An outbreak of Burkholderia multivorans beyond cystic fibrosis patients.

Strains of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) are opportunistic pathogens capable of causing serious infection in cystic fibrosis patients. Recently we identified a suspected outbreak of infection with Bcc strains at the University Hospital Olomouc. Seventy-four Bcc strains were isolated from 52 patients, most of whom (N = 48) did not suffer from cystic fibrosis. Most frequently (N = 46) Burkholderia multivorans was isolated and 24 (52.2%) of these strains were clonal. Fifteen of these strains were isolated from intensive care patients, five of whom died from hospital-acquired pneumonia. B. multivorans can cause serious outbreaks of infection beyond cystic fibrosis sufferers.

[Detection of Burkholderia cepacia complex strains in the University Hospital Olomouc]. / Záchyt kmenu Burkholderia cepacia komplex ve Fakultní nemocnici Olomouc.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess the epidemiology of Burkholderia cepacia complex strains isolated at the Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University and University Hospital Olomouc, determine the most frequent strains and confirm or rule out potential clonal spread of the strains. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over a period of eight months, all strains classified as Burkholderia cepacia complex were collected. Susceptibility to selected antimicrobial agents was determined and adequate molecular genetic methods were used to assess their genetic relationship. RESULTS: A total of 52 isolates were tested, with the most frequent (88.5 %) being genomovar II (Burkholderia multivorans). More than 46 % of them were genetically related; 58.3 % of them were detected in intensive care units. All isolates were highly resistant to antimicrobial agents. In four cases, deaths associated with Burkholderia multivorans infection were reported. CONCLUSION: It may be assumed that genetically related strains of Burkholderia multivorans spread from the hospital setting. As yet, the source of infection has not been determined and further investigations are needed.

Survey of veterinary surgeons on the introduction of serological testing to assess revaccination requirements.

Despite the discussion of the use of serological testing in canine vaccination protocols, no study has been published that investigates the opinions of the veterinary profession regarding the use of the test to assess revaccination requirements in dogs. This paper presents the results of a study designed to fill this research gap which was completed in 2009. Veterinary surgeons were asked to complete a questionnaire on different aspects of canine vaccination and the introduction of serological testing to determine revaccination requirements. Of the 448 questionnaires distributed, 243 replies were received (54.2 per cent) and of these, a significant majority (169/243; 69.5 per cent) of respondents would consider introducing serological testing. An average of 53.5 per cent of respondents practised tri-annual revaccination for the core diseases. A significant number of respondents (86/140; 61 per cent) who placed low importance on vaccine overload would consider introducing serological testing into canine vaccination programmes (P=0.002).

Assessing the effect of foreign travel and protection by BCG vaccination on the spread of tuberculosis in a low incidence country, United Kingdom, October 2008 to December 2009.

The contribution of travel to high incidence countries and the impact of the discontinuation of universal Bacillus Calmette­Guérin (BCG) vaccination to there cent rise in tuberculosis (TB) in the United Kingdom remain unclear. An outbreak in a college presented an opportunity to assess these. A cohort of students answered a questionnaire assessing risk factors for TB.Participants were screened with an interferon gamma release assay (IGRA). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated using logistic regression.Among 2,284 students, 400 (17.5%) were diagnosed with TB infection. A higher risk was noted for travel to a high incidence area in the past two years (OR: 1.39;95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04­1.89) and among those with the greatest exposure to the index case(OR: 3.94; 95% CI: 2.60­5.97). There was no association between BCG and risk of infection (OR: 1.05; 95%CI: 0.80­1.39). The lack of a protective effect by BCG on TB infection supports the discontinuation of universal vaccination. The association with foreign travel suggests the need to assess the cost-effectiveness of serial IGRA testing and treatment of positive persons among returning travellers.

Cyclodextrin dimers as cleavable carriers of photodynamic sensitizers.

Several phthalocyanines carrying hydrophobic components have been synthesized and shown to bind to a group of cyclodextrin dimers with a carbon-carbon double bond in the linker. The complexes are soluble in water. On irradiation in the presence of oxygen, the singlet oxygen produced cleaves the olefinic linkers in the complexes, resulting in precipitation of the sensitizers. This process concentrates the sensitizers in the light beam, a process that has useful potential in photodynamic therapy.

