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The study of extremophilic microorganisms has sparked interest in understanding extraterrestrial microbial life. Such organisms are fundamental for investigating life forms on Saturn's icy moons, such as Enceladus, which is characterized by potentially habitable saline and alkaline niches. Our study focused on the salt-alkaline soil of the Al Wahbah crater in Saudi Arabia, where we identified microorganisms that could be used as biological models to understand potential life on Enceladus. The search involved isolating 48 bacterial strains, sequencing the genomes of two thermo-haloalkaliphilic strains, and characterizing them for astrobiological application. A deeper understanding of the genetic composition and functional capabilities of the two novel strains of Halalkalibacterium halodurans provided valuable insights into their survival strategies and the presence of coding genes and pathways related to adaptations to environmental stressors. We also used mass spectrometry with a molecular network approach, highlighting various classes of molecules, such as phospholipids and nonproteinogenic amino acids, as potential biosignatures. These are essential features for understanding life's adaptability under extreme conditions and could be used as targets for biosignatures in upcoming missions exploring Enceladus' orbit. Furthermore, our study reinforces the need to look at new extreme environments on Earth that might contribute to the astrobiology field.

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INTRODUCTION: Trimethylamine (TMA), produced by gut microbiota, is the precursor of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a uremic toxin that accumulates in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Elevated TMAO plasma levels are associated with cardiovascular complications and CKD progression. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between gut microbiota composition and TMAO plasma levels in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 25 patients evaluated (60% female, 53 (18) years, body mass index (BMI) 25.8 (6.75) Kg/m2). They were divided into two groups according to their TMAO plasma levels: normal (≤ 7.4 µM) and high (> 7.4 µM). Uremic toxins such as indoxyl sulfate (IS), p-cresyl sulfate (pCS), and indol acetic acid (IAA) were measured with RP-HPLC, and TMAO plasma levels were quantified using LC-MS/MS. Fecal DNA was extracted with a commercial kit, PCR amplified the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and short-read sequencing was performed on the Illumina platform. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and inflammation markers were also evaluated. Nrf2, NF-κB, IL-1ß, and NLRP3 mRNA expressions were measured from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS: There were significant positive correlations between TMAO and plasma levels of pCS, NLPR3 inflammasome mRNA expression, serum phosphorus levels, and negative correlations with dietary lipid intake. The group with TMAO > 7.4 µM showed an increase in the microbiome abundance of Saccharibacteria (genus incertae sedis), Colidextribacter, Dorea, and Staphylococci genera, and a decrease in abundance in the genera Lachnospira, Lactobacilli, and Victivallis. TMAO plasma level was positively correlated with the abundance of bacteria of the genera Colidextribacter and Helicobacter and was negatively correlated with Sphingomanos, Lachnospira, Streptomyces, and Bacillus genera. CONCLUSION: Saccharibacteria (genus incertae sedis), Colidextribacter, Dorea, and Staphylococci genera showed higher abundance in patients with high TMAO levels. In addition, we observed that elevated plasma TMAO levels are associated with inflammation markers, dietary lipid intake, and serum phosphorus levels in patients undergoing HD.

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BACKGROUND: Autotrophic carbon fixation is the primary route through which organic carbon enters the biosphere, and it is a key step in the biogeochemical carbon cycle. The Calvin-Benson-Bassham pathway, which is predominantly found in plants, algae, and some bacteria (mainly cyanobacteria), was previously considered to be the sole carbon-fixation pathway. However, the discovery of a new carbon-fixation pathway in sulfurous green bacteria almost two decades ago encouraged further research on previously overlooked ancient carbon-fixation pathways in taxonomically and phylogenetically distinct microorganisms. AIM OF REVIEW: In this review, we summarize the six known natural carbon-fixation pathways and outline the newly proposed additions to this list. We also discuss the recent achievements in synthetic carbon fixation and the importance of the metabolism of thermophilic microorganisms in this field. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Currently, at least six carbon-fixation routes have been confirmed in Bacteria and Archaea. Other possible candidate routes have also been suggested on the basis of emerging "omics" data analyses, expanding our knowledge and stimulating discussions on the importance of these pathways in the way organisms acquire carbon. Notably, the currently known natural fixation routes cannot balance the excessive anthropogenic carbon emissions in a highly unbalanced global carbon cycle. Therefore, significant efforts have also been made to improve the existing carbon-fixation pathways and/or design new efficient in vitro and in vivo synthetic pathways.

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Most microorganisms found in environmental samples have never been cultured and can often only be explored through molecular or microscopic approaches. Here, we adapt the use of in situ diffusion-based devices to culture "yet-to-be-cultured" microorganisms associated with coral mucus and compare this with a traditional culturing method. The culturability of microorganisms associated with mucus of the coral Pocillopora damicornis increased by 420% and 570% with diffusion growth chambers and microwell chip devices, respectively, compared with the traditional method tested. The obtained cultures represent up to 64.4% of the total diversity of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) found in the mucus of the coral P. damicornis. In addition, some previously uncultured microorganisms, such as members of the family Nitrosopumilaceae and halophilic/halotolerant bacteria were cultured. Our results validate alternative microbial culturing strategies to culture coral-associated microorganisms, while significantly increasing the culturability of previous microbial dark matter.

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Archaea comprise a unique domain of organisms with distinct biochemical and genetic differences from bacteria. Methane-forming archaea, methanogens, constitute the predominant group of archaea in the human gut microbiota, with Methanobrevibacter smithii being the most prevalent. However, the effect of methanogenic archaea and their methane production on chronic disease remains controversial. As perturbation of the microbiota is a feature of chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases and chronic kidney disease, assessing the influence of archaea could provide a new clue to mitigating adverse effects associated with dysbiosis. In this review, we will discuss the putative role of archaea in the gut microbiota in humans and the possible link to chronic diseases.

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Pseudomonas sp. strain LAP_36 was isolated from rhizosphere soil from Deschampsia antarctica on King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Here, we report on its draft genome sequence, which consists of 8,794,771 bp with 60.0% GC content and 8,011 protein-coding genes.

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The surfactant industry moves billions of dollars a year and consists of chemically synthesized molecules usually derived from petroleum. Surfactant is a versatile molecule that is widely used in different industrial areas, with an emphasis on the petroleum, biomedical and detergent industries. Recently, interest in environmentally friendly surfactants that are resistant to extreme conditions has increased because of consumers' appeal for sustainable products and industrial processes that often require these characteristics. With this context, the need arises to search for surfactants produced by microorganisms coming from extreme environments and to mine their unique biotechnological potential. The production of biosurfactants is still incipient and presents challenges regarding economic viability due to the high costs of cultivation, production, recovery and purification. Advances can be made by exploring the extreme biosphere and bioinformatics tools. This review focuses on biosurfactants produced by microorganisms from different extreme environments, presenting a complete overview of what information is available in the literature, including the advances, challenges and future perspectives, as well as showing the possible applications of extreme biosurfactants.

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The thermophilic Geobacillus sp. strain LEMMJ02 was isolated from Fumarole Bay sediment on Deception Island, an active Antarctic volcano. Here, we report the draft genome of LEMMJ02, which consists of 3,160,938 bp with 52.8% GC content and 3,523 protein-coding genes.

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Here, we announce the draft genome sequence of Brevibacillus sp. strain LEMMJ03, isolated from Whalers Bay sediment (Deception Island, Antarctica). In total, 4,500 coding sequences (CDS), among those 102 coding for tRNAs and 5 for noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), were predicted from the 4.64-Mb genome. Predicted functions were for bacteriocin and degradation of aromatic compounds.

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The Microbacterium sp. LEMMJ01 isolated from Antarctic soil does not belong to any of the nearest species identified in the RDP database. Under UV radiation (A, B and C wavebands) the survival fractions of Microbacterium sp. cells were much higher compared with wild-type E. coli K12A15. Especially remarkable for an Antarctic bacterium, an expressive resistance against high UV-B doses was observed. The increased survival of DNA repair-proficient E. coli grown overnight added of 0.1 mg/ml or 1 mg/ml of the whole pigment extract produced by Microbacterium sp. revealed that part of the resistance of Microbacterium sp. against UV-B radiation seems to be connected with photoprotection by its pigments. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that UV-A and UV-B ensued membrane alterations only in E. coli. The APCI-MS fingerprints revealed the diagnostic ions for neurosporene (m/z 580, 566, 522, 538, and 524) synergism for the first time in this bacterium by HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Carotenoids also were devoid of phototoxicity and cytotoxicity effects in mouse cells and in human keratinocytes and fibroblasts.

