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The determination of soil quality indicators allows evaluating its health and making decisions regarding adequate management, which allows obtaining crops with high yields and high quality products. The research was carried out on the "Los Olivas" farm located in the Jagüey Grande municipality, Matanzas province and its objective was to determine the following indicators: apparent density, pH, organic matter content, total organic carbon, mineral nitrogen, and microbial groups to establish a baseline for continued studies in the sampled area. The apparent density values increased as the soil depth increased, showing the presence of compacted layers at depths of 10-20 cm, with values greater than 1.25 gcm-3. The content of organic matter according to the supply category was medium, which corresponds to the intensive agricultural exploitation demanded by established crops. Taking into account the results obtained in agricultural fields and in correspondence with the type of soil and the values of organic matter found, this soil can be considered within the category of medium supply of mineral N. The quantitative distribution of values by microbial group in the three work areas was seen as follows: total bacteria > actinomycetes > fungi, which reflects an adequate balance of the composition and microbial diversity of these soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent metagenomic investigations of ticks have revealed that their microbiomes have a microbial diversity of endosymbionts and pathogens (pathobiome), which cause diseases in humans and other animals. Ticks are vectors of various diseases in cattle, so a more extensive study will elucidate their microbiome composition to propose new control and prevention strategies, such as anti-tick vaccines. This approach is promising and is based on identifying essential bacteria for the survival of the vector. Therefore, this work presents the metagenomic strategy to ticks for identifying the microbiota and the respective microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate is a foliar herbicide detected in soil, sediment, and water, causing non-visible damage to non-target organisms, potentially affecting the diversity, structure, and functioning of microbial communities associated with riparian vegetation that provide ecosystem services. The objective of the present work was 1) to determine the viable counts of microorganisms and 2) to analyze how the enzymatic activities associated with the metabolism of carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen are affected in the riparian plants’ rhizosphere (Fimbristylis dichotoma, Ludwigia octovalvis, and Typha domingensis) exposed to glyphosate. The plants were collected with the same soil in which they lived to maintain the micro-habitat of the rhizosphere. Zero or fifty mg of glyphosate acid equivalent (ae)/L was applied to the plants at the ground level for 15 days. Actinomycetes, total bacteria (including actinomycetes), and fungi were then isolated and quantified, and the activity of 19 enzymes (metabolism of P, C, and N) were analyzed from rhizosphere samples. In the presence of the herbicide, it was found that 1) bacteria was most negatively affected compared to actinomycetes and fungi, and 2) microbial populations isolated from L. octovalvis were lesser than those from T. domingensis and F. dichotoma. Rhizosphere enzymatic activities showed that phosphorus and carbon metabolism were stimulated by glyphosate. The information obtained from this work allows us to identify the response of cultivable microbial diversity and functional diversity of the rhizosphere of ecologically important plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista U.D.C.A Actualidad & Divulgación Científica is the property of Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

High mountain ecosystems have unique environmental characteristics, provide essential natural resources for the maintenance of life, and represent hotspots of biodiversity and endemism for animal and vegetal species. Within the vast diversity that characterizes high mountain environments, microbial diversity stands out due to its key role in the maintenance of soil stability and sustainability, promoting plant growth through the transformation of complex substances present in the environment into bioavailable forms, exerting biocontrol over phytopathogens or through the secretion of hormones and other compounds that allow better foliar and root development. Microorganisms establish important biological interactions with native plants in high mountains and páramos, including the different species of Espeletia, thus allowing to improve their role as regulators of water sources. Therefore, this review aims to consolidate the current knowledge about the microbial diversity present in high mountain soils, highlighting the microbiota associated with Espeletia spp. and their possible interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antecedents and objectives:The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide to be reported to date 3.446.072 cases in Spain which causes a very challenging situation for the Spanish Health Care System. This study aims to describe the adjustments, analytical and microbiological parameters of patients clinically diagnosed with SARSCoV-2 infection in the first weeks of the pandemic. Material and methods:A retrospective observational study. 180 patients have been included in the study since they were treated by our emergency unit for a period beginning on March 9 ending on April 24, 2020. They were clinically diagnosed with COVID-19. The study provides analysis on their demographic, analytical and microbiological data. Results: The average patient was 64 years old and 60.6 % were men. 86.1 % obtained a positive RT-PCR, 3.9 % a negative one. The 10 % left provided an inconclusive result. IgG antibodies were detected in 84.4 % and IgM antibodies in 85.6 %. 26.0 % of our patients suffered from lymphopenia and 13.6 % thrombocytopenia. 