Functional Amyloid and Other Protein Fibers in the Biofilm Matrix

Biofilms are ubiquitous in the natural and man-made environment. They are defined as microbes that are encapsulated in an extracellular, self-produced, biofilm matrix. Growing evidence from the genetic and biochemical analysis of single species biofilms has linked the presence of fibrous proteins to a functional biofilm matrix. Some of these fibers have been described as functional amyloid or amyloid-like fibers. Here we provide an overview of the biophysical and biological data for a wide range of protein fibers found in the biofilm matrix of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Evaluation of methods for the isolation and detection of Escherichia coli O157 in minced beef

This study has evaluated enrichment and detection procedures for the isolation and detection of Escherichia coli O157 inoculated into minced beef. The use of a 24 h enrichment in modified EC broth containing novobiocin allowed low numbers of contaminating cells to multiply to levels detectable on culture media and by ELISA test kits. Total analysis time was reduced by the use of the Dynabead^TM immunomagnetic separation system. The use of the Petrifilm^TM Test Kit-HEC for E. coli O157: H7 and Organon Teknika EHEC-TEK system detected low numbers of contaminating cells following enrichment and reduced analysis time by 1 d. The incorporation of cefixime and tellurite into Sorbitol MacConkey Agar increased the rate and ease of isolation of E. coli O157 and its use is therefore recommended.     

Histochemical changes in neonatal liver caused by vaginal instillation of magnetic nanoparticles in pregnant mice

Drug delivery through the vagina is a novel and effective approach for treating embryonic diseases. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) currently are used as drug delivery systems. The safety of MNPs for use with embryonic tissues remains unclear. We used pregnant mice to investigate the possible toxicity of MNPs toward neonatal liver at three embryonic ages using histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. MNPs were instilled through the vaginas of pregnant mice at days 12 (E12), 15 (E15) and 17 (E17) after fertilization. We found MNPs in the neonatal liver parenchyma after delivery of the pups on day 20. We observed that MNPs caused mild apoptosis of hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolation and lymphocytic infiltration in the neonatal liver after treatment at E15 compared to instillation at E12 and E17. We observed also that MNPs increased the production of caspase proteins and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 proteins, which are indicators of apoptosis, in the neonatal liver after instillation of MNPs at E15 compared to instillation at E12 and E17. MNPs also increased the number of collagen fibers and the amounts of connective tissue growth factors in the neonatal liver parenchyma after instillation at E15 compared to instillation at E12 and E17. The general carbohydrates in the neonatal liver were decreased in a time-dependent manner after instillation at E17, E15 and E12 owing to the presence of MNPs in the parenchyma. Overall, we determined that MNPs were mildly toxic to neonatal liver.     

Histological and immunohistochemical effects of Curcuma longa on activation of rat hepatic stellate cells after cadmium induced hepatotoxicity

The liver is a target for toxic chemicals such as cadmium (Cd). When the liver is damaged, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated and transformed into myofibroblast-like cells, which are responsible for liver fibrosis. Curcuma longa has been reported to exert a hepato-protective effect under various pathological conditions. We investigated the effects of C. longa administration on HSC activation in response to Cd induced hepatotoxicity. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into: group 1 (control), group 2 (Cd treated), group 3 (C. longa treated) and group 4 (Cd and C. longa treated). After 6 weeks, liver specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopy examination of histological changes and immunohistochemical localization of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) as a specific marker for activated HSC. Activated HSC with a positive αSMA immune reaction were not detected in groups 1 and 3. Large numbers of activated HSC with αSMA immune reactions were observed in group 2 in addition to Cd induced hepatotoxic changes including excess collagen deposition in thickened portal triads, interlobular septa with hepatic lobulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, a significant increase in Kupffer cells and degenerated hepatocytes. In group 4, we observed a significant decrease in HSC that expressed αSMA with amelioration of the hepatotoxic changes. C. longa administration decreased HSC activation and ameliorated hepatotoxic changes caused by Cd in adult rats.     

Preparation of plasmid DNA by γ-irradiation of recA cells

If recA bacteria are exposed to appropriate doses of gamma-irradiation, nondividing cells which can sustain the multiplication of "small" plasmids are produced. The gamma-irradiation technique has a number of advantages over other methods for preparing pure plasmid DNA: (1) there is little, if any, contamination of DNA preparations by chromosomal DNA owing to extensive degradation of the irradiated DNA by endogenous nucleases, (2) there is no need to introduce a uvr mutation to the host bacteria (there is when UV is used to inactivate the chromosome), (3) the method is extremely simple to work with since operations are not limited by considerations of volume and cell density, and (4) there is no need to transfer material from container to container. Yields of plasmid DNA obtained by the gamma-irradiation technique compare favorably with those obtained by other methods.     

The effects of mutations in the polA and recA genes on mutagenesis by nitrosoguanidine in Salmonellatyphimurium

Results of semi-quantitative plate tests indicated that polA and recA mutants of Salmonella typhimurium strain LT2 trpB1 might be significantly less mutable by nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) than were their repair-proficient parents strains. Quantitative data obtained in treat-and-plate experiments showed that this was not the case, at least for low doses of MNNG, and also that the recA strain was significantly more mutable at low doses than its Rec⁺ parent. On the basis of these results it is suggested that cells of S. typhimurium may possess a recA⁺-dependent repair pathway capable of error-free removal of MNNG-induced pre-mutational lesions from their DNA.     

Environmental genomics of Late Pleistocene black bears and giant short-faced bears

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