巴尔通体脂肪酸分析标准方法的建立

<正>巴尔通体(Bartonella species)是一群革兰氏染色阴性、难于培养的兼性胞内寄生菌,21个种及亚种,其中9种可致人类疾病。20世纪90年代以后,在欧美地区的一些流浪人群中出现了菌血症、心内膜炎,一些艾滋病人群中出现了杆菌性血管瘤等由巴尔通体引发的疾病,被世界卫生组织(WHO)确认为新发传染病,对巴尔通体及其疾病的研究也引起了人们的关注。由于巴尔通体生长缓慢、生化反应不活泼,表型鉴定的方法不能应用于巴尔通体的分类鉴定中,因此多基因序列系统发育分析是鉴定巴尔通体的唯一     

巴尔通体菌（Bartonella）

巴尔通体是一群广泛寄生在哺乳动物体内的革兰氏阴性,变形球杆菌(Pleomorphic coccobacillus),已经证实其中一些和人类疾病有关。对目前国内外巴尔通体菌的分类及一些基本特性进行了阐述。     

巴尔通体的液体培养

巴尔通体(Bartonella species)是一群革兰氏染色阴性、营养条件要求苛刻、兼性细胞内寄生的需氧杆菌,主要寄生在动物宿主和人的血管内皮细胞和红细胞内,20世纪90年代以后,在欧美地区一些流浪人群中出现了由巴尔通体引起的菌血症、心内膜炎,一些艾滋病人群中出现了杆菌性血管瘤等,由于这些疾病以往不曾为人们所认识,被WHO确认为新发传染病,因而引起广泛关注。     

巴尔通体液体培养条件简化及生长曲线观察

【目的】应用一种昆虫细胞培养基作为基础成分培养巴尔通体(Bartonella species),建立一种操作方便、高效稳定的巴尔通体液体培养方法。【方法】昆虫细胞培养基中添加10%胎牛血清,以此为基础培养液分别添加蔗糖和谷氨酰胺,比较这两种成分对汉赛巴尔通体(B.henselae)和五日热巴尔通体(B.quintana)生长的影响并观察其他10种巴尔通体在简化后的培养液中的生长特性。【结果】添加蔗糖和谷氨酰胺不会明显促进巴尔通体的生长,10种巴尔通体在简化后的培养液中均生长良好。不同种巴尔通体生长曲线不同,汉赛巴尔通体和五日热巴尔通体的世代时间分别为5.2 h和4.3 h,生长速度快于固体培养。【结论】以昆虫细胞培养基作为基础成分的培养液适于巴尔通体液体培养,特别是对一些更难培养的巴尔通体提供了一种较好的培养方法。     

中国部分地区实验猕猴巴尔通体感染状况及其遗传特征

【目的】五日热巴尔通体(Bartonella quintana)由体虱在人群中传播,可引起多种人类疾病包括战壕热。为进一步搜集猕猴是五日热巴尔通体自然宿主的证据,本研究调查了国内4个地区实验用猕猴五日热巴尔通体的感染状况,对菌株遗传特征进行了分析。【方法】采集猕猴全血和血清样品各550份,用于菌株分离、核酸和血清IgG抗体检测。应用6个管家基因扩增及测序方法进行菌株鉴定、系统发育及核苷酸多态性分析;应用随机扩增多态性DNA标记(Random amplified polymorphic DNA,RAPD)技术分析不同宿主来源菌株RAPD指纹图谱差异;应用间接免疫荧光法(Indirect immunofluorescence assay,IFA)检测血清中抗五日热巴尔通体IgG抗体水平。【结果】从550只猕猴中分离到8株五日热巴尔通体菌株,带菌率为1.5%;直接PCR检测550份全血核酸的总感染率为8.2%。普通猕猴血清阳性率为19.0%,感染水平明显高于食蟹猕猴(5.6%)。五日热巴尔通体与汉赛巴尔通体RAPD指纹图谱的带型完全不同,猴源和人源五日热巴尔通体菌株Fuller带型基本一致。不同宿主来源菌株核苷酸多态性分析显示,猴源菌株之间差异小,其与人源菌株差异较大。【结论】中国猕猴五日热巴尔通体感染水平较高,普通猕猴自然感染率及抗体水平明显高于食蟹猕猴,猴源与人源菌株的基因型有明显差异。     

