Showing papers in "Acta Microbiologica Et Immunologica Hungarica in 2001"
TL;DR: Fungi, in particular Aspergilli, are well known for their potential to overproduce a variety of organic acids, and citrate is by far the major organic acid.
Abstract: Fungi, in particular Aspergilli, are well known for their potential to overproduce a variety of organic acids. These microorganisms have an intrinsic ability to accumulate these substances and it is generally believed that this provides the fungi with an ecological advantage, since they grow rather well at pH 3 to 5, while some species even tolerate pH values as low as 1.5. Organic acid production can be stimulated and in a number of cases conditions have been found that result in almost quantitative conversion of carbon substrate into acid. This is exploited in large-scale production of a number of organic acids like citric-, gluconic- and itaconic acid. Both in production volume as well as in knowledge available, citrate is by far the major organic acid. Citric acid (2-hydroxy-propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid) is a true bulk product with an estimated global production of over 900 thousand tons in the year 2000. Till the beginning of the 20th century, it was exclusively extracted from lemons. Since the global market was dominated by an Italian cartel, other means of production were sought. Chemical synthesis was possible, but not suitable due to expensive raw materials and a complicated process with low yield. The discovery of citrate accumulation by Aspergillus niger led to a rapid development of a fermentation process, which only a decade later accounted for a large part of the global production. The application of citric acid is based on three of its properties: (1) acidity and buffer capacity, (2) taste and flavour, and (3) chelation of metal ions. Because of its three acid groups with pKa values of 3.1, 4.7 and 6.4, citrate is able to produce a very low pH in solution, but is also useful as a buffer over a broad range of pH values (2 to 7). Citric acid has a pleasant acid taste which leaves little aftertaste. It sometimes enhances flavour, but is also able to mask sweetness, such as the aspartame taste in diet beverages. Chelation of metal ions is a very important property that has led to applications such as antioxidant and preservative. Moreover, it is a "natural" substance and fully biodegradable.
44 citations
TL;DR: Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were found to be the pathogenic fungi mostly reducing cereal (barley, sorghum and wheat) seedlings and have the ability to produce aflatoxin B1 and G1, diacetoxyscirpenol, kojic acid and tenuazonic acid that reduced seedling viability.
Abstract: Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum were found to be the pathogenic fungi mostly reducing cereal (barley, sorghum and wheat) seedlings. The pathogens have the ability to produce aflatoxin B1 and G1, diacetoxyscirpenol, kojic acid and tenuazonic acid that reduced seedling viability. The inhibition dose for 50% reduction (LD50) was recorded by aflatoxins at 0.83 mg L-1 for barley, 1.74 mg L-1 for wheat and 2.75 mg L-1 for sorghum. Diacetoxyscirpenol produced its inhibition at 1.26 mg L-1 for barley, 3.98 mg L-1 for wheat and 10 mg L-1 for sorghum. Kojic acid induced 50% inhibition at 63 mg L-1 for barley, 105 mg L-1 for wheat and 251 mg L-1 for sorghum. However, tenuazonic acid was less toxic where, the toxicity was ranged between 79-550 mg L-1. The inhibition in germination was more pronounced in barley followed by wheat and negligible in sorghum to all tested mycotoxins. This inhibition attributed to the reduction in seedling amylase activity. Amylase was also reduced in the same trend: barley > wheat > sorghum. Grain treatment with carboxin-captan and thiophanatemethyl-thiram at 1 g kg-1 grain increased seedlings vigour of wheat in sterilized soil by 45 and 22%, barley by 24 and 33% and sorghum by 15 and 30%, respectively. These fungicides have also a positive effect on cereal when soil was inoculated with A. flavus, A. alternata and F. oxysporum.
24 citations
TL;DR: This organism has high potential for xylanolytic activity when grown on lignocellulosic wastes including corn cobs, wheat bran, peanut shells, sawdust, wheat straw and sugar-cane-bagasse and is found to belong to Streptomyces lividans.
Abstract: Twenty-four different strains of Streptomyces spp. isolated from Egyptian soil were tested for their ability to produce extracellular xylanases. Of all these isolates a Streptomyces sp. that had the highest potential for xylanolytic activity was chosen. From various morphological, physiological and antagonistic properties, this isolate was found to belong to Streptomyces lividans. Factors affecting xylanase production by this organism in a basal salt medium containing purified sugar-cane bagasse xylan as a sole carbon source were examined. A noticeable increase in enzyme activity was observed in the presence of peptone or soyabean meal. However, a slight increase was noticed with ammonium sulphate. Optimum production for xylanase was achieved after five days incubation on a rotary shaker (180 rpm) at 30 degrees C. The initial pH values were around neutrality. In addition, this organism has high potential for xylanolytic activity when grown on lignocellulosic wastes including corn cobs, wheat bran, peanut shells, sawdust, wheat straw and sugar-cane-bagasse. Partial purification of the enzyme in the culture supernatant was achieved by salting out at 50-80% ammonium sulphate saturation with a purification of 9.03-fold and 57.9% recovery.
23 citations
TL;DR: A relatively homogeneous group of streptomycete isolates was obtained from netted scab lesions of potato tubers collected from a potato field in Hokkaido, Japan and identified as S. acidiscabies, which was not able to induce deep scab symptoms on potato minitubers in pot test, did not produce the phytotoxin thaxtomin A and did not contain the pathogenicity related gene, nec-1.
Abstract: A relatively homogeneous group of streptomycete isolates was obtained from netted scab lesions of potato tubers collected from a potato field in Hokkaido, Japan. Based on 55 phenotypic data of 72 Streptomyces strains selected from these isolates together with spectral data on their soluble pigments and with data of a PCR analysis, using species specific primers, these netted scab causing pathogenic organisms were identified as S. acidiscabies. S. acidiscabies had previously been isolated from deep (common) scab lesions in the USA and reported as thaxtomin A producer. In contrast, our S. acidiscabies strains were not able to induce deep scab symptoms on potato minitubers in pot test, did not produce the phytotoxin thaxtomin A and did not contain the pathogenicity related gene, nec-1.
18 citations
TL;DR: The evidence for sexual and different non-sexual routes of transmission of HPVs will be reviewed here.
Abstract: Benign tumors and lesions of the anogenital tract are caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs). They are also major risk factors for cervical cancer. Introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that HPV infections are much more common among young asymptomatic women than it had been previously suspected. The side-specificity of genital HPVs led to the assumption that HPVs were primarily transmitted by sexual contact. However, since HPVs have been detected in virgins, infants/children and juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis was shown to be caused by these viruses, it became acknowledged that HPVs may be transmitted by other – non-sexual – routes as well. The evidence for sexual and different non-sexual routes of transmission of HPVs will be reviewed here.
18 citations
TL;DR: Adenovirus vectors have been used in the experimental and in some extent in the clinical gene therapy of a variety of cancers and the combination of recombinant AdV technology with chemotherapy (pro drug system) seems to be promising.
Abstract: In the last decade adenovirus (AdV) vectors have emerged as promising technology in gene therapy. They have been used for genetic modification of a variety of somatic cells in vitro and in vivo. They have been widely used as gene delivery vectors in experiments both with curative and preventive purposes. AdV vectors have been used in the experimental and in some extent in the clinical gene therapy of a variety of cancers. The combination of recombinant AdV technology with chemotherapy (pro drug system) seems to be promising, too. AdV vectors offer several advantages over other vectors. Replication defective vectors can be produced in very high titers (10(11) pfu/ml) thus allowing a substantially greater efficiency of direct gene transfer; they have the capacity to infect both replicating and nonreplicating (quiescent) cells from a variety of tissues and species. Several important limitations of adenovirus mediated gene transfer are also known, such as the relatively short-term (transient) expression of foreign genes, induction of the host humoral and cellular immune response to viral proteins and viral infected cells, which may substantially inhibit the effect of repeated treatment with AdV vectors, the limited cloning capacity and the lack of target cell specificity. However, the well-understood structure, molecular biology and host cell interactions of AdV-s offer some potential solutions to these limitations.