Hydrolysis and redox factors affecting analysis of common phenolic marker compounds in botanical extracts and finished products.

Many of the marker compounds analyzed in herbal products are redox-active phenolic molecules, which are commonly found in plants as components of glycosides and starch polymers. Variability in degree of sample hydrolysis can occur due to differences in water content, pH, and temperature. Sonication versus shaking during extraction can also influence hydrolysis and oxidation of sensitive compounds. Some traditional botanical extract marker compounds are esters and glycosides of phenolics such as echinacoside from Echinacea while others are free phenolics, such as quercetin from glycosides in Ginkgo. Optimizing hydrolysis conditions maximizes free quercetin levels, but lowers echinacoside levels. Furthermore, acidic hydrolysis conditions mimic stomach conditions encountered by oral supplements and protect resulting free phenolics from oxidation. Oxidative degradation of botanical phenolic markers can be initiated by light, sonication, oxygen, basic pH conditions, heat, redox-active solvents, and formulation additives. Some phenolic markers reversibly cycle through multiple oxidation states creating a formula-specific equilibrium of oxidation states. Finished product formulations that include easily oxidized phenolics, carbonates, phosphates, and transition metals affect sample hydrolysis degree and redox equilibria, and quantitation. By recognizing and controlling hydrolysis and oxidation variables, more accurate and rugged methods can be developed allowing for improved botanical standardization and finished product analysis.

Tandem ireland-claisen rearrangement ring-closing alkene metathesis in the construction of bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic esters.

4-Alkenyl-2-azetidinone systems were converted to the corresponding ethyl 2-¿4-alkenyl-2-oxo-1-azetidinyl-4-pentenoates. In addition, 4-(2-propenyl-1-oxy)-, 4-(2-propenyl-1-thio)-, 4-¿N-(2-propenyl)-(4-toluenesulfonyl)- and (3S, 4R)-4-(2-propenyl)-3-¿(1R)-1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl-++ +azeti din-2-one were converted into beta-lactam dienes via sequential N-alkylation, Ireland-Claisen ester enolate rearrangement and esterification. Ring-closing metathesis using the Schrock ¿(CF(3))(2)MeCO(2)Mo(=CHCMe(2)Ph)(=NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iso-Pr(2)) (1) or Grubbs Cl(2)(Cy(3)P)(2)Ru=CHPh (2) carbenes gave a series of ¿5.2.0 and ¿6.2.0 bicycles. Subsequent elaboration of the analogous (2R,7R, 8S)-tert-butyl 8-¿(1R)-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl-1-aza-9-oxobicyclo++ +¿5.2. 0non-4-ene-2-carboxylate (15), via selenation and desilylation, gave (+)-(2S,7R,8S)-tert-butyl 8-¿(1R)-hydroxyethyl-1-aza-9-oxobicyclo¿5.2.0nona-2, 4-diene-2-carboxylate (18), a novel type of bicyclic beta-lactam. Diels-Alder cycloaddition further afforded tetracyclic systems exemplified by tert-butyl (1R,4S,5R,7S)-4-¿(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl-3,9, 11-trioxo-10-phenyl-2,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo¿5.5.2.0.(2, 5)0(8, 12)tetradec-13-ene-1-carboxylate (19).

Effect of adenine nucleotide pool size in mitochondria on intramitochondrial ATP levels.

Net adenine nucleotide transport into and out of the mitochondrial matrix via the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier is activated by micromolar calcium concentrations in rat liver mitochondria. The purpose of this study was to induce net adenine nucleotide transport by varying the substrate supply and/or extramitochondrial ATP consumption in order to evaluate the effect of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide pool size on intramitochondrial adenine nucleotide patterns under phosphorylating conditions. Above 12 nmol/mg protein, intramitochondrial ATP/ADP increased with an increase in the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide pool. The relationship between the rate of respiration and the mitochondrial ADP concentration did not depend on the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide pool size up to 9 nmol ADP/mg mitochondrial protein. The results are compatible with the notion that net uptake of adenine nucleotides at low energy states supports intramitochondrial ATP consuming processes and energized mitochondria may lose adenine nucleotides. The decrease of the mitochondrial adenine nucleotide content below 9 nmol/mg protein inhibits oxidative phosphorylation. In particular, this could be the case within the postischemic phase which is characterized by low cytosolic adenine nucleotide concentrations and energized mitochondria.

