Combined Use of Bacteriophage Typing and Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis in the Epidemiological Analysis of Japanese Isolates of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

A total of 236 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 isolates in Japan were investigated by bacteriophage typing, and the results were compared with those of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Seven phage types (PTs) were observed in 71 isolates which were derived from 22 outbreaks. All of the isolates from ten outbreaks in the Kinki region (midwestern part of Japan) in July-August 1996 were grouped into the same PFGE type (IIa) and PT 32, while among total isolates, there were such varieties as PFGE type IIa containing five phage types and PT32 containing two PFGE types. These results suggest that the ten outbreaks should be considered to be a single outbreak, and show that the combined use of bacteriophage typing and PFGE enhances reliability in epidemiological surveys.     

Studies onPrays acmonias [Lep.: Yponomeutidae] and its natural enemies in Pakistan

A survey forPrays acmonias Meyr. and its natural enemies was made in the northern hills in Pakistan. It attackedViburnum spp. in the Murree hills, Azad Kashmir and Swat. Its populations were generally low at most localities.Deraecoris sp.,Haplothrips sp. (egg predators),Apanteles sp. nr.dilectus Hal.,Elasmus hyblaeae Ferrière,Elachertus sp.,Euderus sp. andSympiesis sp. (larval parasites),Sphedanolestes sp. (larval predator),Aspergillus flavus Link andStreptococcus sp. (pathogens) attackedP. acmonias. Among theseApanteles was more common throughout the distribution area of the host and destroyed up to 13% host larvae. It appears to be a possibly promising parasite for trials in areas wherePrays spp. are pests. However, it did not parasitizePrays oleae (Bern.).

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Résumé Cette chenille qui attaque lesViburnum spp. dans les collines du Nord du Pakistan s'y trouve généralement en faibles densités.Deraecoris sp.,Haplothrips sp. (prédateurs des œufs),Apanteles sp. nr.dilectus Hal.,Elaemus hyblaeae Ferrière,Elachertus sp.,Euderus sp. etSympiesis sp. (parasites des larves),Sphedanolestes sp. (prédateur des larves),Aspergillus flavus Link etStreptococcus sp. (germes pathogènes) sont les ennemis naturels deP. acmonias. Le plus commun estApanteles, qui peut détruire jusqu'à 13% des chenilles. Il peut être un parasite intéressant pour la lutte contre desPrays spp., mais il ne parasite pasPrays oleae (Perm.).

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This work was sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations as a part of the project entitled “Research on the control of olive pests and diseases in continental Greece, Crete and Corfu”.     

Centralised versus decentralised manufacturing and the delivery of healthcare products: A United Kingdom exemplar

Background

The cell and gene therapy (CGT) field is at a critical juncture. Clinical successes have underpinned the requirement for developing manufacturing capacity suited to patient-specific therapies that can satisfy the eventual demand post-launch. Decentralised or ‘redistributed’ manufacturing divides manufacturing capacity across geographic regions, promising local, responsive manufacturing, customised to the end user, and is an attractive solution to overcome challenges facing the CGT manufacturing chain.

Studies on the growth and phosphatase activities inSuaeda fructicosa

Summary Plants ofSuaeda fructicosa were grown in sand culture with various combinations of excess copper, silicon and sodium. Effects of different concentrations of NaCl on the activities of acid phosphatase and PEP-phosphatase were investigated in the above mentioned plants. Plants which were given extra copper without NaCl showed very poor growth compared with control plants given a normal nutrient whereas plants given extra NaCl alone or with copper displayed luxuriant growth. Enzymes extracted from the plants given extra copper with normal nutrient levels showed stimulation in the activities of both the above mentioned enzymes. In plants supplied with extra sodium chloride the activity of acid phosphatase was inhibited and in that of PEP-phosphatase was stimulated. Sodium silicate in the growth medium eliminated both effects of extra sodium chloride.     

An Audit and Feedback Intervention for Reducing Antibiotic Prescribing in General Dental Practice: The RAPiD Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

BackgroundDentists prescribe approximately 10% of antibiotics dispensed in UK community pharmacies. Despite clear clinical guidance, dentists often prescribe antibiotics inappropriately. This cluster-randomised controlled trial used routinely collected National Health Service (NHS) dental prescribing and treatment claim data to compare the impact of individualised audit and feedback (A&F) interventions on dentists’ antibiotic prescribing rates.ConclusionsA&F derived from routinely collected datasets led to a significant reduction in the antibiotic prescribing rate of dentists.

Trial Registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN49204710     

Determination of glutathione in apoptotic SMMC-7221 cells induced by xylitol selenite using capillary electrophoresis

Objective

To determine the glutathione (GSH) content in a human hepatoma cell line (SMMC-7221) treated with xylitol/selenite, providing a part of an investigation of its anti-cancer mechanisms.

