Agricultural activities, including stock-farming, planting industry, and fish aquaculture, can affect the physicochemical and biological characters of freshwater lakes. However, the effects of pollution producing by agricultural activities on microbial ecosystem of lakes remain unclear. Hence, in this work, we selected Honghu Lake as a typical lake that is influenced by agriculture activities. We collected water and sediment samples from 18 sites, which span a wide range of areas from impacted and less-impacted areas. We performed a geospatial analysis on the composition of microbial communities associated with physicochemical properties and antibiotic pollution of samples. The co-occurrence networks of water and sediment were also built and analyzed. Our results showed that the microbial communities of impacted and less-impacted samples of water were largely driven by the concentrations of TN, TP, NO-N, and NO-N, while those of sediment were affected by the concentrations of Sed-OM and Sed-TN. Antibiotics have also played important roles in shaping these microbial communities: the concentrations of oxytetracycline and tetracycline clearly reflected the variance in taxonomic diversity and predicted functional diversity between impacted and less-impacted sites in water and sediment samples, respectively. Furthermore, for samples from both water and sediment, large differences of network topology structures between impacted and less-impacted were also observed. Our results provide compelling evidence that the microbial community can be used as a sentinel of eutrophication and antibiotics pollution risk associated with agricultural activity; and that proper monitoring of this environment is vital to maintain a sustainable environment in Honghu Lake.
Agriculture ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; analysis ; China ; Eutrophication ; Geologic Sediments ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Lakes ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Microbiota ; Risk Factors ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; analysis

Decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) has been widely used as an alternative flame retardant due to the restriction or phase-out of traditional polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and is of increasing concern regarding its ubiquity, persistence, and potential adverse effects. In the present study, the toxicological effects of DBDPE were evaluated using zebrafish as an in vivo model. Upon being exposed to DBDPE-polluted sediments for a short term, it was found that the mortality and malformation of zebrafish (including edema, bent notochord, and bent tail) were not affected even at the highest concentration tested (1000.0 µg/kg dry sediment). Regarding behavioral responses, it was found that zebrafish larvae of 48 hours post fertilization (hpf) in all groups escaped successfully with a touch to the dorsal fin. However, when exposed to the highest DBDPE concentration, the larvae of 120 hpf exhibited significantly smaller distances as compared to the control. Moreover, the results of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, the expression levels of two important nerve-related genes, and the cell apoptosis all indicated that DBDPE posed low neurotoxicity in embryo-larval zebrafish. The results in this study shed some light on the potential risks of DBDPE in the real environment and highlight the application of the sediment exposure route in the future.
Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; etiology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Bromobenzenes ; toxicity ; Geologic Sediments ; analysis ; Larva ; drug effects ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; etiology ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; toxicity ; Zebrafish ; embryology

OBJECTIVEThe custom-homebuilding company, Cosmic Garden Co. Ltd., located in Okayama City, Japan was established in 1997 and uses specific natural ore powder (SNOP) in wall materials and surveys customers in order to improve allergic symptoms.

METHODSTo investigate the biological effects of SNOP, patients with a pollen allergy were recruited to stay in a room surrounded by cloth containing SNOP (CCSNOP), and their symptoms and various biological parameters were compared with those of individuals staying in a room surrounded by control non-woven cloth (NWC). Each stay lasted 60 min. Before and immediately after the stay, a questionnaire regarding allergic symptoms, as well as POMS (Profile of Mood Status) and blood sampling, was performed. Post-stay minus pre-stay values were calculated and compared between CCSNOP and NWC groups.

RESULTSResults indicated that some symptoms, such as nasal obstruction and lacrimation, improved, and POMS evaluation showed that patients were calmer following a stay in CCSNOP. Relative eosinophils, non-specific Ig E, epidermal growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α increased following a stay in CCSNOP.

CONCLUSIONThis ore powder improved allergic symptoms, and long-term monitoring involving 1 to 2 months may be necessary to fully explore the biological and physical effects of SNOP on allergic patients.

Adult ; Chemokine CCL2 ; immunology ; Clothing ; Female ; Geologic Sediments ; chemistry ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; immunology ; Japan ; Male ; Pollen ; immunology ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; immunology ; therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology

OBJECTIVECr(VI) removal from industrial effluents and sediments has attracted the attention of environmental researchers. In the present study, we aimed to isolate bacteria for Cr(VI) bioremediation from sediment samples and to optimize parameters of biodegradation.

