Non-invasive detection and monitoring of estrus,pregnancy and the postpartum period in pygmy loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) using fecal estrogen metabolites

Estrone-conjugates (E₁C) were measured in the feces of six female pygmy lorises (Nycticebus pygmaeus) during estrus (n = 12), pregnancy (n = 4) and the postpartum period (n = 3). Noninvasive feces collection permitted frequent sampling throughout estrus and pregnancy, without disturbance of animals. The estrous period was defined as an increase in fecal E₁C levels above an average of 70 ng/g feces with peaks above 100 ng/g feces obtained in consecutive fecal samples collected over a 6- to 11-day period between the end of July and the first third of October. Comparison of the periovulatory profile of E₁C and the stage of labial opening of the vagina revealed a high agreement (P < 0.001). In all pregnant females, an E₁C rise was found approximately 47 days postestrus, the source of which may be the growing fetal placental unit. Estimated gestation lengths ranged between 187 and 198 days (n = 4). Am. J. Primatol. 41:103–115, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

链状亚历山大藻共附生细菌多样性

采用非分离培养分析方法,直接提取链状亚历山大藻（Alexandrium catenella）共附生细菌总DNA,以之为模板进行PCR扩增获得细菌16S rDNA基因片段,并构建16S rDNA克隆文库。通过16S rDNA限制性酶切片段长度多态性（restriction fragment length polymorphism,RFLP）和测序方法对链状亚历山大藻共附生细菌的多样性进行了研究。84个16S rDNA克隆片段经限制性内切酶HaeⅢ酶切分析,得到30种不同的酶切指纹类型。挑选50个克隆子进行测序获得其16S rDNA部分序列,并对16S rDNA序列进行聚类分析构建了系统进化树。结果表明,链状亚历山大藻共附生的细菌多样性较强,优势细菌类群为变形菌α亚群（α-Proteobacteria）和拟杆菌（Bacteroidetes）,其中玫瑰杆菌（Roseobacter sp.）在α-Proteobacteria中占绝对优势。     

Phylogenetic analysis of cecal microbiota in chicken by the use of 16S rDNA clone libraries

The chicken cecum contains a great many bacteria, most of which are strict anaerobes. A strictly anaerobe culture-based method was used in the present study, in conjunction with the 16S rDNA clone library, to elucidate bacterial diversity and the phylogenetic relationship of cecal microbiota in the chicken. A comparative 16S rDNA sequence analysis of cultivated strains and retrieved clones from cecal contents was performed. Approximately 90% of the bacterial cells detected by microscopy did not form colonies on a medium 10 in plate-in-bottle. The 19 isolated strains yielded 11 distinct rDNA sequences, 58% of which were classified as low G + C gram-positive bacteria, 26% were related to Bacteroides spp., and 16% were classified as Proteobacteria. Based on the sequence analysis of 164 clones, 24% were identified to belong to 8 known species and 76% were considered to be 65 novel phylotypes. Approximately 94% of cloned sequences were classified into low G + C gram-positive bacteria, 4% were related to Bacteroides spp., and 2% were classified into Proteobacteria. Clostridium subcluster XIVa (38%), Clostridium cluster IV (13%), Lactobacillus spp. (24%), and Bacteroides spp. (4%) were the major groups constituting the cecal microbiota in chicken, in which the Clostridium subcluster XIVa was the most phylogenetically diverse group in chicken cecum. The 16S rDNA sequences of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. crispatus, L. salivarius, and L. reuteri were the most frequently found in the Lactobacillus group in chicken cecum.     

Phylogenetic analysis of the human gut microbiota using 16S rDNA clone libraries and strictly anaerobic culture-based methods

The human gut microbiota from three healthy subjects were compared by the use of a sequence analysis of 16S rDNA libraries and a culture-based method. Direct counts ranged from 1.9 X 10" to 4.0 X 10" cells/g (wet weight), and plate counts totaled 6.6 X 10(10) to 1.2 X 10(11) CFU/g (wet weight). Sixty to seventy percent of the bacteria in the human intestinal tract cannot be cultured with currently available methods. The 16S rDNA libraries from three subjects were generated from total community DNA in the intestinal tract with universal primer sets. Randomly selected clones were partially sequenced. All purified colonies detected from the surface of the agar plate were used for a partial sequencing of 16S rDNA. On the basis of sequence similarities, the clones and colonies were classified into several clusters corresponding to the major phylum of the domain Bacteria. Among a total of 744 clones obtained, approximately 25% of them belonged to 31 known species. About 75% of the remaining clones were novel "phylotypes" (at least 98% similarity of clone sequence). The predominant intestinal microbial community consisted of 130 species or phylotypes according to the sequence data in this study. The 16S rDNA libraries and colonies included the Bacteroides group, Streptococcus group, Bifidobacterium group, and Clostridium rRNA clusters IV, IX, XIVa, and XVIII. Moreover, several previously uncharacterized and uncultured microorganisms were recognized in clone libraries and colonies. Our results also showed marked individual differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota.     

