Harnessing endothelial cells and vascularization strategies for nerve regeneration

Peripheral nerves are essential components of the human body’s communication system,transmitting signals between the central nervous system and various body parts.Damage resulting from trauma or disease can result in debilitating sensory and motor deficits.Nerve injuries,particularly those resulting in significant gaps in the nerve tissue,pose a formidable challenge for clinicians and researchers.Despite their limitations,including limited availability and donor site morbidity,nerve autografts remain the clinical gold standard for treating nerve injuries.

Mining and validation of novel genotyping-bysequencing(GBS)-based simple sequence repeats(SSRs)and their application for the estimation of the genetic diversity and population structure of coconuts(Cocos nucifera L.)in Thailand

Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.)is an important economic crop in tropical countries.However,the lack of a complete reference genome and the limitations of usable DNA markers hinder genomic studies and the molecular breeding of coconut.Here,we present the results of simple sequence repeat(SSR)mining from a high-throughput genotyping-bysequencing(GBS)study of a collection of 38 coconut accessions.A total of 22,748 SSRs with di-,tri-,tetra-,penta-and hexanucleotide repeats of five or more were identified,2451 of which were defined as polymorphic loci based on locus clustering in 38 coconut accessions,and 315 loci were suitable for the development of SSR markers.One hundred loci were selected,and primer pairs for each SSR locus were designed and validated in 40 coconut accessions.The analysis of 74 polymorphic markers identified between 2 and 9 alleles per locus,with an average of 3.01 alleles.The assessment of the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among the 40 coconut varieties based on the analysis of population structure,principal coordinate analysis(PCoA),and phylogenetic tree analysis using the 74 polymorphic SSR markers revealed three main groups of coconuts in Thailand.The identified SSR loci and SSR markers developed in this study will be useful for the study of coconut diversity and molecular breeding.The SSR mining approach used in this study could be applied to other plant species with a complex genome regardless of the availability of reference genome.

Enhanced and asymmetric signatures of hybridization at climatic margins: Evidence from closely related dioecious fig species

Hybridization plays a significant role in biological evolution. However, it is not clear whether ecological contingency differentially influences likelihood of hybridization, particularly at ecological margins where parental species may exhibit reduced fitnesses. Moreover, it is unknown whether future ecosystem change will increase the prevalence of hybridization. Ficus heterostyla and F. squamosa are closely related species co-distributed from southern Thailand to southwest China where hybridization, yielding viable seeds, has been documented. As a robust test of ecological factors driving hybridization, we investigated spatial hybridization signatures based on nuclear microsatellites from extensive population sampling across a widespread contact range. Both species showed high population differentiation and strong patterns of isolation by distance. Admixture estimates exposed asymmetric interspecific gene flow.Signatures of hybridization increase significantly towards higher latitude zones, peaking at the northern climatic margins. Geographic variation in reproductive phenology combined with ecologically challenging marginal habitats may promote this phenomenon. Our work is a first systematic evaluation of such patterns in a comprehensive, latitudinally-based clinal context, and indicates that tendency to hybridize appears strongly influenced by environmental conditions. Moreover, that future climate change scenarios will likely alter and possibly augment cases of hybridization at ecosystem scales.

Evaluation of Recombinant <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>Antigens MPT64, CFP10, and ESAT6 for Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity Responses in Guinea Pigs

