Influence of Indigenous Microbiota on Amount of Protein and Activities of Alkaline Phosphatase and Disaccharidases in Extracts of Intestinal Mucosa in Mice

The protein content and the activities of alkaline phosphatase, maltase, and sucrase were measured at 0800, 1000, 1200, 1400, and 1600 in saline extracts of the proximal small bowels of germfree and of ex-germfree mice colonized with an indigenous microbiota. In extracts prepared from germfree mice, the total activities of all of the enzymes were relatively constant throughout the sampling period. Likewise, the total activity of alkaline phosphatase in extracts prepared from associated mice varied little as a function of time. By contrast, the total activities of maltase and sucrase in the extracts from these latter animals varied significantly from sample to sample. The total activity levels in extracts from germfree mice were approximately twofold greater than the levels in extracts from associated mice. The specific activities of alkaline phosphatase and sucrase did not vary from sample to sample in extracts prepared from either type of mouse. In contrast, the specific activity of maltase in extracts prepared from both germfree and associated mice differed significantly from sample to sample. The specific activities of all three enzymes were greater in extracts from germfree animals than in those from associated animals. The protein content of extracts prepared from germfree mice also was greater than that of extracts prepared from associated animals at every sampling time. The amount of protein extractable from the mucosa of the small bowels of the former animals varied significantly at different sampling times during the day, whereas the amount of protein extractable from the tracts of associated animals remained relatively constant throughout the day. The indigenous microbiota apparently stabilizes in some way the amount of protein extractable from the mucosa of the mouse small bowel.     

Differences in molybdenum uptake by micro-organisms from the rhizosphere ofraphanus sativus L. grown in two soils of similar origin

Summary Differences have been shown in molybdenum uptake by microorganisms from the rhizosphere and soil sampled away from the roots, of the radish,Raphanus sativus L., grown in market garden soils from Napier and Hastings (New Zealand).The organisms from the rhizosphere of plants in Hastings soil concentrated up to 55 ppm of molybdenum dry weight when grown in a liquid medium made from Hastings soil extract and supplemented with carbon, phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur and molybdenum. The growth from an inoculum of pooled fungal isolates from the rhizosphere has been shown to contain a higher concentration of molybdenum than growth from pooled bacterial or streptomycete isolates. The growth from a combined bacterial and streptomycete inoculum contained a higher concentration of molybdenum than the growth from either group alone.Organisms from the rhizosphere and soil sampled away from the roots of radishes grown in Napier soil did not contain such high concentrations of molybdenum.No significant differences in the frequency of morphological types were found in the isolates from either soil.     

Bacterial communities in aerosols and manure samples from two different dairies in central and Sonoma valleys of California

Aerosols have been suspected to transport food pathogens and contaminate fruits and vegetables grown in close proximity to concentrated animal feeding operations, but studies are lacking that substantiate such transport. To monitor the potential transport of bacteria originated from fresh or dry manure through aerosols on a dairy, we identified by 16S rRNA sequencing, bacteria in aerosols collected within 2 to 3 meters from dairy cows at two dairies. Gram-positive Firmicutes were predominant in aerosols from a dairy in Sonoma, California, and surrounded by vineyards, in contrast to sequences of Gram-negative Proteobacteria predominant in aerosols from a dairy in Modesto, California, also surrounded by other dairies. Although Firmicutes represented approximately 50% of the 10 most abundant sequences, aerosols from the Sonoma dairy also contained sequences of Bacteriodetes and Actinobacteria, identified previously with animal feces. While none of the top 10 sequences from fresh or dry manure from Modesto dairy were detected in aerosols, two of the sequences from the phylum Bacteriodetes and one from class Clostridia from fresh manure were detected in aerosols from Sonoma. Interestingly, none of the sequences from dry manure were in the top 10 sequences in aerosols from both dairies. The 10 most abundant sequences in aerosols from the Modesto dairy were all from Proteobacteria and nearly half of them were from genus Massilia, which have been isolated previously from immune-compromised people and aerosols. We conclude that the predominant bacteria in aerosols are diverse among locations and that they do not reflect the predominant species of bacteria present in cow feces and/or in close proximity to cows. These results suggest that the aerosol sequences did not originate from manure. Large volumes of aerosols would be required to determine if bacterial sequences from aerosols could be used to track bacteria in manure to crops grown in proximity.     

