How are gene sequences analyses modifying bacterial taxonomy? The case of Klebsiella

Bacterial names are continually being changed in order to more adequately describe natural groups (the units of microbial diversity) and their relationships. The problems in Klebsiella taxonomy are illustrative and common to other bacterial genera. Like other bacteria, Klebsiella spp. were isolated long ago, when methods to identify and classify bacteria were limited. However, recently developed molecular approaches have led to taxonomical revisions in several cases or to sound proposals of novel species. [Int Microbiol 2004; 7(4):261-268

Genome Sequence of a Novel Archaeal Rudivirus Recovered from a Mexican Hot Spring

We report the consensus genome sequence of a novel GC-rich rudivirus, designated SMR1 (Sulfolobales Mexican rudivirus 1), assembled from a high-throughput sequenced environmental sample from a hot spring in Los Azufres National Park in western Mexico

Genome Sequence of the Acidophilic Bacterium <em>Acidocella</em> sp. Strain MX-AZ02

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of Acidocella sp. strain MX-AZ02, an acidophilic and heterotrophic alphaproteobacterium isolated from a geothermal lake in western Mexico

Pea Protein‑Based Bioplastics Crosslinked with Genipin: Analysis of the Crosslinking Evolution

Replacing conventional plastics with other products obtained from biobased and biodegradable raw materials is an increasingly studied solution. In this line, the development of protein-based bioplastics is a promising alternative. However, for some applications, such as packaging it would be necessary to improve their properties by including an additional stage to crosslink the protein chains during the production of bioplastics. Therefore, pea protein-based bioplastics crosslinked with genipin, a natural non-toxic chemical crosslinking agent, are evaluated in this study. The bioplastics are obtained via injection moulding and genipin, is included in the initial formulation. Specifcally, the concentration of genipin and the efects on the protein blends with genipin over days are evaluated. The evolution of the reaction is followed by the colour change of the blend, together with thermal analyses and infrared spectroscopy. Results showed the evolution of the crosslinking in the blends resulted in conformational changes that resulted in the modifcation of the initial yellowish colour to a blueish system. Respect their bioplastics, more deformable systems with a lower water absorption capability are obtained by using genipin as crosslinking agents This work is a part of a I+D+i PID2021-124294OBC21 project which is sponsored by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ and “ERDF A way of making Europe”. The authors thank their fnancial support. In addition, the authors would also acknowledge for the postdoctoral contract of Víctor M. Pérez Puyana from the “Contratación de Personal Investigador Doctor” supported by the European Social Fund and Junta de Andalucía (PAIDI DOCTOR – Convocatoria 2019-2020). Funding for open access publishing: Universidad de Sevilla/ CBUADepartamento de Ingeniería Química, Química Física y Ciencias de los Materiale

Alcohol use and family‑related factors among Spanish university students: the unHicos project

Background: During adolescence and youth there are relevant changes in the consolidation, gain or loss of consumption habits and lifestyles and the family factors has a fundamental role to development these habits. The study of the consumption of toxins, such as alcohol intake, is crucial at this stage due to the repercussions that said consumption presents in adulthood. Therefore, the objective of our study was to evaluate the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and related family factors (family functioning, family history of alcohol consumption) in Spanish university students. Methods: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study, carried out in first-year university students from 11 Spanish universities. Through an online questionnaire, alcohol consumption (risky consumption and intensive consumption or binge drinking), family functioning and history of alcohol in the family were evaluated. Risky alcohol consumption and binge drinking were assessed using the AUDIT test, and family functioning was assessed using the family APGAR questionnaire. A descriptive analysis of the data was performed, as well as the Chi- Square test and Student’s T-Test, and non-conditional logistic regression models were carried out to examine this association. Results: The prevalence of risky alcohol consumption identified in the 10,167 respondents was 16.9% (95% CI = 16.2–17.6), and that of BD was 48.8% (95% CI = 47.9–48.8). There is a significant association between risky alcohol consumption and family functioning in students of both sexes, with greater consumption in the face of severe dysfunctional support (men OR = 1.72; p < 0.001 and women OR = 1.74; p < 0.001) and family history of consumption (p = 0.005). Regarding the binge drinking pattern, no statistically significant differences were observed. Conclusions: Risky alcohol consumption in university students is associated with dysfunctional family support, unlike the binge drinking pattern, where there is no such association. The findings of this study show the importance of creating prevention programs focused on the family approach in university students, which include alcohol screening in the population with a family history of this substance, and greater social support from health services.National Drug Plan, Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality of Spain 2010|145 2013|034 PI16/0194

