Search

Bolson Tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) are a keystone species whose burrows are a unique microhabitat for a large number of vertebrates in the Chihuahuan Desert. Through the construction of burrows, Bolson Tortoises modify the habitat, resulting in greater structural complexity. This in turn results in a greater number of niches and therefore in greater biodiversity, providing not only shelter from predators, adverse climatic conditions, and fires, but ideal conditions for reproduction, socialization and feeding of various species. The potential distribution of Bolson Tortoises, eight mammal, four bird, and seven reptile species that use Bolson Tortoise burrows was modeled for the present, as well as for 2050 and 2070. The maximum entropy model (Maxent) included 19 bioclimatic layers and altitude. The models suggest a decrease in the potential distribution of G. flavomarginatus (its distribution was reduced by 85.95% from the present scenario to 2070) and 17 out of the 19 species of vertebrates that use their burrows, in both projected scenarios. This indicates climate change would negatively affect not only species with restricted or micro-endemic distributions, such as Bolson Tortoises, but also those of wide distribution, such as Coyotes (Canis latrans), Striped Skunks (Mephitis mephitis), and Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata). The models also indicate that the percentage of geographical overlap of ≥12 of vertebrate species with G. flavomarginatus will decrease drastically by 2070, thereby reducing the availability of microhabitat (G. flavomarginatus burrows) for these species. Reduced availability of microhabitats could affect the ability of these accompanying vertebrates to hide from predators or adverse weather conditions, as well as to find sites for reproduction or feeding (Lepus californicus, Athene cunicularia, M. mephitis, C. latrans, Lynx rufus, Vulpes macrotis, and M. mephitis). Our work emphasizes the importance of conservation actions to help Bolson Tortoises (G. flavomarginatus), which in turn will benefit other species of mammals, birds, and reptiles that require the presence of tortoise burrows as microhabitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproduction in planktonic animals depends on numerous biotic and abiotic factors. One of them is predation pressure, which can have both direct consumptive effects on population density and sex ratio, and nonconsumptive effects, for example on mating and migration behaviour. In copepods, predator vulnerability depends on their sex, motility pattern and mating behaviour. Therefore, copepods can be affected at multiple stages during the mating process. We investigated the reproductive dynamics of the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis in the presence and absence of its predator the mysid Neomysis integer in a mesocosm experiment. We found that the proportion of ovigerous females decreased in the presence of predators. This shift was not caused by differential predation as the absolute number of females was unaffected by mysid presence. Presence of predators reduced the ratio of males to non-ovigerous females, but not by predation of males. Our combined results suggest that the shift from ovigerous to non-ovigerous females under the presence of predators was caused by either actively delayed egg production or by shedding of egg sacs. Nauplii production was initially suppressed in the predation treatment, but increased towards the end of the experiment. The proportion of fertilized females was similar in both treatments, but constantly fell behind model predictions using a random mating model. Our results highlight the importance of non-consumptive effects of predators on copepod reproduction and hence on population dynamics., Introduction Reproduction, survival and foraging are the three main tasks in the life of any organism. Reproduction and its associated behaviours are condition-dependent, and organisms face trade-offs between foraging, searching [...]

