Metagenomics Analysis to Investigate the Microbial Communities and Their Functional Profile During Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Varese

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms represent a natural phenomenon caused by a mass proliferation of photosynthetic prokaryotic microorganisms in water environments. Bloom events have been increasingly reported worldwide and their occurrence can pose serious threats to aquatic organisms and human health. In this study, we assessed the microbial composition, with a focus on Cyanobacteria, in Lake Varese, a eutrophic lake located in northern Italy. Water samples were collected and used for obtaining a 16S-based taxonomic profile and performing a shotgun sequencing analysis. The phyla found to exhibit the greatest relative abundance in the lake included Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Bacteroidota. In the epilimnion and at 2.5 × Secchi depth, Cyanobacteria were found to be more abundant compared to the low levels detected at greater depths. The blooms appear to be dominated mainly by the species Lyngbya robusta, and a specific functional profile was identified, suggesting that distinct metabolic processes characterized the bacterial population along the water column. Finally, analysis of the shotgun data also indicated the presence of a large and diverse phage population.

Stroke associated with Mycoplasma hominis infection: a case report

Background Mycoplasmas are the smallest prokaryotic microorganisms in nature. Many cases of stroke post-Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection have been reported, particularly in the pediatric population. However, Mycoplasma hominis infection has not previously been associated with stroke. Case presentation We report the case of a 36-year-old Greek woman who presented with an extensive stroke with an unspecified cause. She had a concurrent genital infection with Mycoplasma hominis for an unknown duration. Conclusion An association may exist between stroke and the immune response to Mycoplasma hominis infection.

Identification of Bacteria in Kawista Leaves (Limonia acidissima L.)

Background: Bacteria are unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which are abundant in nature. This study aims to isolate and identify bacteria present in the leaves of Kawista (Limonia acidissima L.). Method: The identification process was carried out in a microbiology analyzer with the help of the BD Phonix M50 identification tool. The study was conducted at the West Nusa Tenggara Province Testing and Calibration Laboratory for Health, using kawista (Limonia acidissima L.) leaves obtained from West Sumbawa Regency. Results: The results showed eight bacterial isolates were found including Bacillus sp, Bacillus megaterium, Staphylococcus sp, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus capitis, Streptococcus oralis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides spp. mesenteroides, and Shewanella putrefaciens. Conclusion: Diversity of types of bacteria can be studied through the process of identification. This study aims to isolate and identify bacteria found in kawista leaves. The identification method is carried out in a microbiology analyzer with the help of the BD Phonix M50 identification tool. Bacteria found on the leaves of kawista (Limonia acidissima L.) consist of a group of endophytic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, metal reducing bacteria, and pathogenic bacteria.

Influence of Non-Saccharomyces on Wine Chemistry: A Focus on Aroma-Related Compounds

Wine fermentation processes are driven by complex microbial systems, which comprise eukaryotic and prokaryotic microorganisms that participate in several biochemical interactions with the must and wine chemicals and modulate the organoleptic properties of wine. Among these, yeasts play a fundamental role, since they carry out the alcoholic fermentation (AF), converting sugars to ethanol and CO2 together with a wide range of volatile organic compounds. The contribution of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the reference organism associated with AF, has been extensively studied. However, in the last decade, selected non-Saccharomyces strains received considerable commercial and oenological interest due to their specific pro-technological aptitudes and the positive influence on sensory quality. This review aims to highlight the inter-specific variability within the heterogeneous class of non-Saccharomyces in terms of synthesis and release of volatile organic compounds during controlled AF in wine. In particular, we reported findings on the presence of model non-Saccharomyces organisms, including Torulaspora delbrueckii, Hanseniaspora spp,Lachancea thermotolerans, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Pichia spp. and Candida zemplinina, in combination with S. cerevisiae. The evidence is discussed from both basic and applicative scientific perspective. In particular, the oenological significance in different kind of wines has been underlined.