Detection of Salmonella in feces by using Felix-01 bacteriophage and high-performance liquid chromatography

Utilizing the Felix-01 bacteriophage and high-performance liquid chromatographic technique, a method was devised making possible the detection of approximately 10⁶Salmonella typhimurium/g of human feces within 8–9 h of sample collection. Using overnight enrichment, as few as 10³S.typhimurium/g of feces were detectable.     

Extracellular polysaccharidases synthesized by the epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach.

Evernia prunastri Ach., an epiphytic lichen growing on Quercus rotundifolia Lam., produces a -1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) and a polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15). The activity of these polysaccharidases increases as a response to incubation of the lichen with carboxymethylcellulose or sodium polygalacturonate, respectively. This increase in activity is thought to be the result of enzyme induction because it is inhibited by both cycloheximide and 8-azaguanine. Both polysaccharide-degrading enzymes are partially secreted into the incubation media.     

Identification of an Unconventional Subpeptidome Bound to the Behçet's Disease-associated HLA-B*51:01 that is Regulated by Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1)

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Highlights

• •A novel HLA-ABC-triple knockout cell model to study the HLA-B*51 peptidome.
• •Enrichment of the unconventional non-Pro/Ala2 HLA-B*51 peptides following ERAP1 silencing.
• •Knockdown of ERAP1 increases the length of non-Pro/Ala2 and Ala2 peptides, not that of Pro2.
• •ERAP1 regulation of HLA-B*51 cell surface expression is cell type dependent.

     

Emergence and rapid transmission of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 in the United States

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The Pharmacogenomic HLA Biomarker Associated to Adverse Abacavir Reactions: Comparative Analysis of Different Genotyping Methods

Many pharmacogenomic biomarkers (PGBM) were identified and translated into clinical practice, affecting the usage of drugs via label updates. In this context, abacavir is one of the most brilliant examples of pharmacogenetic studies translated into clinical practice. Pharmacogenetic studies have revealed that abacavir HSRs are highly associated with the major histocompatibility complex class I. Large studies established the effectiveness of prospective HLA-B*57:01 screening to prevent HSRs to abacavir. Accordingly to these results the abacavir label has been modified: the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the FDA recommend/suggested that the administration of abacavir must be preceded by a specific genotyping test. The HLA locus is extremely polymorphic, exhibiting many closely related alleles, making it difficult to discriminate HLA-B*57:01 from other related alleles, and a number of different molecular techniques have been developed recently to detect the presence of HLA-B*57:01. In this review, we provide a summary of the available techniques used by laboratories to genotype HLA-B*57:01, outlining the scientific and pharmacoeconomics pros and cons.     

Eimeria tenella: cloning of a novel Eimeria tenella cDNA encoding a protein related to rhomboid family from F2 hybrid strain

A novel cDNA sequence with an open reading frame of 774 bp from Eimeria tenella F2 hybrid strain (ETRH01) was isolated from a lambda cDNA library with a monoclonal antibody against sporozoite. Analysis of the genomic sequence suggests that this is an intronless gene. The deduced protein sequence has 257 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 28.349 kDa and an isoelectric point of 8.56. Sequence analysis revealed seven transmembrane domains and a rhomboid domain within the protein. RT-PCR result indicates that this gene was expressed in all of the five E. tenella isolates analyzed. To further study the role of this novel gene in the life cycle of E. tenella, ETRH01 was successfully expressed using pET28b(+) expression system.     

Decolorization of azo, triphenylmethane and anthraquinone dyes by a newly isolated Trametes sp. SQ01 and its laccase

A white-rot fungus, strain SQ01, was isolated from decayed wood in a temperate forest. The strain was identified as a member of genus Trametes, based on the morphological characteristics and a complete sequence analysis of its 18S rRNA gene and ITS region. Strain SQ01 was capable of decolorizing a variety of synthetic dyes, including azo, triphenylmethane, and anthraquinone dyes, with an optimal efficiency of decolorization obtained when dyes added after 5 days of culture, with the exception of Cresol Red, showing that the point of dye addition was an important influencing factor for decolorization by this fungus. All of the tested dyes were decolorized by the purified laccase in the absence of any redox mediators, but only a few were completely removed, while others were not completely degraded even with increased decolorization time.     

Frequency of the major histocompatibility complex Mamu‐A*01 allele in experimental rhesus macaques in China

Background In Indian rhesus macaques, the major histocompatibility complex Mamu gene, especially the Mamu‐A*01 allele, plays an important role in simian immunodeficiency virus susceptibility and disease progression. The Mamu‐A*01 allele is one of the protective genes mostly being studied in simian acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Methods PCR was used to amplify the Mamu‐A*01 allele in 130 Chinese‐origin rhesus macaques. Identification of the allele was then confirmed by sequencing and IFN‐γ ELISPOT assay. Results The Mamu‐A*01 allele was detected in 3.85% (5 of 130) of the experimental Chinese‐origin rhesus macaques. The sequence homology reached 99.1% in comparison with Indian rhesus macaques. A significantly large number of spots were observed in Mamu‐A*01‐positive monkeys when analyzed by ELISPOT with Gag181‐189 epitope stimulation. Conclusions Our study suggests that Mamu‐A*01‐positive Chinese‐origin rhesus monkeys are suitable for use in AIDS studies.