Development and validation of an unsafe behavior checklist for workers.

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a simple unsafe behavior checklist to assess the extent of unsafe behavior among workers in an industrial setting. The checklist was developed using Focus Group Interview (FGI) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis methodology. Preliminary testing was conducted with an unspecified sample and the correlation between unsafe behavior and accident experience was validated.

Inhibitory effect of glyceollin isolated from soybean against melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells.

Natural products with non-toxic and environmentally friendly properties are good resources for skin-whitening cosmetic agents when compared to artificial synthetic chemicals. Here, we investigated the effect of glyceollin produced to induce disease resistance responses of soybean to specific races of an incompatible pathogen, phytophthora sojae, on melanogenesis and discussed their mechanisms in melanin biosynthesis. We found that glyceollin inhibits melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in B16 melanoma cells without cytotoxicity.

Synthesis and base pairing properties of DNA-RNA heteroduplex containing 5-hydroxyuridine.

5-Hydroxyuridine (5-OHU) is a major lesion of uridine and cytosine produced in RNA by various chemical oxidants. To elucidate its biochemical and biophysical effects on RNA replication, the site-specifically modified oligoribonucleotides containing 5-OHU were synthesized with C5-hydroxy-5'-O-DMTr-2'-TBDMS-uridine phosphoramidite using automated solid phase synthesis. The base-pairing properties of nucleotides opposite 5-OHU in 24 mer oligoribonulcleotides with dNTP were studied using three reverse transcriptases (Super-Script(TM)II-, AMV-, MMLV-RT) in cDNA synthesis.

Antisense targeting of TGF-beta1 augments BMP-induced upregulation of osteopontin, type I collagen and Cbfa1 in human Saos-2 cells.

Despite commonalities in signal transduction in osteoblasts from different species, the role of TGF-beta1 on bone formation remains elusive. In particular, the role of autocrine TGF-beta1 on human osteoblasts is largely unknown. Here we show the effect of TGF-beta1 knock-down on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts induced by BMP2.

Proteome analysis of human monocytic THP-1 cells primed with oxidized low-density lipoproteins.

Native low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) possess a wide variety of biological properties, and play a central role in atherogenesis. In this study, we used a proteomic analysis of human monocyte THP-1 cells induced with oxLDL or with LDL, to identify proteins potentially involved in atherosclerotic processes. Of the 2500 proteins detected, 93 were differentially expressed as a result of priming with LDL or oxLDL.

DNA . RNA heteroduplex containing 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine: base pairing, structures, and thermodynamic stability.

Oligoribonucleotides containing 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine (8-oxoG) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-O-methylguanosine (8-oxoG-Me) were synthesized. The base pairing properties of 8-oxoG and 8-oxoG-Me in oligoribonucleotide in cDNA synthesis by reverse transcriptases were studied. dCMP was preferentially incorporated into the site opposite 8-oxoG or 8-oxoG-Me than into other dNMPs.

Genomic organization, tissue distribution and deletion mutation of human pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase.

We used a combined computer and biochemical approach to characterize human pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase (PNPO). The human PNPO gene is composed of seven exons and six introns, and spans approximately 8 kb. All exon/intron junctions contain the gt/ag consensus splicing site.

Human pyridoxal phosphatase. Molecular cloning, functional expression, and tissue distribution.

Pyridoxal phosphatase catalyzes the dephosphorylation of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxine 5'-phosphate. A human brain cDNA clone was identified to the PLP phosphatase on the basis of peptide sequences obtained previously. The cDNA predicts a 296-amino acid protein with a calculated Mr of 31698.

Base pairing properties of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroadenosine in cDNA synthesis by reverse transcriptases.

Incorporation of nucleotides opposite 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroadenosine (8-oxoA) in oligonucleotides with dNTPs by three reverse transcriptases (AMV-, MMRV-, RAV2-RT) in cDNA synthesis was studied. Guanine as well as thymine was incorporated preferentially by all reverse transcriptases. In the melting temperature experiment, 8-oxoA and 8-oxoA-Me formed base pairs with thymine and guanine with similar stabilities.