Phylogenetic diversity of planktonic archaea in the estuarine region of East China Sea

To examine the diversity and structure of archaeal communities in the Yangtze River estuarine region of East China Sea (ECS), the 16S rRNA gene clone libraries of two typical sites were constructed with the archaea-specific primers. In total, 71 clones randomly selected were screened by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis and 21 clones with unique RFLP pattern were sequenced. All the sequences are clustered into the two groups of Marine Group I (MGI) and Marine Group II (MGII) which are affiliated with the phyla Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota, respectively. MGI clones dominate both libraries with 20 MGI sequences obtained. The majority of sequences are closely related to uncultured marine archaea except for two sequences of which the nearest neighbor is a newly identified isolate of nitrifying marine archaeon Nitrosopumilus maritimus (98% identity). The results indicate that ECS coastal waters are inhabited by archaeal community with low dominance and high diversity corresponding to the complex estuarine environments, suggesting that archaea may perform an important role in the estuarine ecosystem.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of the Genus Bifidobacterium and Related Genera Based on 16S rDNA Sequences

The 16S rRNA gene sequences were determined for type strains of 21 Bifidobacterium species. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the determined sequences and sequences from DNA databases, which contain the sequences of 11 type strains of Bifidobacterium species and 11 strains of related genera. All species of the genus Bifidobacterium and Gardnerella vaginalis ATCC 14018 belonged to a cluster phylogenetically distinct from the other genera. The cluster was divided into two subclusters: subcluster 1 composed of most species of Bifidobacterium and G. vaginalis, and subcluster 2 consisting of two species, B. denticolens and B. inopinatum; both of which were isolated from human dental caries. In the genus Bifidobacterium, four groups of species are known to be moderately to highly related by DNA-DNA hybridization. The four groups of species exhibited more than 99% similarity among their 16S rDNA sequences within each group. These results indicated that species with around 99% or more similarity in their 16S rDNA sequences should be confirmed for species identities.     

Comparison of the oral bacterial flora in saliva from a healthy subject and two periodontitis patients by sequence analysis of 16S rDNA libraries

The oral bacterial flora in the saliva from two patients with periodontitis and from a periodontally healthy subject were compared using a sequence analysis of 16S rDNA libraries without cultivation. 16S rDNAs were amplified from salivary DNA by PCR and cloned. Randomly selected clones were partially sequenced. On the basis of sequence similarities, the clones were classified into several clusters corresponding to the major phylum of the domain Bacteria. The major phylum in the libraries was the low G+C Gram-positive bacteria. There was no clonal sequence affiliated with periodontopathic bacteria in the salivary sample from the healthy subject, while a number of periodontal pathogens such as Campylobacter rectus, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema socranskii were detected in the salivary samples from the patients with periodontitis. In addition, a number of previously uncharacterized and uncultured microorganisms were recognized. These organisms may have some role in periodontal disease. This study reveals some potential for a molecular-biological technique to analyze the oral microflora associated with periodontal disease, including previously uncharacterized and uncultured microorganisms, without cultivation.     

太湖地区典型菜地土壤微生物16S rDNA的PCR-RFLP分析

土壤微生物多样性是土壤生态功能的基础,但长期以来缺乏对高强度土地利用条件下的土壤微生物多样性的认识.作者采用间接法提取了江苏省太湖地区典型菜地土壤微生物的总DNA,以细菌的通用引物27F和1492R扩增16S rDNA片段,将扩增产物与T-载体酶连,转化大肠杆菌,建立土壤微生物16S rDNA克隆文库.PCR扩增基因文库中插入的16S rDNA外源片段,用两种限制性内切酶Hha I和Rsa I分别酶切,获得该土壤173个克隆的酶切指纹图谱.结果表明,Hha I和Rsa I联合酶切产生了63个基因分型,文库的覆盖度达76.30%,单一酶切产生的基因分型少,但文库的覆盖度高;克隆文库中存在两种优势类群,分别占总克隆的16%和12%.16S rDNA测序结果表明,太湖地区菜地土壤细菌在分类方面主要属于α-和γ-变形杆菌亚门.以上结果为进一步研究太湖地区菜地土壤微生物生态功能提供了基础资料.     

