Successful weight regain attenuation by autologous fecal microbiota transplantation is associated with non-core gut microbiota changes during weight loss; randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACTWe previously reported that autologous-fecal-microbiota-transplantation (aFMT), following 6 m of lifestyle intervention, attenuated subsequent weight regain and insulin rebound for participants consuming a high-polyphenol green-Mediterranean diet. Here, we explored whether specific changes in the core (abundant) vs. non-core (low-abundance) gut microbiome taxa fractions during the weight-loss phase (0–6 m) were differentially associated with weight maintenance following aFMT. Eighty-two abdominally obese/dyslipidemic participants (age = 52 years; 6 m weightloss = −8.3 kg) who provided fecal samples (0 m, 6 m) were included. Frozen 6 m’s fecal samples were processed into 1 g, opaque and odorless aFMT capsules. Participants were randomly assigned to receive 100 capsules containing their own fecal microbiota or placebo over 8 m-14 m in ten administrations (adherence rate > 90%). Gut microbiome composition was evaluated using shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Non-core taxa were defined as ≤ 66% prevalence across participants. Overall, 450 species were analyzed. At baseline, 13.3% were classified as core, and Firmicutes presented the highest core proportion by phylum. During 6 m weight-loss phase, abundance of non-core species changed more than core species (P < .0001). Subject-specific changes in core and non-core taxa fractions were strongly correlated (Jaccard Index; r = 0.54; P < .001). Following aFMT treatment, only participants with a low 6 m change in core taxa, and a high change in non-core taxa, avoided 8–14 m weight regain (aFMT = −0.58 ± 2.4 kg, corresponding placebo group = 3.18 ± 3.5 kg; P = .02). In a linear regression model, low core/high non-core 6 m change was the only combination that was significantly associated with attenuated 8–14 m weight regain (P = .038; P = .002 for taxa patterns/treatment intervention interaction). High change in non-core, low-abundance taxa during weight-loss might mediate aFMT treatment success for weight loss maintenance.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0302018

Effect of soil solarization on tomato inside plastic greenhouse Efeito da solarização do solo sobre o tomateiro em entufa plástica

The effect of soil covering with transparent polyethylene sheets, known as soil solarization, on tomate crop insule a 10m x 25m plastic greenhouse was evaluated in the Subtropical Central Region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A 80-day solarization pre-planting treatment from December 17, 1992 to March 7, 1993 significantly enhanced marketable fruit weight of "Monte Carlo" tornato variety (91% increase). A large increase was observed in plant growth response resulted by solarization, even in the absence of known pathogens. Differences in chemical soil properties were not detected.<br>Este experimento foi conduzido para avaliar o efeito da solarização do solo sobre a cultura do tomateiro, cultivar "Monte Carlo", no interior de uma estufa plástica de 10m x 25m, em Santa Maria, RS. A solarização foi realizada de 17 de dezembro de 1992 a 07 de março de 1993, utilizando polietileno transparente de 100µm de espessura. Quatro parcelas de 6m x 4m foram solarizadas e outras quatro parcelas de mesmo tamanho foram mantidas sem plástico, constituindo a testemunha. Não foi verificada modificação nas propriedades químicas do solo com a solarização. O crescimento inicial das plantas foi maior nas parcelas solarizadas e como consequência, atingiram a altura de poda uma semana antes do que nas parcelas não solanzadas. A produção comercial de frutos foi 91% superior nas parcelas solarizadas. Evidenciou-se, portanto, o efeito positivo do método da solarização do solo sobre o tomateiro em estufa plástica

Insights into social insects from the genome of the honeybee Apis mellifera

Here we report the genome sequence of the honeybee Apis mellifera, a key model for social behaviour and essential to global ecology through pollination. Compared with other sequenced insect genomes, the A. mellifera genome has high A+T and CpG contents, lacks major transposon families, evolves more slowly, and is more similar to vertebrates for circadian rhythm, RNA interference and DNA methylation genes, among others. Furthermore, A. mellifera has fewer genes for innate immunity, detoxification enzymes, cuticle-forming proteins and gustatory receptors, more genes for odorant receptors, and novel genes for nectar and pollen utilization, consistent with its ecology and social organization. Compared to Drosophila, genes in early developmental pathways differ in Apis, whereas similarities exist for functions that differ markedly, such as sex determination, brain function and behaviour. Population genetics suggests a novel African origin for the species A. mellifera and insights into whether Africanized bees spread throughout the New World via hybridization or displacement