恒河猴五日热巴尔通体的分离和柠檬酸合成酶基因的序列分析

目的初步研究巴尔通体在恒河猴体内的存在情况,并分析其柠檬酸合成酶（gltA）的基因序列,判断巴尔通体的种属。方法 16只来自福建的恒河猴,用血琼脂培养基分离可能存在的巴尔通体。根据NCBI数据库上的巴尔通体gltA的基因序列,设计一对引物,以巴尔通体菌落为模板进行扩增,将获得的序列进行克隆测序。结果从3只恒河猴体内成功分离到了巴尔通体病原,并获得了巴尔通体gltA全长基因序列,测序结果表明该序列与五日热巴尔通体同源性99%。结论福建来源的恒河猴种群携带巴尔通体病原,巴尔通体流行地区可能存在鼠与灵长类动物之间病原体的流行和传播。     

巴尔通体细胞脂肪酸成分分析

【目的】分析影响巴尔通体脂肪酸成分的主要因素,建立适合巴尔通体脂肪酸成分分析的标准化方法,探讨脂肪酸图谱应用于巴尔通体分类鉴定的可能性。【方法】应用气相色谱技术分析不同培养条件下巴尔通体脂肪酸的组成与含量的变化;应用已构建的标准化方法获取10株巴尔通体标准菌株和9株来自不同地区的汉赛巴尔通体猫分离株脂肪酸图谱;应用SPSS16.0统计软件对获得的数据资料进行聚类分析。【结果】培养基、温度和传代次数主要影响巴尔通体脂肪酸的微量成分;10株巴尔通体标准菌株的成分相似,但也存在构成和含量上的差异;在所测巴尔通体中,检出可分辨脂肪酸成分有20种,共有成分为7种,其中C18:1ω7c、C18:0和C16:0累积含量达80%以上;猫分离株被准确鉴定为汉赛巴尔通体。【结论】巴尔通体脂肪酸成分受培养基、温度等培养条件影响,在脂肪酸提取方法标化后,可用于汉赛巴尔通体种水平分类鉴定。     

实时荧光定量TaqMan-MGB探针法检测杆菌样巴尔通体

【目的】应用Taq Man探针实时荧光定量PCR技术建立特异性强、敏感性高和稳定性好的快速杆菌样巴尔通体检测方法。【方法】应用生物信息学方法查找杆菌样巴尔通体特有基因,从中筛选出一段特有的基因序列为模板设计探针和引物。通过比较Ct值和荧光强度确定扩增反应的最佳退火温度、探针和引物浓度;将扩增产物连接到p EASY-T载体上制备标准品,绘制标准曲线,分析扩增效率和线性关系;评估方法的特异性、敏感性及重复性。【结果】优化后退火温度为60°C,探针和引物浓度均为200 nmol/L,反应体系20μL。特异性实验显示只有杆菌样巴尔通体扩增出荧光信号,其他种属细菌均未见荧光信号;标准曲线线性关系良好(R2=1),扩增效率E=98.18%;最低检出限为每个PCR反应3个拷贝;组内和组间的变异系数CV值分别为0.21%–0.42%和0.29%–0.59%,在允许范围内。【结论】研究建立的实时荧光定量Taq Man-MGB探针法特异性强、灵敏度高、稳定性好,可快速检测鉴定杆菌样巴尔通体,为这种巴尔通体所引起的一系列疾病的早期快速诊断、监测和流行病学调查等研究提供有效手段。     

