University of Guelph

About: University of Guelph is a education organization based out in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 26542 authors who have published 50553 publications receiving 1715255 citations. The organization is also known as: U of G & Guelph University.

Invasive potential of gut mucosa-derived Fusobacterium nucleatum positively correlates with IBD status of the host.

Abstract: Background: Fusobacterium nucleatum is a heterogeneous oral pathogen that is also a common resident of the human gut mucosa. Given that some strains of F. nucleatum are known to be invasive and proinflammatory in the oral mucosa, we compared strains isolated from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with strains isolated from healthy controls to determine 1) whether this species was more commonly associated with IBD patients; and 2) whether gut-derived F. nucleatum strains from IBD patients showed an increased capacity for invasion. Methods: Biopsy material was obtained from 56 adult patients undergoing colonoscopy for colon cancer screening purposes or assessment of irritable bowel syndrome status (34 patients), or to assess for presence of gastrointestinal disease (i.e., IBD or indeterminate colitis, 22 patients). We enumerated Fusobacterium spp. strains isolated from human gut biopsy material in a blinded fashion, and then compared the virulence potential of a subset of F. nucleatum strains using an invasion assay in a Caco-2 model system. Results: Fusobacterium spp. were isolated from 63.6% of patients with gastrointestinal disease compared to 26.5% of healthy controls (P ¼ 0.01). In total, 69% of all Fusobacterium spp. recovered from patients were identified as F. nucleatum. F. nucleatum strains originating from inflamed biopsy tissue from IBD patients were significantly more invasive in a Caco-2 cell invasion assay than strains that were isolated from healthy tissue from either IBD patients or control patients (P < 0.05 to 0.001). Conclusions: This study indicates that colonization of the intestinal mucosa by highly invasive strains of F. nucleatum may be a useful biomarker for gastrointestinal disease. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;17:1971–1978)

Seeing the State: Governance and Governmentality in India

Abstract: Part I. The State and the Poor: 1. Seeing the state 2. Technologies of rule and the war on poverty Part II. The Everyday State and Society: 3. Meeting the state 4. Participation 5. Governance 6. Political society Part III. The Poor and the State: 7. Protesting the state 8. Postcolonialism, development studies and spaces of empowerment 9. Postscript: development ethics and the ethics of critique.

Clonal spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in Europe and North America: an international multicentre study

Abstract: gentamicin/kanamycin [aac(6 ′ )-Ie‐aph(2 ′ )-Ia] (88.3%), kanamycin [aph(3 ′ )-III] (90.3%), streptomycin [ant(6 ′ )Ia] (90.3%), streptothricin (sat4) (90.3%), macrolides and/or lincosamides [erm(B), lnu(A)] (89.3%), fluoroquinolones (87.4%), tetracycline [tet(M) and/or tet(K)] (69.9%), chloramphenicol (catpC221) (57.3%) and rifampicin (1.9%). Conclusions: Two major clonal MRSP lineages have disseminated in Europe (ST71-J-t02-II ‐III) and North America (ST68-C-t06-V). Regardless of their geographical or clonal origin, the isolates displayed resistance to the major classes of antibiotics used in veterinary medicine and thus infections caused by MRSP isolates represent a serious therapeutic challenge.

Autopolyploidy in angiosperms: Have we grossly underestimated the number of species?

Abstract: Many species comprise multiple cytotypes that represent autopolyploids, or presumed autopolyploids, of the basic diploid cytotype. However, rarely has an autopolyploid been formally named and considered to represent a species distinct from its diploid progenitor (Zea diploperennis and Z. perennis represent a rare example). The major reasons why autopolyploids have not been named as distinct species are: (1) tradition of including multiple cytotypes in a single named species; and (2) tradition and convenience of adhering to a broad morphology-based taxonomic (or phenetic) species concept. As a result, plant biologists have underrepresented the distinct biological entities that actually exist in nature. Although it may seem "practical" to include morphologically highly similar cytotypes in one species, this practice obscures insights into evolution and speciation and hinders conservation. However, we do not suggest that all cytotypes should be named; each case must be carefully considered. A number of species comprising multiple cytotypes have been thoroughly investigated. Drawing on the literature, as well as our own experience with several autopolyploids (Tolmiea menziesii, Galax urceolata, Chamerion angustifolium, Heuchera grossulariifolia, Vaccinium corymbosum), we reassess the traditional view of plant autopolyploids as mere cytotypes. When considered carefully, many "unnamed" autopolyploids fulfill the requirements of multiple species concepts, including the biological, taxonomic, diagnosability, apomorphic, and evolutionary species concepts. Compared to the diploid parent, the autopolyploids noted above possess distinct geographic ranges, can be distinguished morphologically, and are largely reproductively isolated (via a diversity of mechanisms including reproductive and ecological isolation). These five autopolyploids (and probably many others) represent distinct evolutionary lineages; we therefore suggest that they be considered distinct species and also provide a system for naming them.

The P-glycoprotein efflux pump: how does it transport drugs?

Abstract: Pgp is an atypical translocating ATPase, with low affinity for ATP and high constitutive ATPase activity. Pgp also has an unusually broad specificity for hydrophobic substrates, including many chemotherapeutic drugs. Transport studies in reconstituted systems indicate that drug transport requires ATP hydrolysis and is active, generating a drug concentration gradient. Binding of drugs and ATP to Pgp induces conformational changes in the protein, and the drug binding site is conformationally coupled to the NBDs. Evidence accumulated to date suggests that the transporter interacts directly with nonpolar substrates within the membrane environment, and may act as a drug flippase, moving drugs from the inner to the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Chemosensitizers that block the action of Pgp are proposed to act as alternative substrates, but their high rate of spontaneous flip-flop across the membrane results in futile cycling of the transporter.