Fecal microbial diversity in a strict vegetarian as determined by molecular analysis and cultivation

Fecal microbial diversity in a strictly vegetarian woman was determined by the 16S rDNA library method, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and a culture-based method. The 16S rDNA library was generated from extracted fecal DNA, using bacteria-specific primers. Randomly selected clones were partially sequenced. T-RFLP analysis was performed using amplified 16S rDNA. The lengths of T-RF were analyzed after digestion by HhaI and MspI. The cultivated bacterial isolates were used for partial sequencing of 16S rDNA. Among 183 clones obtained, approximately 29% of the clones belonged to 13 known species. About 71% of the remaining clones were novel "phylotypes" (at least 98% similarity of clone sequence). A total of 55 species or phylotypes were identified among the 16S rDNA library, while the cultivated isolates included 22 species or phylotypes. In addition, many new phylotypes were detected from the 16S rDNA library. The 16S rDNA library and isolates commonly included the Bacteroides group, Bifidobacterium group, and Clostridium rRNA clusters IV, XIVa, XVI and XVIII. T-RFLP analysis revealed the major composition of the vegetarian gut microbiota were Clostridium rRNA subcluster XIVa and Clostridium rRNA cluster XVIII. The dominant feature of this strictly vegetarian gut microbiota was the detection of many Clostridium rRNA subcluster XIVa and C. ramosum (Clostridium rRNA cluster XVIII).     

慢生根瘤菌属结瘤基因的进化及遗传分析

根瘤菌中存在一系列控制固氮结瘤因子(lipo-chito-oligosaccharides)合成的结瘤基因(nodulation genes)。其中, nodA基因是合成结瘤因子所必需的, 该基因负责酰基转移酶的合成, 能将不饱和脂肪酸转移到结瘤因子寡聚糖骨架上; 基因nodZ, nolL和noeI为宿主专一性结瘤基因, 分别转录合成岩藻糖基转移酶, 岩藻糖乙酰化酶和岩藻糖甲基化酶。通过GenBank调取慢生根瘤菌属及其他根瘤菌属的结瘤基因nodA, nodZ, nolL和noeI, 构建系统发育树, 进行进化和遗传分析。结果表明, 慢生根瘤菌属各个菌株的nodA, nodZ, nolL和noeI具有很高的相关性, 但是与根据保守基因16S rDNA和dnaK分类情况不完全相符。这表明慢生根瘤菌属的结瘤基因主要是通过直系遗传的, 同时可能为适应宿主及环境条件, 结瘤基因有少量的平行转移。结果表明, 慢生根瘤菌属各个菌株的nodA, nodZ, nolL和noeI具有很高的同源性, 同时发现基于保守基因16S rDNA和dnaK对慢生根瘤菌的分类情况与慢生根瘤菌属各菌株在nodA, nodZ, nolL和noeI具有较高同源性的事实不完全相符。这表明慢生根瘤菌属的结瘤基因主要是通过直系遗传的, 同时可能为适应宿主及环境条件, 结瘤基因有少量的平行转移。     

Molecular analysis of fecal microbiota in elderly individuals using 16S rDNA library and T-RFLP

Fecal microbiota in six elderly individuals were characterized by the 16S rDNA libraries and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. Random clones of 16S rRNA gene sequences were isolated after PCR amplification with universal primer sets from total genomic DNA extracted from feces of three elderly individuals. These clones were partially sequenced (about 500 bp). T-RFLP analysis was performed using 16S rDNA amplified from six subjects. The lengths of the terminal restriction fragment (T-RF) were analyzed after digestion by HhaI and MspI. Among 240 clones obtained, approximately 46% belonged to 27 known species. About 54% of the other clones were 56 novel "phylotypes" (at least 98% homology of clone sequence). These libraries included 83 species or phylotypes. In addition, about 13% (30 phylotypes) of these phylotypes were newly discovered in these libraries. A large number of species that are not yet known exist in the feces of elderly individuals. 16S rDNA libraries and T-RFLP analysis revealed that the majority of bacteria were Bacteroides and relatives, Clostridium rRNA cluster IV, IX, Clostridium rRNA subcluster XIVa, and "Gammaproteobacteria". The proportion of Clostridium rRNA subcluster XIVa was lower than in healthy adults. In addition, although Ruminococcus obeum and its closely related phylotypes were detected in high frequency in healthy young subjects, hardly any were detected in our elderly individuals. "Gammaproteobacteria" were detected at high frequency.     

