Evaluation of methods to increase the sensitivity and timeliness of detection of Streptococcus agalactiae in pregnant women

Direct culture of rectovaginal specimens on Granada agar was compared to culture on sheep blood agar plate (SBAP) and AccuProbe detection of group B streptococcus from overnight LIM broth enhancement cultures (LIM-SBAP). Both broth-enhanced methods demonstrated excellent sensitivity (97.5% for LIM-SBAP and 93.5% for AccuProbe), while Granada agar demonstrated a sensitivity of only 40.3%.

A nuclear magnetic relaxation study of bound water in solutions of disodium cromoglycate

The amount of water bound to disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) in frozen aqueous solutions was determined from the amplitude of the n.m.r. free induction decay. The hydration number was found to be 15 molecules H2O/molecule DSCG of which 6 H2O molecules were less strongly bound than the rest. Proton T1 and T2 relaxation times in non-frozen solutions implied a values of 10(-8) s for the correlation time of the bound water at 291 K. This is consistent with the mobility of DSCG molecules in a smectic mesophase.

Protein quinone complexes. Bovine plasma albumin and halogenated p-quinones

A colloidal dispersion of chloranil in water or an aqueous solution of an amino acid shows an ESR signal characteristic of the semiquinone radical anion. The signal is broadened in the presence of bovine plasma albumin, and the available evidence supports the idea that the freedom of the free radical is restricted by a weak association with a specific site in the protein.