Chromosomal organization of biosynthetic gene clusters, including those of nine novel species, suggests plasticity of myxobacterial specialized metabolism.

Introduction: Natural products discovered from bacteria provide critically needed therapeutic leads for drug discovery, and myxobacteria are an established source for metabolites with unique chemical scaffolds and biological activities. Myxobacterial genomes accommodate an exceptional number and variety of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) which encode for features involved in specialized metabolism.

Methods: In this study, we describe the collection, sequencing, and genome mining of 20 myxobacteria isolated from rhizospheric soil samples collected in North America.

Visual diagnosis: an 11-month-old with nausea, vomiting, and an abdominal mass.

Children with intussusception can present with a wide variety of symptoms, including vomiting, fever,lethargy, and abdominal pain. The classic triad of abdominal pain, hematochezia, and palpable abdominal mass is seen in a few patients.• Early diagnosis of intussusception depends on a high level of clinical suspicion in any child with non specific abdominal findings followed by appropriate radiographic or ultrasonographic evaluation and confirmation with a contrast enema.

8-year-old patient with multiple large cerebral abscesses successfully treated with stereotactic aspiration: case report and literature review.

The case presented herein is of an 8-year-old female with nine large brain abscesses of unknown etiology. One lesion was excised by craniotomy. Two days later, in view of impending brain herniation, the remaining eight abscesses were treated on an urgent basis by stereotactic aspiration.

Alternative sigma factor over-expression enables heterologous expression of a type II polyketide biosynthetic pathway in Escherichia coli.

Background: Heterologous expression of bacterial biosynthetic gene clusters is currently an indispensable tool for characterizing biosynthetic pathways. Development of an effective, general heterologous expression system that can be applied to bioprospecting from metagenomic DNA will enable the discovery of a wealth of new natural products.

Methodology: We have developed a new Escherichia coli-based heterologous expression system for polyketide biosynthetic gene clusters.

Breastfeeding: a review of the benefits for American Indian women.

Research indicates that breastfeeding provides a wide array of physical and psychological benefits to both mother and child. Breastfeeding is also a practical way for families, government and society to save money. Although breastfeeding rates in South Dakota mirror national rates, data shows that participants of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, especially American Indians, have much lower rates of breastfeeding.