The pathogenicities of Cylindrocarpon tonkinense and Fusarium solani in the rabbit cornea

The pathogenicity of Cylindrocarpon tonkinense in the cornea was evaluated and compared with that of Fusarium solani in rabbits. F. solani was inoculated into the right eyes of 14 rabbits and C. tonkinense was into the left eyes of same rabbits. The corneal lesions of both eyes were examined carefully by slit lamp every day for three weeks and the severity of infections were compared each other. For histopathologic study, several eyes were enucleated periodically. C. tonkinense has a pathogenicity equally strong as F. solani in this inculum size (10⁴ microconidia per cornea) and produced severe infection in rabbit eyes.     

Relationship between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Psoroptes cuniculi</Emphasis> and the Internal Bacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Serratia marcescens</Emphasis>

The bacterium Serratia marcescens isolated from surface-sterilised Psoroptes cuniculi was found sensitive to the antibiotic Amikacin. Mites placed in this antibiotic for 48–72 h and then washed by centrifugation were found to be alive and S. marcescens-free. Two experimental infestations were undertaken in order to verify the ability of the S. marcescens-free mites to infect and to give ear skin lesions in healthy rabbits and to evaluate the differential ability of the S. marcescens-free and S. marcescens-infected mites to give ear skin lesions. All rabbits were found to be infested, but only rabbits infested with S. marcescens-free mites presented crusts in their ears, whereas mites and/or eggs were only detected in the ear cerumen of all rabbits infested with S. marcescens-infected mites. S. marcescens was isolated only from P. cuniculi mites taken from these latter rabbits. Results indicate that P. cuniculi mites do not need S. marcescens to live and to be able to infest a healthy rabbit. In addition, S. marcescens was not isolated from eggs and newly born larvae of S. marcescens-infected P. cuniculi, demonstrating that in a population of P. cuniculi this bacterium is not transmitted transovarially.     

Novel Endophytes of Rice form a Taxonomically Distinct Subgroup of Serratia marcescens

Six endophytic strains isolated from surface-sterilized rice roots and stems of different rice varieties grown in the Philippines were characterized. They were analyzed by physiological and biochemical tests, SDS-PAGE of whole-cell protein patterns, DNA-DNA hybridization and 16S rDNA sequencing. SDS-PAGE of whole-cell patterns showed that the six isolates fell into two subgroups which were similar but not identical in protein patterns to S. marcescens. The phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences of two representative strains IRBG 500 and IRBG 501 indicated that they were closely related to S. marcescens(more than 99% identity). Physiological and biochemical tests corroborated that the isolates were highly related to each other and to S. marcescens. In cluster analysis, all six isolates were clustered together at 93% similarity level and grouped closely with Serratia marcescens at 86% similarity level. DNA-DNA hybridization studies revealed that the isolates shared high similarity levels with S. marcescens(≥86% DNA-DNA binding), indicating they belong to the same species. However, the isolates differed in several biochemical characteristics from the type strain. They produce urease and utilize urea and L(+) sorbose as a substrate, which is different from all known Serratia reference strains. These results suggest that the six endophytic isolates represent a novel, non-pigmented subgroup of S. marcescens.     

透明角膜切口白内障术后角膜曲率的临床观察*

目的:观察年龄相关性白内障行透明角膜切口超声乳化吸除及人工晶体植入术后角膜曲率的变化及相对稳定的时间。方法:收集2016年6月-8月在哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院伍连德纪念医院进行的3.0 mm透明角膜切口白内障超声乳化吸除及人工晶体植入术的患者200例216眼,其中男88例、女128例,平均年龄71.2岁,进行相应的术前检查,并检查术前、术后第一天、一周、一个月、和三个月时的角膜曲率、视力、眼压并行相应的统计学分析。结果:术后不同时间点视力0.5的恢复情况:第一天为147眼(68.05%)、一周为175眼(81.02%)、一个月为193眼(89.35%)、三个月为197眼(91.20%);术前角膜曲率为43.94±1.35、术后第一天、术后一周的角膜曲率分别为44.98±1.06、44.45±1.18,与术前相比有显著性差异(p0.05),术后一个月、三个月的角膜曲率分别为44.13±1.27、44.02±1.24,与术前相比无显著性差异(p0.05);术源性散光于术后一天达到最大,随后逐渐减小,术后一个月、三个月与术后一天比较有显著性差异(p0.05),术后三个月与一个月比较无显著性差异(p0.05),术源性散光术后逐渐下降,并于一个月时趋于稳定。结论:3.0 mm透明角膜切口白内障超声乳化吸除及人工晶体植入术患者在术后一个月的角膜曲率基本稳定,恢复至术前状态,屈光状态趋于稳定,术源性角膜散光较小,术后视力恢复至较好状态。     

