[Analysis of Salmonella sp. serotypes isolated in Spain en 1988-1992].

Background: Salmonella sp. is the main cause of bacterial diarrhoea in Spain. Serotyping, is the most widely applied epidemiological marker.

[Frequency of molecular alterations in heterozygous beta-thalassemia in southern Spain and their relation to the hematologic phenotype].

Introduction: Heterozygous beta-thalassemia manifests hematologically with microcytosis, reduced red blood cell hemoglobin concentration and high hemoglobin A2 levels. Almost all molecular alterations are due to point mutations. We attempt to determinate the frequency of that mutations in the Oriental Andalusia Area, and its relationship with the hematological phenotype.

Bacillus DNA in fossil bees: an ancient symbiosis?

We report here the isolation of DNA from abdominal tissue of four extinct stingless bees (Proplebeia dominicana) in Dominican amber, PCR amplification of a 546-bp fragment of the 16S rRNA gene from Bacillus spp., and their corresponding nucleotide sequences. These sequences were used in basic local alignment search tool searches of nonredundant nucleic acid data bases, and the highest scores were obtained with 16S rRNA sequences from Bacillus spp.

Combined polymerase chain reaction-hybridization microplate assay used to detect bovine leukemia virus and Salmonella.

Here we describe the use of an assay that integrates the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with hybridization of the amplified product for detection in the same microwell. Traditional PCR requires transportation of the amplified product to another system for characterization of samples. Transportation means time-consuming manipulation and risk of contaminating the laboratory with amplified product.

Fluorescent detection-polymerase chain reaction (FD-PCR) assay on microwell plates as a screening test for salmonellas in foods.

This study evaluates a polymerase chain reaction assay coupled with a fluorescent detection in microwell plates for salmonellas in food samples. Chelex 100-extracted cultures and bulk and processed food samples were used as templates for a PCR assay in microwell plates, with a primer pair that amplifies a 206 bp segment of IS200. The PCR products were then denatured by heat and transferred to CovaLink NH plates (Nunc) to which capture oligonucleotides were covalently bound.

Rapid isolation of DNA from fossil and museum specimens suitable for PCR.

We describe a simple process for extraction of DNA from amber-entombed fossils and museum specimens that is suitable for enzymatic amplification by PCR. Five to ten milligrams of the macerated specimen were mixed in 300 microliters of silica matrix and shaken at 55 degrees C for 1 h in a sterile, screw-capped microcentrifuge tube. After incubation, the silica matrix was transferred to the upper chamber of a SpinFilter, centrifuged at maximum speed for 1 min and then washed twice with 500 microliters of wash solution and the DNA eluted with 50 microliters of TE buffer.

Amplification and sequencing of DNA from a 120-135-million-year-old weevil.

DNA has been successfully isolated from both fossilized plant and animal tissues. The oldest material, dated as 25-40 million years old (Tertiary), was obtained from amber-entombed bees and termites. Tissues from both these insects yielded DNA of good quality, which could be amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subsequently sequenced, including the genes encoding 18S ribosomal RNA and 16S rRNA.

Evaluation of a fluorescent DNA hybridization assay for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

This study evaluates a four-hour fluorescent DNA hybridization assay using both known bacterial isolates and clinical specimens. A biotinylated oligonucleotide probe from a sequence of the plasmid-encoded gene cppB was used. Hybrids were detected by addition of a streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase conjugate, followed by incubation for 30 min in a fluorescent substrate for alkaline phosphatase.

Detection of salmonellas by DNA hybridization with a fluorescent alkaline phosphatase substrate.

This study evaluates a DNA hybridization assay for salmonella with AttoPhos (JBL Scientific, San Luis Obispo, CA), a fluorescent substrate for alkaline phosphatase. The probe used (50 ng/ml) was a biotinylated 600 bp fragment consisting of a tandem repeat of an insertion sequence (IS200) found in most Salmonella spp. evaluated.

[Chlamydia trachomatis detection by DNA-RNA hybridization].

Background: A one-chain DNA probe, that complements ribosomal RNA of Chlamydia trachomatis was used as a detection method for this microorganism on clinical samples. We compare the method with the cell culture one.

Methods: A total of 175 samples (cervix swabs) from women seen at the STD center of the Facultad de Medicina de Sevilla were examined by both diagnostic techniques.

DNA hybridization assay using ATTOPHOS, a fluorescent substrate for alkaline phosphatase.

A fluorometric procedure for the detection of DNA-DNA hybrids is described. The procedure involved the detection of probe-bound alkaline phosphatase with the fluorescent substrate ATTOPHOS. This substrate is converted to ATTOFLUOR by alkaline phosphatase and fluoresces strongly at 550 nm when excited with a wavelength of 440 nm.

Evaluation of a DNA probe of plasmid origin for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in cultures and clinical specimens.

This study evaluates five cryptic plasmid-derived DNA probes in a 4-h slot-blot hybridization assay for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in cultures and clinical specimens. The probes, consisting of either the entire cloned 7.5 kbp cryptic plasmid pSE8 or one of four Hin dIII/Eco RI fragments measuring 710, 1055, 710, and 500 bp, respectively, were labelled with Photoprobe biotin.

Evaluation of a DNA probe of plasmid origin for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in cultures and clinical specimens.

This study evaluates a cryptic plasmid-derived DNA probe in a dot-blot hybridization assay of 4-h duration, using both known bacterial isolates and clinical specimens. The probe, consisting of a 237 bp segment of the plasmid-encoded gene cppB, sequences of which are also found in the chromosome, was labelled with digoxigenin-11-dUTP. The sensitivity of the probe was approximately 25 pg of DNA or 500 cfu of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

[Bilateral nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal glands; diagnostic problems].

Bilateral adrenal nodular hyperplasia (BAND) is rarely presented as a cause of Cushing Syndrome. The pathogenicity of the disease is unknown and it does not present either symptoms or specific signs, furthermore, its steroid dynamic is atypical and the morphologic tests are not conclusive. The clinical stories of six BAND-diagnosed patients in our Department have been reviewed with the aim of unifying the criteria of the preoperative diagnosis with regard to treatment, comparing our results with literature's wider series.

A US multicenter study of enprostil 35 micrograms twice daily for treatment of prepyloric, pyloric channel, and duodenal bulb ulcers. Enprostil Study Group.

One hundred twenty-seven patients with endoscopically diagnosed active duodenal, pyloric, or prepyloric ulcers participated in this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing placebo with enprostil 35 micrograms twice daily for up to four weeks. Cumulative endoscopic healing for the enprostil and placebo treatment groups, respectively, was 25% (15 of 59) and 12% (7 of 60) at two weeks (P = 0.060) and 59% (34 of 58) and 33% (19 of 57) at four weeks (P = 0.

Is there an extrathyroidal source of calcitonin during pregnancy?

Calcitonin (CT) and ionic calcium (Ca++) were measured in paired serum samples from the umbilical artery and vein of 47 normal term babies (28 females and 19 males). In the whole group, we found higher CT levels in the vein than in the artery (P less than 0.01).

Recurrent ulcer after successful treatment with cimetidine or antacid.

This study was designed to compare the rates of duodenal ulcer healing and recurrence after treatment with cimetidine or antacid. Patients with endoscopically documented duodenal ulcer received cimetidine, 1200 mg daily, or Mylanta II, 7 oz daily, in a randomized, double-blind trial. For the 69 patients in each group who completed the healing phase of the trial, endoscopic ulcer healing was almost identical.