Oily yeasts as oleaginous cell factories

Oily yeasts have been described to be able to accumulate lipids up to 20% of their cellular dry weight. These yeasts represent a minor proportion of the total yeast population, and only 5% of them have been reported as able to accumulate more than 25% of lipids. The oily yeast genera include Yarrowia, Candida, Rhodotorula, Rhodosporidium, Cryptococcus, Trichosporon, and Lipomyces. More specifically, examples of oleaginous yeasts include the species: Lipomyces starkeyi, Rhodosporidium toruloides, Rhodotorula glutinis, and Yarrowia lipolytica. Yeast do exhibit advantages for lipid production over other microbial sources, namely, their duplication times are usually lower than 1 h, are much less affected than plants by season or climate conditions, and their cultures are more easily scaled up than those of microalgae. Additionally, some oily yeasts have been reported to accumulate oil up to 80% of their dry weight and can indeed generate different lipids from different carbon sources or from lipids present in the culture media. Thus, they can vary their lipid composition by replacing the fatty acids present in their triglycerides. Due to the diversity of microorganisms and growth conditions, oily yeasts can be useful for the production of triglycerides, surfactants, or polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Halobacterial megaplasmids are negatively supercoiled

Several covalently closed circular halobacterial megaplasmids (up to more than 500 kb) from different strains of Halolerax mediterranei, have been resolved by orthogonal-field alternating gel electro-phoresis (OFAGE). These molecules seem to be negatively supercoiled in vivo, as deduced from the effect of intercalating agents affecting their topology and, therefore, their electrophoretic mobility. It has also been demonstrated that the topolsomerase II Inhibitor novobiocin affects the native topological state of halobacterial megaplasmids impeding their migration in OFAGE under standard conditions for resolution of large supercoiled molecules.     

Action mechanisms of probiotics on Candida spp. and candidiasis prevention: an update

Due to the high incidence of fungal infections caused by Candida species and their increasing resistance to antimicrobial treatments, alternative therapies such as probiotics have been studied. It has been show that several species of the genus Lactobacillus have anti-Candida activity, probably by direct inhibition, through competition for adhesion sites or production of secondary metabolites, and by indirect inhibition, through stimulation of the immune system of their host. However, the mechanisms of inhibition of these probiotics on Candida species have not yet been fully elucidated since this effect is related to more than one inhibition pathway. In the literature, several in vitro and in vivo studies have been developed seeking to elucidate the probiotics mechanisms of action. These studies have been focused on C. albicans inhibition assays, including analysis of antimicrobial activity, adherence capacity, biofilms formation, filamentation and interference on virulence genes, as well as assays of experimental candidiasis in invertebrate and vertebrate models. In this context, the purpose of this review was to gather different studies focused on the action mechanism of probiotic strains on Candida sp. and to discuss their impact on the candidiasis prevention.     

Structural and Functional Characteristics of Aquatic Animal Communities

Structural and functional characteristics of macrobenthic animal communities have been studied in several rivers and lakes. Shannon diversity index (H) has been used as a measure of animal community structure. Relation of community production (P_b) to metabolic rate of all animals in the community (R_b) was regarded as its functional characteristic. Quantitative relations between structural and functional characteristics of aquatic animal communities have been established. The work deals with steadiness and stability and complexity of aquatic animal communities with regard to their structural and functional characteristics. For a better understanding of possible changes in communities brought about by human impact a notion of community durability is introduced, which means their ability to resist environmental changes maintaining their structure and functions.     

