7 (08) In 2009: mean (±SD): 14 (083), P < 0001 In 2006: 1/163

7 (0.8) In 2009: mean (±SD): 1.4 (0.83), P < 0.001 In 2006: 1/163 (0.6) In 2009: 2/134 (1.5)

In 2006: mean (±SD): 164 (60) In 2009: mean (±SD): 153 (61) In 2006: mean (±SD): 223 (277.9) In 2009: mean (±SD): 143 (189), P < 0.05 Mean (±SD): Inpatient§ 1.49 (0.2) Outpatient Mean (±SD): Inpatient§ 2.82 (0.46) Outpatient‡ 2.46 (0.4) Mean (±SD): Inpatient§ 1.37 (0.18), P < 0.01 Outpatient Mean (±SD): Inpatient§ 3.22 (0.52)¶, P < 0.01 Outpatient‡ 2.99 (0.48)¶, P < 0.01 Mean (±SD): 936 (157) Among the 24 studies, 15 referred to hysterectomy, three to myomectomy, four to sacrocolpopexy and two to tubal anastomosis. Two studies had four arms comparing robotic to open to laparoscopic to vaginal procedures; five studies had three arms comparing robotic to open http://www.selleckchem.com/products/forskolin.html to laparoscopic procedures; while 17 studies compared robotic with either an open or laparoscopic technique. Of the 23 studies listed, 14 had no surgical equipment or operating room costs. Of these 14, a further 11 had no operative charges or non-operative charges but only

total costs. Among the 15 studies referring to the costs of hysterectomy, only three of them neglected to clarify whether the operation was combined with lymphadenectomy. A total of 4150 patients underwent the open method, 36 185 underwent the laparoscopic method and 3345 underwent the robotic method. The mean cost for robotic, open and laparoscopic methods ranged from 1731 to 48 769, 894 to 20 277 and 411 to 41 836 Euros, respectively. Operative charges ranged from 684 to 69 792 Euros. In hysterectomy, costs for robotic, open and laparoscopic procedures ranged GKT137831 chemical structure from 936 to 33 920, 684 to 25 616 and 858 to 25 578 Euros, respectively. In sacrocolpopexy, costs ranged from 2067 to 7275, 2904 to 69 792 and 1482 to 2000 Euros, respectively. The operative costs of myomectomies were not mentioned in any of the included studies. Non-operative charges ranged from 467 to 39 121 Euros. In hysterectomy,

costs for robotic, open and laparoscopic procedures ranged from 492 to Tenofovir supplier 39 121, 2260 to 41 062 and 467 to 29 874 Euros, respectively. In the included studies, the non-operative charges for myomectomy were not mentioned. In sacrocolpopexy, costs ranged from 331 to 3546, 1617 to 19 190 and 251 to 431 Euros, respectively. The mean total costs for myomectomy ranged from 27 342 to 42 497 and 13 709 to 20 277 Euros, respectively, for the robotic and open methods while the mean total cost of the laparoscopic technique was 26 181 Euros. Regarding tubal anastomosis, operative and non-operative charges were not mentioned while the mean total costs of the robotic and open methods were 10 452 and 8911, respectively. In 15 studies, the robotic costs were included in the estimation of operative charges. The professional cost ranged from 499 to 5178 Euros. Surgical equipment costs ranged from 25 to 3014 Euros. Operating room costs ranged from 48 to 28 762 Euros.

Our results demonstrate that cells coexpressing doublecortin and

Our results demonstrate that cells coexpressing doublecortin and PSA-NCAM, but lacking neuronal nuclear antigen expression, were present in the amygdala of adult humans. These cells were organised in elongated

clusters, which were located between the white matter of the dorsal hippocampus and the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus. These clusters were not associated with astroglial specialised structures. No cells expressing the proliferative marker Ki67 were observed in the amygdaloid parenchyma, although some of them were found in the vicinity of the lateral ventricle. Immature neurons were also present in the amygdala of squirrel monkeys and cats. These cells also appeared clustered in monkeys, although not as organised as in humans. In cats these cells are scarce, appear isolated and most of the PSA-NCAM-expressing structures GSK J4 price corresponded to processes apparently originating from the paleocortical layer II. “
“Callous-unemotional violence associated with antisocial personality disorder is often

CAL-101 cell line called ‘predatory’ because it involves restricted intention signaling and low emotional/physiological arousal, including decreased glucocorticoid production. This epithet may be a mere metaphor, but may also cover a structural similarity at the level of the hypothalamus where the control of affective and predatory aggression diverges. We investigated this hypothesis in a laboratory model where glucocorticoid production is chronically limited by adrenalectomy with glucocorticoid replacement (ADXr). This procedure was proposed to model important aspects of antisocial violence. Sham and ADXr rats were submitted to resident/intruder conflicts, and the resulting neuronal activation patterns were investigated by c-Fos immunocytochemistry.

