山西省东南部地区胃癌患者肠道菌群分布的配对病例对照研究

目的观察胃癌患者肠道菌群的变化,为研究其发病机制和治疗措施提供依据。方法按照1∶1配对原则(年龄、性别、民族、居住地等)在长治某医院根据胃镜检查结果分别选取尚未进行过治疗的10例胃癌患者(胃癌组)和10例健康人群(对照组),面对面调查填写基本信息表,留取粪便样本,采用微生物16S rDNA扩增子测定技术检测粪便菌群,使用QIIME2(2019.4)、R脚本等软件分析人群肠道菌群结构。结果胃癌组与对照组之间,肠道菌群多样性Chao1指数、Shannon指数、Simpson指数、Faith′s PD指数、Pielou′s evenness指数、Observed_species指数和Good′s coverage指数差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05),但距离矩阵与PCoA分析显示2组菌群分布差异存在统计学意义(P0.05)。在门水平上,2组粪便菌群都集中在厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、放线菌门和变形菌门四类菌门上,胃癌组的变形菌门、梭杆菌门、互养菌门的丰度较对照组明显增加,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。在属水平上,胃癌组的乳杆菌属、克雷伯菌属、脱硫弧菌属、瘤胃球菌属的丰度较对照组明显增加,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。胃癌组瘤胃球菌科、Gemmiger和毛螺菌属的丰度较对照组明显减少,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论胃癌患者肠道菌群物种多样性和属的丰度发生了改变。     

慢传输型便秘患者肠道粪便菌群的变化特征

目的通过16S rDNA高通量测序技术,研究慢传输型便秘(slow transit constipation,STC)患者粪便菌群的变化特征。方法选取12例慢传输型便秘患者(STC组)及12例健康志愿者(对照组),留取粪便标本后,应用16S rDNA高通量测序技术对标本进行测序,并分析测序结果。结果 STC组与对照组人群肠道在菌群物种种类(Chao1指数和Sobs指数)上差异存在统计学意义(Z=-2.771,P=0.006;Z=-2.425,P=0.015),对照组人群肠道菌群物种种类明显高于STC组;两组在物种均一性(Shannon指数、Simpson指数)上差异无统计学意义(Z=-0.520,P=0.603;Z=-0.348,P=0.728)。在门水平,两组人群粪便菌群多样性差异无统计学意义。在属水平,Phascolarctobacterium(Z=-2.194,P=0.028)、Streptococcus(Z=-4.157,P0.001)、Eggerthella(Z=-2.427,P=0.015)和Actinomyces(Z=-2.310,P=0.021)在STC组人群肠道中相对丰度增加,而Faecalibacterium(Z=-2.887,P=0.004)、Roseburia(Z=-3.118,P=0.002)、Sphingomonas(Z=-4.157,P0.001)、Variovorax(Z=-2.732,P=0.006)、Holdemania(Z=-1.970,P=0.049)、Phyllobacterium(Z=-2.732,P=0.006)、Pseudomonas(Z=-2.439,P=0.015)、Acinetobacter(Z=-2.732,P=0.006)、Aquabacterium(Z=-2.134,P=0.033)和Novosphingobium(Z=-2.134,P=0.033)在STC组中相对丰度减少。结论 STC组与对照组人群肠道在菌群物种种类丰富度上差异存在统计学意义,而在菌群分布均一性上差异无统计学意义;在菌属水平,两组人群的粪便菌群构成也存在较大差异。     

