Genomic insights into members of the candidate phylum Hyd24-12 common in mesophilic anaerobic digesters

Members of the candidate phylum Hyd24-12 are globally distributed, but no genomic information or knowledge about their morphology, physiology or ecology is available. In this study, members of the Hyd24-12 lineage were shown to be present and abundant in full-scale mesophilic anaerobic digesters at Danish wastewater treatment facilities. In some samples, a member of the Hyd24-12 lineage was one of the most abundant genus-level bacterial taxa, accounting for up to 8% of the bacterial biomass. Three closely related and near-complete genomes were retrieved using metagenome sequencing of full-scale anaerobic digesters. Genome annotation and metabolic reconstruction showed that they are Gram-negative bacteria likely involved in acidogenesis, producing acetate and hydrogen from fermentation of sugars, and may play a role in the cycling of sulphur in the digesters. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed single rod-shaped cells dispersed within the flocs. The genomic information forms a foundation for a more detailed understanding of their role in anaerobic digestion and provides the first insight into a hitherto undescribed branch in the tree of life

Viscum album L. extracts in breast and gynaecological cancers: a systematic review of clinical and preclinical research

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Viscum album </it>L. extracts (VAE, European mistletoe) are a widely used medicinal plant extract in gynaecological and breast-cancer treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Systematic review to evaluate clinical studies and preclinical research on the therapeutic effectiveness and biological effects of VAE on gynaecological and breast cancer. Search of databases, reference lists and expert consultations. Criteria-based assessment of methodological study quality.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>19 randomized (RCT), 16 non-randomized (non-RCT) controlled studies, and 11 single-arm cohort studies were identified that investigated VAE treatment of breast or gynaecological cancer. They included 2420, 6399 and 1130 patients respectively. 8 RCTs and 8 non-RCTs were embedded in the same large epidemiological cohort study. 9 RCTs and 13 non-RCTs assessed survival; 12 reported a statistically significant benefit, the others either a trend or no difference. 3 RCTs and 6 non-RCTs assessed tumour behaviour (remission or time to relapse); 3 reported statistically significant benefit, the others either a trend, no difference or mixed results. Quality of life (QoL) and tolerability of chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery was assessed in 15 RCTs and 9 non-RCTs. 21 reported a statistically significant positive result, the others either a trend, no difference, or mixed results. Methodological quality of the studies differed substantially; some had major limitations, especially RCTs on survival and tumour behaviour had very small sample sizes. Some recent studies, however, especially on QoL were reasonably well conducted. Single-arm cohort studies investigated tumour behaviour, QoL, pharmacokinetics and safety of VAE. Tumour remission was observed after high dosage and local application. VAE application was well tolerated. 34 animal experiments investigated VAE and isolated or recombinant compounds in various breast and gynaecological cancer models in mice and rats. VAE showed increase of survival and tumour remission especially in mice, while application in rats as well as application of VAE compounds had mixed results. <it>In vitro </it>VAE and its compounds have strong cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>VAE shows some positive effects in breast and gynaecological cancer. More research into clinical efficacy is warranted.</p

Geovibrio thiophilus sp. nov., a novel sulfurreducing bacterium belonging to the phylum Deferribacteres

Strain AAFu3T (=DSM 11263T = ATCC BAA-311T), a Gram-negative, nonsporulating bacterium, was isolated from a methanogenic mixed culture growing with acetone, in which acetate was the major intermediate. The cells of strain AAFu3T were slender spirilla, usually of less than one turn, and were motile by means of a single polar flagellum. The cells contained c-type cytochromes and the GMC content of the genomic DNA was 50·2 mol%. Sulfur, nitrate, fumarate, DMSO and oxygen (microaerophilically) were used as electron acceptors, but sulfate, sulfite, thiosulfate and ferric iron were not. Sulfide, hydrogen, formate and acetate acted as electron donors for respiratory growth, while fumarate, maleate and L-malate supported fermentative growth. Neither fermentative nor respiratory growth was supported by carbohydrates, fatty acids more than two carbons long, alcohols or amino acids. The strain was a mesophile. Comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene and comparison of phenotypic characteristics showed that strain AAFu3T is closely related to Geovibrio ferrireducens, within the phylum Deferribacteres. Strain AAFu3T was designated as the type strain of a new species, for which the name Geovibrio thiophilus is proposed

Sodium-dependent succinate decarboxylation by a new anaerobic bacterium belonging to the genus Peptostreptococcus

An anaerobic bacterium was isolated from a polluted sediment, with succinate and yeast extract as carbon and energy sources. The new strain was Gram-positive, the cells were coccal shaped, the mol% G+C content of the genomic DNA was 29, and the peptidoglycan was of the L-ornithine-D-glutamic acid type. Comparative sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed the new strain to belong to the genus Peptostreptococcus. Succinate, fumarate, pyruvate, 3-hydroxybutyrate and lysine supported growth. Succinate was degraded to propionate and presumably CO:, with a stoichiometric cell yield. Key enzymes of the methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase pathway were present. The methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase activity was avidin-sensitive and sodium dependent, and about 5 mM Na + was required for maximal activity. Whole cells, however, required at least 50 mM sodium for maximal succinate decarboxylation activity and to support the maximum growth rate. Sodium-dependent energy conservation coupled to succinate decarboxylation is shown for the first time to occur in a bacterium belonging to the group of Gram-positive bacteria containing the peptostreptococci and their relatives

Mass spectrometric protein identification from two-dimensional gel separation with stain-free detection and visualization using native fluorescence

We describe here an approach for the mass spectrometric identification of proteins in proteome analysis from 1D- and 2D-gel electrophoretic separation, using stain-free detection and visualization based on native fluorescence. Staining procedures such as by Coomassie Brilliant Blue, silver salts and fluorescent dyes are typically employed to visualize gel-separated protein bands with high detection sensitivity, however all of these staining procedures produce significant background in mass spectrometric analysis. Using the native fluorescence of aromatic protein amino acids with UV transmission at 343 nm as a fast gel imaging system, unstained visualized protein spots were localised. Upon excision from gels using precise spot picking tools, gel spots were proteolytically digested and analysed by matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). After initial development and testing using 1D-gel separated standard proteins, the stain-free detection approach was successfully applied to MALDI-MS protein identifications in (i), bacterial proteomics of Desulfotignum phosphitoxidans, and (ii), in porcine skeleton muscle proteomics. Major advantages of the stain-free gel detection approach are (i), rapid analysis of proteins from 1D- and 2D-gel separations without destaining required before proteolytic digestion; (ii), low detection limits of proteins in gels; and (iii), low background in the mass spectrometric analysis of proteins

Administrative Data for Policy-Relevant Research: Assessment of Current Utility and Recommendations for Development

The report of the Advisory Panel on the Research Uses of Administrative Data1 is concerned with administrative data collected at the state and local levels in the operation of government programs for the poor, such as AFDC/TANF, Food Stamps, Medicaid, and foster care. In addition to their "record-keeping" function, administrative data increasingly are used to monitor and evaluate program performance and ensure agency accountability.Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resource