Serotonin regulates osteoblast proliferation and function in vitro

The monoamine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), a well-known neurotransmitter, also has important functions outside the central nervous system. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of 5-HT in the proliferation, differentiation, and function of osteoblasts in vitro. We treated rat primary calvarial osteoblasts with various concentrations of 5-HT (1 nM to 10 µM) and assessed the rate of osteoblast proliferation, expression levels of osteoblast-specific proteins and genes, and the ability to form mineralized nodules. Next, we detected which 5-HT receptor subtypes were expressed in rat osteoblasts at different stages of osteoblast differentiation. We found that 5-HT could inhibit osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization at low concentrations, but this inhibitory effect was mitigated at relatively high concentrations. Six of the 5-HT receptor subtypes (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C) were found to exist in rat osteoblasts. Of these, 5-HT2A and 5-HT1Breceptors had the highest expression levels, at both early and late stages of differentiation. Our results indicated that 5-HT can regulate osteoblast proliferation and function in vitro

Draft genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant Chryseobacterium indologenes isolate from Malaysia

Chryseobacterium indologenes is an emerging pathogen which poses a threat in clinical healthcare setting due to its multidrug-resistant phenotype and its common association with nosocomial infections. Here, we report the draft genome of a multidrug-resistant C. indologenes CI_885 isolated in 2014 from Malaysia. The 908,704-kb genome harbors a repertoire of putative antibiotic resistance determinants which may elucidate the molecular basis and underlying mechanisms of its resistant to various classes of antibiotics. The genome sequence has been deposited in DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under the accession number LJOD00000000

Genome Sequences of Two Multidrug-Resistant Proteus mirabilis Strains Harboring CTX-M-65 Isolated from Malaysia

Proteus mirabilis is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen that is commonly associated with urinary tract infections. Here, we present draft genome sequences of two multidrug-resistant P. mirabilis strains, isolated from urine samples in Malaysia, that harbored a CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamase-encoding gene, as well as a repertoire of other antimicrobial-resistant determinants

Stenotrophomonas and Lysobacter: ubiquitous plant-associated gamma-proteobacteria of developing significance in applied microbiology

The exploration of new source materials and the use of alternative isolation and identification methods have led to rapid expansion in the knowledge of diversity; in Lysobacter, 11 new species having been described since 2005, and in Stenotrophomonas with six new species since 2000. The new species of Lysobacter, isolated by dilution and direct plating on standard media, differ in several key phenotypic properties from those obtained by enrichment on complex polysaccharides in the original description of the genus. Revision of the definition of the genus will be required. Both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods to assess community structure, in a variety of host and nonhost environments, have established that some species of Lysobacter are a dominant component of the microflora, where previously their presence had not been suspected. Culture-independent studies have generally not added new information on the occurrence and distribution of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and other members of the genus, which are readily isolated on standard media from source materials. Lysobacter enzymogenes and Sten. maltophilia produce similar antibiotics and share some enzyme activities which, subject to safety considerations, may make them attractive candidates for use in biological control of plant diseases and of nematodes

Complete genome sequence of Pandoraea thiooxydans DSM 25325T, a thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium

Pandoraea thiooxydans DSM 25325T is a thiosulfate-oxidizing bacterium isolated from rhizosphere soils of a sesame plant. Here, we present the first complete genome of P. thiooxydans DSM 25325T. Several genes involved in thiosulfate oxidation and biodegradation of aromatic compounds were identified

Fabrication and characterization of proton-exchanged waveguide on X-Cut LiNbO3

10.1109/IPGC.2008.47813582008 IEEE PhotonicsGlobal at Singapore, IPGC 2008