Tetracycline resistance (TetR) has been evidenced as a good phenotypic marker for detection of livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) isolates of the clonal complex CC398. The aim of this study was to characterise a collection of 95 TetR-MRSA isolates, not belonging to the lineage CC398, that were obtained in a previous multicentre study, to detect other MRSA clonal complexes that could be associated with this phenotypic TetR marker. The TetR-MRSA isolates were recovered from 20 Spanish hospitals during 2016 and they were characterised to determine their antimicrobial resistance and virulence phenotypes/genotypes as well as the presence of the immune evasion cluster (IEC). A high proportion of isolates belonging to the CC1 lineage (46%) were observed, as well as to the CC5, CC8 and CC45 lineages (11% each one). Thirty-two different spa-types were identified, being predominantly CC1-t127 (40%) and CC45-t1081 (11%). The IEC system (with the gene scn as marker) was present in 73% of isolates and 16% produced the Panton Valentine leucocidin (PVL). A high proportion of MRSA-CC1 isolates were scn-negative (38.6%) and 52.9% of them were blaZ-negative. A multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype was identified in 86% of MRSA isolates. The knowledge of other TetR-MRSA genetic lineages, in addition to CC398, is highly relevant, since most of them were MDR and some of them presented important virulence factors. Strains potentially associated with livestock (as the subpopulation CC1-t127-scn-negative) or with humans (as the CC45 lineage or the subpopulation CC1-scn-positive) have been found in this study. The use of tetracycline-resistance for detection, not only of CC398 but also of other LA-MRSA lineages should be tracked in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being one of the most representative drug-resistant pathogens. MRSA spread is increasing due to its ability to establish new reservoirs. To this end, the clonal complex (CC)-130 is an emerging genetic lineage, generally regarded as animal adapted and carrying the mecC gene, and sporadically found in humans. Although the MRSA antibiotic resistance mechanisms have been described, there are limited data on systems-wide omics responses to antibiotic stress, particularly at the proteome level. In this study, a gel-based quantitative proteomics approach was performed to assess the cellular responses of a mecC-harboring CC130 MRSA strain of human origin to subinhibitory doses of cefoxitin. We focused on the global response of MRSA to antibiotic stress and upon this treatment, 53 proteins were significantly differentially expressed. Most of the latter proteins were mapped to having functions in cellular metabolism while some glycolysis-related proteins showed a decreased expression after cefoxitin stress. On the contrary, pyruvate kinase, a potential antimicrobial drug target, was found upregulated. Also, quorum sensing, genetic information processing, and stress response proteins were found upregulated. Low-affinity penicillin-binding protein (mecC-encoded) was found in cefoxitin-treated samples. In conclusion, these new findings on cefoxitin-induced proteome changes provide important insights and molecular leads for innovation in treatment of MRSA specifically, and omics approaches to address antibiotic resistance generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

That musical experiences might be part of this way of reading and understanding Ovid, and using Ovid to understand the world, is well worth exploring, for imagining myself to be an associative player-reader moving between period Ovidianism and the keyboard has decidedly enriched and deepened my experience of Couperin's I Le Rossignol i . Proteus - sea god, shapeshifter and seer - appears only briefly in Ovid's I Metamorphoses i , and just as a minor character in the stories of others.[1] Yet he was so central to the late seventeenth-century French conception of metamorphic transformation as to feature in Antoine Furetière's correlated definitions of I metamorphoser i and I transformer i in the I Dictionnaire universel i : I Metamorphose i , active verb. Phantoms and all, I hope to have shown that the potent multivalency of Ovid's Proteus makes his metamorphoses as useful for comprehending the composition and performance of Couperin's fourteenth I ordre i as they are for understanding cosmology, alchemy, oratory, artistry, epistemology, and politics. [Extracted from the article]

Plant diseases and pests cause a large loss of world agricultural production. Downy mildew is a major disease in grapevine. Conventional techniques for plant diseases evaluations are time-consuming and require expert personnel. This work investigates novel sensing technologies and artificial intelligence applications for assessing downy mildew in grapevine under laboratory conditions. In our methodology, machine vision is applied to assess downy mildew sporulation, while hyperspectral imaging is used to explore its potential capability towards early detection of this disease. Image analysis applied to RGB leaf disc images is used to estimate downy mildew (Plamopara viticola) severity in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv Tempranillo). A determination coefficient (R²) of 