Isolation of Arthrobotrys oligospora from soil of the Chinese Northern Tianshan Mountain slope pasture show predatory ability against Haemonchus contortus larvae

To understand the biocontrol ability of Arthrobotrys oligospora isolated from the Northern Tianshan Mountain slope pasture, Xinjiang region, China, on livestock gastrointestinal nematode diseases, we acquired 68 soil samples and isolated 26 nematode-trapping fungi using Haemonchus contortus L₃. Eight isolates were identified based on their morphological and molecular identification. The predacious activity against H. contortus was detected before and after passage through the sheep gastrointestinal tract. As a result, these eight isolates were identified as A. oligospora. They displayed predacious activities ranging from 90% to 97%. Six of the isolates could pass through the sheep gastrointestinal tract significantly reducing the number of H. contortus larvae by 76–79%. This study shows that A. oligospora isolated from the northern slope pasture of Tianshan Mountain has high predacious activity against H. contortus larvae and partly passing through the sheep gastrointestinal tract. This study also shows that conidial suspensions have no toxic side-effects on the sheep, indicating that they have the potential for the development of oral biological agents which prevent and control livestock gastrointestinal nematode diseases.     

A murine pneumonia model to study pathogenesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</Emphasis>

Early attempts to develop an animal model of infection appeared to support the hypothesis that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia does not cause serious sepsis when bacteria are intravenously administered to mice. This species has also been implicated in an increasing number of infections such as, bacteremia, endocarditis, ophthalmological syndromes, skin lesions, urinary, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections. Despite this clinical importance, the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of S. maltophilia infections have not been elucidated and the virulence factors of importance in the pathogenesis of S. maltophilia associated pulmonary infection remain to be characterized. The purpose of this study was to establish an infection model using 5 clinical isolates of S. maltophilia in a mouse pneumonia model. All strains were able to establish themselves in respiratory tract with peak of infection occurring at 24 h post infection. The strains were able to cause neutrophil influx, were taken up and intracellularly killed by alveolar macrophages except Sm2 that persisted for a slightly longer time in the macrophages. All strains were resistant to lytic action of serum and survived in blood confirming their ability to cause bacteremia. The strains were cleared from spleen and liver by 7th and 4th day but caused tissue damage that was measured in terms of lipid peroxidation, lactate dehydrogenase activity and histopathological examination of lung tissue homogenate. All strains caused interstitial pneumonitis in lungs of mice.     

Gastroprotective and gastric motility benefits of AD-lico/Healthy Gut™ Glycyrrhiza inflata extract

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo both the anti-Helicobacter and the gastric-relaxing effects of AD-lico/Healthy Gut? in rat models. AD-lico/Healthy Gut? is a specially prepared commercial formulation of Glycyrrhiza inflata extract that is under clinical development for indications of gastrointestinal disease and inflammatory bowel disease. In the current study, the oral administration of AD-lico/Healthy Gut? significantly reduced mucosal damage from Helicobacter pylori in rats and decreased the expression of the inflammatory markers iNOS and COX-2 in the test cells. AD-lico/Healthy Gut? also reduced mucosal damage caused by water immersion stress in rats. The accelerated gastric emptying in normal rats was also seen with AD-lico/Healthy Gut?, providing relief in gastric relaxation in the test animals. The special formulation of AD-lico/Healthy Gut? with reduced levels of component glycyrrhizin also has benefits in minimizing the potential side effects attributed to glycyrrhizin seen with similar Glycyrrhiza extracts in terms of induction of hypokalemia and muscle weakness. The preparation has a relatively high phenolic compound content relative to other methods of preparation and is indicative of lower glycyrrhizin levels. These results suggest that AD-lico/Healthy Gut? may provide the necessary relief from a number of stomach discomfort issues faced by a large population of people.     

Gastrointestinal zygomycosis: a report of three cases

Three cases of gastrointestinal zygomycosis, probably caused by Basidiobolus ranarum, are described. The diagnosis was based on morphology of the fungal elements in infected tissues and histopathologic findings. All the three patients responded favorably to management strategy that included surgical resection of the infected portion of the bowel and institution of specific antifungal therapy.     

