Pantoea trifolii sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from Trifolium rubens root nodules.

A novel bacterium, designated strain MMK2T, was isolated from a surface-sterilised root nodule of a Trifolium rubens plant growing in south-eastern Poland. Cells were Gram negative, non-spore forming and rod shaped. The strain had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with P. endophytica (99.4%), P. leporis (99.4%) P. rwandensis (98.8%) and P. rodasii (98.45%). Phylogenomic analysis clearly showed that strain MMK2T and an additional strain, MMK3, should reside in the genus Pantoea and that they were most closely related to P. endophytica and P. leporis. Genome comparisons showed that the novel strain shared 82.96-93.50% average nucleotide identity and 26.2-53. 2% digital DNA:DNA hybridization with closely related species. Both strains produced siderophores and were able to solubilise phosphates. The MMK2T strain was also able to produce indole-3-acetic acid. The tested strains differed in their antimicrobial activity, but both were able to inhibit the growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum 10Ss01. Based on the results of the phenotypic, phylogenomic, genomic and chemotaxonomic analyses, strains MMK2T and MMK3 belong to a novel species in the genus Pantoea for which the name Pantoea trifolii sp. nov. is proposed with the type strain MMK2T (= DSM 115063T = LMG 33049T).

Assessment of Phenanthrene Degradation Potential by Plant-Growth-Promoting Endophytic Strain Pseudomonas chlororaphis 23aP Isolated from Chamaecytisus albus (Hacq.) Rothm.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common xenobiotics that are detrimental to the environment and human health. Bacterial endophytes, having the capacity to degrade PAHs, and plant growth promotion (PGP) may facilitate their biodegradation. In this study, phenanthrene (PHE) utilization of a newly isolated PGP endophytic strain of Pseudomonas chlororaphis 23aP and factors affecting the process were evaluated. The data obtained showed that strain 23aP utilized PHE in a wide range of concentrations (6-100 ppm). Ethyl-acetate-extractable metabolites obtained from the PHE-enriched cultures were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). The analysis identified phthalic acid, 3-(1-naphthyl)allyl alcohol, 2-hydroxybenzalpyruvic acid, α-naphthol, and 2-phenylbenzaldehyde, and allowed us to propose that the PHE degradation pathway of strain 23aP is initiated at the 1,2-, 3,4-carbon positions, while the 9,10-C pathway starts with non-enzymatic oxidation and is continued by the downstream phthalic pathway. Moreover, the production of the biosurfactants, mono- (Rha-C8-C8, Rha-C10-C8:1, Rha-C12:2-C10, and Rha-C12:1-C12:1) and dirhamnolipids (Rha-Rha-C8-C10), was confirmed using direct injection-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DI-ESI-MS) technique. Changes in the bacterial surface cell properties in the presence of PHE of increased hydrophobicity were assessed with the microbial adhesion to hydrocarbons (MATH) assay. Altogether, this suggests the strain 23aP might be used in bioaugmentation-a biological method supporting the removal of pollutants from contaminated environments.

Selection of Endophytic Strains for Enhanced Bacteria-Assisted Phytoremediation of Organic Pollutants Posing a Public Health Hazard.

Anthropogenic activities generate a high quantity of organic pollutants, which have an impact on human health and cause adverse environmental effects. Monitoring of many hazardous contaminations is subject to legal regulations, but some substances such as therapeutic agents, personal care products, hormones, and derivatives of common organic compounds are currently not included in these regulations. Classical methods of removal of organic pollutants involve economically challenging processes. In this regard, remediation with biological agents can be an alternative. For in situ decontamination, the plant-based approach called phytoremediation can be used. However, the main disadvantages of this method are the limited accumulation capacity of plants, sensitivity to the action of high concentrations of hazardous pollutants, and no possibility of using pollutants for growth. To overcome these drawbacks and additionally increase the efficiency of the process, an integrated technology of bacteria-assisted phytoremediation is being used recently. For the system to work, it is necessary to properly select partners, especially endophytes for specific plants, based on the knowledge of their metabolic abilities and plant colonization capacity. The best approach that allows broad recognition of all relationships occurring in a complex community of endophytic bacteria and its variability under the influence of various factors can be obtained using culture-independent techniques. However, for practical application, culture-based techniques have priority.

Morphometry and morphology of rostral cranial fossa in brachycephalic dogs - CT studies.

Hydrocephalus occurs more often in brachycephalic individuals of different species. Detailed analysis of rostral cranial fossa-region of cerebrospinal fluid outflow-is necessary to understand causes leading to hydrocephalus in specimens with shortened skull. The objective of the study was to determine morphology and morphometry of rostral cranial fossa in brachycephalic dogs. Skulls of 126 dogs of different breeds and morphotypes were examined using computed tomography. Linear and volumetric measurement in the region of rostral cranial fossa and skull base were made. In brachycephalic dogs there is shortening of rostral cranial fossa which is linked with the volume reduction of this region. There are differences in skull base shape between brachycephalic dogs and other morphotypes. Similarities between brachycephalic dogs and patients with craniosynostoses were noted.

