@article {pmid40092580,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, G and Wang, Z and Wu, C and Wang, D and Han, I and Lee, J and Kaeli, DR and Dy, JG and Weinberger, KQ and Gu, AZ},
title = {Towards high-accuracy bacterial taxonomy identification using phenotypic single-cell Raman spectroscopy data.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycaf015},
pmid = {40092580},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Single-cell Raman Spectroscopy (SCRS) emerges as a promising tool for single-cell phenotyping in environmental ecological studies, offering non-intrusive, high-resolution, and high-throughput capabilities. In this study, we obtained a large and the first comprehensive SCRS dataset that captured phenotypic variations with cell growth status for 36 microbial strains, and we compared and optimized analysis techniques and classifiers for SCRS-based taxonomy identification. First, we benchmarked five dimensionality reduction (DR) methods, 10 classifiers, and the impact of cell growth variances using a SCRS dataset with both taxonomy and cellular growth stage labels. Unsupervised DR methods and non-neural network classifiers are recommended for at a balance between accuracy and time efficiency, achieved up to 96.1% taxonomy classification accuracy. Second, accuracy variances caused by cellular growth variance (<2.9% difference) was found less than the influence from model selection (up to 41.4% difference). Remarkably, simultaneous high accuracy in growth stage classification (93.3%) and taxonomy classification (94%) were achievable using an innovative two-step classifier model. Third, this study is the first to successfully apply models trained on pure culture SCRS data to achieve taxonomic identification of microbes in environmental samples at an accuracy of 79%, and with validation via Raman-FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization). This study paves the groundwork for standardizing SCRS-based biotechnologies in single-cell phenotyping and taxonomic classification beyond laboratory pure culture to real environmental microorganisms and promises advances in SCRS applications for elucidating organismal functions, ecological adaptability, and environmental interactions.},
}

@article {pmid40090302,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, J and Hu, Y and An, L and Wang, J and Wu, F and Gu, J and Wang, X and Tiedje, JM},
title = {An efficient strategy for bdd electrode drive electro-catalysis triggering active species on lincomycin and antibiotic resistance genes removal: Electron transfer based on calculation modeling.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {491},
number = {},
pages = {137915},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137915},
pmid = {40090302},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Identifying the degradation pathway and the final by-products is essential, as their ecological risks are pertinent to the advancement of this technology and its potential application in practical environmental pollution treatment. Elucidating the reaction mechanisms of the degradation system represents the most effective strategy for controlling this process. This study thoroughly revealed that indirect oxidation predominates throughout the electrochemical system, while direct oxidation serves a significant auxiliary role under the synergistic influence. It elucidates the critical importance of electron transfer behavior at the electrode surface for pollutant degradation and unveil potential mechanisms underlying primary degradation reactions via integrating charge density differences and Bader atomic charge analysis. In situ electrochemical infrared spectroscopy (In situ EC-FTIR) and density functional calculation (DFT) were used to analyze the final by-product generation path. It further elucidated the correlation between antibiotic resistance gene (ARGs) and binding strength among base pairs. The oxidative stress process of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) was explained in detail. To comprehensively assess the impact of electrochemical treatment on environmental microbial communities, combined horizontal gene transfer (HGT) experiments were conducted to confirm that electrolytically treated wastewater does not induce ecological stress effects on microorganisms. Finally, a small cyclic electrochemical system was employed to evaluate both ecological impacts and economic benefits associated with wastewater treatment, thereby providing a novel theoretical framework for this domain.},
}

@article {pmid40087979,
year = {2025},
author = {Van den Wyngaert, S and Cerbin, S and Garzoli, L and Grossart, HP and Gsell, AS and Kraberg, A and Lepère, C and Neuhauser, S and Stupar, M and Tarallo, A and Cunliffe, M and Gachon, C and Gavrilović, A and Masigol, H and Rasconi, S and Selmeczy, GB and Schmeller, DS and Scholz, B and Timoneda, N and Trbojević, I and Wilk-Woźniak, E and Reñé, A},
title = {ParAquaSeq, a Database of Ecologically Annotated rRNA Sequences Covering Zoosporic Parasites Infecting Aquatic Primary Producers in Natural and Industrial Systems.},
journal = {Molecular ecology resources},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e14099},
doi = {10.1111/1755-0998.14099},
pmid = {40087979},
issn = {1755-0998},
support = {PID2020-112978GB-I00//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; CA20125//European Cooperation in Science and Technology/ ; 451-03-66/2024-03/200178//Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja/ ; 239548-051//RANNIS Icelandic Research Fund/ ; 340659//Research Council of Finland/ ; 346387//Research Council of Finland/ ; 101086521//European Commission/ ; IR0000005//European Commission/ ; NKFIH KKP 144068//National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security/ ; RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00008//National Laboratory for Water Science and Water Security/ ; Y0801-B16//Austrian Science Fund/ ; //AXA Research Fund/ ; ANR-21-BIRE-0002-01//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; 101052342//Biodiversa+/ ; CIR-01_00028//Italian Ministry of University and Research/ ; GR1540/33-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; GR1540/47-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; GR1540/48-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; GR1540/51-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; CEX2019-000928-S//AEI/ ; },
abstract = {Amplicon sequencing tools such as metabarcoding are commonly used for thorough characterisation of microbial diversity in natural samples. They mostly rely on the amplification of conserved universal markers, mainly ribosomal genes, allowing the taxonomic assignment of barcodes. However, linking taxonomic classification with functional traits is not straightforward and requires knowledge of each taxonomic group to confidently assign taxa to a given functional trait. Zoosporic parasites are highly diverse and yet understudied, with many undescribed species and host associations. However, they can have important impacts on host populations in natural ecosystems (e.g., controlling harmful algal blooms), as well as on industrial-scale algae production, e.g. aquaculture, causing their collapse or economic losses. Here, we present ParAquaSeq, a curated database of available molecular ribosomal sequences belonging to zoosporic parasites infecting aquatic vascular plants, macroalgae and photosynthetic microorganisms, i.e. microalgae and cyanobacteria. These sequences are aligned with ancillary data and other information currently available, including details on their hosts, occurrence, culture availability and associated bibliography. The database includes 1131 curated sequences from marine, freshwater and industrial or artificial environments, and belonging to 13 different taxonomic groups, including Chytridiomycota, Oomycota, Phytomyxea, and Syndiniophyceae. The curated database will allow a comprehensive analysis of zoosporic parasites in molecular datasets to answer questions related to their occurrence and distribution in natural communities. Especially through meta-analysis, the database serves as a valuable tool for developing effective mitigation and sustainable management strategies in the algae biomass industry, but it will also help to identify knowledge gaps for future research.},
}

@article {pmid40086056,
year = {2025},
author = {Liang, L and Dang, B and Ouyang, X and Zhao, X and Huang, Y and Lin, Y and Cheng, X and Xie, G and Lin, J and Mi, P and Ye, Z and Guleng, B and Cheng, SC},
title = {Dietary succinate supplementation alleviates DSS-induced colitis via the IL-4Rα/Hif-1α Axis.},
journal = {International immunopharmacology},
volume = {152},
number = {},
pages = {114408},
doi = {10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114408},
pmid = {40086056},
issn = {1878-1705},
abstract = {Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a pressing global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies. Succinate, a metabolite known for its role in type 2 immunity and tuft cell activation in the small intestine, presents its potential in IBD management. However, its impact on colonic inflammation has not been explored. Here, we demonstrate that succinate administration induces a type 2 immune response, significantly alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colonic inflammation. Succinate enhances antibacterial capacity, reduces intestinal permeability, and reshapes the colonic cytokine milieu. Mechanistically, succinate promotes myeloid cell expansion in peripheral blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and the colonic lamina propria. The protective effects of succinate were abolished in Ccr2[-/-] mice, confirming the role of monocyte recruitment, but persisted in Rag1[-/-] mice, indicating independence from adaptive immunity. Adoptive transfer of monocytes from succinate-treated donors mitigated intestinal inflammation in recipient mice. Transcriptomic analysis revealed heightened expression of Il1b and Il6, and higher lactate production in monocytes upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, highlighting a reprogrammed pro-inflammatory trained immunity phenotype. Finally, we identify the IL-4Rα/Hif-1α axis is critical for succinate-mediated protection. These findings reveal the ability of succinate to reprogram monocytes into protective intestinal macrophages via induction of type 2 response, restoring homeostasis through enhanced barrier function and immune modulation. Our study positions thus uncover succinate as a promising therapeutic candidate for IBD.},
}

@article {pmid40085655,
year = {2025},
author = {Muratore, D and Gilbert, NE and LeCleir, GR and Wilhelm, SW and Weitz, JS},
title = {Diel partitioning in microbial phosphorus acquisition in the Sargasso Sea.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {11},
pages = {e2410268122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2410268122},
pmid = {40085655},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {OCE-1829641//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; OCE-1829636//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; 721231//Simons Foundation (SF)/ ; },
mesh = {*Phosphorus/metabolism ; *Phytoplankton/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Seawater/microbiology ; Bacteria/metabolism/genetics ; Oceans and Seas ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The daily cycle of photosynthetic primary production at the base of marine food webs is often limited by the availability of scarce nutrients. Microbial competition for these scarce resources can be alleviated insofar as the intensity of nutrient uptake and assimilation activities are distributed heterogeneously across organisms over periodic input cycles. Recent analysis of community transcriptional dynamics in the nitrogen-limited subtropical North Pacific gyre revealed evidence of temporal partitioning of nitrogen uptake and assimilation between eukaryotic phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, and heterotrophic bacteria over day-night cycles. Here, we present results from a Lagrangian metatranscriptomic time series survey in the Sargasso Sea and demonstrate temporally partitioned phosphorus uptake in this phosphorus-limited environment. In the Sargasso, heterotrophic bacteria, eukaryotic phytoplankton, and cyanobacteria express genes for phosphorus assimilation during the morning, day, and dusk, respectively. These results support the generality of temporal niche partitioning as an emergent mechanism that can structure uptake of limiting nutrients and facilitate coexistence of diverse microbes in open ocean ecosystems.},
}

*Phosphorus/metabolism
*Phytoplankton/metabolism
Ecosystem
Cyanobacteria/metabolism/genetics
Seawater/microbiology
Bacteria/metabolism/genetics
Oceans and Seas
Nitrogen/metabolism

@article {pmid40085287,
year = {2025},
author = {Micciulla, JL and Baubin, C and Fierer, N},
title = {Effects of Geosmin on the Behavior of Soil Protists.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {14},
pmid = {40085287},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {2126106//National Science Foundation/ ; 2126106//National Science Foundation/ ; 2126106//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Acanthamoeba castellanii/physiology ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Naphthols/metabolism ; Ciliophora/physiology ; Soil/chemistry/parasitology ; Cercozoa/physiology ; },
abstract = {Geosmin is a volatile organic compound (VOC) produced by a range of different soil microorganisms, and is most commonly recognized for its characteristic "earthy" scent evident after rainfall. Though it remains unclear why microorganisms produce geosmin, we know that exposure to geosmin can influence behaviors across a wide range of organisms, serving as both an attractant and a repellant, but geosmin effects on soil protists remain largely unstudied. We investigated how soil protists respond to geosmin exposures, focusing on representatives of three morphological groups of protists, Colpoda sp. (ciliate), Cercomonas sp. (flagellate), and Acanthamoeba castellanii (naked amoeba), testing the hypothesis that geosmin production by bacteria influences soil protist behavior. We conducted experiments to evaluate protist excystment (waking up) and predation responses to geosmin-producing (Streptomyces coelicolor M145) and non-producing (S. coelicolor J3003) bacteria, as well as synthetic geosmin. All three protists excysted at higher rates when exposed to geosmin-producing bacteria or synthetic geosmin, while no significant excystment occurred with the non-producing strains or in the absence of synthetic geosmin. Protist feeding preferences were also affected, with two of the three protists (Cercomonas sp. and A. castellanii) less likely to predate geosmin-producing versus non-producing bacterial strains. Our findings suggest that soil protists can detect geosmin as a signal indicating favorable soil conditions and geosmin production by bacteria may serve as a deterrent to predation by protists. More generally, our results highlight the ecological significance of geosmin in the soil food web and its role in mediating bacteria-protist interactions.},
}

*Acanthamoeba castellanii/physiology
*Soil Microbiology
*Naphthols/metabolism
Ciliophora/physiology
Soil/chemistry/parasitology
Cercozoa/physiology

@article {pmid40085262,
year = {2025},
author = {Castelli, M and Petroni, G},
title = {An Evolutionary-Focused Review of the Holosporales (Alphaproteobacteria): Diversity, Host Interactions, and Taxonomic Re-ranking as Holosporineae Subord. Nov.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {15},
pmid = {40085262},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Phylogeny ; Animals ; *Alphaproteobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; Biological Evolution ; Biodiversity ; },
abstract = {The order Holosporales is a broad and ancient lineage of bacteria obligatorily associated with eukaryotic hosts, mostly protists. Significantly, this is similar to other evolutionary distinct bacterial lineages (e.g. Rickettsiales and Chlamydiae). Here, we provide a detailed and comprehensive account on the current knowledge on the Holosporales. First, acknowledging the up-to-date phylogenetic reconstructions and recent nomenclatural proposals, we reevaluate their taxonomy, thus re-ranking them as a suborder, i.e. Holosporineae, within the order Rhodospirillales. Then, we examine the phylogenetic diversity of the Holosporineae, presenting the 20 described genera and many yet undescribed sub-lineages, as well as the variety of the respective environments of provenance and hosts, which belong to several different eukaryotic supergroups. Noteworthy representatives of the Holosporineae are the infectious intranuclear Holospora, the host manipulator 'Caedimonas', and the farmed shrimp pathogen 'Candidatus Hepatobacter'. Next, we put these bacteria in the broad context of the whole Holosporineae, by comparing with the available data on the least studied representatives, including genome sequences. Accordingly, we reason on the most probable evolutionary trajectories for host interactions, host specificity, and emergence of potential pathogens in aquaculture and possibly humans, as well as on future research directions to investigate those many open points on the Holosporineae.},
}

*Phylogeny
Animals
*Alphaproteobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
Biological Evolution
Biodiversity

@article {pmid40084873,
year = {2025},
author = {Soh, M and Er, S and Low, A and Jaafar, Z and de Boucher, R and Seedorf, H},
title = {Spatial and temporal changes in gut microbiota composition of farmed Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) in different aquaculture settings.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0198924},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.01989-24},
pmid = {40084873},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: The microbiota composition of healthy farmed fishes remains poorly characterized for many species. This study explores the influence of the external environment and innate factors that may shape the gut microbiota of farmed Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer. The α-diversity based on Shannon, Simpson, and Chao1 indices was lower for fishes reared in sea cages and tanks than for fishes that experienced a transfer from sea cages to tanks. Longitudinal analyses of gut segments revealed no significant differences in alpha diversity between segments within the same containment type, except for the Chao1 index between the stomach and pyloric cecum of sea-caged fishes. β-diversity analysis using weighted UniFrac distance and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity demonstrated that fish reared in the same containment type shared similar microbial communities. PERMANOVA tests confirmed that containment type, farm, and batch significantly influenced these distances. Containment type accounted for 10.4% of the observed diversity, farm for 29.8%, and batch for 10.7%. Genera comprising potential pathogens such as Aeromonas, Flavobacterium, and Vibrio were differentially abundant along the guts of fish from different containment types and particularly increased in tanks. Microbiota changes were observed with host age and gut segment, with differentially abundant microbial genera identified along the gut and as the seabass grew. Comparing the hindgut microbiota of Asian seabass to other species of farmed fishes revealed host-specific clustering as indicated by PERMANOVA. Overall, these findings underscore the significance of containment conditions on the gut microbiota of Asian seabass, with broad implications for aquaculture practices.

IMPORTANCE: Understanding the microbiota composition of healthy farmed fishes is crucial for optimizing aquaculture practices. This study highlights the significant influence of containment conditions on the gut microbiota of farmed Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer). By demonstrating that gut microbiota diversity and community composition are shaped by containment type, farm location, and batch, the research provides valuable insights into how external environmental factors and innate host factors interact to influence fish health. The findings, particularly the differential abundance of potential pathogens in various containment types, underscore the need for tailored management strategies in aquaculture. This research not only advances our knowledge of fish microbiota but also has broad implications for improving the sustainability and productivity of aquaculture practices.},
}

@article {pmid40084850,
year = {2025},
author = {Machushynets, NV and Lysenko, V and Du, C and Slingerland, CJ and Elsayed, SS and Liles, MR and Martin, NI and van Wezel, GP},
title = {Exploring the Chemical Space of Paenibacillus NRPs and Discovery of Paenilipoheptin B.},
journal = {Organic letters},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.orglett.5c00231},
pmid = {40084850},
issn = {1523-7052},
abstract = {A combination of genomic and metabolomic analyses paired with molecular networking was applied to a collection of Paenibacillus spp. to identify the producers of a little-studied class of lipopeptides known as paenilipoheptins. Mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy allowed revision of the structure of previously reported paenilipoheptin A and elucidation of the structure of novel paenilipoheptin B.},
}

@article {pmid40083115,
year = {2025},
author = {Dodds, IL and Watts, EC and Schuster, M and Buscaill, P and Tumas, Y and Holton, NJ and Song, S and Stuttmann, J and Joosten, MHAJ and Bozkurt, T and van der Hoorn, RAL},
title = {Immunity gene silencing increases transient protein expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.},
journal = {Plant biotechnology journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pbi.70005},
pmid = {40083115},
issn = {1467-7652},
support = {BB/R017913/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/S003193/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; DDT00060/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; DDT00230/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; 101019324/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; },
}

@article {pmid40082592,
year = {2025},
author = {Thomas, PW and Kothamasi, D},
title = {Hunting dog behaviour is a key driver impacting harvest quantity and quality of truffles.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {8662},
pmid = {40082592},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Animals ; *Behavior, Animal/physiology ; *Ascomycota/physiology ; Dogs ; Humans ; Seasons ; },
abstract = {Truffles are an iconic food that have long held high regard. Here we explore the seasonality and eco-physiological interactions affecting truffle quality and quantity across time and space. Collaborating with professional truffle hunters working eight different locations, detailed metrics of 3180 recovered truffles from 236 hunt events and spanning a full fruiting period, were recorded. Contrary to expectations, truffle weight showed no correlation with climate variables, suggesting a limited influence of environmental factors such as temperature and precipitation on truffle size. We also found that truffle maturity and damage from mycophagy were strongly linked, with deeper truffles being more mature but also more susceptible to damage. Finally, we observe that scent-dog behaviour significantly impacts the quantity and quality of recovered truffles, and we address the necessity of considering this in truffle ecophysiology studies. Alongside advances in our biological understanding, we make recommendations of how training methods can be improved to lead to greater detection and quality targeting with immediate socioeconomic impact. These findings highlight the complex interplay between truffle physiology, environmental factors, and human and animal behaviours, emphasizing the need for further considered research to enhance our understanding of truffle biology and to improve truffle cultivation practices.},
}

Animals
*Behavior, Animal/physiology
*Ascomycota/physiology
Dogs
Humans
Seasons

@article {pmid40080573,
year = {2025},
author = {Shumilova, O and Sukhodolov, A and Osadcha, N and Oreshchenko, A and Constantinescu, G and Afanasyev, S and Koken, M and Osadchyi, V and Rhoads, B and Tockner, K and Monaghan, MT and Schröder, B and Nabyvanets, J and Wolter, C and Lietytska, O and van de Koppel, J and Magas, N and Jähnig, SC and Lakisova, V and Trokhymenko, G and Venohr, M and Komorin, V and Stepanenko, S and Khilchevskyi, V and Domisch, S and Blettler, M and Gleick, P and De Meester, L and Grossart, HP},
title = {Environmental effects of the Kakhovka Dam destruction by warfare in Ukraine.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {387},
number = {6739},
pages = {1181-1186},
doi = {10.1126/science.adn8655},
pmid = {40080573},
issn = {1095-9203},
mesh = {Ukraine ; *Ecosystem ; Geologic Sediments ; Warfare ; Water Supply ; },
abstract = {The use of water as a weapon in highly industrialized areas in the Russo-Ukrainian war has resulted in catastrophic economic and environmental damages. We analyze environmental effects caused by the military destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. We link field, remote sensing, and modeling data to demarcate the disaster's spatial-temporal scales and outline trends in reestablishment of damaged ecosystems. Although media attention has focused on the immediate impacts of flooding on society, politics, and the economy, our results show that toxic contamination within newly exposed sediments of the former reservoir bed poses a largely overlooked long-term threat to freshwater, estuarine, and marine ecosystems. The continued use of water as a weapon may lead to even greater risks for people and the environment.},
}

Ukraine
*Ecosystem
Geologic Sediments
Warfare
Water Supply

@article {pmid40080167,
year = {2025},
author = {Kouakou, AK and Collart, P and Perron, T and Kolo, Y and Gay, F and Brauman, A and Brunel, C},
title = {Soil Microbial Recovery to the Rubber Tree Replanting Process in Ivory Coast.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {13},
pmid = {40080167},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {(PFI : 7250A1, Centre de coût : 210F2CVNB)//Institut Français du Caoutchouc/ ; (PFI : 7250A1, Centre de coût : 210F2CVNB)//Institut Français du Caoutchouc/ ; (PFI : 7250A1, Centre de coût : 210F2CVNB)//Institut Français du Caoutchouc/ ; (PFI : 7250A1, Centre de coût : 210F2CVNB)//Institut Français du Caoutchouc/ ; ARTS, 2019//IRD PhD Grant Program/ ; },
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Hevea/microbiology/growth & development ; Cote d'Ivoire ; *Microbiota ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Soil/chemistry ; Agriculture/methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; },
abstract = {The resistance and resilience of soil microbial communities to an environmental disturbance are poorly documented, due to the lack on onfield diachronic experiments, limiting our ability to design adapted agroecological practices. This is especially true in rubber plantations, one of the most planted tree in tropical areas. We aimed to understand (1) how soil disturbances occurring during the rubber replanting phase affect the soil microbiome, (2) how agricultural practices combining legumes cover crops and tree logging residues shape community resilience and (3) how microbial responses vary across different edaphic contexts. In two plantations with distinct soil properties in Ivory Coast, soil microbial communities were surveyed every 6 months for 24 months after soil perturbation. Community structure, functioning and networks were described based on a 16S/18S rRNA gene investigation. Prokaryotes were generally more resistant to soil perturbation than microeukaryote communities. Prokaryotic resilience dynamics were faster than those of microeukaryotes, the latter being deeply modulated by cover treatments. These specific dynamics were exacerbated in the sandy site. Co-occurrence network modelling provided useful insights into microbial resilience trajectories. We argue that this tool should be more widely used to describe microbial community dynamics. Practices involving a combination of logging residues and legume cover crops have shown beneficial effects on the community resilience in the sandy site and appears as promising agroecological practices. However, the major influence of soil texture warns of the need to consider pedological context when designing pertinent agroecological practices.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Hevea/microbiology/growth & development
Cote d'Ivoire
*Microbiota
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Soil/chemistry
Agriculture/methods
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics

@article {pmid40078544,
year = {2025},
author = {Acciardo, AS and Arnet, M and Gholizadeh Doonechaly, N and Ceccato, A and Rodriguez, P and Tran, HNH and Wenning, Q and Zimmerman, E and Hertrich, M and Brixel, B and Magnabosco, C},
title = {Spatial and temporal groundwater biogeochemical variability help inform subsurface connectivity within a high-altitude Alpine catchment (Riale di Ronco, Switzerland).},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1522714},
pmid = {40078544},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Accessing the deep terrestrial subsurface (greater than 1 km below the surface) presents significant practical challenges, leaving these ecosystems largely uncharacterized despite their extensive presence beneath Earth's landmasses. In this study, we introduce the BedrettoLab Deep Life Observatory (DELOS), a new underground laboratory to study the biogeochemical diversity of groundwater in a high-altitude Alpine catchment tens of meters to 1.6 km underground. Biogeochemical monitoring of DELOS over spatial and temporal scales highlight three dominant ecotypes throughout DELOS: (1) Shallow groundwater with low electrical conductivity enriched in Leptospirillia; (2) High-inflow fault zones enriched in ultra-small bacteria and archaea; (3) Bicarbonate-enriched waters that are enriched in Candidatus Kryptonia and Spirochaetota. Despite a consistent lithology throughout DELOS, groundwater from fractures that are spatially near each other are not always represented by the same ecotype and can be more similar to groundwater emitted from fractures thousands of meters away. Despite this heterogeneity, the biological and hydrochemical compositions of the groundwater of individual fractures remained relatively stable throughout the course of a 1-year monitoring period. An exception to this trend occurred after a series of seismic events near one groundwater-bearing fracture. Here, the microbial community and hydrochemical composition of the groundwater changed after the seismic events but returned to the site's "baseline" composition within 3 weeks. Taken together, these findings provide new insights into the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of deep subsurface ecosystems and the subsurface connectivity of an Alpine subsurface environment.},
}

@article {pmid40077554,
year = {2025},
author = {Smirani, N and Bouazizi, S and Bettaieb, E and Torkhani, R and Hamdi, M},
title = {Effect of Environmentally Friendly Betalain Extraction Methods on Antioxidant Compounds of Tunisian Opuntia stricta Fruit.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/foods14050851},
pmid = {40077554},
issn = {2304-8158},
abstract = {This study focuses on the extraction of betalain compounds from Opuntia stricta as a natural alternative to synthetic colorants and sustainable environmentally friendly technology solutions. Non-conventional extraction technologies including microwave (MW) and ultrasound (US) were used alone or in combination. The extraction process was conducted for both undried Opuntia stricta (OS) and dried Opuntia stricta (DOS) plant material at two distinct drying temperatures, 40 °C and 60 °C, to assess the stability of betalain molecules. The colorant's potential was evaluated by determining the betalain content, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The MW (2 min) and MW (2 min) + US (10 min) extraction processes yielded the greatest betalain content in OS fresh weight (FW), with 48.54 ± 0.29 mg/100 g FW and 51.01 ± 0.16 mg/100 g FW, respectively. Furthermore, the results showed a considerable drop in betalain content when the plant material was dried at 40 °C and 60 °C, with reduction rates of 53.75% and 24.82%, respectively, compared to the betalain content before the drying process. The LC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis supported this result, revealing the presence of 17-decarboxy betanin, 17-decarboxy neobetanin, and Cyclo-dopa5-O-βglucoside in DOS at 40 °C. This study highlights the potential future in the sustainable green extraction of betalain compounds with less heat degradation to offer a stable natural colorant.},
}

@article {pmid40072629,
year = {2025},
author = {Dyczko, D and Szymański, DM and Szymański, D and Kupczak, M and Kolenda, K},
title = {First European record of Rickettsia bellii in Amblyomma rotundatum from Rhinella marina imported to Poland.},
journal = {Experimental & applied acarology},
volume = {94},
number = {3},
pages = {43},
pmid = {40072629},
issn = {1572-9702},
mesh = {Animals ; Poland ; *Rickettsia/isolation & purification ; Female ; *Amblyomma/microbiology/growth & development/physiology ; Tick Infestations/veterinary/parasitology ; },
abstract = {This study reports on the first documented case of Amblyomma rotundatum ticks, a species typically found in the Americas, parasitising an imported toad in Poland. A total of 12 ticks were collected from a single Rhinella marina toad. These ticks were identified as female specimens of A. rotundatum using an examination of morphological characteristics and a molecular analysis. Polymerase chain reaction testing revealed that 75.0% (9/12) of these females were positive for Rickettsia spp. Sequencing of positive samples confirmed the presence of R. bellii. However, no DNA evidence of Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp. was detected in the tested ticks. Nevertheless, given the limited number of tick specimens collected from a single host, further research is required to elucidate the pathogen profile of a tick species. This finding represents the second European report of A. rotundatum associated with exported animals, underscoring the importance of vigilance in monitoring the potential spread of ticks and tick-borne pathogens through the global wildlife trade.},
}

Animals
Poland
*Rickettsia/isolation & purification
Female
*Amblyomma/microbiology/growth & development/physiology
Tick Infestations/veterinary/parasitology

@article {pmid40072582,
year = {2025},
author = {Barjau-Aguilar, M and Reyes-Hernández, AMJ and Merino-Ibarra, M and Vilaclara, G and Ramírez-Zierold, JA and Alcántara-Hernández, RJ},
title = {Diversity and Structure of the Prokaryotic Community in Tropical Monomictic Reservoir.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {12},
pmid = {40072582},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {CVU: 747276//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías/ ; CVU: 1249011//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías/ ; CF-2023-G-155//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías/ ; CVU: 41120//Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías/ ; UNAM, PAPIIT-IN207702//Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/ ; UNAM-PAPIIT IN217622//Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México/ ; },
mesh = {*Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism/isolation & purification ; *Archaea/genetics/classification/metabolism ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Biodiversity ; *Tropical Climate ; Fresh Water/microbiology/chemistry ; Microbiota ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Phosphorus/metabolism/analysis ; Phylogeny ; Water Microbiology ; Eutrophication ; },
abstract = {Bacteria and Archaea are microorganisms that play key roles in the biogeochemical transformations that control water quality in freshwater ecosystems, such as in reservoirs. In this study, we characterize the prokaryotic community of a high-relevance tropical eutrophic reservoir using a 16S rRNA gene survey during a low-water level fluctuation period mainly used for storage, associating the distribution of these microorganisms with the hydrogeochemical conditions of the water column. Our findings revealed that diversity and structure of the prokaryotic community exhibited spatio-temporal variations driven by the annual circulation-stratification hydrodynamic cycle and are significantly correlated with the concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). During the heterotrophic circulation, the breakdown of thermal gradient leads to a homogeneous distribution of the nutrients, where the presence of DO promotes the dominance of aerobic and facultative heterotrophic bacteria such as Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, and Verrucomicrobiota. Also, the autotrophic circulation was characterized by an increase of DO and NO3[-] concentrations, with abundant Cyanobacteria. Finally, during the stratification, the presence of prokaryotes associated with the metabolism of CH4 was detected, mainly in the hypolimnion, as well as others related to sulfate reduction and nitrification. This study shows the diversity of the prokaryotic community in tropical eutrophic reservoirs, and how the continuous monitoring with metabarcoding techniques can provide critical insights for a deeper understanding of the biogeochemical dynamics and improve the water resource management in the future.},
}

*Bacteria/genetics/classification/metabolism/isolation & purification
*Archaea/genetics/classification/metabolism
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Biodiversity
*Tropical Climate
Fresh Water/microbiology/chemistry
Microbiota
Nitrogen/metabolism
Phosphorus/metabolism/analysis
Phylogeny
Water Microbiology
Eutrophication

@article {pmid40070274,
year = {2025},
author = {Cidan, Y and Wang, J and Wang, H and Xu, C and Zhu, Y and Khan, MK and Basang, W and Li, K},
title = {Composition and diversity of rumen mycobiota in Jiani yaks (Bos grunniens jiani): insights into microbial ecology and functions.},
journal = {Animal biotechnology},
volume = {36},
number = {1},
pages = {2476539},
doi = {10.1080/10495398.2025.2476539},
pmid = {40070274},
issn = {1532-2378},
mesh = {Animals ; *Rumen/microbiology ; Cattle/microbiology ; *Fungi/genetics/classification ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics ; Mycobiome ; },
abstract = {This study aimed to explore the diversity and functions of rumen mycobiota in 14‑ (PLf) and 15‑rib (DLf) Jiani yaks using ITS sequencing. A total of 1,079,105 and 1,086,799 filtered sequences were obtained for the PLf and DLf groups, respectively, with 491 ASVs common to both. No significant difference regarding the α‑diversity of mycobiota within the two groups was observed. While β‑diversity analysis indicated that the abundance of fifteen (15) genera in the PLf group and two (2) genera in the DLf group was found to be significantly different (p < 0.05). 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that at the phylum level, in 14 ribs yaks Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Olpidiomycota, while in 15 rib yaks, Neocallimastigomycota, Mortierellomycota, and Rozellomycota were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05). At the genus level, Rhodotorula, Kluyveromyces, Comoclathris, Arthrinium, Cladophialophora, Seimatosporium, Lambertella, and Sphacelotheca in 14 rib yaks, and Orpinomyces, Ustilago, Fusarium, Aspergillus, Caecomyces, Alternaria, Trichoderma and Acremonium in 15 rib yaks were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) different. Predictive functional analysis based on ruminal fungal DNA sequences from 15‑rib yaks (DLf) demonstrated that genes involved in energy metabolism were upregulated. This study sheds novel insights into how genetic variations influence gut mycobiota in Jiani yak.},
}

Animals
*Rumen/microbiology
Cattle/microbiology
*Fungi/genetics/classification
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/genetics
Mycobiome

@article {pmid40068413,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, H and Cappitelli, F and Li, X},
title = {Pollution gradients shape structure and functions of stone heritage bacterial communities at global scale.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {971},
number = {},
pages = {179087},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179087},
pmid = {40068413},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Previous studies mainly focused on the impact of climatic conditions on stone heritage microbial communities, while ignoring a global ecological perspective of pollution on heritage microorganisms. In particular, there is a lack of detailed analysis of the impact of pollution levels on microbial metabolic function. In this study, >6000 bacterial OTUs from 17 world cultural heritage sites were considered. The microbial diversity indexes and potential functions under different pollution levels were analyzed. The results show that particulate matter pollution, such as PM2.5, has an effect on the microbial community in heritage sites comparable to that of temperature and precipitation. High concentrations of particulate matter increased bacterial richness and facilitated the introduction of unique species. Among them, phototrophic bacteria (e.g., Cyanobacteria) and some heterotrophic bacteria (e.g., Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria) formed the core of the microbial community. However, high concentrations of particulate matter reduced the complexity and stability of microbial ecological networks, favoring pollution-tolerant species. Furthermore, elevated particulate concentrations partially suppressed the expression of certain metabolic pathways, particularly genes related to denitrification (e.g., nosZ and nirS). This study reveals the long-term impact of polluted environments on the diversity and potential functions of microbial communities, providing a theoretical basis for developing sustainable strategies for cultural heritage conservation.},
}

@article {pmid40066860,
year = {2025},
author = {Defoirdt, T},
title = {Resistance to quorum sensing inhibition spreads more slowly during host infection than antibiotic resistance.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {2476582},
doi = {10.1080/19490976.2025.2476582},
pmid = {40066860},
issn = {1949-0984},
mesh = {*Quorum Sensing/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Humans ; *Bacteria/drug effects/genetics/metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Bacterial Infections/microbiology/drug therapy ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Antibiotic resistance is a rising problem and new and sustainable strategies to combat bacterial (intestinal) infections are therefore urgently needed. One promising strategy under intense investigation is the inhibition of quorum sensing, bacterial cell-to-cell communication with small molecules. A key question with respect to the application of quorum sensing inhibition is whether it will impose selective pressure for the spread of resistance. It was recently shown that resistance to quorum sensing inhibition will spread more slowly during infection of a host than resistance to traditional antibiotics.},
}

*Quorum Sensing/drug effects
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Humans
*Bacteria/drug effects/genetics/metabolism
Drug Resistance, Bacterial
Bacterial Infections/microbiology/drug therapy
Animals

@article {pmid40065660,
year = {2025},
author = {Guislain, ALN and Nejstgaard, JC and Köhler, J and Sperfeld, E and Mischke, U and Skjelbred, B and Grossart, HP and Lyche Solheim, A and Gessner, MO and Berger, SA},
title = {Cell size explains shift in phytoplankton community structure following storm-induced changes in light and nutrients.},
journal = {Ecology},
volume = {106},
number = {3},
pages = {e70043},
doi = {10.1002/ecy.70043},
pmid = {40065660},
issn = {1939-9170},
support = {731065//European Commission/ ; 871081//European Commission/ ; 01LC1501//German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)/ ; GE 1775/2-1//German Research Foundation (DFG)/ ; 603378//the European Commission under its 7th Framework Programme/ ; SAW-2015-IGB-1//Leibniz Association/ ; K45/2017//Leibniz Association/ ; 033L041B//BMBF Infrastructure/ ; },
mesh = {*Phytoplankton/physiology ; Light ; Nutrients ; Animals ; Ecosystem ; Rain ; Lakes ; },
abstract = {Understanding the mechanisms driving community structure and dynamics is crucial in the face of escalating climate change, including increasing incidences of extreme weather. Cell size is a master trait of small organisms that is subject to a trade-off between resistance to grazing and competition for resources, and thus holds potential to explain and predict community dynamics in response to disturbances. Here, we aimed at determining whether cell size can explain shifts in phytoplankton communities following changes in nutrient and light conditions resulting from storm-induced inputs of nutrients and colored dissolved organic matter (cDOM) to deep clearwater lakes. To ensure realistic environmental conditions, we used a crossed gradient design to conduct a large-scale enclosure experiment over 6 weeks. Cell size explained phytoplankton community structure when light availability declined as a result of cDOM supply. Initially unimodal, with small-celled species accounting for up to 60% of the total community biovolume, the cell-size distribution gradually shifted toward large-celled species as light levels declined following cDOM addition. Neither nutrients nor mesozooplankton affected the shift in cell-size distribution. These results suggest a distinct competitive advantage of larger over smaller species at reduced light levels following cDOM inputs during storm events. Importantly, the clustering of species in two distinct size classes implies that interspecific size differences matter as much as cell size per se to understand community dynamics. Given that shifts in cell-size distribution have strong implications for food-web structure and biogeochemical cycles, our results point to the importance of analyzing cell-size distributions of small organisms as an essential element to forecast community and ecosystem dynamics in response to environmental change.},
}

*Phytoplankton/physiology
Light
Nutrients
Animals
Ecosystem
Rain
Lakes

@article {pmid40064943,
year = {2025},
author = {Roegiers, I and Gheysens, T and Minsart, M and De Clercq, P and Vanbeversluys, K and Rać, N and Stroka, G and de Croock, J and Van de Wiele, T and Dubruel, P and Arroyo, MC},
title = {GelMA as scaffold material for epithelial cells to emulate the small intestinal microenvironment.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {8214},
pmid = {40064943},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {3G062519//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; 3G062519//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; 1S51925N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; 40007505//Excellence Of Science (F.W.O.-F.R.S.-FNRS.)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry ; *Gelatin/chemistry ; *Intestine, Small/cytology/metabolism ; *Epithelial Cells/metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; *Hydrogels/chemistry ; Acrylamides/chemistry/pharmacology ; Permeability ; Biocompatible Materials/chemistry ; Cell Survival ; Coculture Techniques ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Cell Adhesion ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism/microbiology/cytology ; },
abstract = {Host-microbe interactions in the intestine play a significant role in health and disease. Novel scaffolds for host cells, capable of potentially supporting these intricate interactions, are necessary to improve our current systems for mimicking host-microbiota interplay in vitro/ex vivo. In this research paper, we study the application of gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA) as scaffold material for intestinal epithelial cells in terms of permeability, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility. We investigated whether the degree of substitution (DS) of GelMA influences the permeability and found that both high and low DS GelMA show sufficient permeability of biorelevant transport markers. Additionally, we researched epithelial cell adherence and viability, as well as mechanical characteristics of different concentrations of GelMA. All concentrations of hydrogel show long-term biocompatibility for the mono- and co-cultures, despite the goblet-like cells (LS174T) showing lower performance than enterocyte-like cells (Caco-2). The mechanical strength of all hydrogel concentrations was in a physiologically relevant range to be used as scaffold material for intestinal cells. Lastly, we examined the effect of the two sterilization methods, ethylene oxide (EO) and 70% ethanol followed by UVC (EtOH/UVC). We found that the impact of the two methods on the mechanical characteristics was minimal, and we did not find a significant effect between the two methods on cell viability and confluency of Caco-2 cells seeded on the GelMA hydrogels. Based on these results, we conclude that GelMA is a suitable material as a scaffold for intestinal cell types in terms of permeability, mechanical strength and biocompatibility. These findings contribute to the growing field of in vitro modeling of the gut and moves the field further to ensuring more translatable research on host-microbe interactions.},
}

Humans
*Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry
*Gelatin/chemistry
*Intestine, Small/cytology/metabolism
*Epithelial Cells/metabolism
Caco-2 Cells
*Hydrogels/chemistry
Acrylamides/chemistry/pharmacology
Permeability
Biocompatible Materials/chemistry
Cell Survival
Coculture Techniques
Cellular Microenvironment
Cell Adhesion
Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism/microbiology/cytology

@article {pmid40062895,
year = {2025},
author = {McDonald, MD and Lewis, KL and Gentry, TJ},
title = {No-tillage systems promote bacterial photosynthetic gene expression in low carbon, semi-arid surface soils.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0018425},
doi = {10.1128/aem.00184-25},
pmid = {40062895},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Managing soils in semi-arid agricultural croplands generally focuses on reducing wind erosion, increasing fertility, and storing carbon. Thus, converting conventionally tilled systems to no-tillage and cover-cropped systems are often the first steps towards a conservation management approach across the growing area of semi-arid croplands. From a soil biological perspective, introducing cover crops to semi-arid soils has been shown to alter microbial community structure, which may lead to changes in the biogeochemical pathways expressed in these soils. In this study, we examined the impact of single-species wheat cover cropping and no-tillage on microbial gene expression after 4 and 5 years of implementation. We sequenced the metatranscriptomes of three production systems with varying levels of conservation management: conventional tillage winter fallow, no-tillage winter fallow, and no-tillage with a winter wheat cover crop. Removing tillage was the biggest factor altering microbial gene expression in this study, specifically resulting in upregulation of several photosystem-associated functions. These functions were taxonomically linked to organisms that make up the early stages of biological soil crusts, which may introduce additional benefits to these semi-arid agricultural systems beyond a reduction in wind erosion. Implementing a cover crop did not clearly alter gene expression beyond the effect of tillage removal; however, it did indicate a potential to reduce fungal disease incidence in 1 year of the study. These alterations of microbial activities and selection for potentially beneficial functions should be considered and further studied to aid in maintaining sustainable croplands for our changing climate.IMPORTANCEEliminating tillage from semi-arid agricultural soils has the potential to significantly alter the activities of the soil bacterial community compared with conventionally tilled soils. A major driver of this change was the activities of biological soil crust forming organisms that can provide several environmental benefits to the soil ecosystem beyond the typically associated benefits of conservation management. Furthermore, this study revealed that the implementation of a cover crop regime on no-tillage soils does not confer a major change in the function of the organisms present. Overall, the study reported here reveals that soil management practices aimed at reducing wind erosion and improving sustainability will positively impact the function of the microbial community and suggests that future investigations into the consequences of these functional changes may provide valuable services to these agricultural ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid40062772,
year = {2025},
author = {Connolly, JP and Kelly, L},
title = {The physical biogeography of Fusobacterium nucleatum in health and disease.},
journal = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0298924},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.02989-24},
pmid = {40062772},
issn = {2150-7511},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is an oral commensal inhabiting the human gingival plaque that is rarely found in the gut. However, in colorectal cancer (CRC), Fn can be isolated from stool samples and detected in metagenomes. We hypothesized that ecological characteristics of the gut are altered by disease, enabling Fn to colonize. Multiple genomically distinct populations of Fn exist, but their ecological preferences are unstudied. We identified six well-separated populations in 133 Fn genomes and used simulated metagenomes to demonstrate sensitive detection of populations in human oral and gut metagenomes. In 9,560 samples from 11 studies, Fn population C2 animalis is elevated in gut metagenomes from CRC and Crohn's disease patients and is observed more frequently in CRC stool samples than in the gingiva. Polymorphum, the most prevalent gingival Fn population, is significantly increased in Crohn's stool samples; this effect was significantly stronger in male hosts than in female. We find polymorphum genomes are enriched for biosynthetic gene clusters and fluoride exporters, while C2 animalis are high in iron transporters. Fn populations thus associate with specific clinical and demographic phenotypes and harbor distinct functional features. Ecological differences in closely related groups of bacteria inform microbiome impacts on human health.

IMPORTANCE: Fusobacterium nucleatum is a bacterium normally found in the gingiva. F. nucleatum generally does not colonize the healthy gut, but is observed in approximately a third of colorectal cancer (CRC) patient guts. F. nucleatum's presence in the gut during CRC has been linked to worse prognosis and increased tumor proliferation. Here, we describe the population structure of F. nucleatum in oral and gut microbiomes. We report substantial diversity in gene carriage among six distinct populations of F. nucleatum and identify population disease and body-site preferences. We find the C2 animalis population is more common in the CRC gut than in the gingiva and is enriched for iron transporters, which support gut colonization in known pathogens. We find that C2 animalis is also enriched in Crohn's disease and type 2 diabetes, suggesting ecological commonalities between the three diseases. Our work shows that closely related bacteria can have different associations with human physiology.},
}

@article {pmid40062764,
year = {2025},
author = {Watkins, E and Lin, J and Lingohr-Smith, M and Yong, C and Tangirala, K and Collins, K},
title = {Biological, Clinical, and Sociobehavioral Factors Associated with Disproportionate Burden of Bacterial Vaginosis in the United States: A Comprehensive Literature Review.},
journal = {Journal of women's health (2002)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1089/jwh.2024.0583},
pmid = {40062764},
issn = {1931-843X},
abstract = {Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common gynecological infection characterized by reduced lactic acid-producing bacteria and increased anerobic bacteria in the vaginal microbiome, is associated with adverse health outcomes. Methods: A PubMed search for English-language articles about BV in the USA and factors contributing to disparities in BV risk, with an emphasis on the role of the vaginal microbiome, published from August 2012 to August 2022, identified 760 articles. Results: Among the 52 articles meeting the prespecified criteria, BV prevalence varied among different populations and disproportionately impacted Black women (49-51%), Hispanic ethnicity (32-43%), and women of reproductive age (30%). Differences in microbial ecology and host genetics were important factors underlying these disparities. Colonization of BV-associated bacteria was more common in women of color than in non-Hispanic White women. Other factors linked with disproportionate burden included multiple/same-sex partners, obesity, immunosuppression, and C-section birth. Conclusions: BV prevalence was multifactorial, with some populations having higher prevalence rates and distinctive microbiome profiles that may predispose them to the condition. BV treatment and recurrence prevention were challenging due to the complex interplay of biological, clinical, and sociobehavioral factors. Understanding these disparate risk factors is critical to reducing BV burden.},
}

@article {pmid40062709,
year = {2025},
author = {Jeong, IJ and Hong, JK and Bae, YJ and Lee, TK},
title = {Enhancing Bacterial Phenotype Classification Through the Integration of Autogating and Automated Machine Learning in Flow Cytometric Analysis.},
journal = {Cytometry. Part A : the journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/cyto.a.24923},
pmid = {40062709},
issn = {1552-4930},
support = {2020R1C1C100624912//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; },
abstract = {Although flow cytometry produces reliable results, the data processing from gating to fingerprinting is prone to subjective bias. Here, we integrated autogating with Automated Machine Learning in flow cytometry to enhance the classification of bacterial phenotypes. We analyzed six bacterial strains prevalent in the soil and groundwater-Bacillus subtilis, Burkholderia thailandensis, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Pseudomonas stutzeri. Using the H2O-AutoML framework, we applied gradient-boosting machine (GBM) models to classify bacteria across different metabolic phases. Our results demonstrated an overall classification accuracy of 82.34% for GBM. Notably, accuracy varied across metabolic phases, with the highest observed during the late log (88.06%), lag (88.43%), and early log phases (89.37%), whereas the stationary phase showed a slightly lower accuracy of 80.73%. P. stutzeri exhibited consistently high sensitivity and specificity across all the phases, which indicated that it was the most distinctly identifiable strain. In contrast, E. coli showed low sensitivity, particularly in the stationary phase, which indicated challenges in its classification. Overall, this study with incorporating autogating and the AutoML framework, substantially reduces subjective biases and enhances the reproducibility and accuracy of microbial classification. Our methodology offers a robust framework for microbial classification in flow cytometric analysis, paving the way for more precise and comprehensive analyses of microbial ecology.},
}

@article {pmid40060716,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, Y and Yuan, X and Ran, W and Zhao, Z and Su, D and Song, Y},
title = {The Ecological Restoration Strategies in Terrestrial Ecosystems Were Reviewed: A New Trend Based on Soil Microbiomics.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {e70994},
pmid = {40060716},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Soil microorganisms play a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycle and serve as crucial indicators of ecological restoration in terrestrial ecosystems. The soil microbial community is regarded as a pivotal participant in environmental processes, offering both positive and negative feedback to diverse media within the ecosystem. This community can serve as a potential indicator in ecological monitoring and restoration processes. Consequently, an increasing number of scholars are directing their research towards the field of soil microbial ecology in diverse ecosystems and fragile areas, with the aim of elucidating the intricate interactions between microbes and vegetation. However, the implementation of soil microbiome in ecological restoration remains in the experimental stage due to the interference of extreme events and the complexity of governance measures. Consequently, a comprehensive evaluation of existing research is imperative. This review aims to address the ecological crises currently experienced by diverse terrestrial ecosystems and to provide a comprehensive overview of the specific practices of soil microorganisms in the context of ecological restoration. We also incorporate them into fragile habitats and identify urgent issues that need to be addressed in the ecological restoration process of fragile areas.},
}

@article {pmid40060289,
year = {2025},
author = {Sarkar, A and Bhattacharjee, S},
title = {Biofilm-mediated bioremediation of xenobiotics and heavy metals: a comprehensive review of microbial ecology, molecular mechanisms, and emerging biotechnological applications.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {78},
pmid = {40060289},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {Environmental pollution, driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization, has emerged as a critical global challenge in the twenty-first century. This comprehensive review explores the potential of bacterial biofilms in bioremediation, focusing on their ability to degrade and transform a wide array of pollutants, including heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), oil spills, pesticides, and emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics. The unique structural and functional characteristics of biofilms, including their extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, enhanced genetic exchange, and metabolic cooperation, contribute to their superior pollutant degradation capabilities compared to planktonic bacteria. Recent advancements in biofilm-mediated bioremediation include the application of genetically engineered microorganisms, nanoparticle-biofilm interactions, and innovative biofilm reactor designs. The CRISPR-Cas9 system has shown promise in enhancing the degradative capabilities of biofilm-forming bacteria while integrating nanoparticles with bacterial biofilms demonstrates significant improvements in pollutant degradation efficiency. As global pollution rises, biofilm-based bioremediation emerges as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to address diverse contaminants. This review signifies the need for further research to optimize these techniques and harness their full potential in addressing pressing environmental challenges.},
}

@article {pmid40060287,
year = {2025},
author = {Maity, A and Das, A and Roy, R and Malik, M and Das, S and Paul, P and Sarker, RK and Sarkar, S and Dasgupta, A and Chakraborty, P and Tribedi, P},
title = {Development of novel strategies against the threats of drug-resistant Escherichia coli: an in silico and in vitro investigation.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {15},
number = {4},
pages = {77},
pmid = {40060287},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Escherichia coli (E. coli) biofilms pose alarming threats in healthcare due to their invulnerability to drug therapy. Stand-alone therapies of antimicrobial compounds/antibiotics are not particularly effective against those resistant strains. However, combination therapy of compounds could be used to deal with such threats. Towards this direction, the natural compound cuminaldehyde was employed in combination with the aminoglycoside antibiotic tobramycin to target the biofilm-forming multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical strains of E. coli, which were isolated from urine samples of patient's at Suraksha Diagnostic Private Limited (Kolkata, India). At first, an integrated in silico approach (PASS online, Swiss ADME, PROTOX 3.0, and OSIRIS) was explored to predict the potential biological activities, and other relevant pharmacokinetic parameters of cuminaldehyde and tobramycin. The in silico analysis suggested that tobramycin might not be bioavailable orally due to its molecular size, polarity, and poor GI absorption. However, cuminaldehyde was well absorbed in the GI but could cause irritation if swallowed in LD50 amounts. Further, in vitro assessments were performed to analyse the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of both compounds, alone and in combination, against clinical strains of E. coli. The results suggested that cuminaldehyde and tobramycin together could show an additive effect against the clinical strains of E. coli. The combination of the compounds showed a substantial decrease in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and biofilm formation compared to individual application. The present study indicates that combinatorial application involving cuminaldehyde and tobramycin could inhibit the formation of biofilms in E. coli, potentially aiding in the management of microbial infections.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-025-04246-0.},
}

@article {pmid40058043,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhong, Q and Santás-Miguel, V and Cruz-Paredes, C and Rousk, J},
title = {Does the land-use impact the risk of inducing antibiotic tolerance by heavy metal pollution?.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {379},
number = {},
pages = {124883},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124883},
pmid = {40058043},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {The rise of antibiotic-resistant soil microbial communities is a critical global issue. Evidence suggests that heavy metals can select or co-select for tolerance to metals and antibiotics in soil bacteria, but it is unclear if this tolerance varies with land use. We tested the potential of bacterial communities to develop resistance to copper (Cu) or tetracycline (Tet) after amending soils from pristine forests, contaminated forests, and agricultural lands with 3000 mg kg[-1] Cu and 6000 mg kg[-1] tetracycline, separately. Results showed that bacterial communities of unamended contaminated forest soils had the highest initial tolerance to Cu, while unamended agricultural soils exhibited the highest initial tolerance to tetracycline. The inducibility of bacterial resistance to antibiotics after Cu amendment varied by land use. In pristine forests, Cu amendment significantly increased microbial tetracycline resistance, as indicated by bacterial community tolerance, likely due to higher biodiversity. In contaminated forests, Cu amendment did not induce tetracycline-resistance, as indicated by unchanged bacterial community tolerance, possibly because of existing metal pollution and compromised bacterial communities by metal pollution. In agricultural soils, microbial tetracycline resistance as indicated by bacterial community tolerance developed slowly, becoming evident only after 42 days. These findings reveal significant differences in environmental risks related to soil metal pollution across different land uses, highlighting the need for systematic studies on the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics in metal-contaminated soils due to their human health implications.},
}

@article {pmid40052378,
year = {2025},
author = {Mise, K and Masuda, Y and Senoo, K and Itoh, H},
title = {Betaproteobacterial clade II nosZ activated under high N2O concentrations in paddy soil microcosms.},
journal = {Journal of applied microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jambio/lxaf055},
pmid = {40052378},
issn = {1365-2672},
abstract = {AIMS: Microbial communities in paddy soils act as potential sinks of nitrous oxide (N2O), a notorious greenhouse gas, but their potential to reduce external N2O is unclear. The direct observation of N2O reduction in submerged field soils is technically difficult. Here, we aimed to identify soil microbial clades that underpin the strong N2O mitigation capacity.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We constructed paddy soil microcosms with external N2O amendment that enabled the simultaneous evaluation of N2O reductase gene (nosZ) transcripts and N2O consumption. Although the amount of N2O amended was large, it was mostly consumed after 6-8 days of microcosm incubation. Metatranscriptomic sequencing revealed that betaproteobacterial nosZ, especially those classified as clade II nosZ belonging to the orders Rhodocyclales or Nitrosomonadales, occupied > 50% of the nosZ transcripts in three of the five paddy soils used. On the other hand, publicly available shotgun metagenomic sequences of 46 paddy soils were not dominated by betaproteobacterial clade II nosZ sequences, although they were ubiquitous. The same applied to the 16S rRNA sequences of Rhodocyclales or Nitrosomonadales.

CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that betaproteobacterial N2O reducers potentially serve as powerful N2O sinks. Betaproteobacteria holding clade II nosZ can be targets of biostimulation, although further studies are required to understand their ecophysiology.},
}

@article {pmid39883081,
year = {2025},
author = {Shin, GY and Asselin, JA and Smith, A and Aegerter, B and Coutinho, T and Zhao, M and Dutta, B and Mazzone, J and Neupane, R and Gugino, B and Hoepting, C and Khanal, M and Malla, S and Nischwitz, C and Sidhu, J and Burke, AM and Davey, J and Uchanski, M and Derie, ML and du Toit, LJ and Stresow-Cortez, S and Bonasera, JM and Stodghill, P and Kvitko, B},
title = {Plasmids encode and can mobilize onion pathogenicity in Pantoea agglomerans.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf019},
pmid = {39883081},
issn = {1751-7370},
support = {2019-51181-30013//Specialty Crops Research Initiative Award/ ; //National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; //U.S. Department of Agriculture/ ; },
mesh = {*Pantoea/genetics/pathogenicity/isolation & purification ; *Onions/microbiology ; *Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Plasmids/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; Phylogeny ; Multigene Family ; Virulence/genetics ; },
abstract = {Pantoea agglomerans is one of four Pantoea species reported in the USA to cause bacterial rot of onion bulbs. However, not all P. agglomerans strains are pathogenic to onion. We characterized onion-associated strains of P. agglomerans to elucidate the genetic and genomic signatures of onion-pathogenic P. agglomerans. We collected >300 P. agglomerans strains associated with symptomatic onion plants and bulbs from public culture collections, research laboratories, and a multi-year survey in 11 states in the USA. Combining the 87 genome assemblies with 100 high-quality, public P. agglomerans genome assemblies we identified two well-supported P. agglomerans phylogroups. Strains causing severe symptoms on onion were only identified in Phylogroup II and encoded the HiVir pantaphos biosynthetic cluster, supporting the role of HiVir as a pathogenicity factor. The P. agglomerans HiVir cluster was encoded in two distinct plasmid contexts: (i) as an accessory gene cluster on a conserved P. agglomerans plasmid (pAggl), or (ii) on a mosaic cluster of plasmids common among onion strains (pOnion). Analysis of closed genomes revealed that the pOnion plasmids harbored alt genes conferring tolerance to Allium thiosulfinate defensive chemistry and many harbored cop genes conferring resistance to copper. We demonstrated that the pOnion plasmid pCB1C can act as a natively mobilizable pathogenicity plasmid that transforms P. agglomerans Phylogroup I strains, including environmental strains, into virulent pathogens of onion. This work indicates a central role for plasmids and plasmid ecology in mediating P. agglomerans interactions with onion plants, with potential implications for onion bacterial disease management.},
}

*Pantoea/genetics/pathogenicity/isolation & purification
*Onions/microbiology
*Plant Diseases/microbiology
*Plasmids/genetics
Genome, Bacterial
Phylogeny
Multigene Family
Virulence/genetics

@article {pmid40049093,
year = {2025},
author = {Fonvielle, J and Thuile Bistarelli, L and Tao, Y and Woodhouse, JN and Shatwell, T and Villalba, LA and Berger, SA and Kyba, CCM and Nejstgaard, JC and Jechow, A and Kupprat, F and Stephan, S and Walles, TJW and Wollrab, S and Hölker, F and Dittmar, T and Gessner, MO and Singer, GA and Grossart, HP},
title = {Skyglow increases cyanobacteria abundance and organic matter cycling in lakes.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {278},
number = {},
pages = {123315},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123315},
pmid = {40049093},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Artificial light propagating towards the night sky can be scattered back to Earth and reach ecosystems tens of kilometres away from the original light source. This phenomenon is known as artificial skyglow. Its consequences on freshwaters are largely unknown. In a large-scale lake enclosure experiment, we found that skyglow at levels of 0.06 and 6 lux increased the abundance of anoxygenic aerobic phototrophs and cyanobacteria by 32 (±22) times. An ecosystem metabolome analysis revealed that skyglow increased the production of algal-derived metabolites, which appeared to stimulate heterotrophic activities as well. Furthermore, we found evidence that skyglow decreased the number of bacteria-bacteria interactions. Effects of skyglow were more pronounced at night, suggesting that responses to skyglow can occur on short time scales. Overall, our results call for considering skyglow as a reality of increasing importance for microbial communities and carbon cycling in lake ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid40048904,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, L and Zhao, B and Zhang, M and Yan, Y and Nie, C and Yu, K and Tu, Z and Xia, Y},
title = {Micron-scale heterogeneity reduction leads to increased interspecies competition in thermophilic digestion microbiome.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {279},
number = {},
pages = {123419},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123419},
pmid = {40048904},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Microbial spatial heterogeneity is an important determinant of larger-scale community properties, whereas most studies neglect it and therefore only provide average information, potentially obscuring the signal of microbial interactions. Our study takes a step toward addressing this problem by characterizing the spatial heterogeneity of a microbiome with micron-scale resolution. Micron-scale single clusters (40-70 μm) were randomly collected from lab-scale anaerobic digestion (AD) biosystems, and a comparative analysis was performed to evaluate differences between mesophilic and thermophilic systems. Here we reveal a cascading effect from high-temperature selection to global microbial interactions. We observed that thermophilic communities exhibited less spatial heterogeneity than mesophilic communities, which we attribute to the considerable extinction of low-abundant species by high-temperature selection. Then, the low spatial heterogeneity and the high-temperature selection acting in conjunction resulted in a high proportion of competitive interactions in thermophilic communities. Unexpectedly, however, the thermophilic AD, characterized by lower micron-scale spatial heterogeneity, showed more efficient synergistic and syntrophic cooperations involving around Clostridiales, which significantly enhanced hydrolysis performance under thermophilic conditions. In addition, the fact that high temperatures favor slower growers, along with functional redundancy-related competitive advantage, led to the selection of more proficient methanogens in more competitive environments, which are also potentially associated with enhanced methanogenic performance. In summary, our findings underscore the significance of micron-scale resolution for revealing the microbial ecology in spatially structured environments.},
}

@article {pmid40047954,
year = {2025},
author = {Sobhy, IS and Goelen, T and Wäckers, F and Verstrepen, KJ and Wenseleers, T and Jacquemyn, H and Lievens, B},
title = {Impact of Nectar Composition and Nectar Yeasts on Volatile Emissions and Parasitoid Behavior.},
journal = {Journal of chemical ecology},
volume = {51},
number = {2},
pages = {29},
pmid = {40047954},
issn = {1573-1561},
support = {C3 grant (IOF-C32/15/020)//KU Leuven/ ; C3 grant (IOF-C32/15/020)//KU Leuven/ ; C3 grant (IOF-C32/15/020)//KU Leuven/ ; },
mesh = {*Plant Nectar/chemistry/metabolism ; *Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis/metabolism/chemistry ; Animals ; *Metschnikowia/metabolism/physiology/chemistry ; *Aphids/physiology/chemistry ; Female ; *Amino Acids/analysis/metabolism/chemistry ; Fermentation ; Wasps/physiology/chemistry ; Behavior, Animal ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; },
abstract = {Nectar yeasts can significantly influence the scent of floral nectar and therefore the foraging behavior of flower-visiting insects. While these effects likely depend on nectar chemistry and yeast species, their joint impact on nectar volatile profiles and associated insect responses remain poorly understood. Here, we used four synthetic nectar types varying in sugar and amino acid concentration and two specialist nectar yeasts (Metschnikowia gruessii and Metschnikowia reukaufii) to investigate how nectar composition and yeast species affect volatile profiles and the olfactory responses of the generalist aphid parasitoid Aphidius ervi. Olfactometer assays showed that A. ervi females significantly preferred fermented nectars with high amino acid-low sugar content (HL) and low amino acid-high sugar (LH) content, regardless being fermented by M. gruessii or M. reukaufii, over non-inoculated nectars. This effect was not observed for nectars with low amino acid-low sugar (LL) and high amino acid-high sugar (HH) content. Moreover, LL nectar fermented with M. gruessii became even repellent to the parasitoids. GC-MS analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) revealed that VOC profiles of fermented nectars depended significantly on nectar type (i.e., chemical composition), yeast species, and their interaction. Whereas propyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, styrene, α-guaiene and pentyl-octanoate were associated with the LH fermented nectars, ethyl acetate and E-methyl isoeugenol were mainly associated with the HL fermented nectars, suggesting possible involvement in A. ervi attraction to these nectars. In contrast, isopropyl-hexadecanoate was associated with the non-attractive or repellent LL fermented nectars. Altogether, our results indicate that nectar composition has a strong impact on nectar scent when fermented by specialist nectar yeasts and subsequently on insect foraging behavior.},
}

*Plant Nectar/chemistry/metabolism
*Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis/metabolism/chemistry
Animals
*Metschnikowia/metabolism/physiology/chemistry
*Aphids/physiology/chemistry
Female
*Amino Acids/analysis/metabolism/chemistry
Fermentation
Wasps/physiology/chemistry
Behavior, Animal
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

@article {pmid40046987,
year = {2025},
author = {Scott, WT and Rockx, S and Mariën, Q and Regueira, A and Candry, P and Ganigué, R and Koehorst, JJ and Schaap, PJ},
title = {Implementation of a Clostridium luticellarii genome-scale model for upgrading syngas fermentations.},
journal = {Computational and structural biotechnology journal},
volume = {27},
number = {},
pages = {649-660},
pmid = {40046987},
issn = {2001-0370},
abstract = {Syngas fermentation is a powerful platform for converting waste streams into sustainable carboxylic acid precursors for value-added biochemicals. Steel mills produce significant syngas, yet industrial microbial syngas valorization remains unrealized. The most promising syngas-converting biocatalysts consist of Clostridia species, such as Clostridium kluyveri, Clostridium autoethanogenum, and Clostridium ljungdahlii. Clostridium luticellarii, a recently discovered species, shares close phylogenetic ties with these organisms. Preliminary metabolic studies suggest its potential for syngas acetogenesis as well as chain elongation. In this study, we create iSJ444, a constraint-based metabolic model of C. luticellarii using iHN637 of a close relative C. ljungdahlii as a starting point. Model predictions support hypothesized methanol and syngas pathways from the metabolic characterization studies; however, the use of propionate could not be accurately predicted. Thermodynamic Flux Analysis (TFA) reveals that C. luticellarii maintains stable energy dissipation across most reactions when exposed to varying pH, with significant increases observed in reactions associated with the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway (WLP), such as the HACD1 reaction, at higher pH (6.5), suggesting an adaptive role in energy management under neutral conditions. Flux sampling simulations exploring metabolic flux distributions show that C. luticellarii might fit into syngas fermenting platforms. In both cases, high hydrogen-to-carbon source ratios result in better production of (iso)butyrate and caproate. We present a minimal genome-scale metabolic model of C. luticellarii as a foundation for further exploration and optimization. Although our predictions of its metabolic behavior await experimental validation, they underscore the potential of C. luticellarii to enhance syngas fermentation platforms.},
}

@article {pmid40045231,
year = {2025},
author = {Agyapong, D and Propster, JR and Marks, J and Hocking, TD},
title = {Cross-validation for training and testing co-occurrence network inference algorithms.},
journal = {BMC bioinformatics},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {74},
pmid = {40045231},
issn = {1471-2105},
support = {2125088//National Science Foundation/ ; 2125088//National Science Foundation/ ; 2125088//National Science Foundation/ ; 2125088//National Science Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {*Algorithms ; *Microbiota ; Computational Biology/methods ; Bacteria/genetics/classification ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Microorganisms are found in almost every environment, including soil, water, air and inside other organisms, such as animals and plants. While some microorganisms cause diseases, most of them help in biological processes such as decomposition, fermentation and nutrient cycling. Much research has been conducted on the study of microbial communities in various environments and how their interactions and relationships can provide insight into various diseases. Co-occurrence network inference algorithms help us understand the complex associations of micro-organisms, especially bacteria. Existing network inference algorithms employ techniques such as correlation, regularized linear regression, and conditional dependence, which have different hyper-parameters that determine the sparsity of the network. These complex microbial communities form intricate ecological networks that are fundamental to ecosystem functioning and host health. Understanding these networks is crucial for developing targeted interventions in both environmental and clinical settings. The emergence of high-throughput sequencing technologies has generated unprecedented amounts of microbiome data, necessitating robust computational methods for network inference and validation.

RESULTS: Previous methods for evaluating the quality of the inferred network include using external data, and network consistency across sub-samples, both of which have several drawbacks that limit their applicability in real microbiome composition data sets. We propose a novel cross-validation method to evaluate co-occurrence network inference algorithms, and new methods for applying existing algorithms to predict on test data. Our method demonstrates superior performance in handling compositional data and addressing the challenges of high dimensionality and sparsity inherent in real microbiome datasets. The proposed framework also provides robust estimates of network stability.

CONCLUSIONS: Our empirical study shows that the proposed cross-validation method is useful for hyper-parameter selection (training) and comparing the quality of inferred networks between different algorithms (testing). This advancement represents a significant step forward in microbiome network analysis, providing researchers with a reliable tool for understanding complex microbial interactions. The method's applicability extends beyond microbiome studies to other fields where network inference from high-dimensional compositional data is crucial, such as gene regulatory networks and ecological food webs. Our framework establishes a new standard for validation in network inference, potentially accelerating discoveries in microbial ecology and human health.},
}

*Algorithms
*Microbiota
Computational Biology/methods
Bacteria/genetics/classification

@article {pmid40044467,
year = {2025},
author = {Sharma, P and Reitz, T and Singh, SP and Worrich, A and Muehe, EM},
title = {Going beyond improving soil health: cover plants as contaminant removers in agriculture.},
journal = {Trends in plant science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2025.01.009},
pmid = {40044467},
issn = {1878-4372},
abstract = {Agriculture faces the increasing demands of a growing global population amid simultaneous challenges to soils from climate change and human-induced contamination. Cover plants are vital in sustainable agriculture, contributing to soil health improvement, erosion prevention, and enhanced climate resilience, but their role in contaminant management is underexplored. Herein we review the utilization of cover plants for remediating contaminants such as metals, organic pollutants, nitrate, antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance genes, plastics, and salts. We explore phytoremediation strategies - including phytoextraction, phytodegradation, and phytostabilization - in cover plant management. We highlight the challenges of selecting effective cover plants and the need for biomass removal of non-biodegradable contaminants, and we advocate incorporating phytoremediation concepts into sustainable agricultural management practices beyond nutrient cycling and climate resilience.},
}

@article {pmid40042720,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, H and Zhang, H and Du, H and Zhang, Y and Zhang, M and Yu, X and Xu, Y},
title = {Unraveling the multiple interactions between phages, microbes and flavor in the fermentation of strong-flavor Baijiu.},
journal = {Bioresources and bioprocessing},
volume = {12},
number = {1},
pages = {14},
pmid = {40042720},
issn = {2197-4365},
abstract = {The fermentation process of strong-flavor Baijiu represents a complex and unique ecosystem, characterized by the involvement of various microorganisms that drive intricate biochemical reactions, ultimately contributing to the distinct flavor profile of the Baijiu. Viruses may affect the succession of microorganisms and thus affect the style and quality of the product. However, the interaction between viruses and microorganisms during the fermentation of Baijiu is still unclear. Here we combined viral metagenomics and amplicon sequencing, physicochemical analysis, and GC-MS detection with temporal sampling to study the dynamics of viral and microbial communities, physicochemical properties, and flavor compounds during strong-flavor Baijiu fermentation. Viral metagenomic analysis revealed 513 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), encompassing 34 viral families. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) demonstrated significant differences in vOTUs at different fermentation stages. Notably, the microbial community exhibited distinct succession patterns at various fermentation stages; it changed rapidly during the initial five days, with similarities observed between days 10 and 20. Volatile profile analysis identified 38 flavor components in fermented grains, comprising 16 ester compounds, 11 alcohols, and 8 acids, with the majority formed between days 10 and 30. The Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that Peduoviridae exhibited a negative correlation with Gluconobacter. Genomoviridae showed a negative correlation with Issatchenkia, Penicillium, and Monascus. These findings highlight the potential for complex interactions between viruses and microbial communities during Baijiu fermentation, underscoring the importance of considering viral communities in studies of the microbial ecology of fermented foods.},
}

@article {pmid40042690,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, T and Wang, XL and Zhou, J and Zhou, W and Zhou, SQ},
title = {Construction of Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbial Consortium and Its Effect on the Remediation of Saline-Alkali Soil.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {11},
pmid = {40042690},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Phosphates/metabolism ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Phosphorus/metabolism ; *Bacteria/metabolism/classification/growth & development ; *Microbial Consortia ; Arachis/microbiology/growth & development/metabolism ; Alkalies/chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Calcium Sulfate ; Biomass ; Salinity ; },
abstract = {In this study, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) with good phosphate-solubilizing capability were isolated from phosphogypsum (PG) storage yard, and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria without antagonistic effect were selected to construct phosphate solubilizing microbial consortium (PSMC), and the synergistic effect of PSMC and PG on the physical and chemical properties of saline-alkali soil, soil enzyme activity, soil bacterial diversity, and the growth index and biomass of peanut plants were explored. The results showed that the effect of phosphorus containing soil amendment on saline-alkali soil was better than that of single PSMC or PG. In the T6 group (untreated saline-alkali soil (1.5 kg) + PSMC stock solution (15 mL) + PG (6.0 g)), the pH of saline-alkali soil decreased from 8.54 to 7.03, the content of organic matter increased by 6.64%, the content of alkali hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium increased by 81.68%, 60.31%, and 42.03%, respectively, and the activity of alkaline phosphatase increased by 94.95%. In addition, the electrical conductivity value in T4 group (untreated saline-alkali soil (1.5 kg) + PSMC stock solution (15 mL) + PG (3.0g)) decreased significantly by 20.21%. The diversity and richness of bacterial community in T4 group were the highest, and the growth of peanut plants was the best. The fresh weight of roots and stems increased by 73.34% and 116.6%, respectively. In conclusion, the phosphorus containing soil conditioner prepared by PSMC and PG can effectively improve the soil environment of saline-alkali soil and promote the resource utilization of saline alkali soil.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Phosphates/metabolism
*Soil/chemistry
*Phosphorus/metabolism
*Bacteria/metabolism/classification/growth & development
*Microbial Consortia
Arachis/microbiology/growth & development/metabolism
Alkalies/chemistry
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Calcium Sulfate
Biomass
Salinity

@article {pmid40042528,
year = {2025},
author = {Zaki, H and Hussein, MA and El-Dawy, EGAM},
title = {Diversity and Symbiotic Associations of Endophytic Fungi in Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton (Asclepiadaceae) Across Three Egyptian Regions: Phenotypic Characterization and Mitotic Activity.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {10},
pmid = {40042528},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Endophytes/physiology/isolation & purification/classification ; Egypt ; *Fungi/classification/physiology/isolation & purification ; *Calotropis/microbiology ; *Biodiversity ; *Symbiosis ; Soil Microbiology ; Mitosis ; Phenotype ; },
abstract = {Endophytic fungi are essential contributors to fungal biodiversity, playing key roles in plant defense against pathogens, alleviation of abiotic stress, and promotion of growth. This study conducted a comprehensive survey of the phenotypic characterization of Calotropis procera and its associated endophytic fungi across three regions in Egypt: Qena-Safaga, Qena, and Qena-Kosseir. Positive and significant Pearson correlations among plant morphological traits suggest intrinsic connections. Fungal species diversity exhibited significant variation across the three regions examined. Particularly, the Qena-Kosseir region demonstrated the highest fungal species richness both in soil samples and endophytic fungi. Unique to this region, Allocanariomyces tritici, Aspergillus terreus, Chaetomium globosum, C. murorum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, Fusarium proliferatum, Penicillium crustosum, P. granulatum, P. spinuloseum, and Roussoella intermedia were identified as endophytes. Additionally, compared to other regions, the Qena-Kosseir area exhibited the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. ochraceus, A. ornatus, A. sclerotiocabonarus, Drechslera halodes, Emericella echinulata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Macrophomina phaseolina in soil samples, underscoring its distinct fungal community composition. Furthermore, antimitotic assays using the Allium cepa test revealed distinct effects of endophytic extracts on various mitotic stages. Of the 33 treatments, 11 showed an increase in the mitotic index (MI), indicating a potential positive effect on plant growth and cell division. This study offers valuable insights into the diversity and functional roles of endophytic fungi associated with C. procera, highlighting their promising applications in sustainable agriculture and plant health management.},
}

*Endophytes/physiology/isolation & purification/classification
Egypt
*Fungi/classification/physiology/isolation & purification
*Calotropis/microbiology
*Biodiversity
*Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology
Mitosis
Phenotype

@article {pmid40042412,
year = {2025},
author = {Hicks, LC and Leizeaga, A and Cruz Paredes, C and Brangarí, AC and Tájmel, D and Wondie, M and Sandén, H and Rousk, J},
title = {Simulated Climate Change Enhances Microbial Drought Resilience in Ethiopian Croplands but Not Forests.},
journal = {Global change biology},
volume = {31},
number = {3},
pages = {e70065},
pmid = {40042412},
issn = {1365-2486},
support = {2016-06327//Vetenskapsrådet/ ; 2020-03858//Vetenskapsrådet/ ; CTS 22:2131//Carl Tryggers Stiftelse för Vetenskaplig Forskning/ ; 2022-00672//Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas/ ; 2023-02438//Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas/ ; KAW 2022.0175//Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse/ ; KAW 2023.0384//Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse/ ; },
mesh = {*Droughts ; Ethiopia ; *Climate Change ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Forests ; Soil/chemistry ; Fungi/physiology ; Bacteria ; Microbiota ; Crops, Agricultural/growth & development ; Rain ; },
abstract = {Climate change and land-use change represent a dual threat to terrestrial ecosystem functioning. In the tropics, forest conversion to agriculture is occurring alongside warming and more pronounced periods of drought. Rainfall after drought induces enormous dynamics in microbial growth (potential soil carbon storage) and respiration (determining carbon loss), affecting the ecosystem carbon budget. We investigated how legacies of drought and warming affected microbial functional (growth and respiration) and structural (16S and ITS amplicon) responses after drought. Rain shelters and open-top chambers (OTCs) were used to simulate drought and warming in tropical cropland and forest sites in Ethiopia. Rain shelters reduced soil moisture by up to 25 vol%, with a bigger effect in the forest, while OTCs increased soil temperature by up to 6°C in the cropland and also reduced soil moisture but had no clear effect in the forest. Soils from these field treatments were then exposed to a standardized drought cycle to test how microbial community traits had been shaped by the different climate legacies. Microbial growth started increasing immediately after rewetting in all soils, reflecting a resilient response and indicating that microbial communities perceived the perturbation as relatively mild. Fungi recovered faster than bacteria, and the recovery of fungal growth was generally accelerated in soils with a legacy of drought. Microbial community functions and structures were both more responsive in the cropland than in forest soils, and a legacy of drought particularly enhanced microbial growth and respiration responses in the cropland but not the forest. Microbial communities in cropland soils also used carbon with a higher efficiency after rewetting. Together, these results suggest contrasting feedbacks to climate change determined by land use, where croplands will be associated with mitigated losses of soil carbon by microorganisms in response to future cycles of drought, compared to forests where soil carbon reservoirs remain more sensitive.},
}

*Droughts
Ethiopia
*Climate Change
*Soil Microbiology
*Forests
Soil/chemistry
Fungi/physiology
Bacteria
Microbiota
Crops, Agricultural/growth & development
Rain

@article {pmid40042334,
year = {2025},
author = {Venturini, AM and Gontijo, JB and Berrios, L and Rodrigues, JLM and Peay, KG and Tsai, SM},
title = {Linking soil microbial genomic features to forest-to-pasture conversion in the Amazon.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0156124},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.01561-24},
pmid = {40042334},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {Amazonian soil microbial communities are known to be altered by land-use change. However, attempts to understand these impacts have focused on broader community alterations or the response of specific microbial groups. Here, we recovered and characterized 69 soil bacterial and archaeal metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from three forests and three pastures of the Eastern Brazilian Amazon and evaluated the impacts of land conversion on their genomic features. Pasture MAGs had significantly higher GC content (64.9% vs 60.2%), genome size (4.0 vs 3.1 Mbp), and number of coding sequences (4,058 vs 3,306) compared to forest genomes. Taxonomically, MAGs belonged to eight phyla; however, most (90%) had low similarity to previously known species, indicating potentially novel taxa at multiple levels. We also observed that the functional profiles associated with biogeochemical cycling and carbohydrate-active enzyme genes were impacted by forest conversion, with pasture MAGs exhibiting a notably higher number of both gene groups. Together, these data constitute the largest single-sourced genomic data set from upland soils of the Brazilian Amazon to date and increase the known MAG richness in these soils by 78%. Our data, therefore, not only add to a neglected yet emerging field but, importantly, highlight that land-use change has drastic impacts on the genomic characteristics and functional traits of dominant soil microbes.IMPORTANCEThe Brazilian Amazon is facing unprecedented threats, including increasing deforestation and degradation, which together impact half of the original forest area. Soil microorganisms are sensitive indicators of land-use change, linked to a rise in microbial methane emissions and antibiotic-resistance genes in the Amazon. However, most Amazonian soil microbes remain unknown, and little attention has been given to their genomes. Using sequencing and bioinformatics, we recovered and characterized 69 soil bacterial and archaeal genomes (metagenome-assembled genomes). These abundant members of the microbial communities diverged across forests and pastures in terms of taxonomic and functional traits. Forest conversion favors organisms with specific genomic features - increased GC content, genome size, and gene number - selecting for microorganisms that can thrive under altered conditions. Our paper helps us understand the intricate relationships between microbes and the environment, which are crucial pieces of information for comprehensive soil health assessments and future policy formulation.},
}

@article {pmid40041707,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, X and Gong, X and Ma, K and Song, W and Zhou, J and Wang, M and Li, Y and Ji, M and Li, Y and Han, H and Wang, Y and Tu, Q},
title = {Resolving ecological drivers of temporal variations of β-diversity across intertidal microbiomes.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycaf025},
pmid = {40041707},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Resolving the ecological drivers mediating the diversity patterns of microbial communities across space and through time is a central issue in microbial ecology. Both regional species pools and local community assembly contribute to the spatial turnover of biodiversity. In this study, we extended the concept of regional species pool to temporal, and investigated the seasonal dynamics of intertidal microbiomes across four microbial domains/kingdoms (bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists). The results showed that the seasonal variations of microbial β-diversity were primarily governed by community assembly processes rather than temporal species pools. Different microbial domains/kingdoms were structured by different ecological processes, with homogeneous selection as the major process for all of them. Additionally, bacteria and fungi were critically shaped by drift, and protists by drift and homogeneous dispersal. Among various factors, temperature was important in shaping the temporal patterns of microbial β-diversity. The fluctuation in temperature was strongly associated with fungi and protists, resulting in high drift of community composition. This study demonstrated that community assembly processes governed the dynamic seasonal β-variations of intertidal microbiomes, expanding our understanding from spatial ecology.},
}

@article {pmid40041702,
year = {2025},
author = {Xu, Z and Chen, J and Liang, W and Chen, ZL and Wu, W and Xia, X and Chen, B and He, D and Liu, H},
title = {Contrasting diversity patterns between microeukaryotic and prokaryotic communities in cold-seep sediments.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycaf002},
pmid = {40041702},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Cold seeps are hotspots of biodiversity. However, the quantification of the microbial diversity, particularly that of microeukaryotes, remains scarce and little is known about the active groups. In this study we investigated the diversity and activity of prokaryotes and microeukaryotes in the Haima cold seep sediments in the northern South China Sea using both DNA (whole community) and RNA (active community) signatures. We found that, in general, prokaryotes had lower diversity in the seep sediment than in non-seep regions while microeukaryotes showed the opposite pattern. This finding could be explained by the dominance of homogeneous selection in the prokaryotic community while microeukaryotic communities were less affected by environmental selection, harboring high richness of abundant groups in the seep regions. The compositional difference between DNA and RNA communities was much larger in microeukaryotes than prokaryotes, which could be reflected by the large number of inactive microeukaryotic taxa. Compared to the whole community, the seep-active groups, e.g. among microeukaryotes, Breviatea, Labyrinthulomycetes, and Apicomplexa were more sensitive to and directly influenced by environmental factors, suggesting their pivotal roles in ecosystem biodiversity and functions. This study provides insight into the distinct diversity patterns and regulating mechanisms that occur between prokaryotic and microeukaryotic communities in cold-seep sediments, deepening our understanding of microbial ecology in deep-sea extreme habitats.},
}

@article {pmid40041671,
year = {2025},
author = {Zernadji, W and Rahmani, F and Jebri, S and Hamdi, M and Khammassi, M and Dhib, S and Hmaied, F},
title = {Distribution of Microbial Contaminants of Minimally Processed Salads Produced in Tunisia: Need to Strengthen Good Hygiene Practices.},
journal = {International journal of food science},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {9570620},
pmid = {40041671},
issn = {2314-5765},
abstract = {The microbiological safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) salads is considered as a major concern due to the absence of lethal treatments during processing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the microbiological quality of RTE salads commercialized in Tunisia and to determine the antibiotic resistance of isolated pathogens, in particular Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). A total of 100 samples were analyzed for total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli (E. coli), yeasts and molds, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), and S. aureus as well as norovirus (NoV) GI and GII using specific standard methods described by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). All samples presented unacceptable microbiological quality due to high concentrations of total aerobic bacteria and yeasts (> 10[6] CFU/g) and total coliforms (> 10[4] CFU/g). E. coli and molds were detected at unsatisfactory levels in 4% and 12% of samples, respectively. The pathogens Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were not detected. S. aureus were detected at unsatisfactory levels in 6% of samples. S. aureus isolates were resistant to more than five antibiotic classes. Thus, RTE salads could be a vehicle of multiresistant S. aureus. The total prevalence of NoV GII was 2% (mean 3.81 ± 0.30 Log GC/25 g), and no NoV GI-positive samples were identified. This study showed that the microbiological quality of RTE salads commercialized in Tunisia was unacceptable, highlighting the need to ensure good agricultural and hygiene practices from farm to fork to improve the quality and safety of these products.},
}

@article {pmid40037241,
year = {2025},
author = {Lu, Z and Zeng, J and Wang, L and Zhu, D and Cheng, X and Huang, D and Zhang, J and Yuan, L},
title = {The influence of turbulence caused by hydraulic structures on the community assembly of epilithic biofilms in rivers.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {378},
number = {},
pages = {124645},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124645},
pmid = {40037241},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {The assembly mechanisms of riverine biofilm communities in river systems represent a central question in aquatic microbial ecology. However, the influence of turbulence on the assembly of generalists and specialists within biofilms remains poorly understood. This study aimed to address this gap by examining a river with multiple spur dikes, using high-throughput sequencing, ecological network analysis, and partial least squares path modeling to explore the assembly process and community structure of biofilms. The results revealed that turbulence intensity (0.029 m/s) and kinetic energy (0.0018 m[2]/s[2]) were significantly higher at the heads of spur dikes compared to the tails. Notably, hydrodynamic parameters explained 6.50% of biofilm community variance, highlighting their underappreciated role as deterministic drivers of microbial assembly. Habitat specialists exhibited heightened sensitivity to hydrodynamic fluctuations, occupying central positions in co-occurrence networks. Additionally, turbulence intensity and kinetic energy emerged as the primary drivers of community assembly, influencing critical ecological processes such as homogeneous selection, drift and dispersal limitation. At the head of spur dikes, a high turbulence region, the weakened impact of homogeneous selection, combined with an increase in dispersal limitation, created conditions that particularly favored habitat generalists. Conversely, low turbulence dike tails supported specialist proliferation via strengthened deterministic selection and nutrient-driven niche partitioning. Furthermore, the partial least squares path modeling confirmed that turbulence dominates the assembly process of microbial specialists and generalists. This study revealed the pivotal role of turbulence in shaping biofilm assembly and driving the spatial differentiation of generalists and specialists, offering fresh insights into the complex interplay between hydrodynamics and microbial ecology in rivers impacted by hydraulic structures. These findings significantly enhance the understanding of biofilm assembly mechanisms and their broader implications for effective river ecosystem management.},
}

@article {pmid40036370,
year = {2025},
author = {Duysburgh, C and Nicolas, C and Van den Broeck, M and Lloret, F and Monginoux, P and Rème, C and Marzorati, M},
title = {A specific blend of prebiotics and postbiotics improved gut microbiome of dogs with soft stools in the in vitro Simulator of the Canine Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SCIME).},
journal = {Journal of animal science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jas/skaf056},
pmid = {40036370},
issn = {1525-3163},
abstract = {The Simulator of the Canine Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SCIME) allows for the study of long-term effects of food, supplements, or ingredients on the canine gut microbiome in a simulated proximal and distal colon. This model has been used to evaluate the impact of repeated administration of a test product blend composed of a mixture of baobab fruit pulp, acacia gum, heat-killed Lactobacillus helveticus HA-122, and specific fractions of selected inactivated yeast strains (including Saccharomyces cerevisiae AQP 12260 and AQP 12988 and Cyberlindnera jadinii AQP 12549), on the activity and composition of the gut microbiome of canine donors with soft stools. The SCIME colonic reactors were inoculated with fecal material from 3 different canine donors. After two days of stabilization, the 8-day parallel control/treatment period was initiated; reactors were fed with SCIME nutritional medium with or without test product. Changes in microbial metabolic activity were assessed by measuring levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, lactate, branched short-chain fatty acids, and ammonium. Changes in microbial community composition were assessed using 16S-targeted Illumina sequencing. Overall, test product supplementation resulted in increased saccharolytic fermentation, as evidenced by increases in the health-promoting bacterial metabolites as propionate (donor-dependent), acetate and butyrate (donor-dependent) as well as increased abundances of several saccharolytic fermenting microbes, including Bifidobacterium. Conversely, proteolytic bacteria like Proteobacteria were reduced with test product compared to control. Repeated supplementation with the test product was therefore able to induce - in vitro - a positive modulation of the microbiome originated from dogs with soft stools.},
}

@article {pmid40035794,
year = {2025},
author = {Vieira, AR and Camacho, F and Sousa, ML and Luelmo, S and Santarém, N and Cordeiro-da-Silva, A and Leão, PN},
title = {The Cyanobacterial Oxadiazine Nocuolin A Shows Broad-Spectrum Toxicity Against Protozoans and the Nematode C. elegans.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {9},
pmid = {40035794},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {2022.04572.PTDC//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; 2022.04572.PTDC//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; 2021.04285.CEECIND/CP1663/CT0004//Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/ ; 952374//Horizon 2020/ ; 952374//Horizon 2020/ ; 952374//Horizon 2020/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Cyanobacteria/metabolism/drug effects ; *Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects/microbiology ; Dictyostelium/microbiology/drug effects ; Acanthamoeba/drug effects/microbiology ; Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Cyanobacteria, known to be rich sources of valuable natural products (NPs) with relevant biological properties, are a unique subject to study the interplay between chemistry and ecology. Cultivation of cyanobacteria as isolated strains may only reveal a small fraction of their NPs. In contrast, investigating microbial interactions from an ecological perspective is a particularly fruitful approach to unveil both new chemistry and bioactivity. Cyanobacteria and amoebae are known to co-exist in diverse environments, but the interaction between these organisms has been poorly investigated. Defense strategies against grazer organisms may rely on morphological changes including biofilm formation or increased motility; however, secretion of toxic metabolites seems to be more effective on this regard. Among the most structurally unique cyanobacterial secondary metabolites is nocuolin A, an 1,2,3-oxadiazine metabolite isolated from the cyanobacterial strain Nodularia sp. LEGE 06071 that exhibits potent anti-proliferative activity against several human cancer lines, associated with impairment of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. In this work, we show that nocuolin A is toxic against two well-known model amoebae, Acanthamoeba and Dictyostelium, leading to amoebae encystation and decrease in viability. In addition, in lawn grazing assays, we observed that Nodularia sp. LEGE 06071, the producer strain of nocuolin A, was not grazed by amoeba, while a related strain, which does not produce detectable levels of nocuolin A, was. These results support the possible involvement of nocuolin A as a chemical mediator during the interaction between these organisms. Furthermore, we show that this cyanobacterial metabolite also exhibits potent toxicity against other protozoan organisms and a free-living nematode, making it an interesting broad-spectrum scaffold for the development of antiprotozoal or anti-helminthic drugs.},
}

Animals
*Cyanobacteria/metabolism/drug effects
*Caenorhabditis elegans/drug effects/microbiology
Dictyostelium/microbiology/drug effects
Acanthamoeba/drug effects/microbiology
Antiprotozoal Agents/pharmacology/metabolism

