Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:58
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:58
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:57
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:56
Related Articles
Tuning inflammation in tuberculosis: the role of decoy receptors.
Microbes Infect. 2009 Sep;11(10-11):821-7
Authors: Di Liberto D, Caccamo N, Meraviglia S, Guggino G, La Manna MP, Sireci G, Salerno A, Dieli F
Decoy receptors are "silent scavengers" of CC chemokines and cytokines, which play a key role in damping inflammation and tissue damage. In this review we discuss on recent findings demonstrating that these receptors set the balance between antimicrobial resistance, immune activation and inflammatory response in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
PMID: 19450705 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:55
, . . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:54
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:53
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:52
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:52
. . NCBI PubMed A service of the U.S . National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health My NCBI Sign In Register All Databases PubMed Nucleotide Protein Genome Structure OMIM PMC Journals Books Search Database name PubMed Protein Nucleotide GSS EST Structure Genome BioSystems Books CancerChromosomes Conserved Domains dbGaP 3D Domains Gene Genome Project GENSAT GEO Profiles GEO DataSets HomoloGene Journals MeSH NCBI Web Site NLM Catalog OMIA OMIM Peptidome PMC PopSet Probe Protein Clusters PubChem BioAssay PubChem Compound PubChem Substance SNP SRA Taxonomy ToolKit ToolKitAll UniGene UniSTS for Search term Go Clear Advanced Search Limits Preview Index History Clipboard Details : Warning The NCBI web site requires JavaScript for full functionality . more . Display Summary Brief Abstract AbstractPlus Citation MEDLINE XML UI List LinkOut ASN.1 Related Articles BioSystem Links Cited in Books CancerChrom Links Domain Links 3D Domain Links dbGaP Links GEO DataSet Links Gene Links Gene OMIM Links Gene GeneRIF Links Genome Links Project Links GENSAT Links GEO Profile Links HomoloGene Links Nucleotide Links Nucleotide RefSeq Links Nucleotide Weighted Links EST Links EST
Updated: 2009-10-19 23:43:51
Related Articles
Environmental adaptation of Francisella tularensis.
Microbes Infect. 2009 Sep;11(10-11):828-34
Authors: Hazlett KR, Cirillo KA
Concerns over weaponizable bacteria have recently prompted considerable interest in Francisella tularensis (Ft). In addition to its potential illicit use, Ft occurs naturally in diverse ecological niches including mammals, arthropods, and fresh water protozoans. Here we review the current knowledge of Ft adaptation which has ramifications for both basic and applied research.
PMID: 19524059 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Updated: 2009-10-19 16:15:12
Story Summary: The new structures are being developed by scientists from the University of Bristol, using proteins from alpha helices one of the fundamental ways that strings of amino acids fold – to create long fibres called hydrogelating self assembling fibres (hSAFs), or hydrogels. We are almost certainly looking at high end biomedical applications, [...]
Related posts:Mystery E. coli genes essential for survival of many speciesPotato blight plight looks promising for food securityMystery E. coli genes essential for survival of many species
Updated: 2009-10-19 15:12:31
Abstract:
Leisure travel by sea has existed since antiquity. Today's cruise ships serve as a gathering place for people in every age group from different countries and cultures. The closed environment aboard cruise ships, close contact among passengers and crew, and common sources of food and water provide ample opportunity for exposure to and transmission of infectious diseases. Of these, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections pose the greatest risk of outbreaks. Outbreaks on cruise ships present a public health concern, since infection is often easily spread, is difficult to control, and has the potential to disseminate pathogens. A collaborative effort between the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program and the cruise line industry has significantly reduced the incidence of passenger ...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-16 19:05:42
Scientist Solutions own Ryan M got the cover of Nature this week!
The accompanying manuscript is entitled "Mutational evolution in a lobular breast tumour profiled at single nucleotide resolution"
The article is available in full-text on the nature site. To read it go here.
A special congrats to him and the rest of his co-authors! We all know how hard it is to publish a paper anywhere, much less to get the cover of Nature.
Ryan is the moderator for t...
Updated: 2009-10-16 04:36:08
Story Summary: Their findings are described in a study published October 6 in the journal PLoS ONE. L-form bacteria, which were first discovered in the 1930s, are morphological variants of classical bacteria that lack a cell wall. They also have important implications for understanding the emergence of antibiotic resistanceand bacterial persistence and for developing new [...]
Related posts:Why do human populations differ? Fruit fly study aims to provide genetic answersResearchers identify mechanism that helps bacteria avoid destruction in cellsBeans Defenses mean Bacteria Get Evolutionary Helping Hand
Updated: 2009-10-15 23:00:00
Authors: Ju X, Yu HL, Pan J, Wei DZ, Xu JH
Substrate-directed screening was carried out to find bacteria that could deacylate O-acetylated mandelic acid from environmental samples. From more than 200 soil isolates, we identified for the first time that Pseudomonas sp. ECU1011 biocatalytically deacylated (S)-alpha-acetoxyphenylacetic acid with high enantioselectivity (E > 200), yielding (S)-mandelic acid with 98.1% enantiomeric excess (ee) at a 45.5% conversion rate. The catalytic deacylation of (S)-alpha-acetoxyphenylacetic acid by the resting cell was optimized using a single-factor method to yield temperature and pH optima of 30 degrees C and 6.5, respectively. These optima help to reduce the nonselective spontaneous hydrolysis of the racemic substrate. It was found that substrate...
Updated: 2009-10-15 23:00:00
Authors: Park KM, Jun SY, Choi KH, Park KH, Park CS, Cha J
We cloned and expressed the gene for an intracellular alpha-amylase, designated AmyB, from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga neapolitana in Escherichia coli. The putative intracellular amylolytic enzyme contained four regions that are highly conserved among glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 13 alpha-amylases. AmyB exhibited maximum activity at pH 6.5 and 75 degrees C, and its thermostability was slightly enhanced by Ca(2+). However, Ca(2+) was not required for the activity of AmyB as EDTA had no effect on enzyme activity. AmyB hydrolyzed the typical substrates for alpha-amylase, including soluble starch, amylose, amylopectin, and glycogen, to liberate maltose and minor amount of glucose. The hydrolytic pattern of AmyB is...
Updated: 2009-10-15 23:00:00
Authors: Brison Y, Fabre E, Moulis C, Portais JC, Monsan P, Remaud-Siméon M
GBD-CD2 is an alpha-1,2 transglucosidase engineered from DSR-E, a glucansucrase naturally produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1299. This enzyme catalyses from sucrose, the alpha-1,2 transglucosylation of glucosyl moieties onto alpha-1,6 dextran chains. Steady-state kinetic studies showed that hydrolysis and transglucosylation reactions occurred at the early stage of the reaction in the presence of 70 kDa dextran as acceptor and sucrose. The transglucosylation reaction catalysed by GBD-CD2 follows a Ping Pong Bi Bi mechanism with a high k (cat) value of 970 s(-1). The amount of the synthesised alpha-1,2 side chains was found to be directly dependent on the initial molar ratio [Sucrose]/[Dextran]. D...
Updated: 2009-10-15 20:43:32
There are three basic classes of vaccine: live, killed and toxoid. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Here is guide to compare modern inoculations.
Updated: 2009-10-15 08:12:21
Diwali is a festuval of lights and crakers that symbolises victory of truth over false.....Happy Diwali to allon thus website!
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Vesth T, Wassenaar TM, Hallin PF, Snipen L, Lagesen K, Ussery DW
Thirty-two genome sequences of various Vibrionaceae members are compared, with emphasis on what makes V. cholerae unique. As few as 1,000 gene families are conserved across all the Vibrionaceae genomes analysed; this fraction roughly doubles for gene families conserved within the species V. cholerae. Of these, approximately 200 gene families that cluster on various locations of the genome are not found in other sequenced Vibrionaceae; these are possibly unique to the V. cholerae species. By comparing gene family content of the analysed genomes, the relatedness to a particular species is identified for two unspeciated genomes. Conversely, two genomes presumably belonging to the same species have suspiciously dissi...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Goodenough AE, Stallwood B
Although interest in the relationship between birds and microorganisms is increasing, few studies have compared nest microbial assemblages in wild passerines to determine variation within and between species. Culturing microorganisms from blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and great tit (Parus major) nests from the same study site demonstrated diverse microbial communities with 32 bacterial and 13 fungal species being isolated. Dominant bacteria were Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, and Staphylococcus hyicus. Also common in the nests were the keratinolytic bacteria Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bacillus subtilis. Dominant fungi were Cladosporium herbarum and Epicoccum purpurascens. Aspergillus flavous, Microsporum gallinae, and Candida albicans (c...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Dimitriu PA, Grayston SJ
Productivity gradients in the boreal forest are largely determined by regional-scale changes in soil conditions, and bacterial communities are likely to respond to these changes. Few studies, however, have examined how variation in specific edaphic properties influences the composition of soil bacterial communities along environmental gradients. We quantified bacterial compositional diversity patterns in ten boreal forest sites of contrasting fertility. Bulk soil (organic and mineral horizons) was sampled from sites representing two extremes of a natural moisture-nutrient gradient and two distinct disturbance types, one barren and the other vegetation-rich. We constructed 16S rRNA gene clone libraries to characterize the bacterial communities under phy...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Lavi I, Levinson D, Peri I, Tekoah Y, Hadar Y, Schwartz B
Mushroom polysaccharides are potent substances that exhibit antitumor and immunomodulatory properties. Studies comparing the chemical composition and antitumor-related activities of polysaccharides released by fungal strains under different growth conditions are not available. Thus, the present study compared polysaccharides extracts produced by Pleurotus pulmonarius from mycelium grown in liquid culture (ME) or fruiting bodies (FBE). Polysaccharides of both ME and FBE had a relatively high molecular mass. NMR spectroscopy indicated that ME glucan is an alpha-glucan whereas FBE glucan is a mixture of both alpha- and beta-glucans. Glucose and galactose where the most prominent monosaccharide in both glucans. Treatment of...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Korenblum E, Valoni E, Penna M, Seldin L
Biogenic souring and microbial-influenced corrosion is a common scenario in water-flooded petroleum reservoirs. Water injection systems are continuously treated to control bacterial contamination, but some bacteria that cause souring and corrosion can persist even after different treatments have been applied. Our aim was to increase our knowledge of the bacterial communities that persist in the water injection systems of three offshore oil platforms in Brazil. To achieve this goal, we used a culture-independent molecular approach (16S ribosomal RNA gene clone libraries) to analyze seawater samples that had been subjected to different treatments. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the bacterial communities from the different platforms w...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
In this study, we sought to determine the physiological/microbiological requirements to enhance the AcAFP production and the conditions influencing its stability. The maximum of AcAFP production was obtained when A. clavatus was grown on 2% glycerol as sole carbon source and 100 mM NaCl. The AcAFP expression was shown to be influenced by pH, being suppressed under acidic (pH 5) and strongly induced under alkaline conditions. The activity of the purified AcAFP was not affected by temperature; it loosed approximately 20% of its activity after 3 h at 100 degrees C and was efficient through a large pH range (pH 5-12) with an optimum at pH 8. AcAFP activity decreased at high ionic strength and in the presence of 10 mM of divalent cations (Mn(2+), Fe(2+) and Ca(2+)).