Interference by ethanol of coupling between gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis from proline in isolated hepatocytes.

Proline stimulated equally the production of glucose and urea by isolated hepatocytes. Ethanol suppressed glucose production much more strongly than urea synthesis. The proline-derived carbon not reaching glucose was found as lactate. Inhibition of phosphoenolpyruvate synthesis with 3-mercaptopicolinate blocked gluconeogenesis, but was without effect on lactate production. Acetate was formed from endogenous sources, as well as from ethanol. Its accumulation from ethanol was enhanced both by proline and lactate. The differential effect of ethanol on gluconeogenesis and ureagenesis appears to be related to its effect on the redox state of the cell.

Embryos and embryonic envelopes in eggs of two cyclophyllidean cestodes.

Membranes and envelopes around the embryos in eggs of Cotugnia digonopora and Raillietina (R.) echinobothrida have been studied in detail. This is the first study giving details of the egg-shell of a Cotugnia species. There are 3 membranes and an equal number of envelopes around the embryos in eggs of C. digonopora , while there are 2 membranes and only one envelope in case of eggs of R. echinobothrida . Noteworthy is the presence of a membrane in eggs of C. digonopora , termed "middle capsule", between and separating the 2 envelopes viz. the outer and inner. The membranes and envelope around the embryos in eggs of R. echinobothrida have been found to be identical with those of R. galeritae .--The 3 pairs of embryonic hooks of the 2 cyclophyllideans studied are collared --a feature of specific importance.

On a triple infection of strigeid metacercariae in an Indian fresh-water fish, Xenentodon cancilla.

Three new species of strigeid metacercariae viz., Neascus hoffmani n. sp., Neascus nanaksagarensis n. sp. and Tetracotyle aglandulata n. sp. are described here from a fresh-water fish, Xenentodon cancilla (Ham.); of these, the former two resemble N. xenentodoni PANDEY, 1970 as well as N. hepatica CHAKRABARTI, 1970 while the latter one T. xenentodoni CHAKRABARTI, 1969. - N. hoffmani and N. nanaksagarensis are pharyngeate forms and each has its own pattern of reserve excretory system. N. hoffmani has a spinose body, while N. nanaksagarensis has an aspinose body. - Tetracotyle aglandulata has a lobed hold-fast organ, but lacks a hold-fast gland. Further, in this form fore-body and hind-body is not marked and it has its own characteristic reserve excretory system.

On cestodes of Passer domesticus I. Choanotaenia, Raillietine and Proparuterina.

An investigation on the cestode fauna of the common sparrow, Passer domesticus (Linnaeus) was carried out for about five years. In all 445 birds were examined during this period and only five species of cestodes were found to parasitize this bird: of these, three are known while two are new forms, the latter are the rarities. This part includes critical accounts of Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann, 1907), Raillietine (R.) galeritae (Skrjabin, 1915) and Proparuterina lali sp. nov. - Choanotaenia passerina (Fuhrmann, 1907) has been previously studied by Fuhrmann (1907), Johnston (1909), Stunkard & Milford (1937) and Kintner (1938). The present study provides additional data. The writers find two rows of rostellar hooks in the present material. Fuhrmann and Johnston reported two rows of rostellar hooks, but Kintner apparently found a single row of rostellar hooks. Variations have been found in the number of testes and extent of cirrus sac. Amongst the previous workers, only Johnston (1909) paid attention to study the protective coverings present around the hexacanth and described two envelopes, but the writers find three. - Raillietine (R.) galeritae (Skrjabin, 1915) has been restudied and redescribed from fresh material. Previously Mahon (1958) studied this species from P. domesticus. The present account includes important variations and some additions too. Suckers have been found to be armed in contradiction to what Mahon stated. Gravid proglottides have been found to develop a velum. Egg capsules contain 3-13 eggs each. Two protective envelopes have been found around the hexacanth. This is the first record of the occurrence of this species in P. domesticus in India. Proparuterina lali sp. nov. is a rare parasite of Passer domesticus. Only one more species viz. P. aruensis Fuhrmann, 1911 is known. The present species differs from P. aruensis in the number and distribution of testes, bilobed nature and median position of ovary, position of vitellarium and of genital pore. The generic diagnosis of Proparuterina Fuhrmann, 1911 has been amended in the light of the morphology of the present species.