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At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Degradation of blood group antigens in human colon ecosystems. II. A gene interaction in man that affects the fecal population density of certain enteric bacteria.

The autosomal dominant ABH secretor gene together with the ABO blood type gene control the presence and specificity of A, B, and H blood group antigens in human gut mucin glycoproteins. Certain obligate anaerobes in feces produce extracellular antigen-specific glycoside structures. We estimated the populations of these bacteria in feces of 22 healthy subjects by determining the greatest dilution of feces that yielded A, B, or H blood group-degrading enzyme activity after 24 h incubation in anaerobic cultures. Comparatively small populations of fecal bacteria produce blood group-degrading enzymes; their estimated populations were 10(8) per g or less in 21 subjects. Fecal populations of B-degrading bacteria were stable over time, and their population density averaged 50,000-fold greater in blood group B secretros than in other subjects. We present evidence that the greater fecal populations of B-degrading bacteria in B secretors is due in part to a competitive nutritional advantage gained by their ability to enzymatically cleave the B antigenic determinant alpha-D-galactose from gut mucins of B secretors. Fecal populations of bacteria producing A and H antigen-degrading enzyme activities were comparable in all subjects to the fecal population of B-degrading bacteria in B secretors. The large populations of fecal anaerobes may be an additional source of A antigen substrate for A-degrading bacteria; thus, antigens cross-reacting with A antigen were detected on cell walls of anaerobic bacteria from 3 of 10 cultures inoculated with 10(-10) g feces. Bacteria producing B-degrading activity likely represent a separate population from those producing A- or H-degrading activity since their fecal populations differed numerically in 14 subjects. These findings suggest that adaptation of blood group-degrading enzymes to mucin structures in human colon ecosystems is chiefly by mutation-selection of comparatively small populations of constitutive enzyme-producing strains rather than by substrate induced enzyme synthesis in many strains.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed1996

Quorum sensing: a population-density component in the determination of bacterial phenotype.

In bacteria, a network of cellular transduction mechanisms integrate signals from the bacterial environment to control gene expression, and thereby the bacterial phenotype. 'Quorum sensing' describes one such signalling mechanism in response to population density. It relies on the accumulation of small extracellular signalling molecules to modulate the transcription of target operons.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Arthromitus (Bacillus cereus) symbionts in the cockroach Blaberus giganteus: dietary influences on bacterial development and population density.

The filamentous spore-forming bacterium Arthromitus, discovered in termites, millipedes, sow bugs and other soil-dwelling arthropods by Leidy (1850), is the intestinal stage of Bacillus cereus. We extend the range of Arthromitus habitats to include the hindgut of Blaberus giganteus, the large tropical American cockroach. The occurrence and morphology of the intestinal form of the bacillus were compared in individual cockroaches (n=24) placed on four different diet regimes: diurnally maintained insects fed (1) dog food, (2) soy protein only, (3)purified cellulose only, and (4) a dog food-fed group maintained in continuous darkness. Food quality exerted strong influence on population densities and developmental stages of the filamentous bacterium and on fecal pellet composition. The most dramatic rise in Arthromitus populations, defined as the spore-forming filament intestinal stage, occurred in adult cockroaches kept in the dark on a dog food diet. Limited intake of cellulose or protein alone reduced both the frequency of Arthromitus filaments and the rate of weight gain of the insects. Spores isolated from termites, sow bugs, cockroaches and moths, grown on various hard surfaces display a branching mobility and resistance to antibiotics characteristic to group I Bacilli whose members include B. cereus, B. circulans, B. alvei and B. macerans. DNA isolated from pure cultures of these bacilli taken from the guts of Blaberus giganteus (cockroach), Junonia coenia (moth), Porcellio scaber (sow bug) and Cryptotermes brevis (termite) and subjected to Southern hybridization with a 23S-5S B. subtilis ribosomal sequence probe verified that they are indistinguishable from laboratory strains of Bacillus cereus.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2001

Quorum sensing as a population-density-dependent determinant of bacterial physiology.

