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Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Sep 2010The Stichopodidae comprise a diverse assemblage of holothuroids most of which occur in the Indo-Pacific. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial gene (COI, 16S rRNA)...
The Stichopodidae comprise a diverse assemblage of holothuroids most of which occur in the Indo-Pacific. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial gene (COI, 16S rRNA) sequence for 111 individuals (7 genera, 17 species) clarified taxonomic uncertainties, species relationships, biogeography and evolution of the family. A monophyly of the genus Stichopus was supported with the exception of Stichopus ellipes. Molecular analyses confirmed genus level taxonomy based on morphology. Most specimens harvested as S. horrens fell in the S. monotuberculatus clade, a morphologically variable assemblage with others from the S. naso clade. Taxonomic clarification of species fished as S. horrens will assist conservation measures. Evolutionary rates based on comparison of sequence from trans-ithmian Isostichopus species estimated that Stichopus and Isostichopus diverged ca. 5.5-10.7Ma (Miocene). More recent splits were estimated to be younger than 1Ma.
Topics: Animals; Azlocillin; DNA, Mitochondrial; Evolution, Molecular; Haplotypes; Likelihood Functions; Models, Genetic; Phylogeny; Reproduction; Sea Cucumbers; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Stichopus
PubMed: 20399872
DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2010.04.013 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Jun 2010The environment is the likely source of most nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) involved in human infections, especially pulmonary, skin, and soft tissue infections. In...
The environment is the likely source of most nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) involved in human infections, especially pulmonary, skin, and soft tissue infections. In order to measure the prevalence of NTM in different aquatic ecosystems, we tried to standardize the culture methods used for surface water testing since many procedures have been described previously. Cultivation of mycobacteria requires long-term incubation in rich media and inactivation of rapidly growing microorganisms whose growth impedes observation of mycobacterial colonies. Consequently, the two criteria used for evaluation of the methods examined were (i) the rate of inhibition of nontarget microorganisms and (ii) the efficiency of recovery of mycobacteria. We compared the competitive growth of Mycobacterium chelonae and M. avium with nontarget microorganisms on rich Middlebrook 7H11-mycobactin medium after treatment by several chemical decontamination methods that included acids, bases, detergent, or cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) with and without an antibiotic cocktail, either PANTA (40 U/ml polymyxin, 4 microg/ml amphotericin B, 16 microg/ml nalidixic acid, 4 microg/ml trimethoprim, and 4 microg/ml azlocillin) or PANTAV (PANTA plus 10 microg/ml vancomycin). Our results showed that treatment for 30 min with CPC (final concentration, 0.05%) of water concentrated by centrifugation, followed by culture on a rich medium supplemented with PANTA, significantly decreased the growth of nontarget microorganisms (the concentrations were 6.2 +/- 0.4 log(10) CFU/liter on Middlebrook 7H11j medium and 4.2 +/- 0.2 log(10) CFU/liter on Middlebrook 7H11j medium containing PANTA [P < 0.001]), while the effect of this procedure on NTM was not as great (the concentrations of M. chelonae on the two media were 7.0 +/- 0.0 log(10) CFU/liter and 6.9 +/- 0.0 log(10) CFU/liter, respectively, and the concentrations of M. avium were 9.1 +/- 0.0 log(10) CFU/liter and 8.9 +/- 0.0 log(10) CFU/liter, respectively). We propose that this standardized culture procedure could be used for detection of NTM in aquatic samples.
Topics: Bacteriological Techniques; Culture Media; DNA, Bacterial; DNA, Ribosomal; Molecular Sequence Data; Mycobacterium chelonae; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 20363776
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02659-09 -
Anaerobe Aug 2009The antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria isolated from clinical specimens in the referent for Bulgaria anaerobic laboratory was studied in a period of 25...
OBJECTIVES
The antimicrobial susceptibility of anaerobic bacteria isolated from clinical specimens in the referent for Bulgaria anaerobic laboratory was studied in a period of 25 years (1983-2007).
METHODS
NCCLS-recommended agar dilution methods were used. beta-lactamase activity was determined with nitrocefin discs.
RESULTS
The 29 antimicrobial agents included in the study were divided according to their in vitro activity against the anaerobic isolates into 4 main groups for guiding empirical treatment: 1st group of metronidazole, chloramphenicol, meropenem, imipenem and combinations of beta-lactam antibiotics with sulbactam--with high activity and drugs of choice for treatment; 2nd group--clindamycin, cefoxitin, carbenicillin/and azlocillin, piperacillin/--with a good activity and low percent of resistant strains; 3rd group--of tetracycline and erythromycin with higher percent of resistant strains including the new macrolides as josamycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin and azithromycin; 4th group--penicillins/ampicillin, amoxicillin, penicillin/and cephalosporins/cefamandole, cefazolin, cefotaxime and cefoperazone/--not suitable for treatment of infections including Bacteroides fragilis group strains, with a very high percent of resistant strains, probably due to beta-lactamase activity in most of the strains.
