Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli dissimilarity: closely related bacteria with distinct metabolic profiles

Live attenuated strains of Salmonella typhimurium have been extensively investigated as vaccines for a number of infectious diseases. However, there is still little information available concerning aspects of their metabolism. S. typhimurium and Escherichia coli show a high degree of similarity in terms of their genome contents and metabolic networks. However, this work presents experimental evidence showing that significant differences exist in their abilities to direct carbon fluxes to biomass and energy production. It is important to study the metabolism of Salmonella in order to elucidate the formation of acetate and other metabolites involved in optimizing the production of biomass, essential for the development of recombinant vaccines. The metabolism of Salmonella under aerobic conditions was assessed using continuous cultures performed at dilution rates ranging from 0.1 to 0.67 h1, with glucose as main substrate. Acetate assimilation and glucose metabolism under anaerobic conditions were also investigated using batch cultures. Chemostat cultivations showed deviation of carbon towards acetate formation, starting at dilution rates above 0.1 h1. This differed from previous findings for E. coli, where acetate accumulation was only detected at dilution rates exceeding 0.4 h1, and was due to the lower rate of acetate assimilation by S. typhimurium under aerobic conditions. Under anaerobic conditions, both microorganisms mainly produced ethanol, acetate, and formate. A genome-scale metabolic model, reconstructed for Salmonella based on an E. coli model, provided a poor description of the mixed fermentation pattern observed during Salmonella cultures, reinforcing the different patterns of carbon utilization exhibited by these closely related bacteria. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.Special thanks to Amadeus Azevedo for the HPLC analyses and technical assistance. The authors acknowledge the national funding received from CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico, Brazil), the international cooperation project CAPES-FCT (Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior/Brazil-Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia/Portugal-Process 315/11), CAPES (Atracao de Jovens Talentos-Process 064922/2014-01) and to Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit

Environmental factors driving plant trait distributions in coastal zones of Atlantic Forest

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro. All rights reserved.Environmental filtering has been defined as the effect of environmental gradients on species in a plant community and can be the dominant driver of community assembly. Here, we evaluate the relationship between plant communities and the environment in the Restinga vegetation. For this, we measured 11 functional traits of plant species present along transects covering a marked edaphic environmental gradient. This gradient was characterized through Principal Component Analysis of soil characteristics. The relationships between the edaphic gradient and functional traits were evaluated using linear models. Finally, we compared the contributions of species turnover and intraspecific variation to among-site variation in functional traits. The gradients associated with soil nutrients (PCA axis 1) and soil acidity and organic matter (PCA axis 2) were then used to test the observed changes in community composition and were significant predictors of the distribution of water potential, leaf dry matter content and K content, height and chlorophyll index. Decomposing the total variation in the distribution of functional traits between species turnover and intraspecific variation revealed that species turnover explains a greater proportion of the observed variation. We conclude that community assembly is strongly limited by environmental filters and mediated by functional traits at the species level.Peer reviewe

Socio-environmental impact with inadequate destination of chemical residues pharmaceuticals: project with alternative of receiving and processing of residues generated by the city of Araruama in the Region of Lakes of Rio de Janeiro: Impacto socioambiental com destino inadequado dos resíduos químicos farmacêuticos: projeto com alternativa de recebimento e processamento dos resíduos gerados pela cidade de Araruama na Região dos Lagos do Rio de Janeiro

Many pharmaceutical chemical residues (PCR) have shown great potential to pollute the environment, especially in marine habitats. The conjecture stems from direct participation of human beings. Toxicological studies carried with drugs showed the possibility of appearance of physiological sexual alterations already observed in certain species of fish and other marine animals, in addition to the increase of resistant bacteria. In this way, evidence drives the reduction or interruption of exposure to CRP in the environment. The objective of this work is to propose a project to receive expired medicines and other therapeutic products, without use or leftovers from inappropriate uses by several individuals. To achieve these objectives, we will carry out the following methodologies: (i) Conduct a literature review on the subject, to consolidate the problem; (ii) present an advertising plan using social communication vehicles, such as radio, television and social networks, for information and awareness of society about the PCR disposal campaign correctly, using the motto "save the world so you don't lose anyone you love” (iii) To officially request the support of the Municipal Environment Department of Araruama city and the CRF-RJ to standardize and delimit the processing of PCR collected, as a result, several studies were found that indicate and reinforce the socio-environmental impact associated with disposal of PCRs, as well as the evolutionary trend of aggravation of this socio-environmental issue. The introduction of different programs to encourage the proper and rational management and treatment of PCRs with the direct mobilization of different social ties such as the media and especially the different levels of government of the direct and/or indirect administration presents itself as an important tool to achieve of measures that can reduce the social impacts caused by PCRs

Potencial proteolítico e amilolítico de fungos da fase termofílica de compostagem

O tratamento do resíduo do rumem bovino através da compostagem pode proporcionar na fase termofilica a obtenção de enzimas com potencial proteolítico e amilolítico. Diante disso, objetivou-se com este trabalho realizar a triagem de fungos com potencial amilolítico e proteolítico isolados na fase termofílica do processo de compostagem de resíduo ruminal bovino. Para determinação representativa da quantidade e diversidade de microrganismos presentes durante a fase termofílica do processo de compostagem foram coletadas amostras (500 g) de composto em vários pontos das seis leiras de compostagem aos sete dias do início do processo. Após o crescimento, os fungos foram inoculados em placas de Petri contendo os meios específicos para produção de amilase e protease. Os cultivos foram mantidos por cinco dias à 30 oC. Avaliou-se o diâmetro dos halos de hidrólise e das colônias, e o Índice Enzimático (IE). Os fungos 1T0500, 1T2506 e 1T3502 destacaram-se para a produção de enzima amilase, enquanto para a produção da enzima protease, os fungos que apresentaram alto índice enzimáticos foram 1T1501 (IE= 4,57) e 1T2506 (IE= 3,06).Fungos isolados da fase termofílica do processo de compostagem apresentam-se satisfatórios para produção de enzimas proteolíticas e amilolíticas.El tratamiento de los residuos del rumen bovino mediante compostaje puede proporcionar enzimas con potencial proteolítico y amilolítico en la fase termofílica. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue llevar a cabo el cribado de hongos con potencial amilolítico y proteolítico aislado en la fase termofílica del proceso de compostaje de los residuos ruminales bovinos. Para la determinación representativa de la cantidad y diversidad de microorganismos presentes durante la fase termofílica del proceso de compostaje, se recolectaron muestras (500 g) de compost en varios puntos en las seis filas de compost siete días después del inicio del proceso. Después del crecimiento, los hongos se inocularon en placas de Petri que contenían los medios específicos para la producción de amilasa y proteasa. Los cultivos se mantuvieron durante cinco días a 30 ºC. Se evaluaron el diámetro de los halos y colonias de hidrólisis y el índice de enzimas (EI). Los hongos 1T0500, 1T2506 y 1T3502 se destacaron por la producción de la enzima amilasa, mientras que por la producción de la enzima proteasa, los hongos que presentaron un alto índice enzimático fueron 1T1501(IE = 4.57) y 1T2506 (IE = 3.06) . Los hongos aislados de la fase termofílica del proceso de compostaje son satisfactorios para la producción de enzimas proteolíticas y amilolíticas.Thermophilic microorganisms have proteins that are thermostable and resistant to denaturation and proteolysis. Therefore, the objective of this work was the screening of fungi with amylolytic and proteolytic potential isolated in the thermophilic phase of the composting process of bovine ruminal residue. Samples (500 g) of compost were collected at several points of the six composting strips seven days after the beginning of the process to determine the amount and diversity of microorganisms present during the thermophilic phase of the composting process. After growth, the fungi were inoculated into Petri dishes containing the specific media for amylase and protease production. Cultures were maintained for five days at 30 °C. The diameter of the hydrolysis and colony halos and the Enzyme Index (EI) were evaluated. The fungi 1Q0500, 1Q2506 and 1Q3502 stood out for amylase enzyme production, while for protease enzyme production, the fungi that presented high enzymatic indexes were 1Q1501 (EI = 4.57) and 1Q2506 (EI = 3.06). Fungi isolated from the thermophilic phase of the composting process are satisfactory for proteolytic and amylolytic enzymes production

