The impact of sewage sludge on the fungal communities in the rhizosphere and roots of barley and on barley yield

Abstract Current problems with sewage sludge (SS) disposal could be solved by application to agricultural land considering its fertilizer properties and ability to improve soil condition. However, SS may contain heavy metals as well as pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, molecular analysis of partial 18S rRNA gene was used to study the impact of SS application into the soil on the genetic diversity of fungal communities, especially arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere and roots of barley. These samples were collected on three dates from the control soil without SS and from the soil with the addition of SS at the concentrations of 5 and 15 t ha−1. Fungal alpha diversity in the rhizosphere of barley was affected by SS differently than in barley roots. In addition, principal component analysis and cluster analysis revealed that fungal communities were strongly influenced by the SS addition into the soil, sample type, and the sampling date. This approach was complemented by an evaluation of the basic parameters of barley production and the response of these parameters to the presence of SS in the soil. The plant height increased with increasing SS concentration and the thousand seed weight significantly increased at the concentration of 5 t ha−1 SS but significantly decreased in 15 t ha−1.

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Compositional Differences in the Oral Microbiome of E-cigarette Users

Frontiers in Microbiology ◽

10.3389/fmicb.2021.599664 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica Chopyk ◽

Christine M. Bojanowski ◽

John Shin ◽

Alex Moshensky ◽

Ana Lucia Fuentes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Buccal Mucosa ◽

Bacterial Community Composition ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Aerosol Deposition ◽

Oral Microbiome ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Significant Shift ◽

Sample Type ◽

The Impact

Electronic (e)-cigarettes have been advocated as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco cigarettes. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the impact of e-cigarette aerosol deposition on the human oral microbiome, a key component in human health and disease. We aimed to fill this knowledge gap through a comparative analysis of the microbial community profiles from e-cigarette users and healthy controls [non-smokers/non-vapers (NSNV)]. Moreover, we sought to determine whether e-cigarette aerosol exposure from vaping induces persistent changes in the oral microbiome. To accomplish this, salivary and buccal mucosa samples were collected from e-cigarette users and NSNV controls, with additional oral samples collected from e-cigarette users after 2 weeks of decreased use. Total DNA was extracted from all samples and subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Our analysis revealed several prominent differences associated with vaping, specific to the sample type (i.e., saliva and buccal). In the saliva, e-cigarette users had a significantly higher alpha diversity, observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD) compared to NSNV controls, which declined with decreased vaping. The buccal mucosa swab samples were marked by a significant shift in beta diversity between e-cigarette users and NSNV controls. There were also significant differences in the relative abundance of several bacterial taxa, with a significant increase in Veillonella and Haemophilus in e-cigarette users. In addition, nasal swabs demonstrated a trend toward higher colonization rates with Staphylococcus aureus in e-cigarette users relative to controls (19 vs. 7.1%; p = n.s.). Overall, these data reveal several notable differences in the oral bacterial community composition and diversity in e-cigarette users as compared to NSNV controls.

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Effects of Psychotropics on the Microbiome in Patients With Depression and Anxiety: Considerations in a Naturalistic Clinical Setting

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology ◽

10.1093/ijnp/pyaa070 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yoshihiro Tomizawa ◽

Shunya Kurokawa ◽

Daiki Ishii ◽

Katsuma Miyaho ◽

Chiharu Ishii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Microbial Diversity ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

The Impact ◽

Whole Tree

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.

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Optimal Solutions for the Use of Sewage Sludge on Agricultural Lands

Water ◽

10.3390/w13050585 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 585

Author(s):

Catalina Iticescu ◽

Puiu-Lucian Georgescu ◽

Maxim Arseni ◽

Adrian Rosu ◽

Mihaela Timofti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Sewage Sludge ◽

Agricultural Production ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Chemical Characteristics ◽

Optimal Solutions ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

The Impact ◽

Made In

The use of sewage sludge in agriculture decreases the pressure on landfills. In Romania, massive investments have been made in wastewater treatment stations, which have resulted in the accumulation of important quantities of sewage sludge. The presence of these sewage sludges coincides with large areas of degraded agricultural land. The aim of the present article is to identify the best technological combinations meant to solve these problems simultaneously. Adapting the quality and parameters of the sludge to the specificity of the land solves the possible compatibility problems, thus reducing the impact on the environment. The physico-chemical characteristics of the fermented sludge were monitored and optimal solutions for their treatment were suggested so as to allow that the sludge could be used in agriculture according to the characteristics of the soils. The content of heavy metals in the sewage sludge was closely monitored because the use of sewage sludge as a fertilizer does not allow for any increases in the concentrations of these in soils. The article identifies those agricultural areas which are suitable for the use of sludge, as well as ways of correcting some parameters (e.g., pH), which allow the improvement of soil quality and obtained higher agricultural production.

