Different Resolution Power of Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis and Whole-Genome Sequencing in the Characterization of 1,4,[5],12:i:- Isolates.

serovar 1,4,[5],12:i:- has emerged over the last two decades as one of the most common serovars causing human salmonellosis in Europe. It is supposed to originate from serovar Typhimurium due to antigenic and genotypic similarities between the two serovars. Due to the high level of similarity, the multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) protocol designed for Typhimurium routine typing is commonly used also for the characterization of 1,4,[5],12:i.

Resistance to Biocides in Collected in Meat-Processing Environments.

The emergence of microorganisms exerting resistance to biocides is a challenge to meat-processing environments. Bacteria can be intrinsically resistant to biocides but resistance can also be acquired by adaptation to their sub-lethal concentrations. Moreover, the presence of biocide resistance determinants, which is closely linked to antibiotic resistance determinants, could lead to co-selection during disinfection practices along the food chain, and select cross-resistant foodborne pathogens.

Ascertaining the relationship between Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- by MLVA and inferring the sources of human salmonellosis due to the two serovars in Italy.

The current picture of human salmonellosis shows Salmonella Typhimurium and S. 4,[5],12:i:- as the most common serovars in Italy. The aims of this study were to investigate the genetic relationship between these serovars, as well as to test the possibility of inferring sources of human salmonellosis due to S.

Molecular characterization of "inconsistent" variants of Salmonella Typhimurium isolated in Italy.

Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- is a variant of Salmonella Typhimurium, which lacks the expression of phase-2 flagellar antigen, generally associated with the deletion of the fljB gene. Additional mechanisms involving the fljAB operon ( fljA, fljB, and hin genes) lead to the lack of expression of phase-2 flagellar antigens also in Salmonella strains harboring the fljB gene. For 20 S.

Molecular characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- DT193 ASSuT strains from two outbreaks in Italy.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- DT193 is recognized as an emerging monophasic variant of Salmonella Typhimurium in many European countries. Resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulphonamides, and tetracycline (R-type ASSuT) is described as one of the most common profiles of resistance within this clone.

The significance of mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphisms on the risk of BK virus coinfection in women with human papillomavirus-positive cervical lesions.

The simultaneous detection of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) and BK virus (BKV) has been recently reported in cervical cancers, suggesting that these viruses may act together in the process of cell transformation; host genetic polymorphisms may also influence virus persistence/reactivation. To disclose a possible role of the gene encoding for the mannose-binding lectin, MBL2, in susceptibility to BKV infection, we analyzed functional polymorphisms in the first exon of MBL2 in women stratified for the presence/absence of BKV and affected by different grades of HPV-induced cervical precancerous lesions. All BKV-positive samples were also HPV positive (HPV 16), and all presented with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions.

Epigenetic drugs as pleiotropic agents in cancer treatment: biomolecular aspects and clinical applications.

In the last three decades huge efforts have been made to characterize genetic defects responsible for cancer development and progression, leading to the comprehensive identification of distinct cellular pathways affected by the alteration of specific genes. Despite the undoubtable role of genetic mechanisms in triggering neoplastic cell transformation, epigenetic modifications (i.e.

Phenotypic and functional changes of human melanoma xenografts induced by DNA hypomethylation: immunotherapeutic implications.

Emerging in vitro evidence points to an immunomodulatory activity of DNA hypomethylating drugs in human malignancies. We investigated the potential of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR) to modulate the expression of cancer testis antigens (CTA) and of HLA class I antigens by melanoma xenografts, and the resulting modifications in immunogenicity of neoplastic cells. Three primary cultures of melanoma cells, selected for immune phenotype and growth rate, were grafted into BALB/c nu/nu mice that were injected intraperitoneally with different dose- and time-schedules of 5-AZA-CdR.

Analysis of cancer/testis antigens in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma: expression and humoral response to NY-ESO-1.

Cancer/testis antigens (CTA) are tumor-associated antigens expressed during ontogenesis, in a number of solid tumors but not in normal tissues except testis. Most of these CTA are highly immunogenic, eliciting a humoral and cellular response in the patients with advanced cancer, and are useful for tumor-specific immunotherapy. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a neoplasm derived from the parafollicular cells of the thyroid and occurs in either a sporadic or a familial form.

Promoter methylation controls the expression of MAGE2, 3 and 4 genes in human cutaneous melanoma.

Cancer-testis antigens expressed by different-histotype transformed cells are suitable targets for tumor immunotherapy. However, their heterogeneous expression in neoplastic lesions limits the eligibility of patients for cancer-testis antigen-directed vaccination, and low levels of cancer-testis antigens' expression may impair immune recognition of malignant cells. Because of the primary clinical relevance of cancer-testis antigens' expression in neoplastic tissues, 68 unrelated or sequential metastatic lesions from 56 patients were used to characterize the molecular mechanisms regulating the presence and levels of expression of different cancer-testis antigens of the MAGE family (i.

Recombinant transmembrane CD59 (CD59-TM) confers complement resistance to GPI-anchored protein defective melanoma cells.

Protectin (CD59) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell membrane glycoprotein, broadly expressed on melanocytic cells, that represents the main restriction factor of complement (C)-mediated lysis of human melanoma cells. Levels of CD59 expression may impair the clinical efficacy of C-activating monoclonal antibodies (mAb); thus, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the lack of CD59 expression in selected melanoma cells. Serological and biochemical analyses showed that MeWo melanoma cells expressed CD59 neither at cell surface nor at cytoplasmic levels; however, no critical mutations were identified in their CD59 mRNA.