Sporulation Strategies and Potential Role of the Exosporium in Survival and Persistence of Clostridium botulinum

Clostridium botulinum produces the botulinum neurotoxin that causes botulism, a rare but potentially lethal paralysis. Endospores play an important role in the survival, transmission, and pathogenesis of C. botulinum. C. botulinum strains are very diverse, both genetically and ecologically. Group I strains are terrestrial, mesophilic, and produce highly heat-resistant spores, while Group II strains can be terrestrial (type B) or aquatic (type E) and are generally psychrotrophic and produce spores of moderate heat resistance. Group III strains are either terrestrial or aquatic, mesophilic or slightly thermophilic, and the heat resistance properties of their spores are poorly characterized. Here, we analyzed the sporulation dynamics in population, spore morphology, and other spore properties of 10 C. botulinum strains belonging to Groups I–III. We propose two distinct sporulation strategies used by C. botulinum Groups I–III strains, report their spore properties, and suggest a putative role for the exosporium in conferring high heat resistance. Strains within each physiological group produced spores with similar characteristics, likely reflecting adaptation to respective environmental habitats. Our work provides new information on the spores and on the population and single-cell level strategies in the sporulation of C. botulinum.

Determination of Lignin Modifying Enzymes from Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus

Fungi play vital roles as decomposers. White rot fungi are an eco-physiological group that degrades wood by the secretion of specialized extracellular enzymes including lignin-modifying enzymes. There is growing interest in the use of extracellular enzymes for bioremediation. This study determined the Lignin Modifying Enzymes (LMEs) associated with two species of mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus. The qualitative study was conducted using agar medium substituted with chromogenic substances to determine the production of LMEs by the species. The appearance of colour change and clearance due to reaction with chromogenic substrates were used to determine LMEs production by the fungi. The results showed that Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus tested positive by the appearance of light brown colouration, reddish-brown colouration and discolouration of media for overall polyphenol oxidase, Laccase and Peroxidase activity, respectively. The study showed that the species studied are candidates for large scale production of LMEs that can be utilized as an eco-friendly solution for bioremediation of contaminated sites.

Distinguishing Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Biochemical Phenotype Analysis Using a Novel Serum Profiling Platform: Potential Involvement of the VWF/ADAMTS13 Axis

It is important to develop minimally invasive biomarker platforms to help in the identification and monitoring of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Assisting in the understanding of biochemical mechanisms as well as identifying potential novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets would be an added benefit of such platforms. This study utilizes a simplified and novel serum profiling platform, using mass spectrometry (MS), to help distinguish AD patient groups (mild and moderate) and controls, as well as to aid in understanding of biochemical phenotypes and possible disease development. A comparison of discriminating sera mass peaks between AD patients and control individuals was performed using leave one [serum sample] out cross validation (LOOCV) combined with a novel peak classification valuation (PCV) procedure. LOOCV/PCV was able to distinguish significant sera mass peak differences between a group of mild AD patients and control individuals with a p value of 10−13. This value became non-significant (p = 0.09) when the same sera samples were randomly allocated between the two groups and reanalyzed by LOOCV/PCV. This is indicative of physiological group differences in the original true-pathology binary group comparison. Similarities and differences between AD patients and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients were also discernable using this novel LOOCV/PCV platform. MS/MS peptide analysis was performed on serum mass peaks comparing mild AD patients with control individuals. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that cell pathways/biochemical phenotypes affected in AD include those involving neuronal cell death, vasculature, neurogenesis, and AD/dementia/amyloidosis. Inflammation, autoimmunity, autophagy, and blood–brain barrier pathways also appear to be relevant to AD. An impaired VWF/ADAMTS13 vasculature axis with connections to F8 (factor VIII) and LRP1 and NOTCH1 was indicated and is proposed to be important in AD development.

The Technology of Producing Biohumus and the Study of its Qualitative Indicators

This article presents the results from the development of a technology for producing biohumus from the feces of cattle and winter wheat straw in a biodynamic fermenter. Nitrifying agents are important for soil fertility, which is dependent on the intensity of the nitrification process. This group includes aerobic cellulose-destroying microorganisms, denitrifiers and sulfate-reducing bacteria. The ratio of these groups and their composition are changing. Therefore, the study of the quantitative ratio of microbial communities involved in the formation of biohumus was of considerable scientific interest. During the microbiological analyses, a large number of microorganisms were found to be involved in the decomposition of the organic compounds. Aminoautotrophic microorganisms represented the largest physiological group of microorganisms in the biohumus. The chemical composition of the biohumus was determined during the study and a sanitary microbiological analysis was performed. The content of gross forms of elements in the humic extract was also examined. The humic extract from the biohumus was a brown liquid with 15 g / l of humic acids, 5.0 g / l of fulvic acids, and gross forms of elements (potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen). The dry matter in the biohumus was 1.0% of the total composition and contained 0.1% nitrogen, 0.03% phosphorus P2O5 and 0.01% potassium K2O. It was found that high-quality organic fertilizer can be obtained using this technology. Keywords: biohumus, humic extract, chemical composition, sanitary-microbiological analysis, organic fertilizer

Genomic Analysis Enlightens Agaricales Lifestyle Evolution and Increasing Peroxidase Diversity

As actors of global carbon cycle, Agaricomycetes (Basidiomycota) have developed complex enzymatic machineries that allow them to decompose all plant polymers, including lignin. Among them, saprotrophic Agaricales are characterized by an unparalleled diversity of habitats and lifestyles. Comparative analysis of 52 Agaricomycetes genomes (14 of them sequenced de novo) reveals that Agaricales possess a large diversity of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes for lignocellulose decay. Based on the gene families with the predicted highest evolutionary rates −namely cellulose-binding CBM1, glycoside hydrolase GH43, lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase AA9, class-II peroxidases, glucose-methanol-choline oxidase/dehydrogenases, laccases, and unspecific peroxygenases− we reconstructed the lifestyles of the ancestors that led to the extant lignocellulose-decomposing Agaricomycetes. The changes in the enzymatic toolkit of ancestral Agaricales are correlated with the evolution of their ability to grow not only on wood but also on leaf-litter and decayed wood, with grass-litter decomposers as the most recent eco-physiological group. In this context, the above families were analyzed in detail in connection with lifestyle diversity. Peroxidases appear as a central component of the enzymatic toolkit of saprotrophic Agaricomycetes, consistent with their essential role in lignin degradation and high evolutionary rates. This includes not only expansions/losses in peroxidase genes common to other basidiomycetes, but also the widespread presence in Agaricales (and Russulales) of new peroxidases types not found in wood-rotting Polyporales, and other Agaricomycetes orders. Therefore, we analyzed the peroxidase evolution in Agaricomycetes by ancestral-sequence reconstruction revealing several major evolutionary pathways, and mapped the appearance of the different enzyme types in a time-calibrated species tree.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Carboxydotrophic Alphaproteobacterium Aminobacter carboxidus Type Strain DSM 1086

ABSTRACT Aminobacter carboxidus is a soil Gram-negative alphaproteobacterium belonging to the physiological group of carboxydobacteria which aerobically oxidize CO to CO2. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the A. carboxidus DSM 1086 type strain and the identification of both form I and form II CO dehydrogenase systems in this strain.

MORE ON DEVELOPING FISH PASTE WITH IMPROVED BIOLOGICAL VALUE

In the context of the organization of proper nutrition of the population of Russia, regardless of belonging to any physiological group, taking into account the eating behavior of a modern person, the research has been carried out to expand the range of fish pastes by modifying their recipes. The goal has been achieved by combining raw materials of different origins and reducing the mass fraction of table salt. Experimental studies were carried out to substantiate the recipe compositions of pastes based on grass carp meat, the optimal proportion of calcium-phosphate mineral supplements was defined, a comparative analysis of organoleptic indicators of quality, chemical composition and energy value of the obtained products was conducted. It has been stated that the introduction of 2.5% of phosphate-calcium food additives into paste recipes No. 4 and 5 did not adversely affect the organoleptic quality indicators. The pastes produced according to recipes No. 4 and No. 5, which include grass carp meat (48%), chicken liver (10%), vegetable components (17%), calcium-phosphate mineral supplement (2,5%) and flavoring substances, can be recommended for mass nutrition of the population of Russia. The ratio of these components provides the high organoleptic properties and improved nutritional value. The inclusion of fish pastes enriched with vegetable components, chicken by-products, phosphate-calcium mineral supplements, differing in chemical composition, in the diet allows balancing the diet for proteins, fats, amino acids, vitamins, macro- and micronutrients and preventing from eating disorders and, in the result, reducing morbidity of population in the Russian Federation.

