An In Vitro Model of the Horse Gut Microbiome Enables Identification of Lactate-Utilizing Bacteria That Differentially Respond to Starch Induction

Laminitis is a chronic, crippling disease triggered by the sudden influx of dietary starch. Starch reaches the hindgut resulting in enrichment of lactic acid bacteria, lactate accumulation, and acidification of the gut contents. Bacterial products enter the bloodstream and precipitate systemic inflammation. Hindgut lactate levels are normally low because specific bacterial groups convert lactate to short chain fatty acids. Why this mechanism fails when lactate levels rapidly rise, and why some hindgut communities can recover is unknown. Fecal samples from three adult horses eating identical diets provided bacterial communities for this in vitro study. Triplicate microcosms of fecal slurries were enriched with lactate and/or starch. Metabolic products (short chain fatty acids, headspace gases, and hydrogen sulfide) were measured and microbial community compositions determined using Illumina 16S rRNA sequencing over 12-hour intervals. We report that patterns of change in short chain fatty acid levels and pH in our in vitro system are similar to those seen in in vivo laminitis induction models. Community differences between microcosms with disparate abilities to clear excess lactate suggest profiles conferring resistance of starch-induction conditions. Where lactate levels recover following starch induction conditions, propionate and acetate levels rise correspondingly and taxa related to Megasphaeraelsdenii reach levels exceeding 70% relative abundance. In lactate and control cultures, taxa related to Veillonellamontpellierensis are enriched as lactate levels fall. Understanding these community differences and factors promoting the growth of specific lactate utilizing taxa may be useful to prevent acidosis under starch-induction conditions.     

Properties of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus Accompanying Attenuation In Vitro

Virus obtained during serial plaque passage of the virulent parent egg seed (PES) of the Trinidad strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus produced only large plaques during either 3 serial plaque passages in chick fibroblasts or 10 plaque passages in L cells, and was lethal for mice by the intraperitoneal route. Virus showing these characteristics was designated the stable large-plaque (Ls) type. In contrast, virus obtained during serial plaque passage of the attenuated 9t strain in chick fibroblasts formed only very small plaques and was not lethal for mice by the intraperitoneal route. Virus showing these properties was designated the stable small-plaque (Ss) type. Under other passage conditions, however, large-plaque virus that yielded about 90% large and 10% small plaques was obtained; this virus was designated the unstable large or Lu type because it differed from the Ls type, which yielded only large plaques. The Lu type continued to yield the same ratio of large to small plaques for several plaque-to-plaque passages. In addition, small-plaque virus that yielded both large and small plaques and that showed a reduced capability to infect mice was also recovered. This virus was designated the unstable small or Su type because it differed from the Ss type in its higher level of virulence and in its plaque-forming properties. Thus, based upon the properties of virulence for mice and plaque size, four viral types could be discerned. The evidence suggests that serial passage in cell culture imposed environmental pressures that sequentially selected the following viral types: Ls, Lu, Su, and Ss.     

高产壳聚糖酶菌株的筛选及分类鉴定

目的：筛选一株高产壳聚糖酶的菌株。方法：通过形态学、生理生化及16S rDNA序列测定,对菌株进行分类鉴定。在培养基中以壳聚糖为唯一碳源,对长白山天池边的土样进行筛选。结果：获得一株产壳聚糖酶活力较高的菌株,最大酶活力达0．325U／ml。结论：经16S rDNA序列比对,该菌株与Beta proteobacterium的同源性高达99％。结合《伯杰细菌鉴定手册》（第九版）,将该菌株鉴定为Beta proteobacterium属的一个种,定名为Beta proteobacterium sp．T1。     

脂肪酶产生菌的筛选及鉴定研究

为寻找合适的产脂肪酶野生菌,以期能高效的催化合成生物柴油。通过添加橄榄油作为惟一碳源进行富集培养,然后以透明圈平板筛选法从油污土壤样品中成功地筛选到了一株酶活力值为10.12U/ml产脂肪酶菌株。通过对该菌株表型、生理生化特征分析及16S rRNA部分序列的系统进化发育分析鉴定该菌为芽胞杆菌属,定名为BacilluspumilusB2。     

