双酚A完全抗原的制备

采用重氮化法在双酚A(BPA)上引入羧基,将其与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)偶联,制备双酚A完全抗原BPAH-BSA.紫外扫描光谱和红外光谱实验表明偶联成功,为进一步制备抗BPA抗体提供了良好的免疫原.     

展青霉素人工抗原及多克隆抗体的研制

采用戊二酸酐法合成展青霉素-半戊二酸（PAT-HG），通过活泼酯法将PAT-HG偶联到牛血清白蛋白，制备了展青霉素免疫抗原（PAT—HG—BSA），免疫3只BALB／c小鼠，经4次免疫后，1号小鼠血清抗展青霉索抗体效价迭1：1600，且小鼠抗展青霉素多克隆抗体与展青霉素检测抗原的结合能被展青霉素阻断。     

纳米金标记黄曲霉毒素B1新型检测方法

本文建立了两种基于银增强纳米金标记探针的高灵敏度免疫分析方法.方法一是用黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)抗体与金标抗原、待测抗原进行竞争免疫反应,然后加入银增强溶液,以金为核沉积生长银,通过检测光密度来确定待测物中AFB1的含量,该方法的检出限可达到0.01 ng/mL.方法二是在前一种方法的基础上,将银化学溶出,通过化学发光法检测沉积的银量来确定待测物中AFB1的含量,该方法的检出限可达到0.002 ng/mL.     

荧光光谱分析家蝇幼虫抗菌肽MDL-2的结构特性

研究了家蝇幼虫抗菌肽MDL-2的荧光光谱和淬灭剂对內源性荧光的影响.家蝇幼虫抗菌肽MDL-2在280 am波长的激发光时,荧光光谱为Tyr残基和7rp残基共同提供,KI不能淬灭抗菌肽MDL-2的Trp残基的荧光,而Acr能淬灭几乎所有的Trp残基的荧光(f=0.74),说明Trp残基不是位于抗菌肽分子的表面,而是位于分子的内部.     

前蛋白转换酶枯草溶菌素9纳米疫苗的构建与细胞吞噬效率的体外实验研究

目的:制备前蛋白转换酶枯草溶菌素9(proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9,PCSK9)纳米疫苗,并初步探讨树突状细胞(dendritic cells,DC 2.4)对纳米疫苗的体外吞噬效率。方法:选取PCSK9207-223为抗原肽,牛血清白蛋白(bovine se-rum albumin,BSA)为载体蛋白,用"还原-热聚-氧化"法将BSA分子转变为BSA纳米颗粒(BSA nanoparticle,BN),PCSK9多肽链接在BN表面合成纳米疫苗(BSA-PCSK9 nanoparticle,BPN),PCSK9多肽与分子BSA直接链接合成分子疫苗(BSA-PCSK9,BP)。动态光散射测定BN、BPN粒径和电位大小,透射电子显微镜观察形貌;SDS-PAGE电泳分析抗原负载情况;检测BPN不同时间点的粒径变化反映其在生理环境下的稳定性;BPN与DC 2.4细胞共孵育24 h,增强型细胞计数试剂盒-8(cell counting kit-8,CCK8)检测DC2.4细胞活性,反映BPN生物相容性;流式细胞仪检测DC 2.4对纳米疫苗的吞噬情况。结果:合成的BPN粒径为(68.2±3.1)nm、电位为(?14.8±0.6)mV,透射电子显微镜观察显示BPN近球形;SDS-PAGE电泳结果显示BPN相对分子质量增加,证明短肽链接成功;模拟生理环境下,BPN粒径在144 h内保持稳定;增强型CCK8检测结果显示DC2.4细胞活性均大于100%;流式细胞仪检测结果显示,相比BP,DC 2.4对BPN的吞噬效率更高。结论:BPN体外稳定性及生物相容性好,易于被DC吞噬。     

