Whole Genome Resources of 17 Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens Strains Including Pathotypes of C. flaccumfaciens pv. betae, C. flaccumfaciens pv. oortii and C. flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae

Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens complex species in the family Microbacteriaceae encompasses a group of plant pathogenic actinobacterial strains affecting annual crops and ornamental plants. The species includes five pathovars namely C. flaccumfaciens pv. betae, C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, C. flaccumfaciens pv. ilicis, C. flaccumfaciens pv. oortii, and C. flaccumfaciens pv. poinsettiae. Despite the economic importance of C. flaccumfaciens, its members have rarely been investigated for their phylogenetic relationships, molecular characteristics and virulence repertories due in part to the lack of whole genome resources. Here we present the whole genome sequence of 17 C. flaccumfaciens strains representing members of four pathovars isolated from different plant species in a diverse geographical and temporal span. The genomic data presented in this study will pave the way of research on the comparative genomics, phylogenomics and taxonomy of C. flaccumfaciens, and extend our understanding of the virulence features of the species.

The Role of Candida albicans Virulence Factors in the Formation of Multispecies Biofilms With Bacterial Periodontal Pathogens

Periodontal disease depends on the presence of different microorganisms in the oral cavity that during the colonization of periodontal tissues form a multispecies biofilm community, thus allowing them to survive under adverse conditions or facilitate further colonization of host tissues. Not only numerous bacterial species participate in the development of biofilm complex structure but also fungi, especially Candida albicans, that often commensally inhabits the oral cavity. C. albicans employs an extensive armory of various virulence factors supporting its coexistence with bacteria resulting in successful host colonization and propagation of infection. In this article, we highlight various aspects of individual fungal virulence factors that may facilitate the collaboration with the associated bacterial representatives of the early colonizers of the oral cavity, the bridging species, and the late colonizers directly involved in the development of periodontitis, including the “red complex” species. In particular, we discuss the involvement of candidal cell surface proteins—typical fungal adhesins as well as originally cytosolic “moonlighting” proteins that perform a new function on the cell surface and are also present within the biofilm structures. Another group of virulence factors considered includes secreted aspartic proteases (Sap) and other secreted hydrolytic enzymes. The specific structure of the candidal cell wall, dynamically changing during morphological transitions of the fungus that favor the biofilm formation, is equally important and discussed. The non-protein biofilm-composing factors also show dynamic variability upon the contact with bacteria, and their biosynthesis processes could be involved in the stability of mixed biofilms. Biofilm-associated changes in the microbe communication system using different quorum sensing molecules of both fungal and bacterial cells are also emphasized in this review. All discussed virulence factors involved in the formation of mixed biofilm pose new challenges and influence the successful design of new diagnostic methods and the application of appropriate therapies in periodontal diseases.

Challenges in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants DNA Barcoding—Lessons from the Lamiaceae

The potential value of DNA barcoding for the identification of medicinal plants and authentication of traded plant materials has been widely recognized; however, a number of challenges remain before DNA methods are fully accepted as an essential quality control method by industry and regulatory authorities. The successes and limitations of conventional DNA barcoding are considered in relation to important members of the Lamiaceae. The mint family (Lamiaceae) contains over one thousand species recorded as having a medicinal use, with many more exploited in food and cosmetics for their aromatic properties. The family is characterized by a diversity of secondary products, most notably the essential oils (EOs) produced in external glandular structures on the aerial parts of the plant that typify well-known plants of the basil (Ocimum), lavender (Lavandula), mint (Mentha), thyme (Thymus), sage (Salvia) and related genera. This complex, species-rich family includes widely cultivated commercial hybrids and endangered wild-harvested traditional medicines, and examples of potential toxic adulterants within the family are explored in detail. The opportunities provided by next generation sequencing technologies to whole plastome barcoding and nuclear genome sequencing are also discussed with relevant examples.

Revision and annotation of DNA barcode records for marine invertebrates: report of the 8th iBOL conference hackathon

The accuracy of specimen identification through DNA barcoding and metabarcoding relies on reference libraries containing records with reliable taxonomy and sequence quality. The considerable growth in barcode data requires stringent data curation, especially in taxonomically difficult groups such as marine invertebrates. A major effort in curating marine barcode data in the Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) was undertaken during the 8th International Barcode of Life Conference (Trondheim, Norway, 2019). Major taxonomic groups (crustaceans, echinoderms, molluscs, and polychaetes) were reviewed to identify those which had disagreement between Linnaean names and Barcode Index Numbers (BINs). The records with disagreement were annotated with four tags: a) MIS-ID (misidentified, mislabeled, or contaminated records), b) AMBIG (ambiguous records unresolved with the existing data), c) COMPLEX (species names occurring in multiple BINs), and d) SHARE (barcodes shared between species). A total of 83,712 specimen records corresponding to 7,576 species were reviewed and 39% of the species were tagged (7% MIS-ID, 17% AMBIG, 14% COMPLEX, and 1% SHARE). High percentages (>50%) of AMBIG tags were recorded in gastropods, whereas COMPLEX tags dominated in crustaceans and polychaetes. The high proportion of tagged species reflects either flaws in the barcoding workflow (e.g., misidentification, cross-contamination) or taxonomic difficulties (e.g., synonyms, undescribed species). Although data curation is essential for barcode applications, such manual attempts to examine large datasets are unsustainable and automated solutions are extremely desirable.

