Summary During the last years, the number of human infections caused by opportunistic pathogens has increased dramatically. One natural reservoir of opportunistic pathogens is the rhizosphere, the zone around roots that is influenced by the plant. Due to a high content of nutrients, this habitat is a ‘microbial hot-spot’, where bacterial abundances including those with strong antagonistic traits are enhanced. Various bacterial genera, including Burkholderia , Enterobacter , Herbaspirillum , Ochrobactrum , Pseudomonas , Ralstonia , Staphylococcus and Stenotrophomonas , contain root-associated strains that can encounter bivalent interactions with both plant and human hosts. Mechanisms responsible for colonization of the rhizosphere and antagonistic activity against plant pathogens are similar to those responsible for colonization of human organs and tissues, and pathogenicity. Multiple resistances against antibiotics are not only found with clinical strains but also with strains isolated from the rhizosphere. High competition, the occurrence of diverse antibiotics in the rhizosphere, and enhanced horizontal gene transfer rates in this microenvironment appear to contribute to the high levels of natural resistances. While opportunistic bacteria from the rhizosphere have some properties in common, each of these emerging pathogens has its own features, which are discussed in detail for Burkholderia , Ochrobactrum and Stenotrophomonas .

The rhizosphere as a reservoir for opportunistic human pathogenic bacteria

Bacillus cereus sensu lato, the species group comprising Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus thuringiensis and B. cereus (sensu stricto), has previously been scrutinized regarding interspecies genetic correlation and pathogenic characteristics. So far, little attention has been paid to analysing the biological and ecological properties of the three species in their natural environments. In this review, we describe the B. cereus sensu lato living in a world on its own; all B. cereus sensu lato can grow saprophytically under nutrient-rich conditions, which are only occasionally found in the environment, except where nutrients are actively collected. As such, members of the B. cereus group have recently been discovered as common inhabitants of the invertebrate gut. We speculate that all members disclose symbiotic relationships with appropriate invertebrate hosts and only occasionally enter a pathogenic life cycle in which the individual species infects suitable hosts and multiplies almost unrestrained.

The hidden lifestyles of Bacillus cereus and relatives.

Minireview: The hidden lifestyles of Bacillus cereus and relatives

A sensor is disclosed, for implantation within a blood vessel to monitor an analyte in blood In one embodiment, the sensor is retrievable In another embodiment, the sensor is an immunosensor A signal representative of a reaction between an analyte and an antigen of the analyte is transmitted to an external receiver Methods are also disclosed

Implantable, retrievable sensors and immunosensors

The mammalian safety of Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides.

This study examined the relationship between the delivery of insulin into the peritoneal space and its absorption into the peripheral circulation. Studies were performed in conscious dogs receiving somatostatin (5.0 μg/min) to suppress endogenous insulin secretion, and intravenous glucose (50 mg/min) to prevent hypoglycemia. The biologic effectiveness of the absorbed insulin was determined by its hypoglycemic effect. The possibility of direct absorption of insulin into the portal circulation from the peritoneal space in anesthetized, portal vein-catheterized dogs was examined with radiolabeled I125 insulin. Our results suggest that absorption of insulin from the peritoneal space is volume, concentration, and time-dependent. Maximal absorption of insulin was observed at 50 min when 1.92 U of insulin in a volume of 3 ml was infused intraperitoneally over 30 min. More rapid absorption was observed at 30 min when this quantity of insulin was given in a 1-min intraperitoneal bolus, compared to 30 min of intraperitoneal infusion. Least rapid absorption of insulin followed the delivery of 1.92 U of insulin in a volume of 15 ml. Intermediate absorption of insulin was observed at 40 min when the 1.92 U was delivered in a volume of 0.6 ml. Peripheral intravenous insulin delivery of 1.92 U reached a maximal plasma concentration at 20 min, which was more than three times the concentration observed with intraperitoneal insulin. Isotopic tracer studies, in which radioiodinated insulin was placed into the peritoneal space in anesthetized dogs, demonstrated greater radioactivity in the portal vein than in the aorta throughout a 30-min observation period. These studies demonstrate that intraperitoneal administration of insulin results in absorption of insulin which is volume, concentration, and time-dependent. Thus, the peritoneal space may be an appropriate site for insulin delivery through a transcutaneous catheter.

The kinetics of peritoneal insulin absorption

Five-month oral (diet) toxicity/infectivity study of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticides in sheep.

A positive-pressure implantable programmable pump with an integrated sideport and a detachable catheter was tested for long-term intraperitoneal insulin delivery in 2 diabetic dogs. Programming and refilling of the pump was simple and presented no problems during 28 months of pump function. During pump therapy an acceptable degree of glycemic control was maintained. No catheter occlusion occurred, and no skin erosions or infections were observed. Insulin in the pump reservoir was stable. After 9.5 months of pump function, flow progressively decreased because of insulin precipitation in the valved accumulator. Solubilization of these precipitates using 0.1 N NaOH injected in the reservoir and drained through the sideport normalized pump delivery rates. We conclude that this device is safe for long-term intraperitoneal insulin delivery. The sideport enables discrimination between different causes of pump malfunction and allows for the safe use of an alkaline solution to remove insulin precipitates, thus avoiding pump explantation.

Long‐Term Implantation of a New Implantable Programmable Insulin Pump in Two Diabetic Dogs

Analysis of radiolabeled CHO cell-derived rHuGM-CSF pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in rhesus monkeys following intravenous and subcutaneous injection.

Phillip W. Day

Papers

The kinetics of peritoneal insulin absorption

Five-month oral (diet) toxicity/infectivity study of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticides in sheep.

Long‐Term Implantation of a New Implantable Programmable Insulin Pump in Two Diabetic Dogs

Analysis of radiolabeled CHO cell-derived rHuGM-CSF pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in rhesus monkeys following intravenous and subcutaneous injection.