RESUMO
This study explores the use of a long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) marker to elucidate the genetic diversity of Aedes albopictus sampled from urban and forested regions in Peninsular and East Malaysia. A total of 36 samples were collected from 5 localities from which its genetic variability was analysed. 33 distinct mtDNA haplotypes were identified following the amplification and sequencing of the concatenated CO1 gene. The analysed region of the CO1 gene identified substantial levels of genetic diversity among mosquitoes in urban populations and revealed unique genealogical relationships between local isolates as revealed in the haplotype network. This study highlights the reliability of the long CO1 fragment to identify genetic divergence of Aedes albopictus which can be utilized in forthcoming studies.
RESUMO
@#This study explores the use of a long fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) marker to elucidate the genetic diversity of Aedes albopictus sampled from urban and forested regions in Peninsular and East Malaysia. A total of 36 samples were collected from 5 localities from which its genetic variability was analysed. 33 distinct mtDNA haplotypes were identified following the amplification and sequencing of the concatenated CO1 gene. The analysed region of the CO1 gene identified substantial levels of genetic diversity among mosquitoes in urban populations and revealed unique genealogical relationships between local isolates as revealed in the haplotype network. This study highlights the reliability of the long CO1 fragment to identify genetic divergence of Aedes albopictus which can be utilized in forthcoming studies.
RESUMO
Determination of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes is essential for epidemiological surveillance. Therefore accurate, reliable and cost effective serotyping method is crucial. In this study, we determined the serotypes of 41 pneumococcal isolates recovered from human anterior nares by multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) utilizing published primers. The data was then compared with conventional serology using latex agglutination (LA) and the Quellung reaction. Based on the PCR-approach, 8 different serogroups/serotypes were detected with one isolate classified as non-typeable (cpsA-negative). In reference to the serology-based data, the results were in agreement except for one isolate. For the latter isolate, the LA and Quellung tests failed to show a reaction but the PCR-approach and sequencing identified the isolate as serogroup 15B/C. Based on this experimental setting, we found that the PCR-approach for pneumococcal serotypes determination is reliable to serve as the alternative for determining the pneumococcal serotyping.
Assuntos
Tipagem Molecular/métodos , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Multiplex/métodos , Streptococcus pneumoniae/classificação , Streptococcus pneumoniae/genética , Humanos , Testes de Fixação do Látex , Nariz/microbiologia , Sorotipagem/métodos , Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
We examined the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (N/L ratio) in the peripheral blood in patients with colorectal cancer. The ability to produce active oxygen and phagocytosis of neutrophils, G-CSF, sIL-2R and IAP (immunosuppressive acidic protein) were also measured. The N/L ratios were significantly higher in the advanced stages of cancer than in normal controls. The ability to produce active oxygen in the terminal stage was 33% lower than in the control group. The G-CSF levels had no relationship with the neutrophil counts. IAP levels increased with cancer stage, and were inversely related to the ability to produce active oxygen. The IAP levels correlated well with the sIL-2R levels and the N/L ratio. These findings suggest that the ability to produce active oxygen, N/L ratio and IAP reflect anticancer mechanisms and that they may be useful when considering treatment or prognosis of patients with advanced stages of cancer.