In Vitro Susceptibility of Selected Bacteria to Cefaclor

Cefaclor is an orally absorbed cephalosporin antibiotic chemically and pharmacologically similar to cephalexin. It appears to be more active than cephalexin against susceptible strains. The in vitro sensitivity of 230 clinical bacterial isolates to cefaclor was studied. Most isolates of S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and indole negative Proteus species were inhibited at clinically attainable serum and urine concentrations. Like cephalexin, cefaclor was less active against isolates of Enterobacter species, indole positive Proteus species and enterococci although many of these isolates were inhibited at concentrations achievable in urine.     

甲醇利用型吡咯喹啉醌产生菌的筛选及鉴定

从虎杖内生细菌和黏细菌中筛选吡咯喹啉醌(PQQ)产生菌。采用3种以甲醇为唯一碳源的培养基对160株供试菌株进行摇瓶培养发酵,发酵产物采用光谱学分析法及HPLC法筛选。结果显示,通过初筛和复筛共得到甲醇利用型菌134株,PQQ产生菌4株,其中菌株083114的PQQ产量为64.34 mg/L。菌株083114的16S rRNA基因序列分析结果显示,其序列与酸快生芽孢杆菌(Bacillus acidiceler)的系统发育关系最近。虎杖内生细菌及黏细菌中存在PQQ产生菌。     

Susceptibility of Phytopathogenic Bacteria to Wheat Purothionins In Vitro

Purothionins are basic polypeptides with antimicrobial properties that are present in the endosperm of wheat and other cereal species. Susceptibility to wheat purothionins among phytopathogenic bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Agrobacterium, Erwinia, and Corynebacterium has been investigated. Sensitive strains have been found in all of these genera except Agrobacterium (the only strain of A. tumefaciens available proved to be resistant). Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) with partially purified crude purothionins ranged from 1 μg/ml for C. sepedonicum (C.5) to 540 μg/ml for E. amylovora (E.3). Minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were not higher than twice the MIC value, except for C. poinsettiae (C.4) (MBC/MIC = 8). Purothionins α and β, obtained by carboxymethyl-cellulose column chromatography, were tested against P. solanacearum (P.2) and X. phaseoli (X.2); α purothionin was more active than β against X.2, and β more active than α against P.2. This suggests a relationship between polypeptide sequence and specificity of action.     

Rapamycin Treatment Improves Neuron Viability in an In Vitro Model of Stroke

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability and is associated with sensorimotor and cognitive impairments due to neuronal degeneration. Currently, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rTPA) is the only FDA-approved medical therapy for treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, rTPA can only be given within 3 hours of symptom onset, and only 2% of patients are eligible. Therefore, there is an urgent need for novel neuroprotective treatment options for ischemic stroke. An emerging treatment for a diverse range of neurological disorders associated with neurodegeneration is rapamycin, a key modulator of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The mTOR pathway is the primary regulator of the cellular response to nutrient availability, changes in energy status and stress as seen following ischemia and reperfusion. However, rapamycin’s effects on mTORC1 and mTORC2 are poorly understood in neurons. In the current study we show that rapamycin can prevent the activation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 in cortical neurons and improve cell survival following oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), an in vitro model of ischemic stroke. This work further supports the investigation of rapamycin as a novel neuroprotectant for ischemic stroke.     