In line with earlier findings, the share of attacks aimed at vulnerable targets (head, throat and belly) was dramatically increased by ADXr, while intention signaling by offensive threats was restricted. Aggressive encounters activated the mediobasal hypothalamus, a region involved in intra-specific aggression, but sham and ADXr rats did not differ in this respect. In contrast, the activation of the lateral hypothalamus that is tightly involved in predatory aggression was markedly larger in ADXr many rats; moreover, c-Fos counts correlated positively with the share of vulnerable attacks and negatively with social signaling. Glucocorticoid deficiency increased c-Fos activation in the central amygdala, a region also involved in predatory aggression. In addition, activation patterns in the periaqueductal gray – involved in autonomic control – also resembled those seen in predatory aggression. These findings suggest that antisocial and predatory aggression are not only similar but are controlled by overlapping neural mechanisms. “
“Nicotine, a major psychoactive component of tobacco smoke, increases glutamate transmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc).

, 2009) However, these applications are commonly used in eukaryo

, 2009). However, these applications are commonly used in eukaryotic systems for identification of exon domains, and have not been ported to microbial systems. There is currently no direct need for PET applications in microbial transcriptome sequencing. The Roche 454 sequencing technology is based on pyrosequencing in microreactors on a picotiter plate (Margulies et al., 2005), and its strongest features are the generation

of long sequence reads and the relative speed of the sequencing run (measured in hours). Its disadvantages lie in the smaller amount of data generated (approximately 0.25–1 Gbp GSK-J4 sequence information per plate using the 454 GS FLX and Titanium systems) and hence the relatively high cost, and its difficulty in handling homopolymeric DNA sequences. The Illumina GA technology is based on adapter ligation, followed by anchoring to a prepared substrate, followed by local in situ PCR amplification and sequencing using fluorophore-labelled chain terminators (Bennett et al., 2005). Sequences obtained by Illumina sequencing are usually 35–75-nt long, but advances in the technology

are expected to result in longer readlengths (up to 125 nt) soon. Advantages of the Illumina technique are the large amounts generated (5–10 Gbp total per run), its sequencing accuracy and the relatively low price per Gbp. However, runtimes are measured in days, and increasing the readlength will increase runtimes significantly, Bioactive Compound Library price and the images require very large storage space. Because shorter reads may be more difficult to accurately map on genomes (especially those with repeated sequences), operators will have to select the right balance between read length and running time/cost. Finally, the ABI SOLiD technology uses amplified DNA on beads, which are bound to glass slides. The amplified DNA is sequentially hybridized with short defined oligonucleotides, which contain known 3′ dinucleotides and a specific 5′ fluorophore. The oligonucleotide complementary to the template at

its 3′ dinucleotide is ligated to the 5′ end of the 5′-elongating complementary strand, and after fluorophore identification, the 5′ remainder of the oligonucleotide is cleaved to prepare for the next cycle of oligonucleotide annealing and ligation. Repeated cycles Palmatine of DNA synthesis and melting allow for colour-recognition of each base in the DNA sequence (Shendure et al., 2005). The SOLiD technology generates reads of 35–50 nucleotides. The advantages are the high fidelity of the sequences obtained, which makes the technology excellently suited for SNP analysis, and the generation of large datasets (6–15 Gbp total per run). The disadvantages are similar to those of Illumina sequencing. It needs to be noted that the RNA-seq technology needs the availability of a reference genome sequence, similar to microarray technology.

Less fortunate, poorly -resourced scientists and busy clinicians,

Less fortunate, poorly -resourced scientists and busy clinicians, especially in developing nations, are forced to carry out poorly designed retrospective studies.

The pressure is felt even more if research methodologies are not taught in medical curriculum to create scientific temper and zeal for research resulting in irrelevant and poorly designed studies. A research question should always include a clause “if the research will benefit the Cabozantinib mankind in an economic manner? Practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is undergoing its own natural evolution. EBM has come a long way starting from large series and case control studies to observational and cohort studies, from randomized control trials to meta-analysis and still evolving. Technology driven basic science research has strengthened biological understanding of diseases. While genetic variation of an individual including pharmacogenetic factors may eventually be the deciding factors in choosing the right therapeutic agent, it remains

costly and elusive at Torin 1 the moment and in its rudimentary phase too. Nevertheless, the concept of Personalised and individualized medicine has come to stay. Technological advancements are marching faster than ever before. Technologically sophisticated choices are expected to be within reach of all sections of society in the future. Any new venture of research in that direction should also keep the social commitments and economic considerations in mind, so that the benefits of advanced medicine do not become prerogatives of privileged few. In other words, such futuristic medicine, or if one can call it “Next generation EBM”, should be humanized and not just personalized or individualized. Prescribing TNF blocker or triple DMARD or IL-6 inhibitor or rituximab or any other agent singly or in combination to an RA patient then will not be a trial and error subjecting the patient to cost, toxicity and inefficacy. This reality is still evolving, but comparative

effectiveness trials (CET) with large sample size in populous nations may be good economic alternatives MTMR9 to RCT to generate evidence for resource limited set up. A landmark study of this kind is the 2012 CET with triple DMARD therapy in RA showing benefit comparable or superior to biological agents.[1] This year several RCTs have proven this point beyond doubt. Similarly, large series as observational, case control or cohort studies also contribute to evidence, though not as strong as RCTs or meta-analysis. Relevant research questions can be answered by sound methodology in economical and humane manner in large cohorts to benefit the less advantaged societies till next generation EBM is readily and economically available. Neither present day EBM or nor next Generation EBM will succeed, if not humanized. Happy 2014.

aureus (Sievers et al, 2010) Many LCP homologues from

aureus (Sievers et al., 2010). Many LCP homologues from this website other species are also upregulated under stress conditions (Mella-Herrera et al., 2010; and reviewed in Hubscher et al., 2008). Decreased β-lactam resistance in several of the

mutants studied here further suggests that these proteins provide some protection against cell wall-active β-lactam antibiotics. MsrR was also one of the loci found to contain point mutations after in vitro selection for decreased glycopeptide susceptibility by passage on imipenem and teicoplanin (Kato 2010). Although the relevance of these point mutations has not been analysed, possible alterations in MsrR either enhancing or inactivating its function could be contributing to the resulting GISA phenotypes. This is the first time learn more that the roles of

all LCP proteins from a bacterial species with multiple LCP homologues have been investigated. The phenotypes of these three proteins and previously characterized members of this protein family suggest that LCP proteins play important, although as yet unknown, roles in cell division and cell envelope maintenance. Here, we showed that defects in cell division and other changes in cell envelope characteristics generally increased, while virulence decreased, when two or more of the LCP proteins were mutated. Finally, the depletion of all LCP proteins appeared to be extremely detrimental to the cell if not potentially lethal. We thank the EMZ Centre for Microscopy and Image Analysis, University of Zürich, and T. Bae for providing the plasmid pKOR1. This study was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation grants NF 31-117707

to B.B.B. and PMPDB-114323 to P.S.M., by the National Institutes of Health grant K08 AI053677 to C.D.S. and by the Commission of the European Communities, specifically the Infectious Diseases Research domain of the Health theme of the Seventh Framework Programme, Contract number 241446, ‘The effects of antibiotic administration on the emergence and persistence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and on the composition of the indigenous Tenofovir ic50 microbiotas at various body sites’ to N.M. Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article:> Table S1. Primers. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting materials supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. “
“Diesel fuel is a common environmental pollutant comprised of a large number of both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. The microbial degradation of individual hydrocarbons has been well characterized, however, the community dynamics within a system degrading a complex pollutant such as diesel fuel are still poorly understood.

The median CD4 cell count and HIV-1 plasma viral load at genotype

The median CD4 cell count and HIV-1 plasma viral load at genotype testing were 305 cells/μL (IQR 150–487 cells/μL) and 4.15 log HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (IQR 3.23–4.89 log copies/mL), respectively. Figures for patients in the HD subset were similar. Ethnicity, route of infection and gender were known for 99.1% (n=2457), 55.1% (n=1365) and 99.2% (n=2461) of individuals, respectively.

The continent of origin was mainly Europe (92.3%), with Africa accounting for 4.6% and other continents for 3.1% of patients. Risk factor for HIV infection was IDU for 35.7% of patients, heterosexual HDAC inhibitor mechanism for 33.8%, and MSM for 24.4%. In this group, 69.3% of patients were male. The median age (37 years; IQR 33–43 years), CD4 cell count (306 cells/μL; IQR 142–488 cells/μL) and viral load (4.11 log copies/mL; IQR 3.2–4.9 log copies/mL) were also not different from those of the whole patient population. Demographics and laboratory data of the CD subset, stratified according to viral subtype, are shown in Table 1. All the patient characteristics considered were similarly distributed in the global population and in the HD and CD subsets. For these individuals the year of HIV-1 diagnosis covered the period 1980–2006. One hundred and twenty-three of these individuals (9.0%) harboured see more non-B subtypes. The prevalence of infection with HIV-1 B and non-B clades over time was evaluated

in patients of subset HD, who were diagnosed in the period 1980–2008 (Fig. 1). Two hundred and fifty-seven (10.4%) individuals harboured a non-B subtype. The test for trend indicated a significant association between infection with non-B strains and the year of diagnosis (P<0.0001). This association was linear with an increasing trend. A regression analysis, modelling the probability of acquiring a non-B strain by calendar year, supported this

trend and indicated from that the odds of acquiring a non-B subtype were 1.27-fold higher per subsequent year (95% confidence interval 1.23–1.31). The first cases of infection with pure non-B subtypes, CRFs or URFs were detected in African individuals in 1984, 1990 and 1994, respectively. These patients, who migrated to Italy from Senegal, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, carried an A1 subtype, a CRF09_cpx strain and a CRF02_AG/A1 recombinant, respectively. The first European patients harbouring a pure non-B strain (A1), a CRF (01_AE) and a recombinant form (B/F) were diagnosed in 1987, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Overall, 52.4% of new HIV-1 diagnoses occurred before 1993. Thereafter, the number of new diagnoses has markedly decreased. Non-B strains were carried by only 2.6% (34 of 1300) of newly diagnosed patients before 1993 but by 18.9% (223 of 1179) in the period 1993–2008 (P<0.0001). The demographics of two groups of patients in subset CD, those diagnosed before 1993 and from 1993 onwards, were then compared. In this subset, non-B subtypes accounted for 2.5% (19 of 767) of HIV-1 diagnoses in 1980–1992 and for 17.

28; 95% CI 096–169; P=009 for each additional cycle received),

28; 95% CI 0.96–1.69; P=0.09 for each additional cycle received), which was independent of proximal CD4 cell count. During a median follow-up of 7 years, 4.4% of ESPRIT participants experienced bacterial pneumonia. Single-episode bacterial pneumonia was the most commonly

reported infection in ESPRIT. These data indicate that bacterial pneumonia still contributes substantially to morbidity in the era of potent cART and in a group of patients with relatively high CD4 Dactolisib molecular weight cell counts. As expected, the greatest risk for bacterial pneumonia occurred in those with very low CD4 counts, with lower risks in those with CD4 counts ≥350 cells/μL compared with those with CD4 counts <350 cells/μL. Recurrent bacterial pneumonia (two or more episodes in a 12-month period)

during follow-up was rare. As bacterial pneumonia events seem to be related in part to more recent IL-2, it is possible that the lack of further receipt of rIL-2 in just under half of the IL-2 arm experiencing a pneumonia event is part of the explanation for our not seeing Erastin order higher rates of recurrent bacterial pneumonia. It is likely that these figures are an underestimate of the risk of bacterial pneumonia, as we only included events meeting the criteria for a probable or confirmed pneumonia event. Traditional risk factors for bacterial pneumonia in HIV-1-infected patients were identified in the ESPRIT cohort, including older age, IDU, prior recurrent bacterial pneumonia as an ADI, lower CD4 cell count and detectable HIV viraemia

(defined as ≥500 copies/mL). These data are consistent with the findings of the SMART study on bacterial pneumonia [12], where detectable viraemia (>400 vs. <400 copies/mL) in patients on continuous cART even when the CD4 count was >500 cells/μL click here was associated with an increased hazard for bacterial pneumonia (overall HR 2.65; 95% CI 1.49–4.72; P=0.001), and treatment interruption (associated with viral rebound and CD4 cell count decline) compared with continuous cART was also associated with an increased hazard (HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.07–2.25; P=0.02) for bacterial pneumonia. However, in the SMART study the strongest predictors of bacterial pneumonia in both study arms were prior history of recurrent bacterial pneumonia and current cigarette smoking. For patients on continuous cART, the risk of bacterial pneumonia was 3-fold higher in current smokers than in life-long nonsmokers. A limitation of this analysis is the lack of smoking data. It is noteworthy that the majority of pneumonia events did not have a microbiological diagnosis and this is in keeping with other studies [12] and indeed with clinical practice, where in both, the microbiological yield is low, either because the appropriate cultures were not taken or cultures were negative. As a consequence, we were not able to use these data as a surrogate for pneumococcal vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination data were not collected in ESPRIT.

This is in settings where breastfeeding is not affordable, feasib

This is in settings where breastfeeding is not affordable, feasible, acceptable, sustainable and safe, and mortality from formula feeding outweighs additional mortality from HIV transmission by breastfeeding [298],[299].

WHO guidance remains that in countries where formula feeding is safe, a national or regional policy decision should be made on feeding policy [300]. Although breastfeeding transmission http://www.selleckchem.com/products/abt-199.html is reduced by ART, it is not abolished [78],[293],[295-297],[301],[302]. There is laboratory evidence that the breast milk of HIV-positive women on ART contains cells that may shed virus [303]. As avoidance of breastfeeding can completely abolish the risk of postnatal transmission, this remains the recommended course of action. There may be social or financial pressures on women to breastfeed, and support of formula feeding is important. The NSHPC report on perinatal HIV transmission in the see more UK [14] noted adverse social factors as a frequent factor in HIV transmission. A recent House of Lords report recommends the provision

of free infant formula milk to HIV-positive mothers who have no recourse to public funds [304]. 8.4.2 In very rare instances where a mother who is on effective HAART with a repeatedly undetectable VL chooses to breastfeed, this should not constitute grounds for automatic referral to child protection teams. Maternal HAART should be carefully monitored and continued until 1 week after all breastfeeding has ceased. Breastfeeding, except during the weaning period, should be exclusive and all breastfeeding, including the weaning period, should have been completed by the end of 6 months. Grading: 1B Breastfeeding while not on HAART, or with detectable viraemia on HAART does constitute a potential child

protection concern. Because the risk of HIV transmission by breastfeeding is entirely avoidable, maternal breastfeeding against medical advice has previously been considered a child protection concern warranting referral Bcr-Abl inhibitor to social services and, where necessary, legal intervention. The efficacy of ART in reducing HIV transmission by breastfeeding in the UK has not been measured. However, while the African data do not warrant a change in the recommendation not to breastfeed in these UK guidelines, they do make it likely that the risk of transmission is low enough that breastfeeding by a woman with HIV and fully suppressed virus on ART should no longer automatically constitute grounds for a child safeguarding referral. It is considered safer for women to be engaging with medical services while breastfeeding than for them to be breastfeeding without disclosing this. Data from Africa, in women not on HAART, show that mixed feeding carries a higher risk of HIV transmission than exclusive breastfeeding [305]. It is recommended that breastfeeding be stopped as soon as is acceptable to the mother, but in any case by 6 months. A short period of mixed feeding may be necessary while ending breastfeeding. 8.4.

58, P = 0037) For both conditions (divided and undivided), the

58, P = 0.037). For both conditions (divided and undivided), the amplitude was significantly

larger for attended than for unattended stimuli (Fig. 4). This pattern of evoked responses is in line with the predictions of the divided spotlight hypothesis. To examine the attentional modulations observed in more detail, we analysed the topographic distribution of alpha oscillatory amplitude for the different conditions. As alpha oscillatory amplitude is closely linked to attentional suppression, we would expect additional foci of alpha synchronisation in the divided as compared with the attend hemifield conditions if humans were able to divide the attentional spotlight. We found additional foci of alpha synchronisation in the divided attention condition (Fig. 5). The median number of alpha peaks in the attend hemifield condition INK 128 manufacturer across participants was 1.25, whereas it was 2 for the divided attention conditions (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The

median distance of the peak centers on the scalp for the ‘attend right’ condition was 12.3 cm, whereas it was 10.8 cm for the ‘attend left’ condition (Fig. 5C). Only one peak was detected for four participants in the ‘split right’ condition and for two participants in the ‘split left’ condition. The topographic distribution of suppressive oscillatory activity is therefore in line with the predictions of the divided spotlight theory of attention. The present results support previous research providing evidence for the divided spotlight hypothesis. Topographic analyses showed that oscillatory Bleomycin purchase suppressive mechanisms flexibly adjust to task demands, and that, whenever more than one spatial location has to be ignored, there is a corresponding increase in the number of alpha oscillatory foci over the occipito-parietal scalp. In addition, we provide evidence that attentional modulation for each attended stimulus, whether in contiguous or non-contiguous parts of space, occurs during early sensory–perceptual processing in extrastriate visual areas (Di Russo et al., 2002; Frey et al., 2010). 4-Aminobutyrate aminotransferase Although the results obtained for attentional enhancement and suppression match with the predictions of the

divided attention model, it is not clear whether they also fit with a blinking spotlight of attention account. The idea that attention constantly samples the visual environment (VanRullen et al., 2007) is a very elegant solution to the problem of dividing attention. However, this account does not provide a clear prediction for suppression of unattended stimuli, because it assumes that the attentional system constantly samples all target stimuli. There is ample evidence that the brain employs an active mechanism of attentional suppression. Brain oscillations in the alpha range have been shown to be an index of suppression of unattended visual space (e.g. (Worden et al., 2000; Kelly et al., 2006; Thut et al., 2006; Romei et al., 2010; Gould et al., 2011; Belyusar et al.

, 2002; Osorio et al, 2005) However, few sequences are availabl

, 2002; Osorio et al., 2005). However, few sequences are available Selleckchem PS-341 from the Flavobacteriaceae species. This is the first report of ISR sequences from Tenacibaculum species, namely T. soleae, T. maritimum and T. ovolyticum, which will facilitate the identification of other specific primers for Flavobacteriaceae species. Tenacibaculum soleae strains ISR showed only minor size variations in length and belonged to a single ISR class, containing tRNAIle and tRNAAla genes. The presence of a single ISR class is frequent in bacteria. For example, the analysis of the ISR region of 155 bacterial strains belonging to a variety of taxa, carried out by Stewart & Cavanaugh (2007),

revealed that only 41% of the strains had two or more ISR classes. In the same study, the presence of tRNAIle and tRNAAla genes was also common, being detected in 48% of the ISR sequences obtained by these authors; nevertheless, its frequency varied depending on the bacterial taxa, being

absent, for example, in Actinobacteria. However, in Flavobacteriaceae, the tRNAIle-tRNAAla combination appears to be dominant, being present in different genera of the family, such as Flavobacterium or Cellulophaga (Figueiredo et al., 2005; Welker et al., 2005; Holmfeldt et al., 2007; Ford, 2008), as well as in all the Tenacibaculum and Polaribacter strains tested by our group. ISR intraspecific variation in T. soleae was of 0–9.4%, a lower value than that reported by Stewart & Cavanaugh (2007) when comparing sequences from the same species and ISR class (0–12.1%). CAL-101 research buy Differences between T. soleae ISR sequences were due mainly to the absence/presence of distinct sequence Bay 11-7085 blocks, as reported by other authors for a variety of bacterial

species, including fish pathogens such as Photobacterium damselae (Gürtler & Barrie, 1995; Chun et al., 1999; Osorio et al., 2005; Stewart & Cavanaugh, 2007). On the other hand, ISR sequences proved useful for differentiating T. soleae from related species, displaying lower interspecific similarity values than obtained with 16S rRNA gene. For example, the similarity of T. soleae a47 and T. ovolyticum LMG 13025 was 97.7% when 16S rRNA gene sequences were compared, but only 85.2% with ISR sequences. In this sense, it is important to note that although the ISR region generally displays greater nucleotide divergence than 16S rRNA gene, this is not always the case. In fact, Stewart & Cavanaugh (2007) noted that the ISR region was less discriminating than 16S rRNA gene for 24% of the strains tested. The specificity of the proposed PCR protocol was validated in nine T. soleae strains and 81 strains belonging to other species, most of these from marine environments, including several common fish pathogens. No cross-reactions with any of the non-target organisms were observed.