The tuberculin Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) skin test is widely used;however, the results are often inaccurate. Positive results can be observed in patients with active tuberculosis (TB) as well as in BCG-vaccinated persons and individuals who are infected with mycobacteria but have not developed the disease. MPT64, an antigen secreted from actively growing Mycobacterium tuberculosis and some strains of M. bovis BCG such as BCG Tokyo and BCG Russia, is immunogenic and elicits delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in guinea pigs and humans. This antigen has been used to develop a new skin test for the diagnosis of active TB infection. Two of the antigens encoded by the M. tuberculosis-specific region of difference 1 (RD1, deleted in M. bovis BCG strains), CFP10 (culture filtrate protein 10) and ESAT6 (early secreted antigenic target-6), also induce M. tuberculosis-specific DTH responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the DTH responses in guinea pigs infected with M. tuberculosis or M. bovis BCG Tokyo elicited by three purified recombinant proteins (rMPT64, rCFP10 and rESAT6) compared to those elicited by PPD. In this study genes encoding MPT64, CFP10, and ESAT6 were cloned and expressed as recombinant proteins with the addition of a C-terminal His6 tag for ease of purification by Immobilized Metal ion Affinity Chromatography (IMAC). The recombinant proteins (rMPT64, rCFP10, and rESAT6) were purified to homogeneity and were used to elicit DTH responses in guinea pigs infected with M. tuberculosis or M. bovis BCG Tokyo. The results showed that rMPT64 elicits a DTH response comparable to that of PPD in M. bovis BCG Tokyo-vaccinated animals. However, M. tuberculosis-infected animals show less reactivity to rMPT64 than they do to PPD. Although single rCFP10 or rESAT6 did not readily elicit a DTH response in M. tuberculosis-infected animals, combining these antigens with rMPT64 led to an increased DTH response, thus enabling the detection of TB infection.

Proline Accumulation,Photosynthetic Abilities and Growth Characters of Sugarcane(Saccharum officinarum L.) Plantlets in Response to Iso-Osmotic Salt and Water-Deficit Stress

The aim of this study was to investigate the biochemical, physiological and morphological responses of sugarcane to iso- osmotic salt and water-deficit stress. Disease-free sugarcane plantlets derived from meristem cuttings were photo- autotrophically grown in MS media and subsequently exposed to -0.23 （control）, -0.67 or -1.20 MPa iso-osmotic NaCl （salt stress） or mannitol （water-deficit stress）. Chlorophyll a （Chl a）, chlorophyll b （Chl b）, total carotenoids （Cx＋c）, maximum quantum yield of PSII （Fv/Fm）, photon yield of PSII （ΦPSII）, stomatal conductance （Gs） and transpiration rate （E） in the stressed plantlets were significantly reduced when compared to those of plantlets of the control group （without mannitol or NaCl）, leading to net-photosynthetic rate （Pn） and growth reduction with positive correlation. In addition, physiological changes and growth parameters of plantlets in the salt stress conditions were more sharply reduced than those in waterdeficit stress conditions. On the other hand, the proline content and non-photochemical quenching （NPQ） in the leaves of stressed plantlets increased significantly, especially in response to iso-osmotic salt stress. The chlorophyll pigments in iso-osmotic stressed leaves were significantly degraded （r^2 = 0.93）, related to low water oxidation （r^2 = 0.87）, low net- photosynthetic rate （r^2 = 0.81）, and growth reduction （r^2 = 0.97）. The multivariate biochemical, physiological and growth parameters in the present study should be further used to develop salt, or drought, tolerance indices in sugarcane breeding programs.

Furan Derivatives and Polyketides from the Fungus Irpex lacteus

Eight new furan derivatives,irpexins A‒H(1‒8),two new polyketides,irpexins I and J(9 and 10),together with nine known compounds were isolated from the fermentation of Irpex lacteus.The structures and absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods and Mosher ester reaction.All compounds shows no cytotoxicity to human MCF-7 and Hela cancer cell lines at the concentration of 10μM.

Anti-malarial effect of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one and green tea extract on erythrocyte-stage Plasmodium berghei in mice

Objective: To examine the efficacy of 1-(N-acetyl-6-aminohexyl)-3-hydroxy-2-methylpyridin-4-one(CM1) iron chelator and green tea extract(GTE) as anti-malarial activity in Plasmodium berghei(P. berghei) infected mice.Methods: The CM1(0–100 mg/kg/day) and GTE(0–100 mg(-)-epigallocatechin 3-gallate equivalent/kg/day) were orally administered to P. berghei infected mice for consecutive 4 days. Parasitized red blood cells(PRBC) were enumerated by using Giemsa staining microscopic method.Results: CM1 lowered percentage of PRBC in dose-dependent manner with an ED50 value of 56.91 mg/kg, when compared with pyrimethamine(PYR)(ED50= 0.76 mg/kg).GTE treatment did not show any inhibition of the malaria parasite growth. In combined treatment, CM1 along with 0.6 mg/kg PYR significantly inhibited the growth of P. berghei in mice while GTE did not enhance the PYR anti-malarial activity.Conclusions: CM1 would be effective per se and synergize with PYR in inhibiting growth of murine malaria parasites, possibly by limiting iron supply from plasma transferrin and host PRBC cytoplasm, and chelating catalytic iron cstitutive in parasites' mitochondrial cytochromes and cytoplasmic ribonucleotide reductase. CM1 would be a promising adjuvant to enhance PYR anti-malarial activity and minimize the drug resistance.

High resolution melting real-time PCR detect and identify filarial parasites in domestic cats

Objective: To detect and identify filarial parasites in dried blood spots(DBS) collected from domestic cats using high resolution melting real-time PCR(HRM RT-PCR). Methods: A total of 208 DBS were collected from domestic cats in a brugian filariasis endemic areas in Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. Microfilariae were found in 9 blood slides using Giemsa-stained thick blood film. The extracted DNA from blood spot volumes of 10 and 20 μL DBS with positive filarial parasites in cats were performed using HRM RT-PCR method. The primers were designed based on the partial mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene for identifying Brugia malayi, Brugia pahangi, Dirofilaria immitis. All purified samples were then detected. Results: Using different volumes of 10 μL and 20 μL DBS could easily distinguish filarial parasites and showed similar results. PCR amplicons of Brugia malayi, Brugia pahangi and Dirofilaria immitis were determined at melting peak(temperature) of 75.70℃, 77.46 ℃, and 73.56 ℃, respectively. All 9 positive DBS samples showed positive Brugia pahangi and similar nucleotide sequences. Conclusions: This HRM RT-PCR method is able to diagnose, identify and discriminate filarial parasites collected from DBS, which is simple and inexpensive compared with other probe-based genotyping methods. Furthermore, this method is useful to survey, prevent and control filariasis.

α-Mangostin and apigenin induced the necrotic death of BT474 breast cancer cells with autophagy and inflammation

Objective: To find new compounds in order to overcome the mainstay of metastatic breast cancer due to the adverse side effects from, and increasing resistance to, current chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: 毩-Mangostin and apigenin were reported in comparison to doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug. Ductal carcinoma(BT474) cell line and nontumorigenic epithelial tissue from mammary gland(MCF-10 A) were used. Cell viability assessment was calculated by the standard 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method. Cell morphology was investigated by light microscopy. By flow cytometry analysis, programmed cell death was observed using annexin observed using propidium iodide st桋 and propidium iodide staining while cell-cycle arrest wasaining. Change in transcriptional expression was evaluated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: In 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, the result revealed and apigenin were more cytotoxic to BT474 cells. Longer exposure times to 毩-mangostin enin caused more floating cells and a lower density of adhered cells wi毩-mangostin and apigth more vacuoles present in the colonies in BT474 only. 毩-Mangostin and apigenin caused necrosis in BT474 cells in a 24 h exposure, but a small amount of early apoptotic cells could also be detected at 24, 48 and 72 h exposure, whereas doxorubicin caused early apoptosis to BT474 cells at 24 h. Transcript expression and activity analysis supported caspase-3 was involved in the death of BT474 cells treated by all compounds. Moreover, 毩-mangostin and apigenin arrested the cellcycle at the G1-phase, but at the G2/M-phase by doxorubicin. All three compounds induced a change in transcript expression levels of inflammation-associated, proto-oncogene, autophagyassociated and apoptosis-associated genes. Conclusions: ntial new sources of chemotherapeuti毩-Mangostin and apigenin are worth investigating as potec agents for breast cancer treatment.