Seasonal variation in prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthoses in cattle of New Alluvial zone of West Bengal,India

Gastrointestinal parasitism is one of the major constraints for profitable livestock production. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and seasonal variation in gastrointestinal helminthic infections in cattle of New Alluvial zone of West Bengal. A total 2520 faecal samples of cattle were collected from five different places of NAZ of West Bengal during the study period i.e. March 2014 to February 2015. The faecal samples were examined by standard sedimentation and floatation technique. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded as 55.71% in cattle of NAZ and Paramphistome (40.64%) was recorded as the predominant parasite followed by Strongyle group of nematodes (8.25%) and Fasciola (3.33%). Moniezia was the only cestode parasite recorded with an overall prevalence of 1.97%. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) variation was observed in the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminths among the various seasons. Monsoon season has significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes (64.28%) followed by winter (57.14%) and lowest in summer (45.24%). Prevalence of Paramphistome (47.62%) and Strongyle (9.52) were also significantly (p < 0.05) higher monsoon compared to other seasons. The epidemiological knowledge/information gathered in the present study would be exploited for evolving strategic control method against gastrointestinal parasitic infections in cattle.     

Gastrointestinal Colonization Rates for Human Clinical Isolates of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aeromonas Veronii</Emphasis> Using a Mouse Model

A variety of environment-associated gastrointestinal infections have been associated with the Aeromonas group of bacteria which contain both non-virulent strains as well as virulent strains within a particular species. This study monitors the colonization rates of colon tissue in a mouse-streptomycin dose/response model involving isolates of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria obtained from human clinical specimens. The ability to successfully colonize mouse colon tissues by the human clinical isolates was then compared with the rates achieved in a previous study of Aeromonas isolates obtained from environmental drinking water samples. Results suggest that strains of Aeromonas isolated from drinking water environmental samples contain pathogenic and virulence capabilities similar to those seen in Aeromonas veronii clinical isolates from human infections.     

Variation in size of Ostertagia circumcincta,a nematode parasite of sheep,induced experimentally and during preparation and preservation

Summary This investigation was undertaken to determine the effect of formol-saline fixation and subsequent preparation on the length of Ostertagia circumcincta, a gastrointestinal parasite of sheep. Such induced changes in worm lengths were compared with the size distribution in two experimental populations in lambs, one of which was helminthologically susceptible and the other highly resistant. It was concluded that variation in worm length caused by fixation was not significant when compared to the variation encountered naturally in worm populations. ac]19851213     

Screening the keratinolytic activity of dermatophytes in vitro

A case of rhinofacial zygomycosis with of years duration, caused by Conidiobolus coronatus is described. The patient, a 72-years-old woman, presented with a bilateral distortion of the subcutaneous tissue and disfigurement of the face. Treatment with ketoconazole and potasium iodide did not prevent several relapses. At present she is still under treatment with fluconazole with clinical healing. Histopathological and mycological examination confirmed the dermatological diagnosis. An increasing number of cases of zygomycosis caused by fungi of the order Entomophthorales have also been reported in the Northern and Northeastern States of Brazil.     

Gastrointestinal helminths of King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) at Crozet Archipelago

Communities of helminths are known to be related to feeding behaviors of hosts. While climate change and overfishing can impact food availability for Antarctic piscivorous predators, knowledge about infectious and parasitic diseases among Antarctic species is scarce or fragmentary. We studied the helminth community of King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) from the Crozet Archipelago, the main breeding area of the species. Based on a sample of 41 individuals found freshly dead from predation or starvation, the gastrointestinal helminth community in King penguins was composed of 1 species of cestode (Tetrabothrius wrighti) and 2 species of nematodes (Tetrameres wetzeli and Contracaecum heardi). Cestodes formed the core of the helminth community (97.5% of worms collected) with a prevalence of infestation of 100% and a mean intensity of 178.6 worms per host. Sources of infestation and pathologies caused by these worms are also discussed.     

Radioprotective effect of hydrogen in cultured cells and mice

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that hydrogen can selectively reduce hydroxyl and peroxynitrite in vitro. Since most of the ionizing radiation-induced cellular damage is caused by hydroxyl radicals, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that hydrogen may be an effective radioprotective agent. This paper demonstrates that treating cells with hydrogen before irradiation could significantly inhibit ionizing irradiation(IR)-induced Human Lymphocyte AHH-1 cells apoptosis and increase cells viability in vitro. This paper also shows that hydrogen can protect gastrointestinal endothelia from radiation-induced injury, decrease plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) intestinal 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) levels and increase plasma endogenous antioxidants in vivo. It is suggested that hydrogen has a potential as an effective and safe radioprotective agent.     

