Search

Discovering widespread microbial processes that drive unexpected variation in carbon cycling may improve modeling and management of soil carbon (Prescott, 2010; Wieder et al., 2015a, 2018). A first step is to identify community features linked to carbon cycle variation. We addressed this challenge using an epidemiological approach with 206 soil communities decomposing Ponderosa pine litter in 618 microcosms. Carbon flow from litter decomposition was measured over a 6-week incubation. Cumulative CO2 from microbial respiration varied two-fold among microcosms and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from litter decomposition varied five-fold, demonstrating large functional variation despite constant environmental conditions where strong selection is expected. To investigate microbial features driving DOC concentration, two microbial community cohorts were delineated as “high” and “low” DOC. For each cohort, communities from the original soils and from the final microcosm communities after the 6-week incubation with litter were taxonomically profiled. A logistic model including total biomass, fungal richness, and bacterial richness measured in the original soils or in the final microcosm communities predicted the DOC cohort with 72 (P < 0.05) and 80 (P < 0.001) percent accuracy, respectively. The strongest predictors of the DOC cohort were biomass and either fungal richness (in the original soils) or bacterial richness (in the final microcosm communities). Successful forecasting of functional patterns after lengthy community succession in a new environment reveals strong historical contingencies. Forecasting future community function is a key advance beyond correlation of functional variance with end-state community features. The importance of taxon richness—the same feature linked to carbon fate in gut microbiome studies—underscores the need for increased understanding of biotic mechanisms that can shape richness in microbial communities independent of physicochemical conditions.

Improving the biological nitrogen fixation of rhizosphere bacteria in rice is expected to improve plant growth and productivity. Most studies have focused on the application of a single N2-fixing bacterium on rice plants. Little is known about the beneficial impacts of a bacterial consortium, which is known as the microbial synthetic community (SynCom) on rice growth, and the extent of the interaction with the microbial community. The study investigated the effect of a SynCom on rice growth and productivity. A SynCom consisting of three bacteria Azosprillium sp. NL1, Bradyrhizobium sp. NL2, and Azotobacter sp. NL3 was designed to increase the survival and density of root microorganisms. The microbial culture collections used for the reconstitution experiment were established using bacterium-free soil. A profound increase in bacterial root microbiota survival and density was observed in plants inoculated with either mono- or multi-synthetic microbial consortia. SynCom is essential for rice plant growth by improving shoot ramification and root development. The results showed that SynCom could increase the total root nitrogen-fixing (%Ndfa) value by 51.6%, with Azotobacter sp. NL3 being the most dominant. High levels of indole acetic acid production in the range of 0.65–0.8 ng per g root were observed in Azosprillium sp. NL1 and Azotobacter sp. NL3. This indicates Azotobacter sp. NL3 is a nitrogen-fixing rhizosphere bacterium that is dominant in rice-amended soils. These results support the early application of the designed SynCom as a feasible strategy for the induction of nitrogen fixation, suggesting a role for earlier effects on rhizosphere colonization and tillering of plants.

A trial was conducted with 210 Luong Phuong cockerels to investigate the digestibility of dry matter, protein, fat, fiber, minerals, nitrogen-free extract, and metabolizable energy value of IR50404 paddy rice and brown rice in the diet. Cockerels, averaging 558 g/bird, had their ceca removed and were randomly assigned to metabolic cages, with 3 dietary treatments and 5 replicates. The diets included: a basal diet; and two experimental diets containing 20% paddy rice and 60% brown rice in the basal diet. The trial lasted 7 days, in which a 4-day adaptation and a 3-day collection. Digestibility of individual paddy rice and brown rice in the experimental diets was calculated by difference method. Results indicated that digestibility of dry matter (range 72.8-74.11%), neutral detergent fiber (64.94-69.83%) and total ash (60.23-62.54%) were not different between paddy and brown rice (P>0.05); however, the digestibility of organic matter (87.52% vs 77.55%), crude protein (79.63% vs 72.31%), ether extract (79.74% vs 64.77%) and nitrogen-free extractives (46.42% vs 35.47%) in paddy rice were lower than those in brown rice (P

Plants rely on a diverse rhizobiome to regulate nutrient acquisition and plant health. With increasing severity and frequency of droughts worldwide due to climate change, untangling the relationships between plants and their rhizobiomes is vital to maintaining agricultural productivity and protecting ecosystem diversity. While some plant physiological responses to drought are generally conserved, patterns of root exudation (release of small metabolites shown to influence microbes) and the consequential effects on the plant rhizobiome can differ widely across plant species under drought. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a greenhouse study using blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), a drought-tolerant C4 grass native to shortgrass prairie across North American plains, as a model organism to study the effect of increasing drought severity (ambient, mild drought, severe drought) on root exudation and the rhizobiome. Our previous results demonstrated physiological effects of increasing drought severity including an increase in belowground carbon allocation through root exudation and shifts in root exudate composition concurrent with the gradient of drought severity. This work is focused on the rhizobiome community structure using targeted sequencing and found that mild and severe drought resulted in unique shifts in the bacterial + archaeal and fungal communities relative to ambient, non-droughted controls. Specifically, using the change in relative abundance between ambient and drought conditions for each ZOTU as a surrogate for population-scale drought tolerance (e.g., as a response trait), we found that rhizobiome response to drought was non-randomly distributed across the phylogenies of both communities, suggesting that Planctomycetota, Thermoproteota (formerly Thaumarchaeota), and the Glomeromycota were the primary clades driving these changes. Correlation analyses indicated weak correlations between droughted community composition and a select few root exudate compounds previously implicated in plant drought responses including pyruvic acid, D-glucose, and myoinositol. This study demonstrates the variable impacts of drought severity on the composition of the blue grama rhizobiome and provides a platform for hypothesis generation for targeted functional studies of specific taxa involved in plant-microbe drought responses.

GATA transcription factors (TFs) play a significant role in regulating many plant physiological processes. The GATA TF family has been identified and characterized in many important crop species. However, no information is available on the GATA TFs in cassava (Manihot esculenta). In this study, 36 MeGATA genes have been comprehensively identified, annotated, and characterized in the cassava genome using various bioinformatics tools. The gene structure and duplication of the MeGATA genes indicated the redundancy and differences in their gene structural organization. The GATA TFs in cassava could divide into three different groups, as in other plant species. Interestingly, the expression levels of the MeGATA genes were significantly changed in various major organs/tissues in the growth and development, especially in response to adverse environmental conditions. Taken together, this study could propose a list of candidate genes for further functional characterization of stress-inducible MeGATA genes in cassava. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Members of the fungal genus Morchella are widely known for their important ecological roles and significant economic value. In this study, we used amplicon and genome sequencing to characterize bacterial communities associated with sexual fruiting bodies from wild specimens, as well as vegetative mycelium and sclerotia obtained from Morchella isolates grown in vitro. These investigations included diverse representatives from both Elata and Esculenta Morchella clades. Unique bacterial community compositions were observed across the various structures examined, both within and across individual Morchella isolates or specimens. However, specific bacterial taxa were frequently detected in association with certain structures, providing support for an associated core bacterial community. Bacteria from the genus Pseudomonas and Ralstonia constituted the core bacterial associates of Morchella mycelia and sclerotia, while other genera (e.g., Pedobacter spp., Deviosa spp., and Bradyrhizobium spp.) constituted the core bacterial community of fruiting bodies. Furthermore, the importance of Pseudomonas as a key member of the bacteriome was supported by the isolation of several Pseudomonas strains from mycelia during in vitro cultivation. Four of the six mycelial-derived Pseudomonas isolates shared 16S rDNA sequence identity with amplicon sequences recovered directly from the examined fungal structures. Distinct interaction phenotypes (antagonistic or neutral) were observed in confrontation assays between these bacteria and various Morchella isolates. Genome sequences obtained from these Pseudomonas isolates revealed intriguing differences in gene content and annotated functions, specifically with respect to toxin-antitoxin systems, cell adhesion, chitinases, and insecticidal toxins. These genetic differences correlated with the interaction phenotypes. This study provides evidence that Pseudomonas spp. are frequently associated with Morchella and these associations may greatly impact fungal physiology.