PMID: 19830417 [PubMed -...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Lu Y, Zhao H, Zhang C, Lai Q, Wu X, Xing XH
The NAD(+)-dependent formate dehydrogenase FDH1 gene (fdh1), cloned from Candida boidinii, was expressed in the ldh-deleted mutant of Enterobacter aerogenes IAM1183 strain. The plasmid of pCom10 driven by the PalkB promoter was used to construct the fdh1 expression system and thus introduce a new dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) regeneration pathway from formate in the ldh-deleted mutant. The knockout of NADH-consuming lactate pathway affected the whole cellular metabolism, and the hydrogen yield increased by 11.4% compared with the wild strain. Expression of fdh1 in the ldh-deleted mutant caused lower final cell concentration and final pH after 16 h cultivation, and finally resulted in 86.8% of increase in hydrogen yi...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Kato T, Kajikawa M, Maenaka K, Park EY
Many recombinant proteins have been successfully produced in silkworm larvae or pupae and used for academic and industrial purposes. Several recombinant proteins produced by silkworms have already been commercialized. However, construction of a recombinant baculovirus containing a gene of interest requires tedious and troublesome steps and takes a long time (3-6 months). The recent development of a bacmid, Escherichia coli and Bombyx mori shuttle vector, has eliminated the conventional tedious procedures required to identify and isolate recombinant viruses. Several technical improvements, including a cysteine protease or chitinase deletion bacmid and chaperone-assisted expression and coexpression, have led to significantly increased prote...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Zhang XZ, Zhang Z, Zhu Z, Sathitsuksanoh N, Yang Y, Zhang YH
Family 48 glycoside hydrolases (cellobiohydrolases) are among the most important cellulase components for crystalline cellulose hydrolysis mediated by cellulolytic bacteria. Open reading frame (Cphy_3368) of Clostridium phytofermentans ISDg encodes a putative family 48 glycoside hydrolase (CpCel48) with a family 3 cellulose-binding module. CpCel48 was successfully expressed as two soluble intracellular forms with or without a C-terminal His-tag in Escherichia coli and as a secretory active form in Bacillus subtilis. It was found that calcium ion enhanced activity and thermostability of the enzyme. CpCel48 had high activities of 15.1 U mumol(-1) on Avicel and 35.9 U mumol(-1) on regenerated amorphous cellulose (RAC) w...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Randall L, Leema F, Rodgers J, Vidal A, Clifton-Hadley F
A common problem of both conventional and real time PCR assays is failure of DNA amplification due to the presence of inhibitory substances in samples. In view of this, our aim was to develop and evaluate Internal Amplification Controls (IACs) for use with an existing duplex real time PCR assay for Campylobacter coli and C. jejuni. Both competitive and non-competitive IACs were developed and evaluated. The competitive approach involved a DNA fragment of the coding region of the viral fish haemorrhagic septicaemia virus, flanked by the mapA PCR primers, whilst the non-competitive approach utilised an extra set of universal 16S primers. Both IAC PCR assay types were evaluated using cultures of Campylobacter and chicken cae...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
This study identifies the commonest causes of bacteraemia in children in England and Wales, and highlights the shifts in trends observed over time.
PMID: 19833780 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
This study was carried out in India where burden of streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic fever (RF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), is high. As part of surveillance study, throat swabs were taken from 1504 children attending seven municipal schools in Mumbai, India during 2006-08. GAS and GGS/GCS were identified on the basis of beta-haemolytic activity, group carbohydrate and PYR-test, and subsequently typed. The GGS/GCS carriage rate (166/1504, 10%) was eight-fold higher than the GAS carriage (22/1504, 1.4%) rate in this population. The 166 GGS/GCS isolates collected represented 21 different emm-types (molecular types), and the 22 GAS isolates represented 15 different emm-types. Although the rate of pharyngitis associated with GGS/GCS is marginally lower than with GAS, high rate...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Udo EE, Sarkhoo E
Four Community- associated MRSA isolates expressing high-level mupirocin resistance (MIC: >1024mg/L) were isolated from four sites of a diabetic patient and characterized for the genetic location of their resistance determinants and typed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), SCCmec coagulase gene and multilocus sequence typing to ascertain their relatedness. The presence of genes for resistance to high-level mupirocin (mupA), tetracycline (tetK) and fusidic acid (far 1), Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), accessory gene regulators (agr) and capsular polysaccharide (cap) were detected in PCR assays. They were resistant to kanamycin, streptomycin, tetracycline, fusidic acid and cadmium acetate. They harboured mupA, tetK, far1, PVL, agr 3 and cap8. ...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Takeda K, Kang Y, Yazawa K, Gonoi T, Mikami Y
Phylogenetic analyses of 56 type species of Nocardia were conducted using the partial nucleotide sequences of gyrase B (gyrB) gene. The interspecies similarities of gyrB gene for 56 type species of Nocardia are 82.4-99.9%, which correspond to 270-2 nucleotide differences in the partial gene sequences around 1,200 bp. In comparison to phylogenetic relations, gyrB gene sequence information is generally consistent with that of 16S rRNA gene sequences with minor exceptions. However, the degree of divergence of gyrB gene sequences is approximately 3.6 times greater than that of 16S rRNA gene sequences, suggesting a higher discriminative power of gyrB sequence information than that of 16S rRNA within the species of Nocardia. Nocardia typ...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Elleuche S, Pöggeler S
Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are metalloenzymes that catalyze the interconversion of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate with high efficiency. This reaction is fundamental to biological processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, pH homeostasis, CO(2) transport and electrolyte secretion. CAs are distributed among all three domains of life, and are currently divided into five evolutionarily unrelated classes (alpha, beta, gamma, delta and zeta). Fungal CAs have only recently been identified and characterized in detail. While Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans each have only one beta-CA, multiple copies of beta-CA- and alpha-CA-encoding genes are found in other fungi. Recent work demonstrates that CAs play an important role in the CO(2)-sensing ...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Moody KL, Driks A, Rother GL, Cote CK, Brueggemann EE, Hines HB, Friedlander AM, Bozue JA
All Bacillus spores are encased in macromolecular shells. One of these is a proteinacious shell called the coat that, in Bacillus subtilis, provides critical protective functions. The Bacillus anthracis spore is the infectious particle for the disease anthrax. Therefore, the coat is of particular interest because it may provide essential protective functions required for the appearance of anthrax. Here, we analyze a protein component of the spore outer layers that was previously designated as BxpA. Our data indicate that a significant amount of BxpA is located below the spore coat and associated with the cortex. By SDS-PAGE, BxpA migrates as a 9-kD species when extracted from Sterne strai...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Weber MM, French CL, Barnes MB, Siegele DA, McLean RJ
Bacteria growing as surface-adherent biofilms are better able to withstand chemical and physical stresses than their unattached, planktonic counterparts. Using transcriptional profiling and quantitative PCR, we observed a previously uncharacterized gene, yjfO, to be upregulated during Escherichia coli MG1655 biofilm growth in a chemostat on serine-limited defined medium. A yjfO mutant, developed through targeted insertion mutagenesis, and a yjfO-complemented strain, were obtained for further characterization. While bacterial surface colonization levels (CFU/cm2) were similar in all three strains, the mutant strain exhibited reduced microcolony formation when observed in flow cells, and greatly enhanced flagellar motility on...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Campos J, Martínez E, Izquierdo Y, Fando RA
A novel filamentous bacteriophage, designated VEJvarphi, was isolated from the strain MO45 of Vibrio cholerae of the O139 serogroup. A molecular characterization of the phage was carried out, which included the sequencing of its whole genome, the study of the genomic structure, the identification of the phage receptor, as well as the determination of the function of some genes, such as those encoding the major capsid protein and the single-stranded DNA binding proein. The genome nucleotide sequence of VEJvarphi, which consists of 6842 bp, revealed that it is organized in modules of functionally related genes in an array which is characteristic of the genus inovirus (filamentous phages). VEJvarphi is closely related with other pr...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
Authors: Kröger C, Stolz J, Fuchs TM
In Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, the genomic island GEI4417/4436 has recently been identified to be responsible for myo-inositol (MI) utilization. Here, two of the four island-encoded permeases are reported as the MI transporters of this pathogen. In-frame deletion of iolT1 (STM4418) led to severe, inactivation of iolT2 (STM4419) to slight growth deficiencies in the presence of MI. These phenotypes could be complemented by providing the putative transporter genes in trans. Bioluminescence-based reporter assays demonstrated a strong induction of their promoters PiolT1 and of PiolT2 in the presence of MI but not glucose. Deletion of iolR encoding the negative regulator of most genes involved in MI degradation resulted in up-regulation ...
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
In conclusion, our results suggested that the EmhABC system is an important element influencing the production of antibiotic 2,4-DAPG and for enhancing resistance to toxic compounds in P. fluorescens 2P24.
PMID: 19833777 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Microbiology)
Updated: 2009-10-14 23:00:00
In this study, CPE0201, a putative acid phosphatase gene deduced by genome analysis, was shown to encode the nonspecific acid phosphatase in C. perfringens. Multiple alignments of the amino acid sequence showed that CPE0201 shares two signature motifs that belong to a class C acid phosphatase family. Expression of CPE0201 was shown to be positively regulated by the global VirR/VirS-VR-RNA regulatory cascade at the transcriptional level. To determine CPE0201's acid phosphatase activity, cloning, expression, purification and several biochemical characterizations of CPE0201 were carried out to reveal related properties. The optimum pH for CPE0201 activity was 4.8, and its Vmax and Km were 3.08 nmol ml(-1) min(-1) and 2.84 mM, respectively, when p-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP) was used as a sub...
Updated: 2009-10-14 01:54:54
Kinds of Bacteria (Prokaryotes) and How We See and Identify Them
Show and understanding of the Three-Domain System of classification and be able to contrast it with the Five Kingdom System we covered earlier in the semester.
Which system do you think best describes living organisms and their evolutionary relationships? Justify your answer.
Know the differences between the [...]
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Sugimoto T, Morimoto A, Nariyama M, Kato T, Park EY
An oxalate-resistant strain of Ashbya gossypii was naturally isolated from spores grown on an oxalate-containing medium, and its medium was optimized to improve riboflavin production. Riboflavin production by the resistant strain was three-fold higher than that by the wild-type organism when grown in flask cultures. Medium optimization increased the riboflavin production by the resistant strain to 5 g l(-1), which was five-fold higher than that obtained by the wild-type strain. The productivity was reproduced in a 3-l bioreactor. During the early growth phase, the specific activity of isocitrate lyase in the oxalate-resistant strain was slightly higher than that in the wild-type strain. Proteomic analysis of the oxalate-resis...
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Chen Y, Li S, Xiong J, Li Z, Bai J, Zhang L, Ye Q, Ouyang P, Ying H
A whole cell biocatalytic process for uridine 5'-monophosphate (UMP) production from orotic acid by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was developed. The concentration of UMP was increased by 23% when 1 g l(-1) sodium citrate was fed into the broth. Effects of citrate addition on UMP production were investigated. Glucose-6-phosphate pool was elevated by onefold, while FBP and pyruvate were decreased by 42% and 40%, respectively. Organic acid pools such as acetate and succinate were averagely decreased by 30% and 49%. The results demonstrated that manipulation of citrate levels could be used as a novel tool to regulate the metabolic fluxes distribution among glycolysis, pentose phosphate pathway, and TCA cycle.
PMID:...
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Okano K, Tanaka T, Ogino C, Fukuda H, Kondo A
Lactic acid (LA) is an important and versatile chemical that can be produced from renewable resources such as biomass. LA is used in the food, pharmaceutical, and polymers industries and is produced by microorganism fermentation; however, most microorganisms cannot directly utilize biomass such as starchy materials and cellulose. Here, we summarize LA production using several kinds of genetically modified microorganisms, such as LA bacteria, Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, and yeast. Using gene manipulation and metabolic engineering, the yield and optical purity of LA produced from biomass has been significantly improved. In this review, the drawbacks as well as improvements of LA production by fermentation is discuss...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Huang CJ, Anderson KA, Damasceno LM, Ritter G, Old LJ, Batt CA
The cancer-testis (CT) antigen synovial sarcoma X break point 2 (SSX2) was expressed in Pichia pastoris as a means to produce a delayed-type hypersensitivity skin test reagent for monitoring SSX2-specific anti-cancer immune responses. SSX2 was detected intracellularly in P. pastoris despite the addition of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alpha-mating factor secretion signal. Increasing the SSX2 gene copy number did not improve its secretion but did enhance intracellular SSX2 levels. SSX2 with its C-terminal nuclear localization signal (NLS) deleted (SSX2NORD), however, was secreted. Indirect immunofluorescence indicated that SSX2 containing the NLS did not translocate to the nucleus but accumulated in the endoplasmic ...
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Singh S, Braus-Stromeyer SA, Timpner C, Tran VT, Lohaus G, Reusche M, Knüfer J, Teichmann T, von Tiedemann A, Braus GH
The first leaky auxotrophic mutant for aromatic amino acids of the near-diploid fungal plant pathogen Verticillium longisporum (VL) has been generated. VL enters its host Brassica napus through the roots and colonizes the xylem vessels. The xylem contains little nutrients including low concentrations of amino acids. We isolated the gene Vlaro2 encoding chorismate synthase by complementation of the corresponding yeast mutant strain. Chorismate synthase produces the first branch point intermediate of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis. A novel RNA-mediated gene silencing method reduced gene expression of both isogenes by 80% and resulted in a bradytrophic mut...
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
This study highlighted the crucial importance of DNA recovery bias evaluation.
PMID: 19826809 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology)
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Tiwari R, Kalra A, Darokar MP, Chandra M, Aggarwal N, Singh AK, Khanuja SP
Endophytes are beneficial microbes that reside intercellularly inside the plants. Interaction of endophytes with the host plants and their function within their host are important to address ecological relevance of endophyte. Four endophytic bacteria OS-9, OS-10, OS-11, and OS-12 were isolated from healthy leaves of Ocimum sanctum. These isolated microbes were screened in dual culture against various phytopathogenic fungi viz. Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium solani, Alternaria solani, and Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Of these, strain OS-9 was found to be antagonistic to R. solani, A. solani, F. solani, and C. lindemuthianum while OS-11 was found antagonistic against A. solani only. Th...
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Carvalho E, Barbosa AS, Gómez RM, Oliveira ML, Romero EC, Gonçales AP, Morais ZM, Vasconcellos SA, Ho PL
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global distribution, which affects both animals and humans. Pathogenic leptospires, the bacteria that cause this disease, require iron for their growth, and these spirochetes probably use their hemolysins, such as the sphingomyelinases, as a way to obtain this important nutrient from host red blood cells during infection. We expressed and purified the leptospiral sphingomyelinases Sph1, Sph2, Sph4, and SphH in a heterologous system. However, the recombinant proteins were not able to lyse sheep erythrocytes, despite having regular secondary structures. Transcripts for all sphingomyelinases tested were detected by RT-PCR analys...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
This study showed that the solar saltern of Sfax is an optimal environment for halophilic bacterial growth, where diverse viable bacterial communities are available and may have many industrial applications.
PMID: 19826862 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology)
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Tang K, Zong R, Zhang F, Xiao N, Jiao N
The phototrophic capacity of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria endows them with a selective advantage over other heterotrophic bacteria in the oligotrophic ocean. Here, we reported the phototrophic features and proteome of an aerobic phototrophic bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans under starvation stress. The fluorescence induction and relaxation measurements suggested that the photosynthetic capacity in R. denitrificans was preserved but was lower than in the photoautotrophic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. The existence of light-harvesting complexes (LH1 and LH2) and the reaction center (RC) in the native membrane were demonstrated through atomic force microscopy image analysis as direct evidence of their phototrophy. The ho...
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
This study sheds production of bioactive and their biological exploring molecules.