晚期糖基化终末产物对人肾小管上皮细胞表达结缔组织生长因子和纤维连接蛋白的影响

目的：观察AGE-BSA认对体外培养的人近端肾小管上皮细胞株HK-2表达结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）和纤维连接蛋白（FN）的影响。方法：将HK-2细胞在体外与不同浓度的AGE—BSA和BSA共同培养。以酶联免疫法（ELISA）检测转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）的分泌，以逆转录-聚合酶联反应法（RT—PCR）测定CTGF mRNA和FN mRNA的表达。结果：100μg／ml的AGE—BSA刺激HK-2细胞24h，细胞上清中TGF-β1的浓度是对照组的2.37倍。AGE—BSA刺激HK-2细胞48h后，CTGF mRNA的表达开始出现显著升高（P〈0.01）。AGE—BSA能够剂量依赖性的上调HK-2细胞CTGF mRNA和FN mRNA的表达。BSA刺激组没有以上作用。结论：AGE—BSA可上调HK-2细胞CTGF和FN的表达，这可能在糖尿病肾病肾小管间质纤维化形成中起到一定作用。     

异种抗原及相关策略在异种移植的研究进展

异种抗原在异种移植免疫排斥反应中发挥重要作用。单纯针对异种抗原的策略 ,可抑制或减轻排斥反应得到完全基因工程动物是异种移植成的最佳途径。本文就异种抗原的实质、分布和作用进行了介绍 ,并综述了针对异种抗原的各种策略及研究趋势     

血管内皮细胞在移植排斥中的作用

血管内皮细胞(EC)但是移植排斥时重要的靶器官,而且通过其抗原提呈作用、表型变化和细胞因子合成等,主动参与移植排斥过程。 EC表达的同种异体抗原,诸如ABO血型抗原,MHC抗原和血管EC抗原系统,使EC在移植后成为一个主要的免疫原,同时,这些抗原成为宿主体液免疫主要的靶抗原。已知术前宿主体内存在抗供体淋巴细胞毒抗体,可在移植后引起超急性排斥反应;术后淋巴     

终末期糖基化终产物通过转化生长因子依赖和非依赖途径介导NRK52E细胞转分化和胶原Ⅰ的合成

目的探讨终末期糖基化终产物（AGEs）介导肾小管上皮细胞转分化和胶原（Col）Ⅰ合成的分子机制。方法体外培养正常大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞系（NRK52E），应用自制的AGE-牛血清白蛋白（BSA）刺激NRK52E细胞。免疫细胞化学方法检测不同时间磷酸化（P）Smad2／3核转位情况。ELISA方法检测细胞培养上清TGF-β1的水平。RT-PCR方法检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（SMA）、E-钙黏着糖蛋白（cadherin）和ColⅠmRNA表达。Western印迹检测α-SMA、E-cadherin和ColⅠ蛋白的表达。同时观察TGF-β1中和抗体对AGE-BSA上述效应的阻断作用。结果基础状态下，NRK52E细胞存在低水平p-Smad2／3核表达（16％）。与BSA对照组比较，AGE—BSA以时间依赖方式上调NRK52E细胞p-Smad2／3核转位，其高峰出现在30min（68％比30.5％，P〈0．01）和24h（76％比31．3％，P〈0．01）。AGE—BSA显著上调α-SMA和ColⅠmRNA和蛋白表达；下调E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白的表达；并能促进NRK52E细胞合成和分泌TGF-β1。TGF-β1中和抗体能明显抑制AGE—BSA介导的24hp-Smad2／3核转位（25．2％，P〈0．01），但不能阻抑30min活化高峰；能明显抑制AGE-BSA介导的α-SMA和ColⅠmRNA和蛋白表达．以及显著地上调E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白的表达。结论AGEs通过TGF-β依赖和非依赖途径诱导肾小管上皮细胞Smads信号通路活化，促进其向肌成纤维母细胞转分化和ColⅠ的合成。     

异种抗原及相关策略在异种移植的研究进展

异种抗原在异种移植免疫排斥反应中发挥重要作用。单纯针对异种抗原的策略，可抑制或减轻排斥反应得到完全基因工程动物是异种移植成的最佳途径。本文就异种抗原的实质、分布和作用进行了介绍，并综述了针对异种抗原的各种策略及研究趋势。     

Ameliorative effect of selenium nanoparticles on the structure and function of testis and in vitro embryo development in Aflatoxin B1-exposed male mice

