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Factor XI activation in a revised model of blood coagulation.

Coagulation factor XI is activated in vitro by factor XIIa in the presence of high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) and a negatively charged surface. Factor XII deficiency is not associated with bleeding, which suggests that another mechanism for factor XI activation exists in vivo. A revised model of coagulation is proposed in which factor XI is activated by thrombin. In the absence of cofactors, thrombin is more effective (kcat/Km = 1.6 x 10(5)) than factor XIIa (1.7 x 10(4)) in activating factor XI. Dextran sulfate enhances activation of factor XI by thrombin 2000-fold; part of this effect is due to autoactivation of factor XI by activated factor XI.

Blood Coagulation↗

Detection of creatinine by a designed receptor.

An artificial receptor has been designed to bind creatinine with a color change (chromogenic response) caused by proton transfer from one end of the receptor to the other. The receptor was synthesized and found to extract creatinine from water into chlorocarbon solvents. The color change in the organic layer is specific for creatinine relative to other organic solutes, and it is selective for creatinine relative to sodium, potassium, and ammonium ions. The chromogenic mechanism is revealed by x-ray crystal structures of creatinine, the free receptor, and the complex, showing "induced fit" binding resulting from electronic complementarity between host and guest.

Acridines↗

Pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore, a new chromogenic cephalosporin for rapid beta-lactamase testing.

A new chromogenic cephalosporin, pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore, was evaluated for use in a rapid paper strip or tube test for the detection of beta-lactamases from a variety of microorganisms. A 1-min pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore paper strip test was found to be a convenient and accurate method for the detection of beta-lactamase-producing strains of Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, although it could not be relied upon to detect beta-lactamases produced by staphylococci, enteric organisms, or Bacteroides fragilis.

Bacteria↗

Staphylococcus saprophyticus beta-lactamase production and disk diffusion susceptibility testing for three beta-lactam antimicrobial agents.

beta-Lactamase production and MIC determinations for penicillin, methicillin, and cephalothin were assessed for 67 strains of Staphylococcus saprophyticus and correlated with results of disk diffusion susceptibility testing. Fifty-five (82%) of the 67 strains produced beta-lactamase, and 40 (77%) of these beta-lactamase-producing strains were susceptible (zone size, greater than 29 mm) by disk diffusion techniques. Although the range of zone sizes for beta-lactamase producers was broad (26 to 36 mm), all 38 strains with a zone size of less than 31 mm by disk diffusion testing were beta-lactamase producers compared with 17 (59%) of 29 with larger zone sizes (P = 0.0000008). The median penicillin MIC for 12 S. saprophyticus strains was 0.25 micrograms/ml and was not related to beta-lactamase production. Although the methicillin MICs for 15 strains were in the susceptible range (4.0 micrograms/ml), interpretation of disk diffusion testing for oxacillin varied greatly among laboratories using identically prepared media and standardized techniques. Criteria presently used to define susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to penicillin and oxacillin by disk diffusion are inappropriate for S. saprophyticus. The clinical significance of the beta-lactamase produced by these strains needs further evaluation.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Simple assay of beta-lactamase with agar medium containing a chromogenic cephalosporin, pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore (PADAC).

A new beta-lactamase assay method with agar plates containing pyridinium-2-azo-p-dimethylaniline chromophore (PADAC) (50 microM), a beta-lactamase-labile, chromogenic cephalosporin, was examined. On the PADAC plates inoculated with beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacteria (10(4) CFU per spot) and incubated at 37 degrees C, a yellow zone showing hydrolysis of PADAC by beta-lactamase was formed around the colony. The zone diameter increased with incubation time. Examination with Enterobacter cloacae GN7471 revealed that beta-lactamase activity was present in the agar around the colony, decreasing exponentially with increasing distance from the colonial margin; this suggests that the PADAC hydrolysis zone is formed by an extracellular enzyme. At 18 h, significant correlations were obtained between the zone diameters of the 10 species (clinical isolates) examined and their periplasmic beta-lactamase activities determined spectrophotometrically. The addition of clavulanic acid (0.5 to 10 micrograms/ml) inhibited zone formation on the PADAC plates inoculated with type IIIa, Va, Vb, PSE-1, and Ic beta-lactamase producers. When the clinical isolates were tested on plates with clavulanic acid (2 micrograms/ml), inhibition was observed in 41 to 58% of the Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and in all isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, and Proteus vulgaris. Thus, the use of the inhibitor made it possible to detect penicillinase or type Ic cephalosporinase producers. These results proved that the PADAC plate might be a useful tool permitting easy, semiquantitative determination of beta-lactamase activity.

Agar↗

Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and Pseudomonas keratitis using a thiol-based peptide.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase is a zinc metalloproteinase which is released during P. aeruginosa infections. Pseudomonas keratitis, which occurs following contact lens-induced corneal trauma, can lead to rapid, liquefactive necrosis of the cornea. This destruction has been attributed to the release of both host-derived enzymes and the bacterial products P. aeruginosa elastase, alkaline protease, exotoxin A, and lipopolysaccharide endotoxin. A synthetic metalloproteinase inhibitor, HSCH2 (DL)CH[CH2CH(CH3)2]CO-Phe-Ala-NH2, which we previously showed to be a potent inhibitor of corneal collagenase and alkali-induced corneal ulceration, was tested as a potential inhibitor of P. aeruginosa elastase. Inhibition constants (Kis) for the resolved diastereomers were determined with the chromogenic substrate furylacryloyl-glycyl-L-leucyl-L-alanine. One isomer had a Ki of 0.3 microM, while the other had a Ki of 0.4 microM. The more potent diastereomer was evaluated in vivo in experimentally induced Pseudomonas keratitis in rabbits. Following inoculation of one cornea of each rabbit, topical treatment with a 1 mM solution of the inhibitor significantly delayed the onset of corneal melting and perforation, as compared with the results for the control and gentamicin-treated groups. This protective effect suggests that the inhibitor may have a therapeutic application by delaying the progression of corneal destruction in Pseudomonas keratitis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Specific interaction between beta-lactams and soluble penicillin-binding protein 2a from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: development of a chromogenic assay.

We investigated the enzymatic acylation of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP 2a) from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by beta-lactams. Using a purified, soluble form of the protein (PBP 2a'), we observed beta-lactam-induced in vitro precipitation following first-order kinetics with respect to protein concentration. We used electrospray mass ionization spectrometry to show that the protein precipitate predominantly contained PBP 2a', with the beta-lactam bound to it in a 1:1 molar ratio. Using nitrocefin, a chromogenic beta-lactam, we confirmed the correlation between PBP 2a' precipitation and its beta-lactam-dependent enzymatic acylation by monitoring the absorbance associated with the precipitate. Finally, dissolving the precipitate in urea, we developed a simple in vitro chromogenic assay to monitor beta-lactam-dependent enzymatic acylation of PBP 2a'. This assay represents a significant improvement over the traditional radioactive penicillin-binding assay.

Acylation↗

Chromogenic detection of aminoglycoside phosphotransferases.

A coupled chromogenic reaction (based on an agar overlay combining NADH, pyruvate kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, phosphoenolpyruvate, ATP, and kanamycin sulfate with thiazolyl blue-phenazine methosulfate for detection of NADH consumption) was optimized for the detection of aminoglycoside phosphotransferases (APHs). When used after analytical isoelectrofocusing of bacterial extracts from APH-producing strains, this method revealed one band in each of two strains with a genetically confirmed APH (3') I and two bands in another strain with both APH (3') I and APH (3') VI, whereas no bands were detected in susceptible control strains or in aminoglycoside-resistant microorganisms without APH genes.

Chromogenic Compounds↗

CENTA as a chromogenic substrate for studying beta-lactamases.

CENTA, a chromogenic cephalosporin, is readily hydrolyzed by beta-lactamases of all classes except for the Aeromonas hydrophila metalloenzyme. Although it cannot practically be used for the detection of beta-lactamase-producing strains on agar plates, it should be quite useful for kinetic studies and the detection of the enzymes in crude extracts and chromatographic fractions.

Cephalosporins↗

Change in colony morphology of Candida lusitaniae in association with development of amphotericin B resistance.

It is not uncommon to see amphotericin B treatment failure in patients with systemic infection caused by Candida lusitaniae. We report a patient with stage IV ovarian carcinoma and C. lusitaniae sepsis whose treatment with amphotericin B failed. The initial blood isolate was susceptible to amphotericin B in vitro; however, the MIC for a blood isolate recovered 7 weeks after treatment began showed a fourfold increase. Direct subculture of two positive blood samples obtained within a week of the patient's death showed the coexistence of two distinct colony color variants on CHROMagar Candida (CAC). One variant was susceptible to amphotericin B, and one was resistant. These results emphasize the importance of repeat amphotericin B susceptibility testing for patients with persistent C. lusitaniae infection. The presence of colony variants on CAC may signal the emergence of amphotericin B resistance in C. lusitaniae and should be investigated.

Aged↗

Automation of chromogenic substrate Limulus amebocyte lysate assay method for endotoxin by robotic system.

