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1

Genome Sequence of a Lancefield Group C Streptococcus zooepidemicus Strain Causing Epidemic Nephritis: New Information about an Old Disease  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Outbreaks of disease attributable to human error or natural causes can provide unique opportunities to gain new information about host-pathogen interactions and new leads for pathogenesis research....Full Text Available

2

Genome Sequence of a Lancefield Group C Streptococcus zooepidemicus Strain Causing Epidemic Nephritis: New Information about an Old Disease  

Science.gov (United States)

Outbreaks of disease attributable to human error or natural causes can provide unique opportunities to gain new information about host-pathogen interactions and new leads for pathogenesis research. Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN), a sequela of infection with pathogenic streptococci, is a common cause of preventable kidney disease worldwide. Although PSGN usually occurs after infection with group A streptococci, organisms of Lancefield group C and G also can be responsible. Despite decades of study, the molecular pathogenesis of PSGN is poorly understood. As a first step toward gaining new information about PSGN pathogenesis, we sequenced the genome of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus strain MGCS10565, a group C organism that caused a very large and unusually severe epidemic of nephritis in Brazil. The genome is a circular chromosome of 2,024,171 bp. The genome shares extensive gene content, including many virulence factors, ...

2008-08-21

3

Bacterial competition between a bacteriocin-producing and a bacteriocin-negative strain of Streptococcus bovis in batch and continuous culture:  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A bacteriocin-producing Streptococcus bovis strain (HC5) outcompeted a sensitive strain (JB1) before it reached stationary phase (pH 6.4), even though it grew 10% slower and cell-free bovicin HC5 could not yet be detected. The success of bacteriocin-negative S. bovis isolates was enhanced by the presence of another sensitive bacterium (Clostridium sticklandii SR). PCR based on repetitive DNA sequences indicated that S. bovis HC5 was not simply transferring bacteriocin genes to S. bovis JB1. When the two S. bovis strains were coinoculated into minimal medium, bacteriocin-negative isolates predominated, and this effect could be explained by the longer lag time (0.5 vs. 1.5 h) of S. bovis HC5. If the glucose concentration of the minimal medium was increased from 2 to 7 mg mL-1, the e...

2006-01-01

5

Comparison of maintenance energy expenditures and growth yields among several rumen bacteria grown on continuous culture.  

Science.gov (United States)

Maintenance energy expenditures were mesured for five rumen bacteria, Selenomonas ruminantium, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bacteroides ruminicola, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Streptococcus bovis, by using a complex medium with glucose as the carbon source. Large differences (as high as 8.5-fold) in maintenance energy expenditures were seen among these bacteria. The suggestion is made that maintenance requirements could be a significant determinant of bacterial competition in the rumen. Theoretical maximum growth yields, calculated from double reciprocal plots of yield versus dilution rate, were compared to theoretical Y(ATP) values in order to estimate minimum molar adenosine 5'-triphosphate yields from glucose for each bacterium. Results showed that relative yield among the bacteria was growth rate dependent. At high dilution rates, both S. ruminantium and S. bovis produced lactate as their principal fermentation product. At lower dilution rates ...

1979-03-01

6

Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis: a review.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Streptococcus agalactiae continues to be a major cause of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle and a source of economic loss for the industry. Veterinarians are often asked to provide information on...Full Text Available

1997-07-01

7

Capsular Serotype and Antibiotic Resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates in Two Chilean Cities  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We compared the incidence of nasopharyngeal colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae, the serotypes causing mucosal and invasive diseases, and the antibiotic resistance of these strains...Full Text Available

1998-03-01

10

The luxS Gene of Streptococcus pyogenes Regulates Expression of Genes That Affect Internalization by Epithelial Cells  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The gram-positive pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes was recently reported to possess a homologue of the luxS gene that is responsible for the production of autoinducer...Full Text Available

2003-10-01

11

The antimicrobial resistance patterns and associated determinants in Streptococcus suis isolated from humans in southern Vietnam, 1997-2008  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundStreptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen and is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in adults in Vietnam. Systematic data on the antimicrobial...Full Text Available

12

Spread of a highly mucoid Streptococcus pyogenes emm3/ST15 clone  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundHyaluronic acid capsule plays a key role in Streptococcus pyogenes virulence. Circulation of mucoid or highly encapsulated strains has been related to...Full Text Available

13

Serotype- and strain- dependent contribution of the sensor kinase CovS of the CovRS two-component system to Streptococcus pyogenes pathogenesis  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci, GAS) two-component signal transduction system CovRS has been described to be important for pathogenesis...Full Text Available

14

Identification and Disruption of Two Discrete Loci Encoding Hyaluronic Acid Capsule Biosynthesis Genes hasA, hasB, and hasC in Streptococcus uberis  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The hyaluronic acid capsule of Streptococcus uberis has been implicated in conferring resistance to phagocytosis by bovine neutrophils. Construction of a bank of random insertion mutants...Full Text Available

2001-01-01

15

Growth-Phase-Dependent Expression of Virulence Factors in an M1T1 Clinical Isolate of Streptococcus pyogenes  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The effect of growth phase on expression of virulence-associated factors was studied by Northern hybridization in an M1T1 clinical isolate of Streptococcus pyogenes. Expression of M...Full Text Available

1999-10-01

16

CD44 as a receptor for colonization of the pharynx by group A Streptococcus  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The pharynx is the primary reservoir for strains of group A Streptococcus (GAS) associated both with pharyngitis (streptococcal sore throat) and with invasive or “flesh-eating”...Full Text Available

2000-10-15

17

A Response Regulator That Represses Transcription of Several Virulence Operons in the Group A Streptococcus  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A search for homologs of the Bacillus subtilis PhoP response regulator in the group A streptococcus (GAS) genome revealed three good candidates. Inactivation of one of these, recently...Full Text Available

1999-06-01

19

Transport and deamination of amino acids by a gram-positive, monensin-sensitive ruminal bacterium.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Strain F, a recently isolated ruminal bacterium, grew rapidly with glutamate or glutamine as an energy source in the presence but not the absence of Na. Monensin, a Na+/H+ antiporter, completely inhibited...Full Text Available

1990-07-01

20

Phosphoglycerate kinase and triosephosphate isomerase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima form a covalent bifunctional enzyme complex.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima has been purified to homogeneity. A second larger enzyme with PGK activity and identical N-terminal sequence was...Full Text Available

1995-02-01

 
 
 
 
21

Morphological and metabolic responses to starvation by the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella alga BrY.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The response of the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella alga BrY to carbon and nitrogen starvation was examined. Starvation resulted in a gradual decrease in the mean cell volume from...Full Text Available

1996-12-01

22

Insights into Genome Plasticity and Pathogenicity of the Plant Pathogenic Bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria Revealed by the Complete Genome Sequence  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The gram-negative plant-pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria is the causative agent of bacterial spot disease in pepper and tomato plants, which leads to economically...Full Text Available

2005-11-01

23

Genome Sequence and Comparative Analysis of the Solvent-Producing Bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The genome sequence of the solvent-producing bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 has been determined by the shotgun approach. The genome consists of a 3.94-Mb chromosome and...Full Text Available

2001-08-01

24

Evidence for Iron-Dependent Nitrate Respiration in the Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing Bacterium Geobacter metallireducens  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The dissimilatory iron-reducing bacterium Geobacter metallireducens was found to require iron at a concentration in excess of 50 μM for continuous cultivation on nitrate. Growth...Full Text Available

2001-08-01

25

Electrogenic malate uptake and improved growth energetics of the malolactic bacterium Leuconostoc oenos grown on glucose-malate mixtures.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Growth of the malolactic bacterium Leuconostoc oenos was improved with respect to both the specific growth rate and the biomass yield during the fermentation of glucose-malate mixtures as compared with...Full Text Available

