Comparative bioavailability of three brands of ampicillin

The relative biological availability (bioavailability) of three brands of ampicillin trihydrate capsules marketed in Canada was studied by means of a crossover experimental design and was evaluated by analysis of variance. After administration of a single oral dose (500 mg.) to volunteer subjects, the mean peak ampicillin serum concentration and the area under the time ampicillin serum concentration curve (AUC) were higher for one of the products than for the other two. A second study utilizing the same experimental design revealed no differences in these parameters when different production lots of the more available product were compared. Product bioavailability was not related to the in vitro dissolution time of the capsules. The experimental design and methods of statistical analysis are discussed.     

Mold challenge study in bottled natural mineral waters and spring waters

Microbiological challenge study was carried out to verify the microbial stability of bottled waters against four different mold species isolated from bottled water (Fusarium sp.; Cladosporium sp.; Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus fumigatus) and to follow the growth of the molds in bottled water. Twelve types of bottled water with different mineralization and CO2 level in PET and glass packages were collected from 4 European countries. Three different inoculation levels of spore suspensions were used to contaminate bottled water samples. The surviving colony forming unit (CFU) numbers and visual growth were monitored during the investigation period (26 weeks). The results of surviving CFU showed that the fungal growth is mostly determined by the carbonation level and the type of the mold strain. Neither the inoculation level nor the mineral content had any significant effect on the survival of the different mold strains. Results showed decreased CFU numbers in carbonated waters, while slow decreasing, stagnation or even some growth in still waters. A. fumigatus was the most resistant test species. None of the other tested mold strains survived the first 12-week test period in carbonated water. Visual growth was not detected in carbonated water samples, in contrast to all of the non-carbonated samples.     

Survey of strontium in mineral waters sold in Japan

The concentrations of strontium, calcium, and magnesium in 33 brands of natural mineral waters commercially available in Japan were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The geometric mean values were 94.4 microg/L for strontium, 19.1 mg/L for calcium, and 2.82 mg/L for magnesium. Wide confidence intervals of 1.96-4539 microg/L for strontium, 0.865-421 mg/L for calcium, and 0.064-123 mg/L for magnesium were observed. The significant linear relationships among the three elements over a wide distribution range suggest that the synchronized variations of these elements are regulated by the natural ecosystem and not from accidental contamination from human activities or exceptionally high natural sources. Using the results of multiple linear regression analysis, the strontium concentration can be predicted by that of calcium with the appropriate power function. The results of this study suggest that mineral water can be an important nutritional source of strontium. As trace elements imbalance is often found in older patients with chronic renal failure, we propose that close attention of trace elements intake from trendy foods or beverages is necessary to prevent this hidden problem of a rapidly aging society.     

Search for acid-fast bacilli in bottled mineral waters

Samples of bottled mineral water sold in Italy in accordance with the law on microbiological standards were examined for the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Eighty-four samples were tested, 11 with added carbon dioxide and 73 without. Acid-fast bacilli were found in 1 of the former samples and in 8 of the latter, a total of 10.7%. The mycobacterial count was always very low (2–3 cfu/litre) except for one sample which showed large numbers of Mycobacterium sphagni. This finding was not confirmed in two following samplings of the same water. The other acid-fast bacilli isolated were: M. gordonae (four strains), M.flavescens (one strain), M. phlei (one strain) and Nocardia sp. (two strains) in two samples of different water. These bacilli are not thought to be a normal component of the waters but are the result of incidental contamination. The risk of infection from drinking such waters can be regarded as irrelevant in hospitalized or immunologically compromised subjects who face a greater risk when using tap water for drinking or washing.     

Search for acid-fast bacilli in bottled mineral waters

Samples of bottled mineral water sold in Italy in accordance with the law on microbiological standards were examined for the presence of acid-fast bacilli. Eighty-four samples were tested, 11 with added carbon dioxide and 73 without. Acid-fast bacilli were found in 1 of the former samples and in 8 of the latter, a total of 10.7%. The mycobacterial count was always very low (2-3 cfu/litre) except for one sample which showed large numbers of Mycobacterium sphagni. This finding was not confirmed in two following samplings of the same water. The other acid-fast bacilli isolated were: M. gordonae (four strains), M. flavescens (one strain), M. phlei (one strain) and Nocardia sp. (two strains) in two samples of different water. These bacilli are not thought to be a normal component of the waters but are the result of incidental contamination. The risk of infection from drinking such waters can be regarded as irrelevant in hospitalized or immunologically compromised subjects who fact a greater risk when using tap water for drinking or washing.     

