Improving typeability of multiple bacterial species using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and thiourea

Although pulsed-field gel electrophoresis is considered the "gold standard" technique for molecular typing, typeability may not be excellent for some bacterial species because of DNA degradation. Previous reports suggest that the addition of thiourea in the gel buffer can improved the typeability for some species. In the present study, 66 Gram-negative strains (seven species) known to be affected by DNA degradation and four control strains were evaluated by PFGE with and without the addition of 50 microg/M of thiourea to the buffer used in the electrophoresis. Macrorestriction patterns were obtained for all K. pneumoniae, S. marcescens, P. aeruginosa, and Salmonella spp., for 95.4% of E. coli, and for 50% of E. cloacae strains from the gels performed in the buffer with throurea. However, typeability was not improved for Acinetobacter spp. The range of non-typeable species for which thiourea can limit the problem of DNA degradation is considerably wider than described in previous publications.     

Evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction in obese adolescents

Aim: Although obesity and weight gain generally are anticipated to be caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, the significance of thyroid hormones (TH) remains unclear. Examination of mitochondrial function may reflect intracellular thyroid hormone effect and elucidate whether a lower metabolic rate is present. Methods: In a group of 34 obese adolescents (age <16 years and body mass index above the age‐related 95th percentile), and an age‐ and gender‐matched group of 32 lean adolescent, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and basal oxygen consumption were measured and mitochondrial function in peripheral blood monocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Results: Significant increase in TSH (3.06 ± 1.56 mU/L vs. 2.33 ± 0.91 mU/L, p < 0.05) and a decrease in VO₂ (129 ± 16 mL O₂/m²*min vs. 146 ± 15 mL O₂/m²*min, p < 0.05) were observed in obese adolescents compared with lean adolescents. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated a lower mitochondrial mass (6385 ± 1962 a.u. vs. 7608 ± 2328 a.u., p < 0.05) and mitochondrial membrane potential (11426 ± 3861 a.u. vs. 14017 ± 5536 a.u., p < 0.05) in obese adolescents compared with lean adolescents. These results are even more pronounced in adolescents with obese mothers. Conclusion: In obese adolescents, the increased TSH and lowered VO₂ propose a lowered basal metabolic rate and the impaired mitochondrial function suggests a decreased thyroid hormone stimulation of mitochondrial energy production. The maternal in‐heritage is suggestive of a basal metabolic defect or mitochondrial resistance for TH.     

Morphological changes due to Lead exposure and the influence of DMSA on the gill tissues of the freshwater fish, Catla catla

Catla catla fingerlings were reared in freshwater and exposed to 15.5 ppm concentration of lead for 60 days. The morphological changes on the gill of the C. catla fingerlings due to lead intoxication and the effect of DMSA (meso 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid) on the affected tissues were observed using Scanning Electron Microscope. It has been found that the lead treated gill tissues showed certain marked changes, such as cell hypertrophy, alteration in the lamellar surfaces, epithelial hyperplasia and the fusion of adjacent lamellae. The antidote DMSA treatment reduces the toxic effects and helps the recovery of gill tissue and its return to the level of the control/normal.     

人亲环素A基因克隆及在大肠杆菌中表达

目的 :用基因重组技术表达人亲环素 A( Cy PA) ,以避免从人组织材料中提取纯化该蛋白的麻烦。　 方法 :应用反转录聚合酶链反应 ( RT- PCR)技术从人淋巴细胞系 ( MT4 )总 RNA中扩增得到 Cy PA基因片段 ,并用重组 DNA技术对该基因片段进行克隆 ,构建表达载体 ,转入大肠杆菌进行表达。　 结果 :DNA序列分析表明 ,得到的基因片段与设计编码 Cy PA的结构基因序列完全相同。所构建的表达载体 p ET11/Cy PA转入大肠杆菌获得表达 ,重组蛋白表达量占菌体可溶性蛋白的 4 1% ,经测定具有肽基脯氨酸顺 /反异构酶活性。　 结论 :利用基因重组技术使大肠杆菌高效表达出有生物活性的人 Cy PA。     

Can an EASYcare based dementia training programme improve diagnostic assessment and management of dementia by general practitioners and primary care nurses? The design of a randomised controlled trial

Background  

Early diagnosis of dementia benefits both patient and caregiver. Nevertheless, dementia in primary care is currently under-diagnosed. Some educational interventions developed to improve dementia diagnosis and management were successful in increasing the number of dementia diagnoses and in changing attitudes and knowledge of health care staff. However, none of these interventions focussed on collaboration between GPs and nurses in dementia care. We developed an EASYcare-based Dementia Training Program (DTP) aimed at stimulating collaboration in dementia primary care. We expect this program to increase the number of cognitive assessments and dementia diagnoses and to improve attitudes and knowledge of GPs and nurses.     

Expert system-controlled image display

Conventional computer-based medical expert systems deliver advice to physicians as written text. While such advice is useful, it has distinct limitations in a visually oriented discipline such as diagnostic radiology, in which decisions often depend on pattern recognition and appreciation of subtle morphologic features. The authors developed a prototype expert computer system, IMAGE/ICON, which displays groups of images sorted into a series of axes based on different ways in which they may be similar. They may share a common feature, group of features, causes, or clinical setting. IMAGE/ICON may display examples of morphologic variations of a dominant finding or a spectrum of abnormalities seen in an specific disease or group of diseases. The system also assembles a written analysis of key features of a case. Such a tool may be useful as a diagnostic aid or for continuing medical education. It is likely to have particular impact in the form of an intelligent radiologic workstation, as picture archiving and communication systems become available.