Pretreatment gastric histology is helpful to predict the symptomatic response after H. pylori eradication in patients with nonulcer dyspepsia

This study aimed to test whether pretreatment gastric pathology in H. pylori-infected nonulcer dyspepsia (HpNUD) patients is relevant to and predictive of the symptomatic response after H. pylori eradication. Anti-H. pylori triple therapy was administered to 250 HpNUD patients, enrolled as the therapy group. In addition, 60 patients were enrolled as the control group, in which omeprazole was an alternatives to the triple therapy. Pretreatment gastric histology was evaluated thoroughly by the updated Sydney system. A [13C] urea breath test was also performed to evaluate the H. pylori eradication two months and 12 months later. For each patient, the baseline, month 2, and month 12 symptom scores were assessed for the month 2 or month 12 residual symptom ratio (RSR-2m or RSR-12m), calculated from: 100% x month 2 or month 12 score/baseline score. Based on either RSR-2m or RSR-12m, patients were categorized as good response (RSR < 50%), moderate response (50-70%), and poor response (> 70%) subgroups in both therapy and control groups to define the short-term and long-term symptomatic responses. Patients with successful H. pylori eradication in the therapy group showed a higher incidence of good symptomatic response (RSR < 50%) than those from the control group (month 2: 30.3 vs 12%, P < 0.05; month 12: 34.7 vs 17.1%, P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis disclosed that patients with a higher acute inflammation score (AIS) and the lowest incidence of lymphoid follicles (LF) at pretreatment gastric histology are predisposed to having a good symptom response after H. pylori eradication (P < 0.05). For HpNUD patients who have an AIS of more than three and an absence of LF at gastric histology, more than 85% had good short-term (month 2) and long-term (month 12) symptomatic relief after H. pylori eradication. In conclusion, nearly 30% of HpNUD patients can obtain symptomatic relief following H. pylori eradication. The pretreatment gastric histology of HpNUD can be helpful to monitor the symptomatic response after H. pylori eradication.

Decreased predominance of papG class II allele in Escherichia coli strains isolated from adults with acute pyelonephritis and urinary tract abnormalities

PURPOSE

We compared the genotypes of fimbriae or adhesions of Escherichia coli causing acute pyelonephritis in adults with and without urinary tract abnormalities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We studied a total of 92 E. coli strains isolated from 54 patients with acute pyelonephritis and a normal urinary tract, and 38 with urinary tract abnormalities. Of those with urinary tract abnormalities 13 with moderate to severe hydronephrosis were also considered a separate group for the purpose of analysis. The genes of 7 known fimbriae or adhesins of E. coli were detected by the polymerase chain reaction, including the papG class I to III alleles (PapG adhesins of P-fimbriae), sfa/foc (S-/F1C-fimbriae), fimH (type 1 fimbriae), and afa (afimbrial adhesin). Virulence genes associated with APN were identified by comparing the prevalence of each of these 7 genes in E. coli strains from 54 patients with acute pyelonephritis with a normal urinary tract to the prevalence in the strains from 37 patients with acute cystitis using univariate and multivariate analysis. Differences in the prevalence of the genes associated with acute pyelonephritis and the incidence of underlying illness were then compared in the 3 acute pyelonephritis groups.

RESULTS

On univariate and multivariate analysis the papG class II allele was the only virulence gene associated with acute pyelonephritis (p <0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). No significant difference was noted in the prevalence of underlying medical disease in the 3 acute pyelonephritis groups. The papG class II allele was significantly less predominant in E. coli strains isolated from acute pyelonephritis cases with versus without urinary tract abnormalities (76% versus 93%, p = 0.03). The incidence of the papG class II allele in patients with urinary tract abnormalities and moderate to severe hydronephrosis was less than in those without urinary tract abnormalities (69% versus 93%, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results imply that the papG class II allele has an important role in E. coli infection in patients with acute pyelonephritis and a normal urinary tract, while urinary tract abnormalities and/or obstruction may permit ascending infection of E. coli strains with lower adhesive ability.

Ascending cholangitis provokes IL-8 and MCP-1 expression and promotes inflammatory cell infiltration in the cholestatic rat liver

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Postoperative cholangitis is one of the most common complications after bile duct reconstruction. The pathogenesis and early consequences of ascending cholangitis still are unidentified.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 treatment groups: control (n = 4), blood sampling and liver biopsy only; group I, [BDL/Eschericha coli; n = 6], ligation of common bile duct (BDL) for a week, followed by Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (RYCJ) and injection of E coli (ATCC 25922) into Roux limb after 24 hours; group II, [BDL/NS; n = 5], same procedures as in group I, with injection of normal saline (NS) into Roux limb; group III, [SBDL/E coli; n = 6], primary RYCJ was constructed 1 week after sham ligation of common bile duct (SBDL) followed by the same treatment as group I; Group IV, [SBDL/N.S; n = 6], same procedures as in group III, but injecting NS into Roux limb. All animals were killed after 24 hours of treatment. Blood was sampled for culture and serum cytokine levels. The liver was harvested for quantitative bacterial culture, as well as for MCP-1, interleukin (IL)-8 (CINC in the rat) and transforming growth factor beta1 mRNA expression by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and for immunohistochemistry. The choledochojejunostomy was resected for culture. Serum cytokine levels were detected by ELISA kits.

RESULTS

A significant increase of E coli ATCC 25922, occurred in the livers of group I rats, compared with group IV (P =.037). MCP-1 expression increased in all groups, compared with control (P =.000). The IL-8 mRNA expression was significantly higher in group I than in control (P =.021). The expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA was similar among the groups (P =.361), consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. The serum MCP-1 and IL-8 levels were higher in the 4 groups than in the control (P =.000) and were significantly higher in group I than in group IV (P =.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that a significant colonization of E coli of the same strain was present in the cholestatic rat liver injected into the Roux limb, which was associated with a higher expression of liver MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA, a significant increase of serum MCP-1 and IL-8, and a more evident inflammatory cell infiltration into the porta hepatis.

Staphylococcus aureus meningitis in adults: a clinical comparison of infections caused by methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive strains

BACKGROUND

This study was undertaken to compare the clinical characteristics of adult methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) meningitis and adult methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) meningitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The clinical characteristics and therapeutic outcomes of 19 adult patients with S. aureus meningitis, including eight with MSSA infections and 11 with MRSA infections, were analyzed. A comparison was made between the clinical data of the patients with MSSA infections and those with MRSA infections.

RESULTS

Before the end of 1995, MSSA infection was involved in all the adult patients with S. aureus meningitis but thereafter, MRSA infection was involved in 79% of the cases. The clinical characteristics found in patients with MSSA infection included underlying medical disorders (75%), community-acquired infection (75%) and mortality rate (13%). The clinical characteristics found in patients with MRSA infection included post-neurosurgical states (91%), nosocomial infections (100%), men outnumbering women (8:3), hydrocephalus (36%) and mortality rate (56%). Comparative study between the patient groups (hematogenous and post-neurosurgical) showed that only the mode of acquisition of infection had statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed an increase in MRSA infections in adult S. aureus meningitis in recent years. The clinical characteristics of patients with MSSA and MRSA meningitis were different. Community-acquired infection was common in hematogenous S. aureus meningitis, while nosocomial infection was common in post-neurosurgical S. aureus meningitis. Vancomycin should be considered as one of the drugs of choice for initial therapy of adult bacterial meningitis, especially in post-neurosurgical patients.

Inhibition of group A streptococcus infection by carboxyfullerene

The effect of a water-soluble trimalonic acid derivative of fullerene, carboxyfullerene, against Streptococcus pyogenes infection was tested. Pretreatment with carboxyfullerene was able to protect mice from S. pyogenes infection in an air pouch model. S. pyogenes-induced death and skin injury were inhibited dose dependently by carboxyfullerene. Administration of carboxyfullerene via the peritoneum and air pouch at 3 h post-S. pyogenes infection was able to protect 33% of mice from death. Surveys of exudates of the air pouch of carboxyfullerene-treated mice revealed that survival of infiltrating neutrophils was prolonged and that the bacteria were eliminated as a result of enhanced bactericidal activity of the neutrophils. Furthermore, carboxyfullerene was able to directly inhibit in vitro growth of S. pyogenes. These data suggest that carboxyfullerene can be considered an antimicrobial agent for group A streptococcus infection.

[Application of an artificial neural network in the design of sustained-release dosage forms]

AIM

To use the artificial neural network (ANN) in Matlab 5.1 tool-boxes to predict the formulations of sustained-release tablets.

METHODS

The solubilities of nine drugs and various ratios of HPMC: Dextrin for 63 tablet formulations were used as the ANN model input, and in vitro accumulation released at 6 sampling times were used as output.

RESULTS

The ANN model was constructed by selecting the optimal number of iterations (25) and model structure in which there are one hidden layer and five hidden layer nodes. The optimized ANN model was used for prediction of formulation based on desired target in vitro dissolution-time profiles. ANN predicted profiles based on ANN predicted formulations were closely similar to the target profiles.

CONCLUSION

The ANN could be used for predicting the dissolution profiles of sustained release dosage form and for the design of optimal formulation.

Identification of a plasmid encoding SHV-12, TEM-1, and a variant of IMP-2 metallo-beta-lactamase, IMP-8, from a clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae

A multidrug-resistant plasmid encoding TEM-1, SHV-12, and a variant of IMP-2 metallo-beta-lactamase, designated IMP-8, was identified from a clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae. There are four nucleotide differences between bla(IMP-2) and bla(IMP-8), resulting in two amino acid differences. bla(IMP-8) was also found to be carried by an integron-borne gene cassette similar to the bla(IMP-2) cassette.

Metallo-beta-lactamases in clinical Pseudomonas isolates in Taiwan and identification of VIM-3, a novel variant of the VIM-2 enzyme

A total of 209 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas (193 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 10 P. putida, 4 P. stutzeri, and 2 P. fluorescens isolates) with reduced susceptibilities to imipenem and/or ceftazidime were subjected to PCR assays with primers specific for bla(IMP-1), bla(IMP-2), bla(VIM-1), and bla(VIM-2) and sequence analysis to identify the metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) prevalent among these organisms in Taiwan; and 21 isolates gave positive results. Five isolates including two P. putida and three P. stutzeri isolates were found to carry bla(IMP-1), and six isolates including five P. putida and one P. stutzeri isolates harbored bla(VIM-2). The remaining 10 isolates were P. aeruginosa, and all were found to carry a novel variant of bla(VIM-2), designated bla(VIM-3). There are only two nucleotide differences between bla(VIM-2) and bla(VIM-3), leading to two amino acid alterations. Our findings indicate that VIM-2 and its variant have become the most prevalent metalloenzymes in Pseudomonas in Taiwan. Southern hybridization with the bla(VIM-2)-, bla(VIM-3)-, and bla(IMP-1 )-specific probes revealed that only two VIM-2-producing P. putida isolates appeared to carry the MBL gene on plasmids. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed that six VIM-3-producing P. aeruginosa isolates and two IMP-1-producing P. stutzeri isolates were genetically related, suggesting that the spread of these MBL genes in Taiwan could be due to clonal dissemination as well as genetic exchange between different clones.

The role of high-resolution ultrasonography in management of calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff

This article predicts the possibility of resorption of the calcific plaques in the shoulder using high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) and color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS), and evaluates the therapeutic effect of US-guided fine-needle multiple punctures of the calcific plaque. A total of 100 patients with calcific tendenosis were divided into 3 groups: In group 1, patients having chronic shoulder pain received conservative treatment; in group 2, patients having acute exacerbation of shoulder pain also received conservative treatment; and group 3 patients received US-guided fine-needle multiple punctures or aspiration. In CDUS, all images were classified as grade 0 (no color flow signals), grade 1 (weak spotty color flow signal), grade 2 (few rod-like color flow signals), grade 3 (many rod-like or linear color flow signals). In the follow-up study, marked improvement of patients' clinical condition with more than 50% size reduction of calcific plaque was defined as an effective treatment. There was no significant difference between group 1 and group 3 (p = 0.558) in CDUS, but there was a significant difference between group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.000), and group 2 and group 3 (p = 0.000) on the basis of classification of grade < 1 and grade > or = 1. There was also significant difference in the follow-up result of effective management between group 1 and group 3 (p = 0.000), and group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.000). In conclusion, HRUS with CDUS proved to be a good modality in evaluating the possibility of resorption of shoulder calcification and, if CDUS > or = grade 1 in calcific tendonitis, we highly recommend conservative treatment with regular follow-up. On the other hand, if CDUS < grade 1, fine-needle repeated puncture could be considered as an effective alternative treatment.

Hemodynamic Response of Modified Fluid Gelatin Compared with Lactated Ringer's Solution for Volume Expansion in Emergency Resuscitation of Hypovolemic Shock Patients: Preliminary Report of a Prospective, Randomized Trial

The objective of this study was to compare the cardiac and hemodynamic responses to a rapid infusion of 1000 ml of modified fluid gelatin (group A) or 1000 ml of lactated Ringer's solution (group B) in emergency room patients suffering from shock. This prospective, randomized, open, noncrossover study was performed at a medical center university hospital in a surgical resuscitation room in the emergency department. The subjects were 34 patients with either hypovolemic or neurogenic shock who were admitted to the emergency room. A resuscitation protocol according to Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) with an additional central venous line or Swan-Ganz catheters for hemodynamic monitoring was used. Physical parameters and hemodynamic variables were measured at baseline and 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour after the infusion of each fluid. In both groups the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), systolic and diastolic pressure, central venous pressure (CVP), and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) increased significantly. The CVP and PAOP increased significantly more in the modified fluid gelatin resuscitation group. In patients with traumatic or neurogenic shock due to acute volume deficiency, there was significantly better hemodynamic improvement, judged by CVP and PAOP measurements using the modified fluid gelatin for volume replacement than with lactated Ringer's solution during the first hour of resuscitation.

Dietary fat and garlic oil independently regulate hepatic cytochrome p(450) 2B1 and the placental form of glutathione S-transferase expression in rats

The individual and combined effects of dietary fat and garlic oil on two drug-metabolizing enzymes, cytochrome P(450) 2B1 and the placental form of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (PGST), in rat liver were examined in this study. Rats were fed a low corn oil, high corn oil or high fish oil diet and received various amount of garlic oil (0, 30, 80, 200 mg/kg body) orally three times per week for 6 wk. The fat energy in the low and high fat diets accounted for 11.6 and 45.7% of total energy, respectively. Final body weights did not differ among the three dietary fat groups and were not affected by garlic oil treatment. The fatty acid profile in hepatic phospholipids revealed higher eicosapentaenoic acid [20:5(n-3)] and docosahexaenoic acid [22:6(n-3)] levels in the fish oil-fed group than in the low and high corn oil-fed groups (P < 0.05). In contrast, the corn oil-fed groups had greater hepatic phospholipid arachidonic acid [20:4(n-6)] levels (P < 0.05). Both dietary fat and garlic oil significantly affected hepatic cytochrome 7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activity and GST activity toward ethacrynic acid. Rats fed the high fish oil diet had 85 and 51% higher PROD activity compared with those fed the low or the high corn oil diet, respectively (P < 0.05). The GST activity in the high fish oil and the high corn oil groups was 33 and 18% higher than that in the low corn oil group (P < 0.05), respectively, and the GST activity in rats fed the high fish oil diet was higher than in those fed the high corn oil diet (P < 0.05). Garlic oil dose-dependently increased GST activity. No interaction between dietary fat and garlic oil on PROD or GST activity was noted. Northern and Western blot analysis revealed that dietary fish oil increased both cytochrome P(450) 2B1 and PGST mRNA and protein levels. Cytochrome P(450) 2B1 and PGST mRNA and protein levels were also dose-dependently increased by garlic oil treatment. The effects of garlic oil and dietary fat on P(450) 2B1 and PGST mRNA and protein expression were independent. These results indicate that dietary fat and garlic oil independently modulate P(450) 2B1 and PGST expression at transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional stages.

Serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility of group B Streptococcus over an eight-year period in southern Taiwan

The increase in penicillin resistance among pneumococci and viridans streptococci and the development of serotype-specific conjugate vaccine have increased the need for knowledge of the antimicrobial susceptibility and the capsular serotypes of group B streptococci. Over an 8-year period, 351 group B streptococcal isolates from southern Taiwan were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and serotype determination. Eighty-seven percent of the isolates were typeable. Types III (28.5%) and V (27.1%) were the most common serotypes. The occurrence of type V isolates increased with age, while that of type III isolates decreased with age, showing a predominance in children less than 1 year of age. Of 118 isolates from cases of invasive infection, types Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V accounted for 12.7, 11.9, 0.8, 33, 1.7, and 26.3%, respectively. Using the agar dilution method, all isolates were found to be susceptible to penicillin, cefotaxime, and vancomycin, 99.4% to ofloxacin, 78.1% to chloramphenicol, 63.2% to azithromycin, 62.6% to erythromycin, 57.3% to clindamycin, and 2.8% to tetracycline. Chloramphenicol resistance was associated with type III isolates (59 of 100, 59%) and erythromycin and azithromycin resistance with type Ib isolates (25 of 33 176%], and 21 of 33 [64%], respectively). Thus, 72% of the isolates from invasive infections were serotype III, V, or Ia, and penicillin remains the drug of choice for treatment or prophylaxis of group B streptococcal infections in southern Taiwan, despite the high prevalence of penicillin resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae and viridans streptococci.

Erythrocyte Lewis antigen phenotypes of dyspeptic patients in Taiwan--correlattion of host factor with Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Because of the molecular mimicry between Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide and host Lewis blood-group antigens, Lewis antigen may mediate specific H. pylori binding to surface epithelial cells in gastric mucosa. We, therefore, tested whether different Lewis antigen phenotypes have different prevalence rates of H. pylori infection, and determined the specific H. pylori-related disease entities or histologic features.

METHOD

A total of 342 dyspeptic patients without previous anti-H. pylori therapy were enrolled after endoscopy. The Lewis phenotypes, defined as Le(a-b-), Le(a-b+), Le(a+b-), and Le(a+b+) subtypes, were determined from the expression or absence of Lewis antigens (Le(a) and Le(b)) on erythrocytes in each patient using monoclonal antibodies. The H. pylori-specific gastric histology was evaluated using the updated Sydney's system.

RESULTS

Of 342 patients, 233 (68.1%) had H. pylori infection. The H. pylori infection rates were significantly higher in patients with Lewis phenotypes Le(a+b-) and Le(a+b+) (p < 0.05). Patients expressing the Le(a) antigen had a higher H. pylori infection rate than those without the Le(a) antigen (80.8 vs 64%, p < 0.005). In H. pylori-infected patients, patients expressing Le(b) antigen had a lower rate of gastroduodenal ulcers than those without Le(b) antigen (46.9 vs 61.4%, p < 0.05). H. pylori-positive patients who expressed the Le(b) antigen had higher bacterial density and inflammation severity in the gastric cardia than those who did not. Patients who expressed the Le(a) antigen had lower bacterial density, less chronic inflammation severity, and lower frequency of lymphoid follicles in the gastric cardia than those who did not (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The erythrocyte Lewis phenotype can be a significant host factor related to susceptibility, different histologic patterns, and clinical outcomes of H. pylori infection in Taiwan.

In vitro and in vivo combinations of cefotaxime and minocycline against Aeromonas hydrophila

The activities of cefotaxime and minocycline against Aeromonas hydrophila were investigated. Cefotaxime (4 times the MIC) plus minocycline (0.75 times the MIC) elicited an inhibitory effect for 48 h in a time-kill study, and more infected mice treated with both drugs survived (91%) than survived after treatment with cefotaxime (9%) or minocycline (44%) alone, suggesting that cefotaxime and minocycline act synergistically against A. hydrophila.

