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Nina Claudia Barboza da Silva*, Maria Apparecida Esquibel, Jaci do Espírito Santo Santos³, Mara Zélia de Almeida, Corine Silva Sampaio and Tânia Fraga Barros
Abstract: The usage of Abarema cochliacarpos (Mimosaceae) in traditional medicine by many communities in Brazil for diseases such as leucorrhea and dermatitis and as an antiseptic might indicate its antimicrobial activities. In order to assay in vitro antimicrobial activity, three extracts (hot aqueous extract, cold aqueous extract and methanol extract) from stem bark of A. cochliacarpos were tested against a panel of standard microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 6835, Micrococcus luteus ATCC 9341, Escherichia coli ATCC 10536, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, Salmonella choleraesuis ATCC 10708, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Trichophyton mentagrophytes ATCC 9533 and Aspergillus niger ATCC 16404) and multiresistant clinical isolates (S. aureus MR 01, MR02 and MR03). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated through the disk diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the micro dilution method. The results indicated that both aqueous extracts are active against gram-positive bacteria (M. luteus ATCC 9341, S. aureus ATCC 6835, and all clinical multiresistant samples) and against gram -negative bacteria (S. choleraesuis ATCC 10708). MIC values ranged between 5.0 and 15.62 µg/ml for gram-positive bacteria. The methanol extract gave a positive result only for gram-positive bacteria (ATTC standards M. luteus and S. aureus and all clinical multiresistant samples).[...] Read More.
Keywords: Abarema cochliacarpos, antimicrobial activity, gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, medicinal plant, traditional use.
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H. I. Awadalla, I. A. Khalil, H. H. Bassim, M. N. Ahmed and L. M. Wahba
Abstract: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen and it has been increasingly seen in community settings. The general objective of this study was to characterize by phenotyping and genotyping methods MRSA strains isolated from inpatients, outpatients and health care workers. Specimens were collected from patients in Ain Shams University hospitals. Genotyping is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment-length polymorphism (RFLP), following Hae II digestion of the amplified part of the hyper variable region of mecA gene (mecA - HVR). The study included 51 phenotypically detected MRSA isolates by conventional methods. PCR revealed the presence of 50 mecA positive strains, whereas, one strain was genotypically mecA negative. PCR-RFLP revealed three different patterns (A, B and C) which were detected in the three tested groups in patients – outpatients and health care workers (HCWs) in variable percentages. Genotyping using PCR-RFLP of mecA -HVR can rapidly demonstrate and discriminate the relatedness of isolates in different hospital wards and also in the community. As the same genotypes (A, B and C) of MRSA were detected in both hospitals and communities as well as in HCWs, therefore it is impossible to decide where they originated.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, polymerase chain reaction, hospital acquired.
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W. Chantel Swart, W. J. Pieter van Wyk, H. Carolina Pohl and L. F. Johan Kock*
Abstract: The yeast Nadsonia fulvescens is characterized by a unique life cycle. After conjugation between the parent cell and the first bud, the zygote moves into a second bud formed at the opposite end of the parent cell. This second bud is then delimited by a septum and becomes the ascus. Usually one, rarely two spherical, brownish, spiny to warty ascospores are formed within the ascus giving rise to brown coloured colonies. Strikingly, no increased mitochondrial activity was observed in the ascus when compared to the vegetative cells as previously reported for many yeast. In this study, the parent cell and attached first bud showed increased mitochondrial activity when compared to the ascus. When anti-mitochondrial compounds were added, the mitochondrial activity was inhibited in the parent cell and attached first bud followed by the formation of less asci with ascospores (many not fully developed and white coloured giving rise to white colonies). We conclude that sufficient mitochondrial activity in the parent cell and first bud is necessary to produce enough energy for the formation of a proper ascus with brown coloured ascospore (s).[...] Read More.
Keywords: Asci, ascospore, life cycle, mitochondria, mitochondrial inhibitors, Nadsonia fulvescens.
