红树林土壤中产聚羟基脂肪酸酯细菌的分离及其评估

[背景] 细菌能通过合成聚羟基脂肪酸酯（Polyhydroxyalknoates,PHA）在细胞内储存物质和能量,提高对环境的适应能力。在红树林中,由于土壤周期性受海水浸没,形成营养物质种类丰富和含量波动大的特殊生境,为细菌进化出特殊的PHA合成途径提供了条件。[目标] 为了增加对红树林产PHA细菌资源的了解,获得产PHA细菌,使用纯培养方法分离和鉴定细菌,并评估菌株的产PHA能力。[方法] 采集红树植物海桑根系和红树滩涂土壤样品,连续5周培养、分离纯化获得细菌菌株;通过16S rRNA基因相似性及系统进化分析鉴定细菌分类地位,利用PHA合成酶基因（phaC）鉴定细菌合成PHA的能力;通过基因组草图测序,分析细菌的phaC基因种类、代谢通路及系统进化关系;通过气相色谱分析细菌产PHA的累积量及组成。[结果] 从红树林土壤样品中分离得到97株细菌,其中13株带有phaC基因,包括坚强芽孢杆菌（Cytobacillus firmus）、弯曲芽孢杆菌（Bacillus flexus）、除烃海杆菌（Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus）和酯香微杆菌（Microbacterium esteraromaticum）。B. flexus MN15-19以丙酮酸盐为碳源,可累积细胞干重11%的PHA,同时具有固碳功能的还原性三羧酸循环通路,有开发成为固碳产PHA工程菌株的潜力。酯香微杆菌可产PHA,但是其phaC基因结构特殊,基因组注释未能识别出任何已知phaC基因。[结论] 研究发现红树林土壤可培养细菌中存在未知的PHA合成途径,说明红树林生态系统中的细菌具有资源挖掘的重要价值。     

异化铁还原细菌Clostridium sp.LQ25分离及其产氢与铁还原特性

[背景] 一些异化铁还原细菌兼具铁还原和发酵产氢能力,可作为发酵型异化铁还原细菌还原机制研究的对象。[目的] 筛选出一株发酵型异化铁还原细菌。在异化铁还原细菌培养体系中,设置不同电子供体并分析电子供体。[方法] 通过三层平板法从海洋沉积物中筛选纯菌株,基于16S rRNA基因序列进行菌株鉴定。通过测定细菌培养液Fe （II）浓度及发酵产氢量分析菌株异化铁还原和产氢性质。[结果] 菌株LQ25与Clostridium butyricum的16S rRNA基因序列相似性达到100%,结合电镜形态观察,菌株命名为Clostridium sp.LQ25。在氢氧化铁为电子受体培养条件下,菌株生长较对照组（未添加氢氧化铁）显著提高。菌株LQ25能够利用丙酮酸钠、葡萄糖和乳酸钠进行生长。丙酮酸钠为电子供体时,菌株LQ25细胞生长和异化铁还原效率最高,菌体蛋白质含量是（78.88±3.40） mg/L,累积产生Fe （II）浓度为（8.27±0.23） mg/L。以葡萄糖为电子供体时,菌株LQ25发酵产氢量最高,达（475.2±14.4） mL/L,相比对照组（未添加氢氧化铁）产氢量提高87.7%。[结论] 筛选到一株具有异化铁还原和发酵产氢能力的菌株Clostridium sp.LQ25,为探究发酵型异化铁还原细菌胞外电子传递机制提供了新的实验材料。     