Introdução: O mieloma múltiplo (MM), é uma neoplasia de plasmócitos, caracterizada clinicamente pelos achados do CRAB (hipercalcemia, insuficiência renal, anemia e lesões líticas). O ganho de sobrevida considerável nos últimos anos, devido a incorporação de novas estratégias terapêuticas, incluindo o uso dos imunomoduladores (IMIDs), possibilitou o aumento na incidência de segundas neoplasias primárias (SNPs). Objetivo: Descrever um caso de MM, com desfecho raro devido ao surgimento de Leucemia Linfoide Aguda (LLA) como SNP. Relato do caso: A.M.O., masculino, 56 anos, diagnosticado com MM em maio/2019, apresentando 12% de plasmócitos monoclonais e pico monoclonal IgA/Kappa (7,89 g/dL). Foi inicialmente internado com Hb = 5,5 g/dL, CaI = 1,46 mEq/L, Cr = 1,3 mg/dL e lesões líticas vertebrais de L1 a L3 - estadiamento ISS III (albumina: 2,97 g/dL, β-2-microglobulina: 10.526 ng/mL), Durie-Salmon IIIA. Por ser acompanhado em serviço público, foi tratado de 01/06 a 30/11/19, com CTD, atingindo RPMB, seguido por transplante de células hematopoiéticas (TCTH) autólogo em 23/01/2020. Em manutenção com Talidomida até 16/02/22, quando apresentou recidiva (Hb = 10,5 g/dL, gamaglobulina de 5,35, β-2-microglobulina = 5068 ng/mL). Iniciou tratamento sob protocolo VTD em 06/04/22 (6 ciclos), com nova RPMB (reavaliação medular com DRM negativa por imunofenotipagem e ausência de plasmócitos monoclonais na biópsia de medula), seguida por tentativa frustra de 2ºTCTH, por falha de mobilização. Manteve uso de talidomida até 21 de abril de 2023, quando deu entrada no PS com pancitopenia (Hb = 5,7 g/dL, L=3000/mm3, N = 420/mm3, p = 31000/mm3). A avaliação medular revelou dupla população celular com 21,1% de blastos linfoides com fenótipo CD45++/CD34+++/CD19+++/CD13+/CD22+++/CD24++/CD33+/CD58+/cIgM+/cTdT+/CD10 parcial (62%)/CD66c parcial (66%) e 15,6% de plasmócitos monoclonais com fenótipo CD45 parcial (69%)/CD38+++/CD138+++/CD27+/CD28+/CD56++/CD117 parcial (52%), secretores de cadeia leve Kappa, compatível com Leucemia/Linfoma Linfoblástico B e Mieloma Múltiplo, com cariótipo complexo: 53,X,der(Y)t(Y;1)(p11.1;q12),del(1)(q21),+del(1)(p34)x2,+3,der(4)t(4;? )(q21;? ),der(4)t(4;? )(p14;? ),+7,-8,+del(9)(q13q22),+11,14,add(14)(p10),+15,+19,+21[cp13]/46,XY[7]. Infelizmente o paciente evoluiu a óbito antes de iniciar tratamento. Discussão: Há aumento na incidência de SNPs em pacientes com MM, principalmente da série mieloide, sendo a LLA raramente reportada. Devido ao fato de se tratar de neoplasias com origem linfoide B, aventou-se a possibilidade da LLA representar uma evolução clonal do MM. Entretanto, trabalhos recentes têm atribuído o desenvolvimento da segunda neoplasia ao tratamento prévio empregado, principalmente aos IMIDs, sem descartar a participação dos alquilantes pré TCTH. Nesse contexto, nosso paciente pode ser considerado uma LLA relacionada a terapia (tLLA) do MM, uma vez que foi submetido ao TCTH e fez uso prolongado de talidomida. Conclusão: Embora exista a possibilidade incomum do desenvolvimento de tLLA, o benefício do emprego da terapia prolongada de manutenção com IMIDs supera esse risco, devendo-se alertar, porém ao estudo precoce da medula óssea em pacientes com citopenia persistente, a fim de possibilitar um desfecho diferente do vivenciado por esse paciente.

