However, given the strength of data supporting a role for parieta

However, given the strength of data supporting a role for parietal cortex in both forms of spatial processing, it seems likely that selleck chemical ultimately our understanding

of how parietal cortex supports spatial behaviour will integrate these functions. For example, parietal cortex may serve as a selective visuomotor controller, transforming neural signals that code the positions of salient or behaviourally relevant stimuli into body-centered frames of reference useful for motor control (Lacquaniti et al., 1995; Buneo et al., 2002; Buneo & Andersen, 2006). This is in keeping generally with the idea that spatial information must pass through a processing bottleneck at the point where sensory representations are converted into motor representations, because sensory systems typically

represent many more stimuli than can be effectively or advantageously used to control motor output. From that perspective, sensorimotor control implies attention, or a selective sensorimotor transformation. Visual awareness (e.g. attention) may be a product, at least to some degree, of this bottleneck, in the sense that we are most aware of those stimuli that we intend to move or respond to. As reviewed above, damage to parietal cortex manifests as a diverse set of spatial problems, producing deficits that range from visuomotor control to spatial attention to spatial cognition, many of which now have identified find more physiological correlates at the level of single neurons in parietal cortex. This diversity of spatial impairments undoubtedly reflects the fact that the neural representations of space GBA3 instantiated by the activity of parietal neurons are integral to an enormous range of thoughts and actions. From the data considered above an overall homology between the PPC of the monkey and that of man emerges when comparing the SPL across the two species, although an expansion

of the IPL has certainly occurred. The conclusion nonetheless that considerable homology exists between monkey and human SPL stems not only from comparative architectonic analyses but also from the analysis of the parcellation of parietal cortex based on corticocortical connectivity in both species. This has become possible thanks to studies using axoplasmic tracers in monkeys and, more recently, probabilistic tractography from diffusion tensor imaging in humans. However, homology does not imply identity. For instance, fMRI studies (for a review see Orban et al., 2004) suggest that, together with areas that are similar in the two species, a number of higher-order intraparietal areas that are not present in monkeys have emerged during human evolution. These areas belong to the visuomotor processing stream involved in coding action space (see also Simon et al., 2002).

The underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood [10], po

The underlying pathophysiology remains poorly understood [10], posing challenges in the everyday management of these mildly affected patients. How should cognitive impairment be detected in routine practice? Should those found to be affected have their HAART regimen changed, to emphasize antiretrovirals with better central nervous system penetration? Should additional therapies, such as anti-excitotoxic agents or drugs

FDA-approved Drug Library cell assay targeting neurodegenerative changes, be added to their treatment? If such changes are made, how should the effects be monitored? The answers to such questions require better tools to assess cognition in HIV-infected individuals. The ideal measure should not only establish the diagnosis, but also quantify the severity of impairment. It should also be free, brief, easy to administer Linsitinib with minimal training by any health professional, and available to clinics where HIV-infected patients receive their care. The present study describes the initial steps in the development of such a method to measure cognition across the intact to mildly impaired range in HIV-positive patients. Current approaches have limitations [11]. The clinical history alone is inadequate, as self-reported

cognitive symptoms may not be predictive of objective performance [12–14]. Full neuropsychological assessment is the gold standard for the diagnosis of HAND, and consensus recommendations

on appropriate tests exist. However, such tests require highly trained personnel and so are available only in specialized centres [9]. They may be replaced with briefer neuropsychological screening batteries [15], but this reduces precision, and in any case still requires a neuropsychologist, limiting feasibility in most settings. Resource limitations aside, existing CYTH4 cognitive assessment tools have focused on diagnosis, and may not be optimal for the measurement of cognition. Measurement of cognitive impairment is related to, but not synonymous with, diagnosis, and has distinct clinical goals. Cognitive measurement refers to the quantification of a person’s performance with reference to a continuous unit of measurement along a scale representing the full spectrum of cognitive ability. Precise quantification of cognitive ability is required for comparing different treatment groups or for tracking changes in cognition in an individual patient, both goals of obvious clinical relevance in this population. Pencil-and-paper tools for cognitive assessment are brief and easily administered, but fall short of the ideal in other respects. Tools such as the HIV Dementia Scale (HDS), the International HDS, and the Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) are relatively insensitive to the milder cognitive signs that predominate in the HAART era [14,16].

