Beta-lactamase activity of Mycobacterium fortuitum.
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Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Biomedical subjects
L Fattorini
Publications and source records attributed to L Fattorini.
Plasmid mediated gentamicin resistance in strains of Klebsiella from hospital acquired infections.
Two gentamicin resistant strains of Klebsiella were isolated at different times from patients with hospital acquired urinary tract infections. Both strains contained a conjugative 81-megadalton plasmid that encoded resistance to gentamicin, ampicillin, cephalothin and mercuric chloride. The plasmid conferred to Escherichia coli CSH26 the same pattern of resistance to eight aminoglycoside antibiotics and gave similar DNA fragments after restriction endonuclease digestion.
Conjugation, Genetic↗
Expression and some properties of beta-lactamase from Mycobacterium fortuitum.
Several species of mycobacteria have been reported to produce beta-lactamases, but only those of M. smegmatis have been purified and partially characterized. This study is a preliminary report of the presence of beta-lactamase activity in M. fortuitum, strain Cow 18. A partial purification of the beta-lactamase has also been achieved. M. fortuitum was grown in either Sauton or glucose-yeast extract medium (GYM) and sonicated cells or culture filtrates were assessed for the presence of beta-lactamase activity using a chromogenic compound (PADAC) as substrate. Cells growing in GYM medium released a detectable amount of enzyme, whereas microorganisms showed only intracellular beta-lactamase activity. The enzyme present in the culture filtrate of M. fortuitum Cow 18 was concentrated by Amicon ultrafiltration and partially purified through Sephadex G-75 and QAE-Sephadex A-50 ion exchanger columns. The spectrum of activity of this enzyme included some cephalosporins (cephaloridine, cephalothin) and some penicillins, the hydrolysis of the former being generally more pronounced. Furthermore, cefoxitin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime were not hydrolysed.
Culture Media↗
[Determination of the date of birth by ultrasonic parameters].
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Adult↗
Somatostatin treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Eighteen patients with psoriatic arthritis were treated for 48 hours with an infusion of somatostatin 250 micrograms/hr diluted in a 5% glucose solution. This therapy led to a reduction of joint pain and satisfactory clearing of cutaneous lesions immediately after treatment in eight patients, less marked results in four, and null in four. Two patients were dropped from the study because of negative side effects during administration of the drug. Fifteen days after treatment, the clearing of lesions and joint pain reduction were even more pronounced. The most encouraging results were obtained on erythrodermic and large plaque psoriasis and on the polyarticular involvement. We suggest that the use of this drug, whose side effects are discussed, should be limited to patients with polyarthritis showing severe cutaneous involvement.
Adult↗
Effect of rosary prayer and yoga mantras on autonomic cardiovascular rhythms: comparative study.
OBJECTIVE: To test whether rhythmic formulas such as the rosary and yoga mantras can synchronise and reinforce inherent cardiovascular rhythms and modify baroreflex sensitivity. DESIGN: Comparison of effects of recitation of the Ave Maria (in Latin) or of a mantra, during spontaneous and metronome controlled breathing, on breathing rate and on spontaneous oscillations in RR interval, and on blood pressure and cerebral circulation. SETTING: Florence and Pavia, Italy. PARTICIPANTS: 23 healthy adults. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Breathing rate, regularity of breathing, baroreflex sensitivity, frequency of cardiovascular oscillations. RESULTS: Both prayer and mantra caused striking, powerful, and synchronous increases in existing cardiovascular rhythms when recited six times a minute. Baroreflex sensitivity also increased significantly, from 9.5 (SD 4.6) to 11.5 (4.9) ms/mm Hg, P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Rhythm formulas that involve breathing at six breaths per minute induce favourable psychological and possibly physiological effects.
Adult↗