Response Of Microorganisms Research Articles

Dynamics of communities of bacteria and ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms in response to simazine attenuation in agricultural soil

Autochthonous microbiota plays a crucial role in natural attenuation of s-triazine herbicides in agricultural soil. Soil microcosm study was carried out to investigate the shift in the structures of soil autochthonous microbial communities and the potential degraders associated with natural simazine attenuation. The relative abundance of soil autochthonous degraders and the structures of microbial communities were assessed using quantitative PCR (q-PCR) and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), respectively. Phylogenetic composition of bacterial community was also characterized using clone library analysis. Soil autochthonous microbiota could almost completely clean up simazine (100mgkg−1) in 10days after herbicide application, indicating a strong self-remediation potential of agricultural soil. A significant increase in the proportion of s-triazine-degrading atzC gene was found in 6days after simazine amendment. Simazine application could alter the community structures of total bacteria and ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB). AOA were more responsive to simazine application compared to AOB and bacteria. Actinobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria were the dominant bacterial groups either at the initial stage after simazine amendment or at the end stage of herbicide biodegradation, but Actinobacteria predominated at the middle stage of biodegradation. Microorganisms from several bacterial genera might be involved in simazine biodegradation. This work could add some new insights on the bioremediation of herbicides contaminated agricultural soils.

Mechanisms of goethite dissolution in the presence of desferrioxamine B and Suwannee River fulvic acid at pH 6.5

Siderophores are Fe3+ specific low MW chelating ligands secreted by micro-organisms in response to Fe stress. Low MW organic acids such as oxalate have been shown to enhance siderophore mediated dissolution of Fe3+ oxides. However, the effect of fulvic acid presence on siderophore function remains unknown. We used batch dissolution experiments to investigate Fe release from goethite in the goethite–fulvic acid–desferrioxamine B (goethite–SRFA–DFOB) ternary system. Experiments were conducted at pH 6.5 while varying reagent addition sequence. FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy were employed to characterise the Fe–DFOB, Fe–SRFA and DFOB–SRFA complexes. Iron released from goethite in the presence of SRFA alone was below detection limit. In the presence of both SRFA and DFOB, dissolved Fe increased with reaction time, presence of the DFOB–SRFA complex, and where SRFA was introduced prior to DFOB. FTIR data show that in the ternary system, Fe3+ is complexed primarily to oxygen of the DFOB hydroxamate group, whilst the carboxylate CO of SRFA forms an electrostatic association with the terminal NH3+ of DFOB. We propose that SRFA sorbed to goethite lowers the net positive charge of the oxide surface, thus facilitating adsorption of cationic DFOB and subsequent Fe3+ chelation and release. Furthermore, the sorbed SRFA weakens Fe–O bonds at the goethite surface, increasing the population of kinetically labile Fe. This work demonstrates the positive, though indirect role of SRFA in increasing the bioavailability of Fe3+.

Enrichment of specific protozoan populations during in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater.

The importance of bacteria in the anaerobic bioremediation of groundwater polluted with organic and/or metal contaminants is well recognized and in some instances so well understood that modeling of the in situ metabolic activity of the relevant subsurface microorganisms in response to changes in subsurface geochemistry is feasible. However, a potentially significant factor influencing bacterial growth and activity in the subsurface that has not been adequately addressed is protozoan predation of the microorganisms responsible for bioremediation. In field experiments at a uranium-contaminated aquifer located in Rifle, CO, USA, acetate amendments initially promoted the growth of metal-reducing Geobacter species, followed by the growth of sulfate reducers, as observed previously. Analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences revealed a broad diversity of sequences closely related to known bacteriovorous protozoa in the groundwater before the addition of acetate. The bloom of Geobacter species was accompanied by a specific enrichment of sequences most closely related to the ameboid flagellate, Breviata anathema, which at their peak accounted for over 80% of the sequences recovered. The abundance of Geobacter species declined following the rapid emergence of B. anathema. The subsequent growth of sulfate-reducing Peptococcaceae was accompanied by another specific enrichment of protozoa, but with sequences most similar to diplomonadid flagellates from the family Hexamitidae, which accounted for up to 100% of the sequences recovered during this phase of the bioremediation. These results suggest a prey-predator response with specific protozoa responding to increased availability of preferred prey bacteria. Thus, quantifying the influence of protozoan predation on the growth, activity and composition of the subsurface bacterial community is essential for predictive modeling of in situ uranium bioremediation strategies.

