Outer membrane proteins of gentamicin induced small colony variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Small colony variants (SCVs) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6750 (WT) were repeatedly isolated in an in vitro kinetic model after exposure to gentamicin (GM). There were minor differences biochemically and in phage and serotyping between the wild type (WT) strain and SCVs. Changes in outer membrane protein profiles were found. SCVs were more resistant to polymixin and to a range of aminoglycosides (except kanamycin), but were more susceptible to a range of other antibiotics (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) with differing modes of action.     

Colony orientation and successful defence behaviour in the conifer aphid, Schizolachnus pineti

We studied colony structure and body orientation behaviour of Schizolachnus pineti, a specialised aphid feeding on needles of Scots pine. Aphids feeding at the margin of a colony always face towards the centre of the colony, bounding the colony with their legs. This behaviour increased the defence success aginst the specialised parasitoid (Pauesia unilachni) and the specialised predator (Scymnus nigrinus). Both enemies had less success when attacking S. pineti from the abdominal site when compared to the front. We assume that the defence orientation displayed by marginally feeding aphids has an adaptive nature and is particularly effective when feeding in a row on linear plant structures such as needles.     

Typing of Verotoxins by DNA Colony Hybridization with Poly- and Oligonucleotide Probes,a Bead-Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay,and Polymerase Chain Reaction

To identify the type of Verotoxins (VT) produced by Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC), a sensitive bead-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction with common and specific primers to various VTs (VT1, VT2, VT2vha, VT2vhb, and VT2vp1) were developed. Together with colony hybridization tests with oligo- and polynucleotide probes, these methods were applied to VTEC isolates to type the VT produced. The toxin types of 26 of 37 strains were identified, but the reaction profiles in assays of the remaining 11 strains suggested the existence of new VT2 variants. The application of these identification procedures may be useful as a tool for clinical and epidemiological studies of VTEC infection.     

Reproductive and neonatal outcomes in captive bred baboons (Papio hamadryas)

Abstract: Baboons are widely used in biomedical research. Although it is widely held that Papio hamadryas breed well in captivity, each established colony has a different reproductive success often hypothesised to be due to husbandry practices. The National Baboon Colony in Australia is a unique colony that houses Papio hamadryas to mimic that structure seen in the wild. In this article; we have analysed their reproductive parameters and neonatal outcomes. The success of the colony husbandry practices was demonstrated by lack of maternal mortality, low foetal morbidity, and known maternal and paternal linage.     

Protein synthesis is not required for the inhibitory effect of selenite on cell colony formation and RNA synthesis

Selenite has been shown to undergo intracellular metabolism that results in its conversion to other low molecular weight Secontaining species and also to its incorporation into a selenocysteine residue in selenoprotein. In order to investigate whether the incorporation into protein is required for the cytotoxic effects of selenite, we have examined whether inhibition of protein synthesis prevents the inhibitory effect of selenite on the ability of cells to form colonies or to synthesize RNA. We have found that treatment of HeLa cells with cycloheximide inhibited protein synthesis by >90% but had no effect on the inhibitory effect of selenite on cell colony formation or RNA synthesis. Since protein synthesis is not necessary for these cytotoxic effects of selenite they are unlikely to result from an increase in the synthesis of selenoproteins.     

重组IL－6与IL－3或／和GM－CSF合用对正常BN大鼠粒单系体外造血的调控效应

本研究探讨了重组人ＩＬ－６与大鼠ＩＬ－３和／或小鼠ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ结合对正常ＢＮ大鼠粒单系体外造血的调控效应。结果表明,ＩＬ－６在１０００－４０００Ｕ／ｍｌ呈剂量依赖性刺激粒系造血祖细胞集落形成及骨髓细胞的ＤＮＡ合成,集落以ＧＭ型为主,其刺激活性低于ＩＬ－３或ＣＭ－ＣＳＦ。ｌＬ－６与ＩＬ－３和／或ＧＭ－ＣＳＦ的结合对粒单系集落形成及ＤＮＡ合成无协同或相加作用,甚至出现拮抗效应,但却显著增大集落。提示ＩＬ－６可能具有双向调控作用,促进早期造血细胞的增殖,拮抗其它因子对晚期粒单系造血的刺激作用;具有重叠生物效应的这３种细胞因子在调控造血时,它们之间的相互作用应是顺序的而不是同时的。     

