Flash flood watch extended through Friday evening

Today"s Houston TX Weather Forecast

William Axford, Houston Chronicle

Updated 3:14am, Friday, May 27, 2016

Photo: Karie Cranford Cornelius/Facebook

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and the forecast shows more rain on Friday.

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and the forecast shows more rain on Friday.

Photo: Karie Cranford Cornelius/Facebook

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and the forecast shows more rain on Friday.

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and the forecast shows more rain on Friday.

Photo: Karie Cranford Cornelius/Facebook

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding off of 1488 North of 2978.

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding off of 1488 North of 2978.

Photo: Nicole/Twitter

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Photo: Shannon Pavlik/Twitter

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Photo: Shannon Pavlik/Twitter

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Photo: Shannon Pavlik/Twitter

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Reader photos show the extent of the flooding in theMontgomery Creek Ranch Subdivision off of SH 242.

Photo: Shannon Pavlik/Twitter

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and more are forecast to extend into Friday.

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and more are forecast to extend into Friday.

Photo: Kylie Elenbaas / Twitter

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and more are forecast to extend into Friday.

North Harris County got pounded by rain on Thursday evening, and more are forecast to extend into Friday.

Photo: TxDOT/Twitter

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Photo: Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicl

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Photo: Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicl

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Photo: Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicl

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Photo: Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicl

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Photo: Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicl

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

A suspected tornado damaged a number of homes in the Wheeler Ridge neighborhood in Bryan Texas, Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Photo: Brent Zwerneman / Houston Chronicl

Worst Houston high water spots for road flooding

You don"t get to live in a place called the Bayou City and not get a little road flooding from time to time (or to be more specific, EVERY TIME IT RAINS!).

These are some of the worst spots in Houston for high water and flooded roadways.

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Worst Houston high water spots for road flooding

You don"t get to live in a place called the Bayou City and not get a little road flooding from time to time (or to be more specific, EVERY TIME IT RAINS!).

These

... more Photo: Houston Chronicle

Telge Road near Spring Cypress Road

Raymond Valenta, left, and his mother Koran Kaptchinskie phone for help after their car was stranded in high water on Telge Rd. near Spring Cypress Rd. in northwest Houston, Thursday, July 12, 2012, in Houston. ( Michael Paulsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Telge Road near Spring Cypress Road

Raymond Valenta, left, and his mother Koran Kaptchinskie phone for help after their car was stranded in high water on Telge Rd. near Spring Cypress Rd. in northwest Houston, ... more Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle File

Interstate 45 near Crosstimbers

Vehicles move past a stalled car in the high water along the I-45 northbound feeder near Crosstimbers Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, in Houston. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle )

Interstate 45 near Crosstimbers

Vehicles move past a stalled car in the high water along the I-45 northbound feeder near Crosstimbers Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013, in Houston. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle File

White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street

A car sits in high water along White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street

A car sits in high water along White Oak Drive near Beauchamp Street, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Fondren Road and Southwest Freeway

Vehicles make their way through high water along Fondren near the Southwest Freeway, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Fondren Road and Southwest Freeway

Vehicles make their way through high water along Fondren near the Southwest Freeway, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Clinton Drive and McCarthy Street

High water on Clinton Drive at McCarthy as rain fell on the greater Houston area Thursday, April 11, 2013. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle )

Clinton Drive and McCarthy Street

High water on Clinton Drive at McCarthy as rain fell on the greater Houston area Thursday, April 11, 2013. ( Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle File

North Freeway near N. Main Street exit

Vehicles make their way through high water along the North Freeway near N. Main, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

North Freeway near N. Main Street exit

Vehicles make their way through high water along the North Freeway near N. Main, Tuesday, May 13, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Quitman Street

A car sits in high water along Quitman Street, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Quitman Street

A car sits in high water along Quitman Street, Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Little Cypress Creek area (Cypress)

A man rides on the side of a truck in two feet of flood water on Longwood Trace Drive in the Longwood neighborhood as floodwaters from the Little Cypress Creek flowed over its banks Friday, July 13, 2012, in Cypress. less