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Inbreeding Alters the Gut Microbiota of the Banna Minipig

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10112125 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 2125

Author(s):

Limin Wei ◽

Bo Zeng ◽

Siyuan Zhang ◽

Feng Li ◽

Fanli Kong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gut Microbiota ◽

Gene Sequencing ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽

Isoleucine Metabolism ◽

Dominant Bacteria ◽

The Impact ◽

Predicted Function

The gut microbiota coevolve with the host and can be stably transmitted to the offspring. Host genetics plays a crucial role in the composition and abundance of gut microbiota. Inbreeding can cause a decrease of the host’s genetic diversity and the heterozygosity. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to compare the differences of gut microbiota between the Diannan small-ear pig and Banna minipig inbred, aiming to understand the impact of inbreeding on the gut microbiota. Three dominant bacteria (Stenotrophlomonas, Streptococcus, and Lactobacillus) were steadily enriched in both the Diannan small-ear pig and Banna minipig inbred. After inbreeding, the gut microbiota alpha diversity and some potential probiotics (Bifidobacterium, Tricibacter, Ruminocaccae, Christensenellaceae, etc.) were significantly decreased, while the pathogenic Klebsiella bacteria was significantly increased. In addition, the predicted metagenomic analysis (PICRUSt2) indicated that several amino acid metabolisms (‘‘Valine, leucine, and isoleucine metabolism’’, ‘‘Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis’’, ‘‘Histidine metabolism’’) were also markedly decreased after the inbreeding. Altogether our data reveal that host inbreeding altered the composition and the predicted function of the gut microbiome, which provides some data for the gut microbiota during inbreeding.

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Housing conditions, level of feeding and presence of antibiotics in the feed shape rabbit cecal microbiota

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38388/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

María Velasco-Galilea ◽

Miriam Guivernau ◽

Miriam Piles ◽

Marc Viñas ◽

Oriol Rafel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alpha Diversity ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Housing Conditions ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Production Environment ◽

Feed Composition ◽

Animal Management ◽

Cecal Microbiota ◽

Relative Abundances ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background: the effect of the production environment and different management practices in rabbit cecal microbiota remains poorly understood. While previous studies have proved the impact of the age or the feed composition, research in the housing conditions and other animal management aspects, such as the presence of antibiotics in the feed or the level of feeding, is still needed. Characterization of microbial diversity and composition of growing rabbits raised under different conditions could help better understand the role these practices play in cecal microbial communities and how it may result in different animal performance.Results: four hundred twenty-five meat rabbits raised in two different facilities, fed under two feeding regimes (ad libitum or restricted) with feed supplemented or free of antibiotics, were selected for this study. A 16S rRNA gene-based assessment through the MiSeq Illumina sequencing platform was performed on cecal samples collected from these individuals at slaughter. Different univariate and multivariate approaches were conducted to unravel the influence of the different factors on microbial alpha diversity and composition at phylum, genus and OTU taxonomic levels. The animals raised in the facility harboring the most stable environmental conditions had greater, and less variable, microbial richness and diversity. Bootstrap univariate analyses of variance and sparse partial least squares-discriminant analyses endorsed that farm exerted the largest influence on rabbit microbiota since the relative abundances of many taxa were found differentially represented between both facilities at all taxonomic levels characterized. Furthermore, only five OTUs were needed to achieve a perfect classification of samples according to the facility where animals were raised. The level of feeding and the presence of antibiotics did not modify the global alpha diversity but had an impact on some bacteria relative abundances, albeit in a small number of taxa compared with farm, which is consistent with the lower sample classification power according to these factors achieved using microbial information.Conclusions: this study reveals different degrees of influence attributable to environment and animal management. It highlights the importance of offering a controlled breeding environment that reduces differences in microbial cecal composition that could be causative of different animal performance.

