The Bioline EPrints Archive
(3.015 recursos)
Bioline International EPrints Repository is part of the Bioline International system for increasing the visibility and providing open access to research publications from developing countries.
Mostrando recursos 1 - 20 de 2.976
1.
Comparison of the Immunogenicity and Safety of Two Different Brands of Salmonella typhi Vi Capsular Polysaccharide Vaccine - Sabitha, P; Adhikari, MR Prabha; Chowdary, Abhijit; Prabhu, Malathi; Soofi, Mohammad; Shetty, Meenakshi; Kamath, Asha; Lokaranjan, S S; Bangera, S S
Background: The recent emergence of multi-drug-resistant Salmonella strains highlights the need for better preventive measures, including vaccination. Safeand immunologic vaccines have been developed based on purified Vi polysaccharide. Objective: To compare the immune response elicited by two different brands of Salmonella Vi capsular polysaccharide vaccine (ViCPS). Setting and Design: Double blind, randomized (3:1), controlled, parallel, phase III study was conducted at two centres in India to compare the safety and immunogenicity of TypbarTM, the investigational vaccine with an already marketed vaccine "X", in healthy subjects aged between 12 -25 years. Material and Methods: A sample size of 184 subjects was...
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Open Archiving Opportunities for Developing Countries: towards equitable distribution of global knowledge - Chan, Leslie; Kirsop, Barbara
Although the World Wide Web is less than a decade old, it already has had a profound impact on scientific publishing and scholarly communication. In particular, open standards and low-cost networking tools are opening many possibilities for reducing and even eliminating entirely the cost barriers to scientific publications.
One development that has great potential value for poorly-resourced countries is "open archiving", or the deposition of scholarly research papers into networked servers accessible over the Internet. This process allows scientists in the south to retrieve research results from the north through an online interoperable mechanism. Equally, it allows scientists in the...
3.
Bioline Publications: How its evolution has mirrored the growth of the Internet - Canhos, Vanderlei; Chan, Leslie; Kirsop, Barbara
Bioline was set up in 1993 as a result of an increasingly loud rumble of dissatisfaction among scientists about the way research information was (or was not) distributed. The rumble reached a crescendo at a biotechnology/ bioinformatics conference in Trieste, Italy at which Professor Joshua Lederberg (winner of the 1958 Noble Prize in Medicine) deplored the growing gap between the cost of learned journals and the budgets of libraries to purchase them (Branin and Case, 1998). This problem was recognised as being particularly pronounced for research institutions in developing countries (Ginsparg, 1996). At the same time, the appearance of a...
4.
Visualisation of the establishment of a heterotrophic biofilm within the schmutzdecke of a slow sand filter using scanning electronic microscopy - Law, Samantha P; Melvin, Maureen M A L; Lamb, Andrew J
The unique feature of slow sand filters is the schmutzdecke, a biofilm formed at the sand - water interface. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the surface of sand obtained from the schmutzdecke of a newly seeded and a mature slow sand filter. The complex nature of the biofilm formed on the sand was observed. A distinct difference was seen between the freshly seeded schmutzdecke compared to the schmutzdecke from a mature filter. It was found that a larger amount of extracellular matrix was present within the schmutzdecke removed from a mature filter. The images obtained show that sand,...
5.
Analyzing Flow Characteristics and Influence of Biological Growth on Dispersion in Aerated Submerged Fixed-Film Reactors (ASFFR) - Nabizadeh, Ramin; Mesdaghinia, Ali Reza; Nasseri, Simin; Mahvi, Amir Hossain; Shariat, Mahmood
The Aerated Fixed Activated Sludge System is one of the biological systems used to treat different types of wastewater containing organic substances. This paper presents the results of the preliminary phase of a study to determine the performance pattern of such a system treating petrochemical wastewater on a pilot scale. As the hydraulic characteristics of such systems are important factors affecting the behaviour, design and interpretation of data from the reactor, the hydraulic regime of the system was determined using a pulse input of Rhodamine B into the system. Various air supply and water flows were used as independent variables...
6.
Influence of biofilms on the larval settlement of Balanus reticulatus Utinomi (Cirripedia: Crustacea) - Thiyagarajan, V; Murthy, P Sriyutha; Nancharaiah, Y V; Venugopalan, V P; Nair, K V K; Subramoniam, T
Microbial films, which develop on submerged artificial surfaces, elicit variable responses in settling invertebrate larvae. There is no information on the response of the larvae of the tropical fouling barnacle, Balanus reticulatus to biofilms. Therefore, the influence of biofilms and their components (such as bacteria, diatoms and bacterial exopolymer) on settlement of cyprid larvae of B. reticulatus has been studied. Biofilms significantly reduced larval settlement when compared to clean polystyrene surfaces (control). No significant correlation was found between percentage settlement and biofilm age. Inhibition or induction of settlement was observed, depending on the cell density and growth phase of the...