CONCLUSION
A continued updating and a follow-up in the changes of antibiotic susceptibility are necessary in every country as resistance patterns vary not only between geographical regions but also even among medical centers and hospitals which may be connected with differences in antibiotic usage in man and animals.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria, Anaerobic; Bacterial Infections; Bulgaria; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Gram-Positive Bacteria; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests
PubMed: 19292999
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2009.03.002 -
Molecular Ecology Sep 2008Using one male-inherited, one female-inherited and eight biparentally inherited markers, we investigate the population genetic structure of the Valais shrew (Sorex...
Using one male-inherited, one female-inherited and eight biparentally inherited markers, we investigate the population genetic structure of the Valais shrew (Sorex antinorii) in the Swiss Alps. Bayesian analysis on autosomal microsatellites suggests a clear genetic differentiation between two groups of populations. This geographically based structure is consistent with two separate postglacial recolonization routes of the species into Switzerland from Italian refugia after the last Pleistocene glaciations. Sex-specific markers also confirm genetic structuring among western and eastern areas, since very few haplotypes for either Y chromosome or mtDNA genome are shared between the two regions. Overall, these results suggest that two already well-differentiated genetic lineages colonized the Swiss Alps and came into secondary contact in the Rhône Valley. Low level of admixture between the two lineages is likely explained by the mountainous landscape structure of lateral valleys orthogonal to the main Rhône valley.
Topics: Animals; Azlocillin; Cluster Analysis; DNA, Mitochondrial; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Genetic Markers; Genetics, Population; Geography; Haplotypes; Inheritance Patterns; Male; Microsatellite Repeats; Models, Genetic; Phylogeny; Polymorphism, Genetic; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Shrews; Switzerland; Y Chromosome
PubMed: 19238709
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2008.03888.x -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology May 2008Several protocols for isolation of mycobacteria from water exist, but there is no established standard method. This study compared methods of processing potable water... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Several protocols for isolation of mycobacteria from water exist, but there is no established standard method. This study compared methods of processing potable water samples for the isolation of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare using spiked sterilized water and tap water decontaminated using 0.005% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Samples were concentrated by centrifugation or filtration and inoculated onto Middlebrook 7H10 and 7H11 plates and Lowenstein-Jensen slants and into mycobacterial growth indicator tubes with or without polymyxin, azlocillin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, and amphotericin B. The solid media were incubated at 32 degrees C, at 35 degrees C, and at 35 degrees C with CO(2) and read weekly. The results suggest that filtration of water for the isolation of mycobacteria is a more sensitive method for concentration than centrifugation. The addition of sodium thiosulfate may not be necessary and may reduce the yield. Middlebrook M7H10 and 7H11 were equally sensitive culture media. CPC decontamination, while effective for reducing growth of contaminants, also significantly reduces mycobacterial numbers. There was no difference at 3 weeks between the different incubation temperatures.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteriological Techniques; Centrifugation; Colony Count, Microbial; Culture Media; Filtration; Mycobacterium avium; Mycobacterium avium Complex; Temperature; Thiosulfates; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 18359837
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02009-07 -
Revista Cubana de Medicina Tropical 2005Meningitis caused by gram-negative bacilli increased since the 1970, with a higher incidence in small children. Within this group of infections, the meningitis caused by...
Meningitis caused by gram-negative bacilli increased since the 1970, with a higher incidence in small children. Within this group of infections, the meningitis caused by Pseudomonas sp is rare. The case of a 54-year-old patient with a clinical picture of meningitis is reported. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. The meningitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be taken into consideration because of the severity of the clinical picture and the high mortality and increasing strain resistance.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azlocillin; Carbenicillin; Ceftriaxone; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Gentamicins; Humans; Male; Meningitis, Bacterial; Middle Aged; Pseudomonas Infections; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Ticarcillin; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 17969281
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Medical Microbiology Jul 2007A total of 203 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was collected during 2001-2006 from five university hospitals in Sofia, Bulgaria, to assess the current levels...
Problematic clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the university hospitals in Sofia, Bulgaria: current status of antimicrobial resistance and prevailing resistance mechanisms.
A total of 203 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was collected during 2001-2006 from five university hospitals in Sofia, Bulgaria, to assess the current levels of antimicrobial susceptibility and to evaluate resistance mechanisms to antipseudomonal antimicrobial agents. The antibiotic resistance rates against the following antimicrobials were: carbenicillin 93.1 %, azlocillin 91.6 %, piperacillin 86.2 %, piperacillin/tazobactam 56.8 %, ceftazidime 45.8 %, cefepime 48.9 %, cefpirome 58.2 %, aztreonam 49.8 %, imipenem 42.3 %, meropenem 45.5 %, amikacin 59.1 %, gentamicin 79.7 %, tobramycin 89.6 %, netilmicin 69.6 % and ciprofloxacin 80.3 %. A total of 101 of the studied P. aeruginosa isolates (49.8 %) were multidrug resistant. Structural genes encoding class A and class D beta-lactamases showed the following frequencies: bla(VEB-1) 33.1 %, bla(PSE-1) 22.5 %, bla(PER-1) 0 %, bla(OXA-groupI) 41.3 % and bla(OXA-groupII) 8.8 %. IMP- and VIM-type carbapenemases were not detected. In conclusion, the studied clinical strains of P. aeruginosa were problematic nosocomial pathogens. VEB-1 extended-spectrum beta-lactamases appear to have a significant presence among clinical P. aeruginosa isolates from Sofia. Carbapenem resistance was related to non-enzymic mechanisms such as a deficiency of OprD proteins and active efflux.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bulgaria; Carbapenems; Cross Infection; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Escherichia coli Proteins; Hospitals, University; Humans; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Molecular Sequence Data; Pseudomonas Infections; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Sequence Analysis, DNA; beta-Lactamases
PubMed: 17577062
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.46986-0 -
International Journal of Pharmaceutics May 2007Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were prepared from the rabbit small intestine for testing drug absorption potency through the enterocyte's apical membrane, which...
Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were prepared from the rabbit small intestine for testing drug absorption potency through the enterocyte's apical membrane, which is an important compartment for drug oral absorption. Some modifications have been made to the traditional vesicle assay for adapting it to the 96-well plate format. The accumulation of 23 reference drugs was measured, and the data showed a good correlation with human oral absorption with a correlation coefficient R=0.853 (P<0.001), with the exception of a few false positive results. As the measured drug absorption may contain a membrane/protein binding component as well as drug uptake into vesicles, these two fractions can be discriminated by changing extravesicular osmolarity using different mannitol concentrations. This model can be applied for evaluating drug absorption rate/mechanisms, and helping drug selection in early drug research and development.
Topics: Acetaminophen; Administration, Oral; Animals; Azlocillin; Biological Transport, Active; Cefadroxil; Doxorubicin; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; In Vitro Techniques; Intestinal Absorption; Intestinal Mucosa; Intestine, Small; Lamivudine; Mannitol; Osmolar Concentration; Ouabain; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Pharmacokinetics; Phenolsulfonphthalein; Rabbits; Zidovudine
PubMed: 17178445
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.11.045 -
Chemical Biology & Drug Design Jun 2006The need to discover and develop new antimalarial therapeutics is overwhelming. The annual mortality attributed to malaria, currently approximately 2.5 million, is...
The need to discover and develop new antimalarial therapeutics is overwhelming. The annual mortality attributed to malaria, currently approximately 2.5 million, is increasing due primarily to widespread resistance to currently used drugs. One strategy to identify new treatment alternatives for malaria is to examine libraries of diverse compounds for the possible identification of novel scaffolds. Beginning with libraries of drug or drug-like compounds is an ideal starting point because, in the case of approved drugs, substantial pharmacokinetic and toxicologic data should be available for each compound series. We have employed a high-throughput screen of the MicroSource Spectrum and Killer Collections, a library of known drugs, bioactive compounds, and natural products. Our screening assay identifies compounds that inhibit growth of Plasmodium falciparum cultured in human erythrocytes. We have identified 36 novel inhibitors of P. falciparum, of which 19 are therapeutics, and five of these drugs exhibit effective 50% inhibitory concentrations within similar ranges to therapeutic serum concentrations for their recently indicated uses: propafenone, thioridazine, chlorprothixene, perhexiline, and azlocillin. The findings we report here indicate that this is an effective strategy to identify novel scaffolds and therefore aid in antimalarial drug discovery efforts.
Topics: Animals; Antimalarials; Drug Design; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Malaria, Falciparum; Molecular Structure; Plasmodium falciparum
PubMed: 16882315
DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2006.00391.x -
Revista Cubana de Medicina Tropical 2006A case of meningoencephalitis of bacterial etiology caused by Pseudomonas cepacia was described. The strain was received at the Reference Laboratory of Bacterial Acute...
A case of meningoencephalitis of bacterial etiology caused by Pseudomonas cepacia was described. The strain was received at the Reference Laboratory of Bacterial Acute Respiratory Infections of "Pedro Kouri" Institute of Tropical Medicine, where its microbiological identification was confirmed. This isolation was a finding in an adult immunocompetent patient. The evolution was favourable with no sequelae for his future life. Pseudomona cepacia has been associated with respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. Patients with Pseudomonas cepacia may be asymptomatic or present fatal acute and fulminant infection.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Azlocillin; Aztreonam; Burkholderia Infections; Burkholderia cepacia; Community-Acquired Infections; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Humans; Immunocompetence; Male; Meningoencephalitis; Middle Aged; Ticarcillin
PubMed: 23427437
DOI: No ID Found