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Early ecological succession patterns of bacterial, fungal and plant communities along a chronosequence in a recently deglaciated area of the Italian Alps

FEMS Microbiology Ecology ◽

10.1093/femsec/fiaa165 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 96 (10) ◽

Author(s):

A Franzetti ◽

F Pittino ◽

I Gandolfi ◽

R S Azzoni ◽

G Diolaiuti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Throughput Sequencing ◽

Inorganic Compounds ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Ecological Succession ◽

Fungal Communities ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Italian Alps ◽

Weathering Processes ◽

Pioneer Plants ◽

Heterotrophic Metabolism

ABSTRACT In this study, the early ecological succession patterns of Forni Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale group, Italian Alps) forefield along an 18-year long chronosequence (with a temporal resolution of 1 year) has been reported. Bacterial and fungal community structures were inferred by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene and ITS, respectively. In addition, the occurrence of both herbaceous and arboreous plants was also recorded at each plot. A significant decrease of alpha-diversity in more recently deglaciated areas was observed for both bacteria and plants. Time since deglaciation and pH affected the structure of both fungal and bacterial communities. Pioneer plants could be a major source of colonization for both bacterial and fungal communities. Consistently, some of the most abundant bacterial taxa and some of those significantly varying with pH along the chronosequence (Polaromonas, Granulicella, Thiobacillus, Acidiferrobacter) are known to be actively involved in rock-weathering processes due to their chemolithotrophic metabolism, thus suggesting that the early phase of the chronosequence could be mainly shaped by the biologically controlled bioavailability of metals and inorganic compounds. Fungal communities were dominated by ascomycetous filamentous fungi and basidiomycetous yeasts. Their role as cold-adapted organic matter decomposers, due to their heterotrophic metabolism, was suggested.

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Mining and livelihood: a microanalysis in Odisha, India

International Journal of Social Economics ◽

10.1108/ijse-03-2015-0044 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 93-113

Author(s):

Minati Sahoo ◽

Dharmabrata Mohapatra ◽

Dukhabandhu Sahoo

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Land ◽

Principal Component ◽

Physical Capital ◽

Financial Capital ◽

Sustainable Livelihood ◽

Content Type ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Physical Assets ◽

The Impact ◽

Impact Of Mining

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the impact of mining on the livelihood of the inhabitants of Keonjhar district in Odisha, through creation of physical and financial capital using the sustainable livelihoods framework. Design/methodology/approach Principal component analysis technique and discriminant analysis were used to assess the impact of mining on the financial capital. A cross-tabulation analysis with χ2-test has also been carried out to find its impact on physical capital. Findings The study reveals that though iron ore mining helps in the augmentation of financial capital of the households, its impact on physical capital is mixed. Households in mining villages enjoy higher average annual and per capita income than those in nonmining villages. There is also a significant difference in the financial capital index of mining and nonmining villages. Even owning of physical assets like TV and motorcycle is significantly higher in mining villages than its nonmining counterparts. But mining has failed to develop the infrastructural facilities and has rendered most of the agricultural land uncultivated. Originality/value It is difficult to sustain the benefits arising out of mining over long run due to its finite life span and calls for policy interventions that can lead to sustainable livelihood to the local inhabitants.

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THU0340 DURATION AND SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS SUBTYPE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT GUT MICROBIOME PROFILES

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.4865 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 401.2-401

Author(s):

Y. Braun-Moscovici ◽

S. Ben Simon ◽

K. Dolnikov ◽

S. Giryes ◽

D. Markovits ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Gut Microbiota ◽

Disease Duration ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Digital Ulcers ◽

Diffuse Disease ◽

Probiotic Treatment ◽

The Impact

Background:A growing body of evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Altered microbiota composition was associated with gastrointestinal and extraintestinal features in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Objectives:To look for differences in gut microbiota between SSc patients regarding disease duration, disease subset and occurrence of digital ulcers (DU).Methods:SSc patients seen at our center were recruited in a prospective study. The exclusion criteria included antibiotic or probiotic treatment during the month prior to recruitment, recent hospitalization, BMI>30, diabetes mellitus or concomitant inflammatory bowel disease. Fecal samples were processed and 16S rRNA gene sequences were analyzed using the QIIME2 packageWeighted (quantitative) and unweighted (qualitative) UniFrac distances, alpha diversity for richness and homogeneity, taxa plots for species and phyla and ANCOM analyses were performed.Results:During July 2018-May 2019, 26 SSc patients (mean age [SD] 53[12.7] years) and disease duration 8.8 [7.1] years) fulfilled the criteria and were willing to participate in the study. Thirteen patients had diffuse SSc, 16 patients had active DU, 8 patients had Raynaud’s phenomenon only without DU, 2 patients had past DU. The microbiota was significantly more similar between patients without active DU compared to those with active DU (P=0.024), but species richness did not differ. Patients with SSc duration less than 6 years had significantly different microbiota compared to long-lasting SSc (unweighted PCoA – q=0.031). Significant variations concerning quantitative and qualitative UniFrac distances (q=0.063, q=0.005) and species richness (q=0.009) were found among patients with diffuse compared to limited SSc. Limited SSc was associated with greater species richness. Taxa plot analysis revealed higher relative abundance of Firmicutes in diffuse disease and of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes in limited SSc.Conclusion:Disease duration, disease subset and active DU were associated with shifts in the microbiome of SSc patients. The impact of these changes on disease progression needs further elucidation.Figure:Disclosure of Interests:Yolanda Braun-Moscovici: None declared, Shira Ben Simon: None declared, Katya Dolnikov: None declared, Sami Giryes: None declared, Doron Markovits: None declared, Yonit Tavor: None declared, Kohava Toledano: None declared, Alexandra Balbir-Gurman Consultant of: Novartis, Omry Koren: None declared

