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.     

mtDNA diversity in rhesus monkeys reveals overestimates of divergence time and paraphyly with neighboring species

Reconstructions of the human-African great ape phylogeny by using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been subject to considerable debate. One confounding factor may be the lack of data on intraspecific variation. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effect of intraspecific mtDNA diversity on the phylogenetic reconstruction of another Plio- Pleistocene radiation of higher primates, the fascicularis group of macaque (Macaca) monkey species. Fifteen endonucleases were used to identify 10 haplotypes of 40-47 restriction sites in M. mulatta, which were compared with similar data for the other members of this species group. Interpopulational, intraspecific mtDNA diversity was large (0.5%- 4.5%), and estimates of divergence time and branching order incorporating this variation were substantially different from those based on single representatives of each species. We conclude that intraspecific mtDNA diversity is substantial in at least some primate species. Consequently, without prior information on the extent of genetic diversity within a particular species, intraspecific variation must be assessed and accounted for when reconstructing primate phylogenies. Further, we question the reliability of hominoid mtDNA phylogenies, based as they are on one or a few representatives of each species, in an already depauperate superfamily of primates.      

Conduct of Bacillus subtilis transformation in mice under conditions of immunologic suppression of exogenous DNAase 1 activity]

Bacillus subtilis transformation was conducted in the abdominal cavity of mice. The frequency of transformation was considerable decreased when bovine DNA-ase 1 (3-- 5microgram) was injected intraperitoneally to these animals. Immune rabbit gamma-globulins containing antibodies to bovine DNA-ase 1 inhibited in vivo the activity of DNA-ase 1, protected transforming DNA from the hydrolyzing effect of this enzyme. This model can be utilized in search for ways to preserve DNA injected into the animal organism for the purpose of genetical engineering.     

An invisible ubiquitin conformation is required for efficient phosphorylation by PINK1

The Ser/Thr protein kinase PINK1 phosphorylates the well‐folded, globular protein ubiquitin (Ub) at a relatively protected site, Ser65. We previously showed that Ser65 phosphorylation results in a conformational change in which Ub adopts a dynamic equilibrium between the known, common Ub conformation and a distinct, second conformation wherein the last β‐strand is retracted to extend the Ser65 loop and shorten the C‐terminal tail. We show using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) nuclear magnetic resonance experiments that a similar, C‐terminally retracted (Ub‐CR) conformation also exists at low population in wild‐type Ub. Point mutations in the moving β5 and neighbouring β‐strands shift the Ub/Ub‐CR equilibrium. This enabled functional studies of the two states, and we show that while the Ub‐CR conformation is defective for conjugation, it demonstrates improved binding to PINK1 through its extended Ser65 loop, and is a superior PINK1 substrate. Together our data suggest that PINK1 utilises a lowly populated yet more suitable Ub‐CR conformation of Ub for efficient phosphorylation. Our findings could be relevant for many kinases that phosphorylate residues in folded protein domains.     

Antigenic properties of genetic recombinants of serologically typed E. coli]

The conjugation between the typed strains of E. coli belonging to various serological groups and conjugation between typed and untyped E. coli strains were studied. Genetic determinant controlling the synthesis of the O100 antigen proved to be closely linked with histidine locus. Among recombinants obtained in crossing the typed E. coli strains there were such belonging to the serological type different from the serological types of donor and recipient cells.     

From recommendation to action: psychosocial factors influencing physician intention to use Health Technology Assessment (HTA) recommendations

Background

The Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) Project has been investigating the implementation of evidence-based mental health practices (Assertive Community Treatment, Family Psychoeducation, Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment, Illness Management and Recovery, and Supported Employment) in state public mental health systems in the United States since 2001. To date, Project findings have yielded valuable insights into implementation strategy characteristics and effectiveness. This paper reports results of an effort to identify and classify state-level implementation activities and strategies employed across the eight states participating in the Project.

Methods

Content analysis and Greenhalgh et al's (2004) definition of innovation were used to identify and classify state-level activities employed during three phases of EBP implementation: Pre-Implementation, Initial Implementation and Sustainability Planning. Activities were coded from site visit reports created from documents and notes from key informant interviews conducted during two periods, Fall 2002 – Spring 2003, and Spring 2004. Frequency counts and rank-order analyses were used to examine patterns of implementation activities and strategies employed across the three phases of implementation.

Results

One hundred and six discreet implementation activities and strategies were identified as innovative and were classified into five categories: 1) state infrastructure building and commitment, 2) stakeholder relationship building and communications, 3) financing, 4) continuous quality management, and 5) service delivery practices and training. Implementation activities from different categories were employed at different phases of implementation.

Conclusion

Insights into effective strategies for implementing EBPs in mental health and other health sectors require qualitative and quantitative research that seeks to: a) empirically test the effects of tools and methods used to implement EBPs, and b) establish a stronger evidence-base from which to plan, implement and sustain such efforts. This paper offers a classification scheme and list of innovative implementation activities and strategies. The classification scheme offers potential value for future studies that seek to assess the effects of various implementation processes, and helps establish widely accepted standards and criteria that can be used to assess the value of innovative activities and strategies.