MOSP - Macao Scientific Publishers

文章

Molecular subtyping of multiresistant community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Amal Al-Hazzani

Abstract: A total of 550 subjects from the community and 190 subjects from health care-related facilities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were evaluated for the prevalence of nasal Staphylococcus aureus colonization and to identify risk factors associated with S. aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) colonization. Among the community subjects, 1% had nasal MRSA colonization. Subjects from health care-related facilities had a lower S. aureus colonization rate (4.2%) than community subjects (1.2%), but had a significantly higher rate of colonization with MRSA (1.65%). Age (P < 0.001) was a significant risk factor for S. aureus colonization, with subjects under age 21 years or between 52 and 61 years showing higher rates of colonization. Recent gastrointestinal disease (P = 0.010) and hospital admission (P = 0.011) were risk factors for nasal MRSA colonization. Comparison of hospital MRSA isolates with the colonization strains by staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) gene typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing revealed that, most MRSA strains carried in the community were SCCmec type IV and that most clinical hospital isolates were type III, while health care facility-related carriage isolates were mainly SCCmec type III and type IV. Two new variant SCCmec types were identified. Six clusters of PFGE patterns were distinguished: two mainly comprised health care facility-related MRSA strains, three mainly comprised community MRSA strains and one comprised mixed community and health care facility-related MRSA strains. In conclusion, a high prevalence of MRSA colonization was observed among people with no relationship to the hospital setting. The high level of multiple-drug resistance among community MRSA strains in association with the previously reported excessive use of antibiotics highlights the importance of the problem of antibiotic selective pressure. Our results indicate that, both the colonial spread of MRSA and the transmission of hospital isolates contribute to the high MRSA in the community.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistance, molecular subtyping.

Full text

Download：850

文章

Prediction of bacterial toxins by an improved feature extraction and IB1 algorithm fusion

Chaohong Song

Abstract: Correctly identifying bacterial toxin is of great benefit to cell biology and medical research. In order to improve predictive accuracy, based on the concept of pseudo amino acid composition, combined with the methods of approximate entropy and IB1 algorithm, a new method is proposed to predict bacterial toxins in this paper. The improved method gives comprehensive consideration of amino acid composition, side-chain mass of the amino acid, hydrophilic, and hydrophobic characteristics of a protein sequence. The total prediction accuracy of our method was 97.52% for bacterial toxin and non-toxin, and 97.33% for discriminating endotoxins from exotoxins, which were much higher than that of the previous methods.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Approximate entropy, IB1 algorithm, bacterial toxin, exotoxins, endotoxins, pseudo amino acid composition.

Full text

Download：781

文章

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the Chinese white wax scale Ericerus pela Chavannes (Homopetera: Coccidae)

Pu Yang, Jiaying Zhu, Xiaoming Chen* and Meng Li

Abstract: Eight microsatellite loci were isolated using an enrichment protocol from Ericerus pela Chavannes, representing the first microsatellite loci available for the white wax scale. All loci were polymorphic within E. pela. Allele numbers range from six to eleven with the observed heterozygosity (HO) ranging from 0.0000 to 1.0000. These primers screened in this study provide a foundation for population genetic studies of the white wax scale.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Microsatellite marker, white wax scale, population genetic.

Full text

Download：855

文章

Assessment of antifungal activity of Rumex vesicarius L. and Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. extracts against two phytopathogenic fungi