The case was attended by our team at Santa Casa de São José dos Campos, a teaching hospital with Accreditation Level 3 from National Accreditation Organization, classified as structuring hospital by the government of the State of São Paulo, which serves patients of the public health system (SUS) and is a reference in complex care including onco-hematological diseases. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted with complaints of asthenia, weakness in the lower limbs, fever, night sweats and weight loss of 14 kg over a period of 10 months. Initial workups showed hemoglobin 7.7 g/dL, MCV 82.7fL, RDW 19.4%, white blood cells 13.6x109/L, segmented neutrophils 1.1x109/L, blasts 7.9x109/L, presence of erythroblasts and platelets 23x109/L. Renal and hepatic functions were unchanged and serologic tests negative. Myelogram evidenced substitution of normal myeloid elements by 66% of moderate size blasts with high nucleo-cytoplasm ratio, basophilic cytoplasm some with microvacuolization, loosely attached chromatin and evidently surplusing nucleoles. Megakaryocyte were not observed. The cytological picture was suggestive of acute leukemia. Immunophenotypic analysis detected two anomalous and distinct cell populations. Population one with myeloid blasts (32.1% of total events acquired), CD7, CD13, CD33, CD34, CD38++, CD56, CD71+, CD81+, CD117, CD123+, HLA-DR and MPO (10%) positive markers. The second population was characterized by blasts co-expressing B and T lymphoid antigens (22.1% of total acquired events), CD2, cytoplasmic CD3, CD7, CD13, CD19, CD22, CD33, CD34, CD38+, CD56, CD71+, CD79a, CD81+, D117, CD123+ and HLA-DR positive markers. The immunophenotypic findings were compatible with Acute Leukemia of Mixed B, T and Myeloid phenotype [Mixed-phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL)]. Complex and compound karyotype showing monosomy of chromosome X, translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 2 and 5, 7 and 14, translocation between the short arm of chromosome 4 and long arm of chromosome 7, partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 5, monosomy of chromosome 5, short arm isochromosome of chromosome 6, interstitial deletion of the long arms of chromosomes 7 and 9, monosomy of chromosomes 8, 9, 14, 16, 20 and 21, partial deletion of the long arm of chromosome 14 and trisomy of chromosome 20. Throughout hospitalization, the patient had evident thrombocytopenia (values below 5x109/L) and high platelet transfusion dependence. The regimen of hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (hyper-CVAD) was proposed for induction of remission, however three days after initiation the patient presented acute respiratory failure due to probable alveolar bleeding unresponsive to mechanical ventilation, cardio respiratory arrest and death. MPAL is characterized by blasts with phenotypic markers of two or three hematopoietic lineages that cannot be clearly defined as acute myeloid or lymphoblastic leukemia. Cytogenetic aberrations are usually present and often associated with higher risk somatic mutations. Because it is a rare disease there are no treatments based on multicenter prospective studies. Anecdotal evidences have suggested that induction protocols used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia followed by allogeneic bone marrow transplantation result in better outcomes when compared to treatments for acute myeloid leukemia. However, despite efforts to provide initial remission the prognosis remains poor.