The purpose of the research was to investigate the therapeutic ability of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) on the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) toxicity induced in the male reproductive system. For this experiment, the mature male mice were put into four groups. Control (0.5 ml PBS, 60 days; IP, n = 7), Se-NPs (0.5 µg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 60 days; IP), AFB1 (4.5 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 60 days; IP) and AFB1 + Se-NPs (4.5 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ + 0.5 µg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 60 days; IP). After treatment, the histological structure of testis, serum testosterone level and sperm parameters, including concentration, motility, viability, morphology and DNA fragmentation, were examined. The results demonstrated that the AFB1 destroyed the testicular tissue structure and decreased the sperm concentration, motility, viability and normal morphology significantly. AFB1 also could significantly increase sperm DNA fragmentation and reduce in vitro fertilisation and embryo development compared to the control group (p < .001). Our data show that Se-NPs could inhibit AFB1-induced damage to the testis and improve sperm parameters as well as in vitro fertilisation and embryo production in AFB1 exposed male mice. This study revealed that the administration of Se-NPs could attenuate the testicular injury of AFB1 and improve the male reproductive system function in AFB1 exposed mice.     

广西地区乙肝病毒/黄曲霉毒素双暴露因素下肝细胞癌染色体遗传学改变的初步研究

目的 探讨广西地区人群乙肝病毒/黄曲霉毒素(HBV/AFB1)双暴露相关性肝细胞癌(HCC)染色体遗传学改变的特点.方法 32例HCC的癌组织,运用微阵列比较基因组杂交技术(Array CGH)检测其22对染色体的变化.结果 (1)32例HCC中,大部分的染色体拷贝数都有不同程度的变化.发生扩增的区段有1 q、7q、8q,其中1q、8q为高频扩增区段.发生缺失区段有1 p、4q、8p、9p、13q、14q、16p、16q、17p、18q、19p、Y,其中1p、4q、8p、16q、17p、19p为高频缺失区段;(2)同时,还存在着若干DNA拷贝数扩增或缺失的小区段.缺失显著的小区段有:2p25.1-p25.2、3q22.3-q23、7p14.1-p14.3.扩增显著的小区段有:9p13.2-9p21;(3)聚类分析发现:13q缺失发生率在HBsAg(+)/AFB1(+)、HBsAg(+)/AFB1(-)、HBsAg(-)/AFB1(+)、HBsAg(-)/AFB1(-)4个亚组中呈依次递减(x2=6.452,P＜0.05).4p在HBsAg(+)/AFB1(-)组中以扩增为主,而在HBsAg(-)/AFB1(+)组与HBsAg(-)/AFB1(-)组则以缺失为主.19q在HBsAg(+)/AFB1(+)组中以扩增为主,在HBsAg(-)/AFB1(+)组与HBsAg(-)/AFB1(-)组中以缺失为主.结论 广西地区肝癌染色体遗传学改变具有多样性,其中19p、2p25.1-25.2、3q22.3-q23的缺失及9p13.2-9p21的扩增可能为该地区肝癌特有的遗传学特征之一.13q的缺失可能与该地区乙肝病毒/黄曲霉毒素双因素的协同作用有关.     

An algorithm for the surgical management of chronic abdominal aortic occlusion and occluded aortofemoral grafts.

An algorithm for the surgical management of chronic abdominal aortic occlusion is presented based upon experience of treating 60 consecutive patients. Of 33 patients with juxtarenal aortic occlusion, 17 underwent aortofemoral bypass (AFB), 10 descending thoracic aortofemoral (DTAF), 5 axillofemoral (AxF) bypass, and 1 ascending thoracic aortofemoral bypass. Of 11 patients with mid or distal aortic occlusion, 8 underwent AFB, 2 DTAF and 1 AxF. Of 16 patients with aortic graft occlusion, 1 underwent AFB, 10 DTAF and 5 AxF. Acceptable risk patients were selected for AFB (26). DTAF (22) was frequently preferred for patients with occluded aortic grafts or other hazardous intraabdominal pathology. AxF (11) was used for patients with severe cardiopulmonary risk, limited life expectancy from malignancy, or when emergency procedures were required for salvage of severely ischemic limbs in debilitated patients with chronic aortic occlusion. In the AFB, DTAF and AxF groups the perioperative mortality was 8%, 5% and 36% respectively, the late mortality was 15%, 36% and 45%, and the 5-year primary cumulative graft patency was 92%, 89% and 15%.     