The discovery that bacterial cells can communicate with each other has led to the realization that bacteria are capable of exhibiting much more complex patterns of co-operative behaviour than would be expected for simple unicellular microorganisms. Now generically termed 'quorum sensing', bacterial cell-to-cell communication enables a bacterial population to mount a unified response that is advantageous to its survival by improving access to complex nutrients or environmental niches, collective defence against other competitive microorganisms or eukaryotic host defence mechanisms and optimization of population survival by differentiation into morphological forms better adapted to combating environmental threats. The principle of quorum sensing encompasses the production and release of signal molecules by bacterial cells within a population. Such molecules are released into the environment and, as cell numbers increase, so does the extracellular level of signal molecule, until the bacteria sense that a threshold has been reached and gene activation, or in some cases depression or repression, occurs via the activity of sensor-regulator systems. In this review, we will describe the biochemistry and molecular biology of a number of well-characterized N-acylhomoserine lactone quorum sensing systems to illustrate how bacteria employ cell-to-cell signalling to adjust their physiology in accordance with the prevailing high-population-density environment.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed1984

Ethanol effects on protein synthesis in nonparenchymal liver cells, hepatocytes, and density populations of hepatocytes.

Rats were given ethanol chronically (20-30% of the energy) in a nutritionally sufficient diet regimen. Controls received lipid as an isoenergetic substitute for ethanol. Protein synthesis in hepatocytes isolated from ethanol-fed rats was decreased compared with controls, but not in isolated nonparenchymal liver cells. Ethanol added in vitro inhibited protein synthesis in hepatocytes by 30%, but not in nonparenchymal cells for both ethanol-fed and control rats. Protein export and protein degradation in isolated hepatocytes were not affected by long-term ethanol treatment. Isolated hepatocytes were separated according to their buoyant density in linear metrizamide gradients. They were distributed in a bell-shaped manner regardless of donor rat treatment. Cells of low density contained three times as much lipid as high density cells. They were probably enriched in periportal cells, since histologic examination indicated a predominantly periportal localization of cells containing lipid droplets. Distribution of the intra-acinar marker alanine aminotransferase supported this conclusion. Protein synthesis was similar in the low-density hepatocyte populations of the respective groups of rats, whereas it was inhibited in a high-density population of ethanol-treated rats compared to the controls. Inhibition of protein synthesis by 80 mM ethanol was lower in the low-density hepatocytes of ethanol-fed rats.

Alanine Transaminase↗
PubMed1983

Comparison of nonciliated tracheal epithelial cells in six mammalian species: ultrastructure and population densities.