16 citations
TL;DR: QSAR studies on antimalarial 2,4-diamino-6-quinazoline sulfonamide derivatives using electronic parameters, namely energy of highest occupied molecular orbitals (EH), energy of lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (EL) and charge density (CD) are discussed.
Abstract: The present paper discusses QSAR studies on antimalarial 2,4-diamino-6-quinazoline sulfonamide derivatives using electronic parameters, namely energy of highest occupied molecular orbitals (EH), energy of lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (EL) and charge density (CD). The results have shown that better results are obtained by introducing dummy parameters (indicator parameter), Ip. Excellent results are obtained when all the four parameters (EH, EL, CD and Ip) are used in correlation analysis.
16 citations
TL;DR: It is, therefore, very important to clarify the background of a fungal infection, since this may be critical regarding the prognosis.
Abstract: The clinical significance of the oral candidiasis (either as independent disorder, or as a part of another disease) is increasing with time. The diagnosis and local treatment of the oral candidiasis may not be satisfactory, this disorder cannot be eliminated without the correct diagnosis and management of the underlying disease. At the same time, some disorders, such as Candida induced leukoplakia, may significantly enhance tumor development. Fungal infection of the mouth is often the initial sign of several immunodeficiency diseases. It is, therefore, very important to clarify the background of a fungal infection, since this may be critical regarding the prognosis.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a relative deficiency of CpG dinucleotides and accumulation of mutations that manifest as TpG (and its complement CpA) is a diagnostic feature of higher eukaryotic DNA sequences subjected to methylation by DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferases.
Abstract: Since methylcytosine is relatively unstable, a deficiency of CpG dinucleotides and accumulation of mutations that manifest as TpG (and its complement CpA) is a diagnostic feature of higher eukaryotic DNA sequences subjected to methylation by DNA (cytosine-5) methyltransferases. Latent viral genomes may also be affected by DNA methylation in their host cells. We calculated, therefore, frequencies of dinucleotides in 20 completely sequenced herpesvirus genomes. We found a relative deficiency of CpG dinucleotides and a surplus of TpG + CpA dinucleotides in all lymphotropic gammaherpesvirus genomes except for two strains of rhesus rhadinovirus. DNAs of two strains of human herpesvirus 7, a betaherpesvirus targeting helper T cells, and equine herpesvirus 4, an alphaherpesvirus residing in the lymphoreticular system, also had a moderate CpG deficiency and TpG + CpA surplus. In contrast, most members of Alpha-, and Betaherpesvirinae subfamilies contained a relative surplus of CpG dinucleotides in their DNAs. Our data are consistent with the idea that methylated latent genomes are involved, after reactivation and productive replication, in the natural transmission cycle of most members of Gammaherpesvirinae and certain lymphotropic members of Alpha- and Betaherpesvirinae.
10 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The multifactorial pathomechanism of SIDS was suggested by the isolation of toxin producing Staphylococcus aureus-, Enterobacteriaceae and Candida albicans strains in large number and by the detection of Parainfluenza Type 2 virus antigen.
Abstract: The potential role of microbial agents was investigated in 13 cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and in 9 non-SIDS cases in Budapest between September 1996 and May 1998. Autopsy, histological examination and microbiological tests were performed on samples of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, pharyngeal samples and lung tissue from infants under one year died suddenly, without previous diseases. The multifactorial pathomechanism of SIDS was suggested by the isolation of toxin producing Staphylococcus aureus-, Enterobacteriaceae and Candida albicans strains in large number and by the detection of Parainfluenza Type 2 virus antigen. S. aureus proved the predominant bacteria in the SIDS cases. Nasopharyngeal microbial flora and S. aureus carrier of 100 age matched healthy infants were tested during the same period. S. aureus was isolated from 54% of SIDS cases and 37% from healthy infants /OR = 1.986 (95% Confidence interval = 0.55-7.33), p = 0243/. The enterotoxin and TSST-1 toxin producing activity of S. aureus showed the characteristic difference. The toxigenic S. aureus was detected in 46% of SIDS cases and 16% of healthy infants /OR = 4.5 (95% CI = 1.15-17.72), p = 0.010/. The distribution of toxigenic and nontoxigenic isolates was 86% in SIDS cases and 43% in healthy infants /OR = 7.875 (CI = 0.78-191.89), p = 0.041/.