The chromogenic substrate Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assay method for the detection of endotoxin was automated by a Zymate robotic system. The software developed enables the robot to automatically dilute a stock reference endotoxin standard (20,000 endotoxin units per ml) for the construction of a five-point standard curve, make sample dilutions to the proper testing concentration, and perform chromogenic substrate LAL assays in duplicate. The linearity of the standard curve and the endotoxin concentration in each sample are calculated and results are printed automatically. In 48 min the automated system assays three samples and a reference standard in duplicate along with a water blank. Sensitivity of the assay is a function of incubation time. The assay is linear (r greater than 0.99) in the region of 0 to 1.0 endotoxin units per ml or 0 to 0.2 endotoxin units per ml with incubation times of 10 or 16 min, respectively. The method can be made very sensitive, detecting as low as 0.003 endotoxin units per ml with 30 min of incubation. The precision of the assay method, determined by assaying an endotoxin reference solution eight times, is ca. 6%. The LAL reagent designed for gel-clot assay was modified for the chromogenic substrate assay. We describe the optimum conditions for the performance of the chromogenic substrate LAL assay and stability of the LAL reagent.

Automation↗

Colorimetric enumeration of Escherichia coli based on beta-glucuronidase activity.

A medium containing a chromogenic substrate was developed for the enumeration of Escherichia coli on the basis of beta-glucuronidase activity. In this medium there was an inverse linear relationship between the log initial E. coli concentration and the time taken for the color to reach a threshold optical density of 0.05. This relationship applied even when the E. coli population contained 5% beta-glucuronidase-negative cells. Incubation at 44 degrees C reduced the time taken for color development and allowed the procedure to be used in the presence of a competitive microflora that outnumbered the E. coli population by a factor of 10(4). Sodium lauryl sulfate as an additional selective agent gave no significant improvement. In the analysis of environmental water samples, the technique gave a good correlation with a standard cultural method. The procedure shows promise as a simple method for testing the compliance of environmental samples with microbiological criteria for E. coli.

Chromogenic Compounds↗

Detection of Listeria monocytogenes by direct colony hybridization on hydrophobic grid-membrane filters by using a chromogen-labeled DNA probe.

A DNA probe specific for Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from a beta-hemolytic recombinant clone of an L. monocytogenes gene bank. It was labeled with horseradish peroxidase and used in a direct colony hybridization method on hydrophobic grid-membrane filters for the detection of the organism. Following color development of the chromogen, a commercial counter (HGMF Interpreter) was able to detect and count the organisms electronically. The method gave a positive reaction with 70 L. monocytogenes strains, while showing a negative reaction with 10 strains of other Listeria spp. and with 20 organisms of other genera.

Chromogenic Compounds↗

Purification and characterization of a fibrinolytic enzyme produced from Bacillus sp. strain CK 11-4 screened from Chungkook-Jang.

Bacillus sp. strain CK 11-4, which produces a strongly fibrinolytic enzyme, was screened from Chungkook-Jang, a traditional Korean fermented-soybean sauce. The fibrinolytic enzyme (CK) was purified from supernatant of Bacillus sp. strain CK 11-4 culture broth and showed thermophilic, hydrophilic, and strong fibrinolytic activity. The optimum temperature and pH were 70 degrees C and 10.5, respectively, and the molecular weight was 28,200 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The first 14 amino acids of the N-terminal sequence of CK are Ala-Gin-Thr-Val-Pro-Tyr-Gly-Ile-Pro-Leu-Ile-Lys-Ala-Asp. This sequence is identical to that of subtilisin Carlsberg and different from that of nattokinase, but CK showed a level of fibrinolytic activity that was about eight times higher than that of subtilisin Carlsberg. The amidolytic activity of CK increased about twofold at the initial state of the reaction when CK enzyme was added to a mixture of plasminogen and substrate (H-D-Val-Leu-Lys-pNA). A similar result was also obtained from fibrin plate analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biochemical and phylogenetic analyses of a cold-active beta-galactosidase from the lactic acid bacterium Carnobacterium piscicola BA.

We are investigating glycosyl hydrolases from new psychrophilic isolates to examine the adaptations of enzymes to low temperatures. A beta-galactosidase from isolate BA, which we have classified as a strain of the lactic acid bacterium Carnobacterium piscicola, was capable of hydrolyzing the chromogen 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal) at 4 degrees C and possessed higher activity in crude cell lysates at 25 than at 37 degrees C. Sequence analysis of a cloned DNA fragment encoding this activity revealed a gene cluster containing three glycosyl hydrolases with homology to an alpha-galactosidase and two beta-galactosidases. The larger of the two beta-galactosidase genes, bgaB, encoded the 76.8-kDa cold-active enzyme. This gene was homologous to family 42 glycosyl hydrolases, a group which contains several thermophilic enzymes but none from lactic acid bacteria. The bgaB gene from isolate BA was subcloned in Escherichia coli, and its enzyme, BgaB, was purified. The purified enzyme was highly unstable and required 10% glycerol to maintain activity. Its optimal temperature for activity was 30 degrees C, and it was inactivated at 40 degrees C in 10 min. The K(m) of freshly purified enzyme at 30 degrees C was 1.7 mM, and the V(max) was 450 micromol. min(-1). mg(-1) with o-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside. This cold-active enzyme is interesting because it is homologous to a thermophilic enzyme from Bacillus stearothermophilus, and comparisons could provide information about structural features important for activity at low temperatures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A novel chromogenic ester agar medium for detection of Salmonellae.

