Tumoral cell mtDNA approximately 8.9 kb deletion is more common than other deletions in gastric cancer.

Background: The aim of the study was to clarify the role of deletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in gastric carcinogenesis and to determine prevalence of mitochondrial deletions in different regions of tumoral tissue in comparison with adjacent non-tumoral tissue in gastric cancer.

Methods: In order to investigate whether a high incidence of mutations exists in mtDNA of gastric cancer tissues, we screened five regions of the mitochondrial genome by PCR amplification, Southern blot and DNA sequence analysis.

Results: Of 71 cancer patients, the approximately 8.

Removal and inactivation of Cryptosporidium and microbial indicators by a quaternary ammonium chloride (QAC)-treated zeolite in pilot filters.

A set of pilot filters packed with Zeolite filter media treated with a quaternary ammonium chloride (QAC) were evaluated to verify the proof of concept of their combined antimicrobial capabilities. Escherichia coli was removed and inactivated the most (2.83 log), followed by MS-2 (2.

Community structure and function in a H(2)-based membrane biofilm reactor capable of bioreduction of selenate and chromate.

Two different H(2)-based, denitrifying membrane-biofilm reactors (MBfRs) initially reduced Se(VI) or Cr(VI) stably to Se(0) or Cr(III). When the oxidized contaminants in the influent were switched, each new oxidized contaminant was reduced immediately, and its reduction soon was approximately the same or greater than it had been in its original MBfR. The precipitation of reduced selenium and chromium in the biofilm was verified by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Microbial characterization and population changes in nonpotable reclaimed water distribution systems.

Changes in the microbial quality of nonpotable reclaimed water distribution systems in seven metropolitan areas of the southwestern United States were investigated by performing pathogen monitoring and bacterial growth. Water samples were collected from tertiary-treated effluents at point of entry and point of use in the distribution systems. The samples were analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocysts, Giardia cysts, enteroviruses, microbial indicators, and assimilable organic carbon (AOC).

Aberrant p16 methylation, a possible epigenetic risk factor in familial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim: Detection of methylation in the p16 gene, an inhibitor of cyclin D-dependent protein kinase, as a new tumor marker for early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in DNA derived from blood and serum.

Method: A large family with clustering of ESCC was assessed in Khorasan province in northeastern Iran. The family had three histologically proven cases of ESCC in two consecutive generations and several other deceased cases with histories of ESCC.

An assessment of water quality and microbial risk in Rio Grande Basin in the United States-Mexican border region.

Increased reliance of urban populations on Rio Grande water has necessitated an expanded microbial surveillance of the river to help identify and evaluate sources of human pathogens, which could pose a public health risk. The objectives of this study were to investigate microbial and chemical water quality in Rio Grande water and to perform risk assessment analyses for Cryptosporidium. No oocysts in any of the ten-litre samples were detected.

Molecular analysis of the CYP21 gene and prenatal diagnosis in families with 21-hydroxylase deficiency in northeastern Iran.

Objectives: A rapid and convenient approach for the detection of the most common CYP21 gene mutations in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) with classical forms of 21-hydroxylase deficiency was used. In addition, a new semiquantitative strategy for the detection of del8-bp was designed. These procedures were used for prenatal diagnosis and genotype-phenotype correlation in northeastern Iran.

Association of a novel single nucleotide polymorphism in the human perforin gene with the outcome of HTLV-I infection in patients from northeast Iran (Mash-had).

Human T lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize the products of the HTLV-I Tax, in the context of HLA-A2 and kill their target through a perforin-dependent mechanism. The efficiency of the CTL response may lead HTLV-I-infected individuals to remain carriers or to the development of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Perforin is a cytolytic molecule that contributes to CTL-mediated killing of virus-infected cells.

Oxidation of bisphenol A, 17beta-estradiol, and 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol and byproduct estrogenicity.

A human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) was used to investigate the cumulative estrogenicity profiles elicited during the oxidation of three estrogenic compounds [bisphenol A (BPA), 17beta-estradiol (E2), and 17alpha-ethynyl estradiol (EE2)]. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a method detection limit (MDL) of approximately 1 nM was used to measure the initial and final concentrations of test compounds during oxidation. Both chlorination and ozonation removed from 75% to >99% of the test compounds in distilled water.

A novel PHOX2A/ARIX mutation in an Iranian family with congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles type 2 (CFEOM2).

Purpose: To describe the clinical features of two affected members of an Iranian family with autosomal recessive congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles (CFEOM2) and to report their novel mutation in the PHOX2A/ARIX gene.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: Institutional practice.

Removal of Encephalitozoon intestinalis, calicivirus, and coliphages by conventional drinking water treatment.

The removal of the Microsporidia, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, feline calicivirus and coliphages MS-2, PRD-1, and Fr were evaluated during conventional drinking water treatment in a pilot plant. The treatment consisted of coagulation, sedimentation, and mixed media filtration. Fr coliphage was removed the most (3.

Prevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 among blood donors from Mashhad, Iran.

The city of Mashhad is the capital of Khorasan, the northeastern province of Iran, which has been recognized as an area where human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is endemic. All serum samples from blood donors are routinely screened for HTLV-1 by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the present study, 28,926 donors (81.

Comparative electrochemical inactivation of bacteria and bacteriophage.

Electric fields and currents have been shown to be capable of disinfecting drinking water and reducing the numbers of bacteria and yeast in food. However, little research has been conducted regarding the effectiveness of electric fields and currents in the inactivation of viruses. The objective of this study was to compare the ability of bacteria and bacteriophage to survive exposure to direct electric current in an electrochemical cell, where they would be subject to irreversible membrane permeabilization processes, direct oxidation of cellular/viral constituents by electric current, and disinfection by electrochemically generated oxidants.

Laboratory testing protocol to identify critical factors in bacterial compliance monitoring.

This research focused on providing guidelines for water utilities on the collection and handling of routine bacteriological samples and in developing scientifically-based approaches in selecting the most representative sampling locations. A laboratory-scale pilot distribution system was designed comprising two parallel loops, one using unlined cast-iron pipe and one using PVC pipe. Each loop contained six sampling ports, including (1) a distribution main dead end faucet, (2) one long (5.

Occurrence of NKX3.1 C154T polymorphism in men with and without prostate cancer and studies of its effect on protein function.

NKX3.1, a member of the NK class of homeodomain proteins, is expressed primarily in the adult prostate and has growth suppression and differentiating effects in prostate epithelial cells. A C-->T polymorphism at nucleotide 154 (NKX3.

ICC/PCR detection of enteroviruses and hepatitis A virus in environmental samples.

This study applied the integrated cell culture/polymerase chain reaction methodology (ICC/PCR) for rapid and specific detection of both cytopathogenic and noncytopathogenic viruses. Results of this study showed that the use of direct RT-PCR or conventional cell culture alone may yield erroneous results with the analysis of environmental samples. The purpose of this study was to compare cultural, molecular, and combined assays for the most effective method of virus detection in variable environmental samples.

Detection of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in breast cancer families by a comprehensive two-stage screening procedure.

We have developed a 2-stage protocol for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation screening from blood spot paper. Stage 1 screening was aimed to analyze patients at highest risk for the most common disease-associated sequence variants listed in the BIC database. Accordingly, stage1 testing implied detection of 18 disease- associated BRCA1 and 9 BRCA2 mutations by adapting the 5' nuclease assay to heterozygote screening.

Detection of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in surface and filter backwash water samples by immunomagnetic separation and integrated cell culture-PCR.

A new strategy for the detection of infectious Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts in water samples, which combines immunomagnetic separation (IMS) for recovery of oocysts with in vitro cell culturing and PCR (CC-PCR), was field tested with a total of 122 raw source water samples and 121 filter backwash water grab samples obtained from 25 sites in the United States. In addition, samples were processed by Percoll-sucrose flotation and oocysts were detected by an immunofluorescence assay (IFA) as a baseline method. Samples of different water quality were seeded with viable C.

Genetic testing in families with hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.

Context: Genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) is available, but the rates of acceptance of testing or barriers to participation are not known.

Objective: To investigate rates and predictors of utilization of genetic testing for HNPCC.

Design: Cohort study conducted between July 1996 and July 1998.

A strategy for detection of viruses in groundwater by PCR.

We evaluated the use of the PCR for detection of enteric viruses in groundwater. To do this, we used an improved sample-processing technique and a large-volume amplification protocol. The objective of this study was to use advanced molecular techniques to develop a rapid and simple method which can be used by the water industry for detection of viral contamination in a variety of water samples.

Automated detection of prevalent mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, using a fluorogenic PCR allelic discrimination assay.

Mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for 5%-10% of familial early onset breast cancer. Identification of these mutations allows molecular diagnosis for breast cancer susceptibility. A high through-put automated PCR allelic discrimination assay (ADA) was developed to detect the prevalent mutations in these genes.

Detection of viable Giardia cysts by amplification of heat shock-induced mRNA.

Primers obtained from gene sequences coding for heat shock proteins (HSP) were used to specifically detect enteric protozoans of the genus Giardia. The HSP primers amplified Giardia DNA or the corresponding RNA sequences obtained from lysed cysts and gave a 163-bp product. Since the presence of the product did not indicate whether the cysts were viable, these amplifications are a presence/absence test only.

Evidence for cytoplasmic P-glycoprotein location associated with increased multidrug resistance and resistance to chemosensitizers.

A new human myeloma cell line, 8226/MDR10V, was selected from a P-glycoprotein-positive cell line, 8226/Dox40, in the continuous presence of doxorubicin and verapamil. MDR10V cells are 13-fold more resistant to doxorubicin and 4-fold more resistant to vincristine than the parent cell line, Dox40. Chemosensitizers are also less effective in reversing resistance in the MDR10V compared to the Dox40 cells.

Resistance to the chemosensitizer verapamil in a multi-drug-resistant (MDR) human multiple myeloma cell line.

Inhibitors of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or chemosensitizers, such as verapamil, are used to reverse multi-drug resistance (MDR) in cancer patients. Clinical studies in patients with myeloma have shown that some patients with P-gp-positive cancer cells respond to the chemosensitizing effect of verapamil. However, this response is short-lived and tumor cells ultimately become resistant to chemosensitizers.

Evaluation of the immunofluorescence procedure for detection of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in water.

The accurate determination of the presence of Giardia cysts and Cryptosporidium oocysts in surface waters requires a reliable method for the detection and enumeration of these pathogenic organisms. Published methods have usually reported recovery efficiencies of less than 50% for both cysts and oocysts. Typically, the losses are greater for Cryptosporidium oocysts than they are for Giardia cysts.