Discriminative Effects Research Articles

Differences in sputum microbiota based on cure status of patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

To analyze the characteristics of the sputum microbiota of patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) based on treatment status. Twenty-eight sputum samples from 14 patients with NTM-PD, including 14 samples from the microbiologically cured group (7 at baseline and 7 during follow-up) and 14 from the treatment-refractory group (7 at baseline and 7 during follow-up) were included in this study. Bacterial microbiota was analyzed by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Among the 14 patients, most had infections with Mycobacterium avium complex (n = 6), followed by Mycobacterium abscessus (n = 5); three patients exhibited mixed infection with both organisms. Alpha-diversity was higher in the cured group than in the treatment refractory group in both the baseline sputum (ACE, p = 0.005; Chao1, p = 0.010; Jackknife, p = 0.022, 0.043; Shannon, p = 0.048) and follow-up sputum (ACE, p = 0.018). Linear discriminant analysis effect size revealed that several taxa showed differential distributions based on treatment status. At the species level, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Prevotella melaninogenica, Haemophilus parahaemolyticus, Haemophilus haemolyticus, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Neisseria elongata, and Prevotella denticola were more abundant in sputum from the microbiologically cured group than in that from the refractory group (all p < 0.05). In contrast to patients with treatment-refractory NTM-PD, those with stable disease without recurrence had higher microbial diversity in their sputum, including several predominant taxa.

Revealing gut microbiota biomarkers associated with melanoma immunotherapy response and key bacteria-fungi interaction relationships: evidence from metagenomics, machine learning, and SHAP methodology

IntroductionThe gut microbiota is associated with the response to immunotherapy in cutaneous melanoma (CM). However, gut fungal biomarkers and bacterial-fungal interactions have yet to be determined.MethodsMetagenomic sequencing data of stool samples collected before immunotherapy from three independent groups of European ancestry CM patients were collected. After characterizing the relative abundances of bacteria and fungi, Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis, Random Forest (RF) model construction, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) methodology were applied to identify biomarkers and key bacterial-fungal interactions associated with immunotherapy responders in CM.ResultsDiversity analysis revealed significant differences in the bacterial and fungal composition between CM immunotherapy responders and non-responders. LEfSe analysis identified 45 bacterial and 4 fungal taxa as potential biomarkers. After constructing the RF model, the AUC of models built using bacterial and fungal data separately were 0.64 and 0.65, respectively. However, when bacterial and fungal data were combined, the AUC of the merged model increased to 0.71. In the merged model, the following taxa were identified as important biomarkers: Romboutsia, Endomicrobium, Aggregatilinea, Candidatus Moduliflexus, Colwellia, Akkermansia, Mucispirillum, and Rutstroemia, which were associated with responders, whereas Zancudomyces was associated with non-responders. Moreover, the positive correlation interaction between Akkermansia and Rutstroemia is considered a key bacterial-fungal interaction associated with CM immunotherapy response.ConclusionOur results provide valuable insights for the enrichment of responders to immunotherapy in CM patients. Moreover, this study highlights the critical role of bacterial-fungal interactions in CM immunotherapy.

Gut microbiome is associated with radiotherapy response in lung cancer patients with brain metastases.