Species specificity and developmental patterns of expression of the beta amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene in brain, liver and choroid plexus in birds.

1. Human APP cDNA hybridized to a 3.5 kb mRNA in liver and brain RNA from chickens, pigeons, quail and ducks as well as in RNA from choroid plexus of chicken and quail. In contrast to all other species hitherto examined a 1.6 kb mRNA hybridizing to APP cDNA was found in abundant amounts in RNA from chicken and quail livers. 2. In the chicken, before hatching, the levels of APP mRNA in total RNA from liver and choroid plexus were higher than those in RNA from liver and choroid plexus of adults. However, RNA from the rest of the brain of chicken embryos contained less APP mRNA than RNA from brain of adults. 3. In the chicken, between 10 and 40 days after hatching, APP mRNA levels in RNA from liver were higher than adult levels, APP mRNA levels in RNA from choroid plexus were similar to adult levels and APP mRNA levels in RNA from the rest of brain were below the adult levels.     

旱生和湿生生境对蒲公英体内抗氧化物质的影响

选择旱生和湿生生境中生长的蒲公英(Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz)分根、叶、花序分别测定抗氧化成分及总抗氧化能力,并比较了SOD同工酶谱的变化情况。结果表明不同生境选取的蒲公英叶片中抗氧化物质以SOD、POD、CAT等抗氧化酶和Vc等小分子为主,花序中可溶性糖、类黄酮和绿原酸含量最高;湿生蒲公英各器官尤其是根中的SOD、CAT、POD活性高于旱生蒲公英对应器官中的酶活性,旱生蒲公英各器官尤其是花序中的可溶性糖、类黄酮和绿原酸含量高于湿生蒲公英对应器官中的含量;旱生和湿生生境未诱导出新的SOD同工酶带;旱生和湿生蒲公英对应器官的总抗氧化能力接近。     

Activity and heavy metal resistance of non-specific esterases in leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica from polluted and unpolluted habitats

We compared the general activity and heavy metal resistance of non-specific esterases in two populations of the leaf beetle Chrysomela lapponica from habitats severely contaminated by heavy metals (mostly Ni and Cu) and two populations from unpolluted habitats. Concentrations of Ni and Cu in adult beetles from the most polluted site were 7.7 and 3.6 times higher that in beetles from unpolluted habitats. Larval esterases showed higher activity and lower susceptibility to heavy metals than esterases of adults. Larval esterase activity did not differ between populations from polluted and unpolluted sites, but adult beetles from polluted localities had lower esterase activity than beetles from unpolluted habitats. Both Cu and Ni sulfates in millimolar concentrations in vitro suppressed esterase activity of larvae from unpolluted habitats, but caused no negative effect on esterases of larvae from polluted sites. Similarly, inhibition of adult esterase activity by Ni was stronger in beetles from unpolluted localities than in beetles from polluted localities. This indicates that resistance of non-specific esterases to heavy metals is higher in leaf beetle populations from contaminated environment.     

不同群体鳙的生长性能与遗传分析

1982至1986年,在上海与广东两地精养鱼池中,对来源于不同繁殖群体的鳙,即长江水系天然繁殖的鳙和人工繁殖的鳙,珠江水系天然繁殖和人工繁殖的鳙,用随机区组成试验法观察比较了2龄和3龄阶段的生长速度,结果一致表明：在同一环境里,天然繁殖鳙比人工繁殖鳙长得快,长江天然繁殖鳙比珠江天然繁殖鳙长得快,长江人工繁殖鳙比珠江人工殖鳙长得快,差距约5％左右,方差组分和遗传相关分析进一步揭示,遗传因子在不同繁殖群体鳙的生长差异上起有重要作用。     