Comparison of the intragenomic diversity of 5S rRNA, 16S rRNA gen

Comparison of the intragenomic diversity of 5S rRNA, 16S rRNA gene and 23S rRNA was made, and 5S rRNA has the most widespread intragenomic variation (Fig. 1). The diversity was because of point mutations or single-nucleotide indels; intervening sequences, commonly present in 16S and 23S INCB024360 rRNA genes, were not found in 5S rRNA genes. Twenty-seven genomes with > 10% intragenomic diversity between their 5S rRNA genes were further examined for the impact of the diversity on secondary structure. The two most diversified 5S rRNA genes were selected for the analysis. Secondary

structures of the 5S rRNA genes were constructed based on the principle of minimization of free energy (Mathews et al., 2004), using experimentally defined rRNA as references. In the 27 genomes, there were a total of 421 diversified positions between all pairs of the most dissimilar 5S rRNA genes. Conservative mutations comprised 401 (95.25%) positions, including 125 in loops, 202 covariations, and 74 GU/GC http://www.selleckchem.com/products/nutlin-3a.html conversions (Table 1). Only 20 (4.75%) of the 421 diversified positions caused changes in the secondary structures of 5S rRNA genes in 14 genomes (Shewanella

amazonensis, Anaerococcus prevotii, Clostridium beijerinckii, Tolumonas auensis, Haemophilus somnus, H. influenzae, A. aphrophilus, S. thermophilum, B. megaterium, P. ingrahamii, L. lactis ssp. cremoris, T. pseudethanolicus, A. pleuropneumoniae, S. saprophyticus ssp. saprophyticus). Only five genomes (C. beijerinckii, T. auensis, H. influenzae, L. lactis ssp. cremoris, and A. pleuropneumoniae) had the secondary structures altered at more than one position in the 5S rRNA genes (Fig. 2). Insertions/deletions Adenosine (indels) occurred at 46 of the 421 positions. The 96 genomes with > 3% diversity between 5S rRNA genes (Table S1) can be categorized

into five groups based on the potential mechanisms that may explain the observed high diversity (Fig. 3). (1) Partial operon in which an orphan 5S rRNA gene, unassociated with 16S and 23S rRNA gene, was near an intact rRNA operon (Fig. 3a). In 52 of the 96 genomes with > 3% diversity, the maximal diversity occurred between the orphan 5S rRNA genes and 5S rRNA genes in a complete operon (Table 2), reaching 15.45% in Francisella tularensis ssp. holarctica and 13.04% in Haemophilus ducreyi. (2) Split operon. In 8 of the 96 genomes, the 5S rRNA gene most dissimilar to the majority of other 5S rRNA gene copies was physically separated from the rRNA operon it belongs to (Table 3). For example, in Clostridium perfringens, the 5S rRNA gene rrnH5S (12.61% diversity) was located ~ 240 000-nt from rrnH16S and rrnH23S. Similarly, in Geobacillus kaustophilus, the minor 5S rRNA gene (4.92% diversity) was located ~ 2 800 000-nt from the remaining rRNA operon that contained 16S and 23S rRNA genes. (3) 5S-23S spacer length lineage divergence. In Bacillus, 5S rRNA genes can be grouped based on the 23S-5S spacer length variation.

8,9 However, studies referring specifically to traveling children

8,9 However, studies referring specifically to traveling children are scarce which may partially be explained by the fact that most of the young children of immigrant families cannot be considered as immigrants since they have been born in Western countries and therefore have a susceptibility to endemic tropical diseases which is more similar to that of a tourist than to that of their parents.10,11 Thus, the CVFR population combines a personal risk due to their age-linked vulnerability Enzalutamide price with a situation of environmental risk related to contact with the local population and frequent accommodation in zones with poor hygienic

standards.12,13 Nearly 78% of the children were CVFR. This fact reflects SB431542 mouse the high immigration density of the Barcelona North Metropolitan area (with districts such as El Fondo and Sant Roc, accounting for over 45%) thus demonstrating the emerging population of children participating in VFR trips.14,15 Overall, this population has little mother-to-child transmitted or acquired immunity to tropical pathogens since 83% had been born in the EU by long-settled immigrant women.16,17

