@article {pmid31418488,
year = {2019},
author = {Ramayo-Caldas, Y and Zingaretti, L and Popova, M and Estellé, J and Bernard, A and Pons, N and Bellot, P and Mach, N and Rau, A and Roume, H and Perez-Enciso, M and Faverdin, P and Edouard, N and Ehrlich, D and Morgavi, DP and Renand, G},
title = {Identification of rumen microbial biomarkers linked to methane emission in Holstein dairy cows.},
journal = {Journal of animal breeding and genetics = Zeitschrift fur Tierzuchtung und Zuchtungsbiologie},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/jbg.12427},
pmid = {31418488},
issn = {1439-0388},
support = {//APIS-GENE/ ; },
abstract = {Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is relevant for reducing the environmental impact of ruminant production. In this study, the rumen microbiome from Holstein cows was characterized through a combination of 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Methane production (CH4) and dry matter intake (DMI) were individually measured over 4-6 weeks to calculate the CH4 yield (CH4 y = CH4 /DMI) per cow. We implemented a combination of clustering, multivariate and mixed model analyses to identify a set of operational taxonomic unit (OTU) jointly associated with CH4 y and the structure of ruminal microbial communities. Three ruminotype clusters (R1, R2 and R3) were identified, and R2 was associated with higher CH4 y. The taxonomic composition on R2 had lower abundance of Succinivibrionaceae and Methanosphaera, and higher abundance of Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae and Lachnospiraceae. Metagenomic data confirmed the lower abundance of Succinivibrionaceae and Methanosphaera in R2 and identified genera (Fibrobacter and unclassified Bacteroidales) not highlighted by metataxonomic analysis. In addition, the functional metagenomic analysis revealed that samples classified in cluster R2 were overrepresented by genes coding for KEGG modules associated with methanogenesis, including a significant relative abundance of the methyl-coenzyme M reductase enzyme. Based on the cluster assignment, we applied a sparse partial least-squares discriminant analysis at the taxonomic and functional levels. In addition, we implemented a sPLS regression model using the phenotypic variation of CH4 y. By combining these two approaches, we identified 86 discriminant bacterial OTUs, notably including families linked to CH4 emission such as Succinivibrionaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Christensenellaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Rikenellaceae. These selected OTUs explained 24% of the CH4 y phenotypic variance, whereas the host genome contribution was ~14%. In summary, we identified rumen microbial biomarkers associated with the methane production of dairy cows; these biomarkers could be used for targeted methane-reduction selection programmes in the dairy cattle industry provided they are heritable.},
}

@article {pmid31417554,
year = {2019},
author = {Allen, JM and Jaggers, RM and Solden, LM and Loman, BR and Davies, RH and Mackos, AR and Ladaika, CA and Berg, BM and Chichlowski, M and Bailey, MT},
title = {Dietary Oligosaccharides Attenuate Stress-Induced Disruptions in Immune Reactivity and Microbial B-Vitamin Metabolism.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1774},
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2019.01774},
pmid = {31417554},
issn = {1664-3224},
abstract = {Background: Exposure to stressful stimuli dysregulates inflammatory processes and alters the gut microbiota. Prebiotics, including long-chain fermentable fibers and milk oligosaccharides, have the potential to limit inflammation through modulation of the gut microbiota. To determine whether prebiotics attenuate stress-induced inflammation and microbiota perturbations, mice were fed either a control diet or a diet supplemented with galactooligosaccharides, polydextrose and sialyllactose (GOS+PDX+SL) or sialyllactose (SL) for 2 weeks prior to and during a 6-day exposure to a social disruption stressor. Spleens were collected for immunoreactivity assays. Colon contents were examined for stressor- and diet- induced changes in the gut microbiome and metabolome through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, shotgun metagenomic sequencing and UPLC-MS/MS. Results: Stress increased circulating IL-6 and enhanced splenocyte immunoreactivity to an ex vivo LPS challenge. Diets containing GOS+PDX+SL or SL alone attenuated these responses. Stress exposure resulted in large changes to the gut metabolome, including robust shifts in amino acids, peptides, nucleotides/nucleosides, tryptophan metabolites, and B vitamins. Multiple B vitamins were inversely associated with IL-6 and were augmented in mice fed either GOS+PDX+SL or SL diets. Stressed mice exhibited distinct microbial communities with lower abundances of Lactobacillus spp. and higher abundances of Bacteroides spp. Diet supplementation with GOS+PDX+SL, but not SL alone, orthogonally altered the microbiome and enhanced the growth of Bifidobacterium spp. Metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) from mice fed the GOS+PDX+SL diet unveiled genes in a Bifidobacterium MAG for de novo B vitamin synthesis. B vitamers directly attenuated the stressor-induced exacerbation of cytokine production in LPS-stimulated splenocytes. Conclusions: Overall, these data indicate that colonic metabolites, including B vitamins, are responsive to psychosocial stress. Dietary prebiotics reestablish colonic B vitamins and limit stress-induced inflammation.},
}

@article {pmid31417531,
year = {2019},
author = {Conteville, LC and Oliveira-Ferreira, J and Vicente, ACP},
title = {Gut Microbiome Biomarkers and Functional Diversity Within an Amazonian Semi-Nomadic Hunter-Gatherer Group.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1743},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01743},
pmid = {31417531},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Human groups that still maintain traditional modes of subsistence (hunter-gatherers and rural agriculturalists) represent human groups non-impacted by urban-industrialized lifestyles, and therefore their gut microbiome provides the basis for understanding the human microbiome evolution and its association with human health and disease. The Yanomami is the largest semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer group of the Americas, exploring different niches of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil and Venezuela. Here, based on shotgun metagenomic data, we characterized the gut microbiome of the Yanomami from Brazil and compared taxonomically and functionally with the Yanomami from Venezuela, with other traditional groups from the Amazon and an urban-industrialized group. Taxonomic biomarkers were identified to each South American traditional group studied, including each Yanomami group. Broader levels of functional categories poorly discriminated the traditional and urban-industrialized groups, but the stratification of these categories revealed clear segregation of these groups. The Yanomami/Brazil gut microbiome presented unique functional features, such as a higher abundance of gene families involved in regulation/cell signaling, motility/chemotaxis, and virulence, contrasting with the gut microbiomes from the Yanomami/Venezuela and the other groups. Our study revealed biomarkers, and taxonomic and functional features that distinguished the gut microbiome of Yanomami/Brazil and Yanomami/Venezuela individuals, despite their shared lifestyle, culture, and genetic background. These differences may be a reflection of the environmental and seasonal diversity of the niches they explore. Overall, their microbiome profiles are shared with South American and African traditional groups, probably due to their lifestyle. The unique features identified within the Yanomami highlight the bias imposed by underrepresented sampling, and factors such as variations over space and time (seasonality) that impact, mainly, the hunter-gatherers.},
}

@article {pmid31417524,
year = {2019},
author = {Abbondio, M and Palomba, A and Tanca, A and Fraumene, C and Pagnozzi, D and Serra, M and Marongiu, F and Laconi, E and Uzzau, S},
title = {Fecal Metaproteomic Analysis Reveals Unique Changes of the Gut Microbiome Functions After Consumption of Sourdough Carasau Bread.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1733},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01733},
pmid = {31417524},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Sourdough-leavened bread (SB) is acknowledged for its great variety of valuable effects on consumer's metabolism and health, including a low glycemic index and a reduced content of the possible carcinogen acrylamide. Here, we aimed to investigate how these effects influence the gut microbiota composition and functions. Therefore, we subjected rats to a diet supplemented with SB, baker's yeast leavened bread (BB), or unsupplemented diet (chow), and, after 4 weeks of treatment, their gut microbiota was analyzed using a metaproteogenomic approach. As a result, diet supplementation with SB led to a reduction of specific members of the intestinal microbiota previously associated to low protein diets, namely Alistipes and Mucispirillum, or known as intestinal pathobionts, i.e., Mycoplasma. Concerning functions, asparaginases expressed by Bacteroides were observed as more abundant in SB-fed rats, leading to hypothesize that in their colonic microbiota the enzyme substrate, asparagine, was available in higher amounts than in BB- and chow-fed rats. Another group of protein families, expressed by Clostridium, was detected as more abundant in animal fed SB-supplemented diet. Of these, manganese catalase, small acid-soluble proteins (SASP), Ser/Thr kinase PrkA, and V-ATPase proteolipid subunit have been all reported to take part in Clostridium sporulation, strongly suggesting that the diet supplementation with SB might promote environmental conditions inducing metabolic dormancy of Clostridium spp. within the gut microbiota. In conclusion, our data describe the effects of SB consumption on the intestinal microbiota taxonomy and functions in rats. Moreover, our results suggest that a metaproteogenomic approach can provide evidence of the interplay between metabolites deriving from bread digestion and microbial metabolism.},
}

@article {pmid31417518,
year = {2019},
author = {Chen, J and Wu, X and Zhu, D and Xu, M and Yu, Y and Yu, L and Zhang, W},
title = {Microbiota in Human Periodontal Abscess Revealed by 16S rDNA Sequencing.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1723},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01723},
pmid = {31417518},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Periodontal abscess is an oral infective disease caused by various kinds of bacteria. We aimed to characterize the microbiota composition of periodontal abscesses by metagenomic methods and compare it to that of the corresponding pocket and healthy gingival crevice to investigate the specific bacteria associated with this disease. Samples from abscess pus (AB), periodontal pocket coronally above the abscess (PO), and the gingival crevice of the periodontal healthy tooth were obtained from 20 periodontal abscess patients. Furthermore, healthy gingival crevice samples were obtained from 25 healthy individuals. Bacterial DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA gene fragments were sequenced to characterize the microbiota and determine taxonomic classification. The beta-diversity analysis results showed that the AB and PO groups had similar compositions. Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and other Prevotella spp. were the predominant bacteria of human periodontal abscesses. The abundances of Filifactor alocis and Atopobium rimae were significantly higher in periodontal abscesses than in the periodontal pocket, suggesting their association with periodontal abscess formation. In conclusion, we characterized the microbiota in periodontal abscess and identified some species that are positively associated with this disease. This provides a better understanding of the components of periodontal abscesses, which will help facilitate the development of antibiotic therapy strategies.},
}

@article {pmid31417506,
year = {2019},
author = {de Chaves, MG and Silva, GGZ and Rossetto, R and Edwards, RA and Tsai, SM and Navarrete, AA},
title = {Acidobacteria Subgroups and Their Metabolic Potential for Carbon Degradation in Sugarcane Soil Amended With Vinasse and Nitrogen Fertilizers.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1680},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01680},
pmid = {31417506},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Acidobacteria is a predominant bacterial phylum in tropical agricultural soils, including sugarcane cultivated soils. The increased need for fertilizers due to the expansion of sugarcane production is a threat to the ability of the soil to maintain its potential for self-regulation in the long term, in witch carbon degradation has essential role. In this study, a culture-independent approach based on high-throughput DNA sequencing and microarray technology was used to perform taxonomic and functional profiling of the Acidobacteria community in a tropical soil under sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) that was supplemented with nitrogen (N) combined with vinasse. These analyses were conducted to identify the subgroup-level responses to chemical changes and the carbon (C) degradation potential of the different Acidobacteria subgroups. Eighteen Acidobacteria subgroups from a total of 26 phylogenetically distinct subgroups were detected based on high-throughput DNA sequencing, and 16 gene families associated with C degradation were quantified using Acidobacteria-derived DNA microarray probes. The subgroups Gp13 and Gp18 presented the most positive correlations with the gene families associated with C degradation, especially those involved in hemicellulose degradation. However, both subgroups presented low abundance in the treatment containing vinasse. In turn, the Gp4 subgroup was the most abundant in the treatment that received vinasse, but did not present positive correlations with the gene families for C degradation analyzed in this study. The metabolic potential for C degradation of the different Acidobacteria subgroups in sugarcane soil amended with N and vinasse can be driven in part through the increase in soil nutrient availability, especially calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), aluminum (Al), boron (B) and zinc (Zn). This soil management practice reduces the abundance of Acidobacteria subgroups, including those potentially involved with C degradation in this agricultural soil.},
}

@article {pmid31417292,
year = {2019},
author = {Khan, I and Yasir, M and Farman, M and Kumosani, T and AlBasri, SF and Bajouh, OS and Azhar, EI},
title = {Evaluation of gut bacterial community composition and antimicrobial resistome in pregnant and non-pregnant women from Saudi population.},
journal = {Infection and drug resistance},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {1749-1761},
doi = {10.2147/IDR.S200213},
pmid = {31417292},
issn = {1178-6973},
abstract = {Background: Gut microbiota (GM) has recently been described as a functional reservoir of antimicrobial resistant genes (ARGs). However, the ARG-carrying bacterial species in the human gut has been poorly studied. This study, for the first time, is reporting bacterial communities' composition and antimicrobial resistome in the stool samples of pregnant and non-pregnant (NP) Saudi females. Methods: Gut bacterial community composition was analyzed by 16S amplicon sequencing and culturomics. High throughput MALDI-TOF technique was used for identification of the isolates from stool samples and evaluated for resistance against 13 antibiotics using the agar dilution method. Clinically important ARGs were PCR amplified from genomic DNA of the stool samples using gene-specific primers. Results: 16S amplicon sequencing revealed that GM of pregnant and NP women were predominantly comprised of phyla Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Bacterial diversity decreased in pregnant groups, whereas phylum Bacteroidetes declined significantly (p<0.05) in the first trimester. We noticed a relatively high abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria (eg, Faecalibacterium spp. and Eubacterium spp.) in the gut of pregnant women, whereas Prevotella copri was found at significantly (p<0.01) higher abundance in NP women. Moreover, about 14,694 isolates were identified and classified into 132 distinct species. The majority of the species belonged to phyla Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. About 8,125 isolates exhibited resistance against antibiotics. Out of 73 resistant-species, Enterococcus was the most diverse genus and Escherichia coli was the highly prevalent bacterium. The majority of the isolates were resistant to antibiotics; trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, cycloserine, and cefixime. ARGs encoding resistance against aminoglycoside, macrolide, quinolone, β-lactam, and tetracycline antibiotics were predominantly found in genomic DNA of the stool samples. Conclusion: We conclude that pregnancy-associated GM modulations may help to sustain a healthy pregnancy, but a higher proportion of antibiotic resistance could be deleterious for both maternal and fetal health.},
}

@article {pmid31415828,
year = {2019},
author = {Sturød, K and Dhariwal, A and Dahle, UR and Vestrheim, DF and Petersen, FC},
title = {Impact of narrow spectrum Penicillin V on the oral and fecal resistome in a young child treated for otitis media.},
journal = {Journal of global antimicrobial resistance},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jgar.2019.08.004},
pmid = {31415828},
issn = {2213-7173},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Antibiotic overuse has led to a global emergence of resistant bacteria, and children are among the frequent users. Most studies with broad-spectrum antibiotics show severe impact on the resistome development of patients. Although narrow-spectrum antibiotics are believed to have less side-effects, their impact on the microbiome and resistome is mostly unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the narrow-spectrum antibiotic phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V) on the microbiome and resistome of a child treated for acute otitis media (OM).

METHODS: Oral and fecal samples were collected from a one-year child before (day 0) and after (day 5 and 30) receiving Penicillin V against OM. Metagenomic sequencing data was analysed to determine taxonomic profiling, using Kraken and Bracken software, and resistance profiling, using KMA in combination with the ResFinder database.

RESULTS: In the oral samples, antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) belonging to four classes were identified at baseline. At day 5, the abundance of some ARGs was increased; some remained unchanged, while others disappeared. At day 30, most ARGs had returned to baseline levels, or lower. In the fecal samples, we observed seven ARGs at baseline and five at day 5. At day 30, the number increased to 21 ARGs from seven different classes.

CONCLUSIONS: Penicillin V had a remarkable impact on the fecal resistome indicating that even narrow-spectrum antibiotics may have important consequences in selecting for a more resistant microbiome.},
}

@article {pmid31415755,
year = {2019},
author = {Tierney, BT and Yang, Z and Luber, JM and Beaudin, M and Wibowo, MC and Baek, C and Mehlenbacher, E and Patel, CJ and Kostic, AD},
title = {The Landscape of Genetic Content in the Gut and Oral Human Microbiome.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {26},
number = {2},
pages = {283-295.e8},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2019.07.008},
pmid = {31415755},
issn = {1934-6069},
abstract = {Despite substantial interest in the species diversity of the human microbiome and its role in disease, the scale of its genetic diversity, which is fundamental to deciphering human-microbe interactions, has not been quantified. Here, we conducted a cross-study meta-analysis of metagenomes from two human body niches, the mouth and gut, covering 3,655 samples from 13 studies. We found staggering genetic heterogeneity in the dataset, identifying a total of 45,666,334 non-redundant genes (23,961,508 oral and 22,254,436 gut) at the 95% identity level. Fifty percent of all genes were "singletons," or unique to a single metagenomic sample. Singletons were enriched for different functions (compared with non-singletons) and arose from sub-population-specific microbial strains. Overall, these results provide potential bases for the unexplained heterogeneity observed in microbiome-derived human phenotypes. One the basis of these data, we built a resource, which can be accessed at https://microbial-genes.bio.},
}

@article {pmid31413226,
year = {2019},
author = {Ward, LM and Idei, A and Nakagawa, M and Ueno, Y and Fischer, WW and McGlynn, SE},
title = {Geochemical and Metagenomic Characterization of Jinata Onsen, a Proterozoic-Analog Hot Spring, Reveals Novel Microbial Diversity including Iron-Tolerant Phototrophs and Thermophilic Lithotrophs.},
journal = {Microbes and environments},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1264/jsme2.ME19017},
pmid = {31413226},
issn = {1347-4405},
abstract = {Hydrothermal systems, including terrestrial hot springs, contain diverse geochemical conditions that vary over short spatial scales due to progressive interactions between reducing hydrothermal fluids, the oxygenated atmosphere, and, in some cases, seawater. At Jinata Onsen on Shikinejima Island, Japan, an intertidal, anoxic, iron-rich hot spring mixes with the oxygenated atmosphere and seawater over short spatial scales, creating diverse chemical potentials and redox pairs over a distance of ~10 m. We characterized geochemical conditions along the outflow of Jinata Onsen as well as the microbial communities present in biofilms, mats, and mineral crusts along its traverse using 16S rRNA gene amplicon and genome-resolved shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Microbial communities significantly changed downstream as temperatures and dissolved iron concentrations decreased and dissolved oxygen increased. Biomass was more limited near the spring source than downstream, and primary productivity appeared to be fueled by the oxidation of ferrous iron and molecular hydrogen by members of Zetaproteobacteria and Aquificae. The microbial community downstream was dominated by oxygenic Cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are abundant and active even at ferrous iron concentrations of ~150 μM, which challenges the idea that iron toxicity limited cyanobacterial expansion in Precambrian oceans. Several novel lineages of Bacteria are also present at Jinata Onsen, including previously uncharacterized members of the phyla Chloroflexi and Calditrichaeota, positioning Jinata Onsen as a valuable site for the future characterization of these clades.},
}

@article {pmid31411705,
year = {2019},
author = {Nanto-Hara, F and Kanemitsu, Y and Fukuda, S and Kikuchi, K and Asaji, K and Saigusa, D and Iwasaki, T and Ho, HJ and Mishima, E and Suzuki, T and Suzuki, C and Tsukimi, T and Matsuhashi, T and Oikawa, Y and Akiyama, Y and Kure, S and Owada, Y and Tomioka, Y and Soga, T and Ito, S and Abe, T},
title = {The guanylate cyclase C agonist linaclotide ameliorates the gut-cardio-renal axis in an adenine-induced mouse model of chronic kidney disease.},
journal = {Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ndt/gfz126},
pmid = {31411705},
issn = {1460-2385},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cardiorenal syndrome is a major cause of mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the involvement of detrimental humoral mediators in the pathogenesis of cardiorenal syndrome is still controversial. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a hepatic metabolic product of trimethylamine generated from dietary phosphatidylcholine or carnitine derived by the gut microbiota, has been linked directly with progression of cardiovascular disease and renal dysfunction. Thus, targeting TMAO may be a novel strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease.

METHODS: Linaclotide, a guanylate cyclase C agonist, was administered to adenine-induced renal failure (RF) mice and changes in renal function and levels of gut-derived uremic toxins, as well as the gut microbiota community, were analyzed using metabolomic and metagenomic methods to reveal its cardiorenal effect.

RESULTS: Linaclotide decreased the plasma levels of TMAO at a clinically used low dose of 10 μg/kg in the adenine-induced RF mouse model. At a high concentration of 100 μg/kg, linaclotide clearly improved renal function and reduced the levels of various uremic toxins. A reduction in TMAO levels following linaclotide treatment was also observed in a choline-fed pro-atherosclerotic model. Linaclotide ameliorated renal inflammation and fibrosis and cardiac fibrosis, as well as decreased the expression of collagen I, transforming growth factor-β, galectin-3 (Gal-3) and ST2 genes. Plasma levels of Gal-3 and ST2 were also reduced. Because exposure of cardiomyocytes to TMAO increased fibronectin expression, these data suggest that linaclotide reduced the levels of TMAO and various uremic toxins and may result in not only renal, but also cardiac, fibrosis. F4/80-positive macrophages were abundant in small intestinal crypts in RF mice, and this increased expression was decreased by linaclotide. Reduced colonic claudin-1 levels were also restored by linaclotide, suggesting that linaclotide ameliorated the 'leaky gut' in RF mice. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the microbial order Clostridiales could be responsible for the change in TMAO levels.