Little Cypress Creek area (Cypress)

A man rides on the side of a truck in two feet of flood water on Longwood Trace Drive in the Longwood neighborhood as floodwaters from the Little Cypress Creek flowed over its ... more Photo: Johnny Hanson, Houston Chronicle File

Polk Street near Cullen Boulevard

A Lexus drove into high water along Polk St. near Cullen Blvd. east of Downtown Houston during the heavy rain this morning on Friday, July 13, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

Polk Street near Cullen Boulevard

A Lexus drove into high water along Polk St. near Cullen Blvd. east of Downtown Houston during the heavy rain this morning on Friday, July 13, 2012, in Houston. ( Mayra Beltran ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle File

West 43rd and Oak Forest

Cars drive by a stranded vehicle in the high water at the intersection of West 43rd and Oak Forest after a downpour Monday May 26, 2014.(Dave Rossman photo)

West 43rd and Oak Forest

Cars drive by a stranded vehicle in the high water at the intersection of West 43rd and Oak Forest after a downpour Monday May 26, 2014.(Dave Rossman photo) Photo: Dave Rossman, Houston Chronicle File

South Mayde Creek area (Katy)

Cutter Urban, an oil and gas worker, helps police direct traffic out of high-water at the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Saums Road on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Katy. The flooding was caused by South Mayde Creek overflowing from its banks. ( Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle ) less

South Mayde Creek area (Katy)

Cutter Urban, an oil and gas worker, helps police direct traffic out of high-water at the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Saums Road on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Katy. The ... more Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle File

Travis Street and Interstate 45

A METRO officer walks in the flooded Travis St. entrance to I-45 Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Houston. Authorities turned cars around and prohibited passage through the flooded area. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) less

Travis Street and Interstate 45

A METRO officer walks in the flooded Travis St. entrance to I-45 Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Houston. Authorities turned cars around and prohibited passage through the flooded ... more Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Studewood Street near Washington Avenue

A man pushes his car after it stalled out in high water along Studewood, North of Washington Avenue, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Studewood Street near Washington Avenue

A man pushes his car after it stalled out in high water along Studewood, North of Washington Avenue, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014, in Houston. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Interstate 10 entrance from Louisiana Street in downtown

A police car blocks off the Interstate 10 west on ramp where Louisiana street intersects with I-10 due to high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Interstate 10 entrance from Louisiana Street in downtown

A police car blocks off the Interstate 10 west on ramp where Louisiana street intersects with I-10 due to high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, ... more Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle File

Farm-to-Market 1488 (Conroe)

Traffic makes its way through high water north of Farm-to-Market 1488 Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in Conroe. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle)

Farm-to-Market 1488 (Conroe)

Traffic makes its way through high water north of Farm-to-Market 1488 Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, in Conroe. (Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Cody Duty, Houston Chronicle File

Interstate 45 and Travis Street

The Interstate 45 north on ramp where Travis street intersects with I-45 is closed by high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) less

Interstate 45 and Travis Street

The Interstate 45 north on ramp where Travis street intersects with I-45 is closed by high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston ... more Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle File

Commerce Street downtown

Water gushes from a manhole on Commerce street high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle )

Commerce Street downtown

Water gushes from a manhole on Commerce street high water due to heavy rains Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: James Nielsen, Houston Chronicle File

Highway 288 near Holly Hall Street

Highway 288 near Holly Hall Street

Photo: Google Maps

Fannin Street in Midtown

Fannin Street in Midtown

Photo: Google Maps

Memorial Drive passing under Shepherd Drive

Memorial Drive passing under Shepherd Drive

Photo: Google Maps

Walker Street near BBVA Compass Stadium downtown

Walker Street near BBVA Compass Stadium downtown

Photo: Google Maps

Interstate 45 exits near University of Houston Campus

Interstate 45 exits near University of Houston Campus

Photo: Google Maps

Milam exit of Interstate 45 south near downtown

Milam exit of Interstate 45 south near downtown

Photo: Google Maps

Main Street near the Medical Center

Main Street near the Medical Center

Photo: Google Maps

9200 block Lake Park

9200 block Lake Park

Photo: Google Maps

5300 block Willow Glen

5300 block Willow Glen

Photo: Google Maps

2200 block Des Jardines

2200 block Des Jardines

Photo: Google Maps

Shepherd"s Ridge

Shepherd"s Ridge

Photo: Google Maps

About 150 flooding incidents were reported on Houston streets between January-March 2015.