烟草根际可培养微生物多样性及防病促生菌的筛选

[背景] 根际微生物在植物根部生态系统中扮演着重要角色,影响着植物的营养吸收和健康生长。[目的] 了解常年不发病烟田烤烟品种K326根际可培养微生物的多样性,筛选具有防病促生功能的菌株,为烟草病害绿色防控提供资源。[方法] 采用传统培养方法对烟草根际土壤中的细菌和真菌进行分离鉴定,评价菌株的促生特性及病原菌拮抗能力,并进一步验证典型菌株对盆栽烟苗的促生效果。[结果] 共获得261株微生物菌株,包括160株细菌和101株真菌。经分子鉴定,细菌中以变形菌门（Proteobacteria）和厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）为主要类群;真菌中以子囊菌门（Ascomycota）和毛霉菌门（Mucoromycota）为主要类群。在属水平上,细菌以假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas）和芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）为主,真菌以曲霉属（Aspergillus）和青霉属（Penicillium）为主。从不同种水平上进一步选择44株细菌为代表菌株,发现它们均具有不同程度的吲哚-3-乙酸（Indole-3-Acetic Acid,IAA）产生能力,9株能够溶解有机磷,16株能够溶解无机磷,13株产生铁载体,14株产生生1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸（1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate,ACC）脱氨酶。从160株细菌中筛选得到抑制青枯病菌和黑胫病菌的菌株数目分别为25、26株。经盆栽试验发现韩国假单胞菌（P. koreensis） HCH2-3、浅黄绿假单胞菌（P. lurida） FGD5-2和贝莱斯芽孢杆菌（B. velezensis） EM-1对烟苗呈现不同程度的促生作用,其中3株菌联合施加对烟苗的促生效果最明显。[结论] 烟草根际存在着丰富多样的具有防病促生潜力的微生物,并且合成菌群或功能互补的菌株联合施用是未来微生物菌剂研发的重要方向。     

小麦/玉米轮作田根际微生物多样性分析

[背景] 小麦/玉米轮作是中国粮食作物主要种植模式之一,目前对小麦/玉米轮作田根际土壤微生物差异变化缺乏全面的了解。[目的] 明确小麦/玉米根际土壤微生物差异变化并了解其潜在功能。[方法] 以小麦/玉米根际土壤为材料,运用细菌16S rRNA基因和真菌rDNA ITS基因测序,分析小麦/玉米根际土壤微生物多样性。[结果] 玉米季微生物丰富度高于小麦季,而多样性无明显差异。放线菌门（Actinobacteria）、变形菌门（Proteobacteria）、酸杆菌门（Acidobacteria）和绿弯菌门（Chloroflexi）为小麦季和玉米季根际土壤的优势细菌门,优势真菌门为子囊菌门（Ascomycota）。小麦季和玉米季共有细菌和真菌分别是631个和261个,小麦季特有细菌和真菌分别是38个和58个,玉米季特有细菌和真菌分别是25个和39个。LEfSe分析（LDA阈值为2）细菌和真菌表明,放线菌纲（Actinobacteria）和微囊菌目（Microascales）在小麦季富集,鞘脂单胞菌目（Sphingomonadales）和银耳纲（Tremellomycetes）在玉米季富集。小麦季、玉米季微生物代谢功能不同,与小麦季相比,玉米季养分循环的代谢通路丰富度较高,而参与氧化应激的代谢通路丰富度较低。[结论] 该研究结果对指导小麦/玉米轮作田管理具有理论和实践意义。     

马源马链球菌兽疫亚种3株新疆分离株基因型的鉴定及MLST分析

[背景] 马链球菌兽疫亚种（Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus,SeZ）是引起马腺疫的主要病原,还可引起猪链球菌病,加强该菌的地方株分子流行病学监测对有效防控相关疫病十分必要。[目的] 对新疆地区2个马场SeZ分离株进行鉴定和药敏特性分析,并分析3株新疆分离株的分子流行与菌株的遗传进化特征。[方法] 对分离纯化的3株病原菌（ZHZ113、ZHZ211和ZHZ523）进行染色观察、生化及药敏特性检测,对16S rRNA和SeM基因进行遗传进化分析,以链球菌7个管家基因arcC、nrdE、proS、spi、tdk、tpi和yqiL为目的基因对3株分离菌进行多位点序列分型（Multilocus Sequence Typing,MLST）研究。[结果] 3株SeZ的药敏结果显示这3株分离菌对不同抗生素的耐药程度不同,但均对头孢西丁、庆大霉素、链霉素、红霉素、左氧氟沙星、环丙沙星、土霉素等11种药物敏感。16S rRNA基因序列分析显示这3株分离菌均属于Ⅱ群（兽疫链球菌）。3株菌的MLST分型结果分别为ST39、ST419、ST421型,其中ST419和ST421型为SeZ目前尚未见报道的新ST型。SeM基因分析结果显示马源SeZ在不同国家、不同动物和不同时间段上的流行分布存在差异和动态变化的特点。[结论] 3株SeZ分离菌分别与美国犬源及马源菌株亲缘关系较近,反映部分SeZ株在新疆地区的基因型分布及分子流行特点。     

