Genomic analysis of Oceanotoga teriensis strain UFV_LIMV02, a multidrug-resistant thermophilic bacterium isolated from an offshore oil reservoir.

Bacteria of the species belong to the family , are Gram-negative bacilli, are moderately thermophilic and are included in the group of thiosulfate-reducing bacteria, being capable of significantly accelerating corrosion in metallic structures. However, no in-depth study on the genome, antibiotic resistance and mobile elements has been carried out so far. In this work, the isolation, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the multi-resistant UFV_LIMV02 strain was carried out, from water samples from an offshore oil extraction platform in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

Extinction of anciently associated gut bacterial symbionts in a clade of stingless bees.

Animal-microbe symbioses are often stable for millions of years. An example is the clade consisting of social corbiculate bees-honeybees, bumblebees, and stingless bees-in which a shared ancestor acquired specialized gut bacteria that subsequently diversified with hosts. This model may be incomplete, however, as few microbiomes have been characterized for stingless bees, which are diverse and ecologically dominant pollinators in the tropics.

Efficient Plant Production of Recombinant NS1 Protein for Diagnosis of Dengue.

Dengue fever is endemic in more than 120 countries, which account for 3.9 billion people at risk of infection worldwide. The absence of a vaccine with effective protection against the four serotypes of this virus makes differential molecular diagnosis the key step for the correct treatment of the disease.

DENV-3 precursor membrane (prM) glycoprotein enhances E protein immunogenicity and confers protection against DENV-2 infections in a murine model.

To improve a DNA vaccine containing the truncated dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) envelope (E) protein and evaluate the influence of precursor membrane (prM) glycoprotein polymorphism on E protein immunogenicity, two vaccine candidates have been constructed by upstream insertion of the DENV-2 and DENV-3 prM genes into the DENV-2 E gene, named pCID2EtD2prM and pCID2EtD3prM, respectively. Both constructs were able to induce antibody production, which were neutralizing against DENV-2 in a murine model. Splenocytes of immunized groups, when challenged with virus, demonstrated Th1 cytokine pattern and proliferation, in addition to the increase of specific T cells.

The plant organs and rhizosphere determine the common bean mycobiome.

The plant microbiota diversity is often underestimated when approaches developed mainly for the identification of cultivable microorganisms are used. High-throughput sequencing allows a deeper understanding of the microbial diversity associated with plants. The amplification of ITS1 was used to analyze fungal diversity in several plant organs and rhizosphere of three common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties grown in a greenhouse.

Discovery of novel West Nile Virus protease inhibitor based on isobenzonafuranone and triazolic derivatives of eugenol and indan-1,3-dione scaffolds.

The West Nile Virus (WNV) NS2B-NS3 protease is an attractive target for the development of therapeutics against this arboviral pathogen. In the present investigation, the screening of a small library of fifty-eight synthetic compounds against the NS2-NB3 protease of WNV is described. The following groups of compounds were evaluated: 3-(2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)isobenzofuran-1(3H)-ones; eugenol derivatives bearing 1,2,3-triazolic functionalities; and indan-1,3-diones with 1,2,3-triazolic functionalities.

Effect of the gradual increase of salt on stability and microbial diversity of granular sludge and ammonia removal.

Two sequential batch reactors were operated, aiming at forming aerobic granular sludge and studying the effects of the gradual increase of the NaCl concentration on the granule. structure and microbial diversity, and on the efficiency of ammonia removal. The reactors were fed with ammonia-enriched synthetic effluent and 5 g L of NaCl per week were applied.

Animal model of arthritis and myositis induced by the Mayaro virus.

Background: The Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an endemic arbovirus in South American countries, where it is responsible for sporadic outbreaks of Mayaro fever. Clinical manifestations include fever, headache, ocular pain, rash, myalgia, and debilitating and persistent polyarthralgia. Understanding the mechanisms associated with MAYV-induced arthritis is of great importance due to the potential for its emergence, urbanization and dispersion to other regions.

Desulfovibrio alaskensis prophages and their possible involvement in the horizontal transfer of genes by outer membrane vesicles.

Desulfovibrio alaskensis is a Gram-negative bacterial species that belongs to the group of Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB) and presents prophages in genomes, a common characteristic of the genus Desulfovibrio. Genetic material can be transported by outer membrane vesicles, however, no data regarding the production of these vesicles has been reported for D. alaskensis.

Screening and characterization of prophages in Desulfovibrio genomes.

Bacteria of the genus Desulfovibrio belong to the group of Sulphate Reducing Bacteria (SRB). SRB generate significant liabilities in the petroleum industry, mainly due to their ability to microbiologically induce corrosion, biofilm formation and HS production. Bacteriophages are an alternative control method for SRB, whose information for this group of bacteria however, is scarce.

Genomic analysis and immune response in a murine mastitis model of vB_EcoM-UFV13, a potential biocontrol agent for use in dairy cows.