Model-based study of the effects of the hemodialysis technique on the compensatory response to hypovolemia

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis technique (dialysate composition, filter, convection/diffusion ratio, etc.) can have an impact on the patient's tendency to acute hypotension. We have examined the hypothesis that the dialysis technique affects the hypotension risk by altering the cardiovascular compensatory response to hemodialysis-induced hypovolemia. METHODS: Twelve hypotension-prone subjects were studied during six sessions of conventional bicarbonate dialysis (BD) and six sessions of acetate-free biofiltration (AFB). Blood volume (BV) control system was used in AFB to provide a BV change equivalent to the BV change observed in BD. The efficacy of reflex compensatory mechanisms was assessed by a model-based computer analysis of the BD and AFB sessions. RESULTS: BD sessions were complicated by hypotension more frequently than the AFB ones (34/66 BD vs. 18/66 AFB). Hypotension arose about 60 minutes earlier in BD (123 +/- 41 minutes in BD vs. 183 +/- 25 minutes in AFB, P < 0.01), and after a smaller BV reduction (hypotension BV 7.9%+/- 2.0% in BD vs. 10.9%+/- 2.6% in AFB, P < 0.05). Model-based computer analysis of the sessions without hypotension revealed differences in peripheral resistance adaptation (9%+/- 9% BD vs. 19%+/- 7% AFB, P < 0.05) as well as in the stroke volume reduction (19%+/- 8% BD vs. 10%+/- 8% AFB, P < 0.001). Model analysis of sessions with hypotension indicated that compensatory mechanisms were almost inoperative in BD, whereas a residual capacity to control peripheral resistance and cardiac contractility was present in AFB. Model simulations demonstrated that hypotension occurred later in AFB since the residual compensatory capacity in AFB was able to sustain the arterial pressure for larger BV reductions (8.3% BD vs. 11.2% AFB). CONCLUSION: The increased risk of acute hypotension in BD compared to AFB is caused by a therapy-induced inhibition of reflex compensatory response to hypovolemia.     

自发性荧光支气管镜在中心型肺癌诊断中的价值

目的 探讨自发性荧光支气管镜(AFB)在中心型肺癌病人气道检查中的应用价值.方法 2009年9月至2010年3月29例中心型肺癌病人施行了30次AFB和普通白光支气管镜(WLB)检查.其中男23例,女6例;年龄62.2岁.病变位于气管3例,右主支气管1例,右肺上叶9例,右侧中间段支气管1例,右肺中叶1例,右肺下叶4例,左主支气管1例,左肺上叶9例(10次).初诊病例21例,肺癌术后复查8例.采用局部麻醉+静脉持续药物维持的无痛支气管镜检查技术,经口置人荧光支气管镜,先在普通白光状态下全面检查气道,再切换至荧光状态对气道重新检查,对全部可疑病变部位进行活检组织学病理检查.结果 全部病人检查过程顺利,无死亡病例及严重并发症发生.共取活检100处,恶性病变39处,非恶性病变61处.全组中AFB无漏诊,WLB漏诊30处,其中12处为恶性病变,漏诊率30.8%.AFB和WLB对恶性病变诊断的敏感性分别为100%和69.2%.21例初诊病例中,AFB无漏诊,WLB漏诊了23处,其中9处为恶性病变;8例术后常规复查者,AFB无漏诊,WLB漏诊了7处,其中3处为恶性病变.结论 AFB在中心型肺癌病例中可以更准确判断气道内肿瘤侵犯范围,更灵敏发现气道内多发病变,更敏感发现气道内复发病变.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the value of autofluorescence bronchoscope (AFB) in airway examination in central type lung cancer. Methods From Sep 2009 to Mar 2010 ,29 patients ( 23 men , 6 women , median age 62.2 years , range from 34 to 81 years) underwent AFB procedure. There were 3 lesions located at trachea, 1 at right main bronchus, 9 at right upper lobe, 1 at right median bronchus, 1 at right middle lobe, 4 at right lower lobe, 1 at left main bronchus, 9 at left upper lobe.There were 21 preliminary diagnostic cases and 8 postoperative surveillance cases. All procedure was performed under combination of local anaesthesia and general anaesthesia. All patients underwent white light bronchoscopy followed by AFB procedure.All of the suspicious abnormal sites were recorded and biopsied for pathological examination. Results All procedures were safely performed without death or serious complications. 100 specimens were obtained for pathologic examination. Malignant lesion was diagnosed in 39 and non-malignancy in61. All malignant sites were detected by AFB, however WLB missed 12 sites.The sensitivity of AFB and WLB for malignancy were 100% and 69.2%, respectively. In 21 preliminary diagnostic cases,AFB detected all malignancy sites, but WLB missed 23 sites, in which 9 were malignant sites. In 8 rechecked patients, AFB detected all malignancy sites, but WLB missed 7 sites, in which 3 were malignant sites. Conclusion Autofluorescence bronchoscopy could be more accurate in judging the extent of the tumor invasion, more sensitive in finding multiple lesions in airway, more sensitive in detecting early cancer recurrence in postoperative surveillance patients.     

