Capsaicin, a potential inhibitor of cholera toxin production in Vibrio cholerae.

The use of natural compounds as inhibitory agents for virulence factor production is a new approach to overcome increased antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we examined whether red chilli (Capsicum annuum) contains any such compound(s) that can repress the cholera toxin (CT) production in Vibrio cholerae. We found that the methanol extract of red chilli could inhibit CT production in recently emerged V.

Development of simple and rapid PCR-fingerprinting methods for Vibrio cholerae on the basis of genetic diversity of the superintegron.

Aims: To develop simple and rapid PCR-fingerprinting methods for Vibrio cholerae O1 (El Tor and classical biotypes) and O139 serogroup strains which cause major cholera epidemics, on the basis of the diversity of superintegron (SI) carried by these strains.

Methods And Results: PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was developed targeting region between integrase gene in the SI and its nearby ORF, followed by BglI digestion. Besides, a V.

One-pot synthesis of new fused 4,5-bridged 1,2,5-triazepine-3,6-diones, 1,2,5-triazepine-3,7-diones heterocycles by Petasis reaction.

The one pot synthesis of a new fused 1,2,5-triazepine-3,6-diones, 1,2,5-triazepine-3,7-diones heterocyles has been described via Petasis reactions. These heterocycles might be suitable for elaboration into larger peptides at amino termini. The scope and limitations of this method have been examined.

Development of a haemolysin gene-based multiplex PCR for simultaneous detection of Vibrio campbellii, Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Aim: To develop a haemolysin (hly) gene-based species-specific multiplex PCR for simple and rapid detection of Vibrio campbellii, V. harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus.

Influence of catastrophic climatic events and human waste on Vibrio distribution in the Karnaphuli estuary, Bangladesh.

Vibrios are bacteria of marine and estuarine origin that can cause human diseases, such as cholera, and also affect aquatic organisms. The impact of storm-driven changes in salinity and suspended particulate matter (SPM) on cultivable Vibrio counts (CVC) and distribution in Karnaphuli estuary, Bangladesh, was compared before and after a strong cyclone in mid May 2007 and after a monsoon landslide a month later. CVC were higher (approximately 10(3) colony forming units-cfu/ml) at estuary's mouth (salinity 20-15 parts per thousand, ppt) and steeply declined landwards.

Consequences of long-term oral administration of the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ to wild-type mice.

The mitochondria-targeted quinone MitoQ protects mitochondria in animal studies of pathologies in vivo and is being developed as a therapy for humans. However, it is unclear whether the protective action of MitoQ is entirely due to its antioxidant properties, because long-term MitoQ administration may alter whole-body metabolism and gene expression. To address this point, we administered high levels of MitoQ orally to wild-type C57BL/6 mice for up to 28 weeks and investigated the effects on whole-body physiology, metabolism, and gene expression, finding no measurable deleterious effects.

A System for Information Management in BioMedical Studies--SIMBioMS.

Unlabelled: SIMBioMS is a web-based open source software system for managing data and information in biomedical studies. It provides a solution for the collection, storage, management and retrieval of information about research subjects and biomedical samples, as well as experimental data obtained using a range of high-throughput technologies, including gene expression, genotyping, proteomics and metabonomics. The system can easily be customized and has proven to be successful in several large-scale multi-site collaborative projects.

Prolapse of the rectum associated with spontaneous rupture of the distal colon and evisceration of the small intestine through the anus in an infant.

Prolapse of rectum of varying degrees is a well-known entity in children. Spontaneous rupture of the rectum along with massive ileal evisceration because of increased intraabdominal pressure is a rare complication of rectal prolapse in the adults. Rectal prolapse in children is usually a benign condition.

ArrayExpress update--from an archive of functional genomics experiments to the atlas of gene expression.

ArrayExpress http://www.ebi.ac.

Estimation of mortality due to AIDS--a review.

HIV/AIDS has emerged as a major public health problem since its recognition as an emerging disease a couple of decades ago. While detection of HIV/AIDS cases remains a problem, ascertainment of AIDS deaths has emerged as a bigger challenge and concern. Despite a plethora of literature focusing on the methods to estimate AIDS deaths, none seems to be fulfilling the requirements for universal acceptance.

Occurrence, seasonality and genetic diversity of Vibrio vulnificus in coastal seaweeds and water along the Kii Channel, Japan.

Vibrio vulnificus is a ubiquitous toxigenic bacterium found in a coastal environment but little is known about its occurrence and seasonality among seaweeds, which are widely consumed as seafood in Japan. Therefore, we have observed the bacterium's abundance in seawater and seaweed samples from three areas of the Kii Channel, Japan, during June 2003 to May 2004. A total of 192 samples were collected: 24 from each source in summer, autumn, winter and spring.

Seaweeds as a reservoir for diverse Vibrio parahaemolyticus populations in Japan.

Gastroenteritis caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has recently been associated with foods prepared with seaweeds, but little is known about the bacterium's abundance and diversity among seaweeds in coastal environment. Therefore, we determined its phenotypic and genotypic diversity in relation to its seasonal abundance in seawater and seaweed samples from three areas of Kii Channel, Japan during June 2003 to May 2004. Isolates were obtained by selective enrichment of samples and detection of V.

Postoperative complications due to a retained surgical sponge.

Retained surgical sponge or glossypiboma is a relatively common occurrence; however, surgeons may not report these events for fear of litigation and adverse publicity. We report postoperative complications in three cases due to retained surgical sponges. The first case, a 26-year-old woman, presented with gastric outlet obstruction due to the sponge obstructing the pyloric canal three weeks following cholecystectomy, which was completely relieved following endoscopical removal of the sponge.

PASSIM--an open source software system for managing information in biomedical studies.

Background: One of the crucial aspects of day-to-day laboratory information management is collection, storage and retrieval of information about research subjects and biomedical samples. An efficient link between sample data and experiment results is absolutely imperative for a successful outcome of a biomedical study. Currently available software solutions are largely limited to large-scale, expensive commercial Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

An infinite water chain passes through an array of Zn(II) metallocycles built with a podand bearing terminal carboxylates.

A podand bearing three carboxylic acid groups was synthesized by condensation of tris(2-chloroethyl)amine with 4-hydroxyethylbenzoate followed by hydrolysis of the ester group. An aqueous solution of Zn(NO3)2 x 6H2O reacts with the tetraethylammonium salt of the podand at room temperature, to form a porous coordination polymeric structure with infinite interlinked chains of Zn(II) metallocycles. An infinite water chain passes through the metallocycles like a thread.

Structure of discrete (H2O)12 clusters present in the cavity of polymeric interlinked metallocycles of Nd(III) or Gd(III) and a podand ligand.

A new podand ligand has been designed and synthesized which reacts hydrothermally with either Nd(III) or Gd(III) nitrate forming an array of linked metallocycles with void spaces. Discrete dodecameric water clusters occupy the voids in the structures. The structure of the cluster can be described as an open-cube octamer buttressed on two sides by dimers to form the overall dodecamer.

Rapid diagnosis of enterovirus infection by magnetic bead extraction and polymerase chain reaction detection of enterovirus RNA in clinical specimens.

We describe a rapid method for extraction and detection of enterovirus RNA in clinical samples. By using magnetic bead technology, enterovirus RNA was efficiently and rapidly extracted from cerebrospinal fluid, stool, saliva, blood, pericardial fluid, urine, and cryopreserved or formalin-fixed solid tissue. Enterovirus RNA was then detected by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction amplification with primers designed to allow detection of most enterovirus serotypes.

Dietary habits of Asian diabetics in a general practice clinic.

Initial dietary advice for Asian diabetics attending a general practice diabetic clinic was given in Asian languages. Between 2 and 3 years later a questionnaire interview was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the advice given. Forty of the 59 Asian diabetic patients in the practice attended for interview.