The effect of temperature and humidity on the bionomics of six African egg parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)

The life table statistics of six native Kenyan species/strains of Trichogramma and Trichogrammatoidea were established using a factitious host Corcyra cephalonica, Stainton (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), at eight different temperatures (10, 15, 20, 25, 28, 30, 32 and 35 degrees C) and two humidity levels (40-50 and 70-80%). The objective was to select insects with superior attributes for augmentative release against lepidopteran pests in horticultural crops. Both temperature and humidity affected developmental time and life table parameters of the parasitoids but temperature played a more critical role. Developmental time was inversely related to temperature. The intrinsic and finite rates of increase increased with temperature up to 30 degrees C. Both net reproduction rate and intrinsic rate of increase were higher at the lower humidity. Temperature inversely affected generation time of parasitoid strains regardless of the relative humidity. Two strains of Trichogramma sp. nr. mwanzai collected from both low and medium altitudes and Trichogrammatoidea sp. nr. lutea from the mid-altitudes, were better adapted to both low and high temperatures than the other strains, as indicated by the high intrinsic and net reproductive rates, at both humidity levels. These three strains appear to be promising candidates for augmentation biocontrol against the African bollworm Helicoverpa armigera in Kenya.     

Longevity, growth rate and related traits among strains of Tribolium castaneum.

Longevity of eight laboratory strains of the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, with various geographic backgrounds, was studied under constant laboratory conditions of 33 degrees C and 70% relative humidity in standard medium (95% whole wheat flour and 5% dried yeast) during a period of 227 days starting from the egg stage. The eggs were collected from the same parents, first a few days after emergence and afterwards at intervals of 13, 9, 10 and 11 days. Mean survival time (MST) was found to be strain-specified. It ranges from 128.6 days for KJ (Kyoto, Japan) to 174.2 days for ES (Edinburgh, Scotland). MST was highly correlated with the percentage of adults alive after 227 days, which did not change the ranking order of strain longevity. Parental age had no effect on longevity. The mean adult longevity of the strains was correlated with the available data on adult weight, growth rate, viability and productivity. There was no relationship between adult weight and longevity. LIfe span was found to depend on growth rate (measured as 13-day larval weight), percent viability (from 13-day larvae to adulthood) and productivity. Developmental time was also found to influence adult life span within certain limits (two extreme strains deviated). The data suggest that ageing and death in T. castaneum is under genetic control and support the idea that ageing, allied to development, is genetically controlled.     

Numerical analysis of PAGE protein patterns and the taxonomic relationships within the 'Mycoplasma mycoides cluster'

Twenty-six isolates belonging to the 'Mycoplasma mycoides cluster' have been characterized by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of their cellular proteins. A numerical classification based on the resulting patterns and using a correlation coefficient revealed four distinct phenons at a similarity (S) level of 70%, comprising: (a) bovine group 7 strains; (b) M. capricolum and F38-like strains; (c) M. mycoides subsp. capri and LC strains ('subsp. mycoides'); (d) M. mycoides subsp. mycoides (SC). At the 75% S level, they could be divided further to give eight phenons. The composition of the clusters at both levels was in good agreement with their previous classification, except for M. mycoides subsp. mycoides LC and M. mycoides subsp. capri, which were clustered in a single phenon at 70% S and could not be clearly separated at 75% S. We conclude that high-resolution SDS-PAGE, combined with computerized analysis of protein patterns, provides an extremely effective approach to the investigation of taxonomic relationships within this group of mycoplasmas.     

