A new phylogenetic group of Propionibacterium acnes

Immunofluorescence microscopy-based identification of presumptive Propionibacterium acnes isolates, using the P. acnes-specific mAb QUBPa3, revealed five organisms with an atypical cellular morphology. Unlike the coryneform morphology seen with P. acnes types I and II, these isolates exhibited long slender filaments (which formed large tangled aggregates) not previously described in P. acnes. No reaction with mAbs that label P. acnes types IA (QUBPa1) and II (QUBPa2) was observed. Nucleotide sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene (1484 bp) revealed the isolates to have between 99.8 and 99.9 % identity to the 16S rRNA gene of the P. acnes type IA, IB and II strains NCTC 737, KPA171202 and NCTC 10390, respectively. Analysis of the recA housekeeping gene (1047 bp) did reveal, however, a greater number of conserved nucleotide polymorphisms between the sequences from these isolates and those from NCTC 737 (98.9 % identity), KPA171202 (98.9 % identity) and NCTC 10390 (99.1 % identity). Phylogenetic investigations demonstrated that the isolates belong to a novel recA cluster or lineage distinct from P. acnes types I and II. We now propose this new grouping as P. acnes type III. The prevalence and clinical importance of this novel recA lineage amongst isolates of P. acnes remains to be determined.

Interocular suppression is gated by interocular feature matching

We present a new form of contrast masking in which the target is a patch of low spatial frequency grating (0.46 c/deg) and the mask is a dark thin ring that surrounds the centre of the target patch. In matching and detection experiments we found little or no effect for binocular presentation of mask and test stimuli. But when mask and test were presented briefly (33 or 200 ms) to different eyes (dichoptic presentation), masking was substantial. In a 'half-binocular' condition the test stimulus was presented to one eye, but the mask stimulus was presented to both eyes with zero-disparity. This produced masking effects intermediate to those found in dichoptic and full-binocular conditions. We suggest that interocular feature matching can attenuate the potency of interocular suppression, but unlike in previous work (McKee, S. P., Bravo, M. J., Taylor, D. G., & Legge, G. E. (1994) Stereo matching precedes dichoptic masking. Vision Research, 34, 1047) we do not invoke a special role for depth perception. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Auctioneers and misdescription:between Scylla and Charybdis

In Elidor Investments SA v Christie's, Manson Woods Ltd the court implied a term as to Wednesbury reasonableness into an auctioneer's agency contract which fettered its ‘sole and complete discretion’ to describe lots. It is contended that, in so doing, the court unjustifiably and unnecessarily extended the jurisdiction into areas where it was not required and, in granting an injunction to restrain the sale of the lots, failed properly to apply the appropriate criteria.

GIP(Lys16PAL) and GIP(LyS37PAL):novel long-acting acylated analogues of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide with improved antidiabetic potentia

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is a physiological insulin releasing peptide. We have developed two novel fatty acid derivatized GIP analogues, which bind to serum albumin and demonstrate enhanced duration of action in vivo. GIP(Lys16PAL) and GIP(Lys37PAL) were resistant to dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV) degradation. In vitro studies demonstrated that GIP analogues retained their ability to activate the GIP receptor through production of cAMP and to stimulate insulin secretion. Intraperitoneal administration of GIP analogues to obese diabetic (ob/ob) mice significantly decreased the glycemic excursion and elicited increased and prolonged insulin responses compared to native GIP. A protracted glucose-lowering effect was observed 24 h following GIP(Lys37PAL) administration. Once a day injection for 14 days decreased nonfasting glucose, improved glucose tolerance, and enhanced the insulin response to glucose. These data demonstrate that fatty acid derivatized GIP peptides represent a novel class of long-acting stable GIP analogues for therapy of type 2 diabetes. © 2006 American Chemical Society.