0.76 ** and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 20.53% are observed in the correlation between downy mildew severity by computer vision and expert’s visual assessment. Furthermore, an accuracy of 81% is achieved to detect downy mildew early using hyperspectral images. These results indicate that non-invasive sensing technologies and computer vision can be applied for assessing and quantify sporulation of downy mildew in grapevine leaves. The severity of this key disease is evaluated in grapevine under laboratory conditions. In conclusion, computer vision, hyperspectral imaging and machine learning could be applied for important disease detection in grapevine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Livestock-associated (LA)-CC398-MRSA is closely related to pigs, being unfrequently detected in human invasive infections. CC398-MSSA is emerging in human invasive infections in some countries, but genetic and epidemiological characteristics are still scarcely reported. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) CC398, both MRSA and MSSA, among blood cultures SA isolates recovered in Spanish hospitals located in regions with different pig-farming densities (PD) and characterize the recovered isolates. Methods: One thousand twenty-two SA isolates (761 MSSA, 261 MRSA) recovered from blood cultures during 6–12 months in 17 Spanish hospitals (2018–2019) were studied. CC398 lineage identification, detection of spa -types, and antibiotic resistance, virulence and human immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes were analyzed by PCR/sequencing. Results: Forty-four CC398-MSSA isolates (4.3% of SA; 5.8% of MSSA) and 10 CC398-MRSA isolates (1% of SA; 3.8% of MRSA) were detected. Eleven spa -types were found among the CC398-MSSA isolates with t571 and t1451 the most frequent spa -types detected (75%). Most of CC398-MSSA isolates were Immune-Evasion-Cluster (IEC)-positive (88.6%), tetracycline-susceptible (95.5%) and erythromycin/clindamycin–inducible-resistant/ erm (T)-positive (75%). No statistical significance was detected when the CC398-MSSA/MSSA rate was correlated to PD (pigs/km2) (p = 0.108). On the contrary, CC398-MRSA isolates were all IEC-negative, predominately spa -t011 (70%), and the CC398-MRSA/MRSA rate was significantly associated to PD (p < 0.005). Conclusion: CC398-MSSA is an emerging clade in invasive infections in Spanish hospitals. CC398-MRSA (mostly t011) and CC398-MSSA (mostly t571 and t1451) show important differences, possibly suggesting divergent steps in host-adaptation evolutionary processes. While CC398-MRSA is livestock-associated (lacking IEC-system), CC398-MSSA seems to be mostly livestock-independent, carrying human-adaptation markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coahuila box turtle (Terrapene coahuila) is an endangered species of chelonian endemic to the Cuatro Ciénegas valley in northern Mexico. It is the only aquatic member of the genus Terrapene and is dependent on permanent and seasonal wetlands. Over the past several decades, T. coahuila populations have declined from habitat loss as the wetlands have dried due to human modification of the valley. We conducted a survey of the status of the species from 2011 to 2018, updating previous estimates of population density and overall population size. We also collected data on sex ratio in each of the 8 wetland study areas in the valley and report a strongly male-biased sex ratio. Our results indicate a total population size of approximately 1791 individuals, based on recorded densities from 0.24 to 3.3 individuals/ha among 539.76 ha of suitable habitat in the 8 wetland areas. This estimate is lower than previous studies indicated, implying direct effects of habitat loss on T. coahuila. If habitat loss due to lowering of the water table continues, this species will become extinct. We recommend conservation measures including upgrading the species' International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List status to Critically Endangered, protecting and restoring key wetlands in the valley, and establishing captive assurance colonies in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tetracycline resistance (TetR) is a marker of livestock-associated MRSA of lineage CC398.Objectives: To determine the MRSA CC398 prevalence among TetR-MRSA recovered in Spanish hospitals located in regions with different pig-farming densities, and the influence of pig density as a key risk factor for its acquisition.Methods: TetR-MRSA isolates (n = 232) recovered from clinical and epidemiological samples during January-June 2016 in 20 hospitals in 13 regions with different pig-farming densities were analysed. MRSA CC398 identification, detection of spa types, methicillin resistance genes and immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes were performed by PCR/sequencing. Statistical analyses were performed to establish the relationships between MRSA CC398 prevalence and pig density.Results: The global MRSA prevalence was 29.7% (6.9% TetR-MRSA/MRSA), with 137 CC398 isolates recovered, representing 4.1% of total MRSA and 59.1% of TetR-MRSA. Among MRSA CC398, 16 different spa types were recorded (t011: 72.3%), and all but two strains were IEC negative. Higher pig-density regions were