A case of asymptomatic infection of Ascaris suum identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequence analysis.

Human ascariasis is a soil-transmitted helminthiasis and remains a neglected tropical disease. Ascaris suum has the potential to cause cross-infections between humans and pigs. In this study, we present a rare case of a patient with asymptomatic infection by Ascaris suum. A 66-year-old male underwent colonoscopy, and a white linear worm body was found in the hepatic curvature. The worm was collected by aspiration and submitted to the laboratory for parasite identification. The patient had no symptoms related to parasitic infection. The worm was highly suspected to be of the genus Ascaris. Because of the difficulty of morphological classification, genetic analysis was performed. From PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism results and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer-1 region, it was determined to be A. suum. The experience with rapid differentiation of A. suum by performing genetic analysis will be useful for future examinations of parasitic infections.

Identification and formation of volatile components responsible for the characteristic aroma of mat rush (igusa).

An aroma concentrate of the mat rush (igusa) was prepared by combining solvent extraction with the solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) technique. An aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) applied to the volatile fraction revealed 51 odor-active peaks with FD factors between 4(3) and 4(7). Among the perceived odorants, twelve peaks with the higher FD factors (>or=4(6)) were proved to be the most important components of the characteristic aroma in mat rush. Eleven odorants were identified or tentatively identified from the twelve peaks as methional, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, (E)-2-nonenal, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal, (E,E,Z)-2,4,6-nonatrienal, trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal, 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-2(5H)-furanone, isovaleric acid, methyl anthranirate, and vanillin. The FD factors of the odor-active peaks in dried mat rush were observed to be much higher than those in raw mat rush. This finding suggests that the drying process during manufacturing of the mat rush is one of the most important factors for the formation of the characteristic mat rush aroma.

Synthesis of the bicyclo[7.3.0]dodecatrienediyne core of the C-1027 chromophore.

[reaction: see text] C-1027, an extremely potent antitumor agent, is composed of chromophore 1 and an apoprotein. Here we report a general and efficient route to the exceedingly reactive bicyclo[7.3.0]dodecatrienediyne core of 1, utilizing selenoxide elimination and epoxide deoxygenation to build the cyclopentadiene and enediyne structures, respectively.