Mechanism of homology search expansion during recombinational DNA break repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Homology search is a central step of DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair by homologous recombination (HR). How it operates in cells remains elusive. We developed a Hi-C-based methodology to map single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) contacts genome-wide in S.

Cohesin regulates homology search during recombinational DNA repair.

Homologous recombination repairs DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) using an intact dsDNA molecule as a template. It entails a homology search step, carried out along a conserved RecA/Rad51-ssDNA filament assembled on each DSB end. Whether, how and to what extent a DSB impacts chromatin folding, and how this (re)organization in turns influences the homology search process, remain ill-defined.

An optimised radiolabel procedure to prepare (99m)Tc-colloidal rhenium sulphide to improve radiochemical purity.

Background: More than 25% of 99mTc colloidal rhenium sulphide preparations have been reported to have a radiochemical purity of <95% in 11 radiopharmacies.

Objectives: To identify the key parameters involved in radiochemical purity, different preparation procedures were analysed to develop an optimised preparation method.

Methods: In the first part of this study, various data such as the Nanocis kit batch number, the eluate volume, the time between the two final elutions, the temperature and duration of heating were collected and analysed to determine the critical parameters that significantly decrease radiochemical purity.

No detectable XMRV in subjects with chronic fatigue syndrome from Quebec.

We investigated the presence of XMRV in a cohort of Quebec patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). DNA was purified from activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and PCR was used to detect XMRV gag and env in 72 patients. Anti-XMRV antibodies were searched in sera of 62 patients by Western blot analysis.

Proof of principle for transfusion of in vitro-generated red blood cells.

In vitro RBC production from stem cells could represent an alternative to classic transfusion products. Until now the clinical feasibility of this concept has not been demonstrated. We addressed the question of the capacity of cultured RBCs (cRBCs) to survive in humans.

Predictive factors of oxaliplatin neurotoxicity: the involvement of the oxalate outcome pathway.

Purpose: Oxaliplatin displays a frequent dose-limiting neurotoxicity due to its interference with neuron voltage-gated sodium channels through one of its metabolites, oxalate, a calcium chelator. Different clinical approaches failed in neurotoxicity prevention, except calcium-magnesium infusions. We characterized oxalate outcome following oxaliplatin administration and its interference with cations and amino acids.

Relevance of different UGT1A1 polymorphisms in irinotecan-induced toxicity: a molecular and clinical study of 75 patients.

Purpose: We wanted to assess polymorphisms in the uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase 1A1 (UGT 1A1) gene: the TATA box polymorphism and UGT 1A1 G71R and Y486D mutations in the coding sequence, the main mutations characterizing Gilbert's syndrome, as predictors of severe toxic event occurrence after irinotecan (CPT-11) administration. Therefore, we set up a rapid, sensitive, and reliable technique in routine practice to detect before CPT-11 treatment, the at-risk patients.

Experimental Design: Seventy-five patients with advanced colorectal cancer and treated with CPT-11 and 5-fluorouracil, entered the study.

Neuropoietin, a new IL-6-related cytokine signaling through the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor.

A structural profile-based computational screen was used to identify neuropoietin (NP), a new cytokine. The np gene is localized in tandem with the cardiotrophin-1 gene on mouse chromosome 7. NP shares structural and functional features with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin-1, and cardiotrophin-like cytokine.