67.4 % and 77.3 % had respectively D-dimer and fibrinogen levels above the normal range. High serum levels of ALT (45.0 %), AST (30.5 %), LDH (71.9 %), C-reactive protein (74.5 %), and procalcitonin (11.9 %) were reported. High ferritin concentrations were found in 75.2 %. Conclusions: The alterations observed in the analytical parameters are the most common in cases of COVID-19. These high level rates have been considered prognostic markers of severity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de la Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales is the property of Academia Colombiana de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicas y Naturales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The diversity and dynamics of microbial communities during environmental and nutritional changes, as well as the metabolic relationships established, are of special interest to understand the functioning of ecosystems. This paper describes the main molecular techniques used to determine the structure, diversity, dynamics, or microbial identification in an environmental sample, either from a natural environment (agricultural soil) or from a built environment (anaerobic digester). In addition, strategies for the combination of molecular methods under a polyphasic approach based on successful experiences are proposed. Taking into consideration the communities of diverse bacteria, archaea and fungi that inhabit the mentioned environments, we propose from the primers to use to raise conserved genes, the sequences of labeled DNA probes, to the combinations of techniques usable to characterize a low microbial community polyphasic approach, according to its dynamics, diversity, quantification and identification. The classical and next generation metagenomic techniques are powerful tools for monitoring environmental samples, with a cost benefit acceptable to countries like Cuba. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bioluminescence is the ability of certain organisms to transform chemical energy into light energy through various biochemical processes. Objective: Isolation and identification for the first time of luminescent bacteria of superficial marine water, and the identification of marine luminescent dinoflagellates of Isla del Coco National Park, Costa Rica. Methods: Samples of seawater obtained by diving at 20 m and at a surface level of 13 sites were collected. On the other hand, phytoplankton samples collected from the surface up to 30 m deep were analyzed in the surroundings of 8 sites of Cocos Island, and several luminescent species belonging to the genera Ornithocercus and Ceratocorys were determined. Results: Seven luminescent bacterial isolates were obtained, they were identified and characterized biochemically by means of an automated platform (Vitek) with high levels of confidence, they were taxonomically located within the genus Vibrio, 2 species: V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus, in addition, some isolates presented resistance to the antibiotic ampicillin and 100% hemolytic capacity. This research shows evidence of the presence of marine microscopic species in Cocos Island, Costa Rica, capable of presenting the phenomenon of luminescence, so that further study would be relevant in terms of the importance of these microorganisms in the production of metabolites secondary and as indicators of harmful algal blooms, so it is necessary to conduct more scientific research to determine their biotechnological potential. Conclusions: In the same way, the results obtained in this investigation suggest expanding the collection and isolation of luminescent microorganisms, accompanied by a biochemical and molecular characterization, in order to explore the microbial diversity associated with luminescence events and determine the environments in which that these species develop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host-associated microbial ecology research is becoming a popular tool in conservation. For amphibians, there is recognition that environmental factors and anthropogenic activities can alter the composition and function of skin microbiotas. Despite growing studies on this topic, the environmental conditions and experimental methods that amphibians are exposed to vary among studies, potentially influencing our ability to develop generalizations. Using Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens), we investigated how the movement of individuals between housing conditions affected the amphibian skin microbial communities. In addition, we evaluated whether variation in experimental venue (e.g., culture pools, mesocosms, or laboratory) and time influenced the effect of a common antibacterial (sulfadimethoxine; SDM) on the skin microbiota. We found that the microbial community diversity decreased when tadpoles were transferred from culture pools to mesocosms and subsequently increased between mesocosms and the laboratory. When comparing the effect of SDM exposure on the skin microbiota of tadpoles across experimental venues (mesocosm and lab), there was no effect of SDM on alpha diversity. However, we noted opposing patterns between the control and SDM-treated individuals within the mesocosm and laboratory groups. In the laboratory, there were differences in the abundances of operational taxonomic units (OTU) white in the mesocosm there were differences in OTU turnover. Finally, we found that SDM treatment on amphibian microbial communities was consistent across time in the laboratory. Because researchers are integrating microbial assessments into our understanding of conservation biology, our results underscore the importance of standard housing conditions and taking into consideration that experimental design may yield variable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet is a factor driving the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota, and macronutrients have a great impact on microbiota. Dietary non-digestible carbohydrate can produce marked changes in the gut microbiota, dietary fibers are major drivers of gut microbiota composition and function, stimulating the dominance of bacteria able to utilize these substrates as energy source, but these effects depend on both the type of fiber and the initial composition of an individual’s gut microbiota. Protein metabolism by gut microbiota results in additional products, some of which are potentially harmful to host health. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria are the three major phyla that inhabit the human large intestine. The genera Bacteroides is associated with meat-based diets, the families Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae are associated with diets rich in complex plant polysaccharides, and the genera Prevotella is associated with diets high in sugar but low in fat and protein. Diet can be used to modulate the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota. One dietary strategy for modulating the microbiota is consumption of dietary fiber and prebiotics. This review aims at describing knowledge about gut microbiota, oriented towards a use of diet to provide benefits to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the bacterial diversity associated with biofilms formed on the anode of microbial fuel cells (MFC), by analyzing the 16S rRNA gene and observations by scanning electron microscopy. Single chambered MFC were constructed and kept in operation for 30 days using environmental samples as inoculum and sole energy substrate; the MFC were monitored as a function of energy production in the course of the experiment; at endpoint, molecular characterization and observations using scanning electron microscopy was performed to the formed biofilms. Values of maximum power density of 4.85 mW/m2 for domestic wastewater and 1.85 mW/m2 in the case of industrial wastewater are reported, with declines of 71 % of the BOD for domestic wastewater and 59 % of the BOD in the case of industrial wastewater. Recovery of 15 unique sequences from the amplification of 16S rRNA gene obtained from the biofilms formed on the anodes was accomplished. Phylogenetic analysis placed these sequences in the Deltaproteobacteria class. The two environmental substrates contain an important and interesting microbial diversity, showing them very promising for the construction and operation of MFC and implementing biodegradation of organic material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial saline springs are habitats of a high diversity of microbial species, but knowledge of this diversity is scarce in our country. We have chosen to study three saline springs as part of our research program on the ecology and diversity of halophilic and thermophilic microorganisms. The saline springs are located on the Andes mountain range, their content of total dissolved solids is 20-54 g/L, they flow from ancient groundwater, and their water regime is not directly related to recent rainfall recharges. They exhibited different physicochemical compositions: the water samples from the Salado de Consotá and La Cristalina springs showed a high content of chlorine, sodium and calcium, while those from the Salpa spring were characterized by high concentrations of sodium, potassium and sulfate. The composition of microbial communities was analyzed using different approaches to generate biodiversity inventories. The results indicated that these springs harbor a microbial community made up mostly of Gram-negative, motile, litotrophic, heterotrophic, halotolerant and halophilic microorganisms, some of which have been previously reported in marine environments. Most isolated microorganisms belonged to the Gamma and Alphaproteobacteria classes, but differences in the microbial composition of each spring were evident. Our study revealed that these springs are a source of new taxonomic diversity as shown by the newly characterized bacterial species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bamboos have a great economic importance due to their applications and their impact on the environment, mainly in protecting soil and watersheds. However, microbial communities associated with plantations of bamboo species grown in Cuba have not been characterized. This could help to validate its favourable environmental impact. Then, this paper aims to quantify, characterize and identify bacteria and filamentous fungi from soil in plantations of different species of bamboo. Plants, with more than 60 years of establishment from the bamboo collection in Cienfuegos Botanical Garden and young plantations of some of this species were sampled. In addition, soil samples of other plant species and uncultivated soil were included to compare the results. Microbiological analyses were circumscribed to cultivable microorganisms. It was found that the concentration of filamentous fungi was between 104 and 105 cfu/g and the bacteria concentration was between 106 and 107cfu /g, orders similar to those of other plant species sampled. We identified a total of 13 fungi genera and three bacterial families that show the diversity of soil microorganisms associated with different species of bamboo grown in Cuba. It is also the basis for further studies on its environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetive. Characterization of microbial diversity and microbiological quality and hygienic sanitary evaluation of different brands of cooked pork ham stunned naturally and not stunned set in several supermarkets of Bogotá D.C. Materials and methods. Were analyzed 10 brands of cooked pork ham during 45 days, refreshed in fridge low the same conditions of the consumer, from three different supermarkets. Recounts in plate of important microorganism in the industry of food and of innocuousness were done to sample with or without blown pack and the isolated strains were identified by biochemical tests and molecular biology (PCR) to determine microbial diversity present of the samples and also food-borne-pathogens. Additionally biofilm formation by strains isolated from surfaces in a food industry was tested. Results. 139 strains were isolated from finished product, which 99% (137 strains) belong are classified into lactic acid bacteria group (LAB), the remaining 1% corresponding to yeasts. From 31 strains isolated from surfaces in the sliced zone, 97% (30 strains) presented biofilm formation. Food-borne pathogens were not isolated from finished product or environmental samples. Conclusions. The spoilage caused for blown pack was associated with presence of LAB, due the fact they were isolated from collected samples in the sliced zone and finished product, of this one only LAB were isolated specially Lactobacillus sp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ingeniería Agrícola y Biosistemas is the property of Universidad Autonoma Chapingo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The author reflects on metagenomics, the new field of research in Colombia, which analyzes the microbial diversity of different ecological microorganisms. He argues that the gulf with national industry is one greatest weakness of the policy behind metagenomic initiatives in Colombia. An overview of the several state-financed projects conducted by the research centers of the country is offered. The author suggests that there is a need of a greater state and political will.