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Resident microbes of lactation rooms and daycares

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.8168 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e8168

Author(s):

Diana H. Taft ◽

Samir Akre ◽

Nicolas Madrid ◽

Andre Knoesen ◽

David A. Mills ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beta Diversity ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Illumina Miseq ◽

Shannon Index ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

Sample Collection ◽

Unifrac Distance ◽

Modern Development ◽

Temperature And Humidity ◽

The Impact

Dedicated lactation rooms are a modern development as mothers return to work while still providing breastmilk to their absent infants. This study describes the built environment microbiome of lactation rooms and daycares, and explores the influence of temperature and humidity on the microbiome of lactation rooms. Sterile swabs were used to collect samples from five different sites in lactation rooms at University of California, Davis and from five different sites in daycares located in Davis, California. DNA from the swabs was extracted and the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. Temperature and relative humidity data were collected on a subset of the lactation rooms. Sampled lactation rooms could be either dedicated lactation rooms or could also serve other functions (e.g., combined lactation room and restroom lounge). The majority of sequence reads were identified as belonging to family Moraxellaceae, with 73% of all reads included in analysis identified as an unknown species of Acinetobacter. Alpha diversity was analyzed using the Shannon index, while beta diversity was analyzed using unweighted and weighted UniFrac distance. The Jaccard distance was used to measure amount of change at sampling locations between time points for analysis of the impact of temperature and humidity on the microbiome. There were significant differences in the beta diversity of the microbiome of lactation rooms by room type. There were also significant differences in the beta diversity of the microbiome by sample collection location. There were no significant differences in either alpha or beta diversity associated with room temperature or humidity. Additional studies are needed to understand if the differences in lactation room type may result in differences in the breastmilk microbiome of milk collected in those rooms, and to what extent any such differences may influence the infant microbiome.

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Agricultural Use of Sewage Sludge as a Threat of Microplastic (MP) Spread in the Environment and the Role of Governance

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14196293 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (19) ◽

pp. 6293

Author(s):

Natalia Milojevic ◽

Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska

Keyword(s):

Sewage Sludge ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽

Soil Health ◽

The European Union ◽

High Concentration ◽

Management Options ◽

Sludge Management ◽

Global Trends ◽

The Impact

Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants is commonly used as a soil amendment on agricultural land. Unfortunately, more and more research indicates that large amounts of microplastic (MP) are re-introduced to soil with sludge. This study aims to present the impact MP has on soil ecosystems, global trends in agricultural sludge management resulting from a high concentration of micropollutants in sludge, and finally propose a high-level strategy for sustainable sludge management. This strategy is mostly dedicated to the European Union and involves multiple stakeholders and the links between each of them to achieve appropriate sludge management to avoid soil pollution with MP. Governance, Technology, Consumer Acceptance, and Economy and Commercial Viability is explored in depth. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first paper to discuss these topics in the context of a changing agricultural scene and identifies ways of which sewage sludge can limit MP pollution whilst still fitting into a circular economy. As total elimination of agriculturally used sludge is not a viable option, more stringent regulation on sludge quality before its use is necessary, especially on contaminant concentrations. This includes MPs limits, to improve sludge quality, in turn improving soil health. More alternative management options for sludge that does not meet land usage requirements are necessary and will be explored in this study. Overall, the combination of factors discussed will inevitably lead to more emphasis on sewage sludge management, therefore it can be expected that the information presented in this review will be of high demand and importance for sludge producers and serves as a comprehensive foundation for researchers to build off.

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