Objetivos: Descrever noções introdutórias ao sistema de antígenos leucocitários humanos (HLA) para melhor compreender sua importância no sucesso do transplante de medula óssea (TMO). Material e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica. A revisão de literatura operacionalizada mediante busca eletrônica de artigos indexados nas bases de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), Medical Publications (PubMed) e Google Acadêmico, utilizou os seguintes descritores: “histocompatibilidade”, “compatibilidade no transplante de medula” e “HLA”. Para critérios de inclusão, foram selecionados trabalhos publicados no período de 2000 a 2022, contendo o texto na íntegra, em português ou inglês, os quais atendessem ao objetivo proposto. Resultados: A histocompatibilidade é um dos principais fatores a serem considerados quando se trata do sucesso de qualquer transplante, em especial o de medula óssea (TMO), pois desempenha um papel central na resposta imune e no sucesso do tratamento. Visto que a presença de antígenos de histocompatibilidade incompatíveis entre o doador e o receptor costuma levar a respostas imunes indesejadas, em especial a Doença do Enxerto Contra o Hospedeiro (DECH) e, assim, ao fracasso do transplante. O sistema de Antígenos Leucocitários Humanos (HLA), o qual é o principal complexo de histocompatibilidade (MHC) em seres humanos, de grande importância no sistema imunológico, é controlado por genes localizados no cromossomo 6. Sua herança se dá de forma autossômica e codominante. De maneira que, cada genitor possui dois cromossomos 6 diferentes, logo quatro combinações diferentes de haplótipos são possíveis para seus descendentes. Tal modelo de herança é um fator relevante na busca de doadores aparentados compatíveis para transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas. Discussão: Diversas complicações podem suceder o transplante de medula óssea, contudo a principal é a Doença do Enxerto Contra Hospedeiro (DECH). É uma condição caracterizada pela ativação dos linfócitos T do doador quando no corpo do receptor, devido aos antígenos de histocompatibilidade do hospedeiro. A síndrome clínica se caracteriza por febre, náuseas, vômitos, diarreia e distúrbios no fígado, além de agravar outros possíveis achados, como alterações oculares e complicações nos sistemas respiratório e digestório. Assim, com base na análise da literatura, torna-se evidente a importância das medidas de pesquisa realizadas antes do TMO, o qual para que seja bem realizado, é necessário, entre outros fatores, que exista compatibilidade doador-receptor para moléculas codificadas pelos genes HLA relacionados às classes I e II. Na atual rotina laboratorial dos exames de histocompatibilidade pré transplante são analisados os locus HLA-A, HLA-B, HLA-C, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ e HLA-DP. Conclusão: A partir dos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o sistema de Antígenos Leucocitários Humanos (HLA) é essencial para o sucesso de um Transplante de Medula Óssea (TMO). De modo que esses fatores de histocompatibilidade devem ser considerados durante a busca de um doador, para que a resposta imune desencadeada pelo receptor transplantado seja a menos reativa possível.

Objetivo: Incentivar a conscientização sobre a importância da doação de sangue para o Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Ceará em parceria com a Liga Sobralense de Hematologia. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo relato de experiência, realizado a partir da vivência de representantes da Liga Sobralense de Hematologia (LASH), no planejamento e organização de uma campanha voltada para o incentivo e conscientização da doação de sangue. Em março de 2023, o HEMOCE promoveu, em parceria com a LASH, uma campanha de doação de sangue na cidade de Sobral-CE, no Centro Universitário Uninta, o evento possuiu duração de 10 horas e contou com a presença de ligantes e professores durante sua organização. Resultados: O Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Ceará (HEMOCE) é uma instituição da rede pública de hemocentro estadual, que através da prestação de serviços de hemoterapia e hematologia, fomenta acesso à saúde de forma integral à população. Em parceria ao HEMOCE a Liga Sobralense de Hematologia (LASH), a qual é um componente acadêmico que se dedica a vivenciar experiências de ensino, pesquisa e extensão relacionadas a área de hematologia, com enfoque na aprendizagem e realização práticas de relevância social, realiza eventos que envolvam mobilização e conscientização da comunidade em concomitância com equipamentos de saúde. A campanha atendeu ao seu objetivo proposto, superando expectativas de participação. Acredita-se que a principal causa de adesão pela comunidade a campanha foi devido a extensa divulgação nas redes sociais da LASH, panfletos e de parcerias com instituições, tornou-se possível a mobilização de um grande número de voluntários. A coleta de sangue foi realizada no Centro Universitário Inta (UNINTA), tornando a doação acessível para estudantes e profissionais da instituição. Ao final da campanha, foram coletadas 57 bolsas de sangue, número significativo que contribuiu para aumentar os estoques do HEMOCE, além de possibilitar atendimento adequado às emergências médicas e aos pacientes em tratamento. Além disso, a adesão positiva à campanha demonstrou que as estratégias utilizadas foram efetivas para engajar e despertar interesse pela doação. A parceria com a LASH foi fundamental, haja vista que as ações educativas e o material didático produzido pela liga, permitiram informar e esclarecer dúvidas, o que ajudou a aumentar a quantidade de possíveis doadores. Ademais, estudantes de medicina da UNINTA e de outras ligas acadêmicas, se envolveram ativamente na organização da campanha, divulgando informações técnicas e científicas sobre a importância da doação de sangue. A presença de profissionais de saúde no evento fomentou segurança e incentivo aos doadores, especialmente aqueles que nunca haviam doado. Conclusão: Portanto, a campanha de doação promovida pelo HEMOCE em parceria com a LASH teve impacto significativo na conscientização sobre a importância da doação voluntária de sangue. A participação ativa da comunidade acadêmica e da população contribuiu para o sucesso da iniciativa. Assim, o aumento dos estoques de sangue permitirá atender de forma eficiente às necessidades da região. Esse relato de experiência destaca a relevância de campanhas de doação de sangue para sensibilizar a sociedade sobre o papel crucial que o doador exerce na saúde pública. É imprescindível continuar incentivando e apoiando a doação regular, visando garantir a sustentabilidade dos bancos de sangue para o bem-estar coletivo.

