Article
Microbiology
Clifton P. Bueno de Mesquita, Lauren M. Nichols, Matthew J. Gebert, Caihong Vanderburgh, Gaelle Bocksberger, Jack D. Lester, Ammie K. Kalan, Paula Dieguez, Maureen S. McCarthy, Anthony Agbor, Paula Alvarez Varona, Ayuk Emmanuel Ayimisin, Mattia Bessone, Rebecca Chancellor, Heather Cohen, Charlotte Coupland, Tobias Deschner, Villard Ebot Egbe, Annemarie Goedmakers, Anne-Celine Granjon, Cyril C. Grueter, Josephine Head, R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar, Kathryn J. Jeffery, Sorrel Jones, Parag Kadam, Michael Kaiser, Juan Lapuente, Bradley Larson, Sergio Marrocoli, David Morgan, Badru Mugerwa, Felix Mulindahabi, Emily Neil, Protais Niyigaba, Liliana Pacheco, Alex K. Piel, Martha M. Robbins, Aaron Rundus, Crickette M. Sanz, Lilah Sciaky, Douglas Sheil, Volker Sommer, Fiona A. Stewart, Els Ton, Joost van Schijndel, Virginie Vergnes, Erin G. Wessling, Roman M. Wittig, Yisa Ginath Yuh, Kyle Yurkiw, Klaus Zuberbuehler, Jan F. Gogarten, Anna Heintz-Buschart, Alexandra N. Muellner-Riehl, Christophe Boesch, Hjalmar S. Kuehl, Noah Fierer, Mimi Arandjelovic, Robert R. Dunn
Summary: This study on wild chimpanzees' gut microbiomes reveals a high degree of regional specificity in microbiome composition, linked to host genetics, available plant foods, and potentially cultural differences in diet influenced by tool use. Genetic differences primarily shaped community composition at large scales, while vegetation and potentially tool use were key factors driving within-region differences.
Article
Microbiology
Harilanto Felana Andrianjakarivony, Christelle Desnues, Philippe Cecchi, Yvan Bettarel
Summary: Ammonium concentrations have an impact on virus-bacteria interactions in a tropical lagoon. The most eutrophicated stations have the highest bacterial and viral concentrations, as well as the highest lytic infections. On the other hand, the most oligotrophic stations have the highest fractions of inducible lysogens, suggesting the mutual exclusivity of these two viral life strategies in the lagoon.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Amah Akodewou, Michel Godron
Summary: This study assessed the effects of converting tropical dry forests and savannahs into agricultural lands on floral diversity and the structure of plant communities. The results showed that agricultural land use significantly affected the structure of plant communities, but had minimal impact on overall floral diversity.
Article
Agronomy
Amelie Baomalgre Bougma, Korodjouma Ouattara, Halidou Compaore, Hassan Bismarck Nacro, Caleb Melenya, Samuel Ayodele Mesele, Vincent Logah, Jamiu Oladipupo Azeez, Elmar Veenendaal, Jonathan Lloyd
Summary: This study focused on the impact of man-made forest islands on soil aggregate stability in the mesic savannas of West Africa. The results showed that forest islands and natural savanna had a significantly higher proportion of stable soil aggregates compared to agricultural soils. Precipitation played a role in the formation of stable soil microaggregates, while land use influenced the stability of meso- and macro-aggregates. Soil organic carbon and iron oxides contents were identified as important factors affecting aggregate stability in West African ecosystems.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Richard Takyi, Badr El Mahrad, Cynthia Addo, John Essandoh, Mohamed ElHadary, Richard Adade, Eddiebright Joseph Buadi, Benjamin Osei Botwe, Francis Kofi Ewusie Nunoo
Summary: This study adopts a socio-ecological framework to analyze the complexities of coastal and marine ecosystems in the Ghanaian context. The study identifies various drivers of anthropogenic activities, such as fishing, oil and gas production, and waste disposal. These anthropogenic activities create significant pressures, leading to changes in fish biomass and habitat quality, among other ecological shifts.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Elie Antoine Padonou, N. Innocent Gbai, Moustapha Aremou Kolawole, Rodrigue Idohou, Mireille Toyi
