DNA sequencing in the classroom: complete genome sequence of two earwig (Dermaptera; Insecta) species.

Background: Despite representing the largest fraction of animal life, the number of insect species whose genome has been sequenced is barely in the hundreds. The order Dermaptera (the earwigs) suffers from a lack of genomic information despite its unique position as one of the basally derived insect groups and its importance in agroecosystems. As part of a national educational and outreach program in genomics, a plan was formulated to engage the participation of high school students in a genome sequencing project.

[In vitro bactericidal effect of a piperacillin-pefloxacin combination against isolated strains of nosocomial pneumopathies in intensive care].

Combinations of piperacillin and pefloxacin are evaluated in vitro using checkerboard and killing-curves methods against 19 clinical isolates: S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, K.

Effect of ceftriaxone-induced alterations of bacteria on neutrophil bactericidal function.

Two bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae) were exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of ceftriaxone. After an overnight culture in presence of 1 MIC of ceftriaxone either in broth or on solid medium S. aureus showed enlarged forms which were better phagocytosed (increase about 40%) and killed (increase about 50%) than control staphylococci.

Interaction of ceftriaxone with human polymorphonuclear neutrophil function.

Ceftriaxone, an amino-2-thiazolyl cephalosporin, has been shown to cooperate in vitro with human neutrophils for the killing of some bacteria. In this work the direct interaction with human leucocyte bactericidal function has been studied. Ceftriaxone (1000 to 1 mg/l) did not alter neutrophil chemotaxis or superoxide anion production.