@article {pmid40034844,
year = {2024},
author = {Thompson, MA and Valentine, DL and Peng, X},
title = {Size fractionation informs microbial community composition and interactions in the eastern tropical North Pacific Ocean.},
journal = {FEMS microbes},
volume = {5},
number = {},
pages = {xtae028},
pmid = {40034844},
issn = {2633-6685},
abstract = {Marine microorganisms are drivers of biogeochemical cycles in the world's oceans, including oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). Using a metabarcoding survey of the 16S rRNA gene, we investigated prokaryotic communities, as well as their potential interactions with fungi, at the coastal, offshore, and peripheral OMZ of the eastern tropical North Pacific. Water samples were collected along a vertical oxygen gradient, and large volumes were filtered through three size fractions, 0.22, 2, and 22 µm. The changes in community composition along the oxygen gradient were driven by Planctomycetota, Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, and Gammaproteobacteria; most are known degraders of marine polysaccharides and usually associated with the large particle-associated (LPA) community. The relative abundance of Nitrososphaerota, Alphaproteobacteria, Actinomycetota, and Nitrospinota was high in free-living and small particle-associated (SPA) communities. Network analyses identified putative interactions between fungi and prokaryotes in the particle-associated fractions, which have been largely overlooked in the ocean. In the SPAnetwork analysis, fungal amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) had exclusively negative connections with SAR11 nodes. In the LPA network analysis, fungal ASVs displayed both negative and positive connections with Pseudomonadota, SAR324, and Thermoplasmatota. Our findings demonstrate the utility of three-stage size-fractioned filtration in providing novel insights into marine microbial ecology.},
}

@article {pmid40033656,
year = {2025},
author = {Orr, JA and Armitage, DW and Letten, AD},
title = {Coexistence Theory for Microbial Ecology, and Vice Versa.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {3},
pages = {e70072},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.70072},
pmid = {40033656},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {DE230100373//Australian Research Council/ ; DP220103350//Australian Research Council/ ; DE250100656//Australian Research Council/ ; },
mesh = {*Ecology ; Ecosystem ; Microbiota/physiology ; Models, Biological ; Bacteria/classification/genetics ; Microbial Interactions/physiology ; },
abstract = {Classical models from theoretical ecology are seeing increasing uptake in microbial ecology, but there remains rich potential for closer cross-pollination. Here we explore opportunities for stronger integration of ecological theory into microbial research (and vice versa) through the lens of so-called "modern" coexistence theory. Coexistence theory can be used to disentangle the contributions different mechanisms (e.g., resource partitioning, environmental variability) make to species coexistence. We begin with a short primer on the fundamental concepts of coexistence theory, with an emphasis on the relevance to microbial communities. We next present a systematic review, which highlights the paucity of empirical applications of coexistence theory in microbial systems. In light of this gap, we then identify and discuss ways in which: (i) coexistence theory can help to answer fundamental and applied questions in microbial ecology, particularly in spatio-temporally heterogeneous environments, and (ii) experimental microbial systems can be leveraged to validate and advance coexistence theory. Finally, we address several unique but often surmountable empirical challenges posed by microbial systems, as well as some conceptual limitations. Nevertheless, thoughtful integration of coexistence theory into microbial ecology presents a wealth of opportunities for the advancement of both theoretical and microbial ecology.},
}

*Ecology
Ecosystem
Microbiota/physiology
Models, Biological
Bacteria/classification/genetics
Microbial Interactions/physiology

@article {pmid40028056,
year = {2025},
author = {Vignolle, A and Zehl, M and Kirkegaard, RH and Vignolle, GA and Zotchev, SB},
title = {Secondary Metabolite Biosynthesis Potential of Streptomyces Spp. from the Rhizosphere of Leontopodium nivale Subsp. alpinum.},
journal = {ACS omega},
volume = {10},
number = {7},
pages = {7163-7171},
pmid = {40028056},
issn = {2470-1343},
abstract = {Bacteria of the phylum Actinomycetota, particularly those of the genus Streptomyces, are prolific producers of secondary metabolites (SMs), many of which have been developed into antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and cancer therapeutics. With high rediscovery rates, the attention has shifted to Streptomyces from unique ecological niches for the discovery of new SMs. The plant rhizosphere is one such niche, characterized by complex chemical interactions between the plant and its rhizobiome, which can elicit the production of SMs in Streptomyces. In the present study, 18 Streptomyces strains were previously isolated from the rhizosphere of the rare alpine medicinal plant Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum were investigated for their capacity to produce secondary metabolites. Genomes of these strains were analyzed for the presence of SM biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). In total, 551 BGCs were detected, of which 217 could not be linked to known SMs. These isolates were cultivated in different media known to support the production of SMs, and 15 out of the 54 methanolic extracts from these cultures exhibited antimicrobial activities. Subsequent liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the bioactive extracts led to a putative identification of 69 known SMs as well as 16 potentially new molecules. The results of this study may provide a basis for the discovery of unique molecules with the potential to be developed as drugs against a variety of human diseases.},
}

@article {pmid40025674,
year = {2025},
author = {Abdolahpur Monikh, F and Quik, JTK and Wiesner, MR and Tapparo, A and Pastore, P and Grossart, HP and Akkanen, J and Kortet, R and Kukkonen, JVK},
title = {Importance of Attachment Efficiency in Determining the Fate of PS and PVC Nanoplastic Heteroaggregation with Natural Colloids Using a Multimedia Model.},
journal = {Environmental science & technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.est.4c10918},
pmid = {40025674},
issn = {1520-5851},
abstract = {Here, we assessed the heteroaggregation of polystyrene (PS) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) nanoplastics with SiO2 as a model of natural colloids. Homoaggregation and heteroaggregation were evaluated as a function of CaCl2 (0-100 mM) and natural organic matter (NOM) (50 mg L[-1]) at a designated concentration of nanoplastics (200 μg L[-1]). Critical coagulation concentrations (CCC) of nanoplastics were determined in homoaggregation and heteroaggregation experiments with SiO2 and CaCl2. The attachment efficiency (α) was calculated by quantifying the number of nanoplastics in the presence of CaCl2, NOM, and SiO2 using single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) and pseudo-first-order kinetics. The calculated α was fed into the SimpleBox4Plastics model to predict the fate of nanoplastics across air, water, soil, and sediment compartments. Nanoplastics exhibited high stability against homoaggregation, while significant heteroaggregation with SiO2 occurred at CaCl2 concentrations above 100 mM. The influence of NOM was also evaluated, showing a reduction in heteroaggregation with SiO2 for both nanoplastic types. Sensitivity analysis indicated that the degradation half-life of the tested nanoplastics had a more significant impact on persistence than did α. The results emphasize the environmental stability of nanoplastics, particularly in freshwater and soil compartments, and the critical role of NOM and emission pathways in determining their fate.},
}

@article {pmid40024538,
year = {2025},
author = {Sliti, A and Kim, RH and Lee, D and Shin, JH},
title = {Whole Genome Sequencing and In Silico Analysis of the Safety and Probiotic Features of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei FMT2 Isolated from Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) Capsules.},
journal = {Microbial pathogenesis},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107405},
doi = {10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107405},
pmid = {40024538},
issn = {1096-1208},
abstract = {Lacticaseibacillus paracasei is widely used as a probiotic supplement and food additive in the medicinal and food industries. However, its application requires careful evaluation of safety traits associated with probiotic pathogenesis, including the transfer of antibiotic-resistance genes, the presence of virulence and pathogenicity factors, and the potential disruptions of the gut microbiome and immune system. In this study, we conducted whole genome sequencing (WGS) of L. paracasei FMT2 isolated from fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) capsules and performed genome annotation to assess its probiotic and safety attributes. Our comparative genomic analysis assessed this novel strain's genetic attributes and functional diversity and unraveled its evolutionary relationships with other L. paracasei strains. The assembly yielded three contigs: one corresponding to the chromosome and two corresponding to plasmids. Genome annotation revealed the presence of 2,838 DNA-coding sequences (CDS), 78 ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), 60 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), three non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and 126 pseudogenes. The strain lacked antibiotic resistance genes and pathogenicity factors. Two intact prophages, one Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) region, and three antimicrobial peptide gene clusters were identified, highlighting the genomic stability and antimicrobial potential of the strain. Furthermore, genes linked to probiotic functions, such as mucosal colonization, stress resistance, and biofilm formation, were characterized. The pan-genome analysis identified 3,358 orthologous clusters, including 1,775 single-copy clusters, across all L. paracasei strains. Notably, L. paracasei FMT2 contained many unique singleton genes, potentially contributing to its distinctive probiotic properties. Our findings confirm the potential of L. paracasei FMT2 for food and therapeutic applications based on its probiotic profile and safety.},
}

@article {pmid40022977,
year = {2025},
author = {Noiset, P and Héger, M and Salmon, C and Kwapong, P and Combey, R and Thevan, K and Warrit, N and Rojas-Oropeza, M and Cabirol, N and Zaragoza-Trello, C and Rasmussen, C and Nkoba, K and Vereecken, NJ},
title = {Ecological and evolutionary drivers of stingless bee honey variation at the global scale.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {969},
number = {},
pages = {178945},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178945},
pmid = {40022977},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Stingless bee honey (SBH) is a prime natural product consumed and used for diverse medicinal and traditional purposes by local communities across the (sub-)tropics. Despite its ecological and cultural significance, the drivers of its compositional variation within and among species remain poorly understood, particularly throughout Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing this issue at the global scale has the potential to inform broader and less explored eco-evolutionary and how variation in SBH across the (sub-)tropics has led human communities to develop diverse and sometimes specific patterns of practices that are now integral to their cultural and economic life. In this study, we aimed to disentangle the roles of evolutionary and environmental drivers of SBH compositional variation using a sampling design that combines honey profiling by H1-NMR spectroscopy with the collection of honeys from honey bees and stingless bees at the global scale. The results show a clear differentiation between the chemical composition and functional diversity of honey bee and stingless bee honeys, mainly due to the production of a range of bioproducts during sugar fermentation. The study of compositional variation of stingless bee honey showed that the role of ecological and evolutionary drivers and their joint effects varied within each tropical region, preventing the identification of a clear continental, phylogenetic or ecological pattern. We provide the first global and comprehensive characterization of SBH composition, a prerequisite for defining and accepting SBH in the different Codex Alimentarius. We also highlight the need for more interdisciplinary and trans-sectoral research adopting a holistic approach to investigate stingless bee honey characteristics.},
}

@article {pmid40022770,
year = {2025},
author = {Attiani, V and Smidt, H and van der Wielen, PWJJ},
title = {Impact of environmental and process conditions on the microbial ecology and performance of full-scale slow sand filters in drinking water treatment.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {277},
number = {},
pages = {123328},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.123328},
pmid = {40022770},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Slow sand filters (SSFs) are commonly used for treating drinking water, effectively removing contaminants such as particles, organic matter, and microorganisms. However, the ecological dynamics of prokaryotic communities within SSFs remain poorly understood. This study investigated the top sand layer, the Schmutzdecke (SCM), along with the influent and effluent water of full-scale SSFs at four drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the Netherlands. These plants use SSFs as the final step in their treatment to produce unchlorinated drinking water. Two DWTPs treat surface water after dune infiltration and do not apply advanced oxidation processes prior the SSF. In contrast, the other two DWTPs treat reservoir-stored surface water and incorporate ozonation or UV and activated carbon filtration as part of their treatment train. All SSFs consistently reduced biomass in the effluent compared to the influent, confirming their role in biomass load reduction. Key biological and chemical parameters showed that pretreatment with dune infiltration produced more biologically stable drinking water compared to reservoir storage. Moreover, while SSFs act as polishing filters when treating dune-infiltrated surface water, they significantly alter the prokaryotic community and biological stability of the water when treating reservoir-stored surface water. Prokaryotic communities in the SCM and water samples showed distinct compositions rather than merely the accumulation of microorganisms in the SCM from the influent water, demonstrating that SSF are active ecosystems different from water. The SCM exhibited a higher relative abundance of the genera SWB02, Gemmata, Pedomicrobium, Nitrospira, and mle1-7, while in the water samples the genus Candidatus Omnitrophus was relatively more abundant. Moreover, each DWTP hosts a unique prokaryotic profiles in both the SCM and water samples. Source water, upstream treatment and/or the biological stability of the influent water are identified as potential causes affecting the prokaryotic communities in SSFs that affect the microbial water quality of the effluent water.},
}

@article {pmid40016229,
year = {2025},
author = {Chang, J and Costa, OYA and Sun, Y and Wang, J and Tian, L and Shi, S and Wang, E and Ji, L and Wang, C and Pang, Y and Yao, Z and Ye, L and Zhang, J and Chen, H and Cai, Y and Chen, D and Song, Z and Rong, J and Raaijmakers, JM and Tian, C and Kuramae, EE},
title = {Domesticated rice alters the rhizosphere microbiome, reducing nitrogen fixation and increasing nitrous oxide emissions.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {2038},
pmid = {40016229},
issn = {2041-1723},
mesh = {*Oryza/microbiology/metabolism ; *Nitrous Oxide/metabolism ; *Rhizosphere ; *Microbiota/genetics ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Nitrogen Fixation ; *Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism ; Domestication ; Metagenomics ; Soil/chemistry ; Nitrogenase/metabolism/genetics ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification/isolation & purification ; Agriculture/methods ; },
abstract = {Crop domestication has revolutionized food production but increased agriculture's reliance on fertilizers and pesticides. We investigate differences in the rhizosphere microbiome functions of wild and domesticated rice, focusing on nitrogen (N) cycling genes. Shotgun metagenomics and real-time PCR reveal a higher abundance of N-fixing genes in the wild rice rhizosphere microbiomes. Validation through transplanting rhizosphere microbiome suspensions shows the highest nitrogenase activity in soils with wild rice suspensions, regardless of planted rice type. Domesticated rice, however, exhibits an increased number of genes associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) production. Measurements of N2O emissions in soils with wild and domesticated rice are significantly higher in soil with domesticated rice compared to wild rice. Comparative root metabolomics between wild and domesticated rice further show that wild rice root exudates positively correlate with the frequency and abundance of microbial N-fixing genes, as indicated by metagenomic and qPCR, respectively. To confirm, we add wild and domesticated rice root metabolites to black soil, and qPCR shows that wild rice exudates maximize microbial N-fixing gene abundances and nitrogenase activity. Collectively, these findings suggest that rice domestication negatively impacts N-fixing bacteria and enriches bacteria that produce the greenhouse gas N2O, highlighting the environmental trade-offs associated with crop domestication.},
}

*Oryza/microbiology/metabolism
*Nitrous Oxide/metabolism
*Rhizosphere
*Microbiota/genetics
*Soil Microbiology
*Nitrogen Fixation
*Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism
Domestication
Metagenomics
Soil/chemistry
Nitrogenase/metabolism/genetics
Nitrogen/metabolism
Bacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification/isolation & purification
Agriculture/methods

@article {pmid40012773,
year = {2025},
author = {Sun, P and Wu, Y and Zhu, P and Wang, J and Yu, X and Guo, W},
title = {Spartina alterniflora invasion significantly alters the assembly and structure of soil bacterial communities in the Yellow River Delta.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1525632},
pmid = {40012773},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Soil microbial communities are integral to almost all terrestrial biogeochemical cycles, which are essential to coastal wetland functioning. However, how soil bacterial community assembly, composition, and structure respond to native and non-native plant invasions in coastal wetlands remains unclear. In this study of the coastal wetlands of the Yellow River Delta in China, the assembly, community composition, and diversity of soil bacterial communities associated with four wetland plant species (Phragmites australis, Spartina alterniflora, Suaeda salsa, and Tamarix chinensis) and four soil depths (0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm, and 30-40 cm) were characterized using high-throughput sequencing. Plant species identity, as well as environmental factors, rather than soil depth, was found to play predominant roles in shaping the diversity and structure of wetland soil bacterial communities. S. alterniflora invasion altered bacterial community structure and increased bacterial diversity. Phragmites australis-associated bacterial communities were enriched with sulfate-reducing bacteria such as Desulfurivibrio and Desulfuromonas. In comparison, S. alterniflora-associated bacterial communities were enriched with both sulfate-reducing bacteria (SEEP-SRB1) and sulfate-oxidizing bacteria (Sulfurimonas), which maintained a dynamic balance in the local sulfur-cycle, and thereby enhanced S. alterniflora growth. In addition, stochastic processes dominated the assembly of soil bacterial communities associated with all four plant species, but were most important for the S. alterniflora community. The S. alterniflora-associated bacterial community also showed stronger interactions and more extensive connections among bacterial taxa; a co-occurrence network for this community had the greatest average clustering coefficient, average degree, modularity, and number of links and nodes, but the lowest average path length. Altogether, individual plant species had distinct effects on soil bacterial community assembly and structure, with the invasive species having the strongest impact. These results provide insights into microbial ecology and inform management strategies for coastal wetland restoration.},
}

@article {pmid40008244,
year = {2025},
author = {Xu, LL and McIlroy, SE and Ni, Y and Guibert, I and Chen, J and Rocha, U and Baker, DM and Panagiotou, G},
title = {Chemical pollution drives taxonomic and functional shifts in marine sediment microbiome, influencing benthic metazoans.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycae141},
pmid = {40008244},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Microbial communities in marine sediments contribute significantly to the overall health and resiliency of marine ecosystems. However, increased human disturbance undermines biodiversity and, hence, natural functionality provided by marine sediments. Here, through a deep shotgun metagenomics sequencing of the sediment microbiome and COI metabarcoding of benthic metazoans, we demonstrate that >50% of the microorganisms' and metazoan's taxonomic variation can be explained by specific chemical pollution indices. Interestingly, there was a significant correlation between the similarity in microbiome communities' taxonomical and functional attributes and the similarity of benthic metazoans community composition. Furthermore, mediation analysis was conducted to evaluate the microbiome-mediated indirect effect, suggesting that microbial species and functions accounted for 36% and 26%, respectively, of the total effect of pollution on the benthic metazoans. Our study introduces a multi-level perspective for future studies in urbanized coastal areas to explore marine ecosystems, revealing the impact of pollution stress on microbiome communities and their critical biogeochemical functions, which in turn may influence macrofaunal composition.},
}

@article {pmid40005728,
year = {2025},
author = {Yi, S and Wu, H and Lin, Y and Cha, X and Shang, Y},
title = {Antibiotic Resistance Profiles and Genomic Analysis of Endophytic Bacteria Isolates from Wild Edible Fungi in Yunnan.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020361},
pmid = {40005728},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32260624//the National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 202202AG050009//Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects/ ; },
abstract = {The use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, posing significant challenges in the prevention, control, and treatment of microbial diseases, while threatening public health, the environment, and food safety. In this study, the antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genotypes of 56 endophytic bacteria isolates from three species of wild edible fungi in Yunnan were analyzed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and PCR amplification. The results revealed that all isolates were sensitive to ofloxacin, but resistance was observed against 17 other antibiotics. Specifically, 55, 53, and 51 isolates exhibited resistance to amoxicillin, penicillin, and vancomycin, respectively. Antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) detection indicated that the sulfonamide sul1 gene had the highest detection rate (53.57%). Excluding the ARG that was not detected, the lowest detection rates were the sulfonamide sul2 and sul3 genes, both at 1.79%. Among six tetracycline resistance genes, only tetK and tetM were detected. For β-lactam antibiotics, blaTEM, blaVIM, and blaSHV genes were present, while blaOXA was absent. In aminoglycoside resistance genes, aadB was not detected, while detection rates for aac(3')-IIa, acrB, and aadA1 were 3.57%, 1.79%, and 37.5%, respectively. The chloramphenicol Cat gene was detected at a rate of 14.29%, whereas floR was absent. For polypeptide resistance, VanC was detected at 3.57%, with EmgrB not detected. All three quinolone genes were detected, with detection rates of 8.92% for GyrA, 39.29% for GyrB, and 37.5% for ParC. Through phylogenetic analysis, 12 isolates that are closely related to ten common foodborne pathogenic bacteria were further selected for whole-genome sequencing and assembly. Gene annotations revealed that each isolate contained more than 15 ARGs and over 30 virulence factors. Notably, the detection rate of antibiotic resistance phenotypes was higher than that of genotypes, highlighting the importance of studying phenotypic antibiotic resistance that lacks identifiable ARGs. This study enriches the research on endophytes in wild edible fungi and provides new data for microbial ecology and antibiotic resistance research. It also offers critical insights for monitoring microbial antibiotic resistance in wild edible fungi and potentially other food sources, contributing to more effective strategies for ecological protection, sustainable agricultural development, and public health security.},
}

@article {pmid40005607,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, S and Zhuang, W and Feng, X and Warren, A and Gong, J},
title = {Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny of Four Anaerobic Ciliates (Protista, Ciliophora, Armophorea), with Report of a New Species and a Unique Arrangement Pattern of Dikinetids in Family Metopidae.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020240},
pmid = {40005607},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {41976086, 42276094//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {The diversity of anaerobic ciliates is greatly underestimated owing to the limitation in sampling and cultivation when compared with their aerobic counterparts. In this study, four anaerobic ciliates, viz. Brachonella abnormalis sp. nov., Brachonella contorta (Levander, 1894) Jankowski, 1964, Metopus contortus (Quennerstedt, 1867) Kahl, 1932, and Metopus major Kahl, 1932, were investigated by live observation, protargol staining and 18S rRNA gene sequencing. B. abnormalis sp. nov. can be separated from its congeners by a combination of the following features: bullet-shaped cell with a life size of about 130-190 × 90-120 μm, dikinetids distributed along dorsal dome kineties, highly developed adoral zone comprised of 87-107 polykinetids, making about 450° spiralization around the long axis. The present work demonstrates that two known species, M. contortus and M. major, have a special trait never previously reported, viz. short, regularly arranged preoral dome dikinetids. Species with short, regularly arranged dome dikinetids appear in divergent clades in SSU rRNA gene trees, which may infer that this trait evolved several times. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rRNA gene sequence data also support the monophyly of the genus Brachonella and the paraphyly of the order Metopida, respectively.},
}

