Thiocapsa litoralis, sp. nov., a new purple sulfur bacterium from microbial mats of the White Sea

A new phototrophic purple sulfur bacterium, isolated from benthic microbial mats from the White Sea littoral zone, is described. Individual cells were spherical, non-motile and lacked gas vesicles. In pure cultures cells appeared in regular platelet-like arrangements of four, eight or sixteen cells. Cell division occurred inside a common envelope, surrounded by a thick capsule. Internal photosynthetic membranes were of the vesicular type. The colour of cell suspensions was pink to rose-red. Bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the spirilloxanthin series were found as photosynthetic pigments. Under anoxic conditions in the light, photolithoautotrophic growth occurred with sulfide, thiosulfate, sulfite and elemental sulfur as electron donors. Sulfur globules were stored as an intermediary oxidation product and were visible microscopically inside the cells. In the presence of sulfide and bicarbonate, photomixotrophic growth occurred with a number of organic substrates. Sulfate could serve as sole assimilatory source of sulfur. Chemolithoautotrophic growth in the dark was possible with sulfide and thiosulfate as electron donors. Optimum growth occurred in the presence of 1% NaCl, at pH 6.5 and at 30 degrees C. The DNA base composition of the type strain, BM5T, was 64.0 mol% G+C. According to 16S rDNA sequence information and DNA-DNA hybridization, the new isolate clearly belongs to the genus Thiocapsa, but is sufficiently different from other recognized Thiocapsa species to be described as a new species of this genus for which the name Thiocapsa litoralis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BM5T (= ATCC 700894)

Effect of low temperatures and ionizing irradiation upon physical-mechanical properties and connective-tissue structures of porcine fibrous pericardium and aortic valve leaflets

Xenogeneic tissue devitalization is one of the creating methods of the tissuereplacing the biocompatible cell-free shells for the regenerative surgery. The work describes the possibility of applying the complex approach based on the continuous usage of cryo and radioactive (electron irradiation exposure) biological tissue damage effects. The pre-implant treatment provides sterilization and a possibility for the low temperature preservation of xenografts. After the transplantation such a cell-free xenoscaffold can be gradually replaced with the autogenic extracellular matrix from the recipient’s cells and forms a stable long-term structure of the biological prosthesis. Fibrous pericardium (FP) and aortic valve leaflets (AVLs) were extracted from the mature pig. The prepared tissues were rinsed with the sterile normal saline solution and frozen down to the liquid-nitrogen temperature. After one time placing on water-bath (37°C) they were exposed to electron irradiation within dosage range of 25-30 kGray and submerged into the liquid nitrogen vapors. After influence of low temperature and ionizing radiation, tissue morphological structure was assessed using the optical microscopy. Deformations, i.e. longitudinal and transverse monoaxial strength were performed to calculate the physical and mechanical properties of FP and AVLs. Such a devitalization method of the FP and AVLs causes significant destructive changes in cell elements, however the spatial arrangement and structural integrity of the connective tissue fiber are preserved. Joint impact of low temperatures and ionizing radiation gives the synergetic effect, increasing the strength and elastic tissue properties. Freezing down to –196 °C and electron irradiation initiate formation of the intra- and intermolecular transverse cross-linking due to the binding activity of fibrous proteins. It leads to a more dense arrangement of the collagen fiber, adds strength to the implant and provides the structural tissue stabilization. The authors believe that during the remodeling in the recipient organism, the biomaterial structure modified in such a manner can successfully prevent physiological tension

Photocatalytic activity of the iron-containing natural composites in the reaction of oxidative destruction of oxalic acid and phenol

This paper presents the results of a study of the photocatalytic activity of iron-containing composites based on natural peat and zeolite under external influences: Ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) and UVI + H2O2. It is shown that the optimal method for the photocatalytic destruction of pollutants (oxalic acid and phenol) with composites is to introduce hydrogen peroxide in the system. The composites studied are sources of iron ions in the Ruff-Fenton system; they provide the generation of •OH radicals, which have a high reactivity in the oxidative degradation reactions of organic substances and can be recommended for reuse to purify water drain

Thioalkalicoccus limnaeus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new alkaliphilic purple sulfur bacterium with bacteriochlorophyll b

Four strains of purple sulfur bacteria containing bacteriochlorophyll b were isolated from cyanobacterial mats of soda lakes in the steppe of south-east Siberia, Russia. Cells of all strains were cocci without gas vesicles. Eventually, cells with flagella were seen in the electron microscope, but motile cells were observed very rarely in cultures. Internal photosynthetic membranes were of the tubular type. Photosynthetic pigments were bacteriochlorophyll b and carotenoids with spectral characteristics similar to 3,4,3',4'-tetrahydrospirilloxanthin. The bacteria were obligately phototrophic and strictly anaerobic. Hydrogen sulfide and elemental sulfur were used as photosynthetic electron donors. Thiosulfate was not used. During growth on sulfide, sulfur globules were formed as intermediate oxidation products, deposited inside the cells and centrally located. In the presence of sulfide and sodium bicarbonate, acetate, malate, propionate, pyruvate, succinate, fumarate and yeast extract were photoassimilated. Growth factors were not required. The new bacterium is an obligate alkaliphile growing at pH 8-10 with an optimum at pH 9. It showed good growth up to 6.0% sodium chloride and up to 8.5% sodium carbonates. Phenotypically, it is similar to Thiococcus pfennigii, but different by virtue of its alkaliphily and salt tolerance. The DNA G+C content was 63.6-64.8 mol %, compared to 69.4-69.9 mol % for Thiococcus pfennigii. The 16S rDNA sequence of strain A26T was approximately 92% similar to that of Thiococcus pfennigii DSM 226 and therefore a new genus and species name, Thioalkalicoccus limnaeus gen. nov. and sp. nov., are proposed for the new bacteriu