Population genetics and diversity structure of an invasive earthworm in tropical and temperate pastures from Veracruz, Mexico

Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857) is an invasive tropical earthworm, globally distributed. It reproduces through parthenogenesis, which theoretically results in low genetic diversity. The analysis of the population structure of P. corethrurus using molecular markers may significantly contribute to understanding the ecology and reproductive system of this earthworm species. This work assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of P. corethrurus with 34 polymorphic inter simple sequence repeat markers, covering four populations in tropical and temperate pastures from Veracruz State. Nuclear markers distinguished two genetic clusters, probably corresponding to two distinct genetic lineages. The number of clones detected in the AC population was lower than expected for a parthenogenetic species. Also, the apparent lack of differences in population structures related to the geographic region among the populations studied may indicate that human-mediated transference is prevalent in these areas. Still, most individuals apparently belong to lineage A, and only a few individuals seem to belong to the lineage B. Thus, the admixture signatures found among the four populations of P. corethrurus may have facilitated a successful invasion by directly increasing fitness. In summary, addressing the genetic variation of P. corethrurus with ISSR markers was a suitable approach, as it evidenced the genetic diversity and relationships in the populations evaluated

Analysis of the bacterial diversity associated with the roots of maize ( Zea mays L.) through culture-dependent and culture-independent methods

The present study investigated bacterial diversity associated with the roots of maize through the use of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. Bacterial 16S–23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS) primers were used to amplify sequences obtained directly from the root matrix by Percoll gradient separation. This assay showed that ã-Proteobacteria within Enterobacter, Erwinia, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas genera were predominant groups. The culturable component of the bacterial community was also assessed, revealing that the predominant group was Firmicutes, mainly of Bacillus genus, while Achromobacter, Lysinibacillus, and Paenibacillus genera were rarely found in association with the roots. Only two genera within ã-Proteobacteria, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas, were found in the culture collection. Differences in richness and diversity between the rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial communities were also evidenced. The spectrum of bacteria naturally associated with maize roots is wide and the magnitude of such diversity will depend on the methods chosen for analysis. The knowledge of this spectrum will facilitate the search of microorganisms capable of exerting antagonism to diverse pathogens or detecting plant growth enhancersFil: Pereira, Paola Patricia. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Biotecnología Ambiental y Salud; ArgentinaFil: Ibañez, Fernando Julio. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiotecnológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Agrobiotecnológicas; ArgentinaFil: Rosenblueth Laguette, Mónica Teresa. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; MéxicoFil: Etcheverry, Miriam Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fisicoquímicas y Naturales. Departamento de Microbiología e Inmunología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Martínez Romero, Esperanza. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Méxic

The Symbiome of Llaveia Cochineals (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Monophlebidae) Includes a Gammaproteobacterial Cosymbiont Sodalis TME1 and the Known Candidatus Walczuchella monophlebidarum

The genome and transcriptome of the endosymbiotic flavobacterium Candidatus Walczuchella monophlebidarum revealed its role in the synthesis of essential amino acids for its host, the wax cochineal Llaveia axin axin. There were, however, missing genes in the endosymbiont for some biosynthetic pathways. Here, we characterized TME1, another cochineal symbiont that may metabolically complement Walczuchella. TME1 was ascribed to the gammaproteobacterial genus Sodalis on a phylogenomic basis using gene sequences from 143 proteins core genome sequences and the core average nucleotide identity (ANI) confirmed its position. Additionally, we describe Sodalis as a coherent genus. TME1 genome is around 3.4 Mb and has complete gene sequences for the biosynthesis of 10 essential amino acids, for polyamines, flagella, nitrate respiration, and detoxification among many others. Transcripts from ovaries and bacteriomes allowed the identification of differentially transcribed genes from the endosymbionts and host. Highly transcribed genes were identified in TME1 and transcripts involved in amino acid biosynthesis were found. We review here that cosymbionts that derived from different bacterial classes and genera seem to be advantageous for insects that have Flavobacteria as the primary endosymbionts

Internal attribution of outcome moderates the cortisol response to a cooperative task in women

Las observaciones etológicas actuales indican que las conductas cooperativas desempeñan un papel adaptativo. En humanos, las situaciones competitivas han sido mayoritariamente investigadas en varones, aunque en escasas ocasiones se ha estudiado la cooperación. Se pretende analizar la respuesta psicológica y del cortisol a una situación cooperativa, en comparación con una competitiva en el laboratorio en mujeres. Se establecieron cuatro grupos en función de la tarea y su resultado: cooperación positiva, cooperación negativa, competición con victoria y competición con derrota. La cooperación produce efectos diferentes en cortisol que la competición, pero no en las variables psicológicas, aunque estos efectos únicamente se producen cuando se considera el resultado y su atribución. Solo las participantes que cooperaron y fueron evaluadas positivamente y las que compitieron y perdieron mostraron descensos signifi cativos de cortisol. La atribución interna se asocia a niveles de cortisol más estables, sugiriendo un efecto modulador de la controlabilidad en la vivencia de la situación. Estos resultados podrían hacerse extensibles a situaciones en las que la negociación, la mediación y las estrategias cooperativas son relevantes para la toma de decisiones y/o resolución de conflictos

La escuela en casa desde una práctica docente con proyección comunitaria

En el presente trabajo, se muestra la sistematización de la práctica docente realizada desde el año 2011 hasta el año 2014; esta tiene como finalidad acercar a los padres de familia a los procesos educativos de sus hijos. Su objetivo es reflexionar sobre nuestro quehacer pedagógico, sistematizando nuestras experiencias, y que esto permita organizarlas, reconstruirlas, y, desde un análisis crítico, generar nuevos conocimientos que sirvan de reflexiones a otras experiencias y a nuestras prácticas. Se consideró conveniente y oportuno su desarrollo porque permitió al grupo de trabajo acercarse, indagar y conocer una práctica docente que motivó a seleccionarla para su investigación, teniendo presente que, para los docentes, es importante involucrar a los padres de familia con las actividades educativas de la institución y los procesos desarrollados al interior del aula de clases. Por consiguiente, es importante acercarnos a nuestros estudiantes y a su contexto familiar y social, y desde allí conocer su realidad, para orientar nuestras acciones desde la didáctica, metodología, situaciones y contenidos que sean reconocidos y significativos para ellos; logrando reflexionar acerca de lo que hacemos, cómo lo hacemos y si se están alcanzando los objetivos programados. En esta investigación, se aborda la sistematización como un método que da las orientaciones necesarias para realizar el análisis crítico de las prácticas que desarrollan los docentes en pro de idear, plantear y ejecutar acciones que, mediante la comunicación y el diálogo interactivo, conlleven a mejorar la labor educativa, y lograr la vinculación y participación de los XII padres de familia en el proceso educativo de sus hijos; esto se alcanza con la interdisciplinariedad de valores en las distintas áreas del conocimiento, compartiendo y socializando esos saberes, generados a partir de esa reflexión pedagógica, para hacer más efectivo el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Durante la reconstrucción de la práctica, fue necesario hacer uso de técnicas como entrevistas, videos y observaciones participativas, las cuales permitieron recolectar la información requerida de las personas involucradas y participantes de ella; esto se llevó a cabo en tres pasos, como lo expone Oscar Jara, que son: “ordenar y reconstruir el proceso vivido, realizar una interpretación crítica de este proceso y extraer aprendizajes y compartirlos” (Jara, 2013). Finalmente, con esta investigación, profundizamos conocimientos que se deben seguir ampliando, investigando, reflexionando y, con base en esto, producir nuevos saberes desde nuestras prácticas pedagógicas, teniendo presente la importancia de reflexionar al interior de nuestra labor docente. Se puede decir que la sistematización, como método de investigación, es una base sólida para generar saberes que, en nuestro caso, toman como base los fenómenos sociales y educativos. En consecuencia, la sistematización de experiencias es la puerta de entrada que permitirá actuar en la producción de conocimiento, en la emancipación y en la transformación social.Magíster en EducaciónMaestrí