Urban air quality affects the apple microbiome assembly.

Exposure to air pollution affects health of all organisms on earth but the impact on the plant microbiome is less understood. Here, we link the Air Quality Index with the dust and apple epiphytic and endophytic microbiome across the city of Graz (Austria). The microbiome of the apple episphere, peel endosphere and pulp endosphere, and surrounding dust was analyzed. Our results show that the fungal communities were more influenced by air quality than bacterial communities. Bacterial communities, instead, were more specific for the individual sample types, especially noticeable in the pulp endosphere. The microbiome of each sample type was comprised of distinct microbial communities. Overall, the bacterial communities were highly dominated by Proteobacteria followed by Bacteroidota and Actinobacteriota, and the fungal communities were dominated by Ascomycota followed by Basidiomycota. With lower air quality, the relative abundance of the fungal orders Hypocreales and Pleosporales decreased in the apple episphere and the peel endosphere, respectively. Interestingly, an unexpectedly high level of similarity was observed between the bacterial communities of dust and peel endosphere, while the epiphytic bacterial community was significantly different compared to the other samples. We suggested that dust served as a potential microbial colonization route for the fruit microbiome as most bacteria (55%) colonizing the peel endosphere originated from dust. In conclusion, air quality affects the microbiome of edible plants, which can cause health consequences in humans. Therefore, this knowledge should be considered in urban and horticultural farming strategies.

Oak seedling microbiome assembly under climate warming and drought.

Despite that climate change is currently one of the most pervasive challenges, its effects on the plant-associated microbiome is still poorly studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the independent and combinatory effect of climate warming and drought on the microbiome assembly of oak from seed to seedling. In a multifactorial experimental set up, acorns were subjected to different temperatures (15 °C, 20 °C, and 25 °C) and soil moisture levels (drought (15%) and control (60%)) from germination until the seedling stage, after which the bacterial and fungal communities associated to the rhizosphere and phyllosphere were characterized by amplicon sequencing and qPCR. The results showed a stronger effect of temperature on fungal than on bacterial diversity and the effect was more pronounced in the phyllosphere. Under drought condition, temperature had a significantly negative effect on phyllosphere fungal diversity. In the rhizosphere, temperature had a significant effect on the fungal community composition which was primarily caused by species turnover. Regardless of temperature, Actinobacteriota was significantly enriched in drought, a group of bacteria known to increase plant drought tolerance. This study provides new insights into the effect of climate change on the plant microbiome in natural ecosystems.

Effect of two esthetic digitally produced materials used in fabrication of extracoronal attachments on the stresses Induced in removable partial dentures.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of the remaining structures while maintaining an esthetic appearance is a major objective in removable partial prosthodontics. So, the aim of the current study was to compare the stresses induced on the supporting structures by two digitally produced esthetic core materials; Zirconia and Polyetheretherketone when used as an extracoronal attachment in distal extension removable partial dentures using strain gauge analysis. METHODS: A mandibular Kennedy class II stone cast with the necessary abutments' preparations was scanned. The mandibular left canine and first premolar teeth were virtually removed. An acrylic mandibular left canine and first premolar teeth were prepared with heavy chamfer finish line and scanned. Virtual superimposition of the acrylic teeth in their corresponding positions was done. Two strain gauge slots were designed: distal to the terminal abutment and in the residual ridge. Two models and two sets of scanned teeth were digitally printed. The printed teeth were then placed in their corresponding sockets in each model and scanned. The attachment design was selected from the software library and milled out of Zirconia in the model ZR and Polyetheretherketone in the model PE. Five removable partial dentures were constructed for each model. The strain gauges were installed in their grooves. A Universal testing machine was used for unilateral load application of 100 N (N). For each removable partial denture, five measurements were made. The data followed normal distribution and were statistically analyzed by using unpaired t test. P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: During unilateral loading unpaired t test showed statistically significant difference (p = 0.0001) in the microstrain values recorded distal to the abutment between the models ZR (-1001.6 µÎµ ± 24.56) and PE (-682.6 µÎµ ± 22.18). However, non statistically significant difference (p = 0.3122) was observed in the residual ridge between them; ZR (16.2 µÎµ ± 4.53) and PE (15 µÎµ ± 3.74). CONCLUSIONS: In removable partial dentures, Polyetheretherketone extracoronal attachment induces less stress on the supporting abutments compared to the zirconia one with no difference in the stresses induced by them on the residual ridge.

Dynamic assemblies of parvalbumin interneurons in brain oscillations.

Brain oscillations are crucial for perception, memory, and behavior. Parvalbumin-expressing (PV) interneurons are critical for these oscillations, but their population dynamics remain unclear. Using voltage imaging, we simultaneously recorded membrane potentials in up to 26 PV interneurons in vivo during hippocampal ripple oscillations in mice. We found that PV cells generate ripple-frequency rhythms by forming highly dynamic cell assemblies. These assemblies exhibit rapid and significant changes from cycle to cycle, varying greatly in both size and membership. Importantly, this variability is not just random spiking failures of individual neurons. Rather, the activities of other PV cells contain significant information about whether a PV cell spikes or not in a given cycle. This coordination persists without network oscillations, and it exists in subthreshold potentials even when the cells are not spiking. Dynamic assemblies of interneurons may provide a new mechanism to modulate postsynaptic dynamics and impact cognitive functions flexibly and rapidly.

Local climate, air quality and leaf litter cover shape foliar fungal communities on an urban tree.

Foliar fungi on urban trees are important for tree health, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Yet, we lack insights into how urbanization influences foliar fungal communities. We created detailed maps of Stockholm region's climate and air quality and characterized foliar fungi from mature oaks (Quercus robur) across climatic, air quality and local habitat gradients. Fungal richness was higher in locations with high growing season relative humidity, and fungal community composition was structured by growing season maximum temperature, NO2 concentration and leaf litter cover. The relative abundance of mycoparasites and endophytes increased with temperature. The relative abundance of pathogens was lowest with high concentrations of NO2 and particulate matter (PM2.5), while saprotrophs increased with leaf litter cover. Our findings show that urbanization influences foliar fungi, providing insights for developing management guidelines to promote tree health, prevent disease outbreaks and maintain biodiversity within urban landscapes.

Macrophage Activation Syndrome Presents as Initial Manifestation of Lupus in an Adult Female.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the immune system erroneously attacking healthy tissues and organs. SLE has a wide variety of clinical presentations. The signs and symptoms of SLE are very well-known, though rare presentations could occur that require early clinical attention. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a severe and life-threatening condition in which the immune system becomes overactive, leading to the excessive stimulation and proliferation of immune cells. MAS can occur as a primary immune disorder, which is not very common. It can also happen secondary to a wide variety of pathological conditions, which include infections, malignancies, autoimmune, and rheumatologic disorders. In rare cases, SLE can present with overlapping features of MAS, further complicating the clinical picture, and may require specialized management. Early recognition and intervention of this overlap are essential for improving outcomes, as delayed diagnosis and treatment can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a case of a young adult female who was diagnosed with SLE with the initial presentation of MAS in the form of fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, and hemophagocytosis.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum presenting with shock and massive upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Due to rarity of duodenal GISTs, clinicians have few information about its clinical features, diagnosis, management and prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of promptly diagnosed duodenal GIST in a 61-year-old Egyptian man presented shocked with severe attack of hematemesis and melena. Upper gastroduodenal endoscopy was done and revealed a large ulcerating bleeding mass at first part of duodenum 4 hemo-clips were applied with good hemostasis. An exploratory laparotomy and distal gastrectomy, duodenectomy and gastrojejunostomy were performed. The morphology of the mass combined with immunohistochemistry was consistent with duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) of high risk type. The patient is on amatinib one tablet daily and he was well with no evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: despite being rare, emergency presentation with sudden severe, life-threatening hemorrhagic shock duodenal GISTs might be a cause of potentially lethal massive combined upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding which is the key feature of this rare and challenging tumor.

Evaluation of Circular RNA SMARCA5 as a Novel Biomarker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth most prevalent type of cancer in Egypt and the sixth globally. Most patients with HCC are typically diagnosed during the advanced stages of the disease due to the absence of biomarkers for early detection. Consequently, these patients miss the optimal timeframe for receiving therapy. OBJECTIVE: we aimed to assess the circular RNA SMARCA5 level and SMARCA5 mRNA gene expression as a potential biomarker for early detection of HCC. METHODS: The present study utilized a case-control design comprising 159 participants. Participants were selected from both inpatient and outpatient hepatology and gastroenterology clinics at the National Liver Institute Hospital, Menoufia University. They were evenly distributed among three groups: Group I: 53 control subjects, Group II: 53 HCV cirrhotic patients, and Group III: 53 HCC patients. Tumor staging was done using BCLC staging system. Each patient underwent a thorough clinical examination, radiological examination, complete history taking, and serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) assessment and detection of circular RNASMARCA5 and SMARCA5mRNA gene sutilizing quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Statistically substantial differences were observed in the examined groups in terms of AFP, SMARCA5, and CircSMARCA5 (P-value = 0.001, 0.001 & 0.001). CircSMARCA5 and SMARCA5mRNA were markedly down regulated in the HCC group compared to HCV cirrhotic patients and controls. ROC analysis for early HCC diagnosis demonstrated that the CircSMARCA5 area under the curve (AUC) at cut-off point 4.55 yielded a specificity of 83.8% and sensitivity of 91.7%. The AUC for AFP at a cut-off point of 515ng/ml yielded a specificity of 89.2% and a sensitivity of 91.3%. CONCLUSION: CircSMARCA5 has the potential to be a more sensitive predictor of HCC disease compared to AFP.

Effect of super absorbent hydrogel on hydro-physical properties of soil under deficit irrigation.

Due to water scarcity challenges, efficient management of irrigation water is becoming crucial. Water use efficiency (WUE) involves increasing crop productivity without increasing water consumption. This study was carried out to study the effect of hydrogel, deficit irrigation and soil type on WUE, soil hydro-physical properties and lettuce productivity. For this purpose, four irrigation treatments (100%, 85%, 70% and 60% of full irrigation requirements), four hydrogel concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% w/w) and three soil textural classes (clay, loamy sand, and sandy-clay soil) were conducted in pot experiment at open field during two consecutive seasons. The results revealed that crop growth parameters and soil hydro-physical properties were significantly affected by hydrogel application rates. Hydrogel addition significantly enhanced head fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll content, number of leaves and WUE. Application of hydrogel at 0.3% and 85% of irrigation requirements achieved the highest WUE without significant yield reductions. Changes in the studied hydro-physical properties of soil were more dependent on soil texture and hydrogel application rate than on the amount of irrigation water. The significant decrease in soil saturated hydraulic conductivity and bulk density confirms that super absorbent hydrogels could be recommended to improve soil water retention and enhance water use efficiency under deficit irrigation conditions.

Arsenic's shadowy influence: A systematic review of its carcinogenic role in gallbladder cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) and cholangiocarcinoma are aggressive forms of cancer developed in the gallbladder and biliary tracts which are related to the liver. This systematic review aimed to highlight the significant association between gallbladder, biliary cancers, and arsenic exposure. METHODS: An extensive search was conducted in Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science. We included studies that assessed arsenic levels in gallbladder cancer patients, without restrictions on age, sex, or language. Biological samples, such blood, bile, gallbladder tissue, gallstones, and hair were obtained, and arsenic levels were measured. Also, arsenic water and soil concentrations were collected. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies were included in our review. These studies included 2234 non-gallbladder carcinoma patients and 22 585 gallbladder carcinoma cases. The participant demographics showed a gender distribution of 862 males and 1845 females, with an age range of 20-75 years. The average body mass index (BMI) was 19.8 kg/m2 for nongallbladder carcinoma patients and 20.1 kg/m2 for gallbladder carcinoma cases. The selected studies examined arsenic concentrations across various biological samples, including blood, hair, gallstones, and bile. Blood arsenic levels ranged from 0.0002 to 0.3893 µg/g and were significantly associated with increased gallbladder carcinoma risk in several studies. Hair also demonstrated a significant correlation, with arsenic concentrations ranging from 0.0002 to 6.9801 µg/g. CONCLUSION: There is a strong link between arsenic exposure and gallbladder cancer or cholangiocarcinoma. Even chronic exposure to low-moderate amounts could lead to gallbladder carcinoma. These findings stress the need for more comprehensive and dedicated studies, to control arsenic water/soil levels and seek other preventive measures for this high mortality disease.

The Melanocortin and Endorphin Neuropeptides in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Based upon similarities between the urge to move and sensory discomfort of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and properties of melanocortin hormones, including their incitement of movement and hyperalgesia, we assessed plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and ß-endorphin in RLS patients and controls. METHODS: Forty-two untreated moderate-to-severe RLS patients and 44 matched controls underwent venipuncture at 19:00, 20:30, and 22:00; 37 RLS and 36 controls had lumbar puncture at 21:30. CSF and plasma were analyzed for pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), α-MSH, ß-MSH, and ß-endorphin by immunoassay. RLS severity was assessed by International RLS Study Group Severity Scale. RESULTS: RLS participants were 52.7 ± 12.0 years old, 61.9% were women, 21.4% had painful RLS, and RLS severity was 24.8 ± 9.0. Controls had similar age and sex. Plasma ACTH, α-MSH, and ß-endorphin were similar between groups. Plasma POMC was significantly greater in RLS than controls (17.0 ± 11.5 vs 12.7 ± 6.1fmol/ml, p = 0.048). CSF ACTH was similar between groups. CSF ß-MSH was significantly higher in painful than nonpainful RLS or controls (48.2 ± 24.8 vs 32.1 ± 14.8 vs 32.6 ± 15.2pg/ml, analysis of variance [ANOVA] p = 0.03). CSF α-MSH was higher in RLS than controls (34.2 ± 40.9 vs 20.3 ± 11.0pg/ml, p = 0.062). CSF ß-EDP was lowest in painful RLS, intermediate in nonpainful RLS, and highest in controls (8.0 ± 3.4 vs 10.8 ± 3.1 vs 12.3 ± 5.0pg/ml, ANOVA p = 0.049). The ratio of the sum of CSF α- and ß-MSH to CSF ß-endorphin was highest, intermediate, and lowest in painful RLS, nonpainful RLS, and controls (p = 0.007). INTERPRETATION: CSF ß-MSH is increased and CSF ß-endorphin decreased in RLS patients with painful symptoms. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:688-699.

Efficacy, Feasibility, and Safety of the X-Tack Endoscopic HeliX Tacking System: A Multicenter Experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The application of endoscopic suturing has revolutionized defect closures. Conventional over-the-scope suturing necessitates removal of the scope, placement of the device, and reinsertion. A single channel, single sequence, through-the-scope suturing device has been developed to improve this process. This study aims to describe the efficacy, feasibility, and safety of a through-the-scope suturing device for gastrointestinal defect closure. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study involving 9 centers of consecutive adult patients who underwent suturing using the X-Tack Endoscopic HeliX Tacking System (Apollo Endosurgery). The primary outcomes were technical success and long-term clinical success. Secondary outcomes included adverse events, recurrence, and reintervention rates. RESULTS: In all, 56 patients (mean age 53.8, 33 women) were included. Suturing indications included fistula repair (n=22), leak repair (n=7), polypectomy defect closure (n=12), peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) site closure (n=7), perforation repair (n=6), and ulcers (n=2). Patients were followed at a mean duration of 74 days. Overall technical and long-term clinical success rates were 92.9% and 75%, respectively. Both technical and clinical success rates were 100% for polypectomies, POEM-site closures, and ulcers. Success rates were lower for the repair of fistulas (95.5% technical, 54.5% clinical), leaks (57.1%, 28.6%), and perforations (100%, 66.7%). No immediate adverse events were noted. CONCLUSION: This novel, through-the-scope endoscopic suturing system, is a safe and feasible method to repair defects that are ≤3 cm. The efficacy of this device may be better suited for superficial defects as opposed to full-thickness defects. Larger defects will need more sutures and probably a double closure technique to provide a reinforcement layer.

Intact non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy in a patient with a history of two cesarean sections: A case report.

This article reports a case of an unruptured rudimentary horn viable pregnancy at 18 weeks of gestation. The diagnosis was missed at two previous cesarean sections and on a second-trimester ultrasound scan of the index pregnancy. The condition is extremely rare, life-threatening and difficult to diagnose. This case report highlights the importance of checking the anatomy of the uterus and appendages during cesarean section.

Development of oral formulation of Lepidium seeds significantly decreases the high blood glucose levels in diabetic rats: in vitro formulation and in vivo antidiabetic performance.

BACKGROUND: Lepidium sativum, Garden Cress (GC), seeds have a lot of natural molecules with a pronounced activity against different disorders. It was reported that GC seeds have the ability to lower the blood glucose level. AIM: The aim of this work was to formulate GC seeds into oral tablets containing a fixed dose of the grounded seeds. Furthermore, the anti-diabetic performance of the prepared tablets was studied in the streptozotocin rats' model in comparison with positive control metformin. METHODS: Micrometrics of GC grounded seeds with different excipients were investigated. Then, GC tablets were prepared via direct compression technique. GC tablets were characterized for their uniformity of dosage unit, friability, hardness, disintegration time, and in vitro release. The antidiabetic effect was studied in rats for a period of 28 days. Glycosylated hemoglobin, liver performance, and lipid levels include total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also estimated. In addition, histopathological study of liver and pancreas was also performed. RESULTS: Prosolv®EasyTab produced tablets with higher hardness, lower disintegration time, and fast release. GC tablets significantly lower the elevated blood glucose level. In addition, they have antihyperlipidemic activity, hepatocellular protective role and restore the histology of the liver and pancreas. CONCLUSION: GC tablets could be a promising alternative formulation to control the high blood glucose level in diabetic rats rather than chemically derivatized drugs.

