Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrew Ndhlovu, Pierre M. Durand, Grant Ramsey
Summary: Programmed cell death (PCD) in unicellular organisms can be seen as an altruistic trait, possibly explained by kin selection or group selection theory. The Black Queen Hypothesis (BQH) suggests that PCD functions as a black queen in microbial communities, with leakiness and costliness being key characteristics. More empirical data is needed to fully assess this hypothesis, but it provides a useful framework for studying the role of PCD in communities.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Padraig McDonagh, Matthew McCole, Nathan Skillen, Peter K. J. Robertson, Denis McCrudden
Summary: This study presents a novel approach using low-cost and sustainable electrochemical sensors to monitor the photocatalytic generation of hydrogen peroxide. The sensor exhibits high accuracy and selectivity, and can be regenerated multiple times, leading to a significant decrease in analysis cost and potential waste material. This approach offers a more economical and sustainable alternative to current methods.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Jeffrey Morris, Andrew L. Rose, Zhiying Lu
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are omnipresent in the ocean, originating from both biological and non-biological processes. They directly and indirectly impact marine organisms and biogeochemistry, shaping microbial communities and influencing steady-state ROS concentrations. Climate change may increase ROS levels in the ocean, affecting the ecology and chemistry of the future ocean.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhe Wang, Qin-Kun Li, Chenhao Zhang, Zhihua Cheng, Weiyin Chen, Emily A. McHugh, Robert A. Carter, Boris Yakobson, James M. Tour
Summary: A metal-free catalyst synthesized from commercial carbon black using plasma treatment was found to exhibit high efficiency in electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide. The catalyst showed a high onset potential and the highest mass activity among state-of-the-art catalysts, even after removal of oxygen-containing groups, due to its defective structure after plasma treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Maria del Carmen Munoz-Marin, Solange Duhamel, Karin M. Bjorkman, Jonathan D. Magasin, Jesus Diez, David M. Karl, Jose M. Garcia-Fernandez
Summary: The marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus can assimilate glucose as a source of carbon, and its assimilation is influenced by photosynthetic light reactions. The timing of glucose assimilation in Prochlorococcus is different from that of other microbial populations. Transcriptional changes in specific genes indicate the importance of mixotrophic carbon assimilation by Prochlorococcus. This study provides insights into the ecological role of Prochlorococcus in the marine ecosystem.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Won-Jae Song, Dong-Hyun Kang
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of VHPV in reducing foodborne pathogens in black and red pepper without causing color changes. Results showed that VHPV treatment significantly decreased pathogen quantities in both types of pepper, with minimal impact on color. This study highlights the potential of VHPV as a method for pathogen reduction in food products.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Najwa Al-Otaibi, Francisca C. Garcia, Xose Anxelu G. Moran
Summary: The study found that autotrophic picoplankton groups generally had faster growth rates, while heterotrophic prokaryotes had slower growth rates. Different populations exhibited different growth characteristics in different seasons, such as Prochlorococcus showing the highest growth rates in winter, while Synechococcus had faster growth rates in spring.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katherine R. Eaton, Abigail S. Clark, Katie Curtis, Mike Favero, Nathaniel Hanna Holloway, Kristen Ewen, Erinn M. Muller
Summary: Outbreaks of infectious diseases are a major cause of coral reef decline worldwide. Black band disease (BBD) is a particularly lethal disease that has been reported on reefs globally. This study developed and tested different therapeutic agents to effectively treat BBD on corals in the US Virgin Islands. The results showed that the CoralCure rope formulations successfully eliminated BBD in 100% of the treated corals, reducing the likelihood of disease occurrence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Naaman. M. M. Omar, Katherine Fleury, Brian Beardsall, Ondrej Prasil, Douglas. A. A. Campbell
Summary: Marine phytoplankton produce and scavenge Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to support cellular processes, but some prokaryotic picophytoplankton have lost genes encoding ROS scavenging. The allocation of genomic capacity for ROS metabolism varies with cell radius, with larger cells having decreased allocations for hydrogen peroxide production and scavenging. Nitric oxide production and scavenging are not influenced by cell radius, but the presence of these capacities is influenced by flagella and colony formation.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Fanny Girard-Sahun, Pauline Lefrancois, Vasilica Badets, Stephane Arbault, Franck Clement
Summary: This study aims to detect the in situ production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), specifically superoxide anion (O-2(center dot-)), in aqueous buffer solutions exposed to cold atmospheric plasmas (CAPs). The production and accumulation of RONS in the liquids were found to depend on the plasma composition, with N-2-based shieldings providing the highest concentrations of superoxide. The study provides valuable insights into the interactions between CAPs and physiological solutions for biomedical applications.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Sopita Rattanopas, Albert Schulte, Somjai Teanphonkrang
