Effect of DNA Extraction Methods on the Apparent Structure of Yak Rumen Microbial Communities as Revealed by 16S rDNA Sequencing.

To more efficiently identify the microbial community of the yak rumen, the standardization of DNA extraction is key to ensure fidelity while studying environmental microbial communities. In this study, we systematically compared the efficiency of several extraction methods based on DNA yield, purity, and 16S rDNA sequencing to determine the optimal DNA extraction methods whose DNA products reflect complete bacterial communities. The results indicate that method 6 (hexadecyltrimethylammomium bromide-lysozyme-physical lysis by bead beating) is recommended for the DNA isolation of the rumen microbial community due to its high yield, operational taxonomic unit, bacterial diversity, and excellent cell-breaking capability.

A new selective vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 inhibitor ablates disease in a mouse model of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease and its underlying pathogenesis is still not fully understood. Therapeutic interventions are currently limited and restricted to the treatment of symptoms rather than targeting the mechanisms underlying the disease. Vascular remodeling is a hallmark of psoriasis; however, anti-vascular strategies to treat psoriasis have received little attention to date, particularly systemic treatment with a small molecule compound.

Phylogenetic analysis of the haemagglutinin gene of canine distemper virus strains detected from giant panda and raccoon dogs in China.

Background: Canine distemper virus (CDV) infects a variety of carnivores, including wild and domestic Canidae. In this study, we sequenced and phylogenetic analyses of the hemagglutinin (H) genes from eight canine distemper virus (CDV) isolates obtained from seven raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and a giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in China.

Results: Phylogenetic analysis of the partial hemagglutinin gene sequences showed close clustering for geographic lineages, clearly distinct from vaccine strains and other wild-type foreign CDV strains, all the CDV strains were characterized as Asia-1 genotype and were highly similar to each other (91.

Phenotypic characterization and prevalence of enterotoxin genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolates from outbreaks of illness in Chengdu City.

Staphylococcus aureus produces a spectrum of enterotoxin that is recognized as the main reason for causing staphylococcal food poisoning. The aim of the current study was to investigate the phenotypic characteristics and enterotoxin genotypes of S. aureus isolated from food poisoning sufferers.