Real-time quantitative PCR assay with Taqman® probe for rapid detection of MCR-1 plasmid-mediated colistin resistance

AbstractHere we report the development of two rapid real-time quantitative PCR assays with TaqMan® probes to detect the MCR-1 plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene from bacterial isolates and faecal samples from chickens. Specificity and sensitivity of the assay were 100% on bacterial isolates including 18 colistin-resistant isolates carrying the mcr-1 gene (six Klebsiella pneumoniae and 12 Escherichia coli) with a calibration curve that was linear from 101 to 108 DNA copies. Five out of 833 faecal samples from chickens from Algeria were positive, from which three E. coli strains were isolated and confirmed to harbour the mcr-1 gene by standard PCR and sequencing

Genome sequence and description of Clostridium niameyense sp. nov., isolated from a human with marasmus in Nigeria

International audienceClostridium niameyense sp. nov. strain MT5 is the type strain of C. niameyense sp. nov., a new species within the genus Clostridia. C. niameyense is a Gram-positive, anaerobic bacillus. The strain MT5 (= CSUR P1468 = DSMZ 100441), whose genome is described here, was isolated from a faecal sample collected from a patient with anorexia and marasmus living in Nigeria. The genome is 2 542 841 bp long with 27.44% G + C content and consists of six scaffolds

Deposition time and annealing effects on morphological and optical properties of ZnS thin films prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition

The nanocrystalline Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) thin films are prepared on glass substrates by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method using aqueous solutions of zinc chloride, thiourea ammonium hydroxide along with non-toxic complexing agent tri-sodium citrate in alkaline medium at 80 °C. The deposition time and annealing effects on the optical and morphological properties are studied. The morphological, compositional, and optical properties of films are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDAX) and UV-Visible spectroscopy. SEM micrographs exhibit uniform surface coverage. UV–visible (300–800 nm) spectrophotometric measurements show transparency of the films (transmittance ranging from 69 to 81%), with a direct allowed energy band gap in the range of 3.78 – 4.03 eV. After thermal annealing at 500°C for 120 min, the transmittance increases up to 87%

The State of Planetary and Space Sciences in Africa

Africa has an enormous potential to provide insights into planetary and space sciences, but it has remained largely untapped. Fostering a new generation of scientists promises far-reaching benefits

Africa Initiative for Planetary and Space Sciences

Elevating planetary and space sciences across Africa could help nations reach their development goals. Efforts will require collaboration, creativity, efficient planning, and political will