一株牙鲆源黏质沙雷氏菌YP1的分离鉴定及致病性分析

黏质沙雷氏菌(Serratia marcescens)是引起人类、动物及植物感染的重要条件致病菌,但其作为鱼类致病菌却鲜有报道。【目的】本研究以从患病牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)病灶处分离的一株黏质沙雷氏菌YP1为研究对象,分析黏质沙雷氏菌对鱼类的致病性及对疾控的影响。【方法】利用形态学、分子生物学及生理生化实验综合鉴定菌株YP1;利用菌株YP1进行人工感染实验、组织病理实验及药敏试验,研究其感染症状、组织病理学、毒力和药物敏感性。【结果】分离自患病牙鲆体表溃疡病灶处的菌株YP1鉴定为黏质沙雷氏菌。感染实验结果显示,牙鲆和斑马鱼的半数致死量(LD₅₀)分别为3.44×10⁷CFU/g和6.28×10⁵CFU/g,除牙鲆外菌株YP1对其他鱼类也具有高致病性;菌株YP1主要导致牙鲆腹水,同时伴有呼吸急促、摄食减弱、脱肛、白便、鳃缺血及多脏器膨大出血等症状,并随着感染时间的延长对脏器损伤呈加重趋势。病理组织切片结果显示,菌株YP1对牙鲆鳃、肠、肝、脾、肾、心均造成损伤。药敏试验结果表明,YP1对左氧氟沙星、诺氟沙星等14种药物敏感;但对氨苄西林、头孢拉定等19种药物具有耐药性。【结论】本研究结果证实了黏质沙雷氏菌是能导致牙鲆腹水病的一种病原菌,同时对其他鱼类也具高致病性,为该菌感染鱼类导致疾病的检测、鉴别和防治提供科学依据。     

Histopathology of experimental Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis

Histopathological studies in rabbit's eyes, 7 and 14 days after intracorneal inoculation with 1×10⁵ Aspergillus fumigatus conidia have been performed.Similar lesions were found in both periods with fungal hyphae in the anterior third of corneal stroma, round cell infiltration from the sclero-corneal edge and in the anterior chamber and, neovascularization.No lesions were found in the Descemet's membrane.Gomori silver-methenamine stain with hematoxiline-eosine counter-stain was found to be the most reliable stain to detect fungal presence in corneal stroma, and Masson's trichromic stain in the study of pathological changes in ocular elements.     

Hemolysin as a marker for Serratia

All Serratia marcescens strains (total of 33) of different sources were hemolytic including clinical strains previously classified as being nonhemolytic. DNA fragments of the two hemolysin genes hybridized with the chromosomal DNA of S. marcescens, S. liquefaciens, S. kiliensis, S. grimesii, S. proteamaculans, S. plymutica, S. rubridaea which were also hemolytic. The restriction pattern of the hemolysin locus differed in each strain. S. ficaria and S. marinorubra expressed a different hemolysin which was much smaller than the S. marcescens hemolysin since it diffused through dialysis membranes. The DNA of the latter strains did not hybridize with the S. marcescens hemolysin DNA probes. Some S. marcescens strains, S. kiliensis and S. liquefaciens also expressed in addition the small hemolysin. No hybridization was found with DNA of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella arerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosus, Listeria sp., Aeromonas sp., Legionella sp. and a Meningococcus sp., indicating that the hemolysin DNA probes are specific for Serratia, or that the hemolysin genes occur rarely in genera other than Serratia.     