Recreational program for skiers aged 14-17 years Regional winter sports center

Sport is a very difficult type of human activity that requires the full commitment of the athlete, that is, he must become a way of life. Particular attention in sports is paid to sports results, namely their improvement, cross-country skiing is no exception. Because they are considered one of the most massive and complex species. Recently, at competitions of different levels there is a very great complication of the conditions of the competition tracks, in accordance with this, coaches have to increase the load of athletes in training, in order to achieve significant results in competitions. Because of this, skiers do not have time to recover, and the effectiveness of training is minimized, and the results of athletes do not meet the needs of coaches and skiers themselves. It was the intensive development of skiing that led to this. Currently, this problem is very relevant, and therefore we decided that it is necessary to investigate in more detail this topic, to solve which it was decided to create a program of recreational activities of skiers, this measure is quite appropriate, as the recreational program will not interfere. training process, and vice versa will complement it. To determine the means of recreational orientation, which are of interest to our athletes, a survey was conducted, after the results of which a training program was developed with the introduction of recreational activities.

Thermodynamic Solution Properties of a Biodegradable Chelant (L-glutamic-N,N-diacetic Acid, L-GLDA) and Its Sequestering Ability toward Cd2+

The thermodynamics of the interaction of L-glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA) with protons was studied potentiometrically at different temperatures, ionic strengths and ionic media. Four protonation constants and corresponding enthalpy changes occurred at infinite dilution together with temperature and ionic strength coefficients. The medium effect was also interpreted in terms of the formation of weak complexes between the ligand and the cations of supporting electrolytes, resulting in a greater tendency of GLDA to chemically interact with Na+ rather than K+ and, in turn, (CH3)4N+. Formation constants of GLDA with Cd2+ were determined in NaCl(aq) at different ionic strength values. Five complex species were found, namely CdL2−, CdHL−, CdH2L0(aq), Cd2L0(aq), and Cd(OH)L3−, whose formation constant values at infinite dilution were log β = 12.68, 17.61, 20.76, 17.52, and 1.77, respectively. All the species results were relevant in the pH range of natural waters, although the Cd2L0(aq) was observed only for CCd ≥ CGLDA and concentrations of >0.1 mmol dm−3. The sequestering ability of GLDA toward Cd2+, evaluated by means of pL0.5, was maximum at pH~10, whereas the presence of a chloride containing a supporting electrolyte exerted a negative effect. Among new generation biodegradable ligands, GLDA was the most efficient in Cd2+ sequestration.

Comparison of Red-Complex Bacteria Between Saliva and Subgingival Plaque of Periodontitis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The development of periodontitis is associated with an imbalanced subgingival microbial community enriched with species such as the traditionally classified red-complex bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola). Saliva has been suggested as an alternative to subgingival plaque for the microbial analysis due to its easy and non-invasive collection. This systematic review aims to determine whether the levels of red-complex bacteria assessed using saliva reflect those in subgingival plaque from periodontitis patients. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April 30, 2021. Studies were considered eligible if microbial data of at least one of the red-complex species were reported in both saliva and subgingival plaque from periodontitis patients, based on DNA-based methods. Of the 17 included studies, 4 studies used 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques, and the rest used PCR-based approaches. The detection frequency of each red-complex species in periodontitis patients was reported to be > 60% in most studies, irrespective of samples types. Meta-analyses revealed that both detection frequencies and relative abundances of red-complex bacteria in saliva were significantly lower than those in subgingival plaque. Moreover, the relative abundances of all 3 bacterial species in saliva showed significantly positive correlation with those in subgingival plaque. In conclusion, current evidence suggests that one-time saliva sampling cannot replace subgingival plaque for microbial analysis of the red-complex bacteria in periodontitis patients. Given the positive microbial associations between saliva and subgingival plaque, a thorough review of longitudinal clinical studies is needed to further assess the role of saliva.

Plasmodium metabolite HMBPP stimulates feeding of main mosquito vectors on blood and artificial toxic sources

Recent data show that parasites manipulate the physiology of mosquitoes and human hosts to increase the probability of transmission. Here, we investigate phagostimulant activity of Plasmodium-metabolite, (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP), in the primary vectors of multiple human diseases, Anopheles coluzzii, An. arabiensis, An. gambiae s.s., Aedes aegypti, and Culex pipiens/Culex torrentium complex species. The addition of 10 µM HMBPP to blood meals significantly increased feeding in all the species investigated. Moreover, HMBPP also exhibited a phagostimulant property in plant-based-artificial-feeding-solution made of beetroot juice adjusted to neutral pH similar to that of blood. The addition of AlbuMAXTM as a lipid/protein source significantly improved the feeding rate of An. gambiae s.l. females providing optimised plant-based-artificial-feeding-solution for delivery toxins to control vector populations. Among natural and synthetic toxins tested, only fipronil sulfone did not reduce feeding. Overall, the toxic-plant-based-artificial-feeding-solution showed potential as an effector in environmentally friendly vector-control strategies.