scholarly journals Capture and Ex-Situ Analysis of Environmental Biofilms in Livestock Buildings

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Virgile Guéneau ◽  
Ana Rodiles ◽  
Jean-Christophe Piard ◽  
Bastien Frayssinet ◽  
Mathieu Castex ◽  
...  

Little information about biofilm microbial communities on the surface of livestock buildings is available yet. While these spatially organized communities proliferate in close contact with animals and can harbor undesirable microorganisms, no standardized methods have been described to sample them non-destructively. We propose a reproducible coupon-based capture method associated with a set of complementary ex-situ analysis tools to describe the major features of those communities. To demonstrate the biofilm dynamics in a pig farm building, we analyzed the coupons on polymeric and metallic materials, as representative of these environments, over 4 weeks. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed a rapid coverage of the coupons with a thick layer of biological material and the existence of dispersed clusters of active metabolic microorganisms. After detaching the cells from the coupons, counts to quantify the CFU/cm2 were done with high reproducibility. High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA V3-V4 region shows bacterial diversity profiles in accordance with reported bacteria diversity in pig intestinal ecosystems and reveals differences between materials. The coupon-based methodology allows us to deepen our knowledge on biofilm structure and composition on the surface of a pig farm and opens the door for application in different types of livestock buildings.

1993 ◽  
Vol 342 (1300) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  

Immunocytochemical confocal laser scanning microscopy and ultrastructural analysis, including immunoelectron microscopy, reveals the distribution of structures in human term amniochorion similar in some respects to basement membranes but with unusually restricted dimensions. On the basis of their immunoreactivity, these trabecular structures, found on the fibroblast layer side of the spongy layer of human term amniochorion and adjacent reticular layer, have been shown to contain type IV collagen, laminin, and nidogen. The origin of these components may be from primitive epithelial structures which pumped fluid into the lakes that eventually coalesced to form the extraem bryonic coelom separating the extraem bryonic somatic mesoderm from the extraem bryonic splanchnic mesoderm. Such a theory of their origin might link them with the mysterious ‘cellular layer’, a single-cell-thick layer of cells which is usually no longer present in fetal membranes at term. The similarity in composition but not in size of these structures to anchoring plaques for type VII collagen is possible support for the view that these structures are integrators of extracellular matrix polymeric proteins. The ‘pseudobasement’ membrane associated with the trophoblast layer, on investigation, appears to be typical by six criteria. ‘Coiled’ fibrous structures in the extracellular matrix of the spongy layer may aid adjustments under tension at this shear surface by a detachable ‘Velcro’ or ‘two spring’ fastening system. The coils are rich in fibronectin. The suggestion is made that the compact layer is a giant lamina reticularis associated with the amniotic epithelial basement membrane.


BMC Zoology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Kang ◽  
Richard Johnston ◽  
Thomas van de Kamp ◽  
Tomáš Faragó ◽  
Walter Federle

Abstract Background Suction organs provide powerful yet dynamic attachments for many aquatic animals, including octopus, squid, remora, and clingfish. While the functional morphology of suction organs from some cephalopods and fishes has been investigated in detail, there are only few studies on such attachment devices in insects. Here we characterise the morphology and ultrastructure of the suction attachment organs of net-winged midge larvae (genus Liponeura; Diptera: Blephariceridae) – aquatic insects that live on rocks in rapid alpine waterways where flow speeds can reach 3 m s− 1 – using scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and X-ray computed micro-tomography (micro-CT). Furthermore, we study the function of these organs in vivo using interference reflection microscopy. Results We identified structural adaptations important for the function of the suction attachment organs in L. cinerascens and L. cordata. First, a dense array of spine-like microtrichia covering each suction disc comes into contact with the substrate upon attachment, analogous to hairy structures on suction organs from octopus, clingfish, and remora fish. These spine-like microtrichia may contribute to the seal and provide increased shear force resistance in high-drag environments. Second, specialised rim microtrichia at the suction disc periphery were found to form a continuous ring in close contact and may serve as a seal on a variety of surfaces. Third, a V-shaped cut on the suction disc (“V-notch“) is actively opened via two cuticular apodemes inserting on its flanks. The apodemes are attached to dedicated V-notch opening muscles, thereby providing a unique detachment mechanism. The complex cuticular design of the suction organs, along with specialised muscles that attach to them, allows blepharicerid larvae to generate powerful attachments which can withstand strong hydrodynamic forces and quickly detach for locomotion. Conclusion The suction organs from Liponeura are underwater attachment devices specialised for resisting extremely fast flows. Structural adaptations from these suction organs could translate into future bioinspired attachment systems that perform well on a wide range of surfaces.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deyou Yang ◽  
Lanying Wang ◽  
Tianhao Wang ◽  
Yunfei Zhang ◽  
Shujing Zhang ◽  
...  

Streptomyces aureoverticillatus HN6 was isolated in our previous study and effectively controlled banana Fusarium wilt. We explored the role of HN6 in constructing a healthy rhizosphere microflora of banana seedlings. The method of antibiotic resistance was used to determine the colonization ability of HN6. The effect of HN6 on the rhizosphere microbial communities was assessed using culture-dependent and high-throughput sequencing. The effect of HN6 on the infection process of the pathogen was evaluated using a pot experiment and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The results showed that HN6 could prevent pathogen infection; it increased the nutrient content and diversity of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere, promoted plant growth, and decreased the mycotoxin fusaric acid content and abundance of pathogens in the banana rhizosphere. Thus, HN6 decreased the relative abundance of Fusarium species, increased the diversity of fungi, and increased the relative abundance of bacteria in the rhizosphere. HN6 induced the change and reorganization of the microbial community dominated by Fusarium in the rhizosphere of banana seedlings, and it evolved into a community dominated that was not conducive to the occurrence of diseases, shaping the rhizosphere microflora and promoting the growth of banana.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Lamprini Karygianni ◽  
Sandra Ruf ◽  
Elmar Hellwig ◽  
Marie Follo ◽  
Kirstin Vach ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of aPDT with visual light (VIS) + water-filtered infrared A (wIRA) as a light source, and tetrahydroporphyrin-tetratosylate (THPTS) as a photosensitizer on in situ initial and mature oral biofilms. The samples were incubated, ex situ, with THPTS for two minutes, followed by irradiation with 200 mW cm − 2 VIS + wIRA for five minutes at 37 °C. The adherent microorganisms were quantified, and the biofilm samples were visualized using live/dead staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The THPTS-mediated aPDT resulted in significant decreases in both the initially adherent microorganisms and the microorganisms in the mature oral biofilms, in comparison to the untreated control samples (>99.99% each; p = 0.018 and p = 0.0066, respectively). The remaining vital bacteria significantly decreased in the aPDT-treated biofilms during initial adhesion (vitality rate 9.4% vs. 71.2% untreated control, 17.28% CHX). Of the mature biofilms, 25.67% remained vital after aPDT treatment (81.97% untreated control, 16.44% CHX). High permeability of THPTS into deep layers could be shown. The present results indicate that the microbial reduction in oral initial and mature oral biofilms resulting from aPDT with VIS + wIRA in combination with THPTS has significant potential for the treatment of oral biofilm-associated diseases.


Author(s):  
Thomas M. Jovin ◽  
Michel Robert-Nicoud ◽  
Donna J. Arndt-Jovin ◽  
Thorsten Schormann

Light microscopic techniques for visualizing biomolecules and biochemical processes in situ have become indispensable in studies concerning the structural organization of supramolecular assemblies in cells and of processes during the cell cycle, transformation, differentiation, and development. Confocal laser scanning microscopy offers a number of advantages for the in situ localization and quantitation of fluorescence labeled targets and probes: (i) rejection of interfering signals emanating from out-of-focus and adjacent structures, allowing the “optical sectioning” of the specimen and 3-D reconstruction without time consuming deconvolution; (ii) increased spatial resolution; (iii) electronic control of contrast and magnification; (iv) simultanous imaging of the specimen by optical phenomena based on incident, scattered, emitted, and transmitted light; and (v) simultanous use of different fluorescent probes and types of detectors.We currently use a confocal laser scanning microscope CLSM (Zeiss, Oberkochen) equipped with 3-laser excitation (u.v - visible) and confocal optics in the fluorescence mode, as well as a computer-controlled X-Y-Z scanning stage with 0.1 μ resolution.


Author(s):  
M. H. Chestnut ◽  
C. E. Catrenich

Helicobacter pylori is a non-invasive, Gram-negative spiral bacterium first identified in 1983, and subsequently implicated in the pathogenesis of gastroduodenal disease including gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Cytotoxic activity, manifested by intracytoplasmic vacuolation of mammalian cells in vitro, was identified in 55% of H. pylori strains examined. The vacuoles increase in number and size during extended incubation, resulting in vacuolar and cellular degeneration after 24 h to 48 h. Vacuolation of gastric epithelial cells is also observed in vivo during infection by H. pylori. A high molecular weight, heat labile protein is believed to be responsible for vacuolation and to significantly contribute to the development of gastroduodenal disease in humans. The mechanism by which the cytotoxin exerts its effect is unknown, as is the intracellular origin of the vacuolar membrane and contents. Acridine orange is a membrane-permeant weak base that initially accumulates in low-pH compartments. We have used acridine orange accumulation in conjunction with confocal laser scanning microscopy of toxin-treated cells to begin probing the nature and origin of these vacuoles.


TAPPI Journal ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 7-15
Author(s):  
HANNA KOIVULA ◽  
DOUGLAS BOUSFIELD ◽  
MARTTI TOIVAKKA

In the offset printing process, ink film splitting has an important impact on formation of ink filaments. The filament size and its distribution influence the leveling of ink and hence affect ink setting and the print quality. However, ink filaments are difficult to image due to their short lifetime and fine length scale. Due to this difficulty, limited work has been reported on the parameters that influence filament size and methods to characterize it. We imaged ink filament remains and quantified some of their characteristics by changing printing speed, ink amount, and fountain solution type. Printed samples were prepared using a laboratory printability tester with varying ink levels and operating settings. Rhodamine B dye was incorporated into fountain solutions to aid in the detection of the filaments. The prints were then imaged with a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and images were further analyzed for their surface topography. Modeling of the pressure pulses in the printing nip was included to better understand the mechanism of filament formation and the origin of filament length scale. Printing speed and ink amount changed the size distribution of the observed filament remains. There was no significant difference between fountain solutions with or without isopropyl alcohol on the observed patterns of the filament remains.


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