基于16S rDNA高通量测序技术对克罗恩病患儿肠道菌群变化的研究

目的研究克罗恩病(Crohn′s disease, CD)儿童和正常人群肠道菌群的分布,寻找与CD发生发展显著相关的菌属结构。方法纳入CD患儿36例和健康儿童21例,CD患儿分为活动期22例、缓解期14例,采用16S rDNA高通量测序技术,分析各组肠道菌群的生物多样性与结构组成。结果 CD组患儿(活动期与缓解期)肠道菌群丰富度指数、香浓多样性指数较健康儿童组有明显下降,差异有统计学意义(F=8.829 0,P=0.001 0,P=0.004 5;F=8.890 0,P=0.000 3,P=0.035 6)。在门类水平,所有CD患儿肠道菌群的放线菌门数量减少,变形菌门数量增多。在菌属水平,与健康儿童组相比,所有CD组患儿Faecalibacterium相对丰度显著减低,Klebsiella(克雷伯菌属)、Enterococcus(肠球菌属)相对丰度显著升高。活动期CD组Blautia(布劳特菌属)、Bifidobacterium(双歧杆菌属)、Subdoligranulum、Lachnospira(毛螺旋菌属)、Anaerostipes(丁酸弧菌属)、Eubacterium_rectale_group(直肠杆菌属)的相对丰度明显下降。结论 CD患儿肠道菌群结构及相对丰度较健康儿童存在显著差异。肠道菌群结构的异常与儿童CD的发生发展存在相关性。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者与健康人群肠道菌群差异性分析

目的比较多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者与健康人群间肠道菌群的差异,为后续研究提供参考。方法采用16S rDNA扩增子测序法对30例PCOS患者(PCOS组)和20例健康人(健康组)粪便标本中菌群结构进行分析,并比较两组之间的区别。结果与健康组相比,PCOS组患者肠道菌群α多样性降低。PCOS组患者肠道厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)丰度高于健康组,拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)丰度低于健康组(均P0.05)。两组对象肠道梭菌门(Clostridia)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)丰度差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。PCOS组患者肠道变形杆菌纲(Proteobacteria)、芽胞杆菌纲(Bacilli)、红椿杆菌纲(Coriobacteriia)丰度高于健康组,拟杆菌纲(Bacteroidia)丰度低于健康组(均P0.05)。PCOS组患者肠道布劳特菌属(Blautia)、霍氏真杆菌属(Eubacterium_hallii_group)、阴沟杆菌属(Agathobacter)丰度高于健康组,拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)、粪杆菌属(Faecalibacterium)丰度低于健康组(均P0.05)。两组对象肠道双歧杆菌属(Bifidobacterium)、埃希菌-志贺菌属(Escherichia-Shigella)丰度差异无统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论 PCOS患者存在肠道菌群失调情况,但其是否是PCOS发展的潜在致病因素需要进一步研究。     

山西省健康人群的肠道菌群组成特征及其与性别和年龄的关系

目的探索山西省健康人群的肠道菌群组成特征及性别和年龄对肠道菌群组成的影响。方法应用16S rRNA基因测序技术,对山西省99名健康个体的粪便细菌DNA进行测序分析。结果山西省健康人群的肠道菌群在属水平分为两个集群,相对丰度最高的分别是拟杆菌属和普氏菌属;在区分这两个集群中,拟杆菌属与普氏菌属的曲线下面积(AUC)分别是0.97、1.00。男性组与女性组的物种丰富度(richness)和多样性(diversity)差异都无统计学意义(均P0.05),基于Bray-Curtis距离的主坐标分析(PCoA)图显示两组人群的样本分布没有明显分离(相似性分析:r=-0.029 6,P0.05),LEfSe分析显示与性别分组有关的细菌很少。30-39岁、40-49岁和50-59岁三组人群的物种丰富度和多样性差异都无统计学意义(均P0.05),基于Bray-Curtis距离的PCoA图显示三组人群的样本分布没有明显分离(相似性分析:r=0.010 9,P0.05),LEfSe分析显示几乎没有与年龄分组有关的细菌。结论山西省健康人群的肠道菌群更倾向分为两种肠型(拟杆菌型和普氏菌型)。性别对肠道菌群组成可能没有显著影响,30-59岁人群的肠道菌群组成比较稳定。     