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis and activation of the renin-angiotensin system after asphyxia in preterm fetal sheep

This study examined the hypothesis that the development of hydrops fetalis after asphyxia in the 0.6 gestation sheep fetus would be associated with activation of the fetal renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Fetuses were randomly assigned to either sham occlusion (n = 7) or to 30 min of asphyxia induced by complete umbilical cord occlusion for 30 min (n = 8). Asphyxia led to severe bradycardia and hypotension that resolved after release of occlusion. After occlusion, plasma renin concentration was significantly increased in the asphyxia group compared with controls (P < 0.005) after 3 min (16.3 +/- 5.3 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.3 ng. ml(-1). h(-1)), and 72 h (30.6 +/- 6.3 vs. 3.7 +/- 1.2 ng. ml(-1). h(-1)). Renal renin concentrations and mRNA levels were significantly greater in the asphyxia group after 72 h of recovery. All fetuses in the asphyxia group showed generalized tissue edema, ascites, and pleural effusions after 72 h of recovery. In conclusion, asphyxia in the preterm fetus caused sustained activation of the RAS, which was associated with hydrops fetalis.

Catalytic growth and characterization of gallium nitride nanowires

The preparation of high-purity and -quality gallium nitride nanowires is accomplished by a catalytic growth using gallium and ammonium. A series of catalysts and different reaction parameters were applied to systematically optimize and control the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth of the nanowires. The resulting nanowires show predominantly wurtzite phase; they were up to several micrometers in length, typically with diameters of 10-50 nm. A minimum nanowire diameter of 6 nm has been achieved. Temperature dependence of photoluminescence spectra of the nanowires revealed that the emission mainly comes from wurtzite GaN with little contribution from the cubic phase. Moreover, the thermal quenching of photoluminescence was much reduced in the GaN nanowires. The Raman spectra showed five first-order phonon modes. The frequencies of these peaks were close to those of the bulk GaN, but the modes were significantly broadened, which is indicative of the phonon confinement effects associated with the nanoscale dimensions of the system. Additional Raman modes, not observed in the bulk GaN, were found in the nanowires. The field emission study showing notable emission current with low turn-on field suggests potential of the GaN nanowires in field emission applications. This work opens a wide route toward detailed studies of the fundamental properties and potential applications of semiconductor nanowires.

Ranitidine bismuth citrate or omeprazole-based triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Helicobacter pylori-infected non-ulcer dyspepsia

AIM

To test the eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori by ranitidine bismuth citrate-based triple therapy, and evaluate the symptomatic response of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy for non-ulcer dyspepsia.

METHODS

A total of 59 consecutive Helicobacter pylori infected non-ulcer dyspepsia patients were randomly selected to receive either one of two triple therapy regimens, including metronidazole, amoxycillin plus ranitidine bismuth citrate (RAM group) or omeprazole (OAM group). To determine the success of eradication, patients underwent the 13C-urea breath test, 6 weeks and one year after treatment. The dyspeptic symptom scores were also assessed at the time of enrolment, 6 weeks and one year after treatment.

RESULTS

Per-protocol and intention-to-treat eradication rates were 77.7% and 70% in RAM group and 83.8% and 68.9% in OAM group (p = non significant). At both the 6th week and at the first year after treatment, the mean symptom scores were lower than pre-treatment scores in the study population, regardless of whether treatment was successful or not. However, patients, whether eradicated successfully or not-eradicated, presented similar 6-week and 1-year scores.

CONCLUSIONS

One-week RAM triple therapy, which is cheaper than the OAM regimen, is a relatively effective alternative regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication in Taiwanese. Triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication was not the whole management for the relief of dyspeptic symptoms of non-ulcer dyspepsia patients.

Molecular Properties of Matrilin-3 Isolated from Human Growth Cartilage

Matrilin-3 is a recently identified matrix protein of cartilage that shows sequence homology to matrilin-1 (cartilage matrix protein or CMP). Here we identify and characterize the molecular properties of matrilin-3 from human growth cartilage by immunochemical and mass spectrometry methods. Extracts of fetal skeletal cartilage were resolved by SDS-PAGE and candidate matrilin subunits were identified by electrospray mass spectrometry of tryptic peptides. Matrilin-3 and matrilin-1 were both present in disulfide-bonded tetrameric components. Polyclonal antisera to synthetic peptides specific to each subunit confirmed the identities by Western blotting and further demonstrated the existence of several forms of tetramer. A homotetramer (matrilin-3)4 and more than one species of heterotetramer containing matrilin-3 and matrilin-1 chains were resolved. Immunohistochemistry of tissue sections confirmed that both matrilin-1 and matrilin-3 are widely codistributed throughout human skeletal growth cartilage.

Molecular characterization of a novel defective DNA isolated from tobacco tissues infected with tobacco leaf curl virus

Defective DNA of tobacco leaf curl virus (TLCV) was identified in TLCV-infected tobacco plants. The defective DNA was cloned and sequenced. The sequence showed it was about half the size of the TLCV DNA-A, and was derived from TLCV DNA-A by a large deletion. The defective DNA contained the intergenic region and part of the AC1 (Rep) gene of TLCV, and also novel open reading frames (ORFs). The immunotrapping tests showed the defective DNA was associated with geminate particles, suggesting it could be encapsidated in virus particles. It was transmitted, along with full-length DNA-A, to tobacco plants by grafting and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci).

Effect of charge neutralization on the dewatering performance of alum sludge by polymer conditioning

Cationic and anionic polymers with the same molecular weight were used as sludge conditioning reagent to study the polymer charge effect on alum sludge dewatering characteristics. On the basis of capillary suction time, bound water content, and zeta-potential measurement in this study, the function of charge neutralization appears to be an important consideration in the sludge dewaterability and moisture content. Using the dilatometric technique to measure the bound water content, we found that alum sludge conditioned by cationic polymer presented more significant variation in the bound water content than sludge subject to anionic conditioning. We hypothesise that the mechanism of charge neutralization caused much water depletion by replacement and exclusion in sludge and results in the decrease of bound water within the cationic polymer conditioning. An insignificant bound water variation found during the anionic conditioning resulted from the lack of charge neutralization. A lighter and looser floc structure is also be found in the anionic conditioned sludge after the analysis of wet floc density and fractal dimension. Such open floc structure can be attributed to the lack of charge neutralization as the flocs aggregate with anionic polymer.

P2Y(2) receptor of MDCK cells: cloning, expression, and cell-specific signaling

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)-D1 cells, a canine renal epithelial cell line, co-express at least three different P2Y receptor subtypes: P2Y(1), P2Y(2), and P2Y(11) (24). Stimulation of P2Y receptors in these cells results in the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and metabolites and the elevation of intracellular cAMP. To define in more precise terms the signaling contributed by the MDCK-D1 P2Y(2) (cP2Y(2)) receptor, we have cloned and heterologously expressed it in CF2Th (canine thymocyte) cells, a P2Y(2)-null cell. Analysis by RT-PCR indicated that canine P2Y(2) receptors are expressed in skeletal muscle, spleen, kidney, lung, and liver. When expressed in CF2Th cells, cP2Y(2) receptors promoted phospholipase C-mediated phosphatidylinositol (PI) hydrolysis [uridine 5'-triphosphate > or = ATP > adenosine 5'-diphosphate > 2MT-ATP] and mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+). In contrast to their actions in MDCK-D1 cells, cP2Y(2) receptors did not stimulate formation of cAMP or AA release when expressed in CF2Th cells. The data indicate that cell setting plays an essential role in the ability of P2Y receptors to regulate AA release and cAMP formation. In particular, renal epithelial cells preferentially express components critical for cP2Y(2)-induced cAMP formation, including the expression of enzymes involved in the generation and metabolism of AA and receptors that respond to PGE(2).

Quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance among gram-positive bacteria in Taiwan

To understand quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance among clinical isolates of gram-positive bacteria in Taiwan, where this agent is not yet available for clinical use, we evaluated 1,287 nonduplicate isolates recovered from January 1996 to December 1999 for in vitro susceptibility to quinupristin-dalfopristin and other newer antimicrobial agents. All methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) isolates were susceptible to quinupristin-dalfopristin. High rates of nonsusceptibility to quinupristin-dalfopristin (MICs, >/=2 microg/ml) were demonstrated for the following organisms: methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (31%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (16%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8%), viridans group streptococci (51%), vancomycin-susceptible enterococci (85%), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (100%), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (66%), Leuconostoc spp. (100%), Lactobacillus spp. (50%), and Pediococcus spp. (87%). All isolates of MSSA, MRSA, S. pneumoniae, and viridans group streptococci were susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The rates of nonsusceptibility to vancomycin and teicoplanin were 5 and 7%, respectively, for CoNS, ranging from 12 and 18% for S. simulans to 0 and 0% for S. cohnii and S. auricularis. Moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin had good activities against these isolates except for ciprofloxacin-resistant vancomycin-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant staphylococci. In Taiwan, virginiamycin has been used in animal husbandry for more than 20 years, which may contribute to the high rates of quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance.

Dissemination of CTX-M-3 and CMY-2 beta-lactamases among clinical isolates of Escherichia coli in southern Taiwan

A total of 1,210 clinical isolates of Escherichia coli collected from a university hospital in southern Taiwan were screened for production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Expression of classical ESBLs (resistant to extended-spectrum beta-lactam agents and susceptible to beta-lactam inhibitors) was inferred in 18 isolates by the phenotypic confirmatory test. These included 10 isolates producing CTX-M-3, 2 strains carrying SHV-12, 1 strain harboring SHV-5, 1 strain expressing TEM-10, and 4 strains producing unidentifiable ESBLs with a pI of 8.05, 8.0, or 7.4. Eighteen isolates that showed decreased susceptibilities to ceftazidime and/or cefotaxime, negative results for the confirmatory test, and high-level resistance to cefoxitin (MICs of >/=128 microg/ml) were also investigated. Five isolates were found to produce CMY-2 AmpC enzymes, one isolate carried both CTX-M-3 and CMY-2, and the remaining three and nine isolates expressed putative AmpC beta-lactamases with pIs of >9.0 and 8.9, respectively. Thus, together with the isolate producing CTX-M-3 and CMY-2, 19 (1.6%) isolates produced classical ESBLs. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that all isolates carrying CTX-M-3 and/or CMY-2 were genetically unrelated, indicating that dissemination of resistance plasmids was responsible for the spread of these two enzymes among E. coli in this area. Among the 16 isolates expressing CTX-M-3 and/or CMY-2, 5 might have colonized outside the hospital environment. Our data indicate that CTX-M-3 and CMY-2, two beta-lactamases initially identified in Europe, have been disseminated to and are prevalent in Taiwan.

Fluorescence polarization is a useful technology for reagent reduction in assay miniaturization

The use of fluorescence polarization (FP) has increased significantly in the development of sensitive and robust assays for high throughput screening of chemical compound libraries during the past few years. In this study, we show that FP is a useful assay miniaturization technology for reagent reduction during high throughput screening. We developed and optimized several FP assays for binding to estrogen receptor alpha and two protein kinases with an assay volume of 100 microl. Without any re-optimization, a consistent signal window was maintained in 384- or 1536-well format when the assay volume varied from 2.5-100 microl at constant concentrations of all assay components. In contrast, the signal window decreased with decreasing assay volume at constant reagent concentration in the protein kinase C scintillation proximity assay (SPA) and prompt fluorescence assay. In addition, the effect of evaporation on the signal window was minimal for the FP assays. Our study suggests that FP is superior to SPA and prompt fluorescence in terms of reagent reduction in the miniaturized assay format.