利用光合细菌进行微生物修复：一种降低辛硫磷在养殖水中积累的低成本方法

[背景] 中国是农业生产大国,渔林农牧占比庞大。有机农药无论在畜牧业还是水产养殖业都有广泛的应用。有机磷农药（Organophosphorus Pesticide,OP）是应用最广泛的有机农药,具有低毒和不易残留的优点。OP在水体中大量积累可通过生物富集作用间接影响人体健康,由此产生的生殖毒性不容忽视。光合细菌作为环境友好型水体有益菌,部分菌种具有降解有机农药的功能。[目的] 自上海海洋大学明湖中分离纯化得到一株光合细菌（编号SPZ）。探究其对辛硫磷的耐受程度及降解效果,为养殖水体中有机磷农药的生物降解提供目的菌株。[方法] 利用16S rRNA基因序列分析方法对目标菌株进行种属鉴定;利用紫外分光光度法测定分离菌株SPZ和标准菌株ST在不同接种量下的OD₆₆₀并测定实验周期内光合细菌在不同浓度辛硫磷中OD₆₆₀的变化趋势,以示辛硫磷对光合细菌的毒性作用;利用高效液相色谱法（High Performance Liquid Chromatography,HPLC）测定菌株对水体辛硫磷的降解能力;通过HPLC测定加热致死菌与活菌对水体辛硫磷的降解能力,确定菌株对辛硫磷的降解方式。[结果] 16S rRNA基因序列分析表明菌株SPZ与红假单胞菌属相似度高达99%以上,与沼泽红假单胞菌ATCC 17001菌株聚为一支,置信度为100%;菌株SPZ与菌株ST的适宜接种量为10%;菌株SPZ可耐受100 mg/L的辛硫磷,当浓度超过该值后,辛硫磷对光合细菌生长产生显著的抑制作用;当光合细菌进入生长稳定期后添加辛硫磷,1 d时可相对降解辛硫磷（12.97%-26.69%,20.0 mg/L;24.25%-32.85%,2.0 mg/L;16.66%-34.59%,0.2 mg/L）,3 d时可相对降解辛硫磷（46.63%-53.95%,20.0 mg/L;24.78%-30.34%,2.0 mg/L;31.92%-39.25%,0.2 mg/L）,5 d时可相对降解辛硫磷（93.65%-97.72%,20.0 mg/L;67.69%-74.41%,2.0 mg/L;10.34%-24.27%,0.2 mg/L）。[结论] 菌株SPZ作为一种常见光合细菌,能够有效去除水体中的辛硫磷农药,具有生物修复功能,在水产养殖和有机磷农药污染水处理中有广阔的前景。     