CONCLUSION: Linaclotide reduced TMAO and uremic toxin levels and could be a powerful tool for the prevention and control of the cardiorenal syndrome by modification of the gut-cardio-renal axis.},
}

@article {pmid31411526,
year = {2019},
author = {Peng, M and Tabashsum, Z and Patel, P and Bernhardt, C and Biswas, C and Meng, J and Biswas, D},
title = {Prevention of enteric bacterial infections and modulation of gut microbiota with conjugated linoleic acids producing Lactobacillus in mice.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-20},
doi = {10.1080/19490976.2019.1638724},
pmid = {31411526},
issn = {1949-0984},
abstract = {Probiotics are recognized for outcompeting pathogenic bacteria by competitive receptor-mediated colonization and secretion of functional metabolites which are antimicrobial against certain microbes as well as improving host's gut health and immunity. Recently, we have constructed a bioactive Lactobacillus casei (LC) strain, LC+mcra, by inserting mcra (myosin cross-reactive antigen) gene, which stimulates the conversion of conjugated linoleic acids. In this study, we evaluated the modulation of gut microbiome and protective roles of LC+mcra against pathogenic Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (ST) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) infections in BALB/cJ mice. We observed that LC+mcra colonized efficiently in mice gut intestine and competitively reduced the infection with ST and EHEC in various locations of small and large intestine, specifically cecum, jejunum, and ileum (p < 0.05). Positive modulation of the cecal microbiota, for example, higher relative abundances of Firmicutes, lower relative abundances of Proteobacteria, and increased bacterial species diversity/richness, was detected in ST-challenged mice pretreated with LC+mcra based on 16S metagenomic sequencing. Cytokine gene expression analysis indicated that mice pretreated with LC+mcra associated with attenuated bacterial pathogen-induced gut inflammation. Furthermore, mice fed daily with LC+mcra for one week could protect themselves from the impairments caused by enteric infections with ST or EHEC. These impairments include weight loss, negative hematological changes, intestinal histological alterations, and potential death. This in vivo study suggests that daily consumption of novel conjugated linoleic acids over-producing probiotic effectively improves intestinal microbiota composition and prevents/combats foodborne enteric bacterial infections with pathogenic Salmonella and diarrheagenic E. coli.},
}

@article {pmid31410982,
year = {2019},
author = {Petrovich, ML and Ben Maamar, S and Hartmann, EM and Murphy, BT and Poretsky, RS and Wells, GF},
title = {Viral composition and context in metagenomes from biofilm and suspended growth municipal wastewater treatment plants.},
journal = {Microbial biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1751-7915.13464},
pmid = {31410982},
issn = {1751-7915},
support = {C-060//Chicago Biomedical Consortium/ ; //Northwestern University/ ; //Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust/ ; },
abstract = {Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) contain high density and diversity of viruses which can significantly impact microbial communities in aquatic systems. While previous studies have investigated viruses in WWTP samples that have been specifically concentrated for viruses and filtered to exclude bacteria, little is known about viral communities associated with bacterial communities throughout wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, differences in viral composition between attached and suspended growth wastewater treatment bioprocesses are not well characterized. Here, shotgun metagenomics was used to analyse wastewater and biomass from transects through two full-scale WWTPs for viral composition and associations with bacterial hosts. One WWTP used a suspended growth activated sludge bioreactor and the other used a biofilm reactor (trickling filter). Myoviridae, Podoviridae and Siphoviridae were the dominant viral families throughout both WWTPs, which are all from the order Caudovirales. Beta diversity analysis of viral sequences showed that samples clustered significantly both by plant and by specific sampling location. For each WWTP, the overall bacterial community structure was significantly different than community structure of bacterial taxa associated with viral sequences. These findings highlight viral community composition in transects through different WWTPs and provide context for dsDNA viral sequences in bacterial communities from these systems.},
}

@article {pmid31410667,
year = {2019},
author = {Sahoo, RK and Das, A and Sahoo, K and Sahu, A and Subudhi, E},
title = {Characterization of novel metagenomic-derived lipase from Indian hot spring.},
journal = {International microbiology : the official journal of the Spanish Society for Microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s10123-019-00095-z},
pmid = {31410667},
issn = {1618-1905},
support = {BT/PR7944/BCE/8/1036/2013//Department of Biotechnology , Ministry of Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {Extreme environments are the main source of industrially suitable biocatalysts. The non-cultivable approach of searching enzymes is known to provide ample scope to accomplish novelty for their industrial applications. Lip479 clone out of seven lipase-producing clones obtained from Taptapani hot spring was found to be optimally active at pH 8.0 and temperature 65 °C. The recombinant Lip479 was highly stable in organic solvents, methanol, DMF, DMSO, acetone, and dichloromethane. Lip479 lipase activity was enhanced in the presence of K+, Mn2+, Na+, Zn2+, and Ca2+ except for Fe3+. The ability of Lip479 lipase to act on long carbon chain of 4-nitrophenyl myristate suggests it might be a true lipase. Lip479 clone was found to have ORF of 1251 bp encoding 416 amino acid residues of 42.57 KDa size (theoretically calculated). The presence of conserved motif Ala-His-Ser-Gln-Gly and Zn2+-binding consensus sequence (GAAHAAKH) of the clone assigns the protein to lipase family 1.5. Phylogenetic lineage of the protein sequence of Lip479 was traced to family 1.5 as it was clubbed up with those of reported lipases of the same family. The above biochemical features indicated that Lip479 lipase can be a potential biocatalyst for its use in various industries.},
}

@article {pmid31410606,
year = {2019},
author = {Wang, Z and Shi, LD and Lai, CY and Zhao, HP},
title = {Methane oxidation coupled to vanadate reduction in a membrane biofilm batch reactor under hypoxic condition.},
journal = {Biodegradation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s10532-019-09887-6},
pmid = {31410606},
issn = {1572-9729},
support = {LR17B070001//Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar of Zhejiang Province/ ; 21577123//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 51878596//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2018YFC1802203//National Key Technology R&D Program/ ; },
abstract = {This study shows vanadate (V(V)) reduction in a methane (CH4) based membrane biofilm batch reactor when the concentration of dissolved oxygen (O2) was extremely low. V(IV) was the dominant products formed from V(V) bio-reduction, and majority of produced V(IV) transformed into precipitates with green color. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Illumina sequencing analysis showed that archaea methanosarcina were significantly enriched. Metagenomic predictive analysis further showed the enrichment of genes associated with reverse methanogenesis pathway, the key CH4-activating mechanism for anaerobic methane oxidation (AnMO), as well as the enrichment of genes related to acetate synthesis, in archaea. The enrichment of aerobic methanotrophs Methylococcus and Methylomonas implied their role in CH4 activation using trace level of O2, or their participation in V(V) reduction.},
}

@article {pmid31409870,
year = {2019},
author = {Swe, PM and Zakrzewski, M and Waddell, R and Sriprakash, KS and Fischer, K},
title = {High-throughput metagenome analysis of the Sarcoptes scabiei internal microbiota and in-situ identification of intestinal Streptomyces sp.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {11744},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-47892-0},
pmid = {31409870},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {1098804//Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/ ; FT130101875//Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science, Australian Research Council (ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science)/ ; },
abstract = {Multiple parasitic arthropods of medical importance depend on symbiotic bacteria. While the link between scabies and secondary bacterial infections causing post infective complications of Group A streptococcal and staphylococcal pyoderma is increasingly recognized, very little is known about the microbiota of Sarcoptes scabiei. Here we analyze adult female mite and egg metagenome datasets. The majority of adult mite bacterial reads matched with Enterobacteriaceae (phylum Proteobacteria), followed by Corynebacteriaceae (phylum Actinobacteria). Klebsiella was the most dominant genus (78%) and Corynebacterium constituted 9% of the assigned sequences. Scabies mite eggs had a more diverse microbial composition with sequences from Proteobacteria being the most dominant (75%), while Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes accounted for 23% of the egg microbiome sequences. DNA sequences of a potential endosymbiont, namely Streptomyces, were identified in the metagenome sequence data of both life stages. The presence of Streptomyces was confirmed by conventional PCR. Digital droplet PCR indicated higher Streptomyces numbers in adult mites compared to eggs. Streptomyces were localized histologically in the scabies mite gut and faecal pellets by Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH). Streptomyces may have essential symbiotic roles in the scabies parasite intestinal system requiring further investigation.},
}

@article {pmid31409850,
year = {2019},
author = {Posada-Perlaza, CE and Ramírez-Rojas, A and Porras, P and Adu-Oppong, B and Botero-Coy, AM and Hernández, F and Anzola, JM and Díaz, L and Dantas, G and Reyes, A and Zambrano, MM},
title = {Bogotá River anthropogenic contamination alters microbial communities and promotes spread of antibiotic resistance genes.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {11764},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-48200-6},
pmid = {31409850},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {The increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria has raised global concern regarding the future effectiveness of antibiotics. Human activities that influence microbial communities and environmental resistomes can generate additional risks to human health. In this work, we characterized aquatic microbial communities and their resistomes in samples collected at three sites along the Bogotá River and from wastewaters at three city hospitals, and investigated community profiles and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) as a function of anthropogenic contamination. The presence of antibiotics and other commonly used drugs increased in locations highly impacted by human activities, while the diverse microbial communities varied among sites and sampling times, separating upstream river samples from more contaminated hospital and river samples. Clinically relevant antibiotic resistant pathogens and ARGs were more abundant in contaminated water samples. Tracking of resistant determinants to upstream river waters and city sources suggested that human activities foster the spread of ARGs, some of which were co-localized with mobile genetic elements in assembled metagenomic contigs. Human contamination of this water ecosystem changed both community structure and environmental resistomes that can pose a risk to human health.},
}

@article {pmid31409660,
year = {2019},
author = {Zhang, S and Song, W and Wemheuer, B and Reveillaud, J and Webster, N and Thomas, T},
title = {Comparative Genomics Reveals Ecological and Evolutionary Insights into Sponge-Associated Thaumarchaeota.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {4},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/mSystems.00288-19},
pmid = {31409660},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Thaumarchaeota are frequently reported to associate with marine sponges (phylum Porifera); however, little is known about the features that distinguish them from their free-living thaumarchaeal counterparts. In this study, thaumarchaeal metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) were reconstructed from metagenomic data sets derived from the marine sponges Hexadella detritifera, Hexadella cf. detritifera, and Stylissa flabelliformis Phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses revealed that the three thaumarchaeal MAGs represent two new species within the genus Nitrosopumilus and one novel genus, for which we propose the names "CandidatusUNitrosopumilus hexadellus," "CandidatusUNitrosopumilus detritiferus," and "CandidatusUCenporiarchaeum stylissum" (the U superscript indicates that the taxon is uncultured). Comparison of these genomes to data from the Sponge Earth Microbiome Project revealed that "CaUCenporiarchaeum stylissum" has been exclusively detected in sponges and can hence be classified as a specialist, while "CaUNitrosopumilus detritiferus" and "CaUNitrosopumilus hexadellus" are also detected outside the sponge holobiont and likely lead a generalist lifestyle. Comparison of the sponge-associated MAGs to genomes of free-living Thaumarchaeota revealed signatures that indicate functional features of a sponge-associated lifestyle, and these features were related to nutrient transport and metabolism, restriction-modification, defense mechanisms, and host interactions. Each species exhibited distinct functional traits, suggesting that they have reached different stages of evolutionary adaptation and/or occupy distinct ecological niches within their sponge hosts. Our study therefore offers new evolutionary and ecological insights into the symbiosis between sponges and their thaumarchaeal symbionts.IMPORTANCE Sponges represent ecologically important models to understand the evolution of symbiotic interactions of metazoans with microbial symbionts. Thaumarchaeota are commonly found in sponges, but their potential adaptations to a host-associated lifestyle are largely unknown. Here, we present three novel sponge-associated thaumarchaeal species and compare their genomic and predicted functional features with those of closely related free-living counterparts. We found different degrees of specialization of these thaumarchaeal species to the sponge environment that is reflected in their host distribution and their predicted molecular and metabolic properties. Our results indicate that Thaumarchaeota may have reached different stages of evolutionary adaptation in their symbiosis with sponges.},
}

@article {pmid31037860,
year = {2019},
author = {Kim, YE and Ki, CS and Jang, MA},
title = {Challenges and Considerations in Sequence Variant Interpretation for Mendelian Disorders.},
journal = {Annals of laboratory medicine},
volume = {39},
number = {5},
pages = {421-429},
doi = {10.3343/alm.2019.39.5.421},
pmid = {31037860},
issn = {2234-3814},
support = {//Korean Society for Genetic Diagnostics/Korea ; /SCH/Soonchunhyang University/Korea ; },
mesh = {Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics/pathology ; Gene Frequency ; *Genetic Variation ; *Guidelines as Topic ; Humans ; Metagenomics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Societies, Medical ; },
abstract = {In 2015, the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), together with the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP), published the latest guidelines for the interpretation of sequence variants, which have been widely adopted into clinical practice. Despite these standardized efforts, the degrees of subjectivity and uncertainty allowed by the guidelines can lead to inconsistent variant classification across clinical laboratories, making it difficult to assess the pathogenicity of identified variants. We describe the critical elements of variant interpretation processes and potential pitfalls through practical examples and provide updated information based on a review of recent literature. The variant classification we describe is meant to be applicable to sequence variants for Mendelian disorders, whether identified by single-gene tests, multi-gene panels, exome sequencing, or genome sequencing. Continuing efforts to improve the reproducibility and objectivity of sequence variant interpretation across individuals and laboratories are needed.},
}

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated/genetics/pathology
Gene Frequency
*Genetic Variation
*Guidelines as Topic
Humans
Metagenomics
Polymorphism, Genetic
Societies, Medical

@article {pmid30644579,
year = {2019},
author = {Kale, SD},
title = {PenSeq: coverage you can count on.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {221},
number = {3},
pages = {1177-1179},
doi = {10.1111/nph.15608},
pmid = {30644579},
issn = {1469-8137},
mesh = {Genome ; Genomics ; *Metagenomics ; Oomycetes/*genetics ; },
}

Genome
Genomics
*Metagenomics
Oomycetes/*genetics

@article {pmid31408742,
year = {2019},
author = {Ari, O and Karabudak, S and Kalcioglu, MT and Gunduz, AY and Durmaz, R},
title = {The bacteriome of otitis media with effusion: Does it originate from the adenoid?.},
journal = {International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology},
volume = {126},
number = {},
pages = {109624},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.109624},
pmid = {31408742},
issn = {1872-8464},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the composition and the diversity of bacteriome in middle ear effusion (MEE) and adenoid specimens of pediatric patients having otitis media with effusion (OME).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample collection from children with OME followed by next generation sequencing. Seventeen adenoid and 43 middle ear effusion specimens from 25 children having OME were evaluated. Microbiome analysis was performed via Ion 16S rRNA metagenomics kit.

RESULTS: Twenty-two different bacterial species were identified from all of the samples analyzed. There were variations in the prevalence and relative abundance of the bacteriome observed between adenoid and MEE samples. MEE microbiome was significantly dominated by Alloicoccus otitis (44%), Turicella otitidis (6%), and Staphylococcus auricularis (3%). Whereas, Rothia mucilaginosa (39%), R. dentocariosa (11%), S. aureus (5%), Veillonella rogosae (2%), Granulicatella elegans (2%), Granulicatella adiacens (2%), Eikenella corrodens (1%), and Prevotella nanceiensis (1%) had significantly higher relative abundance in adenoid samples. Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in alpha diversity of MEE and adenoid samples, whereas adenoid samples constituted a cluster in the beta diversity graph.

CONCLUSION: Bacteriome of MEE is mostly dominated by A. otitis yet accompanied by other bacteria with lower relative abundances suggests that OME is likely to be a polymicrobial process. Despite similarities, significant differences in relative abundances of several predominant species between bacteriome in the MEE and adenoid put the theory that OME in children is originated from the adenoids under question.},
}

@article {pmid31407448,
year = {2019},
author = {Sofyan, A and Uyeno, Y and Shinkai, T and Hirako, M and Kushibiki, S and Kanamori, H and Mori, S and Katayose, Y and Mitsumori, M},
title = {Metagenomic profiles of the rumen microbiota during the transition period in low-yield and high-yield dairy cows.},
journal = {Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/asj.13277},
pmid = {31407448},
issn = {1740-0929},
support = {//Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)/ ; //University of Tsukuba/ ; //National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)/ ; //RISET-Pro Scholarship Program of the Indonesian Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristekdikti)/ ; },
abstract = {We investigated potential relationships between rumen microbiota and milk production in dairy cows during the transition period. Twelve dairy cows were divided into a low-yield (LY) or high-yield (HY) group based on their milk yield. Rumen samples were taken from dairy cows at 3 weeks before parturition, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after parturition. 16S rDNA-based metagenomic analysis showed that diversities of rumen microbiota in both groups were similar and the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was lower in the postpartum than prepartum period in both groups. The abundance of Bacteroidetes and ratio of Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes was higher in the HY than the LY group. OTUs assigned to Prevotella bryantii, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Succinivibrio sp. were abundant in the HY group. These OTUs were significantly related to the propionate molar proportion of rumen fluids in the HY group. OTUs assigned to Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacterium sp. and Saccharofermentans were dominant in the LY group. Predictive functional profiling revealed that abundance of gene families involved in amino acid and vitamin metabolism was higher in the HY than the LY group. These results suggest that the community structure and fermentation products of rumen microbiota could be associated with milk production of dairy cows.},
}

@article {pmid31407406,
year = {2019},
author = {Li, Y and Zhang, C and Bell, EW and Yu, DJ and Zhang, Y},
title = {Ensembling multiple raw coevolutionary features with deep residual neural networks for contact-map prediction in CASP13.},
journal = {Proteins},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/prot.25798},
pmid = {31407406},
issn = {1097-0134},
abstract = {We report the results of residue-residue contact prediction of a new pipeline built purely on the learning of coevolutionary features in the CASP13 experiment. For a query sequence, the pipeline starts with the collection of multiple sequence alignments (MSAs) from multiple genome and metagenome sequence databases using two complementary HMM-based searching tools. Three profile matrices, built on covariance, precision, and pseudolikelihood maximization respectively, are then created from the MSAs, which are used as the input features of a deep residual convolutional neural network architecture for contact-map training and prediction. Two ensembling strategies have been proposed to integrate the matrix features through end-to-end training and stacking, resulting in two complementary programs called TripletRes and ResTriplet, respectively. For the 31 free-modeling (FM) domains that do not have homologous templates in the PDB, TripletRes and ResTriplet generated comparable results with an average accuracy of 0.640 and 0.646, respectively, for the top L/5 long-range predictions, where 71% and 74% of the cases have an accuracy above 0.5. Detailed data analyses showed that the strength of the pipeline is due to the sensitive MSA construction and the advanced strategies for coevolutionary feature ensembling. Domain splitting was also found to help enhance the contact prediction performance. Nevertheless, contact models for tail regions, which often involve a high number of alignment gaps, and for targets with few homologous sequences are still suboptimal. Development of new approaches where the model is specifically trained on these regions and targets might help address these problems. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}

@article {pmid31407307,
year = {2019},
author = {Hu, M and Lee, M and Zhong, L and Manefield, MJ},
title = {Method Development for DNA and Proteome SIP Analysis of Activated Sludge for Anaerobic Dichloromethane Biodegradation.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2046},
number = {},
pages = {207-219},
doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-9721-3_16},
pmid = {31407307},
issn = {1940-6029},
abstract = {Dichloromethane (DCM) is a toxic, dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) that pollutes groundwater in all industrialized countries. Fortunately, DCM can be used as the sole source of energy and organic carbon by anaerobic microorganisms and be transformed to benign end products such as acetate, formate, and bicarbonate. However, knowledge around the phylogenetic diversity of anaerobic microorganisms capable of DCM metabolism is limited. The genes and enzymes involved and details of the reaction mechanism are not known. Stable isotope probing (SIP) is a technique used to identify microbes involved in assimilation of elements. The isotopically labeled substrate can be recovered in DNA and protein (i.e., DNA-SIP and protein-SIP) which enables identification of both the microbial taxa and their respective proteins involved in the substrate degradation. Therefore, by applying a combination of SIP techniques with molecular approaches (i.e., Illumina Miseq sequencing and metaproteomics), DCM degrading organisms can be identified and characterized in a manner independent of anaerobic enrichment cultures. In our research, activated sludge from wastewater treatment plant was fed with unlabeled and 13C-labeled DCM, respectively. Here, we provide protocols and technical notes for DNA and protein extraction from activated sludge and present analysis pipelines for downstream molecular techniques.},
}

