Gut Microbiota-Generated Phenylacetylglutamine and Heart Failure.

Background: The gut microbiota-dependent metabolite phenylacetylgutamine (PAGln) is both associated with atherothrombotic heart disease in humans, and mechanistically linked to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis in animal models via modulation of adrenergic receptor signaling.

Methods: Here we examined both clinical and mechanistic relationships between PAGln and heart failure (HF). First, we examined associations among plasma levels of PAGln and HF, left ventricular ejection fraction, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in 2 independent clinical cohorts of subjects undergoing coronary angiography in tertiary referral centers (an initial discovery US Cohort, n=3256; and a validation European Cohort, n=829).

Depth-dependent geochemical and microbiological gradients in Fe(III) deposits resulting from coal mine-derived acid mine drainage.

We evaluated the depth-dependent geochemistry and microbiology of sediments that have developed via the microbially-mediated oxidation of Fe(II) dissolved in acid mine drainage (AMD), giving rise to a 8-10 cm deep "iron mound" that is composed primarily of Fe(III) (hydr)oxide phases. Chemical analyses of iron mound sediments indicated a zone of maximal Fe(III) reducing bacterial activity at a depth of approximately 2.5 cm despite the availability of dissolved O2 at this depth.