巴尔通体在滇西南蝙蝠中高度流行并具有丰富的遗传变异特征

蝙蝠是很多病原微生物的自然宿主, 全球多项研究表明蝙蝠是巴尔通体(Bartonella species)的主要宿主。为了解滇西南地区蝙蝠中巴尔通体的流行特征, 我们于2015-2017年间在云南省4个地区应用网捕法捕获蝙蝠3种305只。经种类鉴定后采集肝脾组织, 提取核酸, 通过TaqMan实时荧光定量PCR方法检测巴尔通体的tmRNA基因ssrA, 并进行测序鉴定和系统发育分析。结果发现172只蝙蝠检出该基因, 总感染率为56.4%; 其中临沧、西双版纳、保山和瑞丽4个采样点的蝙蝠感染率分别为50.0% (22/44)、61.7% (29/47)、62.1% (18/29)和55.7% (103/185)。中菊头蝠(Rhinolophus affinis)、小菊头蝠(R. blythi)和棕果蝠(Rousettus leschenaultii)的感染率分别为50.0% (22/44)、62.1% (18/29)和56.9% (132/232), 差异没有统计学意义(χ² = 1.135, P = 0.567), 表明巴尔通体在云南当地的蝙蝠种群中高度流行。定量PCR扩增产物2次扩增后测序获得37个巴尔通体ssrA序列, 属于10个系统发育分支, 其中1个为伊丽莎白巴尔通体(B. elizabethae)、特利波契巴尔通体(B. tribocorum)和克拉斯诺夫巴尔通体(B. krasnovii)的近缘种。其余序列与已知巴尔通体距离较远, 与亚洲、欧洲和美洲等其他地域来源于蝙蝠的巴尔通体近缘。遗传多样性分析显示, ssrA基因的核苷酸多样性指数(π)为0.11381 ± 0.00928, 基因型多样性指数(Hd)为0.985 ± 0.010, 形成29个基因型(单倍型), 说明云南蝙蝠巴尔通体具有丰富的遗传多样性。通过对本研究标本与全球相关序列的系统发育网络重建, 分析全球蝙蝠巴尔通体的地理和宿主分布特征, 可以看出巴尔通体与蝙蝠之间存在显著的宿主特异性关联。因此可初步确定蝙蝠-巴尔通体具有协同进化特征, 同时受到地理隔离的影响。     

手术治疗先天性心脏病患者活动期心内膜炎的相关因素

目的:确定先天性心脏病活动期感染性心内膜炎(active infective endocarditis,AIE)的手术指征。方法:于2003-2011年从71个机构数据库中调查并采集247例患有感染性心内膜炎的儿童及成人先天性心脏病(congenital heart disease,CHD)患者数据,其中74例(30%)进行了AIE手术治疗。回顾性分析患者的年龄、性别、感染心内膜炎前对CHD的诊断、致病微生物和感染部位等数据。结果:与AIE手术治疗必要性显著相关的指标是感染性心内膜炎(infective endocarditis,IE)病发前对心脏异常的诊断缺乏、主动脉瓣IE、瓣周脓肿、心力衰竭以及抗生素发生变化。逐步逻辑回归方程分析结果表明瓣周脓肿、心力衰竭以及抗生素改变是先天性心脏病患者进行AIE手术治疗必要性的独立决定因素。结论:对IE合并CHD的患者而言,当心力衰竭、瓣周脓肿或抗生素变化发生时,手术可作为治疗AIE的一种手段。     

Effect of biostimulation on the expression of estrus in postpartum Angus cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biostimulation by bull exposure on the expression of estrus in postpartum Angus cows. Ninety Angus cows and their calves were allocated by parity and body frame to three pens (30/pen). From 1-week post partum, one epididectomized mature Angus bull was placed with Groups A and B (BE), whereas Group C served as a Control (NE). Data for duration of estrus (DE), total mounts received (TMR), and intensity of estrus (IE) were recorded using HeatWatch. At either the first or second postpartum estrus, there were no differences between BE and NE cows for DE, TMR and IE. However, the period after onset of estrus, cow within treatment and the interaction treatment by period exerted a significant influence on IE. Overall, the greatest IE (P<0.0001) was observed during the first two periods (6h). At the first postpartum estrus, IE tended (P<0.11) to be greater in BE than NE cows during the first 3h after onset of estrus. However, IE was greater (P<0.02) in NE cows than BE cows during 4-6h after onset of estrus. At the second postpartum estrus, IE did not differ between BE and NE cows during the first 3h after onset of estrus. However, from 4 to 9h after onset of estrus, IE was greater (P<006) in NE cows than BE cows. From the results of this study, it was concluded that DE, TMR and IE were not influenced by biostimulation. However, the manner in which mounting activities were distributed across the duration of estrus was influenced by the presence of bulls.     

Multi-locus sequence analysis reveals profound genetic diversity among isolates of the human pathogen Bartonella bacilliformis

Bartonella bacilliformis is the aetiological agent of human bartonellosis, a potentially life threatening infection of significant public health concern in the Andean region of South America. Human bartonellosis has long been recognised in the region but a recent upsurge in the number of cases of the disease and an apparent expansion of its geographical distribution have re-emphasized its contemporary medical importance. Here, we describe the development of a multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) scheme for B. bacilliformis and its application to an archive of 43 isolates collected from patients across Peru. MLST identified eight sequence types among these isolates and the delineation of these was generally congruent with those of the previously described typing scheme. Phylogenetic analysis based on concatenated sequence data derived from MLST loci revealed that seven of the eight sequence types were closely related to one another; however, one sequence type, ST8, exhibited profound evolutionary divergence from the others. The extent of this divergence was akin to that observed between other members of the Bartonella genus, suggesting that ST8 strains may be better considered as members of a novel Bartonella genospecies.     

