671 research outputs found
Even Orientations and Pfaffian graphs
We give a characterization of Pfaffian graphs in terms of even orientations,
extending the characterization of near bipartite non--pfaffian graphs by
Fischer and Little \cite{FL}. Our graph theoretical characterization is
equivalent to the one proved by Little in \cite{L73} (cf. \cite{LR}) using
linear algebra arguments
A note on 2--bisections of claw--free cubic graphs
A \emph{--bisection} of a bridgeless cubic graph is a --colouring
of its vertex set such that the colour classes have the same cardinality and
all connected components in the two subgraphs induced by the colour classes
have order at most . Ban and Linial conjectured that {\em every bridgeless
cubic graph admits a --bisection except for the Petersen graph}.
In this note, we prove Ban--Linial's conjecture for claw--free cubic graphs
A construction of small (q-1)-regular graphs of girth 8
In this note we construct a new infinite family of -regular graphs of
girth and order for all prime powers , which are the
smallest known so far whenever is not a prime power or a prime power plus
one itself.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure
A formulation of a (q+1,8)-cage
Let be a prime power. In this note we present a formulation for
obtaining the known -cages which has allowed us to construct small
--graphs for and . Furthermore, we also obtain smaller
-graphs for even prime power .Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure
The function of integron-associated gene cassettes in Vibrio species: The tip of the iceberg
The integron is a genetic element that incorporates mobile genes termed gene cassettes into a reserved genetic site via site-specific recombination. It is best known for its role in antibiotic resistance with one type of integron, the class 1 integron, a major player in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes across Gram negative pathogens and commensals. However, integrons are ancient structures with over 100 classes (including class 1) present in bacteria from the broader environment. While, the class 1 integron is only one example of an integron being mobilized into the clinical environment, it is by far the most successful. Unlike clinical class 1 integrons which are largely found on plasmids, other integron classes are found on the chromosomes of bacteria and carry diverse gene cassettes indicating a non-antibiotic resistance role(s). However, there is very limited knowledge on what these alternative roles are. This is particularly relevant to Vibrio species where gene cassettes make up approximately 1-3% of their entire genome. In this review, we discuss how emphasis on class 1 integron research has resulted in a limited understanding by the wider research community on the role of integrons in the broader environment. This has the capacity to be counterproductive in solving or improving the antibiotic resistance problem into the future. Furthermore, there is still a significant lack of knowledge on how gene cassettes in Vibrio species drive adaptation and evolution. From research in Vibrio rotiferianus DAT722, new insight into how gene cassettes affect cellular physiology offers new alternative roles for the gene cassette resource. At least a subset of gene cassettes are involved in host surface polysaccharide modification suggesting that gene cassettes may be important in processes such as bacteriophage resistance, adhesion/biofilm formation, protection from grazers and bacterial aggregation. © 2013 Rapa and Labbate
The antimicrobial resistance crisis: Management through gene monitoring
© 2016 The Authors. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an acknowledged crisis for humanity. Its genetic origins and dire potential outcomes are increasingly well understood. However, diagnostic techniques for monitoring the crisis are currently largely limited to enumerating the increasing incidence of resistant pathogens. Being the end-stage of the evolutionary process that produces antimicrobial resistant pathogens, these measurements, while diagnostic, are not prognostic, and so are not optimal in managing this crisis. A better test is required. Here, using insights from an understanding of evolutionary processes ruling the changing abundance of genes under selective pressure, we suggest a predictive framework for the AMR crisis. We then discuss the likely progression of resistance for both existing and prospective antimicrobial therapies. Finally, we suggest that by the environmental monitoring of resistance gene frequency, resistance may be detected and tracked presumptively, and how this tool may be used to guide decision-making in the local and global use of antimicrobials
N-acylhomoserine lactone regulation of adhesion and biofilm differentiation in Serratia marcescens MG1
Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen involved in predominantly nosocomial infections, however, it is also implicated as a common cause of microbial keratitis. Since many S. marcecens strains are also resistant to multiple antibiotics, this organism represents a growing public health problem. S. marcescens MG1 utilises a regulatory system for regulation of swarming motility and exo-enzyme secretion that relies on the production of a diffusible signal identified as N-butanoyl-L-homoserine lactone (C4-HSL). The aim of this study was to determine the role of C4-HSL in surface colonisation (adhesion and biofilm formation).
In this thesis, the development of a novel biofilm in S. marcescens MG1 is described. The biofilm comprises of an intricate and complex structure consisting of long filamentous cells, cell aggregates and cell chains. Two C4-HSL controlled genes (bsmA and bsmB) are shown to be crucial for biofilm formation. It is proposed that C4-HSL regulated bsmA and bsmB gene products are engaged in fine tuning aggregation at a specific time point in late biofilm development.
Since adhesion is the first stage of colonisation, the role of C4-HSL in adhesion to a hydrophilic abiotic surface (HAS) and a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line was assessed. While adhesion to the HAS was found to be C4-HSL controlled, this was not the case for adhesion to the HCE cells. In adhesion to the HAS, mutations in the following C4-HSL regulated genes resulted in reduced adhesion; a sensor kinase gene (rssA), a type I transporter gene (lipB), bsmA and bsmB. These four genes were found to effect the expression of type I fimbriae which is proposed to be the adhesin affecting C4-HSL regulated adhesion.
While C4-HSL is not involved in adhesion to the HCE cell line, the genes bsmA and bsmB are important. It is proposed that bsmA and bsmB dependent HCE adhesion is due to the requirement of these genes for type I fimbriae production. Furthermore, C4-HSL was found to regulate capsule polysaccharide and OmpX production and repress cytotoxic activity against HCE cells and erythrocytes. It is proposed that cytotoxicity is mediated by ShlA haemolysin
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