Biofunctionalization of cellulosic fibres with l-cysteine: Assessment of antibacterial properties and mechanism of action against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The main purpose of this work is to obtain a cotton-based textile material functionalized with l-cysteine (l-cys) to achieve an antimicrobial effect with potential application in biomedical, geriatric or pediatric textiles. The binding capacity of l-cys to cotton fibres was assessed through different functionalization strategies—surface activation and exhaustion processes. A subsequent analysis of the possible antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae was performed according with the Japanese International standard ( JISL, 2008). To determine the mechanism of action of l-cys on the selected strains, flow cytometry was used.     

Light and electron microscopic investigation of the endocrine pancreas of the grass-snake [Natrix n. natrix (L.)]

Summary The general histological order, as well as size and localisation of Langerhans islets of the grass-snake Natrix n. natrix were investigated in the light and electron microscopes. In the light microscope, three main types of islet elements (B-, A₁-, and A₂-cells) and D- and amphiphil cells were identified. In the electron microscope B-, II-, III-, IV-, amphiphil-, and X-cells were identified, especially by the type of their secretory granules. The observations were related to results of previous studies on snakes and other vertebrates. The present study suggests that A₁- and A₂-cells may be identical with II- and III-cells respectively.

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Zusammenfassung Die Langerhansschen Inseln der Ringelnatter Natrix n. natrix wurden licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Beobachtungen über die Lokalisation, die Größe und das histologische Gesamtbild der Inseln werden mitgeteilt. Lichtmikroskopisch wurden drei Haupttypen von Inselelementen gefunden, die bei allen Wirbeltierklassen vorkommen: B-, A₁- und A₂-Zellen, außerdem D-Zellen und amphiphile Elemente. Elektronenmikroskopisch wurden insbesondere nach dem Aussehen und der Größe der Sekretgranula Zellen der Typen B, II, III und IV identifiziert, außerdem noch X-Zellen und amphiphile Zellen. Es wird die Meinung vertreten, daß die A₁-Zellen mit Zelltyp II und die A₂-Zellen mit Zelltyp III identisch sind. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Befunden, die bei Schlangen oder bei anderen Wirbeltieren erhoben wurden, verglichen.

     

Feulgen-DNA absorption curves of polytene chromosome regions ofRhynchosciara americana

Summary Feulgen absorption spectra of polytene chromosome regions, differing in types of DNA composition and of chromatin compactness, were determined microspectrophotometrically in squashed salivary glands ofRhynchosciara americana. The absorption curves exhibited a secondary maximum at their ascending branch after the chromatins were maximally depurinated. The degree of shoulder prominence could not be specifically correlated with the packing state or even with richness in satellite repetitive DNA of the chromatins. It is assumed that other factors may exist which play a part in the phenomenon that gives rise to the Feulgen absorption shoulder characteristics. Differences in the extraction rate of the apurinic acid fragments due to their binding to specific non-histone proteins are suggested as contributing to the above-mentioned absorption patterns when comparing the various chromatin types.     

Cell-to-cell non-conjugative plasmid transfer between Bacillus subtilis and lactic acid bacteria

Bacillus subtilis is a soil-dwelling bacterium that can interact with a plethora of other microorganisms in its natural habitat. Due to the versatile interactions and its ability to form nanotubes, i.e., recently described membrane structures that trade cytoplasmic content between neighbouring cells, we investigated the potential of HGT from B. subtilis to industrially-relevant members of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). To explore the interspecies HGT events, we developed a co-culturing protocol and provided proof of transfer of a small high copy non-conjugative plasmid from B. subtilis to LABs. Interestingly, the plasmid transfer did not involve conjugation nor activation of the competent state by B. subtilis. Moreover, our study shows for the first time non-conjugative cell-to-cell intraspecies plasmid transfer for non-competent Lactococcus lactis sp. cremoris strains. Our study indicates that cell-to-cell transformation is a ubiquitous form of HGT and can be potentially utilized as an alternative tool for natural (non-GMO) strain improvement.     

A mucous secretion in the malpighian tubes of a neotropical bumblebee,Bombus atratus Franklin

Summary A filamentous secretion composed of carboxylated and sulfated acid glycosaminoglycans (AGAG), neutral polysaccharides, and protein(s) appears in the lumen of the Malpighian tubes of the fully grown larvae of the bumblebee,Bombus atratus Franklin. A well-ordered macromolecular array was demonstrated specially for the carboxylated AGAG components of this secretion, based on their linear dichroism and birefringence properties. It is suggested that the carboxylated AGAG macromolecules can acquire a helical conformation when present at the lumen of the organ. The mucous secretion elaborated by the Malpighian tubes ofB. atratus is excreted from the larvae in the form of condensed filaments. Its function remains unclear. Globules with concentric lamination containing protein and neutral polysaccharides were seen detaching from the apical border of the epithelial cells of the Malpighian tubes of the fully grown larvae. It could not be established whether they contribute for the elaboration of the filamentous secretion. Morphologically similar globules have been assumed in some other insect groups to originate from cytolysomes. Urate crystals surrounded by a halo of calcium granules were also found in the lumen of the Malpighian tubes ofB. atratus.     

Four new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Justicia</Emphasis> (Acanthaceae) from the Caatinga biome of Bahia,Brazil

A survey of the tribe Justicieae from the Caatinga biome, in the State of Bahia, revealed the following four new species of Justicia (Acanthaceae): J. angustissima, J. attenuata, J. chlamidocalyx and J. jacuipensis. J. attenuata and J. jacuipensis are known only from the types; the latter is considered Critically Endangered (CR) because the area where it was collected has been flooded since the construction of the Pedra do Cavalo dam and the region around this area has been extensively disturbed. J. angustissima and J. chlamidocalyx were found in six locations. They have a wide distribution in Central Bahia and the conservation status of both species should be classified as Least Concern (LC). The four species are described and illustrations and comments are provided.     

Life cycle inventory and impact assessment for an asphalt pavement road construction—a case study in Brazil

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment - Currently, there are no life cycle impact data available on the construction of road infrastructure in Brazil. This study aimed to determine...