Report on the biology of Pacific hagfish, Eptatretus stouti and the development of its fishery in California

Hagfish, often referred to as "slime eels", are familiar to most fishermen as pests that frequently devour fish caught by trap, hook, and gillnet. In the Republic of Korea (ROK or South Korea), however, hagfish are sought after as valuable fish not only for their edible flesh, but also for their skin, which is processed into leather used to make expensive purses, shoes, and other articles. In fact, because of a shortage of hagfish in the waters near the ROK, the leather industry there has started to import hagfish, first from Japan in the mid 1980's, then from the United States starting in 1988. This report describes the nascent fishery for Eptatretus stouti (Pacific hagfish) in California, and includes aspects of its life history. The hagfish industry in the ROK is also briefly described.

Toxicity of phenyl-mercuric lactate for fish

Phenyl-mercuric lactate is included in the pulp processing reagents by some paper mills to eliminate slime formation in the pulp. Small quantities of this chemical are added to the wet pulp in the beaters, particularly for the bactericidal action against Aerobacter aerogenes. Subsequently the mecurial is carried away in the wash waters. However, as the highly poisonous nature of many compounds of mercury is well known, questions have been raised concerning the pollution hazards created by phenyl-mercuric lactate in streams receiving effluents from mills using this substance.

Bacterial load in pond water and different organs of a Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigala Ham.

During the study period (August, 1993 to July,l994) the mean bacterial load in surface water was found to vary from 1.39 xl05 (July'94) to 3.llxl07CFU/ml (September'93), while that of botrom water ranged from l.Olxl06 (May'94) to 5.90xl07CFU/ml (October '93). The mean total number of bacterial load in body slime, liver and kidney was found to vary from 0.58xl03 (July'94) to 2.37xl07CFU/g (March'94),from 0.22xl03(July'94)to 9.64xl06 CFU/g (March'94) from O.l5xl03 (July'94) to 9.36xl06 CFU/g (March'94), respectively. Bacterial load in slime was significantly correlated with bacterial load in liver, bacterial load in slime was significantly correlated with bacterial load in kidney and bacterial load in liver was significantly correlated with bacterial load in kidney.

Occurrence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in marine prawns and environments

Qualitative studies on the microflora of slime and guts of prawns and of sea water off Nagapattinam showed the presence of Vibrio in the slime and sea water. They were further tested for Vibrio parahaemolyticus types and related bio-types. Evidence of its occurrence is given. This points to the need for further studies on the distribution of this organism in terms of public health significance.

Microbiological evaluation and keeping quality of fishes reared in livestock sewage fed ponds without artificial feed

Livestock sewage has been utilized for fish culture. There is lack of information on microbiological evaluation and keeping quality of these fishes. This paper reveals the incidence, types of micro-organisms and keeping quality of fishes reared in livestock sewage fed ponds without artificial feed. These fishes revealed microbial incidence and keeping quality comparable to other fishes. Initial mesophilic and psychrophilic counts varied from 3.38 to 5.56 and 2.47 to 4.74. On an average, the counts reduced by about 40% after evisceration and washing. Whole as well as washed fishes had refrigerated (8 ± 1°C) life of not more than 4 days. The average psychrophilic and mesophilic counts of ice (0 to 1°C) stored whole fishes up to 10th day varied from 3.66 to 4.81, 4.61 to 5.24 and in eviscerated and washed fishes 2.17 to 3.69 and 2.78 to 4.41. Both remained acceptable till the 10th day. Qualitative study of surface slime and gills revealed presence of Aerobacter (Enterobacter), Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Clostridia, E. coli, Klebsiella, Micrococci, Proteus and Pseudomonas.

Aspergillus flavus infection of preserved eel (Thysoidea macrurus)

A brief description is given of a preserved specimen of eel (Thysoidea macrurus) infested with Aspergillus flavus. It is suggested that proper washing of the eels is required to remove the slime covering and the specimens should be completely submerged in formalin in order to successfully preserve the eels.

A comparative ecological study on internationally important wetlands of Khoor-e-Kolahy and Tiab

Ecological study on Kolahy and 'flab estuaries were carried out during 1996-1997. Water and sediment sampling was done seasonally. In order to study the physical and chemical characteristic of the water, various animal fauna from different material niches including planktons and fish from water, benthousi from the sediment , and surface living animal such as Arthropod (Crabs) and Waterbirds were identified. I he result shoved, that water salinity of both estuaries was the same as the general salinity existing its the Persian Gulf water, and its variation is same IN those waters Minimum water salinity in both estuaries are seen during Bahairdan or early winter mooth(Jaa.), which is about 31ppt and Maximum is during .rirldlun.) or summer mouth at about 19 ppt. Dissolved otygen and pH are slime as the general Persian Gulf waters., Dissolve Oxygen being directly associated to temperature and its fluctuation is between 7- Sing/I and pH between 7.5-LS. The animals of both estuaries are almost similar having a sal factory species diversity . The birds of the region are often seasonal migrants , the maximum population of which occurs in winter season and the minimum during summer month. Nam coverage is richer in Tiab than Kolahy estuary, where in Kolahy a signal Mangrove tree is in exigence. 'Ile total coverage of Mangrove forest in Tiab is estimated about -29 hec.Both estuaries are included with in the international Ramsar Convention sites in 1971. Due to national importance of these estuaries inproviding refugee for various birds species and also hinting grounds and access traffic for local fishing vehicles, Actiog as an important access for various inhabitancy living with these area of the Persian Gulf. Due to importance or prawn aquacultur for the economical well being of local inhabitance, these areas provide a suitable grandees for prawn production. I-test statistics show, there are no significant difference among various invertebrate and vertebrate animals. In over all out look 21) phytoplankton genera, 21) zeoplankton genera 17 miafauna and 32 roaerofauna genera , 11 different species Carcineacearions and 119 species of walerbirds were identified with in the Tiab and Kolahy estuariesregioos. The X statistic show that the animal density is directly associated to season. Where density of miofauna and maerofauna in both estuaries are in maiticrourn during summer and the minimums existing during the winter season. In addition the bentic invertebrate population density in closlly association to birds population density since , the later, feeds on the former animals. Where the increasing in bird population density during the winter season, the bentic invertebrate animal population density decreases. The over all trend of animal population density in winter tend to increased towards the summer seasons, which this is due to climatic conditions of the region. The bird population on the contrary to other animals of both estuaries tend to increase from summer towards the winter seasons and which this bird population density is in maximum in winter with in the region.

Lysis of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Cyanobacterium) by a bacterium Bacillus cereus

A phytoplankton-lytic (PL) bacterium, Bacillus cereus, capable of lysing the bloom-forming cyanobacterium. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was isolated from Lake Dianchi of Yunnan province, China. This bacterium showed lytic activities against a wide range of cyanobacteria/algae, including A. flos-aquae, Microcystis viridis, Microcystis wesenbergi, Microcystis aeruginosa, Chlorella ellipsoidea, Oscillatoria tenuis, Nostoc punctiforme, Anabaena flos-aquae, Spirulina maxima, and Selenastrum capricornutum. Chlorophyll a contents, phycocyanin contents, and photosynthetic activities of the A. flos-aquae decreased evidently in an infected culture for a period. Bacterium B. cereus attacked rapidly A. flos-aquae cells by cell-to-cell contact mechanism. It was shown that the lysis of A. flos-aquae began with the breach of the cyanobacterial cell wall, and the cyanobacterial cell appeared abnormal in the presence of the PL bacterium. Moreover, transmission electron microscope examinations revealed that a close contact between the bacterium and the cyanobacterium was necessary for lysis. Some slime extrusions produced from B. cereus assisted the bacterial cells to be in close association with and lyse the cyanobacterial cells. These findings suggested that this bacterium could play an important role in controlling the Aphanizomenon blooms in freshwaters. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

自养氨氧化混合种群特性和共存机理初步研究

组特殊自养氨氧化混合种群，表现：无机环境种群生长迅速、生物量高；在一个完全无机的自养生长环境中，不仅保持高氨氧化速率，并出现丰富的异养微生物种群；该种群置于异养、厌氧环境中，迅速表现出产氢特征。对于这样一个特殊的生态体系，研究其共生机理，以及联接这些种群之间的碳源和能源问题，将具有非常重要意义。我们拟从种群特征、细胞表面分泌产物、游离体系产物多糖、蛋白和脂肪酸方面开展研究。 第一部分，自养氨氧化混合种群的基本特征。采用氨氧化培养基，进行种群氨氧化特征研究；采用扫描电镜观察自养混合种群的微观特征；沉降、离心去除微生物种群，分析水相中的总有机碳、糖类等物质；利用LB培养基进行种群的分离、纯化，并采用DGGE手段对微生物种群结构进行分析。结果表明，接入菌种后（2/5000（V/V）），培养液中氨（200mg/L）在3－5天内快速降解；亚硝酸盐与氨氮变化呈负相关趋势，仅有少量硝酸盐含量（< 30mg/L）。氨氧化种群的生物量增长与氨氧化趋势一致，初始生物量7.75 mg/L(蛋白含量)，3-5天后生物量快速增长，并达到最高63.06 mg/L（蛋白含量）。电镜图片显示，种群外包裹一层粘液。离心除去菌体后，检测培养液总有机碳和糖的含量，同样表现出与生物量增长相似的特征，分别由初始的3.73、2.35 mg/L，3－5内天迅速增加，并分别达到最大值35.19、27.45 mg/L。经初步分离、纯化并对纯化菌株进行测序，获得了10株异养微生物分别为布鲁氏菌科苍白杆菌属、纤维单孢菌、类芽孢菌属、黄杆菌属、无色杆菌、鞘脂单胞菌、嗜麦芽寡养单胞菌、噬氢菌属、硫红球菌、假单胞菌；DGGE显示，约有20分条离带，我们对其中的两条优势条带进行切割回收测序，鉴定为欧洲亚硝化单胞菌（Nitrosomonas eur）。 第二部分：混合种群自养-异养菌共生的可能机制。在对微生物种群特征初步分析基础上，针对胞外糖类组分可能被微生物代谢分解，我们重点对微生物细胞蛋白质与糖类进行分析。采用超声结合RIPA裂解液裂解，SDS-PAGE电泳分析混合种群总蛋白种类，并通过氨基酸分析仪及红外光谱法分析氨基酸组成及蛋白红外特征。采用超声破碎结合反复冻融对细胞样品进行处理，提取液采用醇沉、Sevage脱氮白，凝胶过滤方法脱盐和分级分离。对提取物的糖分析包括：紫外扫描，红外光谱，核磁共振，单糖组成分析；扫描电镜观察菌群破裂现象。SDS-PAGE分析结果表明：氨氧化种群不同生长阶段都显示出42kD蛋白表达量很高，d4时42kD蛋白表达已经很强，4-7d内一直持续这种过量表达，直到d8后表达开始减弱。说明42kD蛋白可能与氨氧化密切相关。红外光谱分析显示：细胞提取物的特征峰分布在3427.42cm-1、1718.18 cm-1和1681.72 cm-1、1160.07和1086.74 cm-1，分别对应为OH、 C=O、C－O－C基团，表明具有蛋白的典型特征；氨基酸分析显示蛋白中的Gly,Asp,Ala,Glu含量相对较高。 提取物中胞外多糖分离谱图得到不均一组分，共得到6个收集峰；紫外扫描在201－213 nm处有多糖吸收峰，同样表明多糖成分不均一性；多糖红外光谱特征峰主要分别在3400.49 cm-1、2920.28 cm-1、1154.54和1087.52 cm-1，对应OH、－CH2－ or CH 、C－O－H or C－O－C等多糖特征基团；多糖提取物核磁共振1H d4.3～5.9之间出现强吸收峰，这是1H中，多糖存在的明显证据，1H NMR中，其中O-乙酰基的甲基上的氢信号为d1.1～1.3之间。糖肟全苯甲酸酯衍生物的HPLC测定中，得到单一的单糖峰，由于时间问题，还未进行更深入的试验；电镜图片显示，种群中的细胞有大量的破裂现象。 实验表明，自养氨氧化混合种群显示出快速的氨氧化速率，氨氧化过程生物量和有机质的增加明显。微生物种群包裹粘液层，并分离纯化出大量的异养菌；去除菌体后的游离培养液中存在有机质（包括多糖）说明无机自养生长体系中存在异养菌生长、繁殖的二次碳源；细胞提取物中蛋白条带数目多、种类丰富；细胞多糖提取物具有明显的多糖特征，以及单糖的存在。结合种群的显微特征和游离体系中的有机质的检测结果，我们认为，无机自养生长体系中，种群细胞生长过程中发生的破裂现象可能是导致大量的蛋白、多糖释放到游离胞外，并成为其他异养菌生长的碳源和氮源。这可能是自养体系中，大量异养菌共生的可能机制，至于是什么原因引起种群生长过程中产生的破裂现象，还有待下一步深入研究。 A group of mixed autotrophic ammonia oxidizing populations, having much biological characteristic tested by concerned personnel for pilot test: Performed rapid population growth and obtained high biomass in inorganic environment; Not only maintained a high rate of ammoxidation, promoted a wealth of heterotrophic microbial populations growth in a totally inorganic and autotrophic growth environment; Placed in heterotrophic and anaerobic environment,had the performance characteristics that could rapidly produce hydrogen.For such a special ecological system, Study its symbiotic mechanism and the connection between these populations of carbon and energy issues, will have a very important significance. We intended from the characteristics of the population, the secretion product of cell surface, free substance in the liquid medium like polysaccharide, protein and fatty acids carrying out research. Part I: The basic features of mixed autotrophic ammonia oxidizing populations . Use inorganic liquid medium, processed study for ammonia oxidation characteristics of the population; we used scanning electron microscopy to get micro-features of autotrophic ammonia oxidizing populations .The medium was carried out settlement and centrifugal then removed the microbial populations, after all of that we analysis the water phase for total organic carbon(TOC), carbohydrate and other substances; Solid ammonia oxidizing medium was adopted to separation and purification of population, DGGE means was for structure analysis of microbial population. The results showed that after the inoculum of bacteria (2 / 5000 (V / V)), ammonia in the culture medium (200 mg / L) was rapid degradation in 3-5 days; ammonia and nitrite have the negative correlation between changes in the trend, then only a small amount of nitrate content (<30mg / L). The biomass growth of ammoxidation population in line with the trend of ammonia oxidation, the initial volume of it was 7.75 mg / L (protein content), in 3-5 days upto 63.06 mg / L (protein content). Electron microscope image showed, the populations were wrapped in a layer of mucus, including the a large number ruptted micorbe , Centrifuge to remove bacteria, then detected the medium for total organic carbon and sugar content, result took on the same characteristics with biomass growth, that were from the initial 3.73、2.35 mg / L respectively, in 3-6 days achieved rapid increase in the maximum to 35.19、27.45 mg / L respectively. After initial separation、 purification ,then processed sequencing to strains purified and got the result that there were 10 heterotrophic microorganisms : Brucella Branch pale bacillus, Cellu lomonas, Bacillus species category, a Flavobacterium, colorless Bacteria, Aeromonas sheath fat, little support maltophilia Aeromonas, macrophages species hydrogen, sulphur-MI, Pseudomonas bacteria spores; DGGE display, there were 20 separation bands approximately. Part II: Mixed populations that autotrophic - heterotrophic bacteria symbiotic mechanism. On the basis of preliminary analysis of microbial population characteristics, aiming at extracellular carbohydrate components might be decomposition by microbial, we focused on microbial cell protein and carbohydrate analysis. Using ultrasound combined with RIPA lysis cracking the cells, SDS-PAGE electrophoresis analysis the total protein species of the population, and through the amino acid analyzer studied the compositions of amino acid and infrared spectroscopy analysis of a protein infrared characteristics. Using ultrasound combined with repeatedly freezing and thawing to treated the cell sample, then took the means that alcohol precipitation, deproteinization by Sevage, gel filtration aimed at desalination and grade separation to deal with the lysates . The extraction of sugar analysis included: UV scanning, IR, NMR, single-sugar composition analysis. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that: 42 kD protein expression was very high at different growth stages of mixed autotrophic ammonia oxidizing populations , on the fourth day, 42 kD protein expression had been very strong, 4-7d, it had continued this excessive expression, then started to weaken after 7 days. 42 kD protein that might be closely associated with ammonia oxidation. Infrared spectral analysis showed that: cell extracts with the characteristic that the peak distribution in 3427.42 cm-1、1718.18 cm-1 and 1681.72 cm-1、1160.07 cm-1 and 1086.74 cm-1 corresponding to OH、C = O、C-O-C Groups which had the typical characteristics of protein; and analysis showed that amino acids including Gly, Asp, Ala, Glu ,the content in the protein is relatively high. Exopolysaccharide in the extracts had the separation map that it was uneven, received a total of six collection peaks by the detection mode of phenol-sulphruic acid method ; ultraviolet scan in the 201-213 nm department had polysaccharide absorbing peak, the same ingredients that polysaccharide heterogeneity; infrared polysaccharide spectral characteristics of the main peak at 3400.49 cm-1, 2920.28 cm-1, 1154.54 and 1087.52 cm-1, corresponding OH,-CH2-or CH, C-O-H or C-O-C;and other characteristics of polysaccharide group; 1H NMR of polysaccharide extract appeared absorption peak between d4.3 ~5.9, which is the apparent evidence of polysaccharide, In 1H NMR, the hydrogen signal of one of O-acetyl was between 1.1 to 1.3. The determination of Sugar oxime whole benzoate derivatives by HPLC, there was a single-sugar peak, as a matter of time, yet more in-depth test. Summary: Mixed autotrophic ammonia oxidizing populations show us that it had the ability in ammonia oxidizing and it was great, organic matter and biomass increased significantly in the process of ammonia oxidation. Microbial populations was wrapped up slime layer, the phenomenon of cell breakdown obviously, and there were a lot of separation and purification of the heterotrophic bacteria; a lot of organic matter (including polysaccharides)remined in the medium that removal of cell indicated the inorganic system existed secondary carbon sources that could be used by the heterotrophic bacteria ; there were a large number proteins bands of cell extract, rich variety; cell extracts of polysaccharide had obvious characteristics of polysaccharide, and the existence evidence of single-sugar. Combined population of microscopic characteristics and free of organic matter in the test results, we believe that the health of inorganic system, population growth occurred in the course of the breakdown of the phenomenon is likely to lead to a lot of protein and polysaccharide released into the extracellular free, And other heterotrophic bacteria use them to the growth as carbon and nitrogen. This may be autotrophic system, the large number of heterotrophic bacteria symbiotic mechanism.

