Isolation and genome sequencing of bacillus megaterium found from the gut sea cucumber (Holithuria Leucospilota)

Bacillus megaterium is a bacterium that is widely used in the application of biotechnology. Often its popularity is due to its ability to represent a suitable host to generate compounds such as cobalamin and perform biosynthesis production of smaller biological molecules. The bacterium can also be found in a wide variety of habitats including sea water. The interest towards sea cucumbers have skyrocketed to a point of extinction in certain species. This popularity could be due to the uniqueness associated to the gut microbiome observed within sea cucumber or just the organism itself. However, the presence of B.megaterium within the gut of Holithuria leucospilota could prove an answer to the previous statement. In this study, isolation of an unknown bacterium (which was B.Megaterium), identification and genomic analysis of the bacterium which was obtained from the gut of H.leucospilota was carried out. DNA was extracted using commercial kits, and later quantified using a NanoDrop Biophotometer. The V3-V4 region of the 16s RNA was used as specific primers for PCR amplification. Quality of DNA and PCR results were verified using agarose gel electrophoresis. Identification was carried out by performing sanger sequencing towards the PCR products obtained. The study identified and reported a complete genome of B.megaterium compromising of 5,323,711 bp genome size with a GC content of 37.9%. The annotated genome was submitted to the NCBI database. Overall, this study revealed the complete genome of B.megaterium and would serve to potentially explain its association towards the gut microbiome found within H.leucospilota

Near-complete whole-genome sequence of Paenibacillus sp. nov. Strain J5C2022, a sucretolerant and endospore-forming bacterium isolated from highly concentrated sugar brine

Here, we present a 7.62-Mbp genome sequence of Paenibacillus sp. nov. strain J5C2022, a Gram-positive facultatively anaerobic bacterium that was isolated from 4-month-old fruit pickle brine and sequenced using the Illumina platform

Whole genome sequencing of Priestia megaterium isolated from the gut of sea cucumber (Holothuria leucospilota)

Priestia megatrium represents a bacterium of interest in a wide application of the field of biotechnology. Often it is sought after for its ability that boasts great rate for biosynthesis production of smaller biological molecules while also representing a suitable host to generate compounds such as cobalamin. The bacterium can also be found in a wide variety of habitats including sea water. Sea cucumbers have begun to be quite popular to a point of extinction in certain species. This interest could be associated to the uniqueness attributed to its gut microbiome or just the organism itself. Nevertheless, the presence of Priestia megaterium within the gut of Holothuria leucospilota might serve as rationale to the previous statement. Here, we describe a detailed genomic analysis of Priestia megaterium isolated from the gut of Holothuria leucospilota. Genomic DNA was extracted from nutrient broths which were incubated with pure cultures of Priestia megatrium which were previously isolated from the sea cucumber. Whole genome sequencing was carried out using an Oxford Nanopore Technology platform which used a long-read protocol. The study reported a complete genome of Priestia megatrium compromising of 5,323,711Â bp genome size with a GC content of 37.9Â . Finally, the annotated genome was submitted to the NCBI database. Overall, this study revealed the complete genome of Priestia megatrium and would serve to potentially explain its association towards the gut microbiome found within Holothuria leucospilota

ITS1 amplicon sequencing of feline gut mycobiome of Malaysian local breeds using Nanopore Flongle

The gut mycobiome exhibits major influence on the gastrointestinal health and disease but received less attention due to low abundance. This study characterizes the fungal community and compares the microbial diversity between indoor and outdoor cats. Genomic DNA was extracted and sequenced by targeting the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) region using Flongle flow cell on MinION™ sequencing platform. Results show the phylum Ascomycota and genus Peniophorella were numerous in indoor cats, whereas the Basidiomycota and Pichia were abundant in outdoor cats. Peniophorella formed the core mycobiome in both feline populations. Furthermore, alpha (p value = 0.0207) and beta diversities (p value = 0.009) results showed significant differences between the two groups. Overall, indoor cats have greater amounts of Peniophorella, whereas outdoor cats have higher Trichosporon and unclassified Sordariaceae. The study also suggests that keeping a cat indoors or left as a stray will affect their respective gut mycobiome

The relationship between gut microbiome estrobolome and breast cancer: A systematic review of current evidences

Breast cancer is the most frequent kind of cancer and the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, behind heart disease. Next-generation sequencing technologies enables for unprecedented enumeration of human resident gut microorganisms, conferring novel insights into the role of the microbiota in health and individuals with breast cancer. A growing body of research on microbial dysbiosis seems to indicate an elevated risk of health complications including cancer. Although several dysbiosis indices have been proposed, their underlying methodology, as well as the cohorts and conditions of breast cancer patients are significantly different. To date, these indices have not yet been thoroughly reviewed especially when it comes to researching the estrogen-gut microbiota axis. Instead of providing a thorough rating of the most effective diversity measurements, the current work aims to be used to assess the relevance of each study's findings across the demographic data, different subtypes, and stages of breast cancer, and tie them to the estrobolome, which controls the amount of oestrogen that circulates through humans. This review will cover 11 studies which will go into a detailed discussion for the microbiome results of the mentioned studies, leaving to the user the final choice of the most suited indices as well as highlight the observed bacteria found to be related to the estrobolome in hopes of giving the reader a better understanding for the biological cross-talk between gut microbiome and breast cancer progression

