The complete genome sequence of Propionibacterium acnes, a commensal of human skin

Propionibacterium acnes is a major inhabitant of adult human skin, where it resides within sebaceous follicles, usually as a harmless commensal although it has been implicated in acne vulgaris formation. The entire genome sequence of this Gram-positive bacterium encodes 2333 putative genes and revealed numerous gene products involved in degrading host molecules, including sialidases, neuraminidases, endoglycoceramidases, lipases, and pore-forming factors. Surface-associated and other immunogenic factors have been identified, which might be involved in triggering acne inflammation and other P. acnes-associated diseases.     

Analysis of free phytosterols/stanols and their intact fatty acid and phenolic acid esters in various corn cultivars

The contents and the compositions of free sterols/stanols, steryl/stanyl fatty acid esters and steryl/stanyl phenolic acid esters were determined in 25 corn cultivars grown at the same location and in the same year. The lipid extracts obtained from the flours of whole kernels were subjected to solid-phase extraction for the isolation and separation of the sterol classes, followed by capillary gas chromatography. The study provides for the first time information on the variability of individual steryl/stanyl fatty acid esters in corn cultivars. The analysis revealed pronounced differences in total contents of each sterol class. The levels of free sterols/stanols ranged from 298 to 433 μg/g dry matter flour, those of steryl/stanyl fatty acid esters from 430 to 1187 μg/g and those of steryl/stanyl phenolic acid esters from 46 to 240 μg/g. Free sterols/stanols were mainly composed of sitosterol and campesterol; up to 11% were made up of stanols. Steryl/stanyl esters of C18-fatty acids were dominating, with sitosteryl linoleate as the most abundant ester (44.7–53.5% of total fatty acid esters). Among the three investigated sterol classes, the distribution patterns of steryl/stanyl phenolic acid esters showed the greatest variability between the cultivars, even though trans-sitostanyl ferulate was the dominating ester in all samples.     

Extended summaries sci pesticides group symposium biological control: Use of living organisms in the management of invertebrate pests,pathogens and weeds.

The following are extended summaries based on material presented at a meeting of the SCI Pesticides Group, held on 19-20 October 1992 at the SCI, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SWIX 8PS, UK. The summaries published here are entirely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board of Pesticide Science.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS IN FOUR DOGS WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM NEOSPOROSIS

Neosporosis is a polysystemic disease that can affect dogs of any age and can cause inflammation of the central nervous system. Antemortem diagnosis can be challenging, as clinical and conventional laboratory test findings are often nonspecific. A previous report described cerebellar lesions in brain MRI studies of seven dogs and proposed that these may be characteristic for central nervous system Neosporosis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe MRI characteristics in another group of dogs with confirmed central nervous system neosporosis and compare them with the previous report. The hospital's database was searched for dogs with confirmed central nervous system neosporosis and four observers recorded findings from each dog's MRI studies. A total of four dogs met inclusion criteria. Neurologic examination was indicative of a forebrain and cerebellar lesion in dog 2 and multifocal central nervous system disease in dogs 1, 3, and 4. Magnetic resonance imaging showed mild bilateral and symmetrical cerebellar atrophy in three of four dogs (dogs 2, 3, 4), intramedullary spinal cord changes in two dogs (dogs 3, 4) and a mesencephalic and metencephalic lesion in one dog (dog 2). Multifocal brain lesions were recognized in two dogs (dogs 1, 4) and were present in the thalamus, lentiform nucleus, centrum semiovale, internal capsule, brainstem and cortical gray matter of the frontal, parietal or temporal lobe. Findings indicated that central nervous system neosporosis may be characterized by multifocal MRI lesions as well as cerebellar involvement in dogs.     

Effect of intratesticular injection of lidocaine on cardiovascular responses to castration in isoflurane-anesthetized stallions

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intratesticular administration of lidocaine on cardiovascular responses and cremaster muscle tension during castration of isoflurane-anesthetized stallions. ANIMALS: 28 healthy stallions (mean +/- SD age, 4.2 +/- 2.8 years) with no testicular abnormalities that were scheduled for castration. PROCEDURE: Each horse was given acepromazine (20 microg/kg, IM), romifidine (50 microg/kg, IV), and butorphanol (20 microg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with ketamine (2.5 mg/kg, IV) and midazolam (50 microg/kg, IV) and maintained with isoflurane (1.7% end-tidal concentration). After 10 minutes at a stable anesthetic plane, a needle was placed in each testicle and either no fluid or 15 mL of 2% lidocaine was injected; 10 minutes after needle placement, surgery was commenced. Pulse rate and arterial blood pressures were measured invasively at intervals from 5 minutes prior to castration (baseline) until 5 minutes after the left spermatic cord was clamped. The surgeon subjectively scored the degree of cremaster muscle tension. In 2 horses, lidocaine labeled with radioactive carbon (C(14)) was used and testicular autoradiograms were obtained. RESULTS: Compared with baseline values, castration significantly increased blood pressure measurements; intratesticular injection of lidocaine decreased this blood pressure response and cremaster muscle tension. In 2 horses, autoradiography revealed diffuse distribution of lidocaine into the spermatic cord but poor distribution into the cremaster muscle. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In isoflurane-anesthetized stallions, intratesticular injection of lidocaine prior to castration appeared to decrease intraoperative blood pressure responses and cremaster muscle tension and may be a beneficial supplement to isoflurane anesthesia.     

In-vitro and in-vivo nematicidal activities of the cyclic dodecapeptide omphalotin A

Omphalotin A, a cyclic dodecapeptide produced by submerged cultures of the basidiomycete Omphalotus olearius, exhibited in-vitro and in-vivo nematicidal activity. Meloidogyne incognita was the most sensitive nematode. At 2.0 mg litre⁻¹, 50% of the nematodes were dead after one hour. Heterodera schachtii, Radopholus similis and Pratylenchus penetrans were affected at higher concentrations. Incorporated into agar, the compound prevented infection of cucumber seedlings by M. incognita at concentrations of 1 mg litre⁻¹ and higher. In glasshouse tests, complete protection of cucumbers and lettuce was achieved between 2.5 and 10 mg litre⁻¹. No insecticidal activity was observed when Plutella xylostella, Phaedon cochleariae or Spodoptera frugiperda were fed material containing 4 g kg⁻¹ of omphalotin A. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The correlation of potassium content and moisture in bovine liver samples analyzed for trace mineral concentrations.

Beef cattle in the United States are often found to be deficient in essential trace minerals such as copper and zinc. Established reference ranges for mineral concentrations exist and usually designate a concentration as adequate, marginal, deficient, or excessive. This research investigates a new method of interpreting detected elemental concentrations in bovine liver that will add confidence to the final diagnosis. This is based on the hypothesis that a correlation exists between potassium concentration and moisture in a bovine liver sample. This relationship between potassium and moisture content enables the diagnostician to more accurately predict mineral concentrations and wet weight regardless of sample moisture loss. Correlations were found between potassium content and percentage of moisture in experimental samples, clinical biopsies, and a validation study, to a statistical significance of P < 0.001. Experimental samples had a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.95 and the mathematical relationship y = 2513.2x(-1.0662). Clinical biopsies had a correlation of R2 = 0.83 and the mathematical relationship y = 2203.4x(-0.991). The validation study had a correlation of R2 = 0.55 and a mathematical relationship y = 2321.4x(-0.952). An exponent of -1 is predicted by conservation of potassium mass. These findings have practical significance in maintaining and improving cattle growth, health, reproduction, and food safety.     

Genetic diversity of Ethiopian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xanthosoma sagittifolium</Emphasis> (L.) Schott accessions assessed with AFLPs

Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott originated from the American tropics. Domestication may have occurred in various places as this Araceae species is an important food source. It has been cultivated for many decades. In this study, Amplified Fragments Length Polymorphism (AFLP) markers were used to analyze the genetic relationships among 78 Ethiopian X. sagittifolium accessions, for conservation purpose. Cormels were collected from Bench-Maji, Kefa, Dawuro and Wolaita zones, representing four populations. The accessions belonged to either green (G) or purple (P) colored leaf and petiole accessions. Three different AFLP primer combinations resulted in 478 scorable bands, of which 99.2% were polymorphic. The mean Nei’s gene diversity (He) within populations was 0.35 while the G accessions featured higher He (0.38) than the P ones (0.35). The Nei’s gene diversity (He) at entire collection level was 0.38. The detected high genetic diversity may indicate the X. sagittifolium plants growing in the country may derive from diverse parental genotype stock elsewhere and/or there may be multiple introductions to the country. Low levels of genetic differentiation were detected among populations (Gst?=?0.07) and between the G and P accessions (Gst?=?0.02). Insignificant genetic and geographic correlation was revealed by Mantel test. Clustering analysis grouped 91% of the accessions together. Conservation and management of X. sagittifolium in the country should concentrate on maintaining high level genetic diversity within each population as well as at entire collection level through both ex situ and in situ conservation actions.