Chitinases from <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Serratia marcescens</Emphasis> Nima

Chitinolytic activity of Serratia marcescens Nima (130 U ml⁻¹) was up to 43 times higher than those produced by other S. marcescens strains. This strain synthesized an endochitinase (Chi-60), an exochitinase (Chi-50) and a novel N-acetylglucosaminidase. This latter showed two putative isoforms (Chi-180.5 and Chi-180.8) with isoelectric points of 5 and 8.1, respectively.     

The Effect of Chitinase on Didymella applanata, the Causal Agent of Raspberry Cane Spur light

In vitro and in vivo studies were conducted to assess the efficacy of the two microbial chitinases Chi I (from Streptomyces sp.) and Chi II (from Serratia marcescens) on Didymella applanata (Niessl.) Sacc., the fungus which causes spur blight of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.). D. applanata was isolated from canes of diseased raspberries in a plantation in Novosibirsk, Russia. In vitro, the effective concentration of Chi I that reduced the growth of D. applanata was 0.4 U/ml (p = 0.05), but Chi II had no influence on the growth of the fungus in medium. In inoculation experiments on raspberry canes, both chitinases at the rate 0.5 U/ml reduced fungal development. In plantation where canes were inoculated after spraying with chitinase, fruiting bodies of fungus failed to form in all enzyme treatments, whereas a significant number of these fungal fruiting bodies (12.8 per cm²) developed in control treatments lacking chitinases spraying. The chitinases reduced the size of lesions and limited the infection of internal tissues of canes. Field testing of Chi I under natural conditions showed a significant suppression of the independent spur blight. These studies form the basis for further evaluation of ecologically benign control measures for raspberry spur blight.     

A Comparative Structure–Function Analysis and Molecular Mechanism of Action of Endonucleases from Serratia marcescens and Physarum polycephalum

Structural and functional characteristics were compared for wild-type nuclease from Serratia marcescens, which belongs to the family of DNA/RNA nonspecific endonucleases, its mutational forms, and the nuclease I-PpoI from Physarum polycephalum, which is a representative of the Cys-His box-containing subgroup of the superfamily of extremely specific intron-encoded homing DNases. Despite the lack of sequence homology and the overall different topology of the Serratia marcescens and I-PpoI nucleases, their active sites have a remarkable structural similarity. Both of them have a unique magnesium atom in the active site, which is a part of the coordinatively bonded water–magnesium complex involved in their catalytic acts. In the enzyme–substrate complexes, the Mg²⁺ ion is chelated by an Asp residue, coordinates two oxygen atoms of DNA, and stabilizes the transition state of the phosphate anion and 3"-OH group of the leaving nucleotide. A new mechanism of the phosphodiester bond cleavage, which is common for the Serratia marcescens and I-PpoI nucleases and differs from the known functioning mechanism of the restriction and homing endonucleases, was proposed. It presumes a His residue as a general base for the activation of a non-cluster water molecule at the nucleophilic in line displacement of the 3"-leaving group. A strained metalloenzyme–substrate complex is formed during hydrolysis and relaxes to the initial state after the reaction.     

Serratia marcescens as a rapid indicator of Microctonus hyperodae oviposition activity in Listronotus maculicollis and potential application of the technique to host-specificity testing

Listronotus maculicollis (Dietz) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a potential novel host of the braconid parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae Loan, but initial studies have shown that levels of parasitism are lower than in the natural host L. bonariensis (Kuschel). A novel bacterial indicator test was used to determine whether the lower level of parasitism was due to behavioural factors, lack of oviposition, or host resistance. The incidence of ovipositor penetration by the parasitoid M. hyperodae into adult L. maculicollis was measured by immersing the ovipositor of the parasitoid in the facultative pathogen, Serratia marcescens Bizio. Adult weevils were then exposed to parasitoids for up to 72 h and rapid mortality used as an indicator of oviposition penetration. Survival was assessed after six days and surviving weevils were dissected and examined for parasitoid larvae. Mortality among L. maculicolis exposed to parasitoids treated with S. marcescens was significantly higher (P<0.001) than the controls but significantly lower (P<0.001) than in the natural host, L. bonariensis. Dissection of weevils exposed to uncontaminated parasitoids revealed that parasitism in L. maculicolis was significantly (P<0.001) less than parasitism in L. bonariensis. Serratia marcescens-induced mortality plus parasitism of surviving weevils in the parasitoid plus bacteria treatments produced a similar overall effect. Application of bacteria to the parasitoid ovipositor provided a rapid, simple test for ovipositor penetration, which shows potential for separation of behavioural and physiological defence mechanisms in parasitoid/host range studies.     