Genetic dominance and worker interactions affect honeybee colony defense

Colonies of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) were established thatvaried in the proportions of their workers that were of Europeanand hybrid (Africanized x European) descent. Colony defensiveresponses increased with higher proportions of hybrid workers.Colonies consisting exclusively of hybrid workers did not differin their response from "pure" Africanized colonies, suggestingthat the strong defensive behavior of Africanized workers isgenetically dominant. European workers became more defensivein colonies that also contained hybrid workers, whereas hybridworkers became less defensive in the same mixed colonies. Inmixed colonies hybrid workers were individually more likelythan Europeans to sting a leather target but not more likelyto guard the entrance.     

Disturbance-dependent Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis) predation on Larid chicks decreases with chick age

Predation is one of the key factors shaping the dynamics of animal populations. In birds, nest loss due to predation can be a significant cause of low reproductive success. Ground-nesting birds are among the bird groups most susceptible to predation, mainly because their nests are easily accessible to a broad suite of potential predators. For these birds, anthropogenic disturbances can generate changes in nest predation risk by altering their antipredator behaviour and also by altering the behaviour of the predator species, i.e. the predator becoming much more aware of predation opportunities due to frequent disturbances and/or motivated to repeat predation attempts when some are successful. To date, most previous studies investigating this have focused on a single effect, either predation or disturbance, on chick survival. It remains unknown how the risk of predation with and without disturbance varies with chick age. In this study, we used behavioural observations to assess how the interaction between predators and disturbance affects predation risk in chicks and how this interacts with chick age. Specifically, we investigated the effect of disturbance caused by humans and stray dogs on the predation of Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei chicks by Yellow-legged Gulls Larus michahellis, and whether this depended on the age of the chicks. Our results revealed that disturbance had a significant positive effect on predation measures of Slender-billed Gull chicks by Yellow-legged Gulls, but that this effect was mediated both by disturbance type and the age of chicks. Stray dogs entering the colony had a stronger disturbance effect on chicks than passing humans, increasing predation risk by Yellow-legged Gulls. Our results also showed that chick age interacts with disturbance type to determine the predation risk. This is probably mediated by chicks' capacity to escape predation by gathering in a single large crèche that runs into the water when disturbed. To preserve Slender-billed Gull colonies in one of its few remaining breeding sites in Tunisia, and as gulls tend to react even when the disturbance occurs relatively far from the colonies, it is crucial to (1) restrict human access to dikes and islets where large colonies breed and (2) construct artificial islets attractive to gulls and inaccessible to stray dogs.     

新疆阿克苏地区一株羊源沙门菌及其小菌落变异株的生物学特性

【背景】小菌落变异株(smallcolonyvariant,SCV)是一种具有独特的表型及致病特征且生长缓慢的细菌亚群,而国内鲜有关于食源性沙门菌SCV的研究报道。【目的】为食源性沙门菌的防治及动物性食品安全提供实验数据。【方法】使用氨基糖苷类抗生素对羊源胆汁中分离的沙门菌进行实验室诱导得到SCV,然后分别对野生株和诱导株的菌落形态、生长、生化特性、营养缺陷型检测、运动性、耐药性检测及耐药基因、毒力基因、生物被膜形成能力进行比较和分析。【结果】经卡那霉素诱导获得一株血红素依赖型沙门菌SCV,与野生株相比,诱导株生长缓慢,低于野生株84%,不利用柠檬酸盐,溶血能力增强40%,对磺胺类和氨基糖苷类药物的耐受性增强,生物被膜形成能力减弱45%,运动能力减弱78%。【结论】沙门菌SCV的生长和生理生化特性与野生株相比有显著差异,使得沙门菌SCV的分离鉴定尤为困难;并且SCV的致病性与耐药性等方面的变化可能给沙门菌病的防治带来更大挑战,其机制还有待深入研究。