基于16S rDNA测序的自身免疫性甲状腺疾病患者肠道菌群研究CSCD

目的 探讨Graves病患者、桥本甲状腺炎患者及健康人的肠道菌群结构、多样性和丰度差异。方法 选取2020年8月至2020年12月于湖北省中医院甲状腺疾病诊疗中心就诊的新诊断且未经治疗的Graves病患者(GD组)、桥本甲状腺炎患者(HT组)各15例以及15例年龄、性别相匹配的健康受试者(健康对照组)。采集参与者粪便样本,采用16S rDNA高通量测序法分析肠道菌群,比较各组对象肠道菌群物种组成及丰度差异。结果 与健康对照组相比,GD组患者肠道菌群Sobs指数、Ace指数、Chao指数偏低,Coverage指数偏高(均P<0.05)。GD组与HT组以及HT组与健康对照组比较,其肠道菌群Sobs指数、Ace指数、Chao指数、Coverage指数差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。3组对象肠道优势菌门为拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门、变形菌门、梭杆菌门。瘤胃球菌属、罗斯伯里菌属、罗姆布茨菌属、链球菌属等在3组对象中差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05),其中GD组患者肠道乳杆菌目、链球菌属、链球菌科的相对丰度较高;HT组患者肠道瘤胃球菌属、消化链球菌科、消化链球菌—蒂氏菌目、罗姆布茨菌、梭菌科、严格厌氧梭状芽胞杆菌1、梭菌目的相对丰度较高;而罗斯伯里菌属、光冈菌属在健康对照组中丰度较高。GD组患者肠道中严格厌氧梭状芽胞杆菌1、Odoribacter、Phocea丰度低于HT组,而Streptococcus的丰度高于HT组(均P<0.05)。结论 Graves病患者、桥本甲状腺炎患者的肠道菌群与健康人群有显著差异,促进脂肪累积与能量吸收的菌群在Graves病患者中降低,而条件致病菌在自身免疫性甲状腺疾病患者中丰度增加,这些菌种变化可能通过破坏肠道稳态,干预免疫调节,促进炎症反应介导自身免疫性甲状腺疾病的发病。严格厌氧梭状芽胞杆菌1、Odoribacter、Phocea、链球菌属可能是Graves病和桥本甲状腺炎的关键差异菌属,但还需要进一步的研究以明确这些菌株介导疾病的机制。     

基于高通量测序的精神分裂症患者 肠道菌群多样性

目的探讨精神分裂症患者肠道菌群多样性变化。方法收集16例精神分裂症患者(schizophrenia,Sch)与18例健康者(healthy donor,HD)的粪便样本,提取肠道菌群基因组,扩增16SrRNA基因,运用Illumina平台进行测序。对测序结果进行多样性和物种组成差异分析。结果精神分裂症患者组肠道菌群在门、纲、目、科、属、种、分类操作单元(operational taxonomic units,OTUs)水平的群落种类数目少于健康对照组。Alpha多样性指标中患者组的Ace指数(226.58±31.67)、Chao1指数(222.29±34.45)和Shannon指数(2.66±0.69)明显低于健康对照组(293.63±56.07、302.2±57.99、3.59±0.36),差异均有统计学意义(Ps0.001),而Simpson指数(0.20±0.17)明显高于健康对照组(0.07±0.03),差异有统计学意义(P0.01);Beta多样性分析显示两组研究对象肠道菌群样本可被鉴别区分。精神分裂症患者组与健康对照组样本在门和属水平上肠道菌群组成和含量有差异,其中患者组拟杆菌门和软壁菌门占比明显低于健康组,差异有统计学意义(21.76%vs.27.05%,P=0.008;0.00%vs.0.20%,P=0.033),而放线菌门明显高于健康组(13.52%vs.2.88%,P=0.020),差异有统计学意义;患者组拟杆菌属和柔嫩梭菌属占比明显低于健康组(9.15%vs.20.60%,P=0.031;3.29%vs.9.58%,P=0.005),差异有统计学意义,而双歧杆菌属、普雷沃菌属和巨单胞菌属明显高于健康组(10.89%vs.1.78%,P=0.025;10.88%vs.1.98%,P=0.046;10.78%vs.2.69%,P=0.026),差异有统计学意义。结论基于16SrRNA的高通量测序有助于分析精神分裂症患者肠道菌群多样性变化,为研究肠道菌群与精神分裂症的关系提供新的思路和理论依据。     

