CENTA as a Chromogenic Substrate for Studying β-Lactamases

CENTA, a chromogenic cephalosporin, is readily hydrolyzed by β-lactamases of all classes except for the Aeromonas hydrophila metalloenzyme. Although it cannot practically be used for the detection of β-lactamase-producing strains on agar plates, it should be quite useful for kinetic studies and the detection of the enzymes in crude extracts and chromatographic fractions

Kinetic Study of Two Novel Enantiomeric Tricyclic β-Lactams Which Efficiently Inactivate Class C β-Lactamases

A detailed kinetic study of the interaction between two ethylidene derivatives of tricyclic carbapenems, Lek 156 and Lek 157, and representative β-lactamases and d-alanyl–d-alanine peptidases (dd-peptidases) is presented. Both compounds are very efficient inactivators of the Enterobacter cloacae 908R β-lactamase, which is usually resistant to inhibition. Preliminary experiments indicate that various extended-spectrum class C β-lactamases (ACT-1, CMY-1, and MIR-1) are also inactivated. With the E. cloacae 908R enzyme, complete inactivation occurs with a second-order rate constant, k(2)/K′, of 2 × 10(4) to 4 × 10(4) M(−1) s(−1), and reactivation is very slow, with a half-life of >1 h. Accordingly, Lek 157 significantly decreases the MIC of ampicillin for E. cloacae P99, a constitutive class C β-lactamase overproducer. With the other serine β-lactamases tested, the covalent adducts exhibit a wide range of stabilities, with half-lives ranging from long (>4 h with the TEM-1 class A enzyme), to medium (10 to 20 min with the OXA-10 class D enzyme), to short (0.2 to 0.4 s with the NmcA class A β-lactamase). By contrast, both carbapenems behave as good substrates of the Bacillus cereus metallo-β-lactamase (class B). The Streptomyces sp. strain R61 and K15 extracellular dd-peptidases exhibit low levels of sensitivity to both compounds

Is leg compression beneficial for alpine skiers?

Background:This study examined the effects of different levels of compression (0, 20 and 40 mmHg) produced byleg garments on selected psycho-physiological measures of performance while exposed to passive vibration (60 Hz,amplitude 4-6 mm) and performing 3-min of alpine skiing tuck position.Methods:Prior to, during and following the experiment the electromygraphic (EMG) activity of different muscles,cardio-respiratory data, changes in total hemoglobin, tissue oxygenation and oscillatory movement ofm. vastuslateralis, blood lactate and perceptual data of 12 highly trained alpine skiers were recorded. Maximal isometric kneeextension and flexion strength, balance, and jumping performance were assessed before and after the experiment.Results:Thekneeangle(−10°) and oscillatory movement (−20-25.5%) were lower with compression (P<0.05inall cases). The EMG activities of thetibialis anterior(20.2-28.9%),gastrocnemius medialis(4.9-15.1%),rectus femoris(9.6-23.5%), andvastus medialis(13.1-13.7%) muscles were all elevated by compression (P< 0.05 in all cases).Total hemoglobin was maintained during the 3-min period of simulated skiing with 20 or 40 mmHg compression,but the tissue saturation index was lower (P< 0.05) than with no compression. No differences in respiratory parameters,heart rate or blood lactate concentration were observed with or maximal isometric knee extension and flexionstrength, balance, and jumping performance following simulated skiing for 3 min in the downhill tuck positionwere the same as in the absence of compression.Conclusions:These findings demonstrate thatwith leg compression, alpine skiers could maintain a deeper tuckposition with less perceived exertion and greater deoxygenation of thevastus lateralismuscle, with nodifferences in whole-body oxygen consumption or blood lactate concentration. These changes occurred withoutcompromising maximal leg strength, jumping performance or balance. Accordingly, our results indicate that theuse of lower leg compression in the range of 20-40 mmHg may improve alpine skiing performance by allowing adeeper tuck position and lowering perceived exertion.Swedish Winter Sports Research Centr