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Marine sponges are critical components of marine benthic fauna assemblages, where their filter-feeding and reef-building capabilities provide bentho-pelagic coupling and crucial habitat. As potentially the oldest representation of a metazoan-microbe symbiosis, they also harbor dense, diverse, and species-specific communities of microbes, which are increasingly recognized for their contributions to dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing. Recent omics-based studies of marine sponge microbiomes have proposed numerous pathways of dissolved metabolite exchange between the host and symbionts within the context of the surrounding environment, but few studies have sought to experimentally interrogate these pathways. By using a combination of metaproteogenomics and laboratory incubations coupled with isotope-based functional assays, we showed that the dominant gammaproteobacterial symbiont, ‘CandidatusTaurinisymbion ianthellae’, residing in the marine sponge, Ianthella basta, expresses a pathway for the import and dissimilation of taurine, a ubiquitously occurring sulfonate metabolite in marine sponges. ‘CandidatusTaurinisymbion ianthellae’ incorporates taurine-derived carbon and nitrogen while, at the same time, oxidizing the dissimilated sulfite into sulfate for export. Furthermore, we found that taurine-derived ammonia is exported by the symbiont for immediate oxidation by the dominant ammonia-oxidizing thaumarchaeal symbiont, ‘CandidatusNitrosospongia ianthellae’. Metaproteogenomic analyses also suggest that ‘CandidatusTaurinisymbion ianthellae’ imports DMSP and possesses both pathways for DMSP demethylation and cleavage, enabling it to use this compound as a carbon and sulfur source for biomass, as well as for energy conservation. These results highlight the important role of biogenic sulfur compounds in the interplay between Ianthella bastaand its microbial symbionts.

Marine sponges are critical components of marine benthic fauna assemblages, where their filter-feeding and reef-building capabilities provide bentho-pelagic coupling and crucial habitat. As potentially the oldest representation of a metazoan-microbe symbiosis, they also harbor dense, diverse, and species-specific communities of microbes, which are increasingly recognized for their contributions to dissolved organic matter (DOM) processing. Recent omics-based studies of marine sponge microbiomes have proposed numerous pathways of dissolved metabolite exchange between the host and symbionts within the context of the surrounding environment, but few studies have sought to experimentally interrogate these pathways. By using a combination of metaproteogenomics and laboratory incubations coupled with isotope-based functional assays, we showed that the dominant gammaproteobacterial symbiont, ‘CandidatusTaurinisymbion ianthellae’, residing in the marine sponge, Ianthella basta, expresses a pathway for the import and dissimilation of taurine, a ubiquitously occurring sulfonate metabolite in marine sponges. ‘CandidatusTaurinisymbion ianthellae’ incorporates taurine-derived carbon and nitrogen while, at the same time, oxidizing the dissimilated sulfite into sulfate for export. Furthermore, we found that taurine-derived ammonia is exported by the symbiont for immediate oxidation by the dominant ammonia-oxidizing thaumarchaeal symbiont, ‘CandidatusNitrosospongia ianthellae’. Metaproteogenomic analyses also suggest that ‘CandidatusTaurinisymbion ianthellae’ imports DMSP and possesses both pathways for DMSP demethylation and cleavage, enabling it to use this compound as a carbon and sulfur source for biomass, as well as for energy conservation. These results highlight the important role of biogenic sulfur compounds in the interplay between Ianthella bastaand its microbial symbionts.

Microbially mediated processes contribute to coral reef resilience yet, despite extensive characterisation of microbial community variation following environmental perturbation, the effect on microbiome function is poorly understood. We undertook metagenomic sequencing of sponge, macroalgae and seawater microbiomes from a macroalgae-dominated inshore coral reef to define their functional potential and evaluate seasonal shifts in microbially mediated processes. In total, 125 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes were reconstructed, spanning 15 bacterial and 3 archaeal phyla. Multivariate analysis of the genomes relative abundance revealed changes in the functional potential of reef microbiomes in relation to seasonal environmental fluctuations (e.g. macroalgae biomass, temperature). For example, a shift from Alphaproteobacteria to Bacteroidota-dominated seawater microbiomes occurred during summer, resulting in an increased genomic potential to degrade macroalgal-derived polysaccharides. An 85% reduction of Chloroflexota was observed in the sponge microbiome during summer, with potential consequences for nutrition, waste product removal, and detoxification in the sponge holobiont. A shift in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio was detected on macroalgae over summer with potential implications for polysaccharide degradation in macroalgal microbiomes. These results highlight that seasonal shifts in the dominant microbial taxa alter the functional repertoire of host-associated and seawater microbiomes, and highlight how environmental perturbation can affect microbially mediated processes in coral reef ecosystems.