Phylogenetic analysis of archaea in three fractions of cow rumen based on the 16S rDNA sequence

Phylogenetic analysis of archaea in the rumen ecosystem was analysed by PCR of 16S rDNA from the bovine rumen using archaea-specific primers. The libraries were constructed from rumen fluid (AF), rumen solid (AS), and rumen epithelium (AE) from a rumen-fistulated Korean cow (Hanwoo). The 45 AF clones could be divided into three groups and the largest group was affiliated with the Methanomicrobiaceae family (96% of clones). The AF clones contained a high proportion of unidentifiable clones (67%). The 39 AE clones could be divided into two groups and the largest group was also affiliated with the Methanomicrobiaceae family (95% of clones). The AE clones contained a low proportion of unidentifiable clones (5%). The 20 AS clones could be divided into two groups that were affiliated with either the Methanobacteriaceae family (55%) or the Methanomicrobiaceae family (45%). The AS clones contained a moderate proportion of unidentifiable clones (40%). The predominant family of whole rumen archaea was found to belong to the Methanomicrobiaceae (85%). Methanomicrobiaceae were predominant in the rumen epithelium and the rumen fluid while Methanobacteriaceae were predominant in the rumen solid. One clone from the rumen fluid and two clones from the rumen epithelium contained rDNA sequences of Non-Thermophilic-Crenarchaeota (NTC) and Thermophilic-Crenarchaeota (TC), respectively, which have not previously been described from the rumen.     

Marine sponge Craniella austrialiensis-associated bacterial diversity revelation based on 16S rDNA library and biologically active Actinomycetes screening, phylogenetic analysis

AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial diversity associated with the sponge Craniella australiensis using a molecular strategy and isolating Actinomycetes with antimicrobial potentials. METHODS AND RESULTS: The bacterial diversity associated with South China Sea sponge C. austrialiensis was assessed using a 16S rDNA clone library alongside restriction fragment length polymorphism and phylogenetic analysis. It was found that the C. austrialiensis-associated bacterial community consisted of alpha, beta and gamma-Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes as well as Actinobacterium. Actinomycetes were isolated successfully using seawater medium with sponge extracts. According to the BLAST and phylogenetic analysis based on about 600-bp 16S rDNA sequences, 11 of the representative 23 isolates closely matched the Streptomyces sp. while the remaining 12 matched the Actinomycetales. Twenty Actinomycetes have antimicrobial potentials, of which 15 are found to possess broad-spectrum antimicrobial potentials. CONCLUSIONS: The sponge C. austrialiensis-associated bacterial community is very abundant including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Actinobacterium while Actinomycetes is not predominant. Artificial seawater medium with sponge extracts is suitable for Actinomycetes isolation. Most of the isolated C. austrialiensis-associated Actinomycetes have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study revealed the diversity of the bacterial community and the isolated Actinomycetes with antimicrobial potentials associated with sponge C. australiensis.     

16SrDNA同源性所揭示的双歧杆菌与有关细菌的亲缘关系

本研究测定了低ＧＣ含量的双歧杆菌（Ｂｉｆｉｄｏｂａｃｔｅｒｉｕｍ ｉｎｏｐｉｎａｔｕｍ）和新种Ｂ。ｔｈｅｒｍｏｃｉ．ｄｏｐｈｉｌｕｍ的１６ＳｒＤＮＡ全序列,在同另外１９个双歧杆菌及８个相关细菌的１６ＳｒＮＡ同源笥分析的基础上构建了系统发育树。结果表明：除低ＧＣ含蜈的Ｂ．ｉｎｏｐｉｎａｔｕｍ外,所有双杆菌的种在１６ＳｒＤＮＡ序列相似性≥８２％的水平上聚类为一个簇群。尽管Ｂ．ｉｎｏｐｉｎａｉｕｍ与其它     

