Methods Secondary data analysis was performed on a population-ba

Methods. Secondary data analysis was performed on a population-based longitudinal study of 1644 community-dwelling older adults living in London, U.K.; Hamburg, Germany; Solothurn, Switzerland. Data were this website collected at baseline and 1-year

follow-up using a self-administered multidimensional health risk appraisal questionnaire, including validated questions on falls, mobility disability status (high function, preclinical disability, task difficulty), and demographic and health-related characteristics. Associations were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results. Overall incidence of falls was 24%, and increased by worsening mobility disability status: high function Defactinib concentration (17%), preclinical disability (32%), task difficulty (40%), test-of-trend p <.003. In multivariate

analysis adjusting for other fall risk factors, preclinical disability (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.5), task difficulty (OR = 1.7, 95% CI, 1.1-2.6) and history of falls (OR = 4.7, 95% CI, 3.5-6.3) were the strongest significant predictors of falls. In stratified multivariate analyses, preclinical disability equally predicted falls in participants with (OR = 1.7, 95% CI, 1.0-3.0) and without history of falls (OR = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1-3.0).

Conclusions. This study provides longitudinal evidence that self-reported preclinical disability predicts incident falls at I-year follow-up independent of other self-reported fall risk factors. Multidimensional geriatric assessment that includes preclinical disability may provide a unique early warning system as well as potential selleck inhibitor targets for intervention.”
“Multisensory behavioral benefits generally occur when one modality provides improved or disambiguating information to another. Here, we show benefits when no information is apparently provided. Participants performed an auditory frequency discrimination task in which auditory stimuli were paired with uninformative visual stimuli. Visual-auditory stimulus onset asynchrony was varied between -10 ms (sound first) to 80 ms without compromising perceptual simultaneity. In most stimulus onset asynchrony conditions,

response times to audiovisual pairs were significantly shorter than auditory-alone controls. This suggests a general processing advantage for multisensory stimuli over unisensory stimuli, even when only one modality is informative. Response times were shortest with an auditory delay of 65 ms, indicating an audiovisual ‘perceptual optimum’ that may be related to processing simultaneity.”
“Background. The quality of health care for older Americans with multiple chronic conditions is suboptimal. We designed “”Guided Care”" (GC) to enhance quality of care by integrating a registered nurse, intensively trained in chronic care, into primary care practices to work with physicians in providing comprehensive chronic care to 50-60 multimorbid older patients.

Methods.

Conclusions: Treatment with I-131-MIBG call be considered for pat

Conclusions: Treatment with I-131-MIBG call be considered for patients if Surgery is not feasible. There are significant Tanespimycin risks associated with this treatment, but the Majority of patients will respond. Treatment with I-131-MIBG

should be done at institutions With experience ill delivering targeted radiotherapeutics. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“To examine the pathway of the coreceptor switching of CCR5-using (R5) virus to CXCR4-using (X4) virus in simian-human immunodeficiency virus SHIVSF162P3N-infected rhesus macaque BR24, analysis was performed on variants present at 20 weeks postinfection, the time when the signature gp120 V3 loop sequence of the X4 switch variant was first detected by PCR. Unexpectedly, circulating and tissue variants with His/Ile instead of the signature X4 V3 His/Arg insertions predominated at this time point. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the C2 conserved region to the V5 variable loop of the envelope (Env) protein showed that viruses bearing HI insertions represented evolutionary intermediates between the parental SHIVSF162P3N

and the final X4 HR switch variant. Functional analyses demonstrated that the III variants were phenotypic intermediates as well, https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Liproxstatin-1.html capable of using both CCR5 and CXCR4 for entry. However, the R5X4 intermediate virus entered CCR5-expressing target cells less efficiently than the parental R5 strain and was more sensitive to both CCR5 and CXCR4 inhibitors than either the parental R5 or the final X4 virus. It selleck products was also more sensitive than the parental R5 virus to antibody neutralization,

especially to agents directed against the CD4 binding site, but not as sensitive as the late X4 virus. Significantly, the V3 loop sequence that determined CXCR4 use also conferred soluble CD4 neutralization sensitivity. Collectively, the data illustrate that, similar to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in individuals, the evolution from CCR5 to CXCR4 usage in BR24 transitions through an intermediate phase with reduced virus entry and coreceptor usage efficiencies. The data further support a model linking an open envelope gp120 conformation, better CD4 binding, and expansion to CXCR4 usage.”
“Pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas are rare tumors; most are sporadic. Biochemical proof of disease is better with measurement of plasma metanephrines and less cumbersome than determinations in urine; its implementation is expanding. Anatomical imaging with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging should be followed by functional (nuclear medicine) imaging: chromaffin tumor-specific specific methods are preferred. Treatment is surgical; for nonoperable disease other options are available. overall 5-year survival is 50%. Carcinoid tumors derive From serotonin-producing enterochromaffin cells in the fore-, mid- or hindgut.

The iliac vein ruptured in five patients May-Thurner syndrome wa

The iliac vein ruptured in five patients. May-Thurner syndrome was found in three patients. One patient died after surgery (operative mortality, 16.7%). Postoperative morbidity was

50%. Mean volume of perioperative blood transfusion was 900 +/- 640 mL (range, 0-2000 mL). Mean lengths of stay were 2.7 +/- 1.4 days (range, 2-5 days) in the intensive care unit and 16.9 +/- 2.4 days (range, 14-21 days) in the hospital. Eight patients were postoperatively treated with 6 months of warfarin. Mean follow-up was 30.5 +/- 15.0 months (range, 6-50 months). The occurrence rate of chronic venous insufficiency was 87.5% during follow-up.

Conclusions: SRH with concomitant DVT, especially in women aged >45, should be considered in patients with sudden lower abdominal or lumbar pain, leg swelling, anemia, and shock. Spontaneous iliac vein rupture and Selleckchem Lazertinib the presence of May-Thurner syndrome should be considered in these patients. Surgical interventions were associated with high mortality and morbidity.

In our experience, conservative therapy was safer than open surgical procedures. (J Vase Surg 2010;52:1278-82.)”
“Production of proteins is an important issue in protein science and pharmaceutical studies. Numerous protein expression systems using living cells and cell-free methods have been developed to date. In these systems, a promising strategy for improving the success rate of obtaining soluble proteins is the attachment of various tags into target proteins based on empirical rules. This paper presents a method for the production of data-driven designed tags (DDTs) based on highly frequent sequence property patterns SU5402 in vivo in an experimentally assessed protein solubility dataset in a wheat

germ cell-free system. We constructed Cyclopamine mw seven proteins combined with 12 kinds of DDTs (six for enhancing solubility and six for insolubility) at the N-terminal region as tags. Then we investigated their behavior using SDS-PAGE. Results show that three and four proteins respectively showed a trend toward solubilization and insolubilization, which indicates the possibility that the theoretically designed sequence can control protein solubility.”
“Objective: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare disorder characterized by abdominal pain and compression of the celiac artery. Traditional management consists of open MAL division, with or without arterial reconstruction. We present our outcomes using a laparoscopic approach and compare them to patients treated with open MAL division during the same period.

Methods: A retrospective medical records review of all patients with MALS treated at the University of California Los Angeles from January 1999 to 2009 was performed.

Results: Fourteen patients with MALS were treated. All patients underwent an extensive preoperative gastrointestinal (GI) workup with 10 undergoing attempted laparoscopic division of the MAL and celiac ganglion (laparoscopic ganglionectomy [LG]).


“Background: To improve decision making in the treatment o


“Background: To improve decision making in the treatment of extreme obesity, the risks of bariatric surgical procedures require further characterization.

Methods: We performed a prospective, multicenter, observational study of 30-day outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgical procedures at 10 clinical sites in the United States from 2005 through 2007. A composite end point of 30-day selleck chemicals major adverse outcomes (including death; venous thromboembolism; percutaneous, endoscopic, or operative reintervention; and failure to be discharged from the hospital) was evaluated among patients undergoing first-time

bariatric surgery.