Bovine mastitis remains the main cause of economic losses for dairy farmers. Mammary pathogenic Escherichia coli (MPEC) is related to an acute mastitis and its treatment is still based on the use of antibiotics. In the era of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) present as an efficient treatment or prophylactic option.

A T4virus prevents biofilm formation by Trueperella pyogenes.

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic pathogen of many animal species. It causes economic losses worldwide, through mastitis, metritis and mainly endometritis in dairy cows. The ability of this bacterium to form biofilms is implicated in chronic infections through hampering immune system recognition and antibiotic penetration.

Ammonium removal from high-salinity oilfield-produced water: assessing the microbial community dynamics at increasing salt concentrations.

Water generated during oil exploration is chemically complex and contains high concentrations of ammonium and, in some cases, high salinity. The most common way to remove ammonium from effluent is a biological process, which can be performed by different routes and different groups of microorganisms. However, the presence of salts in the effluents could be an inhibiting factor for biological processes, interfering directly with treatment.

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes increase antibody-producing B cells in mice immunized with a tetravalent vaccine candidate for dengue virus.

Background: In recent times, studies have demonstrated that carbon nanotubes are good candidates for use as vehicles for transfection of exogenous material into the cells. However, there are few studies evaluating the behavior of carbon nanotubes as DNA vectors and few of these studies have used multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or carboxylated MWCNTs. Thus, this study aims to assess the MWCNTs' (carboxylated or not) efficiency in the increase in expression of the tetravalent vaccine candidate (TVC) plasmid vector for dengue virus in vitro using Vero cells, and in vivo, through the intramuscular route, to evaluate the immunological response profile.

Applying functional metagenomics to search for novel lignocellulosic enzymes in a microbial consortium derived from a thermophilic composting phase of sugarcane bagasse and cow manure.

Environments where lignocellulosic biomass is naturally decomposed are sources for discovery of new hydrolytic enzymes that can reduce the high cost of enzymatic cocktails for second-generation ethanol production. Metagenomic analysis was applied to discover genes coding carbohydrate-depleting enzymes from a microbial laboratory subculture using a mix of sugarcane bagasse and cow manure in the thermophilic composting phase. From a fosmid library, 182 clones had the ability to hydrolyse carbohydrate.

Diversity of endophytic fungi in Glycine max.

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that live within plant tissues without causing disease during part of their life cycle. With the isolation and identification of these fungi, new species are being discovered, and ecological relationships with their hosts have also been studied. In Glycine max, limited studies have investigated the isolation and distribution of endophytic fungi throughout leaves and roots.

Prokaryotic Diversity in the Rhizosphere of Organic, Intensive, and Transitional Coffee Farms in Brazil.

Despite a continuous rise in consumption of coffee over the past 60 years and recent studies showing positive benefits linked to human health, intensive coffee farming practices have been associated with environmental damage, risks to human health, and reductions in biodiversity. In contrast, organic farming has become an increasingly popular alternative, with both environmental and health benefits. This study aimed to characterize and determine the differences in the prokaryotic soil microbiology of three Brazilian coffee farms: one practicing intensive farming, one practicing organic farming, and one undergoing a transition from intensive to organic practices.

Antigen production using heterologous expression of dengue virus-2 non-structural protein 1 (NS1) in Nicotiana tabacum (Havana) for immunodiagnostic purposes.

Expression of dengue-2 virus NS1 protein in Nicotiana tabacum plants for development of dengue immunodiagnostic kits. Dengue is one of the most important diseases caused by arboviruses in the world. A significant increase in its geographical distribution has been noticed over the last 20 years, with continuous transmission of several serotypes and emergence of the hemorrhagic fever in areas where the disease was previously not prevalent.

Natural products as source of potential dengue antivirals.

Dengue is a neglected disease responsible for 22,000 deaths each year in areas where it is endemic. To date, there is no clinically approved dengue vaccine or antiviral for human beings, even though there have been great efforts to accomplish these goals. Several approaches have been used in the search for dengue antivirals such as screening of compounds against dengue virus enzymes and structure-based computational discovery.

UFV-P2 as a member of the Luz24likevirus genus: a new overview on comparative functional genome analyses of the LUZ24-like phages.

Background: Phages infecting spoilage microorganisms have been considered as alternative biocontrol agents, and the study of their genomes is essential to their safe use in foods. UFV-P2 is a new Pseudomonas fluorescens-specific phage that has been tested for its ability to inhibit milk proteolysis.

Results: The genome of the phage UFV-P2 is composed of bidirectional modules and presented 75 functionally predict ORFs, forming clusters of early and late transcription.

Dengue-1 envelope protein domain III produced in Pichia pastoris: potential use for serological diagnosis.

Dengue is a major international public health concern. There is no drug to treat dengue virus infections and a vaccine is yet to be licensed. The laboratory diagnosis of dengue virus infection has been greatly improved during the last decade; therefore, the main limiting factor is the production of recombinant viral antigens on a large scale.