Microbially mediated processes contribute to coral reef resilience yet, despite extensive characterisation of microbial community variation following environmental perturbation, the effect on microbiome function is poorly understood. We undertook metagenomic sequencing of sponge, macroalgae and seawater microbiomes from a macroalgae-dominated inshore coral reef to define their functional potential and evaluate seasonal shifts in microbially mediated processes. In total, 125 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes were reconstructed, spanning 15 bacterial and 3 archaeal phyla. Multivariate analysis of the genomes relative abundance revealed changes in the functional potential of reef microbiomes in relation to seasonal environmental fluctuations (e.g. macroalgae biomass, temperature). For example, a shift from Alphaproteobacteria to Bacteroidota-dominated seawater microbiomes occurred during summer, resulting in an increased genomic potential to degrade macroalgal-derived polysaccharides. An 85% reduction of Chloroflexota was observed in the sponge microbiome during summer, with potential consequences for nutrition, waste product removal, and detoxification in the sponge holobiont. A shift in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio was detected on macroalgae over summer with potential implications for polysaccharide degradation in macroalgal microbiomes. These results highlight that seasonal shifts in the dominant microbial taxa alter the functional repertoire of host-associated and seawater microbiomes, and highlight how environmental perturbation can affect microbially mediated processes in coral reef ecosystems.

Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria are common members of marine sponge microbiomes. They derive energy for carbon fixation and growth from nitrification—the aerobic oxidation of ammonia to nitrite and further to nitrate—and are proposed to play essential roles in the carbon and nitrogen cycling of sponge holobionts. In this study, we characterize two novel nitrifying symbiont lineages, CandidatusNitrosokoinonia and CandidatusNitrosymbion in the marine sponge Coscinoderma matthewsiusing a combination of molecular tools, in situvisualization, and physiological rate measurements. Both represent a new genus in the ammonia-oxidizing archaeal class Nitrososphaeriaand the nitrite-oxidizing bacterial order Nitrospirales, respectively. Furthermore, we show that larvae of this viviparous sponge are densely colonized by representatives of Ca. Nitrosokoinonia and Ca. Nitrosymbion indicating vertical transmission. In adults, the representatives of both symbiont genera are located extracellularly in the mesohyl. Comparative metagenome analyses and physiological data suggest that ammonia-oxidizing archaeal symbionts of the genus Ca. Nitrosokoinonia strongly rely on endogenously produced nitrogenous compounds (i.e. ammonium, urea, nitriles/cyanides, and creatinine) rather than on exogenous ammonium sources taken up by the sponge. Additionally, the nitrite-oxidizing bacterial symbionts of the genus Ca. Nitrosymbion may reciprocally support the ammonia-oxidizers with ammonia via the utilization of sponge-derived urea and cyanate. Comparative analyses of published environmental 16S rRNA gene amplicon data revealed that Ca. Nitrosokoinonia and Ca. Nitrosymbion are widely distributed and predominantly associated with marine sponges and corals, suggesting a broad relevance of our findings.Graphical Abstract

Microbes are well-recognized members of the coral holobiont. However, little is known about the short-term dynamics of mucus-associated microbial communities under natural conditions and after disturbances, and how these dynamics relate to the host’s health. Here we examined the natural variability of prokaryotic communities (based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing) associating with the surface mucus layer (SML) of Porites astreoides,a species exhibiting cyclical mucus aging and shedding. Shifts in the prokaryotic community composition during mucus aging led to the prevalence of opportunistic and potentially pathogenic bacteria (Verrucomicrobiaceaeand Vibrionaceae) in aged mucus and to a twofold increase in prokaryotic abundance. After the release of aged mucus sheets, the community reverted to its original state, dominated by Endozoicimonaceaeand Oxalobacteraceae. Furthermore, we followed the fate of the coral holobiont upon depletion of its natural mucus microbiome through antibiotics treatment. After re-introduction to the reef, healthy-looking microbe-depleted corals started exhibiting clear signs of bleaching and necrosis. Recovery versus mortality of the P. astreoidesholobiont was related to the degree of change in abundance distribution of the mucus microbiome. We conclude that the natural prokaryotic community inhabiting the coral SML contributes to coral health and that cyclical mucus shedding has a key role in coral microbiome dynamics.

Microbes are well-recognized members of the coral holobiont. However, little is known about the short-term dynamics of mucus-associated microbial communities under natural conditions and after disturbances, and how these dynamics relate to the host’s health. Here we examined the natural variability of prokaryotic communities (based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing) associating with the surface mucus layer (SML) of Porites astreoides, a species exhibiting cyclical mucus aging and shedding. Shifts in the prokaryotic community composition during mucus aging led to the prevalence of opportunistic and potentially pathogenic bacteria (Verrucomicrobiaceae and Vibrionaceae) in aged mucus and to a twofold increase in prokaryotic abundance. After the release of aged mucus sheets, the community reverted to its original state, dominated by Endozoicimonaceae and Oxalobacteraceae. Furthermore, we followed the fate of the coral holobiont upon depletion of its natural mucus microbiome through antibiotics treatment. After re-introduction to the reef, healthy-looking microbe-depleted corals started exhibiting clear signs of bleaching and necrosis. Recovery versus mortality of the P. astreoides holobiont was related to the degree of change in abundance distribution of the mucus microbiome. We conclude that the natural prokaryotic community inhabiting the coral SML contributes to coral health and that cyclical mucus shedding has a key role in coral microbiome dynamics.

