Interleukin-28 Polymorphism: Ethnic variations and the response to chronic hepatitis C treatment in Malaysia.

No abstract provided.

Transcription analysis and small non-protein coding RNAs associated with bacterial ribosomal protein operons.

For decades ribosome biogenesis and translation represent key targets in the antimicrobial drug development to combat bacterial infections. Here we report a survey of various small non-protein coding (ncRNAs) associated with ribosomal protein (r-protein) operons in the bacterial pathogens S. aureus, V. cholerae, S. Typhi and M. tuberculosis. We identified four ncRNA candidates that overlap with important structural regions involved in translational feedback regulation. Most notable are the ncRNA 55 family containing the unique recognition site of the L10-(L12)4 complex that consequently might be involved in L10 operon regulation, and ncRNA StyR 337 that resembles the pseudoknot secondary structure of the S4 regulatory region. These findings potentially implicate the candidate ncRNAs in translational regulation of the corresponding operons. In total we report 28 intergenically encoded ncRNAs that map in sense orientation to 14 ribosomal protein operons and 13 cis-antisense encoded ncRNAs transcribed complementary to nine r-protein mRNAs. All ncRNA candidates were independently validated by extensive Northern blot hybridizations to account for growth-stage specific ncRNA transcription and to check ncRNA integrity. In addition we revisited the str-operon as experimental model to monitor internal initiation of transcription in the operon throughout bacterial growth by real-time PCR. Our data indicate additional facets of ribosomal protein operons transcription, and might lead to novel insights of ribosome biogenesis, as well as exploration of strategies involving differential drug development.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of Shigella sonnei strains in Malaysia (1997-2000).

AIMS: Antimicrobial resistance of Shigella sonnei from Malaysia was determined and subtyping was carried by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to assess the extent of genetic diversity of these strains. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 62 isolates of S. sonnei from sporadic cases of shigellosis in different parts of Malaysia were studied by antimicrobial susceptibility test and PFGE. Approximately 35.5% of the strains showed resistance to three or more antimicrobial agents. Eight resistant phenotypes, i.e. RI to RVIII, was defined. Resistant phenotype RV and RVIII only appeared in year 2000. PFGE analysis with NotI and XbaI restriction showed that a great heterogeneity existed at the DNA level among Malaysian S. sonnei isolates. Fifty-eight NotI and 61 XbaI-PFGE profiles were observed in 63 S. sonnei isolates, including ATCC 11060 isolate. Drug sensitive isolates displayed very different profiles from drug-resistant isolates, with a few exceptions. Isolates of resistant phenotype RVI (SXTr.TETr.STRr) showed a greater similarity among each other compared with isolates of resistant phenotype RI and drug-sensitive isolates. CONCLUSION: Multi-drug-resistant S. sonnei were circulated in different parts of Malaysia and the emergence of new resistant phenotype was observed. Wide genetic variations among Malaysian S. sonnei were observed and the drug-sensitive strains could be differentiated from drug-resistant strains by PFGE. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study verifies the usefulness of PFGE in characterizing and comparing strains of S. sonnei. Minor variations among S. sonnei isolates could be detected by PFGE.