@article {pmid31407303,
year = {2019},
author = {Kröber, E and Eyice, Ö},
title = {Profiling of Active Microorganisms by Stable Isotope Probing-Metagenomics.},
journal = {Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)},
volume = {2046},
number = {},
pages = {151-161},
doi = {10.1007/978-1-4939-9721-3_12},
pmid = {31407303},
issn = {1940-6029},
abstract = {Stable isotope probing (SIP) provides researchers a culture-independent method to retrieve nucleic acids from active microbial populations performing a specific metabolic activity in complex ecosystems. In recent years, the use of the SIP method in microbial ecology studies has been accelerated. This is partly due to the advances in sequencing and bioinformatics tools, which enable fast and reliable analysis of DNA and RNA from the SIP experiments. One of these sequencing tools, metagenomics, has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge by providing data not only on taxonomy but also on the key functional genes in specific metabolic pathways and their relative abundances. In this chapter, we provide a general background on the application of the SIP-metagenomics approach in microbial ecology and a workflow for the analysis of metagenomic datasets using the most up-to-date bioinformatics tools.},
}

@article {pmid31406638,
year = {2019},
author = {Qi, Z and Shi, S and Tu, J and Li, S},
title = {Comparative metagenomic sequencing analysis of cecum microbiotal diversity and function in broilers and layers.},
journal = {3 Biotech},
volume = {9},
number = {8},
pages = {316},
doi = {10.1007/s13205-019-1834-1},
pmid = {31406638},
issn = {2190-572X},
abstract = {The composition of the gastrointestinal microorganisms in poultry is closely associated with the host and its environment. In this study, using 16S rRNA and metagenomic techniques, we comprehensively analyzed the structure and diversity of the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens (BC) and laying hens (LH). The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were the main cecal bacterial phyla in BC and LH. However, at the genus level, LH had a greater abundance of Bacteroides (P < 0.05), Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group (P < 0.01), Phascolarctobacterium (P < 0.05), Desulfovibrio (P < 0.05), Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 (P < 0.05), and unclassified_o_Bacteroidales (P < 0.05), whereas BC had a greater abundance of Alistipes (P < 0.05), Rikenella (P < 0.05), Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 (P < 0.05), Lachnoclostridium (P < 0.05), and unclassified_f_Ruminococcaceae (P < 0.05). It is particularly noteworthy that the genus Desulfovibrio was significantly more abundant in the LH cecum than in the BC cecum (P < 0.05). A metagenomic analysis showed that the annotations in the LH dataset were significantly more abundant than in the BC dataset, and included replication, recombination and repair, energy production and transformation, cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis, and amino acid transport and metabolism-related functions (P < 0.05). This study indicates that microbial genotypic differences in chickens of the same species can cause changes in the abundances of the gut microbiota, but do not alter the structural composition or major functional characteristics of the gut microbiota.},
}

@article {pmid31406349,
year = {2019},
author = {Doan, T and Hinterwirth, A and Worden, L and Arzika, AM and Maliki, R and Abdou, A and Kane, S and Zhong, L and Cummings, SL and Sakar, S and Chen, C and Cook, C and Lebas, E and Chow, ED and Nachamkin, I and Porco, TC and Keenan, JD and Lietman, TM},
title = {Gut microbiome alteration in MORDOR I: a community-randomized trial of mass azithromycin distribution.},
journal = {Nature medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41591-019-0533-0},
pmid = {31406349},
issn = {1546-170X},
abstract = {The MORDOR I trial1, conducted in Niger, Malawi and Tanzania, demonstrated that mass azithromycin distribution to preschool children reduced childhood mortality1. However, the large but simple trial design precluded determination of the mechanisms involved. Here we examined the gut microbiome of preschool children from 30 Nigerien communities randomized to either biannual azithromycin or placebo. Gut microbiome γ-diversity was not significantly altered (P = 0.08), but the relative abundances of two Campylobacter species, along with another 33 gut bacteria, were significantly reduced in children treated with azithromycin at the 24-month follow-up. Metagenomic analysis revealed functional differences in gut bacteria between treatment groups. Resistome analysis showed an increase in macrolide resistance gene expression in gut microbiota in communities treated with azithromycin (P = 0.004). These results suggest that prolonged mass azithromycin distribution to reduce childhood mortality reduces certain gut bacteria, including known pathogens, while selecting for antibiotic resistance.},
}

@article {pmid31406180,
year = {2019},
author = {Gaia, ASC and de Sá, PHCG and de Oliveira, MS and Veras, AAO},
title = {NGSReadsTreatment - A Cuckoo Filter-based Tool for Removing Duplicate Reads in NGS Data.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {11681},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-48242-w},
pmid = {31406180},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms provide a major approach to obtaining millions of short reads from samples. NGS has been used in a wide range of analyses, such as for determining genome sequences, analyzing evolutionary processes, identifying gene expression and resolving metagenomic analyses. Usually, the quality of NGS data impacts the final study conclusions. Moreover, quality assessment is generally considered the first step in data analyses to ensure the use of only reliable reads for further studies. In NGS platforms, the presence of duplicated reads (redundancy) that are usually introduced during library sequencing is a major issue. These might have a serious impact on research application, as redundancies in reads can lead to difficulties in subsequent analysis (e.g., de novo genome assembly). Herein, we present NGSReadsTreatment, a computational tool for the removal of duplicated reads in paired-end or single-end datasets. NGSReadsTreatment can handle reads from any platform with the same or different sequence lengths. Using the probabilistic structure Cuckoo Filter, the redundant reads are identified and removed by comparing the reads with themselves. Thus, no prerequisite is required beyond the set of reads. NGSReadsTreatment was compared with other redundancy removal tools in analyzing different sets of reads. The results demonstrated that NGSReadsTreatment was better than the other tools in both the amount of redundancies removed and the use of computational memory for all analyses performed. Available in https://sourceforge.net/projects/ngsreadstreatment/ .},
}

@article {pmid31405065,
year = {2019},
author = {Shang, L and Hu, Z and Deng, Y and Liu, Y and Zhai, X and Chai, Z and Liu, X and Zhan, Z and Dobbs, FC and Tang, YZ},
title = {Metagenomic Sequencing Identifies Highly Diverse Assemblages of Dinoflagellate Cysts in Sediments from Ships' Ballast Tanks.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {7},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms7080250},
pmid = {31405065},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {U1606404//NSFC-Shandong Joint Fund for Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences/ ; 41476142//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 61533011//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 41606126//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 41506143//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2016ASKJ02//Scientific and Technological Innovation Project Financially Supported by Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology/ ; LMEES-CTSP-2018-1//Creative Team Project of the Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {Ships' ballast tanks have long been known as vectors for the introduction of organisms. We applied next-generation sequencing to detect dinoflagellates (mainly as cysts) in 32 ballast tank sediments collected during 2001-2003 from ships entering the Great Lakes or Chesapeake Bay and subsequently archived. Seventy-three dinoflagellates were fully identified to species level by this metagenomic approach and single-cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based sequencing, including 19 toxic species, 36 harmful algal bloom (HAB) forming species, 22 previously unreported as producing cysts, and 55 reported from ballast tank sediments for the first time (including 13 freshwater species), plus 545 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) not fully identified due to a lack of reference sequences, indicating tank sediments are repositories of many previously undocumented taxa. Analyses indicated great heterogeneity of species composition among samples from different sources. Light and scanning electron microscopy and single-cell PCR sequencing supported and confirmed results of the metagenomic approach. This study increases the number of fully identified dinoflagellate species from ballast tank sediments to 142 (> 50% increase). From the perspective of ballast water management, the high diversity and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of dinoflagellates in ballast tanks argues for continuing research and stringent adherence to procedures intended to prevent unintended introduction of non-indigenous toxic and HAB-forming species.},
}

@article {pmid31404440,
year = {2019},
author = {Chiu, KP and Yu, AL},
title = {Application of cell-free DNA sequencing in characterization of bloodborne microbes and the study of microbe-disease interactions.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {7},
number = {},
pages = {e7426},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.7426},
pmid = {31404440},
issn = {2167-8359},
abstract = {It is an important issue whether microorganisms can live harmoniously with normal cells in the cardiovascular system. The answer to the question will have enormous impact on medical microbiology. To address the issue, it is essential to identify and characterize the bloodborne microbes in an efficient and comprehensive manner. Due to microbial sequence complexity and the composition of significant number of unknown microbial species in the circulatory system, traditional approaches using cell culture, PCR, or microarray are not suitable for the purpose. Recent reports indicate that cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing using next-generation sequencing (NGS) or single-molecule sequencing (SMS), together with bioinformatics approaches, possesses a strong potential enabling us to distinguish microbial species at the nucleotide level. Multiple studies using microbial cfDNA sequencing to identify microbes for septic patients have shown strong agreement with cell culture. Similar approaches have also been applied to reveal previously unidentified microorganisms or to demonstrate the feasibility of comprehensive assessment of bloodborne microorganisms for healthy and/or diseased individuals. SMS using either SMRT (single-molecule real-time) sequencing or Nanopore sequencing are providing new momentum to reinforce this line of investigation. Taken together, microbial cfDNA sequencing provides a novel opportunity allowing us to further understand the involvement of bloodborne microbes in development of diseases. Similar approaches should also be applicable to the study of metagenomics for sufficient and comprehensive analysis of microbial species living in various environments. This article reviews this line of research and discuss the methodological approaches that have been developed, or are likely to be developed in the future, which may have strong potential to facilitate cfDNA- and cfRNA-based studies of cancer and acute/chronic diseases, in the hope that a better understanding of the hidden microbes in the circulatory system will improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problematic diseases.},
}

@article {pmid31404278,
year = {2019},
author = {Yurgel, SN and Nearing, JT and Douglas, GM and Langille, MGI},
title = {Metagenomic Functional Shifts to Plant Induced Environmental Changes.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1682},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01682},
pmid = {31404278},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {The Vaccinium angustifolium (wild blueberry) agricultural system involves transformation of the environment surrounding the plant to intensify plant propagation and to improve fruit yield, and therefore is an advantageous model to study the interaction between soil microorganisms and plant-host interactions. We studied this system to address the question of a trade-off between microbial adaptation to a plant-influenced environment and its general metabolic capabilities. We found that many basic metabolic functions were similarly represented in bulk soil and rhizosphere microbiomes overall. However, we identified a niche-specific difference in functions potentially beneficial for microbial survival in the rhizosphere but that might also reduce the ability of microbes to withstand stresses in bulk soils. These functions could provide the microbiome with additional capabilities to respond to environmental fluctuations in the rhizosphere triggered by changes in the composition of root exudates. Based on our analysis we hypothesize that the rhizosphere-specific pathways involved in xenobiotics biodegradation could provide the microbiome with functional flexibility to respond to plant stress status.},
}

@article {pmid31404250,
year = {2019},
author = {Abdelfattah, A and Sanzani, SM and Wisniewski, M and Berg, G and Cacciola, SO and Schena, L},
title = {Revealing Cues for Fungal Interplay in the Plant-Air Interface in Vineyards.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {922},
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2019.00922},
pmid = {31404250},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Plant-associated microorganisms play a crucial role in plant health and productivity. Belowground microbial diversity is widely reported as a major factor in determining the composition of the plant microbiome. In contrast, much less is known about the role of the atmosphere in relation to the plant microbiome. The current study examined the hypothesis that the atmospheric microbiome influences the composition of fungal communities of the aboveground organs (flowers, fruit, and leaves) of table grape and vice versa. The atmosphere surrounding grape plantings exhibited a significantly higher level of fungal diversity relative to the nearby plant organs and shared a higher number of phylotypes (5,536 OTUs, 40.3%) with the plant than between organs of the same plant. Using a Bayesian source tracking approach, plant organs were determined to be the major source of the atmospheric fungal community (92%). In contrast, airborne microbiota had only a minor contribution to the grape microbiome, representing the source of 15, 4, and 35% of the fungal communities of leaves, flowers, and fruits, respectively. Moreover, data indicate that plant organs and the surrounding atmosphere shared a fraction of each other's fungal communities, and this shared pool of fungal taxa serves as a two-way reservoir of microorganisms. Microbial association analysis highlighted more positive than negative interactions between fungal phylotypes. Positive interactions were more common within the same environment, while negative interactions appeared to occur more frequently between different environments, i.e., atmosphere, leaf, flower, and fruit. The current study revealed the interplay between the fungal communities of the grape phyllosphere with the surrounding air. Plants were identified as a major source of recruitment for the atmospheric microbiome, while the surrounding atmosphere contributed only a small fraction of the plant fungal community. The results of the study suggested that the plant-air interface modulates the plant recruitment of atmospheric fungi, taking a step forward in understanding the plant holobiont assembly and how the atmosphere surrounding plants plays a role in this process. The impact of plants on the atmospheric microbiota has several biological and epidemiological implications for plants and humans.},
}

@article {pmid31404163,
year = {2019},
author = {Beck, BR and Park, GS and Jeong, DY and Lee, YH and Im, S and Song, WH and Kang, J},
title = {Multidisciplinary and Comparative Investigations of Potential Psychobiotic Effects of Lactobacillus Strains Isolated From Newborns and Their Impact on Gut Microbiota and Ileal Transcriptome in a Healthy Murine Model.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {269},
doi = {10.3389/fcimb.2019.00269},
pmid = {31404163},
issn = {2235-2988},
abstract = {Psychobiotics are probiotic microorganisms that may exert positive influence on the psychological status of the host. Studies have revealed immunological and microbiological correlations of gut microbiota and the gut-brain axis, and have investigated psychobiotics based on the findings of the gut-brain axis. Considering their mode of actions, the present study sets anti-inflammatory effect, neurotransmitter modulation, and gut microbiota modulation as three essential criteria to evaluate Lactobacillus casei ATG-F1 (F1), L. reuteri ATG-F3 (F3), and L. reuteri ATG-F4 (F4) isolated from newborns as psychobiotics candidates in a healthy mouse model and compares the results with a non-treated control group and an ampicillin-induced gut dysbiosis (Amp) group as a negative control. The F3 and F4 strains showed anti-inflammatory effects in vitro in RAW264.7 murine macrophages, and the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 increased in ileums of mice orally administered with the F4 strain. Serum dopamine level significantly increased only in the F4-treated group as compared with the control group. Serum serotonin level was unaffected in Lactobacillus-treated groups, while a significant decrease in serum serotonin level was observed in the Amp group. Bacteroidetes population increased in fecal samples of the F4-treated group as compared with the control, and Bacteroidales S24-7 and Prevotellaceae population significantly increased at family level in fecal samples from the F4-treated group as compared with the control. In contrast, the Amp group showed an increase in the level of Proteobacteria and a decrease in the level of Bacteroidetes as compared with the control group. Transcriptome analysis revealed a distinctive clustering in ileums from the F4-treated group as compared to other experimental groups. In addition, the circadian rhythm pathway showed maximum enrichment in ileums of Lactobacillus-treated mice, and the F4-treated group showed the highest fold changes in circadian rhythm-related genes (Dbp, Per1, Per2, and Per3). Conclusively, L. reuteri ATG-F4 is suggested as a potential psychobiotics through demonstrations of anti-inflammatory effects, serum dopamine modulation, and gut microbiota modulation in a healthy murine model in the present study. Moreover, we carefully suggest gut circadian rhythm modulation as another important criterion of psychobiotics, which may have an important role in the gut-brain axis.},
}

@article {pmid31402586,
year = {2019},
author = {Mora, D and Filardi, R and Arioli, S and Boeren, S and Aalvink, S and de Vos, WM},
title = {Development of omics-based protocols for the microbiological characterization of multi-strain formulations marketed as probiotics: the case of VSL#3.},
journal = {Microbial biotechnology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1751-7915.13476},
pmid = {31402586},
issn = {1751-7915},
support = {//Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research/ ; },
abstract = {The growing commercial interest in multi-strain formulations marketed as probiotics has not been accompanied by an equal increase in the evaluation of quality levels of these biotechnological products. The multi-strain product VSL#3 was used as a model to setup a microbiological characterization that could be extended to other formulations with high complexity. Shotgun metagenomics by deep Illumina sequencing was applied to DNA isolated from the commercial VSL#3 product to confirm strains identity safety and composition. Single-cell analysis was used to evaluate the cell viability, and β-galactosidase and urease activity have been used as marker to monitor the reproducibility of the production process. Similarly, these lots were characterized in detail by a metaproteomics approach for which a robust protein extraction protocol was combined with advanced mass spectrometry. The results identified over 1600 protein groups belonging to all strains present in the VSL#3 formulation. Of interest, only 3.2 % proteins showed significant differences mainly related to small variations in strain abundance. The protocols developed in this study addressed several quality criteria that are relevant for marketed multi-strain products and these represent the first efforts to define the quality of complex probiotic formulations such as VSL#3.},
}

@article {pmid30038903,
year = {2018},
author = {Estrada-Peña, A and Cabezas-Cruz, A and Pollet, T and Vayssier-Taussat, M and Cosson, JF},
title = {High Throughput Sequencing and Network Analysis Disentangle the Microbial Communities of Ticks and Hosts Within and Between Ecosystems.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {8},
number = {},
pages = {236},
pmid = {30038903},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Animals ; Arvicolinae/*microbiology/*parasitology ; Bacteria/*classification/genetics ; Cluster Analysis ; Computational Biology ; DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics ; Ecosystem ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Ixodes/*growth & development/*microbiology ; Metagenomics/*methods ; *Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spleen/microbiology ; },
abstract = {We aimed to develop a framework, based on graph theory, to capture the ecological meaning behind pure pair comparisons of microbiome-derived data. As a proof of concept, we applied the framework to analyze the co-occurrence of bacteria in either Ixodes ricinus ticks or the spleen of one of their main hosts, the vole Myodes glareolus. As a secondary lymphoid organ, the spleen acts as a filter of blood and represents well the exposure to microorganisms circulating in the blood; including those acquired and transmitted by ticks during feeding. The microbiome of 301 and 269 individual tick and vole samples, respectively, were analyzed using next generation sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA. To assess the effect of habitat on ecological communities of bacteria associated to ticks and voles, two different biotopes were included in the study, forest, and ecotone. An innovative approach of NGS data analysis combining network analysis and phylogenies of co-occuring of bacteria was used to study associations between bacteria in individual samples. Of the 126 bacterial genera found in ticks and voles, 62% were shared by both species. Communities of co-occurring bacteria were always more phylogenetically diverse in ticks than in voles. Interestingly, ~80% of bacterial phylogenetic diversity was found in ~20% of ticks. This pattern was not observed in vole-associated bacteria. Results revealed that the microbiome of I. ricinus is only slightly related to that of M. glareolus and that the biotope plays the most important role in shaping the bacterial communities of either ticks or voles. The analysis of the phylogenetic signal of the network indexes across the 16S rRNA-derived tree of bacteria suggests that the microbiome of both ticks and voles has high phylogenetic diversity and that closest bacterial genera do not co-occur. This study shows that network analysis is a promising tool to unravel complex microbial communities associated to arthropod vectors and vertebrate hosts.},
}

Animals
Arvicolinae/*microbiology/*parasitology
Bacteria/*classification/genetics
Cluster Analysis
Computational Biology
DNA, Bacterial/chemistry/genetics
DNA, Ribosomal/chemistry/genetics
Ecosystem
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Ixodes/*growth & development/*microbiology
Metagenomics/*methods
*Microbiota
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Spleen/microbiology

@article {pmid30029009,
year = {2018},
author = {Cooke, NP and Nakagome, S},
title = {Fine-tuning of Approximate Bayesian Computation for human population genomics.},
journal = {Current opinion in genetics & development},
volume = {53},
number = {},
pages = {60-69},
doi = {10.1016/j.gde.2018.06.016},
pmid = {30029009},
issn = {1879-0380},
support = {//Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom ; },
mesh = {Bayes Theorem ; Computer Simulation ; *Genetics, Population ; Genome, Human/*genetics ; Genomics ; Humans ; *Metagenomics ; },
abstract = {Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) is a flexible statistical tool widely applied to addressing a variety of questions regarding the origin and evolution of humans. The significant growth of genomic scale data from diverse geographic populations has facilitated the use of ABC in modelling the complex processes that underlie human demography and local adaptation. However, a fundamental issue still remains in how to efficiently capture patterns of genetic variation with a set of summary statistics in order to achieve better approximation of Bayesian inference. Here, we review recent advances in ABC methodology and its applications for human population genomics, with a particular focus on optimal tuning of ABC approaches for different types of genetic data and different sets of evolutionary parameters.},
}

Bayes Theorem
Computer Simulation
*Genetics, Population
Genome, Human/*genetics
Genomics
Humans
*Metagenomics

@article {pmid31401774,
year = {2019},
author = {Yeruva, T and Vankadara, S and Ramasamy, S and Lingaiah, K},
title = {Identification of Potential Probiotics in the Midgut of Mulberry Silkworm, Bombyx mori Through Metagenomic Approach.},
journal = {Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s12602-019-09580-3},
pmid = {31401774},
issn = {1867-1314},
abstract = {Microorganisms play an important role in the growth and development of numerous insect species. The mulberry silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera), harbors several bacteria in its midgut aiding the metabolic processes; however, the variability of bacterial spp. present in the midgut and their role(s) in the growth and development of the silkworm are poorly understood. The present work compares the diversity of midgut bacterial communities in silkworms of variable voltinism (Pure Mysore, PM: multivoltine; CSR2: bivoltine and PM × CSR2: crossbreed) through metagenomics. The predominance of Enterococcus (30.30%) followed by Bacillus (16.96%) was observed in PM, whereas Lactobacillus (56.56%) followed by Enterococcus (10.58%) was seen only in CSR2. Interestingly, crossbreed midgut harbored diverse bacterial communities (36.21% Lactobacillus, 25.94% Bacillus, 8.1% Enterococcus, and 18.37% uncultured bacteria). Metagenomic profiles indicate variability in the gut bacterial population in different kinds of silkworms influencing the physiological activities accordingly. The dominant bacteria, particularly lactobacilli, bacilli, and enterococci could be further explored for identifying the potential probiotic consortia based on a literature survey and potential involvement in nutrient absorption, disease/stress tolerance, and improved economic traits.},
}

@article {pmid31401318,
year = {2019},
author = {Chen, R and Wang, J and Zhan, R and Zhang, L and Wang, X},
title = {Fecal metabonomics combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze the changes of gut microbiota in rats with kidney-yang deficiency syndrome and the intervention effect of You-gui pill.},
journal = {Journal of ethnopharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {112139},
doi = {10.1016/j.jep.2019.112139},
pmid = {31401318},
issn = {1872-7573},
abstract = {A myriad of evidence have shown that kidney-yang deficiency syndrome (KYDS) is associated with metabolic disorders of the intestinal microbiota, while TCMs can treat KYDS by regulating gut microbiota metabolism. However, the specific interplay between KYDS and intestinal microbiota, and the intrinsic regulation mechanism of You-gui pill (YGP) on KYDS' gut microbiota remains largely unknown so far.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, fecal metabonomics combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis were used to explore the mutual effect between KYDS and intestinal flora, and the intrinsic regulation mechanism of YGP on KYDS's gut microbiota. Rats' feces from control (CON) group, KYDS group and YGP group were collected, and metabolomic analysis was performed using 1H NMR technique combined with multivariate statistical analysis to obtain differential metabolites. Simultaneously, 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis based on the Illumina HiSeq sequencing platform and ANOVA analysis were used to analyze the composition of the intestinal microbiota in the stool samples and to screen for the significant altered microbiota at the genus level. After that, MetaboAnalyst database and PICRUSt software were apply to conduct metabolic pathway analysis and functional prediction analysis of the screened differential metabolites and intestinal microbiota, respectively. What's more, Pearson correlation analysis was performed on these differential metabolites and gut microbiota.