This report documents successful tooth autotransplantation to a free iliac crest graft in an exemplar case. A 14-year-old male patient was operated thrice with increasing amounts of resection for recurrent odontogenic myxoma. When mandibular continuity resection finally was performed, a free iliac crest block autotransplant was used for reconstruction. Upon metal removal 5 months later, 3 wisdom teeth with two-thirds complete root development were transplanted to the free graft and retained by fixed orthodontic appliances including skeletal anchorage with orthodontic microscrews. Tooth graft taking was awaited for 8 weeks with retention. Following undisturbed healing without occlusal forces, 6 months of orthodontic treatment intentionally extruded the autotransplanted teeth to antagonist contact. The third and most dorsal tooth became mobile after 3 months and was lost. The surviving 2 teeth were fitted by a prosthetic bridge as extrusion into the occlusal plane was not completely successful. This exemplar case shows benefit of tooth autotransplants in selected cases of jaw reconstruction with distal bone autotransplants as alternative to dental titanium implants and suprastructures. Orthodontic microscrews can moreover support tooth movement and positioning as anchorage device in altered anatomy.

Abstract: Introduction: Long-term edentulousness can lead to elongation of antagonistic teeth, making prosthetic rehabilitation impossible. An interdisciplinary case is presented where elongated teeth were successfully intruded by micoranchor-mediated orthodontic movement. Discussion: To the right mandible, implants had been inserted correspondingly to the alveolar process height. However, the patient waited over 1 year for prosthetic treatment. The antagonistic maxillary teeth had elongated considerably. On the left side, elongated upper molars occluded with previously crowned and in the meantime unprovided teeth 35 and 37. On the right side, two palatal, three vestibular microanchors of 8 mm length and 1.6 mm diameter were used, on the left side, two palatal and two vestibular microanchors to intrude the teeth 14 to 17 and 26. The screwheads were connected to individually model-casted splints for bodily intrusion of the molars. Conclusion: This case illustrates how vertical tooth movements can be ventured by the use of orthodontic microscrews before either conventional or implant-borne prosthetic rehabilitation.

Abstract: Objective:: To determine the actual need for orthodontic treatment in the late mixed dentition according to the German KIG system (Kieferorthopädische Indikationsgruppen = Orthodontic Indication Groups). By comparing the findings with those of the early mixed dentition, we aimed to evaluate whether a change in the spectrum of malocclusions would occur. Subjects and Methods:: Dental check-ups took place in schools in Frankfurt am Main, during which the orthodontically-relevant symptoms of 1251 schoolchildren (female 49.5%, male 50.5%) in grades 4 and 5 were recorded and compared with findings documented 4 years earlier in the same classes at the same schools. Results:: Of those orthodontic malocclusions in need of therapy and covered by the statutory health insurance, lateral crossbite and enlarged overjet (more than 6 mm) dominated by 9.2% and 8.7%, respectively, among the 9- to 11-year-old children. Of all the malocclusions recorded within the KIG-group showing a treatment need degree ≥ 3, category D4 (overjet greater than 6 mm) at 17.4% was the most frequent, followed by K4 (unilateral crossbite) at 15.3%, and M4 (negative overjet up to −3 mm) at 14.9%. 41.4% of all the children examined presented a treatment indication according to statutory health insurance directives (KIG ≥3). The 10% reduction in treatment cases financed by statutory health insurance has been achieved in any case [1], as mandated by health policy. Conclusions:: Our comparison of results gathered from 2000 and 2004 showed that as the children grew older, the prevalence of already-enlarged overjets increased, as did the frequency of deep bite. We observed fewer frontal open bites and crossbites in late mixed dentition. Treatment need according to current statutory health insurance directives was clearly higher in the late mixed dentition (41.4%) than in the early mixed dentition (8%).

Abstract: Objective:: Students of the Frankfurt am Main University Hospital participate in an interdisciplinary instructional unit in which they are presented with complex interdisciplinary findings and previous diagnostic records that are discussed in the patient’s presence.We have recently observed a growing number of patients presenting defects of dental hard tissue in the form of erosions, defined as a loss of dental hard tissue due to the frequent and direct effect of acids not involving micro-organisms. These patients also presented marked malocclusions. For the most part, the diagnoses involve operative dentistry, dental prosthetics, orthodontics, oral, maxillofacial and plastic surgery. The clinicians discuss causes and therapeutic alternatives, at which point the therapeutic course is determined in consultation with the patient.Case Histories:: We present herein two exemplary cases complex in etiology, as well as in treatment planning and realization. The case descriptions illustrate the importance of interdisciplinary agreement and cooperation in difficult courses of therapy, illustrating that, in the interest of the patient, it makes sense to establish interdisciplinary networks.

The article describes the components of the Ortho Easy System which is said to represent an improved version of the T.I.T.A.N. According to the article, a rack for vertical arrangement of the instruments allowing for retrieval according to the no-touch principle was made for the said system. The number of miniscrews available per system varies between 2 and 154 different screws, but the Ortho easy system only contains two types of screws. Meanwhile, its shaft is cylindrically shaped and it has a universal, octagonal head in ordinary and bracket design.