Ten new species of Commiphora (Burseraceae) from Somalia

The following new species are described: Commiphora arenaria from bushland on sand in south-central Somalia, C. gardoensis from limestone slopes in the Qardho area in north-eastem Somalia, C. stellatopubescens from bushland on limestone outcrops or stony ground in the Hiiraan Region in south-central Somalia, C. spinulosa from limestone rocks on the escarpment along the Gulf of Aden in northeastern Somalia, C. lobatospathulata from bushland on sand in central and south-central Somalia, C. quercifoliola from bushland on shallow soil over limestone near Eil in north-eastem Somalia, C. chiovendana from bushland in northern and central Somalia, C. multifoliolata from limestone hills and ridges in south-westem Somalia, C. murraywatsonii from limestone outcrops near Hobyo in central Somalia, and C. kucharii from bushland on shallow soils over limestone in central and southern Somalia.     

Saprophytic fungi isolated from the hair of domestic and laboratory animals with suspected dermatophytosis

Hair samples from domestic and laboratory animals with suspected dermatophytosis were examined for the presence of saprophytic fungi. A nutritionally poor base medium, developed by the author, was used in the isolation and identification of the saprophytes. Three hundred and ninety-four specimens were examined of which 246 were from dogs, 75 from cats, 30 from horses, 19 from cows, 12 from guinea pigs, 5 from rats, 2 from parakeets, 2 from chinchillas and one each from a goat, a mink and a lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens). Moulds classified in 32 genera were isolated. The commonest in order of frequency were members of the genera Penicillium, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma and Trichothecium. The yeasts that were isolated were not identified. Aureobasidium pullulans was isolated significantly more often (chi 2 test p less than 0.025) from the dog samples than those from cats, Cladosporium spp. in the samples from dogs than horses, Mucor spp. from the cow samples than horses, Penicillium spp. from the dog samples than those of cats or horses. Skin infections caused by any of the contaminants were not encountered.     

Effect of lactation on gluconeogenesis and ketogenesis in ovine hepatocytes

1. Rates of glucose synthesis from radioactive precursors and ketogenesis were determined in hepatocytes from control and lactating sheep. 2. Gluconeogenesis from propionate was the same in both groups. Gluconeogenesis from lactate + pyruvate was three-fold higher in hepatocytes from lactating sheep. Palmitate stimulated gluconeogenesis from lactate + pyruvate in both groups. 3. Rates of ketogenesis from palmitate but not butyrate were slightly higher in hepatocytes from lactating sheep. No other differences in the metabolism of palmitate or butyrate were seen in the two groups. Exogenous carnitine stimulated ketogenesis from palmitate. Propionate inhibited ketogenesis from palmitate and butyrate. Lactate + pyruvate also inhibited ketogenesis slightly but stimulated oxidation and esterification. 4. It is concluded that the major changes in glucose and ketone production seen in the lactating ruminant are not the result of long-term changes within the hepatocyte but occur because of the changes in substrate supply to the liver and changes in intracellular concentrations of metabolites.     

Effect of ethanol on activity of the plasma-membrane ATPase in, and accumulation of glycine by, Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The pH optimum of the ATPase activity in plasma membranes from Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC 431 from 8 h cultures was around 6.5 and that in membranes from organisms from 16 h cultures near 6.0. The Km[ATP] of the enzyme was virtually unaffected by the age of the culture from which organisms were harvested, although the Vmax of the enzyme in membranes from organisms from 8 h cultures was higher than that for organisms from 16 h cultures. Ethanol non-competitively inhibited ATPase activity in membranes, although the inhibition constant for the enzyme from organisms from 8 h cultures was lower than that from organisms from 16 h cultures. Glycine accumulation by the general amino acid permease was non-competitively inhibited by ethanol. Inhibition constants were virtually the same for glycine uptake by deenergized organisms from 8 h and 16 h cultures, but under energized conditions the value was greater for organisms from 16 h rather than 8 h cultures. The data indicate that inhibition of plasma-membrane ATPase activity by ethanol could account, at least in part, for inhibition of glycine accumulation by ethanol.     

