The Role of the Microbiome of Truffles in Aroma Formation: a Meta-Analysis Approach

ABSTRACTTruffles (Tuberspp.) are ascomycete subterraneous fungi that form ectomycorrhizas in a symbiotic relationship with plant roots. Their fruiting bodies are appreciated for their distinctive aroma, which might be partially derived from microbes. Indeed, truffle fruiting bodies are colonized by a diverse microbial community made up of bacteria, yeasts, guest filamentous fungi, and viruses. The aim of this minireview is two-fold. First, the current knowledge on the microbial community composition of truffles has been synthesized to highlight similarities and differences among four truffle (Tuber) species (T. magnatum,T. melanosporum,T. aestivum, andT. borchii) at various stages of their life cycle. Second, the potential role of the microbiome in truffle aroma formation has been addressed for the same four species. Our results suggest that on one hand, odorants, which are common to many truffle species, might be of mixed truffle and microbial origin, while on the other hand, less common odorants might be derived from microbes only. They also highlight that bacteria, the dominant group in the microbiome of the truffle, might also be the most important contributors to truffle aroma not only inT. borchii, as already demonstrated, but also inT. magnatum,T. aestivum, andT. melanosporum.

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Plant-derived coumarins shape the composition of an Arabidopsis synthetic root microbiome

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1820691116 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 116 (25) ◽

pp. 12558-12565 ◽

Cited By ~ 56

Author(s):

Mathias J. E. E. E. Voges ◽

Yang Bai ◽

Paul Schulze-Lefert ◽

Elizabeth S. Sattely

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Potential Role ◽

Microbial Community Composition ◽

Alkaline Soils ◽

Arable Soils ◽

Specialized Metabolites ◽

Community Shifts ◽

Root Microbiome

The factors that contribute to the composition of the root microbiome and, in turn, affect plant fitness are not well understood. Recent work has highlighted a major contribution of the soil inoculum in determining the composition of the root microbiome. However, plants are known to conditionally exude a diverse array of unique secondary metabolites, that vary among species and environmental conditions and can interact with the surrounding biota. Here, we explore the role of specialized metabolites in dictating which bacteria reside in the rhizosphere. We employed a reduced synthetic community (SynCom) of Arabidopsis thaliana root-isolated bacteria to detect community shifts that occur in the absence of the secreted small-molecule phytoalexins, flavonoids, and coumarins. We find that lack of coumarin biosynthesis in f6′h1 mutant plant lines causes a shift in the root microbial community specifically under iron deficiency. We demonstrate a potential role for iron-mobilizing coumarins in sculpting the A. thaliana root bacterial community by inhibiting the proliferation of a relatively abundant Pseudomonas species via a redox-mediated mechanism. This work establishes a systematic approach enabling elucidation of specific mechanisms by which plant-derived molecules mediate microbial community composition. Our findings expand on the function of conditionally exuded specialized metabolites and suggest avenues to effectively engineer the rhizosphere with the aim of improving crop growth in iron-limited alkaline soils, which make up a third of the world’s arable soils.

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Linking microbial community composition to farming pattern in selenium-enriched region: Potential role of microorganisms on Se geochemistry

Journal of Environmental Sciences ◽

10.1016/j.jes.2021.05.015 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 112 ◽

pp. 269-279

Author(s):

Yanhong Wang ◽

Xinyan Shi ◽

Xianxin Huang ◽

Chunlei Huang ◽

Helin Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Community Composition ◽

Potential Role ◽

Microbial Community Composition

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Neurotoxic and Neuroprotective Role of Exosomes in Parkinson’s Disease

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666191113103537 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (42) ◽

pp. 4510-4522 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Biancamaria Longoni ◽

Irene Fasciani ◽

Shivakumar Kolachalam ◽

Ilaria Pietrantoni ◽

Francesco Marampon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Potential Role ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Biological Fluids ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Target Cells ◽

Cellular Debris ◽

The Brain

: Exosomes are extracellular vesicles produced by eukaryotic cells that are also found in most biological fluids and tissues. While they were initially thought to act as compartments for removal of cellular debris, they are now recognized as important tools for cell-to-cell communication and for the transfer of pathogens between the cells. They have attracted particular interest in neurodegenerative diseases for their potential role in transferring prion-like proteins between neurons, and in Parkinson’s disease (PD), they have been shown to spread oligomers of α-synuclein in the brain accelerating the progression of this pathology. A potential neuroprotective role of exosomes has also been equally proposed in PD as they could limit the toxicity of α-synuclein by clearing them out of the cells. Exosomes have also attracted considerable attention for use as drug vehicles. Being nonimmunogenic in nature, they provide an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the delivery of incorporated drugs to target cells. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about the potential neurotoxic and neuroprotective role of exosomes and their potential application as drug delivery systems in PD.

