scholarly journals Phytoplankton consortia as a blueprint for mutually beneficial eukaryote-bacteria ecosystems: Biocoenosis ofBotryococcusconsortia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Blifernez-Klassen ◽  
Viktor Klassen ◽  
Daniel Wibberg ◽  
Enis Cebeci ◽  
Christian Henke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Algal Cell ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Hydrocarbonoclastic Bacteria ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Rhizosphere Interactions ◽  
System Reconstruction ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Metagenome Sequencing ◽  
And Control

AbstractBacteria occupy all major ecosystems and maintain an intensive relationship to the eukaryotes, developing together into complex biomes (i.e., phycosphere and rhizosphere). Interactions between eukaryotes and bacteria range from cooperative to competitive, with the associated microorganisms affecting their host’s development, growth, health and disease. Since the advent of non-culture dependent analytical techniques such as metagenome sequencing, consortia have been described but owing to the complex interactions rarely functionally dissected. Multifaceted analysis of the microbial consortium of the ancient phytoplanktonBotryococcusas an attractive model food web revealed that its all abundant bacterial members belong to a distinct niche of biotin auxotrophs, essentially depending on the microalga. In addition, hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria without vitamin auxotrophies, which adversely affect the algal cell morphology, appear evidently decimated. Synthetic rearrangement of a minimal community consisting of alga, mutualistic and parasitic bacteria underpins the model of a eukaryote that domesticates its own mutualistic bacterial “zoo” to manipulate and control its surrounding biosphere. This model of domestication of mutualistic bacteria for the defense against destruents by a eukaryotic host could represent ecologically relevant interactions that cross species boundaries. Metabolic and system reconstruction disentangles the relationships and provide a blueprint for the construction of mutually beneficial synthetic ecosystems.

scholarly journals Phytoplankton consortia as a blueprint for mutually beneficial eukaryote-bacteria ecosystems based on the biocoenosis of Botryococcus consortia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Blifernez-Klassen ◽  
Viktor Klassen ◽  
Daniel Wibberg ◽  
Enis Cebeci ◽  
Christian Henke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Consortium ◽  
Algal Cell ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Hydrocarbonoclastic Bacteria ◽  
Rhizosphere Interactions ◽  
System Reconstruction ◽  
Phylogenetic Level ◽  
Metagenome Sequencing ◽  
Culture Dependent

AbstractBacteria occupy all major ecosystems and maintain an intensive relationship to the eukaryotes, developing together into complex biomes (i.e., phycosphere and rhizosphere). Interactions between eukaryotes and bacteria range from cooperative to competitive, with the associated microorganisms affecting their host`s development, growth and health. Since the advent of non-culture dependent analytical techniques such as metagenome sequencing, consortia have been described at the phylogenetic level but rarely functionally. Multifaceted analysis of the microbial consortium of the ancient phytoplankton Botryococcus as an attractive model food web revealed that its all abundant bacterial members belong to a niche of biotin auxotrophs, essentially depending on the microalga. In addition, hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria without vitamin auxotrophies seem adversely to affect the algal cell morphology. Synthetic rearrangement of a minimal community consisting of an alga, a mutualistic and a parasitic bacteria underpins the model of a eukaryote that maintains its own mutualistic microbial community to control its surrounding biosphere. This model of coexistence, potentially useful for defense against invaders by a eukaryotic host could represent ecologically relevant interactions that cross species boundaries. Metabolic and system reconstruction is an opportunity to unravel the relationships within the consortia and provide a blueprint for the construction of mutually beneficial synthetic ecosystems.

scholarly journals On the robustness of inference of association with the gut microbiota in stool, rectal swab and mucosal tissue samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Sun ◽  
Xiangzhu Zhu ◽  
Xiang Huang ◽  
Harvey J. Murff ◽  
Reid M. Ness ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Rectal Swab ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Mucosal Tissue ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Metagenome Sequencing ◽  
Functional Profiles

AbstractThe gut microbiota plays an important role in human health and disease. Stool, rectal swab and rectal mucosal tissue samples have been used in individual studies to survey the microbial community but the consequences of using these different sample types are not completely understood. In this study, we report differences in stool, rectal swab and rectal mucosal tissue microbial communities with shotgun metagenome sequencing of 1397 stool, swab and mucosal tissue samples from 240 participants. The taxonomic composition of stool and swab samples was distinct, but less different to each other than mucosal tissue samples. Functional profile differences between stool and swab samples are smaller, but mucosal tissue samples remained distinct from the other two types. When the taxonomic and functional profiles were used for inference in association with host phenotypes of age, sex, body mass index (BMI), antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use, hypothesis testing using either stool or rectal swab gave broadly significantly correlated results, but inference performed on mucosal tissue samples gave results that were generally less consistent with either stool or swab. Our study represents an important resource for determination of how inference can change for taxa and pathways depending on the choice of where to sample within the human gut.

scholarly journals Social Semantics: The role of conceptual knowledge and cognitive control in a neurobiological model of the social brain

