Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Bacteriophage DNA Fraction of Environmental Samples

Antibiotic resistance is an increasing global problem resulting from the pressure of antibiotic usage, greater mobility of the population, and industrialization. Many antibiotic resistance genes are believed to have originated in microorganisms in the environment, and to have been transferred to other bacteria through mobile genetic elements. Among others, β-lactam antibiotics show clinical efficacy and low toxicity, and they are thus widely used as antimicrobials. Resistance to β-lactam antibiotics is conferred by β-lactamase genes and penicillin-binding proteins, which are chromosomal- or plasmid-encoded, although there is little information available on the contribution of other mobile genetic elements, such as phages. This study is focused on three genes that confer resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, namely two β-lactamase genes (blaTEM and blaCTX-M9) and one encoding a penicillin-binding protein (mecA) in bacteriophage DNA isolated from environmental water samples. The three genes were quantified in the DNA isolated from bacteriophages collected from 30 urban sewage and river water samples, using quantitative PCR amplification. All three genes were detected in the DNA of phages from all the samples tested, in some cases reaching 104 gene copies (GC) of blaTEM or 102 GC of blaCTX-M and mecA. These values are consistent with the amount of fecal pollution in the sample, except for mecA, which showed a higher number of copies in river water samples than in urban sewage. The bla genes from phage DNA were transferred by electroporation to sensitive host bacteria, which became resistant to ampicillin. blaTEM and blaCTX were detected in the DNA of the resistant clones after transfection. This study indicates that phages are reservoirs of resistance genes in the environment

Generation and characterization of standardized forms of trehalose dihydrate and their associated solid-state behavior

Trehalose dihydrate is a nonreducing disaccharide which has generated great interest in the food and pharmaceutical industries. However, it is well recognized that considerable batch to batch variation exists for supposedly identical samples, particularly in terms of the thermal response. In this investigation, two standardized forms of trehalose dihydrate were generated using two distinct crystallization pathways. The two batches were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and FTIR. The thermal responses of the two forms were then studied using modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In particular, we describe the technique of quasi-isothermal MTDSC as a means of studying the change in equilibrium heat capacity as a function of temperature. Finally, variable temperature FTIR was utilized to assess the change in bonding configuration as a function of temperature. SEM revealed significant differences in the continuity and grain structure of the two batches. The TGA, MTDSC, and quasi-isothermal MTDSC studies all indicated significant differences in the thermal response and water loss profile. This was confirmed using variable temperature FTIR which indicated differences in bond reconfiguration as a function of temperature. We ascribe these differences to variations in the route by which water may leave the structure, possibly associated with grain size. The study has therefore demonstrated that chemically identical dihydrate forms may show significant differences in thermal response. We believe that this may assist in interpreting and hence controlling interbatch variation for this material

Optimal enrichment time for isolation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus from seafood.

The growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in a liquid medium was compared with that of human fecal flora and estuarine flora. No marked differences were noted between growth at 25 and 37 degrees C for V. parahaemolyticus. However, the marine organisms were strongly inhibited when incubated at 37 degrees C. Incubation for 8 h in an enrichment broth yielded V. parahaemolyticus growth, even with a small inoculum, whereas the marine and fecal floras were inhibited. Therefore, enrichment for 8 h at 37 degrees C appears to be optimal for isolation of V. parahaemolyticus, permitting more rapid results in seafood analysis

A mesoscopic model for the behaviour of concrete under high confinement

cited By 50International audienceWhen impact loaded, concrete is submitted to high triaxial stresses. The experimental response of concrete under quasi-static triaxial compression is studied using a triaxial press capable of applying a mean pressure greater than 1GPa on cylindrical samples measuring 7 cm in diameter and 14 cm high. A numerical analysis of these previous experiments is performed herein at a mesoscopic scale. Concrete is modelled as a biphasic material consisting of a mortar (cement paste and fine aggregates) and roughly spherical aggregates (with a diameter exceeding 2 mm) whose characteristics are applied on a regular cubic finite element mesh. A damage-plasticity model is then used to model the behaviour of mortar. An identification of model parameters on mortar samples and the subsequent comparison between numerical and experimental tests will be presented for hydrostatic and triaxial compression. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Modelling of concrete under high confinement : a mesoscale approach with damage behaviour

International audienc

Strength and damage of concrete under high triaxial loading

cited By 26This study focuses on identifying concrete behavior under severe loading (near field detonation or ballistic impacts). In order to reproduce high stress levels with well-controlled loading paths, static tests are carried out on concrete samples by mean of a very high-capacity triaxial press. Experimental results indicate a sizeable change in concrete behavior with confining pressure. At low pressure values, the concrete exhibits brittle behavior with failure caused by a localized damage mechanism. In contrast, at high confining pressures, the concrete becomes a ductile material, and failure is associated with diffuse material damage. These tests also show an evolution of the elastic characteristics of concrete. A numerical modeling of these previous experiments is performed at a mesoscopic scale. It provides a reproduction of the main characteristics of concrete behavior under high confinement, both qualitatively and quantitatively. © 2010 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Role of molecular mobility and fragility on physical stability of two amorphous pharmaceuticals in the supercooled and glassy states

International audienc

Role of molecular mobility and fragility on physical stability of two amorphous pharmaceuticals in the supercooled and glassy states

International audienc