Phosphorus limitation in microorganisms leads to high phosphomonoesterase activity in acid forest soils

We addressed the mechanistic basis for a negative correlation between soil pH and phosphomonoesterase activity, often found in various soils. Also in the present study, a significant negative correlation was observed between soil pH and phosphomonoesterase activity measured at pH 6.5 in Japanese acidic forest soils (3 Inceptisols, 3 non-allophanic Andisols, and 2 allophanic Andisols). A hypothesis that higher activity of phosphomonoesterase in acid forest soils results from increased synthesis of phosphomonoesterase by microorganisms in response to P limitation was tested. Soils with lower pH showed a lower optimum pH for phosphomonoesterase activity and greater activity at the optimum pH than other soils. To assess nutrient limitations of the soil microbial community, the effects of addition of C, N, or P on phosphomonoesterase and dehydrogenase activities, which is an intracellular enzyme and the activity of which reflects overall microbial activity, were examined in the soil samples. Addition of P increased dehydrogenase activity in some forest soils. Also, microorganisms in some soils were co-limited by C, N, and P. Response ratios (RR) of phosphomonoesterase and dehydrogenase activities in P-amended soil to their activity in non-amended soil were used to evaluate the response of soil microorganisms to P limitation. The ratio of RR-dehydrogenase to RR-phosphomonoesterase was strongly correlated with phosphomonoesterase activity at the optimum pH (P < 0.01). The results indicate that P limitation accounts for higher phosphomonoesterase activity in the more acid forest soils.

Responses of soil microbial respiration to thermal stress in alpine steppe on the Tibetan plateau

Extensive research has focused on the temperature sensitivity of microbial respiration in tundra and alpine meadows. However, the response of microbial respiration to thermal stress in alpine steppe soils, which have less organic matter and greater aeration, has received less attention. We investigated spatial and temporal variations in microbial respiration using an incubation experiment under different temperature (0, 15 and 30°C) and different percentages of water‐holding capacity (WHC) (50 and 100%) conditions in the alpine steppe, and using a subsequent cooling experiment determined the ‘thermal stress' of soil microorganisms in response to increased temperature in the alpine steppe ecosystem. Microbial respiration rates decreased with increasing temperature at both 50 and 100% WHC for three sampling locations. Thermal stress of soil microorganisms under increased temperatures was found in the alpine steppe because subsequent cooling led to an increase in microbial respiration rates. Soil moisture did not affect microbial respiration, but the temperature sensitivity (Q10) of microbial respiration varied with the interactive effect between soil moisture and sampling location. Our findings suggest that the response of microbial respiration to high temperature may not be always positive as bacteria may experience thermal stress in the alpine steppe. Therefore, it is necessary to include thermal stress responses in alpine steppe models, as they may represent an important negative feedback effect on microbial respiration.

Cloning and functional expression of the mitochondrial alternative oxidase gene ( aox1) of Aspergillus niger in Lactococcus lactis and its induction by oxidizing conditions

Lactococcus lactis is a widely used food bacterium mainly known for its fermentation metabolism. An important, and for long time overlooked, trait of this species is its ability to perform respiratory metabolism in the presence of heme and under aerobic conditions. There is no evidence however for the presence of an alternative respiration pathway and AOX activity. In this study, a cDNA fragment encoding the mitochondrial alternative oxidase, the enzyme responsible for alternative respiration, from a citric acid producing Aspergillus niger strain was cloned and expressed in L. lactis as a host strain. Expression of aox1 conferred on this organism cyanide-resistant and salicylhydroxamate-sensitive growth. Bioreactor cultures under fully aerobic conditions of the transformed L. lactis showed that the alternative respiratory pathway operates and improves significantly the microorganism's response to oxidizing stress conditions as it enhances biomass production, suppresses lactate formation, and leads to accumulation of large amounts of nisin.