Therefore, free access to International Health Units with prevention programs preventive activities (specifically immunization and antimalarial chemoprophylaxis) is of a great importance among families with CVFR. The significant predominance of CVFR over tourists was related to a younger age, a longer duration of the trip, a greater frequency of rural stay or private lodging as well as a high probability of consultation in the ineffective period. These findings are coherent with those of other studies and emphasize the close contact with the ecosystem and the non-European society to which these children are exposed. Multivariate analysis Rutecarpine identified the main risk factors associated with being a CVFR, with staying in rural areas, visit to the Unit within the ineffective period, and age (the greater the age, the lower the probability of being CVFR).18–22 The presence of a

shorter consultation-travel time interval and a greater proportion of children seen within the ineffective period compared with tourists have been reported by other authors.23 These figures presented here, however, are globally better than those refereed by other studies undertaken in countries in which preventive international health services are entirely private.24 This may be because the Catalan Health System is easily accessible and free of charge for children and is therefore able to reach low-income immigrant families which are the majority in our reference zone. The main destinations for both CVFR and tourists were countries of the Neotropical ecosystem (Meso and South America). By contrast, most studies have reported that the main destinations were countries within the African or Asian Paleotropical biogeographic areas.

8,9 However, studies referring specifically to traveling children

8,9 However, studies referring specifically to traveling children are scarce which may partially be explained by the fact that most of the young children of immigrant families cannot be considered as immigrants since they have been born in Western countries and therefore have a susceptibility to endemic tropical diseases which is more similar to that of a tourist than to that of their parents.10,11 Thus, the CVFR population combines a personal risk due to their age-linked vulnerability Tacrolimus molecular weight with a situation of environmental risk related to contact with the local population and frequent accommodation in zones with poor hygienic

standards.12,13 Nearly 78% of the children were CVFR. This fact reflects INNO-406 ic50 the high immigration density of the Barcelona North Metropolitan area (with districts such as El Fondo and Sant Roc, accounting for over 45%) thus demonstrating the emerging population of children participating in VFR trips.14,15 Overall, this population has little mother-to-child transmitted or acquired immunity to tropical pathogens since 83% had been born in the EU by long-settled immigrant women.16,17

Therefore, free access to International Health Units with prevention programs preventive activities (specifically immunization and antimalarial chemoprophylaxis) is of a great importance among families with CVFR. The significant predominance of CVFR over tourists was related to a younger age, a longer duration of the trip, a greater frequency of rural stay or private lodging as well as a high probability of consultation in the ineffective period. These findings are coherent with those of other studies and emphasize the close contact with the ecosystem and the non-European society to which these children are exposed. Multivariate analysis GNAT2 identified the main risk factors associated with being a CVFR, with staying in rural areas, visit to the Unit within the ineffective period, and age (the greater the age, the lower the probability of being CVFR).18–22 The presence of a

shorter consultation-travel time interval and a greater proportion of children seen within the ineffective period compared with tourists have been reported by other authors.23 These figures presented here, however, are globally better than those refereed by other studies undertaken in countries in which preventive international health services are entirely private.24 This may be because the Catalan Health System is easily accessible and free of charge for children and is therefore able to reach low-income immigrant families which are the majority in our reference zone. The main destinations for both CVFR and tourists were countries of the Neotropical ecosystem (Meso and South America). By contrast, most studies have reported that the main destinations were countries within the African or Asian Paleotropical biogeographic areas.

Fig S1 SEM of MDCK cells treated with AZA (5 μM) for 24 h at 37

Fig. S1. SEM of MDCK cells treated with AZA (5 μM) for 24 h at 37 °C Fig. S2. TEM of MDCK cells treated with AZA (5 μM) for 24 h at 37 °C. Fig. S3. MDCK cells treated with 5 μM AZA (a) or 10 μM EIL (b) for 24 h. Please note: Wiley-Blackwell is not responsible for the content or functionality

find protocol of any supporting materials supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing material) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article. “
“Microcins are low-molecular-weight proteins secreted by certain bacteria that act by limiting the growth of other bacteria that share the same ecological niche. In the present work, the previous microcin 24 system was resequenced. We detected three nucleotide differences in the microcin-coding gene that partially change the amino acid sequence. According to the present microcin nomenclature, we renamed the five genes

