Publications by authors named "Levesque R"

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen frequently found in nosocomial infections and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis. To facilitate molecular studies of this organism, we have generated a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library. Genomic DNA was isolated from the prototype strain PAO1, partially digested with HindIII, size selected after pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and used to construct a BAC library using the pBeloBAC11 vector.

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We determined the nucleotide sequences of blaCARB-4 encoding CARB-4 and deduced a polypeptide of 288 amino acids. The gene was characterized as a variant of group 2c carbenicillin-hydrolyzing beta-lactamases such as PSE-4, PSE-1, and CARB-3. The level of DNA homology between the bla genes for these beta-lactamases varied from 98.

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The article examines sociolegal responses to adolescent victimization, particularly responses to the emotional dimensions of their violent personal relationships. The investigation reveals how the legal system generally fails to recognize youth's emotional maltreatment. Responses tend to consider emotional maltreatment as subordinate and secondary to some legally prohibited sexual and physical assaults.

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We have determined the nucleotide sequence of the blaS gene encoding the carbapenem-hydrolyzing L-1 beta-lactamase from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia GN12873. Analysis of the DNA and deduced amino acid sequences identified a product of 290 amino acids. Comparisons of the L-1 amino acid sequence with those of other zinc beta-lactamases showed 88.

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We describe the construction of promoter probe vectors designed for identification of bacterial genes induced in vitro and/or in vivo and for measurement of gene expression levels for in vivo expression technology. These plasmids use the Pseudomonas aeruginosa aspartate beta-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (asd) gene as a selectable marker and beta-galactosidase (pIVPRO, 10.88 kb) or mutant green fluorescent protein with enhanced fluorescence properties (mut3GFP, pIVET-GFP, 5.

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The United States' actual and potential use of international children's rights' standards are detailed, and the substance and aspirations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (U.N. General Assembly, 1989) with current U.

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Retention of auricular prostheses with adhesives is frequently problematic. Craniofacial osseointegrated implants have become an accepted biotechnique used in auricular reconstruction. This article describes a procedure for bar and acrylic resin substructure construction that allows for the incorporation of desired features.

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The two major subunits of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of Toxoplasma gondii, 18S and 26S, as well as 5.8S, have been sequenced and folded according to known consensus and established secondary structures. Conserved and variable nucleotide (nt) regions were identified using multiple alignments with rRNA sequences of selected organisms.

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The 26S, 5.8S, and the intergenic spacer ribosomal DNAs (rDNA) of Toxoplasma gondii have been cloned and completely sequenced from both DNA strands. The length of the large subunit was found to be 3487 nucleotides and the 5.

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The Pseudomonas aeruginosa chromosome was fractionated with the enzymes SpeI and DpnI, and genomic fragments were separated by PFGE and used for mapping a collection of 40 genes. This permitted the localization of 8 genes previously mapped and of 32 genes which had not been mapped. We showed that a careful search of databases and identification of sequences that were homologous to known genes could be used to design and synthesize DNA probes for the mapping of P.

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Volume 61, no. 4, p. 1624, column 2, lines 38-41: The sentence should read "For example, at position 21, the G nucleotide (Fig.

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We determined the nucleotide sequence of the blaOXA-3(pMG25) gene from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bla structural gene encoded a protein of 275 amino acids representing one monomer of 31,879 Da for the OXA-3 enzyme. Comparisons between the OXA-3 nucleotide and amino acid sequences and those of class A, B, C, and D beta-lactamases were performed.

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Bacillus thuringiensis spacer regions between the 16S and 23S rRNAs were amplified with conserved primers, designated 19-mer and 23-mer primers. A spacer region of 144 bp was determined for all of 6 B. thuringiensis strains, 7 B.

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Ultrahigh-resolution three-dimensional images of a microscopic test object were made with soft x-rays collected with a scanning transmission x-ray microscope. The test object consisted of two different patterns of gold bars on silicon nitride windows that were separated by approximately 5 micrometers. Depth resolution comparable to the transverse resolution was achieved by recording nine two-dimensional images of the object at angles between -50 and +55 degrees with respect to the beam axis.

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A method to identify arbuscular endomycorrhizal fungi based on the amplification of portions of the nuclear gene coding for the small subunit rRNA is presented. By coupling the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction and the specificity afforded by taxon-specific primers, a variety of samples can be analyzed, including small amounts of colonized roots. Family-specific primers as well as generic primers are described and can be used to amplify small subunit rRNA fragments from endomycorrhizal fungi by polymerase chain reaction.

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The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) received high marks when it was evaluated. This article describes how a multidisciplinary team can work together for the sake of comprehensive care.

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A growing number of extended spectrum SHV-type beta-lactamases capable of hydrolyzing third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime and ceftazidime have been reported. These new enzymes differ by a few amino acids from SHV-1, an enzyme incapable of hydrolyzing these drugs. Two of these substitutions, Gly-238-->Ser and Glu-240-->Lys, are in a key beta-strand of the catalytic site of class A beta-lactamases.

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A rapid identification of Bacillus thuringiensis strains was established by using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Primers of high homology specific to regions within genes encoding three major classes of B. thuringiensis crystal proteins were used to generate a PCR product profile characteristic of each strain of B.

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Amplification of DNA sequences from ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was tested as a specific and sensitive method for the detection of small numbers of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoite cells. We applied the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on the basis of detection of the 110-fold repetitive rDNA as a target by using (i) DNA sequences within the small ribosomal subunit known to be universal and conserved in all eukaryotes and (ii) small ribosomal subunit and intergenic spacer rDNA sequences known to be T. gondii species specific.

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We present the cloning and sequencing of the ptsI gene, encoding enzyme I (EI) of the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP): sugar phosphotransferase (PTS) transport system from Streptococcus salivarius. The ptsI gene corresponds to an open reading frame of 1731 nucleotides, which translates into a putative 577-amino acid (aa) protein with a M(r) of 62,948 and a pI of 4.49.

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Site-saturation mutagenesis was performed on the class A ROB-1 beta-lactamase at conserved Ser130, which is centrally located in the antibiotic binding site where it can participate in both protein-protein and protein-substrate hydrogen bonding. Mutation Thr130 gave a beta-lactamase hydrolysing penicillins and cephalosporins but which showed a 3-fold lower affinity (Km) for ampicillin and cephalexin, and a 30-fold lower hydrolytic (Vmax) activity for ampicillin. In contrast, the hydrolytic activity for cephalexin was similar to the wild-type for the Thr130 mutation.

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Radiographic features of the four most common entities encountered in adult seronegative spondyloarthropathies are described and illustrated. The presence, pattern, and usual distribution of the peripheral and axial inflammatory changes are reviewed with pertinent clinical data. A combination of clinical observations, laboratory parameters, and careful roentgenographic evaluation of some inflammatory abnormalities usually leads to an early and precise diagnosis; however, evolution of the disease is at times necessary.

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