Comparison of the effects of antimicrobial agents from three different classes on metabolism of isoflavonoids by colonic microflora using Etest strips.

Daidzein (4',7-dihydroxyisoflavone), a phytoestrogen found in soybeans mainly in the form of its glycoside daidzin, is metabolized by colonic bacteria to compounds with altered estrogenic activities, which may affect human health. Antibacterial agents used for the treatment of infections can alter the composition of bacterial populations in the colon and therefore can affect daidzein metabolism. To rapidly detect the effects of different concentrations of antibiotics on daidzein metabolism by colonic bacteria of monkeys and identify the subpopulation involved in daidzein metabolism, Etest strips containing antibacterial agents from three classes (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and ß-lactams) were used to eliminate the colonic bacteria that were susceptible to 0-32 µg/ml of each antibacterial agent and test the surviving bacteria for their ability to metabolize daidzein. The metabolism of daidzein by the colonic microflora was measured before and after the colonic bacterial population was exposed to antibacterial agents. The metabolites were detected by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry after incubation of the cultures for various times. Exposure of colonic microflora to antibiotics had various effects on daidzein metabolism. Tetracycline completely removed the bacteria metabolizing daidzein, metabolism of daidzein was not changed in cultures of bacteria after ceftriaxone treatment, and ciprofloxacin enriched for the bacteria metabolizing daidzein. In liquid cultures treated with various concentrations of ciprofloxacin, 4 µg/ml of ciprofloxacin favored the growth of bacteria that metabolized daidzein. This is the first time in which the Etest has been used to show that, whereas some antibiotics eliminate phytoestrogen-metabolizing bacteria in colonic microflora, others enrich them by eliminating the non-metabolizing strains in the population.

Trisomy 16 in a pigtailed macaque (M. nemestrina) with multiple anomalies and developmental delays.

A female pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) with unusual physical characteristics, deficits in learning and cognitive tasks, abnormal social behavior, and abnormal reflexes and motor control was followed from birth until 3 years of age and found to have trisomy 16, which is homologous to trisomy 13 in humans. The animal described here showed similar features to cases of trisomy 16 and 18 (human trisomy 13 and 18, respectively) reported previously in nonhuman primates. However, both significant differences and similarities were found when compared with the homologous human trisomy. Evaluation of the genetic components of these disorders as well as systematic developmental evaluation can lead to new insights into the genetic basis of speciation, development, and the underlying differences between humans and their closest living relatives.

Successful introduction of Macaca nemestrina infants to their mothers after cesarean delivery.

Four Macaca nemestrina infants delivered via cesarean section were introduced to their mothers after surgery. All 4 introductions were successful, although methods differed slightly between dam-infant pairs. Pairs were considered successful when the mother displayed affiliative behavior towards the infant (including grooming), cradled it ventrally, and nursed it sufficiently to maintain infant health. The dams were sedated lightly with ketamine prior to introduction to reduce the possibility of aggression to caregivers and infants. The dams were checked for lactation, and each infant was swabbed with its placenta and with its mother's vaginal secretions prior to placement in the dam's cage. During the initial exposure, all 4 mothers picked up their infants within 1.5 h after introduction. Three of the 4 dam-infant pairs were fully successful during the initial exposure (24 h postdelivery), that is, the infants began to nurse within 2.5 h of affiliative contact. The 4th dam-infant pair required 3 d of successive exposures before the infant was nursed adequately. Infant health and maternal behavior determined the length of exposure. The optimal duration of these introductory encounters appeared to be between 2 and 3.5 h, to allow sufficient time for the dam's recovery from sedation while avoiding adverse effects on infant health. These observations demonstrate that cesarean-delivered M. nemestrina infants can be successfully united with their mothers, although it sometimes may require prolonged exposures on successive days.