The relationship between gut microbiome estrobolome and breast cancer: a systematic review of current evidences

Breast cancer is the most frequent kind of cancer and the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, behind heart disease. Next-generation sequencing technologies enables for unprecedented enumeration of human resident gut microorganisms, conferring novel insights into the role of the microbiota in health and individuals with breast cancer. A growing body of research on microbial dysbiosis seems to indicate an elevated risk of health complications including cancer. Although several dysbiosis indices have been proposed, their underlying methodology, as well as the cohorts and conditions of breast cancer patients are significantly different. To date, these indices have not yet been thoroughly reviewed especially when it comes to researching the estrogen-gut microbiota axis. Instead of providing a thorough rating of the most effective diversity measurements the current work aims to be used to assess the relevance of each study’s findings across the demographic data, different subtypes, and stages of breast cancer, and tie them to the estrobolome, which controls the amount of oestrogen that circulates through humans. This review will cover 11 studies which will go into a detailed discussion for the microbiome results of the mentioned studies, leaving to the user the final choice of the most suited indices as well as highlight the observed bacteria found to be related to the estrobolome in hopes of giving the reader a better understanding for the biological cross-talk between gut microbiome and breast cancer progression

Near-Complete Genome Sequences of Nine SARS-CoV-2 Strains Harboring the D614G Mutation in Malaysia

Here, we report the nearly complete genome sequences of nine severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with the D614G mutation. These viruses were detected from various infected individuals with different levels of severity from Pahang, Malaysia. In addition, this study described the presence of lineage B.1.351 as a type of variant of concern (VOC) and lineages B.1.466.2 and B.1.524 as local variants

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N=10,535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β=0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β=0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

A Many-analysts Approach to the Relation Between Religiosity and Well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N = 10, 535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β = 0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β = 0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

Adding 6 months of androgen deprivation therapy to postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer: a comparison of short-course versus no androgen deprivation therapy in the RADICALS-HD randomised controlled trial

Background Previous evidence indicates that adjuvant, short-course androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) improves metastasis-free survival when given with primary radiotherapy for intermediate-risk and high-risk localised prostate cancer. However, the value of ADT with postoperative radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is unclear. Methods RADICALS-HD was an international randomised controlled trial to test the efficacy of ADT used in combination with postoperative radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Key eligibility criteria were indication for radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, prostate-specific antigen less than 5 ng/mL, absence of metastatic disease, and written consent. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to radiotherapy alone (no ADT) or radiotherapy with 6 months of ADT (short-course ADT), using monthly subcutaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue injections, daily oral bicalutamide monotherapy 150 mg, or monthly subcutaneous degarelix. Randomisation was done centrally through minimisation with a random element, stratified by Gleason score, positive margins, radiotherapy timing, planned radiotherapy schedule, and planned type of ADT, in a computerised system. The allocated treatment was not masked. The primary outcome measure was metastasis-free survival, defined as distant metastasis arising from prostate cancer or death from any cause. Standard survival analysis methods were used, accounting for randomisation stratification factors. The trial had 80% power with two-sided α of 5% to detect an absolute increase in 10-year metastasis-free survival from 80% to 86% (hazard ratio [HR] 0·67). Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN40814031, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00541047. Findings Between Nov 22, 2007, and June 29, 2015, 1480 patients (median age 66 years [IQR 61–69]) were randomly assigned to receive no ADT (n=737) or short-course ADT (n=743) in addition to postoperative radiotherapy at 121 centres in Canada, Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. With a median follow-up of 9·0 years (IQR 7·1–10·1), metastasis-free survival events were reported for 268 participants (142 in the no ADT group and 126 in the short-course ADT group; HR 0·886 [95% CI 0·688–1·140], p=0·35). 10-year metastasis-free survival was 79·2% (95% CI 75·4–82·5) in the no ADT group and 80·4% (76·6–83·6) in the short-course ADT group. Toxicity of grade 3 or higher was reported for 121 (17%) of 737 participants in the no ADT group and 100 (14%) of 743 in the short-course ADT group (p=0·15), with no treatment-related deaths. Interpretation Metastatic disease is uncommon following postoperative bed radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy. Adding 6 months of ADT to this radiotherapy did not improve metastasis-free survival compared with no ADT. These findings do not support the use of short-course ADT with postoperative radiotherapy in this patient population