YPS1/YPS2失活改进酿酒酵母An-α菌株β-葡萄糖苷酶分泌表达

[背景] 工业酵母菌株的蛋白质表达通常存在表达量低、分泌效率低的问题。[目的] 考察失活Yapsin蛋白酶Yps1p和Yps2p对β-葡萄糖苷酶在酿酒酵母An-α菌株中表达的影响。[方法] 利用CRISPR/Cas9基因组编辑技术,首先构建得到未折叠蛋白响应（Unfolded Protein Response,UPR）指示菌株An-α（leu2：：UPRE-lacZ）即An-αL,然后分别失活其YPS1和YPS2基因,导入以YEplac195为载体的β-葡萄糖苷酶表达质粒（简称BG）,进行生长和酶活分析评价。[结果] 菌株An-αL的YPS1和YPS2基因失活对其在酵母浸出粉胨葡萄糖（Yeast Extract Peptone Dextrose,YPD）培养基中的生长未造成明显的不利影响;导入质粒BG后将在酵母浸出粉胨纤维二糖（Yeast Extract Peptone Cellobiose,YPC）培养基中生长的最大OD₆₀₀分别提高了21.9%和7.4%;最大总酶活值为0.087 5和0.068 6 U/（mL·OD₆₀₀）,是对照菌株相应值的2.268倍和1.778倍;分泌比例提高了19.4%和22.2%;β-葡萄糖苷酶表达水平与β-半乳糖苷酶酶活水平所代表的UPR信号响应值之间呈现良好的相关性。[结论] YPS1和YPS2基因失活有助于改进酿酒酵母An-α菌株中β-葡萄糖苷酶的分泌表达。     

一株高效甘蔗内生固氮细菌GXS16的鉴定及其对甘蔗的促生长作用

[背景] 我国甘蔗生产中氮肥过量施用严重,导致生产成本居高不下,充分发挥甘蔗与内生固氮菌的联合固氮作用,减少氮肥施用量,对促进我国甘蔗产业可持续发展具有重要意义。[目的] 筛选优势甘蔗内生固氮菌,对其基本特性、联合固氮效率及促生长功能进行评价。[方法] 从甘蔗根系分离到一株内生固氮菌GXS16,利用乙炔还原法测定固氮酶活性,通过PCR扩增nifH基因确定菌株为固氮菌;通过形态观察、Biolog检测和16S rRNA基因序列分析等对菌株进行分类;通过接种盆栽甘蔗检测菌株的促生长作用,采用¹⁵N同位素稀释法检测菌株相对固氮效率。[结果] 菌株GXS16固氮酶活性为2.42μmol-C₂H₄/（h·mL）,根据菌株培养性状和菌体形态观察、Biolog检测、16S rRNA、nifH、acdS基因序列分析结果,菌株GXS16属于伯克氏菌属（Burkholderia）;菌株GXS16还具有1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸脱氨酶（1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Deaminase,ACC）活性及合成生长素吲哚乙酸（Indoleacetic Acid,IAA）、降解无机磷的功能;接种GXS16处理甘蔗植株的株高比对照增长15%以上,干重增长20%以上,¹⁵N同位素测定显示甘蔗根、茎、叶从空气中获得氮的百分比分别为7.69%、15.64%和8.72%,效率显著优于模式菌株G.diazotrophicus PAL5。[结论] Burkholderia sp.GXS16是一株高效甘蔗内生固氮菌,具有良好应用前景。     

乌鳢源杀鱼爱德华菌的分离鉴定及药敏特性研究

[背景] 江苏省扬州市某乌鳢养殖场发生疾病,给养殖户造成了严重的经济损失。[目的] 确定病因并筛选出敏感药物,为乌鳢相关疾病的防治提供参考。[方法] 从患病乌鳢体内分离致病菌,并从形态、生理生化特征、16S rRNA和gyrB基因序列及特异性PCR检测等方面对分离菌株进行鉴定,同时开展人工感染试验分析其致病性,通过纸片扩散法进行药敏特性分析。[结果] 从患病乌鳢体内分离获得优势菌株SHL,经形态特征、理化特性、16S rRNA和gyrB基因序列及特异性PCR检测鉴定为杀鱼爱德华菌。进一步人工感染试验证实其对乌鳢有较强的致病性,LD₅₀为1.6×10⁵ CFU/g,发病症状与自然发病症状相似。药敏试验结果显示,该菌株对青霉素、氯霉素、四环素等28种抗菌药物高度敏感,对红霉素中度敏感,对苯唑西啉、克拉霉素、万古霉素等6种药物耐药。[结论] 引起江苏省扬州市某养殖场的乌鳢体表溃烂及死亡的病原菌为杀鱼爱德华菌,这是我国首次从淡水鱼类中检出致病性杀鱼爱德华菌,表明该菌的感染谱在扩大,需引起水产养殖领域的重视,在养殖过程中可根据药敏实验结果选用合适的国标渔药进行防治。     

草假单胞菌HT1在蚕豆根和茎的定殖特性及对内生细菌多样性的影响

[背景] 关于蚕豆内生生防细菌的定殖规律及其对内生细菌微生物多样性的研究鲜有报道。[目的] 明确草假单胞菌HT1在蚕豆的定殖特性以及对根茎部内生细菌群落多样性的影响。[方法] 采用抗生素标记法测定菌株HT1的定殖特性,利用高通量测序技术分析该菌灌根处理与对照处理蚕豆根茎部内生细菌的群落多样性。[结果] 菌株HT1的定殖数量为根>茎>叶,呈先升后降的趋势,根部、茎部、叶部在第7天达到最大值,在第83天仍能检测到标记菌株。灌根处理降低了内生细菌的丰富度,提高了根内生细菌物种多样性;灌根处理组根部厚壁菌门、放线菌门、拟杆菌门丰度显著提高,茎部变形菌门的相对丰度有所升高但无显著影响;在属水平上,灌根处理后,根部如Romboutsia、Mitsuaria、乳杆菌属、德沃斯氏菌属等属的相对丰度明显升高,茎部假单胞菌、Muribaculaceae、Elstera、鞘氨醇单胞菌属等属的相对丰度明显升高。[结论] HT1菌株能在蚕豆植株体内定殖达83 d以上,并且可以影响蚕豆植株内部的微生物群落结构组成,提高相关微生物的相对丰度。     

Further studies of the sieve-element plastids of theCaryophyllales includingBarbeuia,Corrigiola, Lyallia,Microtea, Sarcobatus,andTelephium

The sieve-element plastids of 69 species of theCaryophyllales were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. All contained the specific subtype-P3 plastids characterized by a peripheral ring of protein filaments. The presence or absence of an additional central protein crystal and their shape being either polygonal or globular as well as the average sizes of the sieve-element plastids are useful features in the characterization of some families.—Barbeuia contains sieve-element plastids that confirm its placement within thePhytolaccaceae. Lyallia differs fromHectorella by including small starch grains in their sieve-element plastids, which otherwise by their globular crystals negate a closer connection to theCaryophyllaceae. The lack of a central protein crystal in its form-P3fs plastids placesMicrotea best within theChenopodiaceae. Sarcobatus, a so far uncontested member of theChenopodiaceae, contains form-P3cf plastids, i.e., including a central crystal not found elsewhere in this family.Telephium andCorrigiola, shifted back and forth betweenMolluginaceae andCaryophyllaceae, have form-P3cf(s) plastids with a polygonal crystal which favor their placement within theCaryophyllaceae.     

Entwicklungsgeschichte und Ultrastruktur von Pollenkitt und Exine bei nahe verwandten entomophilen und anemophilen Angiospermensippen derAlismataceae,Liliaceae, Juncaceae,Cyperaceae, Poaceae undAraceae

Some closely related members of the monocotyledonous familiesAlismataceae, Liliaceae, Juncaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae andAraceae with variable modes of pollination (insect- and wind-pollination) were studied in relation to the ultrastructure of pollenkitt and exine (amount, consistency and distribution of pollenkitt on the surface of pollen grains). The character syndromes of pollen cementing in entomophilous, anemophilous and intermediate (ambophilous or amphiphilous) monocotyledons are the same in principal as in dicotyledons. Comparing present with former results one can summarize: 1) The pollenkitt is always produced in the same manner by the anther tapetum in all angiosperm sub-classes. 2) The variable stickiness of entomophilous and anemophilous pollen always depends on the particular distribution and consistency of the pollenkitt, but not its amount on the pollen surface. 3) The mostly dry and powdery pollen of anemophilous plants always contains a variable amount of inactive pollenkitt in its exine cavities. 4) A step-by step change of the pollen cementing syndrome can be observed from entomophily towards anemophily. 5) From the omnipresence of pollenkitt in all wind-pollinated angiosperms studied one can conclude that the ancestors of anemophilous angiosperms probably have been zoophilous (i.e. entomophilous) throughout.