Results

The nuclei of SMMC-7221 cells were stained with Hoechst 33258 in an apoptosis assay, and their morphology subsequently changed from circular to crescent shape. The calibration curve (r² = 0.992) was established, and GSH content markedly decreased after treated with 0.5 and 1 mg xylitol/selenite l^?1 for 12, 36 and 60 h (12 h: from 95.57 ± 19.57 to 29.09 ± 7.74 and 24.27 ± 11.15; 36 h: from 70.73 ± 11.35 to 19.54 ± 6.39 and 9.35 ± 6.69; 60 h: from 72.63 ± 16.94 to 7.432 ± 3.84 and 0). The depletion rate of GSH was more related to the concentration of xylitol/selenite than the treatment time (from 69.95 ± 1.87 to 100 % vs. 0.22 ± 0.2 to 100 %).

Conclusions

Xylitol/selenite is a promising anti-cancer drug to induce apoptosis in SMMC-7221 cells. It may regulate the apoptosis through the co-action of multiple mechanisms related to GSH depletion.

     

First report of white stain of apple caused by Trichothecium kashmeriana in India

White stain symptoms were observed on the 05 apple varieties during the harvest season in India. The white stain appearance is due to the predominance of dense bunches of conidiophores and conidia. In samples collected from the 39 infected plants, a new pathogenic fungal species, Trichothecium kashmeriana sp.nov. has been isolated. The morphological and molecular mycotaxonomic characterisation revealed by double beam scanning electron microscopy followed by rDNA barcoding sequence analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer region followed by the phylogenetic interpretations, marks the evolution of T. kashmeriana sp.nov. with genetic variance of 0.06 from the closely related species under the geographically distinct conditions. The pathogen is having a dramatic lethal effect on the natural populations of apple in India.     

Comparative effect of calcium and EDTA on arsenic uptake and physiological attributes of Pisum sativum

In this study, we determined the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and calcium (Ca) on arsenic (As) uptake and toxicity to Pisum sativum. Plants were treated with three levels of As (25, 125, and 250 µM) in the presence and absence of three levels of Ca (1, 5, and 10 mM) and EDTA (25, 125, and 250 µM). Exposure to As caused an overproduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in roots and leaves, which induced lipid peroxidation and decreased pigment contents. Application of both Ca and EDTA significantly reduced As accumulation by pea, Ca being more effective in reducing As accumulation. Both Ca and EDTA enhanced As-induced H₂O₂ production, but reduced lipid peroxidation. In the case of pigment contents, EDTA significantly reduced pigment contents, whereas Ca significantly enhanced pigment contents compared to As alone. The effect of As treatment in the presence and absence of EDTA and Ca was more pronounced in younger leaves compared to older leaves. The effect of amendments varied greatly with their applied levels, as well as type and age of plant organs. Importantly, due to possible precipitation of Ca-As compounds, the soils with higher levels of Ca ions are likely to be less prone to food chain contamination.     

Standardization of in vitro micropropagation procedure of Oriental Lilium Hybrid Cv. ‘Ravenna’

Micropropagation protocol of Oriental Hybrid Lilium cv. Ravenna was developed using bulb scale segments (Basal and Tip) as explants. Surface sterilization of healthy bulb scales with carbendazim 200 ppm for 30 min, then 0.1 percent mercuric chloride for 10 min, then 70% ethyl alcohol for 30 s was superior to all other treatments in recording highest culture asepsis (77.08%) and higher explant survival (86.12%). Explant survival was higher in basal segments (88.54%) compared to tip segments (85.52%). Highest culture establishment was recorded in basal scale segments (68.26%) followed by tip scale segments (55.21%). MS medium augmented with 0.50 mgl⁻¹ Naphthalene acetic acid and 2.0 mgl⁻¹. 6-Benzylamino Purine recorded maximum culture establishment (76.17%), highest bulblet number/explant (5.52) with maximum length of shoots (2.20 cm) and number of leaves (3.39). This treatment combination of growth regulators resulted in highest shoot proliferation (83.33%) along with maximum shoot number (2.41explant⁻¹), shoot length (2.35 cm) and leaf number (5.44) of micro shoots during proliferation stage. Rooting of explants was superior with Indole-3-butyric acid compared to Naphthalene acetic acid. Highest rooting of 92.71% along with maximum number of primary roots shoot⁻¹ (12.06), maximum primary root length (3.17 cm) was documented in Murashige and Skoog medium added with Indole-3-butyric acid 1.50 mgl⁻¹ with best ex vitro survival rate (98.96%) of rooted plantlets during primary hardening in perlite + vermiculite (1:1) mixture.     

Functional anatomy of five endangered tropical timber wood species of the family Dipterocarpaceae

Wood anatomy of five dipterocarp species endemic to the Philippines was studied with the goal to explore functional wood traits of ecological significance. Stem wood of 6-year-old trees grown under similar environmental conditions in a plantation (Leyte, Philippines) was used. Wood densities decreased in the following order Hopea plagata > Dipterocarpus kerrii > Parashorea malaanoman > Shorea almon ≈ Shorea contorta. This was mainly caused by significantly thicker fiber cell walls of H. plagata and D. kerrii than those of the other three species. Wood density was negatively correlated with the abundance of axial parenchyma cells. Predicted conductance was independent from wood density and lowest in H. plataga and highest in D. kerrii and S. contorta. These results indicate that H. plagata and D. kerrii is woods have higher constructions costs in term of carbon per unit of biomass, and that H. plagata is probably better acclimated to varying soil moisture than the other species.