To investigate the gut microbiome of lung cancer patients with brain metastases undergoing radiotherapy, identify key microorganisms associated with radiotherapy response, and evaluate their potential as biomarkers. This study enrolled 55 newly diagnosed lung cancer patients with brain metastases. Fecal samples were collected before radiotherapy and analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing to assess the gut microbiome's composition and function. Patients were categorized into response (n=28) and non-response (n=27) groups based on treatment efficacy, and α-diversity, β-diversity, and functional pathways were compared between them. Linear Discriminant Analysis Effect Size was used to identify microbial features associated with treatment efficacy. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive capacity of clinical and microbial factors for treatment outcomes. No significant difference in α-diversity was observed between the groups (P > 0.05), but β-diversity differed significantly (P = 0.036). Twelve characteristic microorganisms were identified in the response group, including g_ Oscillibacter and g_ Blautia, and nine in the non-response group, such as f_ Desulfovibrionaceae and g_ Megamonas. Metabolic pathways associated with treatment response included ketone body metabolism and pathways related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Multivariate analysis identified g_Flavonifractor (odds ratio [OR] = 6.680, P = 0.004), g_Negativibacillus (OR = 3.862, P = 0.014), C-reactive protein (OR = 1.054, P = 0.017), and systemic inflammation response index (OR = 1.367, P = 0.043) as independent predictors of radiotherapy response. The nomogram and microbiome models achieved area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.935 and 0.866, respectively, demonstrating excellent predictive performance. Decision curve analysis further confirmed these models provided significant net benefits across risk thresholds. The composition and functional characteristics of the gut microbiome in lung cancer patients with brain metastases prior to radiotherapy are associated with therapeutic response and possess potential as predictive biomarkers. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Sexual orientation and internalized homophobia of middle aged and older gay and lesbian adults: The role of social relationships.

Research is needed about the role of families in relation to issues faced by middle-aged and older gay and lesbian adults, such as internalized homophobia and families of choice. This study examines how families of choice and families of origin shape experiences of internalized homophobia in midlife and older gay and lesbian adults, a population uniquely affected by the cumulative effects of societal stigma over the life course. We sampled 409 adults aged 50+ (range: 50-85) who self-identify as lesbian women or gay men. They answered a questionnaire about families of choice, families of origin, and internalized homophobia. Mediation models examined the role of families in the association of gender and internalized homophobia. Lesbian women reported lower internalized homophobia compared to gay men, and this was partially explained by their greater likelihood of citing spouses/partners and children as close others. Friends in one's family of choice were not associated with gender or internalized homophobia. Men were more likely to cite close siblings, and this was related to lower internalized homophobia, although siblings did not mediate the association of gender and internalized homophobia. Higher internalized homophobia of gay men in later life might be partially explained by being less likely to have a spouse/partner and children, reflecting cumulative effects of lifelong discrimination and stigma. These findings could foster better interventions aimed at specific needs of aging men and women from sexual minorities, considering their life course experiences and social resources.

Gut Microbiota in Advanced NSCLC Receiving Chemoimmunotherapy: An Ancillary Biomarker Study From the Phase III Trial JCOG2007 (NIPPON).

Gut Microbiota in Advanced NSCLC Receiving Chemoimmunotherapy: An Ancillary Biomarker Study From the Phase III Trial JCOG2007 (NIPPON).

Trauma-Informed HR: The Work–Life Interface and the Adverse Spillover Effects of Nonwork Anti-Black Discrimination

This study uses a trauma-informed conservation of resources lens to investigate the potential spillover effects of nonwork anti-Black discrimination in the workplace. The research surveys 442 public sector employees and, using a partial least-squares structural equation modeling and multigroup technique, found that nonwork discrimination is associated with lower levels of workplace engagement among Black employees compared with White employees. This finding supports this study’s argument that such experiences place Black employees at a resource deficit, leaving them with fewer psychological and energetic reserves to draw upon at work. Thus, this study discusses the need for trauma-informed human resource (HR) management practices that replenish these resources and provide mechanisms for coping with discrimination-related stress.

Changes in the gut microbiome due to diarrhea in neonatal Korean indigenous calves.

