Hairpin-bisulfite sequencing of cells exposed to decitabine documents the process of DNA demethylation.

Although the mechanism of DNA demethylating drugs has been understood for many years, the direct effect of these drugs on methylation of the complementary strands of DNA has not been formally demonstrated. By using hairpin-bisulphite sequencing, we describe the kinetics and pattern of DNA methylation following treatment of cells by the DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) inhibitor, decitabine. As expected, we demonstrate complete loss of methylation on the daughter strand following S-phase in selected densely methylated genes in synchronized Jurkat cells.

Tissue donation after death in the accident and emergency department: an opportunity wasted?

Objective: To investigate whether the accident and emergency department (A&E) is a potential source of tissues for donation, from non-heart beating donors (NHBDs).

Methods: A telephone survey of 30 A&E departments was conducted to determine current tissue harvesting practices from NHBDs. The potential number of tissue donors in our own medium sized district general hospital A&E department was estimated.

Development of an in vitro system for the analysis of ultraviolet radiation-induced suppression of natural killer cell activity.

Previous studies have shown that natural killer (NK) cell activity was suppressed in volunteer subjects exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from solarium lamps. The present studies were carried out to determine the spectrum of UVR responsible for suppression of NK activity and to develop in vitro methods to analyze the effectiveness of sunscreen agents in prevention of UVR-mediated suppression of NK activity and other aspects of immune function. UVR from a xenon arc lamp source was used to irradiate peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in wells of tissue culture flasks, and transmission interference filters were used to eliminate UVR of particular wavelengths.