Kinetic study of the inhibition of the amidolytic activity of thrombin by benzamidine and N-dansyl-(p-guanidino)-phenylalanine-piperidide (I-2581)

1. v([I]) data were obtained for the hydrolysis of the chromogenic substrate H-D-Phe-L-Pip-L-Arg-pNA (S-2238) by native human thrombin in the presence of the synthetic inhibitors Benzamidine and N-dansyl-(p-guanidino)-phenylalanine-piperidide (I-2581). v([S]) data were also obtained in the absence and presence of fixed concentrations of each of the inhibitors. 2. Analysis of the kinetic data was based on the numerical fitting to rate equations of the polynomial quotient type of degree n:m using nonlinear regression methods. The discrimination between rate equations with different degrees was performed by application of the statistical F test. 3. Of eight v([I]) curves fitted, in six cases it was found that degree 1:2 was significantly better than degree 1:1 at a confidence level of 95% or higher; in no case was a significant improvement found with rate equations with a higher number of parameters. For the v([S]) data, of eleven curves fitted it was found that in nine cases degree 2:2 significantly improved degree 1:1 at confidence levels 99% and in one case at a level of 95%; no significant improvement was found with rate equations of higher degree for these data either. 4. Our findings allow us to propose that inhibition of the amidolytic activity of native human thrombin by benzamidine and I-2581 may be accounted for by mechanisms whose v([I]) rate equation will be a minimum of degree 1:2, thus implying a pure inhibition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

2018—2020年平顶山地区非结核分枝杆菌菌种鉴定及耐药性分析

本文旨在观察2018—2020年河南省平顶山地区非结核分枝杆菌(nontuberculous mycobacteria,NTM)的菌种分布及耐药情况。收集2018年1月—2020年12月平顶山市传染病医院分离到的326株NTM,采用DNA微阵列芯片鉴定菌种,改良罗氏培养基比例法进行药敏试验。结果显示,从61～80岁患者中分离的NTM菌株最多,其次是41～60岁患者。共鉴定出8个NTM菌种,分别为胞内分枝杆菌(35.28%)、龟/脓肿分枝杆菌(24.85%)、鸟分枝杆菌(18.40%)、偶然分枝杆菌(5.21%)、戈登分枝杆菌(1.23%)、堪萨斯分枝杆菌(12.58%)、浅黄分枝杆菌(1.53%)、瘰疬分枝杆菌(0.92%)。NTM对异烟肼的耐药率最高,为97.85%。除戈登分枝杆菌外,其他NTM菌种对异烟肼的耐药率均＞94%;胞内分枝杆菌对丙硫异烟胺的耐药率(8.70%)相对较低,鸟分枝杆菌对丙硫异烟胺的耐药率为10.00%;龟/脓肿分枝杆菌对异烟肼、利福平、链霉素、乙胺丁醇、阿米卡星的耐药率均＞95%;偶然分枝杆菌对左氧氟沙星的耐药率为35.29%,堪萨斯分枝杆菌对左氧氟沙星的耐药率最低(7.32%);戈登分枝杆菌对异烟肼、乙胺丁醇、链霉素、对氨基水杨酸的耐药率均≥50%;浅黄分枝杆菌对乙胺丁醇、左氧氟沙星、阿米卡星、卡那霉素的耐药率均＜50%;瘰疬分枝杆菌对阿米卡星和丙硫异烟胺的耐药率为0。结果提示,2018—2020年河南省平顶山地区鉴定出的8个NTM菌种中,胞内分枝杆菌占比最高,不同菌种对不同抗结核药物的耐药性差异较大,因此菌种鉴定对临床治疗有重要意义。     

Heterozygosis and pathogenicity of Cryptococcus neoformans AD-hybrid isolates

Nineteen Cryptococcus neoformans AD-hybrid isolates were investigated to assess whether hybrid genomic background could affect virulence in a mouse model. The level of heterozygosity of each strain was analyzed using primers specific for allele A and D of 15 polymorphic genes. Virulence was tested in a mouse model of systemic infection by measuring time of survival. In addition, the putative virulence attributes, melanin, phospholipase, and capsule production, as well as growth at 39°C and UV sensitivity were investigated. Eight strains showed to be heterozygous in up to 70% of loci, other eight strains were heterozygous in less than 60% of loci, while the remaining three strains were homozygous at all tested loci. Mice infected with hybrids with a high percentage of heterozygosis showed significantly (P?相似文献   

Variation in cuticular hydrocarbons among strains of the Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto by analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons using gas liquid chromatography of larvae

Cuticular hydrocarbons of larvae of individual strains of the Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto were investigated using gas liquid chromatography. Biomedical discriminant analysis involving multivariate statistics suggests that there was clear hydrocarbon difference between the Gambian(G3), the Nigerian (16CSS and, its malathion resistant substrain, REFMA) and the Tanzanian (KWA) strains. The high degree of segregation (95%) in hydrocarbons among the four strains investigated indicates that further analysis is needed to enable understanding of hydrocarbon variation in samples of An. gambiae especially from areas where these populations co-exist.     

