耐酸产甲烷菌的分离及其复合菌剂的研究

本文从成都龙泉垃圾填埋场和宜宾造纸厂分离到耐酸性能优良的高温产甲烷菌RY3和中温产甲烷菌SH4，并将其与实验室现有的利用不同底物的产甲烷菌配伍组合成了复合菌剂。采用活性污泥作为固体附着物，研制出了固体产甲烷菌复合菌剂。 菌株RY3的pH耐受范围为5.5～10.5，最适生长pH 6.0～8.0。菌株RY3为革兰氏阳性，长杆状，多数单生，不运动；菌落浅黄色，形状近圆形；利用H2+CO2或甲酸盐作为唯一碳源生长，不利用乙酸盐，对氯霉素非常敏感。该菌最适生长温度为55℃～65℃，最适NaCl浓度为0～2%。根据形态和生理生化特性及16S rDNA序列分析将其初步定为热自养甲烷热杆菌（Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus）。添加RY3菌液与仅添加厌氧污泥作为接种物相比一周内可使达到最大产甲烷速率所需时间缩短三分之二，甲烷总产量提高约1.8倍。菌株SH4的生长pH范围5.5～9.5，其对酸碱具有良好的适应性，培养3天后，在初始pH值为6.0～8.0的培养基中甲烷产量相差不大，且基本达到最大产量。SH4革兰氏染色阳性，短杆状，多数单生，不运动；菌落近圆形，微黄；利用H2+CO2或甲酸盐作为唯一碳源生长，不利用乙酸盐，对氯霉素非常敏感。SH4最适生长pH 为7.0，最适生长温度为35℃，最适NaCl浓度为0～1.5%。实验表明，添加SH4菌液与仅添加厌氧污泥作为接种物相比可使产甲烷启动时间缩短三分之一，甲烷总产量亦有大幅提高。从形态和生理生化特征以及16S rDNA序列分析表明SH4为嗜树木甲烷短杆菌（Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus）。 以活性污泥为附着物，与培养基和菌种经搅拌后厌氧发酵可得产甲烷菌固体复合菌剂。固体复合菌剂的pH耐受范围为5.5～9.5，温度耐受范围为15℃～65℃，表明其对环境的适应性较强。以猪粪为底物进行厌氧发酵，接种复合菌剂进行试验，以接种实验室长期富集的产甲烷厌氧污泥作为对照，在20℃时，发酵甲烷浓度与对照基本一致，但每日产气量优于对照，第15天时接种复合菌剂的发酵瓶每日产气量是对照的1.59倍；50℃时达到最大甲烷含量所需时间比对照缩短三分之二，三周内总产气量约为对照的2.7倍，甲烷总产量约为2.8倍。以不加接种物为对照，接种复合菌剂20℃时发酵甲烷含量达到50%约需2周，对照2周内甲烷含量最高仅为4.3%；50℃时接种复合菌剂发酵仅需约1周甲烷含量便可达50%，对照则至少需要2周。 In this paper, high-temperature Methanogen RY3 and middle-temperature SH4 were isolated from Chengdu Longquan refuse landfill and Yibin paper mill. They could be used to make compound inoculum that producing methane with the existing Methanogens utilized different substrate. With using anaerobic activated sludge be solid fixture, the process had been designed to produce solid compound inoculum. Strain RY3 possessed excellent capacity of acid and alkali-tolerant. The pH-tolerant scale of RY3 was 5.5～10.5 and its optimum pH value for growth was 6.0～8.0. RY3 was G+, long-rod shape, monothetic and nonmotile, the colony was pale yellow with suborbicular-shape. Formate or H2+CO2 but not acetate was utilized by RY3 as sole C-source, and it was very sensitive to chloramphenicol. Besides, strain RY3 grew fastest at 55℃～65 and 0℃～2% NaCl. Characteristics of modality and physiology with sequence analysis of the 16s rDNA gene of strain RY3 preliminarily showed that it was Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus. The experiments indicated that the time which began to produce methane with the highest velocity could be shortened two third by adding RY3 in one week, and the total methane production also was 1.8 times than before. Strain SH4 possessed wide scale of growing pH（5.5～9.5）and excellent ability of acclimatizing itself to acid-alkali. The methane production had no apparent difference among those cultivated in different initial pH（6.0～8.0）after three days and equaled to the maximum production basically. Cells of SH4 were G+, short-rod sharp, monothetic and nonmotile. The colony was pale yellow with suborbicular-shape. Formate or H2+CO2 but not acetate was utilized by SH4 as sole C-source, and it was very sensitive to chloramphenicol. Besides, it grew fastest at pH 7.0，55 ℃～65 and 0℃～2% NaCl concentration. The experiment indicated the time that began to produce methane could be shortening one third by adding SH4. And the total methane production also rose apparently. Characteristic of modality and physiology with sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA gene of strain SH4 demonstrated it was Methanobrevibacter arboriphilus. The activated sludge was utilized as fixture, mixed with culture medium and inocolum, that the solid compound inoculum could be produced by anaerobic fermentation. The compound inoculum could grow between pH 5.5～9.5, 15℃～65. It demonstrated the compound inoculum ha℃ve great ability of adapting to circumstance. In the experiment that making pig manure be substrate and taking the anaerobic sludge producing methane that cultured in long term in laboratory to be comparison, the concentration of methane in fermentation added compound inoculum almost equal to the comparison at 20℃, but the volume of gas production could be a little higher. The gas production everyday inoculated compound inoculum was 1.59 times to comparison. The time that the concentration of methane to maximum could be shortening by two third by adding compound inoculum, and the total gas production was 2.7 times to comprison while the total methane production was 2.8 times. If take the no inoculum be the comprasion, anaerobic fermentation added compound inoculum made the concentration of methane to 50% in 2 weeks but the comparison only to 4.3% at 20℃. The time that the concentration of methane to 50% by adding compound inoculum only need 1 week, but the comparison need 2 weeks at 50℃.