9 citations
TL;DR: Three different strategies are presented and evaluated to find new-type antifungal drugs and their targets and it is found that chitinase inhibitors seem to hinder the cell separation of yeasts and the fragmentation of filamentous fungi quite effectively and, hence, they may be implicated in future therapies of systemic mycoses.
Abstract: New approaches for treatment of invasive fungal infections are necessary to cope with emerging resistant fungal pathogens of humans. In this paper, three different strategies are presented and evaluated to find new-type antifungal drugs and their targets. While experimental data obtained with potent chitinase inhibitors, e.g. allosamidin, and small-size antifungal proteins of fungal origin are encouraging more efforts are needed to verify and exploit the possible involvement of intracellular thiols, e.g. glutathione, and their metabolic anzymes in the pathogenesis of mycoses caused by dimorphic fingi. Chitinase inhibitors seem to hinder the cell separation of yeasts and the fragmentation of filamentous fungi quite effectively and, hence, they may be implicated in future therapies of systemic mycoses. In addition, small-size antifungal proteins possessing a broad inhibition spectrum may also provide us with promising new agents for the treatment of different kinds of (e.g. cutaneous) fungal infections.
TL;DR: A total of nine isolates of streptomycetes were isolated from scab lesions on potato tubers and five out of them were pathogenic on potato minitubers and four of the pathogenic isolates produced thaxtomin A in infected tubers tissues.
Abstract: A total of nine isolates of streptomycetes were isolated from scab lesions on potato tubers. Five out of them were pathogenic on potato minitubers and four of the pathogenic isolates produced thaxtomin A in infected tubers tissues. The lesion surface areas induced by thaxtomin A were highest in treatment of the minitubers with extract of OMB inoculated with S-6 and S-7, intermediate with that inoculated with S-4 and lowest with S-3. The pathogenic isolates were identified by their colour of aerial mycelia, melanin pigment productivity (+ or -), the type of spore chains morphology and carbon utilization as either S. scabies strains S-3, S-4 and S-8, or S. acidiscabies strains S-6 and S-7. S-3 and S-4 produced 0.65 and 1.60 micrograms thaxtomin A per milliliter of OMB, respectively, whereas S-6 and S-7 produced similar amounts of thaxtomin A, 2.36 and 2.10 micrograms per ml of OMB, respectively. The optimal temperature for production of thaxtomin A by S. scabies and S. acidiscabies was 28 degrees C. Production of thaxtomin A by S. scabies strain S-4 and S. acidiscabies strain S-6 was suppressed at least 50-fold at 0.5 and 0.3% of glucose, respectively. Fructose enhanced the production of thaxtomin A by both S. scabies and S. acidiscabies.
TL;DR: Its impact has been tremendous, high morbidity and mortality has caused a reversal of socioeconomic gains previously recorded in several developing countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Abstract: The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), was first described in the United States of America in 1981 [1]. The worldwide spread of HIV has soon been recognized and AIDS has become one of the most alarming infectious diseases of our days. Its impact has been tremendous, high morbidity and mortality has caused a reversal of socioeconomic gains previously recorded in several developing countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa [2]. Epidemiological data about the HIV and AIDS pandemic are updated by the Joint United Nation Programme on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS (http://www.unaids.org). Their latest report from December 2000 states that in year 2000 approximately 5.3 million people have become newly infected with HIV, of which 2.2 were women and 600 000 children younger than 15 years of age. The estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS globally is 36.1 million, of which 16.4 million are women and 1.4 million are children younger than 15 year...
