Increased risk of tuberculosis among health care workers in Samara Oblast, Russia: analysis of notification data.

Setting: Samara Oblast, Russia.

Objective: To compare the rates of tuberculosis (TB) in health care workers (HCWs) working in TB services, general health services (GHS) and the general population in a region of the Russian Federation.

Design: Analysis of notification rates of TB among HCWs, GHS workers and the general population during the 9-year period from 1994 to 2002.

Prostaglandin FP agonists alter metalloproteinase gene expression in sclera.

Purpose: The present study was undertaken to determine whether exposure of the sclera to prostaglandin (PG)F(2alpha) or to the PGF(2alpha) analogue latanoprost acid alters mRNA for matrix metalloproteinases.

Method: Fifteen human eye bank eyes were studied. Circular pieces of sclera were either immediately preserved in a stabilization reagent or cultured in low-serum DMEM/F-12 medium.

The matrix metalloproteinase-21 gene 572C/T polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute in multiple ways to all stages of tumor development, and a number of DNA polymorphisms in the MMP genes are associated with an increased risk of cancer. We previously identified the MMP-21 gene 572C/T polymorphism leading to Ala191Val substitution within the enzyme's catalytic domain. We performed a case-control study to test association between this polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer.

Beta-catenin regulates the gene of MMP-26, a novel metalloproteinase expressed both in carcinomas and normal epithelial cells.

There are several unorthodox features, which distinguish the non-redundant and unique novel matrix metalloproteinase-26 (MMP-26) (an enzyme that has recently evolved and does not exist in rodents but is present in humans) from other members of the MMP superfamily. This report describes our recent efforts to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms which restrict expression of MMP-26 to certain cell/tissue types. We examined transcriptional regulation of the human MMP-26 gene in normal and malignant cells.

Tuberculosis control in Samara Oblast, Russia: institutional and regulatory environment.

Setting: Tuberculosis control programme in Samara Oblast, Russia, funded in part by the government of the United Kingdom.

Objective: To identify and evaluate institutional and regulatory influences as well as incentives and disincentives that might be amenable to change in the promotion of the DOTS strategy.

Design: Multidisciplinary situational analysis through in-depth interviews of stakeholders and review of official federal and oblast documents.