Three strains of anaerobic, non-spore-forming, Gram-negative coccobacilli (YIT 11816T, YIT 11817 and YIT 11818) were isolated from human faeces. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, these strains were shown to belong to the family Alcaligenaceae and to be related to the type strain of Sutterella stercoricanis (94.9 %) and to Sutterella wadsworthensis WAL 7877 (94.3 %); the similarity to strains of any other species with a validly published name within the family Alcaligenaceae was less than 92 %. Biochemical data supported the affiliation of these strains to the genus Sutterella. These strains therefore represent a novel species, for which the name Sutterella parvirubra sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is YIT 11816T (=DSM 19354T =JCM 14724T). The cells of another isolate, strain YIT 11815T, were non-spore-forming, Gram-negative, very large rods, 1x5-200 microm in size, with or without a central, subterminal or terminal swelling of 2-4 microm diameter when grown in a broth medium supplemented with glucose. Based on comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing, this bacterium is a member of the family Acidaminococcaceae, and most closely related to Megamonas hypermegale (95.3 % similarity to the type strain). Interestingly, the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain YIT 11815T showed 99 % similarity to sequences of uncultured colonic bacteria. A 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence value of >3 % from known cultured species suggested that isolate YIT 11815T represents a novel species, for which the name Megamonas funiformis sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is YIT 11815T (=DSM 19343T =JCM 14723T).
16SrDNA-targeted genus- and species-specific PCR primers have been developed and used for the identification and detection of bifidobacteria. These primers cover all of the described species that inhabit the human gut, or occur in dairy products. Identification of cultured bifidobacteria using PCR primer pairs is rapid and accurate, being based on nucleic acid sequences. Detection of bifidobacteria can be achieved using DNA extracted from human faeces as template in PCR reactions. We have found that, in adult faeces, the Bifidobacterium catenulatum group was the most commonly detected species, followed by Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, and Bifidobacterium bifidum. In breastfed infants, Bifidobacterium breve was the most frequently detected species, followed by Bifidobacterium infantis, B. longum and B. bifidum. It was notable that the B. catenulatum group was detected with the highest frequency in adults, although it has often been reported that B. adolescentis is the most common species. Real-time, quantitative PCR using primers targeting 16S rDNA shows promise in the enumeration of bifidobacteria in faecal samples. The approach to detect the target bacteria with quantitative PCR described in this review will contribute to future studies of the composition and dynamics of the intestinal microflora.
From the herb of Luffa acutangula ROXB. (Cucurbitaceae), seven oleanane-type triterpene saponins, acutosides A--G, were isolated and their structures were determined. Acutoside A is oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Acutosides B, D, E, F and G have a common prosapogenin structure, acutoside A, and only differ in the structures of the ester-linked sugar moieties. Acutoside B is a 28-O-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2) -alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester, D is a 28-O-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----4)-O- alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester, E is a 28-O-[O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-( 1----4)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester, F is a 28-O-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----3)-[O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----4)-O -alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester, and G is a 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----3)-[O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1- ---3)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1----4)]-O-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1----2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester. Acutoside C is a machaelinic acid (=21 beta-hydroxyoleanolic acid) saponin having the same sugar moiety as that of acutoside B.
Abstract This chapter reviews the various functions of the human gut microbiata in relation to: (1) production and conversion of bioactive compounds; (2) regulation of the crypt-villus structure in the small intestine; (3) immune maturation; (4) prevention of pathogenic infections; (5) energy homeostasis, adiposity and obesity; and (6) host behaviour.
PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a type of chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons widely used in condensers and other applications prior to 1970, but now recognized as serious environmental pollutants. "Law Concerning Extraordinary Measures for Promotion of Proper Management of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Waste", which came into effect on July 15,2001, made PCBs disposal mandatory, and many companies are thus engaged in research and development work on PCBs disposal and processing. For protection from PCBs it is necessary to monitor their concentration quite rapidly. But the conventional methods require extensive analytical time (several days per sample) and are not suitable for the above requirement. The objective of the research reported here was to develop the Laser ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (LI-TOFMS) capable of monitoring PCBs within 1 minute. The achievable PCBs sensitivity for real-time (1 minute) measurement was found to be in the ppbV range (0.01 mg/Nm^3) by comparison with the conventional gas sampling / GS-MS (gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry) method. For PCBs, a satisfactory proportional relationship was confirmed between laser-based and conventional results. We examined the exhaust gas measurement using the PCB monitoring system installed in the PCB treatment plant (hydrothermal decomposition). Accordingly, this method implies a useful method for the on-line monitoring of PCBs. In the future we will pursue practical application in the form of a safety management-monitoring device for environmental monitoring.
We have cloned and characterised fragments of Bifidobacterium breve chromosomal DNA which appear to be specific to the species B. breve that is commonly found in the human intestine and in dairy products. Twenty-five Hind-III-digested DNA fragment as probes were screened for hybridisation with pure cultures of five species of bifidobacteria (B. adolescentis, B. bifidum, B. breve, B. infantis, B. longum). Two of the fragments hybridised only to the species B. breve. These cloned fragments were analysed for specificity with another 31 strains of 15 species of bifidobacteria. One of the cloned fragments (BB22 1.8 kilobases) was shown to specifically hybridise with B. breve. Moreover, 49 colonic isolates likely to be encountered in human faeces (containing 47 species of 18 genera) were tested with the BB22 probe. None of the intestinal bacteria tested showed any hybridisation except B. breve. The intraspecies hybridisation homology was quite low, so it is possible to make a clear distinction between the species B. breve and any of the non-β. breve colonic bacterial species in the autoradiogram. These data demonstrate that this DNA fragment is a species-specific DNA probe for the rapid and reliable identification of B. breve.
