[Analysis of bacterial communities of two Lake Baikal endemic sponge species].

Bacterial diversity of two Lake Baikal endemic sponges characterized by different life forms, branching Lubomirskia baicalensis and cortical Baikalospongia sp., was studied using the method of 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene fragments. In the communities associated with L. baicalensis and Baikalospongia sp., 426 and 428 OTUs, respectively, were identified. In microbial associations of these spong- es, 24 bacterial phyla were identified, with predominance of Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Analysis of the taxonomic composition of bacterial communities of the sponges was carried out by search of the dominant phylotypes within the phylum level cluster. Comparison of bacterial associations of the sponges with Lake Baikal bacterioplankton revealed both the shared OTUs and the unique ones characteristic of the studied species.

Comparison of total and faecal coliforms as faecal indicator in eutrophicated surface water.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of total coliforms (TC) and faecal coliforms (FC) using a membrane filtration method for precise monitoring of faecal pollution in Korean surface water. The samples were collected in Korea from both main rivers and their tributaries. Presumptive TC * FC were enumerated. The ratios of presumptive FC to TC were not constant, but varied widely, and TC were difficult to enumerate because of overgrowth by background colonies. For FC this was not the case. Seven hundred and three purified strains of presumptive TC * FC and their background colonies were biotyped using API 20E. Among 272 presumptive TC, non-faecal related species, Aeromonas hydrophila dominated (34.6%) and E. coli accounted for only 5.1%. In contrast, E. coli made up 89% of the 209 presumptive FC. Furthermore, of 164 background colonies on Endo Agar LES, 54.9% was A. hydrophila, while background colonies on m-FC Agar were few (58 strains), and despite their atypical colony appearance, most of them were biotyped as enteric bacteria. These results reveal that the detection of FC rather than TC using m-FC Agar is more appropriate for faecal pollution monitoring in eutrophicated surface water located in a temperate region.

[The detection of cyanobacterial cells by a non-fluorescent in situ hybridization method]. / Primenenie metoda gibridizatsii in situ dlia vyiavleniia tsianobakterial'nykh kletok.

Seven cyanobacterial strains (Anabaena macrospora NIER10016, Oscillatoria sp. NIER10042, Microcystis aeruginosa NIER10015, M. ichtyoblabe NIER10025 and NIER10040, M. novacekii NIER10029, and M. wesenbergii NIER10068) were tested by a non-fluorescent in situ hybridization method using two specific horseradish peroxidase--labeled oligonucleotide probes and two chromogenic substrates. This approach was shown to be appropriate for analysis of natural samples.

A new approach to hysterectomy without colpotomy: pelviscopic intrafascial hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Total abdominal and vaginal hysterectomies have been performed by extrafascial enucleation of the uterus with amputation of the upper vagina. Our new method, which is limited to an intrafascial cylindriform enucleation of the cervix, leaves intact the highly vascularized extrafascial cervical tissue, the corresponding nerves, and the topography of the ureters. STUDY DESIGN: From December 1991 to December 1992, 60 patients underwent an intrafascial hysterectomy by pelviscopy and two patients by laparotomy for leiomyomas, endometriosis, and other intractable bleeding disorders and for a variety of additional benign gynecologic diseases. Uterine extirpation was performed in the classic manner with grasping forceps, scissors, ligatures, and sutures. No electrosurgical equipment, stapling devices, or lasers were used. RESULTS: We analyzed our cases according to intraoperative, immediate postoperative, and late postoperative complications. We had no major complications. Average operating time is compatible with that of conventional total abdominal or vaginal and laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Blood loss was minimal (average drop of hemoglobin 1.8 gm). Average hospitalization was 50.6 hours. CONCLUSION: There has never been an indication for the removal of the normal cervix at hysterectomy, other than for cancer prophylaxis. The synthesis of supracervical extirpation of the uterus, conization of the cervix, and operative laparoscopy (pelviscopy) enables us to perform a truly laparoscopic hysterectomy without colpotomy. Pelvic floor support is maintained and transvaginal sexual sensation is less likely to be impaired because of the preservation of the cardinal and uterosacral ligaments. With the serrated-edge macromorcellator, morcellated cylinders of cervical and uterine body tissue guarantee a thorough histologic examination and interpretation. Physical stress to the patient is minimized. There are no abdominal or vaginal incisions. The abdominal space remains practically unopened. Pelviscopic intrafascial hysterectomy equates with minimally invasive and organ-preserving surgery. It may be sufficient for cervical and endometrial cancer prophylaxis.