Comparative studies of photosynthetic capacity in three pigmented red algal parasites: Chlorophyll a concentrations and PAM fluorometry measurements

Over 100 species of red algae have been described as parasites on other red algae, but the majority show some degree of pigmentation. This raises the question of their parasitic status, especially their abilities to photosynthesize and their dependence on their host for fixed carbon. Are they considered parasites only based on morphological characters, for example, reduced size and secondary pit connection to the host? Translocation of nutrients from host to parasite have been shown for very few red algal parasites, and these were mostly unpigmented. This study investigated three pigmented red algal parasites (Rhodophyllis parasitica, Vertebrata aterrimophila and Pterocladiophila hemisphaerica) from New Zealand. We quantified their chlorophyll a content and also measured their PSII capacity using PAM fluorometry. All three parasites contained chlorophyll a. The parasites Rhodophyllis parasitica and Vertebrata aterrimophila were not able to photosynthesize and must therefore be fully nutritional dependent on their host. The parasite Pterocladiophila hemisphaerica was able to photosynthesize independently, but based on molecular characteristics we suggest that it relies on the host plastid to do photosynthesis. Our results support the parasitic status of all three species and highlights the necessity of more studies investigating the differences in host dependency in red algal parasites.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological studies of sulfonamide Schiff’s bases and some of their metal derivatives

A new series of Schiff base ligands derived from sulfonamide and their metal(II) complexes [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] have been synthesized and characterized. The nature of bonding and structure of all the synthesized compounds has been explored by physical, analytical and spectral data of the ligands and their metal(II) complexes. The authors suggest that all the prepared complexes possess an octahedral geometry. The ligands and metal(II) complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against bacterial strains, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and for antifungal activity against fungal strains, Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glabrata. These assays enabled the identification of the metal complexes as an effective antimicrobial agent with low cytotoxicity.     

四川凤仙花属(凤仙花科)四新记录种

该文报道了四川凤仙花属四新记录种,即睫毛萼凤仙花(Impatiens blepharosepala Pritz. ex Diels)、红纹凤仙花(Impatiens rubro-striata Hook. f.)、滇西北凤仙花(Impatiens lecomtei Hook. f.)及松林凤仙花(Impatiens pinetorum Hook. f. ex W. W. Smith),并进行了鉴定和讨论,同时提供了相关照片。凭证标本保存于西昌学院标本室(XIAS)中。我国西南地区是世界五大凤仙花属植物分布中心地区之一,此次在四川发现的四新记录种均为我国特有种,该发现对于研究我国西南地区凤仙花属植物的起源和扩散路线具有一定的指导意义。     

Synthesis of Some O,O-Dialkyl N-[4-(N-heteroarylsulfamoyl)-phenyl]phosphoramidothioates as Potential Fungicides

Fourteen new O, O-dialkyl N-[4-(N-heteroarylsulfamoyl)phosphoramidothioate having thiazoles and oxadiazoles as heteroaryl moieties have been synthesised. They have been tested against two species of fungi and their fungicidal activities have been compared with those of two commercial fungicides, viz., Dithane M-45 and Bavistin.     

Bioconversion of substituted naphthalenes to the corresponding 1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxy derivatives. Determination of the regio- and stereochemistry of the oxidation reactions

A mutant (TTC1) derived from Pseudomonas fluorescens N3 has been obtained for use in the bioconversion of several naphthalene derivatives to the corresponding optically active cis-dihydrodiols on a milligrams-to-grams scale. All main compounds have been characterized, their relative and absolute configuration assigned, and their enantiomeric purity determined. The regio- and stereoselectivity of the transformation has been established. The procedure therefore represents a valid method for the convenient preparation of a pool of valuable chiral syntons and auxiliaries.     

The use of transgenic plants to understand transposition mechanisms and to develop transposon tagging strategies

This review compares the activity of the plant transposable elements Ac, Tam3, En/Spm and Mu in heterologous plant species and in their original host. Mutational analysis of the autonomous transposable elements and two-element systems have supplied data that revealed some fundamental properties of the transposition mechanism. Functional parts of Ac and En/Spm were detected by in vitro binding studies of purified transposase protein and have been tested for their importance in the function of these transposable elements in heterologous plant species. Experiments that have been carried out to regulate the activity of the Ac transposable element are in progress and preliminary results have been compiled. Perspectives for manipulated transposable elements in transposon tagging strategies within heterologous plant species are discussed.     