Beauvericin production by the Lepidoptera pathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes: Analysis of natural specimens, synnemata from cultivation, and mycelia from liquid-media fermentation

Beauvericin was analyzed in three forms of the Lepidoptra pathogenic fungus Isaria tenuipes(4 isolates):(a)natural specimen,(b)cultivated synnemata on rice media,and(c)mycelia from fermentation in liquid media.Beauvericin was detected in very low amounts in all tested natural specimens.Synnemata on rice contained much higher concentrations of beauvericin than the corresponding natural materials,although the concentrations were lower than mycelia from liquid fermentation.The results casted a caution that beauvericin concentration should be carefully checked,as a possible toxic constituent,upon mass production of a selected strain of Isaria tenuipes for health food purposes.

一种大规模制备双链RNA的简单方法及其在斑节对虾中的应用

RNA干扰(RNAi)是由双链RNA(dsRNA)诱发的特异性沉默目的基因表达的过程,一种大规模制备双链RNA的方法可以便利RNAi技术的应用。以斑节对虾kazal型蛋白激酶抑制剂(KPI)基因为例,详细介绍了一种以体内载体表达大量制备dsRNA(>300nt)的方法。使用商业载体pGEMT和pDRIVE,以2步克隆法构建含有发夹环(hairpin loop)dsRNA表达载体,转化RNA酶Ⅲ缺陷的大肠杆菌HT115(DE3)进行体内转录制备dsRNA。构建的发夹RNA表达载体含有494bp的正向靶序列和403bp的反向互补靶序列,其中正向靶序列多出的91bp即可成为loop环,而无需再次克隆加入。培养30mL的细菌,即可得到1mg纯化的dsRNA,而其成本仅为使用商业化体外转录试剂盒的四分之一。为评估RNAi效果,按照每1克虾体肌肉注射2μg dsRNA的剂量,在dsRNA注射后0,6,12和24h采集血淋巴,RT-PCR检测KPI mRNA的基因转录水平。与对照组GFP-dsRNA和NaCl注射组相比,KPI-dsRNA注射组可以在24h内沉默血淋巴中的KPI基因。结果表明该方法是可大规模制备长的dsRNA的方法。

Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Sordariomycetes

Sordariomycetes is one of the largest classes of Ascomycota and is characterised by perithecial ascomata and inoperculate unitunicate asci.The class includes many important plant pathogens,as well as endophytes,saprobes,epiphytes,and fungicolous,lichenized or lichenicolous taxa.The class includes freshwater,marine and terrestrial taxa and has a worldwide distribution.This paper provides an updated outline of the Sordariomycetes and a backbone tree incorporating asexual and sexual genera in the class.Based on phylogeny and morphology we introduced three subclasses;Diaporthomycetidae,Lulworthiomycetidae and Meliolomycetidae and five orders;Amplistromatales,Annulatascales,Falcocladiales,Jobellisiales and Togniniales.The outline is based on literature to the end of 2014 and the backbone tree published in this paper.Notes for 397 taxa with information,such as new family and genera novelties,novel molecular data published since the Outline of Ascomycota 2009,and new links between sexual and asexual genera and thus synonymies,are provided.The Sordariomycetes now comprises six subclasses,28 orders,90 families and 1344 genera.In addition a list of 829 genera with uncertain placement in Sordariomycetesis also provided.

Hirsutane Sesquiterpenes from Cultures of the Basidiomycete Marasmiellus sp.BCC 22389

Two new hirsutane sesquiterpenes,marasmiellins A(1)and B(2),were isolated from cultures of the basidiomycete Marasmiellus sp.BCC 22389.The structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometry data.The absolute configuration of marasmiellin B was determined by application of the modified Mosher’s method.