Three types of nonciliated epithelial cells in mammalian conducting respiratory airways are thought to be secretory: mucous (goblet) cells, serous epithelial cells, and Clara cells. Mucous and serous cells are considered to be the secretory cells of the trachea. Clara cells are considered to be the secretory cells of the most distal conducting airways or bronchioles. To ascertain if mucous and serous epithelial cells are common to the tracheal epithelium of mammalian species, we characterized the ultrastructure and population densities of tracheal epithelial cells in six species: hamster (H), rat (Rt), rabbit (Rb), cat (C), Bonnet monkey (M. radiata) (B), and sheep (S). Following fixation by airway infusion with glutaraldehyde/paraformaldehyde, tracheal tissue was processed for light and electron microscopy (EM) by a selective embedding technique. Tracheal epithelium over cartilage was quantitated by light microscopy and characterized by transmission EM. Mucous cells were defined by abundant large nonhomogeneous granules, numerous Golgi complexes, basally located nuclei and granular endoplasmic reticulum (GER). The percentage of mucous cells in the tracheal epithelium was: H (0%), Rt (0.5%), Rb (1.3%), C (20.2%), B (8%), S (5.1%). Serous cells had homogeneous, electron-dense granules and extensive GER. Serous cells were present only in rats (39.2%). Clara cells had homogeneous electron-dense granules, abundant agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AER) and basal GER. Clara cells were found in hamsters (41.4%) and rabbits (17.6%). In sheep trachea, 35.9% of the epithelial cells had small electron-lucent granules, abundant AER and numerous Golgi complexes. In Bonnet monkey trachea, 16% of the epithelial cells had small electron-lucent granules, numerous polyribosomes, perinuclear Golgi apparatus and moderate GER. In cat trachea, 5.4% of the epithelial cells lacked granules, and had moderate numbers of mitochondria, moderate amounts of polyribosomes, a central nucleus, and long luminal microvilli. The percentage of the tracheal epithelial population occupied by basal, ciliated and nonciliated cells was: H (5.6%, 47.5%, 46.7%), Rt (13.4%, 40.6%, 45.9%), Rb (28.2%, 43.0%, 28.3%), C (37.3%, 36.1%, 26.7%), B (31%, 41%, 28%), S (28.5%, 30.6%, 41%). We conclude: 1) mucous and serous cells are not common to the tracheal epithelial lining of all mammalian species; 2) there is significant interspecies heterogeneity in the abundance, distribution and ultrastructure of tracheal secretory cells; 3) potential differences in the roles of nonciliated cells in tracheal function exists within tracheal epithelial populations and between species.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Osteocyte lacuna population densities in sheep, elk and horse calcanei.

Osteocytes, the most prevalent cell type in bone, appear to communicate via gap junctions. In limb-bone diaphyses, it has been hypothesized that these cellular networks have the capacity to monitor habitual strains, which can differ significantly between cortical locations of the same bone. Regional differences in microdamage associated with prevalent/predominant strain mode (tension, compression, or shear) and/or magnitude may represent an important "variable" detected by this network. This hypothesis was indirectly addressed by examining bones subjected to habitual bending for correlations of osteocyte lacuna population densities (n/mm(2) bone area, Ot.Lc.N/B.Ar) with locations experiencing high and low strain, and/or prevalent/predominant tension, compression, and shear. We examined dorsal ("compression"), plantar ("tension"), and medial/lateral ("shear" or neutral axis) cortices of mid-diaphyseal sections of calcanei of adult sheep, elk, and horses. Ot.Lc.N/B.Ar data, quantified in backscattered electron images, were also evaluated in a context of various additional structural and material variables (e.g. % ash, cortical thickness, porosity, and secondary osteon population). Results showed significant differences in dorsal versus plantar comparisons with the highest Ot.Lc.N/B.Ar in dorsal cortices of sheep and elk (p < 0.0001); but this was a statistical trend in the equine calcanei (p = 0.14). There were no consistent transcortical (pericortical to endocortical) differences, and Ot.Lc.N/B.Ar in neutral axes was not consistently different from dorsal/plantar cortices. Correlations of Ot.Lc.N/B.Ar with structural and material parameters were also poor and/or inconsistent within or between species. These results provide little or no evidence that the number of osteocyte lacunae has a functional role in mechanotransduction pathways that are typically considered in bone adaptation. Although dorsal/plantar differences may be adaptations for prevalent/predominant strain modes and/or associated microdamage, it is also plausible that they are strongly influenced by differences in the bone formation rates that produced the tissue in these locations.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1976

A method for the regulation of microbial population density during continuous culture at high growth rates.

A method for the continuous culture of microorganisms is described which employs growth-dependent pH changes to control the rate of addition of fresh medium to a culture vessel. The apparatus (the "phauxostat") supports, at constant pH, long-term continuous culture at rates near or at the maximum of which the organisms are capable. The buffering capacity of the inflowing medium determines the steady-state population density of the culture, but the rate of growth is independent of the buffering capacity. The fundamental theory of operation is tested and some basic parameters of growth are estimated using Escherichia coli B growing continuously in media containing glucose, glycerol or DL-lactate.