红发夫酵母发酵虾青素的研究

红发夫酵母分离于北美西部高山地区和日本一些岛屿上落叶树的渗出液中，因其所产主要色素为在水产养殖、食品和医药工业有广阔应用前景的虾青素而成为研究的热点。本论文对红发夫酵母Phaffia rhodozyma 的生长特性、培养参数与培养基组分对生长和虾青素积累的影响及其优化、虾青素合成的调节控制、虾青素的提取测定及红发夫酵母耐高温菌种的诱变进行了系统的研究。 虾青素是红发夫酵母的胞内色素，要对其进行分析首先要对红发夫酵母进行破壁处理，实验发现二甲亚砜是最有效的破壁溶剂，用氯仿和丙酮可以有效地把类胡萝卜素从二甲亚砜破壁后的红发夫酵母细胞中提取出来。 在固定摇床转速为200 rpm，温度为20 ℃的条件下，当种龄为36 h，以10％的接种量接入装液量为30 mL的250 mL三角瓶，初始pH为5.5时最有利于红发夫酵母的生长及类胡萝卜素的合成。 本实验中红发夫酵母最佳利用碳、氮源分别为蔗糖和蛋白胨，但蛋白胨价格昂贵，不适宜作单一氮源，因此使用硫酸铵和酵母膏作为复合氮源。 本论文采用了BP神经网络结合遗传算法的方法来优化红发夫酵母的发酵培养基，得到红发夫酵母发酵培养基的最佳配比为：蔗糖45.10 g/L、硫酸铵3.00 g/L、硫酸镁0.80 g/L、磷酸二氢钾1.40 g/L、酵母膏3.00 g/L、氯化钙0.50 g/L，使用优化后的培养基发酵类胡萝卜素产量达到8.20 mg/L，干重达到9.47 g/L，类胡萝卜素的产量比起始培养基提高了95.90%，干重提高了89.40%。 从代谢途径出发对红发夫酵母合成虾青素调控调控，选择谷氨酸、乙醇、VB1作为添加剂，通过正交试验设计得出三者添加水平分别为0.2 g/L，0.1% (V/V)，10 mg/L时，类胡萝卜素产量提高了25.73%，达到了10.31mg/L。 通过上述优化培养，本论文中红发夫酵母的虾青素产量从1.33 mg/L提高到9.12 mg/L，产量提高了6.86倍；总类胡萝卜素产量从4.23 mg/L提高到10.31 mg/L，产量提高了2.44倍；细胞干重从5.00 g/L提高到11.35 g/L，提高了2.27倍，总体提高效果显著。 红发夫酵母属于中低温菌，本论文采用紫外复合诱变的方式，通过高温筛选，得到一株能在35 ℃下能生长的突变株，但所产类胡萝卜素中虾青素所占比例很小，可能是诱变改变了红发夫酵母的代谢途径，阻断了虾青素的合成。 Phaffia rhodozyma is a heterobasidiomyceteous yeast that was originally isolated from the slime fluxes of brich tree wounds in mountain regions of northern Japan and southern Alaska. Phaffia rhodozyma produces astaxanthin as its principal carotenoid pigment, which has potential applications in acquaculture, food and pharmaceutical industry. This paper researched ways to break cell, analysis of astaxanthin, characteristics of growth, culture parameters and the effects of components of medium on growth and astaxanthin formation , optimization of culture medium, control of astaxanthin synthesis and mutagenesis of Phaffia rhodozyma. It is necessary to disrupt the yeast cell for extracting astaxanthin considering the yeast accumulating carotenoids in cell. Dimethyisulphoxide was the most effective solvent for breaking the yeast cell; acetone and chloroform were effective to extract carotenoids out of the disrupted cell. The optimum pH for growth and carotenoids synthesis is 5.5, the optimum medium volume is 30 mL (in 250 mL flask), the optimum culture time of inoculum is 36 h, the optimum inoculum concentration is 10%. The research on culture medium showed: sucrose is the best one of 6 carbon sources for growth and astaxanthin synthesis. Peptone is the best nitrogen source for growth and astaxanthin synthesis. Uniform Design was used for trial design of the formula medium components, then back-propagation neural network was established to modeling the relationships between the carotenoid yield and the concentration of medium components. Genetic algorithm (GA) was used for global optimization of the model. The optimum combination of the medium was obtained: sucrose 45.10 g/L, ammonium sulfate 3.00 g/L, magnesium sulfate 0.80 g/L, potassium dihydrogen phosphate 1.40 g/L, yeast extract 3.00 g/L, calcium chloride 0.50 g/L. The yield of carotenoid reached 8.20 mg/L, which was 95.90% higher than that of the original medium. Glu, VB1 and ethanol were selected as fermentation addictives, after Orthogonal Test, the carotenoid contents increased by 25.73% when adding 0.16 g/L Glu, VB1 10 mg/L and ethanol 0.1% (V/V). After the above optimization, the astaxanthin content increased 6.86 folds, which is 9.12 mg/L. The carotenoids content increased 2.44 folds, which is 10.31 mg/L. The biomass increased 2.27 folds, which is 11.35 g/L. Phaffia rhodozyma grows in the mild temperature range of 0 to 27 ℃, in this work, a thermotolerant mutant was selected through UV-irradiation. It can grows at 35 ℃, and showed increased carotenoid content. The optimal growth temperature for this mutant is 30 ℃. But the mutant can only produce carotenoids with little astaxanthin accumulation.