associated with significant MRSA CC398 increases in hospitals located in adjacent regions (P < 0.001). Linear regression models explained the relationships between MRSA CC398 and pig density (P < 0.001), with an increase of 6.6 MRSA CC398 cases per 100 MRSA per increase of 100 pigs/km2 in a region.Conclusions: High pig density leads to a significant increase in MRSA CC398 in hospitals in Spain, and its combination with a high human population could help its dissemination. In Spain, the prevalence of the zoonotic CC398 lineage is closely related to pig-farming density; therefore, specific tools could be implemented in order to detect its dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixty-eight owners and 66 pets, from 43 unrelated pet-owning households were screened for methicillin-resistant coagulase negative staphylococci (MRCoNS), potential cases of MRCoNS interspecies transmission (IT), and persistence. MRCoNS isolates were identified by microbiological and molecular tests. MLST-based phylogenetic analysis was performed in Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using phenotypic and molecular methods. SCC mec type and the presence of biofilm-related ica locus was PCR-tested. Isolates suspected for MRCoNS IT cases were subjected to SmaI -PFGE analysis and individuals from positive households were followed-up for 1 year for carriage dynamics (every 3 months, T0–T4). Nineteen MRCoNS isolates from owners (27.9%) and 12 from pets (16.7%) were detected, coming from 20 households (46.5%). S. epidermidis was predominant (90 and 67% of human and animal strains, respectively), showing high phylogenetic diversity (16 STs among 24 strains). Methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) strains belonged to CC5 (75%), CC11 (12.5%), singleton S556 (8.3%), and S560 (4.17%). Significant host-associated differences were observed for resistance to aminoglycosides, co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol (higher in animal isolates) and tetracycline (higher among human strains). Multidrug resistance (MDR) was common (68.4%) and associated with human strains. Great diversity of ccr and mec complexes were detected, most strains being non-typeable, followed by SCC mec IV and V. Over one third of isolates (most from owners), carried the ica locus, all MRSE CC5. Two sporadic IT cases (T0) were identified in owners and dogs from two households (4.7%), with diverse interspecies-exchanged clones detected along the sampling year, especially in dogs. A comparative analysis of all MRCoNS, with all nasal coagulase positive staphylococci (CoPS) recovered from the same individuals at T0, revealed that CoPS alone was predominant in owners and pets, followed by co-carriage of CoPS and MRCoNS in owners but single MRCoNS in pets. Statistical analyses revealed that owners are more prone to co-carriage and that co-existence of IT cases and co-carriage are positively interrelated. MRCoNS from healthy owners and their pets are genetically heterogeneous MDR strains that are spread in the community. Therefore, pets also contribute to the dissemination of successful human clones. Owner-pet inhabitancy increases the risk for staphylococcal temporal concomitance with its subsequent risk for bacterial infection and genetic exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the turn of the eighteenth century Jean de La Bruyère and many contemporary authors in diverse literary genres undertook intense studies of character that moved beyond popular portraiture to level moral critiques of the social dissimulation rampant in the era. The literary works from François Couperin's personal library and his musical character studies suggest that he too was intrigued with moral issues surrounding character. While musicologists have suggested connections between the character pieces of Couperin and the character studies of La Bruyère, existing comparisons between the two do not explore the moral dimensions of both literary and musical character studies. In this article, I argue that selected musical works from Couperin's four books of pièces de clavecin participated vitally in the moral discourse of the era, taking up similar subject matter to widely read moralistes such as La Bruyère but employing music to articulate social criticism. By making use of the media of music and performance, Couperin's musical portraits extend the scope and power of literary moralism, enlisting musical performance to critique the social performance of false identities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamics of nasal carriage by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) among healthy dog-owning household members involved in 7 previous index cases of suspected anthropozoonotic (n = 4) and zoonotic (n = 3) interspecies transmission [4 direct cases, identical SA (n = 3) or SP (n = 1) in owner and dog; three indirect, SP in owner (n = 2) or SA in dog (n = 1)]. Co-carriage with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) was also evaluated. Sixteen owners and 10 dogs were sampled once every three months for one year. In total, 50 SA and 31 SP were analysed by MLST, and SA also by spa typing. All isolates were subjected to ApaI/SmaI-PFGE and antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles were determined. All