Introdução: O transplante de medula óssea, também chamado de transplante de células tronco hematopoiéticas, é uma modalidade de tratamento potencialmente curativo para doenças malignas e não malignas hematológicas e para alguns distúrbios não hematológicos. O transplante consiste em fornecer ao paciente células tronco/progenitoras que podem ser colhidas dele mesmo ou de um doador. As células transplantadas irão se alojar na medula óssea, para que ela novamente produza células sanguíneas normais. Objetivos: Compreender o conceito e a importância do Transplante de Medula Óssea, além das diferenças entre as suas duas principais modalidades. Materiais, métodos e resultados: Trata-se de um estudo exploratório por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica. A revisão da literatura científica foi feita mediante a busca eletrônica de artigos indexados nas bases de dados: SCIELO, Google Acadêmico, Pubmed. As publicações foram pré-selecionadas pelos títulos, acompanhada da leitura dos resumos disponíveis e seguida da leitura completa dos artigos. RESULTADOS: O Transplante de Medula Óssea se subdivide em dois tipos: TMO Alogênico e TMO Autogênico. No primeiro, o Transplante Alogênico, o paciente recebe células-tronco hematopoiéticas/progenitoras advindas de outro indivíduo, que pode ser tanto um doador irmão compatível com o antígeno leucocitário humano (HLA), um doador parente que é HLA parcialmente compatível ou haploidêntico ou um doador não aparentado que seja compatível com HLA. Já no Transplante de Medula Óssea Autogênico, as células da medula óssea do próprio paciente são coletadas e conservadas por criopreservação antes que uma quimioterapia de alta dose seja administrada, sendo reinfusionadas depois por meio de uma cateter e a pega da medula acontece de 10 a 14 dias após esse procedimento. Conclusão: O Transplante de Medula óssea é uma ciência potencialmente curativa e que pode salvar vidas. Ambos os tipos, Alogênico e Autogênico, possuem riscos, como a Doença do Enxerto Contra o Hospedeiro (DECH), desordens sistêmicas e infecções. No entanto, caso a medula óssea do paciente esteja adequada e ele capaz de passar pelo procedimento, o TMO Autogênico se mostra como uma ótima opção, visto que tem menores riscos de causar a complicação mais comum dos TMO, a DECH.

Sublimation growth of cubic silicon carbide (3C–SiC) with diameters of 50 and 100 mm was performed on freestanding homoepitaxial grown seeds. For both seeds and sublimation grown crystals, two different relaxation axes with varying curvature could be observed with the higher bent axis aligned perpendicular to the original wafer flat. A general reduction in the wafer bow independent of the starting curvature and size of the seeds could be observed. Using the X-ray imaging, we could observe in situ that the bow reduction is linked to the growth of new material and cannot be initiated by heat up or cool down processes alone. Raman spectroscopy of the grown crystals revealed that the observed flattening goes along with a tensing of the seeding layers while the surface of the crystals remains free of a stress gradient. A slight concave bending of lattice planes along the main relaxation axis could be observed by high-resolution XRD rocking curve measurements while for the lower bent axis, no lattice plane bending occurred. Full width half maximum values of the (002) reflection showed values as low as 67 arcseconds proofing the possibility to grow large-area, high-quality 3C–SiC using sublimation growth.

Abstract Plant survival during environmental stress greatly affects ecosystem carbon (C) cycling, and plant–microbe interactions are central to plant stress survival. The release of C-rich root exudates is a key mechanism plants use to manage their microbiome, attracting beneficial microbes and/or suppressing harmful microbes to help plants withstand environmental stress. However, a critical knowledge gap is how plants alter root exudate concentration and composition under varying stress levels. In a greenhouse study, we imposed three drought treatments (control, mild, severe) on blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis Kunth Lag. Ex Griffiths), and measured plant physiology and root exudate concentration and composition using GC–MS, NMR, and FTICR. With increasing drought severity, root exudate total C and organic C increased concurrently with declining predawn leaf water potential and photosynthesis. Root exudate composition mirrored the physiological gradient of drought severity treatments. Specific compounds that are known to alter plant drought responses and the rhizosphere microbiome mirrored the drought severity-induced root exudate compositional gradient. Despite reducing C uptake, these plants actively invested C to root exudates with increasing drought severity. Patterns of plant physiology and root exudate concentration and composition co-varied along a gradient of drought severity.

ABSTRACT Biotic factors that influence the temporal stability of microbial community functioning are an emerging research focus for the control of natural and engineered systems. The discovery of common features within community ensembles that differ in functional stability over time is a starting point to explore biotic factors. We serially propagated a suite of soil microbial communities through five generations of 28-day microcosm incubations to examine microbial community compositional and functional stability during plant litter decomposition. Using dissolved organic carbon (DOC) abundance as a target function, we hypothesized that microbial diversity, compositional stability, and associated changes in interactions would explain the relative stability of the ecosystem function between generations. Communities with initially high DOC abundance tended to converge towards a “low DOC” phenotype within two generations, but across all microcosms, functional stability between generations was highly variable. By splitting communities into two cohorts based on their relative DOC functional stability, we found that compositional shifts, diversity, and interaction network complexity were associated with the stability of DOC abundance between generations. Further, our results showed that legacy effects were important in determining compositional and functional outcomes, and we identified taxa associated with high DOC abundance. In the context of litter decomposition, achieving functionally stable communities is required to utilize soil microbiomes to increase DOC abundance and long-term terrestrial DOC sequestration as one solution to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. Identifying factors that stabilize function for a community of interest may improve the success of microbiome engineering applications. IMPORTANCE Microbial community functioning can be highly dynamic over time. Identifying and understanding biotic factors that control functional stability is of significant interest for natural and engineered communities alike. Using plant litter–decomposing communities as a model system, this study examined the stability of ecosystem function over time following repeated community transfers. By identifying microbial community features that are associated with stable ecosystem functions, microbial communities can be manipulated in ways that promote the consistency and reliability of the desired function, improving outcomes and increasing the utility of microorganisms.

