Physical and Microbiological Analysis of Sandstone Deterioration in the Argentine Jesuit Missions

Mainly cyanobacteria, but also algae and fungi, were identified on the Jesuit missions San Ignacio Miní, Loreto, Santa María and Santa Ana, in NE Argentina. Many organisms were deeply pigmented, indicative of stressful conditions. San Ignacio samples of itacurú rock showed higher colonization and biodiversity, related to higher porosity allowing entry of water and nutrients. Sandstone from other locations was arenitous, containing 95% silicates. Physicochemical analyses suggested mobilization of ions, particularly Fe, from within the stone to the surface. This intense deteriorating colonization, together with climatic weathering, transforms the sandstone to a “protosoil,” for growth of bryophytes and higher plants.     

蓝藻生物钟分子机理的研究进展

蓝藻是具有内源性生物钟的简单生物.虽然蓝藻生物钟具有跟真核生物同样的基础特征,但其相关基因和蛋白质与真核生物没有同源性.蓝藻生物钟的核心是kai基因簇及其编码的蛋白KaiA,KaiB和KaiC.这三种Kai蛋白相互作用调节KaiC的磷酸化状态,从而产生昼夜节律信息.KaiC的磷酸化循环是昼夜节律的起博器,调控包括kai基因在内的相关基因的节律性表达.组氨酸蛋白激酶的磷酸化传递可将环境信息输入和将节律信息输出生物钟核心.     

Shift in Cyanobacteria Community Diversity in Hot Springs of India

Two ecologically distinct tropical sulfur-rich alkaline hot springs, Taptapani at 48°C harboring mesophiles and Atri at 58°C comprising thermophiles situated in the Eastern Ghats foothills of India, differ in their geochemical conditions, and provide an interesting platform to unravel the eco-physiological reasons behind the differential cyanobacterial diversity. The predominance of mesophilic Arthronema (83.81%) in Taptapani and shifting predominance of thermophilic Leptolyngbya (96.25%) in Atri as discovered through 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing of their metagenomics DNA as a function of temperature are the intriguing features of the present study. Differential presence of the cyanobacterial community at the phylum level in these two hot springs was found to be correlated with the unequal coexistence of Chloroflexi, Taptapani the non-cyanobacteria members and the possible influence of physiochemical parameters including temperature. Variation in cyanobacterial diversity and composition of these hot springs as revealed through sequence analysis were also evinced by respective differences in richness, evenness, and Shannon diversity indices.     

Distribution Coefficients of Dietary Sugars in Artificial Candida Biofilms

Candida species are the most important fungal pathogens in humans and cause a variety of superficial and systemic diseases. Biofilm formation is a major virulence attribute contributing to Candida pathogenicity. Although the concentration and distribution of nutrients as well as antifungals across the biofilm thickness play a pivotal role in the development and persistence of Candida biofilms, only limited information is available on the latter aspects of Candida biofilms. Therefore, we attempted to characterize the diffusion coefficient (De) of common dietary sugars such as glucose, galactose, and sucrose in Candida albicans biofilms using horizontal attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (HATR-FTIR). Artificial Candida biofilms were formed using agarose polymers. De of three sugars tested, glucose, galactose, and sucrose in this artificial Candida biofilm model was found to be 4.08E-06 ± 3.63E-08, 4.08E-06 ± 3.70E-08, and 5.38E-06 ± 4.52E-08 cm² s⁻¹, respectively. We demonstrate here the utility of HATR-FTIR for the determination of diffusion of solutes such as dietary sugars across Candida biofilms.     

解毒酶基因在蓝藻中的克隆与表达

用抗性库蚊酯酶基因B1的cDNA片段插入质粒pRL-439中的强启动子之后,再与穿梭表达载体pDC-8相连构建成大肠杆菌蓝藻穿梭表达载体pDC-B1,然后通过三亲接合转移法将pDC-B1转入蓝藻Synechococcus sp. PCC7942中,经新霉素筛选获遗传稳定的转基因藻株;纯化单藻落在液体中扩大培养,提取蓝藻质粒,Southern杂交确证B1cDNA已转入受体细胞;用酯酶的特异性底物β-乙酸萘酯(β-NA)检测B1的表达,转基因藻对β-NA的降解明显高于野生藻,证明酯酶B1基因在转基因藻中得到表达。     