A study of the interplay effect in radiation therapy using a Monte-Carlo model

PurposeIn modulated radiotherapy, breathing motion can lead to Interplay (IE) and Blurring (BE) effects that can modify the delivered dose. The aim of this work is to present the implementation, the validation and the use of an open-source Monte-Carlo (MC) model that computes the delivered dose including these motion effects.MethodsThe MC model of the Varian TrueBeam was implemented using GATE. The dose delivered by different modulated plans is computed for several breathing patterns. A validation of these MC predictions is achieved by a comparison with measurements performed using a dedicated programmable motion platform, carrying a quality assurance phantom. A specific methodology was used to separate the IE and the BE. The influence of different motion parameters (period, amplitude, shape) and plan parameters (volume margin, dose per fraction) was also analyzed.ResultsThe MC model was validated against measurement performed with motion with a mean 3D global gamma index pass rate of 97.5% (3%/3 mm). A significant correlation is found between the IE and the period and the antero-posterior amplitude of the motion but not between the IE and the CTV margin or the shape of motion. The results showed that the IE increases D2% and decreases the D98% of CTV with mean values of +6.9% and −3.3% respectively.ConclusionsWe validated the feasibility to assess the IE using a MC model. We found that the most important parameter is the number of breathing cycles that must be greater than 20 for one arc to limit the IE.     

Differential effects of Bartonella henselae on human and feline macro- and micro-vascular endothelial cells

Bartonella henselae, a zoonotic agent, induces tumors of endothelial cells (ECs), namely bacillary angiomatosis and peliosis in immunosuppressed humans but not in cats. In vitro studies on ECs represent to date the only way to explore the interactions between Bartonella henselae and vascular endothelium. However, no comparative study of the interactions between Bartonella henselae and human (incidental host) ECs vs feline (reservoir host) ECs has been carried out because of the absence of any available feline endothelial cell lines.To this purpose, we have developed nine feline EC lines which allowed comparing the effects of Bartonella strains on human and feline micro-vascular ECs representative of the infection development sites such as skin, versus macro-vascular ECs, such as umbilical vein.Our model revealed intrinsic differences between human (Human Skin Microvascular ECs -HSkMEC and Human Umbilical Vein ECs - iHUVEC) and feline ECs susceptibility to Bartonella henselae infection.While no effect was observed on the feline ECs upon Bartonella henselae infection, the human ones displayed accelerated angiogenesis and wound healing.Noticeable differences were demonstrated between human micro- and macro-vasculature derived ECs both in terms of pseudo-tube formation and healing. Interestingly, Bartonella henselae effects on human ECs were also elicited by soluble factors.Neither Bartonella henselae-infected Human Skin Microvascular ECs clinically involved in bacillary angiomatosis, nor feline ECs increased cAMP production, as opposed to HUVEC.Bartonella henselae could stimulate the activation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) in homologous cellular systems and trigger VEGF production by HSkMECs only, but not iHUVEC or any feline ECs tested.These results may explain the decreased pathogenic potential of Bartonella henselae infection for cats as compared to humans and strongly suggest that an autocrine secretion of VEGF by human skin endothelial cells might induce their growth and ultimately lead to bacillary angiomatosis formation.     

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome and epidemic of infection with human immunodeficiency virus: costs of care and prevention in an inner London district.

The epidemic of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) necessitates early planning of services and allocation of resources. The use of hospital resources by patients with AIDS and the planned additional costs of clinical and preventive services for the epidemic of infection with HIV were calculated for an inner London health district that has treated 18% of the cases in the United Kingdom. Patients with AIDS required on average 50 days of inpatient hospital care each at an estimated current average lifetime cost of pounds 6800. These costs, however, underestimated the additional capital and revenue costs of planned new preventive and treatment services, estimated as being pounds 388,000 revenue and pounds 472,000 capital for 1986-7. It is important to invest now in preventive services throughout the United Kingdom to reduce the future social and financial costs of AIDS.     