Abstract Background An often heard and justifiable concern of ethnic minorities is related to researchers’ lack of attention to sharing the results of a study with participants after the study has concluded. Few studies have examined the effects of returning overall study results on participants’ attitudes, especially among populations underrepresented in research. Among Latina research participants, providing a summary of study results could enhance participation in research. We assess Latina breast cancer survivors’ reactions to receiving study results and their attitudes about participating in future studies. Methods For this cross-sectional survey study, all women who had participated in two behavioral randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were mailed a letter summarizing the study results (using written and graphic formats) and a questionnaire assessing problems and understanding the results, importance of sharing results, willingness to participate in future studies, and format preferences for receiving the results. A postage-paid envelope for returning the completed questionnaire was included. Logistic regression examined the associations of age, education, and rural/urban residence on format preferences and willingness to participate. The survey sample consisted of 304 low-income, predominantly Spanish-speaking Latina breast cancer survivors (151 from urban and 153 from rural communities) who had participated in two RCTs testing a stress management program designed for Latina breast cancer survivors. Results Ninety-two women returned the questionnaires (30.3%). Most of the women (91.1%) indicated that they had no trouble understanding the results of the study, and 97% agreed that it is very/extremely important for researchers to share the study result with the participants. The majority (60.2%) reported that receiving the results increased their willingness to participate in future studies. About half (51.7%) did not have a format preference, 37.4% preferred written summaries, and 10.9% preferred graphs. Conclusions This study is an important first step to understanding the impact of returning study results among a population that is underrepresented in research. Returning the results of studies and understanding the impact of doing so is consistent with maintaining community involvement in all phases of research. The findings suggest that sharing aggregate research results in simple language yields few problems in participants’ understanding of the results and is viewed as important by participants. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02931552 Date registered: October 13, 2016 and NCT01383174 Date registered: June 28, 2011.

Teresa Paolucci,1 Letizia Pezzi,1 Roberta La Verde,2 Pasqualino Maietta Latessa,3 Rosa grazia Bellomo,4 Raoul Saggini1 1University G. d’Annunzio Chieti, Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, Chieti-Pescara, Italy; 2S. Filippo Neri Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, “Sapienza” University, Rome, Italy; 3Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; 4University of Study of Urbino Carlo Bo, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Urbino, ItalyCorrespondence: Teresa PaolucciG. D’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Rehabilitation Unit, Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies (DSMOB), Via Dei Vestini 66100, Chieti Scalo, ItalyEmail teresapaolucci@hotmail.comBackground: Aging has been associated with the progressive depletion of lean mass, reductions in muscle strength and the coordination of the lower extremities, accompanied by decreased gait assurance and balance control. Also, less balance control favors falling which is the leading cause of injury among the elderly. The aim of this systematic review is to identify and evaluate existing evidence regarding the use of focused vibration (FV) to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling during the rehabilitation of elderly populations.Methods: The PICO question is what are the effects of focal/segmental/local vibration training on the assessment of balance and the risk of falls among the elderly population? A thorough literature review was conducted between May 1, 2009, and June 30, 2019, for studies in English, randomized clinical trials, including crossover and prospective design studies with assessing balance and the risk of falls in elderly populations (age > 60 years).Results: Eight articles (N = 8) satisfied the inclusion criteria and were considered, of which 6 are RTC, one cross-sectional study and one clinical study, for a total of 635 participants. A total of 6 different vibration devices were used, each of which was associated with different FV frequency and amplitude characteristics and different treatment protocols.Conclusion: In conclusion, FV can be effective in decreasing the risk of falls and improving the assessment of balance, but more evidence is necessary considering the limits of the studies; however, it does look an important promise during rehabilitative treatment.Keywords: rehabilitation, risk of falls, exercise, vibration, equilibrium

Robinson et al. explore bacterial associations in over 700 phylogenetically diverse fungal isolates with 16 S rRNA sequencing of fungal collections from across the globe and bioinformatic screening of publicly available fungal genome sequencing projects. This study reveals that bacterial associations with fungal hosts are widespread, and represents a vast increase in the representation of explored fungal-bacterial relationships.

Proper regulation of the innate immune response to bone biomaterials after implantation is pivotal for successful bone healing. Pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages are known to have an important role in regulating the healing response to biomaterials. Materials with defined structural and topographical features have recently been found to favourably modulate the innate immune response, leading to improved healing outcomes. Calcium phosphate bone grafts with submicron-sized needle-shaped surface features have been shown to trigger a pro-healing response through upregulation of M2 polarised macrophages, leading to accelerated and enhanced bone regeneration. The present review describes the recent research on these and other materials, all the way from benchtop to the clinic, including in vitro and in vivo fundamental studies, evaluation in clinically relevant spinal fusion models and clinical validation in a case series of 77 patients with posterolateral and/or interbody fusion in the lumbar and cervical spine. This research demonstrates the feasibility of enhancing biomaterial-directed bone formation by modulating the innate immune response through topographic surface features.