平板菌落计数的改进方法

平板菌落计数法是将待测样品经适当稀释之后,其中的微生物充分分散成单个细胞,取一定量的稀释样液接种到平板上,经过培养,由每个单细胞生长繁殖而形成肉眼可见的菌落,即一个单菌落应代表原样品中的一个单细胞。统计菌落数,根据其稀释倍数和取样结合总量即可换算出样品中的含菌数。传统的平板菌落计数正是基于上述原理而进行的。     

尿液菌落计数在儿童泌尿感染筛查中的应用

目的检验和比较尿液菌落计数在筛选儿童泌尿系统感染中的可靠性。方法收集儿童中段尿液,10μL进行细菌培养和菌落计数,剩余样本进行干化学分析,主要进行沉渣镜检、亚硝酸盐和白细胞酯酶检测。结果共检测中段尿液标本112份,其中32例培养出有意义细菌,阳性率为28.6%。尿沉渣镜检、干化学分析的敏感性分别为68.8%和78.1%,特异性分别为92.5%、90.0%。另有7例培养阳性,干化学分析阴性,假阴性为21.9%;6例沉渣镜检阳性,培养阴性,假阳性率7.5%;沉渣镜检、干化学分析的阳性预示值分别为78.6%和75.8%。结论尿液细菌培养和菌落计数在筛选儿童泌尿感染的敏感性要明显优于尿沉渣镜检和干化学分析,在儿童泌尿系统感染筛查中起到重要作用。尿沉渣镜检和干化学分析因为敏感性不足、结果易受到感染类型影响。尿液菌落计数可作为儿童泌尿系统感染检测的重要指标。     

基于目标颜色基及梯度方向匹配的菌落分割计数算法

【目的】通过菌落测试片提取菌落并计数,在农业、食品业、医疗卫生等领域中是一项常用且重要的工作。目前,菌落自动计数算法大都是以菌落培养皿为主要工作对象,对菌落测试片适用性较差。另外,目前相关技术在常规的粘连物体分割中有着较好的效果,但在菌落分割计数中,由于菌落本身的形态特征,对粘连菌落分割计数的效果尚不够精准。【方法】为解决此类问题,本文提出一种基于目标颜色基及梯度方向匹配的菌落分割计数算法。首先利用图像中菌落的颜色特征作为基,将图像转换到基空间内,以增强菌落与背景之间的差异,其次利用菌落图像的梯度幅值特征对梯度方向进行滤波,然后通过梯度方向进行匹配,进而将粘连的菌落分割,最后利用非极大值抑制的方法筛选出菌落并计数。【结果】经试验,本研究算法的计数精度可达98.00%,能够满足实际需求。【结论】在针对菌落的目标分割计数中,本研究算法不仅计数精度高,而且具有较好的鲁棒性,在对不同厂家的菌落总数测试片菌落分割计数中均有优异效果;然而在对大面积目标的检测分割中算法的准确率会有所下降,因此,该算法更适合于菌落等小目标的检测分割。     

图像处理软件Adobe Photoshop和Adobe Illustrator在昆虫绘图及图像处理中的应用

本文介绍了图像处理软件Adobe Photoshop和Adobe Illustrator在昆虫学中的若干应用技巧及注意事项,从而为该类软件在昆虫学研究工作中的使用及推广提供更多的思路。     

TTC在螺旋平板法测定冷冻水产品中菌落总数的应用研究

研究以2,3,5-三苯基氯化四氮唑(TTC)作为指示剂在螺旋平板法测定冷冻水产品中菌落总数的适宜用量。通过对大肠埃希氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、枯草芽孢杆菌三株标准菌株制备的菌悬液在含梯度含量TTC的平板计数琼脂(PCA)中分别进行菌落计数、生长和显色观察实验,初步筛选出适宜的TTC含量范围。以冷冻水产品样品在该用量范围内的菌落计数和显色观察实验,验证在实际应用中的适宜性。验证实验结果显示:在TTC含量为1.5mg/100ml的组与未添加TTC的对照组菌落计数结果经统计学检验无显著性差异,且菌落显色情况良好,有利于计数的准确性。     

保健食品双歧杆菌和乳酸菌计数方法的优化

目的通过稀释液和培养基的选择对保健食品双歧杆菌和乳酸菌计数方法进行优化。方法对2个品种6个批次的益生菌类保健食品,分别采用2种稀释液和3种培养基进行双歧杆菌和乳酸菌计数,并比较结果。结果选择CYS缓冲液为最优稀释液,M-TOS培养基为双歧杆菌计数的最优培养基,BBL培养基为乳酸菌总数计数的最优培养基。结论优化方法所得菌数均明显优于国标方法,可以用于保健食品的双歧杆菌和乳酸菌计数。     

