Pseudomonas helleri sp. nov. and Pseudomonas weihenstephanensis sp. nov., isolated from raw cow's milk.

Analysis of the microbiota of raw cow's milk and semi-finished milk products yielded seven isolates assigned to the genus Pseudomonas that formed two individual groups in a phylogenetic analysis based on partial rpoD and 16S rRNA gene sequences. The two groups could be differentiated from each other and also from their closest relatives as well as from the type species Pseudomonas aeruginosa by phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characterization and average nucleotide identity (ANIb) values calculated from draft genome assemblies. ANIb values within the groups were higher than 97.3 %, whereas similarity values to the closest relatives were 85 % or less. The major cellular lipids of strains WS4917T and WS4993T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol; the major quinone was Q-9 in both strains, with small amounts of Q-8 in strain WS4917T. The DNA G+C contents of strains WS4917T and WS4993T were 58.08 and 57.30 mol%, respectively. Based on these data, strains WS4917T, WS4995 ( = DSM 29141 = LMG 28434), WS4999, WS5001 and WS5002 should be considered as representatives of a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas helleri sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pseudomonas helleri is strain WS4917T ( = DSM 29165T = LMG 28433T). Strains WS4993T and WS4994 ( = DSM 29140 = LMG 28438) should be recognized as representing a second novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas weihenstephanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Pseudomonas weihenstephanensis is strain WS4993T ( = DSM 29166T = LMG 28437T).

A Global Vista of the Epigenomic State of the Mouse Submandibular Gland.

The parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands represent a trio of oral secretory glands whose primary function is to produce saliva, facilitate digestion of food, provide protection against microbes, and maintain oral health. While recent studies have begun to shed light on the global gene expression patterns and profiles of salivary glands, particularly those of mice, relatively little is known about the location and identity of transcriptional control elements. Here we have established the epigenomic landscape of the mouse submandibular salivary gland (SMG) by performing chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing experiments for 4 key histone marks. Our analysis of the comprehensive SMG data sets and comparisons with those from other adult organs have identified critical enhancers and super-enhancers of the mouse SMG. By further integrating these findings with complementary RNA-sequencing based gene expression data, we have unearthed a number of molecular regulators such as members of the Fox family of transcription factors that are enriched and likely to be functionally relevant for SMG biology. Overall, our studies provide a powerful atlas of cis-regulatory elements that can be leveraged for better understanding the transcriptional control mechanisms of the mouse SMG, discovery of novel genetic switches, and modulating tissue-specific gene expression in a targeted fashion.

Formation of ultracold dipolar molecules in the lowest vibrational levels by photoassociation.

We recently reported the formation of ultracold LiCs molecules in the rovibrational ground state X1sigma+, v" = 0,J" = 0 (J. Deiglmayr et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 2008, 101, 133004). Here we discuss details of the experimental setup and present a thorough analysis of the photoassociation step including the photoassociation line shape. We predict the distribution of produced ground state molecules using accurate potential energy curves combined with an ab initio dipole transition moment and compare this prediction with experimental ionization spectra. Additionally we improve the value of the dissociation energy for the X1sigma+ state by high resolution spectroscopy of the vibrational ground state.

Formation of ultracold polar molecules in the rovibrational ground state.

Ultracold LiCs molecules in the absolute ground state X1Sigma+, v'' = 0, J'' = 0 are formed via a single photoassociation step starting from laser-cooled atoms. The selective production of v'' = 0, J'' = 2 molecules with a 50-fold higher rate is also demonstrated. The rotational and vibrational state of the ground state molecules is determined in a setup combining depletion spectroscopy with resonant-enhanced multiphoton ionization time-of-flight spectroscopy. Using the determined production rate of up to 5 x 10(3) molecules/s, we describe a simple scheme which can provide large samples of externally and internally cold dipolar molecules.

Gastric retention of enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets. A complication of gastroduodenal Crohn's disease.

A case is described in which a patient with known gastroduodenal Crohn's disease developed a picture of gastric outlet obstruction accompanied by gastric retention of many enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets. The tablets were removed by gastric lavage with a sodium bicarbonate solution. Following this observation, an in vitro study was done in which the rate of disintegration of enteric-coated sulfasalazine tablets was found to be directly related to pH. The case report reveals a potential hazard in using enteric-coated tablets in patients with impaired gastric emptying. Intragastric sodium bicarbonate may be a useful element in the management of this complication.

Sonographic urethrogram: comparison to roentgenographic techniques in 22 patients.

A sonographic technique was devised to examine the anterior urethra in 22 men suspected of having stricture disease. All patients underwent sonographic and roentgenographic urethrograms. Cystoscopic examination was done in 17 patients. The sonographic urethrogram findings were as diagnostic as the roentgen findings in 19 patients. In 1 patient the sonographic urethrogram identified a bulbar urethral stricture not seen on a retrograde urethrogram. In 2 patients a bulbar urethral sinus tract was found by the retrograde urethrogram but not by the sonographic urethrogram, although the remaining 2 sonographic urethrograms correctly identified the urethral pathological condition. Structures outside the lumen of the urethra including the urethral wall, corpus spongiosum, corpus cavernosum, bulb and external urinary sphincter were seen clearly by the sonographic urethrogram. The fossa navicularis can be visualized as well. Foreign bodies in the urethra, straddle injury and stricture disease were correctly diagnosed by the sonographic urethrogram. No patient reported discomfort during the examination. The sonographic urethrogram provided valuable information about the luminal and extraluminal anatomy of the anterior urethra. Further long-term studies will be necessary to assess its ultimate diagnostic potential.

Pyogenic liver abscess complicating common bile duct stenosis secondary to chronic calcific pancreatitis. A rare presentation.

Pyogenic liver abscess is a rare presentation of common bile duct stenosis secondary to chronic calcific pancreatitis. Two cases are described in this report; in both cases, biliary obstruction was present in the absence of jaundice. Successful therapy of the abscesses was accomplished with antibiotics alone and without continuous percutaneous drainage or surgical intervention. Definitive therapy should include eventual surgical correction of the biliary obstruction.