Gluconeogenesis in perfused chicken kidney. Effects of feeding and starvation

1. Starvation for 48 hr doubled the rate of gluconeogenesis from lactate and pyruvate in perfused chicken kidney, but did not change the rate of production of glucose from malate, succinate, or alpha-ketoglutarate. 2. Amino-oxyacetate and D-malate inhibited the production of glucose from lactate and from pyruvate by 55% in each case. Quinolinate reduced the production of glucose from lactate and from pyruvate by 50% in both fed and starved chickens, but had no effect on the production of glucose from intermediates in the citric acid cycle. 3. Starvation increased the rate of formation of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate from pyruvate, but had no effect on the rate of formation of mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate from malate.     

Distribution of ribonucleic acid coliphages in raw sewage from treatment plants in Japan.

To determine the transmission cycle of ribonucleic acid (RNA) coliphages in their natural habitats, we investigated the distribution patterns of RNA phages in raw sewage collected from treatment plants in various localities in Japan. Most of the sewage samples contained group II and III phages. Samples from treatment plants in Sapporo, Tokyo, and Toyama contained appreciable amounts of group I phages in addition to the group II and III phages. As a whole, raw sewage from treatment plants in Japan contained RNA phages of the three groups in the ratio 1:2:5, group I/II/III. Based on the distribution patterns of RNA phages in sewage from domestic drainage in Japan proper (group II/III, 3:1), in animal feces and sewage from slaughter houses (mostly group I), and in human feces (group II/III, 1:1), it can be reasonably said that group I phages tend to be introduced from animal sources and group II and III phages tend to be introduced from human sources. Raw sewage from treatment plants in Japan consists mainly of human feces, sewage from domestic drainage, and industrial wastewater, and, in part, from slaughter houses. In fact, sewage from slaughter houses together with that from human sources flowed into the treatment plants of Tokyo as far as we could confirm.     

Effects of vegetation change and soil disturbance on ectomycorrhizas ofBetula platyphylla var.japonica: A test using seedlings planted in soils taken from various sites

The occurrence and character of different types of ectomycorrhizas of birch seedlings were investigated in soils from three naturally regenerating birch stands: a forest site, a clear-cut site, and a site recently disturbed by plowing. Birch grown in soil from an evergreen broad-leaved forest without birch was also studied. The rate of ectomycorrhizal formation in the soil from the evergreen broad-leaved forest was lower than that in the soil from the other three sites. The ectomycorrhizal formation of seedlings grown in soil from the clear-cut and plowed sites were the same as or higher than that in soil from the birch forest site. The largest number of ectomycorrhizal types were formed in soil from the birch forest site. In the soil from the plowed site, only one type of ectomycorrhiza was formed, and it was different from the dominant type formed in soils from the birch forest site and the clear-cut site. The results of this investigation showed that equal levels of ectomycorrhizas were formed in soils from the different birch stands, but the types formed were different among those sites. It is likely that the different ectomycorrhizal fungi were better adapted to the soil conditions at each of those sites.     

The subfamily Aephnidiogeninae Yamaguti, 1934 (Digenea: Lepocreadiidae), its status and that of the genera Aephnidiogenes Nicoll, 1915, Holorchis Stossich, 1901, Austroholorchis n. g., Pseudaephnidiogenes Yamaguti, 1971, Pseudoholorchis Yamaguti, 1958 and Neolepocreadium Thomas, 1960