Variability of Bartonella genotypes among small mammals in Spain

In order to study which Bartonella genotypes are circulating among small mammals in Spain, we analyzed the spleens of 395 animals from three different areas-247 animals from the Basque Country (northern Spain), 121 animals from Catalonia (northeastern Spain), and 27 animals from Madrid (central Spain)-by a triplex PCR combined with a reverse line blot previously described by our group. The prevalence of Bartonella was 26.8% (106/395), and in 4.8% (19/395) of the animals more than one Bartonella genotype was detected. The study of gltA and the intergenic transcribed spacer in the positive samples demonstrated a large diversity, allowing the assignation of them into 22 genotypes. The most prevalent genotypes were 2 and 3, which are closely related to Bartonella taylorii. In addition, nine genotypes were associated with specific mammal species. Genotypes close to the zoonotic Bartonella grahamii, Bartonella elizabethae, and Bartonella rochalimae were also detected. Ten genotypes showed a percentage of similarity with known Bartonella species lower than 96%, suggesting the presence of potential new species. Further studies of the impact of these pathogens on human health and especially in cases of febrile illness in Spain are strongly recommended. Furthermore, our method has been updated with 21 new probes in a final panel of 36, which represents a robust molecular tool for clinical and environmental Bartonella studies.     

Obesity and the Built Environment: A Reappraisal

The built environment (BE) has been viewed as an important determinant of health. Numerous studies have linked BE exposure, captured using a variety of methods, to diet quality and to area prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. First‐generation studies defined the neighborhood BE as the area around the home. Second‐generation studies turned from home‐centric to person‐centric BE measures, capturing an individual’s movements in space and time. Those studies made effective uses of global positioning system tracking devices and mobile phones, sometimes coupled with accelerometers and remote sensors. Activity space metrics explored travel paths, modes, and destinations to assess BE exposure that was both person and context specific. However, as measures of the contextual exposome have become ever more fine‐grained and increasingly complex, connections to long‐term chronic diseases with complex etiologies, such as obesity, are in danger of being lost. Furthermore, few studies on obesity and the BE have included intermediate energy balance behaviors, such as diet and physical activity, or explored the potential roles of social interactions or psychosocial pathways. Emerging survey‐based applications that identify habitual destinations and associated travel patterns may become the third generation of tools to capture health‐relevant BE exposures in the long term.     

Postsecondary Education in Industrial Ecology Across the World

In recent years, industrial ecology (IE) has become increasingly integrated into formal education as a distinct body of work. The aim of this article is to describe the state of IE in postsecondary education across the world by providing an inventory of programs and courses offered from a search conducted during the summer of 2012. Although some interpretation of the results is conducted, the aim of this article is to provide a snapshot of the state of IE in higher education in 2012 and serve as a starting point for future work. Data were collected on IE courses and programs across the world by Internet search in order to determine the prevalence of IE in postsecondary curricula. Subsequently, 190 universities and colleges from 46 countries were identified as offering courses and/or programs in IE. From this research, a total of 409 courses and 78 programs were inventoried and course content was analyzed (where available). The results indicate that IE is mainly studied at the graduate level within engineering and environmental disciplines, although undergraduate‐level curricula are emerging. In terms of disciplinary departments offering said curricula, IE is presented as a topic of instruction in varied fields of study, such as business and administration, and the arts. From the course syllabi analyzed, the main subjects being taught within IE education are introductory principles and general tools. Advanced or specialized aspects of the field are also covered, however, less frequently.     

Tick-borne infections as a cause of heart transplantation

Many bacterial species can be a cause of various heart diseases, such as: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella spp. The aim of the present studies was to establish if any tick-borne infections can contribute to serious heart disorders resulting in the need for heart transplantation. Myocardium, aortic and mitral valve samples from hearts removed from patients undergoing heart transplantation were tested. The presence of Bartonella spp., Borrelia afzeli and C. burnetii bacteria in malfunctioning human hearts has been shown. DNA of Bartonella spp., B. burgdorferi and C. burnetii were detected in various parts of tested hearts. DNA of B. afzelii and Bartonella spp. were found in the aortic valves. DNA of C. burnetii was detected in the myocardium. Mixed infections with Bartonella spp. and C. burnetii were also observed. Obtained results indicate that diagnosis of Bartonella spp., B. burgdorferi C. burnetii and Rickettsia spp. infections should be considered in cases of infectious endocarditis with negative blood cultures.