Redox regulation in Bacillus subtilis: The bacilliredoxins BrxA(YphP) and BrxB(YqiW) function in de-bacillithiolation of S-bacillithiolated OhrR and MetE.

Aims: In bacillithiol (BSH)-utilizing organisms, protein S-bacillithiolation functions as a redox switch in response to oxidative stress and protects critical Cys residues against overoxidation. In Bacillus subtilis, both the redox-sensing repressor OhrR and the methionine synthase MetE are redox controlled by S-bacillithiolation in vivo. Here, we identify pathways of protein de-bacillithiolation and test the hypothesis that YphP(BrxA) and YqiW(BrxB) act as bacilliredoxins (Brx) to remove BSH from OhrR and MetE mixed disulfides.

Long-term monitoring of rainfed wheat yield and soil water at the loess plateau reveals low water use efficiency.

Increasing crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in dryland farming requires a quantitative understanding of relationships between crop yield and the water balance over many years. Here, we report on a long-term dryland monitoring site at the Loess Plateau, Shanxi, China, where winter wheat was grown for 30 consecutive years and soil water content (0-200 cm) was measured every 10 days. The monitoring data were used to calibrate the AquaCrop model and then to analyse the components of the water balance.

Tenofovir or zidovudine in second-line antiretroviral therapy after stavudine failure in southern Africa.

Background: There is debate over using tenofovir or zidovudine alongside lamivudine in second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) following stavudine failure. We analysed outcomes in cohorts from South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe

Methods: Patients aged ≥16 years who switched from a first-line regimen including stavudine to a ritonavir-boosted lopinavir-based second-line regimen with lamivudine or emtricitabine and zidovudine or tenofovir in seven ART programmes in southern Africa were included. We estimated the causal effect of receiving tenofovir or zidovudine on mortality and virological failure using Cox proportional hazards marginal structural models.

Prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and quality of life evaluations in hospitalized cirrhotic patients in China.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and to assess corresponding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in hospitalized cirrhotic patients in China.

Methods: This multi-center cross-sectional study included 16 teaching hospitals, which were members of "Hepatobiliary Cooperation Group, Society of Gastroenterology, Chinese Medical Association", from different areas of China carried out between June and October in 2011. All the eligible hospitalized cirrhotic patients (n = 538) were required to complete triplicate number connection tests combined with one digit symbol test for diagnosing MHE.

Short communication: Late refills during the first year of antiretroviral therapy predict mortality and program failure among HIV-infected adults in urban Zambia.

We evaluated the association of the number of late antiretroviral therapy (ART) refills with patient outcomes in a large public-sector human immunodeficiency virus treatment program in Lusaka, Zambia. Using pharmacy data routinely collected during 2004-2010, we calculated the number of late refills during the initial year of ART. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression to examine the association between the number of late refills and death or program failure (i.

Open-circuit voltage enhancement on the basis of polymer gel electrolyte for a highly stable dye-sensitized solar cell.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) have received considerable attention owing to their low preparation cost and easy fabrication process. However, one of the drawbacks that limits the further application of DSSC is their poor stability, arising from the leakage and volatilization of the liquid organic solvent in the electrolyte. Therefore, to improve the long-term stability of DSSC, polymer gel electrolyte was studied to replace the conventional liquid electrolyte in this work.

Protein S-mycothiolation functions as redox-switch and thiol protection mechanism in Corynebacterium glutamicum under hypochlorite stress.

Aims: Protein S-bacillithiolation was recently discovered as important thiol protection and redox-switch mechanism in response to hypochlorite stress in Firmicutes bacteria. Here we used transcriptomics to analyze the NaOCl stress response in the mycothiol (MSH)-producing Corynebacterium glutamicum. We further applied thiol-redox proteomics and mass spectrometry (MS) to identify protein S-mycothiolation.

Prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission within the continuum of maternal, newborn, and child health services.

Purpose Of Review: To reach virtual elimination of pediatric HIV, programs for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) must expand coverage and achieve long-term retention of mothers and infants. Although PMTCT have been traditionally aligned with maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services, novel approaches are needed to address the increasing demands of evolving global PMTCT policies.

Recent Findings: PMTCT-MNCH integration has improved the uptake and timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among treatment-eligible pregnant women in public health settings.

Acetylation of the response regulator RcsB controls transcription from a small RNA promoter.

Nε-lysine acetylation was recently discovered on many bacterial proteins that function in diverse cellular processes. Thus, many questions remain unanswered. For example, what mechanisms regulate lysine acetylation? Does acetylation affect physiology? To help answer these questions, we studied the Escherichia coli response regulator and transcription factor RcsB, which is reported to be acetylated in vitro.

First FDA approval of dual anti-HER2 regimen: pertuzumab in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

On June 8, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved pertuzumab (Perjeta, Genentech) for use in combination with trastuzumab (Herceptin, Genentech) and docetaxel for the treatment of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) who have not received prior anti-HER2 therapy or chemotherapy for metastatic disease.

Poly(L-diaminopropionic acid), a novel non-proteinic amino acid oligomer co-produced with poly(ε-L-lysine) by Streptomyces albulus PD-1.