The status of all of the putative member genera of the subfamily Aephnidiogeninae is reconsidered, based mainly on the morphology of the terminal genitalia. Aephnidiogenes Nicoll, 1915 is the only genus retained in the Aephnidiogeninae. Aephnidiogenes major Yamaguti, 1934 from Diagramma labiosum from the southern Great Barrier Reef is redescribed with particular reference to the terminal genitalia, and is shown to lack a true cirrus-sac, a condition considered to be diagnostic of the Aephnidiogeninae. Holorchis Stossich, 1901 is placed in the subfamily Lepidapedinae. Holorchis pycnoporus Stossich, 1901 from Pagellus acarne from off Spanish Sahara and from Diplodus vulgaris from off Italy and H. legendrei Dollfus, 1946 from Sparodon durbanensis and D. sargus from off eastern Cape Province, South Africa and from Pagellus erythrinus from the Adriatic Sea and Italy are studied and illustrated. The terminal genitalia of H. pycnoporus are found to be enigmatic, but those of H. legendrei are found to fit clearly into the 'Lepidapedon-like' pattern. A new genus Austroholorchis is erected in the Lepidapedinae, with A.sprenti (Gibson, 1987) n. comb. as the type-species. Its diagnostic features are its ani, infundibuliform oral sucker and the position of the ovary at about mid-level of the uterus . A. sprenti is illustrated, its hosts in Queensland waters being Sillago maculata, S. analis and S. ciliata. A. levis n. sp. is described from Sillago bassensis from south-western Western Australia. The genus PseudaephnidiogenesYamaguti, 1971 is placed in the Lepidapedinae. P. rhabdosargi (Prudhoe, 1956) from Rhabdosargus sarba from off Natal, South Africa is illustrated and the terminal genitalia of P. rhabdosargi from R. sarba and from R. holubi from off eastern Cape Province and Pseudaephnidiogenes rossi Bray, 1985 from Caffrogobius nudiceps from off eastern Cape Province, South Africa are illustrated. The genus Pseudoholorchis Yamaguti, 1958 is placed in the subfamily Lepocreadiinae. The terminal genitalia of P. pulcher (Manter, 1954) from Latridopsis ciliaris from New Zealand are illustrated. The genus Neolepocreadium Thomas, 1960 is placed in the Lepocreadiidae.     

Active drag, useful mechanical power output and hydrodynamic force coefficient in different swimming strokes at maximal velocity.

By comparing the time of the same distance swum with and without an added resistance, under the assumption of an equal power output in both cases, the drag of 73 top swimmers was estimated. The active drag Fr(a.d.) at maximal swimming velocities varied considerably across strokes and individuals. In the females Fr(a.d.) ranged from 69.78 to 31.16 N in the front-crawl, from 83.04 to 37.78 N in dolphin, from 93.56 to 45.19 N in breaststroke, and from 65.51 to 37.79 N in back-stroke. In the males Fr(a.d.) ranged from 167.11 to 42.23 N in front-crawl, from 156.09 to 46.95 N in dolphin, from 176.87 to 55.61 N in breaststroke, and from 146.28 to 46.36 N in back-stroke. Also, the ratio of Fr(a.d.) to the passive drag Fr(a.d.) as determined for the analogical velocity in a tugging condition (in standard body position-front gliding) shows considerable individual variations. In the female swimmers variations in Fr(a.d.)/Fr(p.d.) ranged from 145.17 to 59.94% in front-crawl, from 192.39 to 85.57% in dolphin, from 298.03 to 124.50% in breaststroke, and from 162.87 to 85.61% in back-stroke. In the male swimmers variations in Fr(a.d.)/Fr(p.d.) ranged from 162.24 to 62.39% in front-crawl, from 191.70 to 70.38% in dolphin, from 295.57 to 102.83% in breaststroke, and from 198.82 to 74.48% in back-stroke. The main reason for such variations is found in the individual features of swimming technique and can be quantitatively estimated with the hydrodynamic force coefficient, which thus provides an adequate index of technique.     