Results: There were 4776 patients who had a first-time bariatric procedure (mean age, 44.5 years; 21.1% men; 10.9% nonwhite; median body-mass index [the weight in URMC-099 solubility dmso kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters], 46.5). More than half had at least two coexisting conditions. A Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed in 3412 patients (with 87.2% of the procedures performed laparoscopically), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was performed in 1198 patients; 166 patients underwent other procedures and were not included in the analysis.

The 30-day rate of death among patients who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was 0.3%; a total of 4.3% of patients had at least one major adverse outcome. A history of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolus, a diagnosis of obstructive

sleep apnea, and impaired functional status were MEK162 purchase each independently associated with an increased risk of the composite end point. Extreme values of body-mass index were significantly associated with an increased risk of the composite end point, whereas age, sex, race, ethnic group, and other coexisting conditions were not.

Conclusions: The overall risk of death and other adverse outcomes after bariatric surgery was low and varied considerably according to patient characteristics. In helping patients make appropriate choices, short-term safety should be considered in conjunction with both the long-term effects of bariatric surgery and the risks associated with being extremely obese. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00433810.)

N Engl J Med 2009;361:445-54.”
“Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapies are the recommended first-line treatments of falciparum malaria in all countries with endemic disease. There are recent concerns that the efficacy of such therapies has declined on the Thai-Cambodian border, historically a site of emerging antimalarial-drug resistance.

0083, respectively) Univariate Cox regression analyses identifie

0083, respectively). Univariate Cox regression analyses identified posttreatment maximum standardized uptake value ( cutoff 2.5) as the only preoperative prognostic factor ( P = .0071).

Conclusion: Posttreatment positron emission tomography with fludeoxyglucose F 18 reliably predicted histologic response and postoperative survival in advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This tool could potentially be used to tailor optimal treatment according to individual responses.”
“Opioid mechanisms are

involved in the control of water selleck compound and NaCl intake and opioid receptors are present in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN), a site of important inhibitory mechanisms related to the control of sodium appetite. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the effects of opioid receptor activation in the LPBN on 0.3 M NaCl and water intake in rats. Male Holtzman rats

with stainless steel cannulas implanted bilaterally in the LPBN were used. In normohydrated and satiated rats, bilateral injections of the opioid receptor agonist beta-endorphin (2 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the LPBN induced 0.3 M NaCl (17.8 +/- 5.9 vs. saline: 0.9 +/- 0.5 ml/240 min) and water intake (11.4 +/- 3.0 vs. saline: 1.0 +/- 0.4 ml/240 min) in a two-bottle test. Bilateral injections of the opioid antagonist naloxone (100 nmol/0.2 mu l) into the LPBN abolished sodium and water intake induced by 13-endorphin into the LPBN and also reduced 0.3 M NaCl intake (12.8 +/- 1.5 vs. vehicle: 22.4 Metabolism inhibitor +/- 3.1 ml/180 min) induced by 24 h of sodium depletion (produced by the treatment with the diuretic furosemide s.c.+sodium deficient food for 24 h). Bilateral injections of 13-endorphin into the LPBN in satiated rats produced no effect on water or 2% sucrose intake

when water alone or simultaneously with 2% sucrose was offered to the animals. The results show that opioid receptor activation in the LPBN induces hypertonic sodium intake in satiated and normohydrated VX-661 cost rats, an effect not due to general ingestive behavior facilitation. In addition, sodium depletion induced 0.3 M NaCl intake also partially depends on opioid receptor activation in the LPBN. The results suggest that deactivation of inhibitory mechanisms by opioid receptor activation in the LPBN releases sodium intake if excitatory signals were activated (sodium depletion) or not. (C) 2008 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“In vitro, nitric oxide (NO) inhibits the firing rate of magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei and this effect has been attributed to GABAergic activation. However, little is known about the direct effects of NO in MNCs. We used the patch-clamp technique to verify the effect Of L-arginine, a precursor for NO synthesis, and N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, on spontaneous electrical activity of MNCs after glutamatergic and GABAergic blockade in Wistar rat brain slices.

Limbic-brainstem-spinal cord preparations of 0- to 1-day-old Wist

Limbic-brainstem-spinal cord preparations of 0- to 1-day-old Wistar rats were isolated check details under deep ether anesthesia, and were superperfused in a modified Krebs solution. Bath application of 50 nM CRF substantially increased the frequency of burst activity in the piriform-amygdala complex, whereas this polypeptide exerted only minor effects on C4 inspiratory activity. The excitatory effect of CRF on the amygdala burst was effectively blocked by the CRF1 antagonist, antalarmin, but not the CRF2 antagonist, astressin-2B, suggesting

that CRF1 mediated the excitatory effect. The spatio-temporal pattern of the burst activity according to optical recordings was basically identical to the controls; the burst activity initially appeared in the piriform cortex and then propagated to the amygdala. The present experimental model could be useful for the study of role of the

limbic system, including the amygdala, in stress responses. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.”
“A network of two neurons mutually coupled through inhibitory synapses that display short-term synaptic depression is considered. We show that synaptic depression expands the number of possible activity click here patterns that the network can display and allows for co-existence of different patterns. Specifically, the network supports different types of n-m anti-phase firing patterns, where one neuron fires n spikes followed by the other neuron firing m spikes. When maximal synaptic conductances are

identical, n-n anti-phase firing patterns are obtained and there are conductance intervals over which different pairs of these solutions co-exist. The multitude of n-m anti-phase patterns and their co-existence are not found when the synapses are non-depressing. Geometric singular perturbation methods for dynamical systems are applied to selleck products the original eight-dimensional model system to derive a set of one-dimensional conditions for the existence and co-existence of different anti-phase solutions. The generality and validity of these conditions are demonstrated through numerical simulations utilizing the Hodgkin-Huxley and Morris-Lecar neuronal models. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Natural sounds consist of a component at the fundamental frequency (f0) and its overtones. Pitch is perceived at f0, even when spectral energy at f0 is missing. This missing f0, or ‘virtual pitch’, is thought to be detected in the auditory cortex and related cortical areas, but the precise neural mechanisms are unknown. One possibility is that virtual pitch can be retrieved from the periodicity of sound waveforms. However, this mechanism requires the temporal accuracy in periodicity detection, and so far the detection of virtual pitch has only been demonstrated at frequencies lower than 1 kHz. We investigated the ability of mice to detect virtual pitch up to 5 kHz using a two-step sound discrimination test.

Thus, continuous generation of miRNAs are required for the normal

Thus, continuous generation of miRNAs are required for the normal function of mature podocytes and their loss leads to CG. Identifying these miRNAs may provide new insight into disease pathogenesis and novel therapeutic targets in various podocytopathies.”
“Geomicrobiology investigates the interactions of microorganisms with geological

substrates, and this branch of microbiology has enormous potential in the exploration and settlement of space. Microorganisms can be used to extract useful LY3023414 order elements from extraterrestrial materials for industrial processes or for use as nutrients in life support systems. In addition, microorganisms could be used to create soil from lunar and Martian rocks. Furthermore, understanding the interactions of microorganisms with rocks is essential for identifying mineral biomarkers to be used in the search for life on other Necrostatin-1 planetary bodies. Increasing space exploration activities make geomicrobiology an important applied science beyond Earth.”
“Using a comprehensive set of discovery and optimization tools, antibodies were produced with the ability to neutralize SARS coronavirus

(SARS-CoV) infection in Vero E6 cells and in animal models. These anti-SARS antibodies were discovered using a novel DNA display method, which can identify new antibodies within days. Once neutralizing antibodies were identified, a comprehensive and effective means of converting the mouse sequences to human frameworks was accomplished using HuFR (TM) (human framework reassembly) technology. The best variant (61G4) from this screen Go6983 manufacturer showed a 3.5-4-fold improvement in neutralization of SARS-CoV infection in vitro. Finally, using

a complete site-saturation mutagenesis methodology focused on the CDR (complementarity determining regions), a single point mutation (51E7) was identified that improved the 80% plaque reduction neutralization of the virus by greater than 8-fold. These discovery and evolution strategies can be applied to any emerging pathogen or toxin where a causative agent is known.”
“Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging provides a way of assessing the asymmetry of white matter (WM) connectivity, the degree of anisotropic diffusion within a given voxel being a marker of coherently bundled myelinated fibers. Voxel-based statistical analysis was performed on fractional anisotropy (FA) images of 42 right- and 40 left-handers, to assess differences in underlying WM anisotropy and FA asymmetry across the whole brain. Right-handers show greater anisotropy than left-handers in the uncinate fasciculus (UF) within the limbic lobe, and WM underlying prefrontal cortex, medial and inferior frontal gyri.

Success (weaning from system or heart

Success (weaning from system or heart selleck chemical transplant) was achieved in 49% and 69%, respectively (P = .043). Whereas in period I 17% of children younger than 1 year were discharged home after transplant or weaning, rate during period II was 93%(P < .001), in particular because of improvement in discharge rate of patients with postcardiotomy heart failure (13% vs 50%). Rates of pump exchange for thrombus formation were 0.029/d in period I and 0.014/d in period II (P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Recent results show significant improvements in survival and discharge rate, especially for children younger than 1 year. Pediatric

Berlin Heart EXCOR ventricular assist device may provide a safe mechanical support strategy in children with cardiogenic shock. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2011; 141: 616-23)”
“Recent studies have shown that electrical stimulation of the posterior hypothalamic nucleus (PH) facilitates locomotion in control rats, and rats were made akinetic

by dopaminergic blockade via haloperidol or dopamine depletion by the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine. These findings suggest that PH stimulation might be a promising treatment for akinesia associated with dopamine loss in Parkinson’s disease. The present study further examined the positive effects of PH stimulation on behavior by characterizing its potential facilitatory effects on tasks that require skilled movements. Rats were trained to reach for food pellets with a forelimb (skilled reaching) or press a bar in an operant conditioning task for food. PH stimulation in undrugged rats not only facilitated locomotion BI-D1870 clinical trial in each of the tasks, but also impaired performance of the skilled movement components of the tasks. Haloperidol reduced locomotion and skilled movement, and PH stimulation only restored locomotion. The results are discussed in relation to the idea that PH stimulation selectively facilitates locomotor behavior and may have limited use in restoring impairments in skilled movements and consummatory behavior that results from dopaminergic depletion. (C) 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

is a rare form of pulmonary hypertension that can lead to progressive right heart found failure and death. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery is the treatment of choice resulting in significant improvements in functional status, cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, and survival. This study reports the largest case series of pediatric patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery at one institution.

Patient and Methods: The University of California, San Diego, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension database identified patients 18 years or younger at the time of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy surgery (n = 17). Medical charts were reviewed for hemodynamics, thromboembolic risk factors, and postoperative outcomes.

Methods:

Methods: learn more The Evaluation of the Medtronic Vascular Talent Thoracic Stent

Graft System for the Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (VALOR) study was a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, pivotal trial conducted in the United States. Patients were enrolled between December 2003 and June 2005. Follow-up was conducted at 30 and 365 days.

Results: VALOR enrolled 115 men (58.9%; 69.3 +/- 11.7 years old), and 80 women (41.1%; 71.6 +/- 10.1 years old). Iliac conduits were used more often in women, who had smaller diameter external iliac arteries, than in men (38.8% vs 8.8%, P < .001). Women required more blood transfusions and had a longer hospital length of stay. At 30 days, more major adverse events occurred in women than in men (52.5% vs 33.0%, IWR-1 ic50 P = .008), with more vascular access-related and respiratory complications.

No gender-based differences were seen in all-cause mortality or in aneurysm-related death. The composite end point of 365-day “”successful aneurysm treatment,”" defined as no aneurysm growth >5 mm at the 365-day follow-up visit compared with the 30-day follow-up visit and absence of any type I endoleak requiring a secondary procedure, favored women over men (98.2% vs 82.4%, P = .004).

