Molecular Characterization of Clinical Isolates of Aeromonas Species from Malaysia

Background: Aeromonas species are common inhabitants of aquatic environments giving rise to infections in both fish and humans. Identification of aeromonads to the species level is problematic and complex due to their phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity. Methodology/Principal Findings: Aeromonas hydrophila or Aeromonas sp were genetically re-identified using a combination of previously published methods targeting GCAT, 16S rDNA and rpoD genes. Characterization based on the genus specific GCAT-PCR showed that 94 (96%) of the 98 strains belonged to the genus Aeromonas. Considering the patterns obtained for the 94 isolates with the 16S rDNA-RFLP identification method, 3 clusters were recognised, i.e. A. caviae (61%), A. hydrophila (17%) and an unknown group (22%) with atypical RFLP restriction patterns. However, the phylogenetic tree constructed with the obtained rpoD sequences showed that 47 strains (50%) clustered with the sequence of the type strain of A. aquariorum, 18 (19%) with A. caviae, 16 (17%) with A. hydrophila, 12 (13%) with A. veronii and one strain (1%) with the type strain of A. trota. PCR investigation revealed the presence of 10 virulence genes in the 94 isolates as: lip (91%), exu (87%), ela (86%), alt (79%), ser (77%), fla (74%), aer (72%), act (43%), aexT (24%) and ast (23%). Conclusions/Significance: This study emphasizes the importance of using more than one method for the correct identification of Aeromonas strains. The sequences of the rpoD gene enabled the unambiguous identication of the 9

GLOBULAR CLUSTER POPULATIONS: RESULTS INCLUDING S(4)G LATE-TYPE GALAXIES

Using 3.6 and 4.5 mu m images of 73 late-type, edge-on galaxies from the S(4)G survey, we compare the richness of the globular cluster populations of these galaxies to those of early-type galaxies that we measured previously. In general, the galaxies presented here fill in the distribution for galaxies with lower stellar mass, M-*, specifically log(M-*/M-circle dot) &lt; 10, overlap the results for early-type galaxies of similar masses, and, by doing so, strengthen the case for a dependence of the number of globular clusters per 10(9)M(circle dot) of galaxy stellar mass, T-N, on M-*. For 8.5 &lt; log(M-*/M-circle dot) &lt; 10.5 we find the relationship can be satisfactorily described as T-N = (M-*/10(6.7))(-0.56) M-* is expressed in solar masses. The functional form of the relationship is only weakly constrained, and extrapolation outside this range is not advised. Our late-type galaxies, in contrast to our early types, do not show the tendency for low-mass galaxies to split into two T-N families. Using these results and a galaxy stellar mass function from the literature, we calculate that, in a volume-limited, local universe sample, clusters are most likely to be found around fairly massive galaxies (M-* similar to 10(10.8)M(circle dot)) and present a fitting function for the volume number density of clusters as a function of parent-galaxy stellar mass. We find no correlation between T-N and large-scale environment, but we do find a tendency for galaxies of fixed M-* to have larger T-N if they have converted a larger proportion of their baryons into stars.</p

Controls on explosive-effusive volcanic eruption styles

One of the biggest challenges in volcanic hazard assessment is to understand how and why eruptive style changes within the same eruptive period or even from one eruption to the next at a given volcano. This review evaluates the competing processes that lead to explosive and effusive eruptions of silicic magmas. Eruptive style depends on a set of feedbacks involving interrelated magmatic properties and processes. Foremost of these are magma viscosity, gas loss, and external properties such as conduit geometry. Ultimately, these parameters control the speed at which magmas ascend, decompress and outgas en route to the surface, and thus determine eruptive style and evolution

Pesquisa em enfermagem nas Américas Investigación en enfermería en las Américas Nursing research in the Americas

O artigo teve como objetivo identificar as problemáticas, desafios e estratégias recomendadas nos textos e analisar a aplicabilidade das recomendações nas produções de 2005-2008. Implementou-se a análise dos textos completos levantados a partir da base LILACS. O desenvolvimento da pesquisa em enfermagem articulou-se com o modelo econômico neoliberal e globalizante, o sistema de saúde local, as demandas da população e da profissão de enfermagem. O crescimento da pós-graduação resultou do maior esforço de internacionalização dos programas brasileiros, do aumento no número de pesquisadores e de centros produtores de conhecimento. Conclusão: a produção cientifica inserida na esfera acadêmica continua afastada dos serviços, exercendo pouca influência na formulação de políticas públicas de saúde. As organizações de Enfermagem e afins precisam continuar envidando esforços de superação dos velhos desafios e construir novos sentidos para a pesquisa em enfermagem.<br>Esto artículo tuvo como objetivo identificar las problemáticas, desafíos y estrategias recomendadas en los textos y analizar la aplicabilidad de las recomendaciones en las producciones de 2005-2008. Fue implementado el análisis temático de los textos completos levantados a partir de la base LILACS. El desarrollo de la investigación en enfermería se articuló con el modelo económico neoliberal y globalizante, el sistema de salud local, las demandas de la población y de la profesión de enfermería. El crecimiento de la postgraduación fue resultado del mayor esfuerzo de internacionalización de los programas brasileños, del aumento en el número de investigadores y de centros productores de conocimiento. La producción científica incluida en la esfera académica continúa alejada de los servicios y ejerció poca influencia en la formulación de políticas públicas de salud. Las organizaciones de enfermería y afines precisan continuar envidando esfuerzos para superar los viejos desafíos y construir nuevos sentidos para la investigación en enfermería.<br>The purpose of the article was to identify a problematic, challenges and strategies recommended in those texts and analysis the applicability of such recommendations reflected on papers published from 2005-2008. A thematic analysis was applied to the full texts available on LILACS data base. Results showed that the development of nursing research was articulated to the neoliberal and globalization economic system, the national health system, the healthcare demands of population, and nursing profession. The post-graduation expansion in Latin America was a result of the international efforts of the Brazilian post-graduation programs, and the increase number of nurse researchers as well as Center of Nursing Research. Because the scientific production is inserted on academic field, the research findings do not become healthcare policy yet. Nursing organizations and their partners need to continue making efforts to overcome old challenges and to build new meanings for nursing research