TL;DR: The rate of multiresistant MRSA strains has decreased gradually from 98.1% in 1997 to 74.6% in 2000, accordingly the typability by phages showed a considerable improvement by the international basic phages.
Abstract: An account is given on the activity of the National Center for Phage Typing of Staphylococci in Hungary in the period between 1997 and 2000 related to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains originating mainly from hospital infections and sporadic cases. The rate of multiresistant MRSA strains has decreased gradually from 98.1% in 1997 to 74.6% in 2000, accordingly the typability by phages showed a considerable improvement by the international basic phages. Resistance pattern of MRSA strains became narrower in the period of the examinations. With the exception of erythromycin the rate of resistance decreased probably as a consequence of the increased use of erythomycin. The typing method was completed with the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of macrolide resistance. Among 73 MRSA strains type A was the most frequent macrolide resistance group, while type B, C1 and C2 occurred rarely. Type A was frequent also among the few MSSA and CNS strains. Out of the 168 examined S. aureus...
TL;DR: Results show the possible inhibitory anti-inflammatory role of Pygeum Africanum extract (Tadenan) on FGF and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta 1/LAP) expression of macrophages and neutrophils in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) of rats in a bleomycin-induced acute inflammation model.
Abstract: UNLABELLED On the basis of its fibroblast growth factor (FGF) inhibitory effect we assessed the possible inhibitory anti-inflammatory role of Pygeum Africanum extract (Tadenan) on FGF and transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta 1/LAP) expression of macrophages and neutrophils in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BAL) of rats in a bleomycin-induced acute inflammation model. The rats were divided into three groups: 17 untreated controls, 10 bleomycin-instilled rats, receiving NaCl (0.9%), and 10 rats receiving Pygeum Africanum extract. On the 12th (and 15th day) we performed BAL and after labelling of cells expression of FGF and TGF beta 1 (LAP) was measured by flow-cytometry. We made a quantitative analysis of BAL cells as well. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. We found in Pygeum Africanum extract treated group 1, a significantly decreased number of neutrophil granulocytes (p < 0.05) compared with other groups 2, there was a considerable decrease (not significant) in expression of TGF beta 1(LAP) on BAL macrophages, but not in case of FGF. IN CONCLUSION our results show the possible 1. inhibitory effect of this drug on TGF beta 1 (LAP) expression, 2. anti-inflammatory role on neutrophil granulocytes.
TL;DR: It is suggested that short-term exposure to cigarette smoke may compromise the immune barrier function of the airway mucosa by decreasing the expression and/or release of epithelial SC, thereby decreasing the transcytosis of IgA necessary for inactivating the microbial pathogens in theAirway lumen.
Abstract: Epithelial secretory component (SC) is thought to be essential for immunologic protection of the respiratory tract from viral and bacterial infection, since it transports polymeric IgA from the basolateral to the luminal surface of epithelial cells. We have hypothesized that recurrent infection in airways of cigarette smokers is at least partly a consequence of cigarette smoke-induced downregulation of the expression and/or release of SC from airway epithelial cells, subsequently resulting in decreased transcytosis of secretory IgA to the airway lumen. To test this hypothesis, we have cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) from surgical tissues and exposed these for 20 minutes to either air or cigarette smoke. Following exposure to cigarette smoke the HBEC cultures were incubated for a further period of up to 24 h, during which time separate cultures were processed by immunocytochemistry for the presence of SC, in a time-dependent manner. The stained HBEC cultures were evaluated by colour image analysis for the percentage of total cells staining for SC. Exposure to cigarette smoke significantly decreased the percentage of total HBEC staining for secretory component from a baseline value (median and interquartile[IQ]1, IQ3) of 35.9% (26.5, 41.6) to 15.7% (8.2, 25.4; p < 0.05) 1 h after exposure, compared with exposure to air. The percentage of cells staining for secretory component were further reduced to 5.3% (3.3, 6.4; p < 0.01), 6 h after exposure, compared to exposure to air. After incubation for 24 h following exposure to cigarette smoke, there was gross cell damage and the cells were not suitable for immunocytochemical analysis. These results suggest that short-term exposure to cigarette smoke may compromise the immune barrier function of the airway mucosa by decreasing the expression and/or release of epithelial SC, thereby decreasing the transcytosis of IgA necessary for inactivating the microbial pathogens in the airway lumen.
TL;DR: A promising way to keep the GSH pool selectively down under penicillin producing conditions is shown and the hypothesis that the formation of different kinds of penicillins would be an alternative to GSH-dependent detoxification processes in P. chrysogenum is challenged.
Abstract: Glutathione (gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine; GSH) shares structural similarities with the beta-lactam biosynthetic intermediate ACV-tripeptide (delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine). Not surprisingly, GSH has been reported to inhibit the beta-lactam biosynthetic machinery quite effectively and, hence, strategies to decrease the intracellular GSH concentrations without influencing negatively the physiological status of idiophasic mycelia would attract industrial interests. Here we present a detailed map of the GSH metabolic network of P. chrysogenum and show a promising way to keep the GSH pool selectively down under penicillin producing conditions. This procedure includes a well-controlled and transient lowering of pH at the beginning of the production phase, and it relies on the GSH-dependent detoxification of the protonophore penicillin side-chain precursors phenoxyacetic acid (POA) and phenylacetic acid (PA). Encouraging preliminary fed-batch fermentation experiments have been performed to test this technological proposal. Interestingly, the mechanism of the activation of POA and PA to the appropriate CoA derivatives has remained yet to be answered but the involvement of GSH seems to be rather unlikely in this case. Our data also challenge the hypothesis that the formation of different kinds of penicillins would be an alternative to GSH-dependent detoxification processes in P. chrysogenum.
TL;DR: The inability of traditional risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking to explain the incidence of atherosclerosis in about 50% of the cases prompted a search for additional putative risk factors involved in the development of the disease.
Abstract: The inability of traditional risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking to explain the incidence of atherosclerosis (AT) in about 50% of the cases prompted a search for additional putative risk factors involved in the development of the disease. Infectious agents have long been suspected to initiate/contribute to the process of AT. It has also been suggested that inflammation, either related to infectious agents or independent from infection, may mediate the atherogenic process [1, 2].
TL;DR: The incidence of multiresistance among one of the groups of DT104 strains (Felix-Callow's PT2) was significantly higher in 1998 than the average of non-DT104 strains, and the predominant R-type was ACST.
Abstract: Comparison of phage types (PTs) determined by Felix and Callow's and Anderson's methods was performed testing 99 human strains of S. enterica serotype Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) isolated in Hungary. PT2 and PT2c--according to Felix-Callow--corresponded with Anderson's DT104 in case of 39 strains out of 40. Among 59 isolates belonging to other Felix-Callow's PTs only one strain was found which was DT 104. Similar unambiguous equalities could not be established between any other PTs comparing the two methods. The PTs of 17,877 human strains isolated between 1988 and 1999 were determined using Felix-Callow's method. On the basis of the above equality the emergence of DT104 could be followed retrospectively by means of the rate of PT2 and PT2c. The increase of DT104 began already in 1989, emerging first PT2c then PT2. It predominated since 1991 and it reached its maximum (78.3%) in 1999. The incidence of multiresistance among one of the groups of DT104 strains (Felix-Callow's PT2) was significantly higher in 1998 than the average of non-DT104 strains. The predominant R-type was ACST.
TL;DR: Molecular mechanisms of the action of b-lactam and glycopeptide antibiotics, as well as genetic background and phenotipical features of the resistance of staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci to these antibiotics are reviewed.
