Characterization of norovirus infections in Seoul,Korea

The present study has determined the detection rate of norovirus (NoV) with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in hospitalized children and describes the molecular epidemiology of NoV circulating in Seoul, Korea. Six hundred and eighty‐three (9.8%) of samples were positive for NoV. Of these, the NoV GII genogroup was the most commonly found, with a prevalence of 96.2% (683 of 710). Only 27 samples were positive for the NoV GI genogroup. Ten kinds of GI genotype (GI/1, GI/2, GI/3, GI/4, GI/5, GI/6, GI/7, GI/9, GI/12, and GI/13) and eight kinds of GII genotype (GII/2, GII/3, GII/4, GII/8, GII/14, GII/15, GII/16, and GII/17) were identified in children with AGE during the years 2008–2011.     

Chronic Liver Disease: Differences in Autoimmune Serological Reactions between Australians and Asians

A total of 164 patients from Australia, Ceylon, India, Singapore, and Thailand were studied for the prevalence of autoantibodies associated with “idiopathic” chronic liver disease—namely, antinuclear antibody, smooth muscle antibody, and mitochondrial antibody. The prevalence of these autoantibodies was high among patients from Australia (55%), but was low among patients from Ceylon (14%), India (11%), Singapore (0%), and Thailand (8%). There are variations in types of hepatitis and cirrhosis between races, and this applies particularly to the type associated with autoimmune markers. This may be related to genetic differences that have evolved between peoples of European and Asian descent.     

PCR-mediated screening and cloning of a malate synthase genefrom Streptomyces griseus NCIMB 9001

Malate synthase is an essential metabolic enzyme of the glyoxylate bypass that makes possible the replenishment of carbon intermediates to cells grown on acetate. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular screening investigation of full-length malate synthase genes from Streptomyces spp. was initiated by our group. To this end, consensus primers were designed based on known streptomycete malate synthase sequences and successful amplification was obtained for Streptomyces griseus, S. fimbriatus and S. lipmanii. The putative full-length malate synthase gene from S. griseus was subsequently cloned, sequenced and expressed. Sequence analysis of this gene showed very high identity with other streptomycete malate synthase genes. Furthermore, high malate synthase activity was detected after heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, thus demonstrating successfully the rapid cloning and functional verification of a streptomycete malate synthase gene. Growth studies of S. griseus revealed that malate synthase activity was induced by the presence of acetate, which is a two-carbon source. Interestingly, the activity peaked during late growth phase when the biomass was declining, suggesting that the enzyme may have a late role in metabolism.     

Dogs and intestinal parasites: a public health problem.

The stools of 239 stray dogs were examined for intestinal parasites. Of the helminths found, Toxocara canis (43.5%), tapeworms (25.5%), Ascaris species (21.3%) and hookworms (12.5%) were the commonest. Of the protozoans found, Isospora species and Entamoeba coli were the most prevalent. An unusual feature of the present study was the finding of Ascaris species. The importance of the high prevalence of intestinal parasites in dogs, the close contact of humans with dogs'' excreta and the possible role of this environmental pollution in the spread of human disease are discussed.