scholarly journals Bog ecosystems as a playground for plant–microbe coevolution: bryophytes and vascular plants harbour functionally adapted bacteria

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wisnu Adi Wicaksono ◽  
Tomislav Cernava ◽  
Christian Berg ◽  
Gabriele Berg
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Carbon Fixation ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Metabolic Potential ◽  
Bog Ecosystems ◽  
Functional Specification ◽  
Plant Microbiota

Abstract Background Bogs are unique ecosystems inhabited by distinctive, coevolved assemblages of organisms, which play a global role for carbon storage, climate stability, water quality and biodiversity. To understand ecology and plant–microbe co-occurrence in bogs, we selected 12 representative species of bryophytes and vascular plants and subjected them to a shotgun metagenomic sequencing approach. We explored specific plant–microbe associations as well as functional implications of the respective communities on their host plants and the bog ecosystem. Results Microbial communities were shown to be functionally adapted to their plant hosts; a higher colonization specificity was found for vascular plants. Bryophytes that commonly constitute the predominant Sphagnum layer in bogs were characterized by a higher bacterial richness and diversity. Each plant group showed an enrichment of distinct phylogenetic and functional bacterial lineages. Detailed analyses of the metabolic potential of 28 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) supported the observed functional specification of prevalent bacteria. We found that novel lineages of Betaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria in the bog environment harboured genes required for carbon fixation via RuBisCo. Interestingly, several of the highly abundant bacteria in both plant types harboured pathogenicity potential and carried similar virulence factors as found with corresponding human pathogens. Conclusions The unexpectedly high specificity of the plant microbiota reflects intimate plant–microbe interactions and coevolution in bog environments. We assume that the detected pathogenicity factors might be involved in coevolution processes, but the finding also reinforces the role of the natural plant microbiota as a potential reservoir for human pathogens. Overall, the study demonstrates how plant–microbe assemblages can ensure stability, functioning and ecosystem health in bogs. It also highlights the role of bog ecosystems as a playground for plant–microbe coevolution.

scholarly journals Carbon for nutrient exchange between Lycopodiella inundata and Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes is unresponsive to high atmospheric CO2

Mycorrhiza ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace A. Hoysted ◽  
Jill Kowal ◽  
Silvia Pressel ◽  
Jeffrey G. Duckett ◽  
Martin I. Bidartondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Fine Root ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal ◽  
Root Endophyte ◽  
Isotope Tracers ◽  
The Past ◽  
Fungal Associates ◽  
Endophyte Fungi

AbstractNon-vascular plants associating with arbuscular mycorrhizal (AMF) and Mucoromycotina ‘fine root endophyte’ (MFRE) fungi derive greater benefits from their fungal associates under higher atmospheric [CO2] (a[CO2]) than ambient; however, nothing is known about how changes in a[CO2] affect MFRE function in vascular plants. We measured movement of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) between the lycophyte Lycopodiella inundata and Mucoromycotina fine root endophyte fungi using 33P-orthophosphate, 15 N-ammonium chloride and 14CO2 isotope tracers under ambient and elevated a[CO2] concentrations of 440 and 800 ppm, respectively. Transfers of 33P and 15 N from MFRE to plants were unaffected by changes in a[CO2]. There was a slight increase in C transfer from plants to MFRE under elevated a[CO2]. Our results demonstrate that the exchange of C-for-nutrients between a vascular plant and Mucoromycotina FRE is largely unaffected by changes in a[CO2]. Unravelling the role of MFRE in host plant nutrition and potential C-for-N trade changes between symbionts under different abiotic conditions is imperative to further our understanding of the past, present and future roles of plant-fungal symbioses in ecosystems.

The antiviral lectin cyanovirin-N: probing multivalency and glycan recognition through experimental and computational approaches

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 1170-1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian W. Woodrum ◽  
Jason D. Maxwell ◽  
Ashini Bolia ◽  
S. Banu Ozkan ◽  
Giovanna Ghirlanda
Keyword(s):  
Viral Entry ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Protein Gp120 ◽  
Computational Work ◽  
Gp120 Glycoprotein ◽  
Anti Hiv Agents ◽  
Anti Hiv ◽  
Envelope Protein Gp120

CVN (cyanovirin-N), a small lectin isolated from cyanobacteria, exemplifies a novel class of anti-HIV agents that act by binding to the highly glycosylated envelope protein gp120 (glycoprotein 120), resulting in inhibition of the crucial viral entry step. In the present review, we summarize recent work in our laboratory and others towards determining the crucial role of multivalency in the antiviral activity, and we discuss features that contribute to the high specificity and affinity for the glycan ligand observed in CVN. An integrated approach that encompasses structural determination, mutagenesis analysis and computational work holds particular promise to clarify aspects of the interactions between CVN and glycans.

scholarly journals Identification of gut microbiome markers for schizophrenia delineates a potential role of Streptococcus

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Zhu ◽  
Yanmei Ju ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Qi Wang ◽  
Ruijin Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Validation Cohort ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Discovery Cohort ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Functional Changes ◽  
Microbial Biomarkers

AbstractEmerging evidence has linked the gut microbiota to schizophrenia. However, the functional changes in the gut microbiota and the biological role of individual bacterial species in schizophrenia have not been explored systematically. Here, we characterized the gut microbiota in schizophrenia using shotgun metagenomic sequencing of feces from a discovery cohort of 90 drug-free patients and 81 controls, as well as a validation cohort of 45 patients taking antipsychotics and 45 controls. We screened 83 schizophrenia-associated bacterial species and constructed a classifier comprising 26 microbial biomarkers that distinguished patients from controls with a 0.896 area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) in the discovery cohort and 0.765 AUC in the validation cohort. Our analysis of fecal metagenomes revealed that schizophrenia-associated gut–brain modules included short-chain fatty acids synthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and synthesis/degradation of neurotransmitters including glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, and nitric oxide. The schizophrenia-enriched gut bacterial species include several oral cavity-resident microbes, such as Streptococcus vestibularis. We transplanted Streptococcus vestibularis into the gut of the mice with antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion to explore its functional role. We observed that this microbe transiently inhabited the mouse gut and this was followed by hyperactivity and deficit in social behaviors, accompanied with altered neurotransmitter levels in peripheral tissues. In conclusion, our study identified 26 schizophrenia-associated bacterial species representing potential microbial targets for future treatment, as well as gut–brain modules, some of which may give rise to new microbial metabolites involved in the development of schizophrenia.

scholarly journals The role of European rare habitats in conservation of rare phytodiversity of «Drevlianskyi» Nature Reserve

2021 ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
O. Orlov ◽  
V. Konishchuk ◽  
V. Martynenko
Keyword(s):  
Rare Species ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Habitat Directive ◽  
Central European ◽  
Bern Convention ◽  
Scots Pine Forests

Classification scheme of rare habitats of Europe according to Bern Convention and Habitat Directive of EU was presented for the territory of Drevlianskyi nature reserve. It was shown significant habitat’s diversity of nature reserve from all main types of habitats — water (permanent and temporary lakes (waterbodies), watercources, reedbeds habitats), bog (eutrophic and mesotrophic mires), grassland (dry, mesic and wet grassland, floodplain and fen scrub, heaths), forest (leaved and conifer forests (woodland), rock (rocks and talus of silicate rocks). According to the results of field research, the territory of the reserve represented by 30 habitats (1 — ІІ leaves, 4 — ІІІ leaves, 25 — ІV leaves). It is established that the most common habitat 91T0 (Central European lichen Scots pine forests), which represented by 153 localities in A1C (dry pine forest) on an area of 421.5 ha. It was made a conclusion that the role of rare habitats in nature reserve Drevlianskyi is determinant for conservation of rare species of vascular plants that are protected by the Bern Convention, European Red List and included to the Red Book of Ukraine. The results of the analysis of the role of rare biotopes of Europe in the conservation of species of flora of different protection status on the territory of Drevlianskyi nature reserve show that most of the rare plant species of reserve listed in Resolution № 6 of the Bern Convention (Annex I), revised in 2011, are present in its rare settlements. The role of rare habitats of Drevlianskyi nature reserve in the conservation of rare species of flora is decisive — of the 29 species of plants of supranational and national levels of protection in rare habitats there are 24 species or 82.8% of their total number.

scholarly journals Measuring Productivity and Efficiency of Seaports in India using DEA technique

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeronimo Guilherme Remigio MONTEIRO
Keyword(s):  
Design Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Data Envelopment ◽  
Bayesian Techniques ◽  
Functional Specification ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Performance Point ◽  
Port System

Aim: In this paper we are looking at the seaports (in India called ‘major ports’) from the context of its trade and India’s strategic importance in trade world after the initiation of economic reforms in 1991. It empirically estimates the levels of productivity and efficiency of seaports in India. This paper applies DEA technique to assess productivity and efficiency of seaports in India. Design/Research methods: DEA technique is extensively used in the literature of economics to provide measures of firms’ technical efficiency. These measures rank the firms by looking at their apparent performances over a period of time. DEA is a frontier model which is non-parametric since no functional specification or form is required to be mentioned. Conclusions/Findings: The DEA results as discussed and reported in the paper have shown how Indian ports are performing over the years. This investigation alone is not sufficient to develop a benchmark in the port system of India. Rather it will do well to have a closer look at the Indian ports from the physical and financial performance point of view. This study made use of data envelopment analysis (DEA) to generate what we call an efficiency benchmarks and assessment of the Indian ports sector. With this modest attempt to investigate the port sector of India several issues are in the open one can further analyze and come to desired conclusions. Originality/value of the paper: The main role of a port is to transfer goods between two transport modes. As far as Indian ports are concerned, there are few studies with regard to productivity and efficiency of the port sector. Since, there is an attempt in recent years to overhaul the infrastructure sectors of the Indian economy and especially seaports. There is a need to look at issues in port sector as well. Productivity and efficiency concerns should be the main aspect of the benchmarking of the performance of today’s Indian ports. Limitations of the research: Second stage DEA, distance function approach, Bayesian techniques, Carlo Monte techniques, can be alternatively used.  

scholarly journals The human microbiome in hematopoiesis and hematologic disorders

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronica E. Manzo ◽  
Ami S. Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Community Structure ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Human Cells ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Hematologic Disorders ◽  
Hematologic Diseases ◽  
Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing

AbstractHumans are now understood to be in complex symbiosis with a diverse ecosystem of microbial organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Efforts to characterize the role of these microorganisms, commonly referred as the microbiota, in human health have sought to answer the fundamental questions of what organisms are present, how are they functioning to interact with human cells, and by what mechanism are these interactions occurring. In this review, we describe recent efforts to describe the microbiota in healthy and diseased individuals, summarize the role of various molecular technologies (ranging from 16S ribosomal RNA to shotgun metagenomic sequencing) in enumerating the community structure of the microbiota, and explore known interactions between the microbiota and humans, with a focus on the microbiota’s role in hematopoiesis and hematologic diseases.

scholarly journals Invasive Monitoring of Intracranial Pressure After Decompressive Craniectomy in Malignant Stroke

Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Hernández-Durán ◽  
Leonie Meinen ◽  
Veit Rohde ◽  
Christian von der Brelie
Keyword(s):  
Intracranial Pressure ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis ◽  
High Specificity ◽  
Invasive Monitoring ◽  
Icp Monitoring ◽  
Characteristic Analysis ◽  
Decompressive Hemicraniectomy

Background and Purpose: The role of decompressive hemicraniectomy (DC) in malignant cerebral infarction (MCI) has clearly been established, but little is known about the course of intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients undergoing this surgical measure. In this study, we investigated the role of invasive ICP monitoring in patients after DC for MCI, postulating that postoperative ICP predicts mortality. Methods: In this retrospective observational study of MCI patients undergoing DC, ICP were recorded continuously in hourly intervals for the first 72 hours after DC. For every hour, mean ICP was calculated, pooling ICP of every patient. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed for hourly mean ICP. A subgroup analysis by age (≥60 years and <60 years) was also performed. Results: A total of 111 patients were analyzed, with 29% mortality rate in patients <60 years, and 41% in patients ≥60 years. A threshold of 10 mm Hg within the first 72 postoperative hours was a reliable predictor of mortality in MCI, with an acceptable sensitivity of 70% and high specificity of 97%. Established predictors of mortality failed to predict mortality. Conclusions: Our study suggests the need to reevaluate postoperative ICP after DC in MCI and calls for a redefinition of ICP thresholds in these patients to indicate further therapy.

Safeguards against pathogens in danish biogas plants

1994 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 171-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Bendixen
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Indicator Method ◽  
Veterinary Research ◽  
Entire Plant ◽  
Hygienic Measures ◽  
Biogas Plants ◽  
By Products

A veterinary research project is organized in Danish biogas plants (BGP) to study the ‘pathogen reducing effect’ (PRE) of the treatment in digestion tanks and sanitation tanks, and the ‘pathogen reducing capacity’ (PRC) of the entire plant. In addition the feasibility of measures to prevent spread of animal and human pathogens is studied. Ten BGPs are currently in operation closely related to the agricultural sector. Slurry constitutes 80-85% of the biomass treated, various industrial by-products and urban waste the rest. Rules have been issued to prevent spread of pathogens between animal holdings during the collection, transport and distribution of biomass. Criteria for the treatment in digestion tanks and sanitation tanks have been introduced to ensure removal of pathogens. Official regulations on hygienic measures and conditions for treatment of biomass which is spread on agricultural land are included in Danish legislation. An indicator method based on faecal enterococci (streptococci) (FE) has proven its practical value for checking the functions, detecting leakage or wrong management, and for evaluating the PRE at temperatures below 55 to 60°C. Studies of the persistence of pathogens in biomass at higher temperatures are in progress. The role of the competent central, regional and local authorities for approval, regular supervision and inspection of the BGPs is described. The Veterinary Service takes action when outbreaks of serious diseases occur.

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