The preservation of microbial DNA in archived soils of various genetic types

<div><p>This study is a comparative analysis of samples of archived (stored for over 70–90 years) and modern soils of two different genetic types–chernozem and sod-podzolic soils. We revealed a reduction in biodiversity of archived soils relative to their modern state. Particularly, long-term storage in the museum exerted a greater impact on the microbiomes of sod-podzolic soils, while chernozem samples better preserved the native community. Thus, the persistence of microbial DNA in soil is largely determined by the physico-chemical characteristics that differ across soil types. Chernozems create better conditions for the long-term DNA preservation than sod-podzolic soils. This results in supposedly higher levels of biodiversity conservation in the microbiomes of chernozem with preservation of major microbial taxa dominant in the modern (control) soil samples, which makes archived chernozems a promising object for paleosoil studies.</p></div

Alpha-diversity of soil microbiomes (data are expressed as mean ± S.E.M.)

<p>Alpha-diversity of soil microbiomes (data are expressed as mean ± S.E.M.)</p

Taxa summary of microbiomes of soils investigated at the phylum level, including classes of <i>Proteobacteria</i>.

<p>Taxa summary of microbiomes of soils investigated at the phylum level, including classes of <i>Proteobacteria</i>.</p

Heatmap of fractions of microbial orders* in archived sod-podzolic and chernozem soils.

<p>0.01 units = 1% of the sample * doesn’t include the orders with relative abundance below 0.001 in the dataset of each soil type.</p

Description of the soil samples.

<p>Description of the soil samples.</p

Comparative analysis of taxonomic structure of microbiomes* of archived and modern soils.

<p>The charts were constructed by ranging microbial taxa abundances based on relative taxa proportions in modern soils. 1 unit = 1% of the corresponding dataset. * doesn’t include the orders with relative abundance below 0.6% in the total dataset</p

PCoA of weighted UniFrac distance matrices calculated for soil microbiomes.

<p>ACh–samples of Archived Chernozem soil, ASp–samples of Archived Sod-podzolic soil, Sp and Ch–samples of modern Sod-podzolic soil and Chernozem respectively.</p

qPCR analysis of 16 S rRNA gene of bacteria in archived and modern soils.

<p>ACh1-9 –samples of Archived Chernozem, ASp1-7 –samples of Archived Sod-podzolic soils, Ch–sample of modern Chernozem, Sp–sample of modern Sod-podzolic soil. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Numbers above the bars show 16S rDNA abundance in 10⁸ copies per gram of soil.</p

Predictors of Progression and Mortality in Patients with Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis: Retrospective Analysis of Registry of Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease (ILD) resulting from an immune-mediated response in susceptible and sensitized individuals to a large variety of inhaled antigens. Chronic HP with a fibrotic phenotype is characterized by disease progression and a dismal prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of progression and mortality in patients with chronic HP in real clinical practice. Materials and methods: This retrospective, multicenter, observational study used data from a registry of 1355 patients with fibrosing ILDs. The study included 292 patients diagnosed with chronic HP based on the conclusion of a multidisciplinary discussion (MDD). Results: The patients were divided into groups with progressive (92 (30.3%) patients) and nonprogressive pulmonary fibrosis (200 (69.7%) patients). The most significant predictors of adverse outcomes were a DLco < 50% predicted, an SpO2 at the end of a six-minute walk test (6-MWT) < 85%, and a GAP score ≥ 4 points. Conclusion: Pulmonary fibrosis and a progressive fibrotic phenotype are common in patients with chronic HP. Early detection of the predictors of an adverse prognosis of chronic HP is necessary for the timely initiation of antifibrotic therapy