PMID: 19826864 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology)
Updated: 2009-10-13 23:00:00
Authors: Gu ZJ, Wang L, Le Rudulier D, Zhang B, Yang SS
PMID: 19826865 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Microbiology)
Updated: 2009-10-13 10:08:23
Pic of a lamb suffering from tetanus. Notice the stiffness in his body. Posting a pic of lamb with tetanus...notice the sitffness of its body
Updated: 2009-10-12 23:00:00
Authors: Harding MW, Marques LL, Howard RJ, Olson ME
The discovery of biofilm formation in bacteria and yeasts has led to a better understanding of microbial ecology and to new insights into the mechanisms of virulence and persistence of pathogenic microorganisms. However, it is generally assumed that filamentous fungi, some of which have a significant impact on our health or our economy, do not form biofilms. In contrast to this assumption, here we discuss recent findings supporting the hypothesis that surface-associated filamentous fungi can form biofilms. Based on these findings and on previous models for bacterial and yeast systems, we propose preliminary criteria and a model for biofilm formation by filamentous fungi.
PMID: 19833519 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source:...
Updated: 2009-10-12 23:00:00
Authors: Chang CF, Lee CF, Liu SM
A new ascomycetous yeast species, Candida neustonensis is proposed in this study based on four strains (SN92(T), SN47, SJ22, SJ25) isolated from sea surface microlayer in Taiwan. These four yeast strains were morphologically, physiologically and phylogenetically identical to each other. No sexual reproduction was observed on 5% malt extract agar, corn meal agar, V8 agar, McClary's acetate agar and potato-dextrose agar. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit (LSU) rRNA gene places C. neustonensis as a member of the Pichia guilliermondii clade, it also reveals that the phylogenetically closest relatives of C. neustonensis are C. fukuyamaensis (4.4% divergence), C. xestobii (4.4% divergence) and P. guilliermondii (...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:51:00
Rapid and accurate diagnostic methods for typing and subtyping influenza viruses are needed for improved worldwide surveillance. Although molecular-based diagnostic methods are becoming more widespread in influenza diagnosis, they generally involve amplification of the hemagglutinin (HA) and/or neuraminidase (NA) gene segments for subtyping. A low-density microarray (MChip) has been developed that allows for the identification and subtyping of influenza A viruses in approximately seven hours. MChip is unique in that it is based solely on the matrix (M) gene segment which has enough genetic diversity for subtype analysis but sufficient genetic stability to circumvent the need for continual redesign of primers and microarray probes.Further reading: Influenza: Molecular VirologyFull range of ...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:48:00
The influenza virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase is a heterotrimeric complex (PA, PB1 and PB2) with multiple enzymatic activities for catalyzing viral RNA transcription and replication. Its critical roles in the influenza virus life cycle and high sequence conservation suggest it should be a major target for therapeutic intervention. However, until very recently, functional studies and drug discovery targeting the influenza polymerase have been hampered by the lack of three-dimensional structural information. The influenza polymerase holds prospects for the development of anti-influenza therapeutics.Further reading: Influenza: Molecular VirologyFull range of books on microbiology at Microbiology Books (Source: Microbiology Blog: The weblog for microbiologists.)
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:46:00
The pandemic influenza virus of 1918 was extremely virulent and caused significant morbidity and mortality to millions of people worldwide. The extinct virus caused severe pathology in both the upper and lower respiratory tract, resulting in fatal respiratory complications and bacterial pneumonia. The pathology associated with 1918 influenza virus infections is thought to be the result of the exposure of an immunologically naive host population to an unusually virulent virus. Using reverse genetics, the 1918 pandemic virus has been studied in an attempt to determine which viral genes contribute to the increased virulence. Studies to date point to the role of the hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, and the polymerase basic protein 1 genes as the virulence genes responsible for the high pathogenic...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:43:38
(Source: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:42:00
Viral ion channels have minimalist architecture. Despite their relatively simple structure, viral channels can achieve highly specific gating and selection of ions, and the particular mechanisms appear to be different from those of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The unique structural and functional properties of viral channels make them ideal targets for antiviral therapy because the molecules that inhibit viral ion channels may not interact with human ion channels. The M2 proton channel of influenza A virus is a model viral ion channel. This small channel, whose pore is formed by four equivalent transmembrane helices, is the target of two widely used anti-influenza A drugs, amantadine and rimantadine, both belonging to the adamantane class of compounds. However, resistance of influenza A to ...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:40:00
The influenza A virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein (HA) is the principle mediator of viral entry into host cells. It is responsible for attachment of virions to sialic acid-containing receptors on the host cell surface, and for inducing membrane fusion between viral envelopes and cellular endosomal membranes following endocytosis. HA serves a classic example of a type I membrane glycoprotein, with a cleaved N-terminal signal sequence, a membrane anchor domain near the C-terminus, and post-translational modifications resulting from the addition of N-linked oligosaccharide side chains to the ectodomain, and acylation of cysteine residues in the cytoplasmic tail region. HA spikes on the viral surface are also the major target for neutralizing antibodies, and as such, the antigenic properties of...MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:37:00
The (-) RNA genome of the influenza A virus, eight segments in total, is encapsidated in the form of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. The nucleoprotein (NP), the major protein component of RNPs, binds along the entire length of each genomic RNA segment at a 24-nt interval, forming the double-helical RNP structures found in mature viruses. The viral polymerase, consisting of PA, PB1, and PB2 subunits, binds to the two RNA termini of the RNP. As one of the most abundant proteins made in infected cells, influenza virus NP has essential roles in many important viral processes, including intracellular trafficking of the viral genome, viral RNA replication, viral genome packaging, and virus assembly. The recently determined crystal structures of two NP trimers show an overall fold and an exter...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:34:00