Increase in microbial contamination risk with compression of the lid margin in eyes having cataract surgery

Purpose: To assess the bacterial contamination risk in cataract surgery associated with mechanical compression of the lid margin immediately after sterilization of the ocular surface.

Setting: Department of Cataract, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Design: Prospective randomized controlled double-masked trial.

Methods: Patients with age-related cataract were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. In Group A (153 eyes), the lid margin was compressed and scrubbed for 360 degrees 5 times with a dry sterile cotton-tipped applicator immediately after ocular sterilization and before povidone-iodine irrigation of the conjunctival sac. Group B (153 eyes) had identical sterilization but no lid scrubbing. Samples from the lid margin, liquid in the collecting bag, and aqueous humor were collected for bacterial culture. Primary outcome measures included the rate of positive bacterial culture for the above samples. The species of bacteria isolated were recorded.

Results: Group A and Group B each comprised 153 eyes. The positive rate of lid margin cultures was 54.24%. The positive rate of cultures for liquid in the collecting bag was significantly higher in Group A (23.53%) than in Group B (9.80%) (P=.001).The bacterial species cultured from the collecting bag in Group B were the same as those from the lid margin in Group A. The positive culture rate of aqueous humor in both groups was 0%.

Conclusion: Mechanical compression of the lid margin immediately before and during cataract surgery increased the risk for bacterial contamination of the surgical field, perhaps due to secretions from the lid margin glands.

Financial Disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Modelling and optimization of the ion exchange membrane bioreactor for removal of anionic pollutants from drinking water streams

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Química, especialidade de Engenharia Bioquímica

Facteurs de risque d´introduction et diagnostic de Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis

Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) est l'agent causal de la paratuberculose, maladie entérique, chronique et incurable des ruminants, avec un impact économique important. Une meilleure compréhension des facteurs de risque associés à l'introduction de la maladie dans un troupeau est essentielle pour sa prévention. L’amélioration des tests diagnostiques est aussi importante pour son contrôle. L’introduction des nouveaux animaux dans le troupeau et la présence et contact des différentes espèces sauvages et domestiques avec les vaches, semblent être des facteurs de risques d’introduction de la maladie. Nous avons réalisé une revue systématique dont l`objective était de recueillir l’information pertinente pour répondre à la question sur l’importance de ces facteurs et leur impact sur l’introduction de la maladie dans un troupeau. D`un autre côté, la détection de MAP dans les fèces par culture bactérienne demeure la méthode diagnostique de choix malgré les facteurs qui l`affectent. Une série de 3 étapes est requise afin de confirmer la présence du MAP : (1) culture (2) coloration, et (3) confirmation du MAP par PCR (si détecté à l´étape 2). Certains échantillons fécaux présentent une particularité en raison de leur forte charge de micro-organismes. Ces contaminants peuvent interférer avec la croissance et la détection de MAP. Une étude visant à : a) estimer l'impact des certain covariables sur les résultats de la culture de MAP parmi l`analyse rétrospective d`un banque des données et b) évaluer la possibilité d'optimiser le processus de diagnostic du MAP en effectuant l'analyse PCR sur les cultures déclarées comme contaminées a été réalisée.