1992-08-01

26

Characterization of amino acid transport in membrane vesicles from the thermophilic fermentative bacterium Clostridium fervidus.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Amino acid transport was studied in membrane vesicles of the thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Clostridium fervidus. Neutral, acidic, and basic as well as aromatic amino acids were transported at 40...Full Text Available

1989-07-01

27

Analysis of the genome-wide variations among multiple strains of the plant pathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe Gram-negative, xylem-limited phytopathogenic bacterium Xylella fastidiosa is responsible for causing economically important diseases in grapevine,...Full Text Available

28

The Membrane Bound LRR Lipoprotein Slr, and the Cell Wall-Anchored M1 Protein from Streptococcus pyogenes Both Interact with Type I Collagen  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Streptococcus pyogenes is an important human pathogen and surface structures allow it to adhere to, colonize and invade the human host. Proteins containing leucine rich repeats (LRR)...Full Text Available

29

Role of CsrR, Hyaluronic Acid, and SpeB in the Internalization of Streptococcus pyogenes M Type 3 Strain by Epithelial Cells  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Internalization of group A streptococcus by human epithelial cells has been extensively studied during the past 6 years. It is now clear that multiple mechanisms are involved in this process. We have...Full Text Available

2002-02-01

30

Mutational Analysis of the Carboxy-Terminal (YGX)4 Repeat Domain of CpsD, an Autophosphorylating Tyrosine Kinase Required for Capsule Biosynthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In Streptococcus pneumoniae, CpsB, CpsC, and CpsD are essential for encapsulation, and mutants containing deletions of cpsB, cpsC, or cpsD...Full Text Available

2003-05-01

31

Molecular characterization of cap3A, a gene from the operon required for the synthesis of the capsule of Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3: sequencing of mutations responsible for the unencapsulated phenotype and localization of the capsular cluster on the pneumococcal chromosome.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The complete nucleotide sequence of the cap3A gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is directly responsible for the transformation of some unencapsulated, serotype 3 mutants to the encapsulated phenotype,...Full Text Available

1994-10-01

32

Essential Role for Cellular Phosphoglucomutase in Virulence of Type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Synthesis of the Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3 capsule requires the pathway glucose-6-phosphate (Glc-6-P) → Glc-1-P → UDP-Glc → UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcUA)...Full Text Available

2001-04-01

33

Plasmid-Determined Copper Resistance in Pseudomonas syringae from Impatiens  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A strain of Pseudomonas syringae was recently identified as the cause of a new foliar blight of impatiens. The bacterium was resistant to copper compounds, which are used on a variety...Full Text Available

1990-01-01

34

Phylogenetic Characterization of Virulence and Resistance Phenotypes of Pseudomonas syringae  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Individual strains of the plant pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas syringae vary in their ability to produce toxins, nucleate ice, and resist antimicrobial compounds. These phenotypes...Full Text Available

2005-09-01

35

Intra-Vacuolar Proliferation of F. Novicida within H. Vermiformis  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Francisella tularensis is a gram negative facultative intracellular bacterium that causes the zoonotic disease tularemia. Free-living amebae, such as Acanthamoeba and...Full Text Available

36

Francisella Tularensis Metabolism and its Relation to Virulence  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Francisella tularensis is a Gram-negative bacterium capable of causing the zoonotic disease tularaemia in a large number of mammalian species and in arthropods. F. tularensis...Full Text Available

37

Exploitative and Hierarchical Antagonism in a Cooperative Bacterium  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Social organisms that cooperate with some members of their own species, such as close relatives, may fail to cooperate with other genotypes of the same species. Such noncooperation may take the form...Full Text Available

2005-11-01

38

Experimental Immunization with Live Strains of Bacterium ...  

Science.gov (United States)

... The serum shows an agltnation titer of between 80 and 320 aainst Bsaterium tulganse and 0-40 a ainst Brucela Bang (*ompathetic agglutination ...

1968-07-01

39

Cellular and molecular response of human macrophages exposed to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxin  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Aggregatibacter (Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans is a facultative anaerobic gram-negative bacterium associated with severe forms of periodontitis. A leukotoxin, which belongs...Full Text Available

2011-03-01

40

Biology of Pseudomonas stutzeri  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Pseudomonas stutzeri is a nonfluorescent denitrifying bacterium widely distributed in the environment, and it has also been isolated as an opportunistic pathogen from humans. Over the...Full Text Available

2006-06-01

 
 
 
 
41

Bacterial body plans  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The bacterium Serratia marcescens produces a plethora of multicellular shapes of different colorations on solid substrates, allowing immediate visual detection of varieties. Such a...Full Text Available

2008-07-01

42

The burden of pneumococcal disease in children less than 5 years of age in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in both developing and industrialized countries, especially...Full Text Available

2011-07-01

43

Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates with Reduced Susceptibility to Ciprofloxacin in Spain: Clonal Diversity and Appearance of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Epidemic Clones  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Analysis of the pulsed-field gel electrophoretic profiles of 82 pneumococcal isolates with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (RSC) and of 90 co-occurring susceptible isolates indicates a considerable...Full Text Available

2001-10-01

44

Regulation of lactose catabolism in Streptococcus mutans: purification and regulatory properties of phospho-beta-galactosidase.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Phospho-beta-galactosidase (P-beta-gal), the enzyme which catalyzes the first step in the metabolism of intracellular lactose phosphate, occurred at high specific activity in the cytoplasm in 12 of...Full Text Available

1979-01-01

45

Rapid isolation and identification of group B streptococci from selective broth medium by slide co-agglutination test.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Direct identification of group B streptococci from a selective broth medium was performed with the Phadebact streptococcus test to determine the feasibility of this technique for early detection of...Full Text Available

1978-10-01

46

In Vitro Antimicrobial Susceptibilities of Streptococcus pneumoniae Clinical Isolates Obtained in Canada in 2002  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Empirical treatment is best guided by current surveillance of local resistance patterns. The goal of this study is to characterize the prevalence of antimicrobial nonsusceptibility within pneumococcal...Full Text Available

2004-09-01

47

Genomic Evidence for the Evolution of Streptococcus equi: Host Restriction, Increased Virulence, and Genetic Exchange with Human Pathogens  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The continued evolution of bacterial pathogens has major implications for both human and animal disease, but the exchange of genetic material between host-restricted pathogens is rarely considered....Full Text Available

2009-03-01

48

Evaluation of ceftriaxone and other antibiotics against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pneumoniae under in vitro conditions simulating those of serious infections.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In pursuit of an in vitro system capable of reliably predicting the activities of antibiotics in serious infections and in infections occurring in immunocompromised hosts, we evaluated the abilities...Full Text Available

1988-04-01

49

Distinct signatures of diversifying selection revealed by genome analysis of respiratory tract and invasive bacterial populations  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Many pathogens colonize different anatomical sites, but the selective pressures contributing to survival in the diverse niches are poorly understood. Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is...Full Text Available

2011-03-22

50

Detection of Streptococcus mutans Genomic DNA in Human DNA Samples Extracted from Saliva and Blood  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Caries is a multifactorial disease, and studies aiming to unravel the factors modulating its etiology must consider all known predisposing factors. One major factor is bacterial colonization,...Full Text Available

2011-01-01

51

Characterization of group A streptococcal T-12 protein purified by ion-exchange column chromatography.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The aim of the present study was to describe the physicochemical characteristics of streptococcal T antigen. T protein isolated from Streptococcus pyogenes type 12 (R53/1077, Colindale) and purified...Full Text Available

1978-09-01

52

flhDC, the Flagellar Master Operon of Xenorhabdus nematophilus: Requirement for Motility, Lipolysis, Extracellular Hemolysis, and Full Virulence in Insects  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Xenorhabdus is a major insect pathogen symbiotically associated with nematodes of the family Steinernematidae. This motile bacterium displays swarming behavior on suitable media, but...Full Text Available

2000-01-01

53

Oxalate- and Glyoxylate-Dependent Growth and Acetogenesis by Clostridium thermoaceticum  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The acetogenic bacterium Clostridium thermoaceticum ATCC 39073 grew at the expense of the two-carbon substrates oxalate and glyoxylate. Other two-carbon substrates (acetaldehyde, acetate,...Full Text Available

