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Thermophilic acetogenic bacteria have attracted attention as promising candidates for biotechnological applications such as syngas fermentation, microbial electrosynthesis, and methanol conversion. Here, we aimed to isolate and characterize novel thermophilic acetogens from diverse environments. Enrichment of heterotrophic and autotrophic acetogens was monitored by 16S rRNA gene-based bacterial community analysis. Seven novel Moorella strains were isolated and characterized by genomic and physiological analyses. Two Moorella humiferrea isolates showed considerable differences during autotrophic growth. The M. humiferrea LNE isolate (DSM 117358) fermented carbon monoxide (CO) to acetate, while the M. humiferrea OCP isolate (DSM 117359) transformed CO to hydrogen and carbon dioxide (H2 + CO2), employing the water–gas shift reaction. Another carboxydotrophic hydrogenogenic Moorella strain was isolated from the covering soil of an active charcoal burning pile and proposed as the type strain (ACPsT) of the novel species Moorella carbonis (DSM 116161T and CCOS 2103T). The remaining four novel strains were affiliated with Moorella thermoacetica and showed, together with the type strain DSM 2955T, the production of small amounts of ethanol from H2 + CO2 in addition to acetate. The physiological analyses of the novel Moorella strains revealed isolate-specific differences that considerably increase the knowledge base on thermophilic acetogens for future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite belonging to the phylum Amoebozoa that causes amebiasis, a global public health problem. E. histolytica alternates its form between a proliferative trophozoite and a dormant cyst. Trophozoite proliferation is closely associated with amebiasis symptoms and pathogenesis whereas cysts transmit the disease. Drugs are available for clinical use; however, they have issues of adverse effects and dual targeting of disease symptoms and transmission remains to be improved. Development of new drugs is therefore urgently needed. An untargeted lipidomics analysis recently revealed structural uniqueness of the Entamoeba lipidome at different stages of the parasite's life cycle involving very long (26–30 carbons) and/or medium (8–12 carbons) acyl chains linked to glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. Here, we investigated the physiology of this unique acyl chain diversity in Entamoeba, a non-photosynthetic protist. We characterized E. histolytica fatty acid elongases (EhFAEs), which are typically components of the fatty acid elongation cycle of photosynthetic protists and plants. An approach combining genetics and lipidomics revealed that EhFAEs are involved in the production of medium and very long acyl chains in E. histolytica. This approach also showed that the K3 group herbicides, flufenacet, cafenstrole, and fenoxasulfone, inhibited the production of very long acyl chains, thereby impairing Entamoeba trophozoite proliferation and cyst formation. Importantly, none of these three compounds showed toxicity to a human cell line; therefore, EhFAEs are reasonable targets for developing new anti-amebiasis drugs and these compounds are promising leads for such drugs. Interestingly, in the Amoebazoan lineage, gain and loss of the genes encoding two different types of fatty acid elongase have occurred during evolution, which may be relevant to parasite adaptation. Acyl chain diversity in lipids is therefore a unique and indispensable feature for parasitic adaptation of Entamoeba. Author summary: Entamoeba, a protozoan parasite, thrives in its niche by alternating its form between a proliferative trophozoite and a dormant cyst. Entamoeba parasites were recently shown to generate lipid acyl chain diversity throughout their life cycle. Here, we provide insight into the mechanism generating this acyl chain diversity and its importance in maintaining the parasite's life cycle. We also show that the E. histolytica isozymes responsible for generating this diversity are reasonable targets for developing new anti-amebiasis drugs, and that the herbicides, flufenacet, cafenstrole, and fenoxasulfone, are promising leads for such drugs. Interestingly, gain and loss of the two genes encoding the isozymes controlling acyl chain diversity is plausibly related to E. histolytica host adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Japanese "curriculum standards" for educational media/ICT in-service teacher training was announced by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture in April 1973. Since then, the "curriculum standards" has been revised twice. The last revision was made in March 2006, based on the results of a preliminary study that was conducted by the Japan Audio-Visual Education Association from fiscal year 2002 to 2003. This article describes the background, process of the revision, and the features of the new "curriculum standards". Moreover, the results of the formative evaluation of the "curriculum standards" are explained. The formative evaluation involved 33 teachers' consultants and social education consultants who took part in the "Media Specialists Training Course" which was held by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in October 2009. As a consequence, most of the subjects reported positive opinions about the new "curriculum standards". Therefore, it is suggested that the new "curriculum standards" is necessary and useful to enhance teachers' knowledge and skills, to promote effective use of educational media, to raise media specialists, and to help curriculum planners develop training programmes/courses.

Malaria infection elicits both protective and pathogenic immune responses, and IL‐27 is a critical cytokine that regulate effector responses during infection. Here, we identified a critical window of CD4+ T cell responses that is targeted by IL‐27. Neutralization of IL‐27 during acute infection with Plasmodium chabaudi expanded specific CD4+ T cells, which were maintained at high levels thereafter. In the chronic phase, Plasmodium‐specific CD4+ T cells in IL‐27‐neutralized mice consisted mainly of CD127+KLRG1− and CD127−KLRG1+ subpopulations that displayed distinct cytokine production, proliferative capacity, and are maintained in a manner independent of active infection. Single‐cell RNA‐seq analysis revealed that these CD4+ T cell subsets formed independent clusters that express unique Th1‐type genes. These IL‐27‐neutralized mice exhibited enhanced cellular and humoral immune responses and protection. These findings demonstrate that IL‐27, which is produced during the acute phase of malaria infection, inhibits the development of unique Th1 memory precursor CD4+ T cells, suggesting potential implications for the development of vaccines and other strategic interventions. Synopsis: IL‐27 inhibits the generation of parasite‐specific memory CD4+ T cells in a malaria infection model. Transient blockade of IL‐27 elicits high levels of unique CD127+ and KLRG1+ memory CD4+ T cells, elevates antibody production, and enhances protective immunity against secondary infection. IL‐27 produced during the acute phase of malaria infection is inhibitory for the generation of parasite‐specific memory CD4+ T cells.Two types of unique memory CD4+ T cells are generated in the absence of IL‐27: CD127+ and KLRG1+ cells expressing high levels of Ifng and Tbx21, respectively.Memory CD4+ T cells induced in the absence of IL‐27 can be maintained in the absence of persistent malaria infection.The absence of IL‐27 during the acute phase of malaria infection generates memory immune responses that are protective against challenge infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]