Dictyostelium discoideum as an expression host for the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum.

We have used the cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum (Dd), to express the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CS), a potential component of a subunit vaccine against malaria. This was accomplished via an expression vector based on the discoidin I-encoding gene promoter, in which we linked a sequence coding for a Dd leader peptide to the almost complete CS coding region (pEDII-CS). CS production at both the mRNA and protein levels is induced by starving cells in a simple phosphate buffer. Variation in pH or cell density does not seem to influence CS synthesis. CS-producing cells can be grown either on their normal substrate, bacteria, or on a semi-synthetic media, without affecting CS accumulation level. The CS produced in Dd seems similar to the natural parasite protein as judged by its size and epitope recognition by a panel of monoclonal antibodies. We constructed a second expression vector in which the CS is under the control of a Dd ras promoter. CS accumulation can then be induced by external addition of cAMP. Such a tightly regulated promoter may allow expression of proteins potentially toxic to the cell. Thus, Dd could be a useful eukaryotic system to produce recombinant proteins, in particular from human or animal parasites like P. falciparum.

Virulence Potential And Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern Of Motile Aeromonads Associated With Freshwater Ornamental Fish Culture Systems: A Possible Threat To public Health

Aeromonas spp. are ubiquitous aquatic organisms, associated with multitude of diseases in several species of animals, including fishes and humans. In the present study, water samples from two ornamental fish culture systems were analyzed for the presence of Aeromonas. Nutrient agar was used for Aeromonas isolation, and colonies (60 No) were identified through biochemical characterization. Seven clusters could be generated based on phenotypic characters, analyzed by the programme NTSYSpc, Version 2.02i, and identified as: Aeromonas caviae (33.3%), A. jandaei (38.3%) and A. veronii biovar sobria (28.3%). The strains isolated produced highly active hydrolytic enzymes, haemolytic activity and slime formation in varying proportions. The isolates were also tested for the enterotoxin genes (act, alt and ast), haemolytic toxins (hlyA and aerA), involved in type 3 secretion system (TTSS: ascV, aexT, aopP, aopO, ascF–ascG, and aopH), and glycerophospholipid-cholesterol acyltransferase (gcat). All isolates were found to be associated with at least one virulent gene. Moreover, they were resistant to frequently used antibiotics for human infections. The study demonstrates the pathogenic potential of Aeromonas, associated with ornamental fish culture systems suggesting the emerging threat to public health