1993-09-01

54

Molecular Analysis of a Novel Methanesulfonic Acid Monooxygenase from the Methylotroph Methylosulfonomonas methylovora  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Methylosulfonomonas methylovora M2 is an unusual gram-negative methylotrophic bacterium that can grow on methanesulfonic acid (MSA) as the sole source of carbon and energy. Oxidation...Full Text Available

1999-04-01

55

Isolation of a bacterium resembling Pirellula species from primary tissue culture of the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon).  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During attempts to establish tissue cultures from hepatopancreas, heart, and hemolymph of the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), using a medium including penicillin, streptomycin, and amphotericin...Full Text Available

1991-11-01

56

Isolation and characterization of a novel gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane-degrading bacterium.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The natural biotic capacity of soils to degrade gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH, lindane) was estimated using an enrichment technique based on the ability of soil bacteria to develop on synthetic...Full Text Available

1996-10-01

57

Isolation and characterization of a new Cytophaga species implicated in a work-related lung disease.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A yellow-pigmented, gram-negative, gliding bacterium isolated from an industrial water spray air humidification system was implicated as a causative agent in several occurrences of lung disease with...Full Text Available

1984-11-01

58

Identification of trkH, Encoding a Potassium Uptake Protein Required for Francisella tularensis Systemic Dissemination in Mice  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious bacterium causing the zoonotic disease tularaemia. During its infectious cycle, F. tularensis is not only exposed to the...Full Text Available

59

Helicobacter pylori infection, oncogenic pathways and epigenetic mechanisms in gastric carcinogenesis  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Chronic colonization of the human stomach by Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacterium, is the major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Recent...Full Text Available

2010-05-01

60

Genomic patterns of pathogen evolution revealed by comparison of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, to avirulent Burkholderia thailandensis  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) is the causative agent of the human disease melioidosis. To understand the evolutionary mechanisms...Full Text Available

 
 
 
 
61

Engineering of a psychrophilic bacterium for the bioremediation of aromatic compounds  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Microbial degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons has been studied with the aim of developing applications for the removal of toxic compounds. Efforts have been directed toward the genetic manipulation...Full Text Available

2010-05-01

62

Deletion of TolC orthologs in Francisella tularensis identifies roles in multidrug resistance and virulence  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The Gram-negative bacterium Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia. Interest in this zoonotic pathogen has increased due to its classification as a category A agent...Full Text Available

2006-08-22

63

Characterization of genes in the cellulose-synthesizing operon (acs operon) of Acetobacter xylinum: implications for cellulose crystallization.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The synthesis of an extracellular ribbon of cellulose in the bacterium Acetobacter xylinum takes place from linearly arranged, membrane-localized, cellulose-synthesizing and extrusion complexes that...Full Text Available

1994-09-01

64

Attachment Stimulates Exopolysaccharide Synthesis by a Bacterium  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

This study examined the hypothesis that solid surfaces may stimulate attached bacteria to produce exopolymers. Addition of sand to shake-flask cultures seemed to induce exopolymer synthesis by a number...Full Text Available

1993-10-01

65

Amino acid transport in the thermophilic anaerobe Clostridium fervidus is driven by an electrochemical sodium gradient.  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Amino acid transport was studied in membranes of the peptidolytic, thermophilic, anaerobic bacterium Clostridium fervidus. Uptake of the negatively charged amino acid L-glutamate, the neutral amino...Full Text Available

1993-04-01

66

A Bacillus thuringiensis isolation method utilizing a novel stain, low selection and high throughput produced atypical results  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundBacillus thuringiensis is a bacterium known for producing protein crystals with insecticidal properties. These toxins are widely sought after for controlling...Full Text Available

67

Homology among tet determinants in conjugative elements of streptococci  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A mutation to tetracycline sensitivity in a resistant strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae was shown by several criteria to be due to a point mutation in the conjugative o(cat-tet) element found in the chromosomes of strains derived from BM6001, a clinical strain resistant to tetracycline and chloramphenicol. Strains carrying the mutation were transformed back to tetracycline resistance with the high efficiency of a point marker by donor deoxyribonucleic acids from its ancestral strain and from nine other clinical isolates of pneumococcus and by deoxyribonucleic acids from Group D Streptococcus faecalis and Group B Streptococcus agalactiae strains that also carry conjugative tet elements in their chromosomes. It was not transformed to resistance by tet plasmid deoxyribonucleic acids from either gram-negative or gram-positive species, except for one that carried transposon TN916, the conjugative tet element present in the ...

1981-10-01

68

Nationwide surveillance of bacterial respiratory pathogens conducted by the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy in 2008: general view of the pathogens? antibacterial susceptibility  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

For the purpose of nationwide surveillance of the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial respiratory pathogens collected from patients in Japan, the Japanese Society of Chemotherapy conducted a third year of nationwide surveillance during the period from January to April 2008. A total of 1,097 strains were collected from clinical specimens obtained from well-diagnosed adult patients with respiratory tract infections. Susceptibility testing was evaluable with 987 strains (189 Staphylococcus aureus, 211 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 6 Streptococcus pyogenes, 187 Haemophilus influenzae, 106 Moraxella catarrhalis, 126 Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 162 Pseudomonas aeruginosa). A total of 44 antibacterial agents, including 26 ?-lactams (four penicillins, three penicillins in combination with ?-lacta...

2011-01-01

69

Increase of unsaturated fatty acids under high pressure in a deep-sea bacterium; Shinkai kara bunrisareta taiatsusei biseibutsu DSS12 kabu no baiyo ondo, baiyo atsuryoku to kintai shibosan sosei no henka  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A cellular membrane exchanges substances into and from the cell and protects the cell interior by maintaining semi-fluidity rather than be being solid. It is known that microorganisms maintain the fluidity in correspondence with varying environmental temperatures by changing and adjusting the composition of fatty acids which constitute the cellular membrane lipids. As part of the studies to elucidate the pressure withstanding mechanism in deep-sea bacteria, this paper investigates what variations the fatty acid composition, which constitutes cellular membranes of the DSS12 strain, a pressure withstanding bacterium growing well under either normal pressure or high pressures, will show under different culturing temperatures and pressures. Culture under low temperatures and culture under high pressures increase content of unsaturated fatty acids including icosapentanoic acid. Culture under high temperatures or normal pressure increases content of such unsaturated ...

1997-03-01

70

Engineering of a psychrophilic bacterium for the bioremediation of aromatic compounds  

Science.gov (United States)

Microbial degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons has been studied with the aim of developing applications for the removal of toxic compounds. Efforts have been directed toward the genetic manipulation of mesophilic bacteria to improve their ability to degrade pollutants, even though many pollution problems occur in sea waters and in effluents of industrial processes which are characterized by low temperatures. From these considerations the idea of engineering a psychrophilic microorganism for the oxidation of aromatic compounds was developed.In a previous paper it was demonstrated that the recombinant Antarctic Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125 (PhTAC/tou) expressing a toluene-o-xylene monooxygenase (ToMO) is able to convert several aromatic compounds into corresponding catechols. In our work we improved the metabolic capability of PhTAC/tou cells by combining action of recombinant ToMO enzyme with that of the endogenous P. haloplanktis TAC125 laccase-like protein. This strategy ...

2010-01-27

71

Report on Invasive Disease and Meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumonia from The Network for Surveillance of Pneumococcal diseases in the East African Region (netSPEAR)  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Pneumococcal disease in young children has not been as well characterized in East Africa as it has been in industrialized countries. Although pneumococci are likely to cause substantial mortality...Full Text Available

2009-03-01

72

Prevalence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Actinobacillus suis, Haemophilus parasuis, Pasteurella multocida, and Streptococcus suis in representative Ontario swine herds  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Tonsillar and nasal swabs were collected from weanling pigs in 50 representative Ontario swine herds and tested for the presence of 5 important bacterial upper respiratory tract pathogens. All but 1...Full Text Available

2008-04-01

73

Two Different Types of Dehalogenases, LinA and LinB, Involved in ?-Hexachlorocyclohexane Degradation in Sphingomonas paucimobilis UT26 Are Localized in the Periplasmic Space without Molecular Processing  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) is one of several highly chlorinated insecticides that cause serious environmental problems. The cellular proteins of a γ-HCH-degrading bacterium,...Full Text Available

1999-09-01

74

The persistence of antibiotic resistance: evaluation of a probiotic approach using antibiotic-sensitive M. elsdenii strains to prevent colonization of swine by antibiotic-resistant strains  

Science.gov (United States)

Megasphaera elsdenii is a lactate-fermenting, obligately anaerobic bacterium commonly present in the gastrointestinal tracts of mammals, including humans. Swine M. elsdenii strains were previously shown to have high levels of tetracycline resistance (MIC = 64->256 micro g/ml) and to carry mosaic (re...

75

Helicobacter pylori porCDAB and oorDABC Genes Encode Distinct Pyruvate:Flavodoxin and 2-Oxoglutarate:Acceptor Oxidoreductases Which Mediate Electron Transport to NADP  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Helicobacter pylori, a major cause of human gastric disease, is a microaerophilic bacterium that contains neither pyruvate nor 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase activity. Previous studies...Full Text Available

1998-03-01

76

Enantioselective Transformation of ?-Hexachlorocyclohexane by the Dehydrochlorinases LinA1 and LinA2 from the Soil Bacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis B90A  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Sphingomonas paucimobilis B90A contains two variants, LinA1 and LinA2, of a dehydrochlorinase that catalyzes the first and second steps in the metabolism of hexachlorocyclohexanes (R....Full Text Available

2005-12-01

77

Draft Genome Sequence of Shewanella sp. Strain HN-41, Which Produces Arsenic-Sulfide Nanotubes.  

Science.gov (United States)

The dissimilatory metal reducing bacterium Shewanella sp. strain HN-41 was first reported to produce novel photoactive As-S nanotubes via reduction of As(V) and S(2)O(3)(2-) under anaerobic conditions. Here we report the draft genome sequence and annotation of strain HN-41. PMID:21868804

2011-09-01

78

Alkane degradation under anoxic conditions by a nitrate-reducing bacterium with possible involvement of the electron acceptor in substrate activation  

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Microorganisms can degrade saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes) not only under oxic but also under anoxic conditions. Three denitrifying isolates (strains HxN1, OcN1, HdN1) able to grow under anoxic conditions...Full Text Available

2011-02-01

79

Serotypes and susceptibilities of paediatric clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Crete, Greece, before and after the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.  

Science.gov (United States)

All Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from paediatric clinical samples at Heraklion University General Hospital in the 10-year period 2000-2009 were tested for serotype and susceptibility to antimicrobials. Among a total of 258 strains, 159 were isolated in the 5-year period 2000-2004, before the introduction of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7), and 99 in the post-PCV7 5-year period 2005-2009. The prevalence of PCV7-included serotypes decreased in the post-PCV7 period (p?=?0.0002), but an increase was observed for serotypes 7F (p?=?0.002) and 19A (p?=?0.004). Pan-susceptibility rates and susceptibility to cotrimoxazole increased in the post-PCV7 period (p?=?0.01 and p?=?0.008, respectively), but serotype 19A emerged as a contributor to multi-resistance (p?=?0.007). PCV7 was followed by decreased S. pneumoniae resistance and prevalence of vaccine-related serotypes but increased prevalence of serotypes 7F and 19A. Continuing surveillance ...

2010-07-10

80

Characterization of mal recombination plasmids cloned in Streptococcus pneumoniae  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The malM locus of Streptococcus pneumoniae was cloned into one of the two PstI sites of the multicopy S. pneumoniae plasmid pMV158. To eliminate chromosomal transformants in the simultaneous selection for tetracycline resistance (coded by pMV158) and maltose utilization, the host cells contained a chromosomal deletion of the mal gene cluster. Two clones were isolated; one with a 3.3 kb insert (pLS70) which behaved like wild type with respect to maltose utilization, and another with a 2.9 kb insert (pLS69) which behaved as though it contained a down promoter mutation. Preliminary mapping of these clones by restriction analysis placed the 0.4kb deletion on a HindIII fragment in the interior of the chromosomal insert. The recombinant plasmids were able to transform over 50% of a recipient population to Mal/sup +/. Enzyme measurements of the clones indicated an overproduction of amylomaltase, constituting up to 10% of the total cellular protein, and supported the ...

1981-01-01

 
 
 
 
81

One-dimensional free boundary problem for actin-based propulsion of Listeria  

Science.gov (United States)

Some bacteria move inside cells by recruiting the actin filaments of the host cells. The filaments are polymerized at the back surface of the bacteria, and they move away, forming a "comet" tail behind the bacterium, which consists of gel network. We develop a one-dimensional mathematical model of the gel based on partial differential equations which involve the number of filaments, the density and velocity of the gel, and the pressure. The two end-points of the gel form two free boundaries. The resulting free boundary problem is rather non-standard. We prove local existence and uniqueness.

2007-04-01

82

Botulinum toxin—Beyond wrinkles  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Botulinum neurotoxin is produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. The neurotoxin inhibits acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thus interfering with overall muscular contraction. Botulinum neurotoxin is commonly used for the following medical conditions: cervical dystonia, upper limb spasticity, blepharospasm, strabismus, and hyperhydrosis. However, the use of botulinum neurotoxin was recently approved for the prophylaxis of headaches in adults with chronic migraines. The proposed mechanism of botulinum neurotoxin is no longer solely limited to the inhibition of acetylcholine. There are new mechanisms emerging that involve inhibition of proinflammatory agents and neuropeptides involved in chronic pain. Consequently, there is a disruption of the overall sensory feedback loop...

2011-01-01

83

The kinetic model of the shikimate pathway as a tool to optimize enzyme assays for high-throughput screening.  

Science.gov (United States)

Four-enzyme section of the shikimate pathway (Aro B, D, E, and K) of Streptococcus pneumoniae has been studied. Kinetic properties of the individual enzymes and three- and four-enzyme linked reactions have been characterized in vitro. On the basis of the data measured in spectrophotometric and LC-MS experiments, kinetic mechanisms of the enzymes have been suggested and all kinetic parameters have been identified. Kinetic models for these three- and four-enzyme sections of the shikimate pathway have been constructed and validated. The model of the four-enzyme section of shikimate pathway has been employed to design an inhibition-sensitive reconstituted pathway for a high-throughput screening effort on the shikimate pathway. It was demonstrated that using the model it was possible to optimize this reconstituted pathway in such a way to provide equal sensitivity of the enzymes to inhibition. PMID:16921527

2006-11-01

84

Susceptibility to invasive bacterial infections in children with sickle cell disease  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) demonstrate an increased susceptibility to invasive bacterial infections (IBI). The most common organisms causing IBI are Streptococcus pneumoniae, nontyphi Salmonella species and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). IBI are the most common causes of death in children below 5 years of age with SCD. Increased susceptibility to IBI is because of several factors including dysfunctional antibody production and opsonophagocytosis as well as defective splenic clearance. Early diagnosis of Hib and pneumococcal infections combined with antibiotic prophylaxis and immunization programs, could lead to significant improvements in mortality, especially in Africa. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:401-406. Copyright 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

2010-01-01

85

Preparation and evaluation of a novel glass-ionomer cement with antibacterial functions  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective.The objective of this study was to use the newly synthesized poly(quaternary ammonium salt) (PQAS)-containing polyacid to formulate the light-curable glass-ionomer cements and study the effect of the PQAS on the compressive strength and antibacterial activity of the formed cements.Materials and methods.The functional QAS and their constructed PQAS were synthesized, characterized and formulated into the experimental high-strength cements. Compressive strength (CS) and Streptococcus mutans viability were used to evaluate the mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the cements. Fuji II LC cement was used as control. The specimens were conditioned in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h prior to testing. The effects of the substitute chain length, loading as well as gra...

2011-01-01

86

Food-grade gene expression in lactic acid bacteria  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract In the 1990s, significant efforts were invested in the research and development of food-grade expression systems in lactic acid bacteria (LAB). At this time, Lactococcus lactis in particular was demonstrated to be an ideal cell factory for the food-grade production of recombinant proteins. Steady progress has since been made in research on LAB, including Lactococcus, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, in the areas of recombinant enzyme production, industrial food fermentation, and gene and metabolic pathway regulation. Over the past decade, this work has also led to new approaches on chromosomal integration vectors and host/vector systems. These newly constructed food-grade gene expression systems were designed with specific attention to self-cloning strategies, food-grade selection...

2011-01-01

87

DNase-resistant transfer of chromosomal cat and tet insertions by filter mating in pneumococcus  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Genes for chloramphenicol resistance, Cm(r) and tetracycline resistance, Tc(r), which are present as heterologous insertions in the chromosomes of some clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and derivative strains, were transferred at a low frequency to other pneumococci by a DNase-resistant filter mating process that resembles conjugation. Cotransfer of Cm(r) and Tc(r) was the most common event. Neither the donor strains nor the transconjugants contained detectable plasmids. Transconjugants acted as donors for transformation and for filter mating and had properties similar to those of the parent strain. The presence of the conjugative plasmid pIP501 in the donor did not appear to influence the transfer properties of the Cm(r) or Tc(r) determinants.

1980-01-01

88

Thermokinetic investigation of effects of carbon source on petroleum bacterial growth  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The growth power-time curves of a strain of petroleum bacteria, B-2, in various kinds of cultures containing different kinds of carbon sources, glucose, n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane and n-octadecane, and different kinds of microemulsions have been determined by using a 2277 Thermal Activity Monitor. The curves showed a single peak for cultures containing a single carbon source, glucose, and two peaks for cultures containing two kinds of carbon sources, glucose and one of the n-alkanes. The first peak indicated that bacteria grew by consuming glucose and the second peak indicated that bacteria grew by consuming n-alkane. The curves were complex when the bacterium grows in a microemulsion culture. According to a kinetic equation of bacterial growth under limited conditions, the rate constants of bacterial growth were obtained. The results showed that the microemulsion culture was more appropriate to bacteria to grow on n-alkanes.

2002-02-07

89

Strength and stability of microbial plugs in porous media  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mobility reduction induced by the growth and metabolism of bacteria in high-permeability layers of heterogeneous reservoirs is an economically attractive technique to improve sweep efficiency. This paper describes an experimental study conducted in sandpacks using an injected bacterium to investigate the strength and stability of microbial plugs in porous media. Successful convective transport of bacteria is important for achieving sufficient initial bacteria distribution. The chemotactic and diffusive fluxes are probably not significant even under static conditions. Mobility reduction depends upon the initial cell concentrations and increase in cell mass. For single or multiple static or dynamic growth techniques, permeability reduction was approximately 70% of the original permeability. The stability of these microbial plugs to increases in pressure gradient and changes in cell physiology in a nutrient-depleted environment needs to be improved.

1995-12-31

90

Sodium-driven motor of the polar flagellum in marine bacteria Vibrio  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The Na+-driven bacterial flagellar motor is a molecular machine powered by an electrochemical potential gradient of sodium ions across the cytoplasmic membrane. The marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus has a single polar flagellum that enables it to swim in liquid. The flagellar motor contains a basal body and a stator complexes, which are composed of several proteins. PomA, PomB, MotX, and MotY are thought to be essential components of the stator that are required to generate the torque of the rotation. Several mutations have been investigated to understand the characteristics and function of the ion channel in the stator and the mechanism of its assembly around the rotor to complete the motor. In this review, we summarize recent results of the Na+-driven motor in the polar flagellum of ...

2011-01-01

91

Oxidation of Elemental Sulfur by Fusarium solani Strain THIF01 Harboring Endobacterium Bradyrhizobium sp.  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Nineteen fungal strains having an ability to oxidize elemental sulfur in mineral salts medium were isolated from deteriorated sandstones of Angkor monuments. These fungi formed clearing zone on agar medium supplemented with powder sulfur due to the dissolution of sulfur. Representative of the isolates, strain THIF01, was identified as Fusarium solani on the basis of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses. PCR amplification targeting 16S rRNA gene and analyses of full 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated strain THIF01 harbors an endobacterium Bradyrhizobium sp.; however, involvement of the bacterium in the sulfur oxidation is still unclear. Strain THIF01 oxidized elemental sulfur to thiosulfate and then sulfate. Germination of the spores of strain THIF01 was observed in a liqui...

2010-01-01

92

An oral nervous necrosis virus vaccine using Vibrio anguillarum as an expression host provides early protection  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Oral vaccination is the most desirable immunization method by which to prevent fish disease occurring at the early larval stage. We developed an Escherichia coli-based oral nervous necrosis virus (NNV) subunit vaccine and demonstrated its effectiveness in orange spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) fry. However, the incubation period was determined to be over 2weeks. To enhance the efficacy and shorten the incubation period, a safe and digestible biological adjuvant should be found. Vibrio anguillarum, a common marine bacterium with immune-stimulatory capability was selected as an expression host. An expression vector containing its heat shock protein 60 gene (groE) as an inducible promoter was constructed to express recombinant NNV coat protein as an antigen. The recombinant V. anguilla...

2011-01-01

93

Aerogels from Unaltered Bacterial Cellulose: Application of scCO2 Drying for the Preparation of Shaped, Ultra-Lightweight Cellulosic Aerogels  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Bacterial cellulose produced by the gram-negative bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinum was found to be an excellent native starting material for preparing shaped ultra-lightweight cellulose aerogels. The procedure comprises thorough washing and sterilization of the aquogel, quantitative solvent exchange and subsequent drying with supercritical carbon dioxide at 40 degreeC and 100 bar. The average density of the obtained dry cellulose aerogels is only about 8 mg cm-3 which is comparable to the most lightweight silica aerogels and distinctly lower than all values for cellulosic aerogels obtained from plant cellulose so far. SEM, ESEM and nitrogen adsorption experiments at 77 K reveal an open-porous network structure that consists of a comparatively high percentage of large mesopores and small...

2010-01-01

94

[Peritonitis in the course of peritoneal dialisis caused by Haemophilus influenzae with BLNAR phenotype].  

Science.gov (United States)

Most common bacterial species causing peritonitis in the course of peritoneal dialysis (PDP) are coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci. Haemophilus influenzae is rarely associated with PDP. Hereby we present the first known case of APD-associated peritonitis caused by non-type able H. influenzae (NTHi) presenting the beta-lactamase negative, ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR) phenotype. An 18 year old boy who had been treated with the APD for 12 months due to SLE was admitted in good general condition with diagnosis of PDP. Standard diagnostic and therapeutical procedures were initiated. Dialysis fluid was turbid with cytosis of 435 WBC/ml. From dialysis fluid pure culture of Gram-negative coccobacillus was isolated. The isolate was identified as a BLNAR phenotype. The same bacterium was isolated from nasal swab. Blood cultures were negative. After evaluation of antimicrobial susceptibility the treatment was changed for the oral ...

2009-04-01

95

Nonphotochemical Hole-Burning Studies of Energy Transfer Dynamics in Antenna Complexes of Photosynthetic Bacteria  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis contains the candidate's original work on excitonic structure and energy transfer dynamics of two bacterial antenna complexes as studied using spectral hole-burning spectroscopy. The general introduction is divided into two chapters (1 and 2). Chapter 1 provides background material on photosynthesis and bacterial antenna complexes with emphasis on the two bacterial antenna systems related to the thesis research. Chapter 2 reviews the underlying principles and mechanism of persistent nonphotochemical hole-burning (NPHB) spectroscopy. Relevant energy transfer theories are also discussed. Chapters 3 and 4 are papers by the candidate that have been published. Chapter 3 describes the application of NPHB spectroscopy to the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex from the green sulfur bacterium Prosthecochloris aestuarii; emphasis is on determination of the low energy vibrational structure that is important for understanding the energy transfer process ...

2002-06-27

96

Energetics and kinetics of anaerobic aromatic and fatty acid degradation  

Science.gov (United States)

The kinetics of benzoate degradation by the anaerobic syntrophic bacterium, Syntrophus buswellii, was studied in coculture with Desulfovibrio strain G11. The threshold value for benzoate degradation was dependent on the acetate concentration with benzoate threshold values ranging from 2.4 [mu]M at 20 mM acetate to 30.0 [mu]M at 65 mM acetate. Increasing acetate concentrations also inhibited the rate of benzoate degradation with a apparent K[sub i] for acetate inhibition of 7.0 mM. Lower threshold values were obtained when nitrate rather than sulfate was the terminal electron acceptor. These data are consistent with a thermodynamic explanation for the threshold, and suggest that there is a minimum Gibbs free energy value required for the degradation of benzoate. An acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase has been isolated from Syntrophomonas wolfei; it is apparently a key enzyme controlling the synthesis of poly-B-hydroxyalkanoate from acetyl-CoA in this organism. Kinetic ...

1992-11-16

97

Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis sp. nov., an anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium isolated from Obsidian Pool, Yellowstone National Park  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel, obligately anaerobic, extremely thermophilic, cellulolytic bacterium, designated OB47T, was isolated from Obsidian Pool, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA. The isolate was a non-motile, non-spore forming, Gram-positive rod approximately 2 m long by 0.2 m wide and grew at temperatures between 55-85oC with the optimum at 78oC. The pH range for growth was 6.0-8.0 with values of near 7.0 being optimal. Growth on cellobiose produced the fastest specific growth rates at 0.75 hr-1. The organism also displayed fermentative growth on glucose, maltose, arabinose, fructose, starch, lactose, mannose, sucrose, galactose, xylose, arabinogalactan, Avicel, xylan, filter paper, processed cardboard, pectin, dilute acid-pretreated switchgrass and Populus. OB47T was unable to grow on mannitol, fucose, lignin, Gelrite, acetate, glycerol, ribose, sorbital, carboxymethylcellulose and casein. Yeast extract stimulated growth and thiosulfate, sulfate, nitrate, and sulfur were not ...

2010-02-01

98

Ultraviolet radiation for the sterilization of contact lenses  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Two sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation with peak wavelengths in the UV-C or UV-B ranges were compared for their ability to sterilize contact lenses infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acanthamoeba castellani, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Also examined was the effect of prolonged UV light exposure on soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses. The UV-C lamp (253.7 nm, 250 mW/cm2 at 1 cm) was germicidal for all organisms within 20 minutes but caused destruction of the soft lens polymers within 6 hours of cumulative exposure. UV-C caused damage to RGP lenses in less than 100 hours. The UV-B lamp (290-310 nm, 500 mW/cm2 at 1 cm) was germicidal for all organisms tested (except Aspergillus) with a 180-minute exposure and caused less severe changes in the soft lens polymers than did the UV-C lamp, although cumulative exposure of 300 hours did substantially weaken the soft lens material. RGP materials were minimally ...

1990-10-01

99

Ultraviolet radiation for the sterilization of contact lenses  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Two sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation with peak wavelengths in the UV-C or UV-B ranges were compared for their ability to sterilize contact lenses infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acanthamoeba castellani, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger. Also examined was the effect of prolonged UV light exposure on soft and rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses. The UV-C lamp (253.7 nm, 250 mW/cm2 at 1 cm) was germicidal for all organisms within 20 minutes but caused destruction of the soft lens polymers within 6 hours of cumulative exposure. UV-C caused damage to RGP lenses in less than 100 hours. The UV-B lamp (290-310 nm, 500 mW/cm2 at 1 cm) was germicidal for all organisms tested (except Aspergillus) with a 180-minute exposure and caused less severe changes in the soft lens polymers than did the UV-C lamp, although cumulative exposure of 300 hours did substantially weaken the soft lens material. RGP materials were minimally ...

100

Impact of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5-containing yoghurt, on fecal bacterial counts of healthy adults  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind, parallel dose-response study investigated the impact of 4-week commercial yoghurt consumption supplemented with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (BB-12) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-5) on fecal bacterial counts of healthy adults. Fifty-eight volunteers were randomly assigned to three different groups: 1. placebo (no probiotic, no starter and no green tea extract); 2. Yoptimal (10^9cfu/100g of BB-12 and LA-5 and 40mg of green tea extract) and 3. Yoptimal-10 (10^1^0cfu/100g of BB-12, 10^9cfu/100g of LA-5 and 40mg of green tea extract). These yoghurt products also contained Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (10^7cfu/100g) and Streptococcus thermophilus (10^1^0cfu/100g). The quantitative PCR (qPCR) results showed that ther...

2011-01-01

 
 
 
 
101

Bacterial Pili exploit integrin machinery to promote immune activation and efficient blood-brain barrier penetration.  

Science.gov (United States)

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is the leading cause of meningitis in newborn infants. Bacterial cell surface appendages, known as pili, have been recently described in streptococcal pathogens, including GBS. The pilus tip adhesin, PilA, contributes to GBS adherence to blood-brain barrier (BBB) endothelium; however, the host receptor and the contribution of PilA in central nervous system (CNS) disease pathogenesis are unknown. Here we show that PilA binds collagen, which promotes GBS interaction with the ?(2)?(1) integrin resulting in activation of host chemokine expression and neutrophil recruitment during infection. Mice infected with the PilA-deficient mutant exhibit delayed mortality, a decrease in neutrophil infiltration and bacterial CNS dissemination. We find that PilA-mediated virulence is dependent on neutrophil influx as neutrophil depletion results in a decrease in BBB permeability and GBS-BBB penetration. Our results suggest that the bacterial pilus, ...

2011-09-06

102

Adaptation of oral streptococci to low pH.  

Science.gov (United States)

The strategies employed by oral streptococci to resist the inimical influences of acidification reflect the diverse and dynamic niches of the human mouth. All of the oral streptococci are capable of rapid degradation of sugar to acidic end-products. As a result, the pH value of their immediate environment can plummet to levels where glycolysis and growth cease. At this point, the approaches for survival in acid separate the organisms. Streptococcus mutans, for example, relies on its F-ATPase, to protect itself from acidification by pumping protons out of the cells. S. salivarius responds by degrading urea to ammonia and S. sanguis produces ammonia by arginolysis. The mechanisms by which these organisms regulate their particular escape route are now being explored experimentally. The picture that emerges is that the acid-adaptive regulatory mechanisms of the oral streptococci differ markedly from those employed by Gram-negative bacteria. What remains to be ...

2000-01-01

103

Identification and characterization of noncoding small RNAs in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 2 strain D39.  

Science.gov (United States)

We report a search for small RNAs (sRNAs) in the low-GC, gram-positive human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. Based on bioinformatic analyses by Livny et al. (J. Livny, A. Brencic, S. Lory, and M. K. Waldor, Nucleic Acids Res. 34:3484-3493, 2006), we tested 40 candidates by Northern blotting and confirmed the expression of nine new and one previously reported (CcnA) sRNAs in strain D39. CcnA is one of five redundant sRNAs reported by Halfmann et al. (A. Halfmann, M. Kovacs, R. Hakenbeck, and R. Bruckner, Mol. Microbiol. 66:110-126, 2007) that are positively controlled by the CiaR response regulator. We characterized 3 of these 14 sRNAs: Spd-sr17 (144 nucleotides [nt]; decreased in stationary phase), Spd-sr37 (80 nt; strongly expressed in all growth phases), and CcnA (93 nt; induced by competence stimulatory peptide). Spd-sr17 and CcnA likely fold into structures containing single-stranded regions between hairpin structures, whereas Spd-sr37 forms a base-paired ...