Summary: Mangroves worldwide provide ecosystem services to humanity, but face threats from rising populations and human activities. Climate change is expected to severely impact mangrove ecosystems. Implementing conservation policies, projects, and awareness activities can help restore mangrove ecosystems effectively.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valerian Hahn, Ralf Meerkoetter, Christiane Voigt, Sonja Gisinger, Daniel Sauer, Valery Catoire, Volker Dreiling, Hugh Coe, Cyrille Flamant, Stefan Kaufmann, Jonas Kleine, Peter Knippertz, Manuel Moser, Philip Rosenberg, Hans Schlager, Alfons Schwarzenboeck, Jonathan Taylor
Summary: In this study, comprehensive in situ measurements of microphysical properties of low-level clouds over tropical West Africa were conducted using the Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) aircraft Falcon 20 during the DACCIWA campaign in June and July 2016. The results show that pollution leads to an increase in cloud droplet number concentration and a decrease in cloud droplet size, which has an impact on atmospheric cooling.
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Alfred Awotwi, Thompson Annor, Geophrey K. Anornu, Jonathan Arthur Quaye-Ballard, Jacob Agyekum, Boateng Ampadu, Isaac K. Nti, Maxwell Anim Gyampo, Ebenezer Boakye
Summary: This study projected future streamflow variations in the Pra River Basin in Ghana using the SWAT model with bias-corrected climate data, showing an overall increase in streamflow in the near and mid-21st century but a decrease by the end of the century. It emphasizes the need for cost-effective adaptive water management strategies to address the potential impact of climate change on the basin's water resources.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Widaliz Vega-Rodriguez, Hinh Ly
Summary: Recent outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) diseases caused by Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) in West Africa are concerning. This editorial aims to highlight the known information about these viruses and their outbreaks in Africa and raise awareness about Lassa virus (LASV), which causes recurrent outbreaks and endemic infections in West Africa.
Article
Immunology
Jose-Maria Garcia-Carrasco, Antonio-Roman Munoz, Jesus Olivero, Marina Segura, Raimundo Real
Summary: This study created a database of WNV presence in Africa and used biogeographic models to determine the drivers of its distribution. Wetlands and human-related factors were found to play important roles in the spread of WNV. Understanding high-risk areas can help manage the disease and comprehend its transmission through avian migration routes outside Africa.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paul C. Kirchberger, Zachary A. Martinez, Landry J. Luker, Howard Ochman
Summary: Single-stranded DNA phages of the family Microviridae have independently evolved multiple divergent lineages capable of lysogenizing hosts and developing hypervariable regions in their DNA pilot protein. These hypervariable regions confer the ability of temperate Microviridae to prevent DNA injection and infection by other microviruses, highlighting competition between viruses as a significant selective pressure.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra M. Bitty-Anderson, Valentine Ferre, Fifonsi A. Gbeasor-Komlanvi, Martin Kouame Tchankoni, Arnold Sadio, Mounerou Salou, Diane Descamps, Claver A. Dagnra, Charlotte Charpentier, Didier K. Ekouevi, Patrick A. Coffie
Summary: A study in Togo revealed a high prevalence of hepatitis B and C among female sex workers, highlighting the need for advocacy for immunizations and treatment in this population. Higher prevalence was associated with recruitment from certain areas and risky sexual behaviors.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Corine Bitossessi Laurenda Sinsin, Kolawole Valere Salako, Adande Belarmain Fandohan, Konan Edouard Kouassi, Brice Augustin Sinsin, Romain Glele Kakai
Summary: The study reveals strong spatial variations of climatic and physico-chemical variables within mangroves' niche, with artificial neural network outperforming multiple linear regression in predicting salinity, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity trends. Based on foreseen trends in bioclimatic variables, significant changes in conductivity, salinity, and dissolved oxygen are expected under Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5.