Human methanogen diversity and incidence in healthy and diseased colonic groups using <Emphasis Type="Italic">mcrA</Emphasis> gene analysis

Background  

The incidence and diversity of human methanogens are insufficiently characterised in the gastrointestinal tract of both health and disease. A PCR and clone library methodology targeting the mcrA gene was adopted to facilitate the two-fold aim of surveying the relative incidence of methanogens in health and disease groups and also to provide an overview of methanogen diversity in the human gastrointestinal tract.     

Impact of gene therapy for canine monogenic diseases on the progress of preclinical studies

Rapid progress in knowledge of the organization of the dog genome has facilitated the identification of the mutations responsible for numerous monogenic diseases, which usually present a breed-specific distribution. The majority of these diseases have clinical and molecular counterparts in humans. The affected dogs have thus become valuable models for preclinical studies of gene therapy for problems such as eye diseases, immunodeficiency, lysosomal storage diseases, hemophilia, and muscular dystrophy. Successful gene therapies in dogs have significantly contributed to decisions to run clinical trials for several human diseases, such as Leber’s congenital amaurosis 2—LCA2 (caused by a mutation of RPE65), X-linked retinitis pigmentosa—XLRP (caused by mutation RPGR), and achromatopsia (caused by mutation of CNGB3). Promising results were also obtained for canine as follows: hemophilia (A and B), mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS I, MPS IIIB, MPS VII), leukocyte adhesion deficiency (CLAD), and muscular dystrophy (a counterpart of human Duchenne dystrophy). Present knowledge on molecular background of canine monogenic diseases and their successful gene therapies prove that dogs have an important contribution to preclinical studies.

     

Differential Reactions Between the Genus Brassica and Aggressive Single Spore Isolates of Leptosphaeria maculans

Based on sirodesmin production and pathogenicity tests with Brassica cotyledons, strains of Leptosphaeria maculans were classified as aggressive (pathotype group A), or non-aggressive (pathotype group NA). NA strains caused no differential reactions. However, the pathotype group A could be divided into 5 sub-groups. AO isolates caused non-sporulating lesions with dark margins while Al isolates sporulated on cotyledons of most Brassica hosts tested. Only the cv. Erfurter Zwerg (B. oleracea var. botrytis) reacted resistant against AO and Al strains. A2 isolates caused resistance reactions on cotyledons of the cvs. Quinta (B. napus var. oleifera) and Runde (B. rapa var. rapa). A3 and A4 isolates were not detectable in our material. Isolates of these pathotype groups, supplied by Dr. P. H. Williams, Madison, USA, caused differential reactions on the oilseed rape cvs. Glacier, Quinta and Jet Neuf. In glasshouse and field experiments strains of pathotype groups Al, A2 and NA were tested on true leaves and hypocotyls of different oilseed rape cultivars. The low aggressiveness of NA isolates was evident under all experimental conditions. A2 strains caused resistance reactions not only on cotyledons but also on true leaves and hypocotyls of Quinta. Moreover, compared with Al, pathotype group A2 was more aggressive on hypocotyls of Jet Neuf. The resistance of this cultivar against Al isolates was clearly visible on hypocotyls and true leaves but not on cotyledons.     

Lactic acid fermentation of Chinese yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne) flour and its pharmacological effect on gastrointestinal function in rat model

To develop a health-aid preparation of Chinese yam (Dioscorea batatas Decne), lactic acid fermentation was attempted using a mixed starter comprising ofLactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, andBifidobacterium bifidus. The anaerobic fermentation of a 5% Chinese yam flour suspension gave a uniform suspension of pH 4.35, containing 7.76×10⁶ CFU/mL lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and which was found to be acceptable to the panel from a sensory assessment. During the administration of the lactic acid fermented (LAF) Chinese yam to Sprague Dawley rats for 6 weeks, a smaller body weight gain, but greater excretion of feces were observed, implying the creation of a healthy gastrointestine on the administration of LAF Chinese yam, which was also confirmed by the gastrointestinal motility of the feed in rats fed on LAF Chinese yam. The constipation induced by loperamide was further suppressed in a rat group fed on a LAF Chinese yam diet, which was qualified from healthy gastrointestinal flora established by LAB. A serochemical analysis revealed a slight improvement in the blood glucose, neutral lipid and total cholesterol concentrations on administration of LAF Chinese yam, suggesting LAF Chinese yam could be served as a healthy-aid preparation, even for hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia patients.     