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Revitalising Waqf (endowment) lands for agribusiness: potentials of the anchor company models

Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies ◽

10.1108/jadee-05-2021-0128 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Norfaridah Ali Azizan ◽

Amirul Afif Muhamat ◽

Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi ◽

Husniyati Ali ◽

Amalia Qistina Casteneda Abdullah

Keyword(s):

Household Income ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Potential Role ◽

Islamic Law ◽

Living Condition ◽

Previous Literature ◽

Content Type ◽

Muslim Countries ◽

The Right

PurposeWaqf (endowment) lands constitute as among the highest types of waqf (endowment) properties in Malaysia; yet it is still unable to reach its maximum potential due to various challenges such as capital, location, legal and administrative issues. Therefore, this study intends to explore these issues by focussing on the two states in Malaysia (Selangor and Perak) that have fertile lands but different management authorities.Design/methodology/approachThere were series of interviews that had been conducted with ten (10) key informants who are experts and practitioners in the areas of Shariah (Islamic law), farming, agribusiness, land management and waqf.FindingsFindings exhibit that constraints and challenges that had been highlighted in the previous literature still exist (although some improvements had been made), but there is emerging theme that the study intends to highlight which is on the needs to secure market for the agribusiness produce and the potential role of anchor company in the agribusiness. It is pertinent that for agribusiness to thrive, selecting the right anchor company that has the capacity to address the challenges is necessary. This study posits two anchor company models (Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company and Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company-Community Farmers) that can be applied for agribusiness on the waqf lands.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on the Malaysia's context influenced by specific country's features. Nevertheless, such findings can still be used as reference or benchmark by other endowment trustees in other countries especially for the Muslim countries as well as the non-Muslim countries that have significant Muslim populations.Social implicationsThe suggested models have potentials to improve the living condition of the B40 (below 40% household income) in Malaysia because the models encourage their participation in the agribusiness activities.Originality/valueThis study focusses on the agribusiness, which is rarely being given attention in previous literature in the context of endowment lands. Therefore, this article bridges the literature gap and at the same time attempts to provide suggestion to address the pertinent issue – the underutilised endowment lands.

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Social capital in the theory and research of LIS professionals in the light of the literature on the subject. Review of current knowledge

Global Knowledge Memory and Communication ◽

10.1108/gkmc-08-2020-0108 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Maja Dorota Wojciechowska

Keyword(s):

Social Capital ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Future Research ◽

Content Type ◽

Individual Social Capital ◽

Rural Libraries ◽

The Subject ◽

The Moment ◽

The Impact

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to present the latest scholarly trends in the field of social capital in libraries, to review research concepts published by LIS professionals and to suggest further research possibilities in this area. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a review and critical analysis of literature associated with research on social capital in libraries to highlight its importance for the development of LIS and its impact on the functioning of environments linked with various types of libraries. The goal of literature analysis was to determine the current condition of research on social capital in libraries. The main trends were identified and the need for further qualitative analyses, which are missing at the moment, was confirmed. Findings It was determined that, so far, LIS professionals have focussed mainly on the role of municipal libraries in developing social capital, the problem of building trust, especially in immigrant circles and the impact of libraries on promoting a civil society. Academic libraries, rural libraries, organisational capital in libraries and individual social capital of librarians were a much less frequent subject of research. The role of libraries in developing social capital in educational (primary and secondary education) and professional (non-university professionals) circles is practically non-existent in research, and it will require in-depth studies and analyses in the coming years. Originality/value This paper constitutes a synthetic review of the latest research concepts concerning social capital in libraries. It identifies the most important research trends and areas that so far have not been explored and suggests research methods to help LIS professionals design future research in this area more effectively.

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Impact of perceived organizational support and green transformational leadership on sustainable organizational performance: a SEM approach

Business Process Management Journal ◽

10.1108/bpmj-09-2020-0419 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Manita Kusi ◽

Fuqiang Zhao ◽

Dinesh Sukamani

Keyword(s):

Transformational Leadership ◽

Organizational Performance ◽

Organizational Support ◽

Perceived Organizational Support ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Future Research ◽