A novel agar medium, chromogenic Salmonella esterase (CSE) agar, for the differentiation of salmonellae is described. The agar contains peptones and nutrient extracts together with the following (grams per liter unless otherwise specified): 4-[2-(4-octanoyloxy-3, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)-vinyl]-quinolinium-1-(propan-3-yl carboxylic acid) bromide (SLPA-octanoate; bromide form), 0.3223; lactose, 14. 65; trisodium citrate dihydrate, 0.5; Tween 20, 3.0; ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, 0.035% (wt/vol), novobiocin, 70 mg liter-1. The key component of the medium is SLPA-octanoate, a newly synthesized ester formed from a C8 fatty acid and a phenolic chromophore. In CSE agar, the ester is hydrolyzed by Salmonella spp. to yield a brightly colored phenol which remains tightly bound within colonies. After 24 h of incubation at 37 or 42 degreesC, colonies of typical Salmonella spp. were burgundy colored on a transparent yellow background, whereas non-Salmonella spp. were white, cream, yellow or transparent. CSE agar was evaluated by using a panel of strains including a high proportion of Salmonella and non-Salmonella strains giving atypical reactions on other differential agars. The sensitivity (93.1%) of CSE agar for non-typhi salmonellae compared favorably with those of Rambach (82. 8%), xylose-lysine-deoxycholate (XLD; 91.4%), Hektoen-enteric (89.7%), and SM ID (91.4%) agars. The specificity (93.9%) was also comparable to those of other Salmonella media (SM ID agar, 95.9%; Rambach agar, 91.8%; XLD agar, 91.8%; Hektoen-enteric agar, 87.8%). Strains of Citrobacter freundii and Proteus spp. giving false-positive reactions with other media gave a negative color reaction on CSE agar. CSE agar enabled the detection of >30 Salmonella serotypes, including agona, anatum, enteritidis, hadar, heidelberg, infantis, montevideo, thompson, typhimurium, and virchow, which accounted for 91.8% of the salmonella isolates recorded by the Public Health Laboratory Service (Colindale, London, England) for 1997.

Agar↗

Comparison and recovery of Escherichia coli and thermotolerant coliforms in water with a chromogenic medium incubated at 41 and 44.5 degrees C.

This study compared the performance of a commercial chromogenic medium, CHROMagarECC (CECC), and CECC supplemented with sodium pyruvate (CECCP) with the membrane filtration lauryl sulfate-based medium (mLSA) for enumeration of Escherichia coli and non-E. coli thermotolerant coliforms (KEC). To establish that we could recover the maximum KEC and E. coli population, we compared two incubation temperature regimens, 41 and 44.5 degrees C. Statistical analysis by the Fisher test of data did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) in the enumeration of E. coli for the different media (CECC and CECCP) and incubation temperatures. Variance analysis of data performed on KEC counts showed significant differences (P = 0.01) between KEC counts at 41 and 44.5 degrees C on both CECC and CECCP. Analysis of variance demonstrated statistically significant differences (P = 0.05) in the enumeration of total thermotolerant coliforms (TTCs) on CECC and CECCP compared with mLSA. Target colonies were confirmed to be E. coli at a rate of 91.5% and KEC of likely fecal origin at a rate of 77.4% when using CECCP incubated at 41 degrees C. The results of this study showed that CECCP agar incubated at 41 degrees C is efficient for the simultaneous enumeration of E. coli and KEC from river and marine waters.

Bacteriological Techniques↗

Evaluation of p-naphtholbenzein-beta-D-galactoside as a substrate for bacterial beta-galactosidase.

We describe the synthesis of a new substrate for the detection of beta-galactosidase and evaluate its performance in comparison with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (X-Gal) and cyclohexenoesculetinbeta-D-galactoside (CHE-Gal). Of 206 Enterobacteriaceae strains able to hydrolyze X-Gal, 194 (94.2%) hydrolyzed CHE-Gal and 192 (93.2%) hydrolyzed p-naphtholbenzein-beta-D-galactoside (PNB-Gal). We conclude that PNB-Gal is an effective substrate for the detection of beta-galactosidase.

Chromogenic Compounds↗