RESULTS: Using fecal metabonomics, KYDS was found to be associated with 21 differential metabolites and seven potential metabolic pathways. These metabolites and metabolic pathways were mainly involved in amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, methylamine metabolism, bile acid metabolism and urea cycle, and short-chain fatty acid metabolism. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, we found that KYDS was related to eleven different intestinal microbiotas. These gut microbiota were mostly involved in amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, nervous, endocrine, immune and digestive system, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. Combined fecal metabonomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis, we further discovered that KYDS was primarily linked to three gut microbiotas (i.e. Bacteroides, Desulfovibrio and [Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group) and eleven related metabolites (i.e. deoxycholate, n-butyrate, valine, isoleucine, acetate, taurine, glycine, α-gluconse, β-glucose, glycerol and tryptophan) mediated various metabolic disorders (amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, especially methylamine metabolism, bile acid metabolism and urea cycle, short-chain fatty acid metabolism. nervous, endocrine, immune and digestive system, lipid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism). YGP, however, had the ability to mediate four kinds of microbes (i.e. Ruminiclostridium_9, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-007, Ruminococcaceae_UCG-010, and uncultured_bacterium_f_Bacteroidales_S24-7_group) and ten related metabolites (i.e. deoxycholate, valine, isoleucine, alanine, citrulline, acetate, DMA, TMA, phenylalanine and tryptophan) mediated amino acid metabolism, especially methylamine metabolism, bile acid metabolism and urea cycle, short-chain fatty acid metabolism, endocrine, immune and digestive system, and lipid metabolism, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on KYDS rats.

CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings have preliminary confirmed that KYDS is closely related to metabolic and microbial dysbiosis, whereas YGP can improve the metabolic disorder of KYDS by acting on intestinal microbiota. Meanwhile, this will lay the foundation for the further KYDS's metagenomic research and the use of intestinal microbiotas as drug targets to treat KYDS.},
}

@article {pmid31400683,
year = {2019},
author = {Ceccon, DM and Faoro, H and Lana, PDC and Souza, EM and Pedrosa, FO},
title = {Metataxonomic and metagenomic analysis of mangrove microbiomes reveals community patterns driven by salinity and pH gradients in Paranaguá Bay, Brazil.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {694},
number = {},
pages = {133609},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133609},
pmid = {31400683},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {While environmental drivers regulate the structure of mangrove microbial communities, their exact nature and the extent of their influence require further elucidation. By means of 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing, we determined the microbial taxonomic profiles of mangroves in the subtropical Paranaguá Bay, Brazil, considering as potential drivers: salinity, as represented by two sectors in the extremes of a salinity gradient (<5 PSU and >30 PSU); proximity to/absence of the prevailing plants, Avicennia schaueriana, Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora mangle, and Spartina alterniflora; and the chemical composition of the sediments. Salinity levels within the estuary had the strongest influence on microbial structure, and pH was important to separate two communities within the high salinity environment. About one fourth of the total variation in community structure resulted from covariation of salinity and the overall chemical composition, which might indicate that the chemical profile was also related to salinity. The most prevalent bacterial phyla associated with the mangrove soils analyzed included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Bacteroidetes, Acidobacteria, and Cyanobacteria. Taxonomic and functional comparisons of our results for whole-genome sequencing with available data from other biomes showed that the studied microbiomes cluster first according to biome type, then to matrix type and salinity status. Metabolic functions were more conserved than organisms within mangroves and across all biomes, indicating that core functions are preserved in any of the given conditions regardless of the specific organisms harboring them.},
}

@article {pmid31398856,
year = {2019},
author = {Mougari, S and Sahmi-Bounsiar, D and Levasseur, A and Colson, P and La Scola, B},
title = {Virophages of Giant Viruses: An Update at Eleven.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {11},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/v11080733},
pmid = {31398856},
issn = {1999-4915},
support = {ANR-10-IAHU-03 (Méditerranée Infection)//Agence Nationale de la Recherche/ ; PRIMI//European Regional Development Fund/ ; },
abstract = {The last decade has been marked by two eminent discoveries that have changed our perception of the virology field: The discovery of giant viruses and a distinct new class of viral agents that parasitize their viral factories, the virophages. Coculture and metagenomics have actively contributed to the expansion of the virophage family by isolating dozens of new members. This increase in the body of data on virophage not only revealed the diversity of the virophage group, but also the relevant ecological impact of these small viruses and their potential role in the dynamics of the microbial network. In addition, the isolation of virophages has led us to discover previously unknown features displayed by their host viruses and cells. In this review, we present an update of all the knowledge on the isolation, biology, genomics, and morphological features of the virophages, a decade after the discovery of their first member, the Sputnik virophage. We discuss their parasitic lifestyle as bona fide viruses of the giant virus factories, genetic parasites of their genomes, and then their role as a key component or target for some host defense mechanisms during the tripartite virophage-giant virus-host cell interaction. We also present the latest advances regarding their origin, classification, and definition that have been widely discussed.},
}

@article {pmid31398645,
year = {2019},
author = {Kneis, D and Berendonk, TU and Heß, S},
title = {High prevalence of colistin resistance genes in German municipal wastewater.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {694},
number = {},
pages = {133454},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.260},
pmid = {31398645},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Bacterial resistance against the last-resort antibiotic colistin is of increasing concern on a global scale. Wastewater is suspected to be one of the pathways by which resistant bacteria and the respective genes are disseminated. We employed a metagenomics approach to detect and quantify colistin resistance genes in raw municipal wastewater sampled at 9 locations all over Germany (14 samples in total, collected in 2016/2017). Our data support the findings of earlier studies according to which the prevalence of the colistin resistance gene mcr-1 is still low. However, we were able to demonstrate that the total prevalence of colistin resistance genes is dramatically underestimated if the focus is put on that specific gene alone. In comparison to mcr-1, other gene variants like mcr-3 and mcr-7 proved to be 10 to 100 times more abundant in samples of untreated wastewater. The average relative abundances expressed as copies per 16S rRNA gene copies were 2.3×10-3 for mcr-3, 2.2×10-4 for mcr-4, 3.0×10-4 for mcr-5, and 4.4×10-4 for mcr-7. While these four gene variants were ubiquitous in all 14 samples, mcr-1 was detected only once at a relative abundance of 1.4×10-5. Our results suggest a high risk of increasing incidence of colistin resistance as large amounts of mcr genes are continuously disseminated to diverse microbial communities via the wastewater path.},
}

@article {pmid31398374,
year = {2019},
author = {Jerome, H and Taylor, C and Sreenu, VB and Klymenko, T and Jackson, C and Davis, C and Ashraf, S and Wilson-Davies, E and Jesudason, N and Devine, K and Harder, L and Aitken, C and Gunson, R and Thomson, EC},
title = {Metagenomic next-generation sequencing aids the diagnosis of viral infections in febrile returning travellers.},
journal = {The Journal of infection},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jinf.2019.08.003},
pmid = {31398374},
issn = {1532-2742},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Travel-associated infections are challenging to diagnose because of the broad spectrum of potential aetiologies. As a proof-of-principle study, we used MNGS to identify viral pathogens in clinical samples from returning travellers in a single centre to explore its suitability as a diagnostic tool.

METHODS: Plasma samples from 40 returning travellers presenting with a fever of ≥38°C were retrospectively sequenced using MNGS on the Illumina MiSeq platform and compared with standard-of-care diagnostic assays.

RESULTS: In total, 11/40 patients were diagnosed with a viral infection. Standard of care diagnostics revealed 5 viral infections using plasma samples; dengue virus 1 (n=2), hepatitis E (n=1), Ebola virus (n=1) and hepatitis A (n=1), all of which were detected by MNGS. Three additional patients with Chikungunya virus (n=2) and mumps virus were diagnosed by MNGS only. Respiratory infections detected by nasal/throat swabs only were not detected by MNGS of plasma. One patient had infection with malaria and mumps virus during the same admission.

CONCLUSIONS: MNGS analysis of plasma samples improves the sensitivity of diagnosis of viral infections and has potential as an all-in-one diagnostic test. It can be used to identify infections that have not been considered by the treating physician, co-infections and new or emerging pathogens.

SUMMARY: Next generation sequencing (NGS) has potential as an all-in-one diagnostic test. In this study we used NGS to diagnose returning travellers with acute febrile illness in the UK, highlighting cases where the diagnosis was missed using standard methods.},
}

@article {pmid31398366,
year = {2019},
author = {Katsuta, R and Sunaga, F and Oi, T and Doan, YH and Tsuzuku, S and Suzuki, Y and Sano, K and Katayama, Y and Omatsu, T and Oba, M and Furuya, T and Ouchi, Y and Shirai, J and Mizutani, T and Oka, T and Nagai, M},
title = {First identification of Sapoviruses in wild boar.},
journal = {Virus research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {197680},
doi = {10.1016/j.virusres.2019.197680},
pmid = {31398366},
issn = {1872-7492},
abstract = {Sapoviruses (SaVs) are enteric viruses that have been detected in human and animals previously; however, SaVs have not been identified in wild boar yet. Using a metagenomics approach, we identified SaVs in fecal samples of free-living wild boars in Japan for the first time. Six of the 48 specimens identified belonged to one genogroup (G)III, one GV and four GVI SaV sequence reads. We successfully determined complete genome of GV and GVI SaV strains using the long reverse transcription PCR strategy and the 5' rapid amplification of cDNA end method. Phylogenetic tree analysis and pairwise distance calculation revealed that GV SaV detected from wild boar was related to recently assigned GV.5 strains from pig, while GVI SaV was assigned to a new genotype within GVI. Moreover, wild boar may act as a reservoir for transmission of SaVs to the pig population (and vice versa) because GIII, GV, and GVI SaVs were all detected in pigs previously.},
}

@article {pmid31398336,
year = {2019},
author = {Ye, SH and Siddle, KJ and Park, DJ and Sabeti, PC},
title = {Benchmarking Metagenomics Tools for Taxonomic Classification.},
journal = {Cell},
volume = {178},
number = {4},
pages = {779-794},
doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2019.07.010},
pmid = {31398336},
issn = {1097-4172},
abstract = {Metagenomic sequencing is revolutionizing the detection and characterization of microbial species, and a wide variety of software tools are available to perform taxonomic classification of these data. The fast pace of development of these tools and the complexity of metagenomic data make it important that researchers are able to benchmark their performance. Here, we review current approaches for metagenomic analysis and evaluate the performance of 20 metagenomic classifiers using simulated and experimental datasets. We describe the key metrics used to assess performance, offer a framework for the comparison of additional classifiers, and discuss the future of metagenomic data analysis.},
}

@article {pmid31397894,
year = {2019},
author = {Lendemer, JC and Keepers, KG and Tripp, EA and Pogoda, CS and McCain, CM and Kane, NC},
title = {A taxonomically broad metagenomic survey of 339 species spanning 57 families suggests cystobasidiomycete yeasts are not ubiquitous across all lichens.},
journal = {American journal of botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ajb2.1339},
pmid = {31397894},
issn = {1537-2197},
support = {1542639//National Science Foundation's/ ; 1432629//University of Colorado/ ; 1144807//New York Botanical Garden/ ; },
abstract = {PREMISE: Lichens are fungi that enter into obligate symbioses with photosynthesizing organisms (algae, cyanobacteria). Traditional narratives of lichens as binary symbiont pairs have given way to their recognition as dynamic metacommunities. Basidiomycete yeasts, particularly of the genus Cyphobasidium, have been inferred to be widespread and important components of lichen metacommunities. Yet, the presence of basidiomycete yeasts across a wide diversity of lichen lineages has not previously been tested.

METHODS: We searched for lichen-associated cystobasidiomycete yeasts in newly generated metagenomic data from 413 samples of 339 lichen species spanning 57 families and 25 orders. The data set was generated as part of a large-scale project to study lichen biodiversity gradients in the southern Appalachian Mountains Biodiversity Hotspot of southeastern North America.

RESULTS: Our efforts detected cystobasidiomycete yeasts in nine taxa (Bryoria nadvornikiana, Heterodermia leucomelos, Lecidea roseotincta, Opegrapha vulgata, Parmotrema hypotropum, P. subsumptum, Usnea cornuta, U. strigosa, and U. subgracilis), representing 2.7% of all species sampled. Seven of these taxa (78%) are foliose (leaf-like) or fruticose (shrubby) lichens that belong to families where basidiomycete yeasts have been previously detected. In several of the nine cases, cystobasidiomycete rDNA coverage was comparable to, or greater than, that of the primary lichen fungus single-copy nuclear genomic rDNA, suggesting sampling artifacts are unlikely to account for our results.

CONCLUSIONS: Studies from diverse areas of the natural sciences have led to the need to reconceptualize lichens as dynamic metacommunities. However, our failure to detect cystobasidiomycetes in 97.3% (330 species) of the sampled species suggests that basidiomycete yeasts are not ubiquitous in lichens.},
}

@article {pmid31397876,
year = {2019},
author = {Happel, EM and Markussen, T and Teikari, JE and Huchaiah, V and Alneberg, J and Andersson, AF and Sivonen, K and Middelboe, M and Kisand, V and Riemann, L},
title = {Effects of allochthonous DOM input on microbial composition and nitrogen cycling genes at two contrasting estuarine sites.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsec/fiz123},
pmid = {31397876},
issn = {1574-6941},
abstract = {Heterotrophic bacteria are important drivers of nitrogen (N) cycling and the processing of dissolved organic matter (DOM). Projected increases in precipitation will potentially cause increased loads of riverine DOM to the Baltic Sea and likely affect the composition and function of bacterioplankton communities. To investigate this, the effects of riverine DOM from two different catchment areas (agricultural and forest) on natural bacterioplankton assemblages from two contrasting sites in the Baltic Sea were examined. Two microcosm experiments were carried out, where the community composition (16S rRNA gene sequencing), the composition of a suite of N cycling genes (metagenomics), and the abundance and transcription of ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) genes involved in nitrification (quantitative PCR) were investigated. The river water treatments evoked a significant response in bacterial growth, but effects on overall community composition and the representation of N cycling genes were limited. Instead, treatment effects were reflected in the prevalence of specific taxonomic families, specific N related functions, and in the transcription of amoA genes. The study suggests that bacterioplankton responses to changes in the DOM pool are constrained to part of the bacterial community, whereas most taxa remain relatively unaffected.},
}

@article {pmid31397240,
year = {2019},
author = {Lv, Y and Qin, X and Jia, H and Chen, S and Sun, W and Wang, X},
title = {The Association between Gut Microbiota Composition and Body Mass Index in Chinese Male College Students, as Analyzed by Next-generation Sequencing.},
journal = {The British journal of nutrition},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-17},
doi = {10.1017/S0007114519001909},
pmid = {31397240},
issn = {1475-2662},
abstract = {Altered gut microbial ecology contributes to the development of metabolic diseases including obesity. However, studies based on different populations have generated conflicting results due to diet, environment, methodologies, etc. The aim of our study was to explore the association between gut microbiota and Body Mass Index (BMI) in Chinese college students. 16S next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to test the gut microbiota of 9 lean, 9 overweight/obesity, and 10 normal-weight male college students. The differences of gut microbiota distribution among three groups were compared, and the relationship between the richness, diversity, composition of gut microbiota and BMI were analyzed. The predominant phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were further confirmed by real-time PCR. Metagenomic biomarker discovery was conducted by Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe). NGS revealed that gut microbiota composition was different among three groups, but there was no difference in the abundance ratio of Firmicutes/ Bacteroidetes. Several bacterial taxa were in linear relationship with BMI (positive relationship: uncultured bacterium (Bacteroides genus); negative relationship: Porphyromonadaceae, Acidaminococcaceae, Rikenellaceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Blautia, Anaerotruncus, Parabacteroides, Alistipes). Moreover, gut microbiota diversity decreased with the increase of BMI. And LEfSe analyze indicated that Blautia, Anaerotruncus and its uncultured species were significantly enriched in the lean group (LDA score≥3), Parasuterella and its uncultured species were significantly enriched in the overweight/obese groups(LDA score≥3). In general, gut microbiota composition and microbial diversity were associated with BMI in Chinese male college students. Our results might enrich the understanding between gut microbiota and obesity.},
}

@article {pmid31397054,
year = {2019},
author = {Payne, D and Dunham, EC and Mohr, E and Miller, I and Arnold, A and Erickson, R and Fones, EM and Lindsay, MR and Colman, DR and Boyd, ES},
title = {Geologic legacy spanning >90 years explains unique Yellowstone hot spring geochemistry and biodiversity.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.14775},
pmid = {31397054},
issn = {1462-2920},
abstract = {Little is known about how the geological history of an environment shapes its physical and chemical properties and how these, in turn, influence the assembly of communities. Evening Primrose (EP), a moderately acidic hot spring (pH 5.6, 77.4°C) in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), has undergone dramatic physicochemical change linked to seismic activity. Here, we show that this legacy of geologic change led to the development of an unusual sulfur-rich, anoxic chemical environment that supports a unique archaeal-dominated and anaerobic microbial community. Metagenomic sequencing and informatics analyses reveal that >96% of this community is supported by dissimilatory reduction or disproportionation of inorganic sulfur compounds, including a novel, deeply diverging sulfate reducing thaumarchaeote. When compared to other YNP metagenomes, the inferred functions of EP populations were like those from sulfur-rich acidic springs, suggesting that sulfur may overprint the predominant influence of pH on the composition of hydrothermal communities. Together, these observations indicate that the dynamic geological history of EP underpins its unique geochemistry and biodiversity, emphasizing the need to consider the legacy of geologic change when describing processes that shape the assembly of communities. Originality-Significance Statement All environments are geologically dynamic over varying timescales. However, how the legacy of geologic change influences the physical and chemical properties of an environment and how these, in turn, influence the assembly of microbiomes is understudied. Here, we examine the recent geologic history of a well-studied hydrothermal system in Yellowstone National Park and show that its legacy of geologic change led to the development of an unusual sulfur-rich, anoxic chemical environment that supports a unique archaeal-dominated microbiome. The energy metabolism of >96% of the community is supported by anaerobic dissimilation of inorganic sulfur, including that of a novel sulfate reducing thaumarchaote. The results provide new insight into thermophilic sulfur cycling and underscore the need to consider the legacy of geologic and environmental change when describing processes that shape the assembly of communities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}

