MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'bacteria'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:53:01 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5158958&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D463 For years, we’ve been told that a woman may experience dental problems during pregnancy.  But popular wisdom has held that any extensive dental care to resolve a problem during pregnancy should be put on hold till after the baby is born to avoid any unanticipated issues with the treatment. Now a study reports that it is imperative to resolve dental problems when they happen and not to wait till post-delivery.  Apparently, the bacteria that may form as a result of dental problems can be transmitted to newborns in a number of ways common to mothering (you know, kissing your baby, feeding your baby, etc).  Infants are not born with bacteria in their mouths and the transmission of such can create “rampant tooth decay” in the child as he or she grows. So don’t avoid t... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5158958 Sat, 20 Aug 2011 16:09:24 +0100 5158958 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5076973&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FVQLvzLRbR7U%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Margaret McFall-Ngai, and Elio Schaechter On episode #12 of the podcast This Week in Microbiology, Vincent, Margaret, Michael and Elio review the use of photothermal nanoblades to dissect the Burkholderia intracellular life cycle, and manipulation of chromosomes in vivo for genome-wide codon replacement in E. coli. Click the arrow above to play, or right click to download TWiM #12 (52 MB, .mp3, 75 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes, Zune Marketplace, via RSS feed, by email or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: Using a photothermal nanoblade to study intracellular life cycle (PNAS) Reynolds number Theriot lab movie collection Manipulation of chromosomes in vivo (Science) Stop codons Church... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5076973 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:27:48 +0100 5076973 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050575&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fnew-contrast-agent-provides-better-in-vivo-imaging-of-bacteria%2F2011.07.22 A new contrast agent based on maltodextrin has been developed at Georgia Tech that can provide in vivo imaging of bacteria with a sensitivity two orders of magnitude greater than previously achieved. Unlike most previous methods, the new probes are able to enter bacterial cells by pretending to be food, while avoiding being ingested by the mammalian cells. From Georgia Tech: Maltodextrin-based imaging probes consist of a fluorescent dye linked to maltohexaose, which is a major source of glucose for bacteria. The probes deliver the contrast agent into bacteria through the organism’s maltodextrin transporter, which only exists in bacterial cells and not mammalian cells. In experiments using a rat model, the researchers found that (more…) *This blog post was originally publi... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050575 Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:13 +0100 5050575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050581&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fone-of-the-most-common-infections-of-childhood-otitis-media%2F2011.07.20 Ear infections are the bane of childhood and can spoil many outdoor adventures. One of the most common infections of childhood, they provoke long nights of miserable children, sleepless parents, and unhappiness all around. They may be recurrent, and can also progress (rarely) to more serious medical problems, such as meningitis. What Are Ear Infections? Acute otitis (inflammation of the ear) media (“middle”) infection is caused by bacteria or viruses. When it occurs, there is redness and inflammation of the eardrum, frequently with a collection of  blood, serum, or pus behind the drum. To know whether or not this has occurred, and to precisely determine the anatomic diagnosis and severity, one needs to see the eardrum, which is what the healthcare provider does with an otoscope. With ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050581 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 21:00:00 +0100 5050581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5035787&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FVa5oMI-q_js%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, and Alan Dove Vincent, Rich, and Alan discuss a method for identifying viruses of individual environmental bacteria, and the using a picornavirus for oncotherapy. Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV 142 (69 MB .mp3, 95 minutes). Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, by email, or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: Probing individual bacteria for their viruses (Science) Looking in vivo at virus-bacterium interactions (ScienceDaily) Integrated fluidic circuit (Fluidigm) Oncotherapy with Seneca Valley Virus (Clin Cancer Res) Epidemiology of Seneca Valley virus (pdf) Senecavirus at ViralZone Small cell lung cancer (NCBI) ECOG performance st... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5035787 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 12:30:20 +0100 5035787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5035788&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FIfVrBYaDkhc%2F After a listener made the Omega tau podcast his pick of the week on TWiV129, I sent a note to the show’s author, Marcus Völter. He responded by inviting me on his program. I brought Dickson Despommier with me and we recorded a wide-ranging conversation on viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It is very basic, so if you have ever felt that TWiV, TWiP, or TWiM are too advanced, you might like this episode. Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download Omega tau 70 (85 MB .mp3, 55 minutes). Omega tau is a podcast covering interesting topics in science and engineering, co-hosted by Marcus Völter and Nora Ludewig. (Source: virology blog) virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5035788 Sun, 17 Jul 2011 12:29:15 +0100 5035788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4983950&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2Fp4zcU-yRvYs%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Dickson Despommier, Margaret McFall-Ngai, and Elio Schaecter On episode #10 of the podcast This Week in Microbiology, Vincent, Margaret, Elio, Michael and Dickson discuss the symbiosis between the Hawaiian bobtail squid and the luminous, gram-negative bacterium Vibrio fischeri. Click the arrow above to play, or right click to download TWiM #10 (47 MB, .mp3, 68 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes, Zune Marketplace, via RSS feed, by email or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: V. fisheri factors that trigger squid tissue development (Science) Transcriptional patterns of the Vibrio-squid diel rythmn (PNAS) The Hawaiian bobtail squid (Microbeworld) Microbes pull strings in the human body ... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4983950 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 02:54:35 +0100 4983950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968485&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fis-your-cell-phone-carrying-bacteria%2F2011.06.26 Alright doctors, time to give up the cell phones. (Never mind that there has not been a study linking cell phones and hospital acquired infections). From the American Journal of Infection Control: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine bacterial colonization on the mobile phones (MPs) used by patients, patients’ companions, visitors, and health care workers (HCWs). Significantly higher rates of pathogens (39.6% vs 20.6%, respectively; P = .02) were found in MPs of patients’ (n = 48) versus the HCWs’ (n = 12). There were also more multidrug pathogens in the patents’ MPs including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella spp, high-level aminoglycoside-resistant Enterococcus spp, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968485 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 18:00:00 +0100 4968485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934303&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fthe-return-of-the-arsenic-munching-microbes.html – ChemBark sums up what he sees as the state of S(s)cience with respect to the infamous arsenic-exploiting bacteria reported by Wolfe-Simon et al: "…a study as flawed as Wolfe-Simon’s should never had been published in Science in the first place. The most obvious problems and omissions should have been ironed out by peer review. For a paper as manifestly flawed (or incomplete—take your pick) as Wolfe-Simon’s to be published in a top-tier journal, something went wrong. But I’ll agree that once such a mistake has been made, the (informal) backlash and (formal) technical comments are probably the best way to mitigate the damage." Pretty much says it all. He also criticises the team for their every response being a riposte, as if they couldn'... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934303 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:17:45 +0100 4934303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901816&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2F5NjyAZ2NzB4%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Michael Schmidt, Stan Maloy, Andreas Baümler, Nicole Dubilier, and Paul Rainey. Vincent, Michael, and Stanley recorded episode #8 of the podcast This Week in Microbiology live at the 2011 ASM General Meeting in New Orleans, with guests Andreas Baümler, Nicole Dubilier, and Paul Rainey. They spoke about how pathogens benefit from disease, symbioses between chemosynthetic bacteria and marine invertebrates, and repetitive sequences in bacteria. Click the arrow above to play, or right click to download TWiM #8 (60 MB, .mp3, 87 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes, Zune Marketplace, via RSS feed, by email or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Links for this episode: Salmonella invasion from the gut lumen into tissues (PLoS Pathogens)... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901816 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 14:21:49 +0100 4901816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893759&cid=t_104678_132_f&fid=35006&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnsaunders.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F06%2F02%2Ffinding-the-truth-is-a-waste-of-time-scientists-say%2F Before bioinformatics, I worked in both biochemistry and microbiology labs, including a stint in the field of extremophile biology. So like many other people, I’ve been following the “arsenic life” story with great interest. It seems that far more has been written about the publication, the manner of its announcement, the ensuing online debate and the personalities involved than about the principal scientific question: can arsenate substitute for phosphate in biological molecules? My opinion, for what it’s worth, is that the Science paper presented no compelling evidence for covalently-bound As in DNA and that the editors should have asked the authors either to do better experiments or tone it down. Now, Nature News reports that the criticisms are in, the authors ha... What You're Doing Is Rather Desperate blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893759 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 02:29:42 +0100 4893759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4840507&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2FK_TcIei6UQI%2F Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Margaret McFall-Ngai, Cliff Mintz, Elio Schaecter, and Michael Schmidt. On episode #7 of the podcast This Week in Microbiology, Vincent, Cliff, Elio, Margaret, and Michael discuss programmed cell death in E. coli, and the daily synthesis and degradation of enzymes needed for photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation by cyanobacteria. Click the arrow above to play, or right click to download TWiM #7 (44.5 MB, .mp3, 64 minutes). Subscribe to TWiM (free) on iTunes, Zune Marketplace, via RSS feed, by email or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld app. Image of Cyanobacteria in Lake Littoistenjärvi by Stefe via flickr Links for this episode: E. coli extracelluar death factor EDF mRNA cleavage by MazF toxin Myxococcus programmed cell death Using toxins in ... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4840507 Thu, 19 May 2011 18:16:33 +0100 4840507 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758752&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fkilled-by-tpn-a-never-ever-hospital-event%2F2011.04.27 Recently, nine patients died in Alabama when they received intravenous nutrition that was contaminated with deadly bacteria. This type of nutrition is called total parenteral nutrition, or TPN, and is used to nourish patients by vein when their digestive systems are not functioning properly. It is a milestone achievement in medicine and saves and maintains lives every day. What went wrong? How did an instrument of healing become death by lethal injection? What is the lesson that can emerge from this unimaginable horror? This tragedy represents that most feared ‘never event’ that can ever occur – death by friendly fire. No survivors. Contrast this with many other medical ‘never events’ as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, such as post-operative infections,... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758752 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:00:00 +0100 4758752 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4771072&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=38577&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiosingularity.com%2F2011%2F04%2F22%2Fwhats-your-intestinal-bacteria-type%2F As partners in the international research consortium named MetaHit, scientists from the University of Copenhagen have contributed to show that an individual’s intestinal bacteria flora, regardless of nationality, gender and age, organises itself in certain clusters. The cluster of intestinal bacteria flora is hypothesised to have an influence on how we react to both our [...] (Source: Biosingularity) Biosingularity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4771072 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 14:54:01 +0100 4771072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709206&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fibms-new-solution-for-drug-resistant-bacteria-nanotechnology%2F2011.04.13 IBM and the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Shanghai have designed a new type of polymer that can detect and destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as MRSA. The polymer nanostructures also prevent bacteria from developing drug resistance. Moreover, because of the mechanism by which the nanostructures work, they don’t affect circulating blood cells, and, unlike most traditional antimicrobial agents, the nanostructures are biodegradable, naturally eliminated from the body rather than remaining behind and accumulating in tissues. From the Nature Chemistry abstract by Nederberg, et al.: (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709206 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 15:00:58 +0100 4709206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4676787&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fheartburn-bugs-have-become-antibiotic-resistant%2F2011.04.04 H. pylori dominated the GI news in the 1990s, and despite it disappearing from the front pages, it remains a common and important clinical problem. The dominant recommended initial treatment strategy has been a clarithromycin-based PPI triple therapy, with either amoxicillin or metronidazole as the third drug. This approach was based on clinical studies, ease of use, and tolerability factors. Bismuth-based quadruple therapy (a bismuth agent, metronidazole, tetracycline, and a PPI), despite demonstrating excellent activity, was usually relegated to second-line therapy because of the complexity of the dosing as well as compliance and tolerability issues. However, duringthe last decade, the widespread use of macrolides in the general population has led to rising resistance to clarithromycin (... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4676787 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:00:07 +0100 4676787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4670111&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fantibiotics-losing-the-battle-against-drug-resistant-bacteria%2F2011.04.02 The single most important medicine ever discovered is the antibiotic.  Prior to 1930, humans died at early ages of simple infections and even childbirth was a major killer of women because of infection.   The mortality rate from simple staph aureus was as high as 80%,  but between 1944 and 1972 the human life expectancy jumped by 8 years because of antibiotics.   By 1950 the golden age of antibiotics was already looking tarnished as organisms became resistant to the drugs.  Now many medical advances that we take for granted, including cancer treatment, surgery, transplantation and neonatal care are endangered by increasing antibiotic resistance and a decline in new medications to combat the super germs. Drug resistance is both a public health and global security threat. Resistance ha... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4670111 Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +0100 4670111 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4605826&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-surprising-discovery-and-the-value-of-the-physical-exam%2F2011.03.17 I’ve remarked in the past how rarely I ever learn anything useful from physical exam. It’s one of those irritating things about medicine — we spent all that time in school learning arcane details of the exam, esoteric maneuvers like pulsus paradoxus, comparing pulses, Rovsing’s sign and the like. But in the modern era, it seems like about half the diagnoses are made by history and the other half are made by ancillary testing. Some people interpreted my comments to mean I don’t do an exam, or endorse a half-assed exam, which I do not. I always do an exam, as indicated by the presenting condition. I just don’t often learn much from it. But I always do it. The other day, for example, I saw this elderly lady who was sent in for altered mental status. There w... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4605826 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4605826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4565641&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Ftwimshow%2FTWiM002.mp3 On episode #2 of This Week in Microbiology, Vincent, Cliff, and Michael review a fatal laboratory acquired Yersinia pestis infection, and how gut bacteria control body weight and metabolic activity.. Download TWiM #2 (52 MB .mp3, 75 minutes). To download, right-click or control-click on the link, then select save as. Subscribe to TWiM (free) at iTunes, the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with the Microbeworld App. Links for this episode: Fatal laboratory acquired Yersinia infection (thanks, Alan!) Hemochromatosis Gut bacteria can control metabolic functions (mBio) Systems biology approach to infectious disease research (mBio) Dr. B. Brett Finlay’s 3D animations Letters read on TWiM #2 Send your microbiology questions and comments (ema... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4565641 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:34:16 +0100 4565641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4532208&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdoctors-garments-and-bacterial-contamination%2F2011.03.01 Bacterial contamination of physicians’ newly laundered uniforms occurs within three hours of putting them on, making them no more or less dirty than the traditional white coats, researchers reported. Researchers sought to compare bacterial and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination of physicians’ white coats to freshly laundered short-sleeved uniforms, and to determine the rate at which bacterial contamination happens. They reported results in the Journal of Hospital Medicine. ACP Internist‘s blog recently took up the debate as well. The issue has cropped up over the years, assessing not only the cleanliness but the professionalism inherent in the white lab coat. Researchers conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled trial among 100 residents and h... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4532208 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4532208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4470465&cid=t_104678_117_f&fid=38856&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timemastermd.com%2F%3Fp%3D2046 Do you have a Potty Mouth? Boys with the baddest breath may have the biggest erections! Giving your guy some mouthwash might make for a really good kiss, but later in the bedroom, it’s his erection you may miss! Why?  Well, bacteria in the mouth convert nitrates into nitrites, and when we swallow them, gastric acids convert nitrites into the essential metabolic chemical nitric oxide (N.O.). Nitric oxide can act as an antioxidant, but also the body uses it to keep arteries properly dilated. This is how Viagra works  - by raising nitric oxide levels and thereby easing blood flow to the penis.  So killing these important bacteria can have some significant side effects. Maybe we don’t kill the germs, we just mask the smell? Maybe a little gum might freshen the breath?  No... Timemaster MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4470465 Sat, 12 Feb 2011 15:20:07 +0100 4470465 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394519&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fscience-news-4.html snippets Herpes target – UK scientists have used solution-state NMR spectroscopy for the first time to develop a 3D picture of a herpes virus protein interacting with a key part of the human cellular machinery. The study improves our understanding of how the virus hijacks human cells and could eventually lead to new targets for drug therapy. Bacterial sense – A new biosensor platform for the detection of bacterial pathogens, specifically demonstrated with E coli, has been developed based on long-range surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (LRSP-FS). Chun-Jen Huang, Jakub Dostalek, Angela Sessitsch and Wolfgang Knoll of the Health and Environment Department, at the Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, in Vienna, explain how increasing awareness of food safety an... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394519 Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:33:48 +0100 4394519 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4232855&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Ftraffic.libsyn.com%2Ftwiv%2FTWiV110.mp3 Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit On episode #110 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Alan, Rich, and Dickson discuss bacteria that can utilize arsenic in place of phosphorus, the passing of Frank Fenner, polio outbreak in The Congo, solving criminal cases of HIV transmission, and classifying viruses by capsid structure. Download TWiV #110 (68 MB .mp3, 93 minutes). To download, right-click or control-click on the link, then select save as. Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with Stitcher Radio. Links for this episode: Bacteria that utilize arsenic (Ed Yong’s view) Frank Fenner passes away Polio outbreak in The Congo (virus isolation) Solving c... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4232855 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 03:18:40 +0100 4232855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4230162&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fa-new-superbug%2F2010.12.04 Scientists have discovered a new, highly-transmissible gene that could, quite easily in fact, open a frightening new front in the ongoing global war against superbugs. The antibiotic-resistant gene, NDM-1, was first identified in 2008 a Swedish patient that had received hospital care in New Delhi. NDM-1 produces an enzyme that allows bacteria to destroy most antibiotics. It exists on plasmids, which are pieces of genetic material that are easily shared between bacteria including E coli and other species that can cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and blood stream infections. NDM-1 probably evolved in parts of India where poor sanitation and overutilization of antibiotics provide a perfect environment for the creation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The gene has been identified i... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4230162 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 15:00:17 +0100 4230162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4179320&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fcolor-changing-dressing-indicates-infections%2F2010.11.18 When using dressings to speed up the healing process of an open wound, it is necessary to periodically remove the dressing to check for infection. However, removing this protective covering creates an opportunity for bacteria to enter the wound site. To remedy this problem, researchers at the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Modular Solid State Technologies EMFT have developed dressings which change color if the wound becomes infected. Early tests have shown promise, and the scientists now plan to test their invention in the field at the University of Regensburg’s dermatology clinic. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Medgadget* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4179320 Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:00:09 +0100 4179320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082043&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fconfessions-of-a-sneeze-supressor-can-holding-in-your-ah-choo-hurt-you%2F photo: Thinkstock I admit it: I hold in my sneezes. I’ve been doing it since I was little. I believe it stems from the fact that my father has the loudest sneeze I’ve ever heard. When I was a kid, my dad would sneeze in the basement and I’d be roused from slumber all the way up on the second floor. So naturally, over the years I’ve honed my sneeze to be as silent as possible. Sometimes people around me don’t even realize that I’ve sneezed. (I’m that sneaky.) I’d guess that several of my co-workers think I suffer from some kind of twitch. Is this better than an obnoxiously loud sneeze? In my book, yes. Of course, throughout my life, I’ve been warned by all my non-scientist family and friends about how suppressing my sneezes will kill my ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082043 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 19:39:59 +0100 4082043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3983290&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmwvideo.s3.amazonaws.com%2FICAAC-TWiV%2FTWiV99.wmv Host: Vincent Racaniello Vincent tours the 50th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) in Boston, speaking with exhibitors and visitors, including Professors Derek Smith, Michael Schmidt, Frederick Hayden, and Myra McClure. Many thanks to Chris Condayan and Ray Ortega of the American Society for Microbiology for recording and editing this episode. Download TWiV #99 (45 MB .mp3, 62 minutes) Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email, or listen on your mobile device with Stitcher Radio. Links for this episode: 50th ICAAC ICAAC daily press conference videos (including Prof. Myra McClure) Antigenic cartography Antimicrobial properties of copper Video of this episode – download .mp4 (1.99 GB) or .wmv (935 MB... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3983290 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 02:58:30 +0100 3983290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3961924&cid=t_104678_133_f&fid=35129&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhitterer-autism.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fsuperflex-is-this-good-program-for-my.html by Stephanie Madrigal and Michelle Garcia WinnerComic Book by Stephanie Madrigal/Illustrated by Kelly KnoppSuperflex is a behavioral program that addresses some of the behavioral and psychological issues that our children struggle with on a daily basis. There could be a number of different ways of explaining this program. The authors describe it as follows:-Superflex®: A Superhero Social Thinking Curriculum provides educators, parents and therapists fun and motivating ways to teach students with Asperger Syndrome, high-functioning autism, ADHD and other diagnosed and undiagnosed social difficulties how to build social thinking skills. Superflex combines a book, comic book and CD to create a curriculum that develops in each student's brain their own superheroic thinking processes that can ... Whitterer on Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3961924 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:34:00 +0100 3961924 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3959927&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdeveloping-new-antibiotics-thinking-beyond-bacteria-resistance%2F2010.09.11 Bacteria may be having a renaissance. Back in the days of the discovery of penicillin, doctors gleefully handed out antibiotics like they were candy and patients were more than happy to munch them down. They were quite effective too, but bacteria rapidly became resistant. Doctors and scientists worry that we are approaching a time where if we don’t come up with novel antibiotic mechanisms, we will face an epidemic of untreatable bacterial infections. MRSA, methicillin-resistant staphylcoccal auerus, is probably one of the biggest fears. John Rennie wrote about this issue in the PLoS blog The Gleaming Retort. He describes two strategies scientists are using to try to come up with new weapons in the great antibacterial war. So, naturally one of the first things they turned to was cockr... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3959927 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:00:08 +0100 3959927 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3959910&cid=t_104678_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fcholera%2F Pathophysiology 1) cause is infection with Vibrio cholerae serogroups 01 and 0139 2) production of enterotoxin (exotoxin) causes prolonged hypersecretion of water and electrolytes from entire length of small bowel 3) exists in classical and El Tor biotypes, which differ in phage susceptibility and hemolysin production Signs and Symptoms 1) sudden onset of nausea and vomiting 2) profuse watery diarrhea 3) abdominal cramps 4) as condition progresses – dehydration (wrinkled skin on fingers), shock, renal failure, and death 5) symptoms can range from mild to severe and fulminant Characteristic Test Findings Laboratory – 1) severe metabolic acidosis 2) decreased serum K+ 3) decreased serum bicarbonate 4) increased anion gap 5) increased hematocrit owing to hemoconcentration 6) leuko... Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3959910 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:00:28 +0100 3959910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3957941&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2FD3td_eSkZM8%2Fcant-wait-for-this-meeting-on-microbial.html I truly can't wait for this meeting: Keystone Symposia Conference | Microbial Communities as Drivers of Ecosystem Complexity - Program Organizers: Jacques Ravel, Vincent B. Young, Mitchell Sogin and Trina McMahon. March 25 - 30, 2011 • Beaver Run Resort  •  Breckenridge, Colorado The current program is listed below.  Still time to register.  Oh, and it is in Breckenridge, CO, which is kind of nice.  If you are interested in microbial communities, especially molecular studies of said communities, this could be the place to be ... Norman R. Pace, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA  Molecular Analysis of Microbial Communities - Historical Perspective Mitchell Sogin, Marine Biological Laboratory, USA Long-Tailed Microbial Communities Susan Lynch, University of California,... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3957941 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 07:58:36 +0100 3957941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993044&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fgenome-of-streptomyces.html%23unique-entry-id-195 Genome Architecturefrom Ralph Kirby and Carton W. Chen writing in Streptomyces: Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyLinear replicons are relatively uncommon among bacteria and their preponderance among the Actinomycetales, and within the Streptomyces in particular, poses some interesting questions. These novel bacterial replicons are capped by terminal proteins that are covalently bound to the 5' ends of the linear DNA and these terminal structures are directly involved in replicating and protecting the ends of the linear genome. In addition and perhaps related to their linear nature, these genomes are among the largest bacterial chromosomes. As far as can be ascertained at present, these large genomes have a specific organizational structure in terms of their genes. The genome structure ca... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993044 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3993044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993043&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fstreptomyces-genetic-elements.html%23unique-entry-id-196 from Jutta Vogelmann, Wolfgang Wohlleben and Günther Muth writing in Streptomyces: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:Antibiotic producing actinomycetes contain a huge variety of different plasmids, distinguished in size, topology, replication mechanism and copy number. Some are able to integrate into the chromosome by site specific recombination. With the exception of the huge linear plasmids, Streptomyces plasmids encode only functions involved in replication, stable maintenance and conjugative transfer. The Streptomyces conjugation system is unique, requiring a single plasmid-encoded protein, TraB. TraB is a hexameric ring ATPase with similarity to the septal DNA translocator proteins FtsK/SpoIIIE which are involved in chromosome segregation during cell division and sporulation. T... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993043 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3993043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993042&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fstreptomyces-differentiation.html%23unique-entry-id-197 : The Properties and Programming of Diverse Cell-typesfrom Keith F. Chater writing in Streptomyces: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:Streptomyces colonies are complex differentiated organisms, generated from a single ovoid spore by filamentous growth and branching. Eventually, much of this biomass is converted to large numbers of spores in long chains on specialised aerial hyphae. During colony development, different cellular compartments have different physiology and metabolism, and exoskeletal and cytoskeletal elements bring about different morphological changes. These cellular differentiating processes are underpinned by a large number of regulatory genes, often operating in cascades. During the transition from biomass accumulation to reproductive development, antibiotics are made, s... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993042 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3993042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993041&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fstreptomyces-protein-secretion.html%23unique-entry-id-198 from Tracy Palmer and Matthew I. Hutchings writing in Streptomyces: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:The saprophytic lifestyle of Streptomyces requires them to secrete prolific numbers of proteins. For example, inspection of the genome sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor indicates it encodes some 819 proteins with predicted signal peptides. This represents more than 10% of the protein coding genes and is most likely an underestimate. Many secreted proteins are required for nutrient capture, and there is an abundance of secreted hydrolases for the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (including cellulose and chitin), peptides and phospho-compounds. In addition to proteins that are secreted into the milieu, many proteins are covalently anchored to the cell surface by means of either a lipid... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993041 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3993041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993040&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fstreptomyces-carbon-pathways.html%23unique-entry-id-199 from Geertje van Keulen, Jeroen Siebring and Lubbert Dijkhuizen writing in Streptomyces: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology:Streptomyces and other actinomycetes are fascinating soil bacteria of major economic importance. They produce 70% of antibiotics known to man and numerous other pharmaceuticals for treatment of, e.g. cancer, a range of infections, high cholesterol, or have immunosuppressive activity. It is not surprising that the multitude of gene clusters encoding for the biosynthesis of known and unknown secondary metabolites in genome sequences of a wide range of actinomycetes have received much attention in the last few years. In contrast, there is much less understanding of primary metabolism and its control in actinomycetes, despite its importance as supply pathways of precurso... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993040 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3993040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929193&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fsponsored-post-okay-so-im-taking-the-activia-14-day-challenge%2F Like you, I’ve seen those Activia yogurt commercials featuring Jamie Lee Curtis about a million times. And every time, while I’m singing along to the jingle, I wonder: Could eating that stuff (with Bifidus Regularis!) for two weeks actually help my inner-workings behave better, or is this whole thing just a genius marketing scam? See, I’ve always prided myself on having a fairly high-functioning digestive system: For the most part, everybody down there seems to know what floor they need to be on at any given point, and when they need to take the elevator a few floors south, and finally, when they need to pack up and exit the building. (TMI Alert: I do take an herbal digestive stimulator every night, and have for years.) So, in general, I feel pretty good in the down-under... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929193 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:53:38 +0100 3929193 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3902865&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F6-things-you-should-clean-that-you-definitely-dont%2F photo: Thinkstock We consider ourselves to be pretty clean peeps. But we’ve got to admit that we don’t always sanitize the 6 oft-forgotten household items listed below. Ewww. Thanks for the reminder, Care2. 1. Reusable grocery bags. We’ve already covered this one, but we bet a lot of you still haven’t washed them. Because we sure haven’t. 2. Showerheads. In a study at University of Colorado, 30% of showerheads tested positive for Mycobacterium avium, a particularly nasty type of germ, as well as other bacteria. We really don’t like the sound of that, because we’ve never washed our showerhead. Oops. 3. Computer Keyboards. A 2008 study in England revealed that some keyboards have five times the bacteria of a toilet seat. WTF??? So, those of us who m... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3902865 Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:45:12 +0100 3902865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3889116&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2FZOeu7C5krJc%2Fmore-you-know-you-wanted-it-on-fecal.html Image fromI Heart Guts blogThere is an interesting mini review in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology's September issue that may be of interest to some out there. It is entitled "Fecal Bacteriotherapy, Fecal Transplant, and the Microbiome" by Martin Floch and well, the title is indicative of the article.Yes, the fecal transplant meme is here to stay. Sure, the cognoscenti already knew about fecal transplants. Perhaps they had read Tara Smith's discussion of it in her Aetiology blog in 2007. Perhaps they had pondered it when they read the article from my lab on intestinal transplants. Perhaps they had seen this discussion on MSNBC, or various other stories out there such as this or this post from Angry by Choice. Or, maybe you just learned about it from Bora's Carnival of Poop. But the... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3889116 Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:53:16 +0100 3889116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880906&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2Fnq07ZRzS8dU%2Foverselling-microbiome-award-stephen.html Yes, I think the microbes that live in and on people are important, interesting, cool, and worthy of lots and lots of attention. However, I am getting sicker and sicker of the ways in which the effects of these microbes are, well oversold. So today I am starting a new series here on the Tree of Life - the "Overselling the Microbiome and Probiotics Award." And, we have a winner today. The winner is Stephen Barrie who has posted something at the paragon of high quality science - the Huffington Post (for more on the dubious science at Huffington Post, a good place to look is Bora's Blog Around the Clock). Well, Barrie really takes the cake on this one Stephen Barrie, ND: The Keys to Maintaining a Healthy Gut He starts off OK - referring to the number of microbes in the human ecosystem and... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880906 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 17:42:25 +0100 3880906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3865005&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbook-review-neisseria.html%23unique-entry-id-185 I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis:"an excellent, comprehensive and updated review ... The editors, both experienced in the Neisseria field, have recruited 43 contributors from five different countries. Many of these individuals are well-recognized experts, front-line researchers and/or key opinion leaders in their topics. They provide, evaluate and discuss detailed up-to-date understanding, the significance of different findings, theories, hypotheses and conclusions, and future directions in a research, clinical and public health perspective. The volume is valuable and timely ... Most chapters ... are excellent, comprehensive, important, updated, well-written, and contain many relevant references and informat... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3865005 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3865005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858094&cid=t_104678_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fmedical-tourists-risk-spreading-superbug-bacteria-resistant-antibiotics%2F Medical tourists to India and Pakistan are being blamed for the international spread of bacteria that carry the NDM-1 gene that is easily passed between bacteria and that allow them to become resistant to almost all antibiotics. Dr. Anders Ekblom of AstraZeneca comments. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858094 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:39:36 +0100 3858094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848910&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2FDhhEhj-Px1k%2Flack-of-neutrality-in-bacteria-and.html Pseudogenes, which are in essence regions of the genome that used to be genes but no longer able to produce a functional unit, have long been considered to be models of the genetic equivalent of Switzerland's neutrality. With this assumption of neutrality in hand, researchers have used studies of pseudogenes to better understand what happens to DNA when it is not visible to any form of natural selection. That is, pseudogenes have been thought to be neither harmful (as in, they are not under negative selection) or helpful (i.e., they are not under positive selection).And from this assumption we have supposedly learned about mutation rates and patterns (because if they are neutral then the changes in pseudogenes should be reflective of mutational processes, not selection) as well as all sort... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848910 Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:51:58 +0100 3848910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3848827&cid=t_104678_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fnurse-sandy-wilson-describes-year-ordeal-overcome-flesheating-bacteria%2F University of Maryland nurse Sandy Wilson gave birth via C-section to a normal, healthy boy, but two days later was at death’s door and at the beginning of a harrowing five year ordeal with necrotizing fasciitis. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3848827 Mon, 09 Aug 2010 19:34:44 +0100 3848827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798246&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbifido-book.html%23unique-entry-id-166 The new book on Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects edited by Baltasar Mayo and Douwe van Sinderen has been published read more ...Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular AspectsEdited by: Baltasar Mayo and Douwe van SinderenISBN: 978-1-904455-68-4Publisher: Caister Academic PressPublication Date: August 2010 Cover: hardback read more ... (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798246 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3798246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798245&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Firon-bacteria-book.html%23unique-entry-id-167 The new book on Iron Uptake and Homeostasis in Microorganisms edited by Pierre Cornelis and Simon C. Andrews has been published read more ...Iron Uptake and Homeostasis in MicroorganismsEdited by: Pierre Cornelis and Simon C. AndrewsISBN: 978-1-904455-65-3Publisher: Caister Academic PressPublication Date: June 2010 Cover: hardback read more ... (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798245 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3798245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3740597&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsexual-health-and-teens-privates-video-game%2F2010.07.09 Here’s a new video game from Zombie Cow Studios that could help educate teenagers about sexual and reproductive health in a colorful way. Elizabeth Boskey, Ph.D., About.com’s Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) guide, writes in her blog post entitled ”It’s Only A Game“: When I first saw the announcement for Privates, I found the concept vaguely appalling — condom-hatted soldiers (privates) swarming into people’s body parts (privates) to shoot at all the nasty invaders one can find there. However, the second I watched the trailer I was instantly converted to a fan. Privates was clearly designed by people who were paying attention in sex-ed class. The epithelium looks like epithelium! There are bacteria that I can recognize from what I’ve ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3740597 Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:00:04 +0100 3740597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737042&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fsummer-food-safety-how-to-keep-your-bbq-guests-alive%2F2010.07.08 Legendary soul chef Charles Gabriel talks with Dr. Jon LaPook about food safety during the summer grilling months. Watch CBS News Videos Online  How To Survive The Summer Barbecue  My mother was very proud of the fact that none of her four children ever became sick from her cooking. While it’s true she may have erred on the side of overcooking the turkey, being spared food poisoning is yet another in the long list of gifts from my mom. Every year, about 76 million Americans develop illness from food, more than 325,000 are hospitalized, and about 5,000 die. The most common cause is contamination with bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Shigella, and E. coli — though other organisms such as viruses and protozoa can also be culprits. As summer begins, I thought it woul... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737042 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:00:35 +0100 3737042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3724441&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fben-franklin-on-freedom-quote-of-the-day%2F In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria. – Benjamin Franklin Post from: BlissTree Ben Franklin on Freedom (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3724441 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 14:00:53 +0100 3724441 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714187&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fpreventive-health-tip-get-vaccinated-for-whooping-cough%2F2010.06.30 California recently declared an epidemic of whooping cough (pertussis) which resulted in the death of five infants under the age of 3 months. The pertussis vaccine, which is already given routinely to infants, is first given at 2 months of age, then 4 months and 6 months of age, with an additional booster at 15 to 18 months of age, and then again at 4 to 6 years old. The vaccines for Bortella pertussis bacteria, which causes whooping cough, does not confer lifelong immunity. In other words, fully-vaccinated children who then become teenagers and then adults lose immunity, can acquire the infection and then spread it. Should babies acquire pertussis, as the public has discovered, it can be deadly. The persistent cough tires the baby, causes difficulty breathing, and can make them turn blue ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714187 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3714187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699460&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fwash-your-reusable-bags-duh-of-the-day%2F A study at the University of Arizona tested 84 reusable bags, and found that half of them were contaminated with bacteria. Researchers recommend washing your bags, especially if you use them to transport raw meat. Yes…insightful advice that we’d hope most of our readers don’t need. Maybe the researchers should have added, “If a raw egg cracks in your reusable bag, wash it.” It’s hard to imagine an adult that wouldn’t get this. Let’s just peg the 42 bacteria laden-bags on well-meaning but clueless University of Arizona freshman. via USA Today Post from: BlissTree Wash Your Reusable Bags: Duh of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699460 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:35:58 +0100 3699460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3699497&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fmicrobiology-and-the-cooties-epidemic%2F2010.06.25 Remember “cooties” in grade school? You know, the germs or disease that girls gave boys or boys gave girls in grade school if they touched? Well, it seems they’re becoming an epidemic. Thank goodness someone checked for “cooties” on the Stanley Cup: The NHL champion Blackhawks’ beloved trophy stopped by the Chicago Tribune newsroom, and so we took the opportunity to do something the Cup’s keeper said had never been done: We swabbed it for germs. We sent the samples to the Chicago lab EMSL Analytical, which found very little general bacteria and no signs of staph, salmonella or E. coli. “It’s surprisingly clean,” lab manager Nancy McDonald said. Just 400 counts of general bacteria were found, she said. By comparison, a desk in an o... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3699497 Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0100 3699497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695534&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fweight-loss-the-bacteria-in-your-gut%2F You might be the cleanest clean person you know, but we’ve got some bad news anyway. You’ve got trillions of microbial bacteria just hanging out inside of you. Well, not exactly hanging out. They’re working pretty hard, influencing whether we make or burn fat, and how many calories we take from our food. According to the Los Angeles Times, researchers have realized that there are links between gut bacteria and weight metabolism in mice. Though there are links among humans as well, scientists aren’t as certain about the intricacies. We bet that once researchers nail down the exact science between gut bacteria and weight loss in people, we’ll be seeing even more commercials for yogurts that taste just like cream-filled chocolate donuts – and supposedly help yo... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695534 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:30:50 +0100 3695534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3690807&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F7-ways-that-germs-can-be-good-for-you-and-why-you-should-think-twice-before-taking-antibiotics%2F Germs, especially bacteria, have a fairly tarnished reputation among health circles, but according to Martin Blaser, chairman of the department of medicine at New York University Medical School, we might actually need more of them. The former president of the Infectious Disease Society of America says that our use of antibiotics and antibacterial products has reduced the number of healthy bacteria in our digestive tracts, changing our digestion and contributing to the rise in obesity. According to an article from Forbes.com, he’s not the only one who thinks that bacteria could be a good thing: They’ve compiled a list of ways that germs can actually be good for you, backed up by research from several scientists: 1. Controlling Weight – According to research from Cornell Univer... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3690807 Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:57:12 +0100 3690807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695196&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fborrelia-book-review.html%23unique-entry-id-109 I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis:"This book has 18 chapters and it will cover everything you need to know about these Spirochetes from behaviour in the field to sequencing in a molecular laboratory. Each chapter seems to be written by expert in their Borrelia field and bring updated information about the state-of-art for research of simply general knowledge for this pathogen ... would definitely interest researchers and some teachers seeking research-led examples for their lectures ... this book is a fantastic source of information for scientists working on vector-borne diseases and interested in epidemiology, evolution, genomics ... I truly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it." f... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695196 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3686824&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fborrelia-book-review.html%23unique-entry-id-109 I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis:"This book has 18 chapters and it will cover everything you need to know about these Spirochetes from behaviour in the field to sequencing in a molecular laboratory. Each chapter seems to be written by expert in their Borrelia field and bring updated information about the state-of-art for research of simply general knowledge for this pathogen ... would definitely interest researchers and some teachers seeking research-led examples for their lectures ... this book is a fantastic source of information for scientists working on vector-borne diseases and interested in epidemiology, evolution, genomics ... I truly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it." f... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3686824 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3686824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683911&cid=t_104678_160_f&fid=36189&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skinmdblog.com%2F177%2Fnatural-skin-care-recipes-for-cleansing-and-exfoliating%2F Here are a couple of natural skin care recipes for cleansing and exfoliating.  Most of the soaps and cleansers on the market contain sodium laurel sulfate and other harsh ingredients that can do more harm than good. They aggravate acne, eczema, psoriasis and other inflammatory conditions.  You can make your own soothing daily cleansers with very little effort. Grape juice is an excellent cleanser.  The red varieties contain unique antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart disease if eaten and prevent wrinkles if applied directly. Do not use grape juice that you purchase at the store.  It contains added sugars, which are not good for your skin’s health or appearance. Simply buy a bunch of red grapes.  Slice two or three in half.  Remove the pits and rub the flesh and pulp ... Skin MD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683911 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:58:45 +0100 3683911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695206&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-evolution.html%23unique-entry-id-99 Evolutionary trends associated with niche specialization as modeled by whole genome analysis of egg-contaminating Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidisfrom Jean Guard, Devendra Shah, Cesar A. Morales and Doug Call writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionThe mosaic nature of the Salmonella enterica genome facilitates its access to multiple environments. Many large scale genomic events have been described that contribute to the combinatorial complexity of the pathogenic Salmonellae. However, the impact of small scale genetic change occurring at the level of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the emergence of niche specialization is just now becoming appreciated. A recent review describes concepts behind the evolution that culminated in the remarkable ability of Salmonella enteri... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695206 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695205&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-pathogenesis.html%23unique-entry-id-100 We describe the molecular basis of Salmonella Typhi pathogenesis, in particular where genomics has contributed to our understanding in the past decade. Potentially important S. Typhi-specific virulence determinants include the Vi polysaccharide capsule, the type IV pilus, and a unique repertoire of fimbria. These may account for key differences in the disease outcome of this pathogen compared with non-typhoidal serotypes. Genome comparison with the closely related serotype S. Paratyphi A identifies a core set of pseudogenes, some of which emerged independently, that may define important features of genome degradation associated with host restriction and pathogenesis of invasive disease. Geo-phylogenetics of S. Typhi constructed from single nucleotide polymorphism data from high throughput ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695205 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695204&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-small-rna.html%23unique-entry-id-101 The small RNAs of Salmonellafrom Sridhar Javayel, Kai Papenfort and Jörg Vogel writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionTo date, close to one hundred distinct small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) have been identified in Salmonella by a variety of biocomputational or wet-lab approaches including RNA sequencing. The function of more than twenty of these sRNAs is known from studies in Salmonella itself or can be inferred from conserved homologs in E. coli Many of these sRNAs act in conjunction with the RNA-chaperone Hfq to post-transcriptionally repress or activate trans-encoded target genes, but cis-antisense RNAs and regulators of protein activity are also abundantly present. In addition to a large number of sRNAs conserved in other enteric bacteria, Salmonella also expresses a set of sRN... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695204 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695203&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-fimbriae.html%23unique-entry-id-102 Fimbrial signature arrangements in Salmonellafrom Sean-Paul Nuccio, Nicholas R. Thomson, Maria C. Fookes and Andreas J. Bäumler writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionThe complement of fimbrial operons held within a genome represents one of the key differentiating features of the sequenced Salmonella serovars and one of the single largest sources of genetic diversity. Generically described as filamentous non-flagellar surface appendages, fimbriae (also known as pili) typically imbue an adhesive trait to the cells expressing them. While much is known about the general biology of fimbrial assembly mechanisms, the role of these structures in Salmonella pathogenesis remains poorly characterized. Here we present fimbrial operon data gathered from the seventeen completed Salmonella g... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695203 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695203 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695202&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-flagella.html%23unique-entry-id-103 New insights into the role and formation of flagella in Salmonellafrom Rasika M. Harshey writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionThe flagellum of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is the best studied of all flagellar systems. The major function of the flagellum is to enable swimming and chemotaxis in liquid media, and swarming on surfaces. New structural information, along with biochemical, physicochemical and genetic analyses has greatly accelerated our understanding of the self-assembly of this highly sophisticated nano-machine. The study of swarming motility is a relatively new field, but has begun to reveal new roles for the flagellum, new functions for motility genes and new regulatory circuits that control the decision between motility and sessility. Morphological and fun... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695202 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695201&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-virulence-factors.html%23unique-entry-id-104 Salmonella secreted virulence factorsfrom Fred Heffron, George Niemann, Hyunjin Yoon, Afshan Kidwai, Roslyn Brown, Jason McDermott, Richard Smith and Joshua Adkins writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionResearch in the past twenty years has shown that Salmonella precisely manipulates their host by hierarchical secretion of virulence factors (effectors). More than 40 secreted virulence factors have been identified in Salmonella, but the function and mammalian targets of only a few are known. Effectors are directed to specific sub-cellular compartments and mammalian targets, and they mediate a diverse array of activities. Thus, the first half of this review focuses upon our understanding of effector mechanisms and their roles during infection. However, the known effector repertoire is... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695201 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695200&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-intracellular-lifestyle.html%23unique-entry-id-105 The intracellular lifestyle of Salmonella enterica and novel approaches to understand the adaptation to life within the Salmonella-containing vacuolefrom Roopa Rajashekar and Michael Hensel writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionSalmonella enterica is a facultative intracellular pathogen that resides in a unique membrane-bound compartment, referred to as Salmonella-containing vacuole or SCV. Within the SCV, Salmonella is able to survive the antimicrobial activities of phagocytic cells and can rapidly multiply in a variety of host cells. Intracellular life of Salmonella is dependent on a large number of virulence traits, but the function of the type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded by Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2) is of central importance. Although more than 20 effector... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695200 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695199&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fimmunity-to-salmonella.html%23unique-entry-id-106 : Highlighting new research in vaccines, mucosal immunology and systemic diseasefrom Jennifer L. Bishop, Ellen T. Arena, Kenneth W. Harder and B. Brett Finlay writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionEnteric fever and non-typhoidal salmonelloses (NTS) are caused by a wide variety of Salmonella enterica serovars and are a serious health threat throughout the world. Immunity to systemic typhoid and NTS requires intricate crosstalk between both innate and adaptive immune cells spanning multiple organ systems. The development of a number of new mouse and in vitro culture models suitable for studying gastroenteritis has highlighted the complexity of mucosal responses and shown how a diverse subset of cells interact within the intestinal architecture to elicit anti-Salmonella immunity. Thes... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695199 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695198&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-biofilm.html%23unique-entry-id-107 : From food to human diseasefrom Robert W. Crawford, Geoffrey Gonzalez-Escobedo and John S. Gunn writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionBacterial biofilms are increasingly implicated as burdens to food and public safety. Over the past few decades, we have learned that this sessile environment provides diverse species of bacteria selective advantages in natural, medical, and industrial ecosystems, as well as resistance to commonly administered antibiotics and protection from host immune responses during chronic infection of humans and animals. Salmonella spp. are food-borne pathogens that remain a critical health concern in impoverished and industrialized nations. In the laboratory, salmonellae have been shown to form biofilms on a variety of surfaces. These Salmonella spp. biofilms ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695198 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3695197&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-cancer-treatment.html%23unique-entry-id-108 Salmonella as the paradigm for bacterial therapy of cancer: A progress reportfrom Robert M. Hoffman writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionFor over 300 years it has been observed that cancer patients who became infected with bacteria sometimes experienced spontaneous remission of their cancer. Recently, there have been attempts to develop cancer treatments by using tumor-targeting bacteria. Anaerobic microorganisms, such as Clostridium, that preferentially grow in necrotic tumor areas have mostly been used. However, the resulting tumor killing was, at best, limited. Salmonella was originally developed as an antitumor agent by attenuating the bacteria with multiple mutations, including auxotrophs. These multiple auxotrophs appeared to direct the bacteria to the metastatic areas of tu... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3695197 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3695197 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3686834&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-evolution.html%23unique-entry-id-99 Evolutionary trends associated with niche specialization as modeled by whole genome analysis of egg-contaminating Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidisfrom Jean Guard, Devendra Shah, Cesar A. Morales and Doug Call writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionThe mosaic nature of the Salmonella enterica genome facilitates its access to multiple environments. Many large scale genomic events have been described that contribute to the combinatorial complexity of the pathogenic Salmonellae. However, the impact of small scale genetic change occurring at the level of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on the emergence of niche specialization is just now becoming appreciated. A recent review describes concepts behind the evolution that culminated in the remarkable ability of Salmonella enteri... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3686834 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3686834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665704&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-classification.html%23unique-entry-id-95 New approaches in sub-species level Salmonella classificationfrom Burkhard Malorny, Elisabeth Hauser and Ralf Dieckmann writing in Salmonella: From Genome to Function:Salmonellae form a complex group of bacteria consisting of two species, 6 subspecies and more than 2,500 serovars (serotypes). Salmonella identification below species level is most often limited to phenotypic typing methods such as biochemical and serological identification, which are costly, time-consuming and do not always reflect the evolution of Salmonella groups. Newer methods for Salmonella typing and subtyping include genome-based methods such as pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), Multiple Loci VNTR Analysis (MLVA), Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and (multiplex-) PCR-based methods. In the last years further mo... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665704 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3665704 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665703&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-phage.html%23unique-entry-id-96 Typing phages and prophages of Salmonellafrom Wolfgang Rabsch, Sandra Truepschuch, Daniel Windhorst and Roman G. Gerlach writing in Salmonella: From Genome to Function:Most Salmonella strains contain prophages or remnant phages and release them spontaneously. Special bacteriophages were developed and used in phage typing systems for epidemiological work all over the world since 1947 to control salmonellosis. This method provides fast and inexpensive characterization of frequent serovars such as S. Typhimurium or S. Typhi on the sub-serovar level and is especially useful for primary analysis before investigation by other, more expensive molecular techniques such as sequencing. Prophages are themselves not only variable elements in a chromosome but also variable by module exchange within the... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665703 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3665703 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665702&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-genome.html%23unique-entry-id-97 Comparison of Salmonella genomesfrom Ye Feng, Wei-Qiao Liu, Kenneth E. Sanderson, and Shu-Lin Liu writing in Salmonella: From Genome to Function:Salmonella contains over 2600 known lineages, each with distinct biological characteristics, including differences in the niche in which they dwell and the nature of diseases they may cause in their hosts. Genomic sequence analysis is beginning to reveal the genetic basis that determines the phenotypic differences among them. Comparison of eight sequenced genomes of Salmonella subgroup I lineages, which infect warm-blooded animals including humans, demonstrates that these pathogens share about 90% of their genes (the "core" genome), with the remaining ca. 10% genes being unique to each of the lineages (the "accessory" genome). Prophages and Salmon... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665702 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3665702 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3665701&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-survival.html%23unique-entry-id-98 High-throughput screening to determine the genetic requirements for Salmonella survival under different growth conditionsfrom Mollie Megan Reynolds, Rocio Canals, Michael McClelland and Helene Andrews-Polymenis writing in Salmonella: From Genome to FunctionSalmonella species are capable of survival in a wide range of niches, both in the environment and in an infected host. Genetic requirements for survival of Salmonella in different niches have traditionally been identified using gene expression and forward genetics. The availability of complete genome sequences, microarray technology, and cost-effective new sequencing capabilities enabled increasingly efficient high-throughput analyses of Salmonella genomes to identify elements that contribute to survival in these niches. A recent review ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3665701 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3665701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640581&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fstreptomyces-book.html%23unique-entry-id-78 Paul Dyson (Institute of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Swansea, UK) presents a new book on Streptomyces: Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Streptomycetes are Gram-positive, high GC-content, sporulating bacteria found predominantly in soil. Streptomycetes are characterised by a complex secondary metabolism producing antibiotic compounds and other metabolites with medicinal properties. In recent years genomic studies, genomic mining and biotechnological approaches have been employed in the search for new antibiotics and other drugs.With contributions from some of the leading scientists in the field, this volume documents recent research and development in streptomycetes genomics, physiology and metabolism. With a focus on biotechnology and genomics, the book provides an excellent sour... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640581 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3640581 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3640576&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fneisseria-book-review.html%23unique-entry-id-83 I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis:"focuses effectively on (the) molecular approach to neisserial pathogenicity ... authoritative reviews of gene regulation, anaerobic survival, genome plasticity, epidemiology, vaccine development and the development of antibiotic resistance ... well-referenced" from Jeff Cole (University of Birmingham, UK) writing in Microbiology Today read more ...Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of PathogenesisEdited by: Caroline Genco and Lee WetzlerISBN: 978-1-904455-51-6Publisher: Caister Academic PressPublication Date: January 2010Cover: hardback"authoritative reviews" (Microbiology Today) (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3640576 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3640576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3585219&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fhistone-like-hu-proteins.html%23unique-entry-id-75 Bacterial histone-like HU proteins are critical to maintenance of the nucleoid structure. In addition, they participate in all DNA-dependent functions, including replication, repair, recombination and gene regulation. Their function is typically architectural, inducing a specific DNA topology that promotes assembly of higher-order nucleo-protein structures. Although HU proteins are highly conserved, individual homologs have been shown to exhibit a wide range of different DNA binding specificities and affinities. The existence of such distinct specificities indicates functional evolution and predicts distinct in vivo roles. Emerging evidence suggests that HU proteins discriminate between DNA target sites based on intrinsic flexure, and that two primary features of protein binding contribute... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3585219 Wed, 19 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3585219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569637&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fger-receptor-family.html%23unique-entry-id-72 Ger receptor activation is the first committed step in the germination process. Ger receptors are encoded, in general, as tricistronic operons containing three protein-coding genes, the A-, B-, and C-subunits. However, some Ger receptor subunits are encoded as orphan monocistronic genes and yet other ger receptor operons encode duplicated subunit genes.The A-subunit protein of Ger receptors consist of five or six predicted membrane-spanning domains, as well as large N- and C-terminal hydrophilic domains. A-subunit proteins share significant homology to SpoVAF, a late-sporulation protein with no known function. Intriguingly, Ger receptors have been shown to interact with proteins from the spoVA operon. Whether these interactions are relevant to spore germination remains to be elucidated.Fur... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569637 Sun, 16 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3569637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3569636&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbacterial-spores.html%23unique-entry-id-73 Endospore-forming bacteria produce some of the most potent toxins known and are important pathogens in hospital-borne infections (Clostridium difficile) food contamination (Bacillus cereus, Clostridium botulinum), wound infestation (Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium tetani) and bioterrorism (Bacillus anthracis).Bacilli and Clostridia spores form in response to unfavorable environmental conditions and can withstand extremes of heat, radiation, and chemical agents. The spore's durability is even more remarkable considering that dormant spores revert back to actively growing cells almost immediately after nutrients return to the environment. The intrinsic resistance and the ability to remain dormant for long periods make spores the perfect delivery vehicle for infectious diseases.Further r... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3569636 Sun, 16 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3569636 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3560191&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ftop-10-household-tips-from-blisstree-readers%2F You’ve been sending us some good household tips lately, and we appreciate it. So here’s this week’s top ten tips list – by you, and for you. Got a tip? It can be about anything from relationships and health issues to fitness and food to eco-friendly living and your favorite products. We’d love to hear it and include it on our next top ten list. Send your ideas to: tips@blisstree.com 1. Meredith says: Make your bed every morning. Somehow, it’ll make you feel better and get the day off to a good start. 2. Jennifer says: Put sugar and creamer in before your coffee, then you won’t have to stir! 3. Claudette says: My mother used vinegar to tenderize and clean meat of bacteria. By just pouring it over chicken or any meat it removes germs. Pour over a roast b... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3560191 Wed, 12 May 2010 21:19:25 +0100 3560191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3552202&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fhandwashing-and-the-life-of-everyday-bacteria%2F Handwashing and ubiquitous bottles of Purell seem to be the norm in our new post-N1H1 environment.  But how effective are they?  Over at ScienceBlogs, the Oscillator pulls out the petri dishes and finds out the hard way. Or at least, the scientific way. The results will make you think twice about sharing computer mice. The Results! Part 1 [The Oscillator] The Results! Part 2 [The Oscillator] Post from: BlissTree Handwashing and the Life of Everyday Bacteria (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3552202 Tue, 11 May 2010 14:51:52 +0100 3552202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3537839&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fneisseria-book-review.html%23unique-entry-id-68 I am pleased to provide the following excerpt from a book review of Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis:"written by outstanding and internationally highly recognized experts in the Neisseria research field ... The chapters are of the highest scientific quality including links to central primary publications on the different topics ... an excellent monography for the specialist" from Arzneimittelforschung/Drug Research (2010) 60: 226-227 read more ...Neisseria: Molecular Mechanisms of PathogenesisEdited by: Caroline Genco and Lee WetzlerISBN: 978-1-904455-51-6Publisher: Caister Academic PressPublication Date: January 2010Cover: Hardback"a comprehensive update" (Society for Microbial Ecology and Disease) (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3537839 Wed, 05 May 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3537839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529775&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=36941&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mazecordblood.com%2Fblog%2F%3Fp%3D463 For years, we’ve been told that a woman may experience dental problems during pregnancy.  But popular wisdom has held that any extensive dental care to resolve a problem during pregnancy should be put on hold till after the baby is born to avoid any unanticipated issues with the treatment. Now a study reports that it is imperative to resolve dental problems when they happen and not to wait till post-delivery.  Apparently, the bacteria that may form as a result of dental problems can be transmitted to newborns in a number of ways common to mothering (you know, kissing your baby, feeding your baby, etc).  Infants are not born with bacteria in their mouths and the transmission of such can create “rampant tooth decay” in the child as he or she grows. So don’t avoid t... Cord Blood News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529775 Mon, 03 May 2010 16:09:24 +0100 3529775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515072&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsignal-recognition-book.html%23unique-entry-id-57 Stephen Spiro and Ray Dixon (Texas, USA and Norwich,UK; respectively) present a new publication Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal Recognition This book reviews a selection of important model systems, providing a timely snapshot of the current state of research in the field. The book opens with an introductory chapter that reviews the diversity of signal recognition mechanisms, illustrating the breadth of the field. Subsequent chapters include descriptions of the sensing of ligands (alpha-ketoglutarate, adenylate energy charge, glutamine and xenobiotic compounds), chemoreceptors, iron-sulfur cluster-based sensors, metal-dependent and metal-responsive sensors, thiol-based sensors, and PDZ domains as sensors of other proteins read more ....Sensory Mechanisms in Bacte... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515072 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515072 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515071&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsensory-mechanisms-bacteria.html%23unique-entry-id-58 from Sensory Mechanisms in Bacteria: Molecular Aspects of Signal RecognitionBacteria have evolved extraordinary abilities to detect physical and chemical signals, both within their own cells and in the extracellular environment. The interaction of a signal with its receptor (usually a protein or RNA molecule) triggers a series of events that lead to reprogramming of cellular physiology, typically as a consequence of altered patterns of gene expression. In this way, the bacterial cell is able to mount appropriate and effective responses to changing physical and/or chemical environments. The versatility with which many bacteria adapt to environmental change underlies many important aspects of microbiology. For example, pathogens encounter multiple environments as they invade a host from the ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515071 Wed, 28 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515071 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515077&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbifidobacteria-book.html%23unique-entry-id-52 Baltasar Mayo and Douwe van Sinderen (Asturias, Spain and Cork, Ireland; respectively) present a new publication Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects This book brings together the expertise and enthusiasm of leading bifidobacteria experts from around the world to provide a state-of-the art overview of the molecular biology and genomics of this important microbial genus. Topics include: ecology, genomics, comparative genomics, metabolism, acid and bile resistance, stress response, probiotic properties, antimicrobial activity, interaction with the intestinal mucosa, safety assessment of bifidobacteria, synthesis and utilization of exopolysaccharides and prebiotics, antibiotic resistance/susceptibility profiles, viability and stability in commercial preparations, mobile genetic elem... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515077 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515077 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515076&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbifidobacteria.html%23unique-entry-id-53 from Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular AspectsBifidobacteria are Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria, found naturally in the gut of humans and other mammals. They are widely used as probiotic organisms in a vast array of formulations for the prevention, alleviation and treatment of many intestinal disorders. However bifidobacteria are fastidious microorganisms and difficult to study in the laboratory, so until recently, understanding of their genetics lagged behind that of other high GC content Gram-positive bacteria. The application of modern whole genome approaches to bifidobacteria research has changed all of this, permitting the accumulation of an impressive amount of data, something that could not have been foreseen a few years ago.Among the myriad of bacterial species that inhabit ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515076 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515075&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbifidobacteria-genomics.html%23unique-entry-id-54 from Marco Ventura, Francesca Turroni, Francesca Bottacini and Douwe van Sinderen in Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular AspectsDuring recent years microbiological research has been fundamentally changed by the ever increasing number of publicly available bacterial whole-genome sequences. This sequence information has largely affected our understanding of the metabolic capabilities, genetics and phylogeny of bacteria. Bifidobacteria constitute one of the key microbial groups of the human intestinal microbiota, due to their perceived positive contribution to maintain a balanced gut homeostasis. In recent years bifidobacteria have drawn much scientific attention because of their use as live bacteria in numerous food preparations with several health-related claims. For this reason these bi... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515075 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515075 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515074&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fmetabolism-of-bifidobacteria%2520.html%23unique-entry-id-55 from David A. Sela, Neil P. J Price and David A. Mills in Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular AspectsThe genus Bifidobacterium possesses a unique fructose-6-phosphate phosphoketolase pathway employed to ferment carbohydrates. Much metabolic research on bifidobacteria has focused on oligosaccharide metabolism as these carbohydrate polymers are available in their otherwise nutrient-limited habitats. Interestingly, infant-associated bifidobacterial phylotypes appear to have evolved the ability to ferment milk oligosaccharides, whereas adult-associated species utilize plant oligosaccharides, consistent with what they encounter in their respective environments. As breast-fed infants often harbor bifidobacteria dominated gut consortia, there have been numerous applications to mimic the bifido... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515074 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515073&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fbifidobacteria-probiotics.html%23unique-entry-id-56 from Maddalena Rossi and Alberto Amaretti in Bifidobacteria: Genomics and Molecular Aspects Bifidobacteria are major components of the indigenous bacterial population present in the human gut and are arguably most relevant to the health-promoting properties that have been attributed to elements of this microbiota. They exert a range of beneficial health effects, including the regulation of intestinal microbial homeostasis, the inhibition of pathogens and harmful bacteria that colonize and/or infect the gut mucosa, the modulation of local and systemic immune responses, the repression of procarcinogenic enzymatic activities within the microbiota, the production of vitamins, and the bioconversion of a number of dietary compounds into bioactive molecules. Health-promoting properties of members... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515073 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3515073 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3479641&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fdavid-duchovny-and-demi-moore-sickened-by-a-smooch%2F David Duchovny and Demi Moore (photo: WENN.com/FayesVision) Word at Starpulse is that David Duchovny initially refused to kiss Demi Moore while filming their new movie The Joneses, because the actress had what he calls a “raging cold.” Duchovny eventually relented and locked lips with Moore to keep the filming schedule on track. The former X-Files leading man claims that he did get sick from the smooch, and he doesn’t seem happy about it. With a cold season this year that never seems to end, we’re wondering, how far do you go to avoid germs? If it were your job to tongue someone with the sniffles, would you do it? Do you steer clear of your loved ones when they’re sick? Drop us a note in the comments section, below, and let us know. Post from: BlissTree D... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3479641 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:14:36 +0100 3479641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420152&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fsalmonella-genomics-book.html%23unique-entry-id-29 A new book entitled Salmonella: From Genome to Function has just been announced:Salmonella: From Genome to Function Edited by: Steffen PorwollikISBN: 978-1-904455-73-8Publisher: Caister Academic PressPublication Date: January 2011Cover: Hardback read more ...More information ... (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420152 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3420152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408331&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Ftaking-the-piss-out-of-pee%2F We women often wait ages longer in line than men for the restroom, only to meet a seat be-dewed with yellow droplets. Whoever last used this toilet was a proponent of the “helicopter” or “crop duster” approach to urination. She squats, hovers, and sprays. She was thus spared contact with a potentially dirty john – with the added benefit of working her thighs and glutes. The downside, for you, is damp. If your office is home to a chronic crop duster, irate signs in creative fonts tend to appear on stall doors: “PLEASE be considerate and leave this bathroom the way you found it. This is a SHARED space. We don’t come to YOUR house and pee on the seat!” and on and on, depending on how often your co-workers have gotten a wet one. Another favorite is the cutes... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408331 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:33:47 +0100 3408331 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420154&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2Ffiles%2Fhelicobacter-pylori-book-review.html%23unique-entry-id-27 Excerpt from a recent book review of Helicobacter pylori: Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology."contains 12 chapters that update key areas of basic research ... this book should be useful for researchers in the H. pylori field as well as anyone working in closely related organisms." from D. Scott Merrell (Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA) writing in The Quarterly Review of Biology (2010) 85: 110. read more ... (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420154 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3420154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3342245&cid=t_104678_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.rawvoice.com%2Fpmn_twiv%2Fwww.twiv.tv%2FTWiV072.mp3 Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit This week the TWiV team explains CRISPR/Cas, the immune system of bacteria and archaea, how novel viruses are discovered by deep sequencing of small RNAs, and the relationship between dry weather and outbreaks of West Nile virus infection. This episode is sponsored by Data Robotics Inc. Use the promotion code VINCENT to receive $50 off a Drobo or $100 off a Drobo S. Win a free Drobo S! Contest rules here. Download TWiV #72 (62 MB .mp3, 85 minutes) Subscribe to TWiV (free) in iTunes , at the Zune Marketplace, by the RSS feed, or by email. Links for this episode: Review on the CRISPR/cas system of bacteria and archaea Virus discovery by sequencing small virus-derived RNAs (paper one and two) Dry weather induces outbre... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3342245 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:30:37 +0100 3342245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3252021&cid=t_104678_10_f&fid=35345&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.GIDEONonline.com%2Fblog%2F2010%2F02%2F08%2Fupdated-microbiology-module%2F GIDEON’s redesigned Microbiology module has been launched (screenshot). Following the update of the GIDEON Diagnosis module, we’ve implemented many of the new features in Microbiology, including New tabs Suggestions Dynamic identification Usability improvements New tabs The new tabs in Microbiology replace the older radio buttons and make it easier to reach each function. For each category: Bacteria, Mycobacteria and Yeasts there is easy access to Identify or Lists. Suggestions GIDEON’s Microbiology Compare function, until now, has ranked phenotypic tests which are most likely to impact the Identification list. Now, the top four tests which are most likely to focus and shorten the list of possible organisms are displayed and dynamically updated as each new test result... GIDEON blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3252021 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:51:33 +0100 3252021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3157693&cid=t_104678_167_f&fid=37833&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnutrition.edublogs.org%2F2010%2F01%2F09%2Fbacteria-in-that-soda-fountain-drinks%2F Is Fountain Soda Safe? A new study published in the January issue of the International Journal of Microbiology is giving people cause to be concerned about what else they may be getting in their soda fountain drinks. Coliform bacteria, the bacteria used to determine the quality of foods and beverages, were detected in 48% of the beverages analyzed in a 2009 study. The study, conducted by researchers at Hollins University and Virginia Western Community College, found that “soda fountain machines may harbor persistent communities of potentially pathogenic microorganisms.” In addition, the concern is that these microorganisms in the soda  “may contribute to episodic gastric distress in the general population and could pose a more significant health risk to immunocompromised... Nutrition and Wellness Biology 50 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3157693 Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:53:15 +0100 3157693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146009&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FTheTreeOfLife%2F%7E3%2FM0eLJgCnwRA%2Fplosone-paper-keywords-revealing-penis.html This study is the first molecular assessment of the bacterial diversity in the male genital mucosa. The observed decrease in anaerobic bacteria after circumcision may be related to the elimination of anoxic microenvironments under the foreskin. Detection of these anaerobic genera in other human infectious and inflammatory pathologies suggests that they may mediate genital mucosal inflammation or co-infections in the uncircumcised state. Hence, the decrease in these anaerobic bacteria after circumcision may complement the loss of the foreskin inner mucosa to reduce the number of activated Langerhans cells near the genital mucosal surface and possibly the risk of HIV acquisition in circumcised men." And this all sounds interesting and the work seems solid.  I note that some friends / co... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146009 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 01:49:16 +0100 3146009 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063299&cid=t_104678_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F12%2F06%2F10-reasons-i-quit-smoking%2F You’re almost there. You want to quit. In fact, 80 percent of your brain is sure you can. But 20 percent insists that you can’t. How do you make it over to the other side without falling SPLAT on your face? Do this. Make a list. Of ten reasons you should quit. Here’s mine. 1. Smoking Made Me Sick For real. Within a few minutes of inhaling a few cigarettes, my throat would start to tickle and my head would begin hurt. The day after a binge, I’d wake up with a nasty cold that kept me in bed when I had a million things to do. Smoking shrinks your blood vessels, clogs up your lungs, and wears down your immune system. Your body is less able to fight off bacteria and viruses, so, yes, you get sick. And there’s of course the lung cancer and increased chances of heart... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063299 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:30:28 +0100 3063299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3035906&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=34860&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.corporeality.net%2Fmuseion%2F2009%2F11%2F27%2Fwhy-we-are-annoyed-by-the-music-of-engelbert-humperdinck%2F Did you know that even bacteria are annoyed by the music of Engelbert Humperdinck? (Yes, you are not the only one). E.coli bacteria can’t stand it. It’s all (sort of) true: Adam Zaretsky once spent 48 hours playing Engelbert Humperdincks’s “Greatest Hits” to a dish of E.coli bacteria to determine whether vibrations or sounds influenced bacterial growth. Watching the bacteria’s antibiotic production increase, Zaretsky decided that perhaps even cells were annoyed by constant subjection to “loud, really awful lounge music.” Quoted from here. Any questions? :) (Source: Biomedicine on Display) Biomedicine on Display blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3035906 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:00:59 +0100 3035906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954205&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fpopulation-genetics-of-cyanobacteria.html Cyanobacteria are a group of ecologically diverse photosynthetic bacteria. Because niche differentiation is ultimately the product of differences among individuals within populations, understanding the evolutionary origins of this diversity ultimately requires a population genetics perspective. Recent work has elucidated the mechanisms that generate variation in cyanobacteria, the distribution of this diversity and its potential functional importance, and has suggested a population genomics approach to address fundamental questions regarding the nature of adaptive variation and niche differentiation in Cyanobacteria. (Xu, 2010).References:Xu, J. (2010) Microbial Population Genetics. Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK.Herrero, A. and Flores, E. (2008) The Cyanobacteria: Molecular Biology, ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954205 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:18:00 +0100 2954205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2954208&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F11%2Fhorizontal-gene-transfer.html Horizontal gene transfer, as a major force in shaping bacterial gene content, has gained incredible attention over the last decade. Along with the fast growing bacterial genome sequence data, there have been an increasingly large number of studies focused on horizontal gene transfer. The studies have been gradually transformed from identifying individual genes that have been horizontally transferred to assessing the general patterns of horizontal gene transfer and evaluating the systematic consequences of massive gene transfers. The rates of gene transfers have been measured by various methods such as parsimony and maximum likelihood methods. Different phylogenetic methods were applied to a variety of data sets to assess whether there exists a congruent and meaningful bacterial tree. Even ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2954208 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:06:00 +0100 2954208 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2862447&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fget-smart-about-antibiotics-week-oct-5-11%2F No – you shouldn’t take antibiotics because you have a cold. And no, you don’t automatically need antibiotics for a sore throat either. No, antibiotics aren’t harmless. What do you need antibiotics for? Bacterial infections and bacterial infections only. Seriously folks – use of antibiotics today has gotten so out of control that now we have super-bugs that are stronger than us. They can beat us because we don’t have a medicine that can beat them. And, if other bacteria end up mutating to the point that they can’t be killed by our antibiotics either, then we’re in big trouble. And that’s no joke. Most people have heard about how antibiotics were invented. Penicillin, the first antibiotic, was discovered by scientist Alexander Fleming, a... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2862447 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:52:59 +0100 2862447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691473&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fflip-flops-can-turn-deadly%2F Any flip flop wearers out there? If so, here’s a study you  might want to consider. Two reporters living in New York City recently walked around the city for four days wearing flip-flops. They took numerous train trips, walked through Prospect Park, headed out to the bars in West Village, took in a baseball game at Coney Island, waded through the public restrooms at the Coney Island subway station, and even rode the Cyclone, twice. They then turned the flip-flops over to a microbiology lab at EMSL Analytical for testing. The results -  the flip-flops had collected approximately 18,100 bacteria of the five most prevalent varieties, including the deadly Staphylococcus aureus. Now flopping around in Flip Flops might stop your feet from touching the ground but they don’t stop the grim fr... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691473 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:47:49 +0100 2691473 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2678663&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fshamrock-enzyme-target-for-new-drugs.html German researchers have used the powerful analytical technique of X-ray diffraction to home in on an important metabolic reaction used by all pathogenic bacteria and the malaria parasite. The detailed structure of the IspH enzyme active site they revealed, which resembles a shamrock in shape, and has an Fe-S cluster at its core, could offer a promising new target for novel antibiotics that might stave off bacterial resistance. More details on the research can be found in my XRD column on SpectroscopyNOW this week. Meanwhile, I asked team leader Michael Groll of the Technische Universität München (TUM), to expand on the implications of the work. What is the next step now that you’ve characterized the active site? The structure allows us to perform modeling and so look for attractive... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2678663 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:00:58 +0100 2678663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2660757&cid=t_104678_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2FU5hWfAG2MAY%2F Another great talk at TED: “Drug-resistant bacteria kills, even in top hospitals. But now tough infections like staph and anthrax may be in for a surprise. Nobel-winning chemist Kary Mullis, who watched a friend die when powerful antibiotics failed, unveils a radical new cure that shows extraordinary promise.” addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F07%2F31%2Fnext-generation-cure-for-killer-infections%2F'; addthis_title = 'Next+generation+cure+for+killer+infections'; addthis_pub = ''; (Source: Medicine and Man) Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2660757 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:12:21 +0100 2660757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2625580&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F07%2Fbook-review-lactobacillus.html "... a useful guide to how microbiology is developing ... a wide range of important topics ... production is beautiful, with clear diagrams, a nice typeface and two text columns per 17x25 cm page ... a most valuable text" from Brian Wood (University of Strathclyde) in Microbiology TodayFurther reading: Lactobacillus Molecular Biology: From Genomics to ProbioticsFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2625580 Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:15:00 +0100 2625580 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2511649&cid=t_104678_117_f&fid=36026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Fzimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use%2Fnestle-toll-house-cookie-recall-the-ecoli-mystery%2F Although Nestle has recalled some 300,000 cases of its refrigerated Toll House cookie dough from store shelves, as of June 22, 2009, none of their product had actually tested positive for the E. coli that’s caused illness in at least 70 people in 30 states. And since it’s highly unusual for E. coli, an intestinal bacterium of cattle (i.e., it’s in their feces) to be present in something like cookie dough, investigators are so far at a loss to explain exactly what is going on. But, since all of the people who became sick ate the same raw cookie dough product, it seems obvious that it’s the cookie dough that’s to blame. The question is, from where did the E. coli come? If it were inadequately cooked hamburgers that were responsible, it would be easy to link E. c... Dr. Z's Medical Report blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2511649 Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:33:31 +0100 2511649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2447986&cid=t_104678_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F0f-3s7dk4_4%2F Consider a hairy, moist armpit is a “rainforest” of bacteria, but the forearm is a desert. Scientists surveyed the types of micro-organism living on a healthy human skin and found that it’s much more diverse and crowded than originally thought. There’s a common notion that all bacteria on the skin are bad, but that’s not exactly true. Some bacteria are beneficial to us, but what they are and where they thrive on the skin has never been studied before. Enter the “Human Microbiome Project” of the NIH, which was created to find out the roles that bacterial communities play on keeping the skin healthy, and which of them cause diseases. Published on today’s issue of Science, researchers decoded the genes of over 100,000 bacteria from 20 different spots on the skin of 10 indiv... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2447986 Sat, 30 May 2009 11:55:00 +0100 2447986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2423183&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F05%2Flactobacillus.html Molecular Biology: From Genomics to Probioticshttp://www.horizonpress.com/lactobacillus"the chapters are edited competently and constitute outstanding independent reviews ... very informative and provides a comprehensive overview of the genus Lactobacillus" from Biospektrum (2009) 15: 348.Further reading: LactobacillusMetagenomics: Theory, Methods and ApplicationsEnvironmental Molecular MicrobiologyBacterial PolysaccharidesBacterial Secreted ProteinsBiopolymersFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2423183 Mon, 18 May 2009 10:26:00 +0100 2423183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405096&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Ftalking-bacteria%2F Did you know that you have ten times more bacteria cells than human cells on you at any one time? Makes it sound like everyone is a human time bomb, just waiting to get sick. But in actual fact, these bacteria are our protectors, covering us like a suit of armour. That’s just one of the interesting pieces of information you can pick up by listening to this fascinating TED Talk by bacteriologist Bonnie Bassler. Post from: Healthbolt (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405096 Thu, 14 May 2009 10:51:07 +0100 2405096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389929&cid=t_104678_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F05%2F06%2Fcould-getting-your-hands-dirty-make-you-happy%2F Midweek Mental Greening Although I don’t live near it anymore, one of the things I love about my old city’s community mental health center is the center’s greenhouse. The center’s patients, or clients, grow and sell the flowers, ferns, and other plants within the greenhouse and any money raised goes toward the continuing operation of the center’s various programs. I don’t have any firsthand experience with the center’s greenhouse (although I do keep promising myself to stop in the next time I’m in the city), but I’ve heard great things about it. Of course, that’s not surprising. We already know how mentally and emotionally beneficial activities like gardening can be (and if you need a refresher course, check out Thrive’s Carry on Gardening website, including the g... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389929 Thu, 07 May 2009 01:40:06 +0100 2389929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2341979&cid=t_104678_155_f&fid=36522&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fpathtalk%2F%7E3%2FYVGfYCYetao%2F596 Bonnie Bassler from Princeton’s Department of Molecular Biology spoke at a recent TED conference on mechanisms of bacterial communication. She explained her group’s discovery that bacteria commnuicate with one another using special “quorum-sensing” molecules which allow them to act in unison, much as the cells in a multicellular organism do. Their discoveries allow for some interesting speculation about the origins of multicellular life (and, I think, of cooperative behaviors in general). This video is aimed at a lay audience, but is very well done. Click here to view the embedded video. Perhaps more relevant to pathology is that her group showed that the virulence of some bacterial species is at least partially controlled by this quorum-sensing system, and that dr... pathtalk.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2341979 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:06 +0100 2341979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2287308&cid=t_104678_111_f&fid=36048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAHeartyLife%2F%7E3%2Fz2mtz5WYRFc%2F If you thought Tuberculosis (TB) is something you no longer can get, think again. The disease is still deadly and according to one article, “killing millions worldwide.” In the state of Indiana alone, there were 118 active cases last year. Tuesday, March 24th, is World TB Day. The day was chosen in honor of German physician Robert Koch, who first discovered the “bacteria causing TB” in 1882. Approximately two billion people worldwide have the bacteria that causes TB, which is typically spread through coughs or sneezes from someone with the disease. While it is highly contagious, it is also very treatable with antibiotics. Image: sxc.hu. (Source: A Hearty Life) A Hearty Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2287308 Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:39:37 +0100 2287308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2200490&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2009%2F02%2F18%2Fits-healthbolt-carnival-time-10%2F       It’s Healthbolt Carnival Time again. So grab a coffee and start clicking… Madeleine Begun Kane from Mad Kane’s Humor Blog entertains us with Multi-Task Madness. Orna Ross suggests people should F-R-E-E-Write Your Way to Wellness?. To help you learn more about the Vegan lifestyle, Piotr Stepien from we overstep provides a list of Inspiring Vegan Links. C. Myers from Mind Mart suggests several natural remedies for Boils in Boil, Boil, Toil and Trouble. Tami Blodgett from Online Wellness: A Safe Haven offers a review of the book FAMILY MATTERS the Soul of a Family. Dan Abshear from Informaproject reports on The Power Of Bacteria. myln from ManageYourLifeNow.com looks at How to tell if someone is lying. Alvaro Fernandez from SharpBrains: discusses Brain Train... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2200490 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:19:44 +0100 2200490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190674&cid=t_104678_105_f&fid=35048&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FMedicineAndMan%2F%7E3%2F540346649%2F This video explains how the salmonella outbreak related to peanuts was identified and how the affected products are being identified and recalled. Updated information regarding the outbreak can be found at the CDC website. Updated peanut butter and related product recall list from FDA. addthis_url = 'http%3A%2F%2Fmedicineandman.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F02%2F15%2Fsalmonella-outbreak-related-to-peanut-butter%2F'; addthis_title = 'Salmonella+Outbreak+related+to+peanut+butter'; addthis_pub = ''; (Source: Medicine and Man) Medicine and Man blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190674 Sun, 15 Feb 2009 18:04:32 +0100 2190674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2138674&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fgram-negative-bacteria_28.html Gram-negative bacteria are bacteria that do not retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram stain protocol. Gram-negative bacteria will thus appear red or pink following a Gram stain procedure due to the effects of the counterstain (for example safranin).Gram-negative bacteria have a characteristic cell envelope structure very different from Gram-positive bacteria. Gram-negative bacteria have a cytoplasmic membrane, a thin peptidoglycan layer, and an outer membrane containing lipopolysaccharide. There is a space between the cytoplasmic membrane and the outer membrane called the periplasmic space or periplasm. The periplasmic space contains the loose network of peptidoglycan chains referred to as the peptidoglycan layer.The Gram negative cell envelope contains an additional outer membrane com... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2138674 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:54:00 +0100 2138674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2128957&cid=t_104678_136_f&fid=36070&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnetwork.nature.com%2Fpeople%2Fbasanta%2Fblog%2F2009%2F01%2F23%2Fthose-wretched-cheaters Just imagine you are a typical bacterium minding your own business (and a bit that of your neighbours as well) and just eating your way around some host. The place is not that great but you can make ends meet just by showing a bit of civility and expecting the same from the other bacteria. So as a good citizen of bacteriopolis you secrete molecules that cost only a little bit to produce but that can be used by your neighbours to coordinate the behaviour of the entire colony in a way that makes everybody better off. So what would you think if you find that some of your neighbours are freeriders that save themselves all the effort to produce those molecules relying instead on the ones you work hard to synthetise? Not very happy I guess! It is entirely reasonable on the other hand, to expect ... Cancerevo: Evolution and cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2128957 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:58:52 +0100 2128957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2126212&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fgram-negative-bacteria.html The Gram-stain technique is used to classify bacteria as either Gram-positive or Gram-negative depending on their colour following a specific staining procedure originally developed by Hans Christian Gram. As the word "Gram" is derived from a name it is always written with an upper case "G". Following the Gram stain procedure, and on visualization with a microscope Gram-positive bacteria appear dark blue or violet due to the crystal violet stain; Gram-negative bacteria, which cannot retain the crystal violet stain, appear red or pink due to the counterstain. Gram-positive bacteria retain the crystal violet due to a difference in structure of their cell wall, specifically the amount of peptidoglycan.Gram-negative bacteria do not retain the crystal violet dye in the Gram stain protocol. Gram... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2126212 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:35:00 +0100 2126212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121780&cid=t_104678_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FDOA-DHPXJZM%2F Microorganisms and bacteria living in our intestines help with proper digestion of food by breaking down nutrients and helping our body absorb them better. Although much is known about the function of microorganisms, there is still much to study about the relationship between gut microorganisms and weight.  Scientists are particularly interested in the relationship between the kinds of gut microorganisms and amount of calories harvested from carbohydrates and sugars, as evidence to this could help with weight management. Researchers also want to find out how the various microorganism communities compare in different individuals. A new study appearing online this week found that gut microorganisms are linked with obesity. Researchers found that obese individuals carried more hydrogen-... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121780 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:40:52 +0100 2121780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2117019&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fprobiotic-book-review.html from Jens Walter (University of Nebraska) in Biotechnology Journal"... an interesting blend of fundamental and applied topics relevant to the use of these important organisms in research and industry. Fundamental aspects covered in the book are taxonomy, metabolism, stress response, genomics, and surface proteins of lactobacilli. Also included are chapters on applications of Lactobacillus strains and their potential as probiotics in the treatment of diseases such as cancer or urinary tract infections. ... contributions from respected international scientists, many of which are leaders in their respective fields, this book constitutes an authoritative resource about both fundamental research and applications of lactobacilli. ... essential and up to date information for anyone interested in ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2117019 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:40:00 +0100 2117019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2113839&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fpasteurella-book-review.html from Saraswathi Lanka (University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine) writing in "Doodys Reviews":"This broad overview of many aspects of the family Pasteurellaceae provides excellent coverage of the current status of taxonomy and phylogeny of this diverse group of bacteria. ... This is a much needed information resource for researchers. ... This is a rich source of information and provides well balanced coverage of relevant topics. It is a comprehensive guide that provides critical insight into the current understanding of molecular and genomic aspects of Pasteurellaceae" ... read morePasteurellaceae: Biology, Genomics and Molecular AspectsPublisher: Caister Academic PressEdited by: Peter Kuhnert and Henrik ChristensenPublication date: 2008ISBN: 978-1-904455-34-9Full range of book... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2113839 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:00:00 +0100 2113839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2105167&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Flipopolysaccharide.html (LPS) is the major component of the outer leaflet of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. The LPS molecule is composed of two biosynthetic entities: the lipid A - core and the O-polysaccharide (O-antigen). Most biological effects of LPS are due to the lipid A part, however, there is an increasing body of evidence indicating that O-antigen (O-ag) plays an important role in effective colonization of host tissues, resistance to complement-mediated killing and in the resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides that are key elements of the innate immune system.Recently, data has started to accumulate on the intricacies in the genetic regulation of the structural components of this molecule and this is highly relevant to the biological function of the molecule.from Skurnik M and Beng... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2105167 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:15:00 +0100 2105167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2087692&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2009%2F01%2Fbotulinum-neurotoxin.html Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are the most potent natural toxins known. The family of BoNTs comprises seven antigenically distinct serotypes (A to G) that are produced by various toxigenic strains of spore-forming anaerobic Clostridium botulinum. They act as metalloproteinases that enter peripheral cholinergic nerve terminals and cleave proteins that are crucial components of the neuroexocytosis apparatus, causing a persistent but reversible inhibition of neurotransmitter release resulting in flaccid muscle paralysis.Apart from being the sole causative agent of the deadly food poisoning disease, botulism, BoNTs pose a major biological warfare threat due to their extreme toxicity and easy production. Interestingly they also serve as powerful tools to treat an ever expanding list of medical ... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2087692 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:03:00 +0100 2087692 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2056066&cid=t_104678_136_f&fid=36070&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnetwork.nature.com%2Fpeople%2Fbasanta%2Fblog%2F2008%2F12%2F19%2Four-evolving-allies-against-cancer-cells People following (if only occasionally) this blog do probably agree with the importance of the evolutionary dimension of cancer to study its progression. Although somatic evolution is something that multicellular organisms can use to their advantage, witness the immune system, it is also something to be shielded from: cancer, viruses, bacteria. It is good to read that more and more research groups are considering therapies that take evolution into account. This can range from those therapies that are aware that tumours will evolve towards resistance (to the therapy) to therapies that use evolving populations. Bacteria image from wikipedia: One way to do this would be to use anaerobic bacteria. Not my idea of course, but people have been using anaerobic bacteria to fight cancers. Results a... Cancerevo: Evolution and cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2056066 Mon, 22 Dec 2008 05:48:27 +0100 2056066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2053365&cid=t_104678_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fchronic-pain%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fthe-christmas-clock%2F It has hung on that wall for over 100 years. Each new owner of the old, dignified and somewhat decrepit house has agreed to leave it where it is; hanging in the entry hall. Day in and day out it chimes the hour, tick tocks the moments and gathers dust. Some of the dust, deep in its walnut crevices is as old as the clock. The wood has been both buffed and nourished with bee’s wax, lemon oil and in more recent years, spray bottles of Pledge. The keys have been turned by hands young and old; clean and soiled; caring and dutiful. The etched glass of its cover was finely detailed with tiny holly leaves and berries with bits of Christmas ivy intertwined. The humans who live with the clock have long sense taken it for granted. It is there. It ticks. It chimes. It marks the days, hours and m... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2053365 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:30:24 +0100 2053365 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2007396&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F12%2Fbacterial-secretion-systems-type-v.html The Type V secretion system was first described twenty years ago. Since then, much work has be done to elucidate functional aspects of members of this family and their mechanisms of biogenesis. What was once considered to be a quirky one-off system, with the discovery of the IgA1 protease secretion system of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has been revealed as the largest family of secreted proteins amongst the Gram-negative bacteria. The type V secretion system (T5SS) is comparatively is less complex than types I to IV. This secretion mechanism has been subdivided into sub-types (a), (b) and (c), as variations upon a theme were discovered. Each polypeptide secreted via the T5SS contains an N-terminal Sec-dependant signal sequence required to direct inner membrane export. The significant functional... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2007396 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 07:34:00 +0100 2007396 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1997247&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F11%2Fbacterial-secretion-systems-type-iv.html Type IV secretion systems are multiprotein complexes that mediate the translocation of macromolecules (proteins, DNA or DNA-protein complexes) across the bacterial cell envelope into the extracellular medium or directly into recipient cells. This strategy is exploited for the delivery of effector molecules that modulate host cell interactions by bacterial pathogens and symbionts. Type IV secretion systems also mediate the translocation of DNA molecules from bacteria and the uptake of DNA into bacteria and thereby contribute to horizontal gene transfer.The term type IV secretion system (T4SS) was originally based on the significant sequence similarities between the protein components of macromolecular transporters used for plasmid transfer and for the delivery of virulence factors from bact... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1997247 Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:17:00 +0100 1997247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1985675&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F11%2Fbacterial-secretion-systems-type-iii.html The type-III secretion system (T3SS) is an export machine used by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria to deliver proteins straight into the eukaryotic cytosol with the aim to subvert the host cell defense. After the discovery of T3S in 1990, significant progress has been made in the understanding of its structure, assembly and function. The basic structure consisting of the membrane-embedded basal body, the needle and the tip structure has been analyzed in more detail. The composition of several structural components has been determined and important insights into the assembly process have been gained. The relationship between the T3SS of pathogenic bacteria and the flagellum has been noted. Besides the structural similarities, the assembly of these two nanomachines shows some commonalities,... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1985675 Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:32:00 +0100 1985675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1975921&cid=t_104678_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fchronic-pain%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fand-the-beat-goes-on-in-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F It’s late, I’m tired, I’m grouchy, and, yet, the beat goes on. I know I’m in charge, well, sort of. There are those things I can control and those I can’t. It’s a constant battle to decide which is which. That’s why I am prattling on about what is what in this sometimes miserable existence otherwise known as my life. After three months of recuperating from surgery, complications from surgery, a GI bleed and another bout of H. Pylori infection I am seeking normal. I know I’ll never find it but that doesn’t keep me from looking. I’m just the old “never say die” type of gal and that’s all there is to it. This past week, while my husband was visiting his elderly, injured mom, I was determined to get back on my stretc... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1975921 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:18:14 +0100 1975921 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1953149&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F11%2Fbacterial-secretion-systems-type-ii.html Gram-negative bacteria have evolved several secretory pathways to release proteins or toxic factors into their surrounding environment. Many virulence determinants, including extracellular toxins and proteases, are secreted by the type II secretion system (T2SS) which is widely conserved and common among γ-proteobacteria. Typical T2SSs are composed of 12 to 16 proteins termed Gsp (General secretion pathway) proteins. These components associate in a multiprotein complex that constitutes a large structure (the secreton) that spans the periplasm and is thought to connect inner and outer membranes. Exoproteins that use the T2SS are characterized by the presence of a leader peptide (or signal peptide) at their N terminus and are secreted in the extracellular medium by a two-step process i... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1953149 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:10:00 +0100 1953149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968937&cid=t_104678_87_f&fid=35060&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthnewsblog.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fhnblog.pl%3Fhnblog%3D1106081 The BBC reports that a new study has found that women harbour more types of bacteria on their hands than men Women have a greater range of different types of bacteria on the palms of their hands than men, US research suggests. The study also found that human hands harbour far higher numbers of bacteria species than previously thought. Using powerful gene sequencing techniques, researchers found a typical hand had roughly 150 different species of bacteria living on it. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study found bacteria types varied greatly between individuals. The article says the research may eventually help scientists determine which bacteria species are linked to different diseases. One theory as to why women may carry more types of bacteria is that men tend t... HealthNewsBlog.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968937 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:00:00 +0100 1968937 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939859&cid=t_104678_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fchronic-pain%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fa-friendly-chat-about-life-with-chronic-pain%2F Today I would like to just chat, as friends do, about what’s going on in my life. Last weekend was quite wonderful, having our son and grandson visit from Texas. I’m still recovering from all the sitting in restaurants and riding in the car but time will take care of it, I’m certain. Was it worth it? It certainly was. As far as I’m concerned, joy out trumps pain every time. I did have one episode which was a bit strange. The room started spinning and I had to sit on the floor until it passed. I assumed it was just fatigue and ignored it. After the guys left I was just very tired and sore everywhere. Then, on Monday morning I had another incident of vertigo. After I got out of the shower the room started spinning so I lay down, waiting for it to pass. It didn’t... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939859 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:37:54 +0100 1939859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1940484&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F11%2Fplant-bacteria-book-review.html Writting in the latest issue of the ISPP Newsletter published by the International Society for Plant Pathology, Chris Hayward describes the new book on Plant Pathogenic Bacteria from Caister Academic Press as:"... comprehensive in coverage ... This book is a timely addition to the literature in a rapidly expanding field which provides ample evidence of hypothesis testing on a broad front."Further reading: Plant Pathogenic Bacteria: Genomics and Molecular BiologyFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.) Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1940484 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:43:00 +0100 1940484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1906535&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F10%2Fbacterial-secretion-systems-type-i.html Bacteria have developed numerous systems to secrete proteins or DNA in order to modify their immediate surroundings or to obtain an advantage in a competitive and hostile environment. Since Gram-negative bacteria possess two membranes, the inner (cytoplasmic) membrane and the outer membrane, transport machines for protein secretion have the challenging task of circumventing two barriers to reach the exterior. A rather simple transport apparatus, the Type I secretion machinery, composed of only three proteins residing in the inner and outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria achieve this objective in a single step. The Type I secretion pathway although also present in Gram-positive bacteria, has been analysed in greatest detail in Gram-negative bacteria. Almost all Type I transport substrat... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1906535 Sat, 25 Oct 2008 09:16:00 +0100 1906535 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1884162&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F10%2Ftwin-arginine-pathway-tat.html A description of the twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway continues our series on protein secretion in microorganisms.The twin-arginine translocation (Tat) pathway is a protein transport system in bacteria, archaea and chloroplasts with the ability to export proteins in a fully folded conformation. Proteins are targeted to the Tat pathway by an N-terminal signal peptide containing an almost invariant twin-arginine sequence motif. Pretranslocational folding is necessitated by the incorporation of metallo-cofactors, assembly into oligomeric complexes, and presumably rapid folding kinetics. Many Tat systems comprise three functionally individual membrane proteins, termed TatA, TatB, and TatC, whereas especially Gram-positive bacteria possess minimal TatAC translocases, in which TatA func... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1884162 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:44:00 +0100 1884162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1876566&cid=t_104678_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.healthtalk.com%2Fchronic-pain%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Fthe-ludicrous-side-of-a-life-with-chronic-pain%2F There are times when this whole way of life, this life with chronic pain and illness, strikes me as ludicrous. Yesterday morning I had to take a stool specimen into the hospital laboratory to check up on the status of the H. Pylori bacteria I’ve been fighting in my stomach. The written instructions had informed me not to contaminate the stool with urine. I’m a woman. How is that possible? Those instructions had to have been written by a man. It was probably the same man who invented the mammogram machine which all women know squeezes your boobies to within an inch, literally, of your life. Where is the male equivalent of that machine? Anyway, I digress, back to yesterday. I had to get the specimen into the lab within one hour so I donned my clothes, shoved a hat over my askew hair, did... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1876566 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:34:35 +0100 1876566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382485&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=38577&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiosingularity.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F12%2Fnanotechnology-boosts-war-on-superbugs%2F This week Nature Nanotechnology journal (October 12th) reveals how scientists from the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN) at UCL are using a novel nanomechanical approach to investigate the workings of vancomycin, one of the few antibiotics that can be used to combat increasingly resistant infections such as MRSA. The researchers, led by Dr Rachel McKendry [...] (Source: Biosingularity) Biosingularity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382485 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:49:32 +0100 2382485 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382488&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=38577&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiosingularity.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F12%2Fscientists-develop-sensitive-nanowire-disease-detectors%2F Yale scientists have created nanowire sensors coupled with simple microprocessor electronics that are both sensitive and specific enough to be used for point-of-care (POC) disease detection, according to a report in Nano Letters. The sensors use activation of immune cells by highly specific antigens — signatures of bacteria, viruses or cancer cells — as the detector. [...] (Source: Biosingularity) Biosingularity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382488 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:38:26 +0100 2382488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1866191&cid=t_104678_77_f&fid=37259&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.horizonpress.com%2Fblogger%2F2008%2F10%2Ffunctional-genomics-of-lactobacillus.html Lactobacilli are members of the Lactic Acid Bacteria group and constitute an ecologically and phylogenetically very diverse group. Some strains are of industrial importance since they are applied in a range of fermentation processes, whereas other strains are exploited for their probiotic properties. Ten Lactobacillus genomes encompassing nine species have been sequenced, and their genome content broadly reflects the diversity of this genus. With the exception of members of the "acidophilus- complex", there is no long range synteny based on whole-genome alignments. The species are diverse in their metabolic capacity, and some species appear to be in an ongoing phase of specialization, largely determined by preferred ecological niches. Each of these species produces proteins which enable th... Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists. blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1866191 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:43:00 +0100 1866191 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2382492&cid=t_104678_107_f&fid=38577&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbiosingularity.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F10%2Fscientists-identify-gene-that-may-make-humans-more-vulnerable-to-pulmonary-tuberculosis%2F Researchers from the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and its collaborators have now identified for the first time a new gene that may confer susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis. Their findings, published October 10 in the open access journal PLoS Genetics, reported that a gene named Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), previously shown only to recognize some [...] (Source: Biosingularity) Biosingularity blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2382492 Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:26:27 +0100 2382492