Application of Preserved Human Amniotic Membrane for Corneal Surface Reconstruction

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation for reconstruction of the corneal surface diseases. Methods: Preserved human amniotic membrane transplantations were performed in 84 eyes of 78 patients for corneal surface reconstruction. The indications were limbal stem cell deficiency from Steven–Johnson syndrome, chemical burn and herpes keratitis (27 eyes), bullous keratopathy (26 eyes), persistent epithelial defect and dellen (17 eyes), band keratopathy (11 eyes), preparing for prosthesis (1 eye), corneal ulcer (1 eye) and acute chemical burn (1 eye). Results: Success was noted in 83.3% (70/84) eyes, partial success in 13.1% (11/84) eyes, and failure in 3.6% (3/84) eyes for an average follow-up of 10.5 months (3 – 29 months). No patient developed major immediate post-operative complications. Conclusion: Amniotic membrane transplantation can reduce inflammation, promote corneal epithelial healing, and decrease irritation in corneal surface problems.     

Hemolytic activity of Serratia marcescens

A cell-bound hemolytic activity was found in several strains of Serratia marcescens. One Serratia cell per ten erythrocytes was sufficient to cause complete lysis of human erythrocytes within 2 h in the liquid assay. The hemolytic activity resided in the membrane fraction and could be inactivated by incubating cells with proteases. The hemolytic activity was greatly enhanced in actively metabolizing Serratia cells and was partially controlled by the iron supply. Hemolysis was accompanied by degradation of erythrocyte membrane proteins (band 3 and 6, glycophorin) and was independent of the blood group. The exoprotease secreted by S. marcescens in large amounts was not involved in hemolysis. Comparison with various hemolytic strains of Escherichia coli showed that hemolysis of erythrocytes was more pronounced with S. marcescens than with E. coli. In contrast to hemolysis by E. coli, lysis of erythrocytes by S. marcescens was not enhanced by Ca²⁺ ions.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Gerhart Drews on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Post emergence maturation of the eye of the adult black carpet beetle,Attagenus megatoma (Fab.): An electron microscope study

The black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (Fab.), has been reported to exhibit negative phototaxis immediately after emergence. In later adult life, after the period during which most oviposition has occurred, the beetles are found to be photopositive. The compound eyes of one-day-old (Post-emergence) and nine-day-old (Post-ovipositional) female beetles were studied by electron microscopy and a number of strong differences were found between eyes at the two ages. The corneal facets of one-day eyes had the form of convex-concave lenses, while those of nine-day beetles were double-convex lenses. The primary and secondary pigment cells of young eyes were large and contained much endoplasmic reticulum and little accessory pigment. In the older eyes the pigment cells were reduced and contained much pigment, the proportion of endoplasmic reticulum being greatly reduced by comparison with the one-day eye. The cross-sectional area of the rhabdom was greater in the older eye. The possible relationships between age-related changes in eye morphology and behavioral changes during the same period are discussed.     

The protective role of topical propolis on experimental keratitis via nitric oxide levels in rabbits

The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of propolis in the treatment of experimental Staphylococcus aureus keratitis. Twenty young New Zealand white rabbits were used in this experiment. Staphylococcus aureus were given by intrastromal injection to 16 rabbits and 4 rabbits were used as control group (Group 1). Group 2 was treated with phosphate-buffered solution drops; Group 3 was administered ethanolic extract of propolis drops; Group 4 received topical ciprofloxacin drops; Group 5 was treated with topical ciprofloxacin drops along with ethanolic extract of propolis drops. The eyes were examined by slit lamp to assess corneal opacity. And then, corneas were removed to determine nitric oxide (NO) levels and count bacteria. Corneas were also evaluated histologically. Corneal NO concentration in gruop 5, treated with a combination of propolis and ciprofloxacin was determined significantly lower (10.0± 1.8 μmol/g wet tissue) than in Group 4, treated with ciprofloxacin (24.0± 3.1 μmol/g wet tissue), from Group 3, treated with propolis (15.6± 1.8 μmol/g wet tissue), and treated with PBS (44.7± 7.8 μmol/g wet tissue). There were significantly fewer bacteria in eyes that received propolis plus ciprofloxacin than in eyes treated with ciprofloxacin (p = 0.0001) or propolis (p = 0.0001) or eyes treated with PBS (p = 0.0001). The light microscopic examination revealed that the control group showed normal corneal morphology. In the nontreated group, sections of the stromal infiltration revealed the presence of inflammatory cells, which were diffusely distributed (p < 0.05). Administrations of ciprofloxacin plus propolis resulted in a significantly reduced histological damage with fewer bacterial inoculation of the corneal stroma in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, we suggest that ethanolic extract of propolis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties for S. aureus keratitis in rabbits.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bipolaris hawaiiensis</Emphasis> Keratomycosis and Endophthalmitis

Following trauma with rice stalk to the left eye, corneal ulcer with abscess and hypopyon developed in an immunocompetent male. Direct examination of the corneal scrapings revealed septate, branched fungal hyphae. Bipolaris hawaiiensis was isolated after culture on blood agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Because of delay in diagnosis and appropriate treatment, the patient developed endophthalmitis needing evisceration.     

Clinical and experimental mycotic corneal ulcer caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and the effect of oral ketoconazole in the treatment

Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from a case of keratomycosis. The patient, a 12-year-old boy presented with large corneal ulcer with hypopyon. The direct microscopic examination of scrapings revealed hyaline, septate mycelium. In vitro some antimycotics (amphotericin B,5-fluorocytosine, oxiconazole, amorolfine and ketoconazole) were tested against A. fumigatus by agar dilution method. Ketoconazole with minimum inhibitory concentration of 30 g/ml after 11 days of incubation was most effective against A. fumigatus. Experimental corneal ulcer was produced by injecting intralamellary spore suspension (2.5×10⁶ c.f.u.) into the right eyes of previously immunosuppressed albino and black wild types of rabbits. The extent of ocular infection was graded up to 32 days. Histopathologic examination showed infiltration and large destruction of corneal stroma. Oral ketoconazole therapy exhibited partial response followed by relapse. The black type of rabbit appeared more suitable as an animal model for mycotic keratitis.This paper was presented at the X^th congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology at Barcelona, Spain from June 27 to July 1, 1988.     

Protoplast-like structures formation from two species of enterobacteriaceae by fosfomycin treatment

A procedure for protoplasts formation from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens by treatment with fosfomycin alone is described. This method gives high and low yields of stable protoplasts from E. coli and S. marcescens respectively. In the last case numerous spheroplasts were obtained. Electron micrographs of intact cells, protoplasts and spheroplasts are shown.     

灵杆菌合成灵菌红素的转录调控

灵菌红素是一种具有多种生物活性的红色素,具有巨大的经济价值和广阔的应用前景。灵杆菌是灵菌红素的生产菌株,同时也是研究灵菌红素合成的模式菌株。本文综述了转录水平上调控灵杆菌合成灵菌红素的研究进展,总结了双(多)组分调控系统、群体感应系统、σ因子和转录因子在调控灵杆菌合成灵菌红素过程中发挥的作用,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

Focusing and accommodation in tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus)

Summary Photorefraction and photokeratometry were performed on two juvenile tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus, 7 years of age, total length approx. 27 cm). Sphenodon is the only surviving genus of the Rhynchocephalia, an order of reptiles. Both existing species are endangered and are found only in New Zealand. Even though Walls (1942) has stated that the ciliary muscle is relatively weak in tuataras, we observed 8 D of accommodation. The eyes were found to focus independently and we could induce an anisometropia of 6 D. The average corneal power of the tuatara was found to be 101 D.