多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药性及其耐药基因分析

目的:探讨多重耐药鲍曼不动杆菌(MDR-Ab)的耐药性及其耐药基因,为临床合理选择抗菌药物提供依据。方法:回顾性分析2018年1月至2018年12月鲍曼不动杆菌感染的住院患者信息。使用VITEK-32微生物分析仪/梅里埃药敏卡片GN13鉴定MDR-Ab 95株。采用聚合酶链式反应(多重PCR)检测MDR-Ab携带相关耐药基因。结果:95株MDR-Ab对头孢类抗菌药物耐药率为100%。对氨苄西林-舒巴坦和头孢哌酮-舒巴坦耐药率分别为95.79%和81.05%,对美罗培南和亚胺培南耐药率分别为56.84%和57.89%,对庆大霉素和阿米卡星耐药率均为88.42%,对环丙沙星和左氧氟沙星耐药率分别为100%和88.42%,对四环素、米诺环素、替加环素耐药率分别为87.37%、16.84%和9.47%,对多粘菌素B耐药率为1.05%。95株MDR-Ab中携带β-内酰胺酶中A类酶耐药基因TEM、PER分别95株和25株,D类酶耐药基因OXA-51、carO和adeB各95株,OXA-23基因90株。携带消毒剂耐药基因qacE 60株。携带16S r RNA甲基化酶耐药基因armA 75株。每株MDR-Ab除携带TEM+carO+adeB+OXA-51四种基因外,另同时携带四种基因20株(21.05%),三种基因38株(40.00%)。结论:MDR-Ab对多种抗菌药物的耐药率较高,携带的耐药基因型主要为TEM、carO、adeB及OXA-51。携带多种耐药基因是MDR-Ab耐药重要原因。加强医院感染防控、合理应用抗菌药物对于延缓泛鲍曼不动杆菌耐药性发展具有重要的临床意义。     

Conserved organization of the murine immunoglobulin epsilon gene region: restriction endonuclease maps and switch-region nucleotide sequence

Various inbred mouse strains showed remarkable conservation of organization in the epsilon germline region as determined by restriction mapping. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) were seen in the epsilon gene region for only two of eight restriction enzymes tested. Furthermore, the RFLP did not correlate with the IgE-response phenotype for the murine strains SJL, SJA, C57BL/6, BALB/c, A/ST, and A/J. The IgE class-switch region (S epsilon) DNA from an SJL genomic clone was sequenced and was compared with S epsilon sequences from BALB/c mice. These S epsilon sequences were at least 95% homologous. Most of the S epsilon sequence differences observed between the two strains were single base pair substitutions, deletions, or insertions. The largest difference between the S epsilon sequences resulted from an insertion of seven contiguous bases seen in the SJL S epsilon region.     

Was Rodney Ledward a statistical outlier? Retrospective analysis using routine hospital data to identify gynaecologists' performance

Objectives To investigate whether routinely collected data from hospital episode statistics could be used to identify the gynaecologist Rodney Ledward, who was suspended in 1966 and was the subject of the Ritchie inquiry into quality and practice within the NHS.Design A mixed scanning approach was used to identify seven variables from hospital episode statistics that were likely to be associated with potentially poor performance. A blinded multivariate analysis was undertaken to determine the distance (known as the Mahalanobis distance) in the seven indicator multidimensional space that each consultant was from the average consultant in each year. The change in Mahalanobis distance over time was also investigated by using a mixed effects model.Setting NHS hospital trusts in two English regions, in the five years from 1991-2 to 1995-6.Population Gynaecology consultants (n = 143) and their hospital episode statistics data.Main outcome measure Whether Ledward was a statistical outlier at the 95% level.Results The proportion of consultants who were outliers in any one year (at the 95% significance level) ranged from 9% to 20%. Ledward appeared as an outlier in three of the five years. Our mixed effects (multi-year) model identified nine high outlier consultants, including Ledward.Conclusion It was possible to identify Ledward as an outlier by using hospital episode statistics data. Although our method found other outlier consultants, we strongly caution that these outliers should not be overinterpreted as indicative of “poor” performance. Instead, a scientific search for a credible explanation should be undertaken, but this was outside the remit of our study. The set of indicators used means that cancer specialists, for example, are likely to have high values for several indicators, and the approach needs to be refined to deal with case mix variation. Even after allowing for that, the interpretation of outlier status is still as yet unclear. Further prospective evaluation of our method is warranted, but our overall approach may be potentially useful in other settings, especially where performance entails several indicator variables.     

Numerical analysis of electrophoretic protein patterns of Campylobacter laridis and allied thermophilic campylobacters from the natural environment

Twenty-one strains comprising Campylobacter laridis (nine), nalidixic acid sensitive campylobacters (NASC) (four), and urease-positive thermophilic campylobacters (UPTC) (eight) were characterized by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins. The UPTC and NASC strains included six from river water, two from mussels and four from sea water. The type strains of three other Campylobacter species were included for reference. The protein patterns, which contained 45–50 discrete bands, were highly reproducible and were used as the basis for two numerical analyses. In the first, which included all the protein bands, the 21 strains formed nine clusters at the 80% similarity (S) level. The typical C. laridis strains were restricted to two phenons (2 and 5); the atypical strains being distributed among the remaining phenons. In the second analysis, which excluded the principal protein bands (40–48.5 kD range), the 21 strains formed five clusters at the 80% S level. The typical C. laridis strains were relatively homogeneous and fell into a single phenon (2) within which two subgroups were discernable. The atypical strains were more heterogeneous with respect to background protein pattern, with representatives appearing in all five phenons. An electropherotyping scheme comprising six electropherotypes, and based on both analyses is proposed. The high within-group S level and separation from reference strains of Campylobacter in the second analysis, suggested that UPTC and NASC strains belonged within C. laridis possibly as biovars.     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase enzyme electrophoretic patterns amongst strains of Bacteroides fragilis

Fifty-two strains of Bacteroides fragilis were examined for their enzyme electrophoretic patterns of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH). All strains tested possessed high levels of both enzymes but the G6PDH reduced NADP whereas MDH was NAD-dependent. Twenty-seven strains produced single bands of both G6PDH and MDH. In all cases G6PDH migrated faster than MDH. Strains clustered by a single linkage algorithm were recovered in eight clusters at the 77% similarity level. The remaining 25 strains produced multiple bands of one or both enzymes. These were recovered in six clusters at the 72% similarity level using the same algorithm. The results of this study revealed considerable heterogeneity of enzyme patterns within B. fragilis.     

Numerical analysis of electrophoretic protein patterns of Campylobacter laridis and allied thermophilic campylobacters from the natural environment

Twenty-one strains comprising Campylobacter laridis (nine), nalidixic acid sensitive campylobacters (NASC) (four), and urease-positive thermophilic campylobacters (UPTC) (eight) were characterized by one-dimensional SDS-PAGE of cellular proteins. The UPTC and NASC strains included six from river water, two from mussels and four from sea water. The type strains of three other Campylobacter species were included for reference. The protein patterns, which contained 45-50 discrete bands, were highly reproducible and were used as the basis for two numerical analyses. In the first, which included all the protein bands, the 21 strains formed nine clusters at the 80% similarity (S) level. The typical C. laridis strains were restricted to two phenons (2 and 5); the atypical strains being distributed among the remaining phenons. In the second analysis, which excluded the principal protein bands (40-48.5 kD range), the 21 strains formed five clusters at the 80% S level. The typical C. laridis strains were relatively homogeneous and fell into a single phenon (2) within which two subgroups were discernable. The atypical strains were more heterogeneous with respect to background protein pattern, with representatives appearing in all five phenons. An electropherotyping scheme comprising six electropherotypes, and based on both analyses is proposed. The high within-group S level and separation from reference strains of Campylobacter in the second analysis, suggested that UPTC and NASC strains belonged within C. laridis possibly as biovars.     

褐飞虱高毒力绿僵菌菌株的筛选

从田间褐飞虱Nilaparvata lugens (St?l)罹病虫体上新分离鉴定一株黄绿绿僵菌Mf82,将其与实验室保存的8株绿僵菌Metarhizium spp.一起,分别测定其对褐飞虱成虫毒力和几丁质酶活力,并用扫描电镜观察侵入昆虫表皮的过程和体表的形态变化,进而分析侵入能力与几丁质酶的相关性。结果表明：菌株Mf82累计校正死亡率和几丁质酶活力均最高,为82.1%和9.78U/mg,与其他菌株差异显著。同时,扫描电镜照片显示Mf82分生孢子既可以由褐飞虱体壁节间膜和凹陷处侵入,还可以从含几丁质较多的胸部背板侵入。比较9株绿僵菌菌株菌落生长速度、产孢初始时间、产孢量和萌发率显示,Mf82菌株具有生长速度快、产孢初始时间短、萌发率高和产孢量大等优点,可见筛选的Mf82菌株致病力强,在褐飞虱的微生物防治方面将有良好的应用前景。     

Conservation of the cytotoxin-associated (cag A) gene of Helicobacter pylori and investigation of association with vacuolating-cytotoxin activity and gastroduodenal disease

Abstract Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA hybridization analyses were used to test for the presence of the cytotoxin-associated ( cag A) gene in 108 strains of Helicobacter pylori . Fifty-two geographically diverse strains of known vacuolating cytotoxin activity, and 56 recent UK clinical isolates from patients with duodenal ulceration ( n =28) and from healthy individuals who were endoscopically normal ( n =28) were studied. Overall, cag A was detected by PCR in 74 (69%) strains and DNA hybridization provided evidence of gene homologues in a further eight strains. For 96% of the cytotoxin-producing strains and 46% of the non-cytotoxin producing strains, there was a close association either with presence or absence of cag A. At the genomic level, Southern blot DNA hybridization showed that cag A was probably present in a single copy in most of the H. pylori tested, and that Hae III restriction site variation within and around the gene provided additional markers of diversity for the species. As 40% of the cag A containing strains did notnproduce an active cytotoxin, and no significant association between cag A presence and DU-disease was observed, we concluded that the presence of the cag A gene in H. pylori could not be used as a single reliable predictor of higher risk patients.     

Numerical taxonomy of gram-negative, nonmotile, nonfermentative bacteria isolated during chilled storage of lamb carcasses.

A numerical taxonomic study using 75 characters was performed with 132 strains of gram-negative, nonmotile, nonfermentative bacteria selected on the basis of lack of motility and Gram reaction among 1,200 cultures isolated during aerobic storage of lamb carcasses. At the 80% similarity level (SSM), eight clusters were formed. Strains in clusters 1 to 6 could be identified as members of the family Moraxellaceae and, more specifically, as members of the Psychrobacter-[Moraxella] phenylpyruvica subgroup. Of these strains, clusters 1 and 2 (88 strains) were identified as [Moraxella] phenylpyruvica and cluster 3 (15 strains) was identified as Psychrobacter immobilis. Clusters 4, 5, and 6 were not identifiable with any species. Clusters 7 and 8 consisted of 14 strains considered nonmotile variants of Pseudomonas fragi. The highest separation indices corresponded to acid production from certain carbohydrates (melibiose, L-arabinose, and cellobiose). Although strains of Psychrobacter-Moraxella clusters were relatively frequently identified at the completion of slaughter, very few cultures were detected on spoiled carcasses. It appears, therefore, that this group of organisms has only low spoilage potential.     