赫哲族和汉族健康人群肠道细菌群落分析

目的对汉族和赫哲族健康人群肠道菌群进行研究,探讨遗传背景和饮食习惯对肠道菌群多样性以及组成的影响。方法以佳木斯市区20例健康汉族人群、佳木斯街津口赫哲族聚居地的20例健康赫哲族志愿者及20例健康汉族人群粪便样本为研究对象,应用基于16S rDNA V3-V4可变区的高通量测序技术测定肠道菌群多样性以及核心菌群的组成。结果获得测序序列3 080 422条,归类于2 029个OTUs。街津口地区的赫哲族人群肠道菌群多样性最丰富,而佳木斯地区的汉族人群肠道菌群多样性最低;基于bray_curtis_permanova Beta多样性分析发现,样本在组间微生物组成结构上差异具有统计学意义(F=1.481 3、2.033 5、1.622 2,P=0.045 0、0.009 0、0.025 5);属水平上,佳木斯地区的汉族人群的优势菌属为萨特菌属(Sutterella),街津口赫哲族聚居地的汉族人群的优势菌属为瘤胃球菌属(Ruminococcus),而赫哲族的优势菌属为芽殖菌属(Gemmiger)。结论赫哲族和汉族健康人群肠道菌群在多样性和菌群结构组成上存在显著差异,这种差异与遗传背景和饮食习惯有着密切联系。     

肝硬化患者与健康人群唾液菌群的对比分析

目的 分析肝硬化患者（LC组）与健康人群（N组）唾液菌群丰度及多样性的差异，为后续研究提供参考。方法 收集45例肝硬化患者和44例健康人群唾液样本，应用高通量测序技术进行测序分析，对有效序列进行物种注释及多样性分析。结果 共获得7 729 352条有效序列，平均每个样本获得有效序列86 847条。两组人群唾液样本内菌群丰度及多样性差异无统计学意义（均P>0.05）；而唾液菌群结构差异有统计学意义（F=20.13,P<0.01）。肝硬化患者口腔中厚壁菌门（Firmicutes）、拟杆菌门（Bacteroidota）、梭杆菌门（Fusobacteriota）相对丰度较高，而在健康人群口腔中变形菌门（Proteobacteria）相对丰度较高（均P<0.05）。结论 肝硬化患者与健康人群唾液菌群结构有差异，肝硬化患者相较于健康人群可能更易患龋病、牙周炎。重视口腔健康，防治口腔菌群失调对肝硬化的治疗具有重要意义。     

基于16S rDNA测序绝经综合征抑郁患者肠道菌群结构与功能性分析

目的 通过16S rDNA测序技术对绝经综合征抑郁患者肠道菌群分布、多样性和基因功能进行分析,探讨肠道菌群与绝经综合征抑郁发生的关联。方法 选取2021年6月至2022年3月就诊于我院妇科门诊的绝经综合征抑郁患者19例为观察组（A组）,同期绝经综合征患者10例为对照组（C组）。利用16S r DNA基因测序法对患者肠道菌群进行物种注释分析和功能比较,统计两组肠道菌群分布、多样性和基因功能的变化。结果 两组肠道菌群差异明显。GraPhlAn物种组成图显示,患者肠道菌群总体以厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门、放线菌门和变形菌门组成。在门水平,与C组相比,A组放线菌门、变形菌门相对丰度较低,拟杆菌门相对丰度较高。在属水平,与C组相比,A组拟杆菌属、小杆菌属、巨单胞菌属、Lachnospiracea＿incertae＿se相对丰度较高,而Gemmiger、布劳特菌属、普雷沃菌属、粪球菌属、粪杆菌属、双歧杆菌属相对丰度偏低。进一步在属水平上选取了10种相对丰度差异具有统计学意义的菌群（P<0.05）：韦氏球菌属、消化球菌属、巨单胞菌属、史雷克菌属在A组的相对丰度较高（P<0.05）,柯林斯菌属、C...     