A multicentric and nationwide predictive study role of T cell sub-population in the prevalence and prognosis of cryoglobulinemia among genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C patients.

The infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant global health concern. The prevailing genotype of HCV in Egypt is 4a, commonly referred to as GT-4a. A significant proportion exceeding 50% of patients infected with HCV experience extrahepatic manifestations (EHMs), encompassing a diverse range of clinical presentations. These manifestations, including essential mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), can serve as initial and solitary indicators of the disease. The complete understanding of the pathogenesis of EHM remains unclear, with autoimmune phenomena being recognized as the primary causative factor. In this study, we examined the predictive significance of T-cell subpopulations in relation to the occurrence and prognosis of cryoglobulinemia in HCV patients. A total of 450 CHC genotype four treatment naïve patients were enrolled in this analytic cross-sectional study after thorough clinical, laboratory, and radiological examinations. All patients underwent laboratory investigations, including testing for cryoglobulin antibodies and measurements of CD4 and CD8 levels; two groups were described according to their test results: Group 1 consists of patients who have tested positive for cryoglobulin antibodies and Group 2 consists of patients who have tested negative for cryoglobulin antibodies. The exclusion criteria encompassed individuals with HIV infection or chronic HBV infection. Additionally, pelvi-abdominal ultrasonography was performed. Our study included 450 treatment naïve CHC patients (59% male, mean age 50.8 years). The patients were categorized according to their cryoglobulin antibodys test results into two groups: group A, CHC patients with cryoglobulin antibodies (Abs) negative (364 patients), and group B, CHC patients with cryoglobulin Ab positive (86 patients). Group B demonstrated a higher average age, elevated international normalized ratio, more prolonged duration of HCV infection, lower albumin, higher alanine aminotransferase, higher aspartate aminotransferase, higher bilirubin, lower CD8, lower CD4, and lower CD4:CD8 ratio. In contrast, 27 out of 86 (31.40%) patients in group B had symptoms; 85.8% had purpura and arthralgia, 74.3% had paresthesias, 86.7% had weakness, and 12.2% had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The levels of CD4 and CD8 were found to be decreased in chronic HCV patients with MC. T-cell subpopulation serves as a reliable indicator for assessing the prevalence and prognosis of MC in individuals with genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C. However, additional research is needed to further understand the development and spread of various emerging infectious diseases. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that a critical threshold may exist beyond which EHM reaches a point of no return.

Severe Esophageal Stricture Caused by Esophageal Candidiasis in a Non-HIV Patient.

Esophageal candidiasis (EC) is a common opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals, often encountered in situations such as untreated HIV/AIDS or following organ transplantation with immunosuppressant usage. While the main manifestation of esophageal candidiasis is mucosal inflammation, its progression and severe cases may lead to esophageal complications like dysphagia, odynophagia, and weight loss. One of the rare complications is esophageal stricture (ES). Few cases have been reported in the literature to date. Esophageal candidiasis can lead to the formation of ES through chronic inflammation, tissue damage, fibrosis, scarring, and ultimately narrowing of the esophageal lumen. Patients with ES often present with dysphagia, odynophagia, and other symptoms related to impaired swallowing. Esophageal strictures related to EC could seriously affect the patient's quality of life. Malnutrition and weight loss can be easily encountered in those cases. So, prompt diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy are important. Management should include addressing the stricture through endoscopic dilation interventions. Timely recognition of this complication is crucial for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. We present the case of a 46-year-old male with EC complicated by severe ES, dysphagia, and weight loss of more than 30 lbs. The diagnosis was made based on the histopathological examination of the esophageal biopsies.

