Water tank scale: a reliable method for assessing motor function after spinal cord injury in rats / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the reliability of the Water Tank Scale for assessing recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.@*METHODS@#Thirty-six adult female SD rats were randomly divided into SCI and sham-operated groups (n= 18). The recovery of the hind limb motor function was assessed using Water Tank scoring, BBB scoring, and motor-evoked potentials (MEP) at 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days after SCI. MEP was used as the gold standard for analyzing and comparing differences between the two scoring methods.@*RESULTS@#The Water Tank scores of the rats were significantly higher than the BBB scores on day 3 (0.22±0.43 vs 0, P < 0.05) and also on days 5, 7 and 14 after SCI (0.67±0.49 vs 0.11±0.32, 4.33±1.19 vs 2.83±1.04, 8.61± 1.20 vs 7.06±1.0, P < 0.01). On day 21 after SCI, the scores of the Water Tank Scale of the rats did not significantly differ from the BBB scores (14.78±1.06 vs 14.50±1.47, P>0.05). Neurophysiological monitoring showed that both the Water Tank score and BBB score were significantly correlated with MEP latency, but the Water Tank score had a greater correlation coefficient with MEP latency (r=-0.90).@*CONCLUSION@#Compared with the BBB scale, Water Tank scoring allows more objective and accurate assessment of functional recovery of the spinal cord in early stages following SCI in rats, and can thus be used as a reliable method for assessing functional recovery of the hind limbs in rat models of acute SCI.

Identificación de amebas de vida libre en tanques de almacenamiento de agua de edificios del área metropolitana de Ambato / Identification of free-living amoebas in water storage tanks of buildings in the metropolitan area of Ambato

Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp. y Balamuthia mandrillaris, son especies de ameba de vida libre (AVL) que causan enfermedades en el sistema nervioso central grave y puede ser fatal en humanos y otros animales. Todos los géneros de AVL tienen dos etapas: quiste y trofozoíto. Los trofozoítos se dividen por fisión binaria, se alimentan activamente y es la etapa infecciosa del organismo. En el medio ambiente, los acanthopodios permiten que los trofozoítos se adhieran a las superficies de las bacterias, hongos, algas y detritos en los que se encuentran su alimento. Acanthamoeba spp. Parecen mantener una relación endosimbiótica con algunas de las bacterias que consumen. Muchas de estas bacterias, como la Legionella, Pseudomonas, Vibrio y algunas micobacterias parecen adquirir factores de virulencia mientras están viviendo dentro de las amebas, lo que les permite sobrevivir y prosperar dentro de otras células fagocíticas (por ejemplo, macrófagos humanos). La tenacidad de AVL para proliferar en ecosistemas hostiles y sobrevivir a la desecación o desinfección hace de estos organismos una fuente potencial transmitida por el agua, por los alimentos y el aire. Conocidos por su ubicuidad, los AVL han sido aislados de diversas matrices ambientales, como suelo, agua dulce y salobre, aguas residuales, aguas termales, polvo y otros. En función de lo antes comentado, este trabajo tiene como objetivo identificar amebas de vida libre en tanques de almacenamiento de agua de edificios del área metropolitana de la ciudad de Ambato (Ecuador), con el fin de aplicar soluciones correctivas en cualquiera de sus puntos. Según el sitio de muestreo, el género de AVL identificado con mayor frecuencia en la superficie fue Balamuthia sp (70,59%) y Acanthamoeba sp., con un 37,78 %. El fondo estuvo caracterizado por Naegleria sp. con un 44,44%(AU)