Role for dopamine in malonate-induced damage in vivo in striatum and in vitro in mesencephalic cultures

Defects in mitochondrial energy metabolism have been implicated in the pathology of several neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, the reactive metabolites generated from the metabolism and oxidation of the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) are thought to contribute to the damage to neurons of the basal ganglia. We have previously demonstrated that infusions of the metabolic inhibitor malonate into the striata of mice or rats produce degeneration of DA nerve terminals. In the present studies, we demonstrate that an intrastriatal infusion of malonate induces a substantial increase in DA efflux in awake, behaving mice as measured by in vivo microdialysis. Furthermore, pretreatment of mice with tetrabenazine (TBZ) or the TBZ analogue Ro 4-1284 (Ro-4), compounds that reversibly inhibit the vesicular storage of DA, attenuates the malonate-induced DA efflux as well as the damage to DA nerve terminals. Consistent with these findings, the damage to both DA and GABA neurons in mesencephalic cultures by malonate exposure was attenuated by pretreatment with TBZ or Ro-4. Treatment with these compounds did not affect the formation of free radicals or the inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation resulting from malonate exposure alone. Our data suggest that DA plays an important role in the neurotoxicity produced by malonate. These findings provide direct evidence that inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase causes an increase in extracellular DA levels and indicate that bioenergetic defects may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative diseases through a mechanism involving DA.     

SSTR5 ablation in islet results in alterations in glucose homeostasis in mice

Somatostatin (SST) peptide is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion and its effect is mediated via somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) in the endocrine pancreas. To investigate the consequences of gene ablation of SSTR5 in the mouse pancreas, we have generated a mouse model in which the SSTR5 gene was specifically knocked down in the pancreatic beta cells (betaSSTR5Kd) using the Cre-lox system. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that SSTR5 gene expression was absent in beta cells at three months of age. At the time of gene ablation, betaSSTR5Kd mice demonstrated glucose intolerance with lack of insulin response and significantly reduced serum insulin levels. Insulin tolerance test demonstrated a significant increase of insulin clearance in vivo at the same age. In vitro studies demonstrated an absence of response to SST-28 stimulation in the betaSSTR5Kd mouse islet, which was associated with a significantly reduced SST expression level in betaSSTR5Kd mice pancreata. In addition, betaSSTR5Kd mice had significantly reduced serum glucose levels and increased serum insulin levels at 12 months of age. Glucose tolerance test at an older age also indicated a persistently higher insulin level in betaSSTR5Kd mice. Further studies of betaSSTR5Kd mice had revealed elevated serum C-peptide levels at both 3 and 12 months of age, suggesting that these mice are capable of producing and releasing insulin to the periphery. These results support the hypothesis that SSTR5 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of insulin secretion in the mouse pancreas.     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义。综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望。     

2018年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2018年中国植物科学继续呈现快速发展的态势, 我国科学家在国际植物科学主流学术刊物发表论文数量大幅增加, 取得了多项具有重要影响的成果。调控植物生长-代谢平衡实现可持续农业发展入选2018年度中国科学十大进展; 中国被子植物区系进化历史研究入选2018年度中国生命科学十大进展。以水稻为代表的农作物和果蔬等经济作物研究在国际上已呈现出明显的优势, 若干领域已从“追赶”状态跨越到“领跑”地位。该文对2018年中国科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了概括性评述, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域的发展前沿和热点, 展示中国科学家所取得的杰出成就。     

2017年中国植物科学若干领域重要研究进展

2017年中国植物科学继续保持高速发展态势, 重大成果频出, 具体表现在中国植物学家在国际顶级学术期刊发表的文章数量平稳上升。中国植物科学领域的研究工作者成果精彩纷呈, 如新型广谱抗病机制的发现、水稻广谱抗病遗传基础及机制和疫霉菌诱发病害成灾机制研究等。2017年中国生命科学领域十大进展评选中, 有两项植物科学领域的研究成果入选。水稻生物学、进化与基因组学和激素生物学等领域学科发展突出。另外, 值得一提的是, 长期从事高等植物与代谢途径调控分子网络研究和水稻品种设计育种的李家洋院士的研究成果“水稻高产优质性状形成的分子机理及品种设计”荣获2017年国家自然科学一等奖。这一具有重大国际影响的开创性贡献标志着中国植物科学在该领域的国际科学前沿居于引领和卓越地位。该文对2017年中国本土科学家在植物科学若干领域取得的重要研究成果进行了系统梳理, 旨在全面追踪和报道当前中国植物科学领域发展的最新前沿动态, 与广大读者共同分享我国科学家所取得的辉煌成就。     

