The action of OXA-24/40 and OXA-58 β-lactamase-like enzymes represents the main mechanism underlying resistance to carbapenems in Spain in the last decade. AbkA/AbkB proteins in the toxin/antitoxin system may be involved in the successful dissemination of plasmids carrying the bla(OXA-24/40)-like gene, and probably also the bla(OXA-58)-like gene, thus contributing to the plasmid stability.

Selenium is a trace mineral essential for life that acts physiologically through selenoproteins. Among other actions, the endogenous antioxidant selenoprotein glutathione peroxidase and the selenium transporter in blood, selenoprotein P, seem to play an important role in type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance by weakening the insulin signaling cascade through different mechanisms. Recent findings also suggest that selenoproteins also affect insulin biosynthesis and insulin secretion. This review discussed the role of selenium in type 2 diabetes and the complex interplay between selenoproteins and insulin pathways.

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We have used high performance liquid chromatography to evaluate the meningeal penetration of apalcillin. In subjects without meningitis the penetration was poor and the levels obtained did not exceed 1.75 mg/l. In cases of meningitis, when the spinal fluid albumin level was greater than 0.60 g/l, the levels varied from 5 to 30 mg/l. These figures are in accord with those obtained in cases of experimental meningitis. A dosage of 200 mg/kg/day should allow the treatment of meningitis due to sensitive bacteria and in particular due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.