The complete genome sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis FRC41 isolated from a 12-year-old girl with necrotizing lymphadenitis reveals insights into gene-regulatory networks contributing to virulence

Trost E, Ott L, Schneider J, et al. The complete genome sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis FRC41 isolated from a 12-year-old girl with necrotizing lymphadenitis reveals insights into gene-regulatory networks contributing to virulence. BMC Genomics. 2010;11(1): 728

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Analyses of biofilms accumulated on dental restorative materials

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Purpose: To qualitatively and quantitatively assess the architectural arrangement of microorganisms in biofilm developed on the surface of different restorative materials: ceramic (C), resin composite (RC), conventional (CGIC) and resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RMGIC). Methods: Streptococcus mutans was used to develop a biofilm that adhered to the surfaces of the selected material disks in 30 days. The specimens were stained and analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and COMSTAT. Among biofilm properties, mean thickness, total bio-volume, roughness coefficient and surface-to-volume ratio were investigated, as well as characteristics of the distribution and architecture of viable/nonviable cells in the biofilm. Results: Only the mean biofilm thickness was statistically significantly different among the restorative materials tested. C and RC accumulated the thickest biofilms. Qualitative analysis showed cellular aggregates and fluid-filled channels penetrating to a considerable depth of the biofilm. In addition, images demonstrated a progression of more viable cells in superficial regions of the biofilm to proportionally more nonviable cells in the deeper regions of the biofilms near the disk. (Am J Dent 2009;22:131-136).223131136Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES