First complete genome sequence of two Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteriophages.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections and is often associated with infections in patients with implanted prosthetic devices. A number of virulence determinants have been identified in S. epidermidis, which are typically acquired through horizontal gene transfer.

Carpegen real-time polymerase chain reaction vs. anaerobic culture for periodontal pathogen identification.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare two methods of microbiological diagnosis, anaerobic bacterial culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), for the detection of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Treponema denticola.

Methods: Seventy-two samples were collected from 18 patients who were suffering from aggressive periodontitis. The data obtained were compared for the two methods.

Interaction and localization studies of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli type IV bundle-forming pilus outer membrane components.

Typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains express an established virulence factor belonging to the type IV pili family, called the bundle-forming pilus (BFP). BFP are present on the cell surface as bundled filamentous appendages, and are assembled and retracted by proteins encoded by the bfp operon. These proteins assemble to form a molecular machine.

Effects of housing on consummatory successive negative contrast in rats: wire-bottom cages versus polycarbonate tubs.

In consummatory successive negative contrast, rats that have had experience drinking 32% sucrose solution drink significantly less 4% sucrose solution than rats that have drunk only 4% solution. This contrast effect occurs reliably when rats are housed in wire-bottom cages, but it occurs significantly less frequently when rats are housed in polycarbonate tubs. Although it is unclear what causes these differences among housing conditions, the present study underscores the impact that housing conditions outside the domain of the training environment can have on behavioral outcomes.

Degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by Staphylococcus xylosus in liquid media and meat mixture.

We investigated the growth of the meat starter Staphylococcus xylosus (10(4) cells mL(-1)) in liquid media containing 0.01 ppm of each polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs 10, 28, 52, 138, 153, and 180) and its ability to degrade PCBs during 168 h of incubation in liquid media (10(4) cells mL(-1), 0.01 ppm of each PCB congener) and cured meat mixture (0.

Histologic and clinical significance of atypical glandular cells on pap smears.

Objective: To determine the association between atypical glandular cells (AGC) on Pap smear and clinically significant histology, in a large health region.

Methods: A cytologic database of over one million Pap smears was reviewed for a result of AGUS/AGC. Cytologic and histologic follow up was obtained to establish the presence of significant histology.

Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol-induced desensitization of cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of synaptic transmission between hippocampal neurons in culture.

Prolonged exposure to cannabinoids results in desensitization of cannabinoid receptors. Here, we compared the desensitization produced by the partial agonist, Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to that produced by the full agonist Win55,212-2 on cannabinoid-mediated inhibition of glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Synaptic activity between rat hippocampal neurons was determined from network-driven increases in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i) spikes).

Opioid receptors modulate recovery from consummatory successive negative contrast.

Three experiments explored the role of the opioid system in consummatory successive negative contrast. In Experiment 1, rats treated with the nonspecific opioid-receptor antagonist naloxone (2mg/kg) exhibited increased suppression after a shift from 32% to 6% sucrose solution (32-->6), relative to 6-->6 unshifted controls. A similar but shorter effect was observed with the delta-opioid receptor antagonist naltrindole (1mg/kg).

Purpose and utility of child custody evaluations: the attorney's perspective.

This study attempts to fill a gap in the literature by assessing the perspectives of attorneys regarding child custody evaluations completed by mental health professionals. Fifty-nine attorneys completed an anonymous survey designed to ascertain their opinions about: (1) what factors prompt a custody evaluation, (2) expectations regarding evaluation procedures, (3) the utility of the resultant report, and (4) the impact of evaluations on litigation. Findings indicate that attorneys are most likely to seek child custody evaluations in the context of allegations regarding physical abuse, sexual abuse, or parental fitness.

An analphoid marker chromosome inv dup(15)(q26.1qter), detected during prenatal diagnosis and characterized via chromosome microdissection.

A small, mosaic, C-band negative marker chromosome was detected in amniocyte cultures during prenatal diagnosis due to advanced maternal age. Following spontaneous premature labor at 29 weeks gestation, a dysmorphic infant was delivered, with flat nasal bridge, short palpebral fissures, micrognathia, high forehead, low-set ears, telecanthus and corneal dystrophy. Additional folds of skin were present behind the neck, and feet, fingers and toes were abnormally long.

Selective effects of the delta-opioid receptor agonist DPDPE on consummatory successive negative contrast.

Two experiments explored the role of the opioid system in a situation involving a surprising reduction in reward magnitude: consummatory successive negative contrast. Rats received access to 32% sucrose solution (preshift Trials 1-10) followed by 4% solution (postshift Trials 11-15). Independent groups received an injection of either the vehicle or the delta-receptor agonist [D-Ala2-,N-Me-Phe4,Gly-ol] enkephalin (DPDPE; 24 microg/kg).

A new model for sexual conditioning: the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria).

Sexual conditioning investigations have primarily used rats and domestic quail as subjects. Although much has been learned from such experiments, the relative simplicity of rat and quail reproductive behavior prohibits investigation of certain experimental questions about sexual conditioning. In contrast, the reproductive behavior of male and female ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) is complex, involving courtship, bonding, and parental care.

Efficacy of leisure intervention groups and their impact on quality of life among people with spinal cord injury.

Leisure is an important component in the lives of persons with disabilities and it is often associated with life satisfaction, self-esteem and depression. However, leisure specialists have all but ignored the leisure patterns and needs of people with disabilities. Thus this study attempts leisure intervention through groups by altering the attitude of patients towards leisure and subsequently finding out the effect on leisure satisfaction and quality of life.

Molecular distinction between true centric fission and pericentric duplication-fission.

Centromere (centric) fission, also known as transverse or lateral centric misdivision, has been defined as the splitting of one functional centromere of a metacentric or submetacentric chromosome to produce two derivative centric chromosomes. It has been observed in a range of organisms and has been ascribed an important role in karyotype evolution; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We have investigated four cases of apparent centric fission in humans.

Hypochlorous acid and taurine-N-monochloramine in periodontal diseases.

Chronic periodontitis is a multi-factorial disease involving anaerobic bacteria and the generation of an inflammatory response, including the production of metalloproteinases, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and eicosanoids. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and taurine-N-monochloramine (TauCl) are the end-products of the neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) respiratory burst. They act synergistically to modulate the inflammatory response.

Development of the neurocentral junction as seen on magnetic resonance images.

The neurocentral junction (NCJ) is a cartilaginous growth plate in the vertebra that has been implicated as a potential cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) since the early 1900s. Studies to date have focused on the age of closure without characterizing normal NCJ development. Using MRI, the normal development of the NCJ image can be determined and the stages preceding the disappearance of the NCJ image can be characterized.

The effects of exposure to intense, 24 h light on the development of scoliosis in young chickens.

The aetiology of adolescent 5 coliosis remains unknown and hindering research is the absence of an appropriate animal model. It is now well-established that pinealectomy in young chickens results in the development of scoliosis that has many of the characteristics seen in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis but the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains elusive. The principle product of the pineal gland is melatonin and so many studies have focused on studying the effects of reduced levels of this hormone.

Chromosome loops arising from intrachromosomal tethering of telomeres occur at high frequency in G1 (non-cycling) mitotic cells: Implications for telomere capture.

BACKGROUND: To investigate potential mechanisms for telomere capture the spatial arrangement of telomeres and chromosomes was examined in G1 (non-cycling) mitotic cells with diploid or triploid genomes. This was examined firstly by directly labelling the respective short arm (p) and long arm subtelomeres (q) with different fluorophores and probing cell preparations using a number of subtelomere probe pairs, those for chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 18, and 20. In addition some interstitial probes (CEN15, PML and SNRPN on chromosome 15) and whole chromosome paint probes (e.

Patient satisfaction: the Australian patient perspective.

The literature reveals little Australian academic study of the phenomenon of patient satisfaction and identifies several problems in current research practice. A theoretical discussion about the phenomenon of patient satisfaction' is for the most part absent, the rigour in the methods applied is often dubious, a definition of patient satisfaction is not agreed and the patient experience is often not the focus of research. To address some of these issues inductive research was conducted with Australian patients to explore what they considered important for patient satisfaction to exist.

Issues arising from the prenatal diagnosis of some rare trisomy mosaics--the importance of cryptic fetal mosaicism.

Objectives: To add to the knowledge of fetal mosaicism, confined placental mosaicism (CPM), and uniparental disomy (UPD), in rare trisomies detected at prenatal diagnosis.

Methods: The origin of rare trisomy mosaics, mostly (8/11) seen in amniocytes, was examined in 11 cases by follow-up karyotyping and the study of microsatellite inheritance.

Results: Of the rare trisomies presented, three were mosaic trisomy 16 (two of which were CPM), and the remainder comprised single cases of mosaic trisomies of 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 5 and 15--the last two being CPM.

External fixators in haemophilia.

External fixators (EF) are not commonly used for patients with haemophilia. We describe the use of EF (Ilizarov, AO- uni- and bi-planar fixators and Charnley clamp) in nine patients (mean age: 19.2 years; range: 9-37) with haemophilia for the following indications - arthrodesis of infected joints, treatment of open fractures and osteoclasis.