Deregulated expression of the proto-oncogene MYC has been observed in melanoma, however whether MYC is involved in tumorigenesis in pigment cells has yet to be directly investigated in vivo. We have used our system to over-express MYC in the melanocytic compartment and show for the

first time that increased MYC expression can indeed promote melanocytic tumor formation.”
“Strains of Lactobacillus curvatus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus plantarum and Weissella confusa were identified from raw red and yellow peppers (RYPs) by partial 16S rRNA gene sequence and subjected to typing by selleck Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis. L plantarum PE21, L curvatus PE4 and W confusa PE36 were selected based on the kinetics of growth and acidification, and used as the autochthonous mixed starter for the fermentation of RYPs. A protocol

which included blanching at 85 degrees C for 2 min. fermentation at 35 degrees C for 15 h in brine (1%, w/v), and heat treatment at 85 degrees C for 15 min, followed by storage at room temperature for 30 days with and without sunflower seeds oil was set up. Unstarted RYPs subjected to the same treatments URMC-099 were used as the control. Cell numbers of autochthonous starter in the RYPs were ca. 1000 times higher than presumptive lactic acid bacteria in unstarted RYPs, As shown by RAPD-PCR analysis, all three autochthonous strains persisted during processing and storage. Presumptive lactic acid bacteria found in started RYPs progressively decreased during storage. leading to a microbiota mainly consisting of autochthonous starters. Started RYPs showed rapid decrease of pH (<33), marked consumption of fermentable carbohydrates, and inhibition of total enterobacteria and yeasts.

Unstarted RYPs were subjected to slight acidification (pH ca. 4.87) and considerable contamination by total enterobacteria and yeasts throughout storage. After 30 days of storage, started RYPs had significantly Metabolism inhibitor (P<0.05) higher firmness and colour indexes with respect to unstarted RYPs. The microbial and sensory features of started RYPs stored with sunflower seeds oil were almost similar to those of RYPs stored without suspending liquid. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The genetic diversity and relationship amongst the bacterial populations were determined in fresh salad samples (Tabbouleh, Fattoush, Hummus, Mutabbel and Caesar) collected from various restaurants located in five different areas (west, north, south, east and center) in Riyadh (the capital city of Saudi Arabia). Isolated colonies found were identified via molecular methods. Total number of identified isolates in the vegetable salads Tabbouleh, Fattoush, Mutabbel, Hummus and Caesar were 24, 20, 18, 16 and 12, respectively. Pseudomonas sp.