Evidence of Microfossils in Carbonaceous Chondrites

Investigations have been carried out on freshly broken, internal surfaces of the Murchison, Efremovka and Orgueil carbonaceous chondrites using Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) in Russia and the Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) in the United States. These independent studies on different samples of the meteorites have resulted in the detection of numerous spherical and ellipsoidal bodies (some with spikes) similar to the forms of uncertain biogenicity that were designated "organized elements" by prior researchers. We have also encountered numerous complex biomorphic microstructures in these carbonaceous chondrites. Many of these complex bodies exhibit diverse characteristics reminiscent of microfossils of cyanobacteria such as we have investigated in ancient phosphorites and high carbon rocks (e.g. oil shales). Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and 2D elemental maps shows enhanced carbon content in the bodies superimposed upon the elemental distributions characteristic of the chondritic matrix. The size, distribution, composition, and indications of cell walls, reproductive and life cycle developmental stages of these bodies are strongly suggestive of biology' These bodies appear to be mineralized and embedded within the meteorite matrix, and can not be attributed to recent surface contamination effects. Consequently, we have interpreted these in-situ microstructures to represent the lithified remains of prokaryotes and filamentous cyanobacteria. We also detected in Orgueil microstructures morphologically similar to fibrous kerite crystals. We present images of many biomorphic microstructures and possible microfossils found in the Murchison, Efremovka, and Orgueil chondrites and compare these forms with known microfossils from the Cambrian phosphate-rich rocks (phosphorites) of Khubsugul, Northern Mongolia

Control of the Physical and Technical Properties of Water in Technological Processes

The physical and technical properties of water activated by the electrochemical treatment in a two-chamber electrolizer are investigated. The regularities of changes inthe values of acidity, redox potential, ionic composition, concentration of oxygen, structural organization of catholyte and anolyte are revealed. The possibility of controlling the properties of the liquid for more efficient extraction of polymetallic minerals by flotation is described

Органи державної влади й місцевого самоврядування та громадянське суспільство

Горленко В. В. Органи державної влади й місцевого самоврядування та громадянське суспільство / В. В. Горленко // Актуальні проблеми держави і права: зб. наук.пр. /редкол.: С. В. Ківалов (голов. ред.), В. М. Дрьомін (заст. голов. ред.), Ю. П. Аленін [та ін.]; МОН України, НУ ОЮА. – Одеса: Юрид. л-ра, 2013. – Вип. 70. - С. 7-13.Статтю присвячено розгляду проблемних питань формування органів державної влади та місцевого самоврядування в процесі становлення громадянського суспільства. Автор статті робить висновки, що основною запорукою становлення й розвитку громадянського суспільства має стати забезпечення однакових можливостей для участі громадян у формуванні органів державної влади та місцевого самоврядування, а також контролю за їх діяльністю

Thiorhodococcus mannitoliphagus sp. nov., a new purple sulfur bacterium from the White Sea

A novel purple sulfur bacterium, strain WS(T), was isolated from a microbial mat from an estuary of the White Sea. Individual cells are coccoid shaped, motile by flagella and do not contain gas vesicles. The mean cell diameter is 1.85 mum (range 1.5-2.0 mum). Cell suspensions exhibit a purple-violet colour. They contain bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of the rhodopinal series as photosynthetic pigments. The novel bacterium is an anoxygenic photoautotroph, using sulfide, thiosulfate, sulfite and elemental sulfur as electron donors for photosynthesis and is capable of photoassimilating several organic carbon sources in the presence of carbonate and a reduced sulfur source (sulfide and/or thiosulfate). Sulfur globules, formed during oxidation of sulfide, are stored transiently inside the cells. Optimal salinity and pH for growth are at 0.5-2.0 % NaCl and pH 7.0-7.5. The DNA base composition of strain WS(T) is 61.8 mol% G+C. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the new isolate belongs to the genus Thiorhodococcus, with Thiorhodococcus minor CE2203(T) as the nearest relative (sequence similarity of 97.3 %). Several distinct differences from described species necessitate the description of a novel species. Thiorhodococcus mannitoliphagus sp. nov. is the proposed name, with strain WS(T) (=ATCC BAA-1228(T)=VKM B-2393(T)) as the type strain

Creation of functional solid-state composites based on black peat

The paper presents investigations of composite materials based on black peats of Barabinskoe and Taganskoe deposits of the Tomsk region and carboxymethyl cellulose, both modified with iron (Ш) and copper (II) chloride solutions. In order to improve hydrophobic properties of compositions, optimum salt concentrations are detected. Water sorption and desorption isotherms are obtained for modified specimens. It is suggested to employ synthesized solid-state compositions as insulators in the capacity of both humidity controller and indoor-contaminant absorber

Control of structurization processes in wood-cement systems at fixed pH

The paper presents a study of structurization processes in the wood-cement systemmixed with the buffer solutions and the improvement of service properties of products produced therefrom. Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray phase analysis, and pH measurements show that structurization processes in wood-cement systems depend on the acidity of aqueous solution, the behavior of hydration, neutralization, and polycondensation reactions with the formation of polymer products including those with cement grout components and functional groups of wood. It is shown that phosphate buffer solutions used for mixing wood-cement compositions improve their strength properties and reduce water absorption. The optimum acidity of the buffered medium for service properties of the wood-cement systemis pH = 4.8