Studies on gut microbiome changes in neonatal Korean indigenous calves with diarrhea are rare. In this study, 14 normal calves and 11 calves with diarrhea were selected from Korean indigenous calves up to 30 days of age and classified into three groups at 10-day intervals (1-10, 11-20, and 21-30 days). Feces from 25 calves were collected, and the diversity, similarity, structure, and correlation of the gut microbiome were analyzed. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria were predominant in the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome of the calves regardless of the presence of diarrhea. However, Proteobacteria increased and Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria decreased in calves with diarrhea. In addition, calves with diarrhea showed a significant decrease in the diversity of the gut microbiome, especially for anaerobic microorganisms Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Gemmiger formicilis, and Collinsella aerofaciens. The microbial communities in calves with diarrhea and normal calves were distinct. By analyzing the microorganisms that showed correlation with diarrhea and age using linear discriminant analysis effect size, at the genus level, Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae_uc were significantly related in the normal (11-20 days) group whereas Enterobacterales, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia, and Proteobacteria were significantly associated with diarrhea in the 11-20 days group. Futhermore, the normal (21-30 days) group showed significant correlation with Blautia, Provotellaceae, Muribaculaceae, Christensenellaceae, and Catenella, whereas the diarrhea (21-30 days) group showed significant correlation with Dorea. The microorganisms associated with diarrhea in calves were mainly known as harmful microorganisms, we confirmed that there is a relationship between the increase in harmful bacteria and diarrhea. These results show that diarrhea significantly affects the gut microbiome of Korean indigenous calves. The changes in the gut microbiome of Korean indigenous calves observed in this study could be helpful in predicting and managing diarrhea calves, and furthermore, in establishing preventive measures for calf diarrhea through management of gut microbiome.

Parent discrimination clusters and pediatric health in a national survey: The modifying effect of parenting.

Parent discrimination clusters and pediatric health in a national survey: The modifying effect of parenting.

Associations of ambient fine particulate matter with lung function and nasal microbiota: A panel study in asthmatic children.

Associations of ambient fine particulate matter with lung function and nasal microbiota: A panel study in asthmatic children.

Mediating roles of social support in lives of men who have sex with men living with HIV.

This study examined the mediating role of social support between distal minority stressors, psychological states, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV in the United States. We also investigated the role of social support in the relationship between resilient coping and mental HRQoL. A prospective cohort of 263 MSM living with HIV consisted of 25.8% reported and classified as Asian and Pacific Islanders, 36.9% as Black, 27.7% as White, and 9.2% as others, with a mean age at 53.4 years (SD = 13.6) in Hawai'i and Philadelphia were assessed at baseline and three consecutive follow-ups at 6, 12, and 18 months. Generalized linear mixed models and causal mediation analyses were used to examine the relationships and mediating roles of social support between psychosocial factors and mental/physical HRQoL. Discrimination, early trauma, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety were associated with poorer mental HRQoL, whereas resilient coping and social support were associated with better mental HRQoL. Anxiety, depression, and perceived stress were associated with poorer physical HRQoL, and social support was associated with better physical HRQoL. Social support mediated the deleterious and protective effects of discrimination, proportion mediated (pm) = 27%, early emotional trauma (pm = 25.9%), and resilient coping (pm = 19.9%) on mental HRQoL and the negative impacts of anxiety (pm = 12.1%) and perceived stress (pm = 5.8%) on physical HRQoL. Promoting adaptive coping strategies and fostering social support may lead to sustainable improvements in the well-being of MSM living with HIV infection. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Distinct microbial signatures and their predictive value in recurrent acute pancreatitis: insights from 5-region 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) poses significant clinical challenges, with 32.3% developing to chronic pancreatitis within 5 years. The underlying microbial factors contributing to RAP remain poorly understood. This study aims to identify blood microbial signatures associated with RAP and explore the potential microbial predictors for RAP. In this prospective cohort, 90 acute pancreatitis patients are classified into non-recurrent acute pancreatitis (NRAP, n=68) and RAP (n=22) groups based on the number of pancreatitis episodes. Microbial composition of blood samples is analyzed using 5-region (5R) 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Key microbial taxa and functional predictions are made. A random forest model is used to assess the predictive value of microbial features for RAP. The impact of Staphylococcus hominis (S. hominis) on RAP is further evaluated in an experimental mouse model. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis highlights significant microbial differences, with Paracoccus aminovorans, Corynebacterium glucuronolyticum and S. hominis being prominent in RAP. Functional predictions indicate enrichment of metabolic pathways in the RAP group. Random forest analysis identifies key microbial taxa with an AUC value of 0.759 for predicting RAP. Experimental validation shows that S. hominis exacerbates pancreatic inflammation in mice. This study identifies distinct clinical and microbial features associated with RAP, emphasizing the role of specific bacterial taxa in pancreatitis recurrence. The findings suggest that microbial profiling could enhance the diagnosis and management of RAP, paving the way for personalized therapeutic approaches.