2010-01-01

104

The Structure of Sucrose Phosphate Synthase from Halothermothrix orenii Reveals Its Mechanism of Action and Binding Mode  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) catalyzes the transfer of a glycosyl group from an activated donor sugar, such as uridine diphosphate glucose (UDP-Glc), to a saccharide acceptor D-fructose 6-phosphate (F6P), resulting in the formation of UDP and D-sucrose-6'-phosphate (S6P). This is a central regulatory process in the production of sucrose in plants, cyanobacteria, and proteobacteria. Here, we report the crystal structure of SPS from the nonphotosynthetic bacterium Halothermothrix orenii and its complexes with the substrate F6P and the product S6P. SPS has two distinct Rossmann-fold domains with a large substrate binding cleft at the interdomain interface. Structures of two complexes show that both the substrate F6P and the product S6P bind to the A-domain of SPS. Based on comparative analysis of the SPS structure with other related enzymes, the donor substrate, nucleotide diphosphate glucose, binds to the B-domain of SPS. Furthermore, we propose a ...

2008-01-01

105

Study on biosorption kinetics and thermodynamics of uranium by Citrobacter freudii  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biosorption has been developed as an effective and economic method to treat wastewater containing low concentrations of metal pollutants. In this study, a bacterium, Citrobacter freudii, was used as a biosorbent to adsorb uranium ions. The thermodynamics and kinetics of this adsorption, as well as its mechanism, were investigated. The results indicated that the biosorption rate could be better described by a pseudo 2nd-order model than a pseudo 1st-order model. The adsorption of U (VI) proceeded very rapidly in the first 30 min and subsequently slowed down continuously for a long period. The biosorption isotherm of uranium by C. freudii could be described well by the Langmuir or Freundlich isotherm, and the latter was better. The thermodynamics parameters, {delta}H{sup o}, {delta}G{sup o}, and {delta}S{sup o} were calculated according to the results of the experiment, which showed this biosorption as being endothermic and spontaneous. The authors investigated the ...

2008-01-15

106

Microaerophilic growth and induction of the photosynthetic reaction center in Rhodopseudomonas viridis  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rhodopseudomonas viridis was grown in liquid culture at 30 degrees C anaerobically in light (generation time, 13 h) and under microaerophilic growth conditions in the dark (generation time, 24 h). The bacterium could be cloned at the same temperature anaerobically in light (1 week) and aerobically in the dark (3 to 4 weeks) if oxygen was limited to 0.1%. Oxygen could not be replaced by dimethyl sulfoxide, potassium nitrate, or sodium nitrite as a terminal electron acceptor. No growth was observed anaerobically in darkness or in the light when air was present. A variety of additional carbon sources were used to supplement the standard succinate medium, but enhanced stationary-phase cell density was observed only with glucose. Conditions for induction of the photosynthetic reaction center upon the change from microaerophilic to phototrophic growth conditions were investigated and optimized for a mutant functionally defective in phototrophic growth. R. viridis ...

1989-05-01

107

Lipid A biosynthesis in Rhizobium leguminosarum: Role of a 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonate-activated 4{prime} phosphatase  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lipid A from several strains of the N{sub 2}-fixing bacterium Rhizobium leguminosarum displays significant structural differences from Escherichia coli lipid A, one of which is the complete absence of phosphate groups. However, the first seven enzymes of E. coli lipid A biosynthesis, leading from UDP-GlcNAc to the phosphorylated intermediate, 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonate (Kdo{sub 2})-lipid IV{sub A}, are present in R. leguminosarum. We now describe a membrane-bound phosphatase in R. leguminosarum extracts that removes the 4{prime} phosphate of Kdo{sub 2}-lipid IV{sub A}. The 4{prime} phosphatase is selective for substrates containing the Kdo domain. It is present in extracts of R. leguminosarum biovars phaseoli, viciae, and trifolii but is not detectable in E. coli and Rhizobium meliloti. A nodulation-defective strain (24AR) of R. leguminosarum bovar trifolii, known to contain a 4{prime} phosphate residue on its lipid A, also lacks measurable 4{prime} phosphatase ...

1995-08-01

108

Isolation and Identification of Achromobacter sp. DN-06 and Evaluation of Its Pyridine Degradation Kinetics  

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We report the isolation of a new bacterium species (named as DN-06) that degrades pyridine, a model compound containing both carbon and nitrogen, from the aerobic activated sludge in a coking wastewater treatment plant. DN-06 was identified as Achromobacter sp. using 16S rDNA sequence analysis. In batch culture, more than 95% of pyridine (500?mg/L) was degraded within 18?h by DN-06 grown at 35?C and pH?8 with agitation at 170?rpm. Degradation experiments of pyridine at different initial concentrations (50?4,300?mg/L) revealed that pyridine was an inhibitory substrate, and that neither yield coefficient Y nor endogenous decay coefficient K d was a constant. The values of Y and K d were 0.55?0.74 and 0.0032?0.0057?h?1, respectively. Five kinetic models (Haldane, Yano, Aiba, Webb, and Monod) ...

2011-01-01

109

Construction and evaluation of a double mutant of Shigella flexneri as a candidate for oral vaccination against shigellosis.  

Science.gov (United States)

Based on studies on the genetic and molecular basis of Shigella flexneri invasive properties, we have constructed and evaluated a double mutant of S. flexneri serotype 5 for utilization as a live attenuated oral vaccine against shigellosis. The first mutation, icsA, blocks intracellular spread of bacteria as well as cell-to-cell infection. It affects the capacity of the invasive pathogen to form large abscesses in epithelia. The second mutation, iuc, eliminates production of the siderophore aerobactin thus impairing growth of the bacterium within tissues. This double mutant, SC5700 appeared safe when administered intragastrically to macaque monkeys as three doses (5 x 10(10) c.f.u. each) at weekly intervals. Protection against a challenge by the wild type isolate (M90T) was observed 4 weeks after the last vaccine inoculation. Duration of carriage was considerably reduced as compared to the control group in which all animals had developed severe dysentery. ...

1989-10-01

110

Complete genome sequence of Actinosynnema mirum type strain (101T)  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Actinosynnema mirum Hasegawa et al. 1978 is the type species of the genus, and is of phylogenetic interest because of its central phylogenetic location in the Actino-synnemataceae, a rapidly growing family within the actinobacterial suborder Pseudo-nocardineae. A. mirum is characterized by its motile spores borne on synnemata and as a producer of nocardicin antibiotics. It is capable of growing aerobically and under a moderate CO2 atmosphere. The strain is a Gram-positive, aerial and substrate mycelium producing bacterium, originally isolated from a grass blade collected from the Raritan River, New Jersey. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. This is the first complete genome sequence of a member of the family Actinosynnemataceae, and only the second sequence from the actinobacterial suborder Pseudonocardineae. The 8,248,144 bp long single replicon genome with its 7100 protein-coding and 77 RNA ...

2009-05-20

111

Biological conversion of synthesis gas: Quarterly report [No. 3-4, July 1, 1993--September 3, 1993  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report details the status of the Biological Conversion of Synthesis Gas Project. The following tasks are described as being completed: (1) the test plan, (2) culture development, and (3) the mass transfer/kinetic studies. The bioreactor studies (Task 4) are underway. The continuous stirred tank reactor system for the conversion of H{sub 2}S to elemental sulfur using Chlorobium thiosulfatophilum has been studied for varying light intensities. The system was also modified to include both sulfur recovery and cell recycle using ceramic membranes. Studies were also performed to observe the effects of cell recycle using a polysulfone hollow filter membrane module. Work on Task 5, limiting conditions/scale-up, includes a scale-up study with three different size reactors to establish the optimum operating conditions for hydrogen production from synthesis gas by the biological water-gas shift reaction using the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodospirillum rubrum. Finally, ...