Strategies for Diagnosis of Fetal right atrium dilation: Based on fetal cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics

Background: Fetal right atrium (RA) dilation is frequently detected in routine screenings while it remains a challenge to clarify the reasons. This study aimed to analyze the cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics of fetal RA dilation and the changes of hemodynamic indexes. Methods: In the retrospective study, 420 fetuses with RA dilation were included, which were classified into the physiological group (n=202), volume overload group (n=142), and the pressure overload group (n=76). The ratio of right atrium to left atrium (RA/LA) were measured at four-chamber view. Peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (VTR) was recorded in each case, if existed. Results: The RA/LA ratio in the volume overload group is significantly higher than both the pressure overload group and the physiological group (both P=0.000) throughout the pregnancy while no difference presents between the pressure overload group and the physiological group (P=0.694 for 19-31 GW, and P=0.974 for 32-36 GW, respectively). The VTR in the pressure overload group (3.29±0.58 m/s) is significantly higher than both the volume overload group (1.85±0.45 m/s, P=0.000) and the physiological group (0.88±0.45 m/s, P=0.000). The volume overload group shows a significantly higher VTR than the physiological group (P=0.000). In the volume overload group, the ductal contraction/closure shows a significantly higher VTR than that in the pulmonary valve stenosis/atresia (3.98±0.41 m/s vs. 3.03±0.38 m/s, P=0.000).Conclusions: A strategy proposed herein is useful to clarify the reasons for RA dilatation by systematically assessing fetal hemodynamics, which may facilitate the sonographers to make an accurate diagnosis of CHD.

STUDY OF ANEMIA AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Background: In India adolescents constitute about 25% of the population and form an important physiological group whose nutritional needs demand special attention. Adolescence is a significant period of human growth and maturation, when unique changes occur and many adult patterns are established. Methods: This was cross-section study. All the adolescent girls studying in standards 9th - 12th class who were given consent to hemoglobin estimation were included in the study. Results: The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls was found as 73.00%. Out of 730 anemic girls, 520 girls were suffering from mild degree of anemia and 190 girls were having moderate degree of anemia. Only two girl was found severely anemic. Conclusion: The prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls is alarmingly high in India. Keywords: Prevalence, Anemia, Adolescent.

Opportunistic interactions on Fe0 between methanogens and acetogens from a climate lake

Microbial-induced corrosion has been extensively studied in pure cultures. However, Fe0 corrosion by complex environmental communities, and especially the interplay between microbial physiological groups, is still poorly understood. In this study, we combined experimental physiology and metagenomics to explore Fe0-dependent microbial interactions between physiological groups enriched from anoxic climate lake sediments. Then, we investigated how each physiological group interacts with Fe0. We offer evidence for a new interspecies interaction during Fe0 corrosion. We showed that acetogens enhanced methanogenesis but were negatively impacted by methanogens (opportunistic microbial interaction). Methanogens were positively impacted by acetogens. In the metagenome of the corrosive community, the acetogens were mostly represented by Clostridium and Eubacterium, the methanogens by Methanosarcinales, Methanothermobacter and Methanobrevibacter. Within the corrosive community, acetogens and methanogens produced acetate and methane concurrently, however at rates that cannot be explained by abiotic H2-buildup at the Fe0 surface. Thus, microbial-induced corrosion might have occurred via a direct or enzymatically mediated electron uptake from Fe0. The shotgun metagenome of Clostridium within the corrosive community contained several H2-releasing enzymes including [FeFe]-hydrogenases, which could boost Fe0-dependent H2-formation as previously shown for pure culture acetogens. Outside the cell, acetogenic hydrogenases could become a common good for any H2/CO2-consuming member in the microbial community including methanogens that rely on Fe0 as a sole energy source. However, the exact electron uptake mechanism from Fe0 remains to be unraveled.