Detection of Helicobacter species in the gastrointestinal tract of ringtail possum and koala: possible influence of diet, on the gut microbiota.

The presence of Helicobacter spp. was examined in the liver and in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) including the stomach, 3 cm above ileum, ileum, caecum, colon and rectum of 10 ringtail possums (RTPs) and 3 koalas using a combination of microscopy, culture and PCR. Helicobacter was detected in the distal end of the GIT of 7 of 10 RTPs by direct PCR and in all (10/10) RTPs by nested PCR.

Detection, isolation, and characterization of helicobacter species from the gastrointestinal tract of the brushtail possum.

The presence of Helicobacter species in Australian marsupials was examined systematically using microscopy, culture, and PCR in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and in the liver of brushtail possums (BTPs) (Trichosurus vulpecula), a common Australian marsupial that feeds on eucalyptus leaves. The spatial distribution of Helicobacter species in the GIT sections also was examined microscopically in silver-stained sections and by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using a Helicobacter genus-specific probe. Helicobacter species were found colonizing the lower bowel of all BTPs studied.

Amphiphilic block copolymers based on poly(2-acryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) prepared via RAFT polymerisation as biocompatible nanocontainers.

Amphiphilic block copolymers composed of poly(butyl acrylate) and poly(2-acryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) have been prepared using reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. The conversion of the polymerisation was determined using online FT NIR spectroscopy. NMR spectroscopy was used not only to support the results obtained from FT NIR spectroscopy but also prove the formation of micelles.