Once a land of big wild rivers: specialism is context‐dependent for riparian snails (Pulmonata: Valloniidae) in central Europe

Specialist species may be perceived as such because of their narrow ecological requirements, but this may be context‐dependent. The genus Vallonia (Gastropoda Pulmonata: Valloniidae) includes widespread generalist species and also two specialists endemic to Central Europe: Vallonia suevica, restricted to warm, wet meadows and riverbanks subject to seasonal flooding; and Vallonia declivis, living only in wet to humid meadows, riverbanks, and reedbeds. Both have experienced dramatic declines; as is the case with many land snails, their global conservation status has been underestimated: these species are Critically Endangered. Other congenerics are probably dispersed by birds. In contrast, the distributions of these meadow specialists appear to be the outcome of their strictly riparian habitat coupled with dispersal by fish. Thus, they have tracked drainage changes through the Pleistocene from their origin in the floodplain uplands of the Danube biodiversity hotspot in the Pliocene. Natural dispersal mechanisms have been disrupted, and riparian and river ecosystems have been destroyed throughout Europe. This has led big‐river specialist molluscs and their associated fishes to the brink of extinction. The notion of specialism thus depends on the ecological context; it is useful to stress their non‐invasive character, current restriction to scarce habitats, and evolution under quite different conditions. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, ●● , ●●–●●.     

Is Rukun Dead? Ethnographic Interpretations of Social Change and Javanese Culture

Within the ethnography of Indonesia in general and Java in particular, the Javanese notion of rukun, the appearance of harmony and helpfulness, has frequently been interpreted as referring not only to social harmony, but also to economic egalitarianism. Hence ‘traditional’ Javanese economic practices such as open harvests, the distribution of harvest shares and the use of the finger-knife in rice harvesting have been seen as explicable by reference to rukun. Changes in harvesting practices with the introduction of ‘modern’ techniques, such as the use of contract labourers, have been depicted as signalling the death of rukun, both as an economic practice and as a cultural value. This article argues that such a view of social change in Java is theoretically and empirically flawed. Rukun is not a practice but rather a central ideological concept through which Javanese contextualise and apprehend their lives, their aspirations, their motivations and their social relations. In this sense, the ‘traditional’ notion of rukun is equally applicable to contemporary Java, and contemporary Javanese are just as likely to interpret the ‘modern’ world in terms of rukun.     

Benzothiazolyl Guanidines as Antibacterials

Some new N-p-chlorophenyl-N′-2-(substituted) benzothiazolyl-N″-alkyl guanidines have been synthesized. Several of these including some N-p-chlorophenyl-N′-2-(substituted)benzothiazolyl guanidines and N-p-chlorophenyl-N′-2-(substituted) benzothiazolyl-N″-methyl guanidines^* have been tested for their antibacterial activities against B. subtilis, S. aureus, S. typhi., E. coli and A. tumefaciens, and also for their antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis (H37Rv).     

Evolution of sex-peptide in Drosophila

The Drosophila sex-peptide (SP) has been identified as a seminal fluid component that induces post-mating responses (PMRs) in the inseminated females, such as inhibition of remating and stimulation of egg-laying. SP has been thought to play a central role in sexual conflict and sexually antagonistic co-evolution. Most of the sequenced Drosophila genomes contain SP orthologs, but their functions have been poorly characterized. Recently, we have investigated cross-species activity of D. melanogaster SP by means of injection into virgin females of other species. Among 11 species examined, SP response was observed in 6 species belonging to the D. melanogaster species group only. These species females express SP receptor (SPR) in their oviducts at relatively high levels, which was visualized by using a GFP-tagged SP. Furthermore, females of this species group responded to their own SP orthologs. However, females of the species outside the group did not respond to their own SP orthologs, even though all of them were potent inducers of SP-response in D. melanogaster. Our results suggested that the SP/SPR-mediated PMR was established in the lineage of the D. melanogaster species group.     