Effect of green propolis crude extract on the modulation of intestinal microbiota and on the productive performance of juvenile Nile tilapia.

The study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary supplementation with green propolis crude extract on juvenile tilapia's growth and intestinal microbiota. The experiment was conducted in raceway tanks with a volume of 19m3, comprising two treatments with three replicates each. Fish were assigned to either a control diet or a diet supplemented with 0.67% green propolis crude extract. Each experimental unit consisted of 30 fish, initially averaging 22.38g ± 0.32 in weight, and which were fed ad libitum for 60days. Results demonstrated that dietary supplementation with green propolis crude extract significantly improved the growth of juvenile tilapia compared to the control group. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria were identified as the predominant bacterial phyla in the intestinal microbiota of both groups. The genera Candidatus xiphinematobacter (Verrucomicrobia) and Somerae (Firmicutes) were consistently abundant across treatments, with Somerae and Dispar as the most prevalent species. Significant differences in alpha diversity were observed between treatments at the genus and species levels according to the Chao 1 index. However, no significant differences were detected in Shannon index diversity between the control and green propolis crude extract groups. Beta diversity analysis revealed distinct clustering between treatments. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) highlighted significant differences in bacterial abundance between the control and green propolis crude extract groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with green propolis crude extract improved growth. It also modulated the intestinal microbiota of juvenile Thai tilapia.

Serum metabolic characteristics associated with the deterioration of colorectal adenomas

Colorectal cancer (CRC) can evolve from colorectal adenomas, which can be further classified into non-advanced adenomas (NAAs) and advanced adenomas (AAs) based on their clinical characteristics. Their prognoses are vastly different, with patients with NAAs having significantly lower recurrence and CRC-related mortality rates than those with AA or CRC. Although serum metabolomics has shown promise for the early diagnosis of CRC, the differences in serum metabolite composition between NAA and AA still need to be further elucidated. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of CRC occurrence and development based on the unique serum metabolic fingerprints of different stages of CRC and to discover a new non-invasive diagnostic method based on serum metabolomics. A clinical CRC progression cohort containing healthy control (NC; n = 40), NAA (n = 40), AA (n = 40), and CRC (n = 22) groups was constructed, and untargeted metabolomic analysis based on liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was performed to analyze the serum metabolite characteristics of each group. A semi-quantitative analysis of intergroup metabolite differences was conducted, focusing on specific metabolites that differed in the NAA and AA groups. Finally, variable metabolites were selected based on least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate the efficacy of the serum metabolite-based diagnostic model in distinguishing NC/NAA populations from AA/CRC populations. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences in the composition of metabolites in the NC and NAA groups compared to the CRC group, whereas the serum metabolites of the AA group were similar to those of the CRC group. The levels of 33 metabolites were significantly different in the serum of AA/CRC patients compared to that of NAA patients, and their functions included glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, and caffeine metabolism. LASSO regression analysis identified 57 differential metabolite variables between the NC/NAA and AA/CRC groups. The diagnostic model constructed using the random forest algorithm had the best discrimination effect, with areas under the curve of 1.000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.000–1.000) and 0.685 (95% CI 0.540–0.830) for the training and testing sets, respectively. The composition of serum metabolites is specific to the different stages of CRC development. The serum metabolite composition of patients with AAs was similar to that of patients with CRC. Auxiliary diagnostic measures based on serum metabolites have the potential to guide the follow-up and treatment of patients with adenoma.

