Lung microbiome and pneumonia, bacterial vaginosis, microbiome and jetlag, cardiovascular consequences of gut dysbiosis, bacteria in locust guts and cropland in China, and how to earn some $$$ with your poop.
Human respiratory microbiome
Single-Molecule Long-Read 16S Sequencing To Characterize the Lung Microbiome from Mechanically Ventilated Patients with Suspected Pneumonia – Ian Toma – Journal of Clinical Microbiology
“The present study used NGS of essentially full-length PCR-amplified 16S ribosomal DNA from the bronchial aspirates of intubated patients with suspected pneumonia.”
Human vaginal microbiome
Recent progress in understanding the epidemiology of bacterial vaginosis – Kenyon, Chris R.; Osbak, Kara – Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
“Bacterial vaginosis epidemiology has been transformed by new theoretical insights and methodologies, such as molecular sequencing. We summarize the progress made in these domains.”
Human gut microbiome
Transkingdom Control of Microbiota Diurnal Oscillations Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis – Christoph A. Thaiss – Cell
“Consequently, jet-lag-induced dysbiosis in both mice and humans promotes glucose intolerance and obesity that are transferrable to germ-free mice upon fecal transplantation.”
Far from the Eyes, Close to the Heart: Dysbiosis of Gut Microbiota and Cardiovascular Consequences – Matteo Serino – Current Cardiology Reports
“Here, we report evidence from the literature, as well as a few controversial reports, regarding the putative role of gut microbiota dysbiosis-induced cardiovascular diseases”
Insect microbiome
Cellulolytic activity and structure of symbiotic bacteria in locust guts – L-J Su – Genetics and Molecular Research
“The diversity of gut symbiotic bacteria was studied using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). “
Soil microbiome
* Effects of Manure Compost Application on Soil Microbial Community Diversity and Soil Microenvironments in a Temperate Cropland in China – Zhen Zhen – PLOS ONE
“Denaturing gradient electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting analysis showed that the structure and composition of bacterial and fungi communities in the six fertilizer treatments varied at different levels. “
Water microbiome
Substratum-Associated Microbiota – Furey, Paula C.; Liess, Antonia – Water Environment Research
“In this review of the 2013 literature, advances in laboratory, field, and assessment methods are highlighted as are updates in taxonomy and systematics.”
More microbiology
Commensally sourced antibiotics – Cláudio Nunes-Alves – Nature Reviews Microbiology
“Donia et al. have carried out the first systematic screen of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in the healthy human microbiota and found that BGCs for the thiopeptide class of antibiotics are widely distributed.”
First aid kit for cholera – Andrea Du Toit – Nature Reviews Microbiology
“In a new study, Gordon and colleagues examined the role of the human gut microbiota in V. cholerae infection and showed that one of its members, Ruminococcus obeum, decreases the expression of V. cholerae virulence factors to limit colonization.”
Microbes in the news
* A Poop Bank in Massachusetts Will Pay You $40 Every Day – Chelsea Rice – Boston.com
“All you have to do is visit OpenBiome, launched in 2012 as the only independent nonprofit stool bank in the country.”
Study reveals rats in NYC carry variety of infectious bacteria – Larry McShane – New York Daily News
“The first-of-its-kind study showed the rodents carrying an average of two bacteria capable of causing gastrointestinal problems for humans and the Seoul hantavirus, which causes a potentially life-threatening fever and kidney failure.”
* New Genes = New Archaea? – Molly Sharlach – The Scientist
“The study, published today (October 15) in Nature, also suggests that genetic transfers from bacteria to archaea are at least five times more common than from archaea to bacteria.”
Bik’s Picks
“Epicenters” of resilience – Mary Lou Zoback – Science
“The 25th anniversary of the magnitude (M) 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area on 17 October 1989 is a fitting time to examine what progress has been made in increasing community resilience to minimize seismic risk. “
Cells’ powerhouses were once energy parasites: Study upends current theories of how mitochondria began – Science Daily
“Parasitic bacteria were the first cousins of the mitochondria that power cells in animals and plants — and first acted as energy parasites in those cells before becoming beneficial, according to a new study”
How Did We Become a Society Suspicious of Science? – Keith M. Parsons – Huffington Post
“But something has been lost. Fifty years ago science was king. Science had respect; it was bigger than ideology. No longer. “
Biology Week: Bio-bodies Bake Off Public Vote – Physiological Society
“In the lead up to biology week we set you a challenge! We wanted you to celebrate the science of life by creating your own physiology bakes, and you didn’t let us down! ”
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Microbiome Digest - Bik's Picks 