商洛多花胡枝子根瘤菌16S rDNA-RFLP分析及系统发育研究

利用16S rDNA-RFLP和全序列测定方法,对分离自商洛地区5个分布点的59株多花胡枝子根瘤菌进行了RFLP分析和系统发育研究.结果表明:(1)42株供试菌株归属根瘤菌属(Rhizobium)、11株归属中华根瘤菌属(Sinorhizobium).其余6株非根瘤菌中3株是嗜麦芽黄单胞菌(Stenotrophomonas maltophilia)、3株是解淀粉类芽孢杆菌(Paenibacillus amylolyticus),说明胡枝子根瘤内生菌较为丰富且类型多样.(2)结合供试菌株的地理生境分析,发现来自不同采集点的菌株有些具有同样的遗传类型,而来自同一采集点的菌株遗传类型却有差异,证明胡枝子根瘤菌在分群类别上与地理环境之间没有明确的对应关系,地理环境并非根瘤菌多样性形成的主要因素.建议今后对根瘤菌多样性研究应从根瘤菌与寄主植物物之间的共生选择进化,特别是对共生体系中基因的横向转移方面进行深入探讨.     

海绵Pachychalina sp.体内细菌多样性的研究

通过非分离培养分析方法,直接从海绵体内提取细菌总DNA。以样品总DNA为模板进行PCR扩增获得细菌16S rDNA。用16S rDNA限制性酶切片段长度多态性(ARDRA)和测序方法对南海湛江海域海绵Pachychalina sp．体内的细菌多样性进行了研究。在细菌16S rDNA的ARDRA图谱中,大多数克隆的酶切带谱间存在差异;随机挑选22个克隆进行测序得到它们的16S rDNA部分序列,大部分序列属于γ-proteobacterium和α-proteobacterium,但有少数克隆序列与RDP数据库中收录的16S rDNA序列间的相似性极小,不参与系统发育树的构建。研究结果表明海绵Pachychalina sp.体内细菌组成具有丰富的多样性。     

Phylogenetic analysis of the genus Aquaspirillum based on 16S rRNA gene sequences

Phylogenetic analysis of 15 species of the genus Aquaspirillum based on 16S rRNA gene (rDNA) sequences indicated that the genus Aquaspirillum is phylogenetically heterogeneous and the species could be divided into four groups as follows: Aquaspirillum serpens, the type species of this genus, A. dispar and A. putridiconchylium are situated in the family Neisseriaceae; members of the second group, A. gracile, A. delicatum, A. anulus, A. giesbergeri, A. sinuosum, A. metamorphum and A. psychrophilum, are included in the family Comamonadaceae; the two members of the third group, A. arcticum and A. autotrophicum, are included in the family Oxalobacteriaceae; and members of the fourth group, A. polymorphum, A. peregrinum, and A. itersonii, are included in the alpha-subdivision of Proteobacteria. Thus, phylogenetic studies indicated that all the species excepting A. serpens, the type species, should be transferred to distinct genera.     

Phylogenetic analysis and in situ identification of the intestinal microbial community of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum)

AIMS: To identify the dominant culturable and nonculturable microbiota of rainbow trout intestine. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microbial density of rainbow trout intestine was estimated by direct microscopic counts (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole, DAPI) and by culturing on tryptone soya agar (TSA). Differential gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of bacterial DNA from intestinal samples, re-amplification of bands and sequence analysis was used to identify the bacteria that dominated samples where aerobic counts were < or =2% of the DAPI counts. 16S rDNA gene sequences of 146 bacterial isolates and three sequences of uncultured bacteria were identified. A set of oligonucleotide probes was constructed and used to detect and enumerate the bacterial community structure of the gastrointestinal tract of rainbow trout by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Members of the gamma subclass of Proteobacteria (mainly Aeromonas and Enterobacteriaceae) dominated the bacterial population structure. Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Shewanella, Plesiomonas and Proteus were also identified together with isolates belonging to the beta subclass of Proteobacteria and Gram-positive bacteria with high and low DNA G + C content. In most samples, the aerobic count (on TSA) was 50-90% of the direct (DAPI) count. A bacterium representing a previously unknown phylogenetic lineage with only 89% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Anaerofilum pentosovorans was detected in intestinal samples where aerobic counts were < or =2% of direct (DAPI) counts. Ten to 75% of the microbial population in samples with low aerobic counts hybridized (FISH) with a probe constructed against this not-yet cultured bacterium. CONCLUSIONS: Proteobacteria belonging to the gamma subclass dominated the intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout. However, in some samples the microflora was dominated by uncultivated, presumed anaerobic, micro-organisms. The bacterial population structure of rainbow trout intestine, as well as total bacterial counts, varied from fish to fish. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Good correlation was seen between cultivation results and in situ analysis, however, a molecular approach was crucial for the identification of organisms uncultivated on TSA.