Shifts in soil microorganisms in response to warming are consistent across a range of Antarctic environments

Because of severe abiotic limitations, Antarctic soils represent simplified systems, where microorganisms are the principal drivers of nutrient cycling. This relative simplicity makes these ecosystems particularly vulnerable to perturbations, like global warming, and the Antarctic Peninsula is among the most rapidly warming regions on the planet. However, the consequences of the ongoing warming of Antarctica on microorganisms and the processes they mediate are unknown. Here, using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing and qPCR, we report highly consistent responses in microbial communities across disparate sub-Antarctic and Antarctic environments in response to 3 years of experimental field warming (+0.5 to 2 °C). Specifically, we found significant increases in the abundance of fungi and bacteria and in the Alphaproteobacteria-to-Acidobacteria ratio, which could result in an increase in soil respiration. Furthermore, shifts toward generalist bacterial communities following warming weakened the linkage between the bacterial taxonomic and functional richness. GeoChip microarray analyses also revealed significant warming effects on functional communities, specifically in the N-cycling microorganisms. Our results demonstrate that soil microorganisms across a range of sub-Antarctic and Antarctic environments can respond consistently and rapidly to increasing temperatures.

Effects of supplementing condensed tannin extract on intake, digestion, ruminal fermentation, and milk production of lactating dairy cows

A lactation experiment was conducted to determine the influence of quebracho condensed tannin extract (CTE) on ruminal fermentation and lactational performance of dairy cows. The cows were fed a high forage (HF) or a low forage (LF) diet with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 59:41 or 41:59 on a dry matter (DM) basis, respectively. Eight multiparous lactating Holstein cows (62±8.8 d in milk) were used. The design of the experiment was a double 4 × 4 Latin square with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, and each period lasted 21 d (14 d of treatment adaptation and 7 d of data collection and sampling). Four dietary treatments were tested: HF without CTE, HF with CTE (HF+CTE), LF without CTE, and LF with CTE (LF+CTE). Commercial quebracho CTE was added to the HF+CTE and the LF+CTE at a rate of 3% of dietary DM. Intake of DM averaged 26.7kg/d across treatments, and supplementing CTE decreased intakes of DM and nutrients regardless of forage level. Digestibilities of DM and nutrients were not affected by CTE supplementation. Milk yield averaged 35.3kg/d across treatments, and yields of milk and milk component were not influenced by CTE supplementation. Negative effects of CTE supplementation on feed intake resulted in increased feed efficiency (milk yield/DM intake). Although concentration of milk urea N (MUN) decreased by supplementing CTE in the diets, efficiency of N use for milk N was not affected by CTE supplementation. Feeding the LF diet decreased ruminal pH (mean of 6.47 and 6.33 in HF and LF, respectively). However, supplementation of CTE in the diets did not influence ruminal pH. Supplementing CTE decreased total volatile fatty acid concentration regardless of level of forage. With CTE supplementation, molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and butyrate increased in the HF diet, but not in the LF diet, resulting in interactions between forage level and CTE supplementation. Concentration of ammonia-N tended to decrease with supplementation of CTE. The most remarkable finding in this study was that cows fed CTE-supplemented diets had decreased ruminal ammonia-N and MUN concentrations, indicating that less ruminal N was lost as ammonia because of decreased degradation of crude protein by rumen microorganisms in response to CTE supplementation. Therefore, supplementation of CTE in lactation dairy diets may change the route of N excretion, having less excretion into urine but more into feces, as it had no effect on N utilization efficiency for milk production.

Stimulation of phosphate uptake and polyphosphate accumulation by activated sludge microorganisms in response to sulfite addition

Enhanced phosphate removal from wastewaters is dependent on the synthesis and intracellular accumulation of polyphosphate by sludge microorganisms. However the role played by polyphosphate in microbial metabolism and the factors that trigger its formation remain poorly-understood. Many examples of the accumulation of the biopolymer by environmental microorganisms are documented; these include a recent report of the presence of large polyphosphate inclusions in sulfur-oxidizing marine bacteria. To investigate whether any link might exist outside the marine environment between the presence of reduced sulfur compounds and enhanced levels of microbial phosphate uptake and polyphosphate accumulation, activated sludge cultures were grown under laboratory conditions in media that contained sulfite, thiosulfate, hydrosulfite or tetrathionate. Only in the presence of sulfite was there any evidence of a stimulatory effect; in medium that contained 0.5 mM sodium sulfite some 17% more phosphate was removed by the sludge, whilst there was an almost two-fold increase in intracellular polyphosphate levels. No indications of sulfite toxicity were observed.