Poly(ε-L-lysine) (ε-PL) producer strain Streptomyces albulus PD-1 secreted a novel polymeric substance into its culture broth along with ε-PL. The polymeric substance was purified to homogeneity and identified. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as other analytical techniques revealed that the substance was poly(L-diaminopropionic acid) (PDAP).

[Effects of plasma Hcy on the contents of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia].

Objective: To study the changes in the activities of carbon monoxide (CO) and heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2) in ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).

Methods: This study included 40 male Wistar rats weighing 280 - 310 g, 10 as normal controls (group A). HHcy models were made in the other 30 by giving 3% methionine for 4 weeks, and then divided into groups B, C and D.

Predictors and pregnancy outcomes associated with a newborn birth weight of 4000 g or more in Lusaka, Zambia.

Objective: To identify predictors and outcomes associated with a birth weight of 4000g or more in Lusaka, Zambia.

Methods: Data from women who delivered between February 2006 and August 2011 were obtained from electronic perinatal records at 25 public sector facilities in Lusaka. Macrosomia was defined as a birth weight of 4000g or more and normal birth weight as 2500-3999g.

Measuring coverage in MNCH: population HIV-free survival among children under two years of age in four African countries.

Background: Population-based evaluations of programs for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) are scarce. We measured PMTCT service coverage, regimen use, and HIV-free survival among children ≤24 mo of age in Cameroon, Côte D'Ivoire, South Africa, and Zambia.

Methods And Findings: We randomly sampled households in 26 communities and offered participation if a child had been born to a woman living there during the prior 24 mo.

Effect of ionizing radiation on transcription of colorectal cancer MDR1 gene of HCT-8 cells.

Objective: To discuss effect of ionizing radiation on transcription of colorectal cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) 1 gene of HCT-8 cells.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted by guanidine thiocyanate one-step method. Northern blot was applied to detect transcription level of MDR1 gene.

Use of 3-dimensional stereolithographic polymer models for heterotopic ossification surgical excision.

Heterotopic ossification is a known complication of traumatic injuries. To minimize iatrogenic complications during excision, an understanding of anatomic relationships is essential. Current imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and plain radiographs, are limited to providing a 2-dimensional representation of a 3-dimensional problem.

Cardiometabolic risk factors among HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy.

Background: HIV and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) may increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We assessed the early effects of cART on CVD risk markers in a population with presumed low CVD risk.

Methods: Adult patients (n=118) in Lusaka, Zambia were recruited at the time of initiation of cART for HIV/AIDS.

Antiretroviral drug regimens to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV: a review of scientific, program, and policy advances for sub-Saharan Africa.

Considerable advances have been made in the effort to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) in sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of antiretroviral regimens to interrupt HIV transmission through the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods. Scientific discoveries have been rapidly translated into health policy, bolstered by substantial investment in health infrastructure capable of delivering increasingly complex services.

Field effectiveness of combination antiretroviral prophylaxis for the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission in rural Zambia.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of maternal combination antiretroviral prophylaxis for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) in a program setting.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Nine primary care clinics in rural Zambia.

Understanding the electronic energy transfer pathways in the trimeric and hexameric aggregation state of cyanobacteria phycocyanin within the framework of Förster theory.

In the present study, the electronic energy transfer pathways in trimeric and hexameric aggregation state of cyanobacteria C-phycocyanin (C-PC) were investigated in term of the Förster theory. The corresponding excited states and transition dipole moments of phycocyanobilins (PCBs) located into C-PC were examined by model chemistry in gas phase at time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT), configuration interaction-singles (CIS), and Zerner's intermediate neglect of differential overlap (ZINDO) levels, respectively. Then, the long-range pigment-protein interactions were approximately taken into account by using polarizable continuum model (PCM) at TDDFT level to estimate the influence of protein environment on the preceding calculated physical quantities.

Central nervous system damage due to acute paraquat poisoning: an experimental study with rat model.

Paraquat (PQ) is a common herbicide and PQ poisoning is a major medical problem in Asia. However, few studies have focused on the acute neurotoxic changes caused by PQ. Here we report the acute neurotoxicological findings of rats treated with lethal dose of PQ.

Aly and THO are required for assembly of the human TREX complex and association of TREX components with the spliced mRNA.

The mRNA export complex TREX (TREX) is known to contain Aly, UAP56, Tex1 and the THO complex, among which UAP56 is required for TREX assembly. Here, we systematically investigated the role of each human TREX component in TREX assembly and its association with the mRNA. We found that Tex1 is essentially a subunit of the THO complex.

Characterization of an attenuated TE3L-deficient vaccinia virus Tian Tan strain.

An attenuated vaccinia virus (VACV), TE3L(-)VTT, was evaluated for virulence and safety to determine its potential use as a vaccine or as a recombinant virus vector to express foreign genes. The virulence of TE3L(-)VTT was compared with that of the wild-type VTT both in vivo and in vitro. The humoral and cellular immune responses were detected in a mouse model to test the vaccine efficacy of the TE3L mutant.

Upregulation of periostin prevents P53-mediated apoptosis in SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells.

Periostin is frequently upregulated in human cancers including gastric cancer and implicated in cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of periostin overexpression on the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells. We constructed a stable cell line overexpressing periostin in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells.