Extending the ecological distribution of Desmonostoc genus: proposal of Desmonostoc salinum sp. nov., a novel Cyanobacteria from a saline–alkaline lake

Cyanobacteria is an ancient phylum of oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms found in almost all environments of Earth. In recent years, the taxonomic placement of some cyanobacterial strains, including those belonging to the genus Nostoc sensu lato, have been reevaluated by means of a polyphasic approach. Thus, 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) secondary structures coupled with morphological, ecological and physiological data are considered powerful tools for a better taxonomic and systematics resolution, leading to the description of novel genera and species. Additionally, underexplored and harsh environments, such as saline–alkaline lakes, have received special attention given they can be a source of novel cyanobacterial taxa. Here, a filamentous heterocytous strain, Nostocaceae CCM-UFV059, isolated from Laguna Amarga, Chile, was characterized applying the polyphasic approach; its fatty acid profile and physiological responses to salt (NaCl) were also determined. Morphologically, this strain was related to morphotypes of the Nostoc sensu lato group, being phylogenetically placed into the typical cluster of the genus Desmonostoc. CCM-UFV059 showed identity of the 16S rRNA gene as well as 16S–23S secondary structures that did not match those from known described species of the genus Desmonostoc, as well as distinct ecological and physiological traits. Taken together, these data allowed the description of the first strain of a member of the genus Desmonostoc from a saline–alkaline lake, named Desmonostoc salinum sp. nov., under the provisions of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants. This finding extends the ecological coverage of the genus Desmonostoc, contributing to a better understanding of cyanobacterial diversity and systematics

Sporeforming bacteria in beer: Occurrence, diversity, presence of hop resistance genes and fate in alcohol-free and lager beers

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of sporeforming bacteria in different types of beers (n = 163) and to assess the presence of hor genes in the isolates. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the fate of five representative sporeforming bacteria harboring horA and horC genes in alcohol-free and lager beers. Two hundred and sixty (n = 260) sporeforming bacteria belonging to eight different genera were isolated from beers, i.e., Bacillus (n = 118), Paenibacillus (n = 89) and Brevibacillus (n = 41), Lysinbacillus (n = 6), Cohnella (n = 3), Rummeliibacillus (n = 1), Alicyclobacillus (n = 1), and Anoxybacillus (n = 1), respectively. A predominance of members within the Bacillus cereus sensu lato (n = 72; 27.1%), followed by B. megaterium (n = 18; 7%), P. validus (n = 16; 6.1%), P. humicus (n = 13; 5%), P. alginolyticus (n = 13; 5%) and Br. brevis (n = 13; 5%) was observed in beer samples analyzed. Only 5% (n = 14) out of 260 sporeforming bacterial isolates recovered from beers harbored one or both horA and horC genes. Only one (0.3%) isolate, i.e., Bacillus cereus sensu lato (identified as B. thuringiensis LMQA 206) presented both horA and horC genes. None of the five bacterial sporeforming strains harboring horA or horC genes inoculated was able to grow in the beers throughout the storage period studied, and no spoilage was detected. The results of this study indicated a widespread occurrence of sporeforming bacteria in several types of beers from different brands, highlighting that measures should be taken to reduce the occurrence of sporeforming bacteria considering stability and safety concerns.Fil: Munford, Allan R. G.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Alvarenga, Verônica O.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Prado Silva, Leonardo do. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Crucello, Aline. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Campagnollo, Fernanda B.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Chaves, Rafael D.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; BrasilFil: Oteiza, Juan Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Asistencia Técnica a la Industria; ArgentinaFil: Sant'Ana, Anderson de Souza. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasi

Activated peripheral lymphocytes with increased expression of cell adhesion molecules and cytotoxic markers are associated with dengue fever disease

The immune mechanisms involved in dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic/dengue shock syndrome are not well understood. The ex vivo activation status of immune cells during the dengue disease in patients was examined. CD4and CD8 T cells were reduced during the acute phase. Interestingly, CD8 T cells co-expressing activation marker HLA-DR, Q, P, and cytolytic granule protein-Tia-1 were significantly higher in dengue patients than in controls. Detection of adhesion molecules indicated that in dengue patients the majority of T cells (CD4 and CD8) express the activation/memory phenotype, characterized as CD44HIGH and lack the expression of the naïve cell marker, CD62L LOW. Also, the levels of T cells co-expressing ICAM-1 (CD54), VLA-4, and LFA-1 (CD11a) were significantly increased. CD8 T lymphocytes expressed predominantly low levels of anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2 in the acute phase, possibly leading to the exhibition of a phenotype of activated/effector cells. Circulating levels of IL-18, TGF-b1 and sICAM-1 were significantly elevated in dengue patients. Early activation events occur during acute dengue infection which might contribute to viral clearance. Differences in expression of adhesion molecules among CD4 and CD8 T cells might underlie the selective extravasation of these subsets from blood circulation into lymphoid organs and/or tissues. In addition, activated CD8 T cells would be more susceptible to apoptosis as shown by the alteration in Bcl-2 expression. Cytokines such as IL-18, TGF-b1, and sICAM-1 may be contributing by either stimulating or suppressing the adaptative immune response, during dengue infection, thereby perhaps establishing a relationship with disease severity

Fundamentals and Applications of Chitosan

International audienceChitosan is a biopolymer obtained from chitin, one of the most abundant and renewable material on Earth. Chitin is a primary component of cell walls in fungi, the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as crustaceans, e.g. crabs, lobsters and shrimps, and insects, the radulae of molluscs, cephalopod beaks, and the scales of fish and lissamphibians. The discovery of chitin in 1811 is attributed to Henri Braconnot while the history of chitosan dates back to 1859 with the work of Charles Rouget. The name of chitosan was, however, introduced in 1894 by Felix Hoppe-Seyler. Because of its particular macromolecular structure, biocompatibility, biode-gradability and other intrinsic functional properties, chitosan has attracted major scientific and industrial interests from the late 1970s. Chitosan and its derivatives have practical applications in food industry, agriculture, pharmacy, medicine, cos-metology, textile and paper industries, and chemistry. In the last two decades, chito-san has also received much attention in numerous other fields such as dentistry, ophthalmology, biomedicine and bio-imaging, hygiene and personal care, veterinary medicine, packaging industry, agrochemistry, aquaculture, functional textiles and cosmetotextiles, catalysis, chromatography, beverage industry, photography, wastewater treatment and sludge dewatering, and biotechnology. Nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals are actually growing markets, and therapeutic and biomedical products should be the next markets in the development of chitosan. Chitosan is also the N. Morin-Crini (*) · Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249, UFR Sciences et Techniques