ENVIRONMENT DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peter Mikula, Oldrich Tomasek, Dusan Romportl, Timothy K. Aikins, Jorge E. Avendano, Bukola D. A. Braimoh-Azaki, Adams Chaskda, Will Cresswell, Susan J. Cunningham, Svein Dale, Gabriela R. Favoretto, Kelvin S. Floyd, Hayley Glover, Tomas Grim, Dominic A. W. Henry, Tomas Holmern, Martin Hromada, Soladoye B. Iwajomo, Amanda Lilleyman, Flora J. Magige, Rowan O. Martin, Marina de A. Maximiano, Eric D. Nana, Emmanuel Ncube, Henry Ndaimani, Emma Nelson, Johann H. van Niekerk, Carina Pienaar, Augusto J. Piratelli, Penny Pistorius, Anna Radkovic, Chevonne Reynolds, Eivin Roskaft, Griffin K. Shanungu, Paulo R. Siqueira, Tawanda Tarakini, Nattaly Tejeiro-Mahecha, Michelle L. Thompson, Wanyoike Wamiti, Mark Wilson, Donovan R. C. Tye, Nicholas D. Tye, Aki Vehtari, Piotr Tryjanowski, Michael A. Weston, Daniel T. Blumstein, Tomas Albrecht
Summary: This study investigates the factors influencing avian tolerance towards humans in open tropical ecosystems. It finds that rural bird populations and those exposed to lower human disturbance have lower tolerance, while larger species with larger clutches and enhanced flight ability are also less tolerant. The study also shows that escape distances increase during the wet season and from longer starting distances.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Prince Asilevi Junior, Emmanuel Quansah, Felicia Dogbey
Summary: This study proposed a method to estimate and analyze the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of PAR in different tropical ecosystems in Ghana, showing good approximation for all selected sites. The study also analyzed the seasonal variations of PAR, providing theoretical and practical insights for forest management and ecosystem preservation.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gorenka Bojadzija Savic, Herve Colinet, Myriam Bormans, Christine Edwards, Linda A. Lawton, Enora Briand, Claudia Wiegand
Summary: The study investigates the impact of cyanobacterial metabolites on Daphnia magna survival, showing that these metabolites can negatively affect the survival and stress response of Daphnia magna, leading to a decrease in their survival capacity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon M. Dittami, Enrique Arboleda, Jean-Christophe Auguet, Arite Bigalke, Enora Briand, Paco Cardenas, Ulisse Cardini, Johan Decelle, Aschwin H. Engelen, Damien Eveillard, Claire M. M. Gachoni, Sarah M. Griffiths, Tilmann Harder, Ehsan Kayal, Elena Kazamia, Francois H. Lathier, Monica Medina, Ezequiel M. Marzinelli, Teresa Maria Morganti, Laura Nunez Pons, Soizic Prado, Jose Pintado, Mahasweta Saha, Marc-Andre selosse, Derek Skillings, Willem Stock, Shinichi Sunagawa, Eve Toulza, Alexey Vorobev, Catherine Leblanc, Fabrice Not
Summary: Host-microbe interactions are crucial in marine ecosystems, and the holobiont concept suggests that a host and its associated microbiota should be studied together to understand their biology, ecology, and evolution. Deeper understanding of these complex systems requires further technological and conceptual advances.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Emilie Houliez, Enora Briand, Florent Malo, Georges-Augustin Rovillon, Fabienne Herve, Elise Robert, Laetitia Marchand, Agata Zykwinska, Amandine M. N. Caruana
Summary: Anthropogenic activities and climate change are expected to increase salinity in freshwater ecosystems, potentially favoring the development of cyanobacteria towards brackish waters. The different cyanobacteria species showed species-specific salinity tolerances, with Dolichospermum sp. being more resistant to salinity variations. Some species, like Dolichospermum sp., have the potential to survive in polyhaline areas due to their ability to accumulate compatible solutes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angel Rain-Franco, Nicolas Mouquet, Claire Gougat-Barbera, Thierry Bouvier, Sara Beier
Summary: This study aimed to identify general transcriptional patterns distinguishing bacterial strains with different niche breadths, finding that transcriptional regulation levels correlated with niche breadth and stress exposure. A shortlist of candidate stress marker genes was identified for monitoring bacterial susceptibility to environmental changes.