Chemoattraction to Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Throughout the Marine Microbial Food Web

Phytoplankton-produced dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) provides underwater and atmospheric foraging cues for several species of marine invertebrates, fish, birds, and mammals. However, its role in the chemical ecology of marine planktonic microbes is largely unknown, and there is evidence for contradictory functions. By using microfluidics and image analysis of swimming behavior, we observed attraction toward microscale pulses of DMSP and related compounds among several motile strains of phytoplankton, heterotrophic bacteria, and bacterivore and herbivore microzooplankton. Because microbial DMSP cycling is the main natural source of cloud-forming sulfur aerosols, our results highlight how adaptations to microscale chemical seascapes shape planktonic food webs, while potentially influencing climate at the global scale.

The influence of precipitation pulses on soil respiration – Assessing the “Birch effect” by stable carbon isotopes

Sudden pulse-like events of rapidly increasing CO 2 -efflux occur in soils under seasonally dry climates in response to rewetting after drought. These occurrences, termed “Birch effect”, can have a marked influence on the ecosystem carbon balance. Current hypotheses indicate that the “Birch” pulse is caused by rapidly increased respiration and mineralization rates in response to changing moisture conditions but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we present data from an experimental field study using straight-forward stable isotope methodology to gather new insights into the processes induced by rewetting of dried soils and evaluate current hypotheses for the “Birch“-CO 2 -pulse. Two irrigation experiments were conducted on bare soil, root-free soil and intact vegetation during May and August 2005 in a semi-arid Mediterranean holm oak forest in southern Portugal. We continuously monitored CO 2 -fluxes along with their isotopic compositions before, during and after the irrigation. δ 13 C signatures of the first CO 2 -efflux burst, occurring immediately after rewetting, fit the hypothesis that the “Birch” pulse is caused by the rapid mineralization of either dead microbial biomass or osmoregulatory substances released by soil microorganisms in response to hypo-osmotic stress in order to avoid cell lyses. The response of soil CO 2 -efflux to rewetting was smaller under mild (May) than under severe drought (August) and isotopic compositions indicated a larger contribution of anaplerotic carbon uptake with increasing soil desiccation. Both length and severity of drought periods probably play a key role for the microbial response to the rewetting of soils and thus for ecosystem carbon sequestration.

Interannual variability of soil microbial biomass and respiration in responses to topography, annual burning and N addition in a semiarid temperate steppe

Soil microorganisms are sensitive to changes in environmental factors and play critical roles in the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to natural or anthropogenic perturbations. This study was conducted to examine interannual variability of soil microbial biomass and respiration in response to topography, annual burning and N addition in a semiarid temperate steppe in northern China. Averaged across the 3 years from 2005 to 2007, soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN) and respiration (MR) were 31.6, 36.7, and 16.2% greater in the lower than upper slope, respectively. The topographic difference was larger in the drier year, leading to stronger temporal variability of MBC, MBN, and MR in the upper than lower slope. Annual burning stimulated MBC and MBN, on average, by 23.3 and 14.4%, but it suppressed MR. Both the positive responses of soil microbial biomass and the negative responses of MR to burning declined over time. Nitrogen addition reduced MBC and MBN by 17.1 and 8.3% respectively, and the negative effects increased with year. N addition also amplified temporal variability of MBC, MBN and MR. Across the 48 plots, soil microbial biomass and respiration showed positive dependence upon soil moisture and dissolved organic carbon (C). In addition, coefficient variations (CVs) of microbial biomass and respiration were also positively correlated with CVs of soil moisture and aboveground biomass (AGB), suggesting water and plant regulation on the interannual variability of soil microorganisms in response to environmental disturbances in the semiarid temperate steppe. Amplified temporal variability of soil microorganisms under drought, fire and N addition indicates reduced stability of soil microbial community with consequent influences on ecosystem function under environmental change.