Integrated Microbiome and Metabolomics Analysis Reveals Altered Aggressive Behaviors in Broiler Chickens Showing Different Tonic Immobility.

Tonic immobility (TI) serves as an indicator of innate stress response recovery in poultry. Broilers with different TI phenotypes exhibit varying levels of aggressive behavior, which can significantly impact their welfare. However, the influences of TI phenotypes on broiler aggression remain largely unexplored. In this study, broiler chickens were stratified into two distinct phenotypic groups based on the TI duration: short TI (STI) and long TI (LTI). The impacts of TI phenotypes on broiler aggression were investigated by analyzing cecal intestinal morphology, cecal bacteria, plasma metabolites, and corticosterone levels. Compared to LTI broilers, STI broilers showed significantly reduced plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels (p < 0.05) and a decreased frequency of aggressive behaviors, including dominant and subdominant types (p < 0.01). Histological analysis revealed that STI broilers have an increased duodenal villus height and villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio (p < 0.01), a decreased jejunal crypt depth with an increased villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio (p < 0.01), and a reduced ileal crypt depth and villus height (p < 0.01) compared to LTI broilers. 16S rDNA sequencing and Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) identified differential cecal bacterial abundance, notably in the genus cc115 belonging to Firmicutes. Specific microbiota in LTI broilers exhibited significant positive correlations with aggressive behavior and plasma corticosterone, while those in STI broilers showed significant negative correlations. Untargeted plasma metabolomics revealed 21 downregulated and 17 upregulated metabolites between TI phenotypes. Correlation analysis showed that the genus cc115 and 10 plasma metabolites were positively correlated with aggressive behavior, whereas 8 metabolites were negatively correlated. LTI broilers have higher plasma corticosterone content and more intense aggressive behavior than STI broilers. The distinct behavioral and physiological profiles observed in broilers with different TI phenotypes are strongly correlated with their specific gut microbiota and differential plasma metabolite profiles. The identified gut microbial signatures serve as key biomarkers for regulating aggressive behavior in broilers, while the differential plasma metabolites represent potential early indicators for detecting stress and behavioral issues in poultry farming.

The distribution of aerobic bacteria in Chinese cropland is linked to the soil texture.

Aerobic bacteria extensively drive the carbon cycle in soil owing to their vigorous respiration; however, their geographical distribution and mechanisms remain poorly understood. The citric acid synthetase-encoding gene (gltA), which encodes the key enzyme in the tricarboxylic acid cycle of aerobic respiration, was used as a marker gene to investigate the geographical distribution of aerobic bacteria in Chinese agricultural fields. The abundance and diversity of gltA-harboring bacteria changed unimodally as the latitude increased, with peak values at middle latitudes, where the dominant species showed the lowest relative abundance. Despite the different water management practices, our data found little difference in the abundance, diversity, or relative abundance of the dominant species of gltA-harboring bacteria between paddy and upland soils on a large scale, which was significantly affected by the soil type (black, fluvo-aquic, and red), which can be defined by the soil texture. Linear regression and random forest model analyses indicated that soil texture strongly regulated the community of gltA-harboring bacteria, particularly the abundance of this functional guild. Generally, less abundant and diverse gltA-harboring bacteria were observed in soils with higher clay content. We identified biomarkers in the different soil types using linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis. The results suggest a significant correlation between soil texture and most of these biomarkers. Additionally, the biomarkers in black soil were mainly r-strategists, which include Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, were positively correlated with soil organic carbon content. In contrast, the biomarkers in fluvo-aquic soil were generally K-strategists, such as Acidobacteria, Ktedonobacteraceae, Planctobacteriaceae, and Frankia were negatively correlated with soil organic carbon content. These different biomarkers likely play distinct roles in soil carbon sequestration. This study provides foundational insights into the role of aerobic bacteria in soil and enhances our understanding of microbial contributions to the biogeochemical cycle of carbon.

Social Vulnerability and Poverty: the Impact of Discriminatory Experiences on Positive and Negatives Affect Among Roma and Non-Roma Poorer Communities

Abstract Discriminatory experiences have an impact on the positive and negative affects of the people who suffer them. This study aimed to understand how the experiences of discrimination in the Roma and non-Roma communities living in poverty in Portugal impact on their positive and negative affects. A case–control study, with a sample of 114 participants (50% Roma community and 50% non-Roma), aged between 18 and 70 years (mean = 34.82; SD = 12.90) was performed. The instruments used were the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) and the Short Version of the Portuguese Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS-VRP). It appears that there areS significant differences between the Roma community and non-Roma in discrimination with a higher value of discrimination in the Roma community (Roma: 2.77; non-Roma:1.30; p &lt; .001), contrary to what happens in negative affect (Roma: 1.73; non-Roma: 2.39; p &lt; .001). Regarding the reasons for discrimination, all self-declared Roma participants pointed to ethnicity as the main reason. In contrast, in the Non-Roma community, the reasons were more diverse, with socioeconomic status standing out. The results of the logistic regression show that Roma community have 88% lower probability to have high negative affect (p &lt; 0.01; CI [0.04–0.40]. Discrimination has a significant impact on the positive and negative affects of Roma and non-Roma communities in poverty in Portugal, with effects on their psychosocial health, with the effect of discrimination being more prevalent in the Roma community. It is, therefore, essential to carry out longitudinal investigations in this context to explore these relationships over time and identify possible underlying mechanisms.

Discrimination and Oral Health Impact: Moderating Role of Sex and Sexuality.

This study investigated whether sex assigned at birth and sexuality have a moderating role on the effect of discrimination on oral health impacts among adolescents. Using data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a sample representative of all Australian adolescents aged 14 to 15 y (N = 2,905), we employed propensity score overlap weights to achieve covariate balance between participants exposed and unexposed to discrimination. Various forms of discrimination were examined: due to cultural background, due to mental health condition, due to sexual orientation, and due to sex assigned at birth. Oral health impact was assessed using the PedsQ Oral Health Scale. Poisson regression with robust variance was conducted including sex, sexual attraction, and discrimination as interaction terms. The sample included 1,407 females (49%) and 336 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning (LGBQ) individuals (11%). More than 22% experienced at least 1 form of discrimination in the previous 6 mo. Findings from the overlap weighting analysis revealed that, in general, females had higher proportions of oral health impact compared with males, whereas sexually diverse youth tended to have worse oral health outcomes compared with non-LGBQ youth. A 2-fold higher prevalence rate of oral health impacts was found for sexually diverse females exposed to discrimination due to cultural background (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36-2.44) and due to mental health conditions (95% CI: 1.62-2.46). The largest effects of discrimination on oral health impacts were consistently observed among sexually diverse females. This novel study provides evidence on the moderating role of sex and sexuality in the relationship between discrimination and oral health among adolescents.

Dysbiosis of Bile Microbiota in Cholangiocarcinoma Patients: A Comparison with Benign Biliary Diseases.

Dysbiosis in the bile microbiota of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients suggests a potential role for microbial alterations in the pathogenesis of CCA. This study aimed to investigate bile microbial communities in patients with CCA and compare them to those in individuals with benign biliary diseases as a control (CTR) group. Microbial profiling was conducted using next-generation sequencing (NGS), targeting the V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by bioinformatics analysis using the VSEARCH and EzBioCloud platforms. Alpha and beta diversity analyses were performed to assess microbial richness and structural differences. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) was utilized to identify potential microbial biomarkers. Results: This study identified distinct microbial profiles in the two groups at both the phylum and genus levels. In the CTR group, Pseudomonadota (65%) was the dominant phyla, while Bacillota (49%) was more abundant in the CCA group. At the genus level, Escherichia (29%), Enterobacteriaceae (12%), Enterococcus (8%), Ralstonia (8%), and Clostridium (5%) were more prevalent in the CTR group, whereas Streptococcus (34%), Ralstonia (8%), and Veillonella (5%) were dominant in the CCA group. Although an alpha diversity analysis showed no statistically significant differences in species richness or diversity between groups, a beta diversity analysis revealed significant structural differences associated with disease severity. Our comparative microbiome study using LEfSe analysis suggested a statistically significant inhibition of normal intestinal bacterial flora in patients with CCA who had not received any treatment. These findings suggest that microbial dysbiosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of CCA. Specific microbial taxa were identified as potential biomarkers for distinguishing benign from malignant diseases. These results underscore the potential role of microbial dysbiosis in CCA pathogenesis and highlight the bile microbiota's utility as a diagnostic marker for biliary diseases.