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J Binney ◽  
Richard Ramsey
Keyword(s):  
Social Cognition ◽  
Social Information Processing ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Social Phenomena ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Control ◽  
Social Semantics

Research in social neuroscience has primarily focused on carving up cognition into distinct pieces, as a function of mental process, neural network or social behaviour, while the need for unifying models that span multiple social phenomena has been relatively neglected. Here we present a novel framework that treats social cognition as a case of semantic cognition, which provides a neurobiologically constrained and generalizable framework, with clear, testable predictions regarding sociocognitive processing in the context of both health and disease. According to this framework, social cognition relies on two principal systems of representation and control. These systems are neuroanatomically and functionally distinct, but interact to (1) enable development of foundational, conceptual-level knowledge and (2) regulate access to this information in order to generate flexible and context-appropriate social behaviour. The Social Semantics framework shines new light on the mechanisms of social information processing by maintaining as much explanatory power as prior models of social cognition, whilst remaining simpler, by virtue of relying on fewer components that are “tuned” towards social interactions.

scholarly journals Application of Volatilome Analysis to the Diagnosis of Mycobacteria Infection in Livestock

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Rodríguez-Hernández ◽  
Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez ◽  
Lourdes Arce ◽  
Jaime Gómez-Laguna
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
Targeted Analysis ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
And Control

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are small molecular mass metabolites which compose the volatilome, whose analysis has been widely employed in different areas. This innovative approach has emerged in research as a diagnostic alternative to different diseases in human and veterinary medicine, which still present constraints regarding analytical and diagnostic sensitivity. Such is the case of the infection by mycobacteria responsible for tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in livestock. Although eradication and control programs have been partly managed with success in many countries worldwide, the often low sensitivity of the current diagnostic techniques against Mycobacterium bovis (as well as other mycobacteria from Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis together with other hurdles such as low mycobacteria loads in samples, a tedious process of microbiological culture, inhibition by many variables, or intermittent shedding of the mycobacteria highlight the importance of evaluating new techniques that open different options and complement the diagnostic paradigm. In this sense, volatilome analysis stands as a potential option because it fulfills part of the mycobacterial diagnosis requirements. The aim of the present review is to compile the information related to the diagnosis of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in livestock through the analysis of VOCs by using different biological matrices. The analytical techniques used for the evaluation of VOCs are discussed focusing on the advantages and drawbacks offered compared with the routine diagnostic tools. In addition, the differences described in the literature among in vivo and in vitro assays, natural and experimental infections, and the use of specific VOCs (targeted analysis) and complete VOC pattern (non-targeted analysis) are highlighted. This review emphasizes how this methodology could be useful in the problematic diagnosis of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in livestock and poses challenges to be addressed in future research.

Health and Well-Being

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Roberts ◽  
Jelena Bekvalac ◽  
Rebecca C. Redfern
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Medieval Period ◽  
Contextual Data ◽  
Future Developments ◽  
Late Medieval Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Health And Well Being

This chapter outlines the contributions bioarchaeology has made to understanding health and well-being in the late medieval period in Britain. Some of the history of the study of medieval bodies is followed by a commentary on the evidence base used to consider health and disease, integrated with contextual data, and the limitations of the data. This is followed by a focus on the largest excavated and well-studied cemetery site globally, to date (St Mary Spital, London). It also discusses the bioarchaeological field, including training and standards, advances in analytical techniques (biomolecular), the need for context in studies, and future developments.

scholarly journals A Vigilance Explanation of Musical Chills? Effects of Loudness and Brightness Manipulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 205920432091565
Author(s):  
Scott Bannister
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Spectral Brightness ◽  
Musical Structure ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Musical Structures ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
And Control ◽  
Auditory Looming ◽  
Control Piece

Recent research has suggested that low-level psychoacoustic parameters such as loudness and spectral brightness are correlated with musical chills, a subjective emotional experience accompanied by goosebumps, shivers, and tingling sensations. These relationships may be explained by a vigilance theory of chills, through the process of auditory looming; however, these correlations or theories have never been causally tested. In the current study, participants ( N = 40) listened to five variations (original, low loudness, high loudness, low brightness, high brightness) of an experimental and control piece of chills music, characterized by a crescendo and guitar solo respectively; this qualitative distinction was made based on whether the underlying musical structure of the pieces was or was not capable of engaging auditory looming processes. It was predicted that increases in loudness would result in increased chills frequency across participants, indicated by button presses; brightness was included as an exploratory parameter. Results show that for the experimental piece, increases in loudness resulted in significantly more frequent chills experiences, and increases in brightness significantly reduced the frequency of chills, whereas no effects were found for the control piece. Findings are discussed in terms of vigilance and social bonding theories of chills, and the complex interactions between low-level psychoacoustic properties and higher-level musical structures.

scholarly journals Recurrent Cholera Outbreaks in Sub-Saharan Africa: Moving beyond Epidemiology to Understand the Environmental Reservoirs and Drivers

Challenges ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Edmond Sanganyado
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Control ◽  
Water Borne