About 150 flooding incidents were reported on Houston streets between January-March 2015.

Photo: Google Maps

Flash flood watch extended through Friday evening

After storms moved through the Houston region on Thursday night, flooding remained a threat, with forecasters expecting more rain on Friday.

A flash flood watch for several counties, including Harris and Fort Bend,has been extended through Friday evening.

Early Friday, TranStar listed several high-water locations, including along Interstate 45, U.S. 290 eastbound at Texas 6, Texas 105, Texas 249 and Texas 6.

CHECK ROAD CONDITIONS:Get live traffic updates

According to radar, 8 to 12 inches of rain have fallen in areas of the counties under a flash flood watch.

There is potential for 3 to 6 inches of rain to fall until Friday morning. The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management expected 1-3 inches throughout the region and said some parts of the county could see up to 6 inches of rain.

High water made FM 1774 from Buddy Riley to north of FM 1484 impassable on Thursday. The water levels also rose along Highway 105 West at FM 1486 and Mount Moriah.

RELATED:Tornado leaves damage in Bryan

TranStar reported on Thursday evening that many areas of Interstate 45 in west Woodlands were impassable due to high levels of rainwater. Three lanes at Highway 242 were affected northbound and southbound. The exit ramp at Wilson Road on I-45 was also impassabledue to flooding.

FM 1097 and Highway 242 on I-45 were reported as high-water locations both northbound and southbound. Loop 336 was reported as impassablenorthbound.

Highway 6 at FM 2979 was also closed starting around 7 p.m., and Harris County Precinct 3 reported all roads within the Bear Creek Pioneers Park were closed.

There is a 70 percent chance of thunderstorms predicted for Houston on Friday.

SCHOOL CLOSURE:Friday classes canceled in some districts

The rain came from the same system that destroyed multiple homes in Bryan near College Station after a tornado touched down there. (See the photos of the destruction in the gallery above.)

The Wallace Pack Unit in Navasota, a prison about 70 miles northwest of Houston, sustained some damage around 4 p.m. Thursday from what appeared to be a tornado.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said debris and downed power lines were reported near the prison. The roof of a building on the outside perimeter fence was damaged. All inmates are accounted for.

Meanwhile, the severe rain and flooding in north Houston led to flight delays at George Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports, KTRK reported on Thursday.

IAH tweeted late Thursday that 23 flights were diverted to other airports because of the storms; 11 flights were canceled.

Check Chron.com/weather for the latest updates.

Reporter Mike Glenn contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.chron.com/news/houston-weather/article/Rain-pounds-north-Harris-County-expected-to-7948300.php

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Angela Simmons Pregnant With First Child

Yo Gotti Details His Crush On Angela Simmons

We imagine that Yo Gotti is far from the first rapper to be attracted to Angela Simmons, daughter of Rev Run, but late last year, he admitted his crush to the world on his smash hit "Down with the DM." The Memphis don won"t be pleased to see this news, as Simmons showed off a suspicious protrusion on her belly yesterday, and the caption she wrote on Instagram confirmed that a child is currently growing inside of her. Shucks.

"We are overjoyed and super excited to receive a blessing this big," wrote the 28-year-old model and businesswoman. "Starting a family was something that I could have only dreamed of."

It was initially unclear as to who else Simmons meant to include with the use of the "we" pronoun, as she has been impressively private about her love life. Upon further digging, though, it turns out that Simmons actually became engaged last month; we now know why. Simmons hasn"t revealed the identity of her fianc, but Bossip reports that the lucky man is a 35-year-old Atlanta native named Sutton Tennyson. In doing a background check, the gossip site also reported on his criminal history. Cheers to the family-to-be!

Whose DMs should Gotti slide into next?

Source: http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/angela-simmons-pregnant-with-first-child-news.21892.html

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Toronto Raptors believe strong bond key to record-breaking season

Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors - Game 6 - 1st Half Highlights | May 27, 2016 | NBA Playoffs

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lithuania and the U.S. The Raptors may call many places home but say they shared a special bond this season.

The Toronto players scattered Saturday in the wake of their season-ending 113-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. But not before singing the praises of the Raptors" brotherhood.

"It"s an amazing camaraderie that we have," all-star guard DeMar DeRozan said. "And it"s hard to find in this league."

The ties that bind extend to their families, he added. The loud, loyal fan support behind the team also helped strengthen the bond.

Centre Bismack Biyombo, who like DeRozan will be able to listen to other teams" offers this summer, said the players enjoyed each other"s company.

"It"s just the lockerroom, the energy around the lockerroom was great," said Biyombo, who comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo. "After practices, people would stay around the locker-room just to have conversations. Sometimes the conversation might sound stupid but we would still have fun with it and enjoy it.

"People would come early before practice and just sit around the locker-room, and then on the road ... This is the most fun I"ve had since I"ve been in the league."

Coach Dwane Casey also saw something special in this year"s roster, saying players accepted their roles and bought into the program.

"I really feel like we had a special locker-room and I told the team (Friday) night I"ve been coaching since 1979 and this is one of the special connected teams that we"ve had," he said.

Casey called Biyombo and other newcomers this year like Luis Scola, DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph pro"s pros. "All those guys fit," he said.

Winning a franchise-record 56 times and making it to the final four obviously helped the mood of the team. But player after player gave the Raptors" chemistry a thumbs-up.

"Everybody, from 1 to 15 [on the roster], we"re all close, we all did things together," said Joseph, who came over from San Antonio to play in his hometown. "Off the court we learned about each other"s culture. I think we had the most international players in the league this year. We learned about each other"s families.

"We just built, we were building on a lot of things that weren"t basketball. So I think that brought us closer together as a group and it showed on the court as well. So I had a great time. It was probably more fun off the court than it was on."

All-star guard Kyle Lowry smiled at his team"s brotherhood.

"We"ve got some comical guys in there," Lowry said of the locker-room.

"Honestly the mix of cultures and countries and backgrounds and languages .... it just brings us together," he added.

Languages spoken in the Raptors room included English, French, Lingala, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili.

Despite that, the players were on the same page.

"I think we finally found an identity for ourselves. We"re a physical grimy defensive team," said Carroll. "That"s the type of team that you want to be and that"s the type that we are.

"When you think of the Raptors, you think it"s going to be a physical night. They"re going to get up in you. They"re going to come block shots. They"re going to take charges. They"re going to do the little things that win the game. That"s the type of identity you want."

There are rules to be followed as a Raptor, some small but still valuable in the search for professionalism, according to Casey. For example, players have to have their shirts tucked in at practice, their shoes done up when meetings start. If a cellphone rings during a meeting, it"s a fine.

"I"m not a big rule guy but we do have specific rules and things that we do that are expected once you become a Toronto Raptor," said Casey.

"They"re small rules but they"re big rules," he added.

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/nba/raptors-brotherhood-nba-1.3605099

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Study: Colistin-resistant bacteria may elude detection

Colistin antibiotics mode of action, uses and adverse effects

Colistin-susceptible Enterobacter cloacae can harbor resistant bacterial colonies that are missed by diagnostic testing, increase in number when exposed to colistin, and cause lethal infections, according to a study today in Nature Microbiology.

The authors say that multidrug-resistant Enterobacter species are a growing cause of hospital-acquired infections, with colistin used as a last-line treatment. With some bacterial infections, they add, antibiotic treatment fails in about 10% of cases even when the strain is classified as antibiotic-susceptible.

The 2014 "Review on Antimicrobial Resistance," compiled by the government of the United Kingdom and the Wellcome Trust, estimated that antibiotic-resistant infections will cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050. While the emergence of resistant bacterial strains is a growing problem, little is known about the causes of treatment failure in infections with pathogens that are classified as susceptible to antibiotics.

Rapid growth in presence of colistin

Researchers from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and multiple centers at Emory University, including the Emory Antibiotic Resistance Center, identified colonies of colistin-resistant E cloacae living in an E cloacae isolate that had been diagnosed as colistin-susceptible.

Most colonies (more than 90%) in the isolate, which was obtained from a renal transplant patient, were susceptible to a small dose of colistin (1 microgram [mcg] per milliliter [ml]). A small subpopulation, however, demonstrated significant resistance even in the presence of 500 mcg per ml of colistin, which is striking, given previous studies" findings that resistant E cloacae strains can be killed with 200 mcg per ml .

When the cultured isolate, dubbed "R/S" because of the coexisting resistant and susceptible strains, was exposed to colistin, the resistant subpopulation became predominant and increased to account for more than 80% of the isolate in 24 hours. The expansion of resistant bacteria was due to selection against the susceptible population in the first 2 hours of antibiotic exposure and rapid replication, the authors said.

Increases in the resistant E cloacae subpopulation were reversed when R/S was grown in an antibiotic-free environment, and proportions soon returned to pre-treatment levels. The rapid increase in the resistant population when exposed to colistin means that it is not a "persister"a population of resistant bacteria that can be subdued but not eliminated by antibiotics and can later lead to relapsebut rather a population with the ability to actually cause severe infection in the presence of colistin, the authors said.

Immune system role in resistant group"s behavior

Several factors are believed to contribute to the behavior of R/S"s resistant subpopulation, and chief among these is the immune system"s innate response to infection. When mice were infected with the R/S strain but not exposed to colistin, the resistant subpopulation increased from less than 10% to more than 80% of the strain within 48 hours, which suggests that the infection process plays a role in the resistant bacteria"s expansion.

Researchers determined that the natural antibacterials found in macrophages, which play a key role in early immune response to infection, were responsible for increasing the proportion of colistin-resistant E cloacae in mice. When macrophages were infected in vitro with the R/S strain, the resistant subpopulation grew to account for 40% of the isolate within 2 hours, the authors said.

When mice infected with the R/S strain were treated with colistin, bacterial levels increased tenfold, yet the effect of treatment appeared to depend on when antibiotics were administered. Colistin reduced total levels of E cloacae when given at the time of infection, but had the opposite effect, prompting the proportional increase of resistant colonies and an overall increase in bacterial load, when administered only 4 hours after infection.

Mice with depleted macrophages were receptive to colistin and had lower bacterial levels at 4 hours post-infection, highlighting the important role that host immune response plays in treatment failure. When mice were given a lethal dose of the R/S strain, colistin treatment led to death in 100 hours, in contrast to mice that survived when treated with colistin after receiving lethal doses of a susceptible E cloacae strain.

"Persisters are kept at bay by antibiotic treatment and form a reservoir that can cause relapse, but the colistin-resistant subpopulation described has the ability to cause acute infection and lethality during the course of antibiotic treatment," the authors said.

Gene expression and clonal heteroresistance

Because numbers of the resistant subpopulation rose and fell depending on the presence of colistin, resistance is likely due to differences in gene expression rather than to a stable mutation, the authors said.

They found that the R/S strain showed upregulation of genes associated with producing the histidine kinase Pho-Q, which has previously been implicated in resistance to polymixin antibiotics, including colistin. In the absence of Pho-Q, the R/S strain showed susceptibility to colistin, and the resistant subpopulation did not dominate the susceptible colonies.

The authors refer to the phenomenon as "clonal heteroresistance," which "in addition to mediating lethal infection in the presence of antibiotic, can also go undetected and cause unexplained treatment failure during in vivo infection."