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae induces SJPL cell cycle arrest in G2/M-phase and inhibits porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus replication

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most important pathogens in the swine industry and causes important economic losses. No effective antiviral drugs against it are commercially available. We recently reported that the culture supernatant of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the porcine pleuropneumonia causative agent, has an antiviral activity in vitro against PRRSV in SJPL cells. Objectives of this study were (i) to identify the mechanism behind the antiviral activity displayed by A. pleuropneumoniae and (ii) to characterize the active molecules present in the bacterial culture supernatant. Methods: Antibody microarray analysis was used in order to point out cellular pathways modulated by the A. pleuropneumoniae supernatant. Subsequent, flow cytometry analysis and cell cycle inhibitors were used to confirm antibody microarray data and to link them to the antiviral activity of the A. pleuropneumoniae supernatant. Finally, A. pleuropneumoniae supernatant characterization was partially achieved using mass spectrometry. Results: Using antibody microarray, we observed modulations in G2/M-phase cell cycle regulation pathway when SJPL cells were treated with A. pleuropneumoniae culture supernatant. These modulations were confirmed by a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M-phase when cells were treated with the A. pleuropneumoniae culture supernatant. Furthermore, two G2/M-phase cell cycle inhibitors demonstrated the ability to inhibit PRRSV infection, indicating a potential key role for PRRSV infection. Finally, mass spectrometry lead to identify two molecules (m/z 515.2 and m/z 663.6) present only in the culture supernatant. Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time that A. pleuropneumoniae is able to disrupt SJPL cell cycle resulting in inhibitory activity against PRRSV. Furthermore, two putative molecules were identified from the culture supernatant. This study highlighted the cell cycle importance for PRRSV and will allow the development of new prophylactic or therapeutic approaches against PRRSV.

The antimicrobial efficacy of elaeis guineensis : characterization, in Vitro and in Vivo studies

The urgent need to treat multi-drug resistant pathogenic microorganisms in chronically infected patients has given rise to the development of new antimicrobials from natural resources. We have tested Elaeis guineensis Jacq (Arecaceae) methanol extract against a variety of bacterial, fungal and yeast strains associated with infections. Our studies have demonstrated that E. guineensis exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo against the bacterial and fungal strains tested. A marked inhibitory effect of the E. guineensis extracts was observed against C. albicans whereby E. guineensis extract at =, 1, or 2 times the MIC significantly inhibited C. albicans growth with a noticeable drop in optical density (OD) of the bacterial culture. This finding confirmed the anticandidal activity of the extract on C. albicans. Imaging using scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy was done to determine the major alterations in the microstructure of the extract-treated C. albicans. The main abnormalities noted via SEM and TEM studies were the alteration in morphology of the yeast cells. In vivo antimicrobial activity was studied in mice that had been inoculated with C. albicans and exhibited good anticandidal activity. The authors conclude that the extract may be used as a candidate for the development of anticandidal agent.

Abscesso pulmonar de aspiração : dados diagnósticos e resultados terapêuticos em 241 casos