食品中金黄色葡萄球菌平板计数不确定度的评定

在金黄色葡萄球菌检测过程中,由于样品中金黄色葡萄球菌计数受到样品制备、溶液稀释、向培养基添加样液、培养时间和操作人员技能等因素的影响,使检测结果离散度较大。实验主要研究采用在同一时间段内,应用同一批次的培养基和试剂,按相同的检测过程,对同一批样品进行检测。根据检测过程和检测结果对不确定度的贡献,探讨金黄色葡萄球菌计数的不确定度评定。     

3M Petrifilm快速菌落总数测试片法与食品中菌落总数检测国标方法（GB 4789.2‒2010）的比较

目的 比较3MTM PetrifilmTM快速菌落总数测试片（RAC）法与食品中菌落总数检测国标方法（GB 4789.2‒2010）检测熟肉样品、人工污染熟肉样品中的菌落总数结果的一致性。方法 分别用两种方法对129份熟肉样品和166份人工污染熟肉样品进行菌落总数项目的检测,并对3MTM PetrifilmTM快速菌落测试片法与国标方法的实验结果进行配对资料t检验、线性回归分析以及对数值差值绝对值（|dlog|）汇总分析。结果 第一部分：两种方法检测熟肉样品、人工污染熟肉样品的菌落总数检测结果t=1.5704、P=0.1188,差异无统计学意义;相关系数R2值分别为0.897、0.964;|dlog|≤0.500所占百分比分别为97.7％、100.0％。第二部分：两种方法检测295份样品,t=1.1336,P=0.2586;相关系数R2=0.992;|dlog|≤0.500的结果百分率为99.0％。结论 在检测熟肉样品、人工污染熟肉样品时,3MTM PetrifilmTM快速菌落总数测试片法与国标方法检测结果的一致性较好。     

微菌落观察法快速检测和鉴别结核杆菌培养物的研究

将取自肺结核患者的219例痰标本接种匡氏琼脂平板,共分离到112例结核菌生长物。其中培养法104例(92.8％)阳性,微菌落观察法108例(96.4％)阳性,微菌落法阳性率稍高。培养法和微菌落法阳性标本首次检出时间分别为18.6d和11d,微菌落检出时间更短(P<0.01)。常规菌型鉴别方法与微菌落法对结核杆菌菌型鉴别的符合率为99％。     

霉菌总数测定培养基的改进研究

在霉菌检测国标法GB4789.15-94中所采用的孟加拉红培养基的基础上,添加不同浓度的葡萄糖、胰蛋白胨、酵母膏等营养物和表面活性荆吐温80,分别对黑曲霉、青霉菌液和不同种类的食品进行霉菌总数测定,经大量对比试验已优选出A4培养基,即在孟加拉红培养基中,添加0。15％的吐温80和1.0％的葡萄糖的培养基。试验结果表明,A4培养基对霉菌检出率较国标孟加拉红培养基的检出率提高了57.9％,且茵落更清晰易数。     

利用数码相机和Photoshop软件非破坏性测定叶面积的简便方法

采用数码相机获取叶片的数字图像,用Photoshop图像处理软件计算叶面积,并与目前常用的剪纸法和叶面积仪测定法进行比较分析。结果表明,本方法和上述传统测定方法测定结果存在极显著线性相关;不同拍摄分辨率、单位叶面积存贮像素个数和拍摄角度对测定结果无显著影响。和其它方法相比,本方法具有准确、快速、成本低廉、适合非破坏性动态连续观测等优点,适用于植物生理生态学研究中叶面积的测定。     

New technologies for automated cell counting based on optical image analysis `The Cellscreen'

A prototype of a newly developed apparatus for measuring cell growth characteristics of suspension cells in micro titre plates over a period of time was examined. Fully automated non-invasive cell counts in small volume cultivation vessels, e.g. 96 well plates, were performed with the Cellscreen system by Innovatis AG, Germany. The system automatically generates microscopic images of suspension cells which had sedimented on the base of the well plate. The total cell number and cell geometry was analysed without staining or sampling using the Cedex image recognition technology. Thus, time course studies of cell growth with the identical culture became possible. Basic parameters like the measurement range, the minimum number of images which were required for statistically reliable results, as well as the influence of the measurement itself and the effect of evaporation in 96 well plates on cell proliferation were determined. A comparison with standard methods including the influence of the cultured volume per well (25 l to 200 l) on cell growth was performed. Furthermore, the toxic substances ammonia, lactate and butyrate were used to show that the Cellscreen system is able to detect even the slightest changes in the specific growth rate.     