@article {pmid31396615,
year = {2019},
author = {Sutton, KM and Lahmers, KK and Harris, SP and Wijesena, HR and Mote, BE and Kachman, SD and Borza, T and Ciobanu, DC},
title = {Detection of Atypical Porcine Pestivirus Genome in Newborn Piglets Affected by Congenital Tremor and High Pre-weaning Mortality.},
journal = {Journal of animal science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jas/skz267},
pmid = {31396615},
issn = {1525-3163},
abstract = {Recently, piglets from a high-health status farm began exhibiting congenital tremors, high pre-weaning mortality and incidence of splayed legs. Postmortem histological examination identified a small number of scattered white matter vacuoles in the cerebellum and underlying brainstem of affected piglets. Presence of potential viral sources associated with this neurologic condition was initially infirmed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) for atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), porcine teschovirus, and porcine sapelovirus. Using metagenomic analysis, APPV was identified as the main microbial species in serum obtained from piglets affected by congenital tremor. These piglets had higher pre-weaning mortality rates (46.4% vs 15.3%) and incidence of splayed legs (33.0 % vs 0.8 %) compared to unaffected piglets. Piglets affected by congenital tremor had higher viral titer (P < 0.15) and larger birth weights (P < 0.05) compared to normal litter-mates. Whole genome sequencing and genome assembly of the novel APPV strain (MK728876) was carried out using Oxford Nanopore and related bioinformatics pipelines. Phylogenic analysis demonstrated that this strain along with other completely sequenced APPV strains were grouped into two clades, both including strains inducing congenital tremor. Strains appear to cluster based on region but there were still significant differences within regions. Future research needs to address potential under-diagnosis due to genetic diversity but also to understand mode of transmission, variation in virulence, and the role of host genetics in APPV susceptibility.},
}

@article {pmid31396574,
year = {2019},
author = {Lakin, SM and Kuhnle, A and Alipanahi, B and Noyes, NR and Dean, C and Muggli, M and Raymond, R and Abdo, Z and Prosperi, M and Belk, KE and Morley, PS and Boucher, C},
title = {Hierarchical Hidden Markov models enable accurate and diverse detection of antimicrobial resistance sequences.},
journal = {Communications biology},
volume = {2},
number = {},
pages = {294},
doi = {10.1038/s42003-019-0545-9},
pmid = {31396574},
issn = {2399-3642},
abstract = {The characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes from high-throughput sequencing data has become foundational in public health research and regulation. This requires mapping sequence reads to databases of known antimicrobial resistance genes to determine the genes present in the sample. Mapping sequence reads to known genes is traditionally accomplished using alignment. Alignment methods have high specificity but are limited in their ability to detect sequences that are divergent from the reference database, which can result in a substantial false negative rate. We address this shortcoming through the creation of Meta-MARC, which enables detection of diverse resistance sequences using hierarchical, DNA-based Hidden Markov Models. We first describe Meta-MARC and then demonstrate its efficacy on simulated and functional metagenomic datasets. Meta-MARC has higher sensitivity relative to competing methods. This sensitivity allows for detection of sequences that are divergent from known antimicrobial resistance genes. This functionality is imperative to expanding existing antimicrobial gene databases.},
}

@article {pmid31396439,
year = {2019},
author = {Kauer, RV and Koch, MC and Hierweger, MM and Werder, S and Boujon, CL and Seuberlich, T},
title = {Discovery of novel astrovirus genotype species in small ruminants.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {7},
number = {},
pages = {e7338},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.7338},
pmid = {31396439},
issn = {2167-8359},
abstract = {Astroviruses (AstV) are single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses, best known for causing diarrhea in humans and are also found in many other mammals; in those, the relevance in gastroenteritis remains unclear. Recently described neurotropic AstV showed associations with encephalitis in humans as well as in other mammals. In Switzerland, two different neurotropic AstV were identified in cattle, as well as one in a sheep. The high genetic similarity between the ovine and one of the bovine AstV strengthens the hypothesis of an interspecies transmission. In humans, AstV associated with encephalitis were found also in human stool samples, suggesting that in these patients the infection spreads from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain under certain conditions, such as immunosuppression. Whether a similar pathogenesis occurs in ruminants remains unknown. The aims of this study were (1) the investigation of the potential occurrence of neurotropic AstV in feces samples, (2) the discovery and analysis of so far unknown AstV in small ruminants and other ruminant species' fecal samples and (3) the examination of a potential interspecies transmission of AstV. To achieve these aims, RNA extraction out of 164 fecal samples from different ruminant species was performed and all samples were screened for known neurotropic AstV occurring in Switzerland, as well as for various AstV using RT-PCR. Positive tested samples were submitted to next generation sequencing. The generated sequences were compared to nucleotide- and amino acid databases, virus properties were identified, and phylogenetic analyses as well as recombination analysis were performed. The excretion of neurotropic AstV in small ruminants' feces could not be demonstrated, but this work suggests the first identification of AstV in goats as well as the discovery of multiple and highly diverse new genetic variants in small ruminants, which lead to a classification into novel genotype-species. Additionally, the prediction of multiple recombination events in four of five newly discovered full or almost full-length genome sequences suggests a plausible interspecies transmission. The findings point out the occurrence and fecal shedding of previously unknown AstV in sheep and goats and pave the way towards a better understanding of the diversity and transmission of AstV in small ruminants.},
}

@article {pmid31396180,
year = {2019},
author = {Ward, LM and Cardona, T and Holland-Moritz, H},
title = {Evolutionary Implications of Anoxygenic Phototrophy in the Bacterial Phylum Candidatus Eremiobacterota (WPS-2).},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1658},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01658},
pmid = {31396180},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Genome-resolved environmental metagenomic sequencing has uncovered substantial previously unrecognized microbial diversity relevant for understanding the ecology and evolution of the biosphere, providing a more nuanced view of the distribution and ecological significance of traits including phototrophy across diverse niches. Recently, the capacity for bacteriochlorophyll-based anoxygenic photosynthesis has been proposed in the uncultured bacterial WPS-2 phylum (recently proposed as Candidatus Eremiobacterota) that are in close association with boreal moss. Here, we use phylogenomic analysis to investigate the diversity and evolution of phototrophic WPS-2. We demonstrate that phototrophic WPS-2 show significant genetic and metabolic divergence from other phototrophic and non-phototrophic lineages. The genomes of these organisms encode a new family of anoxygenic Type II photochemical reaction centers and other phototrophy-related proteins that are both phylogenetically and structurally distinct from those found in previously described phototrophs. We propose the name Candidatus Baltobacterales for the order-level aerobic WPS-2 clade which contains phototrophic lineages, from the Greek for "bog" or "swamp," in reference to the typical habitat of phototrophic members of this clade.},
}

@article {pmid31395938,
year = {2019},
author = {Guarino, C and Zuzolo, D and Marziano, M and Conte, B and Baiamonte, G and Morra, L and Benotti, D and Gresia, D and Stacul, ER and Cicchella, D and Sciarrillo, R},
title = {Investigation and Assessment for an effective approach to the reclamation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) contaminated site: SIN Bagnoli, Italy.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {11522},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-48005-7},
pmid = {31395938},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {Native plant species were screened for their remediation potential for the removal of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) contaminated soil of Bagnoli brownfield site (Southern Italy). Soils at this site contain all of the PAHs congeners at concentration levels well above the contamination threshold limits established by Italian environmental legislation for residential/recreational land use, which represent the remediation target. The concentration of 13 High Molecular Weight Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in soil rhizosphere, plants roots and plants leaves was assessed in order to evaluate native plants suitability for a gentle remediation of the study area. Analysis of soil microorganisms are provides important knowledge about bioremediation approach. Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria are the main phyla of bacteria observed in polluted soil. Functional metagenomics showed changes in dioxygenases, laccase, protocatechuate, and benzoate-degrading enzyme genes. Indolacetic acid production, siderophores release, exopolysaccharides production and ammonia production are the key for the selection of the rhizosphere bacterial population. Our data demonstrated that the natural plant-bacteria partnership is the best strategy for the remediation of a PAHs-contaminated soil.},
}

@article {pmid31013927,
year = {2019},
author = {Laitinen, K and Mokkala, K},
title = {Overall Dietary Quality Relates to Gut Microbiota Diversity and Abundance.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {20},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms20081835},
pmid = {31013927},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {#258606//Academy of Finland/ ; -//State research funding for university level health research of the Turku University Hospital Expert Responsibility Area/ ; -//Diabetes Research Foundation/ ; -//Juho Vainio Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Biodiversity ; *Diet ; Disease Susceptibility ; Female ; *Food Quality ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Metagenomics/methods ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Pregnancy ; Public Health Surveillance ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; },
abstract = {Disturbances in gut microbiota homeostasis may have metabolic consequences with potentially serious clinical manifestations. Diet influences the host's metabolic health in several ways, either directly or indirectly by modulating the composition and function of gut microbiota. This study investigated the extent to which dietary quality is reflected in gut microbiota diversity in overweight and obese pregnant women at risk for metabolic complications. Dietary quality was measured by a validated index of diet quality (IDQ) and microbiota composition was analyzed using 16SrRNA gene sequencing from 84 women pregnant less than 18 weeks. The alpha diversity, measured as Chao1, observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs), phylogenetic diversity, and the Shannon index were calculated. The IDQ score correlated positively with the Shannon index (rho = 0.319, p = 0.003), but not with the other indexes. The women who had the highest dietary quality (highest IDQ quartile) had higher gut microbiota diversity in all the investigated indexes, when compared to the women with the lowest dietary quality (lowest IDQ quartile; p < 0.032). Consequently, a higher dietary quality was reflected in a higher gut microbiota diversity. The presented approach may aid in devising new tools for dietary counseling aiming at holistic health, as well as in microbiome studies, to control for dietary variance.},
}

Biodiversity
*Diet
Disease Susceptibility
Female
*Food Quality
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Humans
Metagenomics/methods
Obesity
Overweight
Pregnancy
Public Health Surveillance
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

@article {pmid31394568,
year = {2019},
author = {Sánchez-Quinto, A and Falcón, LI},
title = {Metagenome of Acropora palmata coral rubble: Potential metabolic pathways and diversity in the reef ecosystem.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {e0220117},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0220117},
pmid = {31394568},
issn = {1932-6203},
abstract = {Over the past 30 years, the stony coral Acropora palmata has experienced an excessive loss of individuals showing few signs of recovery throughout the Mexican Caribbean, resulting in long stretches of coral rubble structures. When the coral dies, the skeleton begins to be colonized by algae, sponges, virus, bacteria and other microorganisms, forming a new community. Here we analyze, using a metagenomic approach, the diversity and biogeochemical cycles associated to coral rubble in La Bocana (Puerto Morelos, QRoo, Mexico). This study provides the first broad characterization of coral rubble associated communities and their role in biogeochemical cycling, suggesting a potential view of a world where coral reefs are no longer dominated by corals.},
}

@article {pmid31393615,
year = {2019},
author = {Li, G and Zhou, Z and Yao, L and Xu, Y and Wang, L and Fan, X},
title = {Full annotation of serum virome in Chinese blood donors with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels.},
journal = {Transfusion},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/trf.15476},
pmid = {31393615},
issn = {1537-2995},
support = {AI117128/NIH HHS/National Institutes of Health/United States ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: A serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) test is currently demanded for blood donation in China. One of the major reasons to include such a test is possible etiology of known or unknown hepatotropic viruses. However, this hypothesis has never been examined convincingly.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study recruited 90 Chinese blood donors that were divided into three groups based on their ALT values. Serum virome from these donors was explored using a metagenomics approach with enhanced sensitivity resolved at single sequencing reads.

RESULTS: Anellovirus and pegivirus C (GBV-C) were detected among these donors. None of them were found solely in donors with abnormal liver enzyme. Anellovirus was highly prevalent (93.3%) and the co-infection with multiple genera (alpha, beta, and gammatorquevirus) were more common in the donors with normal ALT values in comparison to those with elevated ALT (single/double/triple Anellovirus genera, 1/3/24 vs. 7/7/14 or 6/7/13, p = 0.009). For unmapped reads that accounted for 15 ± 14.9% of the data, similarity-based (BLASTN, BLASTP, and HMMER3) and similarity-independent (k-mer frequency) analysis identified several circular rep encoding ssDNA (CRESS-DNA) genomes. Direct PCR testing indicated these genomes were likely reagent contaminants.

CONCLUSION: Viral etiology is not responsible for elevated ALT levels in Chinese blood donors. The ALT test, if not abandoned, should be adjusted for its cutoff in response to donor shortage in China.},
}

@article {pmid31392612,
year = {2019},
author = {Kori, JA and Mahar, RB and Vistro, MR and Tariq, H and Khan, IA and Goel, R},
title = {Metagenomic analysis of drinking water samples collected from treatment plants of Hyderabad City and Mehran University Employees Cooperative Housing Society.},
journal = {Environmental science and pollution research international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s11356-019-05859-8},
pmid = {31392612},
issn = {1614-7499},
support = {-//Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (PK)/ ; },
abstract = {The quality assessment of water, supplied to the end user, is an essential part to assess the physical, chemical, and biological status of water, which impacts on human health. For the quality assessment of drinking water treatment plants and distribution systems of Hyderabad City and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan, 13 surface drinking water samples were collected from three treatment plants, two of Hyderabad City, including WASA treatment plant and its distribution system (n = 5), Hala Nakka treatment plant and its distribution system (n = 6), and Mehran University Employees Cooperative Housing Society (MUECHS) treatment plant and its distribution system (n = 2). Physicochemical parameters of all drinking water samples were in the range compared to EPA and WHO guidelines, except in L-12 sample. Notably, no free-chlorine was detected in all samples. In metagenomics analysis, targeting V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA gene, in QIIME2 environment, high bacterial prevalence was observed in all samples. On average, 348 OTUs were observed per sample. Among all samples, treated water sample from the Hala Nakka Treatment Plant (HNTR) was the most diverse sample in bacterial composition (Shannon 7.51 and Simpsons reciprocal indices 0.98). Overall, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, and Actinobacteria were the five most abundant phyla (relative abundances of 43.6, 37.9, 8.5, 2.5, and 2.4 percent, respectively). Notably, Cyanobacteria are well-known toxin producers which effect the human, and animal health. At genus level, Flavobacterium (4.86%) and Aquirestis (3.77%) were the most abundant genera. Functional predictions, based on 16S rRNA gene by PICRUSt, predicted 6909 KEGG orthologies, relating to 245 KEGG pathways. Among the predicted pathways of KEGG orthologies, pathways to human infections were also found. In conclusion, this study gave a deep insight into bacterial contamination in drinking water samples of Hyderabad City and MUECHS treatment plants and water quality status in Hyderabad and Mehran University of Engineering and Technology.},
}

@article {pmid31392323,
year = {2019},
author = {Hovhannisyan, H and Hafez, A and Llorens, C and Gabaldón, T},
title = {CROSSMAPPER: estimating cross-mapping rates and optimizing experimental design in multi-species sequencing studies.},
journal = {Bioinformatics (Oxford, England)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/bioinformatics/btz626},
pmid = {31392323},
issn = {1367-4811},
abstract = {MOTIVATION: Numerous sequencing studies, including transcriptomics of host-pathogen systems, sequencing of hybrid genomes, xenografts, mixed species systems, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics, involve samples containing genetic material from divergent organisms. A crucial step in these studies is identifying from which organism each sequencing read originated, and the experimental design should be directed to minimize biases caused by cross-mapping of reads to incorrect source genomes. Additionally, pooling of sufficiently different genetic material into a single sequencing library could significantly reduce experimental costs but requires careful planning and assessment of the impact of cross-mapping. Having these applications in mind we designed Crossmapper, the first to our knowledge tool able to assess cross-mapping prior to sequencing, therefore allowing optimization of experimental design.

RESULTS: Using any combination of reference genomes, Crossmapper performs read simulation and back-mapping of those reads to the pool of references, quantifies and reports the cross-mapping rates for each organism. Crossmapper performs these analyses with numerous user-specified parameters, including, among others, read length, read layout, coverage, mapping parameters, genomic or transcriptomic data. Additionally, it outputs the results in highly interactive and publication-ready reports. This allows the user to perform multiple comparisons at once and choose the experimental setup minimizing cross-mapping rates. Moreover, Crossmapper can be used for resource optimization in sequencing facilities by pooling different samples into one sequencing library.

AVAILABILITY: Crossmapper is a command line tool implemented in Python 3.6 and available as a conda package, allowing effortless installation. The source code, detailed information and a step-by-step tutorial is available at our GitHub page https://github.com/Gabaldonlab/crossmapper.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.},
}

@article {pmid31392094,
year = {2019},
author = {Ai, D and Pan, H and Li, X and Wu, M and Xia, LC},
title = {Association network analysis identifies enzymatic components of gut microbiota that significantly differ between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {7},
number = {},
pages = {e7315},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.7315},
pmid = {31392094},
issn = {2167-8359},
abstract = {The human gut microbiota plays a major role in maintaining human health and was recently recognized as a promising target for disease prevention and treatment. Many diseases are traceable to microbiota dysbiosis, implicating altered gut microbial ecosystems, or, in many cases, disrupted microbial enzymes carrying out essential physio-biochemical reactions. Thus, the changes of essential microbial enzyme levels may predict human disorders. With the rapid development of high-throughput sequencing technologies, metagenomics analysis has emerged as an important method to explore the microbial communities in the human body, as well as their functionalities. In this study, we analyzed 156 gut metagenomics samples from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and adenoma, as well as that from healthy controls. We estimated the abundance of microbial enzymes using the HMP Unified Metabolic Analysis Network method and identified the differentially abundant enzymes between CRCs and controls. We constructed enzymatic association networks using the extended local similarity analysis algorithm. We identified CRC-associated enzymic changes by analyzing the topological features of the enzymatic association networks, including the clustering coefficient, the betweenness centrality, and the closeness centrality of network nodes. The network topology of enzymatic association network exhibited a difference between the healthy and the CRC environments. The ABC (ATP binding cassette) transporter and small subunit ribosomal protein S19 enzymes, had the highest clustering coefficient in the healthy enzymatic networks. In contrast, the Adenosylhomocysteinase enzyme had the highest clustering coefficient in the CRC enzymatic networks. These enzymic and metabolic differences may serve as risk predictors for CRCs and are worthy of further research.},
}

@article {pmid29771380,
year = {2018},
author = {Zhang, H and Yohe, T and Huang, L and Entwistle, S and Wu, P and Yang, Z and Busk, PK and Xu, Y and Yin, Y},
title = {dbCAN2: a meta server for automated carbohydrate-active enzyme annotation.},
journal = {Nucleic acids research},
volume = {46},
number = {W1},
pages = {W95-W101},
pmid = {29771380},
issn = {1362-4962},
support = {R15 GM114706/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Carbohydrate Metabolism/*genetics ; Carbohydrates/*genetics ; Data Mining ; *Databases, Genetic ; Genome, Bacterial/genetics ; Genome, Fungal/genetics ; Genome, Plant/genetics ; Glycoside Hydrolases/chemistry/*genetics ; Metagenome/genetics ; Molecular Sequence Annotation ; Plants/enzymology/genetics ; },
abstract = {Complex carbohydrates of plants are the main food sources of animals and microbes, and serve as promising renewable feedstock for biofuel and biomaterial production. Carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) are the most important enzymes for complex carbohydrate metabolism. With an increasing number of plant and plant-associated microbial genomes and metagenomes being sequenced, there is an urgent need of automatic tools for genomic data mining of CAZymes. We developed the dbCAN web server in 2012 to provide a public service for automated CAZyme annotation for newly sequenced genomes. Here, dbCAN2 (http://cys.bios.niu.edu/dbCAN2) is presented as an updated meta server, which integrates three state-of-the-art tools for CAZome (all CAZymes of a genome) annotation: (i) HMMER search against the dbCAN HMM (hidden Markov model) database; (ii) DIAMOND search against the CAZy pre-annotated CAZyme sequence database and (iii) Hotpep search against the conserved CAZyme short peptide database. Combining the three outputs and removing CAZymes found by only one tool can significantly improve the CAZome annotation accuracy. In addition, dbCAN2 now also accepts nucleotide sequence submission, and offers the service to predict physically linked CAZyme gene clusters (CGCs), which will be a very useful online tool for identifying putative polysaccharide utilization loci (PULs) in microbial genomes or metagenomes.},
}

Carbohydrate Metabolism/*genetics
Carbohydrates/*genetics
Data Mining
*Databases, Genetic
Genome, Bacterial/genetics
Genome, Fungal/genetics
Genome, Plant/genetics
Glycoside Hydrolases/chemistry/*genetics
Metagenome/genetics
Molecular Sequence Annotation
Plants/enzymology/genetics

@article {pmid31388591,
year = {2019},
author = {Agyirifo, DS and Wamalwa, M and Otwe, EP and Galyuon, I and Runo, S and Takrama, J and Ngeranwa, J},
title = {Metagenomics analysis of cocoa bean fermentation microbiome identifying species diversity and putative functional capabilities.},
journal = {Heliyon},
volume = {5},
number = {7},
pages = {e02170},
doi = {10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02170},
pmid = {31388591},
issn = {2405-8440},
abstract = {Fermentation of Theobroma cacao L. beans is the most critical stage in the production of cocoa products such as chocolates and its derivatives. There is a limited understanding of the complex response of microbial diversity during cocoa bean fermentation. The aim of the present study was to investigate microbial communities in the cocoa bean fermentation heap using a culture-independent approach to elucidate microbial diversity, structure, functional annotation and mapping unto metabolic pathways. Genomic DNA was extracted and purified from a sample of cocoa beans fermentation heap and was followed by library preparations. Sequence data was generated on Illumina Hiseq 2000 paired-end technology (Macrogen Inc). Taxonomic analysis based on genes predicted from the metagenome identified a high percentage of Bacteria (90.0%), Yeast (9%), and bacteriophages (1%) from the cocoa microbiome. Lactobacillus (20%), Gluconacetobacter (9%), Acetobacter (7%) and Gluconobacter (6%) dominated this study. The mean species diversity, measured by Shannon alpha-diversity index, was estimated at 142.81. Assignment of metagenomic sequences to SEED database categories at 97% sequence similarity identified a genetic profile characteristic of heterotrophic lactic acid fermentation of carbohydrates and aromatic amino acids. Metabolism of aromatic compounds, amino acids and their derivatives and carbohydrates occupied 0.6%, 8% and 13% respectively. Overall, these results provide insights into the cocoa microbiome, identifying fermentation processes carried out broadly by complex microbial communities and metabolic pathways encoding aromatic compounds such as phenylacetaldehyde, butanediol, acetoin, and theobromine that are required for flavour and aroma production. The results obtained will help develop targeted inoculations to produce desired chocolate flavour or targeted metabolic pathways for the selection of microbes for good aroma and flavour compounds formation.},
}

@article {pmid31388474,
year = {2019},
author = {Kang, DD and Li, F and Kirton, E and Thomas, A and Egan, R and An, H and Wang, Z},
title = {MetaBAT 2: an adaptive binning algorithm for robust and efficient genome reconstruction from metagenome assemblies.},
journal = {PeerJ},
volume = {7},
number = {},
pages = {e7359},
doi = {10.7717/peerj.7359},
pmid = {31388474},
issn = {2167-8359},
abstract = {We previously reported on MetaBAT, an automated metagenome binning software tool to reconstruct single genomes from microbial communities for subsequent analyses of uncultivated microbial species. MetaBAT has become one of the most popular binning tools largely due to its computational efficiency and ease of use, especially in binning experiments with a large number of samples and a large assembly. MetaBAT requires users to choose parameters to fine-tune its sensitivity and specificity. If those parameters are not chosen properly, binning accuracy can suffer, especially on assemblies of poor quality. Here, we developed MetaBAT 2 to overcome this problem. MetaBAT 2 uses a new adaptive binning algorithm to eliminate manual parameter tuning. We also performed extensive software engineering optimization to increase both computational and memory efficiency. Comparing MetaBAT 2 to alternative software tools on over 100 real world metagenome assemblies shows superior accuracy and computing speed. Binning a typical metagenome assembly takes only a few minutes on a single commodity workstation. We therefore recommend the community adopts MetaBAT 2 for their metagenome binning experiments. MetaBAT 2 is open source software and available at https://bitbucket.org/berkeleylab/metabat.},
}

@article {pmid31387934,
year = {2019},
author = {Ziels, RM and Nobu, MK and Sousa, DZ},
title = {Elucidating Syntrophic Butyrate-Degrading Populations in Anaerobic Digesters Using Stable-Isotope-Informed Genome-Resolved Metagenomics.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {4},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/mSystems.00159-19},
pmid = {31387934},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Linking the genomic content of uncultivated microbes to their metabolic functions remains a critical challenge in microbial ecology. Resolving this challenge has implications for improving our management of key microbial interactions in biotechnologies such as anaerobic digestion, which relies on slow-growing syntrophic and methanogenic communities to produce renewable methane from organic waste. In this study, we combined DNA stable-isotope probing (SIP) with genome-centric metagenomics to recover the genomes of populations enriched in 13C after growing on [13C]butyrate. Differential abundance analysis of recovered genomic bins across the SIP metagenomes identified two metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that were significantly enriched in heavy [13C]DNA. Phylogenomic analysis assigned one MAG to the genus Syntrophomonas and the other MAG to the genus Methanothrix. Metabolic reconstruction of the annotated genomes showed that the Syntrophomonas genome encoded all the enzymes for beta-oxidizing butyrate, as well as several mechanisms for interspecies electron transfer via electron transfer flavoproteins, hydrogenases, and formate dehydrogenases. The Syntrophomonas genome shared low average nucleotide identity (<95%) with any cultured representative species, indicating that it is a novel species that plays a significant role in syntrophic butyrate degradation within anaerobic digesters. The Methanothrix genome contained the complete pathway for acetoclastic methanogenesis, indicating that it was enriched in 13C from syntrophic acetate transfer. This study demonstrates the potential of stable-isotope-informed genome-resolved metagenomics to identify in situ interspecies metabolic cooperation within syntrophic consortia important to anaerobic waste treatment as well as global carbon cycling.IMPORTANCE Predicting the metabolic potential and ecophysiology of mixed microbial communities remains a major challenge, especially for slow-growing anaerobes that are difficult to isolate. Unraveling the in situ metabolic activities of uncultured species may enable a more descriptive framework to model substrate transformations by microbiomes, which has broad implications for advancing the fields of biotechnology, global biogeochemistry, and human health. Here, we investigated the in situ function of mixed microbiomes by combining stable-isotope probing with metagenomics to identify the genomes of active syntrophic populations converting butyrate, a C4 fatty acid, into methane within anaerobic digesters. This approach thus moves beyond the mere presence of metabolic genes to resolve "who is doing what" by obtaining confirmatory assimilation of the labeled substrate into the DNA signature. Our findings provide a framework to further link the genomic identities of uncultured microbes with their ecological function within microbiomes driving many important biotechnological and global processes.},
}

@article {pmid31387933,
year = {2019},
author = {Joseph, SM and Battaglia, T and Maritz, JM and Carlton, JM and Blaser, MJ},
title = {Longitudinal Comparison of Bacterial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in New York City Sewage.},
journal = {mSystems},
volume = {4},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/mSystems.00327-19},
pmid = {31387933},
issn = {2379-5077},
abstract = {Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a pressing health issue around the world, not only in health care settings but also in the community and environment, particularly in crowded urban populations. The aim of our work was to characterize the microbial populations in sewage and the spread of antibiotic resistance within New York City (NYC). Here, we investigated the structure of the microbiome and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in raw sewage samples collected from the fourteen NYC Department of Environmental Protection wastewater treatment plants, distributed across the five NYC boroughs. Sewage, a direct output of anthropogenic activity and a reservoir of microbes, provides an ecological niche to examine the spread of antibiotic resistance. Taxonomic diversity analysis revealed a largely similar and stable bacterial population structure across all the samples, which was found to be similar over three time points in an annual cycle, as well as in the five NYC boroughs. All samples were positive for the presence of the seven antibiotic resistance genes tested, based on real-time quantitative PCR assays, with higher levels observed for tetracycline resistance genes at all time points. For five of the seven genes, abundances were significantly higher in May than in February and August. This study provides characteristics of the NYC sewage resistome in the context of the overall bacterial populations.IMPORTANCE Urban sewage or wastewater is a diverse source of bacterial growth, as well as a hot spot for the development of environmental antibiotic resistance, which can in turn influence the health of the residents of the city. As part of a larger study to characterize the urban New York City microbial metagenome, we collected raw sewage samples representing three seasonal time points spanning the five boroughs of NYC and went on to characterize the microbiome and the presence of a range of antibiotic resistance genes. Through this study, we have established a baseline microbial population and antibiotic resistance abundance in NYC sewage which can prove to be very useful in studying the load of antibiotic usage, as well as for developing effective measures in antibiotic stewardship.},
}

@article {pmid31387630,
year = {2019},
author = {Zhu, Z and Ren, J and Michail, S and Sun, F},
title = {MicroPro: using metagenomic unmapped reads to provide insights into human microbiota and disease associations.},
journal = {Genome biology},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {154},
doi = {10.1186/s13059-019-1773-5},
pmid = {31387630},
issn = {1474-760X},
support = {DMS-1518001//National Science Foundation/ ; R01GM120624/NIH HHS/National Institutes of Health/United States ; R01HD081197/NIH HHS/National Institutes of Health/United States ; },
abstract = {We develop a metagenomic data analysis pipeline, MicroPro, that takes into account all reads from known and unknown microbial organisms and associates viruses with complex diseases. We utilize MicroPro to analyze four metagenomic datasets relating to colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes, and liver cirrhosis and show that including reads from unknown organisms significantly increases the prediction accuracy of the disease status for three of the four datasets. We identify new microbial organisms associated with these diseases and show viruses play important prediction roles in colorectal cancer and liver cirrhosis, but not in type 2 diabetes. MicroPro is freely available at https://github.com/zifanzhu/MicroPro .},
}

@article {pmid31387544,
year = {2019},
author = {Qi, K and Men, X and Wu, J and Xu, Z},
title = {Rearing pattern alters porcine myofiber type, fat deposition, associated microbial communities and functional capacity.},
journal = {BMC microbiology},
volume = {19},
number = {1},
pages = {181},
doi = {10.1186/s12866-019-1556-x},
pmid = {31387544},
issn = {1471-2180},
support = {Grant No. 2016C02054//Zhejiang Major Scientific and Technological Projects for Breeding of New Breed of Livestock and Poultry/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Chinese believe that the meat of pigs reared in the past with free range tastes better than that of the pigs reared indoor on a large scale today. Gastrointestinal microflora is closely associated with the main factor of meat flavour, including fibre characteristics and lipid metabolism. Our method in this study involved different raising patterns within the semi free-grazing farm (FF) or indoor feeding farm (DF), the measurement of fat deposition and myofiber type by paraffin section and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the identification of microbiome and functional capacities associated with meat quality through metagenomic sequencing.

RESULTS: Results showed that the fat area in muscle and adipose tissue and the myofiber density significantly increased in the pigs of the FF group. The relative abundance of bacteria associated with lipid metabolism, such as g_Oscillibacter, in the feces of the FF group was higher than that in DF group, and the relative abundance of some bacteria with probiotic function, including g_Lactobacillus and g_Clostridium, was lower than that in DF group. The abundance of g_Clostridium was significantly positively correlated with the intramuscular fat area, whereas health-related bacteria, such as g_Butyricicoccus, g_Eubacterium, g_Phascolarctobacterium and g_Oribacterium, was significantly negatively correlated with abdominal fat area, myofiber density and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) mRNA expression. KEGG analysis showed that pigs raised in semi free-grazing farm can activate the pathway of inosine monophosphate (IMP) biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS: Free range feeding improves meat quality by changing the fibre type, myofiber density and metabolic pathways related to flavour amino acids, IMP or glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in muscle. However, prolonged feeding cycle increases fat deposition and associated microbial communities.},
}

@article {pmid31385886,
year = {2019},
author = {Fishman, JA},
title = {Infection in xenotransplantation: opportunities and challenges.},
journal = {Current opinion in organ transplantation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/MOT.0000000000000682},
pmid = {31385886},
issn = {1531-7013},
abstract = {PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Posttransplantation infections are common. It is anticipated that infection will be no less common in xenotransplantation recipients. Prolonged xenograft survivals have resulted from advances in immunosuppressive strategies and development of swine that decrease host immune responses via genetic manipulation, notably CRISPR/cas9 manipulation. As prospects for clinical trials improve, consideration of the unique infectious risks posed by xenotransplantation reemerge.

RECENT FINDINGS: Organisms likely to cause infection in human recipients of porcine xenografts are unknown in advance of clinical trials. Microbiological screening of swine intended as xenograft donors can be more intensive than is currently feasible for human allograft donors. Monitoring infection in recipients will also be more intensive. Key opportunities in infectious diseases of xenotransplantation include major technological advances in evaluation of the microbiome by unbiased metagenomic sequencing, assessments of some risks posed by porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) including antiretroviral susceptibilities, availability of swine with deletion of genomic PERVs, and recognition of the rapidly changing epidemiology of infection in swine worldwide.

SUMMARY: Unknown infectious risks in xenotransplantation requires application of advanced microbiological techniques to discern and prevent infection in graft recipients. Clinical trials will provide an opportunity to advance the safety of all of organ transplantation.},
}

@article {pmid31385056,
year = {2019},
author = {Ellilä, S and Bromann, P and Nyyssönen, M and Itävaara, M and Koivula, A and Paulin, L and Kruus, K},
title = {Cloning of novel bacterial xylanases from lignocellulose-enriched compost metagenomic libraries.},
journal = {AMB Express},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {124},
doi = {10.1186/s13568-019-0847-9},
pmid = {31385056},
issn = {2191-0855},
support = {222699//Seventh Framework Programme/ ; 211863//Seventh Framework Programme/ ; 40148/07//Tekes (FI)/ ; },
abstract = {Xylanases are in important class of industrial enzymes that are essential for the complete hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. In the present study, we report the cloning of novel xylanases with interesting properties from compost metagenomics libraries. Controlled composting of lignocellulosic materials was used to enrich the microbial population in lignocellulolytic organisms. DNA extracted from the compost samples was used to construct metagenomics libraries, which were screened for xylanase activity. In total, 40 clones exhibiting xylanase activity were identified and the thermostability of the discovered xylanases was assayed directly from the library clones. Five genes, including one belonging to the more rare family GH8, were selected for subcloning and the enzymes were expressed in recombinant form in E. coli. Preliminary characterization of the metagenome-derived xylanases revealed interesting properties of the novel enzymes, such as high thermostability and specific activity, and differences in hydrolysis profiles. One enzyme was found to perform better than a standard Trichoderma reesei xylanase in the hydrolysis of lignocellulose at elevated temperatures.},
}

@article {pmid31384705,
year = {2019},
author = {Brun, P},
title = {The profiles of dysbiotic microbial communities.},
journal = {AIMS microbiology},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {87-101},
doi = {10.3934/microbiol.2019.1.87},
pmid = {31384705},
issn = {2471-1888},
abstract = {Alterations in the human gut microbiota play an important role in disease pathogenesis. Although next-generation sequencing has provided observational evidence linking shifts in gut microbiota composition to alterations in the human host, underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Metabolites generated within complex microbial communities and at the crossroads with host cells may be able to explain the impact of the gut microbiome on human homeostasis. Emerging technologies including novel culturing protocols, microfluidic systems, engineered organoids, and single-cell imaging approaches are providing new perspectives from which the gut microbiome can be studied paving the way to new diagnostic markers and personalized therapeutic interventions.},
}

@article {pmid31384702,
year = {2019},
author = {MacLeod, F and Kindler, GS and Wong, HL and Chen, R and Burns, BP},
title = {Asgard archaea: Diversity, function, and evolutionary implications in a range of microbiomes.},
journal = {AIMS microbiology},
volume = {5},
number = {1},
pages = {48-61},
doi = {10.3934/microbiol.2019.1.48},
pmid = {31384702},
issn = {2471-1888},
abstract = {Elucidating the diversity of the Archaea has many important ecological and evolutionary implications. The Asgard superphylum of the archaea, described recently from metagenomic data, has reignited the decades-old debate surrounding the topology of the tree of life. This review synthesizes recent findings through publicly available genomes and literature to describe the current ecological and evolutionary significance of the Asgard superphylum. Asgard archaea have been found in a diverse range of microbiomes across the globe, primarily from sedimentary environments. Within these environments, positive correlations between specific members of the Asgard archaea and Candidate Division TA06 bacteria have been observed, opening up the possibility of symbiotic interactions between the groupings. Asgard archaeal genomes encode functionally diverse metabolic pathways, including the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway as a carbon-fixation strategy, putative nucleotide salvaging pathways, and novel mechanisms of phototrophy including new rhodopsins. Asgard archaea also appear to be active in nitrogen cycling. Asgard archaea encode genes involved in both dissimilatory nitrate reduction and denitrification, and for the potential to use atmospheric nitrogen or nitrite as nitrogen sources. Asgard archaea also may be involved in the transformation of sulfur compounds, indicating a putative role in sulfur cycling. To date, all Asgard archaeal genomes identified were described as obligately anaerobic. The Asgard archaea also appear to have important evolutionary implications. The presence of eukaryotic signature proteins and the affiliation of Asgard archaea in phylogenetic analyses appears to support two-domain topologies of the tree of life with eukaryotes emerging from within the domain of archaea, as opposed to the eukaryotes being a separate domain of life. Thus far, Heimdallarchaeota appears as the closest archaeal relative of eukaryotes.},
}

@article {pmid31384290,
year = {2019},
author = {Krystel, J and Shi, Q and Shaw, J and Gupta, G and Hall, D and Stover, E},
title = {An in vitro protocol for rapidly assessing the effects of antimicrobial compounds on the unculturable bacterial plant pathogen, Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus.},
journal = {Plant methods},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {85},
doi = {10.1186/s13007-019-0465-1},
pmid = {31384290},
issn = {1746-4811},
abstract = {Background: Most bacteria are not culturable, but can be identified through molecular methods such as metagenomics studies. Due to specific metabolic requirements and symbiotic relationships, these bacteria cannot survive on typical laboratory media. Many economically and medically important bacteria are unculturable; including phloem-limited plant pathogens like Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). CLas is the most impactful pathogen on citrus production, is vectored by the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP, Diaphorina citri), and lacks an effective treatment or resistant cultivars. Research into CLas pathogenicity and therapy has been hindered by the lack of persistent pure cultures. Work to date has been mostly limited to in planta studies that are time and resource intensive.

Results: We developed and optimized an in vitro protocol to quickly test the effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents against CLas. The assay uses intact bacterial cells contained in homogenized tissue from CLas-infected ACP and a propidium monoazide (PMA) assay to measure antimicrobial activity. The applicability of PMA was evaluated; with the ability to differentiate between intact and disrupted CLas cells confirmed using multiple bactericidal treatments. We identified light activation conditions to prevent PCR interference and identified a suitable positive control for nearly complete CLas disruption (0.1% Triton-X 100). Isolation buffer components were optimized with 72 mM salt mixture, 1 mM phosphate buffer and 1% glycerol serving to minimize unwanted interactions with treatment and PMA chemistries and to maximize recovery of intact CLas cells. The mature protocol was used to compare a panel of peptides already under study for potential CLas targeting bactericidal activity and identify which were most effective.

Conclusion: This psyllid homogenate assay allows for a quick assessment of potential CLas-disrupting peptides. Comparison within a uniform isolate largely eliminates experimental error arising from variation in CLas titer between and within individual host organisms. Use of an intact vs. disrupted assay permits direct assessment of potential therapeutic compounds without generating pure cultures or conducting extensive in planta or field studies.},
}

@article {pmid31383265,
year = {2019},
author = {Mitchell, SL and Simner, PJ},
title = {Next-Generation Sequencing in Clinical Microbiology: Are We There Yet?.},
journal = {Clinics in laboratory medicine},
volume = {39},
number = {3},
pages = {405-418},
doi = {10.1016/j.cll.2019.05.003},
pmid = {31383265},
issn = {1557-9832},
abstract = {Next-generation sequencing (NGS) applications have been transitioning from research tools to diagnostic methods and are becoming more commonplace in clinical microbiology laboratories. These applications include (1) whole-genome sequencing, (2) targeted next-generation sequencing methods, and (3) metagenomic next-generation sequencing. The introduction of these methods into the clinical microbiology laboratory has led to the theoretic question of "Will NGS-based methods supplant traditional methods for strain typing, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility prediction?" The authors address this question and discuss where we are at now with clinical NGS applications for infectious diseases, what does the future hold, and at what cost?},
}

@article {pmid31382446,
year = {2019},
author = {Fontenele, RS and Lacorte, C and Lamas, NS and Schmidlin, K and Varsani, A and Ribeiro, SG},
title = {Single Stranded DNA Viruses Associated with Capybara Faeces Sampled in Brazil.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {11},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/v11080710},
pmid = {31382446},
issn = {1999-4915},
support = {internal//EMBRAPA/ ; 314732/2014-4//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; },
abstract = {Capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), the world's largest rodents, are distributed throughout South America. These wild herbivores are commonly found near water bodies and are well adapted to rural and urban areas. There is limited information on the viruses circulating through capybaras. This study aimed to expand the knowledge on the viral diversity associated with capybaras by sampling their faeces. Using a viral metagenomics approach, we identified diverse single-stranded DNA viruses in the capybara faeces sampled in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. A total of 148 complete genomes of viruses in the Microviridae family were identified. In addition, 14 genomoviruses (family Genomoviridae), a novel cyclovirus (family Circoviridae), and a smacovirus (family Smacoviridae) were identified. Also, 37 diverse viruses that cannot be assigned to known families and more broadly referred to as unclassified circular replication associated protein encoding single-stranded (CRESS) DNA viruses were identified. This study provides a snapshot of the viral diversity associated with capybaras that may be infectious to these animals or associated with their microbiota or diet.},
}

@article {pmid31382148,
year = {2019},
author = {Liu, F and Zhang, Y and Liang, H and Gao, D},
title = {Long-term harvesting of reeds affects greenhouse gas emissions and microbial functional genes in alkaline wetlands.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {164},
number = {},
pages = {114936},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2019.114936},
pmid = {31382148},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Reed (Phragmites australis) is dominant vegetation in alkaline wetlands that is harvested annually due to its economic value. To reveal the effects of harvesting reeds on the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), the annual soil physicochemical characteristics and flux of GHGs in a reed wetland without harvesting (NHRW) and with harvesting (HRW) were measured. The results showed that after the harvesting of reeds, the total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) significantly decreased, and soil temperature significantly increased. The annual cumulative N2O emissions decreased from 0.73 ± 0.20 kg ha-1 to -0.57 ± 0.49 kg ha-1 with the harvesting of reeds. The annual cumulative CH4 emissions also decreased from 561.88 ± 18.61 kg ha-1 to 183.13 ± 18.77 kg ha-1 with the harvesting of reeds. However, harvesting of reeds had only a limited influence on the annual cumulative CO2 emissions. A Pearson correlation analysis revealed that the CO2 and N2O emissions were more sensitive to temperature than the CH4 emissions. Both structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis and slurry incubation confirmed that higher temperatures offset the reduction of CO2 emissions after reed harvesting. Metagenomics showed that the abundance of functional genes involved in both GHG sink and source decreased with reed harvesting. This study presents a comprehensive view of reed harvesting on GHG emissions in alkaline wetlands, yielding new insight into the microbial response and offering a novel perspective on the potential impacts of wetland management.},
}

@article {pmid31380386,
year = {2019},
author = {Attwood, GT and Wakelin, SA and Leahy, SC and Rowe, S and Clarke, S and Chapman, DF and Muirhead, R and Jacobs, JME},
title = {Applications of the Soil, Plant and Rumen Microbiomes in Pastoral Agriculture.},
journal = {Frontiers in nutrition},
volume = {6},
number = {},
pages = {107},
doi = {10.3389/fnut.2019.00107},
pmid = {31380386},
issn = {2296-861X},
abstract = {The production of dairy, meat, and fiber by ruminant animals relies on the biological processes occurring in soils, forage plants, and the animals' rumens. Each of these components has an associated microbiome, and these have traditionally been viewed as distinct ecosystems. However, these microbiomes operate under similar ecological principles and are connected via water, energy flows, and the carbon and nitrogen nutrient cycles. Here, we summarize the microbiome research that has been done in each of these three environments (soils, forage plants, animals' rumen) and investigate what additional benefits may be possible through understanding the interactions between the various microbiomes. The challenge for future research is to enhance microbiome function by appropriate matching of plant and animal genotypes with the environment to improve the output and environmental sustainability of pastoral agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid31380022,
year = {2019},
author = {Lavy, A and McGrath, DG and Matheus Carnevali, PB and Wan, J and Dong, W and Tokunaga, TK and Thomas, BC and Williams, KH and Hubbard, SS and Banfield, JF},
title = {Microbial communities across a hillslope-riparian transect shaped by proximity to the stream, groundwater table, and weathered bedrock.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {9},
number = {12},
pages = {6869-6900},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.5254},
pmid = {31380022},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Watersheds are important suppliers of freshwater for human societies. Within mountainous watersheds, microbial communities impact water chemistry and element fluxes as water from precipitation events discharge through soils and underlying weathered rock, yet there is limited information regarding the structure and function of these communities. Within the East River, CO watershed, we conducted a depth-resolved, hillslope to riparian zone transect study to identify factors that control how microorganisms are distributed and their functions. Metagenomic and geochemical analyses indicate that distance from the East River and proximity to groundwater and underlying weathered shale strongly impact microbial community structure and metabolic potential. Riparian zone microbial communities are compositionally distinct, from the phylum down to the species level, from all hillslope communities. Bacteria from phyla lacking isolated representatives consistently increase in abundance with increasing depth, but only in the riparian zone saturated sediments we found Candidate Phyla Radiation bacteria. Riparian zone microbial communities are functionally differentiated from hillslope communities based on their capacities for carbon and nitrogen fixation and sulfate reduction. Selenium reduction is prominent at depth in weathered shale and saturated riparian zone sediments and could impact water quality. We anticipate that the drivers of community composition and metabolic potential identified throughout the studied transect will predict patterns across the larger watershed hillslope system.},
}

@article {pmid31379808,
year = {2019},
author = {Dhakal, S and Wang, L and Antony, L and Rank, J and Bernardo, P and Ghimire, S and Bondra, K and Siems, C and Lakshmanappa, YS and Renu, S and Hogshead, B and Krakowka, S and Kauffman, M and Scaria, J and LeJeune, JT and Yu, Z and Renukaradhya, GJ},
title = {Amish (Rural) vs. non-Amish (Urban) Infant Fecal Microbiotas Are Highly Diverse and Their Transplantation Lead to Differences in Mucosal Immune Maturation in a Humanized Germfree Piglet Model.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1509},
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2019.01509},
pmid = {31379808},
issn = {1664-3224},
abstract = {The gut microbiome plays an important role in the immune system development, maintenance of normal health status, and in disease progression. In this study, we comparatively examined the fecal microbiomes of Amish (rural) and non-Amish (urban) infants and investigated how they could affect the mucosal immune maturation in germ-free piglets that were inoculated with the two types of infant fecal microbiota (IFM). Differences in microbiome diversity and structure were noted between the two types of fecal microbiotas. The fecal microbiota of the non-Amish (urban) infants had a greater relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes phyla, while that of the Amish (rural) counterparts was dominated by Firmicutes. Amish infants had greater species richness compared with the non-Amish infants' microbiota. The fecal microbiotas of the Amish and the non-Amish infants were successfully transplanted into germ-free piglets, and the diversity and structure of the microbiota in the transplanted piglets remained similar at phylum level but not at the genus level. Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) based on Weighted-UniFrac distance revealed distinct microbiota structure in the intestines of the transplanted piglets. Shotgun metagenomic analysis also revealed clear differences in functional diversity of fecal microbiome between Amish and non-Amish donors as well as microbiota transplanted piglets. Specific functional features were enriched in either of the microbiota transplanted piglet groups directly corresponding to the predominance of certain bacterial populations in their gut environment. Some of the colonized bacterial genera were correlated with the frequency of important lymphoid and myeloid immune cells in the ileal submucosa and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), both important for mucosal immune maturation. Overall, this study demonstrated that transplantation of diverse IFM into germ-free piglets largely recapitulates the differences in gut microbiota structure between rural (Amish) and urban (non-Amish) infants. Thus, fecal microbiota transplantation to germ-free piglets could be a useful large animal model system for elucidating the impact of gut microbiota on the mucosal immune system development. Future studies can focus on determining the additional advantages of the pig model over the rodent model.},
}

@article {pmid31379798,
year = {2019},
author = {Vigneron, A and Lovejoy, C and Cruaud, P and Kalenitchenko, D and Culley, A and Vincent, WF},
title = {Contrasting Winter Versus Summer Microbial Communities and Metabolic Functions in a Permafrost Thaw Lake.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {1656},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2019.01656},
pmid = {31379798},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Permafrost thawing results in the formation of thermokarst lakes, which are biogeochemical hotspots in northern landscapes and strong emitters of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere. Most studies of thermokarst lakes have been in summer, despite the predominance of winter and ice-cover over much of the year, and the microbial ecology of these waters under ice remains poorly understood. Here we first compared the summer versus winter microbiomes of a subarctic thermokarst lake using DNA- and RNA-based 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and qPCR. We then applied comparative metagenomics and used genomic bin reconstruction to compare the two seasons for changes in potential metabolic functions in the thermokarst lake microbiome. In summer, the microbial community was dominated by Actinobacteria and Betaproteobacteria, with phototrophic and aerobic pathways consistent with the utilization of labile and photodegraded substrates. The microbial community was strikingly different in winter, with dominance of methanogens, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi and Deltaproteobacteria, along with various taxa of the Patescibacteria/Candidate Phyla Radiation (Parcubacteria, Microgenomates, Omnitrophica, Aminicenantes). The latter group was underestimated or absent in the amplicon survey, but accounted for about a third of the metagenomic reads. The winter lineages were associated with multiple reductive metabolic processes, fermentations and pathways for the mobilization and degradation of complex organic matter, along with a strong potential for syntrophy or cross-feeding. The results imply that the summer community represents a transient stage of the annual cycle, and that carbon dioxide and methane production continue through the prolonged season of ice cover via a taxonomically distinct winter community and diverse mechanisms of permafrost carbon transformation.},
}

@article {pmid31378873,
year = {2019},
author = {Agnihotri, SP},
title = {Central Nervous System Opportunistic Infections.},
journal = {Seminars in neurology},
volume = {39},
number = {3},
pages = {383-390},
doi = {10.1055/s-0039-1687842},
pmid = {31378873},
issn = {1098-9021},
abstract = {Opportunistic infections of the central nervous system are classically associated with immunosuppression arising from infection with human immunodeficiency virus and with various hematologic malignancies. However, over the past few years, they are increasingly associated with transplantation and various immunosuppressive treatments used to treat autoimmune diseases. They cause significant morbidity and mortality and remain a diagnostic challenge due to the absence of typical signs and symptoms of infection and mimicry by various noninfectious causes. The pathogens associated with these infections are often commonly found pathogens of low virulence in immunocompetent hosts and include various bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses. These infections can present as various clinical syndromes, including meningitis, encephalitis, space-occupying lesions, stroke-like presentations, or even neoplastic manifestations. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy can be seen in patients with multiple sclerosis on various new immunomodulatory drugs in addition to patients with human immunodeficiency virus, transplantation, or hematologic malignancies, and is characterized by multifocal white matter lesions. Human herpesvirus-6 causes severe encephalitis in transplant recipients, known as posttransplantation acute limbic encephalitis. Neoplastic manifestations like Epstein-Barr virus-associated primary central nervous system lymphoma and posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders are particularly challenging to diagnose and manage. Modern diagnostic techniques, including advanced imaging techniques like magnetic resonance spectroscopy, use of polymerase chain reaction, and metagenomic sequencing, can be helpful in early recognition of pathogens. Treatment of most of these involves lowering of immunosuppression when possible and use of specific antimicrobial agents when available. Improved outcomes can be seen when early diagnosis is made.},
}

@article {pmid31378866,
year = {2019},
author = {Kanjilal, S and Cho, TA and Piantadosi, A},
title = {Diagnostic Testing in Central Nervous System Infection.},
journal = {Seminars in neurology},
volume = {39},
number = {3},
pages = {297-311},
doi = {10.1055/s-0039-1688441},
pmid = {31378866},
issn = {1098-9021},
abstract = {Patients with central nervous system (CNS) infection experience very high levels of morbidity and mortality, in part because of the many challenges inherent to the diagnosis of CNS infection and identification of a causative pathogen. The clinical presentation of CNS infection is nonspecific, so clinicians must often order and interpret many diagnostic tests in parallel. This can be a daunting task given the large number of potential pathogens and the availability of different testing modalities. Here, we review traditional diagnostic techniques including Gram stain and culture, serology, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We highlight which of these are recommended for the pathogens most commonly tested among U.S. patients with suspected CNS infection. Finally, we describe the newer broad-range diagnostic approaches, multiplex PCR and metagenomic sequencing, which are increasingly used in clinical practice.},
}

@article {pmid31378759,
year = {2019},
author = {Kato, S and Nakano, S and Kouduka, M and Hirai, M and Suzuki, K and Itoh, T and Ohkuma, M and Suzuki, Y},
title = {Metabolic Potential of As-yet-uncultured Archaeal Lineages of Candidatus Hydrothermarchaeota Thriving in Deep-sea Metal Sulfide Deposits.},
journal = {Microbes and environments},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1264/jsme2.ME19021},
pmid = {31378759},
issn = {1347-4405},
abstract = {Candidatus Hydrothermarchaeota, formally called Marine Benthic Group E, has often been detected in iron- and sulfur-rich marine environments, such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps. However, their ecology and physiology remain unclear. Cultivated representatives of this group are still lacking and only several metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and single-amplified genomes (SAGs) are available from two deep-sea hydrothermal areas, the Juan de Fuca Ridge (JdFR) and Guaymas Basin (GB), in the north-east Pacific. We herein report four MAGs of Ca. Hydrothermarchaeota recovered from hydrothermally-inactive metal sulfide deposits at the Southern Mariana Trough (SMT) in the north-west Pacific. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that the MAGs of the SMT were distinct from those of the JdFR and GB at the genus or potentially family level. Ca. Hydrothermarchaeota MAGs from the SMT commonly possessed putative genes for carboxydotrophic and hydrogenotrophic respiration using oxidized chemical species of sulfur as electron acceptors and also for carbon fixation, as reported previously in MAGs/SAGs from the JdFR and GB. This result strongly supports Ca. Hydrothermarchaeota containing anaerobic chemolithoautotrophs using carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen as electron donors. A comparative genome analysis highlighted differences in the capability of nitrogen fixation between MAGs from the SMT and the other fields, which are consistent with environmental differences in the availability of nitrogen sources for assimilation between the fields. Based on the wide distribution in various areas, abundance, and metabolic potential of Ca. Hydrothermarchaeota, they may play a role in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and iron in marine environments, particularly in deep-sea hydrothermal fields.},
}

@article {pmid31377399,
year = {2019},
author = {Boros, Á and Orlovácz, K and Pankovics, P and Szekeres, S and Földvári, G and Fahsbender, E and Delwart, E and Reuter, G},
title = {Diverse picornaviruses are prevalent among free-living and laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Hungary and can cause disseminated infections.},
journal = {Infection, genetics and evolution : journal of molecular epidemiology and evolutionary genetics in infectious diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {103988},
doi = {10.1016/j.meegid.2019.103988},
pmid = {31377399},
issn = {1567-7257},
abstract = {In this study, the full length genomes of three phylogenetically distant picornaviruses (family Picornaviridae) belonging to the genus Rosavirus (rat08/rRoB/HUN, MN116648), Kobuvirus (rat08/rAiA/HUN, MN116647), and Cardiovirus (rat08/rCaB/HUN, MN116646) were obtained from a single faecal sample of a free-living Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) in Hungary using viral metagenomics and RT-PCR/Sanger sequencing. The acquired complete genomes were in silico analyzed in detail revealing the presence of a second minor open reading frame encoding an alternative Leader peptide (L*) in rat08/rCaB/HUN and a ca. 222 nt-long sequence repeat with compact secondary RNA structure in the 3' UTR of rat08/rRoB/HUN. The studied rat picornaviruses were frequently detectable by RT-PCR with relatively high viral loads ranged between 8.99E+02 and 1.29E+06 copies/ml in rat faecal samples collected from five geographically distant locations throughout Hungary. The VP1 sequence-based phylogenetic analyses show the presence of multiple, mostly location-specific lineages for all three picornaviruses. Rat rosavirus and rat cardiovirus were identified in spleen while rat cardiovirus was also detected in liver, muscle and kidney samples with variable copy numbers (6.42E+01-1.90E+05 copies/μg total RNA) suggesting extra-intestinal dissemination. Both viruses were also prevalent (70.0% and 18.2%) among two populations of laboratory rats ("Wistar-type" and "hooded-type") held in different, isolated laboratory animal units.},
}

@article {pmid31377359,
year = {2019},
author = {Liu, X and Xiao, P and Guo, Y and Liu, L and Yang, J},
title = {The impacts of different high-throughput profiling approaches on the understanding of bacterial antibiotic resistance genes in a freshwater reservoir.},
journal = {The Science of the total environment},
volume = {693},
number = {},
pages = {133585},
doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133585},
pmid = {31377359},
issn = {1879-1026},
abstract = {Bacterial antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), a kind of emerging environmental pollutants, greatly threat human health through pathogenic bacteria. High-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR) and metagenomic approaches are two popular tools applied in aquatic environmental ARGs monitoring. However, current poor knowledge of different ARG profiling approaches' impacts on the understanding of the ARGs in aquatic environments greatly limit the further field application of these two approaches. For filling such knowledge gap, this study simultaneously employed these two approaches to examine and compare the ARGs in a freshwater reservoir across space and time. We found metagenomic approach detected more ARG subtypes and much higher bacitracin resistance genes' abundances than HT-qPCR. In general, HT-qPCR and metagenomics analyses both revealed similar ARG dynamic patterns and co-occurrence patterns between ARGs and bacterial taxa as well as the relationships between ARGs and environmental factors. Our results indicated the impacts of different ARG profiling approaches on the understanding of bacterial ARGs might be minor or negligible. HT-qPCR approach has the superiorities of time-saving, absolute quantification, low requirement for bioinformatics skills but also has some drawbacks including higher PCR amplification & primer bias, higher primer dependency and relative lower ARG subtype quantification capability compared to metagenomic approach. We suggest HT-qPCR approach can be employed for routine aquatic environmental monitoring, and metagenomic approach could be applied in comprehensive surveys for getting more ARG subtype information. Our data can be a useful reference for choosing right ARG profiling approaches for bacterial ARGs monitoring and risk assessment in aquatic environments.},
}

@article {pmid31376000,
year = {2019},
author = {Cowan, DA and Hopkins, DW and Jones, BE and Maggs-Kölling, G and Majewska, R and Ramond, JB},
title = {Microbiomics of Namib Desert habitats.},
journal = {Extremophiles : life under extreme conditions},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s00792-019-01122-7},
pmid = {31376000},
issn = {1433-4909},
abstract = {The Namib Desert is one of the world's only truly coastal desert ecosystem. Until the end of the 1st decade of the twenty-first century, very little was known of the microbiology of this southwestern African desert, with the few reported studies being based solely on culture-dependent approaches. However, from 2010, an intense research program was undertaken by researchers from the University of the Western Cape Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics, and subsequently the University of Pretoria Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, and their collaborators, led to a more detailed understanding of the ecology of the indigenous microbial communities in many Namib Desert biotopes. Namib Desert soils and the associated specialized niche communities are inhabited by a wide array of prokaryotic, lower eukaryotic and virus/phage taxa. These communities are highly heterogeneous on both small and large spatial scales, with community composition impacted by a range of macro- and micro-environmental factors, from water regime to soil particle size. Community functionality is also surprisingly non-homogeneous, with some taxa retaining functionality even under hyper-arid soil conditions, and with subtle changes in gene expression and phylotype abundances even on diel timescales. Despite the growing understanding of the structure and function of Namib Desert microbiomes, there remain enormous gaps in our knowledge. We have yet to quantify many of the processes in these soil communities, from regional nutrient cycling to community growth rates. Despite the progress that has been made, we still have little knowledge of either the role of phages in microbial community dynamics or inter-species interactions. Furthermore, the intense research efforts of the past decade have highlighted the immense scope for future microbiological research in this dynamic, enigmatic and charismatic region of Africa.},
}

@article {pmid31375834,
year = {2019},
author = {Rossoff, J and Chaudhury, S and Soneji, M and Patel, SJ and Kwon, S and Armstrong, A and Muller, WJ},
title = {Noninvasive Diagnosis of Infection Using Plasma Next-Generation Sequencing: A Single-Center Experience.},
journal = {Open forum infectious diseases},
volume = {6},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ofid/ofz327},
pmid = {31375834},
issn = {2328-8957},
abstract = {Pediatric patients frequently present with illnesses strongly suggesting infection, but without a clearly identified etiology. Our center has recently added a commercially available plasma metagenomic sequencing assay to its available diagnostic testing. Our experience with the first 100 tests suggests that this technology has good clinical performance with >90% sensitivity.},
}

@article {pmid31375809,
year = {2019},
author = {Stewart, RD and Auffret, MD and Warr, A and Walker, AW and Roehe, R and Watson, M},
title = {Compendium of 4,941 rumen metagenome-assembled genomes for rumen microbiome biology and enzyme discovery.},
journal = {Nature biotechnology},
volume = {37},
number = {8},
pages = {953-961},
doi = {10.1038/s41587-019-0202-3},
pmid = {31375809},
issn = {1546-1696},
support = {BB/N016742/1, BB/N01720X/1, BB/P013759/1, BB/P013732/1, BB/J004235/1, BB/J004243/1//RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/ ; BB/N016742/1, BB/N01720X/1, BB/P013759/1, BB/P013732/1, BB/J004235/1, BB/J004243/1//RCUK | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)/ ; },
abstract = {Ruminants provide essential nutrition for billions of people worldwide. The rumen is a specialized stomach that is adapted to the breakdown of plant-derived complex polysaccharides. The genomes of the rumen microbiota encode thousands of enzymes adapted to digestion of the plant matter that dominates the ruminant diet. We assembled 4,941 rumen microbial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) using approximately 6.5 terabases of short- and long-read sequence data from 283 ruminant cattle. We present a genome-resolved metagenomics workflow that enabled assembly of bacterial and archaeal genomes that were at least 80% complete. Of note, we obtained three single-contig, whole-chromosome assemblies of rumen bacteria, two of which represent previously unknown rumen species, assembled from long-read data. Using our rumen genome collection we predicted and annotated a large set of rumen proteins. Our set of rumen MAGs increases the rate of mapping of rumen metagenomic sequencing reads from 15% to 50-70%. These genomic and protein resources will enable a better understanding of the structure and functions of the rumen microbiota.},
}

