Evaluation of BOX-PCR and REP-PCR as Molecular Typing Tools for Antarctic Streptomyces.

Molecular studies led to the resurgence of natural products research from genus Streptomyces, already known for their long history and importance for the pharmaceutical industry. However, species belonging to this genus are difficult to identify and the most commonly used techniques, which are based on 16S rRNA sequencing, do not discriminate between related species. In this work, amplification profiles generated from BOX-PCR and REP-PCR of 49 Antarctic soil streptomycetes were compared to evaluate the diversity present in the group and to characterize the bacterial isolates, along with some 16S rRNA amplifications. The BOX-A1R primer exhibit clearer amplification fragments, different from the amplification patterns obtained using the REP 1R and 2R primers. A higher diversity was observed with REP-PCR amplifications, even though a larger number of fragments was obtained with BOX-A1R primer amplifications. There are at least four isolates that showed great similarity (about 90%) in both techniques. In other hand, there are two others that are 90% similar in BOX-PCR, but distant in REP-PCR, showing only 40% of similarity. Results of the combination of BOX-PCR and REP-PCR represent a simple and low-cost method to discriminate between Streptomyces strains. There is no species identification with only the 16S rRNA, most isolates seem to be related to S. globisporus. Further studies added to the obtained results may provide better data to help the characterization of these microorganisms.

Temporal variation of bacterial population and response to physical and chemical parameters along a petrochemical industry wastewater treatment plant.

The petrochemical industry has played a considerable role in generation and release of waste in the environment. Activated sludge and facultative lagoons are commonly used for domestic and industrial wastewater treatment due to their low-cost and minimal need for operational requirements. Microorganisms present in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) are responsible for most nutrient removal. In this study, microbiological and physicochemical parameters were used to estimate changes in bacterial community in a petrochemical industrial WWTP. The activated sludge was the place with higher heterotrophic bacterial quantification. Denitrifying bacteria was reduced at least 5.3 times throughout all collections samples. We observe a decrease in the total Kjeldahl nitrogen, oxygen demand and phosphate throughout the WWTP. In this work, we also use Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation-Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for bacteria isolates identification comparing with 16S rDNA sequencing. The MALDI-TOF MS allowed the identification of 93% of the isolates and only 5% show different results from 16S rDNA sequencing showing that the MALDI-TOF MS can be a tool for identifying environmental bacteria. The observation of microbial community dynamics in the WWTP is important in order to understand the functioning of the ecological structure formed in a specific environment.

Atorvastatin inhibits osteoclastogenesis and arrests tooth movement.

INTRODUCTION: In addition to their cholesterol-lowering effects, the statin class of drugs appears to enhance osteogenesis and suppress bone resorption, which could be a clinical concern during orthodontic treatment. In this animal study, we aimed to determine whether atorvastatin (ATV) affects orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) through osteoclast inhibition. Furthermore, we analyzed the potential adverse effects of ATV on long-bone turnover and endochondral ossification. METHODS: Rats were administered ATV (15 mg/kg) or saline solution via gavage (n = 12 animals/group), starting 2 weeks before initial OTM. Tooth displacement was measured after 7, 14, and 21 days. Histologic sections of the maxilla and femur were obtained after 14 and 21 days of OTM and stained (hematoxylin and eosin; TRAP assay) for histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: ATV was associated with significant (P <0.05) reductions in OTM and osteoclast counts. Independently of drug administration, OTM increased the number of osteoclasts and reduced the bone-volume ratio compared with the control maxillae without OTM. Long-term statin administration did not appear to affect femoral endochondral ossification. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental study showed that the long-term use of ATV can significantly promote osteoclast inhibition and slow the OTM in the first week in rats. Under physiologic conditions, the drug did not affect bone turnover and endochondral ossification.