Interference of chromium with biological systems in yeasts and fungi: a review

This paper deals with the interactions of chromium (Cr) with biological systems, focusing in particular on yeasts and fungi. These interactions are analysed with primarily regard to biochemical functions, but higher levels of organization are also considered. Thus, the morphological and cytological characteristics of selected microorganisms in response to exposure to chromium ions are evaluated. The different oxidation states of chromium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in redox reactions with chromium ions are presented and characterized. The interactions of the most exposed subcellular structures, including the cell wall, plasma membrane and nuclei, have been deeply investigated in recent years, for two major reasons. The first is the toxicity of chromium ions and their strong impact on the metabolism of many species, ranging from microbes to humans. The second is the still disputed usefulness of chromium ions, and in particular trivalent chromium, in the glucose and fat metabolisms. Chromium pollution is still an important issue in many regions of the world, and various solutions have been proposed for the bioremediation of soil and water with selected microbial species. Yeasts and especially moulds have been most widely investigated from this aspect, and the biosorption and bioaccumulation of chromium for bioremediation purposes have been demonstrated. Accordingly, the mechanisms of chromium tolerance or resistance of selected microbes are of particular importance in both bioremediation and waste water treatment technologies. The mechanisms of chromium toxicity and detoxification have been studied extensively in yeasts and fungi, and some promising results have emerged in this area.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae plasma membrane nutrient sensors and their role in PKA signaling

The ability to elicit a fast intracellular signal leading to an adaptive response is crucial for the survival of microorganisms in response to changing environmental conditions. Therefore, in order to sense changes in nutrient availability, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has evolved three different classes of nutrient-sensing proteins acting at the plasma membrane: G protein-coupled receptors or classical receptor proteins, which detect the presence of certain nutrients and activate signal transduction in association with a G protein; nontransporting transceptors, i.e. nutrient carrier homologues with only a receptor function, previously called nutrient sensors; and transporting transceptors, i.e. active nutrient carriers that combine the functions of a nutrient transporter and receptor. Here, we provide an updated overview of the proteins involved in sensing nutrients for rapid activation of the protein kinase A pathway, which belong to the first and the third category, and we also provide a comparison with the best-known examples of the second category, the nontransporting transceptors, which control the expression of the regular transporters for the nutrient sensed by these proteins.

Soil management modifies micro‐scale abundance and function of soil microorganisms in a Mediterranean ecosystem

SummaryThe present study tests whether soil management (tillage and fertilizer) modified the small‐scale abundance and function of soil microorganisms in response to changes in organic matter quantity and quality. The experimental field, located in the coastal hills of Marche (central Italy), was planted in rotation with Triticum durum in winter and Zea mais in summer. Soil samples were collected in the maize‐field soil, in conventional and no‐tillage (NT) systems, and in fertilized and unfertilized soil. We analysed total organic C (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) microbial biomass C (MBC), enzymes involved in C‐ (β‐glucosidase, α‐glucosidase, β‐cellobiohydrolase, β‐xylosidase), N‐ (leucine‐aminopeptidase and N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase), P‐ (acid phosphatase) and S‐cycling (arylsulphatase), as well as functional diversity in the bulk soil, coarse sand, fine sand, silt and clay fractions. Micro‐scale investigations revealed great microbial abundance in smaller fractions because of protection offered by microaggregates, whereas the distribution of enzymes reflected the availability of their corresponding substrates. No‐tillage treatment significantly increased organic input, mainly in the coarser fractions, enhancing enzyme activities and the functional diversity of the microbial community. This effect was even larger in the absence of fertilizer. At the particle‐size level of resolution, adding fertilizer stimulated nutrient cycling. Our results confirmed the hypothesis that no‐tillage enlarges the content of particulate organic matter in the coarse sand fraction and stimulates microbial decomposition. In the smaller fractions the enlarged microbial pool and increased soil organic matter with small C/N ratio under NT confirm that this management practice is effective in increasing soil C sequestration capacity.

UVB-Based Mate-Choice Cues Used by Females of the Jumping Spider Phintella vittata

Although there are numerous examples of animals having photoreceptors sensitive to UVA (315-400 nm) [1] and relying on UVA-based mate-choice cues [2-5], here we provide the first evidence of an animal using UVB (280-315 nm) for intraspecific communication. An earlier study showed that Phintella vittata, a jumping spider (Salticidae) from China, reflects UVB [6]. By performing six series of binary mate-choice experiments in which we varied lighting conditions with filters (UVB+ [no filter] versus UVB-, UVB+ versus ND1, UVB+ versus ND2, UVB- versus ND1, UVB- versus ND2, and UVB- versus UVA-), we show that significantly more UVB + males than UVB- males are chosen by females as preferred mates. Female preference for UVB-reflective males is not affected by differences in brightness or by UVA.