Biofilm Forming Multi Drug Resistant Staphylococcus spp. Among Patients with Conjunctivitis

Biofilm forming multidrug resistant Staphylococcus spp. are major reservoirs for transmission of ophthalmic infections. They were isolated from ocular patients suffering from conjunctivitis. In this study we analyzed biofilm forming ability, antibiotic resistance profile of the Staphylococcus spp. isolated from clinical ocular patients, and their phylogenetic relationship with other community MRSA. Sixty Staphylococcus spp. strains isolated from clinical subjects were evaluated for their ability to form biofilm and express biofilm encoding ica gene. Among them 93% were slime producers and 87% were slime positive. Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis were dominant strains among the isolates obtained from ocular patients. The strains also exhibited a differential biofilm formation quantitatively. Antibiotic susceptibility of the strains tested with Penicillin G, Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin, Methicillin, Amikacin, and Gentamicin indicated that they were resistant to more than one antibiotic. The amplicon of ica gene of strong biofilm producing S. aureus strains, obtained by polymerase chain reaction, was sequenced and their close genetic relationship with community acquired MRSA was analyzed based on phylogenetic tree. Our results indicate that they are genetically close to other community acquired MRSA

Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life, 2013 Annual Checklist

This release of the Catalogue of Life contains contributions from 132 databases with information on 1,352,112 species, 114,069 infraspecific taxa and also includes 928,147 synonyms and 408,689 common names covering the following groups: Viruses • Viruses and Subviral agents from ICTV_MSL UPDATED! Bacteria and Archaea from BIOS Chromista • Chromistan fungi from Species Fungorum Protozoa • Major groups from ITIS Regional, • Ciliates from CilCat, • Polycystines from WoRMS Polycystina UPDATED!, • Protozoan fungi from Species Fungorum and Trichomycetes database • Slime moulds from Nomen.eumycetozoa.com Fungi • Various taxa in whole or in part from CABI Bioservices databases (Species Fungorum, Phyllachorales, Rhytismatales, Saccharomycetes and Zygomycetes databases) and from three other databases covering Xylariaceae, Glomeromycota, Trichomycetes, Dothideomycetes • Lichens from LIAS UPDATED! Plantae (Plants) • Mosses from MOST • Liverworts and hornworts from ELPT • Conifers from Conifer Database • Cycads and 6 flowering plant families from IOPI-GPC, and 99 families from WCSP • Plus individual flowering plants families from AnnonBase, Brassicaceae, ChenoBase, Droseraceae Database, EbenaBase, GCC UPDATED!, ILDIS UPDATED!, LecyPages, LHD, MELnet UPDATED!, RJB Geranium, Solanaceae Source, Umbellifers. Animalia (Animals) • Marine groups from URMO, ITIS Global, Hexacorals, ETI WBD (Euphausiacea), WoRMS: WoRMS Asteroidea UPDATED!, WoRMS Bochusacea UPDATED!, WoRMS Brachiopoda UPDATED!, WoRMS Brachypoda UPDATED!, WoRMS Brachyura UPDATED!, WoRMS Bryozoa UPDATED!, WoRMS Cestoda NEW!, WoRMS Chaetognatha UPDATED!, WoRMS Cumacea UPDATED!, WoRMS Echinoidea UPDATED!, WoRMS Gastrotricha NEW!, WoRMS Gnathostomulida NEW!, WoRMS Holothuroidea UPDATED!, WoRMS Hydrozoa UPDATED!, WoRMS Isopoda UPDATED!, WoRMS Leptostraca UPDATED!, WoRMS Monogenea NEW!, WoRMS Mystacocarida UPDATED!, WoRMS Myxozoa NEW!, WoRMS Nemertea UPDATED!, WoRMS Oligochaeta UPDATED!, WoRMS Ophiuroidea UPDATED!, WoRMS Phoronida UPDATED!, WoRMS Placozoa NEW!, WoRMS Polychaeta UPDATED!, WoRMS Polycystina UPDATED!, WoRMS Porifera UPDATED!, WoRMS Priapulida NEW!, WoRMS Proseriata and Kalyptorhynchia UPDATED!, WoRMS Remipedia UPDATED!, WoRMS Scaphopoda UPDATED!, WoRMS Tanaidacea UPDATED!, WoRMS Tantulocarida UPDATED!, WoRMS Thermosbaenacea UPDATED!, WoRMS Trematoda NEW!, WoRMS Xenoturbellida UPDATED! • Rotifers, mayflies, freshwater hairworms, planarians from FADA databases: FADA Rotifera UPDATED!, FADA Ephemeroptera NEW!, FADA Nematomorpha NEW! & FADA Turbellaria NEW! • Entoprocts, water bears from ITIS Global • Spiders, scorpions, ticks & mites from SpidCat via ITIS UPDATED!, SalticidDB , ITIS Global, TicksBase, SpmWeb BdelloideaBase UPDATED! & Mites GSDs: OlogamasidBase, PhytoseiidBase, RhodacaridBase & TenuipalpidBase • Diplopods, centipedes, pauropods and symphylans from SysMyr UPDATED! & ChiloBase • Dragonflies and damselflies from Odonata database • Stoneflies from PlecopteraSF UPDATED! • Cockroaches from BlattodeaSF UPDATED! • Praying mantids from MantodeaSF UPDATED! • Stick and leaf insects from PhasmidaSF UPDATED! • Grasshoppers, locusts, katydids and crickets from OrthopteraSF UPDATED! • Webspinners from EmbiopteraSF UPDATED! • Bark & parasitic lices from PsocodeaSF NEW! • Some groups of true bugs from ScaleNet, FLOW, COOL, Psyllist, AphidSF UPDATED! , MBB, 3i Cicadellinae, 3i Typhlocybinae, MOWD & CoreoideaSF NEW!• Twisted-wing parasites from Strepsiptera Database UPDATED! • Lacewings, antlions, owlflies, fishflies, dobsonflies & snakeflies from LDL Neuropterida • Some beetle groups from the Scarabs UPDATED!, TITAN, WTaxa & ITIS Global • Fleas from Parhost • Flies, mosquitoes, bots, midges and gnats from Systema Dipterorum, CCW & CIPA • Butterflies and moths from LepIndex UPDATED!, GloBIS (GART) UPDATED!, Tineidae NHM, World Gracillariidae • Bees & wasps from ITIS Bees, Taxapad Ichneumonoidea, UCD, ZOBODAT Vespoidea & HymIS Rhopalosomatidae NEW!• Molluscs from WoRMS Mollusca NEW!, FADA Bivalvia NEW!, MolluscaFW NEW! & AFD (Pulmonata) • Fishes from FishBase UPDATED! • Reptiles from TIGR Reptiles • Amphibians, birds and mammals from ITIS Global PLUS additional species of many groups from ITIS Regional, NZIB and CoL China NEW!