@article {pmid31375488,
year = {2019},
author = {Braune, A and Gütschow, M and Blaut, M},
title = {An NADH-dependent reductase from Eubacterium ramulus catalyzes the stereospecific heteroring cleavage of flavanones and flavanonols.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/AEM.01233-19},
pmid = {31375488},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {The human intestinal anaerobe Eubacterium ramulus is known for its ability to degrade various dietary flavonoids. In the present study, we demonstrate the cleavage of the heterocyclic C-ring of flavanones and flavanonols by an oxygen sensitive, NADH-dependent reductase, previously described as enoate reductase, from E. ramulus This flavanone- and flavanonol-cleaving reductase (Fcr) was purified following its heterologous expression in Escherichia coli and further characterized. Fcr cleaved the flavanones naringenin, eriodictyol, liquiritigenin and homoeriodictyol. Moreover, the flavanonols taxifolin and dihydrokaempferol served as substrates. The catalyzed reactions were stereospecific for the (2R)-enantiomers of the flavanone substrates and for the (2S,3S)-configured flavanonols. The enantioenrichment of the non-converted stereoisomers allowed for the determination of hitherto unknown flavanone racemization rates. Fcr formed the corresponding dihydrochalcones and hydroxydihydrochalcones in the course of an unusual reductive cleavage of cyclic ether bonds. Fcr did not convert members of other flavonoid subclasses including flavones, flavonols and chalcones, the latter indicating that the reaction does not involve a chalcone intermediate. This view is strongly supported by the observed enantiospecificity of Fcr. Cinnamic acids, which are typical substrates of bacterial enoate reductases, were not reduced by Fcr either. Based on the presence of binding motifs for dinucleotide cofactors and a 4Fe-4S cluster in the amino acid sequence of Fcr, a cofactor-mediated hydride transfer from NADH onto C2 of the respective substrate is proposed.IMPORTANCEGut bacteria play a crucial role in the metabolization of dietary flavonoids, thereby contributing to their activation or inactivation after ingestion by the human host. Thus, bacterial activities in the intestine may influence the beneficial health effects of these polyphenolic plant compounds. While an increasing number of flavonoid-converting gut bacterial species have been identified, knowledge on the responsible enzymes is still limited. Here, we characterized Fcr as a key enzyme involved in the conversion of flavonoids of several subclasses by E. ramulus, a prevalent human gut bacterium. Sequence similarity of this enzyme to hypothetical proteins from other flavonoid-degrading intestinal bacteria in databases suggests a more widespread occurrence of this enzyme. Functional characterization of gene products of human intestinal microbiota enables the assignment of metagenomic sequences to specific bacteria and, more importantly, to certain activities, which is a prerequisite for targeted modulation of gut microbial functionality.},
}

@article {pmid31375138,
year = {2019},
author = {Bickhart, DM and Watson, M and Koren, S and Panke-Buisse, K and Cersosimo, LM and Press, MO and Van Tassell, CP and Van Kessel, JAS and Haley, BJ and Kim, SW and Heiner, C and Suen, G and Bakshy, K and Liachko, I and Sullivan, ST and Myer, PR and Ghurye, J and Pop, M and Weimer, PJ and Phillippy, AM and Smith, TPL},
title = {Assignment of virus and antimicrobial resistance genes to microbial hosts in a complex microbial community by combined long-read assembly and proximity ligation.},
journal = {Genome biology},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {153},
doi = {10.1186/s13059-019-1760-x},
pmid = {31375138},
issn = {1474-760X},
support = {5090-31000-026-00-D//Agricultural Research Service/ ; 5090-21000-064-00-D//Agricultural Research Service/ ; 5090-31000-026-06-I//National Institute of Food and Agriculture (US)/ ; 2015-67015-23246//National Institute of Food and Agriculture (US)/ ; 3040-31000-100-00-D//Agricultural Research Service (US)/ ; 8042-32000-110-00-D//Agricultural Research Service (US)/ ; R44AI122654-02A1//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (US)/ ; },
abstract = {We describe a method that adds long-read sequencing to a mix of technologies used to assemble a highly complex cattle rumen microbial community, and provide a comparison to short read-based methods. Long-read alignments and Hi-C linkage between contigs support the identification of 188 novel virus-host associations and the determination of phage life cycle states in the rumen microbial community. The long-read assembly also identifies 94 antimicrobial resistance genes, compared to only seven alleles in the short-read assembly. We demonstrate novel techniques that work synergistically to improve characterization of biological features in a highly complex rumen microbial community.},
}

@article {pmid31373933,
year = {2019},
author = {Raj, AS and Shanahan, ER and Tran, CD and Bhat, P and Fletcher, LM and Vesey, DA and Morrison, M and Holtmann, G and Macdonald, GA},
title = {Dysbiosis of the Duodenal Mucosal Microbiota Is Associated With Increased Small Intestinal Permeability in Chronic Liver Disease.},
journal = {Clinical and translational gastroenterology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.14309/ctg.0000000000000068},
pmid = {31373933},
issn = {2155-384X},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Chronic liver disease (CLD) is associated with both alterations of the stool microbiota and increased small intestinal permeability. However, little is known about the role of the small intestinal mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) in CLD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the duodenal MAM and both small intestinal permeability and liver disease severity in CLD.

METHODS: Subjects with CLD and a disease-free control group undergoing routine endoscopy underwent duodenal biopsy to assess duodenal MAM by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Small intestinal permeability was assessed by a dual sugar (lactulose: rhamnose) assay. Other assessments included transient elastography, endotoxemia, serum markers of hepatic inflammation, dietary intake, and anthropometric measurements.

RESULTS: Forty-six subjects (35 with CLD and 11 controls) were assessed. In subjects with CLD, the composition (P = 0.02) and diversity (P < 0.01) of the duodenal MAM differed to controls. Constrained multivariate analysis and linear discriminate effect size showed this was due to Streptococcus-affiliated lineages. Small intestinal permeability was significantly higher in CLD subjects compared to controls. In CLD, there were inverse correlations between microbial diversity and both increased small intestinal permeability (r = -0.41, P = 0.02) and serum alanine aminotransferase (r = -0.35, P = 0.04). Hepatic stiffness was not associated with the MAM.

DISCUSSION: In CLD, there is dysbiosis of the duodenal MAM and an inverse correlation between microbial diversity and small intestinal permeability.

TRANSLATIONAL IMPACT: Strategies to ameliorate duodenal MAM dysbiosis may ameliorate intestinal barrier dysfunction and liver injury in CLD.},
}

@article {pmid31373773,
year = {2019},
author = {Zhang, Z and Cai, Z and Tan, Z and Lu, C and Jiang, T and Zhang, G and Peng, Y},
title = {Rapid identification of human-infecting viruses.},
journal = {Transboundary and emerging diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/tbed.13314},
pmid = {31373773},
issn = {1865-1682},
abstract = {Viruses have caused much mortality and morbidity to humans and pose a serious threat to global public health. The virome with the potential of human infection is still far from complete. Novel viruses have been discovered at an unprecedented pace as the rapid development of viral metagenomics. However, there is still a lack of methodology for rapidly identifying novel viruses with the potential of human infection. This study built several machine learning models to discriminate human-infecting viruses from other viruses based on the frequency of k-mers in the viral genomic sequences. The k-nearest neighbor (KNN) model can predict the human-infecting viruses with an accuracy of over 90%. The performance of this KNN model built on the short contigs (≥1kb) is comparable to those built on the viral genomes. We used a reported human blood virome to further validate this KNN model with an accuracy of over 80% based on very short raw reads (150 bp). Our work demonstrates a conceptual and generic protocol for the discovery of novel human-infecting viruses in viral metagenomics studies. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.},
}

@article {pmid31373710,
year = {2019},
author = {Koopman, N and Molinaro, A and Nieuwdorp, M and Holleboom, AG},
title = {Review article: can bugs be drugs? The potential of probiotics and prebiotics as treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.},
journal = {Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/apt.15416},
pmid = {31373710},
issn = {1365-2036},
support = {016.146.327//ZONMW-VIDI/ ; //Dutch Heart Foundation/ ; //Gilead Research scholarship/ ; //Amsterdam UMC Fellowship/ ; //TKI-PPP/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver condition. A major current research effort is ongoing to find potential strategies to treat NAFLD-non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with special attention to the gut microbiota. Multiple animal studies and pilot clinical trials are assessing different gut microbiota modulating strategies such as faecal microbiota transplantation, antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics.

AIM: To review the role of microbiota in NAFLD-NASH and determine whether pro- and prebiotics have potential as treatment METHODS: Information was obtained from critically reviewing literature on PubMed on targeting the gut microbiota in NAFLD. Search terms included NAFLD, NASH, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, steatohepatitis; combined with microbiome, microbiota, gut bacteria, probiotics and prebiotics.

RESULTS: Animal studies and the first emerging studies in humans show promising results for both the common probiotics Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococci as for short chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate-producing bacteria. Also, prebiotics have positive effects on different mechanisms underlying NAFLD-NASH.

CONCLUSIONS: The most promising strategies thus far developed to alter the microbiome in NAFLD-NASH are probiotics and prebiotics. However, pre- and probiotic treatment of NAFLD-NASH is relatively new and still under development. Actual understanding of the involved mechanisms is lacking and changes in the intestinal microbiota composition after treatment are rarely measured. Furthermore, large clinical trials with comparative endpoints are unavailable. Personalised treatment based on metagenomics gut microbiota analysis will probably be part of the future diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD-NASH.},
}

@article {pmid31373310,
year = {2019},
author = {Peric, A and Weiss, J and Vulliemoz, N and Baud, D and Stojanov, M},
title = {Bacterial Colonization of the Female Upper Genital Tract.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {20},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms20143405},
pmid = {31373310},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Bacteria colonize most of the human body, and the female genital tract is not an exception. While the existence of a vaginal microbiota has been well established, the upper genital tract has been considered a sterile environment, with a general assumption that bacterial presence is associated with adverse clinical manifestation. However, recent metagenomic studies identified specific patterns of microbiota colonizing the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and placenta. These results need confirmation and further investigations since the data are only scarce. Bacterial colonization of these sites appears different from the vaginal one, despite evidence that vaginal bacteria could ascend to the upper genital tract through the cervix. Are these bacteria only commensal or do they play a role in the physiology of the female upper genital tract? Which are the genera that may have a negative and a positive impact on the female reproductive function? The aim of this review is to critically present all available data on upper genital tract microbiota and discuss its role in human reproduction, ranging from the technical aspects of these types of analyses to the description of specific bacterial genera. Although still very limited, research focusing on genital colonization of bacteria other than the vaginal milieu might bring novel insights into physiopathology of human reproduction.},
}

@article {pmid31372685,
year = {2019},
author = {Cania, B and Vestergaard, G and Kublik, S and Köhne, JM and Fischer, T and Albert, A and Winkler, B and Schloter, M and Schulz, S},
title = {Biological Soil Crusts from Different Soil Substrates Harbor Distinct Bacterial Groups with the Potential to Produce Exopolysaccharides and Lipopolysaccharides.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s00248-019-01415-6},
pmid = {31372685},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {SCHU 2907/4-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; TRR 38/2 2011 B04//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; },
abstract = {Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) play an important role in improving soil stability and resistance to erosion by promoting aggregation of soil particles. During initial development, biocrusts are dominated by bacteria. Some bacterial members of the biocrusts can contribute to the formation of soil aggregates by producing exopolysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides that act as "glue" for soil particles. However, little is known about the dynamics of "soil glue" producers during the initial development of biocrusts. We hypothesized that different types of initial biocrusts harbor distinct producers of adhesive polysaccharides. To investigate this, we performed a microcosm experiment, cultivating biocrusts on two soil substrates. High-throughput shotgun sequencing was used to obtain metagenomic information on microbiomes of bulk soils from the beginning of the experiment, and biocrusts sampled after 4 and 10 months of incubation. We discovered that the relative abundance of genes involved in the biosynthesis of exopolysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides increased in biocrusts compared with bulk soils. At the same time, communities of potential "soil glue" producers that were highly similar in bulk soils underwent differentiation once biocrusts started to develop. In the bulk soils, the investigated genes were harbored mainly by Betaproteobacteria, whereas in the biocrusts, the major potential producers of adhesive polysaccharides were, aside from Alphaproteobacteria, either Cyanobacteria or Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. Overall, our results indicate that the potential to form exopolysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides is an important bacterial trait for initial biocrusts and is maintained despite the shifts in bacterial community composition during biocrust development.},
}

@article {pmid31372445,
year = {2019},
author = {Kadnikov, VV and Savvichev, AS and Mardanov, AV and Beletsky, AV and Ravin, NV and Pimenov, NV},
title = {Metagenomic data of the microbial community of the chemocline layer of the meromictic subarctic Lake Bolshie Hruslomeny, North European Russia.},
journal = {Data in brief},
volume = {23},
number = {},
pages = {103800},
doi = {10.1016/j.dib.2019.103800},
pmid = {31372445},
issn = {2352-3409},
abstract = {The Lake Bolshie Hruslomeny is located on the shores of the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea, North European Russia. This lake, formed from the sea bay and still retaining the subsurface connection with the sea, is meromictic, with a fresh oxygenated upper layer and an anoxic brackish hypolimnion with high concentrations of methane and hydrogen sulphide. To characterize the microbial communities involved in the carbon and sulfur cycles in the lake, we sequenced the metagenome of a water sample collected at the chemocline level. At the phylum level, Chlorobi, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were the most numerous groups. The obtained data will help investigate the diversity and ecological role of the microbial community in the Lake Bolshie Hruslomeny and provide insight into the biogeochemical processes in subarctic lakes. The raw sequencing data is available from the NCBI Sequence Read Archive (SRA) database under the BioProject PRJNA503531.},
}

@article {pmid31371784,
year = {2019},
author = {Knapik, K and Becerra, M and González-Siso, MI},
title = {Microbial diversity analysis and screening for novel xylanase enzymes from the sediment of the Lobios Hot Spring in Spain.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {11195},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-019-47637-z},
pmid = {31371784},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {2016/012//Xunta de Galicia/ ; 324439//EC | EC Seventh Framework Programm | FP7 People: Marie-Curie Actions (FP7-PEOPLE - Specific Programme &quot;People&quot; Implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007 to 2013))/ ; },
abstract = {Here, we describe the metagenome composition of a microbial community in a hot spring sediment as well as a sequence-based and function-based screening of the metagenome for identification of novel xylanases. The sediment was collected from the Lobios Hot Spring located in the province of Ourense (Spain). Environmental DNA was extracted and sequenced using Illumina technology, and a total of 3.6 Gbp of clean paired reads was produced. A taxonomic classification that was obtained by comparison to the NCBI protein nr database revealed a dominance of Bacteria (93%), followed by Archaea (6%). The most abundant bacterial phylum was Acidobacteria (25%), while Thaumarchaeota (5%) was the main archaeal phylum. Reads were assembled into contigs. Open reading frames (ORFs) predicted on these contigs were searched by BLAST against the CAZy database to retrieve xylanase encoding ORFs. A metagenomic fosmid library of approximately 150,000 clones was constructed to identify functional genes encoding thermostable xylanase enzymes. Function-based screening revealed a novel xylanase-encoding gene (XynA3), which was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21. The resulting protein (41 kDa), a member of glycoside hydrolase family 11 was purified and biochemically characterized. The highest activity was measured at 80 °C and pH 6.5. The protein was extremely thermostable and showed 94% remaining activity after incubation at 60 °C for 24 h and over 70% remaining activity after incubation at 70 °C for 24 h. Xylanolytic activity of the XynA3 enzyme was stimulated in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol and Fe3+ ions. HPLC analysis showed that XynA3 hydrolyzes xylan forming xylobiose with lower proportion of xylotriose and xylose. Specific activity of the enzyme was 9080 U/mg for oat arabinoxylan and 5080 U/mg for beechwood xylan, respectively, without cellulase activity.},
}

@article {pmid31371728,
year = {2019},
author = {Yang, J and McDowell, A and Kim, EK and Seo, H and Yum, K and Lee, WH and Jee, YK and Kim, YK},
title = {Consumption of a Leuconostoc holzapfelii-enriched synbiotic beverage alters the composition of the microbiota and microbial extracellular vesicles.},
journal = {Experimental & molecular medicine},
volume = {51},
number = {8},
pages = {87},
doi = {10.1038/s12276-019-0288-1},
pmid = {31371728},
issn = {2092-6413},
support = {NRF-2016M3A9B6901516//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; NRF-2017M3A9F3047497//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; },
abstract = {Synbiotics, the combination of probiotics and prebiotics, are known to confer health benefits via intestinal microbiota modulation. However, significant intestinal microbiota alterations can be difficult to determine in intervention studies based on solely bacterial stool metagenomic analysis. Intestinal microbiota constituents secrete 20-200-nm-sized extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing microbial DNA, proteins, and lipids that are distributed throughout the body, providing an alternative target for microbiota metagenomic analysis. Here, we determined the impact of a synbiotic beverage enriched with the kimchi-derived bacterium Leuconostoc holzapfelii (L. holzapfelii) on the intestinal microbiota and local and circulatory microbiota-derived EV composition of healthy Korean adults. We isolated microbial DNA from stool bacteria, stool EVs, and urinary EVs and conducted next-generation sequencing of the 16S rDNA V3-V4 regions before and after synbiotic consumption. The species diversity of circulating urinary EVs was significantly increased after synbiotic consumption, while stool bacterial and EV diversity remained unchanged. Furthermore, we found that while a single genus was decreased among the stool bacteria constituents, stool EVs and urinary EVs showed significant alterations in four and eight genera, respectively. Blood chemistry assays revealed that synbiotic consumption significantly lowered aspartate aminotransferase (AST) serum levels, particularly in subjects with starting levels above the normal range (>40 UI/L). In conclusion, the L. holzapfelii-enriched synbiotic beverage greatly altered serum AST levels and microbial EV composition in urine and stool, while only minor changes were observed in the gut microbiota composition. Based on these findings, we suggest the potential use of microbiota-derived EVs as surrogate markers in future predictive diagnosis studies.},
}

@article {pmid31371723,
year = {2019},
author = {Coyne, MJ and Béchon, N and Matano, LM and McEneany, VL and Chatzidaki-Livanis, M and Comstock, LE},
title = {A family of anti-Bacteroidales peptide toxins wide-spread in the human gut microbiota.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {3460},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-019-11494-1},
pmid = {31371723},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {P30 DK034854/NIDDK NIH HHS/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases/United States ; R01 AI093771/NIAID NIH HHS/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities/United States ; R01AI093771//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; },
abstract = {Bacteria often produce antimicrobial toxins to compete in microbial communities. Here we identify a family of broad-spectrum peptide toxins, named bacteroidetocins, produced by Bacteroidetes species. We study this toxin family using phenotypic, mutational, bioinformatic, and human metagenomic analyses. Bacteroidetocins are related to class IIa bacteriocins of Gram-positive bacteria and kill members of the Bacteroidetes phylum, including Bacteroides, Parabacteroides, and Prevotella gut species, as well as pathogenic Prevotella species. The bacteroidetocin biosynthesis genes are found in horizontally acquired mobile elements, which likely allow dissemination within the gut microbiota and may explain their wide distribution in human populations. Bacteroidetocins may have potential applications in microbiome engineering and as therapeutics for polymicrobial diseases such as bacterial vaginosis and periodontal disease.},
}

@article {pmid31371549,
year = {2019},
author = {Maina, S and Zheng, L and Kinoti, WM and Aftab, M and Nancarrow, N and Trębicki, P and King, S and Constable, F and Rodoni, B},
title = {Metagenomic Analysis Reveals a Nearly Complete Genome Sequence of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus from a Field Pea in Australia.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {8},
number = {31},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/MRA.00766-19},
pmid = {31371549},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {Here, we report the first nearly complete genome sequence of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) obtained from a symptomatic field pea sample (Aus295) in Australia. Its genome RNA1 and RNA2 segments resembled those of the Argentinian isolate Manfredi, with 99.4% and 96.7% nucleotide (nt) identity, respectively; its RNA3 segment resembled that of Chinese isolate AMV-Gyn, with 99.6% nt identity.},
}

@article {pmid31371542,
year = {2019},
author = {Rozanov, AS and Shipova, AA and Bryanskaya, AV and Peltek, SE},
title = {Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequence of Phormidium sp. Strain SL48-SHIP, Isolated from the Microbial Mat of Salt Lake Number 48 (Novosibirsk Region, Russia).},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {8},
number = {31},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/MRA.00651-19},
pmid = {31371542},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {The Phormidium sp. strain SL48-SHIP genome was obtained from metagenomics sequencing of the microbial mat of Salt Lake No. 48 (54.201806 N, 78.179194 E; Novosibirsk Region, Russia). The sequenced and annotated genome is 4,384,607 bp and encodes 3,807 genes.},
}

@article {pmid31371533,
year = {2019},
author = {Li, X and Yang, Y and Zeng, X and Wang, J and Jin, H and Sheng, Z and Yan, J},
title = {Metagenome-Assembled Genome Sequence of Sulfuricurvum sp. Strain IAE1, Isolated from a 4-Chlorophenol-Degrading Consortium.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {8},
number = {31},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1128/MRA.00296-19},
pmid = {31371533},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {The draft genome sequence of Sulfuricurvum sp. strain IAE1 was assembled and annotated from the metagenome of an anaerobically grown 4-chlorophenol-degrading consortium. The draft genome size is 2,338,235 bp with a G+C content of 52.6%.},
}