Article
Microbiology
Angia Sriram Pradeep Ram, Marie-Eve Mauduit, Jonathan Colombet, Fanny Perriere, Antoine Thouvenot, Telesphore Sime-Ngando
Summary: This study investigated the impact of viruses and heterotrophic nanoflagellates on bacterial growth efficiency in freshwater environments. Results showed that viral lysis and flagellate predation had a positive impact on bacterial carbon metabolism, but estimates of bacterial growth efficiency were variable.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pk Shruthi, Ammini Parvathi, Angia Sriram Pradeep Ram, Shyla Hafza, Jose K. Albin, Erathodi Rajagopalan Vignesh, Jaleel Abdul, Telesphore Sime-Ngando
Summary: This study examined viral processes in the coastal and offshore regions of the Eastern Arabian Sea (west coast of India) and their contribution to the organic carbon and nitrogen pool. The results showed higher abundances of viruses and prokaryotes, as well as viral mediated prokaryotic mortality in eutrophic coastal stations compared to offshore regions. Additionally, high viral-mediated carbon and nitrogen release was observed in the surface coastal waters. The study estimated that viral lysis contributed 7.4% and 3.9% to the total dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen pool, respectively, in the coastal surface waters.
Article
Ecology
Elsa Gadoin, Christelle Desnues, Emmanuelle Roque D'Orbcastel, Thierry Bouvier, Jean-Christophe Auguet, Laurent Dagorn, Jean-Luc Moroh, Antoinette Adingra, Yvan Bettarel
Summary: Although tunas represent a significant part of the global fish economy and a major nutritional resource worldwide, their microbiome remains poorly documented. This study analyzed the taxonomic composition of bacterial communities in the gut, skin, and liver of two widely consumed tuna species. The results showed that the composition of the tuna microbiome was independent of fish sex, but varied according to tuna species and sampling site. The study also discovered a unique and diverse bacterial assemblage in the tuna liver, including potential histamine-producing bacteria.
Article
Microbiology
Charlotte Nef, Simon Dittami, Raymond Kaas, Enora Briand, Cyril Noel, Francis Mairet, Matthieu Garnier
Summary: Haptophyte microalgae play important roles in microbial communities, and their acquisition of vitamin B-12 was studied in this research. The results showed that although the microalgae can scavenge B-12 from bacterial extracts, co-cultivation with bacteria did not provide sufficient B-12. However, cultivating the microalgae with a complex bacterial consortium partially rescued its growth under vitamin-deprived conditions.