Abstract: Molecular mechanisms of the action of b-lactam and glycopeptide antibiotics, as well as genetic background and phenotipical features of the resistance of staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci to these antibiotics are reviewed. Furthermore, susceptibility patterns concerning b-lactam and glycopeptide drugs of staphylococcal, streptococcal, as well as enterococcal strains isolated from clinical specimens at the Semmelweis University of Medicine, Budapest, Hungary between January 1997 and December 2000 are also presented.
TL;DR: Using definitions and guidelines, studies has suggested that in developed countries the majority, or two thirds of vertical transmission occur peripartum, and one-third in ute...
Abstract: Sensitive detection methods, such as DNA PCR and RNA PCR suggest that vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs at three major time periods; in utero, around the time of birth, and postpartum as a result of breastfeeding (Fig. 1). Detection of proviral DNA in infant's blood at birth suggests that transmission occurred prior to delivery. A working definition for time of infection is that HIV detection by DNA PCR in the first 48 h of life indicates in utero transmission, while peripartum transmission is considered if DNA PCR is negative the first 48 h, but then it is positive 7 or more days later [1]. Generally, in the breastfeeding population, breast milk transmission is thought to occur if virus is not detected by PCR at 3-5 months of life but is detected thereafter within the breastfeeding period [2]. Using these definitions and guidelines, studies has suggested that in developed countries the majority, or two thirds of vertical transmission occur peripartum, and one-third in utero [3-6]. The low rate of breastfeeding transmission is due to the practice of advising known HIV-positive mothers not to feed breast milk. However, since the implementation of antiretroviral treatment in prophylaxis of HIV-positive mothers, some studies have suggested that in utero infection accounts for a larger percentage of vertical transmissions [7]. In developing countries, although the majority of infections occurs also peripartum, a significant percentage, 10-17%, is thought to be due to breastfeeding [2, 8, 9].
TL;DR: The maximum antibiotic levels found were lower than the MICs of various pathogens relevant for infection, and it is suggested to increase the dose used for this peri-operative prophylaxis to 800 mg.
Abstract: Antibiotic application to patients with ischaemia of lower limbs may be indicated to avoid or treat infection of soft tissues Fleroxacin, a fluoroquinolone, active against various Gram-negative and Gram-positive organisms may be used for this purpose We evaluated the diffusion of fleroxacin into bone, subcutaneous fat, muscle and tendon tissues of lower limb tissue after a 400 mg iv dose Concentrations in ischaemic tissues were similar to those found in non-ischaemic sites Since the maximum antibiotic levels found were lower than the MICs of various pathogens relevant for infection, we suggest to increase the dose used for this peri-operative prophylaxis to 800 mg
TL;DR: The authors identified 14 ORFs and genes in the genome of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe that encode putative homologues of SCC subunits.
Abstract: The mediator complexes transduce regulatory information from upstream regulatory elements to the transcription machinery in organisms ranging from yeasts to humans. By a genome-wide search we identified 14 ORFs and genes in the genome of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe that encode putative homologues of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mediator subunits. The Sch. pombe proteins are smaller and appear to form a mediator of lower complexity, which is consistent with the hypothesized ancient origin of fission yeasts.
TL;DR: In Hungary among others there were some special factors, which shaped the outcome of HIV/AIDS epidemic, which resulted in a slowly developing moderate epidemic.