Amira M. Abu-Taleb*, Kadriya El - Deeb and Fatimah O. Al-Otibi

Abstract: The preliminary phytochemical screening of extracts of Rumex vesicarius L. and Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. showed the presence of compounds that are biologically active against the two root rot pathogens Drechslera biseptata and Fusarium solani in vitro. The relative efficacy of this action, however, differed according to the extracted plant, solvent used, extract concentration, the target fungus and phase of growth. Ethanolic extract ranked first, followed by the remaining aqueous layer fraction. Eight flavonoid subfractions (rutin, quercetin, myricetin, apigenin, quercetin-3-O-galactoside, luteolin, kaempherol and kaempherol-3-O-robinoside) and six flavonoid subfractions (apigenin-7-O-glucoide, quercitrin, quercetin, isovitexin, rutin and quercetin-3-O lucoside-7-O-rhamnoside) were isolated from the remaining aqueous layer fraction of R. vesicarius and Z. spina-christi, respectively. Generally, spore production and germination as well as cellulolytic and pectolytic activity of F. solani were affected by plant extracts more than that of D. biseptata. F. solani failed completely to produce spores when treated with ethanolic extract of Z. spina-christi at the concentration of 20%. However, growth of D. biseptata was more sensitive to plant extracts than that of F. solani. Maximum activity of plant extracts was observed against spore production. It was evident that plant extracts could provide potential source of antifungal compounds.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Rumex vesicarius, Ziziphus spina-christi, antifungal activity, Drechslera biseptata, Fusarium solani.

Full text

Download：839

文章

Prevalence of caprine tuberculosis in Mid- Rift valley area of Oromia, Ethiopia

Ketema Tafess*, Fufa Dawo, Teshale Sori and Gobena Ameni

Abstract: A cross sectional study of caprine tuberculosis was conducted on randomly selected 630 goats at, Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Centre and, smallholder farmers found around the research centre from December 2005 to June 2006. Single intradermal tuberculin test, post mortem examination of suspected goats and bacteriological culture of the pathogen were carried out to confirm the pathogen. Taking the cut off value at 3.5 mm, there was significant difference (p0.05). Goats under smallholder conditions are 3.1 times at risk of acquiring mycobacterial infection than those under on-station condition. Gross tuberculous lesions were detected in two of the eight tuberculin positive (suspected) goats that were slaughtered for confirmation of tuberculosis lesion, sampling and culture for further confirmation of mycobacterial growth. Mycobacterial growth and acid fast bacilli were confirmed in those goats with gross tuberculosis lesions. In conclusion, this study showed the occurrence of tuberculosis in goats in Adami Tulu area. Further studies and confirmation of mycobacterial species and strains which infect goats and probably humans are necessary, especially in areas that consume raw goats’ milk like pastoral and agro-pastoral areas so that at least awareness, concerning the transmission of the disease from goats©milk and meat can be created.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Caprine tuberculosis, goats, prevalence, tuberculin test, post mortem lesion.

Full text

Download：888

文章

A study on the vegetation recovery and crop pattern adjustment on the Loess Plateau of China

H. Y. Fang, Q. Y. Li,* and Q. G. Cai

Abstract: Low vegetation coverage and irrational land use are regarded as two main factors in influencing soil loss. In order to improve vegetation recovery and to adjust land use pattern on the Loess Plateau, the data of precipitation, net primary productivity of vegetation, and eco- water requirement of main crops of key counties on the Loess Plateau are used in this paper. The concepts of utilization/adaptation capability of eco-water requirement are used and plotted against mean annual precipitation in the 1960s to 1990s for vegetation and crops, respectively. Results demonstrate that in the regions with lower than 400, 400 to 510 and over 510 mm precipitation, the grass/shrub, grass/shrub/forest and forest fit to be planted, respectively. For crops in the regions with less than 300, > 310, > 450 and > 510 mm precipitation, Kaoliang and glutinous, millet, winter wheat, and maize are satisfied, respectively.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Loess Plateau, vegetation, crops, adaptation capacity eco-water requirement.

