Applied and Environmental Science
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceStability of Microbial Community Profiles Associated with Compacted Bentonite from the Grimsel Underground Research LaboratoryThe Materials Corrosion Test in Grimsel Underground Research Laboratory, Switzerland, enables an evaluation of microbiological implications of bentonite clay at densities relevant for a deep geological repository. Our research demonstrates that after 13 months of exposure within a granitic host rock, the microbial 16S rRNA gene signatures of saturated bentonite clay within the modules were consistent with the profiles in the original...
Meeting Highlights | Applied and Environmental ScienceMolecular Detection of Biological Agents in the Field: Then and NowMolecular detection of biological agents in the field has traditionally relied on the use of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), which now includes commercially available instruments that can be used in the laboratory or field. Adapting this technology for field-forward applications necessitated innovation to minimize size, weight, and power requirements.
Author Reply | Applied and Environmental ScienceReply to Peters and Pittet, “Influenza and Alcohol-Based Handrub: the Danger of Ignoring Clinical Relevance,” and Boyce, “Alcohol-Based Handrubs and Influenza A”
Letter to the Editor | Applied and Environmental ScienceInfluenza and Alcohol-Based Handrub: the Danger of Ignoring Clinical Relevance
Observation | Applied and Environmental ScienceEmergence and Comparative Genomics Analysis of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Carrying mcr-1 in Fennec Fox Imported from Sudan to ChinaThe extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing members of the Enterobacteriaceae family are a global concern for both animal and human health. There is some information indicating a high prevalence of ESBL producers in food animals. Moreover, there have been an increasing number of reports on ESBL-producing strains resistant to the last-resort antibiotic colistin with the global dissemination of the plasmid-mediated mcr...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceFunctional and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Integrated Prophage-Like Sequences in “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus”Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is threatening citrus production worldwide. The causative agent is “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus.” Prior work using mapping-based approaches identified prophage-like sequences in some “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” genomes but not all. Here, we utilized a de novo approach that expands the number of prophage-like elements found in “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” from 16 to...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceValidating DNA Extraction Protocols for Bentonite ClayExtraction of microbial DNA from MX-80 bentonite is challenging due to low biomass and adsorption of nucleic acid molecules to the charged clay matrix. Blocking agents improve DNA recovery, but their impact on microbial community profiles from low-biomass samples has not been characterized well. In this study, we evaluated the effect of casein and phosphate as blocking agents for quantitative recovery of nucleic acids from MX-80...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceA Carotenoid- and Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate-Free Mutant Strain of Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 for the Commercial Production of GellanA carotenoid- and PHB-free double gene knockout strain mutant was constructed to simplify the purification steps normally involved in gellan production. However, the production of gellan gum was unexpectedly reduced. A mutant with 14.4% higher gellan production than that of the wild-type strain was obtained and isolated after employing UV and EMS combined mutagenesis. Based on this high-yield and low-impurity-producing mutant, a new...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceIdentification of a Polyketide Synthase Gene Responsible for Ascochitine Biosynthesis in Ascochyta fabae and Its Abrogation in Sister TaxaFungi produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites, many of which are of pharmacological importance whereas many others are noted for mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin and citrinin, that can threaten human and animal health. The polyketide-derived compound ascochitine, which is structurally similar to citrinin mycotoxin, has been considered to be important for pathogenicity of legume-associated Ascochyta species. Here, we...
Perspective | Applied and Environmental ScienceUnknown Risk on the Farm: Does Agricultural Use of Ionophores Contribute to the Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance?Ionophores are the second most widely used class of antibiotic in agriculture, with over 4 million kilograms sold in the United States in 2016. Because ionophores are not used in humans, it is widely assumed that their agricultural use will not impact human health. Consequently, these drugs have not been subject to the same regulations as medically important antibiotics.