Abstract: In Hungary among others there were some special factors, which shaped the outcome of HIV/AIDS epidemic. (1) In the early period of pandemic the "iron curtain" delayed and limited the importation of HIV to Hungary. (2) In 1985, at the time of detection of first HIV infected persons the etiological diagnostic tools were already commercially available and laboratory facilities have been created immediately for HIV antibody tests in networks of blood banks, public health and venereological services. (3) Laboratory facilities together with introduced health regulations resulted in (a) elimination of possibility of nosocomial HIV transmission by blood, blood products and organ transplantation; (b) efficient case finding and contact tracing in population groups potentially playing a significant role in spreading of infection; (c) opportunities for voluntary HIV testing free of charge. (4) Broad scale education and information activities have been developed from the beginning by governmental and non-governmental organizations alike. (5) Parenteral drug abuse did not play a role in spreading of HIV, so far. The above factors resulted in a slowly developing moderate epidemic. The facts are as follows. By the end of 2000 altogether 879 HIV positive (666 male, 100 female and 113 anonymous) persons have been notified, 377 (344 male and 33 female) of whom showed already the characteristic features of AIDS and 229 died. 29% of registered HIV positive persons have been foreigners originating from 56 countries. The cumulative incidence rate of AIDS was 38 per million population. 73% of Hungarian HIV positive persons and 72% of patients with AIDS belonged to transmission group of men having sex with men. The age of HIV positive persons at the time of detection was between 20 and 49 years in 81% and 72% of them resided in or around Budapest.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: 31 adenovirus type-pairs are determined and described, which are probably the best alternates for sequential use in experimental gene therapy and which would be used sequentially when second or multiple administration is needed.
Abstract: With the help of monoclonal antibodies the existence of at least 18 different earlier not known intertype (IT) specific epitopes were demonstrated in different numbers and combinations on the hexons of different adenovirus serotypes. The IT specific epitopes play an important role in the experimental gene therapy and in the recombinant adenovirus vaccination because of the harmful immune response of the recipient organisms directed against the many different epitopes of the adenovirus vector. For the elimination of harmful effect the authors suggest the use of multiple vectors, each prepared from different adenovirus serotypes showing the loosest antigenic relationship to each other. The vectors would be used sequentially when second or multiple administration is needed. For this purpose the authors determined and described 31 such adenovirus type-pairs, which are probably the best alternates for sequential use in experimental gene therapy.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A 71-year-old mesothelioma patient developed pleuro-pericarditis and pleural empyema as discussed by the authors, and serological identification proved group F Streptococcus in the pleural fluid.
Abstract: A 71-year-old mesothelioma patient developed pleuro-pericarditis and pleural empyema. Bacteriological examinations and serological identification proved group F Streptococcus in the pleural fluid. Anamnestic data suggested that the source of infection might have been the oral cavity after dental surgery.
TL;DR: According to the results, PRD can be suitable for combined application with other immunosuppressive agents as it can increase Immunosuppression without increase of side-effects such as those induced by bacterial translocation.
Abstract: Following intraperitoneally (ip) applied treatment with 125 mg/mouse prednisolonum (PRD) no bacterial translocation (BT) was observed in mice The PRD treatment applied in combination with lymphotropic cytostatics as dianhydrogalactitol (30 mg/kg ip) or chlorpromazine (75 mg/kg ip) both causing BT, did not increase the mice's drug sensitivity to the used agents According to our results, PRD can be suitable for combined application with other immunosuppressive agents as it can increase immunosuppression without increase of side-effects such as those induced by bacterial translocation
TL;DR: The production of the enzymes of Candida albicans cell-wall lytic system by S. thermodiastaticus was found to be affected by some growth conditions and nutritional factors as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The production of the enzymes of Candida albicans cell-wall lytic system by S. thermodiastaticus was found to be affected by some growth conditions and nutritional factors. The highest lytic activity was obtained after 18 h of incubation at pH 5.5 and an incubation temperature of 50 degrees C. The carbon source influenced the production of the enzymes of the yeast cell wall lytic system. Maximum lytic activity was obtained when Candida albicans cell-wall (1 g/100 ml) was used as the sole carbon source. NaNO3 at 0.1 g/100 ml level was the best nitrogen source for the biosynthesis of the enzymes of the yeast lytic system. From all phosphor sources, microelements, and growth factors tested, KH2PO4 (1 g/l), ZnSO4 (1 mg/l) and Tween 80 (0.1%), respectively were found to favour highest enzymes production of the lytic system. The Candida albicans cell-wall lytic system produced by S. thermodiastaticus mainly contained chitinolytic and proteolytic activities.