The non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of influenza virus is a potent antagonist of the cellular antiviral interferon (IFN) response. It is a multifunctional protein with two domains, a dsRNA binding domain (RBD) and an effector domain (ED) which interacts with various cellular proteins. Although, initially sequestration of dsRNA was considered the primary mechanism for countering IFN, subsequent studies have shown that the interactions of ED with various cellular proteins are likely involved. NS1 is shown to be a virulence determinant, especially in the highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses that are currently a threat for another influenza pandemic. Among various influenza virus strains, NS1 is relatively well conserved with major differences occurring in the linker region and the C-terminus, where...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:31:00
The NS1 protein of influenza A viruses is a small (230-237-amino acid), multi-functional dimeric protein that participates in both protein-RNA and protein-protein interactions. It is comprised of two functional domains: N-terminal (amino acids 1-73) RNA-binding domain; and C-terminal (amino acids 74-230/237) effector domain. Here we focus on several of the best-characterized functional interactions of the NS1 protein. A major role of the NS1 protein is to counter host cell antiviral responses. Thus, the RNA-binding domain binds double-stranded (ds) RNA, thereby inhibiting the dsRNA activation of the antiviral oligo A synthetase/RNase L pathway that is induced by interferon-α/β (IFN-α/β). A region of the effector domain binds the protein kinase PKR, thereby preventing ...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:28:00
In the last 100 years there have been three major influenza pandemics: Spanish Flu in 1918, Asian Flu in 1957 and Hong Kong Flu in 1968. These claimed the lives of approximately 50 million, 2 million and 1 million people respectively. Added to this is the annual death toll of 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide with a further 3 to 4 million people suffering severe illness. These statistics make influenza an extremely important pathogen. In 1997 the alarming emergence of a new, highly pathogenic subtype, H5N1, which has a 50% mortality rate, provided a major impetus for renewed influenza research. However the battle against influenza is going to be difficult. Recently another subtype, H1N1, has emerged. This subtype causes a relatively mild infection in humans, however is highly transmittab...
Updated: 2009-10-12 15:00:16
Following publication of the above mentioned article, a revised image was provided by the author. The revised figure is included below. (Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
Updated: 2009-10-11 23:00:00
Authors: Hörmannsperger G, Haller D
It is current knowledge that the intestinal microbiota plays a major role in the development and maintenance of intestinal health. Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) constitute the interface between the gut lumen and the innate and adaptive immune system. To maintain intestinal homeostasis, the organized and diffuse compartments of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue have to process the continuously varying information at the interface between the luminal side and the host. Dysregulated intestinal immune responses towards commensal bacteria are an important factor in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In contrast to the colitogenic effects of enteric bacteria, clinical and experimental studies showed that specific probiotic str...
Updated: 2009-10-11 23:00:00
Authors: Boss IW, Plaisance KB, Renne R
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short RNAs of about 22 nucleotides in length that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to 3' untranslated regions of mRNAs, thereby inducing translational silencing. Recently, more than 140 miRNAs have been identified in the genomes of herpesviruses. Deciphering their role in viral biology requires the identification of target genes, a challenging task because miRNAs require only limited complementarity. The subject of this review will be the herpesvirus miRNAs and their respective target genes that have been determined experimentally to date. These miRNAs regulate fundamental cellular processes including immunity, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and key steps in the herpesvirus life cycle, latency and the sw...
Updated: 2009-10-11 23:00:00
Authors: Gast RJ, Sanders RW, Caron DA
Protistan species are found in almost every environment on our planet, and have adapted in many ways to survive and thrive under dramatically different conditions. Some of the most diverse adaptations involve symbiotic relationships with prokaryotes. Described symbioses primarily involve heterotrophic protists, including ciliates, Rhizaria (amoebae, foraminifera, radiolaria) and flagellate taxa. Recently there has been an increase in reports of environmental isolates that represent novel associations, which suggest that the symbioses are probably more widespread than conventionally thought. Future work will need to explore the function, abundance and distribution of what have been considered rare or unusual interactions.
PMID: 19828317 [PubMed...
Updated: 2009-10-11 23:00:00
Authors: van Asbeck EC, Clemons KV, Stevens DA
The Candida parapsilosis family has emerged as a major opportunistic and nosocomial pathogen. It causes multifaceted pathology in immuno-compromised and normal hosts, notably low birth weight neonates. Its emergence may relate to an ability to colonize the skin, proliferate in glucose-containing solutions, and adhere to plastic. When clusters appear, determination of genetic relatedness among strains and identification of a common source are important. Its virulence appears associated with a capacity to produce biofilm and production of phospholipase and aspartyl protease. Further investigations of the host-pathogen interactions are needed. This review summarizes basic science, clinical and experimental information about C. parapsilosis.
...
Updated: 2009-10-11 23:00:00
This study investigated the effect of pretreating hydrogel-coated catheters with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophages on biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa in an in vitro model. Hydrogel-coated catheters were exposed to a 10 log10 PFU ml(-1) lysate of P. aeruginosa phage M4 for 2 hours at 37 degrees C prior to bacterial inoculation. The mean viable biofilm count on untreated catheters was 6.87 log10 CFU cm(-2) after 24 h. Pretreatment of catheters with phage reduced this value to 4.03 log10 CFU cm(-2) (p<0.001). Phage treatment immediately following bacterial inoculation also reduced biofilm viable counts (4.37 log10 CFU cm(-2) reduction, p<0.001). Regrowth of biofilms on phage-treated catheters occurred between 24 and 48 h, but supplemental treatment with phage at 24 h significantl...
Updated: 2009-10-07 10:49:33
Many bacteria can grow and live as biofilms, in which single microbial cells individually interconnect with each other through an extracellular matrix. Biofilm-forming bacteria pose severe problems in the environment, industry and health care sector due to increased bacterial survival competence in the environment and the protective nature of biofilms that prevent effective eradication. Technological progress in microscopy, molecular genetics and genome analysis has significantly advanced our un...
Updated: 2009-10-07 03:41:28
In agriculture, Aspergillus originally was considered a serious problem largely because of its prevalence in the biodeterioration of stored crops and as an opportunistic pathogen of field crops, particularly under high moisture conditions. During the early 1960s, the discovery of aflatoxins associated with massive deaths of poultry, trout and other domesticated animals species worldwide raised new awareness that these fungi posed threats to foods and feeds beyond their ability to rot plant mater...
Updated: 2009-10-07 03:36:03
Atopy is a genetic predisposition to developing certain hypersensitivity reactions such as asthma, hay fever (allergic rhinitis), and food allergies. Allergic reactions to Aspergillus in atopic individuals can be caused by fungal spores in the air and from fungi ingested in food. Airborne spores are readily inhaled when we breathe; they also come into contact with the eyes and other exposed parts of the body. Moulds are involved in the initiation and exacerbation of lower airway diseases such as...
Updated: 2009-10-04 02:42:25
Every time a new antibiotic is introduced, bacteria find a way of becoming resistant to it. This article describes bacterial resistance to vancomycin.
Updated: 2009-10-02 17:47:25
I was on Wired Magazine's website (researching an article about bioethics and gene therapy) when I came across this awesome article about strange cloud formations.
If you have some time, its a fascinating piece. Here are a few pictures from the article.
Clouds ROCK!
Omai
Updated: 2009-10-02 14:54:26
Prokaryotic Cell Structure
Be able to describe the structure of a prokaryotic cell as well as the functions of the structures. Especially pay attention to the contrast in structure and function of prokaryotes vs. eukaryotes.
Be able to show that you understand the ways that microbiologists use the differences between these [...]
Updated: 2009-10-02 07:48:47
28th September was celebrated as world veterinary day this year at many places worldwide.www.worldrabiesday.org
Updated: 2009-09-29 20:15:37
Several Carver College of Medicine faculty members have been successful in receiving American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) funds through National Institutes of Health awards. As of September 30, CCOM had received over 75 awards worth over $24.5 million in first-year funding. This includes 30 new competitive renewals and over 40 supplemental funding awards.
CCOM faculty responded in large numbers [...]
Updated: 2009-09-29 20:09:59
The Carver College of Medicine Biomedical Research Store has recently launched a new website. The new site, at www.medicine.uiowa.edu/corefacilities/biostore/ allows investigators to view the Store’s inventory and after logging in, view product pricing.
Located on the second floor of Eckstein Medical Research Building, the Biomedical Research Store provides molecular and cell biology enzymes, reagents and kits [...]
Updated: 2009-09-28 15:41:02
Francois Abboud, M.D., University of Iowa faculty member, has been appointed to the Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space: Animal and Human Biology Panel, which operates through the National Academies.
The Space Studies Board and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board organized the group to establish priorities and provide recommendations for life and [...]
Updated: 2009-09-28 14:41:59
The University of Iowa Department of Microbiology together with the Carver College of Medicine will host E. Peter Greenberg, PhD on October 15 as part of the Distinguished Biomedical Scholars Lecture Series. Greenberg’s talk, “The Social Life of Bacteria,” will also be the first annual Michael A. Apicella Endowed Lecture in Microbiology. Distinguished Biomedical Scholars [...]
Updated: 2009-09-28 01:19:44
The Carver College of Medicine wishes to congratulate the following new grant recipients from September 2009
Name
Department
Sponsor
Proposal Title
Adams, Christopher
Internal Medicine
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
Molecular Biology of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Amendola, Annunziato
Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation
ArthroSurface, Inc.
A Prospective, Non-Randomized, Externally Controlled, Open Label Multi-Center, Pivotal Study to Examine the Safety and Effectiveness of the HemiCAP Focal Femoral Condyle Resurfacing Prosthesis
Anderson, Michael
Molecular [...]
Updated: 2009-09-24 11:47:59
Microbiology and the Progress of Science
Be able to show an understanding of how science progresses by listing the major discoveries that lead to the understanding of what microbes could do (including cause disease).
What was the result of the understanding that microbes caused disease?
When were there first cures for infectious diseases?
Be able to [...]
Updated: 2009-09-22 17:29:42
Scientist Solutions is happy to announce the official launch of the Discussion Forum for the American Society for Matrix Biology.
Please join us in welcoming all their members who became users of Scientist Solutions today. We hope you find us a great group of dedicated scientists that are a pleasure to interact with.
Within their space here, you can view the latest Matrix-specific Protocols, publications for the Journal Matrix Biology, as well as interact with Matri...
Updated: 2009-09-22 15:39:33
A five-year, $5 million grant to establish a Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss was awarded to the Iowa City Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center by the Veterans Affairs Division of Rehabilitation Research and Development.
The center will be led by Randy Kardon, M.D., Ph.D., UI professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences and [...]
Updated: 2009-09-22 06:35:58
The stability of cell shape and structure are maintained by cytoskeletal proteins that interact with and transport required functional molecules.