@article {pmid40005589,
year = {2025},
author = {Warkhade, Y and Schaerer, LG and Bigcraft, I and Hazen, TC and Techtmann, SM},
title = {Diversity and Distribution of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Genes in the Cold Seeps from the Mediterranean and Caspian Seas.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13020222},
pmid = {40005589},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Merck Future Insight Prize//Merck KGaA/ ; },
abstract = {Marine cold seeps are unique ecological niches characterized by the emergence of hydrocarbons, including methane, which fosters diverse microbial communities. This study investigates the diversity and distribution of hydrocarbon-degrading genes and organisms in sediments from the Caspian and Mediterranean Seas, utilizing 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing to elucidate microbial community structure and functional potential. Our findings reveal distinct differences in hydrocarbon degrading gene profiles between the two seas, with pathways for aerobic and anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation co-existing in sediments from both basins. Aerobic pathways predominate in the surface sediments of the Mediterranean Sea, while anaerobic pathways are favored in the surface sediments of the anoxic Caspian Sea. Additionally, sediment depths significantly influence microbial diversity, with variations in gene abundance and community composition observed at different depths. Aerobic hydrocarbon-degrading genes decrease in diversity with depth in the Mediterranean Sea, whereas the diversity of aerobic hydrocarbon-degrading genes increases with depth in the Caspian Sea. These results enhance our understanding of microbial ecology in cold seep environments and have implications for bioremediation practices targeting hydrocarbon pollutants in marine ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid40003826,
year = {2025},
author = {Castañeda-Espinosa, A and Duque-Granda, D and Cadavid-Restrepo, G and Murcia, LM and Junca, H and Moreno-Herrera, CX and Vivero-Gómez, RJ},
title = {Study of Bacterial Communities in Water and Different Developmental Stages of Aedes aegypti from Aquatic Breeding Sites in Leticia City, Colombian Amazon Biome.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020195},
pmid = {40003826},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {57545//Universidad Nacional de Colombia/ ; },
abstract = {Aedes aegypti is a key vector in the transmission of arboviral diseases in the Colombian Amazon. This study aimed to characterize microbiota composition using DNA extracted from water in artificial breeding sites, immature stages, and adults of Ae. aegypti in Leticia, Amazonas. Additionally, the physicochemical water variables were correlated with the bacterial communities present. Eight artificial breeding sites were identified, with bucket, plant pot, and tire being the most frequent. The breeding sites exhibited similar physicochemical profiles, with significant temperature and salinity differences (p-value < 0.03). The most representative bacterial genera included Ottowia (82%), Xanthobacter (70.59%), and Rhodocyclaceae (92.78%) in breeding site water; Aquabacterium (61.07%), Dechloromonas (82.85%), and Flectobacillus (58.94%) in immature stages; and Elizabethkingia (70.89%) and Cedecea (39.19%) in males and females of Ae. aegypti. Beta diversity analysis revealed distinct clustering between adults and the water and immature communities (p-value < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed strong correlations among bacterial communities, breeding sites, and physicochemical variables such as tire and drum cover which exhibited high levels of total dissolved solids, conductivity, and salinity associated with Flectobacillus, Leifsonia, Novosphingobium, Ottowia, and Rhodobacter. Bacterial genera such as Mycobacterium, Escherichia, Salmonella, and Clostridium, present in artificial breeding sites, are associated with public health relevance. This study provides insights into bacterial community dynamics across Ae. aegypti's life cycle and underscores the importance of water physicochemical and biological characteristics for developing new vector control strategies.},
}

@article {pmid40003751,
year = {2025},
author = {Rampanti, G and Cardinali, F and Ferrocino, I and Milanović, V and Garofalo, C and Osimani, A and Aquilanti, L},
title = {Deciphering the Microbiota of Edible Insects Sold by Street Vendors in Thailand Using Metataxonomic Analysis.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16020122},
pmid = {40003751},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {The aim of the present study was to investigate the microbiota of processed ready-to-eat (fried or boiled) edible insects sold by street vendors at local green markets in Thailand (Bangkok and Koh Samui). To this end, samples of 4 insect species (rhino beetle adults, silkworm pupae, giant waterbugs adults, and black scorpions) were collected and analyzed through viable counting and metataxonomic analysis. Enterobacteriaceae showed counts below 1 log cfu g[-1] in all samples, except for black scorpions, which showed elevated counts reaching up to 4 log cfu g[-1]. Total mesophilic aerobes counts were up to 8 log cfu g[-1] in all the analyzed samples. Counts below 1 log cfu g[-1] were observed for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, sulfite-reducing clostridia viable cells and spores, and Bacillus cereus. All the samples showed the absence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. According to metataxonomic analysis, 14 taxa were consistently present across all insect samples, including Dellaglioa algida, Latilactobacillus curvatus, Latilactobacillus sakei, Acetobacteraceae, Apilactobacillus kunkeei, Bombilactobacillus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Gilliamella spp., Lactobacillus spp., Lactobacillus apis, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Weissella spp. Minority taxa included Alcaligenes spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Psychrobacter spp., Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Lactobacillus melliventris, Pediococcus spp., Levilactobacillus brevis, and Snodgrassella alvi.},
}

@article {pmid39998093,
year = {2025},
author = {Varini, C and Manganelli, M and Scardala, S and Antonelli, P and Losasso, C and Testai, E},
title = {An Update of Tetrodotoxins Toxicity and Risk Assessment Associated to Contaminated Seafood Consumption in Europe: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Toxins},
volume = {17},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {39998093},
issn = {2072-6651},
support = {project n. RF-2021-12373885//Ministry of Health of Italy/ ; },
mesh = {Risk Assessment ; *Seafood/analysis ; Europe ; Animals ; Humans ; *Food Contamination/analysis ; *Tetrodotoxin/analysis/toxicity ; Dietary Exposure/analysis ; },
abstract = {Following the occurrence of Tetrodotoxins (TTXs) in Europe-a group of neurotoxins identified in Asia, where fatalities occurred after the ingestion of contaminated pufferfish-the EFSA proposed a limit of 44 µg of TTX/kg of shellfish meat in mollusks in 2017, to protect heavy consumers. The limit was based on an acute reference dose (ARfD) derived from the few available data on TTX toxicity. TTX is expected to increase with sea-surface warming; indeed, it has been found in spring/summer in mollusks in Europe, with concentrations often exceeding this limit. Due to the numerous uncertainties of the EFSA's ARfD, we conducted a systematic review to provide an update on TTX toxicity. Out of 12,741 articles retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus since 2017, only 17 were eligible for data extraction. Our results show that they are not sufficient to modify the EFSA's conclusions. Furthermore, our analysis of occurrence data in European seafood, to assess the current risk of exposure to TTX, reveals several gaps, such as different LODs/LOQs and seasonal monitoring not allowing comparisons between areas and too few analyzed sites. However, the presence of positive samples exceeding the EFSA limit indicates a potential risk even for general consumers, highlighting the urgency to address these knowledge gaps.},
}

Risk Assessment
*Seafood/analysis
Europe
Animals
Humans
*Food Contamination/analysis
*Tetrodotoxin/analysis/toxicity
Dietary Exposure/analysis

@article {pmid39996333,
year = {2025},
author = {Medeiros, W and Kralova, S and Oliveira, V and Ziemert, N and Sehnal, L},
title = {Antarctic bacterial natural products: from genomic insights to drug discovery.},
journal = {Natural product reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d4np00045e},
pmid = {39996333},
issn = {1460-4752},
abstract = {Covering: up to the end of 2024Microbial life dominates the extreme continent Antarctica, playing a pivotal role in ecosystem functioning and serving as a reservoir of specialized metabolites known as natural products (NPs). NPs not only contribute to microbial adaptation to harsh conditions but also modulate microbial community structure. Long-term isolation and environmental pressures have shaped the genomes of Antarctic bacteria, suggesting that they also encode unique NPs. Since NPs are also an important source of drugs, we argue that investigating Antarctic bacterial NPs is essential not only for understanding their ecological role and evolution, but also for discovering new chemical structures, biosynthetic mechanisms, and potential new drugs. Yet, despite advances in omics technologies and increased scientific activities in Antarctica, relatively few new bacterial NPs have been discovered. The lack of systematic research activities focused on the exploration of Antarctic bacteria and their NPs constitutes a big problem considering the climate change issue, to which ecosystems in polar regions are the most sensitive areas on the Earth. Here, we highlight the currently available data on Antarctic bacteria, their biosynthetic potential, and the successful NP discoveries, while addressing the challenges in NP research and advocating for systematic, collaborative efforts aligned with the Antarctic Treaty System and the Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions.},
}

@article {pmid39992142,
year = {2025},
author = {Sun, L and Wang, Q and Huang, J and Wang, H and Yu, Z},
title = {Disrupting the balance: how acne duration impacts skin microbiota assembly processes.},
journal = {Microbiology spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0260324},
doi = {10.1128/spectrum.02603-24},
pmid = {39992142},
issn = {2165-0497},
abstract = {Growing interest in the impact of microbial balance on health has driven studies on the ecological processes shaping the skin microbiota. Skin diseases, which alter the skin's local environment, can disrupt the microbial structure and interact with the disease itself. However, research on microbial assembly in diseased skin remains limited. In this study, we applied ecological models to characterize the processes shaping the skin microbiota in acne patients, considering the impact of disease duration on both skin pores and surfaces using bacterial amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed a significant shift in microbial diversity on the skin surface of patients with long-term acne. Further microbial community analyses showed a transition in ecological processes from healthy to diseased skin. Microbial communities on the skin surfaces of healthy controls and individuals with short-duration acne were primarily driven by heterogeneous selection, whereas microbial drift dominated the assembly process in the long-duration groups. Using the Sloan neutral model, we classified amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) into high-effect and low-effect groups based on relative abundance and sample occurrence. High-effect ASVs, likely exerting a greater ecological influence, were predominantly represented by Cutibacterium across all acne-affected skin groups, while Staphylococcus became enriched among high-effect ASVs in patients with long-term acne. Functional profiling further demonstrated that high-effect ASVs were significantly enriched in motility-related pathways. Additionally, we observed a reduction in microbial network complexity on skin surfaces as disease duration increased. Overall, the ecological dynamics of skin microbial communities may offer valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying disease onset and persistence.IMPORTANCEThe skin microbiota plays a critical role in acne development, yet the processes governing microbial assembly during acne progression remain poorly understood. Previous studies predominantly focused on factors such as acne severity, location, and duration in relation to skin microbial structure, with little attention given to the ecological mechanisms shaping the communities. In this study, we applied ecological models to investigate the processes influencing microbial assembly of skin microbiota in acne patients with varying disease durations and examined functions of ecologically important non-neutral amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). Our findings reveal a transition in ecological processes from deterministic to neutral processes as acne duration increased, with non-neutral ASVs potentially contributing to acne pathogenicity and persistence. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological dynamics underlying acne and indicate that targeting these non-neutral ASVs or their associated functions may serve as the basis for future therapeutic strategies.},
}

@article {pmid39992122,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, X and Wang, H and Zang, Y and Xue, S and Xin, J and Liu, L and Tang, X and Chen, J},
title = {Exploring the structure and assembly of seagrass microbial communities in rhizosphere and phyllosphere.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0243724},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02437-24},
pmid = {39992122},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Microbial community assembly and interactions are pivotal research areas within microbial ecology, yet relevant studies in seagrass rhizospheres and phyllosphere remain relatively scarce. In this study, we utilized high-throughput sequencing technology to investigate the microbial communities in different periods and microhabitats (rhizosphere and phyllosphere) of two seagrass species (Zostera marina and Phyllospadix iwatensis). Our findings suggest that microhabitats have a more pronounced impact on the composition of seagrass-associated microbial communities compared to periods and species. Further investigations reveal that the phyllosphere microbial community exhibits a more intricate co-occurrence network and interactions than the rhizosphere microbial community. Keystone taxa show distinct functional roles in different microhabitats of seagrasses. Additionally, we observed that differences in seagrass microhabitats influence community assembly, with the rhizosphere microbial community being more influenced by deterministic processes (heterogeneous selection) compared to the phyllosphere. These findings contribute to our understanding of the intricate interactions between seagrasses and their associated microbial communities, providing valuable insights into their distribution patterns and microhabitat preferences.IMPORTANCEStudying the community structure and assembly of different microhabitats in seagrass beds contributes to revealing the complexity and dynamic processes of seagrass ecosystems. In the rhizosphere microhabitat of seagrasses, microbial communities may assist in disease resistance or enhance nutrient uptake efficiency in seagrasses. On the other hand, in the microhabitat on the surface of seagrass blades, microorganisms may be closely associated with the physiological functions and nutrient cycling of seagrass blades. Therefore, understanding the structure and assembly mechanisms of rhizosphere and phyllosphere microbial communities is crucial for exploring the interactions between seagrass and microbial communities, as well as for enhancing our comprehension of the stability and resilience of seagrass bed ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid39991271,
year = {2025},
author = {Morales, SE and Tobias-Hünefeldt, SP and Armstrong, E and Pearman, WS and Bogdanov, K},
title = {Marine phytoplankton impose strong selective pressures on in vitro microbiome assembly, but drift is the dominant process.},
journal = {ISME communications},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {ycaf001},
pmid = {39991271},
issn = {2730-6151},
abstract = {Phytoplankton are known ecosystem engineers that modulate ocean community assembly processes, but the universality and extent of their microbiome control remains unclear. We used in vitro incubations and 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing to test the influence of Southern and South Pacific oceans dominant phytoplankton on assembly processes and community successions in response to phytoplankton blooms. Phytoplankton grown with reduced-diversity cultures or supplemented with exogenously added microbiomes showed reduced diversity, suggesting environmental filtering. Community profiles were distinct under all culture conditions, further confirming strong selection for specific microbiomes based on phytoplankton. Analysis of core, abundant, and rare organisms in each culture condition showed a conserved response in which core organisms were enriched under conditions of exogenously added phytoplankton. Progression through phytoplankton growth phases selected first for rare and abundant organisms, with increased selection for core members during the exponential phase and relaxing of selection during the death phase, as seen throughout incubations for microbiome-only controls. Surprisingly, selection process quantification identified drift as the dominant process across all conditions and growth phases, with homogenous selection and dispersal limitation accounting for the remainder. Altogether, using Southern Ocean-derived model organisms we confirmed the role phytoplankton play in community assembly but also demonstrated that stochastic processes still predominately drive community selection.},
}

@article {pmid39988434,
year = {2025},
author = {Howells, G and Sezmis, AL and Blake, C and McDonald, MJ},
title = {Co-Existence Slows Diversification in Experimental Populations of E. coli and P. fluorescens.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {2},
pages = {e70061},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.70061},
pmid = {39988434},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {APP1186140//National Health and Medical Research Council/ ; DP220103548//Australian Research Council/ ; },
mesh = {*Pseudomonas fluorescens/genetics/growth & development ; *Escherichia coli/genetics/growth & development/radiation effects ; *Coculture Techniques ; Adaptation, Physiological ; Genome, Bacterial ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; },
abstract = {Microbes grown in heterogeneous laboratory environments can rapidly diversify into multiple, coexisting variants. While the genetic and evolutionary mechanisms of laboratory adaptive radiations are well studied, how the presence of other species alters the outcomes of diversification is less well understood. To test the effect of co-culture growth on the Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25 adaptive radiation, Escherichia coli and P. fluorescens were cultured in monoculture and co-culture for 8 weeks. In P. fluorescens monoculture, Wrinkly and Smooth Spreader types rapidly evolved and were maintained over 8 weeks, while E. coli monocultures evolved two colony types, a big and a small colony variant. In contrast, we found that in co-culture, E. coli did not evolve small colony variants. Whole genome sequencing revealed the genetic basis of possible co-culture specific adaptations in both E. coli and P. fluorescens. Altogether, our data support that the presence of multiple species changed the outcome of adaptive radiation.},
}

*Pseudomonas fluorescens/genetics/growth & development
*Escherichia coli/genetics/growth & development/radiation effects
*Coculture Techniques
Adaptation, Physiological
Genome, Bacterial
Whole Genome Sequencing

@article {pmid39987915,
year = {2025},
author = {De Luca, G and Barakat, M and Verméglio, A and Achouak, W and Heulin, T},
title = {The Bacterial Genus Ramlibacter: Betaproteobacteria Capable of Surviving in Oligotrophic Environments Thanks to Several Shared Genetic Adaptation Traits.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {27},
number = {2},
pages = {e70059},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.70059},
pmid = {39987915},
issn = {1462-2920},
mesh = {*Phylogeny ; *RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Adaptation, Physiological ; Soil Microbiology ; Genome, Bacterial ; Betaproteobacteria/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Carbon/metabolism ; Ecosystem ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; },
abstract = {Ramlibacter tataouinensis, the type species of the genus Ramlibacter, is renowned for its ability to thrive in hot, arid and nutrient-poor desert soils. To investigate whether its adaptive properties are shared across all 20 currently described Ramlibacter species found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats worldwide, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of 16S rRNA sequences and genomic information available from the literature. Our study encompassed approximately 40 deposited genomes, allowing us to propose a genomic phylogeny that aligns with the 16S rRNA phylogeny. Our findings reveal several conserved features across the genus Ramlibacter. This includes the presence of light sensors, environmental sensing networks, organic carbon and phosphate acquisition systems and the ability to store carbon and energy in the form of polyhydroxyalkanoate or polyphosphate granules. These shared traits rationalise the widespread distribution of Ramlibacter in oligotrophic terrestrial and aquatic environments. They also explain the genus' ability to withstand desiccation, endure extended periods of starvation, and survive in nutrient-depleted conditions. Notably, certain adaptive features are further enhanced in several species by their pleiomorphism and ability to form cysts. Overall, our study not only highlights the ecological adaptations of Ramlibacter species but also extends our understanding of microbial ecology in oligotrophic environments.},
}

*Phylogeny
*RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Adaptation, Physiological
Soil Microbiology
Genome, Bacterial
Betaproteobacteria/genetics
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Carbon/metabolism
Ecosystem
Sequence Analysis, DNA

@article {pmid39987257,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, X and Ta, N and Yi, S and Xiong, H},
title = {Intolerance of uncertainty and mental health in patients with IBD: the mediating role of maladaptive coping.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {6464},
pmid = {39987257},
issn = {2045-2322},
mesh = {Humans ; Uncertainty ; Male ; Female ; *Adaptation, Psychological ; *Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/psychology ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; *Mental Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; *Anxiety/psychology ; *Depression/psychology ; Young Adult ; Aged ; },
abstract = {The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and mental health in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and to explore the mediating role of coping styles. A questionnaire was administered to adult patients with IBD, which included general demographic information, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The study ultimately included validated questionnaires from 163 IBD patients. Intolerance of uncertainty was significantly and positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.738, p < 0.01) and depression (r = 0.683, p < 0.01). The mediating effect of adaptive coping style was not significant. The maladaptive coping style partially mediated the relationship between IU and anxiety, as well as between IU and depression, with the mediating effect size of 25.5% and 34.2%, respectively. Our findings emphasize the impact of the inability to tolerate uncertainty on the mental health of patients with IBD. It suggests that interventions can be implemented to enhance IBD patients' tolerance of uncertainty and to modify their maladaptive coping styles to promote mental health. This offers a valuable framework for psychological interventions for IBD patients.},
}

Humans
Uncertainty
Male
Female
*Adaptation, Psychological
*Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/psychology
Adult
Middle Aged
*Mental Health
Surveys and Questionnaires
*Anxiety/psychology
*Depression/psychology
Young Adult
Aged

@article {pmid39985718,
year = {2025},
author = {Gufwan, LA and Peng, L and Gufwan, NM and Lan, S and Wu, L},
title = {Enhancing Soil Health Through Biocrusts: A Microbial Ecosystem Approach for Degradation Control and Restoration.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {8},
pmid = {39985718},
issn = {1432-184X},
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Ecosystem ; *Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods ; Fungi/metabolism/genetics/physiology ; Biodiversity ; Cyanobacteria/metabolism ; Lichens/microbiology ; Microbiota ; Bryophyta/microbiology ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; },
abstract = {Escalating global concerns about soil degradation, driven by erosion, salinization, compaction, pollution, and organic matter loss, highlights the critical need for sustainable remediation. Biocrusts-complex communities of cyanobacteria, algae, lichens, bryophytes, and fungi-play a pivotal role in soil stabilization, erosion prevention, and nutrient cycling. This study presents recent advancements in biocrust application for soil management and restoration, focusing on artificial biocrusts as a nature-based solution biotechnology. It emphasizes their effectiveness in enhancing soil quality, biodiversity, and ecosystem functionality. Researchers are leveraging these microbial communities to develop strategies that improve soil health and rehabilitate degraded landscapes. The review concludes that biocrusts are a viable strategy for boosting soil resilience and enhancing soil health against environmental stressors. It recommends future research on their long-term ecological impacts and methods to enhance their functionality.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Soil/chemistry
*Ecosystem
*Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods
Fungi/metabolism/genetics/physiology
Biodiversity
Cyanobacteria/metabolism
Lichens/microbiology
Microbiota
Bryophyta/microbiology
Biodegradation, Environmental

@article {pmid39978646,
year = {2025},
author = {Kij, A and Kieronska-Rudek, A and Bar, A and Czyzynska-Cichon, I and Strus, M and Kozien, L and Wiecek, G and Zeber-Lubecka, N and Kulecka, M and Kwiatkowski, G and Przyborowski, K and Mohaissen, T and Sternak, M and Buczek, E and Zakrzewska, A and Proniewski, B and Kus, K and Franczyk-Zarow, M and Kostogrys, RB and Pieterman, EJ and Princen, HMG and Chlopicki, S},
title = {Low phylloquinone intake deteriorates endothelial function in normolipidemic and dyslipidaemic mice.},
journal = {The Journal of nutritional biochemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {109867},
doi = {10.1016/j.jnutbio.2025.109867},
pmid = {39978646},
issn = {1873-4847},
abstract = {While the plasma phylloquinone (PK) concentration is inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk, the involvement of PK in regulating endothelial function has not been directly investigated. Therefore, in this study we assessed the effects of short-term treatment with PK-deficient diets (5-10 weeks) on endothelial function in normolipidemic 14-week-old male C57BL/6JCmd mice and age-matched dyslipidaemic male E3L.CETP mice. Our results show that in normolipidemic mice dietary PK deficiency was associated with a marked reduction of PK levels in the plasma and liver (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry measurements) and with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation assessed in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Dietary PK deficiency-induced endothelial dysfunction was fully reversed by PK supplementation. In dyslipidaemic E3L.CETP mice, dietary PK deficiency exacerbated preexisting endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, dietary PK deficiency decreased menaquinone-4 (MK-4) levels in the aorta but did not affect blood coagulation (calibrated automated thrombography), microbiota composition (culturing and next-generation sequencing), and gut menaquinone production. In conclusion, our study demonstrated for the first time that sufficient dietary PK intake supports endothelial function in normolipidemic and dyslipidaemic mice indicating nutritional significance of dietary PK in the maintenance of endothelial function in humans.},
}

@article {pmid39976768,
year = {2025},
author = {Kauserud, H and Martin-Sanchez, PM and Estensmo, EL and Botnen, S and Morgado, L and Maurice, S and Høiland, K and Skrede, I},
title = {Yeasts Prefer Daycares and Molds Prefer Private Homes.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {7},
pmid = {39976768},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {741332//Horizon 2020/ ; 741332//Horizon 2020/ ; PID2021-123184OA-I00//MICIN/AEI, Spain/ ; },
mesh = {*Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Norway ; *Housing ; *Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis ; *Yeasts/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Mycobiome ; Humans ; *Child Day Care Centers ; Air Microbiology ; Dust/analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; },
abstract = {Worldwide, people spend most of their time indoors; in their homes, workplaces, schools, and daycares. Indoor fungi can cause negative health effects due to the production of toxins or volatiles that trigger the immune system of the occupants. To what degree indoor fungi (mycobiomes) differ between buildings with different usage is poorly known. Here, we compare the indoor mycobiomes in 123 children's daycare centers and 214 private homes throughout Norway, as revealed by metabarcoding of DNA extracted from dust samples collected by community scientists. Although the fungal richness per se was similar in dust samples from daycares and homes, the fungal community composition differed. Yeast fungi, distributed mainly across the orders Saccharomycetales, Filobasidiales, and Tremellales, were proportionally more abundant in the daycares, while filamentous fungi, including spore-producing molds such as Aspergillus, Penicillum, and Cladosporium, were relatively more abundant in homes. Number of occupants, which is considerably higher in daycares, correlated significantly with the fungal community shift. We hypothesize that the density of occupants and their age distribution drive the systematic difference of yeasts and filamentous fungi in the two building types.},
}

*Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Norway
*Housing
*Air Pollution, Indoor/analysis
*Yeasts/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
*Mycobiome
Humans
*Child Day Care Centers
Air Microbiology
Dust/analysis
Child
Child, Preschool

@article {pmid39976447,
year = {2025},
author = {Bittleston, L and Gilbert, J and Klassen, J and Mackelprang, R and Mandel, MJ and Newton, RJ and Paudel, A and Rodriguez-Verdugo, A and Shade, A and Wilhelm, RC and Zhang, Y},
title = {Embracing the systems complexity of microbial ecology and evolution: call for papers.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0009125},
doi = {10.1128/msystems.00091-25},
pmid = {39976447},
issn = {2379-5077},
}

@article {pmid39972634,
year = {2025},
author = {de Sousa, T and Silva, C and Igrejas, G and Hébraud, M and Poeta, P},
title = {The Interactive Dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Global Ecology.},
journal = {Journal of basic microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e70004},
doi = {10.1002/jobm.70004},
pmid = {39972634},
issn = {1521-4028},
support = {//This work was supported by grant 2020.05332.BD, and the projects UI/00772 and LA/P/0059/2020 funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)./ ; },
abstract = {Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium widely distributed in both natural and urban environments, playing a crucial role in global microbial ecology. This article reviews the interactive dynamics of P. aeruginosa across different ecosystems, highlighting its capacity for adaptation and resistance in response to environmental and therapeutic pressures. We analyze the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, including the presence of resistance genes and efflux systems, which contribute to its persistence in both clinical and nonclinical settings. The interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, within the context of the One Health concept, is discussed, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and sustainable management practices to mitigate the spread of resistance. Through a holistic approach, this work offers insights into the influence of P. aeruginosa on public health and biodiversity.},
}

@article {pmid39970705,
year = {2025},
author = {Yuan, K and Xu, H and Li, S and Coker, OO and Liu, W and Wang, L and Zhang, X and Yu, J},
title = {Intraneoplastic fungal dysbiosis is associated with colorectal cancer progression and host gene mutation.},
journal = {EBioMedicine},
volume = {113},
number = {},
pages = {105608},
doi = {10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105608},
pmid = {39970705},
issn = {2352-3964},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The relationship between intraneoplastic fungi and colorectal cancer (CRC) progression remains largely unclear. Here, we investigated fungal community changes in adenoma and CRC and their correlation with host genetic mutations.

