Biology of moderately halophilic aerobic bacteria

The moderately halophilic heterotrophic aerobic bacteria form a diverse group of microorganisms. The property of halophilism is widespread within the bacterial domain. Bacterial halophiles are abundant in environments such as salt lakes, saline soils, and salted food products. Most species keep their intracellular ionic concentrations at low levels while synthesizing or accumulating organic solutes to provide osmotic equilibrium of the cytoplasm with the surrounding medium. Complex mechanisms of adjustment of the intracellular environments and the properties of the cytoplasmic membrane enable rapid adaptation to changes in the salt concentration of the environment. Approaches to the study of genetic processes have recently been developed for several moderate halophiles, opening the way toward an understanding of haloadaptation at the molecular level. The new information obtained is also expected to contribute to the development of novel biotechnological uses for these organisms

Extraversion strategies within a peripheral research community: Nigerian scientists' responses to the state and changing patterns of international science and development cooperation

Labelled ‘giant of Africa’ in the 1970s on account of its promising human and natural resources, Nigeria entered in the early 1980s in an unprecedented period of recession following the domination of corruption over government operations, the fall of the oil market price and the introduction of a structural adjustment programme in 1986. Despite its potential wealth, Nigeria is ranked today as part of the world’s thirty least developed countries. This has, of course, had severe repercussions on institutions of higher learning and the scientific community through the twin effects of the deterioration of working conditions and that of the purchasing power of the academic staff. However, our study, based on visits in nine of the most prestigious research institutions and interviews with forty five scientists working there, reveals that, contrary to all expectations, research has not died. It has, rather, been transformed in various ways along the survival strategies evolved by scientists and the needs of the international community

Economic evaluation of quetiapine versus risperidone in the treatment of schizophrenia

Objective: To assess and compare the incremental healthcare resource consumption by schizophrenic patients because of Extra Pyramidal Symptoms (EPS) during treatment with two new antipsychotics: quetiapine and risperidone. Design: Cost analysis was performed through a decision tree. Time horizon was one year and the National Health System (NHS) perspective was assumed. A multiple regression model was set up to investigate the incremental healthcare resource consumption because of EPS. Costs for psychiatric interventions were derived from the records of ten community psychiatric services, while inpatient costs were calculated from literature records. NHS charges and market values were used for valuing tests and drug consumption, respectively. Main outcome measures and results: The use of quetiapine saved more than Lit 1,400,000 per patient in one-year period. From the sensitivity analysis it emerged, however, that final results are sensitive to changes in EPS incidence rate: quetiapine remains cost-saving compared with risperidone only if the EPS incidence rate with quetiapine is lower than 5.2% and the EPS incidence rate with risperidone is equal or higher than 9.74%. Conclusions: Based on the hypothesis that the two drugs are therapeutically equivalent in the treatment of schizophrenia, quetiapine is economically advantageous compared with risperidone. However, direct comparisons of the two drugs in clinical trials and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis