Complete genome sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii MDR-TJ and insights into its mechanism of antibiotic resistance.

Objectives: To determine the genome sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii strain MDR-TJ and characterize the mechanisms of multidrug resistance in this strain.

Methods: The whole-genome sequence was determined using Roche 454 GS FLX Titanium. Subsequently, the gaps were closed by sequencing PCR products.

Genome sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii MDR-TJ.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a pathogenic species of bacteria, identified as an aerobic gram-negative bacterium, that is resistant to most antibiotics. In this study, the MDR-TJ strain was isolated at the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, China, and was found to be resistant to penicillin, cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, quinolones, and also imipenem. The genome sequence of Acinetobacter baumannii strain MDR-TJ was determined by using a combination of 454 pyrosequencing and paired-end sequencing performed with the Roche Genome Sequencer FLX system to generate a scaffolded assembly.

Genetic modification of critical enzymes and involved genes in butanol biosynthesis from biomass.

Interest in biobutanol, a sustainable vehicle fuel, is increasing due to rising oil prices and concerns of surrounding climate change and the energy crisis. However, the costs of biobutanol with conventional ABE fermentation by Clostridium are higher than the cost of butanol from today's petrochemical processes. Two major problems in the economic production of biobutanol are difficulty controlling the induction of a metabolic shift from acidogenesis to solventogenesis and limitations imposed by severe product inhibition.

Synthesis and activity of an octapeptide inhibitor designed for SARS coronavirus main proteinase.

The outbreak of SARS, a life-threatening disease, has spread over many countries around the world. So far there is no effective drug for the treatment of SARS. Stimulated by the binding mechanism of SARS-CoV Mpro with the octapeptide AVLQSGFR reported recently as well as the "Chou's distorted key" theory, we synthesized the octapeptide AVLQSGFR for conducting various biochemical experiments to investigate the antiviral potential of the octapeptide against SARS coronavirus (BJ-01).

[Cloning and fusion expression of bovine enterokinase light chain gene in Escherichia coli].

The objective of the study was to obtain the gene of bovine enterokinase light chain, which would be used in the cleavage and purification of fusion proteins. The fragment of bovine enterokinase light chain cDNA was obtained by RT-PCR from a sold bovine's duodenal mucosa, then cloned into the pUCmT cloning vector and sequenced. Compared with the sequence deposited in GenBank,the cloned gene sequence is correct.

Determination of residual clenbuterol in pork meat and liver by HPLC with electrochemical detection.

Aim: To detect the residual clenbuterol in pork meat and liver using HPLC with Coulometric electrode array system.

Methods: Homogenized meat or liver sample was treated with 1 mol x L(-1) hydrochloric acid and centrifuged, the fat existing in meat or liver tissue was removed by diethyl ether. The pH of the remaining aqueous layer was adjusted to 10.

Prokaryotic expression of Chinese bovine enterokinase catalytic subunit.

Background: To express in vitro the bovine enterokinase catalytic subunit (EKL) protein, which could be used in the future for the cleavage and purification of fusion proteins.

Methods: Bovine enterokinase catalytic subunit cDNA was obtained by RT-PCR from duodenal mucosa of a bovine obtained at wholesale market, and then cloned into a pUCmT cloning vector and sequenced. The desired gene fragment was inserted into a pET39b expression plasmid and the recombinant vector pET39b-EKL was transformed into E.