, and many targets have approved drugs. Despite similarities in the metabolic network structure for closely related bacteria, we show that the method is able to selectively identify targets in pathogenic versus non-pathogenic organisms. Conclusions: This new computational system can give insights into the identification of new candidate therapeutic targets for pathogenic bacteria and discovery of new antimicrobial drugs through genome-scale metabolic network analysis and heterogeneous data integration, even for non-curated or incomplete networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing use of antibiotics is being driven by factors such as the aging of the population, increased occurrence of infections, and greater prevalence of chronic diseases that require antimicrobial treatment. The excessive and unnecessary use of antibiotics in humans has led to the emergence of bacteria resistant to the antibiotics currently available, as well as to the selective development of other microorganisms, hence contributing to the widespread dissemination of resistance genes at the environmental level. Due to this, attempts are being made to develop new techniques to combat resistant bacteria, among them the use of strictly lytic bacteriophage particles, CRISPR–Cas, and nanotechnology. The use of these technologies, alone or in combination, is promising for solving a problem that humanity faces today and that could lead to human extinction: the domination of pathogenic bacteria resistant to artificial drugs. This prospective paper discusses the potential of bacteriophage particles, CRISPR–Cas, and nanotechnology for use in combating human (bacterial) infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have highlighted the importance of ice-algal blooms in driving darkening and therefore surface melt of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS). However, the contribution of fungal and bacterial communities to this microbially driven albedo reduction remains unconstrained. To address this significant knowledge gap, fungi were isolated from key GrIS surface habitats (surface ice containing varying abundance of ice algae, supraglacial water, cryoconite holes, and snow), and a combination of cultivation and sequencing methods utilized to characterize the algal-associated fungal and bacterial diversity and abundance. Six hundred and ninety-seven taxa of fungi were obtained by amplicon sequencing and more than 200 fungal cultures belonging to 46 different species were isolated through cultivation approaches. Basidiomycota dominated in surface ice and water samples, and Ascomycota in snow samples. Amplicon sequencing revealed that bacteria were characterized by a higher diversity (883 taxa detected). Results from cultivation as well as ergosterol analyses suggested that surface ice dominated by ice algae and cryoconite holes supported the highest fungal biomass (104–105 CFU/100 ml) and that many fungal taxa recognized as endophytes and plant pathogens were associated with dark ice characterized by a high abundance of ice algae. This paper significantly advances this field of research by investigating for the first time the fungal abundance and diversity associated with algal blooms causing the darkening of the GrIS. There is a strong association between the abundance and diversity of fungal species and the blooming of algae on the surface ice of the Greenland Ice Sheet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transposons are invaluable biological tools for the genetic manipulation of microorganisms. ISY100 from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 is a member of the Tc1/ mariner /IS 630 superfamily, and is characterized by high transposition efficiency and a strong preference for TA target sequences. In this paper, we describe the design and application of a mini-ISY100 suicide vector for the in vivo creation of stable random transposon insertion libraries. The system was successfully applied in seven species belonging to four different orders of γ proteobacteria. In all cases, delivery using conjugation consistently showed the highest transposition efficiency compared to chemical transformation or electroporation. We determined the frequency of transposon insertions in all the species and proved the utility of the system by identifying genes involved in colony coloration in Shewanella oneidensis. The ease and the efficiency of the protocol developed here allow the creation of complete knock-out libraries in an extensive range of host microorganisms in less than a week with no requirement for preparatory modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool that enables a deep understanding of complicated physiological pathways, including immune responses. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq)-based transcriptome analysis and various bioinformatics tools have also been used to study non-model animals, including aquaculture species for which reference genomes are not available. Rapid developments in these techniques have not only accelerated investigations into the process of pathogenic infection and defense strategies in fish, but also used to identify immunity-related genes in fish. These findings will contribute to fish immunotherapy for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections through the design of more specific and effective immune stimulants, adjuvants, and vaccines. Until now, there has been little information regarding the universality and diversity of immune reactions against pathogenic infection in fish. Therefore, one of the aims of this paper is to introduce the RNA-Seq technique for examination of immune responses in pathogen-infected fish. This review also aims to highlight comparative studies of immune responses against bacteria, based on our previous findings in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) against Nocardia seriolae , gray mullet (Mugil cephalus) against Lactococcus garvieae , orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) against Vibrio harveyi , and koi carp (Cyprinus carpio) against Aeromonas sobria , using RNA-seq techniques. We demonstrated that only 39 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were present in all species. However, the number of specific DEGs in each species was relatively higher than that of common DEGs; 493 DEGs in largemouth bass against N. seriolae , 819 DEGs in mullets against L. garvieae , 909 in groupers against V. harveyi , and 1471 in carps against A. sobria. The DEGs in different fish species were also representative of specific immune-related pathways. The results of this study will enhance our understanding of the immune responses of fish, and will aid in the development of effective vaccines, therapies, and disease-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic secondary fungal metabolite that widely takes place in various kinds of foodstuffs and feeds. Human beings and animals are inevitably threatened by OTA as a result. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt various measures to detoxify OTA-contaminated foods and feeds. Biological detoxification methods, with better safety, flavor, nutritional quality, organoleptic properties, availability, and cost-effectiveness, are more promising than physical and chemical detoxification methods. The state-of-the-art research advances of OTA biodetoxification by degradation, adsorption, or enzymes are reviewed in the present paper. Researchers have discovered a good deal of microorganisms that could degrade and/or adsorb OTA, including actinobacteria, bacteria, filamentous fungi, and yeast. The degradation of OTA to non-toxic or less toxic OTα via the hydrolysis of the amide bond is the most important OTA biodegradation mechanism. The most important influence factor of OTA adsorption capacity of microorganisms is cell wall components. A large number of microorganisms with good OTA degradation and/or adsorption ability, as well as some OTA degradation enzymes isolated or cloned from microorganisms and animal pancreas, have great application prospects in food and feed industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial degradation of organic compounds is an important ecosystem function with relevance to, e.g., the cycling of elements or the degradation of organic contaminants. It remains an open question, however, to which extent ecosystems are able to maintain such biodegradation function under recurrent disturbances (functional resistance) and how this is related to the bacterial biomass abundance. In this paper, we use a numerical simulation approach to systematically analyze the dynamic response of a microbial population to recurrent disturbances of different spatial distribution. The spatially explicit model considers microbial degradation, growth, dispersal, and spatial networks that facilitate bacterial dispersal mimicking effects of mycelial networks in nature. We find: (i) There is a certain capacity for high resistance of biodegradation performance to recurrent disturbances. (ii) If this resistance capacity is exceeded, spatial zones of different biodegradation performance develop, ranging from no or reduced to even increased performance. (iii) Bacterial biomass and biodegradation dynamics respond inversely to the spatial fragmentation of disturbances: overall biodegradation performance improves with increasing fragmentation, but bacterial biomass declines. (iv) Bacterial dispersal networks can enhance functional resistance against recurrent disturbances, mainly by reactivating zones in the core of disturbed areas, even though this leads to an overall reduction of bacterial biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for plant growth, yet its uptake is often hindered by soil factors like clay minerals and metal oxides such as aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), and calcium (Ca), which bind P and limit its availability. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have the unique ability to convert insoluble P into a soluble form, thereby fostering plant growth. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of inoculation of Bacillus megaterium B119 (rhizospheric) and B. subtilis B2084 (endophytic) via seed treatment in enhancing maize yield, grain P content, and enzyme activities across two distinct soil types in field conditions. Additionally, we investigated various mechanisms contributing to plant growth promotion, compatibility with commercial inoculants, and the maize root adhesion profile of these strains. During five crop seasons in two experimental areas in Brazil, Sete Lagoas-MG and Santo Antônio de Goiás-GO, single inoculations with either B119 or B2084 were implemented in three seasons, while a co-inoculation with both strains was applied in two seasons. All treatments received P fertilizer according to plot recommendations, except for control. Both the Bacillus strains exhibited plant growth-promoting properties relevant to P dynamics, including phosphate solubilization and mineralization, production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-like molecules, siderophores, exopolysaccharides (EPS), biofilms, and phosphatases, with no antagonism observed with Azospirillum and Bradyrizhobium. Strain B2084 displayed superior maize root adhesion compared to B119. In field trials, single inoculations with either B119 or B2084 resulted in increased maize grain yield, with relative average productivities of 22 and 16% in Sete Lagoas and 6 and 3% in Santo Antônio de Goiás, respectively. Co-inoculation proved more effective, with an average yield increase of 24% in Sete Lagoas and 11% in Santo Antônio de Goiás compared to the non-inoculated control. Across all seasons, accumulated grain P content correlated with yield, and soil P availability in the rhizosphere increased after co-inoculation in Santo Antônio de Goiás. These findings complement previous research efforts and have led to the validation and registration of the first Brazilian inoculant formulated with Bacillus strains for maize, effectively enhancing and P grain content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ongoing global changes, including natural land conversion for agriculture and urbanization, modify the dynamics of human–primate contacts, resulting in increased zoonotic risks. Although Asia shelters high primate diversity and experiences rapid expansion of human–primate contact zones, there remains little documentation regarding zoonotic surveillance in the primates of this region. Methods: Using the PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review to compile an inventory of zoonotic pathogens detected in wild Asian primates, while highlighting the coverage of primate species, countries, and pathogen groups surveyed, as well as the diagnostic methods used across the studies. Moreover, we compared the species richness of pathogens harbored by primates across diverse types of habitats classified according to their degree of anthropization (i.e., urban vs. rural vs. forest habitats). Results and discussion: Searches of Scopus, PubMed, and the Global Mammal Parasite Database yielded 152 articles on 39 primate species. We inventoried 183 pathogens, including 63 helminthic gastrointestinal parasites, two blood-borne parasites, 42 protozoa, 45 viruses, 30 bacteria, and one fungus. Considering each study as a sample, species accumulation curves revealed no significant differences in specific richness between habitat types for any of the pathogen groups analyzed. This is likely due to the insufficient sampling effort (i.e., a limited number of studies), which prevents drawing conclusive findings. This systematic review identified several publication biases, particularly the uneven representation of host species and pathogen groups studied, as well as a lack of use of generic diagnostic methods. Addressing these gaps necessitates a multidisciplinary strategy framed in a One Health approach, which may facilitate a broader inventory of pathogens and ultimately limit the risk of cross-species transmission at the human–primate interface. Strengthening the zoonotic surveillance in primates of this region could be realized notably through the application of more comprehensive diagnostic techniques such as broad-spectrum analyses without a priori selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the bacterial community in the S. glauca rhizosphere was of great value for understanding how this species adapted to the salinealkali environment and for the rational development and use of saline-alkali soils. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to investigate the diversity characteristics and distribution patterns of soil bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of S.glauca-dominated communities in the Hetao Irrigation Distract, Inner Mongolia, China. The relationships among bacterial characteristics, soil physicochemical properties and vegetation in four sampling sites were analyzed. The soil bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of S. glauca-dominated communities were mainly composed of 16 phyla (i.e., Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Deinococcus-Thermus, Verrucomicrobia, Saccharibacteria, Cyanobacteria, Nitrospirae, JL-ETNP-Z39, Parcubacteria and Chlorobi), and these populations accounted for more than 99% of the total bacterial community. At the genus level, the main bacterial communities comprised Halomonas, Nitriliruptor, Euzebya and Pelagibius, which accounted for 15.70% of the total bacterial community. An alpha diversity analysis indicated that the richness and diversity of rhizosphere soil bacteria differed significantly among the sampling sites, and the bacterial richness and diversity indices of severe saline-alkali land were higher than those of light and moderate saline-alkali land. The principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) showed significant differences in the species composition of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community among different sampling sites. A correlation analysis showed that the number of bacterial species exhibited the highest correlation with the soil water content (SWC). The richness and evenness indices were significantly correlated with the SWC and SO42-, KC and Mg2+ concentrations. The electrical conductivity (EC), soluble ions (NaC, CO32- + HCO3-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO42+), SWC and vegetation coverage (VC) were the main drivers affecting the changes in its community structure. The bacterial community in the rhizosphere of S. glauca enhanced the adaptability of S. glauca to saline-alkali environment by participating in the cycling process of nutrient elements, the decomposition of organic matter and the production of plant growth regulating substances. These results provided a theoretical reference for further study on the relationship among rhizosphere soil microorganisms and salt tolerance in halophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Red blood cells (RBCs), also known as erythrocytes, are underestimated in their role in the immune system. In mammals, erythrocytes undergo maturation that involves the loss of nuclei, resulting in limited transcription and protein synthesis capabilities. However, the nucleated nature of non-mammalian RBCs is challenging this conventional understanding of RBCs. Notably, in bony fishes, research indicates that RBCs are not only susceptible to pathogen attacks but express immune receptors and effector molecules. However, given the abundance of RBCs and their interaction with every physiological system, we postulate that they act in surveillance as sentinels, rapid responders, and messengers. Methods: We performed a series of in vitro experiments with Cyprinus carpio RBCs exposed to Aeromonas hydrophila, as well as in vivo laboratory infections using different concentrations of bacteria. Results: qPCR revealed that RBCs express genes of several inflammatory cytokines. Using cyprinid-specific antibodies, we confirmed that RBCs secreted tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ). In contrast to these indirect immune mechanisms, we observed that RBCs produce reactive oxygen species and, through transmission electron and confocal microscopy, that RBCs can engulf particles. Finally, RBCs expressed and upregulated several putative toll-like receptors, including tlr4 and tlr9, in response to A. hydrophila infection in vivo. Discussion: Overall, the RBC repertoire of pattern recognition receptors, their secretion of effector molecules, and their swift response make them immune sentinels capable of rapidly detecting and signaling the presence of foreign pathogens. By studying the interaction between a bacterium and erythrocytes, we provide novel insights into how the latter may contribute to overall innate and adaptive immune responses of teleost fishes. Keywords: Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila); Cyprinus carpio; bacteria; cytokines; engulfment; inflammation; red blood cell (RBC); teleost fish. sentinels capable of rapidly detecting and signaling the presence of foreign pathogens. By studying the interaction between a bacterium and erythrocytes, we provide novel insights into how the latter may contribute to overall innate and adaptive immune responses of teleost fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we delved into cutting-edge strategies for the effective management of wastewater, a critical issue exacerbated by industrial pollution and urban expansion. We introduce the use of carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs), either alone or functionalized with bacteria, as a novel nanobiotechnological solution for urgent nanobioremediation needs. This technique is notable for its exceptional ability to remove various industrial pollutants, including heavy metals, pesticides, textiles, and dyes, emphasizing the pivotal role of CBNs. The development of bionanocomposites through the integration of CBNs with bacteria represents a significant advancement in enhancing bioremediation efforts. In this study, we assessed the potential health and environmental risks associated with CBN usage while offering an in-depth evaluation of the adsorption mechanisms and factors influencing bioremediation effectiveness. Furthermore, the improved efficiency in treating industrial effluents facilitated by bionanocomposites was investigated, and their alignment with circular economy principles through recyclability is discussed. We aimed to provide, a detailed overview of recent advancements, challenges, and prospects for CBNs and bacterial application in sophisticated wastewater treatment, underscoring their vital importance in promoting the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work provides a brief comparative analysis of the influence of heat creation on micropolar blood-based unsteady magnetised hybrid nanofluid flow over a curved surface. The Powell-Eyring fluid model was applied for modelling purposes, and this work accounted for the impacts of both viscous dissipation and Joule heating. By investigating the behaviours of Ag and TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in blood, we aimed to understand the intricate phenomenon of hybridisation. A mathematical framework was created in accordance with the fundamental flow assumptions to build the model. Then, the model was made dimensionless using similarity transformations. The problem of a dimensionless system was then effectively addressed using the homotopy analysis technique. A cylindrical surface was used to calculate the flow quantities, and the outcomes were visualised using graphs and tables. Additionally, a study was conducted to evaluate skin friction and heat transfer in relation to blood flow dynamics; heat transmission was enhanced to raise the Biot number values. According to the findings of this study, increasing the values of the unstable parameters results in increase of the blood velocity profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between gut microbiota and breast cancer has been extensively studied; however, changes in gut microbiota after breast cancer surgery are still largely unknown. Materials and methods: A total of 20 patients with breast cancer underwent routine open surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical College from 1 June 2022 to 1 December 2022. Stool samples were collected from the patients undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer preoperatively, 3  days later, and 7  days later postoperatively. The stool samples were subjected to 16s rRNA sequencing. Results: Surgery did not affect the α-diversity of gut microbiota. The β-diversity and composition of gut microorganisms were significantly affected by surgery in breast cancer patients. Both linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis and between-group differences analysis showed that surgery led to a decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes and Lachnospiraceae and an increase in the abundance of Proteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae. Moreover, 127 differential metabolites were screened and classified into 5 categories based on their changing trends. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed significant changes in the phenylalanine metabolic pathway and exogenous substance metabolic pathway. Eight characterized metabolites were screened using ROC analysis. Conclusion: Our study found that breast cancer surgery significantly altered gut microbiota composition and metabolites, with a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in potentially harmful bacteria. This underscores the importance of enhanced postoperative management to optimize gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offspring survival rates in altricial birds during the post-fledging period are an essential factor in determining the fitness of parents and have a significant impact on general population dynamics. However, our current knowledge of Post-fledging mortality and its causes remains fragmentary in most bird species, and even less information is available on the mortality of individuals of the same species in different environments. In order to address this gap in our knowledge, we studied fledgling mortality and its causes in Tengmalm's owls (Aegolius funereus) during six breeding seasons in Central and North Europe using radio-telemetry. A total of 80 nestlings from 18 nests in Czechia (2010-2012, 2015) and 60 nestlings from 24 nests in Finland (2019, 2021) were radio-tracked during the post-fledging dependence period. The overall survival rate was much higher in Czechia (83%) than in Finland (53%), with predation identified as the primary cause of mortality in both areas. Avian predation was far higher in Finland, but mammalian predation was equivalent at both study sites. Pine martens (Martes martes) and goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) were the most common predators in Czechia and Finland, respectively. Starvation and disease, or mostly a combination of both, formed the second most common cause of death in both areas but were much more frequent in Finland than in Czechia. Offspring survival in both study sites was considerably higher in years of food abundance than in those of food scarcity. We suggest that the interactive effects of infections and poor body condition due to scarcity of main prey species induced higher mortality rates in offspring, particularly in the more challenging environment of North Europe. In contrast, fledgling owls were found to be able to fight off infections more successfully during rich food seasons. Finally, we encourage researchers to pay greater attention to the mutual influences of parasites and their definitive hosts and stress the importance of using radio or satellite tracking for mortality studies to identify causes of death more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature exerts a first-order control on microbial populations, which constantly adjust the fluidity and permeability of their cell membrane lipids to minimize loss of energy by ion diffusion across the membrane. Analytical advances in liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry have allowed the detection of a stunning diversity of bacterial and archaeal lipids in extreme environments such as hot springs, hydrothermal vents and deep subsurface marine sediments. Here, we investigated a thermal gradient from 18 to 101°C across a marine sediment field and tested the hypothesis that cell membrane lipids provide a major biochemical basis for the bioenergetics of archaea and bacteria under heat stress. This paper features a detailed lipidomics approach with the focus on membrane lipid structure-function. Membrane lipids analyzed here include polar lipids of bacteria and polar and core lipids of archaea. Reflecting the low permeability of their ether-linked isoprenoids, we found that archaeal polar lipids generally dominate over bacterial lipids in deep layers of the sediments influenced by hydrothermal fluids. A close examination of archaeal and bacterial lipids revealed a membrane quandary: not only low permeability, but also increased fluidity of membranes are required as a unified property of microbial membranes for energy conservation under heat stress. For instance, bacterial fatty acids were composed of longer chain lengths in concert with higher degree of unsaturation while archaea modified their tetraethers by incorporation of additional methyl groups at elevated sediment temperatures. It is possible that these configurations toward a more fluidized membrane at elevated temperatures are counterbalanced by the high abundance of archaeal glycolipids and bacterial sphingolipids, which could reduce membrane permeability through strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Our results provide a new angle for interpreting membrane lipid structure-function enabling archaea and bacteria to survive and grow in hydrothermal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Culture-based and genomics methods provide different insights into the nature and behavior of bacteria. Maximizing the usefulness of both approaches requires recognizing their limitations and employing them appropriately. Genomic analysis excels at identifying bacteria and establishing the relatedness of isolates. Culture-based methods remain necessary for detection and enumeration, to determine viability, and to validate phenotype predictions made on the bias of genomic analysis. The purpose of this short paper is to discuss the application of culture-based analysis and genomics to the questions food microbiologists routinely need to ask regarding bacteria to ensure the safety of food and its economic production and distribution. To address these issues appropriate tools are required for the detection and enumeration of specific bacterial populations and the characterization of isolates for, identification, phylogenetics, and phenotype prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of periodontitis is associated with an imbalanced subgingival microbial community enriched with species such as the traditionally classified red-complex bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis , Tannerella forsythia , and Treponema denticola). Saliva has been suggested as an alternative to subgingival plaque for the microbial analysis due to its easy and non-invasive collection. This systematic review aims to determine whether the levels of red-complex bacteria assessed using saliva reflect those in subgingival plaque from periodontitis patients. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April 30, 2021. Studies were considered eligible if microbial data of at least one of the red-complex species were reported in both saliva and subgingival plaque from periodontitis patients, based on DNA-based methods. Of the 17 included studies, 4 studies used 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques, and the rest used PCR-based approaches. The detection frequency of each red-complex species in periodontitis patients was reported to be > 60% in most studies, irrespective of samples types. Meta-analyses revealed that both detection frequencies and relative abundances of red-complex bacteria in saliva were significantly lower than those in subgingival plaque. Moreover, the relative abundances of all 3 bacterial species in saliva showed significantly positive correlation with those in subgingival plaque. In conclusion, current evidence suggests that one-time saliva sampling cannot replace subgingival plaque for microbial analysis of the red-complex bacteria in periodontitis patients. Given the positive microbial associations between saliva and subgingival plaque, a thorough review of longitudinal clinical studies is needed to further assess the role of saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commensal microbes are an integral component of mammalian physiology. 16S rRNA gene-specific next generation sequencing from DNA of total organs, swabs or lavages has revolutionized the characterization of bacterial communities in virtually every ecological niche of the body. Culturomics, next allowed the isolation and characterization of commensal bacteria in the lab and the establishment of artificial communities of bacteria, which were eventually reintroduced in model organisms. Spatial organization of microbiota within a given host environment is critical to the physiological or pathological phenotypes provoked by commensal microbiota. In situ hybridization (ISH) is a complementary technique to sequencing and culturing to visualize the presence of individual bacterial operational taxonomic unit (OTUs) in context of the colonized organ. We recently applied highly sensitive in situ RNA hybridization to detection of commensal bacteria in low abundance respiratory tract samples of mice housed under specific pathogen free conditions. This technique allows species-specific detection of living bacteria using RNAScopeTM technology, while preserving the natural environment of the organ. We here provide a detailed step-by-step protocol describing the detection of commensal lung bacteria in respiratory tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological soil crusts, or biocrusts, are microbial communities found in soil surfaces in drylands and in other locations where vascular plant cover is incomplete. They are functionally significant for numerous ecosystem services, most notably in the C fixation and storage due to the ubiquity of photosynthetic microbes. Whereas carbon fixation and storage have been well studied in biocrusts, the composition, function and characteristics of other organisms in the biocrust such as heterotrophic bacteria and especially fungi are considerably less studied and this limits our ability to gain a holistic understanding of biocrust ecology and function. In this research we characterised the fungal community in biocrusts developed on Kalahari Sand soils from a site in southwest Botswana, and combined these data with previously published bacterial community data from the same site. By identifying organisational patterns in the community structure of fungi and bacteria, we found fungi that were either significantly associated with biocrust or the soil beneath biocrusts, leading to the conclusion that they likely perform functions related to the spatial organisation observed. Furthermore, we showed that within biocrusts bacterial and fungal community structures are correlated with each other i.e., a change in the bacterial community is reflected by a corresponding change in the fungal community. Importantly, this correlation but that this correlation does not occur in nearby soils. We propose that different fungi engage in short-range and long-range interactions with dryland soil surface bacteria. We have identified fungi which are candidates for further studies into their potential roles in biocrust ecology at short ranges (e.g., processing of complex compounds for waste management and resource provisioning) and longer ranges (e.g., translocation of resources such as water and the fungal loop model). This research shows that fungi are likely to have a greater contribution to biocrust function and dryland ecology than has generally been recognised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentration of antimicrobial agents in environments like water and food has increased rapidly, which led to a rapid increase in antimicrobial resistance levels in the environment. Monitoring of bacterial resistance levels is considered as a necessary means to control the bacterial resistance. Reference standards are critical for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. CLSI M45 A3 standard defines pathogenic microorganisms that cause infections less frequently than those covered by CLSI M02, M07, and M100 as Infrequently Isolated or Fastidious Bacteria and specifies antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods. Our study investigated the epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing data of Infrequently Isolated or Fastidious Bacteria strains isolated from blood specimens in 70 hospitals in Guangdong Province between 2017 and 2021. We defined testing methods other than those specified in CLSI M45 A3 as "Non-Standardized." The proportion of standardized antimicrobial susceptibility testing for penicillin increased significantly (Corynebacterium spp. 17.4% vs. 50.0% p < 0.05; Micrococcus spp. 50.0% vs. 77.8% p < 0.05; Abiotrophia spp. and Granulicatella spp. 21.4% vs. 90.9% p < 0.001), while for cefotaxime (Corynebacterium spp. 0.0% vs. 45.2% p < 0.05; Abiotrophia spp. and Granulicatella spp. 0.0% vs. 14.3% p = 0.515) and vancomycin increased finitely. Non-standardized methods were used for all other antimicrobials. Due to limitations in the economic and medical environment, some clinical laboratories are unable to fully comply with CLSI M45 A3 standard. We recommend that CLSI should add breakpoints for disk diffusion method to improve the standardization of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]