     

Synopsis of the tribe Bocageeae (Annonaceae), with revisions of Cardiopetalum,Froesiodendron, Trigynaea,Bocagea, and Hornschuchia

The tribal name Bocageeae Endlicher is reestablished and the tribe is circumscribed on the basis of solitary internodal ebracteate pedicels that are articulated at the base, and pollen shed in polyads of eight or more grains. Septate anther locules, large pollen size, and seed appendages are prevalent in the tribe. Intectate pollen with free-standing columellae, rare in Annonaceae, occurs not only in the genusTrigynaea but also in some species ofBocagea andHornschuchia. As defined here, the Bocageeae include seven neotropical genera:Cymbopetalum, Porcelia, Bocagea, Cardiopetalum, Froesiodendron, Hornschuchia, andTrigynaea. The latter five genera are revised and the treatments include ten new species:Cardiopetalum plicatum, Froesiodendron urceocalyx, Hornschuchia lianarum, H. santosii, H. leptandra, Trigynaea cinnamomea, T. lanceipetala, T. triplinervis, T. lagaropoda, andT. axilliflora, all from tropical South America. A new combination,Froesiodendron longicuspe, changes the rank of that taxon from subspecies to species.Cardiopetalum surinamense is removed fromFroesiodendron and reassigned toCardiopetalum on the basis of its connate petals, dehiscent monocarps, and seeds with bilobed arils. A cladogram provides an explicit hypothesis of intergeneric relationships in the tribe. The new combinationOnychopetalum periquino, based onTrigynaea periquino, is made.     

Novel phenylanthraquinones,isofuranonaphthoquinones, homoisoflavonoids,and biflavonoids from African plants in the genera Bulbine,Scilla, Ledebouria,and Rhus

The sale of non-cultivated plants poses a real threat to the survival of a large number of plant species. On the other hand, the fact that a given plant has become a traded item is an important lead in the effort to investigate plants for the purpose of discovering novel secondary metabolites that may have marketable properties. This report is largely based on the investigations of plants collected from vendors of medicinal plants. The identification is based on botanical specimens derived from the purchased plant parts either by growing them in a garden or through micropropagation using tissue culture techniques. Bulbine species yielded novel phenyl anthraquinones and isofuranonaphthoquinones, which were found to exhibit antiparasitic and antioxidant properties. Scilla nervosa subsp. rigidifolia and Ledebouria graminifolia yielded twenty homoisoflavonoids and two xanthones. Bulbs derived from tissue culture based specimens of L. graminifolia contained all the compounds isolated from the marketed samples. Some of the homoisoflavonoids were found to possess activity against colon and breast cancer cell lines. Rhus pyroides furnished six novel bichalcones some of which exhibited insect antifeedant, cytotoxic and antiproliferative activities. Structures of the compounds described in this report were elucidated by spectroscopic means including HRMS and 1D-, and 2D-NMR experiments. Interconversion of some of the phenyl anthraquinones was accomplished as part of their structure proof. The total synthesis of three of the biflavonoids was achieved using a synthetic route which involves a microwave irradiation promoted Ulmann synthesis. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Gametogenesis,endosperm development,and embryogeny inMicrocarpaea muscosa (Scrophulariaceae,Gratioleae)

InMicrocarpaea muscosa gametogenesis, embryo sac development (Polygonum type), endosperm development (cellular), embryogeny (Onagrad type), and seed structure are described. The different modes of endosperm development withinGratioleae are compared.     

rbcL sequences support exclusion ofRetzia,Desfontainia, andNicodemia from theGentianales