Article
Microbiology
Sara Beier, Johannes Werner, Thierry Bouvier, Nicolas Mouquet, Cyrille Violle
Summary: We report on the genomic traits associated with the life history of prokaryotes and discuss conflicting findings regarding trait correlations and tradeoffs. By examining variations in 11 genomic traits from approximately 18,000 sequenced genomes, we found that resistance traits of prokaryotes are decoupled from resilience traits and traits associated with resource availability. However, the relationship between resistance and resilience traits differs based on genome size and habitat, suggesting habitat-dependent tradeoffs. Our findings challenge the globally consistent assignment of prokaryotic genomic traits and propose the use of taxonomic marker genes to extrapolate genomic traits. This allows for the empirical evaluation of these traits in prokaryotic communities from different habitats using the resistance-resilience framework.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Olivier Berry, Enora Briand, Alize Bagot, Maud Chaigne, Laurence Meslet-Cladiere, Julien Wang, Olivier Grovel, Jeroen J. Jansen, Nicolas Ruiz, Thibaut Robiou du Pont, Yves Francois Pouchus, Philipp Hess, Samuel Bertrand
Summary: This study explored the chemical interactions between the toxic dinoflagellate Prorocentrum lima and a filamentous fungal species, Aspergillus pseudoglaucus. The results showed a physical contact between the fungal mycelium and dinoflagellate cells, as well as the impact of associated bacteria on the microalgal metabolome response to fungal interaction. The up-regulation of dinoflagellate toxins during co-culture highlights the importance of considering microalgal-fungal interactions in toxin production regulation.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Lory-Anne Baker, David G. G. Biron, Aude Beauger, Sofia Kolovi, Jonathan Colombet, Elisabeth Allain, Olivier Voldoire, Vincent Breton, Patrick Chardon, Telesphore Sime-Ngando, Karine David, Gilles Montavon, Herve Michel, Angia Sriram Pradeep Ram
Summary: While the link between viruses and prokaryotes in aquatic systems is well-known, there is limited research on this relationship in spring waters. This study examined the abundance of viruses and prokaryotes and identified the environmental factors affecting them in springs with varying levels of naturally occurring radioactivity. The results showed significant differences in viral abundances among springs, with low abundances corresponding to high gamma radiation dose and vice versa. The findings suggest a possible adverse effect of water radioactivity on viruses, explaining the lack of significant relationship between prokaryotic and viral abundances.
Article
Microbiology
Angia Sriram Pradeep Ram, Telesphore Sime-Ngando
Summary: The impact of viruses on bacterial carbon metabolism in aquatic environments is limited. A study on freshwater systems showed that eutrophic lakes had higher microbial abundances (viruses and bacteria) compared to non-eutrophic lakes, as well as higher bacterial production and viral lytic infection. Viruses had an antagonistic impact on bacterial growth efficiency in eutrophic lakes through selective lysis, while in non-eutrophic lakes, viruses exerted a synergistic influence on carbon metabolism through substrate release.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Duong Huy Nguyen, Nhat Huy Chu, Yvan Bettarel, Jean-Christophe Auguet, Thierry Bouvier, Ha Hoang Chu, Van Ngoc Bui
Summary: The presence of marine snails poses a potential threat to the survival of Acropora coral species in Phu Quoc Islands, leading to changes in coral reef health and bacterial diversity. The composition of bacterial communities associated with Acropora formosa and Acropora millepora was studied using Illumina sequencing technology. The analysis revealed the presence of diverse bacterial genera, with significant differences in relative abundances between grazed and healthy coral samples.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Oceane Reignier, Myriam Bormans, Laetitia Marchand, Corinne Sinquin, Zouher Amzil, Agata Zykwinska, Enora Briand
Summary: The transfer of toxic cyanobacterial Microcystis blooms from freshwater to estuaries is a global environmental problem that is expected to worsen with human activities and climate change. This study investigated the formation and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in Microcystis colonies under environmental stress conditions. The results showed that natural Microcystis colonies produced more EPS than unicellular Microcystis under nutrient and combined stress conditions, with high molecular weight polysaccharides enriched in uronic acids and hexosamines, especially in response to increased salinities.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Myriam Bormans, Benjamin Legrand, Nicolas Waisbord, Enora Briand
Summary: In the face of global change and toxic cyanobacterial blooms, cyanobacterial transfer to estuaries is expected to increase, affecting animal and human health. To evaluate their survival potential, we compared the resistance to salinity shock between colonial and unicellular forms of Microcystis aeruginosa. Our findings suggest that colonial forms have a greater ability to cope with osmotic shock and can withstand higher salinities than their unicellular counterparts. This implies that M. aeruginosa may survive and proliferate in estuaries.