Naming and outline of Dothideomycetes-2014 including proposals for the protection or suppression of generic names

Article 59.1,of the International Code of Nomenclature for Algae,Fungi,and Plants(ICN;Melbourne Code),which addresses the nomenclature of pleomorphic fungi,became effective from 30 July 2011.Since that date,each fungal species can have one nomenclaturally correct name in a particular classification.All other previously used names for this species will be considered as synonyms.The older generic epithet takes priority over the younger name.Any widely used younger names proposed for use,must comply with Art.57.2 and their usage should be approved by the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi(NCF).In this paper,we list all genera currently accepted by us in Dothideomycetes(belonging to 23 orders and 110 families),including pleomorphic and nonpleomorphic genera.In the case of pleomorphic genera,we follow the rulings of the current ICN and propose single generic names for future usage.The taxonomic placements of 1261 genera are listed as an outline.Protected names and suppressed names for 34 pleomorphic genera are listed separately.Notes and justifications are provided for possible proposed names after the list of genera.Notes are also provided on recent advances in our understanding of asexual and sexual morph linkages in Dothideomycetes.A phylogenetic tree based on four gene analyses supported 23 orders and 75 families,while 35 families still lack molecular data.

Fungal diversity notes 603–708: taxonomic and phylogenetic notes on genera and species

This is the sixth in a series of papers where we bring collaborating mycologists together to produce a set of notes of several taxa of fungi.In this study we introduce a new family Fuscostagonosporaceae in Dothideomycetes.We also introduce the new ascomycete genera Acericola,Castellaniomyces,Dictyosporina and Longitudinalis and new species Acericola italica,Alternariaster trigonosporus,Amarenomyces dactylidis,Angustimassarina coryli,Astrocystis bambusicola,Castellaniomyces rosae,Chaetothyrina artocarpi,Chlamydotubeufia krabiensis,Colletotrichum lauri,Collodiscula chiangraiensis,Curvularia palmicola,Cytospora mali-sylvestris,Dictyocheirospora cheirospora,Dictyosporina ferruginea,Dothiora coronillae,Dothiora spartii,Dyfrolomyces phetchaburiensis,Epicoccum cedri,Epicoccum pruni,Fasciatispora calami,Fuscostagonospora cytisi,Grandibotrys hyalinus,Hermatomyces nabanheensis,Hongkongmyces thailandica,Hysterium rhizophorae,Jahnula guttulaspora,Kirschsteiniothelia rostrata,Koorchalomella salmonispora,Longitudinalis nabanheensis,Lophium zalerioides,Magnibotryascoma mali,Meliola clerodendri-infortunati,Microthyrium chinense,Neodidymelliopsis moricola,Neophaeocryptopus spartii,Nigrograna thymi,Ophiocordyceps cossidarum,Ophiocordyceps issidarum,Ophiosimulans plantaginis,Otidea pruinosa,Otidea stipitata,Paucispora kunmingense,Phaeoisaria microspora,Pleurothecium floriforme,Poaceascoma halophila,Periconia aquatica,Periconia submersa,Phaeosphaeria acaciae,Phaeopoacea muriformis,Pseudopithomyces kunmingnensis,Ramgea ozimecii,Sardiniella celtidis,Seimatosporium italicum,Setoseptoria scirpi,Torula gaodangensis and Vamsapriya breviconidiophora.We also provide an amended account of Rhytidhysteron to include apothecial ascomata and a J?hymenium.The type species of Ascotrichella hawksworthii(Xylariales genera incertae sedis),Biciliopsis leptogiicola(Sordariomycetes genera incertae sedis),Brooksia tropicalis(Micropeltidaceae),Bryochiton monascus(Teratosphaeriaceae),Bryomyces scapaniae(Pseudoperisporiaceae),Buelliella minimula(Dothideomycetes genera incertae sedis),Carinispora nypae(Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae),Cocciscia hammeri(Verrucariaceae),Endoxylina astroidea(Diatrypaceae),Exserohilum turcicum(Pleosporaceae),Immotthia hypoxylon(Roussoellaceae),Licopolia franciscana(Vizellaceae),Murispora rubicunda(Amniculicolaceae)and Doratospora guianensis(synonymized under Rizalia guianensis,Trichosphaeriaceae)were reexamined and descriptions,illustrations and discussion on their familial placement are given based on phylogeny and morphological data.New host records or new country reports are provided for Chlamydotubeufia huaikangplaensis,Colletotrichum fioriniae,Diaporthe subclavata,Diatrypella vulgaris,Immersidiscosia eucalypti,Leptoxyphium glochidion,Stemphylium vesicarium,Tetraploa yakushimensis and Xepicula leucotricha.Diaporthe baccae is synonymized under Diaporthe rhusicola.A reference specimen is provided for Periconia minutissima.Updated phylogenetic trees are provided for most families and genera.We introduce the new basidiomycete species Agaricus purpurlesquameus,Agaricus rufusfibrillosus,Lactifluus holophyllus,Lactifluus luteolamellatus,Lactifluus pseudohygrophoroides,Russula benwooii,Russula hypofragilis,Russula obscurozelleri,Russula parapallens,Russula phoenicea,Russula pseudopelargonia,Russula pseudotsugarum,Russula rhodocephala,Russula salishensis,Steccherinum amapaense,Tephrocybella constrictospora,Tyromyces amazonicus and Tyromyces angulatus and provide updated trees to the genera.We also introduce Mortierella formicae in Mortierellales,Mucoromycota and provide an updated phylogenetic tree.

New Hypoxylon species from Martinique and new evidence on the molecular phylogeny of Hypoxylon based on ITS rDNA and β-tubulin data

Three new species of Hypoxylon(Xylariaceae)collected from Martinique in the French Caribbean are recognised by new combinations of morphological characters.Their status as undescribed taxa was supported by secondary metabolite profiling based on High performance liquid chromatography with diode array and mass spectrometric detection(HPLC/DAD-MS)as well as by comparison of ITS and partialß-tubulin DNA sequences with related taxa.In the course of this study,the teleomorph of Nodulisporium griseobrunneum was found,and this species could be transferred to Hypoxylon.Moreover,several names in Hypoxylon are epitypified by selecting recently collected specimens from the same geographic areas as the holotypes came from.Despite the fact that our study used the hitherto most extensive taxon sampling,the phylogenetic analyses inferred from ITS andß-tubulin sequences remain contradictory to each other,and neither genealogy was found fully in agreement with phenotype-derived traits.We conclude that the right gene(or multi-gene genealogies)to reflect the phylogeny and evolution of Hypoxylon still remains to be found.For the time being,we recommend that the application of polyphasic taxonomic concepts should be continued in taxonomic studies of Hypoxylon.

Molecular characterization of basidiomycetes associated with the decayed mangrove tree Xylocarpus granatum in Thailand

This study reports the frequency of decay(stem/butt rot)of Xylocarpus granatum trees at Hat Khanom-Mu Ko Thale Tai National Park,Nakhonsithammarat province,and other locations in Thailand,and the identification of purported causal basidiomycetes based on morphological and molecular analyses.Four survey plots at Hat KhanomMu Ko Thale Tai National Park were established and the incidence of butt rot determined.Percentage stem/butt rot incidence of X.granatum trees varied from 40.9 to 94.4%with an average of 85.5%along all four Plots.Trees in Plot 2 supported the heaviest incidence rate(94.4%),with the lowest rate in Plot 3(40.9%).Ninety-two basidiomes were collected,and 46 fungal strains(50%)isolated into axenic culture,the majority associated with tree roots(68.5%of all collections)with 31.5%from the tree trunks.Molecular results,based on LSU and ITS1,2,5.8 S rDNA analyses,confirmed that all samples belonged to the poroid genus Fulvifomes in the Hymenochaetaceae within the Hymenochaetales,Basidiomycota.The 43 specimens sequenced grouped into three clades;one clade comprised specimens isolated from only the trunks and branches(14 strains),while the remainders were from roots(29 strains)and shown to be salt tolerant.The stem/butt rot strains formed unique phylotypes which did not group with other known Fulvifomes species.

Investigation of the microbiota associated with traditionally produced fruit vinegars with focus on acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria

The microbiological properties of traditionally produced fruit vinegars,i.e.,fig,mulberry,apple and plum vinegars,supplied from different cities in Turkey were investigated.The counts of acetic acid bacteria(AAB),lactic acid bacteria(LAB)and mold-yeast for fruit vinegars were found in the range of 2.54–7.05,1.91–6.81 and 1.32–7.10 log CFU/mL,respectively.The indigenous AAB and LAB isolates were recovered from the vinegars and characterized based on a combination of phenotypic and genotypic approaches including 16S rRNA gene sequencing.In AAB three different species,Acetobacter pasteurianus,A.ghanensis and A.fabarum,and in LAB five species,Lacticaseibacillus paracasei,Lactiplantibacillus plantarum,Levilactobacillus brevis,Leuconostoc sp.and Weisella confusa were identified in the vinegar samples.It was the first study reporting the identification of A.fabarum and Leuconostoc sp.,which were isolated from fig vinegar.The results of the study showed that A.pasteurianus and L.paracasei were predominant species found in vinegar samples.The study provides potential strains which may be used as starter cultures in food industry.

Proteomic studies of plant and bacteria interactions during benzene remediation

Phytoremediation is a sustainable remedial approach for removing benzene from environment.Plant associated bacteria could ameliorate the phytotoxic effects of benzene on plant,although the specificity of these interactions is unclear.Here,we used proteomics approach to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in plant-bacteria interactions.Plant associated bacteria was isolated and subsequently inoculated into the sterilized Helianthus annuus,and the uptake rates of benzene by these inoculated plants were evaluated.At the end of the experiment,leaves and roots proteins were analyzed.The results showed inoculated H.annuus with strain EnL3 removed more benzene than other treatments after 96 h.EnL3 was identified as Enterobacter sp.according to 16S rDNA analysis.Based on the comparison of proteins,62 proteins were significantly up or down regulated in inoculated leaves,while 35 proteins were significantly up or down regulated in inoculated roots.Furthermore,there were 4 and 3 identified proteins presented only in inoculated H.annuus leaves and roots,respectively.These proteins involved in several functions including transcription and translation,photosynthesis,and stress response.The network among anti-oxidant defense system,protein synthesis,and photosynthetic electron transfer are involved in collaboratively activate the benzene uptake and stress tolerance in plant.

Bacterial pathogens and factors associated with Salmonella contamination in hybrid red tilapia(Oreochromis spp.)cultivated in a cage culture system

Microbial food safety in cultured tilapia remains a challenge to public health worldwide,due in part to intensive aquaculture leading to poor water quality and high organic matter deposition.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of indicator and potential pathogenic bacteria in hybrid red tilapia(Oreochromis spp.)and their cultivation water and to identify environmental parameters and other bacterial contaminants associated with Salmonella contamination.A total of 120 fish were sampled,which were partitioned into fish carcasses(n=120),muscle(n=120),intestine(n=120),liverandkidney(n=120),and cultivationwater(n=120)from three commercial farms in westernThailand from October2019 to November 2020.The prevalence of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli(E.col)in these 600 samples was 74.8%and 56.7%,respectively.The prevalence of Salmonella,Vibrio cholerae(V.cholerae),Aeromonas hydrophila,and Vibrio vulnificus(V.vulnificus)was 23.0%,17.5%,2.5%,and 1.7%,respectively.None of the samples tested positive for Streptococcus agalactiae.Cultivation water exhibited a high prevalence for Salmonella(58.3%).Among fish samples,Salmonella had the highest prevalence at 14.1%,which was mainly from fish intestine.There was a significant association of Salmonella with the presence of fecal coliforms,E.coli,V.cholerae,and V.vulnificus.The predominant serovars of Salmonella included Saintpaul,Neukoelln,Escanaba,and Papuana.Grazing ducks that were raised in proximity to these cultured tilapia shared the same isolates of Salmonella based on the similarity of their rep-PCR DNA fingerprints,suggesting that ducks may function as either a biological reservoir for tilapia or at minimum participate in the environmental replication of this strain of Salmonella.Taken together,the results suggest that the environment used for tilapia aquaculture may be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria;therefore,food safety precautions are needed during processing,transportation,cooking,and consumption.