45 research outputs found

    Clostridium botulinum group III: a group with dual identity shaped by plasmids, phages and mobile elements

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Clostridium botulinum </it>strains can be divided into four physiological groups that are sufficiently diverged to be considered as separate species. Here we present the first complete genome of a <it>C. botulinum </it>strain from physiological group III, causing animal botulism. We also compare the sequence to three new draft genomes from the same physiological group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The 2.77 Mb chromosome was highly conserved between the isolates and also closely related to that of <it>C. novyi</it>. However, the sequence was very different from the human <it>C. botulinum </it>group genomes. Replication-directed translocations were rare and conservation of synteny was high. The largest difference between <it>C. botulinum </it>group III isolates occurred within their surprisingly large plasmidomes and in the pattern of mobile elements insertions. Five plasmids, constituting 13.5% of the total genetic material, were present in the completed genome. Interestingly, the set of plasmids differed compared to other isolates. The largest plasmid, the botulinum-neurotoxin carrying prophage, was conserved at a level similar to that of the chromosome while the medium-sized plasmids seemed to be undergoing faster genetic drift. These plasmids also contained more mobile elements than other replicons. Several toxins and resistance genes were identified, many of which were located on the plasmids.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The completion of the genome of <it>C. botulinum </it>group III has revealed it to be a genome with dual identity. It belongs to the pathogenic species <it>C. botulinum</it>, but as a genotypic species it should also include <it>C. novyi </it>and <it>C. haemolyticum</it>. The genotypic species share a conserved chromosomal core that can be transformed into various pathogenic variants by modulation of the highly plastic plasmidome.</p

    Removal of Sulfur Compounds from Mineral Insulating Oils by Extractive Refining with N

    No full text
    Copper sulfide deposits in the insulation systems of power transformers decrease the dielectric properties of the insulation and therefore constitute a significant risk for the operation of power transformers. Disulfides, oxidized sulfur compounds, thiols, and elemental sulfur, which could be present in insulating oil, have been recognized as the sources of reactive sulfur responsible for copper sulfide formation. Selective liquid liquid extraction using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone solvent was investigated for the purification of mineral insulating oils through the removal of compounds and precursors responsible for copper sulfide formation. The efficiency of the extraction process was evaluated using corrosive sulfur test IEC 62535, SEM/EDX measurements of paper before and after the IEC 62535 test, and measurements of the dibenzyl disulfide concentration in the oil using GC-ECD method. The oxidation stability of refined oils was evaluated using the IEC 61125 method. Precursors of copper sulfide deposits were completely removed from different mineral oils as a result of purification by extraction with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and 1.0 wt % water as a cosolvent
    corecore