Microbial diversity in soil: ecological theories, the contribution of molecular techniques and the impact of transgenic plants and transgenic microorganisms

2004 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 363-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Lynch ◽  
A. Benedetti ◽  
H. Insam ◽  
M. P. Nuti ◽  
K. Smalla ◽  
...  
2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 922-930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Smith ◽  
Alison C. Badrick ◽  
Martha Zakrzewski ◽  
Lutz Krause ◽  
Scott C. Bell ◽  
...  

Chronic airway infection in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) is polymicrobial and the impact of intravenous antibiotics on the bacterial community composition is poorly understood. We employed culture-independent molecular techniques to explore the early effects of i.v. antibiotics on the CF airway microbiome.DNA was extracted from sputum samples collected from adult subjects with CF at three time-points (before starting treatment, and at day 3 and day 8–10 of i.v. antibiotics) during treatment of an infective pulmonary exacerbation. Microbial community profiles were derived through analysis of bacterial-derived 16S ribosomal RNA by pyrosequencing and changes over time were compared.59 sputum samples were collected during 24 pulmonary exacerbations from 23 subjects. Between treatment onset and day 3 there was a significant reduction in the relative abundance of Pseudomonas and increased microbial diversity. By day 8–10, bacterial community composition was similar to pre-treatment. Changes in community composition did not predict improvements in lung function.The relative abundance of Pseudomonas falls rapidly in subjects with CF receiving i.v. antibiotic treatment for a pulmonary exacerbation and is accompanied by an increase in overall microbial diversity. However, this effect is not maintained beyond the first week of treatment.


Author(s):  
Spinello Antinori ◽  
Cecilia Bonazzetti ◽  
Andrea Giacomelli ◽  
Mario Corbellino ◽  
Massimo Galli ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Studies of the malaria parasites infecting various non-human primates (NHPs) have increased our understanding of the origin, biology and pathogenesis of human Plasmodium parasites. This review considers the major discoveries concerning NHP malaria parasites, highlights their relationships with human malaria and considers the impact that this may have on attempts to eradicate the disease. Results The first description of NHP malaria parasites dates back to the early 20th century. Subsequently, experimental and fortuitous findings indicating that some NHP malaria parasites can be transmitted to humans have raised concerns about the possible impact of a zoonotic malaria reservoir on efforts to control human malaria. Advances in molecular techniques over the last 15 years have contributed greatly to our knowledge of the existence and geographical distribution of numerous Plasmodium species infecting NHPs, and extended our understanding of their close phylogenetic relationships with human malaria parasites. The clinical application of such techniques has also made it possible to document ongoing spillovers of NHP malaria parasites (Plasmodium knowlesi, P. cynomolgi, P. simium, P. brasilianum) in humans living in or near the forests of Asia and South America, thus confirming that zoonotic malaria can undermine efforts to eradicate human malaria. Conclusions Increasing molecular research supports the prophetic intuition of the pioneers of modern malariology who saw zoonotic malaria as a potential obstacle to the full success of malaria eradication programmes. It is, therefore, important to continue surveillance and research based on one-health approaches in order to improve our understanding of the complex interactions between NHPs, mosquito vectors and humans during a period of ongoing changes in the climate and the use of land, monitor the evolution of zoonotic malaria, identify the populations most at risk and implement appropriate preventive strategies.


Author(s):  
Yoshihiro Tomizawa ◽  
Shunya Kurokawa ◽  
Daiki Ishii ◽  
Katsuma Miyaho ◽  
Chiharu Ishii ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The antibacterial effects of psychotropics may be part of their pharmacological effects when treating depression. However, limited studies have focused on gut microbiota in relation to prescribed medication. Method We longitudinally investigated the relationship between patients’ prescribed medications and intestinal bacterial diversity in a naturalistic treatment course for patients with major depressive disorders and anxiety disorders. Patients were recruited and their stool was collected at 3 time points during their usual psychiatric treatments. Gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We examined the impact of psychotropics (i.e., antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics) on their gut microbial diversity and functions. Results We collected 246 stool samples from 40 patients. Despite no differences in microbial diversity between medication groups at the baseline, over the course of treatment, phylogenic diversity whole-tree diversity decreased in patients on antipsychotics compared with patients without (P = .027), and beta diversity followed this trend. Based on a fixed-effect model, antipsychotics predicted microbial diversity; the higher doses correlated with less diversity based on the Shannon index and phylogenic diversity whole tree (estimate = −0.00254, SE = 0.000595, P < .0001; estimate = −0.02644, SE = 0.00833, P = .002, respectively). Conclusion Antipsychotics may play a role in decreasing the alpha diversity of the gut microbiome among patients with depression and anxiety, and our results indicate a relationship with medication dosage. Future studies are warranted and should consider patients’ types and doses of antipsychotics in order to further elucidate the mechanisms of gut-brain interactions in psychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Rosado ◽  
Raquel Xavier ◽  
Jo Cable ◽  
Ricardo Severino ◽  
Pedro Tarroso ◽  
...  

