Effect of wzx (rfbX) mutations on A-band and B-band lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa O5.

The wbp cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa O5 encodes a number of proteins involved in biosynthesis of the heteropolymeric and Wzy-dependent B-band O antigen, including Wzy, the O-antigen polymerase, and Wzz, the regulator of O-antigen chain length. A gene (formerly wbpF), contiguous with wzy in the wbp cluster, is predicted to encode a highly hydrophobic protein with multiple membrane-spanning domains. This secondary structure is consistent with that of Wzx (RfbX), the putative O-antigen unit translocase or "flippase.

Vabra aspirator and pipelle endometrial suction curette. A comparison.

Objective: To compare the Pipelle suction curette with the Vabra aspirating catheter in terms of their ability to obtain a sufficient amount of tissue (> or = 1 mm2 of endometrium) in order to make a histologic diagnosis.

Study Design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover study at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, which serves as the clinical staff of the Dartmouth Medical School.

Results: Agreement between the Pipelle and Vabra was high: 74 of 79 (93.

Identification of amino acid residues that form part of the ligand-binding pocket of integrin alpha5 beta1.

Arg-Arg-Glu-Thr-Ala-Trp-Ala (RRETAWA) is a novel ligand peptide for integrin alpha5 beta1, which blocks alpha5 beta1-mediated cell adhesion to fibronectin (Koivunen, E., Wang, B., and Ruoslahti, E.

Three rhamnosyltransferases responsible for assembly of the A-band D-rhamnan polysaccharide in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a fourth transferase, WbpL, is required for the initiation of both A-band and B-band lipopolysaccharide synthesis.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa A-band lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule has an O-polysaccharide region composed of trisaccharide repeat units of alpha1-->2, alpha1-->3, alpha1-->3 linked D-rhamnose (Rha). The A-band polysaccharide is assembled by the alpha-D-rhamnosyltransferases, WbpX, WbpY and WbpZ. WbpZ probably transfers the first Rha residue onto the A-band accepting molecule, while WbpY and WbpX subsequently transfer two alpha1-->3 linked Rha residues and one alpha1-->2 linked Rha respectively.

Regulation of the extracellular ligand binding activity of integrins.

Integrins are a large heterodimeric family of cell surface adhesion receptors that bind extracellular matrix and cell surface ligands. The extracellular ligand binding activity of integrins is a dynamic and highly regulated event involving the induction of conformational changes within the integrin structure. The adhesive properties of integrins can be controlled by altering the activation state of the integrin, either through conformational change or receptor clustering, using mechanisms that are regulated by intracellular proteins.

Transient hypoadrenalism during surgical critical illness.

Objective: To report the cortisol levels in 6 patients during and after severe inflammation.

Design: Patients with severe inflammatory disease had basal and stimulated (cosyntropin) serum cortisol levels determined at the time of severe and less severe inflammation.

Setting: Intensive care unit and wards of a tertiary care center.

The effect of pregnancy on cyclosporine levels in renal allograft patients.

Objective: To assess the effects of pregnancy on cyclosporine levels in six renal allograft patients.

Methods: Maternal demographic, laboratory, clinical, and perinatal outcome data were recorded in six pregnant women with previous renal allografts receiving cyclosporine immunosuppression. The cyclosporine and serum creatinine levels were measured before pregnancy, during each trimester, and postpartum.

Selective binding of N-acetylglucosamine to the chicken hepatic lectin.

Among Ca2+-dependent (C-type) animal lectins, the chicken hepatic lectin (CHL) is unique in displaying almost complete selectivity for N-acetylglucosamine over other monosaccharide ligands. The crystal structures of the carbohydrate-recognition domain (CRD) from serum mannose-binding protein (MBP) and of a complex between the CRD from liver MBP and the methyl glycoside of N-acetylglucosamine were used to model the binding site in CHL. Substitution of portions of CHL into the MBP framework did not substantially increase selectivity.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa B-band O-antigen chain length is modulated by Wzz (Ro1).

The wbp gene cluster, encoding the B-band lipopolysaccharide O antigen of Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O5 strain PAO1, was previously shown to contain a wzy (rfc) gene encoding the O-antigen polymerase. This study describes the molecular characterization of the corresponding wzz (rol) gene, responsible for modulating O-antigen chain length. P.

Molecular characterization of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotype O5 (PAO1) B-band lipopolysaccharide gene cluster.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa co-expresses A-band lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a homopolymer of rhamnose, and B-band LPS, a heteropolymer with a repeating unit of 2-5 sugars which is the serotype-specific antigen. The gene clusters for A- and B-band biosynthesis in P. aeruginosa O5 (strain PAO1) have been cloned previously.

A multicenter trial of FK506 (tacrolimus) therapy in refractory acute renal allograft rejection. A report of the Tacrolimus Kidney Transplantation Rescue Study Group.

A multicenter trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in the treatment of refractory renal allograft rejection. Renal transplant recipients experiencing biopsy-proven recurrent acute allograft rejection were eligible if the current rejection episode was refractory to corticosteroids. A total of 73 patients were enrolled, of whom 59 (81%) had previously received at least one course of antilymphocyte antibody as rejection therapy.

Automaticity of social behavior: direct effects of trait construct and stereotype-activation on action.

Previous research has shown that trait concepts and stereotype become active automatically in the presence of relevant behavior or stereotyped-group features. Through the use of the same priming procedures as in previous impression formation research, Experiment 1 showed that participants whose concept of rudeness was printed interrupted the experimenter more quickly and frequently than did participants primed with polite-related stimuli. In Experiment 2, participants for whom an elderly stereotype was primed walked more slowly down the hallway when leaving the experiment than did control participants, consistent with the content of that stereotype.

Peritoneal dialysis technician: a process for role definition.

Declining reimbursement and rising supply costs have led to use of technicians in peritoneal dialysis. This evolution has helped contain costs effectively while enhancing quality care. Recommendations for use of unlicensed assistive personnel by professional organizations include clear role definition, documented training, and delegation criteria.

Urine cytology and urine flow cytometry in renal transplantation--a prospective double blind study.

Urine cytology (UC) has proved to correlate well with core and fine-needle aspiration kidney biopsies of renal allograft recipients undergoing acute rejection (AR). This study was undertaken to compare the relative usefulness of urine flow immunocytometry (UFC) (using fluorescinated antibodies anti-HLA-DR, anti-CD3 and antirenal epithelial cells) with UC in its ability to diagnose AR by analyzing 200 urine specimens during a prospective double-blind study of 40 renal transplant recipients. Clinical diagnosis was retrospectively assigned to one of the following categories: group I--AR, 15; group II--ischemic injury period (first 5 days postop.