Identification of minireovirus as a Norwalk-like virus in pediatric patients with gastroenteritis.

In 1977, 30- to 32-nm virus-like particles, named minireovirus because of their unique morphologic appearance, were detected by electron microscopy in the stools of infants and young children with gastroenteritis. Sequence analysis of approximately 2,800 consecutive bases derived from overlapping PCR clones of a recent minireovirus clinical isolate showed 52% nucleotide sequence identity with the Norwalk virus sequence and, in addition, demonstrated that the genomic organizations of these two viruses were similar. Our data show that minireovirus is a Norwalk-like virus and should now also be included in the Caliciviridae family.     

Molecular typing of Aeromonas isolates in natural mineral waters

A total of 103 isolates of Aeromonas spp. were obtained over a 3-year period from a natural mineral water and from surface streams located within the boundaries of the watershed of the natural mineral water wells and were typed by macrorestriction analysis of genomic DNA with XbaI and by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. All Aeromonas caviae isolates from the natural mineral water belonged to the same clone, and an analogous clonal identity was found among Aeromonas hydrophila isolates. These two clones expressed no hemolytic or cytotoxic activities. Aeromonas isolates from surface waters showed high molecular heterogeneity and were not related to the clones found in the natural mineral water. The presence of aeromonads chronically found in the natural mineral water was a likely consequence of a localized development of a biofilm, with no exogenous contamination of the aquifer. Molecular fingerprinting of drinking water isolates is a useful tool in explaining possible reasons for bacterial occurrences.     

三株新城疫病毒强毒株的生物学特性及全基因组序列分析

2009～2011年从北方发病鸡群和鸭群中分离出3株新城疫病毒（Newcastle disease virus,NDV）。通过致病性指数测定及交叉血凝抑制试验初步分析了3个毒株的毒力和相互之间的同源性。选取鸡源分离株SDLY01与新城疫疫苗株（LaSota）进行了交叉保护试验,选取鸭源毒株SD03对樱桃谷鸭进行攻毒实验,同时设计引物对3个毒株进行了全基因组测序,并与36株NDV参考株进行了分子进化分析。结果表明3个分离株F蛋白裂解位点的氨基酸序列均为112R-R-Q-K-R-F117符合强毒株的序列特征,并与致病性指数测定结果相符。交叉血凝抑制试验发现3个分离株与疫苗株LaSota 的抗原同源性较低为82.5%～89.4%,两个鸡源分离株间的抗原同源性为90%,而鸭源毒株SD03与鸡源毒株SDSG01同源性为100%。交叉保护试验和攻毒实验结果显示传统的LaSota疫苗能对SDLY01流行株提供100%免疫保护,但第5天仍检测到排毒;鸭源毒株SD03对樱桃谷鸭不致病,但能检出排毒,排毒期最长为5d。全基因组测序与分析表明3个毒株基因组长度均为15192bp,属于基因Ⅶd型毒株,与同期流行的鹅源及鸭源NDV毒株之间全基因组核苷酸序列具有高度的同源性,揭示鸭源、鹅源NDV与鸡源NDV在遗传学和流行病学上密切相关。     

Open reading frame 1 of the Norwalk-like virus Camberwell: completion of sequence and expression in mammalian cells

The ORF1 sequence was determined for Camberwell virus, a genogroup 2 Norwalk-like virus, completing the full genome of 7,555 nucleotides. ORF1 cDNA was cloned into a simian virus 40-based expression vector, and the viral proteins synthesized following transfection into COS cells were analyzed. By using antisera directed against the helicase, protease, or polymerase regions, eight polypeptides ranging in size from 19 to 117 kDa were detected by radioimmunoprecipitation. The cleavage sites determining the amino and carboxy termini of the 3C-like protease were identified at E(1008)/A and E(1189)/G, respectively.     

Iron bacteria of the genus Siderocapsa in mineral waters.

The occurrence of iron bacteria in mineral waters has been under study. It could be shown that Siderocapsa caronata Redlinger 1931 and S. treubii Molisch 1909 are synonymous, as well as S. eusphaera Skuja 1948 and S. major Molisch 1909, and S. botryoides Berger 1949 and S. monoica 1922. Two new species, S. hexagonata and S. quadrata, have been described. A simplified key for determining the species of the genus Sideracapsa is presented.     

Polypeptide p41 of a Norwalk-like virus is a nucleic acid-independent nucleoside triphosphatase

Southampton virus (SHV) is a member of the Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs), one of four genera of the family Caliciviridae. The genome of SHV contains three open reading frames (ORFs). ORF 1 encodes a polyprotein that is autocatalytically processed into six proteins, one of which is p41. p41 shares sequence motifs with protein 2C of picornaviruses and superfamily 3 helicases. We have expressed p41 of SHV in bacteria. Purified p41 exhibited nucleoside triphosphate (NTP)-binding and NTP hydrolysis activities. The NTPase activity was not stimulated by single-stranded nucleic acids. SHV p41 had no detectable helicase activity. Protein sequence comparison between the consensus sequences of NLV p41 and enterovirus protein 2C revealed regions of high similarity. According to secondary structure prediction, the conserved regions were located within a putative central domain of alpha helices and beta strands. This study reveals for the first time an NTPase activity associated with a calicivirus-encoded protein. Based on enzymatic properties and sequence information, a functional relationship between NLV p41 and enterovirus 2C is discussed in regard to the role of 2C-like proteins in virus replication.     

Microbial purification technique of mineral dressing plants reject waters

Abstract: Earlier investigations on laboratory and pilot plant scale have shown the resort to microorganisms to be a practicable approach to the problem of purifying mineral dressing plant reject waters from residual flotation reagents and/or metal ions. In spite of the proven effectiveness of this method, one major drawback, namely the pathogenicity of some microorganisms, has so far hampered its application on a commercial scale. A research programme, aimed at developing a microbial reject water purification technique utilizing non-pathogenic strains was thus drawn up and is currently being implemented. Strains such as Bacillus subtilis, Saccharomyces cerevisiiae, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus , which are not harmful to human health, some of them being commonly found in the human intestine, have been successfully tested for removing alkylsulphates, alkylamines and fany acids from solutions simulating flotation plant tailings waters. Removals as high as 90% in less than 48 h can be easily achieved with no nutrient requirements, since in most cases the flotation reagent residue to be removed is metabolized by the microorganisms themselves.     

Natural and recombinant luminescent microorganisms in biotoxicity testing of mineral waters

We have developed methods of biotesting mineral waters involving use of natural or recombinant luminescent strains with elimination of the effect of degree of mineralization and pH. To overcome the adverse effect of high salt concentrations, disguising the action of chemical pollutants, a special method of mineral water sample preparation is proposed. In this method, the marine luminescent bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum (Microbiosensor B-17 677f) is used as a test object. Samples to be analyzed are supplemented with NaCl depending on their natural degree of mineralization to adjust it to 30 g/l. Another approach, more universal and efficient, involves pH adjustment in the samples to 7.5. This value is suitable for application of both Microbiosensor B-17 677f and the recombinant Escherichia coli strain harboring the cloned lux operon of P. leiognathi (Ecolum-9). It has been shown that this treatment, retaining the natural luminescence level of the bacterial biosensors, allows bioluminescent detection of exogenous pollutants added to the samples, including benzene and Cr(VI).     

Heterotrophic bacterial populations in the mineral waters of thermal springs in Spain

The microbiological quality and heterotrophic bacterial populations of 26 thermal mineral water springs in Spain were studied. In most of the springs the number of viable aerobes was less than 10³ cfu ml^-1 and the number of sporulated bacteria less than 10² cfu ml^-1. No significant differences were foundin the counts obtained with Plate Count Agar (PCA) and PCA diluted 1 : 10 and incubated at 22°, 37° and 45°C. Total coliforms were found in 14 springs, faecal streptococci in three, spores of sulphite-reducing Clostridium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in seven. Neither Escherichia coli nor Staphylococcus aureus were found. A total of 665 strains were isolated and 85·4% of these identified; 329 were Gram-positive and 239 were Gram-negative. The genera most prevalent present in the springs were Pseudomonas (in 92.3%), Bacillus (65.4%), Enterobacter, Micrococcus and Staphylococcus (50%), Acinetobacter (42.3%), Arthrobacter (38.4%), Clostridium (27%) and Xanthomonas (23%). Gram-negative bacteria predominated in the mesothermal springs and Gram-positive bacteria in the hyper- and hypothermal springs. The most common Gram-negative rod species isolated were Ps. fluorescens, Ps. aeruginosa, Ps. putida, Ent. agglomerans, Ent. sakazakii, Ac. calcoaceticus and Ent. amnigenus.