AbstractFish microbiota are intrinsically linked to health and fitness, but they are highly variable and influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors. Water temperature particularly limits bacterial adhesion and growth, impacting microbial diversity and bacterial infections on the skin and gills. Aquaculture is heavily affected by infectious diseases, especially in warmer months, and industry practices often promote stress and microbial dysbiosis, leading to an increased abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria. In this regard, fish mucosa health is extremely important because it provides a primary barrier against pathogens. We used 16 rRNA V4 metataxonomics to characterize the skin and gill microbiota of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, and the surrounding water over 12 months, assessing the impact of water temperature on microbial diversity and function. We show that the microbiota of external mucosae are highly dynamic with consistent longitudinal trends in taxon diversity. Several potentially pathogenic genera (Aliivibrio, Photobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio) were highly abundant, showing complex interactions with other bacterial genera, some of which with recognized probiotic activity, and were also significantly impacted by changes in temperature. The surrounding water temperature influenced fish microbial composition, structure and function over time (days and months). Additionally, dysbiosis was more frequent in warmer months and during transitions between cold/warm months. We also detected a strong seasonal effect in the fish microbiota, which is likely to result from the compound action of several unmeasured environmental factors (e.g., pH, nutrient availability) beyond temperature. Our results highlight the importance of performing longitudinal studies to assess the impact of environmental factors on fish microbiotas.


Author(s):  
Arvind Sathyamurthy ◽  
Ashish Singh ◽  
Tarun Jose ◽  
Patricia Sebastian ◽  
Rajesh Balakrishnan ◽  
...  

Abstract Aim: To analyse the presentation, diagnosis and patterns of care of extraosseous Ewing sarcoma treated at our institution between 2008 and 2018. Methods: Electronic medical records of extraosseous Ewing sarcoma patients treated at our institution between January 2008 and April 2018 were reviewed. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted to assess the overall and disease-free survival with 95% confidence intervals. A univariate analysis was carried out to assess the impact of variables such as surgical excision, completeness of surgery, completeness of chemotherapy and addition of radiation therapy on the survivorship. Results: The records of 65 patients treated at our institution were available for review. The mean age was 26·4 years. The most frequent sites of extraosseous Ewing tumour were kidney—9/65 (13·8%) and brain—10/65 (15·4%). Sixteen (24·6%) patients presented with inoperable/metastatic disease at diagnosis. The other 49 (75·4%) had localised disease at presentation. The median overall survival of the 49 non-metastatic patients was 46 months, and the disease-free survival was 45 months. Conclusion: Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma is a rare and aggressive tumour diagnosed by molecular techniques. Multi-modality treatment including surgical resection with wide margins, adjuvant radiation when indicated and completion of systemic chemotherapy results in optimum outcomes.


Marine Drugs ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. 408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosario Nicoletti ◽  
Francesco Vinale

The impact of bioactive compounds from natural sources on human life, particularly in pharmacology and biotechnology, has challenged the scientific community to explore new environmental contexts and the associated microbial diversity. [...]


2001 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 332-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte E Davies ◽  
Melanie J Wilson ◽  
Katja E Hill ◽  
Phil Stephens ◽  
C. Michael Hill ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1544-1544
Author(s):  
Redouane Rouas ◽  
Haidar Akl ◽  
Bassam Badran ◽  
Larissa Di Pietrantonio ◽  
Hugues Duvillier ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Mature dendritic cells (DCs) represent, by far, the most potent antigen-presenting cells capable of priming effective T-cell responses. This enhanced ability to prime immune responses, coupled with the recent development of clinical grade techniques for obtaining large numbers of human DCs, make it possible to use them for therapeutic vaccination after antigen loading and maturation. Although the exact mechanisms by which DCs modulate immunity are still under investigation, it is obvious that important parameters for determining DC-based immunotherapy efficacy include their maturation status and ability to elicit primary responses. Methods: We compared the immune function of DCs generated and matured in culture plates (pla-DCs) with those generated and matured in clinical grade bags (bag-DCs). The maturation cocktail was composed of Poly I:C, IL1β, IFNα, IFNγ, and TNFα. We first analyzed the impact of the culture conditions on the phenotype, secretion of bioactive IL-12 and its kinetics during the maturation process, and the capacity to prime in vitro naïve T-cells against HIV-gp41 protein in seronegative donors. We also investigated immature and mature bag-DCs and pla-DCs, using molecular techniques (EMSA, Western Blot and micro-arrays). Results: although mature bag-DCs displayed a mature phenotype, they were unable to secrete significant amounts of IL-12 p70 and to initiate primary immune reactions against HIV-gp41, at the opposite of pla-DCs. Furthermore the addition of exogenous IL-12 p70 could not restore their functionality. Molecular analyses performed on immature DCs showed that bag-DCs were already in the beginning of a maturation process, as demonstrated by activation of NFκB, and the Akt pathway. Surprisingly, we found the β-Catenin pathway already activated (known to induce a maturation inefficient for the generation of TH1 response). A micro-array analysis demonstrated that receptors for the maturation cocktail component were under-expressed in immature bag-DCs. When analyzing mature DCs, we found the expression of several genes involved in DCs capacity to induce responses to be downregulated in bag-DCs. Apart from IL-12 p35 and p40 under-expression, other genes crucial for DC function, including chemokines, co-stimulatory and adhesion molecules, were also under-expressed. EMSA and Western blot assays showed that in mature pla-DCs, NfκB and the Akt pathway were normally activated, but not the β-Catenin pathway. Futhermore, in mature DCs, though MAPK p38 was activated in both DCs type, the Mek/Erk pathway was activated only in bag- DCs. It is worth mentioning that the same phenomena occurred when using CD14-positive purified cells, which rules out a possible role of contaminating PBMCs in bags. Conclusion: we conclude that culture conditions have an important impact on DCs functionality and that results obtained with pla-DCs cannot be directly transferred to bag-DCs. Our results strongly suggest that the differentiation of monocytes-derived DCs in bags lead to the generation of immature cells, which are already engaged in an inefficient type of maturation, together with a decreased expression of genes involved in the response to the maturation cocktail, which in turn results in mature DCs presenting with defects in the expression of genes crucial for the induction of primary TH1-type responses.


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