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J. Akbarmehr, T. Zahraei Salehi* and G. H. Nikbakht Brujeni
Abstract: The aim of this study was to isolate Salmonella from poultry and evaluation of their hsp groEL gene diversity by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. In this research 58 strains of 3 different Salmonella serogroups (D1, B and C) were isolated from poultry farms of East Azarbayjan province of Iran by bacteriological and biochemical tests. For confirmation of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis serovars multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied with four pairs of primers for S. typhimurium and three pairs of primers for Salmonella Enteritidis. PCR-RFLP analysis was carried out on the 1.6 kb groEL gene for evaluation of their hsp groEL gene diversity. The data generated by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (MPCR) method indicated that strains of S. enteritidis (serogroup D1) and S. typhimurium (serogroup B) were the most common isolates. Amplification of the groEL gene produced an identical profile for all the 58 Salmonella strains. Hae III restriction enzyme was used to restrict the groEL gene for PCR-RFLP analysis. Based on the results of this experiment digested groEL gene of the S. typhimurium strains produced four Hae III restricted bands between 150 - 850 bp and serovars belonging to S. enteritidis strains produced five Hae III restricted bands between 150 - 630 bp. Strains belonging to serogroup C produced a combination of five and four restricted bands similar to S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium respectively. This study showed that there were differences in the Hae III restriction sites within the groEL gene of strains belonging to serovars S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis but clear discrimination between the serovars of different Salmonella serogroups was not observed.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Salmonella, poultry, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism, groEL.
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T. E. Sangoyomi*, A. A. Owoseni and O. Okerokun
Abstract: Eight bacteria genera and yeasts were isolated from wara - a local soft cheese from Nigeria, the bacteria genera were made up of 76% lactic acid bacteria (LAB), 17% Enterobacteria and 7% Staphylococci. The LAB group was made up of the genera Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Streptococcus and Pediococcus with Lactobacillus being the most frequently occurring genus. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Enterobacter made up the Enterobacteria group. A protease enzyme produced by the E. coli was characterized. Its activity was found to be highest at 60°C and pH 5.4. The protease activity was highest at 5 mmol/l and was inhibited at 10 mmol/l concentration of EDTA.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Wara, lactic acid bacteria, Escherichia coli, protease.
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文章
Gamal Badr
Abstract: In multiple myeloma (MM) blood-borne malignant plasma cells home to bone marrow (BM), where they accumulate in close contact with stromal cells. Nevertheless, the mechanisms responsible for MM cell chemotaxis are still poorly defined. In the present study we explored the mechanisms involved in the chemotaxis of RPMI 8226 cell line, RPMI 8226 cell line was found to express CCR3, CCR5, CCR9, CXCR3 and CXCR4, but these cells were migrated only towards CXCL12 (the ligand for CXCR4). To clarify the signaling pathways involved in the regulation of MM cell chemotaxis, we therefore analyzed the effect of various inhibitors targeting intracellular effectors proteins on the CXCL12-mediated RPMI 8226 chemotaxis using flow cytometry and western blot analysis. Using flow cytometry, we observed that the chemotaxis of RPMI 8226 cell to CXCL12 was completely abrogated by adding AMD (CXCR4 antagonist), PTX (G- protein coupled receptor inhibitor) and U73122 (phospholipase C beta; PLC inhibitor), moreover, CXCL12-mediated RPMI 8226 chemotaxis was partially inhibited by 1 µM wortmannin (WM, Class II PI3K inhibitor)), SH5 (AKT inhibitor), Y27632 (Rho-A inhibitor), SN50 (IkB inhibitor), PD98059 (ERK1/2 MAPK inhibitor) and Na3VO4 (phosphatase inhibitor). These results were further confirmed by using western blot analysis where we observed that triggering of CXCR4 by CXCL12 resulted in the activation of PLC 3, PI3K/AKT, RhoA, I B and ERK1/2. In conclusion, our results revealed that PLC 3, PI3K/AKT, RhoA, IKB and ERK1/2 are crucial effectors for CXCL12-mediating MM cell chemotaxis.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Multiple myeloma cell, chemokine, chemotaxis, flow cytometry, western blot.
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Olubukola O. Babalola
Abstract: Fusarium arthrosporioides plus cellulase was evaluated on tomato root systems to ascertain whether cellulase, a cell wall degrading enzyme, could accelerate fungus infection of Orobanche aegyptiaca tubercles. Chopped mycelia alone (1.3 × 106 and 5.4 × 106 propagules ml-1) killed 17 and 37% of Orobanche tubercles, respectively while in the presence of cellulase (10 Uml-1) Orobanche tubercles mortality increased to 37 and 78%. Cellulase treatment alone was ineffective. Only a hypersensitive reaction (9% death) resulted in the absence of cellulase. The findings add to the commercial value of F. arthrosporioides as a potential mycoherbicide when sufficiently virulent.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Mycoherbicide, cellulase, Fusarium.
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H. S. Nzioki, J. E. Jamoza, C. O. Olweny* and J. K. Rono
Abstract: Sugarcane smut disease caused by the fungus Ustilago scitaminea significantly reduces the yield and quality of sugarcane. The disease was first reported in Kenya in 1958, in Nyanza and Coastal provinces and currently occurs in all major sugarcane growing areas of Kenya. Planting resistant varieties is the main smut control measure in Kenya. Planting smut resistant varieties was made compulsory in Kenya in 1963. However, varieties previously confirmed resistant are now susceptible. Reports indicate that some varieties are resistant to smut in one zone and susceptible in another. An attempt was thus made to identify physiologic races of sugarcane smut in Kenya. Sugarcane smut teliospores were collected from the major sugarcane growing zones of Western Kenya in South Nyanza, Nyando, Mumias, Busia, Nzoia and west Kenya. A set of 11 sugarcane cultivars which had previously shown differential response to smut in Kenya and elsewhere were each artificially inoculated with a mixture of smut spores from each zone by dipping in a suspension of smut spores that contained 5 x 106 teliospores per ml. Susceptibility of the cultivars to smut was measured by recording the number of smut whips that appeared within 6 to 7 months after planting. The reaction of the cultivars to smut from the various zones varied from resistance to susceptible. Three cultivars were seen in smut reaction in two tests. The results suggested existence of smut races in Kenya.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Kenya, sugarcane smut, Ustilago scitaminea.
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Fekadu Kebede and Esayas Gelaye*
Abstract: A comparative serological test was carried out to identify the primary causative agent involved in the camel respiratory disease outbreak that occurred in Ethiopia. The samples were collected during and post outbreak time and analyzed for parainfulenza-3 and pasteurellosis. According to the result, parainfulenza-3 was found as a primary causative agent as 70.5% in outbreak and 6.8% in surveyed areas and there is a statistical significant variation observed between the outbreak and survey sera samples (P < 0.01). Manhaemiya hemolytica was involved as secondary bacterial complications. The association of parainfulenza-3 and pasteurellosis was also assessed and has shown that M. haemolytica A2 was a dominant serotype over others which account 50% in higher antibody titration ranging from 1:80 - 1:320 in outbreak samples. Camel respiratory diseases are still flaring up in various parts of the country and reports are coming year after year urging for an intervention measures. Further studies have been recommended on the epidemiology of the disease and the identification of the responsible pathogens and its serotypes to be involved for the development of vaccines.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Ethiopia, camel respiratory diseases, Manhaemiya hemolytica, parainfulenza-3, serotyping.
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I. Phyllis Molobela*, T. Eugene Cloete and Mervyn Beukes
Abstract: Removal of biofilms is difficult. In industrial settings, both the inactivation and removal of biofilms are of huge concern. If only disinfection without the removal of attached biofilms occurs, the inactivated biofilm cells may provide an ideal environment for further adhesion and growth, resulting in a complex matrix. Microbial resistance to biocides and their negative environmental impact are the main reasons for finding alternative biofilm control strategies. Enzymes may offer such an alternative. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of commercial proteases and amylases on biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens. Biofilms were grown in diluted medium containing glass wool used as the attachment surface. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were extracted and EPS composition was determined. Protease (savinase, everlase and polarzyme) and amylase (Amyloglucosidase and Bacterial Amylase Novo) activity was tested on both biofilms and on extracted EPS. After testing enzymes, biofilm integrity was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. EPS composition consisted predominantly of proteins. Everlase and Savinase were the most effective enzymatic treatments on removing biofilms and degrading the EPS.[...] Read More.
Keywords: Biofilms, extracellular polymeric substances, Pseudomonas fluorescens, proteases, amylases.
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