Evolution of antibiotic resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae: results of Alsace observatory in 2005

OBJECTIVES: Between 1st January 2005 and 31st December 2005, 232 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were collected in the Alsace county from participating laboratories (one from university hospital, 7 from general hospitals and 12 private laboratories) to assess their susceptibility to penicillin and evaluated serogroups of strains. METHOD: The coordinating centre performed MICs by the reference agar dilution test, interpreted according to CA-SFM breakpoints. Others antibiotics (erythromycin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline...) were tested by agar diffusion, ATB-PNEUMO gallery or VITEK gallery (BioMérieux, France) by each participating laboratory. Data were processed, using 4th dimension software. RESULTS: Strains were collected from 151 blood samples, 38 ear pus, 11 cerebrospinal fluids, 8 pleural liquids and 24 representative pulmonary samples. The prevalence of pneumococci with decreased susceptibility to penicillin G (PDSP) is 35.1% (pulmonary samples excluded). The rate of PNSP decreases for all types of samples compared with other years of surveillance 2003 (44.0%). The rate of blood samples decreases for first time between the creation of Pneumococcal Observatory. The high-level resistance tend to decrease and began low. The PDSP are rather resistant to erythromycin, cotrimoxazole and fosfomycin. Among the PDSP, the most prevalent serotypes were 14, 19, 6 and 9. CONCLUSION: Among pneumococcal strains, the rate of PDSP tend however to decrease in 2005 compared with 2003. The rate stays inferior to the observed rates in other French counties where the same decreasing is described.     

Immunization of Macaca fascicularis against experimental periodontitis using a vaccine containing cysteine proteases purified from Porphyromonas gingivalis

INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is a common infectious disease to which Porphyromonas gingivalis has been closely linked, in which the attachment tissues of the teeth and their alveolar bone housing are destroyed. We conducted a study to determine if immunization using a purified antigen could alter the onset and progression of the disease. METHODS: Using the ligature-induced model of periodontitis in Macaca fascicularis, we immunized five animals with cysteine protease purified from P. gingivalis and used an additional five animals as controls. Alveolar bone loss was measured by digital subtraction radiography. RESULTS: Immunization induced high titers of specific immunoglobuin G serum antibodies that were opsonic. Total bacterial load, levels of P. gingivalis in subgingival plaque and levels of prostaglandin E(2) in gingival crevicular fluid were significantly reduced. Onset and progression of alveolar bone loss was inhibited by approximately 50%. No manifestations of toxicity were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Immunization using a purified protein antigen from P. gingivalis inhibits alveolar bone destruction in a ligature-induced periodontitis model in M. fascicularis.     

Validation of an insertion-engineered isoprene synthase as a strategy to functionalize terpene synthases

Terpene synthases are biotechnologically-relevant enzymes with a variety of applications. However, they are typically poor catalysts and have been difficult to engineer. Structurally, most terpene synthases share two conserved domains (α- and β-domains). Some also contain a third domain containing a second active site (γ-domain). Based on the three-domain architecture, we hypothesized that αβ terpene synthases could be engineered by insertion of a heterologous domain at the site of the γ-domain (an approach we term “Insertion-engineering terpene synthase”; Ie-TS). We demonstrate that by mimicking the domain architecture of αβγ terpene synthases, we can redesign isoprene synthase (ISPS), an αβ terpene synthase, while preserving enzymatic activity. Insertion of GFP or a SpyCatcher domain within ISPS introduced new functionality while maintaining or increasing catalytic turnover. This insertion-engineering approach establishes that the γ-domain position is accessible for incorporation of additional sequence features and enables the rational engineering of terpene synthases for biotechnology.

“Insertion-engineering” approach allows for the modification of αβ terpene synthases.     

A high-fidelity,virtual-reality,transurethral resection of bladder tumor simulator: Validation as a tool for training

IntroductionSimulation-based training is used to help trainees learn surgical procedures in a safe environment. The objective of our study was to test the face, content, and construct validity of the transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) module built on the Simbionix TURP Mentor simulator.MethodsParticipants performed five standardized cases on the simulator. Domains of the simulator were evaluated on a five-point Likert scale to establish face and content validity. Construct validity was assessed through the simulator’s built-in scoring metrics, as well as video recordings of the simulator screen and an anonymized view of participants’ hands and feet, which were evaluated using an objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) tool.ResultsTen experienced operators and 15 novices participated. Face validity was somewhat acceptable (mean realism 3.8/5±1.03 standard deviation [SD]; mean appearance 4.1/5±0.57), as was content validity, represented by simulation of key steps (mean 3.9±0.57). The simulator failed to achieve construct validity. There was no difference in mean simulator scores or OSATS scoring between experienced operators and novices. Novices significantly improved their mean simulator scores (305.9 vs. 332.4, p=0.006) and OSATS scoring (15.8 vs. 18.1, p=0.001), while 87% felt their confidence to perform TURBT improved. Overall, 92% of participants agreed that the simulator should be incorporated into residency training.ConclusionsOur study suggests a role for the TURBT module of the Simbionix TURP Mentor simulator as an introduction to TURBT for urology trainees. Strong support was found from both experienced operators and novices for its formal inclusion in resident education.