Microplastic Diversity as a Potential Driver of Soil Denitrification Shifts.

Microplastics (MPs) are raising significant global concerns due to their environmental impacts. While most studies have focused on the effects of individual MP types, MPs in natural environments typically coexist as multiple types, and their combined effects remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a microcosm experiment with four levels of MP diversity (0, 1, 3, and 5 types) to investigate the effects of MP diversity on soil ecosystem functions using metagenomic sequencing.

Nano-biochar regulates phage-host interactions, reducing antibiotic resistance genes in vermicomposting systems.

Biochar amendment reshapes microbial community dynamics in vermicomposting, but the mechanism of how phages respond to this anthropogenic intervention and regulate the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains unclear. In this study, we used metagenomics, viromics, and laboratory validation to explore how nano-biochar affects phage-host interactions and ARGs dissemination in vermicomposting. Our results revealed distinct niche-specific phage life strategies.

Warming exacerbates the effects of pesticides on the soil collembolan gut microbiome and antibiotic resistome.

In the context of global climate warming, studies have yet to fully clarify how pollutants affect the gut microbiome and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in nontarget soil fauna. This study investigates the interactive effects of pesticide exposure (imidacloprid) and elevated temperature on the gut bacterial community and ARGs in the model soil collembolan Folsomia candida. Our results demonstrate warming exacerbates the toxicity of imidacloprid in collembolans.

Captivity increased the abundance of high-risk antibiotic resistance genes in the giant panda gut microbiome.

Captivity is a key strategy for protecting endangered species, but research has primarily focused on artificial breeding and reintroduction to bolster wild populations, often overlooking the environmental and health risks associated with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the microbiome and ARG profiles in the gut of wild giant pandas across five representative populations, as well as one captive population, utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing and High-Throughput Quantitative PCR. Our findings revealed that both geographic location and captivity significantly influenced the gut microbial community and ARG composition in the gut of giant pandas.

Antibiotics and Pesticides Enhancing the Transfer of Resistomes among Soil-Bayberry-Fruit Fly Food Chain in the Orchard Ecosystem.

While substantial amounts of antibiotics and pesticides are applied to maintain orchard yields, their influence on the dissemination and risk of antibiotic resisitome in the orchard food chain remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the bacterial and fungal communities and differentiated both antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor genes (VFGs) in the soil, Chinese bayberry (matured and fallen), and fruit fly gut, collected from five geographic locations. Our results showed that fruit fly guts and soils exhibit a higher abundance of ARGs and VFGs compared with bayberry fruits.

Effects of heavy metal and disinfectant on antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factor genes in the plastisphere from diverse soil ecosystems.

Antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) are world-wide contaminants posing potential health risks. Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and heavy metals can apply selective pressure on antibiotic resistance. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding their coupled effect on changes in ARGs and virulence factor genes (VFGs) in various soil types and their plastispheres.

A new insight into the potential drivers of antibiotic resistance gene enrichment in the collembolan gut association with antibiotic and non-antibiotic agents.

Effects of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soil ecosystem are still unclear. In this study, we explored the microbial community and ARGs variations in the gut of the model soil collembolan Folsomia candida following soil antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) contamination, while comparing with antibiotic erythromycin (ETM) exposure. Results showed that, CBZ and ETM all significantly influenced ARGs diversity and composition in the soil and collembolan gut, increasing the relative abundance of ARGs.

[Research advances in ecological risk of antibiotic resistance genes].

Antibiotics have played an important role in the prevention and treatment of human and animal diseases as well as the improvement of animal products. However, the mass products and application of antibiotics, especially the abuse in animal industry and clinical medicine, led to the widespread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. They spread widely through conjugation, transposition, and transformation with the help of movable elements such as plasmid, transposon and integrons, resulting in the continuous enhancement of microbial medicinal properties and posing a serious threat to human health and ecological security.