Progression of Neuronal Damage in an In Vitro Model of the Ischemic Penumbra

Improvement of neuronal recovery in the ischemic penumbra around a brain infarct has a large potential to advance clinical recovery of patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, pathophysiological mechanisms leading to either recovery or secondary damage in the penumbra are not completely understood. We studied neuronal dynamics in a model system of the penumbra consisting of networks of cultured cortical neurons exposed to controlled levels and durations of hypoxia. Short periods of hypoxia (pO₂≈20mmHg) reduced spontaneous activity, due to impeded synaptic function. After ≈6 hours, activity and connectivity partially recovered, even during continuing hypoxia. If the oxygen supply was restored within 12 hours, changes in network connectivity were completely reversible. For longer periods of hypoxia (12–30 h), activity levels initially increased, but eventually decreased and connectivity changes became partially irreversible. After ≈30 hours, all functional connections disappeared and no activity remained. Since this complete silence seemed unrelated to hypoxic depths, but always followed an extended period of low activity, we speculate that irreversible damage (at least partly) results from insufficient neuronal activation. This opens avenues for therapies to improve recovery by neuronal activation.     

脱枝酶产生菌的分离鉴定及酶学性质研究

目的：从中国高校工业微生物资源与信息中心（CICIM-CU）细菌库中分离具有产脱枝酶酶活的细菌并鉴定,进行酶学性质的研究。方法：通过碘显色平板法筛选产酶菌株,利用16S rDNA确定其属种。对每一株产脱枝酶的细菌进行初步的酶学性质研究。结果：从4005株细菌中筛选出45株产脱枝酶的细菌,建立了产脱枝酶细菌的细菌库。酶学性质表明CICIM B272、CICIMB1-30两株菌产生的脱枝酶,酶反应的最适温度分别为70℃6、0℃,最适pH分别为6.0、5.5,来源于上述两种不同属种的脱枝酶在30-70℃反应条件下,酶在pH 4.5-8.5范围内活性稳定,Li＋、Na＋、K＋、Mg2＋、Mn2＋对两者酶活均有显著的激活作用,而Cu2＋、Fe3＋及EDTA对两者均有显著的抑制作用,Mn2＋、Ca2＋分别对两者的热稳定性具有很好的提升作用。以支链淀粉为底物的动力学常数Km分别为352.883mg/mL、4.5814mg/mL,Vmax分别为30.03mg/min.mL、0.4575mg/min.mL。结论：不同属种的脱枝酶酶学性质差别显著。     

杆菌肽产生菌的分离鉴定及其发酵条件初步研究

杆菌肽在畜牧养殖业中应用广泛,开展菌种筛选工作十分必要。以低浓度杆菌肽为筛选方法,分离得到一株杆菌肽产生菌,鉴定并命名为地衣芽孢杆菌Y822(Bacillus licheninformis Y822)。该菌株发酵生产杆菌肽时,最适p H为7.0,溶氧能够促进产物肽积累。将B.licheninformis Y822传代5次,分别进行发酵试验,可得到(783.51±7.34)U/m L杆菌肽,其中A组分占(75.04±0.83)%。B.licheniformis Y822杆菌肽产量较高,生产能力稳定,并且产物中杆菌肽A组分含量高,具有较高的工业应用价值。     

In Vitro Activity of Doxycycline Against Bacteria from Clinical Material

Doxycycline (alpha-6-deoxy-oxytetracycline) was tested against various bacteria of recent clinical origin with 30-mug discs. The antibiotic susceptibility of these bacteria to commonly used antimicrobial agents was also established. Those bacteria which responded with equivocal zones of inhibition about the tetracycline compounds were tested by the tube dilution technique. Staphylococci and enterococci consistently displayed greater in vitro susceptibility to doxycycline than to tetracycline or demethylchlortetracycline.     

Mass Transport of Macromolecules within an In Vitro Model of Supragingival Plaque

The aim of this study was to examine the diffusion of macromolecules through an in vitro biofilm model of supragingival plaque. Polyspecies biofilms containing Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus sobrinus, Veillonella dispar, and Candida albicans were formed on sintered hydroxyapatite disks and then incubated at room temperature for defined periods with fluorescent markers with molecular weights ranging from 3,000 to 900,000. Subsequent examination by confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed that the mean square penetration depths for all tested macromolecules except immunoglobulin M increased linearly with time, diffusion coefficients being linearly proportional to the cube roots of the molecular weights of the probes (range, 10,000 to 240,000). Compared to diffusion in bulk water, diffusion in the biofilms was markedly slower. The rate of diffusion for each probe appeared to be constant and not a function of biofilm depth. Analysis of diffusion phenomena through the biofilms suggested tortuosity as the most probable explanation for retarded diffusion. Selective binding of probes to receptors present in the biofilms could not explain the observed extent of retardation of diffusion. These results are relevant to oral health, as selective attenuated diffusion of fermentable carbohydrates and acids produced within dental plaque is thought to be essential for the development of carious lesions.     

