Subspecies Classification and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens HL1 and M1 for Potential Niche-Specific Genes and Pathways.

(1) Background: Strains HL1 and M1, isolated from kefir grains, have been tentatively identified, based on their partial 16S rRNA gene sequences, as Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens. The two strains demonstrated different health benefits. Therefore, not only the genetic factors exerting diverse functionalities in different L. kefiranofaciens strains, but also the potential niche-specific genes and pathways among the L. kefiranofaciens strains, should be identified. (2) Methods: Phenotypic and genotypic approaches were employed to identify strains HL1 and M1 at the subspecies level. For the further characterization of the probiotic properties of both strains, comparative genomic analyses were used. (3) Results: Both strains were identified as L. kefiranofaciens subsp. kefirgranum. According to the COG function category, dTDP-rhamnose and rhamnose-containing glycans were specifically detected in the L. kefiranofaciens subsp. Kefirgranum genomes. Three unique genes (epsI, epsJ, and epsK) encoding glycosyltransferase in the EPS gene cluster, and the ImpB/MucB/SamB family protein encoding gene were found in HL1 and M1. The specific ability to degrade arginine via the ADI pathway was found in HL1. The presence of the complete glycogen metabolism (glg) operon in the L. kefiranofaciens strains suggested the importance of glycogen synthesis to enable colonization in kefir grains and extend survival under environmental stresses. (4) Conclusions: The obtained novel information on the potential genes and pathways for polysaccharide synthesis and other functionalities in our HL1 and M1 strains could be applied for further functionality predictions for potential probiotic screening.

Utility of optomap panoramic 200Tx in postoperative fundus examination among cataract patients / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

To investigate the utility of optomap panoramic 200Tx in screening fundus disease among the patients after cataract surgery. ●METHODS: From November 18 th to December 31st , 2013 all 146 post- cataract surgery patients were recruited. All non - mydriatic fundus images were taken with the optomap panoramic 200Tx and were diagnosed by one masked retinal specialist. Non - mydriatic direct ophthalmoscope exam and mydriatic slit-lamp lens exam were also done by other two masked specialists. Comparisons of the three methods were made. ●RESULTS: Among 146 patients ( 161 eyes), 40 eyes (24. 8%) of retinal lesions was detected by non-mydriatic direct ophthalmoscope exam, 59 ( 36. 7%) by non -mydriatic optomap 200Tx exam, and 61 (37. 9%) by slit-lamp lens exam. Nine eyes ( 5. 6%) needed medical intervention immediately. Results of optomap 200Tx exams and slit - lamp lens exams were similar without statistically significant difference ( P > 0. 05), better than direct ophthalmoscope exam ( P ● CONCLUSlON: Opacification of the refractive medium makes thorough fundus examination impossible. So post-operative fundus examination is highly necessary and should be a routine. Optomap panoramic 200Tx, which shows no statistically difference from mydriatc slit- lamp lens exam, is a convenient and feasible method in discovering fundus pathological changes.