High Risk of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HTLV-I in p40tax Antibody-positive Mothers

A new enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detecting the antibody to a human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) tax gene product, p40 ^tax , has been developed. By this ELISA method, we have investigated the relationship between the presence of p40 ^tax antibody in HTLV-I-infected mothers and the virus transmission rate from mothers to their children. The rate of mother-to-child transmission of HTLV-I was higher in P40 ^tax antibody-positive mothers than in antibody-negative ones. Thus, the presence of P40 ^tax antibody may indicate an increased risk of vertical transmission of HTLV-I.     

Diagnosis and management of antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Antibiotic-resistant infections acquired in hospitals are of great concern, and have become a serious public issue. Antibiotic-resistant infections can be associated with a variety of bacteria, such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRP). Since clinical laboratories are responsible for detecting information regarding antibiotic-resistant bacteria, they are required to perform analysis and dissemination of the information. Currently, rapid methods for detecting antibiotic-resistant bacteria using molecular techniques are being developed in response to the problem of the conventional methods for bacteriological testing, which require a few days to obtain results. This article presents the diagnosis and management of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which comprise a serious health care issue.     

Rapid screening of topoisomerase gene mutations by a novel melting curve analysis method for early warning of fluoroquinolone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae emergence

We developed a real-time PCR assay combined with melting curve analysis for rapidly genotyping quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of topoisomerase genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae. This assay was not only accurate for the screening of fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance but also relevant as an early warning system for detecting preexisting single QRDR mutations.     

Rapid identification of penicillin and macrolide resistance genes and simultaneous quantification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in purulent sputum samples by use of a novel real-time multiplex PCR assay

We evaluated a real-time quantitative PCR combined with a multiplex PCR assay for the quantification of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the simultaneous detection of drug-resistant genes by gel-based PCR, using purulent sputum samples. This assay correctly quantified S. pneumoniae and identified their penicillin and erythromycin susceptibilities directly from samples within 3 h.     

Fabrication of scaffold‐free contractile skeletal muscle tissue using magnetite‐incorporated myogenic C2C12 cells

We have fabricated a functional skeletal muscle tissue using magnetite‐incorporated myogenic cell line C2C12 and a magnetic field. Magnetite‐incorporated C2C12 cells were patterned linearly on a monolayer of fibroblast NIH3T3 cells, using a magnetic field concentrator. After induction of differentiation, the C2C12 cells fused and formed multi‐nucleated myotubes. The 3T3 layer became detached in a sheet‐like manner after cultivation in differentiation medium for 5–8 days. When two separate collagen films were placed on a culture dish as tendon structures, a cylindrical construct was formed. Histological observation of the fabricated cylindrical tissue revealed the presence of multinucleate cells within it. Immunofluorescence staining of the construct showed the presence of sarcomere structures within the construct. Western blot analysis showed that muscle proteins were expressed in the construct. When the construct was stimulated with electric pulses, it exhibited active tension of approximately 1 µ N. These results demonstrate that functional skeletal muscle tissue was formed through magnetic force‐based tissue engineering. This is the first report of fabrication of skeletal muscle tissue with active tension‐generating capability using magnetic force‐based tissue engineering. The scaffold‐free skeletal muscle tissue engineering technique presented in this study will be useful for regenerative medicine, drug screening or use as a bio‐actuator. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.