MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Current Microbiology' source. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:32:08 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5658915&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22302451%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hunter WJ, Shaner DL Abstract Hexazinone, a triazine herbicide that is often detected as a ground and surface water contaminant, inhibits electron transport in photosynthetic organisms and is toxic to primary producers that serve as the base of the food chain. This laboratory study evaluated the ability of two types of microbial reactors, i.e., a vegetable oil-based nitrogen-limiting biobarrier and an aerobic slow sand filter, as methods for removing hexazinone from simulated groundwater. The N-limiting biobarriers degraded hexazinone, but did so with a 52 week incubation period and a removal efficiency that varied greatly among replicates, with one biobarrier showing a removal efficiency of ~95% and the other an efficiency of ~50%. More consistent degradation was obtaine... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5658915 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5658915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5658914&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22302452%26dopt%3DAbstract This study demonstrates that increasing growth rate (k) from 0.24/h to 0.96/h causes a marked eightfold reduction in fumA transcription as assessed using the β-galactosidase activity from fumA promoter fused with a lacZ reporter. It was further confirmed using Northern blot analysis. Most interestingly, the FumA protein levels remained unchanged over the growth rate, as indicated by Western blot analysis. Therefore, whether the reduced fumA mRNA expression under the high growth rate can be overcome by increasing the stability of the fumA mRNA was tested. The half-life of fumA mRNA was established to significantly increase by fivefold when the growth rate was increased to 0.96/h. This finding suggests that the cells could turn down the expression of fumA mRNA because of increased stability... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5658914 Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5658914 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5658916&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22294493%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Farajzadeh D, Yakhchali B, Aliasgharzad N, Sokhandan-Bashir N, Farajzadeh M Abstract It has been well known that the bacteria of the genus Azotobacter, in addition to the beneficial N(2)-fixing activity, are able to improve plant growth by a number of direct and indirect mechanisms. To identify this potential in indigenous azotobacteria, the efficiency of 17 isolates of Azotobacter from the rhizosphere of wheat and barley plants cultivated in salt- and/or drought-affected soils in Iran were evaluated for their ability to dissolve inorganic and organic phosphates, siderophore secretion, indole acetic acid (IAA) production; and protease, chitinase, and ACC deaminase (ACCD) activities. First, they were biochemically characterized and one isolate (strain) was identified by 16S... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5658916 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5658916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5639189&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22278760%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liu K, Zong R, Li Q, Fu Y, Xu Y, Wang Y, Jiao N Abstract The alphaproteobacterial strain JLT2003(T) was isolated from surface seawater off the coast of Guishan island, Taiwan. The strain was Gram negative, ovoid or coccoid, non-motile and formed pink colonies on marine agar 2216 (MA; DIFCO) medium. The dominant fatty acids were C(18:1)ω7c, cyclo C(19:0)ω8c, and C(16:0). The polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylglycerol. The major respiratory ubiquinone was Q-10. The DNA G+C content was 62.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain was most closely related to Pontibaca methylaminivorans GRP21(T) with 94.8% similarity. The isolate was distinguishable from members of the family Rhodobacteraceae b... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5639189 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5639189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5639179&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22278761%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Iwaki H, Nishimura A, Hasegawa Y Abstract An aerobic, Gram-negative bacterial strain, designated KU27E1(T), which degrades phthalate and dimethylphthalate, was isolated from seawater obtained from the coastal region of Ishigaki Island, Japan. Cells are motile rods with polar flagella. Strain KU27E1(T) grew at 15-30°C, pH 6.0-8.0, in the presence of 1.0-2.0% (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that this strain was affiliated with the family Rhodobacteraceae in the class Alphaproteobacteria, and was most closely related to Tropicibacter naphthalenivorans (96.8%). The predominant respiratory lipoquinone was ubiquinone-10, and the major cellular fatty acid was C(18:1)ω7c (88.5%). The G+C content of genomic DNA was 58.7 mol%. Based on the physiological, ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5639179 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5639179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5639192&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22271269%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we explore the inhibitory effect of ABH against B. anthracis arginase and its potential for future development, as an effective therapeutic agent against microbial infection. We found that ABH is an inhibitor of bacterial arginase in several different endospore strains of B. anthracis. Further, ABH inhibits neither the phagocytosis of these endospores nor the up-regulation of NOS 2 concomitant with secretion of NO•. These findings set the stage to determine how efficacious ABH will be in promoting NO•-mediating killing of B. anthracis. PMID: 22271269 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5639192 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5639192 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5639201&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22271268%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Campana R, Federici S, Ciandrini E, Baffone W Abstract The aim of this research was to determine the potential probiotic activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 against several human Campylobacter jejuni isolates. The ability to inhibit the pathogen's growth was evaluated by co-culture experiments as well as by antimicrobial assays with cell-free culture supernatant (CFCS), while interference with adhesion/invasion to intestinal Caco-2 cells was studied by exclusion, competition, and displacement tests. In the co-culture experiments L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 strain reduced the growth of C. jejuni with variable percentages of inhibition related to the contact time. The CFCS showed inhibitory activity against C. jejuni strains, stability to low pH, and therm... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5639201 Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5639201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5599680&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22246044%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Asokan R, Swamy HM, Arora DK Abstract Characterization, direct sequencing of the PCR amplicon and phylogenetic relationship was done to discover a novel Vip protein genes of the Bt isolates, to improve the prospects for insect control, more Vip proteins should be sought out and researched to predict their insecticidal activity. Characterization was based on direct sequencing of PCR amplicon using primers specific to vip3A gene was presented here. 12 out of 18 isolates screened were positive for vip gene-specific primers. Homology search for the partial sequences using BLAST showed that 11 isolates had high similarity to vip3Aa gene and only one fragment with vip3Ae gene (25-100% at nucleotide and amino acid level). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the gene sequences were ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5599680 Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5599680 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5599682&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22237982%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this study was to classify Cronobacter isolates from infant formula milk, the food processing environment and fresh produce in South Africa and to evaluate the phylogenetic placement of these isolates based on the rpoA and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences. All the South African strains were identified as Cronobacter sakazakii despite the wide variety of isolation sources. No relation between the phylogenetic placement and strain origin could be determined. Strains of C. sakazakii, Cronobacter dublinensis, Cronobacter turicensis and Cronobacter muytjensii could be differentiated from each other, but it was not possible to differentiate between C. sakazakii and Cronobacter malonaticus based on the rpoA and 16S rRNA gene sequences alone. However, sequence data of these... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5599682 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5599682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5599681&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22237983%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao X, Zhuge B, Fang H, Zhuge J Abstract Candida glycerinogenes WL2002-5 has been used for industrial-scale fermentation of glycerol and may be a promising genetic host due to its tolerance to high osmotic pressure and fast growth. It resists many kinds of drugs, such as G418/hygromycin/cycloheximide. In previous studies, only Zeocin was used as a drug-resistant marker. But Zeocin is so expensive that it largely limits the genetic and molecular study. Here, we constructed a eukaryotic integrative vector pGAPZU, based on pGAPZB, to gain a new selectable marker of copper resistance for this strain. The results showed that the CUP1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae elevated copper resistance of C. glycerinogenes. The C. glycerinogenes transformed with recombinant vector pGUC, ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5599681 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5599681 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5599685&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22231452%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Augustine N, Peter A W, Kerkar S, Thomas S Abstract The aim of this study was to identify novel biofilm inhibitors from actinomycetes isolated from the Arctic against Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera. The biofilm inhibitory activity of actinomycetes was assessed using biofilm assay and was confirmed using air-liquid interphase coverslip assay. The potential isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Of all, three isolates showed significant biofilm inhibition against V. cholerae. The results showed that 20% of the actinomycetes culture supernatant could inhibit up to 80% of the biofilm formation. When different extracted fractions were assessed, significant biofilm inhibition activity was only seen in the diethyl ether fraction of A745. At 200�... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5599685 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5599685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5599684&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22231453%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aunpad R, Panbangred W Abstract An open reading frame encoding a 71-amino acid BhlA bacteriocin-related holin-like peptide was present upstream of 86-amino acid holin-like peptide, xhlB, encoding gene in the genome of Bacillus pumilus strain WAPB4. Analysis of BhlA using TMHMM server suggested one putative transmembrane domain at the N-terminal part and a number of highly charged amino acid residues at the C-terminal part. XhlB of B. pumilus strain WAPB4 composed of two putative transmembrane domains separated by a β-turn, and numerous charged residues in the C-terminus. The dual start motifs were found in both BhlA and XhlB. Structural analysis of their sequence revealed features characteristic for holin. To analyze the effect of BhlA on bacteria cell, its ORF was cloned... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5599684 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5599684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5599683&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22231454%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this work was to study the inhibitory activities produced by each bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus L60 and Lactobacillus fermentum L23, and the effects of the combined BLIS-es of these lactobacilli on GBS. The interactions between the BLIS-es were assessed by qualitative and quantitative methods on agar plates. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) were determined by a modification of the broth microdilution and checkerboard methods, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibilities of all S. agalactiae strains were assayed and the results of these tests were evaluated for statistical significance. A 7.5% of GBS isolates were recovered from 760 pregnant women and 91% of those strains were... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5599683 Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5599683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578088&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22228423%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bello-López JM, Vázquez-Ocampo NJ, Fernández-Rendón E, Curiel-Quesada E Abstract Plasmids belonging to the IncU incompatibility group are mobile genetic elements isolated frequently from Aeromonas spp. These plasmids share structural and functional characteristics and often carry Class-1 integrons bearing antibiotic resistance genes. In this work the ability of two IncU plasmids, pAr-32 and pRAS1 to establish in different A. hydrophila strains after conjugal transfer was studied. In vitro transfer frequencies on solid surface ranged from 10(-1) to 10(-6) for pAr-32 and from 10(-3) to 10(-5) for pRAS1. While carrying out these experiments we detected four strains unable to acquire plasmid pRAS1, indicating that the genetic background of recipients affects the establishm... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578088 Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578090&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22218569%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, three molecular marker systems including sequence related amplified polymorphism (SRAP), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) were screened to select polymorphisms of 24 main commercial strains of Lentinula edodes cultivated widely in China. Twenty-nine sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers were developed to set up a dendrogram using UPMGA based on nucleotide sequences of some SRAP, RAPD, and ISSR polymorphic fragments. The grouping showed that the 24 strains were apparently clustered into five groups at a level of 0.68 similarity coefficient, and those that have similar breeding background clustered preferentially into the same subgroup. Results also revealed that the 24 strains had a low level of genetic diversi... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578090 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578089&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22218570%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yu X, Liu T, Sun Z, Guan P, Zhu J, Wang S, Li S, Deng Q, Wang L, Zheng A, Li P Abstract Vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip3) from Bacillus thuringiensis shows high activity against lepidopteran insects. Cytolytic δ-endotoxin (Cyt) also has high toxicity to dipteran larvae and synergism with other crystal proteins (Cry), but synergism between Cyt and Vip3 proteins has not been tested. We analyzed for synergism between Cyt2Aa3 and Vip3Aa29. Both cyt2Aa3 and vip3Aa29 genes were co-expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 carried on vector pCOLADuet-1. Vip3Aa29 showed insecticidal activity against Chilo suppressalis and Spodoptera exigua, with 50% lethal concentration (LC(50)) at 24.0 and 36.6 μg ml(-1), respectively. It could also inhibit Helicoverpa armigera growth, w... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578089 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578089 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578092&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22215482%26dopt%3DAbstract This article reports a lytic phage against an antibiotic-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Phage BVPaP-3 is a member of the Podoviridae family and morphologically similar to the T7-like phage gh-1. The phage has a hexagonal head of 58-59 nm in diameter and a short tail of 10 × 8 nm. It is stable at a wide range of pH (6-10) and temperatures (4-40°C). Its optimal growth temperature is 37°C and the adsorption rate constant is 1.19 × 10(-9). Latent and eclipse periods are 20 and 15 min, respectively, and the burst size is 44 after 35 min at 37°C. The phage has a DNA size of 41.31 kb and a proteome of 11 proteins. The major protein is 33 kDa in size. PMID: 22215482 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578092 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5578091&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22215483%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shirakawa MA, Loh K, John VM, Gaylarde CC Abstract Mortar panels painted with three different white acrylic coatings were exposed to the environment in urban (São Paulo) and rural (Pirassununga) sites in Brazil for 7 years. After this time, all panels were almost equally discoloured, and paint detachment was observed to only a small degree. The biofilms were composed mainly of cyanobacteria and filamentous fungi, principal genera being Gloeocapsa and Chroococcidiopsis of the cyanobacteria, and Cladosporium and Alternaria of the fungi. Two of the three paints in Pirassununga became covered by a pink film that contained red-encapsulated Gloeocapsa and clay particles. The third, an 800% elastomeric matt formulation, became discoloured with a grey, only slightly pink, film, ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5578091 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5578091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549726&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22203416%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang J, Majima N, Hirai H, Kawagishi H Abstract The removal of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) by lignin peroxidase from white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 (YK-LiP1) was investigated. Five endocrine disruptors, p-t-octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), estrone (E(1)), 17β-estradiol (E(2)), and ethinylestradiol (EE(2)) were eliminated by YK-LiP1 more effectively than lignin peroxidase from P. chrysosporium (Pc-LiP), and OP and BPA were disappeared almost completely in the reaction mixture containing YK-LiP1 after a 24-h treatment. Particularly, the removal of estrogenic activities of E(2) and EE(2), which show much higher estrogenic activities than other EDCs such as BPA and OP, were removed following 24-h treatment with YK-LiP1. Moreover, 5,5'-bis(1,1,3,3-... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549726 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549726 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549727&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198546%26dopt%3DAbstract We report here that clpP deletion affects the expression of proteins which are involved in the general stress response, nucleotide metabolism, energy metabolism, and proteins metabolism. These provide clues for understanding the role of ClpP in the physiology and pathogenesis of pneumococcus. PMID: 22198546 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549727 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5549728&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22198473%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ramírez MS, Morales A, Vilacoba E, Márquez C, Centrón D Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a serious problem in the hospital environment at a global scale. Previous results from our laboratory showed a high frequency of class 2 integrons in A. baumannii strains from Argentina regarding the low rate of this element in A. baumannii isolates from the rest of the world. To reveal the current epidemiology of class 2 integrons, a molecular surveillance analyzing 78 multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii isolates from Argentina and Uruguay was performed, exposing the presence of class 2 integron in the 36.61% of the isolates. Class 2 integron characterization showed that the typical Tn7::In2-7 array was present in 26 out of 27 intI2 positive isolates. All intI2 po... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5549728 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5549728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534014&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22179128%26dopt%3DAbstract This study examined the effect of toxigenic E. coli on pregnant and infant mice to determine if these animals could be used as a model for SIDS pathogenesis. Strains of E. coli from the intestinal contents of infants who have died of SIDS or other causes and from the faeces of healthy infants were collected over a broad time scale. The isolates were tested for their ability to produce then known toxins of E. coli and were serotyped (O and H antigens). Certain serotypes (e.g. O1:H- and O25:H1) emerged significantly more frequently from cases of SIDS than from healthy infants and isolates of these types were generally toxigenic in Vero-cell cultures but whose verotoxicity was not related to classical Shiga or other known toxins. This mouse model was developed to test the effects of these tox... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534014 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534014 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534013&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22179129%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang H, Du H, Ji X, Ni B, Mao L, Xu S, Sheng X, Xu H, Huang X Abstract Decreased expression (twofold) of a putative yehUTS operon of which yehUT encodes a putative YehU/YehT two-component system in the ompR mutant from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) GIFU10007 under hypotonic growth condition was observed by qRT-PCR. Purified recombinant protein OmpR(His6) of GIFU10007 was shown to bind the upstream region of the yehU gene by the gel-shift assay. In addition, the yehT deletion mutant (ΔyehT) displayed differential expression (twofold or higher) of 26 genes under the condition by the DNA microarray analysis. Altogether, OmpR might regulate the YehUT system in S. Typhi under hypotonic growth condition. PMID: 22179129 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (So... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534013 Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534078&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22170571%26dopt%3DAbstract Complex Class 1 Integron Containing bla ( CTX-M-1 ) Genes Isolated from Escherichia coli: A Potentially Novel Resistant Gene-Capturing Tool Kit. Curr Microbiol. 2011 Dec 16; Authors: Sun C, Su Z, Zhou C, Liu Y, Yuan H, Yin J, Xu H Abstract For this study, ten complex class 1 integron was characterized in Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from Zhenjiang. Among the ten isolates, five included the bla ( CTX-M-1 ) gene between orf513 and the IS 3000. Analysis the five isolates by PFGE showed that zj102 and zj562 had same patterns profiles, which suggested that the spread of a specific clone contributed to a wide dissemination of a particular type of integron; the results also indicated that the complex class 1 integr... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534078 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534019&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22173653%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the profile of low-molecular weight volatile compounds in the headspace of C. albicans-urine suspensions of four different fungal cell concentrations compared to nutrient media and urine without C. albicans was determined using proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS). At fungal counts of ≥1.5 × 10(5) colony forming units (CFU)/ml signals at 45, 47 and 73 atomic mass units (amu) highly significantly increased. At fungal counts of <1.5 × 10(5) CFU/ml signals at 47 and 73 amu also increased, but only at 45 amu a statistically significant increase was seen. Time course alterations of signal intensities dependent on different cell concentrations and after addition of Sabouraud nutrient solution were analysed. Recommendations for measurement conditions ar... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534019 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534074&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22170572%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mandal S Abstract The repressor of sulfur-oxidizing (sox) operon regulates expression of genes encoding a multienzyme complex that governs the chemolithotrophic sulfur oxidation in Pseudaminobacter salycylatoxidans KCT001. The inducer of sox operon viz., thiosulfate and other sulfur anions had no impact on in vitro repressor-operator interaction which indicates an atypical derepression mechanism. The reduced repressor has higher affinity for its operator DNA. The sulfur oxidation repressor binds with operator regions and led to efficient repression in trans, however, increased repressor concentration resulted in higher gene expression. Using a reporter system in E. coli, the present study established that the thioredoxin-like protein, encoded in immediate upstream ORF, cou... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534074 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534080&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22159570%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Molari M, Manini E Abstract The enumeration of Archaea in deep-sea sediment samples is still limited, although different methodological procedures have been applied. Among these, catalysed reporter deposition-fluorescence in situ hybridisation (CARD-FISH) technique is a promising tool for estimation of archaeal abundance in deep-sea sediment samples. Comparing different permeabilisation treatments, the best results obtained both on archaeal pure cultures and on natural assemblages were with hydrochloric acid (0.1 M) and proteinase K (0.004 U/ml) treatments. The application of CARD-FISH on deep-sea sediments revealed that Archaea reach up to 41% of total prokaryotic cells. Specific probes for planktonic Archaea showed that marine Crenarchaea dominated archaeal seafloor co... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534080 Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534079&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22159594%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tsiamis G, Tzagkaraki G, Chamalaki A, Xypteras N, Andersen G, Vayenas D, Bourtzis K PMID: 22159594 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534079 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534079 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534083&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22139464%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Abbott SL, Lidgard JA, Cheung WK, Obeso MN, Berrada ZL, Janda JM Abstract A collection of 94 unusual members of the Enterobacteriaceae were screened for the presence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) using the MicroScan ESβL plus dried confirmation panel. Presumptively positive strains were then confirmed for the presence of an ESBL by double disk diffusion, E-test strips (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) and PCR for SHV, TEM, and CTX-M2 genes. Of the 18 strains initially positive on the ESβL panel only three strains (Leminorella grimontii, Klebsiella ozaenae, and Kluyvera ascorbata) were positive by confirmation methods. These results suggest laboratories should be cautious regarding the methodology employed in screening for the presence of ESBLs in enteric bacteria.... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534083 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534083 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534081&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22143398%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou Q, Wang L, Yin X, Feng X, Shang J, Luo Q Abstract The alternative sigma factor SigB in food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes was determined in this study to be required for tolerance to protein synthesis-inhibiting antibiotics. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of tetracycline HCl and gentamicin sulphate against EGDeΔsigB were two- and fourfold less than those for EGDe, respectively. The ability of EGDeΔsigB to overcome the growth arrest caused by erythromycin and rifampin was also weaker than that of EGDe. The transcription analysis of four genetic loci (known to be induced by rifampin in Bacillus subtili) kat, fri, ropB and rsbU in EGDe and EGDeΔsigB in the absence or presence of rifampin revealed that: (1) expression of kat and fri genes is σ ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534081 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534081 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5534082&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22143397%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Farkašovská J, Godány A Abstract The bacteriophage μ1/6 integrates its DNA into the chromosome of tetracycline producing strains of Streptomyces aureofaciens by a site-specific recombination process. A bioinformatic analysis of the μ1/6 genome revealed that orf5 encodes a putative integrase, a basic protein of 416 amino acids. The μ1/6 integrase was found to belong to the integrase family of site-specific tyrosine recombinases. The phage attachment site (attP) was localized downstream of the int gene. The attachment junctions (attL and attR) were determined, allowing identification of the bacterial attachment site (attB). All attachment sites shared a 46-bp common core sequence within which a site-specific recombination occurs. This core sequence comprises ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5534082 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5534082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474540&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22134847%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides valuable information on the life styles and survival strategies of microorganisms that forms multicellular aggregates at specific growth stages. PMID: 22134847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474540 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474541&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119898%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ramírez MS, Merkier AK, Quiroga MP, Centrón D Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the presence of bla (CTX-M-2) in our A. baumannii population and their putative role as an alternative mechanism of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in this species. The bla (CTX-M-2) gene is widespread among the Enterobacteriaceae isolates from our country; however, it was not found in 76 isolates A. baumannii non-epidemiologically related clinical isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins isolated since 1982 in hospitals from Buenos Aires City. A plasmid isolated from Proteus mirabilis that possesses the complex class 1 integron In35::ISCR1::bla (CTX-M-2) was used to transform the natural competent A. baumannii clinical st... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474541 Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474541 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474542&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22116501%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smajs D, Bureš J, Smarda J, Chaloupková E, Květina J, Förstl M, Kohoutová D, Kuneš M, Rejchrt S, Lesná J, Kopáčová M Abstract The strain Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) is widely used as an efficient probiotic in therapy and prevention of human infectious diseases, especially of the intestinal system. Concurrently, small adult pigs are being used as experimental omnivore models to study human gastrointestinal functions. EcN bacteria were applied to 6 adult healthy female pigs in a 2-week trial. 6 Control animals remained untreated. Altogether, 164 and 149 bacterial strains were isolated from smear samples taken from gastrointestinal mucosa in the experimental and control group, respectively. Each individual E. coli strain was then tested for the presence of 29... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474542 Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474544&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22109855%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang H, Han J, Chen D, Duan X, Gao X, Wang X, Shao S Abstract Helicobacter pylori is a highly successful human-specific gastric pathogen that infects up to 50% of the world's population. Virulent H. pylori isolates harbor the cytotoxin-associated genes pathogenicity island (cag-PAI), which encodes a type IV secretion system that translocates bacterial effector (e.g., CagA oncoprotein) molecules into host cells. Although some cag-PAI genes are shown to be required for CagA delivery or localization, the majority have no known function. In the current study, the authors performed a cell components fractionation assay and showed that CagI, one of the cag-PAI proteins located in the bacterial membrane, was not translocated into host cells. The homologous recombination method th... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474544 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474544 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474543&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22109856%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tsiamis G, Tzagkaraki G, Chamalaki A, Xypteras N, Andersen G, Vayenas D, Bourtzis K Abstract Culture-dependent and -independent approaches were employed to identify the bacterial community structure from olive-mill wastewater produced from three olive-fruit varieties. The 233 bacterial isolates recovered were phylogenetically related to 38 members of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Employing a novel microarray-based approach (PhyloChip) a high bacterial diversity was revealed consisting of 18 different phyla with representatives from 99 different families. The bacterial diversity in olive-mill wastewater from the three olive tree varieties was dominated by α-, β-, γ-, δ-, ε-Proteobacteria, Firmicu... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474543 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474543 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474545&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22105763%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou H, Wang Y, Yu Y, Bai T, Chen L, Liu P, Guo H, Zhu C, Tao M, Deng Z Abstract Escherichia coli strains are used in secondary metabolism research for DNA cloning and transferring plasmids by intergeneric conjugation. Non-restricting strains are desirable for DNA cloning and non-methylating strains are beneficial for transferring DNA to methyl-restricting hosts, like Streptomyces coelicolor. We have constructed a non-methylating E. coli strain, JTU007, by deleting the DNA methylation genes dcm and dam from the widely used non-restricting cloning host DH10B. JTU007 was tested as donor for the conjugative transfer of a plasmid containing the 39 kb actinorhodin biosynthesis gene cluster to S. lividans and S. coelicolor. The Dcm(-) Dam(-) strain JTU007 transferred DNA into S... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474545 Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474548&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22101454%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the gene argB encoding NAGK from C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 was site-directed, and the L: -arginine-binding sites of feedback inhibition in Cglu_NAGK are described. The N-helix and C-terminal residues were first deleted, and the results indicated that they are both necessary for Cglu_NAGK, whereas, the complete N-helix deletion (the front 28 residues) abolished the L: -arginine inhibition. Further, we study here the impact on these functions of 12 site-directed mutations affecting seven residues of Cglu_NAGK, chosen on the basis of homology structural alignment. The E19R, H26E, and H268N variants could increase the I(0.5) (R) 50-60 fold, and the G287D and R209A mutants could increase the I(0.5) (R) 30-40 fold. The E281A mutagenesis resulted in the... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474548 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474547&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22101455%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kamei I, Yoshida T, Enami D, Meguro S Abstract White-rot basidiomycetes are the main decomposers of woody biomass in forest ecosystems. Little is known, however, about the interactions between white-rot fungi and other microorganisms in decayed wood. A wood-rotting fungus, Stereum sp. strain TN4F, was isolated from a fruit body, and its coexisting cultivable bacteria were isolated from its substrate; natural white-rot decayed wood. The effects of bacteria on fungal growth were examined by confrontational assay in vitro. A growth-promoting bacterium for this Stereum strain was identified as Curtobacterium sp. TN4W-19, using 16SrRNA sequencing. A confrontational assay revealed that Curtobacterium sp. TN4W-19 significantly promoted the mycelial growth of Stereum sp. TN4F in t... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474547 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5474546&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22101456%26dopt%3DAbstract Metagenome Cloning and Functional Analysis of Na(+)/H (+) Antiporter Genes from Keke Salt Lake in China. Curr Microbiol. 2011 Nov 19; Authors: Gao M, Wang L, Chen SF Abstract Na(+)/H(+) antiporters are ubiquitous membrane proteins and play a central role in cell homeostasis including pH regulation, osmoregulation, and Na(+)/Li(+) tolerance in bacteria. The microbial communities in extremely hypersaline soil are an important resource for isolating Na(+)/H(+) antiporter genes. A metagenomic library containing 35,700 clones was constructed by using genomic DNA obtained from the hypersaline soil samples of Keke Salt Lake in Northwest of China. Two Na(+)/H(+) antiporters, K1-NhaD, and K2-NhaD belonging to NhaD family, were screened and cloned from this metagenome by compleme... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5474546 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5474546 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419486&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22086347%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the synergistic effect of overexpressing the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase gene and adding ergosterol synthesis inhibitor, ketoconazole, on β-carotene production in the recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. The results showed that the over-expression of HMG-CoA reductase gene and adding 100 mg/l ketoconazole alone can result in 135.1 and 15.6% increment of β-carotene concentration compared with that of the control (2.05 mg/g dry weight of cells), respectively. However, the combination of overexpressing HMG-CoA reductase gene and adding ketoconazole can achieve a 206.8% increment of pigment content (6.29 mg/g dry weight of cells) compared with that of the control. Due to the fact that over-expression of the HMG-CoA reductase g... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419486 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5419486 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419487&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22080204%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, both recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae T73-63 and FY-09 derived from the industrial wine yeast T73-4 and laboratory yeast FY1679-01B, respectively, were constructed and compared for their β-carotene production in real grape juice. The results showed that highest β-carotene content (5.89 mg/g) was found in strain T73-63, which was 2.1 fold higher than that of strain FY-09. Although the cell growth was inhibited by the metabolic burden induced by the production of heterogeneous β-carotene, the pigment yield in T73-63 was still 1.7 fold higher than that of FY-09. Furthermore, high contents of ergosterol and fatty acid were also observed in T73-63. These results suggest that industrial wine yeast has highly active metabolic flux in mevalonate pathway, which leads to more ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419487 Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5419487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419488&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22076114%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, the non-specific reactive signal was observed, in three samples using Monolisa HCV Ag/Ab ULTRA, to be negative by other serological assays, and observed to be negative in an HCV RNA assessment, a result that could not be attributed to the interference with HBsAg. In the context of diagnostic testing, no test for various HCV genotypes was observed to be superior to any other. PMID: 22076114 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419488 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5419488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419491&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22057919%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao J, Wang J Abstract Pyrococcus abyssi GE5 (P. aby) and Pyrococcus furiosus DSM 3638 (P. fur) are two model hyperthermophilic archaea. However, their annotations in public databases are unsatisfactory. In this article, the two genomes were re-annotated according to the following steps. (i) All "hypothetical genes" in the original annotation were re-identified based on the Z-curve method, and some of them were recognized as non-coding open reading frames (ORFs). Evidence showed that the recognized non-coding ORFs were highly unlikely to encode proteins. (ii) The translation initiation sites (TISs) of all the annotated genes were re-located, and more than 10% of the TISs were shifted to 5'-upstream or 3'-downstream regions. (iii) The functions of the refined "hypothetical ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419491 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5419491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419490&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22057920%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was taken up with a view to generate basic information on spore hardiness to ethanol in various Bacillus species and related genera, and to assess the effectiveness of different levels of ethanol as a bacterial disinfectant. Predominantly spore-bearing cultures of five Bacillus spp. (B. pumilus, B. subtilis, B. megaterium, B. fusiformis and B. flexus) that were isolated from the spent-alcohol used during plant tissue culture work were challenged with aqueous ethanol (25, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90% v/v) in 1 ml volumes at 10(10-11) CFU ml(-1). Monitoring the spore endurance through spotting and plating revealed prolonged tolerance (>12 months) at different alcohol levels depending on the organism except in 90% where no survival was observed beyond 2-12 months. Spores of relat... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419490 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5419490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5419489&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22057921%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, 46 culturable fungal endophytes were isolated and identified from roots of nine Holcoglossum plants collected from Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces of China based on molecular techniques. The results showed that all strains belonged to four classes, i.e., Sordariomycetes (41.30%), Dothideomycetes (36.96%), Agaricomycetes (17.39%), Leotiomycetes (4.35%). Thirty-six strains were identified at the genus level, including Alternaria, Cladosporium, Clonostachys, Colletotrichum, Cosmospora, Cryptosporiopsis, Cylindrocarpon, Didymella, Epulorhiza (Anamorphic Tulasnella), Fusarium, Myrmecridium, Leptosphaeria, Paraconiothyrium, Phomopsis, Pyrenochaeta, and Stephanonectria. Fusarium and Epulorhiza (Anamorphic Tulasnella) were the dominant fungal endophytes. Some orchids mycorrhiz... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5419489 Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5419489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379599&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22048160%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Treece E, Pinkham A, Kim T Abstract Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), the enzyme responsible for the production of endogenous nitric oxide from arginine, has been recently discovered in a number of Gram-positive bacteria. While bacterial NOS has been implicated in mediating nitrosative stress, much remains unknown about the functional role of endogenous nitric oxide in bacteria. Using the known NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine, we examined changes in the protein expression profile using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Treatment with aminoguanidine induced several changes in protein expression in Bacillus subtilis. In particular, mreB-like protein (Mbl) was fully down-regulated in the aminoguanidine-treated samples. The expression of Mbl was also examined by reverse transcripta... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379599 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379598&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22048161%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Perez LR, de Freitas AL, Barth AL Abstract The capability for biofilm and quorum-sensing (QS) signaling production among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were evaluated. A total of 231 isolates were recovered from sputa of cystic fibrosis (CF, n = 104) and non-CF (non-CF, n = 127) patients. One hundred ninety-seven (85.3%; 95% CI 80.1-89.3%) were biofilm producers and 157 (68%; 95% CI 61.7-73.6%) were weak QS-producing. No difference was observed between CF and non-CF isolates regarding the ability to produce biofilm and QS-signaling. Interestingly, the degree of QS production appears to be related to the degree of biofilm production. Thus, blocking QS pathways may be crucial in the prevention and treatment of biofilm-related infections. PMID: 22048161 [PubMed - as ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379598 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279229&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21850474%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mashima I, Kamaguchi A, Nakazawa F Abstract Five species of oral Veillonella, V. atypica, V. denticariosi, V. dispar, V. parvula, and V. rogosae, have been suggested to be early colonizers of dental biofilm and causes of opportunistic infections and oral malodor. However, the pathogenicity and the distribution of oral Veillonella spp. have not been clarified. Previously, oral Veillonella spp. were identified by using 16S rDNA sequence analysis. In addition, recently, Veillonella isolates from human tongue biofilm were identified by rpoB gene sequences, but these procedures are time-consuming and complex. To overcome this problem, Igarashi et al. have designed species-specific primer sets for oral Veillonella spp. by using a highly variable region in the rpoB gene. In ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279229 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:53:31 +0100 5279229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279224&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21960015%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fu Y, Li Q, Liu K, Xu Y, Wang Y, Jiao N Abstract A Gram-negative, short ovoid- to coccus-shaped, aerobic, motile, non-spore-forming bacterium (designated strain JLT1679(T)) was isolated from West Pacific. Cells have subpolar flagella, dividing by binary fission. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain belongs to branch of the evolutionary radiation occupied by the genus Paracoccus, family Rhodobacteraceae, order Rhodobacterales, class Alphaproteobacteria. The closest neighbours were Paracoccus stylophorae KTW-16(T) (97.1% similarity), Paracoccus caeni strain MJ17(T) (96.5% similarity), Paracoccus homiensis DD-R11(T) (96.0% similarity) and Paracoccus alcaliphilus JCM 7364(T) (95.8% similarity). The predominant cellular fatty a... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279224 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279224 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279223&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21960016%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Arora PK, Jain RK Abstract Degradation of 2-Chloro-4-nitrophenol (2C4NP) was studied by Arthrobacter sp. SJCon, isolated from the soil of a pesticide contaminated site. This strain utilized 2C4NP as sole source of carbon and energy and degraded 2C4NP with stoichiometric release of nitrite and chloride ions. A metabolite was detected during the study of 2C4NP degradation and identified as chlorohydroquinone (CHQ) by thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Inhibition study using 2,2'-dipyridyl showed that CHQ is a terminal aromatic compound in degradation pathway of 2C4NP. CHQ dioxygenase activity was observed in the crude extract of 2C4NP induced cells of the strain SJCon that suggeste... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279223 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279223 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279226&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21956665%26dopt%3DAbstract This article demonstrated that microbial community, AOB, and NOB diversity were related with FA concentration closely at ambient temperature. PMID: 21956665 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279226 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279225&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21956666%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, genetic and pathogenic variability in Indian strains of Xcc were established, which will be of immense use in the development of resistant genotypes against this bacterial pathogen. PMID: 21956666 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279225 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279227&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21947260%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gong J, Shen XH, Qiu H, Chen C, Yang RG Abstract Rhesus monkey TRIM5α (TRIM5α(rh)), a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family, was identified as the main restriction factor responsible for resistance of old world monkey cells to HIV-1 infection. However, the precise mechanism of HIV-1 infection inhibition by TRIM5α remains elusive and appears to be related to some cellular cofactors. Here we reported that TRIM5α(rh) can significantly reduce the infection efficiency of VSV-G pseudotyped HIV-1/MA-YFP virus in human epithelial carcinoma (HeLa) cells, moderately reduce in porcine kidney (PK-15) cells and have no effect on the pseudotyped virus infection in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Furthermore, we found that the different HIV-1 restriction activities hav... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279227 Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5279228&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21947237%26dopt%3DAbstract This study provides an insight into the SH3b domain of LysGH15. The specific binding activity may cause LysGH15B to serve as an anchoring device, and offer an alternative approach for cell surface attachment onto staphylococci. PMID: 21947237 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5279228 Fri, 23 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5279228 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5246542&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21935669%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tang MJ, Zhou S, Zhang XY, Pu JH, Ge QL, Tang XJ, Gao YS Abstract Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was designed for detection of Listeria monocytogenes, which is an important food-borne kind of pathogenic bacteria causing human and animal disease. The primers set for the hlyA gene consist of six primers targeting eight regions on specific gene. The LAMP assay could be performed within 40 min at 65°C in a water bath. Amplification products were visualized by calcein and manganous ion and agarose gel electrophoresis. Sensitivity of the LAMP assay for detection of L. monocytogenes in pure cultures was 2.0 CFU per reaction. The LAMP assay was 100-fold higher sensitive than that of the conventional PCR assay. Taking this way, 60 chicken samples were investigated... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5246542 Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5246542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218824&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21910022%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the catalysis effect of ethanol on biotransforming L: -Phe into 2-PE by yeast was evaluated and optimized. The results indicated that increasing ethanol concentration was beneficial for enhancing 2-PE concentration but lowered the 2-PE productivity. Initial ethanol concentration above 25 g/l could strongly inhibit the 2-PE production. To obtain 2-PE with desirable concentrations with an economical operation mode, three fed-batch biotransformation operation methods using ethanol or/and glucose were carried out in a solid-liquid two-phase system. When using ethanol alone with the initial concentration of 10 g/l, the total concentration and overall productivity of 2-PE were 7.6 g/l and 0.065 g l(-1) h(-1), respectively. Furthermore, an experiment with controlled glucose s... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218824 Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218826&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21909782%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ning D, Ye S, Liu B, Chang J Abstract The proteolytic regulation of toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems has been well studied in Escherichia coli but remains unclear in other bacteria. A chromosomal gene pair ssr1114/slr0664, named relNEs, of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 forms a TA system belonging to rel family. Here, we used E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) as a host to characterize the proteolytic regulation of relNEs. The proteases of this strain could not degrade the antitoxin RelN, and the ectopic production of the ATP-dependant protease Lons or ClpP2s/Xs of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 did not affect E. coli growth. Either Lons or ClpP2s/Xs was able to degrade RelN resulting in growth arrest of E. coli due to the activation of RelEs's toxicity, and the presence of RelEs could protect ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218826 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218825&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21909783%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Majtan V, Majtanova L, Majtan J Abstract Forty-three epidemiologically unrelated emerging Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- strains isolated during the period 2009-2010 in Slovakia were characterized by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Thirty-one isolates (72.1%) expressed resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulfizoxazole, and tetracycline [R-type ASSuT]. The majority of the strains belonged to both definitive phage types DT193 (30.2%) and U311 (27.9%). Other phage types identified were U302 (6.9%), DT18 (4.7%), and DT194 (2.3%). Twelve strains (27.9%) were not typeable. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis identified three closely related major banding profiles (X1, X1a, and X2), suggesting the similarity and close epidemiological relation... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218825 Sat, 10 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218825 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218827&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21901556%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Amdekar S, Singh V, Singh DD Abstract Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an extremely common health problem, with an unpredictable history. Members of enterobacteriaceae family such as Escherichia coli, which are normal inhabitants of human intestines, account for the majority of these uncomplicated infections. Rarely, UTI can result from virus or fungus. There is a close correlation between loss of the normal genital microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus species, and an increased incidence of genital and bladder infections. Although antimicrobial agents are generally effective in eradicating these infections, there is a high incidence of recurrence. Use of Lactobacillus species to combat UTI is now giving modern concept of modern genitourinary vaccine with the facts that i... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218827 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218828&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21892633%26dopt%3DAbstract This article describes a specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method developed for a rapid identification of Salmonella. A gyrB-targeted species-specific primer pair, S-P-for (5'-GGT GGT TTC CGT AAA AGT A-3') and S-P-rev (5'-GAA TCG CCT GGT TCT TGC-3'), was successfully designed. PCR with all the Salmonella strains produced a 366- bp DNA fragment that was absent from all the non-Salmonella strains tested. The detection limit of the PCR was 0.01 ng with genomic DNA or 3.2 cells per assay. Good specificity was also demonstrated by fecal samples, from which only the gyrB gene of Salmonella was amplified. Using the culture-PCR method, 27 isolates on Salmonella-Shigella (SS) medium were rapidly identified as Salmonella, which was confirmed by the sequencing of the gyrB gene. PMID: 218... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218828 Sat, 03 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218831&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21882006%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu P, Xu X, Xu Y, Chen Q, Pan S Abstract The potential use of Brettanomyces anomalus PSY-001 as an additional starter culture for the production of Rice-steamed sponge cake (RSSC), a traditional fermented food in China, was investigated. Two productions of RSSC, each containing batches of experimental cakes with Brettanomyces added and reference cakes with the leavened liquid added were carried out. For both experimental and reference cakes, chemical analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out during the fermentation period. The results showed that experimental cakes had desirable aroma and taste. The observed differences indicate a positive contribution to the overall quality of RSSC by B. anomalus PSY-001. PMID: 21882006 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Sour... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218831 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218830&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21882007%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shi T, Fu T, Xie J Abstract Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a ubiquitous linear polymer of hundreds of orthophosphate (Pi) residues linked by ATP-like, high-energy, phosphoanhydride bonds. The gene Rv1026 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis encodes a putative exopolyphosphatase which progressively hydrolyzes the terminal residues of polyP to liberate Pi. Rv1026 was cloned into the expressive plasmid pMV261. The resulting plasmid pRv1026 and the plasmid pMV261 were transformed into M. smegmatis strain mc(2)155 by electroporation. The recombinant M. smegmatis (pRv1026) showed relatively decreased polyP concentration and a phenotype different from the M. smegmatis (pMV261) in sliding motility and biofilm formation. The surfactant Tween 80 can enhance this effect on the sliding m... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218830 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218829&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21882008%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Winck MA, Caumo K, Rott MB Abstract A total of 136 samples of tap water were collected from state and municipal schools between March and November 2009. The samples were filtered through cellulose nitrate membranes that were seeded at non-nutrient agar 1.5% containing an overlayer of Escherichia coli suspension. Thirty-one (22.79%) tap water samples investigated were found positive for free-living amoebae (FLA). From these, 13 presented as FLA that seems to belong to the genus Acanthamoeba. All samples of FLA were cloned and identified as belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba by the morphology of cysts and trophozoites and by PCR using genus-specific primers that amplify the ASA.S1 region of 18S rDNA gene. Physiological tests of thermotolerance and osmotolerance were used to... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218829 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218832&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21879378%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang G, Liang B, Li F, Li S Abstract Chlorothalonil (TPN; 2,4,5,6-tetrachloroisophthalonitrile) has been widely used as a broad-spectrum chlorinated aromatic fungicide and its application resulted in global pollution commonly detected in the diverse ecosystems. Recently, microbial degradation of TPN has been studied extensively as an effective and environmental-friendly method to reduce TPN residue levels in the environment. This review summarizes the current knowledge of recent developments in the biodegradation of TPN. Diverse pure culture strains capable of degrading TPN were widely distributed among Proteobacteria and several metabolic pathways of TPN biotransformation were discovered. The two key genes (glutathione S-transferase and chlorothalonil hydrolytic dehalogen... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218832 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5175237&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21874589%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, E. coli diversity, gene profiles and transport properties of isolates from different livestock and water sources were evaluated. Strain diversity was evaluated by BOX-PCR, phylotyping, and profiling for 15 genes associated with adhesion, toxin production, iron acquisition or capsular synthesis. Attachment efficiencies were calculated for 17 isolates following transport through saturated porous media. Richness of genotype profiles for livestock isolates was relatively low (25, 12, and 11 for swine, poultry and dairy, respectively) compared to those from stream-water (115 and 126 from dry or wet weather events, respectively). Attachment efficiencies varied by an order of magnitude (0.039-0.44) and the isolate with the highest attachment efficiency possessed the largest suite o... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5175237 Sat, 27 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5175237 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5157215&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21861148%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim BC, Poo H, Kim MN, Lee KH, Lee J, Rhee MS, Shin KS Abstract The gram-reaction-negative, motile, facultatively anaerobic, catalase-positive, oxidase-positive bacterial strain M3-4(T) was isolated from black sea sand and subjected to a taxonomic study. Cells of strain M3-4(T) have monotrichous flagella, grow optimally at 37°C and at pH 7-8 in the presence of 1-4% (w/v) NaCl and hydrolyze casein, starch and L: -tyrosine. According to phylogenetic analyses using 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M3-4(T) belongs to the genus Photobacterium and is most closely related to Photobacterium rosenbergii LMG 22223(T) (97.4%) and P. gaetbulicola KCTC 22804(T) (96.6%). The DNA-DNA relatedness value between M3-4(T) and P. rosenbergii LMG 22223(T) was 21.5%. The DNA G+C mol% of strain M... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5157215 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5157215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5157217&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21858695%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we used M. smegmatis mc(2)155 that contains eis to develop and study a rapid method to test intracellular survival using flow cytometry. We demonstrated the success of this technique, which required only a few hours. This assay is rapid, accurate, and reproducible, and it would be valuable for the rapid detection of intracellular survival of mycobacteria. PMID: 21858695 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5157217 Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5157217 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5157216&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21858696%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mahadeva Swamy HM, Asokan R, Nagesha SN, Arora DK, Birah A, Mahmood R Abstract Bt strains were isolated from soils of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and characterized by microscopic and molecular methods. Diversity was observed both in protein and cry gene profiles, where majority of the isolates showed presence of 65 kDa protein band on SDS-PAGE while rest of them showed 130, 72, 44, and 29 kDa bands. PCR analysis revealed predominance of cry1I and cry7, 8 genes in these isolates. The PCR screening strategy presented here led us to identify putative novel cry genes which could be active against Coleoptera insects. Variation in the nucleotide sequences of cry genes from the isolates suggests that the genetic diversity of Bt isolates results from the influence of different e... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5157216 Sat, 20 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5157216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5157219&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21853316%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of P. larvae genotypes in honey and brood combs from Apulia (Italy). Genotyping of P. larvae isolates using ERIC-PCR generated a total of four different ERIC banding patterns (ERIC-A, ERIC-B, ERIC-C, ERIC-D), including fragments ranging from 200 to 3000 bp. Considering that the genotype has an influence on P. larvae infections and multi-genotype infections of colonies or apiaries may increase the complexity of P. larvae infections by influencing the type and speed of the development of clinical symptoms, the findings of the present study could be helpful for training veterinarians, bee inspector's extension staff, and beekeepers, thus improving the detection of AFB infections in the field. PMID: 21853316 [PubMed - as supplied by ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5157219 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5157219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5157218&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21853317%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we identified two types of phytases in Serratia sp. TN49 that was harbored in the gut of Batocera horsfieldi (Coleoptera) larvae. The two phytases, an acidic histidine acid phosphatase (PhyH49) and an alkaline β-propeller phytase (PhyB49), shared low identities with known phytases (61% at most). PhyH49 and PhyB49 produced in Escherichia coli exhibited maximal activities at pH 5.0 (60°C) and pH 7.5-8.0 (45°C), respectively, and are complementary in phytate degradation over the pH range 2.0-9.0. Serratia sp. TN49 harboring both PhyH49 and PhyB49 might make it more adaptive to environment change, corresponding to the evolution trend of microorganism. PMID: 21853317 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5157218 Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5157218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5099158&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21805206%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, infections produced by genital mycoplasmas were studied; of these, 1.3% were caused by Mycoplasma hominis, 10.7% by Ureaplasma urealyticum and 5.6% by U. urealyticum + M. hominis. U. urealyticum was isolated from 75 out of 123 patients with genital mycoplasmas, while M. hominis was isolated from 9 patients (7.3%) and both U. urealyticum and M. hominis from 39 patients (31.7%). Bacteriocins, L23 and L60, produced by Lactobacillus fermentum and L. rhamnosus, respectively, appear to be two novel inhibitors of bacterial infection with potential antibacterial activity. Both bacteriocins proved to be active against 100% of strains tested; MICs of bacteriocin L23 ranged between 320 and 160 UA ml(-1) for 78% of the M. hominis strains and between 320 and 80 UA ml(-1) for 95% of... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5099158 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5099158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5099159&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21800262%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gomes F, Teixeira P, Cerca N, Azeredo J, Oliveira R Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most frequent cause of nosocomial sepsis and catheter-related infections in which biofilm formation is considered to be one of the main virulence mechanisms. Moreover, their increased resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy enhances the need to develop new therapeutical agents. Farnesol, a natural sesquiterpenoid present in many essential oils, has been described as impairing bacterial growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of farnesol on the structure and composition of biofilm matrix of S. epidermidis. Biofilms formed in the presence of farnesol (300 μM) contained less biomass, and displayed notable changes in the composition of the biofilm matrix. Changes in the s... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5099159 Thu, 28 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5099159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5099160&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21789608%26dopt%3DAbstract This study aims at assessing the influence of Pseudomonas fluorescence cell morphology on the effectiveness and production of the lytic bacteriophage ϕIBB-PF7A. P. fluorescens were cultured as rods or as elongated cells by varying the temperature and rotary agitation conditions. Cells presented rod shape when grown at temperatures up to 25°C and also at 30°C under static conditions, and elongated morphology only at 30°C when cultures were grown under agitation. Elongated cells were 0.4 up to 27.9 μm longer than rod cells. Rod-shaped hosts were best infected by phages at 25°C which resulted in an 82% cell density reduction. Phage infection of elongated cells was successful, and the cell density reductions achieved was statistically similar (P > 0.05) to those obtained at the opt... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5099160 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5099160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051936&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21779937%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Du K, Zheng Q, Zhou M, Zhu L, Ai B, Zhou L Chlamydiae are obligate intracellular bacteria that cause variety of human diseases. Chlamydia-infected host cells are profoundly resistant to apoptosis induced by many different apoptotic stimuli. The inhibition of apoptosis is thought to be an important immune escape mechanism allowing chlamydiae to productively complete their obligate intracellular growth cycle. Infection with chlamydiae can activate the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Because the survival pathway can modulate apoptosis, we used MEK-specific inhibitor U0126 and Raf-specific inhibitor GW5074 to examine the role of Raf/MEK/ERK pathway in chlamydial antiapoptotic activity. Apoptosis was induced by staurosporine (STS) and detected by morphology, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051936 Thu, 21 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051935&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21779938%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Saidi N, Kouki S, Mehri I, Ben Rejeb A, Belila A, Hassen A, Ouzari H The efficiency of ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection of wastewater effluent using a large-scale pilot system was studied. The relationship between biofilm and siderophore production and UV doses received by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain ATCC 15442 was determined. UV decreased pyoverdine production and enhanced biofilm production. Consequently external factors conditioned by both pyoverdine and biofilm may affect the UV effect on bacterial disinfection. PMID: 21779938 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051935 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051934&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21779939%26dopt%3DAbstract This study monitors the colonization rates of colon tissue in a mouse-streptomycin dose/response model involving isolates of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria obtained from human clinical specimens. The ability to successfully colonize mouse colon tissues by the human clinical isolates was then compared with the rates achieved in a previous study of Aeromonas isolates obtained from environmental drinking water samples. Results suggest that strains of Aeromonas isolated from drinking water environmental samples contain pathogenic and virulence capabilities similar to those seen in Aeromonas veronii clinical isolates from human infections. PMID: 21779939 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051934 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051937&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21773838%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, using the GenomeComp informatics software, differential genes were screened and identified between the complete genome sequences of the serotypes 5b (L20 strain, highly virulent) and 3 (JL03 strain, weakly virulent), 84 presented uniquely in strain L20, while 57 were only found in JL03 strain. Of these, 75 encode putative proteins and 66 encode hypothetical proteins, including phage-related proteins, Apx toxin, capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis proteins, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, Clp-like proteases, fimbrial protein (Flp), various glycosyltransferases, methylases, integrases, and other proteins related to virulence. To confirm and further characterize the differential genes, we carefully selected 34 proven or putative virulence genes which were extremely us... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051937 Tue, 19 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051941&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21761218%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, PTS plays an important role in cell physiology and the elimination of its components has a significant impact on catabolite repression, carbon flux distribution, and PHB biosynthesis in B. sacchari. PMID: 21761218 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051941 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051940&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21761219%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, this antibiotic can be strongly considered as an acceptable therapeutic option for S. epidermidis biofilm-associated infections and can represent a potential alternative to rifampicin in serious infections where rifampicin resistance becomes prevalent. PMID: 21761219 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051940 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051939&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21761220%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Valencia JW, Gaitán Bustamante AL, Jiménez AV, Grossi-de-Sá MF The cyclohexadepsipeptide beauvericin (BEA) is a mycotoxin produced by the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bals.). Using ELISA, different accessions of B. bassiana, belonging to distinct genetic groups, were analyzed to determine their variability in BEA production. The cytotoxic effect of pure mycotoxins and crude extracts was also tested on insect cell lines SF-9 and SF-21. The results showed that BEA production was significantly different between all strains. Bb 9024 exhibited the highest levels (98.56 mg/l), while Bb 9001 the lowest (15.66 mg/l). Statistical difference was found when BEA CC(50) values (2.81 and 6.94 μM) were compared with those values from others mycotoxins (4.23-11.95 μM). Although no corr... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051939 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051939 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051938&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21761221%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hosseinkhani B, Emtiazi G Recently, manganese oxides have been considered in the environmental remediation, MRI diagnosis and drug and pharmaceutical industries. Different numbers of physicochemical and biological methods have been reported for the preparation of nanoscale manganese oxides. Although manganese oxide biogenesis by bacterial species has been recognized as the major Mn-oxidizing agent in nature, in this research, for first time, we demonstrated the process which used to produce bixbyite-like Mn(2)O(3) nanoparticles by isolated aerobic bacterium from Persian Gulf water. The 16SRNA sequencing showed that this isolate belong to a gram-negative Acinetobacter which produced nano Mn-oxide crystal particle. Characterization of complement morphology, size and chemical str... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051938 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051944&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21744286%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Waghmare SR, Kulkarni SS, Ghosh JS The present study reports the economic production of thermostable chitinase production from Oerskovia xanthineolytica NCIM 2839 by solid-state fermentation (SSF) technique and its application in fungal protoplasts formation. The Oerskovia xanthineolytica NCIM 2839 was found to produce thermostable chitinase 148 U g(-1) of solid substrate in SSF using wheat bran with colloidal chitin as base. Protoplasts of A. niger were formed by using crude chitinase produced in SSF and formed protoplasts were confirmed by using scanning electron microscopy. This is the simple and economical method for protoplast formation which makes it possible applications in strain improvement of various fungi by protoplasts fusion in Biotechnological industries. P... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051944 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051943&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21744287%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we have demonstrated that the maximal production of the secreted Vip3LB (also called Vip3Aa16) during the growth of the wild-type strain B. thuringiensis BUPM 95 is reached at the end of the vegetative growth phase, and that the protein remains relatively stable in the culture supernatant during the late sporulation stages. The vip3LB gene was cloned and expressed under the control of the sporulation dependant promoters BtI and BtII in B. thuringiensis BUPM 106 (Vip3(-)) and BUPM 95 (Vip3(+)) strains. The examination of the culture supernatants during the sporulation phase evidenced the synthesis of Vip3LB and its toxicity against the second-instars larvae of the Lepidopteron insect Spodoptera littoralis for the recombinant BUPM 106. Moreover, there was an increase of the Vi... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051943 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051942&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21744288%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Singh KM, Tripathi AK, Pandya PR, Rank DN, Kothari RK, Joshi CG The genetic diversity of protozoa in Surti buffalo rumen was studied by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis, 18S rDNA sequence homology and phylogenetic and Real-time PCR analysis methods. Three animals were fed diet comprised green fodder Napier bajra 21 (Pennisetum purpureum), mature pasture grass (Dicanthium annulatum) and concentrate mixture (20% crude protein, 65% total digestible nutrients). A protozoa-specific primer (P-SSU-342f) and a eukarya-specific primer (Medlin B) were used to amplify a 1,360 bp fragment of DNA encoding protozoal small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA from rumen fluid. A total of 91 clones were examined and identified 14 different 18S RNA sequences based on PCR-RFLP pattern. Thes... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051942 Sat, 09 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051948&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21739250%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Giridhar Babu A, Sudhakara Reddy M Root colonization and diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) were analyzed in plants growing in fly ash pond. Eight species could be separated morphologically, while phylogenetic analyses after PCR amplification of the ITS region followed by RFLP and sequencing revealed seven different AM fungal sequence types. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these sequences cluster into four discrete groups, belonging to the genus Glomus and Archaeospora. Inoculation of plants with spores of AM fungal consortia (Glomus etunicatum, Glomus heterogama, Glomus maculosum, Glomus magnicaule, Glomus multicaule, Glomus rosea, Scutellospora heterogama, and Scutellospora nigra) along with colonized root pieces increased the growth (84.9%), chlorophyll (54%)... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051948 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051947&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21739251%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we report the survey of Wolbachia and WO phage infections in 20 populations of the Uzifly Exorista sorbillans, a tachinid endoparasite of silkworm Bombyx mori, collected from different geographic regions of India. Previous studies demonstrated that Wolbachia is associated with positive reproductive fitness effects in this species. Polymerase chain reaction using the ftsZ gene encoding for a Wolbachia cell division protein and the orf7 capsid protein gene of the phage showed that all flies checked were infected by Wolbachia and its phage WO. Phylogenetic analyses based on the Wolbachia surface protein gene revealed 100% of double infections by the arthropod supergroups A and B. These results can serve as a valuable basis for understanding the evolution of Wolbachia bacteria a... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051947 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051946&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21739252%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ma C, Wu X, Nawaz M, Li J, Yu P, Moore JE, Xu J The study provides molecular analyses of fecal microbiota of diarrhea patients infected with four different types of viruses. Fecal specimens from 52 patients with viral diarrhea (13 each of adenovirus, norovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus) and six healthy individuals were collected and etiological viral agent was confirmed by enzyme immunoassay and specific PCR. To assess the changes in microbial diversity in patients with viral diarrhea, DNA from stool were extracted and characterized by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) with universal primers specific for the V3 region of 16S rRNA gene. The strongest bands of the DGGE profiling were excised and sequenced to identify the dominant groups. Bacteroides vulgatus, B... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051946 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051945&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21739253%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Folgarait P, Gorosito N, Poulsen M, Currie CR Leaf-cutting ants are one of the main herbivores of the Neotropics, where they represent an important agricultural pest. These ants are particularly difficult to control because of the complex network of microbial symbionts. Leaf-cutting ants have traditionally been controlled through pesticide application, but there is a need for alternative, more environmentally friendly, control methods such as biological control. Potential promising biocontrol candidates include the microfungi Escovopsis spp. (anamorphic Hypocreales), which are specialized pathogens of the fungi the ants cultivate for food. These pathogens are suppressed through ant behaviors and ant-associated antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria. In order to be an effective bi... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051945 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5051949&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21735226%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Roschitzki B, Schauer S, Mittl PR Tetratricopeptide- and sel1-like repeat (SLR) proteins modulate various cellular activities, ranging from transcription regulation to cell-fate control. Helicobacter cysteine-rich proteins (Hcp) consist of several SLRs that are cross-linked by disulfide bridges and have been implicated in host/pathogen interactions. Using pull-down proteomics, several human proteins including Nek9, Hsp90, and Hsc71 have been identified as putative human interaction partners for HcpC. The interaction between the NimA-like protein kinase Nek9 and HcpC has been validated by ELISA and surface plasmon resonance. Recombinant Nek9 is recognized by HcpC with a dissociation constant in the lower micromolar range. This interaction is formed either directly between Nek9 ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5051949 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5051949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959941&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21681635%26dopt%3DAbstract This study shows Asaia sp. as fourth genera of nitrogen fixing bacteria in the family Acetobacteraceae. PMID: 21681635 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959941 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959944&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21674164%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cai T, Chen L, Xu J, Cai S Bromoxynil octanoate (BOO), the most widespread herbicide applied to maize, is potentially toxic to both animals and humans. In this article, a highly effective BOO-degrading bacterial strain, XB2, was isolated from the soil of a herbicide factory. The strain was identified as an Acinetobacter sp. based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties. This strain could use BOO as its sole carbon source and could degrade 100 mg l(-1) BOO to non-detectable levels in 72 h (h). The optimal pH and temperature for strain XB2's growth and degradation of BOO in MSM are 7.0 and 30°C, respectively. We propose the following pathway of BOO degradation by strain XB2: the first step is the scission of the ester ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959944 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959944 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959943&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21674165%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim EH, Jeong HJ, Lee YK, Moon EY, Cho JC, Lee HK, Hong SG A Gram-negative, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase- positive, strictly aerobic, and short rod-shaped bacterium that was designated strain KOPRI 25157(T) was isolated from coastal seawater sample in Antarctica. The temperature and pH ranges for growth on R2A agar were 10-20°C, and 5.0-10.0, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain KOPRI 25157(T) showed it to belong to the family Oxalobacteraceae of the class Betaproteobacteria, and it formed a distinct clade from other recognized members of the family. DNA G + C content was 65.9 mol%. Major ubiquinone was Q-8. Predominant cellular fatty acids were C(16:1) ω7c/15 iso 2OH (56.4%) and C(16:1) (30.5%). Major polar lipids were phosphat... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959943 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959942&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21674166%26dopt%3DAbstract This study reports the first detection of Wolbachia and yeast-like symbiont (YLS) harbored in Kerria lacca (Kerr), a scale insect, latter of which produces an economically important natural resin, known as lac. Wolbachia was detected using PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA; and further confirmation and phylogenetic analysis was carried out by fast evolving wsp gene. Neighbor-joining and maximum parsimonious (MP) analysis showed that this strain belongs to subgroup "ori" of Wolbachia super group B of arthropods. Wolbachia of K. lacca is hereby designated as "wKerlac" according to Wolbachia nomenclature system. Histological study revealed the presence of yeast-like endosymbiont, which was also confirmed by PCR amplification of 18S rDNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that YLS of K... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959942 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959942 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959957&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21667307%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mao L, Jiang S, Wang B, Chen L, Yao Q, Chen K Natural wild-type strains of Bacillus subtilis spore is regarded as a non-pathogenic for both human and animal, and has been classified as a novel food which is currently being used as probiotics added in the consumption. To identify B. subtilis spore proteins, we have accomplished a preliminary proteomic analysis of B. subtilis spore, with a combination of two-dimensional electrophoretic separations and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). In this article, we presented a reference map of 158 B. subtilis spore proteins with an isoelectric point (pI) between 4 and 7. Followed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis, we identified 71 B. subtilis spore proteins with high level ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959957 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959956&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21667308%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kumar PA, Srinivas TN, Prasad AR, Shivaji S A fruity aroma-producing strain WG4 was isolated from a water sample collected from the Western Ghats, India. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strain WG4 indicated that Chryseobacterium indologenes, a member of the family 'Flavobacteriaceae' is the closest related species with a pair-wise sequence similarity of 98.6%. Strain WG4 produces a fruity aroma when grown on nutrient or trypticase soy agar plates. The fruity aroma is more when the strain WG4 is grown on agar plates compared to their growth in broth. The aromatic compounds produced by the strain WG4 were identified as ester compounds and were confirmed as ethyl-2-methylbutyrate and ethyl-3-methylbutyrate based on Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959956 Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959959&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21656247%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhou Q, Feng F, Wang L, Feng X, Yin X, Luo Q The ability of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to develop biofilm in food-processing environment is a major concern for the food safety, because biofilms allow bacteria to better resist environmental stresses. PrfA is a key transcriptional activator that positively regulates most of the known listerial virulence gene expression. In order to explore the role of PrfA on Listeria biofilm development, we compared the abilities of biofilm formation by L. monocytogenes wild type strains (EGD and EGDe) and their prfA deletion mutants (EGD∆prfA and EGDe∆prfA), nonpathogenic Listeria innocua, as well as the recombinant strains that express constitutively active mutant PrfA (PrfA*) in L. innocua (LI-pERL3-prfA*) and in EGDe�... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959959 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4959958&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21656248%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Devi SM, Halami PM Fifty-five bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from seven different sources. Eight isolates were found to produce pediocin PA-1 like bacteriocin as detected by pedB gene PCR and dot-blot hybridization. The culture filtrate (CF) activity of these isolates exhibited strong antilisterial, antibacterial activity against tested food-borne pathogens and LAB. The identification and genetic diversity among the selected LAB was performed by conventional morphological and molecular tools like RFLP, RAPD, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing. The isolates were identified as, 1 each of Pediococcus acidilactici Cb1, Lactobacillus plantarum Acr2, and Streptococcus equinus AC1, 2 were of P. pentosaceus Cb4 and R38, and other 3 were Enterococcus faecium Acr4, BL1,... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4959958 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4959958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911980&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21643851%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, a novel Leptothrix sp. strain designated OUMS1 was successfully isolated from ocherous deposits in groundwater by testing various culture media and conditions. Morphological and physiological characters and elemental composition were compared with those of the known strain L. cholodnii SP-6 and the differences between these two strains were shown. The successful isolation of OUMS1 led us to establish a basic system to accumulate biological knowledge of Leptothrix and to promote the understanding of the mechanism of microtubule formation. Additional geochemical studies of the OUMS1-related microstructures are expected provide an attractive approach to study the broad industrial application of bacteria-derived iron oxides. PMID: 21643851 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911980 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911984&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21638040%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li Q, Tian Y, Fu X, Yin H, Zhou Z, Liang Y, Qiu G, Liu J, Liu H, Liang Y, Shen L, Cong J, Liu X To determine the effect of organics (yeast extract) on microbial community during chalcopyrite bioleaching at different temperature, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to analyze community dynamics of major bacteria applied in bioleaching. The results showed that yeast extract exerted great impact on microbial community, and therefore influencing bioleaching rate. To be specific, yeast extract was adverse to this bioleaching process at 30°C due to decreased proportion of important chemolithotrophs such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. However, yeast extract could promote bioleaching rate at 40°C on account of the increased nu... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911984 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911984 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911983&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21638041%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leclerque A, Kleespies RG, Ritter C, Schuster C, Feiertag S Wireworms, the polyphagous larvae of click beetles belonging to the genus Agriotes (Coleoptera: Elateridae), are severe and widespread agricultural pests affecting numerous crops. A previously unknown intracellular bacterium has been identified in a diseased Agriotes larva. Microscopic studies revealed the subcellular structures characteristic of Rickettsiella infections. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on 16S ribosomal RNA and signal recognition particle receptor (FtsY) encoding sequences demonstrates that the wireworm pathogen belongs to the taxonomic genus Rickettsiella. Therefore, the new pathotype designation 'R. agriotidis' is proposed to refer to this organism. Moreover, genetic analysis makes it likely t... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911983 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911983 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911982&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21638042%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Herrera-Valencia VA, Contreras-Pool PY, López-Adrián SJ, Peraza-Echeverría S, Barahona-Pérez LF The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of the green microalga Chlorella saccharophila as a source of oil for biodiesel production. We evaluated for the first time, the effect of salinity and/or nitrogen depletion (ND) on cell growth, lipid accumulation and lipid profile in this microalga. The fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) identified for C. saccharophila in this study consisted of C-16:0, C-18:0, C-18:1 cis, and C-18:1 trans. Among these, C-18:1 (indicator of biodiesel quality) was the main FAME found, representing approximately 76 and 80% of total FAME under normal and ND growing conditions, respectively. Under a normal growing condition this microalga showed 1... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911982 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911982 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911981&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21638043%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lang ZF, Shen JJ, Cai S, Zhang J, He J, Li SP A multiple herbicide-resistant acetohydroxyacid synthase (rAHAS) gene was cloned from Pseudomonas sp. Lm10. Sequence analysis showed that the rAHAS regulatory subunit was identical to that of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 (sensitive AHAS, sAHAS), whereas six different sites [H134→N (rAHAS→sAHAS), A135→P, S136→T, I210→V, F264→Y, and S486→W] were found in the catalytic subunit. The rAHAS and sAHAS were over expressed, purified and characterized. rAHAS showed higher resistance to four kinds of AHAS-inhibitor herbicides than sAHAS. The resistance factor of rAHAS was 56.0-fold, 12.6-fold, 6.5-fold, and 9.2-fold as compared with sAHAS when metsulfuron-methyl, imazethapyr, flumetsulam, and pyriminobac-methyl used as inhibitor, r... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911981 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911981 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911988&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21626144%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shin HS, Ha UH As the first line of host defense, inflammatory responses in response to bacterial infection are initiated by the production of a range of mediators. Infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been shown to stimulate the production of bradykinin (BK), which is known as a universal mediator for the induction of inflammatory reaction via the predominant interaction with the bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R). Thus, the interaction between BK and B2R represents an important host innate response against invading P. aeruginosa. However, the contribution of P. aeruginosa to the up-regulation of B2R expression remains unclear. Here, we report that P. aeruginosa is potent in inducing the expression of B2R at the mRNA and protein levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compo... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911988 Mon, 30 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911987&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21626145%26dopt%3DAbstract This study has been devised to assess the involvement of Escherichia coli in CD. Seven E. coli strains were isolated from 14 biopsies obtained from ileocolic ulcers of patients affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including six with ulcerative colitis and eight with CD. Five strains, exclusively isolated from CD patients, were found inside mucosal cells. Different PCR techniques (for chuA, yjaA, TspE4.C2, escV, and bfpB genes) were performed and PFGE was carried out to characterize these bacteria in comparison with other E. coli strains isolated from non-IBD specimens. The correlation of these characters with bacterial invasiveness on intestinal (Caco-2) and phagocytic (U937) cells was assessed. Overall our pilot data suggest that five among eight strains isolated from CD patient... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911987 Fri, 27 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911986&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21626146%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vieira RH, Costa RA, Menezes FG, Silva GC, Theophilo GN, Rodrigues DP, Maggioni R Between October 2008 and June 2009, 15 samples of 10 live oysters each (Crassostrea rhizophorae) measuring 8.31-10.71 cm were purchased from a restaurant on the seashore of Fortaleza, Brazil. The Vibrio count ranged from 75 (estimated) to 43,500 CFU/g. Fourteen species were identified among the 56 isolated Vibrio strains, with V. parahaemolyticus as the most prevalent. Two of the 17 V. parahaemolyticus strains were urease-positive and tdh- and trh-positive on multiplex PCR, but neither produced β-hemolysis halos in Wagatsuma agar. Thus, fresh oysters served in natura in Fortaleza, Brazil, were found to contain Vibrio strains known to cause gastroenteritis in humans. PMID: 21626146 [PubMed... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911986 Fri, 27 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911985&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21626147%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Han S, Song P, Ren T, Huang X, Cao C, Zhang B SACE_7040 is presumed to be a member of the TetR family of transcriptional regulators in Saccharopolyspora erythraea, but its biological function is unknown. It was shown that the SACE_7040 gene knockout mutant formed aerial mycelium earlier than its original strain, and this phenotype could be restored by complementation of a single copy of SACE_7040 gene, demonstrating that SACE_7040 is an important regulator of the morphological differentiation of Sac. erythraea. When SACE_7040 gene was disrupted in the bldD mutant, we intriguingly found that the defect in aerial development exhibited by the bldD mutant could be overcome, suggesting a crosstalk between SACE_7040 and BldD in Sac. erythraea morphogenesis. These findings provide no... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911985 Fri, 27 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4911985 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862597&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21604098%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ravella SR, Donovan N, James SA, Shivaji S, Arunasri K, Bond CJ, Roberts IN, Hobbs PJ Two yeast morphotypes, BET 4(T) and BET 7, were isolated from the gut of click beetle Melanotus villosus. Click beetles were collected from the decaying timber within the woodlands of North Wyke Research, South West England, UK (latitude, 50°46'29″N; longitude, 3°55'23″W). Morphotype BET 7 was identified as Debaryomyces hansenii, and the other morphotype, BET 4(T), was found to differs from Priceomyces castillae and Priceomyces haplophilus, its closest phylogenetic neighbours, by 5.0% with respect to the nucleotide sequence of the D1/D2 domain of the large-subunit (LSU) rRNA gene, and by 8.0% with respect to the ribosomal internal-transcribed spacer (ITS) region. BET 4(T) also differ fr... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862597 Sat, 21 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862596&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21604099%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tavasolee A, Aliasgharzad N, Salehi GR, Mardi M, Asgharzadeh A, Akbarivala S Legume roots in nature are usually colonized with rhizobia and different arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species. Light microscopy that visualizes the presence of AMF in roots is not able to differentiate the ratio of each AMF species in the root and nodule tissues in mixed fungal inoculation. The purpose of this study was to characterize the dominant species of mycorrhiza in roots and nodules of plants co-inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi and rhizobial strains. Glomus intraradices (GI), Glomus mosseae (GM), their mix (GI + GM), and six Mesorhizobium ciceri strains were used to inoculate chickpea. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to assess occupancy of these fun... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862596 Sat, 21 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862596 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862599&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21598047%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cotado-Sampayo M, Ortega Pérez R, Ojha M, Seum C, Barja F α-Actinin, an actin-binding protein of the spectrin superfamily, is present in most eukaryotes except plants. It is composed of three domains: N-terminal CH-domains, C-terminal calcium-binding domain (with EF-hand motifs), and a central rod domain. We have cloned and expressed Neurospora crassa α-actinin as GST and GFP fusion proteins for biochemical characterization and in vivo localization, respectively. The intracellular localization pattern of α-actinin suggests that this protein is intimately associated with actin filaments and plays an important role in the processes of germination, hyphal elongation, septum formation, and conidiation. These functions were confirmed by the experiments on the effect of α-actin... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862599 Thu, 19 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862599 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862606&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21590326%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Singh S, Gogoi BK, Bezbaruah RL The ability of Aspergillus fumigatus L: -amino acid oxidase (L: -aao) to cause the resolution of racemic mixtures of DL: -amino acids was investigated with DL: -alanine, DL: -phenylalanine, DL: -tyrosine, and DL: -aspartic acid. A chiral column, Crownpak CR+ was used for the analysis of the amino acids. The enzyme was able to cause the resolution of the three DL: -amino acids resulting in the production of optically pure D: -alanine (100% resolution), D: -phenylalanine (80.2%), and D: -tyrosine (84.1%), respectively. The optically pure D: -amino acids have many uses and thus can be exploited industrially. This is the first report of the use of A. fumigatus L: -amino acid oxidase for racemic resolution of DL: -amino acids. PMID: 21590326 [Pub... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862606 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862611&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21573831%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Król J, Bania J, Florek M, Podkowik M, Pliszczak-Król A, Staroniewicz Z A total of 16 Pasteurella dagmatis strains, including 11 feline and 4 canine isolates as well as one strain isolated from a tiger, were analyzed using partial 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence comparison. Phylogenetic studies based on both genes revealed that the population of P. dagmatis recovered from cats in Poland differs markedly from canine strains, constituting a well-separated cluster within Pasteurella sensu stricto species group. The isolate from a tiger seems to represent yet another evolutionary lineage within P. dagmatis. PMID: 21573831 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862611 Sat, 14 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862608&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21573832%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sharma RS, Mishra V, Mohmmed A, Babu CR Outer-membrane characteristics may determine the survivability of rhizobia under diverse abiotic and biotic stresses. Therefore, the role of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and membrane proteins of two stem-nodulating bacteria of Sesbania rostrata (Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 and Rhizobium sp. WE7) in determining tolerance towards abiotic and biotic stresses (hydrophobics and phages) was investigated. Outer-membrane characteristics (LPS and membrane-protein profiles) of ORS571, WE7 and thirteen standard strains were distinct. ORS571 and WE7 also showed susceptibility towards morphologically distinct phages, i.e., ACSR16 (short-tailed) and WESR29 (long-tailed), respectively. ORS571 and WE7 were tolerant to hydrophobic compounds (triton X-10... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862608 Sat, 14 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4862616&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21562944%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bustamante AV, Sanso AM, Lucchesi PM, Parma AE PMID: 21562944 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4862616 Thu, 12 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4862616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4805050&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21547544%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Takaichi S, Maoka T, Sasikala C, Ramana CV, Shimada K Phototrophic bacteria necessarily contain carotenoids for photosynthesis, and a few phototrophic purple bacteria accumulate unusual carotenoids. The carotenoids in the genera Phaeospirillum and Roseospira were identified using spectroscopic methods. All species of the genus Phaeospirillum contained characteristic polar carotenoids in addition to lycopene and hydroxylycopene (rhodopin); hydroxylycopene glucoside, dihydroxylycopene, and its mono- and/or diglucosides. From the structures of these carotenoids, their accumulation was suggested to be due to absence of CrtD (acyclic carotenoid C-3,4 desaturase) and to possession of glucosyltransferase. Species of the genus Roseospira have been reported to have unusual absorption s... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4805050 Thu, 05 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4805050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4805051&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21544574%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library with an average insert size of up to 150 kb was constructed from genomic DNA of Streptomyces autolyticus JX-47. A genetic-screening strategy was established using BAC end-sequencing and three pairs of primers designed to target the remote regions, gdmA1, gdmA3 and gdmRI, of the geldanamycin gene cluster. Three clones covering geldanamycin biosynthesis gene cluster were obtained, which together spanned a 250-kb genomic region, and a 150227-bp insert in the clone p4E9 was sequenced. Comparison with the reported geldanamycin gene cluster sequences from S. hygroscopicus revealed that it had the same gene arrangement and high gene homology in the polyketide synthase (PKS) region and its downstream with 84-100% DNA identity and 81-1... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4805051 Wed, 04 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4805051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4805053&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21533781%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yu LJ, Wu JR, Zheng ZY, Zhan XB, Lin CC The regulatory function of global regulator NtrC on curdlan biosynthesis and nitrogen consumption under nitrogen-limited condition in Agrobacterium sp. ATCC 31749 was investigated. The ntrC mutant of Agrobacterium sp. was constructed by homologous recombination. The ability to utilize NH(4)Cl and KNO(3) was impaired in the mutant. Other nitrogenous compounds, such as glutamic acid and glutamine, were utilized normally. Curdlan production capability was impaired severely in the mutant. Curdlan production was 5-fold lower than the wild type strain in batch fermentation with NH(4)Cl as the sole nitrogen source. However, up to 6.5 g l(-1) of a newly found alkali-insoluble biopolymer was produced by the ntrC mutant when glutamic acid was us... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4805053 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4805053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4805052&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21533782%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Revetta RP, Matlib RS, Santo Domingo JW The bacterial composition of chlorinated drinking water was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries derived from DNA extracts of 12 samples and compared to clone libraries previously generated using RNA extracts from the same samples. Phylogenetic analysis of 761 DNA-based clone sequences showed that unclassified bacteria were the most abundant group, representing nearly 62% of all DNA sequences analyzed. Other phylogenetic groups identified included Proteobacteria (20%), Actinobacteria (9%), Cyanobacteria (4%), and Bacteroidetes (2%). The composition of RNA-based libraries (1122 sequences) was similar to the DNA-based libraries with a few notable exceptions: Proteobacteria were more dominant in the RNA clone libraries (i.e., 35% RN... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4805052 Sat, 30 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4805052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4805054&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21533590%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Björklund M, Ouwehand AC, Forssten SD Saliva is a complex fluid that possesses many important functions regarding oral health. Many in vitro studies require relatively large quantities of saliva. While natural saliva would be the material of choice, it is difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities and varies in composition. Substitutes mimicking the physicochemical properties of saliva have been developed, but these are not appropriate to study the growth of mutans streptococci. Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) has been commonly used for this, but this medium is richer in nutrients than saliva. We therefore developed artificial saliva (AS) with nutrient levels resembling those in natural saliva as a substitute for natural human saliva (HS) to study the influence of different carb... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4805054 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4805054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754617&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21519800%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gupta R, Prasad Y Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of suppurative infections in humans and animals. Due to its high virulence, ability to adopt various environmental conditions, and acquired multiple drug resistance, treatment of such infections has become difficult. Therefore, there is an immense need to develop alternate drug modalities to control this pathogen. In past few years, phage-encoded endolysin therapy has emerged as a new hope not only due to its ability to specifically kill the target bacteria irrespective of their antibiotic sensitivity but also because of minimum or no side effects, a problem associated with antibiotic therapy. In this article, we report purification of a broad spectrum anti-staphylococcal endolysin (P-27/HP endolysin) encoded by phage... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754617 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754617 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754618&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21499882%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we studied the effect of mutations of two critical residues in the effector-binding domain of NtcA on heterocyst differentiation. Mutations of these residues could change strongly the ability of NtcA to sense the nitrogen-starvation signal in vivo. As a result of these mutations, the corresponding strains were unable to form any heterocysts, or form a few heterocysts at a very low frequency. Consistent with these phenotypes, these mutations were defective in initiating transcription by the RNA polymerase in the presence of 2-OG as determined by a reconstituted in vitro transcriptional assay. The different effects of the two mutations were consistent with the roles of the two corresponding residues in 2-OG binding highlighted by recent structural analysis of the NtcA-2-OG com... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754618 Sat, 16 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754619&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21487806%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang M, Luo Z, Du H, Xu S, Ni B, Zhang H, Sheng X, Xu H, Huang X The type VI secretion system (T6SS) of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. typhi) is associated with Salmonella pathogenicity island 6 (SPI-6). Though the T6SS gene cluster is intact in S. typhi, the protein complex is believed to be non-functional due to the presence of a pseudogene form of SciI (VipB homolog), a key component. We detected the SciK-his(6) in the supernatant of the wild type strain of S. typhi containing the plasmid over-expressing SciK (hcp homolog) with a his(6) epitope at the C-terminus, which suggested that the T6SS in S. typhi is functional. We also identified four genes that were essential to T6SS function: sciC (vasA homolog), sciS (vasK homolog), sciG (clpV homolog), and vrgS (vgrG homo... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754619 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754622&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479930%26dopt%3DAbstract This study evaluated the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates to a quaternary ammonium (QAC) disinfectant and antibiotics, and verified the presence of qacEΔ1, a determinant of resistance to QAC. The disinfectant test was the Association of Official Analytical Chemists Use-Dilution Test, and polymerase chain reaction was used to examine for qacEΔ1. The qacEΔ1 gene was detected in 48% of the isolates. Eighty-eight percent of the multiresistant isolates carried qacEΔ1 gene, while 35% of the non-multiresistant isolates was positive to this gene, and multiresistance well correlated with its presence. Among isolates tested for the disinfectant, 46% showed a reduced susceptibility to the disinfectant. qacEΔ1 gene was present in 70% of the susceptible isolates to the bi... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754622 Mon, 11 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754622 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754621&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479931%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, sequence alignment results showed that NS2 shared homology with some chromosomal replication initiator protein dnaA and DNA-binding response regulators. The ns2 was cloned and expressed in E. coli, and then a polyclonal antibody of the NS2 protein was prepared successfully. The data from real-time quantitative PCR displayed that the transcription of VD1-ORF1 from BmPLV-Z-infected midguts started from 28-h post inoculation (h p.i.) in low amounts, but in high amounts at late stages of infection. Immunofluorescence showed that NS2 ultimately concentrated on the nuclear membrane in BmN cells at late stages, indicating that NS2 might be associated with integral membrane protein. PMID: 21479931 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754621 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754620&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479932%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, growth inhibitory effects of short-chain fatty acids, namely formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid, on V. harveyi were investigated. Among four acids, formic acid showed the strongest inhibitory effect followed by acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.035% formic acid suppressed growth of V. harveyi. The major inhibitory mechanism seems to be the pH effect of organic acids. The effective concentration 50 (EC(50)) values at 96 h inoculation for all organic acids were determined to be 0.023, 0.041, 0.03, and 0.066% for formic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acid, respectively. The laboratory study results are encouraging to formulate shrimp feeds with organic acids to control vibrio infection in shr... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754620 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754620 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754626&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479795%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barragan VA, Mejia ME, Trávez A, Zapata S, Hartskeerl RA, Haake DA, Trueba GA Leptospires can persist for months in nutrient-poor aqueous environments prior to transmission to a mammalian host. Interactions with environmental bacteria and biofilm formation are possible mechanisms of persistence of leptospires in the environment. Bacteria isolated from rivers in the Ecuadorian rainforest were tested for their ability to support leptospiral viability. We found that co-culture with Sphingomonas spp., but not Flavobacterium spp. or Delftia spp., enabled survival of L. biflexa and L. meyeri for up to a year in distilled water. We also found that L. interrogans biofilms formed in distilled water contained viable organisms that rapidly dispersed into the planktonic phase in the pres... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754626 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754626 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754625&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479796%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ben Slama K, Ben Sallem R, Jouini A, Rachid S, Moussa L, Sáenz Y, Estepa V, Somalo S, Boudabous A, Torres C Fourteen broad-spectrum-cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates were recovered between June and December 2007 in a Tunisian hospital. Genes encoding extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases (ESBL) and other resistance genes were characterized by PCR and sequencing. The following ESBL genes were identified: bla (CTX-M-15) (12 isolates), bla (CTX-M-14a) (one isolate), and bla (CTX-M-14b) (one isolate). The bla (OXA-1) gene was detected in 13 bla (CTX-M)-producing strains and a bla (TEM-1) gene in 6 of them. The ISEcp1 sequence was found upstream of bla (CTX-M) genes in 8 of 14 strains, and orf477 or IS903 downstream of this gene in 13 strains. Nine of the strains carri... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754625 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754624&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479797%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Khare E, Arora NK Bioformulation that supports the inoculant under storage condition and on application to field is of prime importance for agroindustry. Pseudomonas strain EKi having biocontrol activity against Macrophomina phaseolina was used in the study. EKi cells were pretreated by carbon starvation, osmotic stress (NaCl), and freeze drying conditions, and talc-based bioformulation was developed. Combined pretreatment with carbon starvation and osmotic stress was given to Pseudomonas cells. Bioformulation of untreated, freeze dried (FD), carbon starved, osmotic stressed, and combined pre-treated cells showed 50.36, 44.76, 45.95, 34.82, and 27.27% reduction in CFU counts after 6 months of storage. The osmotic stressed cells showed one over-expressed protein (11.5 kDa) in... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754624 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754623&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21479798%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dunn MF In bacteria, anaplerotic carbon fixation necessary for growth on carbon sources that are metabolized to three-carbon intermediates is provided by the activity of pyruvate carboxylase (PYC) and/or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPC). In contrast to other rhizobia, which encode only one of these enzymes in their genomes, Bradyrhizobium japonicum USDA110 encodes both. Streptavidin-HRP western blot analysis of B. japonicum extracts demonstrated the presence of a biotin-containing protein whose molecular mass was indistinguishable from those of PYCs produced by Sinorhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium etli. Sequence analysis of the possible B. japonicum PYC revealed the lack of a pyruvate binding site as well as other characteristics indicating that the enzyme is non-function... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754623 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754623 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754627&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21476052%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bai SJ, Huang LP, Su JQ, Tian Y, Zheng TL A marine actinomycete strain BS01 with algicidal activity to the toxic dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense, was isolated from Xiamen Bay, China. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA demonstrates that BS01 is closely related to the genus Brevibacterium of Actinomycetales. BS01 exhibited algicidal activity in an indirect manner. Additional organic nutrients, but not algal-derived dissolved organic matter, were necessary for the synthesis of yet unidentified algicidal compounds (molecular weight less than 100), which were heat tolerant, a stable in acidic or alkali conditions, and exhibited a wide range of algicidal activity. This is the first report of an actinomycete algicide to the toxic dinoflagellate A. tamarense. Our results indicate tha... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754627 Wed, 06 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754627 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754628&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21461674%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ning D, Qian Y, Miao X, Wen C The role of a single relA/spoT homolog all1549 (designated hereafter as ana-rsh) of the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC7120 was investigated. The complementation test in Escherichia coli showed that the protein encoded by ana-rsh possesses guanosine tetraphosphate (p)ppGpp-synthase/hydrolase activity. Under laboratory growth conditions, a low level of ppGpp was detected in Anabaena sp. PCC7120 and the loss of ana-rsh was lethal. Amino acid starvation induced ppGpp accumulation to an appropriate level, and nitrogen deficiency did not alter the ppGpp concentration in Anabaena cells. These data suggest that ana-rsh is required for cell viability under normal growth conditions and involved in the (p)ppGpp-related stringent response to amino acid depri... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754628 Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754629&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21445548%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wang GL, Bi M, Liang B, Jiang JD, Li SP A Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain wax(T), was isolated from DDT-contaminated soil in Yangzhou, China. Growth of strain wax(T) was observed at 10-45°C (optimum 30°C) and pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.0-8.0). The predominant fatty acids were iso C(15:0) (32.21%) and anteiso C(15:0) (22.2%). The strain contained large amounts of the polar lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol, but small amounts of an unknown amino-group-containing polar lipid and phospholipids were also present. The major quinone was ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the G + C content of the genomic DNA was 67.12 ± 0.8 mol.%. The phylogenetic tree shows that strain wax(T) clustered within the genu... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754629 Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4754629 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754632&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21442391%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, bacteria hosted in root nodules of single plants of legume Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut) cv Tegua Runner growing at field were isolated. The collection of nodule isolates included both fast and slow growing strains. Their genetic diversity was assessed in order to identify the more frequently rhizobial strain associated to nodules from single plants. Molecular fingerprinting of 213 nodular isolates indicated heterogeneity, absence of a dominant genotype and, therefore, of a unique strains highly competitive. Efficient nitrogen-fixing isolates were identified as Bradyrhizobium sp. by phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of their 16S rRNA genes. The genetic diversity of 68 peanut nodulating isolates from all the collected plants was also analyzed. Considering their ERIC-PCR p... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754632 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4754632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754631&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21442392%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Furkert FH, Sörensen JH, Arnoldi J, Robioneck B, Steckel H In clinical applications, colonization of metal implants by adhesive and biofilm-forming bacteria not only prolong healing but create additional healthcare costs for implant revision and antimicrobial treatment. An in vitro assay was established investigating the antimicrobial surface activity of external fixation pins intended for use in bone fractures and deformities. Test articles made out of stainless steel and coated with a polymer-containing nanoparticulate silver were compared to non-coated reference controls out of stainless steel, copper and titanium. Staphylococcus epidermidis, known as a predominant cause for implant-related infections was used as test organism. Test pins and bacteria were incubated for a p... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754631 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4754631 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4754630&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21442393%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tóthová L, Hodosy J, Kamodyová N, Janega P, Slobodníková L, Liptáková A, Boor P, Celec P The role of innate immunity in the prevention of urinary tract infection is well-documented. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a major determinant of innate immune response. In an animal model of urinary tract infection, bactofection-mediated gene transfer of TLR4 was tested in a preventive approach. Bactofection with TLR4 reduced the colonization with uropathogenic Escherichia coli by 91% in the kidney and by 41% in the bladder. Reduced colonization was associated with lower oxidative stress and expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and myeloperoxidase in the kidney. Bactofection with TLR4 was successful in the prevention of ascending pyelonephritis. Further studies should ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4754630 Sun, 27 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4754630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643171&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21431835%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen S, Zhang R, Duan G, Shi J Helicobacter pylori is the principal cause of chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. To develop an oral vaccine against H. pylori infection, we had expressed the H. pylori ureB gene (Genbank accession no. FJ436980) in nisin-controlled expression vectors using Lactococcus lactis NZ3900 as host. The ureB gene was amplified by PCR from a H.pylori strain MEL-Hp27. Then the ureB gene was fused translationally downstream of the nisin-inducible promoter nisA in a L. lactis plasmid pNZ8149. Lactose utilization based on the complementation of the lacF gene was used as a dominant selection marker for the food-grade expression system employing L. lactis NZ3900. The conditions of UreB expression in this system were optimized by orthogona... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643171 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643169&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21437591%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, a modified CDC biofilm reactor was developed to repeatably grow mature biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus on the surface of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) membranes for inoculation in a future animal model of orthopaedic implant biofilm-related infection. Results indicated that uniform, mature biofilms repeatably grew on the surface of the PEEK membranes. PMID: 21437591 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology) Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643169 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643172&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21431834%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hao Z, Cai Y, Liao X, Liang X, Liu J, Fang Z, Hu M, Zhang D A novel aerobic mesophilic bacterial strain SYBC-H1(T) capable of degrading chitin was isolated and classified in this study. The strain exhibited strong chitinolytic activity and was a Gram-negative, curved, rod-shaped, and motile bacterium. Growth of this strain was observed between 10 and 41°C and between pH 3.5 and 9.5. The DNA G + C content of strain SYBC-H1(T) was 53.25 mol%. The cellular fatty acids (>5%) were 12:0 iso 3-OH (5.87%), 16:0 (28.16%), and 18:1ω7c (20.48%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity revealed that strain SYBC-H1(T) belonged to the family Neisseriaceae, and was distantly related (95.0% similarity) to the genus Chitiniphilus. Its phenotype was unique and g... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643172 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643170&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21431836%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lu P, Jin L, Liang B, Zhang J, Li S, Feng Z, Huang X Ancylobacter sp. XJ-412-1, capable of degrading metsulfuron-methyl, was isolated from sulfonylurea-contaminated soil. When metsulfuron-methyl was provided as the sole carbon source, more than 90.5% of metsulfuron-methyl at concentration of 50 mg l(-1) was degraded by strain XJ-412-1 after incubation at 30°C for 7 days. The initial degradation products of metsulfuron-methyl (MSM), thifensulfuron-methyl (TSM), and bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) by XJ-412-1 were identified as corresponding deesterified derivatives by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, which indicated a primary pathway of the deesterification of these three sulfonylurea herbicides. The carboxyesterase activity of the cell-free extracts was assayed and strong... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643170 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643170 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643173&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21424684%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen L, Cai T, Wang Q A fluoroglycofen ethyl-degrading bacterium, MBWY-1, was isolated from the soil of an herbicide factory. This isolated strain was identified as Mycobacterium phocaicum based on analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence and its morphological, physiological, and biochemical properties. The strain was able to utilize fluoroglycofen ethyl as its sole source of carbon for growth and could degrade 100 mg l(-1) of fluoroglycofen ethyl to a non-detectable level within 72 h. The optimum temperature and pH for fluoroglycofen ethyl degradation by strain MBWY-1 were 30°C and 7.0, respectively. Five metabolites produced during the degradation of fluoroglycofen ethyl and were identified by mass spectrometry as {5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl) phenoxy]-2-nitrophenylacyl... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643173 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643174&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21409616%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mayilraj S, Ruckmani A, Kaur C, Kaur I, Peter-Klenk H The taxonomic position of a Gram-positive, endo-spore forming bacterium isolated from a haematite ore sample was analyzed by a polyphasic approach. The strain designated as HIO-4(T) matched most of the phenotypic and chemical characteristics of the genus Cohnella and represents a novel species. The sequence of the almost complete 16S rRNA (1489 bases) was compared with those of previously studied Cohnella type strains and confirmed that the strain belongs to the genus Cohnella. Strain HIO-4(T) differs from all other species of Cohnella by at least 3.9% at the 16S rRNA level and the moderately related species are Cohnella phaseoli (96.1%) and Cohnella yongneupensis (96.1%), respectively. Predominant polar lipids are diphosph... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643174 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643175&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21404095%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the influence of pH and ethanol on expression of the structural malolactic enzyme gene (mle) from Lactobacillus plantarum was investigated in a synthetic wine media, as well as in wine using quantitative PCR. Expression of mle was shown to be inducible by the presence of malic acid, with increased expression in the middle of MLF. Expression of mle was also shown to be increased at low pH values and decreased in the presence of ethanol. This indicates the role of MLF in acid tolerance and the negative impact of ethanol on the completion of MLF. The results therefore provide further evidence that L. plantarum should be applied as co-inoculation for MLF where alcohol will initially not have a negative impact on the malic acid degradation. PMID: 21404095 [PubMed - as supplie... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643175 Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643176&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21400083%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Husičková V, Chromá M, Kolář M, Hricová K, Stosová T, Kantor L, Dubrava L Bacterial infections are an important issue in current clinical medicine. The severity of infectious diseases has increased dramatically in recent years, which is also due to increasing numbers of resistant bacteria, including strains producing broad-spectrum beta-lactamases. The study aimed at determining the prevalence of ESBL- and AmpC-positive Enterobacteriaceae at the Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Olomouc. Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from clinical samples from infants hospitalized at the Department of Neonatology, University Hospital Olomouc over a period of 2 years. ESBL- and AmpC-positive isolates were subjected to basic genetic analysis. In the study period, a total ... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643176 Sun, 13 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4643177&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21400082%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Martarelli D, Verdenelli MC, Scuri S, Cocchioni M, Silvi S, Cecchini C, Pompei P The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501(®) and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502(®) on oxidative stress in athletes during a four-week period of intense physical activity. Two groups of twelve subjects each were selected for this analysis. The first group consumed a daily dose of a mixture of the two probiotic strains (1:1 L. rhamnosus IMC 501(®) and L. paracasei IMC 502(®); ~10(9) cells/day) for 4 weeks. The second group (control) did not consume any supplements during the 4 weeks. Blood samples collected immediately before and after the supplementation were analyzed, and plasma levels of reactive oxygen metabolites and biological antioxidant potent... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4643177 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4643177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4581368&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394507%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yishan L, Jiaming F, Zaohe W, Jichang J In this article, the genotypes for Vibrio alginolyticus were analyzed based on collagenase gene by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) method and their relationship to the virulence for marine fish were studied by a bacteria challenging experiment. Results showed total 13 genotypes designated as A1, A2, A3, A4, B, C, D, E, F, G1, G2, H, and I were identified. Among them, isolates from type A1 were dominant in abundance (48.1%) and the isolates from Nanyou had the highest polymorphisms, in which 11 genotypes were identified from 25 isolates. Moreover, the bacteria challenging experiment showed the virulence of V. alginolyticus was correlated to that of the collagenase-SSCP type (r = 0.438, P < 0.01), which demonstrat... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4581368 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4581368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4581367&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394508%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ishikawa S Dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria, particularly in hospitals, has become a serious public health problem. Integrons impart antibiotic multidrug resistance in gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria by capturing and then disseminating antibiotic resistance genes. This mechanism plays a major role in contributing to the alarmingly high prevalence of bacterial drug resistance. A universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer set was attempted to design to more sensitively and specifically detect integrons in environmental samples. One set, designated intCiF3(a), intCiF3(b), intCiiiR3(a), and intCiiiR3(b), simultaneously amplifies the conserved region of the tyrosine recombinase gene family between box I and box II. This primer set generates PCR prod... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4581367 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4581367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4581366&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394509%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Barrionuevo MR, Gaylarde CC Two formulations of acrylic varnish, with and without either of two dry film biocides-one a mixture of isothiazolinones and benzimidazole derivatives, and the other a carbamate-were tested in vitro for their activity against mixtures of filamentous fungi and cyanobacteria found on sandstone buildings. Growth on filter-paper squares coated with the varnishes was assessed semi-quantitatively by naked eye, quantitatively by image analysis and chemically by measurement of ergosterol and chlorophyll a. The lower solvent content (higher resin) varnish was more inhibitory to cyanobacteria than the higher varnish content, whilst the opposite was true for the fungal inoculum. The carbamate biocide was effective against cyanobacteria, unlike the isothiazolino... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4581366 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4581366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4581370&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21380718%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang C, Xia Y, Li Z Insect-pathogenic fungi penetrate their hosts directly through the cuticle. To better understand this process, we identified genes that were up-regulated by Metarhizium anisopliae germinating and differentiating on Locusta migratoria wings using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). A total of 78 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs) up-regulated more than twofold during fungal growth on locust wings were identified. Among these 78 ESTs, 30 (38.5%) shared significant similarity with NCBI annotated hypothetical proteins, 16 (20.5%) shared low similarity to known or predicted genes, might represent novel genes, and 32 (41.0%) shared significant similarity with known proteins that are involved in various cell and molecular processes such as cell metabo... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4581370 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4581370 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4581369&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21380719%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gonzalez E, Granados JC, Short JD, Ammons DR, Rampersad J Parasporins represent a new functional class of Cry (crystal protein) toxins produced by the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Unlike Cry toxins that demonstrate activity mainly against some insect cells, parasporins are characterized as being non-hemolytic, yet capable of preferentially killing some human cancer cells. Globally, six different parasporin types, PS1-PS6, based on protein sequence homology, have been identified in only four countries (Japan, Vietnam, India, and Canada). Herein we report the results of a screening study of 160 Bt isolates collected from the Caribbean island of Trinidad. One isolate (strain 64-1-94) was shown to kill human cancer cells and to contain one ps6 and two ps1 parasporin gene... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4581369 Sun, 06 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4581369 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4581371&cid=s_38091_77_f&fid=38091&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21369806%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yang SP, Wu ZH, Jian JC Populations of marine red yeast from shrimps and the environments of shrimp culture were investigated from various areas at Zhanjiang in China. All strains were studied for the production of biomass and carotenoids. We isolated 88 marine red yeast strains and the average populations of marine red yeast in seawater and the water from shrimp culture ponds were 70.0 and 172.4 CFU per 100 ml water, respectively. For shrimp samples, average populations of marine red yeast from gills, intestines, and stomachs were 178.0, 15.0, and 8.0 CFU per shrimp, respectively. The isolates were grouped into nine species belonging to three genera as follows: Rhodosporidium, Rhodotorula, and Sporidiobolus. R. sphaerocarpum had the highest average biomass yield (10.3 ±�... Current Microbiology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4581371 Thu, 03 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4581371