Biology subjects

Vazquez, M. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Vazquez, M. P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Using low pass whole metagenome sequencing for gut microbiome profiling in an Argentine urban population

Modern urban diets are linked to gut microbiome dysbiosis and increased risk of chronic disease. While 16S rRNA sequencing is widely used, low-pass whole metagenome sequencing (WMS) offers superior insight into microbial functional capacity and community structures. In this study, we utilized low-pass WMS to characterize the gut microbiome of an Argentine urban population. We compared a health-screened Reference cohort (n=94) with an unscreened Average urban cohort (n=527), for which we analyzed taxonomic structure, microbial diversity, and predicted metabolic potential. The Average cohort displayed significantly lower alpha-diversity, primarily driven by reduced community evenness rather than richness. Functionally, this cohort showed a significantly diminished predicted capacity for synthesizing beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and essential vitamins B9 and B12. A longitudinal analysis of a subgroup (n=9) undertaking lifestyle modifications demonstrated that while microbial richness and SCFA production could be significantly improved, responses were highly individualized. These results reveal key functional deficits in the gut microbiome of a typical urban population, reflecting a mismatch with ancestral dietary patterns. The high inter-individual variability in response to changes in dietary patterns challenges one-size-fits-all dietary recommendations and highlights the need for personalized nutritional strategies informed by functional microbiome data.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

Genomic Insights of an Andean Multi-resistant Soil Actinobacterium of Biotechnological Interest

Central Andean Ecosystems (between 2000 and 6000 masl) are typical arid to semiarid environments suffering from the highest total solar and UVB radiation on the planet but displaying numerous salt flats and shallow lakes. Isolated from these environments, Andean Microbial Communities (AME) of exceptional biodiversity endures multiple severe conditions. Also, the poly-extremophilic nature of AMEs microbes indicates the potential for biotechnological applications. In this context, the presented study used genome mining and physiological characterization to reveal the multi-resistant profile of Nesterenkonia sp. Act20, an actinobacterium isolated from the soil surrounding Lake Socompa, Salta, Argentina (3570 m). UV-B, desiccation, and copper assays showed the strains exceptional resistance to all these factors. Act20s genome presented coding sequences involving antibiotics, low temperatures, UV and arsenic resistance, nutrient limiting conditions, osmotic stress response, low atmospheric oxygen pressure, heavy metal stress, and resistance to fluoride and chlorite. Act20 can also synthesize proteins and natural products such as an insecticide, bacterial cellulose, ectoine, bacterial hemoglobin, and even antibiotics like colicin V and aurachin C. We also found numerous enzymes for animal and vegetal biomass degradation and application in other industrial processes. The herein report shed light on the microbial adaptation to high-altitude environments, its possible extrapolation for studying other extreme environments of relevance, and its application to industrial and biotechnological processes. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIArid Andean Soils are attractive sources of microbial strains useful in biotechnological processes. C_LIO_LIPhysiological studies revealed the multi-resistant nature of the poly-extremophile Nesterenkonia sp. Act20. C_LIO_LIAct20s genome analysis showed a complete set of genes coding for proteins involved in resistance to multiple stresses, including extremoenzymes and extremolytes. C_LI

genomics↗

bioRxiv2017

Case-control study highlights a different gut microbiome in cirrhotic patients with and without hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundNo specific microbiome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported to date.\n\nAimTo compare the gut microbiome found in cirrhotic patients with and without HCC.\n\nMethodsFrom 407 patients with Child Pugh A/B cirrhosis prospectively followed, 25 with HCC (cases) were matched with 25 without HCC (wo-HCC) in a 1:1 ratio according to age, gender, etiology, Child Pugh and severity of portal hypertension. In addition results were also compared with 25 healthy subjects. Faecal stool samples were collected noninvasively, aliquoted for DNA extraction and sequenced for the V3-V4 region of the microbial 16S rRNA (Illumina MiSeq Platform).\n\nResultsThere were no significant clinical differences among cases and controls. We found a differential abundance in family members of Firmicutes with a 3-fold increased of Erysipelotrichaceae and a 5-fold decrease in family Leuconostocaceae in HCC when compared to wo-HCC controls. Genus Fusobacterium was found 5-fold decreased in HCC versus wo-HCC. The ratio bacteriodes/prevotella was increased in HCC due to the significant decrease in the genus prevotella. Genus Odoribacter and Butyricimonas were more differentialy abundant in HCC. This pattern has been previously associated with an inflammatory milieu with a putative increased activation of NOD-like receptor signalling pathways. A Random Forest model trained with differential abundant taxa correctly classifyed HCC individuals with an error of 22%.\n\nConclusionsA pattern of microbiome linked to inflammation was observed in cirrhotic patients with HCC. These findings open the discussion whether or not microbiota has a physiopathologic role in HCC development in cirrhosis.

cancer biology↗