Expression Profiling of Non-Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus parasiticus Mutants Obtained by 5-Azacytosine Treatment or Serial Mycelial Transfer

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Previous studies found that repeated serial mycelial transfer or treatment of A. parasiticus with 5-azacytidine produced colonies with a fluffy phenotype and inability to produce aflatoxins. To understand how these treatments affect expression of genes involved in aflatoxin production and development, we carried out expressed sequence tag (EST)-based microarray assays to identify genes in treated clones that are differentially expressed compared to the wild-type. Expression of 183 genes was significantly dysregulated. Of these, 38 had at least two-fold or lower expression compared to the untreated control and only two had two-fold or higher expression. The most frequent change was downregulation of genes predicted to encode membrane-bound proteins. Based on this result we hypothesize that the treatments cause changes in the structure of cellular and organelle membranes that prevent normal development and aflatoxin biosynthesis

SASOCP position statement on the pharmacist’s role in antibiotic stewardship 2018

Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed medicines in global healthcare practice today. Their effectiveness is crucial and often life-saving in humanity’s battle against pathogens and infectious diseases. Antibiotic/antimicrobial stewardship strategies and programmes have become vital to the preservation of effective antibiotics and the optimisation of their use. The South African Society of Clinical Pharmacy (SASOCP) has written this guideline to outline the importance, role and purpose of pharmacists in such stewardship programmes, both in the public, as well as the private hospital sectors in South Africa. It also provides an overview of various approaches to antibiotic preservation, behavioural change, stewardship measures, and monitoring strategies

The lipoxygenase-dependent oxygenation of lipid body membranes is promoted by a patatin-type phospholipase in cucumber cotyledons

Oilseed germination is characterized by the mobilization of storage lipids as a carbon and energy source for embryonic growth. In addition to storage lipid degradation in germinating oilseeds via the direct action of a triacylglycerol lipase (TGL) on the storage lipids, a second degradation pathway that is dependent on a specific lipid body trilinoleate 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX) has been proposed in several plant species. The activity of this specific 13-LOX leads first to the formation of ester lipid hydroperoxides. These hydroperoxy fatty acids are then preferentially cleaved off by a TGL and serve as a substrate for glyoxysomal β-oxidation. As a prerequisite for triacylglycerol (TAG) mobilization, a partial degradation of the phospholipid monolayer and/or membrane proteins of the oil body has been discussed. Evidence has now been found for both processes: partial degradation of the proteins caleosin and oleosin was observed and simultaneously a patatin-like protein together with transient phospholipase (PLase) activity could be detected at the oil body membranes during germination. Moreover, in vitro experiments with isolated oil bodies from mature seeds revealed that the formation of 13-LOX-derived lipid peroxides in lipid body membranes is increased after incubation with the purified recombinant patatin-like protein. These experiments suggest that in vivo the degradation of storage lipids in cucumber cotyledons is promoted by the activity of a specific oil body PLase, which leads to an increased decomposition of the oil body membrane by the 13-LOX and thereby TAGs may be better accessible to LOX and TGL

The Maltase Involved in Starch Metabolism in Barley Endosperm Is Encoded by a Single Gene

During germination and early seedling growth of barley (Hordeum vulgare), maltase is responsible for the conversion of maltose produced by starch degradation in the endosperm to glucose for seedling growth. Despite the potential relevance of this enzyme for malting and the production of alcoholic beverages, neither the nature nor the role of maltase is fully understood. Although only one gene encoding maltase has been identified with certainty, there is evidence for the existence of other genes and for multiple forms of the enzyme. It has been proposed that maltase may be involved directly in starch granule degradation as well as in maltose hydrolysis. The aim of our work was to discover the nature of maltase in barley endosperm. We used ion exchange chromatography to fractionate maltase activity from endosperm of young seedlings, and we partially purified activity for protein identification. We compared maltase activity in wild-type barley and transgenic lines with reduced expression of the previously-characterised maltase gene Agl97, and we used genomic and transcriptomic information to search for further maltase genes. We show that all of the maltase activity in the barley endosperm can be accounted for by a single gene, Agl97. Multiple forms of the enzyme most likely arise from proteolysis and other post-translational modifications

Effects of directed observation on undergraduate students' painting

Bibliography: p. 115-123

Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Children

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common occurrence in paediatrics. UTIs present in children as fever, anorexia, vomiting, lethargy and dysuria. Approximately 80% of the time, Escherichia coli is the causative bacteria in paediatrics, however, fungal UTI caused by Candida species can occur in premature infants. With an estimated 150 million UTIs occurring worldwide annually, this paper aims to establish the ideal management of urinary tract infections in paediatrics. Clinical signs and symptoms of UTI in paediatrics are dependent on age of the child. Neonates (0–27 days old) present with sepsis, vomiting, fever, and prolonged jaundice, while school aged children present with symptoms similar to adults such as dysuria and urgency. Diagnosis of a UTI can be done by using a urine dipstick or using the midstream clean catch method in toilet trained children, and using the transurethral catheterisation or suprapubic aspiration method for infants and young children. In the wake of antibiotic resistance, choosing the best anti-microbial agent for treatment is imperative. Whilst asymptomatic bacteriuria does not require antibiotic treatment, amoxicillin and clavulanic acid combination, cephalexin, cefixime and cefpodoxime are the preferred oral antibiotics, provided there are no known allergies. Ceftriaxone, ampicillin, cefotaxime and gentamycin are the recommended parenteral antibiotics, provided age, allergic status and renal function are considered prior to use. Careful consideration needs to be given before using prophylaxis in UTIs and should be reserved for extreme cases