Epidemiological investigation of bovine ephemeral Fever outbreaks in Israel.

Outbreaks of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) occurred in Israel in 1990, 1999, and 2004. The main patterns of BEF spread were similar in the 1990 and in 1999 epidemics, and the BEF virus was probably carried in vectors transported by air streams across the Rift Valley and the Red Sea. In the 2004 outbreak, the primary focus of the disease was the southern Mediterranean coastal plain and the disease agent was apparently brought by infected mosquitoes carried from their breeding site in the Nile Delta by the south-western winds.

Endogenous luminal surface adenosine signaling regulates duodenal bicarbonate secretion in rats.

Luminal ATP increases duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS) via brush border P2Y receptors. Because ATP is sequentially dephosphorylated to adenosine (ADO) and the brush border highly expresses adenosine deaminase (ADA), we hypothesized that luminal [ADO] regulators and sensors, including P1 receptors, ADA, and nucleoside transporters (NTs) regulate DBS. We measured DBS with pH and CO(2) electrodes, perfusing ADO ± adenosine receptor agonists or antagonists or the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) inhibitor CFTR(inh)-172 on DBS.

History-dependent catastrophes regulate axonal microtubule behavior.

In Chinese hamster ovary cells, microtubules originate at the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) and grow persistently toward the cell edge, where they undergo catastrophe. In axons, microtubule dynamics must be regulated differently because microtubules grow parallel to the plasma membrane and there is no MTOC. GFP-tagged microtubule plus end tracking proteins (+TIPs) mark the ends of growing neuronal microtubules.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for the quantification of free and total sialic acid in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Background: Analysis of sialic acid (SA) metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is important for clinical diagnosis. In the present study, a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) method for free sialic acid (FSA) and total sialic acid (TSA) in human CSF was validated.

Methods: The method utilized a simple sample-preparation procedure of protein precipitation for FSA and acid hydrolysis for TSA.

Connective tissue growth factor associated with oncogenic activities and drug resistance in glioblastoma multiforme.

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF or CCN2) is a secreted protein that belongs to the CCN [cysteine-rich CYR61/CTGF/nephroblastoma-overexpressed gene] family. These proteins have been implicated in various biological processes, including stimulation of cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. In a previous study, we found that CTGF mRNA was elevated in primary gliomas, and a significant correlation existed between CTGF mRNA levels versus tumor grade, histology and patient survival.

Adipose tissue-specific dysregulation of angiotensinogen by oxidative stress in obesity.

Adipose tissue expresses all components of the renin-angiotensin system including angiotensinogen (AGT). Recent studies have highlighted a potential role of AGT in adipose tissue function and homeostasis. However, some controversies surround the regulatory mechanisms of AGT in obese adipose tissue.

The origin of serous ovarian cancer may be found in the uterus: a novel hypothesis.

Since 1971 the incessant ovulation theory by Fathalla is widely accepted as theory for ovarian carcinogenesis, supported mainly by epidemiological findings. However, this theory cannot explain the protective effect of hysterectomy and tubal ligation on the incidence of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, never a precursor lesion has been identified in the ovary itself.

Density-dependence of functional development in spiking cortical networks grown in vitro.

During development, the mammalian brain differentiates into specialized regions with distinct functional abilities. While many factors contribute to functional specialization, we explore the effect of neuronal density on the development of neuronal interactions in vitro. Two types of cortical networks, namely, dense and sparse with 50,000 and 12,500 total cells, respectively, are studied.

Activated complement is more extensively present in diseased aortic valves than naturally occurring complement inhibitors: a sign of ongoing inflammation.

Background: Recent studies indicate a role for complement in the pathogenesis of aortic valve disease. However, the role of naturally occurring anti-complement mediators in this context is unknown. In this study, we have analysed this in three different pathological conditions of the aortic valve: degeneration, atherosclerosis and bacterial endocarditis.

Clostridium difficile toxin CDT induces formation of microtubule-based protrusions and increases adherence of bacteria.