Saccharopolyspora: an underexplored source for bioactive natural products

Actinomycetes are a rich source for secondary metabolites with a diverse array of biological activities. Among the various genera of actinomycetes, the genus Saccharopolyspora has long been recognized as a potential source for antibiotics and other therapeutic leads that belong to diverse classes of natural products. Members of the genus Saccharopolyspora have been widely reported from several natural sources including both terrestrial and marine environments. A plethora of this genus has been chemically investigated for the production of novel natural products with interesting pharmacological effects. Therefore, Saccharopolyspora is considered one of the pharmaceutical important genera that could provide further chemical diversity with potential lead compounds. In this review, the literature from 1976 until December 2018 was covered, providing a comprehensive survey of all natural products derived from this genus and their semi-synthetic derivatives along with their biological activities, whenever applicable. Moreover, the biological diversity of Saccharopolyspora species and their habitats were also discussed.     

An overview on genus garcinia: phytochemical and therapeutical aspects

The genus Garcinia belongs to the family Clusiaceae and has been involved in ayurvedic preparations to medicate various pathophysiological disorders. The bioactive molecules like hydroxycitric acid (HCA), flavonoids, terpenes, polysaccharides, procyanidines and polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivatives like garcinol, xanthochymol and guttiferone isoforms have been isolated from the genus Garcinia. The genus has received the attention of pharmaceutical industries due to their immense remedial qualities. The HCA has been known for its hypolipidemic property. The polyisoprenylated benzophenone and xanthone derivatives are known for their antioxidant, apoptotic, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-ulcer, anti-protozoal, and HAT inhibiting properties. Future studies on the synthesis of therapeutically important products and their analogs and evaluation of their safety and efficacy would be of great interest. Though the genus includes more than 300 species, we have made an effort to conceive the curative qualities of bioactive compounds of selected plants to the best of our knowledge.     

Metal based isatin-derived sulfonamides: Their synthesis,characterization, coordination behavior and biological activity

Some isatin derived sulfonamides and their transition metal [Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II)] complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The structure of synthesized compounds and their nature of bonding have been inferred on the basis of their physical (magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements), analytical (elemental analyses) and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR) properties. An octahedral geometry has been suggested for Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and square-planar for Cu(II) complexes. In order to assess the antibacterial and antifungal behavior, the ligands and their metal(II) complexes were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against four Gram-negative species, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi and two Gram-positive species, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and, for in vitro antifungal activity against Trichophyton longifusus, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum canis, Fusarium solani and Candida glaberata. In vitro cytotoxic properties of all the compounds were also studied against Artemia salina by brine shrimp bioassay. The results of average antibacterial/antifungal activity showed that zinc(II) complexes were found to be the most active against one or more bacterial/fungal strains as compared to the other metal complexes.     

Synthesis of Benzothiazolylguanidines as Antituberculars and Antibacterials

The synthesis of twenty three new N-p-tolyl-N′-2-(substituted)benzothiazolyl-N″-alkyl-guanidines has been reported. Several of these including some N-p-tolyl-N′-2-(substitued)- benzothiazolylguanidines* have been evaluated for their antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis (H 37 Rv) and also for their antibacterial activity. Among these N-p-tolyl-N′-2-(6-methoxy)benzothiazolylguanidine and N-p-tolyl-N′2-(6-methyUbenzothiazolyl-N″-methyl-guanidine are the most active as antituberculars but all the tested compounds are inactive as antibacterials.     

Fukinolic acid and cimicifugic acids: a review

During the last decades, the research on the biological activities of extracts from Cimicifuga/Actaea species and Petasites japonicus as well as their active ingredients has been intensified. Besides terpenoids as dominant natural product group, hydroxycinnamic acid esters such as fukinolic acid and several cimicifugic acids have been isolated from Actaea and Petasites species and their chemical structures have been elucidated. Investigations on the biological properties of these hydroxycinnamic acid esters are currently undertaken and some compounds might be promising therapeutic tools. In this review, we have gathered information on the genera Actaea and Petasites, the occurrence of cimicifugic and fukinolic acids and some aspects of their biosynthesis. Furthermore, we have summarized the medicinal aspects of fukinolic acid and cimicifugic acids. In connection with the biological activities of these compounds, structural features of the hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives move into the focus. The position of the hydroxyl group at the aromatic rings and the introduction of an electron-donating moiety may be important for anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cytotoxic and vasoactive effects of these compounds.