Measurement of t(t)over-bar normalised multi-differential cross sections in pp collisions at root s=13 TeV, and simultaneous determination of the strong coupling strength, top quark pole mass, and parton distribution functions

Peer reviewe

An embedding technique to determine ττ backgrounds in proton-proton collision data

An embedding technique is presented to estimate standard model tau tau backgrounds from data with minimal simulation input. In the data, the muons are removed from reconstructed mu mu events and replaced with simulated tau leptons with the same kinematic properties. In this way, a set of hybrid events is obtained that does not rely on simulation except for the decay of the tau leptons. The challenges in describing the underlying event or the production of associated jets in the simulation are avoided. The technique described in this paper was developed for CMS. Its validation and the inherent uncertainties are also discussed. The demonstration of the performance of the technique is based on a sample of proton-proton collisions collected by CMS in 2017 at root s = 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 41.5 fb(-1).Peer reviewe

Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe

Measurement of the top quark forward-backward production asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric and chromomagnetic moments in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV

Abstract The parton-level top quark (t) forward-backward asymmetry and the anomalous chromoelectric (d̂ t) and chromomagnetic (μ̂ t) moments have been measured using LHC pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, collected in the CMS detector in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1. The linearized variable AFB(1) is used to approximate the asymmetry. Candidate t t ¯ events decaying to a muon or electron and jets in final states with low and high Lorentz boosts are selected and reconstructed using a fit of the kinematic distributions of the decay products to those expected for t t ¯ final states. The values found for the parameters are AFB(1)=0.048−0.087+0.095(stat)−0.029+0.020(syst),μ̂t=−0.024−0.009+0.013(stat)−0.011+0.016(syst), and a limit is placed on the magnitude of | d̂ t| < 0.03 at 95% confidence level. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at s\sqrt s = 13 TeV

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged hadrons are measured over a broad multiplicity range, from a few particles up to about 250 reconstructed charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV. The results are based on data collected using the CMS detector at the LHC during runs with a special low-pileup configuration. Three analysis techniques with different degrees of dependence on simulations are used to remove the non-Bose-Einstein background from the correlation functions. All three methods give consistent results. The measured lengths of homogeneity are studied as functions of particle multiplicity as well as average pair transverse momentum and mass. The results are compared with data from both CMS and ATLAS at $\sqrt{s}$ = 7 TeV, as well as with theoretical predictions.[graphic not available: see fulltext]Bose-Einstein correlations of charged hadrons are measured over a broad multiplicity range, from a few particles up to about 250 reconstructed charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} =$ 13 TeV. The results are based on data collected using the CMS detector at the LHC during runs with a special low-pileup configuration. Three analysis techniques with different degrees of dependence on simulations are used to remove the non-Bose-Einstein background from the correlation functions. All three methods give consistent results. The measured lengths of homogeneity are studied as functions of particle multiplicity as well as average pair transverse momentum and mass. The results are compared with data from both CMS and ATLAS at $\sqrt{s} =$ 7 TeV, as well as with theoretical predictions

Search for dark matter in events with a leptoquark and missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV

A search is presented for dark matter in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of root s= 13 TeV using events with at least one high transverse momentum (p(T)) muon, at least one high-p(T) jet, and large missing transverse momentum. The data were collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC in 2016 and 2017, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 77.4 fb(-1). In the examined scenario, a pair of scalar leptoquarks is assumed to be produced. One leptoquark decays to a muon and a jet while the other decays to dark matter and low-p(T) standard model particles. The signature for signal events would be significant missing transverse momentum from the dark matter in conjunction with a peak at the leptoquark mass in the invariant mass distribution of the highest p(T) muon and jet. The data are observed to be consistent with the background predicted by the standard model. For the first benchmark scenario considered, dark matter masses up to 500 GeV are excluded for leptoquark masses m(LQ) approximate to 1400 GeV, and up to 300 GeV for m(LQ) approximate to 1500 GeV. For the second benchmark scenario, dark matter masses up to 600 GeV are excluded for m(LQ) approximate to 1400 GeV. (C) 2019 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe