Proposal for the creation of a new genus Musicola gen. nov., reclassification of Dickeya paradisiaca (Samson et al. 2005) as Musicola paradisiaca comb. nov. and description of a new species Musicola keenii sp. nov.

The Pectobacteriaceae family of important plant pathogens includes the genus Dickeya . There are currently 12 described species of Dickeya , although some are poorly characterized at the genomic level. Only two genomes of Dickeya paradisiaca , the type strain CFBP 4178T and strain Ech703, have previously been sequenced. Members of this species are mostly of tropical or subtropical origin. During an investigation of strains present in our laboratory collection we sequenced the atypical strain A3967, registered as CFBP 722, isolated from Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) in the South of France in 1965. The genome of strain A3967 shares digital DNA–DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values of 68 and 96 %, respectively, with the D. paradisiaca type strain CFBP 4178T. However, ANI analysis showed that D. paradisiaca strains are significantly dissimilar to the other Dickeya species, such that less than one third of their genomes align to any other Dickeya genome. On phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic grounds, we propose a reassignment of D. paradisiaca to the genus level, for which we propose the name Musicola gen. nov., with Musicola paradisiaca as the type species and CFBP 4178T (NCPPB 2511T) as the type strain. Phenotypic analysis showed differences between strain A3967T and CFBP 4178T, such as for the assimilation of melibiose, raffinose and myo-inositol. These results support the description of two novel species, namely Musicola paradisiaca comb. nov. and Musicola keenii sp. nov., with CFBP 4178T (NCPPB 2511T=LMG 2542T) and A3967T (CFBP 8732T=LMG 31880T) as the type strains, respectively.

Theatrum Anatomicum Rigense MCMXX and the historical collection of teaching and research exponates in the Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology of Riga Stradiņš University

The Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology (AAI) of Riga Stradiņš University (RSU) displays a remarkable historical collection of educational and scientific materials on anatomy and embryology, 8381 items in total. The creation of the collection started in 2002, and nowadays it integrates 16 sub-collections: the main exhibits of P. Stradiņš’s collection; the collection of pathological exhibits from Gailezers Hospital with 542 items; the collection of the Children’s Clinical University Hospital with 21 exhibits; Anatomy Laboratory collection with 105 exhibits; Professor A. Amelin’s collection with 134 exhibits; the animal collection with 64 exhibits; the collection of embryological exhibits with 138 specimens together with 59 exhibits of the reproductive system; the bone collection from archaeological excavations in Riga with 986 exhibits; the collection of bone preparations and skulls, 4714 exhibits; V. Derums’ bone collection of 94 items. A separate collection contains 67 exhibits from the first Latvian anatomical excavations conducted under the guidance of Professor J. Prīmanis and Polish archaeological excavations of the Order of the Brothers of the Sword in St. George’s Church and the Convent yard, which includes 48 historical finds; the above is supplemented by 26 finds from anthropological material and a collection of bone specimens with 82 exhibits and a collection of skulls with 159 exhibits. A separate section at the AAI exhibition displays a collection of animal bones, which includes 58 exhibits and is used for comparative studies. Since 2003, the historical collection has been used to teach Latvians and foreigners who are interested to understand death, diseased tissues, to teach sympathy and how to protect oneself and others from diseases. The historical material is used for regular student training as well as for students’ research needs. Finally, digitization of unique exhibits, description in Latvian and English, and placing in the RSU repository has started, and, so far, 240 exhibits have been processed.

A technique for diagnostics of micro-inclusions in the objects of soil and geological origin: validation and practical application

A method for diagnosing microinclusions in the objects of soil and geological origin is developed on the basis of the Atlas of microinclusions in soils (hereinafter referred to as the Atlas). The validation procedure and an example of the practical application of the developed technique are considered. A review of the content and structure of the Atlas, which contains 37 types of microinclusions is presented. Diagnosis of microinclusions is carried out using the Atlas key which is a sequence of identifying diagnostic features (transparency, shape, color, gloss, fracture, structure, as well as density, magnetic properties, hardness, brittleness) for different types of microinclusions. A scheme for determining the nature of a microinclusion (red brick) using the Atlas key is given as an example. The validation procedure of this method consists in experimental verification of the reliability of testing and evaluation of the reproducibility of test results under different conditions: when examining samples of various complexity by several performers at different times using different stereo microscopes. We used 17 soil samples that were previously (2 – 8 years ago) tested and stored as control samples in a laboratory collection of site-collected samples. One part of the samples was examined in usual forensic soil examinations, the other was studied in the framework of participation in the procedure of interlaboratory proficiency testing under the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutions). Two experts performed independent studies of control samples at different times. It is shown that the composition of the complex of microinclusions (by type and number) in each of the studied samples coincides with the composition of the corresponding control sample. The experts performed 108 tests, and there were no erroneous results which indicates the reproducibility of the test results and the competence of the experts. An example of the practical application of the developed technique is given.

Detection, spread and phylogeny of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sequence type 45 in Taiwan

Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sequence type (ST) 45 was reported in the literature to have been first identified in 2006 in Taiwan. The present study was carried out to explore and trace the emergence, transmission and evolutional dynamics of MRSA ST45 in Taiwan. We identified MRSA ST45 isolates retrospectively from two collections of MRSA isolates, namely TSAR (Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance) surveys and the CGMH (Chang Gung Memorial Hospital)-based laboratory collection. Representative ST45 isolates were selected for whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis. A total of 9554 MRSA isolates was included in this study. Among the 3766 MRSA isolates biennially collected from TSAR surveys between 1998 and 2014, ST45 accounted for 133 (3.53 %) MRSA isolates, was first identified in 2004, and the prevalence rate peaked in 2010 (up to 10.77 %). Among the 5788 MRSA isolates collected between 1995 and 2017 by the CGMH-based laboratory, 257 isolates (4.44 %) were characterized as ST45, with most identified from nursing homes since 2012. Of the 75 isolates randomly selected for WGS, two clades were identified. The major clade, clade II, comprised 63 isolates and was phylogenetically relatively close to those isolates identified from Singapore. All but one of the isolates in clade I, the minor clade, were identified from non-Taiwanese people, mostly from newly recruited foreign workers in 2017, and were phylogenetically relatively close to one isolate from the USA (CA-347). Conclusively, the emergence of MRSA ST45 strain in Taiwan can be traced back to 2004 and the strain is connected to South-East Asian countries. Since its emergence, transmission and spread of MRSA ST45 has occurred in Taiwan.

A Synopsis of the Reptiles and Amphibians of Illinois

This synopsis is presented largely as it was written several years ago. Before a final report on our reptiles and amphibians is prepared, it is sincerely to be desired that examples of every Illinois species may be in the Illinois Laboratory collection for description, and that the local features of the fauna may be brought out by a critical comparison of Illinois specimens with collections from other parts of the United States. Specimens of the following species, and observations upon them, are especially desirable: Cistudo ornata, Chrysemys picta, Pseudemys hieroglyphica, P. concinna, Heterodon simus, Ophibolus rhombomaculatus, Nerodia sipedon var. fasciata, Rana areolata, R. sylvatica, Hyla cinerea, Desmognathus fusca, Spelerpes ruber, Amblystoma jeffersonianum and A. punctatum.

Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium DT104 isolates and investigation of strains with transferable apramycin resistance

An examination of salmonella isolates collected by the Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services Division from April 1994 to May 1995 was conducted to determine the extent to which Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium phage type 104 (DT104) occurred and to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates. Typhimurium DT104 was the predominant salmonella and was isolated from nine species of animal. All isolates of this phage type possessed resistance to at least one antimicrobial and 98% of the isolates were resistant to multiple antimicrobials with R-type ACTSp the predominant resistance pattern. Various other resistance patterns were identified and transferable resistance to the veterinary aminoglycoside antimicrobial apramycin was demonstrated in three strains. A retrospective study for gentamicin resistance in isolates from the Scottish Salmonella Reference Laboratory collection revealed a human isolate of Typhimurium DT104 resistant to gentamicin but sensitive to apramycin and a bovine isolate with apramycin and gentamicin resistance.

Identification of rumen bacteria that anaerobically degrade aliphatic nitrotoxins

Of 33 pure strains of rumen bacteria from the Lethbridge laboratory collection, 5 degraded both 3-nitropropanol (NPOH) and 3-nitropropionic acid (NPA) under anaerobic conditions, and another 5 strains degraded only NPA. The nitroacid was metabolized at a faster rate than the nitroalcohol by both pure cultures of rumen bacteria and mixed rumen microorganisms.Nitrite was detected during incubation of NPOH and of NPA with resting cells but not with growing cultures of active strains of rumen bacteria. Nitrite was metabolized much faster than the nitrotoxins by both pure cultures of rumen bacteria and mixed rumen microorganisms. The results suggest that the nitro moiety of NPA or NPOH is metabolized to inorganic nitrite and nitrite is reduced to ammonia by rumen microorganisms, thereby resulting in its detoxification.