In recent years mef genes, encoding efflux pumps responsible for M-type macrolide resistance, have been investigated extensively for streptococci. mef(I) is a recently described mef variant detected in particular isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae instead of the more common mef(E) and mef(A). This study shows that mef(I) is located in a new composite genetic element, whose sequence was completely analyzed and the left and right junctions determined, demonstrating a unique genetic organization. The new composite structure (30,505 bp), designated the 5216IQ complex, consists of two halves: a left one (15,316 bp) formed by parts of the known transposons Tn5252 and Tn916, and a right one (15,115 bp) formed by a new fragment, designated the IQ element. While the defective Tn916 contained a silent tet(M) gene, the IQ element, ending with identical transposase genes on both sides and containing the mef(I) gene with an adjacent new msr(D) gene variant and a catQ chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, was completely different from the genetic elements carrying other mef genes in pneumococci. This is the first report demonstrating catQ in S. pneumoniae and showing its linkage with a mef gene. Analysis of the chromosomal region beyond the left junction revealed an organization more similar to that of S. pneumoniae strain TIGR4 than to that of strain R6. The 5216IQ complex was apparently nonmobile, with no detectable transfer of erythromycin resistance being obtained in repeated transformation and conjugation assays.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/AAC.00790-07 | DOI Listing |
Nanotechnology
January 2025
Centre for Analysis and Synthesis, NanoLund, Lund University, Box 124, Lund, 221 00, SWEDEN.
Developing a reliable procedure for the growth of III-V nanowires (NW) on silicon (Si) substrates remains a significant challenge, as current methods rely on trial-and-error approaches with varying interpretations of critical process steps such as sample preparation, Au-Si alloy formation in the growth reactor, and nanowire alignment. Addressing these challenges is essential for enabling high-performance electronic and optoelectronic devices that combine the superior properties of III-V NW semiconductors with the well-established Si-based technology. Combining conventional scalable growth methods, such as Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) with in situ characterization using Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy (ETEM-MOCVD) enables a deeper understanding of the growth dynamics, if that knowledge is transferable to the scalable processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Instituto de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas y Sustentabilidad, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, México.
Land use change from wildlands to urban and productive environments can dramatically transform ecosystem structure and processes. Despite their structural and functional differences from wildlands, human-modified environments offer unique habitat elements for wildlife. In this study, we examined how migratory birds use urban, productive, and wildland environments of a highly anthropized region of Western Mexico known as "El Bajío".
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Seed Co, Rattray Arnold Research Station, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Analyses of the genetic distance and composition of inbred lines are a prerequisite for parental selection and to exploit heterosis in plant breeding programs. The study aimed to assess genetic diversity and population structure of a maize germplasm panel comprising 182 founder lines and 866 derived inbred lines using Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers to identify genetically unique lines for hybrid breeding. The founder lines were genotyped with 1201 SNPs, and the derived lines with 1484 SNPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS One
January 2025
Laboratory of Ecology and Zoology of Vertebrates, Institute of Biological Science, Federal University of Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil.
Bauxite mining has been caused severe changes in the natural ecosystems of the Amazon, but the restoration of these areas is mandatory by federal law in Brazil. The recolonization of fauna is crucial to establishing the ecological functions of recovering forests, and the small nonflying mammals can stand out in this process. Assessing taxonomic and functional diversity parameters, we demonstrated that in the early stages of forest recovery post-bauxite mining, between 6 and 11 years, it is possible to restore approximately 45% of the richness of small non-flying mammal species from the original habitats, that in this case were altered Primary Forests.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
January 2025
Department of Sports Medicine of the Second Affiliated Hospital, and Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 311113, China.
Joining heterogeneous materials in engineered structures remains a significant challenge due to stress concentration at interfaces, which often leads to unexpected failures. Investigating the complex, multiscale-graded structures found in animal tissue provides valuable insights that can help address this challenge. The human meniscus root-bone interface is an exemplary model, renowned for its exceptional fatigue resistance, toughness, and interfacial adhesion properties throughout its lifespan.
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