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Nature Reviews. Microbiology Nov 2020Healthy plants host diverse but taxonomically structured communities of microorganisms, the plant microbiota, that colonize every accessible plant tissue.... (Review)
Review
Healthy plants host diverse but taxonomically structured communities of microorganisms, the plant microbiota, that colonize every accessible plant tissue. Plant-associated microbiomes confer fitness advantages to the plant host, including growth promotion, nutrient uptake, stress tolerance and resistance to pathogens. In this Review, we explore how plant microbiome research has unravelled the complex network of genetic, biochemical, physical and metabolic interactions among the plant, the associated microbial communities and the environment. We also discuss how those interactions shape the assembly of plant-associated microbiomes and modulate their beneficial traits, such as nutrient acquisition and plant health, in addition to highlighting knowledge gaps and future directions.
Topics: Microbiota; Plants; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 32788714
DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-0412-1 -
Nature Microbiology Jan 2022
Topics: Humans; Medical Illustration; Microbiological Techniques; Microbiology; Microscopy
PubMed: 34983956
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-01044-1 -
Current Biology : CB Dec 2021Fungi are key organisms of the biosphere with major roles in organic-matter decomposition, element cycling, plant pathogenicity, and symbioses in aquatic and terrestrial...
Fungi are key organisms of the biosphere with major roles in organic-matter decomposition, element cycling, plant pathogenicity, and symbioses in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The vast majority exhibit a filamentous, branching growth form and are aerobic chemoorganotrophs that derive carbon and energy from organic substances, and are particularly associated with soil, the plant-root zone, and rock surfaces. It is now known that some fungi are lithotrophs, deriving energy from the oxidation of inorganic materials, whereas others are photoheterotrophs, deriving additional energy from light for organic matter utilization when oxygen is limited. This means that fungi are of much wider environmental significance than previously thought and explains their ubiquity in locations previously thought to be inimical to fungal existence, such as the deep subsurface and other anaerobic locations. In addition to such free-living species, fungi associated with photosynthetic partners are also of profound biosphere importance. For example, lichens, which are composed of a symbiotic association between a fungus and a phototrophic alga and/or cyanobacterium, are pioneer colonizers and bioweathering agents of rocks and minerals. Mycorrhizas are symbiotic, plant-root-associated fungi found to colonize the majority of plant genera, where they improve plant nutrition through solubilization of essential metals and phosphate from soil minerals. Biomineralization in the soil can also immobilize toxic metals in the vicinity of plant roots, thereby benefiting plant colonization and facilitating revegetation of contaminated habitats. Wherever fungi are found, transformation of metals and minerals is a key aspect of their activity, with biomineralization an important feature. Fungal biomineralization is an important facet of geomycology - namely the roles of fungi in geochemical and geophysical processes. This article seeks to highlight the concept of biomineralization as applied to fungi, the occurrence and significance of important fungal biominerals in natural and synthetic environments, and the applied potential of fungal biomineralization in nanobiotechnology.
Topics: Biomineralization; Fungi; Metals; Minerals; Mycorrhizae; Plant Roots; Plants; Soil; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 34932960
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.10.041 -
Nature Microbiology Dec 2021
Topics: Editorial Policies; History, 21st Century; Microbiology; Publications; Virology
PubMed: 34819639
DOI: 10.1038/s41564-021-01016-5 -
The Plant Journal : For Cell and... Feb 2022Soil is a living ecosystem, the health of which depends on fine interactions among its abiotic and biotic components. These form a delicate equilibrium maintained... (Review)
Review
Soil is a living ecosystem, the health of which depends on fine interactions among its abiotic and biotic components. These form a delicate equilibrium maintained through a multilayer network that absorbs certain perturbations and guarantees soil functioning. Deciphering the principles governing the interactions within soils is of critical importance for their management and conservation. Here, we focus on soil microbiota and discuss the complexity of interactions that impact the composition and function of soil microbiota and their interaction with plants. We discuss how physical aspects of soils influence microbiota composition and how microbiota-plant interactions support plant growth and responses to nutrient deficiencies. We predict that understanding the principles determining the configuration and functioning of soil microbiota will contribute to the design of microbiota-based strategies to preserve natural resources and develop more environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Topics: Host Microbial Interactions; Microbiota; Plants; Rhizosphere; Soil Microbiology
PubMed: 34743401
DOI: 10.1111/tpj.15568 -
Journal of Basic Microbiology Mar 2024
Topics: Soil Microbiology; Agriculture; Soil
PubMed: 38269960
DOI: 10.1002/jobm.202400025 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Nov 2021The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated the value of highly skilled and extensively trained specialists in clinical microbiology (CM) and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demonstrated the value of highly skilled and extensively trained specialists in clinical microbiology (CM) and infectious diseases (ID). Training curricula in CM and ID must constantly evolve to prepare trainees for future pandemics and to allow trainees to reach their full clinical and academic potential.
