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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Development And Characterization Of An In Vitro Four-Species Anaerobic Dental Biofilm Model, Fernando Andrade
Development And Characterization Of An In Vitro Four-Species Anaerobic Dental Biofilm Model, Fernando Andrade
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
Dental caries is the most common chronic disease worldwide. It is characterized by the demineralization of tooth enamel caused by acid produced by cariogenic dental bacteria growing on tooth surfaces, termed bacterial biofilms. Cariogenesis is a complex biological process that is influence by multiple factors and is not attributed to a sole causative agent. Instead, caries is associated with multispecies microbial biofilm communities composed of some bacterial species that directly influence the development of a caries lesion and other species that are seemingly benign but must contribute to the community in an uncharacterized way. Clinical analysis of dental caries and …
Molecular And Genomic Based Insights Into The Evolution Of Enterococcus Faecium From Commensal To Hospital-Adapted Pathogen, Jessica R. Galloway-Pena
Molecular And Genomic Based Insights Into The Evolution Of Enterococcus Faecium From Commensal To Hospital-Adapted Pathogen, Jessica R. Galloway-Pena
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
The basis for the recent transition of Enterococcus faecium from a primarily commensal organism to one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections in the United States is not yet understood. To address this, the first part of my project assessed isolates from early outbreaks in the USA and South America using sequence analysis, colony hybridizations, and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) which showed clinical isolates possess virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants that are less abundant or lacking in community isolates. I also revealed that the level of ampicillin resistance increased over time in clinical strains. By sequencing the pbp5 gene, …