OBJECTIVES To characterize a novel ceftazidime-hydrolysing CTX-M mutant, designated CTX-M-54, produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolate BDK0419 and to investigate its genetic environment. METHODS Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by disc diffusion and agar dilution methods, and the double-disc synergy test was carried out. Detection of genes encoding class A beta-lactama...

Natural environment influenced by anthropogenic activities creates selective pressure for acquisition and spread of resistance genes. In this study, we determined the prevalence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases producing gram negative bacteria from the River Yamuna, India, and report the identification and characterization of a novel CTX-M gene variant bla CTX-M-152 . Of the total 230 non-dupl...

Ciguatoxin (CTX) (0.1 pM to 10 nM) added to a suspension of Torpedo synaptosomes incubated in Ca(2+)-free medium caused no detectable acetylcholine (ACh) release. However, subsequent addition of Ca2+ caused a large ACh release that depended on time of exposure, dose of CTX and on [Ca2+]. Tetrodotoxin completely prevented CTX-induced Ca(2+)-dependent ACh release. Simultaneous blockade of Ca2+ ch...

The extended-spectrum-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli has rapidly spread worldwide. Escherichia coli has been becoming much more resistant to β-lactam antibiotics and other commonly available antimicrobials. We investigated the prevalence, resistance, and probable gene type of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) using minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) testing and polymerase c...

OBJECTIVES To study the clonality of gentamicin-resistant, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-negative and ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolated from community-onset urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Cornwall. METHODS Isolates were identified by API, susceptibilities were determined by local disc testing, and MICs were determined at the reference laboratory, both interpreted using BS...

Gliomas are primary brain tumors that arise from differentiated glial cells through a poorly understood malignant transformation. Although glioma cells retain some genetic and antigenic features common to glial cells, they show a remarkable degree of antigenic heterogeneity and variable mutations in their genome. Glioma cells have recently been shown to express a glioma-specific chloride ion ch...

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed solid tumors in United States men. Survival with advanced prostate cancer is dismal because of a lack of effective treatments. Overexpression of interleukin 4 receptors (IL-4R) on prostate carcinoma cells makes them suitable targets for the interleukin 4 (IL-4) fused Pseudomonas exotoxin, IL-4 cytotoxin (IL4-CTx). Androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and -in...

OBJECTIVE We performed a single-centre non-blinded clinical trial to compare the clinical efficacies of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and intermittent cyclophosphamide (CTX) pulse therapy as induction treatments in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) vasculitis (AAV) and moderate renal involvement. METHODS Patients with active AAV and serum creatinine <500 micromol/L receiv...