北京市各种水体蓝细菌物种多样性研究

2016至2018年的5月和9月研究了北京市五大水系53个水体蓝细菌的物种多样性。结果表明,共发现蓝细菌4目4科22属63种,优势种(IRI)为小型色球藻(Chroococcus minor(Kütz.) N?g.)、湖泊鞘丝藻(Lyngbya limentica Lemm.)、水华束丝藻(Aphanizomenon flos-aquae(L.) Rafls.)、小席藻(Phormidium tende(Menegh.) Gom.)、钝顶节旋藻(Arthrospira platensis)、小颤藻(Oscillatoria tenuis Ag.)、铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)、水华微囊藻(Microcystis flos-aquae)。通过对北京各种水体的蓝藻优势种进行CCA分析,得出大部分优势种与活性磷、叶绿素a、温度、溶解氧、总碱度、总硬度、pH呈正相关,与TN、TP呈负相关,与蓝藻的特性较符合,其中活性磷是限制蓝细菌生长的重要因素。各水体蓝藻平均密度为1.32×10~6 ind/L,平均生物量为0.003 2 mg/L,多样性指数平均为0.45,2018年较2017年多数水体的密度和生物量下降,多样性指数上升,说明北京市水环境治理有所改善,但仍需继续加强治理。     

Effect of Environmental Factors on Cyanobacteria Richness in Some Agricultural Soils

The physicochemical variations of soil, such as temperature, pH, nutrients, and the type of plant cultivation, affect the diversity of cyanobacteria, whether heterocystous or not. The aim of this study was to identify the species of cyanobacteria in a soil and the effect of environmental characteristics on cyanobacteria. Soil samples collected from six different agricultural sites in Al Diwaniyah city/Iraq during September 2016 in the autumn season were analyzed, and the physicochemical characteristics of the samples were measured using approved methods.

The results showed significant correlation and differences between cyanobacteria composition, distribution, and physicochemical factors among soil sites. The Agricultural soil was slightly alkaline and moderately saline and contained abundant nutrients, cations and a high percentage of organic matter. All these characteristics influenced the distribution and diversity of cyanobacteria. Ninety-six species were identified, including four heterocystous species represented by Anabaena, Calothrix, Cylnidrospermum, and Nostoc. However, the non-heterocystous were represented by 13 species: Aphanocapsa, Aphanothece, Arthrospira, Chroococcus, Gloeocapsa, Lyngbya, Merismopedia, Microcystis, Microcoleus, Oscillatoria, Phormidium, Schizothrix, and Spirulina. The dominant species of cyanobacteria was Oscillatoria, followed by Phormidium, Chroococcus, Gleocapsa and Lyngbya. The highest value of Shannon’s and Simpson’s diversities were registered in the Ghammas site, which is a paddy field, but the lowest was registered in the Afak site, cultivated with the alfalfa plant. Soil was classified as finely textured with silty clayey characterization, favorable for cyanobacteria growth.     

Relative Uptake of Urea and Ammonium by Dinoflagellates or Cyanobacteria in Shrimp Mesocosms

The relative role of the organic nitrogen source, urea, versus ammonium as a nitrogen source for two species of dinoflagellates was compared with one species of cyanobacteria. Experiments were conducted opportunistically in nutrient-rich marine water during blooms of 34either cyanobacteria or dinoflagellates in outdoor mesocosms. These replicate mesocosms, which were stocked with shrimp fed high-protein formulated feeds, contained high biomasses of phytoplankton (mean chlorophyll a concentrations, 439.2–811.2 μg l⁻¹). ¹⁵N-urea and ammonium uptake rates for dinoflagellate-dominated blooms (Gymnodinium pulchellum-complex (Larsen), Karlodinium micrum (Larsen) (Dinophyceae)) were compared with blooms of the cyanobacterium, Romeria sp. (Cyanophyceae) in mesocosms with mean urea and ammonium concentrations ranging from 2.32 to 3.24 μM, and 7.39 to 64.85 μM, respectively. Urea uptake rates were significantly (p < 0.005) lower than ammonium uptake rates irrespective of which algal species dominated the bloom. Additionally urea uptake rates were not significantly higher in G. pulchellum-complex or K. micrum-dominated blooms than in Romeria sp. blooms. These results suggest that G pulchellum complex and K. micrum may not be gaining a competitive advantage in waters high in dissolved organic matter simply by preferentially utilizing urea. The periodic dominance of these species in highly organic environments, such as shrimp ponds, is likely to have a more complex explanation.     

Oxidative Processes in Photosystem I of Thermophilic Cyanobacteria at High Temperatures

We studied the mechanisms of the relationships between the generation of millisecond delayed fluorescence in photosystem I (DF) and the oxidative destruction of chlorophyll in the membranes of a thermophilic cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatusin the temperature range 60–80°C at various irradiation levels and in the presence of substances affecting the intensity of DF. Light and temperature dependencies of the chlorophyll oxidation rates were similar to those of the DF of PSI. Anions Cl^–, Br^–, and NO^– ₃, which quench the triplet states of chlorophyll, almost completely inhibited the chlorophyll oxidation and reduced the intensity of the DF maximum by 70%. Under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of sodium ascorbate, the rate of chlorophyll oxidation also markedly decreased. We found that the long-wavelength chlorophyll forms were the most susceptible to oxidation and related the temperature-dependent changes in the DF of PSI and in the oxidative processes in the membranes of thermophilic cyanobacteria to an increase in the concentration of the triplet states of P₇₀₀and other chlorophyll forms. The latter result from the temperature-dependent inactivation of carotenoids and the inhibition of electron transfer to ferredoxin in PSI.     

Detection of Helicobacter pylori by PCR but not culture in water and biofilm samples from drinking water distribution systems in England

AIMS: To investigate treated water distribution systems in England as a source of Helicobacter pylori. METHODS AND RESULTS: Water and biofilms were obtained from 11 domestic and seven educational properties and from hydrants, reservoirs and water meters supplied by three water utilities. Samples were cultured on nonselective and antibiotic containing media combined with immunomagnetic separation concentration. Viable helicobacters were not detected in any of the 151 samples but Helicobacter-specific PCR assays detected DNA in 26% of samples from domestic properties, schools and hydrants with the highest frequency in biofilms (42%). Direct sequencing of six selected amplicons confirmed >95% sequence homology to H. pylori. CONCLUSIONS: While viable helicobacters were not isolated, evidence was obtained for the presence of Helicobacter DNA, including that of H. pylori. Biofilms on surfaces within water distribution systems may act either as sites for the passive accumulation of helicobacters or as potentially important reservoirs of infection. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our findings strengthen evidence that H. pylori may be transmitted through drinking water. However, there is currently no evidence that viable cells can survive the disinfection levels used in UK mains supplies and the health risk from this source remains unclear.     

Exopolysaccharide of Nostoc muscorum (Cyanobacteria) in the aggregation of soil particles

The effects on a saline-sodic soil of exopolysaccaride isolated from Nostoc Muscorum or the addition of a cyanobacterial mass proliferation were evaluated in a greenhouse experiment. By day 180 exopolysaccharide increased soluble C by 100%, microbial activity by 366% and the amount of water-stable aggregates larger than 250μm by 12 times. Inoculation with living cyanobacterial mass increased at the end of 365 oxidizable C by 11%, soluble C by 66%, microbial activity by 73% and aggregates larger than 250 μm by66%. A slimy film 3–5 mm thick, with N. Muscorum predominating, covered all the surface of inoculated soils. The higher soil aggregate stability produced by both treatments is a consequence of increased microbial activity and concentrating the soil polysaccharide. The high percentage of clays favours the creation of firm and long-lasting slime-mineral joints. Addition of isolated exopolysaccharide produces a faster and higher increase in soil aggregate stability than cyanobacterial mass inoculation. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Carbon Isotope Discrimination in Cyanobacteria of Rocks of Inselbergs and Soils of Savannas in the Neotropics*

An extensive set of data on carbon isotope ratios in samples of terrestrial cyanobacteria from the surface of rocks of inselbergs and soils of savannas in the neotropics is presented. A comparison of the data shows two surprising features. First, all values deviate from the ¹³C discrimination of carboxylation by ribulose-bis-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBISCO) which is generally about ?27‰. They are less negative than that by between 0.62‰ and 10.46‰. Second, the values show a considerable variation, minima and maxima being ?26.38‰ and ?16.54‰, respectively. This variation cannot be explained by differences in dominant taxa in the samples. It must be related to microsite characteristics, most probably the extent in time of coverage by liquid water, where diffusion of CO₂ constitutes a limiting step with a lower discrimination against ¹³C than that of carboxylation via RuBISCO.     

Precipitation of iron in windowpane oyster shells by marine shell‐boring Cyanobacteria

Shells of windowpane oyster [Placuna placenta (L)] in the intertidal zone of the Zuari estuary, Goa, were often found to be black in color. Microscopical observation of partially decalcified shells showed the presence of cyanobacterial filaments encrusted with black precipitate. Microchemical test (Prussian blue reaction) and wavelength dispersive x‐ray analysis confirmed this precipitate to be of iron. Mineralogical studies of this black precipitate, using x‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, suggested the presence of iron as iron oxides. The cyanobacteria from such black shells were cultured in enriched seawater medium. In this medium also they precipitated iron as confirmed by Prussian blue reaction. They were identified as Plectonema terebrans Born et Flah and Phormidium sp.     

A Critical Review of Genome Editing and Synthetic Biology Applications in Metabolic Engineering of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria

Being the green gold of the future, microalgae and cyanobacteria have recently attracted considerable interest worldwide, for their metabolites such as lipids, protein, pigments, and bioactive compounds have immense potential for sustainable energy and pharmaceutical production capabilities. In the last decades, the efforts attended to enhance the usage of microalgae and cyanobacteria by genetic manipulation, synthetic and metabolic engineering. However, the development of photoautotrophic cell factories have rarely compared to the heterotrophic counterparts due to limited tools, bioinformatics, and multi‐omics database. Therefore, recent advances of their genome editing techniques by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology, and potential applications of their metabolic engineering and regulation approaches are examined in this review. Moreover, the contemporary achievements of synthetic biology approaches of microalgae and cyanobacteria in carbon fixation and sequestration, lipid and triacylglycerol (TAG), and sustainable production of high value‐added chemicals, such as carotenoids and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have been also discussed. From recent genomic study to trends in metabolic regulation of microalgae and cyanobacteria and a comprehensive assessment of the current challenges and opportunities for microalgae and cyanobacteria is also conducted.     

Evidence of the existence of a toxic form of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Nostocales,Cyanobacteria) in Japan

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a common, bloom‐forming, planktonic, freshwater cyanobacterium. Toxic populations producing cylindrospermopsin can cause water‐safety problems. Although C. raciborskii is distributed worldwide, the presence of cylindrospermopsin‐producing strains of C. raciborskii was initially reported only in Australia and recently in Thailand. Here, we report the isolation of a toxic strain of C. raciborskii (ISG9) from a freshwater sample collected in Okinawa in 2008. This is the first report describing toxin expression in this species in Japan, detected from a subtropical area. The C. raciborskii species is known to produce cylindrospermopsin as a dominant toxin; however, in this new isolate, the dominant toxin expressed was deoxy‐cylindrospermopsin. The discovery of a toxic strain of C. raciborskii in southern Japan emphasizes the need for basic monitoring schemes for this species in water supplies located in the temperate regions of Japan because of its possible expansion and distribution to other geographic areas.     

人表皮生长因子（hEGF）基因在蓝藻中的表达

人表皮生长因子（hEGF)是由53个氨基酸组成的蛋白,在临床上内服与外敷可促进内外表皮细胞的生长。将人工合成的hEGF基因连接到质粒pRL-489上,位于启动子psb下游。验证连接成功后,用三亲接合转移方法将载体pRL-hEGF导入聚球藻Synechococcus sp.PCC7002和鱼腥藻Anabeana sp.PCC7120。由于pRL-hEGF没有能在单细胞蓝藻中自主复制的复制子,通过筛选,hEGF在聚球藻7002中是整合到蓝藻染色体上进行表达的。用PCR扩增的方法在两种转基因藻中均检测到hEGF基因的存在。放射免疫分析证明,hEGF基因在两种转基因藻中均得到了表达。而且,在聚球藻7002中是采用分泌形式将表达产物分泌到培养液中。     

Epilithic and Cryptoendolithic Cyanobacteria of Clarens Sandstone Cliffs in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park,South Africa

A cryptoendolithic cyanobacterial community is described from Clarens sandstone in a montane ecosystem of the north-eastern Orange Free State, South Africa. The community is dominated by a species of the unicellular cyanobacterial genus Chroococcidiopsis. Chlorophyll_a content of the colonised sandstone ranged between 44.3 and 51.8mg m^?2. The establishment and species composition of an artificially created tintenstrich cyanobacterial community is documented. The possible contribution of cryptoendolithic cyanobacterial communities in the biological formation of hollows and caves in Clarens sandstone cliffs is discussed.     

Biofilms for Monitoring Presence of Microsporidia in Environmental Water

The development of molecular methodologies for targeting pathogens such as the Microsporidia has greatly improved our monitoring capabilities and initiatives. This study analyzed samples collected from five locations in Pensacola, Florida, USA for the presence of Microsporidian pathogens. To circumvent various impediments associated with water collection and filtration, we utilized biofilms as sentinels for detection of Microsporidia. We implemented membrane‐dissolution and sample purification in a single confined step followed by real‐time PCR to confirm pathogen presence. The results of this study demonstrate that microsporidia are present in environmental water sites in the Florida panhandle and that biofilms may serve as another alternative mode to circumvent filtration methods for their detection.