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RESUMO Neste trabalho avaliou-se o comportamento de um reator UASB em escala laboratorial (16 L) no tratamento de lodo biológico têxtil com produção de biogás, operando em diferentes temperaturas, 35 (mesofílica), 45 e 55ºC (termofílica), com tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) constante de 24 h. O reator UASB apresentou-se apto a tratar o lodo têxtil, sendo influenciado positivamente pelo incremento da temperatura, mostrando maiores remoções nas temperaturas termofílicas e com altas taxas de remoção de todos os parâmetros físico-químicos monitorados: demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) (97% em 45 e 55ºC), demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO) (95% em 45ºC e 94% em 55ºC), fósforo total (P-total) (95% a 45 e 55ºC) e nitrogênio total (N-total) (94% a 45 e 55ºC). Quanto à produção de biogás e à concentração de metano, os maiores valores foram observados a 45ºC. Com base nos resultados alcançados, confirmam-se a tratabilidade do lodo têxtil e a produção de biogás em UASB, com melhor performance a 45ºC.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the behavior of a laboratory-scale UASB reactor (16 L) in the treatment of textile biological sludge with biogas production, operating at different temperatures - 35 (mesophilic), 45 and 55ºC (thermophilic) -, with constant hydraulic retention time of 24 h. The UASB reactor was able to treat the textile sludge, being positively influenced by increasing temperature, with greater removals in thermophilic temperatures and high removal rates of all monitored physical and chemical parameters: chemical oxygen demand (COD) (97% at 45 and 55ºC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (95% at 45ºC and 94% at 55ºC), total phosphorus (P-total) (95% at 45 and 55ºC) and total nitrogen (N-total) (94% at 45 and 55ºC). As for biogas production and methane concentration, the highest values were observed at 45ºC. Based on the results, textile sludge treatability and biogas production in UASB are confirmed, with best performance at 45ºC.

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We report here the 3,637,012-bp draft genome sequence of Microbacterium sp. strain LEMMJ01, isolated from ornithogenic soil from King George Island, Antarctica. The total number of genes presented in the draft genome sequence was 3,553, and the total number of coding sequences was 3,497. In addition, genes related to the production of terpene and carotenoids were revealed.

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The question of whether booster doses are required to maintain long-term protection against hepatitis B virus (HBV) after primary vaccination remains to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the immune memory responses to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) challenge in vaccinated individuals through an in vitro-specific stimulation assay. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (4 × 10(6) cells/ml) were stimulated with 50 ng/ml of recombinant HBsAg. In vitro anamnestic antibody responses, as shown by detection of high avidity antibody in culture supernatants, were found 13-18 years after primary vaccination and were not correlated with serum antibodies (r = -0.177; P = 0.377). In addition, the findings from this study indicate that immune memory against hepatitis B was well preserved in 40.0% and 60.0% of vaccinees with anti-HBs levels less than 10 IU/L or lacking serum antibodies altogether, respectively. In conclusion, the data suggest the presence of immunological memory in vaccinated individuals, including those who showed anti-HBs <10 IU/L or undetectable antibody.

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The study of the human immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been hampered by the lack of an adequate model to evaluate the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) specific cell response. Thus, this study was conducted to perform an in vitro analysis of the antigenic properties of recombinant HBsAg and demonstrate the influence of variables such as culture time, antigen concentration and cell density on lymphocyte proliferation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the venous blood of vaccinated individuals, and in vitro cellular immune responses were evaluated using an HBsAg-specific proliferation assay. Lymphoproliferative responses were detected in culture systems, despite the lack of serum antibodies. Optimal results were obtained when lymphocytes were stimulated at a seeding density of 4×10(6) cells/mL, with 50 ng/mL of recombinant HBsAg protein vaccine for 3 days. Data from the present study may contribute to the development of an adequate system to evaluate the cellular immune responses to HBsAg in vaccine recipients.

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