OBJECTIVES
In this narrative review, we aim to outline necessary future adaptations in CM and ID training curricula and identify current structural barriers in training with the aim of discussing possibilities to address these shortcomings.
SOURCES
We reviewed literature from PubMed and included selected books and online publications as appropriate. There was no time constraint on the included publications.
CONTENT
Drawing from the lessons learnt during the pandemic, we summarize novel digital technologies relevant to CM and ID trainees and highlight interdisciplinary teamwork and networking skills as important competencies. We centre CM and ID training within the One Health framework and discuss gender inequalities and structural racism as barriers in both CM and ID training and patient care.
IMPLICATIONS
CM and ID trainees should receive training and support developing skills in novel digital technologies, leadership, interdisciplinary teamwork and networking. Equally important is the need for equity of opportunity, with firm commitments to end gender inequality and structural racism in CM and ID. Policy-makers and CM and ID societies should ensure that trainees are better equipped to achieve their professional goals and are better prepared for the challenges awaiting in their fields.
Topics: COVID-19; Communicable Diseases; Curriculum; Gender Equity; Humans; Infectious Disease Medicine; Microbiology; One Health; Pandemics; Racism; Specialization
PubMed: 34197928
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.06.032 -
Intensive Care Medicine Feb 2020Antimicrobial de-escalation (ADE) is a strategy of antimicrobial stewardship, aiming at preventing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by decreasing the...
Antimicrobial de-escalation in critically ill patients: a position statement from a task force of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Critically Ill Patients Study Group (ESGCIP).
BACKGROUND
Antimicrobial de-escalation (ADE) is a strategy of antimicrobial stewardship, aiming at preventing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) by decreasing the exposure to broad-spectrum antimicrobials. There is no high-quality research on ADE and its effects on AMR. Its definition varies and there is little evidence-based guidance for clinicians to use ADE in the intensive care unit (ICU).
METHODS
A task force of 16 international experts was formed in November 2016 to provide with guidelines for clinical practice to develop questions targeted at defining ADE, its effects on the ICU population and to provide clinical guidance. Groups of 2 experts were assigned 1-2 questions each within their field of expertise to provide draft statements and rationale. A Delphi method, with 3 rounds and an agreement threshold of 70% was required to reach consensus.
RESULTS
We present a comprehensive document with 13 statements, reviewing the evidence on the definition of ADE, its effects in the ICU population and providing guidance for clinicians in subsets of clinical scenarios where ADE may be considered.
CONCLUSION
ADE remains a topic of controversy due to the complexity of clinical scenarios where it may be applied and the absence of evidence to the effects it may have on antimicrobial resistance.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antimicrobial Stewardship; Critical Care; Critical Illness; Europe; Expert Testimony; Humans; Intensive Care Units; Microbiology; Societies, Medical
PubMed: 31781835
DOI: 10.1007/s00134-019-05866-w -
Microbial Biotechnology Mar 2021
Topics: Biotechnology; China; Industrial Microbiology; Microbiology
PubMed: 33609328
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13777 -
Nihon Saikingaku Zasshi. Japanese... 2023
Topics: Food Microbiology; Meat Products
PubMed: 36754395
DOI: 10.3412/jsb.78.155