Spatial Metagenomic Analysis in Understanding the Microbial Diversity of Thar Desert

The arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan are one of the most extreme biomes of India, possessing diverse microbial communities that exhibit immense biotechnological potential for industries. Herein, we sampled study sites from arid and semi-arid regions of Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India and subjected them to chemical, physical and metagenomics analysis. The microbial diversity was studied using V3–V4 amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene by Illumina MiSeq. Our metagenomic analyses revealed that the sampled sites consist mainly of Proteobacteria (19–31%) followed by unclassified bacteria (5–21%), Actinobacteria (3–25%), Planctomycetes (5–13%), Chloroflexi (2–14%), Bacteroidetes (3–12%), Firmicutes (3–7%), Acidobacteria (1–4%) and Patescibacteria (1–4%). We have found Proteobacteria in abundance which is associated with a range of activities involved in biogeochemical cycles such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur. Our study is perhaps the first of its kind to explore soil bacteria from arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, India. We believe that the new microbial candidates found can be further explored for various industrial and biotechnological applications

Carbon sequestration potential, challenges, and strategies towards climate action in smallholder agricultural systems of South Asia

South Asia is a global hotspot for climate change with enormous pressure on land and water resources for feeding the burgeoning population. The agricultural production systems are highly vulnerable in the region and is primarily dominated by small and marginal farmers with intensive farming practices that had favored the loss of carbon (C) from soil. This review discusses the potential of soil and crop management practices such as minimum/reduced/no-tillage, use of organic manure, balanced and integrated plant nutrient application, precision land levelling, precision water and pest management, residue management, and cropping system optimization to maintain the C-equilibrium between soil and atmosphere and to enhance the C-sequestration in the long run. Results of meta-analysis show a potential 36% increase in soil organic C stock in the top 0–15 cm layer in this region which amounts to ∼18 Mg C stocks ha−1. Improved management practices across crops and environment may reduce methane em0ission by 12% resulting in an 8% reduction in global warming potential (GWP), while non-submerged condition led to a 51% GWP reduction in rice. Conservation agriculture and precision fertilization also reduced GWP by 11 and 14%, respectively. Although several innovative climate resilient technologies having significant potential for C-sequestration have been developed, there is an urgent need for their scaling and accelerated adoption to increase soil C-sequestration. Policies and programs need to be devised for incentivizing farmers to adopt more C-neutral or C-positive agricultural practices. The national governments and other agencies should work towards C farming together with global initiatives such as the “4 per 1000” Initiative and Global Soil Partnership, and regional public-private partnership initiatives on carbon credits for Regenerative Agriculture such as by Grow Indigo-CIMMYT-ICAR in India, in addition to research and policy changes. This will be vital for the success of soil C sequestration towards climate action in South Asia

Spatial Metagenomic Analysis in Understanding the Microbial Diversity of Thar Desert

The arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan are one of the most extreme biomes of India, possessing diverse microbial communities that exhibit immense biotechnological potential for industries. Herein, we sampled study sites from arid and semi-arid regions of Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India and subjected them to chemical, physical and metagenomics analysis. The microbial diversity was studied using V3–V4 amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene by Illumina MiSeq. Our metagenomic analyses revealed that the sampled sites consist mainly of Proteobacteria (19–31%) followed by unclassified bacteria (5–21%), Actinobacteria (3–25%), Planctomycetes (5–13%), Chloroflexi (2–14%), Bacteroidetes (3–12%), Firmicutes (3–7%), Acidobacteria (1–4%) and Patescibacteria (1–4%). We have found Proteobacteria in abundance which is associated with a range of activities involved in biogeochemical cycles such as carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur. Our study is perhaps the first of its kind to explore soil bacteria from arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, India. We believe that the new microbial candidates found can be further explored for various industrial and biotechnological applications

Позаклітинний синтез наночастинок оксиду цинку з використанням термогалотолерантного штаму Aeribacillus pallidus SJP 27: характеристика та антибактеріальний потенціал

В роботі повідомляється про позаклітинний синтез наночастинок (NPs) оксиду цинку (ZnO) з використанням бактеріального ізоляту Aeribacillus pallidus штаму SJP 27 (обліковий номер MW148443) із зразка ґрунту посушливих і напівпосушливих районів великої індійської пустелі Тар. Бактеріальні клітини вирощували протягом ночі при 60 °C, включаючи галотолерантність 5 % w/v NaCl. Фізикохімічні характеристики ZnO NPs вивчалися за допомогою УФ-видимої спектроскопії (UV-Vis), інфрачервоної спектроскопії з перетворенням Фур'є (FTIR) та скануючої електронної мікроскопії (SEM). Антимікробна активність синтезованих ZnO NPs була підтверджена мінімальною інгібуючою концентрацією кишкової палички Escherichia coli (8 мг/мл) та золотистого стафілокока Staphylococcus aureus (4 мг/мл). Це дослідження стимулює використання бактеріальних ізолятів для позаклітинного синтезу ZnO NPs. Наскільки нам відомо, це перше з коли-небудь опублікованих досліджень термогалотолеранту Aeribacillus pallidus для позаклітинного синтезу, зокрема, ZnO NPs.The current work reports the extracellular synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using the bacterial isolate Aeribacillus pallidus strain SJP 27 (Accession No. MW148443) from soil sample of arid and semi-arid regions of the Great Indian Thar desert. Bacterial cells were grown overnight at 60 °C incorporating a halo-tolerance of 5 % w/v NaCl. Physiochemical characterization of ZnO NPs were carried out using UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antimicrobial activity of synthesized ZnO NPs was confirmed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli (8 mg/ml) and Staphylococcus aureus (4 mg/ml). The present study encourages the use of bacterial isolates for the extracellular synthesis of ZnO NPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever reported study of a thermo-halotolerant, Aeribacillus pallidus for extracellular synthesis of ZnO NPs in particular

Viral isolates in pediatric ventilator-associated pneumonia

Introduction: Although ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) mostly has bacterial etiology, many cases have viral etiology. The present study aimed at determining the proportion of viral VAP and any associated factors and identifying the viral isolates in pediatric VAP. Materials and Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted at pediatric intensive care unit of tertiary referral center including 120 VAP cases aged 1–18 years. Endotracheal aspiration samples from these patients were tested for viral etiology. Results: Most VAP cases were males (66.7%). Virus was isolated in 14.2% of cases of VAP. Human adenovirus (29%), respiratory syncytial virus (29%), and herpes simplex virus (24%) were the most common viruses identified. Viral VAP was significantly associated with age, primary disease, and total leukocyte count. Neutrophil count decreased and lymphocyte count increased significantly after viral VAP. Conclusion: Viral etiology should be considered in VAP patients, especially in patients not responding to antibiotics as proper diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate antiviral could be lifesaving. Prevalent viruses may vary geographically; hence, hospitals should try to identify the common viruses causing VAP in their settings to guide appropriate battery of tests and antiviral drugs