COVID-19 trends at the University of Tennessee: predictive insights from raw sewage SARS-CoV-2 detection and evaluation and PMMoV as an indicator for human waste.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has become a valuable tool for monitoring the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 on university campuses. However, concerns about effectiveness of raw sewage as a COVID-19 early warning system still exist, and it's not clear how useful normalization by simultaneous comparison of Pepper Mild Mottle Virus (PMMoV) is in addressing variations resulting from fecal discharge dilution. This study aims to contribute insights into these aspects by conducting an academic-year field trial at the student residences on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus, raw sewage.

Evaluating various composite sampling modes for detecting pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 virus in raw sewage.

Inadequate sampling approaches to wastewater analyses can introduce biases, leading to inaccurate results such as false negatives and significant over- or underestimation of average daily viral concentrations, due to the sporadic nature of viral input. To address this challenge, we conducted a field trial within the University of Tennessee residence halls, employing different composite sampling modes that encompassed different time intervals (1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 24 h) across various time windows (morning, afternoon, evening, and late-night). Our primary objective was to identify the optimal approach for generating representative composite samples of SARS-CoV-2 from raw wastewater.

Decay of enveloped SARS-CoV-2 and non-enveloped PMMoV RNA in raw sewage from university dormitories.

Introduction: Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA has been frequently detected in sewage from many university dormitories to inform public health decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a clear understanding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA persistence in site-specific raw sewage is still lacking. To investigate the SARS-CoV-2 RNA persistence, a field trial was conducted in the University of Tennessee dormitories raw sewage, similar to municipal wastewater.

Methods: The decay of enveloped SARS-CoV-2 RNA and non-enveloped Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV) RNA was investigated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in raw sewage at 4°C and 20°C.

Microbial life in 25-m-deep boreholes in ancient permafrost illuminated by metagenomics.

This study describes the composition and potential metabolic adaptation of microbial communities in northeastern Siberia, a repository of the oldest permafrost in the Northern Hemisphere. Samples of contrasting depth (1.75 to 25.

Comparative Metagenomics of the Active Layer and Permafrost from Low-Carbon Soil in the Canadian High Arctic.

Approximately 87% of the Arctic consists of low-organic carbon mineral soil, but knowledge of microbial activity in low-carbon permafrost (PF) and active layer soils remains limited. This study investigated the taxonomic composition and genetic potential of microbial communities at contrasting depths of the active layer (5, 35, and 65 cm below surface, bls) and PF (80 cm bls). We showed microbial communities in PF to be taxonomically and functionally different from those in the active layer.

High avidity drives the interaction between the streptococcal C1 phage endolysin, PlyC, with the cell surface carbohydrates of Group A Streptococcus.

Endolysin enzymes from bacteriophage cause bacterial lysis by degrading the peptidoglycan cell wall. The streptococcal C1 phage endolysin PlyC, is the most potent endolysin described to date and can rapidly lyse group A, C, and E streptococci. PlyC is known to bind the Group A streptococcal cell wall, but the specific molecular target or the binding site within PlyC remain uncharacterized.

Insights into community of photosynthetic microorganisms from permafrost.

This work integrates cultivation studies of Siberian permafrost and analyses of metagenomes from different locations in the Arctic with the aim of obtaining insights into the community of photosynthetic microorganisms in perennially frozen deposits. Cyanobacteria and microalgae have been described in Arctic aquatic and surface soil environments, but their diversity and ability to withstand harsh conditions within the permafrost are still largely unknown. Community structure of photosynthetic organisms in permafrost sediments was explored using Arctic metagenomes available through the MG-RAST.

Distinctive Gene Expression Patterns Define Endodormancy to Ecodormancy Transition in Apricot and Peach.

Dormancy is a physiological state that plants enter for winter hardiness. Environmental-induced dormancy onset and release in temperate perennials coordinate growth cessation and resumption, but how the entire process, especially chilling-dependent dormancy release and flowering, is regulated remains largely unclear. We utilized the transcriptome profiles of floral buds from fall to spring in apricot () genotypes with contrasting bloom dates and peach () genotypes with contrasting chilling requirements (CR) to explore the genetic regulation of bud dormancy.

Structural Studies of Thyroid Peroxidase Show the Monomer Interacting With Autoantibodies in Thyroid Autoimmune Disease.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is a critical membrane-bound enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of multiple thyroid hormones, and is a major autoantigen in autoimmune thyroid diseases such as destructive (Hashimoto) thyroiditis. Here we report the biophysical and structural characterization of a novel TPO construct containing only the ectodomain of TPO and lacking the propeptide. The construct was enzymatically active and able to bind the patient-derived TR1.

Thyroid Peroxidase as an Autoantigen in Hashimoto's Disease: Structure, Function, and Antigenicity.

Human thyroid peroxidase (TPO), is an important enzyme responsible for the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones and is a major autoantigen in autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) such as the destructive Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Although the structure of TPO has yet to be determined, its extracellular domain consists of three regions that exhibit a high degree of sequence similarity to domains of known three-dimensional structure: the myeloperoxidase (MPO)-like domain, complement control protein (CCP)-like domain, and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain. Homology models of TPO can therefore be constructed, providing some structural context to its known function, as well as facilitating the mapping of regions that are responsible for its autoantigenicity.

Potential Use of Bacterial Community Succession in Decaying Human Bone for Estimating Postmortem Interval.

Bacteria are taphonomic agents of human decomposition, potentially useful for estimating postmortem interval (PMI) in late-stage decomposition. Bone samples from 12 individuals and three soil samples were analyzed to assess the effects of decomposition and advancing time on bacterial communities. Results indicated that partially skeletonized remains maintained a presence of bacteria associated with the human gut, whereas bacterial composition of dry skeletal remains maintained a community profile similar to soil communities.

Metagenomes of microbial communities in arsenic- and pathogen-contaminated well and surface water from bangladesh.

The contamination of drinking water from both arsenic and microbial pathogens occurs in Bangladesh. A general metagenomic survey of well water and surface water provided information on the types of pathogens present and may help elucidate arsenic metabolic pathways and potential assay targets for monitoring surface-to-ground water pathogen transport.

Commercial DNA extraction kits impact observed microbial community composition in permafrost samples.

The total community genomic DNA (gDNA) from permafrost was extracted using four commercial DNA extraction kits. The gDNAs were compared using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) targeting 16S rRNA genes and bacterial diversity analyses obtained via 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA (V3 region) amplified in single or nested PCR. The FastDNA(®) SPIN (FDS) Kit provided the highest gDNA yields and 16S rRNA gene concentrations, followed by MoBio PowerSoil(®) (PS) and MoBio PowerLyzer™ (PL) kits.

Unsealed tubewells lead to increased fecal contamination of drinking water.

Bangladesh is underlain by shallow aquifers in which millions of drinking water wells are emplaced without annular seals. Fecal contamination has been widely detected in private tubewells. To evaluate the impact of well construction on microbial water quality 35 private tubewells (11 with intact cement platforms, 19 without) and 17 monitoring wells (11 with the annulus sealed with cement, six unsealed) were monitored for culturable Escherichia coli over 18 months.

Comparison of fecal indicators with pathogenic bacteria and rotavirus in groundwater.

Groundwater is routinely analyzed for fecal indicators but direct comparisons of fecal indicators to the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens are rare. This study was conducted in rural Bangladesh where the human population density is high, sanitation is poor, and groundwater pumped from shallow tubewells is often contaminated with fecal bacteria. Five indicator microorganisms (E.

Implications of fecal bacteria input from latrine-polluted ponds for wells in sandy aquifers.

Ponds receiving latrine effluents may serve as sources of fecal contamination to shallow aquifers tapped by millions of tube-wells in Bangladesh. To test this hypothesis, transects of monitoring wells radiating away from four ponds were installed in a shallow sandy aquifer underlying a densely populated village and monitored for 14 months. Two of the ponds extended to medium sand.

Draft genome sequence of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading, genetically engineered bioluminescent bioreporter Pseudomonas fluorescens HK44.

Pseudomonas fluorescens strain HK44 (DSM 6700) is a genetically engineered lux-based bioluminescent bioreporter. Here we report the draft genome sequence of strain HK44. Annotation of ∼6.

Impact of population and latrines on fecal contamination of ponds in rural Bangladesh.

A majority of households in Bangladesh rely on pond water for hygiene. Exposure to pond water fecal contamination could therefore still contribute to diarrheal disease despite the installation of numerous tubewells for drinking. The objectives of this study are to determine the predominant sources (human or livestock) of fecal pollution in ponds and examine the association between local population, latrine density, latrine quality and concentrations of fecal bacteria and pathogens in pond water.

Viruses and bacteria in karst and fractured rock aquifers in East Tennessee, USA.

A survey of enteric viruses and indicator bacteria was carried out in eight community water supply sources (four wells and four springs) in East Tennessee. Seven sites derived their water from carbonate aquifers and one from fractured sandstone. Four of the sites were deemed "low-risk" based on prior monitoring of fecal indicators and factors such as presence of thick layers of overlying sediments.

PM(2.5) Characterization for Time Series Studies: Organic Molecular Marker Speciation Methods and Observations from Daily Measurements in Denver.

Particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM(2.5)) has been shown to have a wide range of adverse health effects and consequently is regulated in accordance with the US-EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Selection of cell lines with enhanced invasive phenotype from xenografts of the human prostate cancer cell line WPE1-NB26.

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of death from cancer in American men and metastasis the main cause of death. To better understand the disease and accelerate development of new therapies, in vivo models that reflect different disease stages are needed. A family of cell lines that mimics multiple steps in cancer development and tumor progression has been developed in our laboratory from the parent, non-tumorigenic, RWPE-1 cell line by transformation with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU).

17alpha-ethynylestradiol-induced vitellogenin gene transcription quantified in livers of adult males, larvae, and gills of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).

We have applied a method for quantifying relative levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription to assess chemically induced gene expression in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas). Synthetic oligonucleotides designed for the fathead minnow vitellogenin gene transcription product were used in a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) protocol. This sensitive and rapid strategy detected vitellogenin gene transcription in livers of male fathead minnows exposed to concentrations as low as 2 ng/L of the endocrine-disrupting compound 17alpha-ethynylestradiol for 24 h.