Bacteria↗
PubMed2001

Seasonal variations in the microbial population density present in biological sludge.

Sludge produced during the treatment of wastewater is being used as fertilizer in several Gulf countries. The Water and Sewage Authority of Saudi Arabia has targeted the reuse of the total amount of sludge in the future. However, these sludges should be properly treated before reuse as they contain a large number of pathogens and parasites. Little information is available on the microbial characteristics of sludge produced in wastewater treatment plants operating in this region. Variations in the population densities measured by Standard Plate Count, total coliform, fecal coliform, coliphage, and Clostridium perfringens present in the sludge, were monitored during a one year study at Al-Khobar wastewater treatment plant so that the effect of seasonal variations on the fate of these five indicator microorganisms could be investigated. This paper covers an evaluation of the fate of indicator microorganisms in the drying sludge. Insight gained in this study will be helpful in establishing guidelines for the use of sludge as fertilizer for agriculture purposes.

Clostridium perfringens↗
PubMed2003

Social correlates of stress in adult males of the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, in years of high and low population densities.

The great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, is the most social species in the Gerbillinae. The social structure consists of family groups that occupy isolated systems of burrows consisting of one breeding male, from one to seven females, and juveniles. During a year of peak density and one of density decline, we studied the influence of group size, group composition, local density, and distance to the nearest groups on fecal corticosterone and testosterone concentrations in breeding males. We also examined the relationship of hormone concentrations to the survival of males during the summer drought between the spring and the fall. We found that males differed in concentrations of steroid hormones. Concentrations of testosterone were lower whereas those of corticosterone tended to be higher in a year of high population densities compared with higher testosterone and lower corticosterone in a year with a lower density. This finding suggests that stress may be greater in higher densities because of increased social contact. Stepwise regression analysis revealed a positive and significant influence of the number of adult females in a family group on concentrations of fecal corticosterone and testosterone in adult males. Concentrations of corticosterone were also significantly higher in males that disappeared from family groups between the spring and the fall compared with males still alive in family groups in the fall. There was no change in concentrations of testosterone. These results suggest that social interactions within large family groups may be an important source of stress for adult males.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Galactoglucomannans increase cell population density and alter the protoxylem/metaxylem tracheary element ratio in xylogenic cultures of Zinnia.

Xylogenic cultures of zinnia (Zinnia elegans) provide a unique opportunity to study signaling pathways of tracheary element (TE) differentiation. In vitro TEs differentiate into either protoxylem (PX)-like TEs characterized by annular/helical secondary wall thickening or metaxylem (MX)-like TEs with reticulate/scalariform/pitted thickening. The factors that determine these different cell fates are largely unknown. We show here that supplementing zinnia cultures with exogenous galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides (GGMOs) derived from spruce (Picea abies) xylem had two major effects: an increase in cell population density and a decrease in the ratio of PX to MX TEs. In an attempt to link these two effects, the consequence of the plane of cell division on PX-MX differentiation was assessed. Although GGMOs did not affect the plane of cell division per se, they significantly increased the proportion of longitudinally divided cells differentiating into MX. To test the biological significance of these findings, we have determined the presence of mannan-containing oligosaccharides in zinnia cultures in vitro. Immunoblot assays indicated that beta-1,4-mannosyl epitopes accumulate specifically in TE-inductive media. These epitopes were homogeneously distributed within the thickened secondary walls of TEs when the primary cell wall was weakly labeled. Using polysaccharide analysis carbohydrate gel electrophoresis, glucomannans were specifically detected in cell walls of differentiating zinnia cultures. Finally, zinnia macroarrays probed with cDNAs from cells cultured in the presence or absence of GGMOs indicated that significantly more genes were down-regulated rather than up-regulated by GGMOs. This study constitutes a major step in the elucidation of signaling mechanisms of PX- and MX-specific genetic programs in zinnia.

Asteraceae↗