index owners were persistent SA carriers in all direct-anthropozoonotic transmission cases, while only one dog was persistent SA carrier. Owner and dog exhibited a persistent SP carriage status in the direct-zoonotic transmission case. SP was maintained in the index human over time in one indirect-zoonotic transmission case. Only one SP was methicillin-resistant. SA belonged to genetic backgrounds of MRSA pandemic clones: CC45, CC121, CC30, CC5 and CC398. Three individuals carried a MSSA t1451-ST398 clone with the erm(T)-cadD/cadX resistance genes. SA or SP were persistently detected in the nasal cavity of 7 (43.8%) and 2 (12.5%) owners, and in one and 2 dogs, respectively. SA was recovered as the single species in 10 owners and in one dog; SP in 3 owners and 4 dogs; and both bacterial species in one owner and 4 dogs. Co-carriage of SA or SP with MRCoNS isolates was common (30.7%). This is the first study on the dynamics of nasal carriage of SA and SP in healthy pet-owning household members. Dog-contact may play a role in the staphylococcal species distribution of in-contact individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecology of senescence in marine zooplankton is not well known. Here we demonstrate senescence effects in the marine copepod Oithona davisae and show how sex and sexual selection accelerate the rate of ageing in the males. We show that adult mortality increases and male mating capacity and female fertility decrease with age and that the deterioration in reproductive performance is faster for males. Males have a limited mating capacity because they can fertilize , 2 females day-1 and their reproductive life span is 10 days on average. High female encounter rates in nature (>10 day-1), a rapid age-dependent decline in female fertility, and a high mortality cost of mating in males are conducive to the development of male choosiness. In our experiments males in fact show a preference for mating with young females that are 3 times more fertile than 30-day old females. We argue that this may lead to severe male-male competition for young virgin females and a trade-off that favours investment in mate finding over maintenance. In nature, mate finding leads to a further elevated mortality of males, because these swim rapidly in their search for attractive partners, further relaxing fitness benefits of maintenance investments. We show that females have a short reproductive period compared to their average longevity but virgin females stay fertile for most of their life. We interpret this as an adaptation to a shortage of males, because a long life increases the chance of fertilization and/or of finding a high quality partner. The very long post reproductive life that many females experience is thus a secondary effect of such an adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Guggenheim Museum has had many 'effects' on the lives of local citizens and politicians in Bilbao as well as on wider communities such as architects, planners, cultural policy-makers or museologists. This article, however, deals with the effect that the museum has had on the urban governance practices in Bilbao. Urban policy literature has clearly identified that contemporary cities are adopting an entrepreneurial approach to deal with increasing pressures to compete with each other and attract investment in a globalized world. This approach is connected to neo-liberal state policies that threaten social inclusion and democracy. The Guggenheim Bilbao Museum has to be considered within this wider trend and has played an important role in the consolidation of urban entrepreneurialism in Bilbao. The danger is, as I will show, that these practices can be taken for granted without internal reflection, and can therefore be institutionalized in urban policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on issues discussed at a conference held at the University of Edinburgh on July 1-3, 2011 regarding historical keyboard music is presented. Topics include 18th-century organs and carillons, Viennese keyboard instruments, and Iberian keyboard music. Several individuals were featured in the conference including Andrew Woolley, Peter Strauven, and Sarah Davies.

The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamics of nasal carriage by Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) among healthy dog-owning household members involved in 7 previous index cases of suspected anthropozoonotic (n = 4) and zoonotic (n = 3) interspecies transmission [4 direct cases, identical SA (n = 3) or SP (n = 1) in owner and dog; three indirect, SP in owner (n = 2) or SA in dog (n = 1)]. Co-carriage with methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) was also evaluated. Sixteen owners and 10 dogs were sampled once every three months for one year. In total, 50 SA and 31 SP were analysed by MLST, and SA also by spa typing. All isolates were subjected to ApaI/SmaI-PFGE and antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles were determined. All index owners were persistent SA carriers in all direct-anthropozoonotic transmission cases, while only one dog was persistent SA carrier. Owner and dog exhibited a persistent SP carriage status in the direct-zoonotic transmission case. SP was maintained in the index human over time in