Full text

Download：870

文章

Investigation of the susceptibility of Candida species isolated from denture wearers to different antifungal antibiotics

Ozlem Abaci* and Alev Haliki-Uztan

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the the prevalence of in vitro resistance amongst Candida species isolated from the oral cavity of denture wearers. The in vitro susceptibility of 156 Candida isolates to amphotericin B, fluconazole, 5- fluorocytosine, caspofungin and terbinafine was determined. The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute’ (CLSI; formally National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards) broth microdilution method was used and MIC50 and MIC90 determined. Candida albicans, the most frequently isolated strains, are sensitive to amphotericin (61%) and fluconazole (44%), frequently used agents in the treatment of Candida-associated denture stomatitis. A 100% susceptibility to 5- fluorocytosine was observed among the 109 isolates of C. albicans. Among non C. albicans strains only 1 Candida kefyr strain was determined as susceptible dependent upon dose for 5-fluorocytosine. Among Candida glabrata, the second most common isolate, a 100% susceptibility to caspofungin and 5-fluorocytosine were observed. Since the isolates are sensitive to Caspofungin and 5-fluorocytosine, rarely used in the treatment of oral fungal infections, it is suggested that these antifungal agents be used as alternative medicine in the treatment of oral infections especially caused by strains resistant to amphotericin B and fluconazole.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Candida species, antifungal, denture wearers.

Full text

Download：811

文章

Virucidal activity of green propolis against avipoxvirus in chorioallantoic membrane of embryonated chicken eggs

Camila O. Vilela, Geferson Fischer*, Clarissa C. de Castro, Cristina F. Nunes, Silvia O. Hübner, Margarida B. Raffi, Simone E. Salles, Marcos A. Anciuti and Gilberto D. Vargas

Abstract: Recent pandemics caused by virus like influenzavirus (H1N1, H5N1) reaffirm the importance of studies aiming at obtaining new virucidal and/or antiviral substances, once its prolonged use can lead to resistance to the active principles. Green propolis, which has several scientifically proven bioactive properties, was evaluated in this study as an ethanol extract regarding its virucidal capacity against avipoxvirus (APV) inoculated in chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos (CAM). Eggs inoculated with virus and 2400 µg/dose of propolis, previously incubated for four hours, presented reduction in the pox lesions number (p[...] Read More.

Keywords: Green propolis, virucidal activity, avipoxvirus, chorioallantoic membrane.

Full text

Download：855

文章

Surface display of multi-epitopes synthetic gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis on Salmonella typhi Ty21a using a pgsA anchor protein

Badrul S. M. Zainuddin*, Mustaffa Musa and Zainul F. Zainuddin

Abstract: We have developed a recombinant Salmonella typhi Ty21a vaccine candidate (rSTvacIII) displaying a multi-epitopes mycobacterial antigen called the VacIII (containing ubiquitin and 4 immunogenic mycobacterial epitopes of ESAT-6, PhoS1, Hsp 16.3 and MTB 8.4 genes) on the surface of S. typhi Ty21a (Ty21a) using PgsA protein as a carrier. The expression of VacIII protein on the surface of Ty21a was verified by western blot. Immunization in BALB/c mice with rSTvacIII induced strong Th1-type responses based on high level of in vitro IFN- but low IL-4 secretion. Since the protective immunity against tuberculosis is mediated by Th1-type response, the rSTvacIII have potential as effective vaccine candidate against tuberculosis.[...] Read More.

Keywords: VacIII antigen, PgsA anchoring motif, tuberculosis, Salmonella typhi Ty21a.

Full text

Download：852

文章

In vitro antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Berlina grandiflora Hutch. and Dalz.

Akuodor G. C.*, Onyewenjo S. C., Anyalewechi N. A., Essien A. D. Akpan J. L., Okoroafor D. O. and Okere M. O.

Abstract: Antimicrobial properties of Berlina grandiflora Hutch. and Dalz. leaf extract were investigated against both clinical and laboratory isolates. Susceptibility of these isolates to the extract was determined using disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial screening had wide range of activity on Escherichia coli, Stapylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. The diameter of zone of inhibition by the extract was 7, 8.7 and 9 mm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 32.81, 19.38 and 11.72 µg/ml for E. coli, S. aureus and Streptococcus spp. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that B. grandiflora has antimicrobial activity against certain microorganisms.[...] Read More.

Keywords: Berlina grandiflora, antimicrobial agent, minimum inhibition concentration, in vitro.

Full text

Download：838

Search Filter