O abscesso de pulmão continua sendo hoje, em plena era dos antibióticos, um importante problema médico. O presente trabalho se propõe mostrar aspectos diagnósticos e terapêuticos da doença em uma série de pacientes coletada nos últimos 34 anos em um hospital universitário especializado em doenças pulmonares. No período de 1968 a 2002 foram reunidos e estudados 241 casos de abscesso pulmonar de aspiração - 199 em homens e 42 em mulheres, com média de idade de 41,3 anos. Em 69,0% dos pacientes esteve presente a ingestão de álcool e em 64,0% o hábito tabágico. Tosse, expectoração, febre e comprometimento do estado geral foram os achados clínicos mais freqüentes, encontrados na quase totalidade dos casos; 62,5% tinham dor torácica e 30,0% hipocratismo digital. Verificaram-se dentes em mau estado de conservação em 81,7 % dos pacientes, episódio de perda de consciência em 78,0% e presença de odor fétido em 66,0%. Em 85,5% das vezes as lesões localizaram-se em segmento posterior de lobo superior ou segmento superior de lobo inferior, 97,1% delas unilaterais, ocorrendo com igual freqüência tanto no pulmão direito como no esquerdo. A maioria das lesões (66,0%) mediram entre 4,0 e 8,0 cm de diâmetro. Em 25 pacientes (10,4%) houve a associação de empiema pleural. Flora mista, indicativa da presença de germes anaeróbios, foi identificada em secreções broncopulmonares ou pleurais em 172 pacientes (71,4 %). Estreptococos e Gram negativos aeróbios foram também algumas vezes encontrados. Todos os pacientes foram inicialmente tratados com antibióticos (penicilina em 78,0% das vezes) e submetidos a sessões de drenagem postural. Em 51 (21,2%) acabou sendo necessário algum procedimento cirúrgico (24 drenagens de empiema, 21 ressecções pulmonares e 6 pneumostomias). Cura foi obtida em 231 pacientes (95,8%) e 10 (4,2%) foram ao óbito, estes em geral com grandes abscessos, três dos quais também com empiema.

Uso de imunomoduladores nas enfermidades infecciosas dos animais domésticos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

PYOMETRA IN A FEMALE LION (Panthera leo): REPORT of CASE.

Pyometra is a common disease of intact bitches that may also occur in large wild cats. The present study describes a case of pyometra in female lion (Panthera leo). The animal was referred with a vulvar discharge; physical examination and complementary exams did not show abnormalities. An ovariohysterectomy was performed, and the uterus reveals a thick endometrium with purulent/sanguinolent fluid. The bacterial culture resulted in Escherichia coli. The animal had an excellent recovery.

Influence of human dentine on the antibacterial activity of self-etching adhesive systems against cariogenic bacteria

Objectives: The incorporation of antibacterial agents into adhesive systems has been proposed to eliminate residual bacteria from dentine. This study used the agar diffusion method to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Clearfil Protect Bond (CPB), Clearfil SE Bond (CSEB), Clearfil Tri-S Bond (C3SB) and Xeno-III (XIII) self-etching adhesive systems, with or without light-activation, against cariogenic bacteria, and to assess the influence of human dentine on the antibacterial activity of these materials.Methods: An aliquot of 10 mu l per material (and individual components) were pipetted onto paper and dentine discs distributed in Petri dishes containing bacterial culture in BHI agar. Positive control was 0.2% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX).Results: After incubation, the adhesive components of CPB and CSEB, liquid A of XIII and C3SB did not present antibacterial activity when applied to paper discs. The non-light-activated CPB primer + adhesive promoted the greatest inhibition of Streptococcus mutans (p < 0.05), whereas with light-activation, there was no significant difference between primer + adhesive and primer alone. For Lactobacillus acidophilus, CPB primer presented the greatest antibacterial activity in both light-activation conditions (p < 0.05). Regarding the dentine discs, only CHX promoted an inhibitory effect, though less intense than on paper discs (p < 0.05). CHX presented greater antibacterial activity against S. mutans than against L. acidophilus (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Light-activation significantly reduced the antibacterial activity of the self-etching adhesive systems; MDPB incorporation contributed to the effect of adhesive systems against cariogenic bacteria; the components eluted from the adhesive systems were not capable to diffuse through 400 mu m-thick dentine disc to exert their antibacterial activity against cariogenic bacteria. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Accurate Approach in the Treatment of Oral Bisphosphonate-Related Jaw Osteonecrosis

