Rate of nosocomial MRSA transmission evaluated via contact screening.

Background: The prevention of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) transmission in the healthcare setting is a priority in Infection Control practices. A cornerstone of this policy is contact tracing of nosocomial contacts after an unexpected MRSA finding.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in a Dynamic Flux: Magnetic Hyperthermia Effect on Flowing Heavy Crude Oil.

An essential part for crude oil extraction is flow assurance, being critical to maintain a financially sustainable flow while getting the petroleum to the surface. When not well managed, it can develop into a significant issue for the OG industry. By heating the fluids, problems with flow assurance, including paraffin deposition, asphaltene, and methane hydrate, can be reduced.

The effects of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on mood, attention, heart rate, skin conductance and EEG in healthy young adults.

Autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) is a warm tingling sensation which is often accompanied by feelings of calmness and relaxation. The present study examined the effects of an ASMR video on mood, attention, heart rate (HR), electrodermal activity (EDA), electroencephalography (EEG) and the interaction with personality factors in 38 young adults (33 females and 5 males). Based on the ASMR-checklist responses of having tingles during watching the ASMR video 15 participants out of 38 were classified as ASMR-experiencers.

Adrenal hormones mediate disease tolerance in malaria.

Malaria reduces host fitness and survival by pathogen-mediated damage and inflammation. Disease tolerance mechanisms counter these negative effects without decreasing pathogen load. Here, we demonstrate that in four different mouse models of malaria, adrenal hormones confer disease tolerance and protect against early death, independently of parasitemia.

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 has no effect on survival during experimental malaria but affects parasitemia in a parasite strain-specific manner.

Malaria is a global disease associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. An appropriately balanced immune response is crucial in determining the outcome of malarial infection. The glucocorticoid (GC) metabolising enzyme, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (11β-HSD1) converts intrinsically inert GCs into active GCs.

BH3-only protein Noxa contributes to apoptotic control of stress-erythropoiesis.

Apoptosis plays an essential role in the control of erythropoiesis under normal and pathological conditions. However, the contribution of individual proteins within cell death signalling pathways remains poorly defined. Here, we investigated the role of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Noxa in the regulation of erythropoiesis.

The clinically active BTK inhibitor PCI-32765 targets B-cell receptor- and chemokine-controlled adhesion and migration in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Small-molecule drugs that target the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signalosome show clinical efficacy in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. These agents, including the Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor PCI-32765, display an unexpected response in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): a rapid and sustained reduction of lymphadenopathy accompanied by transient lymphocytosis, which is reversible upon temporary drug deprivation. We hypothesized that this clinical response reflects impaired integrin-mediated adhesion and/or migration.

Tipping the Noxa/Mcl-1 balance overcomes ABT-737 resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Purpose: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells in lymph nodes (LN), from which relapses are postulated to originate, display an antiapoptotic profile in contrast to CLL cells from peripheral blood (PB). The BH3 mimetic ABT-737 antagonizes the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-2 but not Mcl-1 or Bfl-1. Previously, it was shown that CD40-stimulated CLL cells were resistant to ABT-737.

Histone deacetylase inhibition modulates cell fate decisions during myeloid differentiation.

Background: The clinical use of chromatin-modulating drugs, such as histone deacetylase inhibitors, for the treatment of bone marrow failure and hematopoietic malignancies has increased dramatically over the last few years. Nonetheless, little is currently known concerning their effects on myelopoiesis.

Design And Methods: We utilized an ex vivo differentiation system in which umbilical cord blood-derived CD34(+) cells were treated with trichostatin A, sodium butyrate and valproic acid to evaluate the effect of histone deacetylase inhibitor treatment on myeloid lineage development, colony-forming potential, proliferation, and terminal neutrophil differentiation.

Tight control of MEK-ERK activation is essential in regulating proliferation, survival, and cytokine production of CD34+-derived neutrophil progenitors.

A plethora of extracellular stimuli regulate growth, survival, and differentiation responses through activation of the MEK-ERK MAPK signaling module. Using CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, we describe a novel role for the MEK-ERK signaling module in the regulation of proliferation, survival, and cytokine production during neutrophil differentiation. Addition of the specific MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126 resulted in decreased proliferation of neutrophil progenitors.