Morphine-potentiated platelet aggregation in in vitro and platelet plug formation in in vivo experiments

The detailed mechanisms underlying morphine-signaling pathways in platelets remain obscure. Therefore, we systematically examined the influence of morphine on washed human platelets. In this study, washed human platelet suspensions were used for in vitro studies. Furthermore, platelet thrombus formation induced by irradiation of mesenteric venules with filtered light in mice pretreated with fluorescein sodium was used for an in vivo thrombotic study. Morphine concentration dependently (0.6, 1, and 5 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation and the ATP release reaction stimulated by agonists (i.e., collagen and U46619) in washed human platelets. Yohimbine (0.1 microM), a specific alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, markedly abolished the potentiation of morphine in platelet aggregation stimulated by agonists. Morphine also potentiated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (1 microg/ml). Moreover, morphine (0.6-5 microM) markedly inhibited prostaglandin E(1) (10 microM)-induced cyclic AMP formation in human platelets, while yohimbine (0.1 microM) significantly reversed the inhibition of cyclic AMP by morphine (0.6 and 1 microM) in this study. The thrombin-evoked increase in pH(i) was markedly potentiated in the presence of morphine (1 and 5 microM). Morphine (2 and 5 mg/g) significantly shortened the time require to induce platelet plug formation in mesenteric venules. We concluded that morphine may exert its potentiation in platelet aggregation by binding to alpha(2)-adrenoceptors in human platelets, with a resulting inhibition of adenylate cyclase, thereby reducing intracellular cyclic AMP formation followed by increased activation of phospholipase C and the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger. This leads to increased intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization, and finally potentiation of platelet aggregation and of the ATP release reaction.     

我国葫芦科植物离体培养研究进展

葫芦科植物包括多种瓜类蔬菜,对其进行离体培养研究具有重要的理论和实践意义.综述了国内在葫芦科植物器官培养、体细胞胚胎发生、花药培养、原生质体培养和体细胞杂交及离体遗传转化等方面取得的研究进展,并对葫芦科植物离体培养、遗传转化与育种的前景作了展望.     

Progress in glial cell studies in some laboratories in China

Glial cells in the central nervous system(CNS) consist of a heterogeneous population of cell types,each characterized by distinct morphological features,physiological properties,and specific markers.In contrast to the previous view that glial cells were passive elements in the brain,accumulating evidence suggests that glial cells are active participants in various brain functions and brain disorders.This review summarizes recent progress of glial cell studies from several groups in China,ranging from studie...     

Changes in aquatic vegetation in Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace in relation to disturbance

Abstract. Changes are described in aquatic vegetation in oligotrophic, groundwater-fed Rhine floodplain streams in Alsace (eastern France), resulting from disturbance. Disturbance factors include changes in nutrients, either permanent ones - effluent from a waste water treatment plant or trout hatcheries - or periodic ones: flooding. Regular inputs of high levels of phosphate and ammonia modified the macrophyte vegetation in these streams. The floristic composition, which was characteristic of oligotrophic waters upstream of the eutrophicated sector, changed to that of a eutrophic situation as originally found downstream. Periodic disturbance by floods which normally occur once a year, irregularly eutrophicates the small streams, causing the development of a mixture of eutrophic and oligotrophic species. Six macrophyte communities are distinguished, indicating different trophic levels. The aquatic vegetation is adapted to the variations of phosphate and ammonia levels. Hence, aquatic macrophytes can be used as bio-indicators of fluctuations in water nutrient levels in relation to the type of disturbance.