Ecogenomics and Adaptation Strategies of Southern Ocean Viral Communities.

The Southern Ocean (SO) represents up to one-fifth of the total carbon drawdown worldwide. Intense selective pressures (low temperature, high UV radiation, and strong seasonality) and physical isolation characterize the SO, serving as a "natural" laboratory for the study of ecogenomics and unique adaptations of endemic viral populations. Here, we report 2,416 novel viral genomes from the SO, obtained from newly sequenced viral metagenomes in combination with mining of publicly available data sets, which represents a 25% increase in the SO viral genomes reported to date. They comprised 567 viral clusters (defined as approximately genus-level groups), with 186 genera endemic to the SO, demonstrating that the SO viral community is predominantly constituted by a large pool of genetically divergent viral species from widespread viral families. The predicted proteome from SO viruses revealed that several protein clusters related to cold-shock-event responses and quorum-sensing mechanisms involved in the lysogenic-lytic cycle shift decision were under positive selection, which is ultimately important for fine adaptation of viral populations in response to the strong selective pressures of the SO. Finally, changes in the hydrophobicity patterns and amino acid frequencies suggested marked temperature-driven genetic selection of the SO viral proteome. Our data provide valuable insights into how viruses adapt and remain successful in this extreme polar marine environment. IMPORTANCE Viruses are the most abundant biologic entities in marine systems and strongly influence the microbial community composition and diversity. However, little is known about viral communities' adaptation and diversification in the ocean. In this work, we take advantage of the geographical isolation and the intense selective pressures of the SO, to which viruses are exposed, to identify potential viral adaptations due to positive environmental selection and dispersal limitation. To that end, we recovered more than two thousand novel viral genomes, revealing a high degree of divergence in these SO endemic communities. Furthermore, we describe remarkable viral adaptations in amino acid frequencies and accessory proteins related to cold shock response and quorum sensing that allow them to thrive at lower temperatures. Consequently, our work greatly expands the understanding of the diversification of the viral communities of the SO and their particular adaptations to low temperatures.

[Pheochromocytoma and pregnancy. A case report]. / Feocromocitoma y embarazo. Reporte de un caso.

BACKGROUND: Pheochromocytoma is a tumor originating in the chromaffin cells. These tumors secrete catecholamines which act on target organs and cause hypertensive crises. They are rare during pregnancy, and a differential diagnosis must be carried out mainly with pregnancy-induced hypertension. CLINIC CASE: A 22-year-old patient in week 11.5 of pregnancy presented at the Hospital General Dr. Miguel Silva in Morelia, Michoacán with hypertension that had existed for more than two years with poor adherence to treatment. At the time of referral to our unit she presented a hypertensive crisis that had been unresponsive to all antihypertensive treatments. Following the establishment of a study protocol, a diagnosis of posterior left adrenal pheochromocytoma was made. After subsequent pharmacological treatment with alpha and beta blockers, a left adrenalectomy was performed. The patient did not require antihypertensive treatment following surgery. The histopathological report indicates the presence of a nodular and vascularized left adrenal gland weighing 25 g and measuring 5 x 4 x 3.5 cm. Gland consistency was soft, and the presence of cystic lesions in parenchymal tissue was noted. A yellowish-brown color and sponge-like appearance were also present. Such features support a diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. The pregnancy continued normally until week 32, when the patient presented to our department with active-phase preterm labor. A Cesarean section was performed with the delivery of a live female weighing 1400 gr. The infant is currently alive and well. CONCLUSION: Thus, it is important that obstetrician knows this disease and its management during pregnancy; so we present this case report.

Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., isolated from Brazilian soil.

A Gram-reaction-positive bacterial isolate, designated Tü 6233(T), with rudimentary, coral-pink vegetative mycelium that formed neither aerial mycelium nor spores, was isolated from a Brazilian soil sample. Chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics of the isolate matched those described for members of the genus Geodermatophilus. Cell-wall hydrolysates contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the diagnostic diamino acid and galactose as the diagnostic sugar. The major fatty acids were iso-C(16 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) and C(17 : 1)ω8c and the predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H4). The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unknown glycophospholipid and an unknown phospholipid. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 75.4 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence identity with members of the genus Geodermatophilus was 94.2-98.7%. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain Tü 6233(T) is proposed to represent a novel species, Geodermatophilus brasiliensis sp. nov., with the type strain Tü 6233(T) ( = DSM 44526(T) = CECT 8402(T)).