A new method for the production of sterile colonies of Lucilia sericata

Maggot debridement therapy (MDT) refers to the use of blowfly larvae to clean or debride an infected wound. Most commonly, larvae of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are used, and are sterilized prior to use to ensure no further bacterial infections are introduced during treatment. Current methods sterilize eggs from laboratory‐reared blowfly colonies, after which sterile early second instar maggots can be provided to hospitals for use in treatment. Maggots not required for treatment are used for colony regeneration, in which sterility is not maintained. The ability to maintain sterility beyond this would allow further research into fly–bacteria interactions and the effects of different bacteria on the blowfly lifecycle. This study aimed to produce a colony of sterile adults, using current egg sterilization practice, but maintaining sterility through to pupation and emergence. The production of a sterile colony allows further research into the impact of bacteria on fly development and survival. Eggs were placed on a sterile food source within autoclaved plant tissue culture containers to allow growth under sterile conditions. Nutrient agar plating of sterilized and non‐sterilized eggs, larvae and adults (post‐emergence), as well as the pupation medium and feed source in nutrient broth confirmed the aerobic sterility of all samples involved. The lifecycle of L. sericata was successfully completed through pupation to emergence with no effects on lifespan or oviposition by the newly emerged, sterile adult colony.     

A new method for fish leucocyte counting and partial differentiation by flow cytometry

A simple and rapid method for analysis of fish blood cells is presented. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) blood was diluted 200 times with Hanks' solution containing 1 microg/ml of DiOC6(3) which is a fluorescent, lipophilic dye. After staining for 10 min, the blood cells were measured by a flow cytometer (FACS). Several blood cell populations were identified by different FL-1 (green fluorescence), FSC (forward scatter), and SSC (side scatter) properties. FL-1 v. SSC or FSC v. SSC dot-plot of stained blood cells displayed five separate cell populations: erythrocytes: a mixture of thrombocytes plus lymphocytes; monocytes; neutrophils; and basophils. The number of each type of blood cell counted by the FACS was in good agreement with those counted microscopically.     

A comparison of the different methods available for determining BCG-macrophage interactions in vitro, including a new method of colony counting in broth

Abstract Different methods of determining BCG viability based on colony forming unit (CFU) counting and radio-isotope labelling were comparatively assessed. These included radio-isotope labelling with [³H]uracil, [³H]uridine, [³H]glycerol, and CFU counting, by both agar plate dilution, and microcolony counting in broth. The sensitivity ranges of the different techniques were determined in both macrophage-free and macrophage-treated systems and used to assess the anti-mycobacterial potential of human monocyte-derived macrophages following BCG infection.     

A new software for measuring leaf area, and area damaged by Tetranychus urticae Koch

Abstract:  Measuring leaf area manually is a tedious and time-consuming process and it is inaccurate. In an attempt to make this process easier and more accurate, a new software namely 'Compu Eye, Leaf & Symptom Area' was developed. A standard green shape with a known area of 1.5 cm² was used to evaluate the accuracy of the software. The measurements obtained were of high accuracy. Measurements varied between 1.4771 and 1.5095 cm². Probabilities of t values were usually <0.01 and did not exceed 0.023. It was also observed that accuracy could be enhanced either by increasing scanner resolution and/or by decreasing measurement unit area. In order to evaluate the performance of the software, leaves with symptoms of mite injury were collected from six different plant species (squash, cucumber, green bean, vigna, dahlia and rose). Symptom area of each leaf was assessed manually and by the software. It was observed that the software was able to assess the symptom area accurately with no significant difference compared with manual measurement.     

A simple method to determine bioethanol content in gasoline using two-step extraction and liquid scintillation counting

A simple method for determining bioethanol content in gasoline containing bioethanol (denoted as E-gasoline in this study) is urgently required. Liquid scintillation counting (LSC) was employed based on the principle that ¹⁴C exists in bioethanol but not in synthetic ethanol. Bioethanol was extracted in two steps by water from E-gasoline containing 3% (E3) or 10% (E10) bioethanol. The ¹⁴C radioactivity was measured by LSC and converted to the amount of bioethanol. The bioethanol content in E-gasoline was determined precisely from the partition coefficient in the extraction and the amount of bioethanol in the water phases: 2.98 ± 0.10% for E3 and 10.0 ± 0.1% for E10 (means ± SD; n = 3). It appears that this method can be used to determine bioethanol content in E-gasoline quickly and easily.     

A new method for fast blood cell counting and partial differentiation by flow cytometry

A new blood counting method by flow cytometry is described which determines absolute counts and relative proportions of erythrocytes, reticulocytes, thrombocytes, lymphocytes and granulocytes from one sample of saline diluted human or animal blood. Staining time is 2 to 5 min and measuring time between 1 and 2 additional minutes. Measured simultaneously are the electrical cell volume, the green and optionally also the red fluorescence of the transmembrane potential sensitive dye 3,3-dihexyloxacarbocyanine DiOC6(3) and the RNA/DNA stain acridine orange (AO). Work is under way to fully automate staining, measurement and data evaluation. The use of stains by which blood cell counting and biochemical analysis can be combined offers new possibilities for routine blood cell counting without requirement for additional time. The potential of such stains is that pathologic cell conditions which are not, or not yet reflected in the cell count may be earlier detectable by biochemical stains.