Ectopic expression of C/EBPalpha and ID1 is sufficient to restore defective neutrophil development in low-risk myelodysplasia.

Background: In patients with myelodysplasia, a general defect in the multipotent stem-cell compartment results in disturbed proliferation and differentiation of the erythroid, megakaryocytic and myeloid lineages. Although a number of genetic defects in myelodysplastic progenitor cells have been described, the intracellular signaling pathways underlying aberrant regulation of myelopoiesis remain relatively undefined.

Design And Methods: Here, an ex vivo differentiation system was used to selectively screen for molecules improving defective hematopoiesis in myelodysplastic CD34(+) progenitor cells.

p38 MAP kinase inhibits neutrophil development through phosphorylation of C/EBPalpha on serine 21.

Many extracellular stimuli regulate growth, survival, and differentiation responses through activation of the dual specificity mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase three (MKK3) and its downstream effector p38 MAPK. Using CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, here we describe a novel role for MKK3-p38MAPK in the regulation of myelopoiesis. Inhibition of p38MAPK utilizing the pharmacological inhibitor SB203580, enhanced neutrophil development ex vivo, but conversely reduced eosinophil differentiation.

Mammalian target of rapamycin activity is required for expansion of CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Background: The mammalian target of rapamycin is a conserved protein kinase known to regulate protein synthesis, cell size and proliferation. Aberrant regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin activity has been observed in hematopoietic malignancies, including acute leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes, suggesting that correct regulation of mammalian target of rapamycin is critical for normal hematopoiesis.

Design And Methods: An ex vivo granulocyte differentiation system was utilized to investigate the role of mammalian target of rapamycin in the regulation of myelopoiesis.

MAPK signaling pathways in the regulation of hematopoiesis.

The MAPKs are a family of serine/threonine kinases that play an essential role in connecting cell-surface receptors to changes in transcriptional programs. MAPKs are part of a three-component kinase module consisting of a MAPK, an upstream MEK, and a MEKK that couples the signals from cell-surface receptors to trigger downstream pathways. Three major groups of MAPKs have been characterized in mammals, including ERKs, JNKs, and p38MAPKs.

The macrophage CD163 surface glycoprotein is an erythroblast adhesion receptor.

Erythropoiesis occurs in erythroblastic islands, where developing erythroblasts closely interact with macrophages. The adhesion molecules that govern macrophage-erythroblast contact have only been partially defined. Our previous work has implicated the rat ED2 antigen, which is highly expressed on the surface of macrophages in erythroblastic islands, in erythroblast binding.

Differential expression of leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-1 during neutrophil differentiation and activation.

Inhibitory receptors containing immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs play an important regulatory role in immune cell activation. In addition, several studies suggest that these receptors are involved in the regulation of hematopoietic cell differentiation. Here, we have investigated the expression of leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1), an inhibitory receptor expressed on most peripheral blood leukocytes and on CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells, in neutrophil differentiation and activation.

Principles behind the multifarious control of signal transduction. ERK phosphorylation and kinase/phosphatase control.

General and simple principles are identified that govern signal transduction. The effects of kinase and phosphatase inhibition on a MAP kinase pathway are first examined in silico. Quantitative measures for the control of signal amplitude, duration and integral strength are introduced.

Use of ferro-electric liquid crystal shutters for time-resolved fluorescence microscopy.

A technique is described to modify a standard fluorescence microscope for time-resolved visualization of delayed luminescing substances with decay times from 50 microseconds to several milliseconds. The modification consists of synchronized operation of a mechanical shutter, positioned in an aperture plane in the excitation pathway, simultaneously with a ferro-electric liquid crystal (FLC) shutter on the emission side. Operation of the microscope is through a microprocessor interfaced keypad by which all timing parameters can be adjusted for optimal suppression of fast decaying luminescence.

The automation of culturing and harvesting of human chromosome specimens.

This paper describes the development of a machine for the automated culturing and harvesting of human chromosome specimens. The machine is capable of handling different preparation methods simultaneously, such as standard blood cell, blast cell and bone marrow cultures, and can be programmed to perform the prophase synchronization techniques. It is composed of a culture tray, centrifuge, mixer, input and output station and a head assembly capable of transporting samples between the various stations and which is equipped with an aspirator needle to suck off the supernatant and fluid dispensers for the dosing of the various chemicals.