Comparison of the production rates of bacteria in the rumen estimated by using labelled live and formaldehyde treated mixed bacterial cells

Summary The bacteria production rates in the rumen have been estimated by injecting¹⁴C- and³⁵S-labelled mixed rumen bacteria, either live or killed by treatment with formaldehyde, into the rumen and applying isotope dilution technique. The rate of bacteria production when estimated by using either live- or dead-(protected-)labelled bacterial cells were comparable.     

The role of conjugative transposons in spreading antibiotic resistance between bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract

There is huge potential for genetic exchange to occur within the dense, diverse anaerobic microbial population inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans and animals. However, the incidence of conjugative transposons (CTns) and the antibiotic resistance genes they carry has not been well studied among this population. Since any incoming bacteria, including pathogens, can access this reservoir of genes, this oversight would appear to be an important one. Recent evidence has shown that anaerobic bacteria native to the rumen or hindgut harbour both novel antibiotic resistance genes and novel conjugative transposons. These CTns, and previously characterized CTns, can be transferred to a wide range of commensal bacteria under laboratory and in vivo conditions. The main evidence that gene transfer occurs widely in vivo between GIT bacteria, and between GIT bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, is that identical resistance genes are present in diverse bacterial species from different hosts.     

Australian goats detoxify the goitrogen 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP) after rumen infusion from an Indonesian goat

The failure of Australian goats fed Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) to degrade 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP), the goitrogenic metabolite of mimosine, was overcome when they were infused with rumen fluid from an Indonesian goat. The leucaena toxicity problem in Australia may well be solved by transfer of specific bacteria capable of degrading DHP anaerobically.     

Possibility of using131I-albumin as a marker for the estimations of microbial protein synthesis rates in the rumen

Summary Total microbial protein synthesis rates in the rumen of buffaloes were estimated by isotope dilution technique, using¹³¹I-albumin treated with tannic acid as a marker. The animals were fed groundnut cake treated with formaldehyde to meet 50% of their digestible crude protein (DCP) requirement and 2.5% urea molasses mixture was given to meet the remaining requirement of DCP. Wheat straw was fed as the basal roughage. The total average microbial protein synthesis was 58.14 g/day.     

A crystalline,toxic, peptide metabolite ofTrichoderma spp. isolated from soil

Summary Isolates ofTrichoderma spp. from pasture soils of Nova Scotia produce at least 7 toxic peptides, probably related to alamethicin, some of which inhibit the growth of cellulase producing rumen bacteria. One of the peptides has been obtained in crystalline form and crystal data on this material is reported.     

Australian goats detoxify the goitrogen 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP) after rumen infusion from an indonesian goat

Summary The failure of Australian goats fedLeucaena leucocephala (leucaena) to degrade 3-hydroxy-4(1H) pyridone (DHP), the goitrogenic metabolite of mimosine, was overcome when they were infused with rumen fluid from an Indonesían goat. The leucaena toxicity problem in Australia may well be solved by transfer of specific bacteria capable of degrading DHP anaerobically.We acknowkledge the assistance of R.G. Megarrity in preparation of the goats in Australia and R. Dixon and staff at the CSIRO Lansdown Research Station for preparation of the feed. In Balai Penelitian Ternak; G. Riding, and Suwandi for the metabolism study facilities, Riad the feeding, Miss Leanne Rochanda sample preparation and Mrs M. Young for veterinary assistance. Analyses were carried out by R. Lowe, Jernih Rosida and Wildan.     

Origin and identification of bacteria which produce kairomones in the frass ofAcrolepiopsis assectella (Lep., Hyponomeutoidea)

The volatiles used by the parasitoidDiadromus pulchellus to find its host, the leek moth, are produced by the bacteria developing in the frass of the host larvae. The origin and the nature of these bacteria were investigated. Samples were taken from healthy leeks and from infested leeks in the field, as well as from the frass of larvae reared in the laboratory either on the host plant or on an artificial diet. The various species of bacteria identified were cultured in the presence of precursors of leek sulphur volatiles and their volatile emissions were analysed.Klebsiella oxytoca and variousBacillus, common decomposers of plant matter, were the principal species producing active volatiles which were alkyl disulphides.     