one indirect-zoonotic transmission case. Only one SP was methicillin-resistant. SA belonged to genetic backgrounds of MRSA pandemic clones: CC45, CC121, CC30, CC5 and CC398. Three individuals carried a MSSA t1451-ST398 clone with the erm(T)-cadD/cadX resistance genes. SA or SP were persistently detected in the nasal cavity of 7 (43.8%) and 2 (12.5%) owners, and in one and 2 dogs, respectively. SA was recovered as the single species in 10 owners and in one dog; SP in 3 owners and 4 dogs; and both bacterial species in one owner and 4 dogs. Co-carriage of SA or SP with MRCoNS isolates was common (30.7%). This is the first study on the dynamics of nasal carriage of SA and SP in healthy pet-owning household members. Dog-contact may play a role in the staphylococcal species distribution of in-contact individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the genetic lineages, and the frequency of antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) isolates recovered from milk of cows with clinical mastitis. Three hundred milk samples from bovine with clinical mastitis were obtained from 30 dairy farms in different regions of Tunisia. Fifteen of the 300 tested samples contained S. aureus (5%), in three cases were MRSA. Isolates (one/sample) were typed (S. aureus protein A [spa], multilocus sequence typing and accessory gene regulator [agr]). The presence of resistance and virulence genes was analyzed by PCR. The three MRSA isolates contained mecA and blaZ genes (one of them also the msr(A) gene), and carried the enterotoxin gene sen; they were typed as t10381-ST4114 or t267-ST4120, and corresponded to agr type-I. Twelve MSSA isolates were recovered and harbored the blaZ (7 strains) or erm(C) genes (1 strain). The MSSA isolates presented seven different spa-types, associated to new sequence types (STs): t426-ST4118, t267-ST4120, t1773-ST4115, t509-ST4119, t529-ST4117, t2844-ST4113, and t2802-ST4112; most isolates (8/12) were typed as t267/ST4120. All S. aureus isolates were scn-negative, except one MSSA of lineage ST4119 that exhibited the immune evasion cluster type D, and harbored the seg, sei, sem, seo, and seu enterotoxin genes. Four MSSA isolates carried the toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 gene (tst). S. aureus (including MRSA) is an important cause of bovine mastitis, showing isolates with high genetic diversity and high content in virulence genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection of vancomycin-resistant-enterococci (VRE) among wild animals represents a worrisome public health concern. The objectives of the study were to determine the possible presence of VRE in faecal samples of wild small mammals in Spain, to characterize the vancomycin resistance mechanisms and genetic lineages of recovered isolates and to know the diversity of enterococcal species in these animals. A total of 155 faecal samples from small mammals were inoculated in Slanetz–Bartley agar supplemented or not with vancomycin (Van-SB/SB plates). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile to 12 antimicrobials and the presence of 20 antimicrobial resistance genes was analyzed. The structure of Tn 1546 and the presence of gelE , cylA , asa , esp and hyl genes was studied. Multilocus-sequence-typing (MLST) technique was also performed. VRE isolates were recovered in Van-SB plates in 11 samples. Two samples contained vanB2 -positive E. faecalis isolates of lineage ST6, which showed a multiresistance phenotype and harboured the virulence genes gelE and asa. One sample contained a vancomycin-resistant E. faecium isolate of the new lineage ST915, with the vanA gene included into Tn 1546 (truncated with IS 1542 and IS 1216 elements). The vanB2 and vanA isolates were obtained from Rattus rattus . The remaining eight VRE-positive samples contained species with intrinsic vancomycin-resistance mechanisms: E. casseliflavus ( n = 5) and E. gallinarum ( n = 3). One hundred and forty-seven vancomycin-susceptible-enterococcal isolates were obtained in SB plates, and E. faecalis and E. faecium were the most frequent detected species. This is the first report of vanB2 -containing enterococci in wild animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in vitro activities of five quinazolinone antibacterials, compounds Q1 to Q5, were tested against 210 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The MIC 50 /MIC 90 values (in μg/ml) were as follows: Q1, 0.5/2; Q2, 1/4; Q3, 2/4; Q4, 0.06/0.25; and Q5, 0.125/0.5. Several strains with high MIC values (from 8 to >32 μg/ml) for some of these compounds exhibited amino acid changes in the penicillin-binding proteins, which are targeted by these antibacterials., (Copyright © 2019 Ceballos et al.)

The activities of four oxadiazoles were investigated with 210 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. MIC 50 and MIC 90 values of 1 to 2 and 4 μg/ml, respectively, were observed. We also evaluated the activity of oxadiazole ND-421 against other staphylococci and enterococci and in the presence of oxacillin for selected MRSA strains. The MIC for ND-421 is lowered severalfold in combination with oxacillin, as they synergize. The MIC 90 of ND-421 against vancomycin-resistant enterococci is ≤1 μg/ml., (Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.)