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is not completely understood and difficult to treat. Even though the occurrence of BRONJ is mainly related to the therapy with intravenous bisphosphonates (BPs), this article reports a case of long-term oral BP use and BRONJ occurrence. In addition, a literature review provides some additional information about BPs, BRONJ, and also a guideline for the prevention and treatment of BRONJ stages. A 79-year-old patient presented intense and persistent pain, purulent secretion, and exposed bone at the right side of the lower jaw. Thus, she was submitted to anamnesis, radiologic and tomographic examinations, and bacterial culture and sensitivity tests. These procedures were followed by surgical debridement of the bone and surrounding tissues/cyst and antibiotic prescription and histopathologic analysis of the fragments. Together, the examinations performed showed the occurrence of stage 2 BRONJ. Moreover, the antibiotic prescription, discontinuation of oral BP, and surgical procedures ensure that the patient had no more symptoms. Therefore, considering the presented case, we believe that an accurate approach is promising to diagnose and treat stage 2 BRONJ and other associated pathologic findings.

Refolding and purification of bothropstoxin-1, a Lys49 - Phospholipase A(2) homologue, expressed as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli

Hydrolysis of phospholipids by Group II phospholipase A(2) enzymes involves a nucleophilic attack on the sn-2 ester bond by the His48 residue and stabilization of the reaction intermediate by a Ca2+ ion cofactor bound to the Asp49 residue in the protein active site region, Bothropstoxin-I (BthTX-I) is a PLA, variant present in the venom of the snake Bothrops jararacussu which shows a Asp49 to Lys substitution and which lacks hydrolytic activity yet damages artificial membranes by a noncatalytic Ca2+-independent mechanism. In order to better characterize this unusual mechanism of membrane damage, we have established an expression system for BthTX-I in Escherichia coli. The DNA-coding sequence for BthTX-I was subcloned into the vector pET11-d, and the BthTX-I was expressed as inclusion bodies in E, coli BL21(DE3). The native BthTX-I contains seven disulfide bonds, and a straightforward protocol has been developed to refold the recombinant protein at high protein concentration in the presence of surfactants using a size-exclusion chromatography matrix. After refolding, recovery yields of 2.5% (corresponding to 4-5 mg of refolded recombinant BthTX-I per liter of bacterial culture) were routinely obtained. After refolding, identical fluorescent and circular dichroism spectra were obtained for the recombinant BthTX-I compared to those of the native protein. Furthermore, the native and refolded recombinant protein demonstrated identical membrane-damaging properties as evaluated by measuring the release of an entrapped fluorescent marker from liposomes, (C) 2001 Academic Press.

Detection of leptospires in bovine semen by polymerase chain reaction

Objective: In view of the considerable importance of venereal transmission of bovine leptospirosis, the objective of the present study was to compare the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), culture/isolation and serology to detect leptospire infection in bovine semen. Design: Blood for serologic examination and semen for bacterial culture and PCR were collected from 20 bulls at artificial insemination centres in Brazil. Each animal was sampled twice for serology. Result: Forty-five percent (9/20) of the serum samples collected showed agglutinin titers to serovar hardjo in the first sample and 25% (5/20) had agglutinin titers to serovar hardjo in the second sample. Eighty percent (16/20) of semen samples were positive by PCR. Leptospires could not be isolated from any of the semen samples examined. Conclusion: Polymerase chain reaction can be a method of great potential for the detection of leptospires at artificial insemination centres.

Survival and conjugation of Bacillus thuringiensis in a soil microcosm

The survival and conjugation ability of sporogenic and asporogenic Bacillus thuringiensis strains were investigated in broth, in non-amended sterile clay soil monoculture and in mixed soil culture. The 75 kb pHT73 plasmid carrying an erythromycin resistance determinant and a cry1Ac gene was transferred in mating broth and soil microcosm. Survival of strains was assessed in soil monoculture and in mixed soil culture for up to 20 days. Sporogenic strains rapidly formed viable spores which were maintained until the end of the experiment. The asporogenic strains were no longer recovered after 8 days of incubation. This study shows that the environmental impact of asporogenic B. thuringiensis strains is lower than that of sporogenic B. thuringiensis strains. Thus, the use of asporogenic strains may significantly reduce any potential risk (gene transfer, soil and plant contamination) due to the dissemination of B. thuringiensis-based biopesticides in the environment. Copyright (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

Desenvolvimento de métodos de cultivo de Gluconacetobacter xylinus para obtenção de compósitos à base de celulose bacteriana e colágeno tipo I adicionado in situ

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)