1993-10-01

112

A fluorescent aminolipid from a green photosynthetic bacterium  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A preliminary chemical characterization is presented of phosphate-free aminolipids isolation from Chlorobium limicola f. thiosulfatophilum. The lipid contains no phosphorus, glycerol, sugar, ornithine, or lysine. Ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectra indicate that the amino moiety of the lipid is an aromatic heterocyclic compound. Infrared spectra indicate that the lipid is a secondary or tertiary amide, and gas chromatograhic analysis of the hydrolyzed lipid shows that for each 1100 g of lipid, 1 mol of myristic acid (C/sub 14:0/) is linked in an amide bond. Acid hydrolysis of the lipid yields two fluorescent substances, A (ninhydrine positive) and B (negative), in addition to myristic acid. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies indicate that substance A contains a butyl groups attached to a conjugated ring carbon, two equivalent ethyl groups attached to one or two nitrogen atoms, and two downfield protons (8.4 ppm), perhaps attached to a ring carbon adjacent to a ...

1983-04-12

113

Nod2 sensing of lysozyme-digested peptidoglycan promotes macrophage recruitment and clearance of S. pneumoniae colonization in mice.  

Science.gov (United States)

Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the mucosal surface of the human upper respiratory tract. A colonization event is gradually cleared through phagocytosis by monocytes/macrophages that are recruited to the airway lumen. Here, we sought to define the bacterial and host factors that promote monocyte/macrophage influx and S. pneumoniae clearance using intranasal bacterial challenge in mice. We found that the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages required their expression of the chemokine receptor CCR2 and correlated with expression of the CCR2 ligand CCL2. Production of CCL2 and monocyte/macrophage recruitment were deficient in mice lacking digestion of peptidoglycan by lysozyme (LysM) and cytosolic sensing of the products of digestion by Nod2. Ex vivo macrophages produced CCL2 following bacterial uptake, digestion by LysM, and sensing of peptidoglycan by Nod2. Sensing of digested peptidoglycan by Nod2 also required the pore-forming toxin pneumolysin. The generation ...

2011-08-15

114

Depuration of shellfish by irradiation: Final technical report, October 1, 1987--March 31, 1989  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Studies by the University of Lowell Radiation Laboratory and the US National Marine Fisheries Service N.E. Laboratory in Gloucester, MA on softshelled clams (Mya arenaria) demonstrated the effectiveness of low to medium doses of Cobalt 60 source gamma irradiation in the inactivation of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis. Post-irradiation survival and organoleptic studies when extended to hardshelled clams (Mercinaria mercenaria) and American oysters (Crassostrea virginica) showed no significant decline in consumer qualities or 6 day post irradiation survival in oysters at doses of up to 3.0 kGy. The capacities of the American oyster to sustain relatively high doses of gamma irradiation were demonstrated by 6 day post-exposure survivorship values of greater than 90% for samples receiving 3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 kGy. Initial studies of inactivation of Polio I virus and a simian rotavirus (SA-11) was conducted in both ...

115

Current trend of pneumococcal serotypes distribution and antibiotic susceptibility pattern in Malaysian hospitals.  

Science.gov (United States)

From January 2008 to December 2009, 433 Streptococcus pneumoniae strains were examined to determine the serotype distribution and susceptibility to selected antibiotics. About 50% of them were invasive isolates. The strains were isolated from patients of all age groups and 33.55% were isolated from children below 5 years. The majority was isolated from blood (48.53%) and other sterile specimens (6.30%). Community acquired pneumonia (41.70%) is the most common diagnosis followed by sepsis (9.54%). Serotyping was done using Pneumotest Plus-Kit and antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and measurement of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) using E-test strip. Ten most common serotypes were 19F (15.02%), 6B (10.62%), 19A (6.93%), 14 (6.70%), 1 (5.08%), 6A (5.08%), 23F (4.85%), 18C (3.93%), 3 (2.08%) and 5 (1.85%). Penicillin MIC ranged between ? 0.012-4 ?g/ml with MIC?? of 1 ?g/ml. Penicillin resistant rate is ...

2011-06-30

116

A study of bacterial isolates from corneal specimens and their antibiotic resistance profile  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We aim to examine the spectrum of bacteria causing corneal infections and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. This will serve as a guideline for empiric therapy of corneal infections. We conducted the study over a period of 18 months from March 2001 through December 2002 in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Corneal specimens taken from 200 patients were inoculated directly onto different types of media. The isolates were identified and then tested against the appropriate topical or systemic antibiotics. Sixty-seven (33.5%) of the total specimens were culture positive and 133 (66.5%) were culture negative. Fourteen (7%) of these showed organisms in the Gram stained smears and correlated well with the culture reports. Of the 67 positive cultures, 53 (79.1%) were Gram-positive bacteria mostly coagulase-negative Staphylococci 29 (43.3%) followed by Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) 13 (19.4%). Among Gram-negative ...

117

Study of Nitrate Stress in Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough Using iTRAQ Proteomics  

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The response of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough (DvH),a sulphate-reducing bacterium, to nitrate stress was examined usingquantitative proteomic analysis. DvH was stressed with 105 m M sodiumnitrate(NaNO3), a level that caused a 50 percent inhibition in growth.The protein profile of stressed cells was compared with that of cellsgrown in the absence of nitrate using the iTRAQ peptide labellingstrategy and tandem liquid chromatography separation coupled with massspectrometry (quadrupoletime-of-flight) detection. A total of 737 uniqueproteins were identified by two or more peptides, representing 22 percentof the total DvH proteome and spanning every functional category. Theresults indicate that this was a mild stress, as proteins involved incentral metabolism and the sulphate reduction pathway were unperturbed.Proteins involved in the nitrate reduction pathway increased. Increasesseen in transport systems for proline, glycine^ betaineandglutamateindicate that the ...

2006-10-12

118

Cloning, Expression, Crystallization and Preliminary Crystallographic Analysis of a Pentapeptide-repeat Protein (Rfr23) from the Bacterium Cyanothece 51142l  

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A unique feature of cyanobacteria genomes is the abundance of genes that code for hypothetical proteins containing tandem pentapeptide repeats approximately described by the consensus motif A(N/D)LXX. To date, the structures of two pentapeptide-repeat proteins (PRPs) have been determined, with the tandem pentapeptide-repeat sequences observed to adopt a novel type of right-handed quadrilateral ?-helix, or Rfr-fold, in both structures. One structure, Mycobacterium tuberculosis MfpA, is a 183-residue protein that contains 30 consecutive pentapeptide repeats and appears to offer antibiotic resistance by acting as a DNA mimic. The other structure, Cyanothece 51142 Rfr32, is a 167-residue protein that contains 21 consecutive pentapeptide repeats. The function of Rfr32, like the other 35 hypothetical PRPs identified in the genome of Cyanothece, is unknown. In an effort to understand the role of PRPs in cyanobacteria and to better characterize the structural properties of Rfr-folds with ...

2006-01-01

119

Bactericidal effects of non-thermal argon plasma in vitro, in biofilms and in the animal model of infected wounds.  

Science.gov (United States)

Non-thermal (low-temperature) physical plasma is under intensive study as an alternative approach to control superficial wound and skin infections when the effectiveness of chemical agents is weak due to natural pathogen or biofilm resistance. The purpose of this study was to test the individual susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria to non-thermal argon plasma and to measure the effectiveness of plasma treatments against bacteria in biofilms and on wound surfaces. Overall, Gram-negative bacteria were more susceptible to plasma treatment than Gram-positive bacteria. For the Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cenocepacia and Escherichia coli, there were no survivors among the initial 10(5) c.f.u. after a 5 min plasma treatment. The susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria was species- and strain-specific. Streptococcus pyogenes was the most resistant with 17?% survival of the initial 10(5) c.f.u. after a 5 min plasma treatment. Staphylococcus ...

2010-09-09