Salmoninae Commensal Bacteria Show a Positive Correlation Between Antibiotic Resistance and Mercury Resistance Profiles

Bacterial isolates from natural sites with high toxic and heavy metal contamination more frequently contain determinants for resistance to antimicrobials. Natural strains were isolated from the ingesta and external slime of Salmo salar (Linnaeus, 1758) and Salvelinusjontinalis (Mitchell, 1814). Fish specimens were acquired from Casco Bay hatcheries, Casco, ME where there is no history of antibiotic use. Seventy-nine bacterial strains, including many well-documented salmonid commensals (an association from which the fish derives no benefit), were identified using 165 rRNA gene sequencing. Mercury resistant isolates were selected for initially on 25μM HgCI2. Strains were then grown at 20-24°C on Trypticase Soy Agar (TSA) plates containing 0-1000μM HgCl2 or 0-130μM Phenyl Mercuric Acetate (PMA). Mercury in the hatchery feed water due to ubiquitous non-point source deposition has selected for the mercury resistance observed in bacterial strains. Antibiotic resistance determinations, as measured by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration MIC) assays were performed on the 79 bacterial isolates using Sensititrel antimicrobial susceptibility panels. A positive linear correlation between the mercury (pMA and HgCl2) MIC's and antibiotic resistance for all observed strains was demonstrated. Conjugation experiments with Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, and Azomonas donors confirmed phenotypic transfer of penicillin and cephem resistances to Escherichia coli DH5a recipients. Conjugation experiments with Pseudomonas donors showed minimal transfer of tetracycline and minoglycoside resistances to Escherichia coli DH5a recipients. Our study suggests that the accumulation of antimicrobial resistances observed in these natural bacterial populations may be due to the indirect selective pressure exerted by environmental mercury.