constituting this microcin system (mcnRINAB), which are arranged in an operon-like structure: mcnR codes for a putative histone-like nucleoid protein regulator; mcnI codes for the immunity protein; mcnN encodes microcin N; and mcnA and mcnB correspond to an ATP-binding cassette transporter system. Purified microcin N has a molecular weight of 7274.23 Da, as determined by MS. This peptide was stable up to 100 °C, resistant to treatment with lipase, lysozyme, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, and susceptible to degradation by proteinase K. Microcins are a family 5-FU nmr of antimicrobial peptides produced principally by bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae

family. These bacteriocins have a bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity against species closely related to the bacteria that produce them (Riley, 1998). In contrast to the majority of colicins, microcins Tau-protein kinase have a low molecular weight (<10 000 Da), are resistant to the action of some proteases and to extreme conditions of pH and temperature, are soluble in methanol, and are not inducible by the SOS system (Kolter & Moreno, 1992). Microcin N (also known previously as microcin or colicin 24) is a bacteriocin produced by the uropathogenic strain Escherichia coli 2424. The genetic determinants involved in the production of microcin N are contained in a 5.25-kb DNA fragment, originally located in a 43-kb conjugative plasmid and afterward cloned into pBR322 (O’Brien & Mahanty, 1994). According to Mahanty and O’Brien’s initial annotation, this region contains five ORFs: mdbA, mtfI, mtfS, mtfA, and mtfB (GenBank accession numberU47048). mtfS codes for microcin, a polypeptide of 90 amino acids that has a signal peptide of 16 residues with a double-glycine motif typical of proteins secreted into the extracellular space by ATP-binding cassette (ABC)-type transporters.

The subsequent sequencing at ctxB loci revealed the presence of g

The subsequent sequencing at ctxB loci revealed the presence of genotype 5 of ctxB in CTX prophage with rstRET and genotype 4 of ctxB in CTX prophage with rstRcalc. The prominent

events in the changing profile of CTX prophages with respect to CT genotypes and rstR alleles among O139 strains from January 1993 to December 2005 are shown in Fig. 1 along with the isolation status of V. cholerae O139 strains from patients hospitalized due to acute secretory diarrhoea at the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Kolkata. Nested PCR results depicted the schematic representation (Fig. 2) of variable combinations of CT genotypes, and rstR alleles prevailed among O139 Epigenetic inhibitor strains in Kolkata. Since its first appearance in 1993, five types of O139 strains have been detected successively with the following important changes: (1) strains with CT genotype 3 only; (2) strains with CT genotype 4 only; (3) strains with CT genotype 5 only; (4) strains with CT genotypes 3 and 4; and (5) strains with CT genotypes 4 and 5. All the O139 strains yielded an amplicon of 766 bp, when a PCR was performed using CIIF and CIIR primers, which indicated lack of the CTX element in the small chromosome. All the O139 strains isolated

from 1993 to 2000 and 40% of O139 strains of 2001 yielded an amplicon of nearly 2.4 kb with ctxB forward (F) and rtxA1 primers. Strain N16961, which possessed RS1 downstream

of CTX prophage, and O395, which lacked new RS1, were used as controls considering the fact that selleck chemicals N16961 has CTX prophage only in the large chromosome, whereas the other strain O395 possessed CTX prophage in both the large and the small chromosome. N16961 yielded a product of > 5 kb with ctxB common forward (F) and rtxA1 primers and 766-bp amplicons with CIIF and CIIR primers. O395 yielded a product of 2.4 kb with ctxB forward (F) and rtxA1 primer pairs but no product with CIIF and CIIR primer sets. About 60% of the O139 strains of 2001 and all the tested strains isolated from 2002 to 2005 did not produce any amplicon using ctxB forward (F) and rtxA1 primer pairs. But an amplicon of ∼2.35 kb was obtained from these strains using another primer pair, zotF and rtxA1. Thus, our results depicted that V. cholerae O139 strains isolated over the period of 1993–2005 harboured CTX prophage in the large chromosome having no RS1 downstream of CTX prophage and with an empty site in the small chromosome. Some of the strains of 2001 and most of the strains isolated during 2002–2005 had a truncated CTX prophage adjacent to rtx gene cluster. These strains were further analyzed for the detection of RS1 and TLC (toxin-linked cryptic) element to understand the upstream region of CTX prophage. Detection of RS1 was carried out by PCR assay using the primers rstC1 and rstC2.