7.
Use of green fluorescent protein for online, single cell detection of bacteria introduced into activated sludge microcosms - EBERL, LEO; AMMENDOLA, ALDO; GEISENBERGER, OTTO; SCHULZE, RENATE; GIVSKOV, MICHAEL; STERNBERG, CLAUS; MOLIN, S REN; SCHLEIFER, K.H.
A derivative of broad host-range plasmid RP4 was tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and this construct was used to mark various Gram-negative bacteria. Video recording of combined phase contrast and epifluorescence microscopy was employed to track the fate of individual marked cells after introduction into a sludge microcosm. Whether the introduced bacteria were laboratory strains or activated sludge isolates. they were found to be rapidly eliminated from the microcosms as a result of intense predation by protozoa. Furthermore, a method was developed that allows detection of GFP-tagged bacteria in fixed samples that are simultaneously used for in situ...
8.
Exopolysaccharide production in bacterial biofilms - ALLISON, DAVID G.
Characteristic of many biofilms is the production of extracellular polysaccharides. These polymers are an integral component of biofilm ultrastructure and are believed to assist in the attachment process and protect the underlying cells from fluctuations in the surrounding milieu. Moreover, in many instances the persistent and problematic nature of biofilms is attributed to these polysaccharides. In this article the composition and physical properties of exopolysaccharides relevant to biofilm populations are reviewed, together with their ascribed function in biofilms and mechanisms of biosynthesis control and regulation.
9.
Methanogenic biofilm: structure and microbial population activity in an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor treating synthetic wastewater. - Araujo, J.C.; Campos, J.R.; Vazoller, R. F.
Specific methanogenic activity measurements and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used as indirect tools to study the microbial population and structure of biofilms formed on sand grains. The biofilms were developed in an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor (diameter 0.08m; height 0.9m) fed with synthetic sewage wastewater. Biofilm thickness increased from 10 to 70 um after 510 days of reactor operation. Reactor bed stratification was observed after one year of operation, and agglomeration of various biofilms resulted in aggregates (2.0 to 5.0 mm). Microbial activities were determined through methane production from acetate, butyrate, propionate and sucrose. Samples were taken from two...
10.
Atomic force microscopy study of the biocidal effect of super-oxidised water, Sterilox - Tapper, R.C.; Smith, J.R.; Cocking, C.; Beech, I.B.
Sterilox is a new biocide produced with an electrochemical system which is marketed by Sterilox Medical Ltd. Sterilox is used in the medical industry in place of glutaraldehyde to cold-sterilise surgical instruments such as endoscopes, and is currently being considered for use in controlling microbiologically-influenced corrosion. The device is simple in construction and operates on the electrodecomposition of brine.
The current study investigates the mode of action of the biocide upon planktonic populations of the sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB) Desulfovibrio indonensis NCIMB 13468, isolated from a severe corrosion failure. The effect of biocide on SRB cells was evaluated using Atomic Force Microscopy...
11.
Susceptibility of biofilms of Streptococccus sanguis and Actinomyces naeslundii to chlorhexidine - Larsen, Tove; Stoltze, Kaj; Fiehn, Nils-Erik
Single species and two species biofilms comprising Streptococcus sanquis and Actinomyces naeslundii were established in order to determine the susceptibility to chlorhexidine of the bacteria growing in biofilms compared to planktonic growth, and when growing in single species biofilms compared to mixed biofilms. The MIC of the bacteria to chlorhexidine was determined by a broth dilution method. Single and two species biofilms were established in a flow model in a modified Robbins device and subsequently exposed to chlorhexidine for 48 h at concentrations from 10 to 2000 mg/ml. Further, two species biofilms were exposed to 1000 mg/ml of chlorhexidine in...
12.
Effects of a Chlorhexidine Varnish on the Mutans Streptococci and on Dental Caries - BRETZ, W.A.; do VALLE, E. V.; ALMEIDA, R.; DJAHJAH, C.; CHEN, Y-M.; SCHORK, M.A.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a chlorhexidine varnish-sealant on the mutans streptococci and on caries outcome variables, in 113 female school-children 10 to 15 years-old, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Subjects were randomly allocated to control (C) and treatment (T) groups, n=55 and n=58, respectively. At baseline the number of decayed, restored, and white spot lesions on teeth surfaces was determined by a calibrated examiner, and the salivary levels of the mutans streptococci were assessed with a dip-slide test. Both groups had their existing carious lesions restored and they were given a prophylaxis. Subjects...
13.
Effect of Some Antiplaque Agents on the Activity of Glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans Adsorbed onto Saliva-Coated Hydroxyapatite and in Solution - Vacca-Smith, Anne M.; Bowen, William H.
The bulk of dental plaque is composed of bacterial-derived extracellular polysaccharide known as glucan, which is synthesized by streptococcal glucosyltransferase (Gtf) enzymes. At least three Gtf gene products of Streptococcus mutans have been identified. GtfB synthesizes a polymer of insoluble alpha1,3-linked glucan, GtfC produces a mixture of insoluble alpha1,3-linked glucan and soluble alpha1,6-linked glucan, and GtfD synthesizes an alpha1,6-linked soluble glucan.
Polysaccharides are important in the development of plaque and in the pathogenesis of dental caries, so we therefore decided to explore the effects of putative antiplaque agents on the activities of streptococcal Gtf enzymes in solution and on the...
14.
Anomalous biotechnologies: Re-examining the case of Genetic Use Restriction Technologies, GURTs - GarÃ, Josep-Antoni
Communication presented at the International consultation on the impact of genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs) on indigenous and local communities and on Farmers' Rights. Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Environment Programme, Montreal, Canada, 3 February 2002.
15.
Implementing farmers' rights in genetic resources: approaches to benefit sharing - Pachico, Douglas
With the advent of biotechnology and the emergence of property rights in genetic materials, the distribution of benefits from genetic resources is an issue of growing importance. Farmer's Rights is a concept that has emerged to seek to insure appropriate compensation to farmers for their contributions to crop improvement and genetic conservation. This paper evaluates crop genetic resources from two points of view: first in terms of royalty incomes that could be earned from seed sales of improved germplasm; and second, in terms of the potential increase in agricultural productivity that could result from improved germplasm. A model to calculate...
16.
Guest Editorial: Agricultural Development as a tool in combating terrorism - Fowler, Cary
Millions of Afghans are facing starvation today, not because of current and imminent hostilities wreaking havoc with their food system, but because of twenty-two years of war, grinding poverty and a third consecutive year of drought. Five million people there have little access to food and no means to buy their way out of starvation, according to the UN's World Food Programme (WFP) (http://www.wfp.org/) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (http://www.fao.org/). Many other countries experience similar problems arising from poverty, conflict and drought. The International Water Management Institute estimates (http://www.cgiar.org/iwmi) that one-third of the world's population will experience severe water...
17.
The Post-Genomic Era Has Already Happened - Thacker, Eugene
This paper provides a critical analysis of contemporary molecular biotechnology, focusing on the fields of genomics and bioinformatics. In doing so, it raises questions concerning the ways in which computerization, economics, and race/ethnicity affect and are affected by current research.
Beginning with two key events in the biotechnology industry - the announcement of the completion of the sequencing of the human genome, and the first total annotation of human genome data - this essay discusses the intersecting developments in both biotechnology research, as well as "infotech" or information technology research. It goes on to highlight critically several of the scientific assumptions...
18.
Establishing the Scope of a Multilateral System for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Implications of Crop Exclusions - Fowler, Cary
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is currently hosting intergovernmental negotiations on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. It expected that these negotiations will result in the creation of a Multilateral System with agreed rules for access and benefit-sharing for a specified group of crops. There are wide differences among governments about how many and which crops should be placed within this system. While much of the discussion has centered around the functioning of the Multilateral System, comparatively little has been said about what effect there might be on crops excluded from this system. This paper looks in particular...
19.
Bioprospecting and the Convention on Biological Diversity: an Ecuadorian experience - Camacho, Raul; Giaquinto, Frances
BG is a small bioprospecting group in Ecuador, first established in 1992. Its work to date has been commercial but its aim is to become self sufficient and to make a contribution to the sustainable use and conservation of Ecuadors genetic resources in the spirit of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). An account is given of BG's experience of working with industry and the challenges of working within the remit of the CBD.
[Editor's Note: Since the drafting of this contribution there has been substantial activity regarding the Andean Pact that will affect future operations in Ecuador. The reader is...
20.
Guest Editorial: Access to genetic resources and the Andean Pact - Canhos, Vanderlei
The publication of PY97001, Camacho & Giaquinto, in Biopolicy has drawn attention to some of the problems associated with access to genetic resources and technology transfer met by a group in Ecuador. Since the preparation of this paper, there has been political activity in the drafting of the Andean Pact that will have implications for such groups. This brief editorial provides information on this that may be useful for others in the region and elsewhere...
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