Strain missed by diagnostic tests

Researchers cultured a separate R/S E cloacae isolate with a substantially smaller resistant subpopulation consisting of about 1 in 10,000 bacteria out of the total isolate. The strain was initially classified as drug-susceptible, yet the subpoulation expanded when exposed to colistin and during macrophage infection.

The resistant subpopulation was not detected by epsilometer test (Etest), which is used to determine susceptibility, and the isolate was classified as colistin-susceptible by a clinical microbiology laboratory when cultured, the report says.

Given the potentially catastrophic effects of colistin treatment for R/S E cloacae strains, there is an urgent need for sensitive and accurate diagnostic tests that can detect small proportions of resistant bacteria harbored by drug-susceptible colonies, the authors said.

"These data demonstrate the impact of an antibiotic resistant subpopulation in mediating a lethal influence in the presence of high-dose antibiotic treatment," the authors said.

May 9 Nat Microbiol study

Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2016/05/study-colistin-resistant-bacteria-may-elude-detection

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Everything We Know About the Weird Superdelegate Song Bernie Sanders Retweeted, Then Deleted

Willie Nelson - Summertime
Someone in the Sanders campaign is a fan of cowboy hippie surf rock.

Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images

Yesterday afternoon, Bernie Sanders (aka a member of Bernie Sanders social media team) retweeted a link (which has since been deleted, it seems) to a song called Superdelegate, via someone named Lukas Autry Nelson:

What was immediately apparent was that this was one weird song, from the old-school, psycheledic sound to the extremely literal, often painful lyrics: Change your mind, superdelegate/You have to find just where were at/Youre a fool/You can be bought by who you represent.Gawkers Ashley Feinberg went so far as to call it why-is-blood-streaming-from-my-ears bad, and while that may be a tad extreme, theres no denying that as far as political protest songs go, Superdelegateis no Killing in the Nameespecially since its message targets an oddly specific and not particularly sexyaspect of our political system.

That actually made it a pretty good fit for the Sanders campaign, since he and his supporters have been vocally opposed to the huge lead Hillary Clinton has gained from said superdelegates. Still, within 24 hours the tweet had vanished, along with Sanders retweet, probably due to the scorn the song attracted afterGawkers post: Senator, hire better Tweeters,wrote one commenter. My brain is literally in pain right now, wrote another.

But an already strange sequence of events gets even stranger when you look at the players involved:Lukas Autry Nelson, the man behind both the original tweet and the song itself,is the frontman for Promise of the Real, a band that describes its music ascowboy hippy surf rock, as accurate a description of the genre Superdelegate falls into if there ever was one. Hes also Willie Nelsons son(yes,thatWillie Nelson). POTR have toured with Lukas" father and with Neil Young in the past, and they released their third album, Something Real,earlier this year. Now, apparently, they are also #FeelingtheBern.

Source: http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2016/05/26/_superdelegate_song_bernie_sanders_retweeted_is_by_willie_nelson_s_son_lukas.html

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First discovery in United States of colistin resistance in a human E. coli infection

What causes antibiotic resistance? - Kevin Wu

The Multidrug Resistant Organism Repository and Surveillance Network (MRSN) at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) characterized a transferrable gene for colistin resistance in the United States that may herald the emergence of truly pan-drug resistant bacteria.

Colistin is the last agent used to combat bacteria that are resistant to the strongest antibiotics. Colistin has remained the best tool available to treat multidrug resistant bacteria because bacteria were not exchanging genes for its resistance. This latest discovery shows that colistin may be losing its effectiveness in antimicrobial therapy. Now, bacteria may be exchanging resistance genes for colistin.

Alarms sounded in the microbiology community in late 2015 when the first transferrable gene for colistin-resistance was identified in China. Since the report, the global health community has monitored and searched for the occurrence of this gene in the food supply and in humans. This colistin-resistance gene has been reported in Europe and Canada and, as of now, is reported in the U.S.

