323,809 research outputs found
Carte des Trois-Epis et ses environs
No full textÉchelle(s) : 1:100 000Appartient à l’ensemble documentaire : BNUStras1Appartient à l’ensemble documentaire : BNUStr00
Indagine volta alla comprensione del ruolo biologico dei simbionti batterici della zecca dura Ixodes Ricinus
No full textAnalysis to clarify the biological role of the bacterial symbionts from hard tick Ixodes ricinus Midichloria mitochondrii is a bacterial endosymbiont of hard ticks. In Ixodes ricinus, this bacterium has been observed both in the cytoplasm and in the mitochondria of the infected cells. Electron microscopy shows that these bacteria multiply inside the tick mitochondria. We have performed a PCR screening for Midichloria-related bacteria in DNA extracts from Ixodidae ticks. A total of seven species from five genera were found positive for bacteria closely related to M. mitochondrii. Phylogenetic analyses performed on the 16S rDNA sequences obtained from the different tick species revealed that the bacteria form a monophyletic group within the order Rickettsiales. In order to monitor the growth of these bacteria we developed a real time PCR method for their quantification. Our results show that Midichloria bacterial load is very high during all of the stages of tick development. A reduction of the bacterial load was observed after the hatching of the eggs and after each molt. This bacterial diminution was followed by cycles of bacterial increase after each blood meal. This increase in the bacterial load suggest that Midichloria requires for its multiplication some factor present in the blood. We are currently using the whole genome shotgun technique with the goal of obtaining the complete genome sequence of M. mitochondrii. The partial results obtained include 280 thousand pyrosequencing reads and 500 Sanger sequences. The sequencing of the genome will allow us to understand the different metabolic routes of this symbiont, as well as possible peculiar functions. In particular it will help to understand which kind of relationship is occuring between M. mitochondrii and its host I. ricinus
Rest component differences between ES and EpiS cells.
No full text<p>The pie chart indicates binding site populations categorized as “R+/S+/L+” (gray), “R+/S+/L−” (pale gray), and “R+/S−/L+” (white). The compositions detected in the ES and EpiS cells are shown at the indicated positions. The top two charts indicate the total Rest binding sites in the ES and EpiS cells. The four lower charts under the braces break down the two top charts into the indicated categories, ES-unique sites, common ES cell sites, common EpiS cell sites, and EpiS-unique sites. The arrow in the common sites indicates the different components between ES and EpiS cells.</p
Yeast symbionts in arthropod vectors: possible implications for the control of vector-borne diseases.
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Systematic review of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework
No full textBackground: Effective implementation of evidence-based practices (EBPs) remains a significant challenge. Numerous existing models and frameworks identify key factors and processes to facilitate implementation. However, there is a need to better understand how individual models and frameworks are applied in research projects, how they can support the implementation process, and how they might advance implementation science. This systematic review examines and describes the research application of a widely used implementation framework, the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed to identify and evaluate the use of the EPIS framework in implementation efforts. Citation searches in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, Social Sciences Index, and Google Scholar databases were undertaken. Data extraction included the objective, language, country, setting, sector, EBP, study design, methodology, level(s) of data collection, unit(s) of analysis, use of EPIS (i.e., purpose), implementation factors and processes, EPIS stages, implementation strategy, implementation outcomes, and overall depth of EPIS use (rated on a 1-5 scale). Results: In total, 762 full-text articles were screened by four reviewers, resulting in inclusion of 67 articles, representing 49 unique research projects. All included projects were conducted in public sector settings. The majority of projects (73%) investigated the implementation of a specific EBP. The majority of projects (90%) examined inner context factors, 57% examined outer context factors, 37% examined innovation factors, and 31% bridging factors (i.e., factors that cross or link the outer system and inner organizational context). On average, projects measured EPIS factors across two of the EPIS phases (M = 2.02), with the most frequent phase being Implementation (73%). On average, the overall depth of EPIS inclusion was moderate (2.8 out of 5). Conclusion: This systematic review enumerated multiple settings and ways the EPIS framework has been applied in implementation research projects, and summarized promising characteristics and strengths of the framework, illustrated with examples. Recommendations for future use include more precise operationalization of factors, increased depth and breadth of application, development of aligned measures, and broadening of user networks. Additional resources supporting the operationalization of EPIS are available
STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE 2-PHENYL-4- HYDROXYQUINOLINE CLASS OF S. AUREUS NORA EPIS
No full textThe worldwide increase of bacteria resistant to almost every common antibacterials is now considered an alarming health emergency.(1) Among the strategies by which resistance can be acquired, overexpression of the efflux pumps leads to a sub-lethal antibacterial concentration at the target site that in turn may predispose to the development of high-level target-based resistance. The blockage of the activity of such pumps through the use of efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) might thus be a powerful approach for improving the efficacy and/or extending the clinical utility of existing antibiotics, giving new life to old drugs with secure economic, social and health benefit. Of particular concern is the overwhelming rise of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which is highly virulent and contagious. MRSA accounted for 44% of healthcare-associated infections and 22% of attributable extra deaths in 2008 in EU. The increased expression of one or more MDR efflux pump genes was identified in 151 out of 309 S. aureus clinical strains (49%). Among those overexpressing a single gene, norA was most common (43%), followed by its strict homologue norB (23.2%) and mepA (9.9%).(2) In S. aureus, the NorA protein is able to extrude from the bacterial cell several antibacterials, including hydrophilic fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin, and dyes. Taking into account the strong inhibitory activity on NorA efflux pump displayed from our previously reported 2-pheny-4-
hydroxylquinoline derivatives,(3,4) in this work we have explored the effects of the introduction of a single methoxy group, a substituent frequently recurrent in both natural and synthetic NorA EPIs, at different positions of the quinoline core, maintaining at C-4 position the O-alkylamino chains that previously showed the best EPI activities (Fig. 1). The main aim was to obtain new and potent small molecules capable of
restoring CPX activity on S. aureus resistant strains through the inhibition of NorA efflux pump and to get data for the refinement of our pharmacophore model,(4) that highlights the structural requirements necessary for the inhibition activity of NorA EPIs.
Activity data of the synthesized compounds, regarding the ethidium bromide (EtBr) efflux inhibition and the synergistic activity with ciprofloxacin against several S. aureus strains having different levels of NorA pump expression will be reported
Localization and quantification of intracellular symbiont Midichloria mitochondri in organs of Ixodes ricinus ticks
No full textMidichloria mitochondrii is an intracellular bacterium member of the recently described family of the Rickettsiales, Candidatus Midichloriaceae, that encompasses a wide group of intracellular bacteria associated with ticks (Montagna et al., 2013, Appl Environ Microbiol., 79(10):3241-8).
This bacterium has been found in different species of ticks; in particular, in Ixodes ricinus tick, it has been detected in 100% of the examined I. ricinus females across its geographical distribution and in about 50% of males. M. titochondrii has been observed not only in the cell cytoplasm, but also inside the mitochondria, within the intermembrane space (Sacchi et al, 2004, Tissue Cell., 36(1):43-53). Up to now, we know that this symbiont is present in the ovary and salivary glands of the I. ricinus tick (Mariconti et al, 2012, Microbiology, 158(Pt 7):1677-83; Epis et al., 2013, Ticks Tick Borne Dis., 4(1-2):39-45) but no studies have so far investigated whether M. mitochondrii is spread and quantified in other organs of the tick. In particular, taking in consideration indirect evidences that suggest that the bacterium could be transmitted to vertebrates during the blood meal of the tick, the analysis of salivary glands should be of extremely interest. Moreover the localization of M. mitochondrii in the body of the arthropod and its ability to diffusion are unknown.
In this work we investigated the localization/quantification of M. mitochondrii in the body of the tick using immunofluorescence assay with specific anti-FLID antibody for M. mitochiondri detection and quantitative Real-Time PCR in different organs of I. ricinus: Two genes were amplified: the gene of M. mitochondrii gyrB coding for gyrase B and the nuclear gene of I. ricinus cal coding for the protein Calreticulin. Adult female ticks both “semi-engorged” (i.e. a tick at half of its blood meal) and “non-engorged” (i.e. a tick that didn’t start its blood meal yet) were analyzed.
M. mitochondrii was detected in different body organs of the ticks. Furthermore differences in bacterial burden between the two analyzed life cycle period of the tick were found. In fact an increase of M. mitochondrii burden, such as one of classical pathogens transmitted by the tick, can be noticed during the meal in salivary glands and rostrum.
This study thus offered further evidences that M. mitochondrii is transmitted by ticks to vertebrates through saliva. Interestingly each trachea of the analyzed I. ricinus was positive for M. mitochondrii: this suggest that the respiratory tract can be used by M. mitochondrii as a dissemination way in the tick. This datum was described in previous works for organisms belonging to Rickettsia genus; Baldridge and colleagues (2007, J Invertebr Pathol., 94(3):163-74) experimentally infected tick of the specie Ixodes scapularis (a tick with American diffusion) with a cultivable Rickettsia monacensis able to produce the green fluorescence protein (GFP). After experimental infection, fluorescent R. monacensis were found distributed in the respiratory system of ticks; this result allowed the researchers to consider the tracheal system as a way of dissemination of bacteria and a possible "reservoir" during moulting. Similarly, Midichloria may also use the respiratory system as a way to spread within the I. ricinus tick
Diffusive author(s), cohesive author: Analysis of S/N (1994)
No full textThis study indicates the ways in which various aspects of the author(s) are brought forth in Dumb type’s performance art, the S/N production. Previous research has suggested a non-hierarchical organization of Dumb type and the absence of a “privileged author” in Dumb type’s collaborative work, S/N. However, the results that I have investigated from member’s interviews on the creative process of S/N along with my analysis of the recorded images of S/N, indicate a different aspect of the author(s). First, S/N was created through, so to speak, the collective ideas of the members of Dumb type. Further, S/N has at least nine quotations from previous performances, installations, and printed writings, besides the work-in-progress technique. Explicating one of the “author functions” as given by Michel Foucault, each text has plural subjects of the author. However, it has been revealed from members’ interviews that Teiji Furuhashi had a decision-making role in selecting the members’ ideas within the performance. Since then, S/N has had plural subjects of creation; however, Furuhashi is one of the subjects of creation along with the “privileged author.” S/N has plural authors (diffusive authors) yet at the same time, it has a “privileged author,” Teiji Furuhashi (cohesive author)
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