METHODSStrains with the ability to tolerate Cr(VI) were obtained by serial dilution and spread plate methods and characterized by morphology, 16S rDNA identification, and phylogenetic analysis. Cr(VI) was determined using the 1,5-diphenylcarbazide method, and the optimum pH and temperature for degradation were studied using a multiple-factor mixed experimental design. Statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the results.

RESULTSFifty-five strains were obtained, and one strain (Sporosarcina saromensis M52; patent application number: 201410819443.3) having the ability to tolerate 500 mg Cr(VI)/L was selected to optimize the degradation conditions. M52 was found be able to efficiently remove 50-200 mg Cr(VI)/L in 24 h, achieving the highest removal efficiency at pH 7.0-8.5 and 35 °C. Moreover, M52 could completely degrade 100 mg Cr(VI)/L at pH 8.0 and 35 °C in 24 h. The mechanism involved in the reduction of Cr(VI) was considered to be bioreduction rather than absorption.

CONCLUSIONThe strong degradation ability of S. saromensis M52 and its advantageous functional characteristics support the potential use of this organism for bioremediation of heavy metal pollution.

Biodegradation, Environmental ; China ; Chromium ; metabolism ; Geologic Sediments ; microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Sporosarcina ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

Marine sediment samples were collected from the coastal areas of Southern India, particularly in Kanyakumari District. Twenty-eight different fungal strains were isolated. The screening of fungi from marine sediment was done to isolate a potent fungus that can produce bioactive compounds for biomedical applications. Only three strains viz Trichoderma gamsii SP4, Talaromyces flavus SP5 and Aspergillus oryzae SP6 were screened for further studies. The intracellular bioactive compounds were extracted using solvent extraction method. The crude extracts were tested for its anti-microbial and anti-cancer properties and analytically characterized using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). All the three extracts were active, but the extract from T. flavus SP5 was found to be more active against various human pathogens, viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 (17.8 ± 0.1), Escherichia coli ATCC 52922 (18.3 ± 0.3), and Candida tropicalis ATCC 750 (17.7 ± 0.4). It also exhibited cytotoxic activity against HEp2 carcinoma cell line with the LC value of 25.7 μg·L. The GC-MS data revealed the presence of effective bioactive compounds. These results revealed that the extract from isolated fungus T. flavus SP5 acted as a potent antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer agent, providing basic information on the potency of marine fungi towards biomedical applications; further investigation may lead to the development of novel anticancer drugs.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fungi ; drug effects ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Geologic Sediments ; microbiology ; Humans ; India ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Talaromyces ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo isolate and indentify the promising antimicrobial metabolite producing Streptomyces strains from marine sediment samples from Andrapradesh coast of India.

METHODSAntagonistic actinomycetes were isolated by starch casein agar medium and modified nutrient agar medium with 1% glucose used as a base for primary screening. Significant antimicrobial metabolite producing strains were selected and identified by using biochemical and 16S rDNA level. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of the organic extracts were done by using broth micro dilution method.

RESULTSAmong the 210 actinomycetes, 64.3% exhibited activity against Gram positive bacteria, 48.5 % showed activity towards Gram negative bacteria, 38.8% exhibited both Gram positive and negative bacteria and 80.85 % isolates revealed significant antifungal activity. However, five isolates AP-5, AP-18, AP-41 and AP-70 showed significant antimicrobial activity. The analysis of cell wall hydrolysates showed the presence of LL-diaminopimelic acid and glycine in all the isolates. Sequencing analysis indicated that the isolates shared 98.5%-99.8% sequence identity to the 16S rDNA gene sequences of the Streptomyces taxons. The antimicrobial substances were extracted using hexane and ethyl acetate from spent medium in which strains were cultivated at 30°Cfor five days. The antimicrobial activity was assessed using broth micro dilution technique. Each of the culture extracts from these five strains showed a typical polyene-like property. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations of ethyl acetate extracts against Escherichia coli and Curvularia lunata were 67.5 and 125.0 µg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIt can be concluded that hexane and ethyl acetate soluble extracellular products of novel isolates are effective against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Actinobacteria ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Anti-Infective Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Antifungal Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Bays ; Complex Mixtures ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Geologic Sediments ; microbiology ; India ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polyenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial activity of marine actinobacteria against multidrug resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MDRSA).