The taxonomic positions ofRetzia, Desfontainia, andNicodemia have been much discussed, and all three genera have been included inLoganiaceae (Gentianales). We have made a cladistic analysis ofrbcL gene sequences to determine the relationships of these taxa toGentianales. Four newrbcL sequences are presented; i.e., ofRetzia, Desfontainia, Diervilla (Caprifoliaceae), andEuthystachys (Stilbaceae). Our results show thatRetzia, Desfontainia, andNicodemia are not closely related toLoganiaceae or theGentianales. Retzia is most closely related toEuthystachys and is better included inStilbaceae. The positions ofDesfontainia andNicodemia are not settled, butDesfontainia shows affinity for theDipsacales s.l. andNicodemia for theLamiales s.l.     

A reconsideration of the genusRabdosiella (Lamiaceae,Nepetoideae, Ocimeae)

The two generaPlectranthus andIsodon are compared and found to be very dissimilar.Isodon ist considered to be misplaced inOcimeae subtribePlectranthinae and apparently is more closely related to subtribeHyptidinae. The disjunct genusRabdosiella is compared to these two genera and regarded to be polyphyletic. The AfricanR. calycina (Benth.)Codd is returned toPlectranthus and calledP. calycinus Benth., while the AsianR. ternifolia (D. Don)Codd is placed inIsodon sect.Pyramidium and calledI. ternifolius (D. Don)Kudo.     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and device-related nosocomial infections: implications, trends, and potential approaches for control

For many years, device-associated infections and particularly device-associated nosocomial infections have been of considerable concern. Recently, this concern was heightened as a result of increased antibiotic resistance among the common causal agents of nosocomial infections, the appearance of new strains which are intrinsically resistant to the antibiotics of choice, and the emerging understanding of the role biofilms may play in device-associated infections and the development of increased antibiotic resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are consistently identified as some of the more important agents of nosocomial infections. In light of the recent information regarding device-associated nosocomial infections, understanding the nature of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans infections is increasingly important. These two microorganisms demonstrate: (1) an ability to form biofilms on the majority of devices employed currently, (2) increased resistance/tolerance to antibiotics when associated with biofilms, (3) documented infections noted for virtually all indwelling devices, (4) opportunistic pathogenicity, and (5) persistence in the hospital environment. To these five demonstrated characteristics, two additional areas of interest are emerging: (a) the as yet unclear relationship of these two microorganisms to those species of highly resistant Pseudomonas spp and Candida spp that are of increasing concern with device-related infections, and (b) the recent research showing the dynamic interaction of P. aeruginosa and C. albicans in patients with cystic fibrosis. An understanding of these two opportunistic pathogens in the context of their ecosystems/biofilms also has significant potential for the development of novel and effective approaches for the control and treatment of device-associated infections.     

Novel glycopeptides,containing desmosine and isodesmosine,isolated from porcine aorta

Intima-media of porcine thoracic aorta were digested with pronase, after extraction of the saline-soluble matters and fat. A glycopeptide fraction was precipitated with 90% (vol/vol) ethanol from the 80% ethanol-soluble fraction of the trichloroacetic acid (7%)-soluble fraction of the pronase digest. The glycopeptide fraction was fractionated by affinity chromatography on concanavalin A (Con A)-Sepharose 4B, yielding 4 fractions (FA, FB, FC and FD). The most carbohydrate-rich fraction (FB) was further purified to a homogeneous state. The purified FB (FB-0.1) and all other fractions contained desmosine and isodesmosine. The major sugars in the fractions without or with low affinity for Con A (FA, FB, and FB-0.1) were glucosamine, galactose, mannose and sialic acid, while those in the fractions with high affinity for this lectin (FC and FD) were glucosamine, glucose and mannose. All the fractions contained glycine, aspartic acid (and/or asparagine), serine, proline, threonine, glutamic acid (and/or glutamine) and alanine as the major amino acids, amounting to approximately 80% of the total.