Microbial community structure and dynamics in thermophilic composting viewed through metagenomics and metatranscriptomics.

Composting is a promising source of new organisms and thermostable enzymes that may be helpful in environmental management and industrial processes. Here we present results of metagenomic- and metatranscriptomic-based analyses of a large composting operation in the São Paulo Zoo Park. This composting exhibits a sustained thermophilic profile (50 °C to 75 °C), which seems to preclude fungal activity. The main novelty of our study is the combination of time-series sampling with shotgun DNA, 16S rRNA gene amplicon, and metatranscriptome high-throughput sequencing, enabling an unprecedented detailed view of microbial community structure, dynamics, and function in this ecosystem. The time-series data showed that the turning procedure has a strong impact on the compost microbiota, restoring to a certain extent the population profile seen at the beginning of the process; and that lignocellulosic biomass deconstruction occurs synergistically and sequentially, with hemicellulose being degraded preferentially to cellulose and lignin. Moreover, our sequencing data allowed near-complete genome reconstruction of five bacterial species previously found in biomass-degrading environments and of a novel biodegrading bacterial species, likely a new genus in the order Bacillales. The data and analyses provided are a rich source for additional investigations of thermophilic composting microbiology.

Halotolerant bacteria in the São Paulo Zoo composting process and their hydrolases and bioproducts

Halophilic microorganisms are able to grow in the presence of salt and are also excellent source of enzymes and biotechnological products, such as exopolysaccharides (EPSs) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). Salt-tolerant bacteria were screened in the Organic Composting Production Unit (OCPU) of São Paulo Zoological Park Foundation, which processes 4 ton/day of organic residues including plant matter from the Atlantic Rain Forest, animal manure and carcasses and mud from water treatment. Among the screened microorganisms, eight halotolerant bacteria grew at NaCl concentrations up to 4 M. These cultures were classified based on phylogenetic characteristics and comparative partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis as belonging to the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Brevibacterium. The results of this study describe the ability of these halotolerant bacteria to produce some classes of hydrolases, namely, lipases, proteases, amylases and cellulases, and biopolymers. The strain characterized as of Brevibacterium avium presented cellulase and amylase activities up to 4 M NaCl and also produced EPSs and PHAs. These results indicate the biotechnological potential of certain microorganisms recovered from the composting process, including halotolerant species, which have the ability to produce enzymes and biopolymers, offering new perspectives for environmental and industrial applications.

Feocromocitoma em cão: nota prévia / Pheochromocytoma in a dog: short communication

Os feocromocitomas são tumores das células da região medular adrenal, considerados raros, cujo diagnóstico geralmente é feito post mortem. Estes promovem taquicardia, hipertensão e outras manifestações clínicas atribuídas ao aumento da quantidade de catecolaminas circulantes. Este trabalho relata o caso de um cão, SRD), fêmea de 15 anos de idade, atendido no Hospital Veterinário da UniABC, cuja queixa principal era prurido intenso e compulsivo, insônia e perda de peso considerável (12 Kg em menos de 3 meses). Ao exame clínico observouse midriase bilateral, ulcerações cutâneas com exposição de musculatura torácica bilateral. A ultrasonografia revelou a presença de duas formações sólidas ovaladas, de contornos definidos, localizadas próximo a grandes vasos e margem cranial de rim esquerdo, aspecto hipoecogênico heterogêneo com áreas anecogênicas em seu interior, compatível com formação neoplásica em adrenal e provável metástase em linfonodo regional. O eletrocardiograma apresentou onda "t' alternante compatível com aumento das catecolaminas circulantes. Foram removidas duas massas globosas de 2 e 4 cm de diâmetro, que se encontravam localizadas cranialmente ao rim esquerdo, sobre as artérias renal e aorta. Macroscopicamente visualizouse regiões circunscritas de coloração marrom. A pressão arterial média durante a cirurgia foi de 150 mmHg e no momento da laparorrafia caiu para 60 mmHg. Durante a primeira semana pós cirúrgica a proprietária relatou que o cão passou a dormir, ficou mais tranquila e o prurido diminuiu. O diagnóstico de feocromocitoma foi definido com os exames complementares e concluído após a remoção cirúrgica e exame histopatológico.