When it says in the leaflet that it can cause irreversible muscle

When it says in the leaflet that it can cause irreversible muscle damage and may result in hospitalisation, that’s enough to focus my mind! 005: (78). Male, 56 years old, ABS 17, NABS 5 I think the β-blockers seem to make me a bit sleepy. I mean that if I said I would phone someone in the evening, I might be asleep and didn’t phone, that sort of thing.

Other than that it doesn’t hamper me. 004: (5). Female, 59 years old, ABS 18, NABS 8 The importance of the difference between the terms compliance and adherence is demonstrable when considering the quotes and TABS scores of patients 004 and 005 above. While the TABS scores indicate the potential for poor adherence the nature of that association can be further explored by considering the selleck chemicals llc reason for the scores. In these instances the knowledge of ADRs may influence a patient’s decision as to whether they wish to be or can be adherent; that is, intentional non-adherence as the result of experiencing an ADR.

Thirteen patients discussed the impact that having an understanding of the indication has for adherence. These ideas varied greatly between patients. After an operation especially [PCI], I think people have got to understand that certain pills do certain things to the body selleck inhibitor that helps them, but if they are a bit wary of pills then they are not inclined to take them unless it is explained why they are taking them [and] why they are to take them. 002: (157). Female, 70 years old, ABS 20, NABS 7 Another patient (008) with high ABS and low NABS admitted to not understanding what his medication was prescribed for. However, critically, his adherence remained high because he had rationalised

the need for additional medication and therefore perceived a health Celastrol benefit with the medication. I know that these tablets are being prescribed for a reason and probably the truth is, what each tablet does for the body, I don’t really know, but obviously I have had to receive another couple because obviously number 1 for example doesn’t do what number 2 and 3 does otherwise I perhaps wouldn’t be on a second or a third, but I do understand that I have to take that medicine. 008: (17). Male, 54 years old, ABS 19, NABS 7 There was a higher frequency of quotes for this code than any other. In total 17 patients offered ideas about the doctor–patient relationship. Of the 17 patients, 16 noted good relationships with their general practitioner (GP). Patient 019 (low ABS and high NABS) described a poor working relationship but was still of the belief that a good relationship was desirable. A number of patients were also of the opinion that if a medication was prescribed for you by a doctor then it should be taken regardless. Well to me it is common sense. If the doctor says you need it then you need it so you should take it. 009: (133).

48th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of

48th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. April 2013 [Abstract 101]. 61  Schinazi RF, Bassit L, Clayton MM et al. Evaluation of single and combination therapies with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine in vitro and in a robust mouse model supporting high levels of hepatitis B virus replication. AG-014699 supplier Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2012; 56: 6186–6191. 62  Avihingsanon

A, Lewin SR, Kerr S et al. Efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine compared with emtricitabine alone in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-HBV coinfection in Thailand. Antivir Ther 2010; 15: 917–922. 63  Liaw YF, Sheen IS, Lee CM et al. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), emtricitabine/TDF, Vorinostat research buy and entecavir in patients with decompensated chronic hepatitis B liver disease. Hepatology 2011; 53: 62–72. 64  Dore GJ, Cooper DA, Pozniak AL et al. Efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in antiretroviral therapy-naive and -experienced patients coinfected with HIV-1 and hepatitis B virus. J Infect Dis 2004; 189: 1185–1192. 65  Polsen J, Lee WM. AASLD position paper: the management of acute liver failure. Hepatology 2005; 41: 1179–1197. 66  Kumar M, Satapathy S, Monga R et al. A randomized controlled trial of lamivudine to treat acute hepatitis B. Hepatology 2007; 45: 97–101. 67  Yu JW, Sun LJ, Zhao YH, Kang P, Lil SC. The study of efficacy of lamivudine

in patients with severe acute hepatitis B. Dig Dis Sci 2010; 55: 775–783. 68  Yu JW, Sun LJ, Yan BZ, Kang P, Zhao YH. Lamivudine treatment is associated with improved survival in fulminant hepatitis B. Liver Int 2011; 31: 499–506. 69  Miyake Y, Iwasaki Y, Takaki A et al. Lamivudine treatment improves the prognosis of fulminant hepatitis B. Intern Med 2008; 47: 1293–1299. 70  Akhan S, Sayan M. HIV and acute HBV infection: First case report from Kocaeli, Turkey. Hepatol Int 2012; 6: 134. 71  Ikeda-Kamimura M,