METHODSFifty one actinobacterial strains were isolated from salt pans soil, costal area in Kothapattanam, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. Primary screening was done using cross-streak method against MDRSA. The bioactive compounds are extracted from efficient actinobacteria using solvent extraction. The antimicrobial activity of crude and solvent extracts was performed using Kirby-Bauer method. MIC for ethyl acetate extract was determined by modified agar well diffusion method. The potent actinobacteria are identified using Nonomura key, Shirling and Gottlieb 1966 with Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology.

RESULTSAmong the fifty one isolates screened for antibacterial activity, SRB25 were found efficient against MDRSA. The ethyl acetate extracts showed high inhibition against test organism. MIC test was performed with the ethyl acetate extract against MDRSA and found to be 1 000 µg/mL. The isolated actinobacteria are identified as Streptomyces sp with the help of Nonomura key.

CONCLUSIONSThe current investigation reveals that the marine actinobacteria from salt pan environment can be able to produce new drug molecules against drug resistant microorganisms.

Actinobacteria ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Anti-Infective Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Complex Mixtures ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Geologic Sediments ; microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects

Marine Actinobacteria are emerging as new resources for bioactive natural products with promise in novel drug discovery. In recent years, the richness and diversity of marine Actinobacteria from the South China Sea and their ability in producing bioactive products have been investigated. The objective of this work is to isolate and identify bioactive secondary metabolites from a marine actinobacterium SCSIO 1934 derived from sediments of South China Sea. The strain was identified as a Streptomyces spieces by analyzing its 16S rDNA sequence. Streptomyces sp. SCSIO 1934 was fermented under optimized conditions and seven bioactive secondary metabolites were isolated and purified by chromatographic methods including colum chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Their structures were elucidated as 17-O-demethylgeldanamycin (1), lebstatin (2), 17-O-demethyllebstatin (3), nigericin (4), nigericin sodium salt (5), abierixin (6), respectively, by detailed NMR spectroscopic data (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC and HMBC). This work provided a new marine actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. SCSIO 1934, capable of producing diverse bioactive natural products.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; China ; DNA, Ribosomal ; chemistry ; genetics ; Geologic Sediments ; microbiology ; Oceans and Seas ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Streptomyces ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo explore the diversity changes of microbial communities and bla(CTX-M) in an urban river sediment community with cefotaxime treatment.

METHODSThe terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) of 16S rDNA was employed to analyze the bacteria community, and the bla(CTX-M) was determined using nested PCR. The sediment was treated by cefotaxime at the concentrations of 0, 6.4, 64, and 320 mg/L.

RESULTSAccording to statistical analysis of the T-RFs, no significant correlation was observed between the antibiotic treatment and the microbial community change, but incubation in laboratory conditions had significant effect on the microbial diversity. The PCR results showed that the diversity of bla(CTX-M) decreased after the laboratory incubation.

CONCLUSIONAs there are diverse antibiotic resistant bacteria in the sediments with prior pollution by antibiotics, the whole community can be inert to the antibiotic treatment. Nevertheless, the ex situ treatment conditions in laboratory studies have a significant impact on the community structures.

Biodiversity ; Cefotaxime ; pharmacology ; Ceftazidime ; pharmacology ; Cities ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; Geologic Sediments ; microbiology ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Rivers ; Water Microbiology ; beta-Lactamases ; genetics

Genetic diversity of 18 Acanthamoeba isolates from ocean sediments was evaluated by comparing mitochondrial (mt) DNA RFLP, 18S rDNA sequences and by examining their cytopathic effects on human corneal epithelial cells versus reference strains. All isolates belonged to morphologic group II. Total of 16 restriction phenotypes of mtDNA from 18 isolates demonstrated the genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba in ocean sediments. Phylogenetic analysis using 18s rDNA sequences revealed that the 18 isolates were distinct from morphological groups I and III. Fifteen isolates showed close relatedness with 17 clinical isolates and A. castellanii Castellani and formed a lineage equivalent to T4 genotype of Byers' group. Two reference strains from ocean sediment, A. hatchetti BH-2 and A. griffini S-7 clustered unequivocally with these 15 isolates. Diversity among isolates was also evident from their cytopathic effects on human corneal cells. This is the first time describing Acanthamoeba diversity in ocean sediments in Korea.
Variation (Genetics)/*genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics ; Phylogeny ; Oceans and Seas ; Humans ; Geologic Sediments/*parasitology ; Epithelium, Corneal/cytology ; Epithelial Cells/parasitology ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; Animals ; Acanthamoeba/*genetics/*isolation & purification