Content Type ◽

The Relationship ◽

Staff Level

PurposeThe study aims to scrutinize the concomitant associations between corporate social responsibility (CSR), perceived organizational support (POS), green transformational leadership (GTL) and organizational performance (OP). This paper aims to explore the role of intervening variable to measure the strength on the relationship between CSR and OP.Design/methodology/approachThis research administered a survey through self-administered questionnaire among the staff-level employees of construction companies of Nepal. Fully filled 305 responses from the participants were analyzed using a structural equation model. The study used self-structured questionnaire as research tool and face-to-face meetings as data collection technique.FindingsThe research indicates that POS showed competitive partial mediation relation between CSR and OP. Besides, a novel exploration of the moderation effect of GTL displays a supportive role in harmonizing the CSR with organizational support to achieve better OP. This study enriches empirical evidence to understand the linkage between CSR and POS in staff-level employees in the construction area. Moreover, the research shed a light on GTL 's moderating influence on the mediated model of CSR, POS and OP.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the results of the study add to the current knowledge base, several limitations highlight avenues for future research. Future studies can explore the relationship in other study areas with added evidence on a similar result with different analysis patterns and study sample. The research model studied in the context of Nepal creating evidence as a representation for the developing countries.Originality/valueThe intervening role of POS and GTL gives new insight for the research-based organization based social behavior and performance

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Great minds think alike: does leader-follower similarity in construal level of the work enhance leader-member exchange quality?

Leadership & Organization Development Journal ◽

10.1108/lodj-04-2021-0169 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Sevgi Emirza ◽

Alev Katrinli

Keyword(s):

Mental Representation ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Interpersonal Relationship ◽

Survey Study ◽

Construal Level ◽

Leader Member Exchange ◽

Content Type ◽

Member Exchange

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate whether leader-follower similarity in construal level of the work, which indicates the degree of abstraction applied to mental representation of the work, influences the quality of interpersonal relationship at work.Design/methodology/approachFirst, an interview study was conducted to adapt the work-based construal-level (WBCL) scale. Then, a survey study was conducted for hypothesis testing. Data collected from 245 matched supervisor-subordinate dyads were analyzed using multi-level modeling.FindingsResults revealed that dyadic similarity in work-domain construal level is positively related to leader-member exchange (LMX) quality. As a leader and a follower become similar to each other in terms of mental representation (i.e. construal level) of work, they experience higher relationship quality.Originality/valueThis study enhances the current knowledge of the role of cognition and cognitive similarity in leadership processes.

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Marketing to the “middle of the pyramid” in emerging markets using a social network perspective

International Journal of Emerging Markets ◽

10.1108/ijoem-05-2013-0090 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 400-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Tendai Chikweche ◽

Richard Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Middle Class ◽

Potential Role ◽

Content Type ◽

Business Executives ◽

Advanced Economies ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Corporate Social ◽

The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to expand knowledge about how middle class consumers in Sub-Saharan African markets behave, focusing on the potential role of social networks and the subsequent interactions that take place between these consumers and firms. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research method approach comprising personal interviews and observations targeted at consumers and business executives was used covering all four countries. Findings – Key findings include identification of middle of the pyramid (MOP) social networks, their impact on consumer behaviour and nature of consumer and firm interactions that take place as a result of the impact of social networks. Research limitations/implications – The sample size was restricted to 80 consumers in each of the four countries. This might limit generalisability. Practical implications – The study provides managers with insights on the potential role of social networks on marketing to the MOP in Africa. Social implications – The study provides managers with insights on the potential opportunities for corporate social responsibility solutions at the MOP. Originality/value – Research into the middle class in markets other than western advanced economies is a relatively new area of study. The majority of studies on the middle class have focused on North America and Europe ignoring the merging middle class in Africa. Hence, this research expands knowledge by providing basis for exploring new insights on the emerging marketing opportunity within the middle class in Africa.

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Self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms: a meta-analysis

Data Technologies and Applications ◽

10.1108/dta-02-2020-0047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Zheshi Bao ◽

Bo Shang

Keyword(s):

Web 2.0 ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Continuance Intention ◽

Content Type ◽

Moderating Variables ◽

Quantitative Measurements ◽

And Gender ◽

The Relationship

PurposeAlthough many studies show that self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms are positively and significant correlated, others reveal some different findings. To clarify this line of research, this study further investigates the effect of self-efficacy on continuance intention and meanwhile examines some moderating variables in this process.Design/methodology/approachA meta-analysis method was employed to examine the literature containing quantitative measurements of both self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms. A total of 31 effects sizes (N = 9,084) were reviewed.FindingsThe results indicate medium-sized positive correlation between self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms. Further moderation analysis shows that such medium-sized link differed across measures of Web 2.0 platform types, target respondent differences and gender of participants. Specifically, this correlation is largest for transaction-socialization platforms and smallest for experience-socialization platforms. For university-student respondents, the role of self-efficacy in affecting continuance intention is less important than general members of Web 2.0 platforms. Finally, as the percentage of female participants increases, a weaker effect size will be observed.Originality/valueThis study clarifies empirical research regarding users' self-efficacy and their continuance intention. Meanwhile, sources of inter-study variability have been identified by addressing moderator variables in the relationship between self-efficacy and continuance intention of Web 2.0 platforms, which provides directions for future explorations in this area.

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