Effect of Carbohydrate Composition in Barley and Oat Cultivars on Microbial Ecophysiology and Proliferation of Salmonella enterica in an In Vitro Model of the Porcine Gastrointestinal Tract

The influence of the carbohydrate (CHO) composition of cereal cultivars on microbial ecophysiology was studied using an in vitro model of the porcine gastrointestinal tract. Ten hull-less barley cultivars, six barley cultivars with hulls, six oat cultivars, and six oat groats that differed in β-glucan, nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP), and starch contents and starch type were hydrolyzed enzymatically and incubated for 72 h with pig feces. Fermentation kinetics were modeled, and microbial compositions and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) profiles were analyzed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and gas chromatography. Cluster analysis and canonical ordination revealed different effects on fermentation and microbial ecology depending on the type of CHO and cultivar. First, in cultivars of barley with hulls and oats, the cellulose and insoluble NSP contents (i) increased Ruminococcus flavefaciens-like and Clostridium xylanolyticum-like phylotypes, (ii) increased acetate production, and (iii) decreased fermentation activity. Second, in hull-less barley cultivars the β-glucan, amylose, amylopectin, crude protein, and soluble NSP contents determined the microbial community composition and activity as follows: (i) the amylose contents of the hull-less barley varieties increased the butyrate production and the abundance of Clostridium butyricum-like phylotypes, (ii) the β-glucan content determined the total amounts of SCFA, and (iii) the amylopectin and starch contents affected the abundance of Clostridium ramosum-like phylotypes, members of Clostridium cluster XIVa, and Bacteroides-like bacteria. Finally, the effect of CHO on proliferation of Salmonella enterica in the model was determined. Salmonella cell counts were not affected, but the relative proportion of Salmonella decreased with hull-less barley cultivars and increased with oat cultivars as revealed by quantitative PCR. Our results shed light on the complex interactions of cereal CHO with intestinal bacterial ecophysiology and the possible impact on host health.The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of pigs is colonized by a highly diverse microbial community, which can be affected by various factors, including diet and environmental factors (15, 38). Manipulating the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota through the diet to improve gut health is an increasing focus of nutritionists in the postantibiotic era. Different strategies, including the use of prebiotics, probiotics, organic acids, or zinc, have been used to manipulate the intestinal ecosystem (31, 36). Surprisingly, the fact that compounds in the basal diet, such as indigestible carbohydrates (CHO) in cereal, can also affect the intestinal microbial ecophysiology is often neglected by nutritionists. Since cereals are a major component in the diets of pigs and other monogastric species and since intestinal bacteria vary in their genetic potential for substrate utilization, there is great potential to beneficially manipulate microbial ecology in the GIT by choosing cereal cultivars with specific CHO compositions.The cereal CHO composition can be markedly different in different cultivars (17, 19), and CHO fractions, such as β-glucans, could be used as functional food ingredients (6). For example, Pieper et al. (32) recently showed that the intestinal microbial community composition can be modified using the variability in the β-glucan content of barley and oat cultivars. The specific mode of action of the other CHO fractions that are present in these cultivars, such as cellulose, soluble and insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), and starch (e.g., starch content and amylose/amylopectin ratio), on the microbial communities and their activity is still unclear.In addition to direct effects on intestinal physiology, changes in intestinal microbial composition may enhance or suppress the growth of specific pathogenic microorganisms by competitive exclusion. For example, Salmonella infections are among the most frequent and widespread zoonoses in the world, and there might be opportunities to influence Salmonella colonization via nutritional strategies (30). Studying the interactions of intestinal bacteria using an in vitro simulation of the porcine GIT could help rapidly screen and evaluate promising strategies for reducing Salmonella levels in pigs without the use of animal infection models.The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of variation in the CHO composition of 10 hull-less barley cultivars, six common barley cultivars, and six oat cultivars and their corresponding oat groats (dehulled oats) on large intestine fermentation characteristics and microbial community composition. An in vitro model of the porcine GIT described by Bindelle et al. (5) was employed with or without coinoculation with Salmonella enterica, using multivariate canonical analysis.(This study was presented in part at the 11th Digestive Physiology in Pigs Symposium, Reus, Spain, 19 to 22 May 2009.)     

