Microelements preparations obtained during processing of natural flint affect the physiology and biochemistry of bifidobacteria]

Microelement preparations obtained in the course of processing of flint powder stimulate the biological activity of Bifidobacterium adolescentis 94 BIM, grown on complex and synthetic nutritive media. The composition of the microelement preparations differed in the content of cations and anions. Introduction of the preparations into the cultures of physiologically active or anabiotic forms of bifidobacteria changed the parameters of exponential growth: compared to controls, the cultures were characterized by increased specific growth rate and decreased generation time. In the presence of microelements, the development of populations of bifidobacteria was associated with more pronounced accumulation of metabolic products (acetate, lactate, and ethanol). Introduction of microelement preparations increased the rate of synthesis of the extracellular proteinase (maximum content of the enzyme was observed after 3 h, whereas control cultures attained this level only after 6 h).     

Cervical screening in Luxembourg: 1990–1999

For quality assurance purposes, the results of the 1990's obtained by the National Cervical Cancer Screening Programme (NCCSP) launched in 1962 were reviewed. The positive cytodiagnosis, the histologically verified in situ and invasive cervical cancers and the mortality rates were reported.     

Bayesian Estimation of the Distribution Function of the Poisson Model

This paper presents the Bayes estimators of the Poisson distribution function based on complete and truncated data under a natural conjugate prior. Laplace transform of the incomplete gamma function and the Gauss hypergeometric function have been employed in order to overcome the intractability of the integrals. Numerical examples from biosciences are given to illustrate the results. A Monte Carlo study has been carried out to compare Bayes estimators under complete data with the corresponding maximum liklihood estimators.     

Delimitation of morphologically similar sponge crab species of the genus Pseudodromia (Crustacea, Decapoda, Dromiidae) from South Africa

Stewart, B. A., Gouws, G., Daniels, S. R. & Matthee, C. A. (2004). Delimitation of morphologically similar sponge crab species of the genus Pseudodromia (Crustacea, Decapoda, Dromiidae) from South Africa. — Zoologica Scripta , 33 , 45–55.
Presently, three Pseudodromia sponge crab species are recognized, all of which are endemic to the continental shelf off the coast of South Africa. Two of these differ only in the morphology of their rostral teeth, making them difficult to distinguish, and can thus be considered as cryptic species. In addition they have very similar distribution ranges, thus raising doubts as to their specific status. Discriminant function analysis of morphometric data, differentiation at 10 allozyme loci, and sequence data derived from the 12S rRNA mitochondrial gene were used to test whether specimens identified as P. latens and P. rotunda are morphological forms of a single, widespread species, or represent two, distinct, reproductively isolated species, and to establish whether these two taxa are sister species, and thus form a monophyletic entity. The presence of fixed allele differences at three, and strong genetic heterogeneity at five other allozyme loci, indicating no gene flow occurring between sympatric populations, as well as the relatively high degree of 12S rRNA and allozyme genetic differentiation observed, supported the recognition of P. latens and P. rotunda as separate species. The 12S rRNA topology suggested that the genus Pseudodromia , as presently constituted, is paraphyletic, thus inferring that the morphological characters used to define this taxon might not be useful for phylogenetic inferences. It was concluded that in view of the uncertainties raised regarding the designation and composition of certain genera within the family Dromiidae, further rigorous analyses of morphological and genetic data are needed to further our understanding of the taxonomy of the sponge crabs.     

Haemophilus influenzae antibiotic resistant strains isolated in Moscow in 2002-2004]

The results of 3-year observation on emergence of H. influenzae antibiotic resistant strains in Moscow are summarized. The study included 566 strains isolated from patients in 2002-2004. The susceptibility was determined by the 2-fold microdilution method on the Haemophilus test medium. The percentage of the resistant strains isolated in 2002, 2003 and 2004 was the following: ampicillin --4.9, 3.2 and 3.6%, tetracycline--3.3, 3.2 and 1.8% and co-trimoxazole--10.9, 20.9 and 20% respectively. The strains isolated in 2003 and 2004 were resistant to azithromycin in 0.6 and 1.8% of the isolates and to clarithromycin in 1.3 and 3.2% of the isolates respectively. Five isolates differed by the minimum resistance to ampicillin whereas producing no beta-lactamase (BLNAR strains). The drugs of choice for the treatment of respiratory tract infections mainly due to H. influenzae, i.e. acute otitis and sinusitis, chronic bronchitis exacerbation and sometimes pneumonia remain betalactam antibiotics. From the microbiological viewpoint the inhibitor-protected aminopenicillins, cefuroxime and cefotaxime have no significant advantages vs. amoxycillin. The use of cotrimoxazole and chloramphenicol should be considered inexpedient.