Direct 16S rRNA gene sequencing of polymicrobial culture-negative samples with analysis of mixed chromatograms

Udgivelsesdato: 2010-AprTwo cases involving polymicrobial culture-negative samples were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with analysis of mixed chromatograms. Fusobacterium necrophorum, Prevotella intermedia and Streptococcus constellatus were identified from pleural fluid in a patient with Lemierre's syndrome and Neisseria meningitidis and Escherichia coli were identified from a petechia in a patient with meningococcal disease

Multidrug-resistant Bacteroides fragilis group on the rise in Europe?

We report a case of multidrug-resistance (MDR) in a strain of Bacteroides fragilis from a blood culture and abdominal fluid in a Danish patient. The patient had not been travelling for several years and had not received antibiotics prior to the present case. We also summarize the cases that have been reported to date of MDR B. fragilis group in Europe. As far as we know, a case like this with MDR B. fragilis has not been described in Scandinavia before. © 2012

Contrasting Dihydronaphthoquinone Patterns in Closely Related Drosera (Sundew) Species Enable Taxonomic Distinction and Identification

Dihydronaphthoquinones are described as constituents of sundews (Drosera), Venus flytraps (Dionaea), and dewy pines (Drosophyllum) for the first time. As in the corresponding naphthoquinones, these reduced derivatives may occur in two regio-isomeric series distinguished by the relative position of a methyl group (at position 2 or 7 in the naphthalene skeleton), depending on the taxon. Species producing plumbagin (2-methyljuglone, 1) do commonly contain the corresponding dihydroplumbagin (5), while species containing ramentaceone (7-methyljuglone, 2) also contain dihydroramentaceone (7-methyl-β-dihydrojuglone, 6). So far, only few species containing plumbagin (1) and dihydroplumbagin (5) additionally form dihydroramentaceone (6) but not ramentaceone (2). Thus, subtle but constant differences in the chemism of closely related and morphologically similar species reliably define and distinguish taxa within D. sect. Arachnopus, which is taken to exemplify their chemotaxonomic utility. The joint presence of quinones and hydroquinones allows observations and predictions on the chemical structures and the reactions of these intriguing natural products

Digitale und digitalisierte Literatur

Die Digitalisierung lässt literarische Textproduktion nicht unverschont. Im digitalen Raum trifft literarische Ästhetik auf neue Möglichkeiten der Produktion und Rezeption. Entsprechend vielseitig gestalten sich deren digitale Erscheinungsformen. Zum einen berührt die digitale Wende den Buchmarkt. Langsam aber konsequent verändert sie dessen Strukturen und Wertschöpfungsketten und bringen ein breites Spektrum an digitalisierter Literatur auf den Markt. Zum anderen resultieren aus der digitalen Wende experimentelle literarische Projekte, die als digitale Literatur in äußerst heterogenen Kategorien zu Tage treten und interessante literaturtheoretische Implikationen bedeuten. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Herausarbeitung der komplexen Berührungspunkte und Differenzen zwischen Buchmarkt, digitalisierter Literatur und digitaler Literatur in Theorie und Praxis sowie die Darstellung potenzieller zukünftiger Entwicklungen dieser Zusammenhänge.Digitalisation does not leave literary text production unaffected. In digital space literary aesthetics faces new possibilities of production and reception. Their manifestations prove to be respectively multifaceted. On the one hand the digital turn touches the book market. Slowly but consequently it changes its structures and production chains and appears as a wide range of digitalised literature on the market. On the other hand the digital turn results in experimental literary projects. As digital literature these projects appear in many different categories and dispose some interesting theoretical implications. This work intends to explain the complex connections and differences between book market, digitalised literature and digital literature in both theory and practice. In addition it provides a close look at potential future developments of these connections

Lehrgang für Entwicklungspolitik. Ein Modellprojekt für die entwicklungspädagogische Fortbildung in Österreich

Der Österreichische Informationsdienst für Entwicklungspolitik (ÖIE) ist bemüht, in Österreich ein kritisches Bewußtsein für und über entwicklungspolitische Fragestellungen und Zusammenhänge zu wecken und eine dafür geeignete Methodik und Didaktik zu entwickeln und zu erproben. Der mit November 1990 begonnene Lehrgang für Entwicklungspolitik sollte ein entscheidender Schritt sein hin zur Professionalisierung entwicklungsbezogener Bildung, zu weiterreichenden und kontinuierlich notwendigem Erfahrungsaustausch und zur Erarbeitung neuer Handlungsformen. Mit dem Lehrgang für Entwicklungspolitik steht damit in Österreich erstmals ein langfristig angelegtes Fortbildungsprogramm zur entwicklungspolitischen und entwicklungspädagogischen Qualifizierung zur Verfügung, das sich in erster Linie an LehrerInnen und an in der Bildungs- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit tätige Multiplikatorlnnen wendet. (DIPF/Orig.

The Effects of Attentional Engagement on Route Learning Performance in a Virtual Environment: An Aging Study

Route learning is a common navigation task affected by cognitive aging. Here we present a novel experimental paradigm to investigate whether age-related declines in executive control of attention contributes to route learning deficits. A young and an older participant group was repeatedly presented with a route through a virtual maze comprised of 12 decision points (DP) and non-decision points (non-DP). To investigate attentional engagement with the route learning task, participants had to respond to auditory probes at both DP and non-DP. Route knowledge was assessed by showing participants screenshots or landmarks from DPs and non-DPs and asking them to indicate the movement direction required to continue the route. Results demonstrate better performance for DPs than for non-DPs and slower responses to auditory probes at DPs compared to non-DPs. As expected we found slower route learning and slower responses to the auditory probes in the older participant group. Interestingly, differences in response times to the auditory probes between DPs and non-DPs can predict the success of route learning in both age groups and may explain slower knowledge acquisition in the older participant group

Use of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification in a Resource-Saving Strategy for Primary Malaria Screening in a Non-Endemic Setting

Malaria is traditionally diagnosed by blood smear microscopy, which requires continuous resource-demanding training. In areas with only a few cases of malaria, a simple and rapid test that can reliably exclude malaria could significantly reduce the need for microscopy and training. We evaluated whether loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for screening malaria parasites could reduce the workload in the diagnosis of malaria. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification was used to analyze 38 ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood samples from 23 patients who had previously been tested for malaria by microscopy, antigen-based rapid diagnostic test (antigen-RDT), and in-house real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The samples included blood with low-level parasitaemia and samples with discrepancies between the results of the different methods. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification detected malaria parasites in 27 of 28 samples that were positive according to in-house RT-PCR. There were negative microscopy results in 10 of these and negative antigen-RDT results in 11. The sample with a negative LAMP result and positive in-house RT-PCR result was from a patient who had recently been treated for low-level Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasitaemia. We found LAMP to be reliable for malaria screening and suitable for replacing microscopy without loss of performance. The low number of LAMP-positive samples needing microscopy can be handled by a limited number of trained microscopists. The time saved on training and documentation was estimated to be 520 working hours yearly in our laboratory. Using LAMP for primary screening of patient samples, we have made a diagnostic workflow that ensures more reliable, faster, and less resource-demanding diagnosis of malaria.</p

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome with cerebral involvement.

Strongyloidiasis is a disease caused by the intestinal helminth Strongyloides stercoralis When the immune system of infected individuals is compromised, larvae may migrate from the gastrointestinal tract to other tissues, causing S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome, which has a reported mortality of 71%. In this case, we report a patient with S. stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. An elderly South East Asian male tourist presented with pulmonary symptoms, fever and infiltrates on chest X-ray. He later developed symptoms of CNS infection. S. stercoralis larvae were found in a stool sample. Microbiological examination of cerebrospinal fluid revealed S. stercoralis-specific DNA. The patient was treated with oral and rectal ivermectin and albendazole. The condition was complicated by sepsis, bacteraemia and hypereosinophilia. Unfortunately, the patient eventually died from pulmonary oedema and insufficiency. This case highlights the global importance of Strongyloides CNS infection in endemic and non-endemic regions. </p

In vitro survival of scabies mites

Background: The correct treatment and management of scabies is expensive and time-consuming, and may have a negative impact on patients and their families. Aim: To investigate the effects of permethrin 5% cream on scabies mites, and explore mite survival times outside the human body. Methods: We performed a nonrandomized controlled study. In total, 20 petri dishes were coated with permethrin 5% cream (treatment group) and 20 plain petri dishes (control group) each had one scabies mite placed in them, and were then observed at baseline and 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12 h from baseline. In the second part of our study, 30 scabies mites from infested patients were investigated in an observational experiment in 30 plain petri dishes at days 0, 3 and 4. Results: Our data showed that 65% of scabies mites survived after 8 h in the treatment group compared with 75% of mites in the control group. After 12 h, 25% of mites in the treatment group and 60% in the control group were still alive. Data from the observational survival study showed that one mite was alive on day 3, but all mites were dead by day 4. Conclusions: This study showed no significant effects of mite survival times with 5% topical permethrin after 8 h, while its efficacy was stronger and significant after 12 h. We recommend the isolation of all mite-infested items for at least 4 days.</p