METHODS: We obtained 261 tissue biopsies from two geographically distinct cohorts of CRC and adenoma patients, with each individual contributing 2-5 biopsies from lesions and 2 from adjacent normal tissues. 18S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was used for microbial profiling. Host genetic alterations including KRAS mutations and microsatellite instability (MSI) were detected concurrently.

FINDINGS: Intra-neoplastic fungal composition significantly differed between CRC and adenoma in two independent cohorts, with enrichment of highly variable fungi (HVF) in CRC. Six HVFs exhibited higher abundances in adenoma and CRC compared to adjacent normal tissues with Malassezia showing a progressive increase from adenoma to CRC. Fungi intratumoral heterogeneity index also increased from adenoma through stages I to IV of CRC. Intra-tumoral fungi-fungi co-abundance analysis indicated stronger positive interactions in CRC than in adenoma, with increasingly robust links among intra-tumoral fungi along adenoma-CRC progression, primarily driven by Malassezia and Aspergillus. Furthermore, fungal heterogeneity was significantly correlated with host genetic mutations, with higher risk indices in CRC tissues harboring KRAS and MSI mutations. Thirteen fungi stratified CRC samples with KRAS mutations, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.86, while those associated with MSI status showed an AUC of 0.89.

INTERPRETATION: This study demonstrates that intraneoplastic fungal community alterations occur between adenoma and CRC, with increasing heterogeneity associated with host genetic mutations, emphasizing the role of fungal dysbiosis in CRC.

FUNDING: This work was supported by RGC Research Impact Fund Hong Kong (R4032-21F); RGC-CRF (C4008-23W); Strategic Seed Funding Collaboration Research Scheme CUHK (3133344); Strategic Impact Enhancement Fund CUHK (3135509); Impact case for RAE CUHK (3134277).},
}

@article {pmid39970561,
year = {2025},
author = {Gullì, M and Cangioli, L and Frusciante, S and Graziano, S and Caldara, M and Fiore, A and Klonowski, AM and Maestri, E and Brunori, A and Mengoni, A and Pihlanto, A and Diretto, G and Marmiroli, N and Bevivino, A},
title = {The relevance of biochar and co-applied SynComs on maize quality and sustainability: Evidence from field experiments.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {968},
number = {},
pages = {178872},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178872},
pmid = {39970561},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Adoption of sustainable maize cropping practices is urgently needed. Synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) made of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs), coupled with biochar from residual biomass, offer an environmentally compatible alternative to inorganic fertilizers and may improve soil fertility. This article extends in a two-year field trial with preliminary results obtained in previous pot experiments, monitoring plant physiology, soil biology and chemistry, and kernel metabolomics. Here, we report the synergistic effect of the co-application of biochar, SynComs, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the soil microbiome, maize growth, and kernel metabolomic profile. SynComs application did not affect the diversity and richness of soil microbial communities; therefore, it posed a low risk of long-term effects on soil microbial ecology. With SynComs and biochar co-application to the soil, the physiology of maize plants was characterized by higher chlorophyll content, ear weight, and kernel weight. The combination of SynComs and biochar also affected the kernel metabolome, resulting in enriched health-beneficial and anti-stress metabolites. Since the preliminary evidence on the environmental and economic impact of these new associations was more favorable than that of conventional fertilizers, it seems reasonable that their large-scale implementation can eventually favor the transition to more sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid39971349,
year = {2025},
author = {Russo, CJ and Husain, K and Murugan, A},
title = {Soft Modes as a Predictive Framework for Low-Dimensional Biological Systems Across Scales.},
journal = {Annual review of biophysics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-biophys-081624-030543},
pmid = {39971349},
issn = {1936-1238},
abstract = {All biological systems are subject to perturbations arising from thermal fluctuations, external environments, or mutations. Yet, while biological systems consist of thousands of interacting components, recent high-throughput experiments have shown that their response to perturbations is surprisingly low dimensional: confined to only a few stereotyped changes out of the many possible. In this review, we explore a unifying dynamical systems framework-soft modes-to explain and analyze low dimensionality in biology, from molecules to ecosystems. We argue that this soft mode framework makes nontrivial predictions that generalize classic ideas from developmental biology to disparate systems, namely phenocopying, dual buffering, and global epistasis. While some of these predictions have been borne out in experiments, we discuss how soft modes allow for a surprisingly far-reaching and unifying framework in which to analyze data from protein biophysics to microbial ecology.},
}

@article {pmid39970001,
year = {2025},
author = {Vo, L and Avgidis, F and Mattingly, HH and Edmonds, K and Burger, I and Balasubramanian, R and Shimizu, TS and Kazmierczak, BI and Emonet, T},
title = {Nongenetic adaptation by collective migration.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {8},
pages = {e2423774122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2423774122},
pmid = {39970001},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {R01GM138533//HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; R01GM106189//HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; F31GM149174-01//HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {*Escherichia coli/genetics/physiology ; *Chemotaxis/physiology ; *Adaptation, Physiological ; Phenotype ; Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {Cell populations must adjust their phenotypic composition to adapt to changing environments. One adaptation strategy is to maintain distinct phenotypic subsets within the population and to modulate their relative abundances via gene regulation. Another strategy involves genetic mutations, which can be augmented by stress-response pathways. Here, we studied how a migrating bacterial population regulates its phenotypic distribution to traverse diverse environments. We generated isogenic Escherichia coli populations with varying distributions of swimming behaviors and observed their phenotype distributions during migration in liquid and porous environments. We found that the migrating populations became enriched with high-performing swimming phenotypes in each environment, allowing the populations to adapt without requiring mutations or gene regulation. This adaptation is dynamic and rapid, reversing in a few doubling times when migration ceases. By measuring the chemoreceptor abundance distributions during migration toward different attractants, we demonstrated that adaptation acts on multiple chemotaxis-related traits simultaneously. These measurements are consistent with a general mechanism in which adaptation results from a balance between cell growth generating diversity and collective migration eliminating underperforming phenotypes. Thus, collective migration enables cell populations with continuous, multidimensional phenotypes to flexibly and rapidly adapt their phenotypic composition to diverse environmental conditions.},
}

*Escherichia coli/genetics/physiology
*Chemotaxis/physiology
*Adaptation, Physiological
Phenotype
Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial

@article {pmid39963424,
year = {2024},
author = {Höner Zu Siederdissen, C and Spangenberg, J and Bisdorf, K and Krautwurst, S and Srivastava, A and Marz, M and Taubert, M},
title = {Nanopore sequencing enables novel detection of deuterium incorporation in DNA.},
journal = {Computational and structural biotechnology journal},
volume = {23},
number = {},
pages = {3584-3594},
pmid = {39963424},
issn = {2001-0370},
abstract = {Identifying active microbes is crucial to understand their role in ecosystem functions. Metabolic labeling with heavy, non-radioactive isotopes, i.e., stable isotope probing (SIP), can track active microbes by detecting heavy isotope incorporation in biomolecules such as DNA. However, the detection of heavy isotope-labeled nucleotides directly during sequencing has, to date, not been achieved. In this study, Oxford nanopore sequencing was utilized to detect heavy isotopes incorporation in DNA molecules. Two isotopes widely used in SIP experiments were employed to label a bacterial isolate: deuterium (D, as D2O) and carbon-13 ([13]C, as glucose). We hypothesize that labeled DNA is distinguishable from unlabeled DNA by changes in the nanopore signal. To verify this distinction, we employed a Bayesian classifier trained on signal distributions of short oligonucleotides (k-mers) from labeled and unlabeled sequencing reads. Our results show a clear distinction between D-labeled and unlabeled reads, based on changes in median and median absolute deviation (MAD) of the nanopore signals for different k-mers. In contrast, [13]C-labeled DNA cannot be distinguished from unlabeled DNA. For D, the model employed correctly predicted more than 85% of the reads. Even when metabolic labeling was conducted with only 30% D2O, 80% of the obtained reads were correctly classified with a 5% false discovery rate. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of direct detection of deuterium incorporation in DNA molecules during Oxford nanopore sequencing. This finding represents a first step in establishing the combined use of nanopore sequencing and SIP for tracking active organisms in microbial ecology.},
}

@article {pmid39962695,
year = {2025},
author = {Peng, SW and Zhang, GY and Jiao, YY},
title = {[Microbial Ecology in the Mask-derived Plastisphere in a Water Environment].},
journal = {Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue},
volume = {46},
number = {2},
pages = {1193-1202},
doi = {10.13227/j.hjkx.202402057},
pmid = {39962695},
issn = {0250-3301},
mesh = {*Masks ; Microbiota ; Water Microbiology ; Microplastics ; Ecosystem ; COVID-19 ; },
abstract = {As a result of the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, the regular use of medical masks and the associated risk that the mask waste enters the water environment have increased, and the mask-derived microplastics are finally posing a potential impact on the aquatic ecological environment. This study explored the microbial diversity, function, assembly mechanism, and ecological network in the plastisphere derived from different layers of masks. The results indicated that the plastisphere in each layer had a unique microbial community, and the community richness gradually increased over time. The functions of microbial communities in the plastisphere, including pathogenicity, phototrophy, compound degradation, and the functions related to the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, changed significantly over time. As to the microbial assembly mechanism in the plastisphere, stochastic processes were more dominant （NST>0.5）, but the influence of deterministic processes gradually grew. The ecological network results indicated that all the plastispheres exhibited a high number of modules and high modularity, and the complexity of the microbial community gradually decreased with colonization time. This study indicates that the mask-derived plastisphere has a unique ecological process, which strengthens our understanding of the ecological effects and microbial colonization processes of the mask-derived plastisphere.},
}

*Masks
Microbiota
Water Microbiology
Microplastics
Ecosystem
COVID-19

@article {pmid39961999,
year = {2025},
author = {Popov, IV and Popov, IV and Chebotareva, IP and Tikhmeneva, IA and Peshkova, DA and Krikunova, AA and Tkacheva, EV and Algburi, AR and Abdulhameed, AM and Jargalsaikhan, A and Ganbold, O and Chikindas, ML and Venema, K and Ermakov, AM},
title = {Differences in gut microbiota composition, diversity, and predicted functional activity between wild and captive zoo Carollia perspicillata in a One Health perspective.},
journal = {Brazilian journal of microbiology : [publication of the Brazilian Society for Microbiology]},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {39961999},
issn = {1678-4405},
support = {075-10-2021-093//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation/ ; 23-14-00316//Russian Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Bats play an important role in global microbial ecology, as they are the host of various microbes. Carollia perspicillata is one of the most popular bat species in zoos. The influence of the captive environment on the gut microbiota of this species is underinvestigated. In this study, we compared gut microbiota composition, diversity, and the potential functional activity of wild and captive C. perspicillata from Panama and Russia (Moscow Zoo), respectively, based on high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing data. The abundance of 13 bacterial phyla and 35 bacterial genera significantly differed. Environment- and farm animal health-related bacteria (Mannheimia, unclassified Pasteurellaceae, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma) dominated wild bats, while bacteria important for public health (Bacteroides, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Acinetobacter) were higher in zoo bats. We also observed significantly greater alpha diversity in zoo bats, while there were no significant differences in beta diversity. These findings were accompanied by significant differences in the abundance of 32 functional pathways of gut bacteria, which are probably associated with the different diets of wild and zoo bats. This study shows that the rearing environment significantly affects the gut microbiota of C. perspicillata and highlights that the outcomes of microbiome research of captive bats need to be interpreted with care. Such differences in gut bacterial communities should be the basis for the development of new handling and veterinary care protocols, and also be the justification for further studies of the impact of microbiota of wild and zoo bats on One Health.},
}

@article {pmid39961275,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, A and Bong, CW and Tao, S and Ye, X and Liu, B and Liang, H and Zheng, X and Wong, YY and Loh, KH and Li, H and Chen, K and Lim, SH and Lee, CW},
title = {Evaluation of heavy metal pollution and ecological risk of surface sediments in a tropical mountainous River-Estuary-Shelf Continuum system: A case study of the Selangor River, Malaysia.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {205},
number = {},
pages = {107017},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2025.107017},
pmid = {39961275},
issn = {1879-0291},
abstract = {As human activities continue to increase, the global production of pollutants has increased significantly, with the majority of pollutants being transported to the ocean via rivers, resulting in intensified pollution in estuaries and coastal areas. To maintain a healthy marine ecological environment, it is necessary to consider rivers, estuaries, and coastal seas as integrated systems and implement pollution management based on the concept of land-ocean integration. In this study, heavy metal elements in the surface sediments of Selangor River-Estuary-Coastal Shelf Continuum were collected and analysed to assess their pollution levels and potential ecological risks. The results show that the heavy metal content is high in the downstream and estuarine regions, with a general decreasing trend observed from nearshore to offshore in the coastal shelf area. The heavy metal pollution assessment indicates that the surface sediments of the Selangor River-Estuary-Coastal Shelf continuum were contaminated, with the most severe pollution occurring downstream and within the estuary. The pollution levels gradually decrease after exiting the estuary. The ecological risk associated with heavy metal pollution in rivers, estuaries, and southeastern coastal areas was classified as moderate to serious, whereas other areas exhibited only slight ecological risks. Specifically, As causes serious pollution in the river and estuary, with moderate-to-serious pollution in the coastal shelf area and moderate-to-serious ecological risks, mainly originating from mining within the river basin. Pb causes moderate pollution in the river, estuary, and coastal areas, with slight ecological risks due to mining within the river basin and inputs from nearby rivers, ports, and industrial activities. Other heavy metals cause minor pollution and pose minimal ecological risks.},
}

@article {pmid39961017,
year = {2025},
author = {Colman, DR and Templeton, AS and Spear, JR and Boyd, ES},
title = {Microbial ecology of Serpentinite-hosted ecosystems.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf029},
pmid = {39961017},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Serpentinization, the collective set of geochemical reactions initiated by the hydration of ultramafic rock, has occurred throughout Earth history and is inferred to occur on several planets and moons in our solar system. These reactions generate highly reducing conditions that can drive organic synthesis reactions potentially conducive to the emergence of life, while concomitantly generating fluids that challenge life owing to hyperalkalinity and limited inorganic carbon (and oxidant) availability. Consequently, the serpentinite-hosted biosphere offers insights into the earliest life, the habitable limits for life, and the potential for life on other planets. However, the support of abundant microbial communities by serpentinites was only recognized ~20 years ago with the discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents emanating serpentinized fluids. Here, we review the microbial ecology of both marine and continental serpentinization-influenced ecosystems in conjunction with a comparison of publicly available metagenomic sequence data from these communities to provide a global perspective of serpentinite microbial ecology. Synthesis of observations across global systems reveal consistent themes in the diversity, ecology, and functioning of communities. Nevertheless, individual systems exhibit nuances due to local geology, hydrology, and input of oxidized, near-surface/seawater fluids. Further, several new (and old) questions remain including the provenance of carbon to support biomass synthesis, the physical and chemical limits of life in serpentinites, the mode and tempo of in situ evolution, and the extent that modern serpentinites serve as analogs for those on early Earth. These topics are explored from a microbial perspective to outline key knowledge-gaps for future research.},
}

@article {pmid39960660,
year = {2025},
author = {Gomi, R and Adachi, F},
title = {Quinolone Resistance Genes qnr, aac(6')-Ib-cr, oqxAB, and qepA in Environmental Escherichia coli: Insights into Their Genetic Contexts from Comparative Genomics.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {6},
pmid = {39960660},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {JP22K18038//JSPS KAKENHI/ ; 22B006//Kurita Water and Environment Foundation, Japan/ ; 2230113//Sumitomo Foundation, Japan/ ; JPMEERF20235R01//Environment Research and Technology Development Fund/ ; },
mesh = {*Escherichia coli/genetics/drug effects ; *Quinolones/pharmacology ; *Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; *Plasmids/genetics ; Genomics ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics ; Genome, Bacterial ; },
abstract = {Previous studies have reported the occurrence of transferable quinolone resistance determinants in environmental Escherichia coli. However, little is known about their vectors and genetic contexts. To gain insights into these genetic characteristics, we analyzed the complete genomes of 53 environmental E. coli isolates containing one or more transferable quinolone resistance determinants, including 20 sequenced in this study and 33 sourced from RefSeq. The studied genomes carried the following transferable quinolone resistance determinants alone or in combination: aac(6')-Ib-cr, oqxAB, qepA1, qnrA1, qnrB4, qnrB7, qnrB19, qnrD1, qnrS1, and qnrS2, with qnrS1 being predominant. These resistance genes were detected on plasmids of diverse replicon types; however, aac(6')-Ib-cr, qnrS1, and qnrS2 were also detected on the chromosome. The genetic contexts surrounding these genes included not only those found in clinical isolates but also novel contexts, such as qnrD1 embedded within a composite transposon-like structure bounded by Tn3-derived inverted-repeat miniature elements (TIMEs). This study provides deep insights into mobile genetic elements associated with transferable quinolone resistance determinants, highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in the environment.},
}

*Escherichia coli/genetics/drug effects
*Quinolones/pharmacology
*Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
*Plasmids/genetics
Genomics
Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics
Genome, Bacterial

@article {pmid39954056,
year = {2025},
author = {Ren, Z and Gao, H and Martyniuk, N and Ren, H and Xiong, X and Luo, W},
title = {Dual-Domain Primary Succession of Bacteria in Glacier Forefield Streams and Soils of a Maritime and Continental Glacier.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {5},
pmid = {39954056},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {2023YFF1303700//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Ice Cover/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics ; China ; *Rivers/microbiology ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem ; Soil/chemistry ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; },
abstract = {Glaciers retreat rapidly and create newly exposed terrestrial and aquatic habitats in glacier forefields, where primary succession proceeds synchronously in glacier forefields. Here, we introduced the "Dual-Domain Primary Succession" concept to examine the parallel yet distinct primary succession processes in soil and stream ecosystems within glacier forefields, by focusing on Hailuogou Glacier and Urumqi Glacier No.1 in China. Findings showed that soil bacterial communities exhibited higher α-diversity with a decreasing pattern in Hailuogou Glacier, in contrast to Urumqi Glacier No.1, which displayed lower and unimodally distributed α-diversity along the glacier forefield chronosequence (GFC). A similar pattern emerged in streams, except for an increasing α-diversity trend in Urumqi Glacier No.1 stream along the GFC. Additionally, α-diversity in streams changed more rapidly than in soils for Hailuogou Glacier, but more slowly for Urumqi Glacier No.1. Along GFC, both soil and stream bacterial communities experienced spatial variations, primarily due to species turnover. The succession of community composition was evident at the OTU level, with each module in the co-occurrence network consisting of OTUs enriched at specific successional stages. A substantial number of OTUs shared between paired soil and stream samples showed a decreasing trend along the GFC, while β-diversity increased. The results suggested that bacterial communities have a similar succession pattern but in different pace between soil and stream while having distinct successional trajectories between the studied glaciers. This study highlighted the "Dual-Domain Primary Succession" in glacier forefields, but further studies with more glaciers are necessary to make broader generalizations.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Ice Cover/microbiology
*Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics
China
*Rivers/microbiology
Biodiversity
Ecosystem
Soil/chemistry
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
DNA, Bacterial/genetics

@article {pmid39954521,
year = {2025},
author = {Hernández-Villamor, D and Li, P and Aydogan, M and Verhelst, M and Van de Wiele, T and Rabaey, K and Prévoteau, A},
title = {Low electrode potentials enhance current generation by Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms: A high-throughput study.},
journal = {Biosensors & bioelectronics},
volume = {276},
number = {},
pages = {117232},
doi = {10.1016/j.bios.2025.117232},
pmid = {39954521},
issn = {1873-4235},
abstract = {The microbial species Geobacter sulfurreducens uses different extracellular electron transfer (EET) pathways depending on the potential of the final electron acceptor, yet a complete understanding of EET mechanisms and the impact of thermodynamically limiting potentials remains elusive. Here, we employ a custom-designed high-throughput system that enables the simultaneous and continuous execution of 128 parallel experiments to investigate the complete spectrum of potentials ([-0.25 to 0] V vs. SHE) impacting the metabolic energy generation in axenic G. sulfurreducens electroactive biofilms (EABs). These were grown for 500 h in three consecutive stages and characterized electrochemically. The EABs grown on electrodes poised below the apparent midpoint potential ([-0.18 to -0.16] V) grew slower than those grown at conventional, non-limiting potential (0 V), developing 50% smaller biofilms and 2.4-fold higher anodic plateau currents on average ([0.1 vs. 0.04] mA cm[-2]). These also exhibited enhanced charge transport coupled to higher average concentrations of charge carriers ([1.6 vs. 0.4] mMe[-]), the latter impacting linearly the anodic plateau current. Low- and high-potential redox pools were discriminated with the former comprising 50%-70% of storable charge. Overall, these findings strongly suggest an overexpression of charge carriers in G. sulfurreducens EABs cultivated at lower potentials and highlight the useful contribution of high-throughput tools for boosting research in electromicrobiology.},
}

@article {pmid39954444,
year = {2025},
author = {He, M and Tang, R and Guan, F and Peng, W and Lu, J and Li, K and Zhou, L and Wang, Y and Yuan, Y},
title = {Methanogenic response of paddy soils exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles and sulfurized products.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {489},
number = {},
pages = {137608},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137608},
pmid = {39954444},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {The use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in agriculture is expanding, yet their effects on microbial ecology in flooded paddy soils remain unclear. This study examined the influence of ZnO NPs and their sulfide derivatives (S-ZnO NPs) on methane production in paddy soils. Results showed that ZnO NPs at a concentration of 1000 mg/kg significantly inhibited methane production by 28.97 % in an acid soil and by 26.83 % in an alkaline soil. S-ZnO NPs at the same concentration did not significantly affect methane production in the alkaline soil and increased it by 15.33 % in the acid soil. High-throughput sequencing revealed that ZnO NPs significantly altered the microbial community structure, affecting the prevalence of methanogenic organisms like Methanosarcina in the acid soil and Methanobacterium in the alkaline soil. Quantitative PCR analysis showed a reduction in the expression of methanogenic gene (mcrA) and total bacterial 16S rRNA genes with ZnO NPs exposure, but S-ZnO NPs had a lesser impact on these genes. This research highlights the more toxic impact of ZnO NPs compared to S-ZnO NPs on methane production and microbial communities in paddy soils, emphasizing the necessity for careful evaluation of nanoparticles in agricultural use to avoid ecological disturbances.},
}

@article {pmid39953673,
year = {2025},
author = {Kotsakis, GA and Ganesan, SM},
title = {Microbial Dysbiosis, Titanium Release, and Peri-implantitis.},
journal = {Journal of dental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {220345241307939},
doi = {10.1177/00220345241307939},
pmid = {39953673},
issn = {1544-0591},
abstract = {The peri-implant mucosal barrier is a unique microenvironment where host-microbiome interactions take place on the surface of an implanted biomaterial. Therefore, peri-implant immunity not only is quintessential to oral health but also contributes to the maintenance of the biomaterial-tissue equilibrium in health. This review delves into the intricate interplay between host factors, biomaterial properties, and the microbiome with a focus on the mechanisms underlying peri-implant dysbiosis. Investigations into this complex milieu have led to the emerging understanding of titanium particles released from the implant as significant exposomes. When biomaterial breakdown occurs, implant degradation products form particles that are released in the peri-implant crevice, exerting profound effects on the local immune surveillance. Comparative analyses with natural dentition highlight the distinct immune responses elicited by titanium particles, thereby implicating them as a key modulator of peri-implant dysbiosis that differentiates peri-implant from periodontal inflammation. Nonetheless, disruptions in the homeostatic balance of host-biomaterial interactions are linked to pathogenic shifts of the peri-implant microbiome that are correlated with titanium particles in humans. Collectively, it is now well established that to elucidate the mechanisms governing peri-implant dysbiosis, this triangle of host-microbiome-biomaterial has to be conjointly investigated. This review highlights findings from studies that have underscored the multifaceted nature of peri-implant dysbiosis, emphasizing the intricate crosstalk between host immunity, biomaterial characteristics, and microbial ecology. These findings suggest that the titanium particle exposome may alter key inflammatory cascades in the peri-implant tissues including toll-like receptor activation and inflammasome and complement signaling, which lead to nonresolving destructive inflammation. The presence of abiotic danger signals in the form of implant degradation products in peri-implant tissues may make antimicrobial monotherapies largely ineffective for managing peri-implantitis. In turn, the future of peri-implantitis therapy seems to lie in the development of targeted host modulatory interventions against titanium-mediated inflammatory pathways.},
}

@article {pmid39952886,
year = {2025},
author = {Araujo, ASF and Pereira, APA and de Medeiros, EV and Mendes, LW},
title = {Restoring unbalanced rhizosphere: microbiome transplants combatting leaf diseases.},
journal = {Trends in plant science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2025.01.011},
pmid = {39952886},
issn = {1878-4372},
abstract = {Similar to humans, plants experience microbiome imbalance, which increases their vulnerability to pathogens. In a recent study, Ketehouli et al. applied a soil microbiome transplant (SMT) to restore the microbiome balance, which potentially reduced the severity of leaf diseases. Here, we examine this approach, highlighting its limitation and offering perspectives on its use for controlling leaf diseases in plants.},
}

@article {pmid39952771,
year = {2025},
author = {Cantuti Gendre, J and Le Marrec, C and Chaillou, S and Omhover-Fougy, L and Landaud, S and Dugat-Bony, E},
title = {Exploring viral diversity in fermented vegetables through viral metagenomics.},
journal = {Food microbiology},
volume = {128},
number = {},
pages = {104733},
doi = {10.1016/j.fm.2025.104733},
pmid = {39952771},
issn = {1095-9998},
mesh = {*Metagenomics ; *Vegetables/virology/microbiology ; *Fermentation ; *Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation & purification/classification ; Microbiota ; Brassica/microbiology/virology ; Fermented Foods/microbiology/virology ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/virology ; Biodiversity ; Daucus carota/microbiology/virology ; Food Microbiology ; Viruses/isolation & purification/classification/genetics ; Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification/genetics/virology/classification ; Metagenome ; Lactobacillaceae/isolation & purification/genetics/classification ; },
abstract = {Fermented vegetables are traditionally produced using the endogenous microorganisms present in raw ingredients. While the diversity of bacteria and fungi in fermented vegetables has been relatively well studied, phage communities remain largely unexplored. In this study, we collected twelve samples of fermented cabbage, carrot, and turnip after fermentation and analyzed the microbial and viral communities using shotgun and viral metagenomic approaches. Assessment of the viral diversity also benefited from epifluorescence microscopy to estimate viral load. The viral metagenomics approach targeted dsDNA, ssDNA, and RNA viruses. The microbiome of fermented vegetables was dominated by lactic acid bacteria and varied according to the type of vegetable used as raw material. The analysis of metagenome-assembled-genomes allowed the detection of 22 prophages of which 8 were present as free particles and therefore detected in the metaviromes. The viral community, estimated to range from 5.28 to 7.57 log virus-like particles per gram of fermented vegetables depending on the sample, was mainly composed of dsDNA viruses, although ssDNA and non-bacterial RNA viruses, possibly originating from the phyllosphere, were also detected. The dsDNA viral community, primarily comprising bacteriophages, varied depending on the type of vegetable used for fermentation. The bacterial hosts predicted for these phages mainly belonged to Lactobacillaceae and Enterobacteriaceae families. These results highlighted the complex microbial and viral composition of fermented vegetables, which varied depending on the three types of vegetables used as raw material. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the impact of these viruses on the microbial ecology of fermented vegetables and on the quality of the final products.},
}

*Metagenomics
*Vegetables/virology/microbiology
*Fermentation
*Bacteriophages/genetics/isolation & purification/classification
Microbiota
Brassica/microbiology/virology
Fermented Foods/microbiology/virology
Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/virology
Biodiversity
Daucus carota/microbiology/virology
Food Microbiology
Viruses/isolation & purification/classification/genetics
Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purification/genetics/virology/classification
Metagenome
Lactobacillaceae/isolation & purification/genetics/classification

@article {pmid39952743,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, Y and Ma, F and Tan, S and Niu, A and Chen, Y and Liu, Y and Qiu, W and Wang, G},
title = {The aprD-mutated strain modulates the development of Pseudomonas fragi population but has limited effects on the spoilage profiles of native residents.},
journal = {Food microbiology},
volume = {128},
number = {},
pages = {104708},
doi = {10.1016/j.fm.2024.104708},
pmid = {39952743},
issn = {1095-9998},
mesh = {Animals ; *Pseudomonas fragi/genetics/metabolism/growth & development ; *Chickens/microbiology ; *Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Food Microbiology ; *Meat/microbiology ; Mutation ; Biofilms/growth & development ; Microbiota ; Food Storage ; Food Contamination/analysis ; },
abstract = {Extracellular enzymes produced by predominant bacteria exert important roles in inducing and accelerating spoilage, with their secretion regulated by specific genes. In Pseudomonas fragi, the aprD gene is a recognized regulator for secreting an alkaline extracellular protease. However, limited studies have focused on this gene in P. fragi population and its impact on meat microbial community structure and function. This study addressed this gap by monitoring the changes in biological properties of P. fragi populations and analyzing the discrepancies in spoilage phenotypes and microbial community structures of chilled chicken among groups differentiated by the initial prevalence of aprD-positive strains. The results showed that aprD-positive strains were disseminated in P. fragi populations, and its prevalence was associated with significant increases in swimming motility and biofilm formation capacities in specific groups. In situ contamination experiments revealed varying spoilage characteristics and community compositions among groups by day 3 of storage. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong association between spoilage phenotypes and certain bacterial genera, such as Pseudomonadaceae_Pseudomonas and Carnobacterium. However, the microbial community structure and spoilage characteristics of samples from each group were not significantly different on the 5th day of storage. These findings suggest that even a small number of aprD mutants can significantly affect the assembly of the chilled meat microbial community. Nonetheless, the regulatory effect of aprD on spoilage at the strain and population levels of P. fragi is negligible in the context of complex natural microbiota. This work underscores the complex interactions between specific bacterial genes and the broader microbial ecology in refrigerated meat environments, providing deeper insights into the meat spoilage mechanisms.},
}

Animals
*Pseudomonas fragi/genetics/metabolism/growth & development
*Chickens/microbiology
*Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism
*Food Microbiology
*Meat/microbiology
Mutation
Biofilms/growth & development
Microbiota
Food Storage
Food Contamination/analysis

@article {pmid39951503,
year = {2025},
author = {Bauermann, J and Benzi, R and Nelson, DR and Shankar, S and Toschi, F},
title = {Turbulent mixing controls fixation of growing antagonistic populations.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {7},
pages = {e2417075122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2417075122},
pmid = {39951503},
issn = {1091-6490},
mesh = {*Models, Biological ; Population Dynamics ; Computer Simulation ; },
abstract = {Unlike coffee and cream that homogenize when stirred, growing micro-organisms (e.g., bacteria, baker's yeast) can actively kill each other and avoid mixing. How do such antagonistic interactions impact the growth and survival of competing strains, while being spatially advected by turbulent flows? By using numerical simulations of a continuum model, we study the dynamics of two antagonistic strains that are dispersed by incompressible turbulent flows in two spatial dimensions. A key parameter is the ratio of the fluid transport time to that of biological reproduction, which determines the winning organism that ultimately takes over the whole population from an initial heterogeneous state, a process known as fixation. By quantifying the probability and mean time for fixation along with the spatial structure of concentration fluctuations, we demonstrate how turbulence raises the threshold for biological nucleation and antagonism suppresses flow-induced mixing by depleting the population at interfaces. Our work highlights the unusual biological consequences of the interplay of turbulent fluid flows with antagonistic population dynamics, with potential implications for marine microbial ecology and origins of biological chirality.},
}

*Models, Biological
Population Dynamics
Computer Simulation

@article {pmid39950593,
year = {2025},
author = {Kiesewetter, KN and Rawstern, AH and Cline, E and Ortiz, GR and Santamaria, F and Coronado-Molina, C and Sklar, FH and Afkhami, ME},
title = {Microbes in reconstructive restoration: Divergence in constructed and natural tree island soil fungi affects tree growth.},
journal = {Ecological applications : a publication of the Ecological Society of America},
volume = {35},
number = {1},
pages = {e70007},
doi = {10.1002/eap.70007},
pmid = {39950593},
issn = {1051-0761},
support = {//South Florida Water Management District/ ; 1922521//Division of Environmental Biology/ ; 2030060//Division of Environmental Biology/ ; //National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program/ ; //University of Miami Dissertation Year Fellowship/ ; //USDA NIFA Predoctoral Fellowship/ ; },
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Trees ; *Fungi/physiology ; Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods ; Microbiota ; Conservation of Natural Resources/methods ; },
abstract = {As ecosystems face unprecedented change and habitat loss, pursuing comprehensive and resilient habitat restoration will be integral to protecting and maintaining natural areas and the services they provide. Microbiomes offer an important avenue for improving restoration efforts as they are integral to ecosystem health and functioning. Despite microbiomes' importance, unresolved knowledge gaps hinder their inclusion in restoration efforts. Here, we address two critical gaps in understanding microbial roles in restoration-fungal microbiomes' importance in "reconstructive" restoration efforts and how management and restoration decisions interactively impact fungal communities and their cascading effects on trees. We combined field surveys, microbiome sequencing, and greenhouse experiments to determine how reconstructing an iconic landscape feature-tree islands-in the highly imperiled Everglades impacts fungal microbiomes and fungal effects on native tree species compared with their natural counterparts under different proposed hydrological management regimes. Constructed islands used in this research were built from peat soil and limestone collected from deep sloughs and levees nearby the restoration sites in 2003, providing 18 years for microbiome assembly on constructed islands. We found that while fungal microbiomes from natural and constructed tree islands exhibited similar diversity and richness, they differed significantly in community composition. These compositional differences arose mainly from changes to which fungal taxa were present on the islands rather than changes in relative abundances. Surprisingly, ~50% of fungal hub taxa (putative keystone fungi) from natural islands were missing on constructed islands, suggesting that differences in community composition of constructed island could be important for microbiome stability and function. The differences in fungal composition between natural and constructed islands had important consequences for tree growth. Specifically, these compositional differences interacted with hydrological regime (treatments simulating management strategies) to affect woody growth across the four tree species in our experiment. Taken together, our results demonstrate that reconstructing a landscape feature without consideration of microbiomes can result in diverging fungal communities that are likely to interact with management decisions leading to meaningful consequences for foundational primary producers. Our results recommend cooperation between restoration practitioners and ecologists to evaluate opportunities for active management and restoration of microbiomes during future reconstructive restoration.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Trees
*Fungi/physiology
Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods
Microbiota
Conservation of Natural Resources/methods

@article {pmid39945937,
year = {2025},
author = {Gharbi, D and Neumann, FH and Staats, J and McDonald, M and Linde, JH and Mmatladi, T and Podile, K and Piketh, S and Burger, R and Garland, RM and Bester, P and Lebre, PH and Ricci, C},
title = {Prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization in a polluted and industrialized area: a pilot study in South Africa's Vaal Triangle.},
journal = {Environmental monitoring and assessment},
volume = {197},
number = {3},
pages = {287},
pmid = {39945937},
issn = {1573-2959},
support = {ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//Grand Challenges Canada/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; ST-POC-2312-61906//South African Medical Research Council/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; South Africa/epidemiology ; Male ; Adult ; *Allergens ; Pilot Projects ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; *Air Pollutants/analysis ; Pollen ; Hypersensitivity/epidemiology ; Skin Tests ; },
abstract = {This pioneering study evaluates the prevalence of aeroallergens reactivity among atopic populations living in the Vaal Triangle Airshed Priority Area (VTAPA), South Africa. A total of 138 volunteers (51 males and 87 females), of African, colored, white, and Asian ethnicity, and with a mean (range) age of 22 (18-56) years were participating in the study. The study was conducted on the North-West University (NWU) campus in Vanderbijlpark/VTAPA. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was utilized for pre-screening to identify individuals with probable allergic dispositions. Subsequently, skin prick testing was conducted using commercial aeroallergen extracts for all confirmed participants with allergy symptoms. One hundred six participants were clinically diagnosed with pollen and fungal spore allergies. The highest allergy prevalence was attributed to Cynodon dactylon ((L.) Pers) (Bermuda grass) (41.5%), followed by Lolium perenne (L.) (ryegrass), grass mix, and Zea mays (L.) (maize) (31.1%), respectively. Moreover, among the tree allergens, Olea (L.) (olive tree) was the most prevalent allergen (20; 18.8%), followed by Platanus (L.) (plane tree) (18; 16.9%). Among the weeds, 16 (15.1%) participants were allergic to the weed mix (Artemisia (L.) (wormwood), Chenopodium (Link) (goosefoot), Salsola (L.) (saltwort), Plantago (L.) (plantain), and 11 (10.3%) to Ambrosia (L.) (ragweed)). Regarding the fungal spores, Alternaria (Fr.) (9; 8.5%) followed by Cladosporium (Link) (5; 4.7%) had the highest skin sensitivity. In this pilot study, our findings provide insights into the prevalence of allergic responses in the study population-underlining the strong impact of allergens of exotic plants-and contribute to the existing aerobiological data in South Africa.},
}

Humans
South Africa/epidemiology
Male
Adult
*Allergens
Pilot Projects
Female
Young Adult
Adolescent
Prevalence
Middle Aged
*Air Pollutants/analysis
Pollen
Hypersensitivity/epidemiology
Skin Tests

@article {pmid39945839,
year = {2025},
author = {Márquez-Sanz, R and Garrido-Benavent, I and Durán, J and de Los Ríos, A},
title = {The Establishment of a Terrestrial Macroalga Canopy Impacts Microbial Soil Communities in Antarctica.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {4},
pmid = {39945839},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {PID2019-105469RB-C22//AEI, MICINN/ ; PID2019-105469RB-C22//AEI, MICINN/ ; TED2021-130908A-C43//Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ ; CNS2023-145367//EU Next Generation PRTR program/ ; PCI2023-143393//EIG EU-CELAC 2022/ ; 20224AT022//Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas/ ; RYC2020-029331-I//Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/ ; },
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; Antarctic Regions ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Microbiota ; *Soil/chemistry ; Phylogeny ; Chlorophyta ; Nitrogen/analysis/metabolism ; Carbon/analysis/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Prasiola is a genus of foliose green algae that forms extensive cryptogamic canopies that contribute to the greening of ice-free areas in the Antarctic tundra. To better understand the impact of Prasiola canopy establishment on colonization in these areas, this study compared the taxonomic and functional structures of bacterial and fungal communities in adjacent soils with and without extensive Prasiola colonization. DNA metabarcoding was employed to analyze the microbial community structure in these soils and in the canopy. Additionally, a phylogenetic study of Prasiola samples was conducted to characterize the taxonomic composition of the analyzed canopies, revealing the presence of Prasiola crispa (Lightfoot) Kützing and P. antarctica Kützing. Key soil attributes were assessed to examine the canopy's influence. Higher pH and carbon, nitrogen, and organic matter contents were found in Prasiola-covered soils than in bare soils. Furthermore, Prasiola canopy establishment not only influenced abiotic soil properties but also shaped soil microbial community structure and its functions. For instance, while Actinobacteriota predominated in bacterial communities both within the Prasiola canopy and beneath it, Bacteroidota dominated in the bare soil. Despite significant variability across soil types, fungal communities showed a trend of higher abundances in certain Ascomycetes, such as Helotiales, Hypocreales, or Xylariales, in soils beneath Prasiola compared to bare soils. Regarding functional diversity, covered soils exhibited a statistically significant lower potential for bacterial methanogenesis and autotrophic CO2 fixation compared to bare soils. Finally, lichenized fungi, plant pathogens, and fungal wood saprotrophs tended to be more abundant in covered soils.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
Antarctic Regions
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Fungi/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Microbiota
*Soil/chemistry
Phylogeny
Chlorophyta
Nitrogen/analysis/metabolism
Carbon/analysis/metabolism

@article {pmid39943131,
year = {2025},
author = {Frazier, AN and Ferree, L and Belk, AD and Al-Lakhen, K and Cramer, MC and Metcalf, JL},
title = {Stochasticity Highlights the Development of Both the Gastrointestinal and Upper-Respiratory-Tract Microbiomes of Neonatal Dairy Calves in Early Life.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani15030361},
pmid = {39943131},
issn = {2076-2615},
abstract = {The microbiome of dairy calves undergoes extensive change due to various forces during the first weeks of life. Importantly, diseases such as bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and calf diarrhea can have profound impacts on the early-life microbiome. Therefore, a longitudinal, repeated-measures pilot study was designed to characterize the establishment of nasal and fecal microbiomes of dairy calves, assess the governing forces of microbial assembly, and evaluate how disease states impact these microbial ecologies. Dairy calves (n = 19) were clinically evaluated for gastrointestinal and respiratory disease across three weeks beginning at age ≤ seven days old. Fecal (n = 57) and nasal (n = 57) microbial samples were taken for paired-end 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Taxonomy and diversity analyses were used to characterize early-life nasal and fecal microbiomes. Stochasticity and determinism were measured using normalized stochasticity testing (NST) and Dirichlet multinomial model (DMM). All analyses were tested for statistical significance. Clinical diarrhea was observed in 11 of the 19 calves. Clinical BRD was not independently observed among the cohort; however, two calves presented clinical signs of both BRD and diarrhea. Taxonomic analysis revealed that fecal samples were highlighted by Bacteroidaceae (40%; relative abundance), Ruminococcaceae (13%), and Lachnospiraceae (10%), with changes in diversity (Kruskal-Wallis; p < 0.05) and composition (PERMANOVA; p < 0.05). Clinical diarrhea reduced diversity in the fecal microbiome but did not impact composition. Nasal samples featured Moraxellaceae (49%), Mycoplasmataceae (16%), and Pasteurellaceae (3%). While no diversity changes were seen in nasal samples, compositional changes were observed (p < 0.05). NST metrics (Kruskal-Wallis; p > 0.01) and DMM (PERMANOVA; p < 0.01) revealed that stochastic, neutral theory-based assembly dynamics govern early-life microbial composition and that distinct microbial populations drive community composition in healthy and diarrheic calves.},
}

@article {pmid39942291,
year = {2025},
author = {Santás-Miguel, V and Lalín-Pousa, V and Conde-Cid, M and Rodríguez-Seijo, A and Pérez-Rodríguez, P},
title = {Use of Biopowders as Adsorbents of Potentially Toxic Elements Present in Aqueous Solutions.},
journal = {Materials (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {18},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ma18030625},
pmid = {39942291},
issn = {1996-1944},
support = {ED481D-2021/016//Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Universidade (Xunta de Galicia)/ ; IJC2020-044197-I//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; IJC2020-044426-I//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; 101112754//MRV4SOC project/ ; ED481B-2022-081//Xunta de Galicia/ ; },
abstract = {This study examines the adsorption and desorption behaviors of phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), fluoride (F), and chromium (Cr) in aqueous solutions on green materials such as cork bark (CB) and pine bark (PB). These materials are characterized by active functional groups and net negative charges on their surfaces and porous structures. The evaluation considers variations in contaminant concentrations (0.01-10 mM) and pH (3.5-12). Cork bark exhibited higher adsorption capacity for As and F, while PB was more effective for P and Cr. Adsorption isotherms followed the Freundlich and Langmuir models, indicating surface heterogeneity and multilayer adsorption for most potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Desorption tests demonstrated low rates, with CB retaining up to 99% of F and 85% of As, and PB achieving up to 86% retention for Cr and 70% for P. The influence of pH was minimal for As, P, and F, but acidic conditions significantly enhanced Cr adsorption, showing similar behavior for both biopowders. These findings suggest that CB and PB biopowders are promising, environmentally friendly biosorbents for the removal of PTEs from aqueous solutions. Their effectiveness varies depending on the specific contaminant. This study highlights the potential of these natural materials for sustainable applications in water treatment and soil remediation.},
}