Detection of multiresistant Salmonella typhimurium DT104 by multiplex PCR

Phage typing was almost the only way to confirm DT104, but it is so expensive and complicate to perform that it is available in just a few laboratories. Therefore, other rapid and accurate method becomes necessary. PCR has been programmed to detect DTl 04 and known to be very useful. There have been many different PCR programs to identify DT104, but in this study,InvA, Mdh, Pse-1 and ClmA/l\u27etR genes were used to amplify the specific regions of DTl 04 by multiplex PCR, which produce 393, 943, 468 and 602 bp PCR product, respectively. All DT104 were positive to these four genes, and ACSSuT type S. Typhimurium, other Salmonella spec. and other bacteria are negative to the specific genes

Seasonal Sea Surface Temperature Asymmetry in the Northwestern Pacific Marginal Seas

Sea surface temperature (SST) is an important component of climate and weather systems at various time scales. Asymmetric seasonal SST variations in the Northwestern Pacific Marginal Seas (NWPMS) are investigated in this study using observation data and numerical model results. The asymmetry in SST seasonal variation is estimated quantitatively and compared with heat advection and surface net heat flux using SST data and atmospheric variables from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF). The SST increases faster than it decreases, whereas air temperature increases slowly. Heat advection and surface heat flux were estimated using numerically modeled SST and ocean currents, which contribute to the asymmetry of seasonal SST variations. Heat advection shows good correlation with the SST seasonal variation asymmetry. Model results without currents along the boundary show more symmetrical SST variations. This suggests that heat advection is a prominent cause of asymmetry in the seasonal variation

An Impacted Clamshell in the Duodenum Mistaken for a Gall Stone

Although most ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously, those that are sharp, pointed, or large require removal to avoid serious complications. Here we report an interesting case of a 60-year-old man who swallowed a clamshell that passed through the pylorus and was caught in the duodenum. Radiologic findings made it look like a biliary stone. Endoscopic retrieval of the clamshell with a Dormia Basket was performed safely and the patient was discharged uneventfully on the day of the procedure

Evaluation of synbiotics as gut health improvement agents against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolated from the pig

Colibacillosis is one of the major health problems in young piglets resulting in poor health and death caused by Escherichia coli producing F18 pili and Shiga toxin 2e. It is pivotal to reduce colibacillosis in weaned piglets to enhance production performance. In this study, we evaluated synbiotics as the gut health improvement agents in the mouse model challenged with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) isolated from piglets. Prebiotic lactulose was formulated with each 5.0 × 106 CFU/mL of Pediococcus acidilactici GB-U15, Lactobacillus plantarum GB-U17, and Lactobacillus plantarum GB 1-3 to produce 3 combinations of synbiotics. A total of 40 three weeks old BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 10): a control group and 3 synbiotics treated groups. Each treatment groups were daily administrated with 5.0 × 106 CFU/mL of one synbiotics for the first week, and every 3 days during the second week. All the mice were challenged with 8.0 × 108 CFU/mL of STEC 5 days after animals began to receive synbiotics. Mice treated with synbiotics based on Pediococcus acidilactici GB-U15 and Lactobacillus plantarum GB-U17 significantly improved daily weight gain compared to mice in other groups. While mice treated with GB-U15 showed better fecal index, no significant differences were observed among groups. Gross lesion and histopathological evaluations showed that mice treated with GB-U15 moderately improved recovery from STEC infection. In conclusion, our results suggest that the synbiotics formulated with lactulose and Pediococcus acidilactici GB-U15 have potential benefits to prevent and improve colibacillosis in weaned piglets

Duodenal Duplication Cysts of Ampulla of Vater Containing Stone

Duodenal duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations. Most symptomatic cases are diagnosed in children and usually present with obstructive findings or bleeding symptoms. Treatment traditionally involves surgical resection, which can be often difficult because of the close proximity of the cysts to the papilla and bilopancreatic confluence. Endoscopic therapy has been used as an alternative to open surgery in a few selected cases. We report a case with a duodenal duplication cyst containing a brown pigmented stone within the cystic lumen. He was visited because of sudden right upper quadrant abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography revealed the presence of a cyst with a stone, which was finally removed by endoscopic resection