Lymphatic drainage of cerebrospinal fluid in mammals - are arachnoid granulations the main route of cerebrospinal fluid outflow?

The outflow of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in animals was over the years the subject of detailed analysis. For a long time it was stated that arachnoid granulations of the venous sinuses play a key role in CSF circulation. However, recent studies on this subject have shown that a considerable part of the CSF is drained to the lymphatic vessels. Moreover, disorders in the CSF passage may result in severe central nervous system diseases such as e.g. hydrocephalus. In this paper, we summarize the current knowledge concerning the lymphatic drainage of the CSF in mammals. We present in detail comparative anatomy of different species taking into account cranial and spinal compartment. In addition, we clarified role of the lymphatic vessels in the CSF outflow and the relationship between impairment in this transport and central nervous system diseases. In the author's opinion knowledge on CSF circulation is still poorly examined and therefore required comment.

Rostral cranial fossa as a site for cerebrospinal fluid drainage - volumetric studies in dog breeds of different size and morphotype.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a multifactorial condition, whose aetiology is not fully understood. Congenital hydrocephalus frequently occurs in small and brachycephalic dog breeds. Although it is widely accepted that the cribriform plate located in the rostral cranial fossa (RCF) is a site of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, the RCF has not been studied extensively. Literature reports indicate that a decreased caudal cranial fossa (CCF) volume in the course of the Chiari-like malformation may obstruct CSF circulation. We hypothesised that morphological diversity among different breeds in the volume of the RCF may affect CSF circulation. The aim of the study was to carry out a volumetric analysis of the RCF and the cranial cavity and to determine the ratio between them in dog breeds of different size and morphotype. We performed computed tomography (CT) morphometric analysis of the RCF compartment by obtaining volume measurements from the transverse and reformatted sagittal and dorsal planes. RESULTS: The rostral cranial fossa percentage - volume of the rostral cranial fossa/volume of cranial cavity × 100 (volRCF/volCC × 100) was lower in small and brachycephalic dog breeds than in the other dogs. CONCLUSIONS: A reduced RCF volume was detected in small and brachycephalic dog breeds, some of which are predisposed to congenital hydrocephalus. This may lead to overcrowding of brain parenchyma in the RCF and may impede CSF circulation. Our observations may be useful for future studies focusing on the causes and new therapies to treat conditions such as hydrocephalus and syringomyelia.

Cathelicidin LL-37: a multitask antimicrobial peptide.

The antimicrobial peptide LL-37 is the only known member of the cathelicidin family of peptides expressed in humans. LL-37 is a multifunctional host defense molecule essential for normal immune responses to infection and tissue injury. LL-37 peptide is a potent killer of different microorganisms with the ability to prevent immunostimulatory effects of bacterial wall molecules such as lipopolysaccharide and can therefore protect against lethal endotoxemia. Additional reported activities of LL-37 include chemoattractant function, inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis, and stimulation of angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, and cytokine release (e.g. IL-8). Cellular production of LL-37 is affected by multiple factors, including bacterial products, host cytokines, availability of oxygen, and sun exposure through the activation of CAP-18 gene expression by vitamin D(3). At infection sites, the function of LL-37 can be inhibited by charge-driven interactions with DNA and F-actin released from dead neutrophils and other cells lysed as the result of inflammation. A better understanding of LL-37's biological properties is necessary for its possible therapeutic application for immunomodulatory purposes as well as in treating bacterial infection.

Projected impact of the proposed "bundled" ESRD payment system on a small dialysis organization.

Payment for outpatient hemodialysis services is currently made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on a per-treatment basis using a partially "bundled" composite rate adjusted for geographic and patient characteristics, plus a separately billable portion for medications and services not included in the bundle. In response to concerns over rising costs of the End-Stage Renal Disease Program, and specifically the increasing use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, Congress has mandated a new, more inclusive prospective payment system, in which current composite rate services, separately billable medications, and dialysis-related laboratory services will be included in a single payment. It is expected that the so-called bundle will apply a geographic wage adjuster and patient-specific case-mix factors to a base rate to calculate a per-patient, per treatment payment unit. We have modeled the proposed bundle and entered clinical and financial data for 118 Medicare patients dialyzed at a suburban dialysis center in New York State during 2006. Under the proposed bundled system, we stand to lose as much as $118,000 per year in revenue, and we find the case-mix adjusters appear to be poor predictors of our actual costs. We conclude that the proposed bundle places the small dialysis provider at significant financial risk.