Leaching losses of nitrogen and potassium in polders reclaimed from Lake Ijssel

Summary Mineral nitrogen and potassium lost from the Eastern Flevoland polder and from the North Eastern polder were estimated at regular intervals by determining the amounts of soluble nitrogen and potassium in the water which had been admitted by locks and inlets and discharged by pumping stations and subtracting nitrogen and potassium added in the rain. From 1959 to 1966 the nett annual losses of nitrogen in the discharged water from various pumping stations in Eastern Flevoland ranged from 18.9 to 33.2 (average 25.2) kg N per ha. Similarly in the North Eastern polder from 1963 to 1966 the nett annual losses ranged from 16.7 to 33.2 (average 22.1) kg N per ha. Rainfall added annually between 4.8 and 11.8 (average 8.6) kg N per ha to both polders. Nett losses from Eastern Flevoland ranged from 9.2 to 21.9 (average 15.8) kg per ha and from the North Eastern polder from 10.1 to 24.0 (average 14.9) kg N per ha, annually. Drainage water contained principally nitrate nitrogen, whereas the discharged water in many cases contained both ammonium and nitrate nitrogen, and often more ammonium than nitrate, presumably because the composition of the mineral nitrogen in the waterways is changed by the growth and death of algae. From 1962 to 1966 the discharged water removed potassium from the Eastern Flevoland polder in amounts ranging from 105 to 226 (average 162) kg K per ha annually. During 1963–1964, amounts lost from the North Eastern polder ranged from 47 to 71 (average 59) kg K per ha each year. The rain added from 4.5 to 10.7 (average 6.9) kg K per ha annually to both polders. Nett losses from Eastern Flevoland ranged from 99 tot 219 (average 156) kg K per ha and from the North Eastern polder from 41 to 67 (average 54) kg K per ha annually.     

Fusarium Species From Plant Debris Associated With Soils From Maize Production Areas in the Transkei Region of South Africa

Fusarium species were isolated from plant debris in soil samples collected from cultivated maize fields and from undisturbed grasslands in two areas of the Transkei region. A total of 1205 Fusarium isolates were recovered from 27 soil samples. Fifteen Fusarium species were recovered from plant debris from Bizana soils and 13 Fusarium species from plant debris from Centane soils. The two dominant Fusarium species in both areas were F. oxysporum and F. equiseti. Very few isolates of F. moniliforme and F. subglutinans were recovered, but both of these species had significantly higher relative densities in cultivated soils than in undisturbed soils. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于线粒体细胞色素氧化酶I（COI）序列的猪和兔四个疥螨分离株的系统发育关系分析

为了探讨兔疥螨分离株和猪疥螨分离株的分类地位, 采用PCR技术首次扩增了分离自中国猪和兔的4个疥螨分离株的线粒体细胞色素氧化酶I（COI）基因, 并与GenBank中注册的14个国外疥螨分离株的同源基因进行了比较。序列分析结果显示: 扩增的4个疥螨株COI基因长度均为1 427 bp, 序列间无插入、缺失, A+T含量（73%）明显高于G+C含量（27%）, 碱基组成存在明显偏移。猪和兔的4个疥螨分离株间的COI基因同源性较高（99.1%～100.0%）, 它们与澳大利亚人疥螨株、国外动物疥螨株的同源性范围为98.4%～99.6%。在构建的NJ树中, 分离自中国猪和兔的4个疥螨分离株同澳大利亚人疥螨分离株、国外动物疥螨分离株亲缘关系较近。根据疥螨COI基因同源性分析和系统树构建结果, 我们认为分离自中国猪和兔的4个疥螨分离株与澳大利亚人疥螨分离株以及国外的动物疥螨分离株均应属于同一个种。     

Dependence of the cellulosolytic activity in the lichen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hypogymnia physodes</Emphasis> (L.) Nyl. on the substrate

Samples of the lichen H. physodes were collected from bark of living trees (pine, spruce, birch, alder, rowan, and willow); from the wood of these trees and of juniper; from bark of dead spruce, alder, and rowan trees; and from the moss Hypnum pallescens. Thalli of this lichen were placed onto medium with carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC) (water being used as a control). Output of sugars was determined using the Nelson-Somogyi technique. Cellulosolytic activity of samples from the bark of pine and birch was higher than that of samples from the bark of spruce. In thalli of the lichen from wood, from moss, and from bark of living alder and rowan trees, the output of sugars on the medium with CMC was similar to that in the control. The cellulosolytic activity was revealed in samples from the lichen from bark of dead rowan and alder trees. In the lichen from spruce bark, the output of sugars on the medium with CMC was higher in samples from dead trees in comparison with living trees. The results are discussed.