Comparative study between antegrade flexible ureteroscopy and reterograde intrarenal surgery in the management of impacted upper ureteric stones 1.5 cm or larger.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of antegrade flexible ureteroscopy (FURS) with the following criteria (supine, ultrasonic guided puncture through lower calyx with 14 fr tract, tubeless) versus retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in the management of large impacted upper ureteric stones ≥ 1.5 cm. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study recruited 61 patients with single large impacted upper ureteric stone of ≥ 1.5 cm. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A, included 31 patients who treated by antegrade FURS, all patients were put in supine modified galadako Valdivia position and the renal access is reached by ultrasonic guided puncture through the lower calyx with dilatation upto 14 fr to insert ureteric access sheath and all cases were tubless with JJ stent insertion. Group B, included 30 patients who were treated by RIRS with JJ stent insertion. Stone fragmentation was done by holmium laser in both group. RESULTS: Group A was significantly associated with higher proportion of SFR (90.3%) compared to Group B (70%) (p = 0.046). Group B was significantly associated with shorter operative time and fluoroscopy time in comparison with Group A (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found between studied groups regarding bleeding (p = 0.238). Urosepsis showed significantly higher proportion associated with retrograde approach when compared to antegrade approach (p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: This study showed that antegrade FURS is safe and more effective than RIRS for the management of large impacted upper ureteric stones ≥ 1.5 cm.

The edible plant microbiome: evidence for the occurrence of fruit and vegetable bacteria in the human gut.

Diversity of the gut microbiota is crucial for human health. However, whether fruit and vegetable associated bacteria contribute to overall gut bacterial diversity is still unknown. We reconstructed metagenome-assembled genomes from 156 fruit and vegetable metagenomes to investigate the prevalence of associated bacteria in 2,426 publicly available gut metagenomes. The microbiomes of fresh fruits and vegetables and the human gut are represented by members in common such as Enterobacterales, Burkholderiales, and Lactobacillales. Exposure to bacteria via fruit and vegetable consumption potentially has a beneficial impact on the functional diversity of gut microbiota particularly due to the presence of putative health-promoting genes for the production of vitamin and short-chain fatty acids. In the human gut, they were consistently present, although at a low abundance, approx. 2.2%. Host age, vegetable consumption frequency, and the diversity of plants consumed were drivers favoring a higher proportion. Overall, these results provide one of the primary links between the human microbiome and the environmental microbiome. This study revealed evidence that fruit and vegetable-derived microbes could be found in the human gut and contribute to gut microbiome diversity.

Magnetic resonance angiography in assessment of anomalies of anterior cerebral artery in adults.

Anomalies of anterior cerebral artery (ACA) include aplasia, hypoplasia and variations in number. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is a non-invasive diagnostic technique for assessment of anomalies of cerebral arteries. The aim of the study was to determine the role of MRA in detection of variants of ACA in adults. This study is an observational retrospective study. This study included forty-nine adult cases (28 males and 21 females), mean age 48±12.9 SD with anomalies of ACA in MRA. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and MRA were done to all patients. Cerebral MRA and magnetic resonance images were evaluated for frequency and distribution of variants of anterior cerebral arteries, associated aneurysms and infarctions. Odds ratios (ORs) and relative risk were calculated to determine risk of occurrence of cerebral infarctions in patients with anomalies of ACA. Hypoplasia of ACA was the commonest anomaly of ACA (51% of cases). Risk of occurrence of cerebral infarctions was higher in cases with azygos variant (OR, 3.3; P=0.35) than in those with hypoplastic ACA (OR, 2; P=0.58). MRA was highly reliable in identification of different variants of ACA and concomitant vascular changes.

Reciprocal influence of soil, phyllosphere, and aphid microbiomes.

BACKGROUND: The effect of soil on the plant microbiome is well-studied. However, less is known about the impact of the soil microbiome in multitrophic systems. Here we examined the effect of soil on plant and aphid microbiomes, and the reciprocal effect of aphid herbivory on the plant and soil microbiomes. We designed microcosms, which separate below and aboveground compartments, to grow oak seedlings with and without aphid herbivory in soils with three different microbiomes. We used amplicon sequencing and qPCR to characterize the bacterial and fungal communities in soils, phyllospheres, and aphids. RESULTS: Soil microbiomes significantly affected the microbial communities of phyllospheres and, to a lesser extent, aphid microbiomes, indicating plant-mediated assembly processes from soil to aphids. While aphid herbivory significantly decreased microbial diversity in phyllospheres independent of soil microbiomes, the effect of aphid herbivory on the community composition in soil varied among the three soils. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides experimental evidence for the reciprocal influence of soil, plant, and aphid microbiomes, with the potential for the development of new microbiome-based pest management strategies.