Recurrent cholera outbreaks in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) attracted a lot of research interest, raising questions about the effectiveness of current prevention and control methods. However, research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in Africa is dominated by epidemiological studies, while investigations on the environmental drivers and reservoirs of cholera remain scarce. The current discourse relating cholera to the environment in SSA is often limited to the rudimentary statement that, “cholera is caused by the consumption of contaminated water and food”. Yet, beyond this simplistic view, literature elsewhere shows that cholera outbreaks are controlled by its complex interactions with environmental drivers and reservoirs. This brings to question whether cholera can be eradicated in SSA without understanding these complex interactions. The current review seeks to (1) highlight the nature and dynamics of recent cholera outbreaks in SSA, (2) discuss the importance of environmental reservoirs of Vibrio cholerae, and anthropogenic and hydroclimatic drivers in controlling the dynamics of cholera outbreaks, and (3) highlight key knowledge gaps and future research directions, and the need to harness emerging research tools such as modeling, machine learning, data mining, and genomics techniques to better understand the cholera dynamics. By bringing to fore these often-overlooked issues in cholera research, we seek to stimulate discussion, and promote a shift toward cross-disciplinary research on cholera and other water-borne diseases in SSA and beyond.

Outcomes in genitourinary medicine: whose priority?

1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Measuring Outcomes ◽  
Genitourinary Medicine ◽  
The Uk ◽  
And Control ◽  
Health Function

Summary: The primary role of genitourinary medicine (GUM) services in the UK is the treatment and control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The origins of the service lie in its public health function, yet measuring outcomes locally and nationally is not straightforward. Difficulties arise from the complex interactions between sexual behaviour, the biology of STDs and the role of clinical services; from the potential consequences of the National Health Service (NHS) internal market on national STD control; and from the limitations of information and surveillance systems. This paper considers each of these areas in turn and concludes with some proposals for measuring GUM outcomes locally and nationally which might potentially satisfy the concerns of commissioners and providers.

An essay on human and elements, multielement profiles, and depression

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Berislav Momčilović ◽  
Juraj Prejac ◽  
Sanja Brundić ◽  
Sandra Morović ◽  
Anatoly Skalny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
The Body ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Metabolic Impairments ◽  
Matrix Sample

AbstractThe recent development of the analytical techniques offers the unprecedented possibility to study simultaneously concentration of dozens of elements in the same biological matrix sample of 0.5–1.0 g (multielement profiles). The first part of this essay entitled “Think globally… An outline of trace elements in health and disease” aims to introduce the reader to the fascinating field of elements, there importance to our nutrition, their essentiality, deficiency, toxicity and bioavailability to the body and their overall role in health and disease, including the genetic metabolic impairments. In the second part of the essay entitled “… and act locally. The multielement profile of depression” we aimed to show the potential of such a hair multielement profile analysis for the study of human depression in a randomized, double blind, prospective, observational, cross-sectional, clinical, epidemiological, and analytical study. The preliminary results of this ongoing study lead us to put forward the hypothesis that the metabolic origin of depression may be due to some “energostat” failure, probably located in the thalamus, and activated by several essential element deficiencies.

scholarly journals A catalog of microbial genes from the bovine rumen unveils a specialized and diverse biomass-degrading environment

GigaScience ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhua Li ◽  
Huanzi Zhong ◽  
Yuliaxis Ramayo-Caldas ◽  
Nicolas Terrapon ◽  
Vincent Lombard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Wall Material ◽  
Rumen Microbes ◽  
Bovine Rumen ◽  
Degrading Enzymes ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Metagenome Sequencing ◽  
Available Information

Abstract Background The rumen microbiota provides essential services to its host and, through its role in ruminant production, contributes to human nutrition and food security. A thorough knowledge of the genetic potential of rumen microbes will provide opportunities for improving the sustainability of ruminant production systems. The availability of gene reference catalogs from gut microbiomes has advanced the understanding of the role of the microbiota in health and disease in humans and other mammals. In this work, we established a catalog of reference prokaryote genes from the bovine rumen. Results Using deep metagenome sequencing we identified 13,825,880 non-redundant prokaryote genes from the bovine rumen. Compared to human, pig, and mouse gut metagenome catalogs, the rumen is larger and richer in functions and microbial species associated with the degradation of plant cell wall material and production of methane. Genes encoding enzymes catalyzing the breakdown of plant polysaccharides showed a particularly high richness that is otherwise impossible to infer from available genomes or shallow metagenomics sequencing. The catalog expands the dataset of carbohydrate-degrading enzymes described in the rumen. Using an independent dataset from a group of 77 cattle fed 4 common dietary regimes, we found that only <0.1% of genes were shared by all animals, which contrast with a large overlap for functions, i.e., 63% for KEGG functions. Different diets induced differences in the relative abundance rather than the presence or absence of genes, which explains the great adaptability of cattle to rapidly adjust to dietary changes. Conclusions These data bring new insights into functions, carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, and microbes of the rumen to complement the available information on microbial genomes. The catalog is a significant biological resource enabling deeper understanding of phenotypes and biological processes and will be expanded as new data are made available.

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