Another way? An investigation into an institution's use of the Wayson stain in re-evaluating "no organisms seen" on Gram stain smears from positive blood cultures.

Automated continuous monitoring blood culture instruments identify metabolism byproducts and flag blood culture bottles as "positive." A Gram stain is used to visualize and characterize the microbial growth in the broth and initiate additional testing. When no organisms are seen (NOS) on Gram stain, in our laboratory, bottles are reevaluated with a Wayson stain, a rapid one-step stain that provides contrast between organisms and the background, especially in Gram-negative organisms.

Laboratory testing for respiratory viruses for the clinician.

Testing for respiratory viruses has changed greatly over the past decade, owing to advances in technology, drug development, vaccine research, and a growing recognition of the importance of improving patient access. Here, we focus on the most common respiratory viruses and review preanalytic variables (eg, collection and storage) that affect test results, testing methods including nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), and controversies, challenges, and trends in diagnostic testing relevant to clinicians.

Are you ready to play Pathology Pyramid? An exploration of an alternative method of learning through gaming in pathology resident education.

The pathologists' lexicon is paramount in connecting pathologists, clinicians, and patients. It is an implicit part of pathology diagnoses, and, therefore, a significant component of residency training. We recognize that learning and honing this art is acquired through experience but is also influenced by many factors, such as confidence, familiarity with descriptive terminology, among others.

Dual peptide-mediated targeted delivery of bioactive siRNAs to oral cancer cells in vivo.

Objectives: Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, the prognosis for oral cancer remains poor in comparison to other cancer types, including breast, skin, and prostate. As a result, more effective therapeutic modalities are needed for the treatment of oral cancer. Consequently, in the present study, we examined the feasibility of using a dual peptide carrier approach, combining an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting peptide with an endosome-disruptive peptide, to mediate targeted delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into EGFR-overexpressing oral cancer cells and induce silencing of the targeted oncogene, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A).

Characterization of the recombination activities of the Entamoeba histolytica Rad51 recombinase.

The protozoan parasite responsible for human amoebiasis is Entamoeba histolytica. An important facet of the life cycle of E. histolytica involves the conversion of the mature trophozoite to a cyst.

Entamoeba histolytica Dmc1 Catalyzes Homologous DNA Pairing and Strand Exchange That Is Stimulated by Calcium and Hop2-Mnd1.

Meiosis depends on homologous recombination (HR) in most sexually reproducing organisms. Efficient meiotic HR requires the activity of the meiosis-specific recombinase, Dmc1. Previous work shows Dmc1 is expressed in Entamoeba histolytica, a eukaryotic parasite responsible for amoebiasis throughout the world, suggesting this organism undergoes meiosis.

Fusogenic-oligoarginine peptide-mediated silencing of the CIP2A oncogene suppresses oral cancer tumor growth in vivo.

Intracellular delivery and endosomal escape of functional small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) remain major barriers limiting the clinical translation of RNA interference (RNAi)-based therapeutics. Recently, we demonstrated that a cell-penetrating endosome-disruptive peptide we synthesized, termed 599, enhanced the intracellular delivery and bioavailability of siRNAs designed to target the CIP2A oncoprotein (siCIP2A) into oral cancer cells and consequently inhibited oral cancer cell invasiveness and anchorage-independent growth in vitro. Thus, to further assess the therapeutic potential of the 599 peptide in mediating RNAi-based therapeutics for oral cancer and its prospective applicability in clinical settings, the objective of the current study was to determine whether intratumoral dosing of the 599 peptide-siCIP2A complex could induce silencing of CIP2A and consequently impair tumor growth using a xenograft oral cancer mouse model.

Identification and characterization of Dicer1e, a Dicer1 protein variant, in oral cancer cells.

Background: The human dicer1 gene has been predicted to produce several mRNA variants that encode truncated Dicer1 proteins of varying lengths. One of these Dicer1 variants, Dicer1e, was recently found to be differentially expressed in breast cancer cells. Because the expression and function of the Dicer1e protein variant has not been well characterized and the underlying molecular mechanisms for the development of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are poorly understood, the present study sought to characterize the biological role of Dicer1e and determine its relationship, if any, to OSCC pathogenesis.

Fusogenic-oligoarginine peptide-mediated delivery of siRNAs targeting the CIP2A oncogene into oral cancer cells.

Despite a better understanding of the pathogenesis of oral cancer, its treatment outcome remains poor. Thus, there is a need for new therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of this disease. RNA interference (RNAi) appears to be a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of many diseases, including oral cancer.