上消化道出血在ICU的诊治近况

近年来,ICU在急重症上消化道出血救治中的作用越来越受到重视。上消化道出血是重症监护病房(ICU)内常见的危重病症 之一,与多器官功能不全密切相关,是多种危重病引起的常见并发症,病情严重者甚至危及生命。引起上消化道出血的病因很多, 其中非特异性粘膜异常、非甾体类抗炎药和抗血小板药物的不合理使用逐渐引起临床的重视。本文对国内外临床诊断和治疗上 消化道出血的近况进行了回顾分析,进一步阐述上消化道出血与多器官功能不全之间的联系,为多学科联合诊断提供参考。     

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Candidemia Caused by Meyerozyma guilliermondii Complex in Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery

Although Meyerozyma guilliermondii complex is an uncommon cause of invasive candidiasis worldwide, reported cases, mainly regarding bloodstream infections, increased over years, and patients with cancer who have undergone recent surgery are most commonly affected. However, the clinical characteristics and outcomes of candidemia caused by M. guilliermondii complex remain poorly understood. A retrospective case–control study was conducted to evaluate the clinical characteristics and mortality of candidemia caused by M. guilliermondii complex in cancer patients undergoing surgery. Demographic and clinical data were collected from the hospital medical records system with a standardized data collection form and were analyzed with SPSS 20.0. Sixty-six cancer patients who have undergone recent surgery and were diagnosed with candidemia caused by M. guilliermondii complex were included in the study. Regarding the clinical manifestations, most patients’ body temperatures ranged from 38 to 40 °C, with a median fever duration of 4 (IQR: 3–6) days. Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of central venous catheter (OR: 6.68; 95% CI 2.80–15.94) and gastric tube (OR: 3.55; 95% CI 1.22–10.34) were independent risk factors for M. guilliermondii complex fungemia. The 30-day crude mortality of candidemia caused by M. guilliermondii complex was 12.1%, twice that of the control group. Moreover, increased WBC count, age ≥?60 years, septic shock, and ICU admission were identified as predictors of mortality through univariate analysis. These findings will provide a foundation for the clinical management of candidemia caused by M. guilliermondii complex in post-surgical cancer patients.

     

An unusual case report: Tinea capitis,verrucae vulgares and other infections in a girl with T and B cell disturbances

Hereby described is a case of a young girl suffering from widespread dermatophytosis caused byTrichophyton violaceum which proved intractable to accepted methods of therapy throughout a number of years. The girl was also found to have a history or recurrent respiratory tract infection and pyoderma in addition to verrucae vulgares, and Giardia lamblia in the gastrointestinal tract. Investigation revealed a marked immunological deficit seen in both the cellular and humoral system. It is suggested that in similar cases resistant to therapy it may be helpful to carry out a comprehensive investigation of the immunological system.     

A Cold Storage Technic for Studying Excystation of Eimeria tenella*

SYNOPSIS. Activities of sheep coccidia in stages of in vitro excystation, and of Eimeria tenella removed in stages of excystation from the chicken were arrested by lowering the temperature of the parasites; in a cooled condition, the parasites remained apparently unchanged for at least 1-2 days. When transferred later to the warming stage of the microscope, they quickly resumed excystation. A cold storage technic for E. tenella was developed. The technic might also help in studying other gastrointestinal parasites and might also provide material for classroom work.     

On Mechanism of “Konjac”mannan Metabolism in Gastrointestinal Bacteria in Relation to Nutrition

On the gastrointestinal bacteria related to nutrition, there have been many important publications. Recently, the present author has attempted further researches on Aerobacter mannanolyticus suzu-II, a strain in the type cultures collected by N. Inoue in this laboratory from human gastrointestinal tract, and the enzyme specificity was studied. The isolation of the “Konjac”mannan decomposing enzyme preparation was completely successful, and effects of carbon and nitrogen sources in Koser’s citrate medium on the enzyme formation were also confirmed. In the present paper, the results are described.     

Occurrence of subcutaneous zygomycosis (Entomophthoromycosis Basidiobolae) caused by Basidiobolus haptosporus with pulmonary involvement

A case of a two-year-old boy with multiple subcutaneous lesions caused by Basidiobolus haptosporus is presented.The child had also a non-toxic familial goiter and clinical and radiological features of a pulmonary illness. The pulmonary manifestations only disappeared with the treatment with potassium iodide. The authors think that the pulmonary lesions must have arisen by direct spread of the fungus from the subcutaneous lesions of the chest.