Conclusions: TEVAR with the Talent device provided similar rates of 365-day mortality and morbidity for men and women. Although female patients had higher rates of

periprocedural complications, they also more often had successful aneurysm treatment at the 1-year follow-up. (J Vase Surg 2011;54:358-63.)”
“The glutamate system has been strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of psychotic illnesses, including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. We recently found that knockout (KO) mice lacking the AMPA GluA1 subunit displayed behavioral abnormalities relevant to some of the positive symptoms of these disorders. Here we phenotyped GluA1 KO mice for behavioral phenotypes pertinent to negative and cognitive/executive symptoms. GluA1 KO mice Suplatast tosilate were tested for conspecific social interactions, the acquisition and extinction of an operant response for food-reward, operant-based pairwise visual discrimination and reversal learning, and impulsive choice in a delay-based cost/benefit decision-making T-maze task. Results showed that GluA1 KO mice engaged in less social interaction than wildtype (WT) controls when tested in a non-habituated, novel environment, but, conversely, displayed more social interaction in a well habituated, familiar environment. GluA1 KO mice were faster to acquire an operant stimulus-response for food reward than WT and were subsequently slower to extinguish the response. Genotypes showed similar pairwise discrimination learning and reversal, although GluA1 KO mice made fewer errors during early reversal.

Conclusions:

This study showed that the Ridascreen (R)

Conclusions:

This study showed that the Ridascreen (R) SET Total kit is as effective as the Vidas (R) SET2 kit.

Significance and Impact of the Study:

The Ridascreen (R) SET Total kit was found to specifically detect SEA to SEE in cheeses. The Ridascreen (R) SET Total can therefore be used to check the staphylococcal enterotoxin content and ensure consumer protection.”
“Introduction A multimodal approach of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalopathy using quantitative magnetic resonance (MR) techniques can demonstrate brain changes not detectable only with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The aim of this study was to compare conventional LCZ696 MRI and MR

quantitative techniques, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and relaxometry and to determine whether quantitative techniques are more sensitive than conventional imaging for brain changes caused by HIV infection.

Methods We studied prospectively nine HIV positive children (mean age 6 years, from 5 to 8 years old) and nine controls (mean age 7.3 years; from 3 to 10 years), using MRS and relaxometry. Examinations

were carried on 1.5-T equipment.

Results HIV-positive patients presented with only minor findings and all control patients had normal conventional MR findings. S3I-201 clinical trial MRS findings showed an increase in choline to creatine (CHO/CRE) ratios bilaterally in both frontal gray and white matter, in the left parietal white matter, and in total CHO/CRE ratio. In contrast, N-acetylaspartate to creatine (NAA/CRE) ratios did not present with any significant difference between both groups. Relaxometry showed significant bilateral abnormalities, with lengthening of the relaxation time in HIV positive in many regions.

Conclusion Conventional MRI is not sensitive for early brain changes caused by HIV infection. Quantitative techniques such as MRS and relaxometry appear as valuable tools in the diagnosis of these early changes. Therefore, a multimodal quantitative study can be useful in demonstrating and understanding the physiopathology Selleckchem Enzalutamide of the disease.”
“Aims:

To develop a microbial

strain producing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], in the absence of antibiotic supplementation (normally required to stabilize a recombinant plasmid), by constructing a recombinant Escherichia coli strain with phaCAB and vgb integrated into the chromosome.

Methods and Results:

The polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis operon (phaCAB) and the bacterial haemoglobin gene (vgb) were integrated downstream of nlpB (novel lipoprotein B) in E. coli K12, via homologous recombination, to form a recombinant strain, termed YH100. VHb encoded by the vgb gene was successfully expressed in YH100, as confirmed by Western blotting. P(3HB) synthesis by the YH100 strain grown in the absence of antibiotic was analysed by transmission electron microscopy. The yield of P(3HB) is 208 mg g-1.