Adaptation in bacterial flagellar and motility systems: from regulon members to ‘foraging’-like behavior in E. coli

Bacterial flagellar motility and chemotaxis help cells to reach the most favorable environments and to successfully compete with other micro-organisms in response to external stimuli. Escherichia coli is a motile gram-negative bacterium, and the flagellar regulon in E. coli is controlled by a master regulator FlhDC as well as a second regulator, flagellum-specific sigma factor, σF. To define the physiological role of these two regulators, we carried out transcription profiling experiments to identify, on a genome-wide basis, genes under the control of these two regulators. In addition, the synchronized pattern of increasing CRP activity causing increasing FlhDC expression with decreasing carbon source quality, together with the apparent coupling of motility activity with the activation of motility and chemotaxis genes in poor quality carbon sources, highlights the importance of CRP activation in allowing E. coli to devote progressively more of its limited reserves to search out better conditions. In adaptation to a variety of carbon sources, the motile bacteria carry out tactical responses by increasing flagellar operation but restricting costly flagellar synthesis, indicating its capability of strategically using the precious energy in nutrient-poor environments for maximizing survival.

Specificity of catechol ortho-cleavage during para-toluate degradation by Rhodococcus opacus 1cp

Degradation of para-toluate by Rhodococcus opacus 1cp was investigated. Activities of the key enzymes of this process, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and muconate cycloisomerase, are detected in this microorganism. Growth on p-toluate was accompanied by induction of two catechol 1,2-dioxygenases. The substrate specificity and physicochemical properties of one enzyme are identical to those of chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase; induction of the latter enzyme was observed during R. opacus 1cp growth on 4-chlorophenol. The other enzyme isolated from the biomass grown on p-toluate exhibited lower rate of chlorinated substrate cleavage compared to the catechol substrate. However, this enzyme is not identical to the catechol 1,2-dioxygenase cloned in this strain within the benzoate catabolism operon. This supports the hypothesis on the existence of multiple forms of dioxygenases as adaptive reactions of microorganisms in response to environmental stress.

Glycinebetaine Counteracts the Inhibitory Effects of Salt Stress on the Degradation and Synthesis of D1 Protein during Photoinhibition in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942

Glycinebetaine (hereafter referred to as betaine) is a compatible solute that accumulates in certain plants and microorganisms in response to various types of stress. We demonstrated previously that when the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 (hereafter Synechococcus) is transformed with the codA gene for choline oxidase, it can synthesize betaine from exogenously supplied choline, exhibiting enhanced tolerance to salt and cold stress. In this study, we examined the effects of salt stress and betaine synthesis on the photoinhibition of photosystem II (PSII). Salt stress due to 220 mm NaCl enhanced photoinhibition of PSII and betaine protected PSII against photoinhibition under these conditions. However, neither salt stress nor betaine synthesis affected photodamage to PSII. By contrast, salt stress inhibited repair of photodamaged PSII and betaine reversed this inhibitory effect of salt stress. Pulse-chase-labeling experiments revealed that salt stress inhibited degradation of D1 protein in photodamaged PSII and de novo synthesis of D1. By contrast, betaine protected the machinery required for degradation and synthesis of D1 under salt stress. Neither salt stress nor betaine affected levels of psbA transcripts. These observations suggest that betaine counteracts the inhibitory effects of salt stress, with resultant accelerated repair of photodamaged PSII.

Characteristics of microflora isolated in chronic adnexitides and effects of balneotherapy on biological properties of microorganisms in experimental and clinical conditions

The study of species and biology of microflora isolated from 42 patients with chronic adnexitides has detected a wide spectrum of pathological agents among which both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms were encountered. The isolated cultures were examined for ability to inactivate lysozyme, complement and lactoferrin. The experiments have established changes in biological properties of the microorganisms in response to use of mud and salty brine therapy. Clinical investigations demonstrate the ability of balneotherapy to restore normal flora, to reduce contamination with opportunistic microflora and suppress biological, including persistent, properties of microorganisms in females with chronic adnexitides. Positive effects of balneotherapy seem to base, primarily, on this ability.