Distension of the reticulum decreased food but not water intake by sheep

Summary The intakes of pelleted alfalfa by hungry sheep were depressed in a rectilinear manner in relation to the amount of water (0–800 ml) added to a balloon in the reticulum (p<0.005). Since the consumption of water by thirsty sheep was not altered by these treatments, the reduction in food intake produced by distending the reticulum was a specific response. The intakes of food were not significantly affected by distending the rumen with 800 ml water in a balloon so it is possible that the amount of fill in the reticulum rather than in the rumen may be important in signalling satiery in sheep.Acknowledgments. The technical assistance of Karen Gordon and funding from the National Research Council of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food are gratefully acknowledged.     

L'acide thymonucléique polymérisé, principe paraissant susceptible de déterminer la spécificité sérologique et l'équipement enzymatique des bactéries. Signification pour la biochimie de l'hérédité

Summary Interactions between two types of bacteria can produce either inhibition of the growth of one of these bacteria or transformation of their biochemical or antigenic properties. Authors have shown and studied one case of induction of a new serological specificity and a new enzymic equipment in aBacterium coli. This induction was produced through a substance liberated, during autolysis, by an otherBacterium coli. Active principle is a thymonucleic acid which, maybe, results from a solubilisation of chromosomes of the inductor bacteria. Hypothesis appears likely.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascaris</Emphasis> nematodes from pig and human make three anti-bacterial peptides: isolation of cecropin P1 and two ASABF peptides

Organisms co-habiting with bacteria have developed efficient bactericidal agents to control their microbe-rich environment. The Ascaris nematode lives in its final development stages in the gut of its host and is believed to feed on bacteria. Ascaris suum survive in pig intestine while A. lumbricoides is the principal species in humans. Here we show that A. suum and A. lumbricoides both produce linear (cecropin P1) and cysteine-rich (ASABF) peptides with activity against either gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Thus nematodes rely in part on a peptide-based antibacterial system for digestion of bacteria, which may also confer protection against infection. Cecropin P1 was previously isolated from pig intestine but we can now conclude that was due to contaminating nematodes.     

The effects of salicylate and aspirin on the activity of phosphorylase a in perfused hearts of rats

Summary Sodium salicylate and aspirin are known to have a glycogenolytic effect as judged by either the glycogen level or lactate production in perfused hearts of rats. In this work it was possible to demonstrate that phosphorylase a level was increased in the hearts subjected to the action of these drugs.     

Identification of the multi-input box-Jenkins transfer function model

In this paper different ways to identify the order of the Box–Jenkins transfer function model are discussed. The discussion concerns estimation of the impulse response weight function in the case of more than one input variable. It is found that most of the existing methods are either unsuitable when there is more than one input variable, or expensive or difficult to use. To overcome these deficiencies an extended regression method is proposed. The new method is based on the solution of some problems in connection with the use of the regression method. The impulse response weights are estimated by a biased regression estimator on variables transformed with respect to the noise model. To test the new approach a small simulation experiment has been performed. The results from the simulations indicate that the proposed method may be of value to the practitioner.     

Anti-infective properties of bacteriocins: an update

Bacteriocin production is a widespread phenomenon among bacteria. Bacteriocins hold great promise for the treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria and could be used in the future as alternatives to existing antibiotics. The anti-infective potential of bacteriocins for inhibiting pathogens has been shown in various food matrices including cheese, meat, and vegetables. However, their inhibition of pathogens in vivo remains unclear and needs more investigation, due mainly to difficulties associated with demonstrating their health benefits. Many bacteriocins produced by established or potential probiotic organisms have been evaluated as potential therapeutic agents and interesting findings have been documented in vitro as well as in a few in vivo studies. Some recent in vivo studies point to the efficacy of bacteriocin-based treatments of human and animal infections. While further investigation remains necessary before the possibilities for bacteriocins in clinical practice can be described more fully, this review provides an overview of their potential applications to human and veterinary health.     

