Prostaglandin E<Subscript>2 </Subscript>production by high and low virulent strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paracoccidioides brasiliensis</Emphasis>

The production of prostaglandins (PGs) during fungal infections could be an important suppressor factor of host immune response. Host cells are one source of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂); however another potential source of PGE₂ is the fungal pathogen itself. Thus, both host and fungal PGE2 production is theorized to play a role in pathogenesis, being critical for growth of the fungus and to modulate the host immune response. The purpose of this work was to investigate if high and low virulent strains of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis have the capacity to produce PGE₂ in vitro, and if this production was related to the fungal growth. The results demonstrated that both strains of P. brasiliensis produce high levels of PGE₂ and the treatment with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, significantly reduced the production of this mediator, as well as the viability of the fungus. Thus, our data indicate that PGE₂ is produced by P. brasiliensis by a cyclooxygenase–dependent metabolic pathway, and its production is required for fungal survival. This discovery reveals an important factor that has potentially great implications for understanding the mechanisms of immune deviation during infection.     

A redescription of Antispastis clarkei Pastrana (Lepidoptera,Glyphipterigidae) immature stages,with notes on the life history and phylogenetic placement of the genus

Antispastis Meyrick, 1926 is a poorly known genus of leaf-mining micromoths endemic to the Neotropics, with still uncertain taxonomic position within the Yponomeutoidea. In the present study, the egg, larva and pupa of A. clarkei Pastrana, previously known only from Argentina, are described and illustrated with the aid of optical and scanning electron microscopy. Data on life history, including histology of the mine, are also provided. Family placement of the genus is reassessed based on comparison of morphology and DNA sequences with closely related lineages. The larvae form blotch mines on the upper surface of Solanum L. (Solanaceae) leaves, feeding on palisade parenchyma in all instars. Pupation occurs outside the mine, in an inverted basket-like, large-meshed cocoon constructed on the plant surface. DNA analysis of Cytochrome oxidase I gene of A. clarkei revealed interspecific differences averaging 10% with A. xylophragma, which provided species separation matching morphological differences. Antispastis was closely related phylogenetically to Digitivalva, clustering in the Acrolepiinae together with the genera Acrolepia and Acrolepiopsis, and ultimately placed within Glyphipterigidae. The geographical distribution of A. clarkei is expanded to the Southern Atlantic forest (Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná states, Brazil).     

Gyrfalcons <Emphasis Type="Italic">Falco rusticolus</Emphasis> adjust <Emphasis Type="Italic">CTNS</Emphasis> expression to food abundance: a possible contribution to cysteine homeostasis

Melanins form the basis of animal pigmentation. When the sulphurated form of melanin, termed pheomelanin, is synthesized, the sulfhydryl group of cysteine is incorporated to the pigment structure. This may constrain physiological performance because it consumes the most important intracellular antioxidant (i.e., glutathione, GSH), of which cysteine is a constitutive amino acid. However, this may also help avoid excess cysteine, which is toxic. Pheomelanin synthesis is regulated by several genes, some of them exerting this regulation by controlling the transport of cysteine in melanocytes. We investigated the possibility that these genes are epigenetically labile regarding protein intake and thus contribute to cysteine homeostasis. We found in the Icelandic population of gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus, a species that pigments its plumage with pheomelanin, that the expression of a gene regulating the export of cystine out of melanosomes (CTNS) in feather melanocytes of developing nestlings increases with food abundance in the breeding territories where they were reared. The expression of other genes regulating pheomelanin synthesis by different mechanisms of influence on cysteine availability (Slc7a11 and Slc45a2) or by other processes (MC1R and AGRP) was not affected by food abundance. As the gyrfalcon is a strict carnivore and variation in food abundance mainly reflects variation in protein intake, we suggest that epigenetic lability in CTNS has evolved in some species because of its potential benefits contributing to cysteine homeostasis. Potential applications of our results should now be investigated in the context of renal failure and other disorders associated with cystinosis caused by CTNS dysfunction.     

Bacterial production of biosurfactants under microaerobic and anaerobic conditions

Almost all knowledge about bacterial production of biosurfactants (BSFs) is limited to aerobic conditions. However, it is also known that bacteria can produce BSFs under oxygen-limiting conditions. These substances may be involved in important environmental processes (e.g. formation of gas hydrates and biofilms) or be applied in biotechnological processes (e.g. bioremediation and microbial enhancement of oil recovery, MEOR). Up to now, only few bacteria are described with the ability to produce BSFs under microaerobic and anaerobic conditions. Most of them belong to the Bacillus and Pseudomonas genera. However, BSF production under oxygen limitation has been detected in other bacterial groups (e.g. Anaerophaga and Thermoanaerobacter) involving different biosynthetic pathways. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on growth requirements, cultivation conditions and properties of BSFs produced under oxygen-limiting conditions. In addition, we discuss the potential applications of microaerophilic and anaerobic BSF-producing bacteria in the perspective of bioremediation or MEOR strategies, energy and industry.     

Life cycle assessment of the environmental influence of wooden and concrete utility poles based on service lifetime

Purpose

Many applications of life cycle assessment do not consider the variability of the service lifetime of different structures, and this may be a relevant factor in an environmental impact assessment. This paper aims to determine the influence of the service lifetime on the potential environmental impacts of wooden and concrete poles in the electricity distribution system.

Methods

The estimation of service lifetime was conducted using the factorial method. The life cycle assessment was applied using SimaPro software and considered the entire life cycle of utility poles, from the extraction of raw materials to the final disposal. Then, an evaluation of the environmental impacts using the CML IA baseline method was performed. The study included the analysis of uncertainty using the Monte Carlo method.

Results and discussion

In general, the wooden poles had a lower potential environmental impact compared to the concrete poles. The result of the sensitivity analysis considering the variability of the chromated copper arsenate wood preservative retention rate suggests that the frequency of maintenance affects the service lifetime. Often, the comparison of products in the LCA perspective is carried out by considering similar useful lifetime services for the different alternatives, and this study shows that the environmental performance of products or services is directly proportional to the lifetime. It is a crucial parameter that has to be clarified in order to reduce uncertainty in the results.

Conclusions

Thus, some factors such as material quality, design adjustments and routine maintenance extend the service lifetime of a product or process and are shown to be effective ways to reduce environmental impacts. Therefore, the service lifetime has a significant influence on the development of the life cycle assessment. Comparative LCA studies are often sensitive to parameters that may even change the ranking of selected impact categories. All in all, from the sensitivity analysis highlighted in this study, the variability of lifetime service has proven to be one of the most prominent factors influencing comparative LCA results.

     

Utilization of inulin-containing waste in industrial fermentations to produce biofuels and bio-based chemicals

Inulins are polysaccharides that belong to an important class of carbohydrates known as fructans and are used by many plants as a means of storing energy. Inulins contain 20 to several thousand fructose units joined by β-2,1 glycosidic bonds, typically with a terminal glucose unit. Plants with high concentrations of inulin include: agave, asparagus, coffee, chicory, dahlia, dandelion, garlic, globe artichoke, Jerusalem artichoke, jicama, onion, wild yam, and yacón. To utilize inulin as its carbon and energy source directly, a microorganism requires an extracellular inulinase to hydrolyze the glycosidic bonds to release fermentable monosaccharides. Inulinase is produced by many microorganisms, including species of Aspergillus, Kluyveromyces, Penicillium, and Pseudomonas. We review various inulinase-producing microorganisms and inulin feedstocks with potential for industrial application as well as biotechnological efforts underway to develop sustainable practices for the disposal of residues from processing inulin-containing crops. A multi-stage biorefinery concept is proposed to convert cellulosic and inulin-containing waste produced at crop processing operations to valuable biofuels and bioproducts using Kluyveromyces marxianus, Yarrowia lipolytica, Rhodotorula glutinis, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as well as thermochemical treatments.     

Evaluation of hydrolysis products of xylans by xylan-degrading enzymes from Humicola grisea var. thermoidea and Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius

Xylan-degrading enzyme activities were isolated from crude extracts of solid-state cultures of Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius (Xyl I, Xyl III, Xyl IV and Xyl V) and Humicola grisea var. thermoidea (Xyl II) by chromatographic procedures. The pattern of hydrolysis of different xylans and pulps varied from traces of xylose to xylooligomers. The products formed suggest an endo-type enzyme mode of action. Some enzymes showed debranching and transglycosidase activities.     

Neurodevelopmental outcome of infants without central nervous system anomalies born to symptomatic RT-PCR ZIKV positive women

An epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection began in Colombia in October 2015. Previous studies have identified a cause-effect relationship between fetal exposure to the ZIKV and the development of microcephaly and other central nervous system (CNS) anomalies with variable degrees of neurodevelopmental delay. Less is known about the neurodevelopmental outcome of infants without CNS anomalies born to symptomatic ZIKV RT-PCR-positive women. We aimed to compare the neurodevelopmental outcome of these infants to a control group of infants without CNS anomalies born to asymptomatic ZIKV RT-PCR negative women who did not seroconvert during pregnancy. Participating infants were categorized according to ZIKV maternal exposure. Women with symptomatology suggestive of ZIKV infection and a positive RT-PCR for ZIKV were categorized as ZIKV-exposed. Maternal controls (ZIKV unexposed) from the same geographic area were subsequently captured during the tail end of the epidemic through a partner project, the ZIKAlliance, whose aim was to determine the prevalence of ZIKV in pregnant women. Infant survivors from these two groups of pregnant women had a neurodevelopmental evaluation at 12, 18, and 24 months corrected age (CA). The ZIKV-exposed women were found to be older, had less subsidized health care, had a higher percentage of women in middle-class socioeconomic strata, had higher technical and university education, were less likely to be living with a partner, and had higher rates of pregnancy comorbidity and premature births than ZIKV unexposed women. Compared to infants born to ZIKV unexposed women (unexposed), infants born to ZIKV exposed women (exposed) were of lower gestational age and required more speech and occupational therapy services. No differences between groups were observed in the proportion of cut-off scores <70 on the Bayley-III Scale at 12, 18, and 24 months for motor, language, and cognitive domains. When a cut-off of <85 was used, a higher percentage of motor and cognitive impairment was observed in unexposed infants at 12 and 24 months CA, respectively. Median and IQR score on the Bayley-III scale showed higher scores in favor of exposed infants for motor development at 12 and 18 months CA, language at 12 months, and cognitive domain at 12, 18, and 24 months. The adjusted median and IQR compound score of the difference between exposed and unexposed was higher in favor of exposed infants at 12 to 24 months CA for motor (3.8 [95% CI 1.0 to 6.7]) and cognitive domains (10.6 [95% CI 7.3 to 13.9]). We observed no differences in the language domain (1.9 [95% CI -1.2 to 5.0]). We conclude that infants with no evidence of microcephaly or other CNS anomalies born to ZIKV-exposed women had normal neurodevelopment up to 24 months of CA, supporting an all-or-nothing effect with maternal ZIKV exposure. Long-term follow-up to evaluate school performance is required.Clinical Trial Registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02943304","term_id":"NCT02943304"}}NCT02943304.     

Starch biosynthesis,its regulation and biotechnological approaches to improve crop yields

Structurally composed of the glucose homopolymers amylose and amylopectin, starch is the main storage carbohydrate in vascular plants, and is synthesized in the plastids of both photosynthetic and non-photosynthetic cells. Its abundance as a naturally occurring organic compound is surpassed only by cellulose, and represents both a cornerstone for human and animal nutrition and a feedstock for many non-food industrial applications including production of adhesives, biodegradable materials, and first-generation bioethanol. This review provides an update on the different proposed pathways of starch biosynthesis occurring in both autotrophic and heterotrophic organs, and provides emerging information about the networks regulating them and their interactions with the environment. Special emphasis is given to recent findings showing that volatile compounds emitted by microorganisms promote both growth and the accumulation of exceptionally high levels of starch in mono- and dicotyledonous plants. We also review how plant biotechnologists have attempted to use basic knowledge on starch metabolism for the rational design of genetic engineering traits aimed at increasing starch in annual crop species. Finally we present some potential biotechnological strategies for enhancing starch content.     

Manifestaciones mucocutáneas y su relación con el recuento de linfocitos T CD4 en pacientes infectados con el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana hospitalizados en Medellín,Colombia

Introduction.

About 80-95% of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) develop skin manifestations, which are markers of the patients’ immune status. Objective. To describe the dermatologic manifestations and the clinical and sociodemographic factors of hospitalized patients diagnosed with HIV and their correlation with CD4 T-lymphocyte count.

Materials and methods.

We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study of the medical records of 227 adult patients with HIV diagnosis evaluated by dermatology in a hospital in Medellín, Colombia.

Results.

We included 227 patient records with 433 dermatologic manifestations, 64.4% of them infectious. The most frequent manifestations were oral candidiasis, condylomata acuminata, and drug reactions. Moreover, a statistically significant relationship was found between disseminated herpes zoster virus and secondary syphilis with a CD4 count between 200-499 cells/mm³ (p=0.04 and 0.028, respectively). There was also a statistically significant relationship between oral candidiasis and a CD4 count of less than 100 cells/ mm³ (p=0.008).

Conclusions.

The relationship between disseminated herpes zoster with CD4 between 200-499 cells/mm³ suggests that, despite having high CD4 counts, severe forms of the disease may occur due to possible T-cell dysfunction and depletion of the immune system. Additionally, the relationship between oral candidiasis and CD4 less than 100 cells/mm³ indicates the potential role of oral candidiasis as an essential marker of weakened immune status in HIV patients.