A clinical sample from a urinary tract infection was collected from a patient in a military treatment facility in Pennsylvania. The sample was sent to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) where colistin susceptibility was tested. The results showed that no safe dosage of colistin would be effective to treat such a bacterial infection. WRNMMC recognized colistin-resistance and sent a sample to WRAIR"s MRSN for sequencing, which identified the colistin-resistant gene, mcr-1.

"Colistin is one of the last efficacious antibiotics for the treatment of highly resistant bacteria. The emergence of a transferable gene that confers resistance to this vital antibiotic is extremely disturbing. The discovery of this gene in the U.S. is equally concerning, and continued surveillance to identify reservoirs of this gene within the military healthcare community and beyond is critical to prevent its spread," reported Dr. Patrick McGann, MRSN, WRAIR.

Through intergovernmental communication, it was learned the CDC and USDA are also reporting a swine intestinal infection with a single mcr-1 positive E. coli strain. While there is no evidence that links these recent findings, the evidence of the strain in the U.S. is a public health concern. The gene is transferrable to other bacteria, which could worsen the current global crisis of antimicrobial resistance.

An urgent public health response is underway to contain and prevent potential spread of mcr-1. Active surveillance of multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs), such as mcr-1, allows for earlier and more accurate identification of originating sources. The collection and storage of isolates and samples in the MRSN"s growing repository helps researchers identify trends in resistance and prevalence of MDROs and provide best practices for medical providers. The repository also enables them to compare isolates from previous occurrences to better respond to future findings. Recognized as a model program by the White House, the MRSN is a key component of the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (CARB).

With the MRSN"s archive, this isolate will be archived for future studies to identify new countermeasures. "Through our surveillance system, we have the unique ability to coordinate source information with susceptibility and sequencing data, and if need be, go back to understand changes in infecting organisms to best treat infection and track emerging multidrug resistant organisms," COL Emil Lesho, Director of the MRSN, WRAIR.

This finding has been published by Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (AAC) of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

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The above post is reprinted from materials provided by The U.S. Military HIV Research Program (MHRP). Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNHFp6ijTu_wqqgPvqa4WZ3sPGtEjg&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779119825936&ei=G4dKV7DONMPQpweG-J_ADw&url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160526152033.htm

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Krauthammer: Obama Hiroshima Speech "Embarrassing" "Implicit Apology Dishonored Our Nation"

President Obama Return from Hiroshima at MCAS Iwakuni, Air Force One - 広島訪問後にエアフォースワンで帰国するオバマ大統領

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Friday on Fox News Channels Special Report during the All-Star Panel segment, Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer criticized President Barack Obama for the speech he had given at Hiroshima, the site where the first atomic bomb had been dropped, earlier in the day.

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Although he said it wasnt an explicit apology, the implicit apology dishonored our nation.

We saw it today. Heres a guy who went around the world when hes inaugurated I dont want to use the word apologize, but confessing of long history of American sins, from the maltreatment of Indians to the coup of Iran in 53, the coup in Guatemala, the list is very long, and its sort of he closed the circle of that apology tour today in Hiroshima.

And to say it wasnt a formal apology, of course he wasnt going use the word, and, yes, he did speak of war in the abstract. But he did it in Hiroshima. If you want to do a speech about war in the abstract you do it in Prague, which is what he did in 2009. When you do it in Hiroshima, of course youre talking about World War II, of course youre talking about American dropping the bomb, and of course the implication is that we have a sense of guilt about, not an overt apology.

This is a visit he should have made next year as a private citizen, in which case he can speak like a naive private citizen about escaping the logic of fear. What other way is there of dealing with nuclear weapons other than the logic of fear, i.e., deterrence? Eliminating them is never going to happen and will weaken us. Do we want to be without nuclear weapons when theres a nut case, Pyongyang, who is acquiring them, with apocalyptic, genocidal mullahs in Iran are acquiring them? Of course not.

And the president speaking as president representing the United States, I thought it was embarrassing, the utopianism, and the implicit apology dishonored our nation. Its not something he should have done.

Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor

Source: http://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/05/28/krauthammer-obama-hiroshima-speech-embarrassing-implicit-apology-dishonored-our-nation/

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