一株羊源A型多杀性巴氏杆菌的全基因组测序及生物学特性分析

[背景] 多杀性巴氏杆菌（Pasteurella multocida,Pm）是一种革兰氏阴性菌,可引起动物和人类的呼吸道疾病和败血症等。本实验室前期分离鉴定一株A型Pm HN02菌株。[目的] 通过对HN02菌株的全基因组测序及生物信息学分析,扩充多杀性巴氏杆菌的基因组数据库信息;通过毒力基因鉴定和系统进化树分析,明确该菌株含有的毒力基因和遗传进化关系,为临床预防和诊断提供理论依据。[方法] 使用单分子实时测序（Single Molecule Real Time Sequencing,SMRT）技术对Pm HN02菌株进行全基因组测序,利用Illumina测序校正后进行基因功能注释和生物信息学分析。使用PCR鉴定菌株毒力基因,并构建进化树进行分析。[结果] Pm HN02菌株全基因组大小为2 333 292 bp,GC含量为40.15mol%,预测到的编码基因有2 389个,包含19个rRNA （6个23S rRNA、6个16S rRNA、7个5S rRNA）、62个tRNA基因、5个sRNA;含84个串联重复序列、66个小卫星DNA、2个微卫星DNA、9个基因岛、9个前噬菌体;分别有1 648、2 190和1 917个基因注释在GO、KEGG和COG数据库中,而且大部分富集于Pm的代谢过程;还有85个III型分泌系统效应蛋白、191个表型突变基因、165个毒力因子相关基因。根据分析结果绘制该菌株的全基因组圈图,并将基因组信息提交至NCBI后获得登录号cp037865。PCR鉴定发现该菌株含有fimA、toxA等14个毒力基因,缺失了tadD等毒力基因。系统进化树分析发现该菌株同北京的Pm3菌株（MH150895.1）进化关系最接近。[结论] 研究完成了A型Pm HN02株的全基因组测序和生物学特性鉴定,揭示了其同国内外Pm分离株的进化关系,为预防Pm疾病流行和探索Pm致病机制提供了参考。     

林麝源支气管败血波氏杆菌FMDBb1株的分离鉴定及全基因组序列分析

[背景] 呼吸系统疾病是圈养麝常见疾病之一,其中部分由支气管败血波氏杆菌引起,但目前关于林麝源支气管败血波氏杆菌的研究甚少。[目的] 对分离自患病林麝鼻黏液的一株疑似支气管败血波氏杆菌进行分离鉴定和全基因组序列分析,为林麝相关疾病的防治奠定基础。[方法] 将病原菌纯化培养后,通过菌落形态和生化试验初步鉴定病原菌类型,然后进行药敏试验和小鼠致病性试验以观察其耐药和毒力表型,最后对其进行全基因组测序,通过平均核苷酸一致性（Average Nucleotide Identity,ANI）比对在全基因组水平进一步评估物种间的亲缘关系,并进行基因功能注释和遗传进化分析。[结果] 该病原菌经ANI分类属于经典波氏杆菌亚种,结合菌落形态和生化结果综合鉴定为支气管败血波氏杆菌,菌株命名为FMDBb1,药敏表型显示其对林可霉素、利福平及大多数β-内酰胺类抗生素耐药,对小鼠的半数致死量为8.55×10⁶ CFU。全基因组测序显示该菌基因组大小为5 133 936 bp,基因功能注释显示其拥有强代谢能力,基因组内检测到65个经典波氏杆菌毒力因子,以及1个粉霉素和1个利福平的靶向耐药基因,同时发现19个插入序列和1个噬菌体区域的存在。序列类型为ST33,克隆复合体类型为CC6,管家基因联合建树分析显示与分离于韩国短毛猫的KVNON-570株相似性最高。[结论] 研究分离了林麝源支气管败血波氏杆菌并对其进行了全基因组测序及分析,为该病原菌感染的防治提供了宝贵的信息。     

两株不同宿主源化脓隐秘杆菌分离鉴定及其plo基因生物信息学分析

【背景】化脓隐秘杆菌是一种能够感染人类及多种动物的条件致病菌,常引起动物的各种非特异性化脓性感染。【目的】探究不同宿主疑似化脓隐秘杆菌感染的菌属种类和病原特性。【方法】对林麝皮下脓肿和鸭跗关节脓肿进行细菌分离,通过革兰氏染色、细菌16S rRNA基因分析等方法对病原菌进行鉴定,通过生长曲线测定、药敏试验和毒力基因检测分析2株病原菌的生物学特性,对溶血素plo基因进行序列分析和结构预测。【结果】分离鉴定到林麝源和鸭源化脓隐秘杆菌各1株,分别命名为FTP-1和DTP-1;生长曲线测定发现,2株病原菌的生长繁殖速度差异较大;药敏试验表明,2株病原菌对β-内酰胺类、磺胺类和利福霉素类抗生素耐药,对氨基糖苷类、喹诺酮类抗生素敏感;毒力基因检测显示,2株病原菌均携带plo、nanH、nanP、fimA和fimE基因,鸭源分离株还携带有fimC基因;生物信息学分析软件预测显示,2株病原菌溶血素plo基因核苷酸序列存在宿主特异性差异,但二者氨基酸序列相同,蛋白结构预测发现化脓隐秘杆菌溶血素(pyolysin, PLO)与胆固醇依赖性溶细胞素家族其他成员之间相似性较高。【结论】在云南宜良地区分离到林麝源和鸭源化脓隐秘杆菌各1株,二者plo基因亲缘关系较近,相关生物学特性分析可为推进该病原菌的研究和防控提供参考。     

一株肠膜明串珠菌的分离鉴定及其抑菌特性

[背景] 水产病原细菌严重威胁水产动物健康且制约水产养殖业发展,细菌性鱼病的有效防治成为水产养殖领域亟待解决的问题。[目的] 筛选对水产病原细菌有抑制效果的菌株,并研究其抑菌特性及其在水产细菌病害防治中的实际效果。[方法] 通过16S rRNA基因测序、构建系统发育树和生理生化鉴定确定筛选菌株的进化地位,通过乙酸乙酯萃取获得抑菌物质粗提物,通过偶氮酪蛋白法检测菌株胞外蛋白酶活力,采用结晶紫染色法对菌株的生物膜形成能力进行测定,通过浸浴攻毒模型确定所筛菌株对维氏气单胞菌的防治作用。[结果] 从泡菜发酵物中筛选出一株乳酸菌DH,经16S rRNA基因测序、发育树分析和生理生化鉴定确定其为肠膜明串珠菌,该菌分泌的胞外抑菌物质对鼠伤寒沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌、铜绿假单胞菌、杀鲑气单胞菌、希瓦氏菌和维氏气单胞菌表现出抑菌效果,其抑菌物质能被乙酸乙酯萃取并且具有热稳定性。菌株DH能够显著抑制待测菌株的蛋白酶产量和生物膜形成能力,并且对维氏气单胞菌浸浴攻毒有防治作用。[结论] 肠膜明串珠菌DH通过分泌抑菌物质抑制水产病原细菌的生长,能够为细菌性鱼病的防治提供一定的理论和应用潜力。     

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。     

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。     

马铃薯疮痂病菌Streptomyces scabies拮抗细菌的筛选及BKS104鉴定

[背景] 近年来,马铃薯疮痂病的危害态势逐渐上升,在全国各主要产区均有发生,目前由于缺乏有效的防治手段,已造成了严重的经济损失。生物防治是防治土传病害的有效途径,逐渐成为了研究热点。[目的] 筛选对马铃薯疮痂病菌具有较高拮抗效果的菌株,为生防菌剂的开发提供菌种资源,同时也为马铃薯疮痂病的防治奠定理论基础。[方法] 采用平板对峙法和牛津杯试验法对分离得到的菌株进行初筛和复筛,并通过形态特征、生理生化特征及16S rRNA基因、gyrB基因序列分析结果对菌株进行鉴定。通过平板对峙法测定菌株的抑菌谱。[结果] 获得一株具有明显拮抗效果的菌株BKS104,抑菌直径达到43 mm,防效达到85%。其菌落圆形、乳白色、不透明、表面有光泽,边缘整齐,菌体杆状,革兰氏阳性菌。结合16S rRNA基因、gyrB基因的测序结果将其鉴定为贝莱斯芽孢杆菌,并对8种植物病原真菌均具有抑制效果。[结论] 菌株BKS104为贝莱斯芽孢杆菌,可以有效抑制马铃薯疮痂病菌的生长,安全性高,具有良好的生防潜力。     

一株牛源都柏林沙门氏菌的全基因组测序及毒力与耐药性分析

【背景】沙门氏菌(Salmonella spp.)是重要的人畜共患病原菌,其毒力和耐药性的不断增强引起广泛关注。【目的】了解从通辽市一犊牛死亡病例中所分离牛源都柏林沙门氏菌的毒力及耐药性情况。【方法】以病死犊牛肺脏为材料,经细菌分离纯化及16S rRNA基因测序,鉴定病原为沙门氏菌。采用动物试验、药敏试验和PCR方法对分离菌进行毒力、耐药性,以及毒力基因和耐药基因检测,并对其进行全基因组测序分析。【结果】分离菌具有较强毒力,对小鼠半数致死量为2.8×10⁶ CFU/mL。分离菌为多重耐药菌,仅对多粘菌素B和噻孢霉素敏感,对强力霉素和恩诺沙星中度敏感。检测13种沙门氏菌常见毒力基因,检出率为92.3%。对分离菌进行全基因组测序分析,该菌株为都柏林沙门氏菌,基因组大小为4 965 370 bp,GC含量为52.12%,同时携带2个质粒,大小分别为79 524 bp (pTLS-1)和45 301 bp (pTLS-2)。分离菌中共携带996个毒力基因和24个毒力岛;共携带42个耐药基因,其中4个为可水平转移基因,基因组中存在9个可移动遗传元件,包括插入序列和转座子等。【结论】分离牛源都柏林沙门氏菌菌株具有较强毒力且为多重耐药株,携带大量毒力基因及耐药基因。     

加州鲈源鰤鱼诺卡氏菌的分离鉴定及致病性

[背景] 鰤鱼诺卡氏菌（Nocardia seriolae）是一种严重危害水产养殖业的病原菌,可引起以体表溃疡、出血及组织器官形成结节为特征的鱼类慢性肉芽肿疾病,目前尚无有效的防治方法。[目的] 明确引起安徽省临泉县某养殖场加州鲈（Micropterus salmonoides）结节病的病原菌,探讨其致病性,为该病的有效防治提供科学依据。[方法] 取肝脏结节病灶接种于TSB培养基分离优势细菌,利用表型检查结合分子生物学方法鉴定分离菌株。进一步通过检测分离菌株的毒力基因、测定其对加州鲈的半数致死量（LD₅₀）以及所感染加州鲈的组织病理学变化与组织载菌量,分析其致病性。[结果] 从病鱼体内分离到一株优势菌株NI,综合NI分离株的表型特性、16S rRNA基因序列与鰤鱼诺卡氏菌参考株相应序列的一致性以及特异性PCR扩增结果,确定其为鰤鱼诺卡氏菌。鰤鱼诺卡氏菌NI分离株携带毒力基因gapA、ibeA和mip,人工回归感染后加州鲈出现与自然病例相似的症状,其对加州鲈的LD₅₀为2.58×10⁶ CFU/尾。组织病理学观察到头肾、心脏、肝脏、胃和脾脏均出现慢性肉芽肿病变,肠管肌层疏松、肠绒毛脱落,肌肉组织中肌纤维疏松、间隙增宽。qPCR检测结果显示,组织中鰤鱼诺卡氏菌载量由高到低依次为头肾、心、肝、胃、脾、肠和肌肉。[结论] 鰤鱼诺卡氏菌是引起此次加州鲈结节病的病原菌,对该菌致病性的研究为加州鲈诺卡氏菌病的防控提供了理论依据。     

一株猪葡萄球菌的分离鉴定、生物学特性研究及全基因组测序分析

【背景】2021年6月,广东省茂名市某散养户送检了一头发病仔猪,猪身上长有脓疱,四肢关节肿大,关节内可见脓液。【目的】确定引起仔猪发病的病原菌,分析其药物敏感性,为临床用药提供指导;对分离菌株进行全基因组序列分析,挖掘其毒力因子和耐药基因,揭示该菌致病和耐药的分子机制。【方法】取关节脓液分离细菌;通过革兰氏染色、16S rRNA基因和全基因组测序分析,鉴定细菌种类;通过溶血试验、血浆凝固酶试验和生长曲线测定,确定分离菌株的溶血活性、血浆凝固酶活性和生长特性;用小鼠感染模型评估分离菌株的致病性;用纸片扩散法测定分离菌株的药物敏感性;通过全基因组序列分析挖掘分离菌株的毒力因子和耐药基因。【结果】分离菌株被鉴定为猪葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus hyicus);该菌不溶血,无血浆凝固酶活性,在胰蛋白胨大豆肉汤培养基中于37℃、120r/min条件下生长良好;小鼠感染试验结果显示,该菌具有高致病性;药敏试验结果显示,该菌对苯唑西林、大观霉素等7种药物敏感,对青霉素G、红霉素等9种药物耐药;全基因组序列分析结果显示,该菌携带多个毒力因子和耐药基因。【结论】从发病仔猪的关节脓液中分离到一株猪葡萄球菌,可用苯唑西林、大观霉素等药物防控该菌感染;解析了该菌的基因组信息,为后续深入研究该菌致病和耐药的分子机制奠定了基础。     

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.     

Puccinia carici-adenocauli, a new rust fungus onCarex, and its anamorph,Aecidium adenocauli

Field observations and inoculation experiments showed thatAecidium adenocauli onAdenocaulon himalaicum was an anamorph of aPuccinia onCarex hakonensis andC. uda. From comparative morphology with caricicolous puccinias, the rust on theseCarex species was considered as a new species and was named asPuccinia carici-adenocauli. Contribution No. 142, Laboratory of Plant Pathology and Mycology, Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Tsukuba     

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.