Horiba M. Seroconversion of acute hepatitis B by antiretroviral therapy in an HIV-1 infected patient. Interleukin-2 receptor Acta Gastroenterol Belg 2010; 73: 389–391. 72  Sagredo S, Mancilla C, Estuardo N, Poniachik J. Fulminant hepatic failure by hepatitis B virus in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Report of one case. [In Spanish]. Rev Med Chil 2011; 139: 1336–1339. 73  Schirmer P, Winters M, Holodniy M. HIV-HBV vaccine escape mutant infection with loss of HBV surface antibody and persistent HBV viremia on tenofovir/emtricitabine without antiviral resistance. J Clin Virol 2011; 52: 261–264. 74  Jochum C, Gieseler RK, Gawlista et al. Hepatitis B-associated acute liver failure: immediate treatment with entecavir inhibits hepatitis B virus replication and potentially its sequelae. Digestion 2009; 80:235–240. 75  De Socio GV, Mercuri A, Di Candilo F, Baldelli F. Entecavir to treat severe acute hepatitis B.

Asn-346 replacement reduced significantly the MICs of all β-lacta

Asn-346 replacement reduced significantly the MICs of all β-lactams, except the Asn-346-Ile substitution that increased the MICs of cephalosporins, whereas it decreased those of carbapenems. The biochemical characterization, along with a molecular modeling study, showed that the size and the polarity of the side chain at position 346 assisted substrate binding and turnover. This study shows for the first time that the amino acid at position 346 contributes to the β-lactamase activity of cephalosporinases. Asparagine and isoleucine residues, which are well conserved

at position 346 among AmpC-type enzymes, modulate their hydrolysis spectrum in an opposing sense. Ile-346 Gefitinib confers higher level of cephalosporins resistance, whereas Asn-346 confers carbapenem resistance in combination with outer membrane impermeability. “
“Inhibition by light potentially influences the distribution of ammonia oxidizers in aquatic environments and is one explanation for nitrite maxima near the base of the euphotic zone

of oceanic waters. Previous studies of photoinhibition have been restricted to bacterial ammonia oxidizers, rather than archaeal ammonia oxidizers, which dominate in marine environments. To compare the photoinhibition of bacterial and archaeal ammonia oxidizers, specific growth rates of two ammonia-oxidizing archaea (Nitrosopumilus maritimus and Nitrosotalea devanaterra) and bacteria (Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosospira multiformis) were determined at different light intensities under continuous illumination and light/dark NU7441 price cycles. All strains were inhibited by continuous illumination at the highest intensity (500 μE m−2 s−1). At lower light intensities, archaeal growth was much more photosensitive than bacterial growth, with greater inhibition at 60 μE m−2 s−1 than at 15 μE m−2 s−1, where bacteria were unaffected. Archaeal ammonia oxidizers were also more sensitive to cycles of 8-h light/16-h darkness at two light intensities

(60 and 15 μE m−2 s−1) and, unlike bacterial strains, showed no evidence of recovery during dark phases. The findings provide evidence for niche differentiation in aquatic environments and reduce support for photoinhibition as an explanation SB-3CT of nitrite maxima in the ocean. Nitrification is a key process in the cycling of nitrogen in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The first, rate-limiting step of nitrification, the oxidation of ammonia (NH3) to nitrite (), is carried out by both ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB, Koops & Pommerening-Röser, 2001) and archaea belonging to the recently described thaumarchaea group (AOA, Spang et al., 2010). The first step in ammonia oxidation is catalysed by ammonia monooxygenase, and the subunit A gene (amoA) is the most commonly used marker for tracking ammonia oxidizers in environmental samples.