Genetics of toxin production and resistance in phytopathogenic bacteria

Genes for phytotoxin production have been identified and cloned from several phytopathogenic pseudomonads. These genes comprise physically linked clusters that have been located both on the chromosome and on endogenous plasmids. Contained within these genetic regions are resistance genes specific to those toxins that have a bactericidal component to their activity. DNA sequences required for toxin production are often conserved among bacteria with divergent host specificities, suggesting the ability of toxin genes to be transferred between bacteria. Toxins are usually modulators of plant pathogenicity, their production causing a significant increase in disease severity. In one case, however, toxin production appears to be a major contributor to the basic pathogenicity of a plant pathogenic bacterium.     

Plant growth stimulation by inoculation with symbiotic and associative rhizosphere microorganisms

SelectedRhizobium bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhiza-forming (AM) fungi and associative bacteria have been shown to stimulate the growth of legumes, gramineae and cruciferae in field experiments on different soil types in temperate regions. A combination of microorganisms with different metabolic capacities (N₂-fixation, P-mobilization; production of phytohormones and antibiotics) can partly surpass the effect of single inoculations, or can produce a positive effect where single inoculations are ineffective. Growth stimulation by inoculation requires microorganisms with phytoeffective metabolic characteristics and the ability to survive in the rhizosphere during the growth period. Another prerequisite is an adequate supply of plant assimilates for the production of microbial phytoeffective metabolites. Type of inoculum, method of inoculation and agricultural measures can influence the effect of the inoculation. Research is necessary to extend our knowledge both of basic principles, and about using microorganisms in practice.     

Increasing porosity of the incubating alligator eggshell caused by extrinsic microbial degradation

Summary The outer densely calcified layer of the alligator eggshell shows progressive crystal dissolution, with the production of concentrically stepped erosion craters, as incubation progresses. This dissolution is caused by the acidic metabolic byproducts of nest bacteria. Extrinsic degradation serves to gradually increase the porosity and decrease the strength of the eggshell.The work is supported by M.R.C. grant No. G979/386/CB and E.H.S.S.B. grant No. EB 109/74/75.     

Fermentative digestion of food in the colobus monkey, Colobus, polykomos.

Fermentation of leafy food occurs in the enlarged saccus gastricus of the colobus monkey with the formation of volatile fatty acid, as in the rumen of ruminant animals. About half of the digestible organic matter and cellulose of the diet is digested in this way.     

Methanic fermentation in the digestive tract of a xylophagous insect:Oryctes nasicornis L. larva (Coleoptera; Scarabaeidae)

Summary Strict anaerobic conditions and the production of methane have been demonstrated in the proctodeum in larvae ofOryctes nasicornis L., a xylophagous coleopteran. In ruminants, the breakdown of cellulose by extracellular symbiotic organisms is complete and leads to the formation of by-products which may act as substrates for methanogenic bacteria.     

Impact of biofilm matrix components on interaction of commensal Escherichia coli with the gastrointestinal cell line HT-29

Commensal Escherichia coli form biofilms at body temperature by expressing the extracellular matrix components curli fimbriae and cellulose. The role of curli fimbriae and cellulose in the interaction of commensal E. coli with the intestinal epithelial cell line HT-29 was investigated. Expression of curli fimbriae by the typical commensal isolate E. coli TOB1 caused adherence and internalization of the bacteria and triggered IL-8 production in HT-29 cells. In particular, induction of IL-8 production was complex and involved curli-bound flagellin. While cellulose alone had no effect on the interaction of TOB1 with HT-29 cells, co-expression of cellulose with curli fimbriae decreased adherence to, internalization and IL-8 induction of HT-29 cells. Investigation of a panel of commensal isolates showed a partial correlation between expression of curli fimbriae and enhanced internalization and IL-8 production. In addition, a high immunostimulatory flagellin was identified. Thus, the consequences of expression of extracellular matrix components on commensal bacterial-host interactions are complex.     

Temporal effects of ACTH,indomethacin and 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid upon glucocorticoid production by the human adrenal

Summary Indomethacin or 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid does not alter basal adrenal cortisol output. Preincubation in either, depresses subsequent ACTH-stimulated cortisol output below ACTH alone and controls. Either inhibitor following ACTH preincubation blunts normal ACTH-stimulated cortisol production.