Comparison of 23S polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and amplified fragment length polymorphism techniques as typing systems for thermophilic campylobacters

In this study, we evaluated the combination of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular typing techniques for the analysis of thermophilic campylobacter species isolated from clinical and poultry samples. 23S PCR-RFLP analysis performed to fingerprint 69 strains exhibited an excellent level of typability. Eleven different types were defined at 100% linkage level following numerical analysis of band patterns. Differentiation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli at species level was achieved although no significant relationship could be observed between the profiles and the origin of the strains. Simplified AFLP analysis of the isolates disclosed the presence of 66 different banding patterns. The resulting dendrogram showed a high diversity among the strains studied. All the isolates were grouped within eight main types with a 69% homology degree among them. Differentiation at subspecies level was possible but no significant relationship could be observed between the AFLP profiles and the origin of the strains. When used in combination, 23S PCR-RFLP and single-enzyme AFLP methods can be applied to determine taxonomic and epidemiological relationships among thermophilic campylobacters.     

Distribution of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Bacteria Present in Intestines of Deep-Sea Fish and Shallow-Sea Poikilothermic Animals

The lipid and fatty acid compositions in nine obligate and facultative barophilic bacteria isolated from the intestinal contents of seven deep-sea fish were determined. Phospholipid compositions were simple, with phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol predominating in all strains. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), which has not been reported in procaryotes except for deep-sea bacteria, was found to be present in eight strains at a level of 8.1 to 21.5% of total fatty acids. In the other strain, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) was present at a level of 31.5% of total fatty acids. Other fatty acids observed in all strains were typical of marine gram-negative bacteria. Subcultures from pouches prepared from intestinal contents of five deep-sea fish by the most-probable-number (MPN) method were analyzed for fatty acids, and all subcultures contained DHA and/or EPA. Accordingly, viable cell counts of bacteria containing DHA and EPA were estimated at a maximum of 1.3 x 10(sup8) and 2.4 x 10(sup8) cells per ml, respectively, and accounted for 14 and 30%, respectively, of the total cell counts in the intestinal contents of the deep-sea fish. In the case of 10 shallow-sea poikilothermic animals having bacterial populations of 1.1 x 10(sup6) to 1.9 x 10(sup9) CFU per ml in intestinal contents, no DHA was found in the 112 isolates examined, while production of EPA was found in 40 isolates from cold- and temperate-sea samples. These results suggest that DHA and EPA are involved in some adaptations of bacteria to low temperature and high pressure.     

High-resolution finite element models with tissue strength asymmetry accurately predict failure of trabecular bone

The ability to predict trabecular failure using microstructure-based computational models would greatly facilitate study of trabecular structure–function relations, multiaxial strength, and tissue remodeling. We hypothesized that high-resolution finite element models of trabecular bone that include cortical-like strength asymmetry at the tissue level, could predict apparent level failure of trabecular bone for multiple loading modes. A bilinear constitutive model with asymmetric tissue yield strains in tension and compression was applied to simulate failure in high-resolution finite element models of seven bovine tibial specimens. Tissue modulus was reduced by 95% when tissue principal strains exceeded the tissue yield strains. Linear models were first calibrated for effective tissue modulus against specimen-specific experimental measures of apparent modulus, producing effective tissue moduli of (mean±S.D.) 18.7±3.4 GPa. Next, a parameter study was performed on a single specimen to estimate the tissue level tensile and compressive yield strains. These values, 0.60% strain in tension and 1.01% strain in compression, were then used in non-linear analyses of all seven specimens to predict failure for apparent tensile, compressive, and shear loading. When compared to apparent yield properties previously measured for the same type of bone, the model predictions of both the stresses and strains at failure were not statistically different for any loading case (p>0.15). Use of symmetric tissue strengths could not match the experimental data. These findings establish that, once effective tissue modulus is calibrated and uniform but asymmetric tissue failure strains are used, the resulting models can capture the apparent strength behavior to an outstanding level of accuracy. As such, these computational models have reached a level of fidelity that qualifies them as surrogates for destructive mechanical testing of real specimens.