Naegleria fowleri, Acanthamoeba spp. and Balamuthia mandrillaris are species of free-living amoeba (FLA) that cause severe central nervous system disease and can be fatal in humans and other animals. All genera of FLA have two stages: cyst and trophozoite. Trophozoites divide by binary fission, actively feed, and is the infective stage of the organism. In the environment, acanthopods allow trophozoites to adhere to the surfaces of bacteria, fungi, algae, and detritus on which their food is found. Acanthamoeba spp. they appear to maintain an endosymbiotic relationship with some of the bacteria they consume. Many of these bacteria, such as Legionella, Pseudomonas, Vibrio, and some mycobacteria appear to acquire virulence factors while living inside amoebas, allowing them to survive and thrive inside other phagocytic cells (eg, human macrophages). FLA's tenacity to proliferate in hostile ecosystems and survive desiccation or disinfection makes these organisms a potential waterborne, foodborne, and airborne source. Known for their ubiquity, FLAs have been isolated from various environmental matrices, such as soil, fresh and brackish water, wastewater, hot springs, dust, and others. Based on the aforementioned, this work aims to identify free-living amoebas in water storage tanks of buildings in the metropolitan area of the city of Ambato (Ecuador), in order to apply corrective solutions at any of its points. According to the sampling site, the FLA genus most frequently identified on the surface was Balamuthia sp (70.59%) and Acanthamoeba sp., with 37.78 %. The background was characterized by Naegleria sp. with 44.44%(AU)

Development and application of modified military water tank / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To improve the existing military water tank to prevent water pollution.Methods The modified water tank was composed of a lip,body,a floating ring filled with foam materials,a zipper,multi faucets,drain valve,rack and etc.The zipper on the top of the tank could close down the tank,the faucets at the lower part realized water supply,and the drain valve at the bottom discharged residual water.Results The dust,small animals and etc were prevented from going into the tank with the consumed water decreased,and the tank was easy to clean.Conclusion The tank contributes to military water supply at field conditions,and is worthy promoting practically.

Characterization of plant growth-promoting bacteria inhabiting Vriesea gigantea Gaud. and Tillandsia aeranthos (Loiseleur) L.B. Smith (Bromeliaceae) / Caracterização de bactérias promotoras de crescimento vegetal em Vriesea gigantea Gaud. e Tillandsia aeranthos (Loiseleur) L.B. Smith (Bromeliaceae)

Microorganisms that live inside and around a plant can supply it with essential substances, such as phytohormones and essential nutrients. The present investigation aimed to isolate and characterize the phyllosphere, the endophytic, and the water tank bacteria associated with Vriesea gigantea and Tillandsia aeranthos. The bacteria were tested for siderophore and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, phosphate solubilization, and presence of the nif H gene. Genetic diversity of the bacterial isolates was evaluated by rep-PCR. Sixty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from 3 different microhabitats of V. gigantea and from 2 microhabitats of T. aeranthos bromeliad plants. Gram-positive, spore-forming bacilli comprised most bacterial isolates. All isolates produced IAA in vitro in presence of very low amounts of tryptophan. More than 70% of the evaluated bacteria presented the ability of siderophore production and phosphate solubilization, and possessed the nif H gene. It was not possible to distinguish well-defined groups of isolates based on the bromeliad species and microhabitat they inhabit using genetic characterization by rep-PCR. Water tanks presented the most abundant diversity compared with phyllosphere and endophytes, probably due to the high nutrient concentration, which promotes an ideal environment for complex microbial communities.

Microrganismos que habitam o interior e a superfície podem fornecer substancias essenciais ao crescimento das plantas, como fitormônios e nutrientes essenciais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e caracterizar as bactérias da filosfera, do ambiente endofítico e a água de tanque associadas à Vriesea gigantea e Tillandsia aeranthos. As bactérias foram submetidas a testes de verificação de produção de sideróforos e de ácido indol acético (AIA), solubilização de fosfatos, e a presença do gene nif H. A diversidade genética dos isolados bacterianos foi analisada por rep-PCR. Sessenta e oito microrganismos foram isolados de 3 microambientes distintos de V. gigantea e de 2 microambientes de T. aeranthos. A maioria das bactérias isoladas foram bacilos formadores de esporos, gram-positivos. Todos os isolados produziram AIA in vitro na presença de quantidades pequenas de triptofano. Mais de 70% das bactérias analisadas produziram sideróforos, solubilizaram fosfatos e possuíam o gene nif H. Não foi possível distinguir grupos definidos de microrganismos baseados no microhabitat e na espécie de bromélia de onde foram isolados usando rep-PCR. A água do tanque apresentou maior diversidade microbiana quando comparada com a filosfera e o ambiente endofítico, provavelmente devido à alta concentração de nutrientes, que promove um ambiente favorável para o desenvolvimento de comunidades microbianas complexas.