Compositional shifts and co-occurrence patterns of topsoil bacteria and micro-eukaryotes across a permafrost thaw gradient in alpine meadows of the Qilian Mountains, China.

Soil microorganisms play a pivotal role in the biogeochemical cycles of alpine meadow ecosystems, especially in the context of permafrost thaw. However, the mechanisms driving microbial community responses to environmental changes, such as variations in active layer thickness (ALT) of permafrost, remain poorly understood. This study utilized next-generation sequencing to explore the composition and co-occurrence patterns of soil microbial communities, focusing on bacteria and micro-eukaryotes along a permafrost thaw gradient. The results showed a decline in bacterial alpha diversity with increasing permafrost thaw, whereas micro-eukaryotic diversity exhibited an opposite trend. Although changes in microbial community composition were observed in permafrost and seasonally frozen soils, these shifts were not statistically significant. Bacterial communities exhibited a greater differentiation between frozen and seasonally frozen soils, a pattern not mirrored in eukaryotic communities. Linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis revealed a higher number of potential biomarkers in bacterial communities compared with micro-eukaryotes. Bacterial co-occurrence networks were more complex, with more nodes, edges, and positive linkages than those of micro-eukaryotes. Key factors such as soil texture, ALT, and bulk density significantly influenced bacterial community structures, particularly affecting the relative abundances of the Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria phyla. In contrast, fungal communities (e.g., Nucletmycea, Rhizaria, Chloroplastida, and Discosea groups) were more affected by electrical conductivity, vegetation coverage, and ALT. This study highlights the distinct responses of soil bacteria and micro-eukaryotes to permafrost thaw, offering insights into microbial community stability under global climate change.IMPORTANCEThis study sheds light on how permafrost thaw affects microbial life in the soil, with broader implications for understanding climate change impacts. As permafrost degrades, it alters the types and numbers of microbes in the soil. These microbes play essential roles in environmental processes, such as nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas emissions. By observing shifts from bacteria-dominated to fungi-dominated communities as permafrost thaws, the study highlights potential changes in these processes. Importantly, this research suggests that the stability of microbial networks decreases with permafrost degradation, potentially disrupting the delicate balance of these ecosystems. The findings not only deepen our understanding of microbial responses to changing climates but also support the development of strategies to monitor and potentially mitigate the effects of climate change on fragile high-altitude ecosystems.

E pluribus unum? Investigating the Acculturation Strategies and Testing the Integration Hypothesis and a Support and Discrimination Model in the Three Largest Minority Groups in Israel

This study investigated the acculturation strategies and tested the integration hypothesis and a support and discrimination (SAD) model, which was suggested as an alternative to the rejection-disidentification and rejection-identification models, in the three largest minority groups in Israel. The study used stratified samples of immigrants from the former Soviet Union ( n = 848), Palestinian Israelis ( n = 631), and ultra-Orthodox Jews ( n = 940). The connections between and relative strengths of ethnic and national identifications differed across the three groups. Minority group identification and social support from the minority group positively affected the psychological well-being of all groups. In addition, a positive effect of social support from the minority and the majority groups on identification with these groups was found in all groups. However, the effect of discrimination on minority and national identifications and the effect of majority support and national identification on well-being varied across the three groups.