Summary: In this study, effective amperometric sensors for cathodic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) detection were produced and characterized, demonstrating good linearity and high sensitivity. The combination of PB/CNT layer and gelatin/zein layer in a sandwich-type sensor proved to be successful, providing accurate detection of H2O2 concentrations in model and real samples. The sensors are cost-effective, easy to make, and can be used for electrochemical H2O2 analyses in various applications.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Dan Wang, Sitan Li, Xiaoxin Zhang, Bo Feng, Yan Pei, Yunfeng Zhu, Wei Xu, Zhen-Hua Li, Minghua Qiao, Baoning Zong
Summary: In this study, a slightly nitrogen-doped carbon catalyst was synthesized using a simple method. The catalyst showed low overpotential and high selectivity in producing H2O2 in an acidic electrolyte, and stable H2O2 production was achieved. The relationship between the surface content of C-O/C-N and C=O species and the H2O2 partial current suggested that C atoms act as active sites for 2e-ORR to H2O2. The catalyst, with its inexpensive starting materials and excellent catalytic performance, may contribute to the development of an affordable, safe, and direct electrochemical process for O2-to-H2O2 conversion.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Tan, Su Sun, Zehui Deng, Pedro J. J. Alvarez, Xiaolei Qu
Summary: The dissolved black carbon (DBC) derived from biochar has intrinsic peroxidase-like activity, catalyzing the decomposition of H2O2 into hydroxyl radicals. The activity of DBC is influenced by temperature, pH, and its aromaticity and oxygen-containing groups. This discovery carries significant implications for global carbon cycling, pollutant fate processes, and the health and ecological impacts of black carbon.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Okan Karatas, Nevin Atalay Gengec, Erhan Gengec, Alireza Khataee, Mehmet Kobya
Summary: This study aimed to produce an electrode for H2O2 production and Electro-Fenton process using an effective, cheap, and simple method. The superhydrophobic electrode demonstrated high performance in H2O2 production and Atrazine mineralization under optimized operational conditions. The electrode stability and catalytic effects were also evaluated, showcasing its potential for practical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyu Li, Qing Yang, Fangli Yi, Yiqi Yuan, Hongmei Cao, Kewei Liu, Hongjian Yan
Summary: The crystallinity of semiconductors is crucial for enhancing the separation and transportation of photogenerated carriers and their photocatalytic performance. However, organic semiconductors have lower crystallinity compared to inorganic semiconductors. In this study, a novel strategy was proposed to improve the crystallinity of the fluorinated imine-linked covalent organic framework, TFA-TaPt-COF, by forming acetal between the aldehyde and ethanol. The TFA-TaPt-COF with higher crystallinity showed a broader absorption edge up to 650 nm, lower photoluminescence intensity, and a 5 times higher photocatalytic H2O2 evolution rate compared to the one synthesized without using alcohol.
Article
Microbiology
Mohan Bai, Ningdong Xie, Yaodong He, Jiaqian Li, Jackie L. Collier, Dana E. Hunt, Zackary I. Johnson, Nianzhi Jiao, Guangyi Wang
Summary: This study investigates the significance of Labyrinthulomycetes protists (LP) in the biological pump, revealing their potential vertical export to the deep ocean and their niche partitioning in the pelagic ocean. The high diversity of LP communities and their multiple ecotypes suggest that they can be an important component of the biological pump through their various functions in organic matter transport and decomposition.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Erika F. Neave, Harvey Seim, Scott M. Gifford, Olivia Torano, Zackary Johnson, Diego Paez-Rosas, Adrian Marchetti
Summary: The Galapagos Archipelago in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean is affected by changes in ocean currents, with the nutrient-rich Equatorial Undercurrent playing a key role in stimulating primary production. The 2015/16 El Nino event resulted in declines in phytoplankton biomass and reduced nitrate utilization in the region. Changes in protistan communities were strongly correlated with variations in subthermocline water density.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Eric R. Gann, Alexander R. Truchon, Spiridon E. Papoulis, Sonya T. Dyhrman, Christopher J. Gobler, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: The pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens causes harmful brown tide blooms in marine embayments on three continents. By sequencing genomes and analyzing metatranscriptomes, researchers were able to gain insights into the genetic potential and ecology of this harmful algal bloom species. This study highlights the importance of sequencing ecologically relevant algae for a better understanding of their genomic potential and ecological roles in the environment.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ferdi L. Hellweger, Robbie M. Martin, Falk Eigemann, Derek J. Smith, Gregory J. Dick, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: This study conducted a large-scale meta-analysis and found that the succession of harmful cyanobacteria strains is mainly influenced by cellular oxidative stress mitigation strategies and nitrogen limitation. The simulation results showed that reducing phosphorus load can decrease the biomass of cyanobacteria, but increase toxin production and concentration.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhiying Lu, Colin M. Beal, Zackary Johnson
Summary: This study evaluates the performance, energy consumption, and costs of flocculation-based and filtration-based algal harvesting systems. It finds that the age of the algae culture affects harvest efficiency, and that the filtration-based method requires more energy input but produces a higher quality of algal biomass.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Helena L. Pound, Robbie M. Martin, Brittany N. Zepernick, Courtney J. Christopher, Sara M. Howard, Hector F. Castro, Shawn R. Campagna, Gregory L. Boyer, George S. Bullerjahn, Justin D. Chaffin, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: The environmental conditions experienced by microbial communities are difficult to simulate in the laboratory. Researchers use experimental containers to manipulate and evaluate natural samples. However, container-based methods can be affected by bottle effects, which are changes that occur when enclosing the plankton community. In a nutrient amendment experiment, changes in heterotrophic bacteria activity and variability in the expression of Microcystis-infecting phage were observed.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ningdong Xie, Zhao Wang, Dana E. Hunt, Zackary I. Johnson, Yaodong He, Guangyi Wang
Summary: This study examines the community variation of Labyrinthulomycetes, a marine fungus-like protistan group, in coastal waters. The results show that the abundance and richness of Labyrinthulomycetes decrease significantly from nearshore to offshore waters, while community evenness appears to increase offshore. The community composition of Labyrinthulomycetes is significantly influenced by distance from shore, water temperature, and other environmental factors.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ningdong Xie, Mohan Bai, Lu Liu, Jiaqian Li, Yaodong He, Jackie L. Collier, Dana E. Hunt, Zackary Johnson, Nianzhi Jiao, Guangyi Wang
Summary: This study focused on the abundance, diversity, and community structure of Labyrinthulomycetes in the pelagic Eastern Indian Ocean, revealing distinct vertical distribution patterns and roles of Labyrinthulomycetes in oceanic carbon cycling and sequestration relative to prokaryotic plankton.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jessica L. Gronniger, Zhao Wang, Genevieve R. Brandt, Christopher S. Ward, Despina Tsementzi, Han Mu, Junyao Gu, Zackary I. Johnson, Konstantinos T. Konstantinidis, Dana E. Hunt
Summary: In dynamic coastal oceans, disturbances to microbial communities are not clearly linked to specific environmental factors, but rather result in changes in community composition. Disturbance events may lead to microbial community shifts through increased phage-associated genes, and extreme environmental events may not always fit the definition of disturbance.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Patrick Clifton Gray, Anna E. Windle, Julian Dale, Ivan B. Savelyev, Zackary Johnson, Greg M. Silsbe, Gregory D. Larsen, David W. Johnston
Summary: This study provides a method for observing ocean color at fine scales using unmanned aircraft systems, which can complement and enhance traditional ocean observations and modeling, demonstrating its potential value.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Brittany N. Zepernick, Steven W. Wilhelm, George S. Bullerjahn, Hans W. Paerl
Summary: This article discusses the problem of the freshwater-marine continuum, which refers to the effects of nutrients and toxic cyanobacterial blooms spreading through water bodies. Historically, marine and freshwater research have been conducted independently, failing to address the exchange of nutrients and biology between these systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Robbie M. Martin, Maddie K. Denney, Helena L. Pound, Justin D. Chaffin, George S. Bullerjahn, R. Michael L. McKay, Arthur Zastepa, Katarina A. Jones, Hector F. Castro, Shawn R. Campagna, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: Phosphorus availability plays a crucial role in primary production and cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. Phospholipid substitution by sulfolipids has been established as an indicator of phosphorus stress in marine phytoplankton. This study shows that sulfatequinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) ratio can serve as a biomarker for phosphorus stress in freshwater phytoplankton communities, providing valuable insights into nutrient history and phosphorus scarcity.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Naomi E. Gilbert, Gary R. LeCleir, Helena L. Pound, Robert F. Strzepek, Michael J. Ellwood, Benjamin S. Twining, Simon Roux, Philip W. Boyd, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: Viruses can impact the abundance, evolution, and metabolism of microorganisms in the ocean, playing a critical role in biogeochemistry and carbon cycles. This study investigates the diversity and activity of giant viruses in the subpolar Southern Ocean and finds that these viruses exhibit depth-dependent structuring and metabolic reprogramming of their hosts under different physicochemical conditions. Additionally, the study shows that iron availability affects the activity of giant viruses. These findings enhance our understanding of how the water column and environmental factors shape the viral community in the Southern Ocean.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Gwendolyn F. Stark, Robbie M. Martin, Laura E. Smith, Bofan Wei, Ferdi L. Hellweger, George S. Bullerjahn, R. Michael L. Mckay, Gregory L. Boyer, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: The increase in microcystin quota per cell in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 provides a fitness advantage during growth at lower temperatures, while a non-toxigenic mutant strain employs compensatory mechanisms to defend against reactive oxygen species without the presence of microcystin.
Article
Microbiology
Daniel J. Wieczynski, Kristin M. Yoshimura, Elizabeth R. Denison, Stefan Geisen, Jennifer M. DeBruyn, A. Jonathan Shaw, David J. Weston, Dale A. Pelletier, Steven W. Wilhelm, Jean P. Gibert
Summary: We provide a roadmap for understanding the impact of viral infections within microbial food webs on ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling in the context of global warming. Microorganisms play a crucial role in carbon and nutrient cycles and act as a link between ecosystems and climate. However, viral infections within complex microbial food webs pose a significant challenge in predicting and understanding ecosystem responses to warming. We highlight the need for further research on virus-microbe-temperature interactions and their effects on ecosystem functioning in the face of climate change.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY
(2023)