自荧光支气管镜在非小细胞肺癌术前评估中的应用

目的 探讨自荧光支气管镜(AFB)在非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者术前评估中的应用价值.方法 将254例患者随机分为白光支气管镜(WLB)检查组和AFB检查组,比较两组手术患者的切缘癌细胞阳性率、切缘不典型增生阳性率,和两组术后患者的复发率及生存率.结果 AFB组NSCLC术后切缘癌细胞阳性率(1.9%)及不典型增生阳性率(3.8%),显著低于WLB组(5.7%、23.8%)(x2=21.755,P＜0.05),AFB组术后局部复发率(10.4%)显著低于WLB组(38.5%)(x2=23.692,P＜0.05),1、2、3年生存率AFB组分别为91.5%、78.3%、63.2%显著高于WLB组69.7%、48.4%、33.6%(x2=16.815、14.167、13.413,P＜0.05).结论 AFB有助于识别NSCLC并确定其边界,为手术治疗提供可靠依据,降低术后患者局部复发率,提高患者生存率,在NSCLC患者术前评估中有重要意义.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the applied value of autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) during the process of the preoperative evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods 254 patients were classified randomly into white light bronchoscopy ( WLB ) inspection group and AFB inspection group.The positive incisal edge rate of the cancer cells, the positive incisal edge rate of atypical hyperplasia, local recurrence rate and survival rate were compared. Results The positive incisal edge rate ( 1. 9% ) and atypical hyperplasia rate (3. 8% ) in AFB inspection group were significantly lower than in WLB group (5.7% , 23.8% ,x2 =21.755, P ＜0. 05). The local recurrence rate in AFB inspection group (10.4%) was significantly lower than WLB group (38. 5% ,x 2= 23. 692, P ＜ 0. 05). One-, 2- and 3-year survival rate in AFB group (91. 5% , 78. 3% , and 63. 2% ) was significantly higher than in WLB group (69. 7% ,48.4% , 33. 6% ,x2 = 16. 815, 14. 167, 13. 413, P ＜ 0. 05). Conclusion AFB is important during the process of preoperative evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer. It can find the frequent bronchus submucosa transferring of lung cancer and ensure its edge. It can provide the reliable basis for the surgical operation, reduce the local recurrence rate and increase the survival rate.     

Hospital volume-related differences in aorto-bifemoral bypass operative mortality in the United States

PURPOSE: Aorto-bifemoral bypass (AFB) is commonly performed in US hospitals. Durable long-term outcome is achieved after AFB performed to treat aortoiliac occlusive disease. However, short-term outcome for complex surgical procedures is not uniform across medical centers. The objective of the current study was to define the relationship of hospital volume to operative mortality after AFB. METHODS: The study included 3073 patients with a primary procedure code for AFB and a diagnostic code for peripheral vascular occlusive disease who received treatment during 1997 at 483 hospitals in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). The NIS represents a 20% stratified random sample representative of all US hospitals. Unadjusted and case mix-adjusted analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall AFB-related mortality was 3.3%. Hospitals that performed more than 25 AFB per year (33% of patients at 37 hospitals in the NIS) had a lower crude mortality rate (3.7% vs 2.2%) compared with hospitals that performed fewer AFB. In a multivariate analysis adjusting for case mix, AFB at a high- volume hospital was associated with 42% decreased risk for in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34-0.97; P =.04) compared with low-volume hospitals. Two other important risk factors associated with increased mortality in the multivariate analysis included age more than 65 years (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.0-5.4) and history of chronic pulmonary disease (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: AFB operative mortality was significantly lower at high-volume hospitals in this nationally representative database. The effect of hospital volume of AFB procedures on outcome should be of importance to patients, providers, and health policy makers.     

Use and Cost-Effectiveness of Intraoperative Acid-Fast Bacilli and Fungal Cultures in Assessing Infection of Joint Arthroplasties

The objective of this study is to determine a protocol for collecting acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and fungal intraoperative cultures during orthopedic procedures. An observational study was undertaken. Four hundred forty-six AFB cultures and 486 fungal cultures were processed over a 2-year period. The number of positive cultures was determined. A protocol specific to handling these types of specimens was developed. Cost analysis was completed to determine both the time and money saved if the new protocol was implemented. The infrequency of positive AFB and fungal cultures in this study suggests that it is only necessary to routinely request AFB and fungal cultures on 1 of 5 samples. Implementation of this protocol has potential to lead to substantial cost reduction and resource savings without diminishing patient outcomes.     

Acetate-free biofiltration versus bicarbonate haemodialysis in the treatment of patients with diabetic nephropathy: a cross-over multicentric study

Background: Morbidity and mortality rates in diabetic patients on regular dialysis treatment (RDT) are higher than in non-diabetic-subjects on RDT. Moreover diabetic patients experience an intradialytic morbidity unacceptably higher than in patients with other causes of terminal renal failure. The aim of the present investigation was to compare standard bicarbonate haemodialysis (BHD) with acetate-free biofiltration (AFB) in a group of 41 diabetic patients stable on dialysis treatment for 25±22 months. Methods: Twenty four type II and 17 type I diabetic patients, all requiring insulin therapy, were included and were followed for 1 year in a 6-month cross-over randomized study for both methods. The analysis was carried out on dialysis symptoms, interdialysis symptoms, and nutritional status, and the multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures on the same subjects in the two techniques was used. Results: AFB significantly reduced dialytic and extradialytic symptoms (P=0.003 and 0.001 respectively). Cardiovascular collapses decreased by 43%, and other dialysis symptoms showed a similar trend (-35%). The interdialysis symptoms decreased by 28% and were accompanied by an increase in subjective wellbeing (39%) when patients were switched from traditional haemodialysis to AFB. Acid-base control was better with AFB (P=0.01), both at the beginning and during the session. Slightly significant differences were also obtained for Kt/V (AFB 1.48±0.29 vs BHD 1.38±0.30), while no significant difference was noted with respect to sodium mass balance, nutritional status, calorie-protein intake, nPCR, blood glucose profile, and insulin requirements. The number of hospital admissions and the mortality rate, which were much lower during the AFB than the BHD period, were not analysed statistically. Conclusions: AFB allows better control of some metabolic aspects, reduces intra- and extradialysis symptoms, and improves patient quality of life. Whether the long-term prognosis can be improved by AFB remains to be established with further studies. Key words: acetate-free biofiltration; bicarbonate haemodialysis; diabetic nephropathy; morbidity rates; RDT      

Effect of encapsulated Bacteroides asaccharolyticus and Bacteroides fragilis on the growth of aerobic and facultative bacteria in mixed infections

The effects of encapsulation of Bacteroides asaccharolyticus and Bacteroides fragilis on aerobic or facultative bacteria were evaluated using a subcutaneous abscess model in mice. The change in number of aerobic and facultative bacteria (AFB) was studied by comparing their number when injected with nonencapsulated, encapsulated Bacteroides species, and capsular material of Bacteroides species. In 14 combinations of AFB mixed with nonencapsulated Bacteroides species, an increase in the number of nonencapsulated Bacteroides species and an increase in the number of AFB occurred in two instances. An increase in the number of AFB occurred in 11 of the 14 combinations with encapsulated Bacteroides species. No change in the bacterial numbers was observed when the AFB were inoculated with capsular material of Bacteroides species. These data demonstrate the ability of viable encapsulated Bacteroides species to enhance the growth of aerobic or facultative bacteria.