In Vitro Retina as an Experimental Model of the Central Nervous System

Abstract Methods are described for isolating adult rabbit retina and maintaining it in a medium designed to resemble CSF. Morphologic, metabolic, and electrophysiologic measurements obtained on the in vitro retinas showed that they remained in a nearly physiological state for at least 8 h, and even after 2 days in vitro they still exhibited a high level of metabolic activity and electrical responsiveness to light. Physiological activity was modified by photic stimulation, and data are presented to document changes in metabolism in response to the changes in function. The isolated retina appears to offer a number of unusual advantages for studying relationships between function and metabolism in organized mammalian central nervous tissue     

NorM, an Erwinia amylovora Multidrug Efflux Pump Involved in In Vitro Competition with Other Epiphytic Bacteria

Blossoms are important sites of infection for Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight of rosaceous plants. Before entering the tissue, the pathogen colonizes the stigmatic surface and has to compete for space and nutrient resources within the epiphytic community. Several epiphytes are capable of synthesizing antibiotics with which they antagonize phytopathogenic bacteria. Here, we report that a multidrug efflux transporter, designated NorM, of E. amylovora confers tolerance to the toxin(s) produced by epiphytic bacteria cocolonizing plant blossoms. According to sequence comparisons, the single-component efflux pump NorM is a member of the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion protein family. The corresponding gene is widely distributed among E. amylovora strains and related plant-associated bacteria. NorM mediated resistance to the hydrophobic cationic compounds norfloxacin, ethidium bromide, and berberine. A norM mutant was constructed and exhibited full virulence on apple rootstock MM 106. However, it was susceptible to antibiotics produced by epiphytes isolated from apple and quince blossoms. The epiphytes were identified as Pantoea agglomerans by 16S rRNA analysis and were isolated from one-third of all trees examined. The promoter activity of norM was twofold greater at 18°C than at 28°C. The lower temperature seems to be beneficial for host infection because of the availability of moisture necessary for movement of the pathogen to the infection sites. Thus, E. amylovora might employ NorM for successful competition with other epiphytic microbes to reach high population densities, particularly at a lower temperature.     

一株产纤维素酶细菌的筛选、鉴定及其纤维素酶的部分特性

目的:分离堆肥中具有产纤维素酶酶活的菌株并进行鉴定,同时进行该菌株纤维素酶酶特性的研究.方法:采用刚果红平板法进行筛选得到菌株,利用16SrDNA通用引物对其基因组DNA进行扩增,测序得到CCH-1的部分16SrDNA序列,经Blastn调出与菌株16SrDNA同源的序列,用软件MEGA 4.0按照Neighbor-Joining方法构建16SrDNA系统发育树,并采用DNS法测定所产纤维素酶酶活.结果:GCH-1的生理生化指标与蜡质芽胞杆菌理化指标相符,与Bacillus cereus IAM 12605(T)处于同一分支,相似性为99.8%.CCH-1菌株发酵48h能达到最大产酶量,所产纤维素酶在40℃有最高酶活力,酶活力分别为0.581μ/mL,GCH-1菌株产生的纤维素酶酶系在pH 7.0～9.0能够保持较高的相对酶活力,超过85%相对活力.结论:GCH-1初步鉴定为蜡质芽孢杆菌(Bacillus cereus),能够产胞外纤维素酶.