Clostridium difficile causes antibiotic-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis by production of the Rho GTPase-glucosylating toxins A and B. Recently emerging hypervirulent Clostridium difficile strains additionally produce the binary ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin CDT (Clostridium difficile transferase), which ADP-ribosylates actin and inhibits actin polymerization. Thus far, the role of CDT as a virulence factor is not understood.

Improvement of endometrial biopsy over transvaginal ultrasound alone for endometrial surveillance in women with Lynch syndrome.

In women with hereditary non polyposis colorectal carcinoma (HNPCC) an annual gynaecological surveillance has been recommended because of an increased lifetime risk of developing endometrial and ovarian carcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of gynaecological surveillance with regard to endometrial and ovarian carcinoma. Included were women from families that fulfilled the revised Amsterdam criteria for HNPCC or who showed a proven mutation in one of the mismatch repair genes.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase regulates protective surface microclimate pH in rat duodenum.

Regulation of localized extracellular pH (pH(o)) maintains normal organ function. An alkaline microclimate overlying the duodenal enterocyte brush border protects the mucosa from luminal acid. We hypothesized that intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) regulates pH(o) due to pH-sensitive ATP hydrolysis as part of an ecto-purinergic pH regulatory system, comprised of cell-surface P2Y receptors and ATP-stimulated duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS).

Decision analysis model for hepatitis B prophylaxis one year after liver transplantation.

In patients receiving orthotopic liver transplantation, hepatitis B recurrence rates have decreased significantly with the use of various methods for prophylaxis. At present, a combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and lamivudine is the standard of care, resulting in recurrence rates of 0% to 11%. Recent data suggest that the addition of adefovir to lamivudine is successful in treating patients with recurrent hepatitis B infection.

Unusually large Franz-Keldysh oscillations at ultraviolet wavelengths in single-walled carbon nanotubes.

We report large electroabsorption susceptibilities in the ultraviolet region for single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) supported on quartz that are approximately 10;{3} larger than the highest values reported to date for any system. The oscillatory behavior is described using a convolution of Airy functions in photon energy ascribing the effect to Franz-Keldysh oscillations. The metallic and semiconducting SWNT composition is varied, and it is shown that the confinement energy correlates with the average band gap for semiconducting SWNT in the film.

Berberine suppresses proinflammatory responses through AMPK activation in macrophages.

Berberine (BBR) has been shown to improve several metabolic disorders, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, by stimulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, the effects of BBR on proinflammatory responses in macrophages are poorly understood. Here we show that BBR represses proinflammatory responses through AMPK activation in macrophages.

Gastroduodenal mucosal defense.

Purpose Of Review: The gastrointestinal tract has developed multiple mechanisms of protection from intrinsic and extrinsic sources of injury, including but not limited to drugs, ischemic/reperfusion injuries, and infections such as Helicobacter pylori. We review recent developments in host defense against Helicobacter pylori, duodenal bicarbonate secretion, protection from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced gastrointestinal injury, and apoptosis, as well as newer therapies.

Recent Findings: Leptin and survivin confer protection against ethanol and indomethacin induced injury.

Predictors of mammography uptake in Korean women aged 40 years and over.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study performed to identify the predictors of mammography uptake for Korean women according to the stage of change, as determined by the transtheoretical model.

Background: Although breast cancer is the most common female cancer in South Korea, its early detection rate here is low when compared with other developed countries. The transtheoretical model can be used to facilitate health promotion based on individual health behaviour and to devise stage-tailored interventions.

The influence of bile acids on the oral bioavailability of vitamin K encapsulated in polymeric micelles.

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of polymeric micelles to enable gastrointestinal absorption of the extremely hydrophobic compound vitamin K, by comparison of its absorption in bile duct ligated and sham operated rats. Hereto, vitamin K was encapsulated in micelles composed of mPEG(5000)-b-p(HPMAm-lac(2)), a thermosensitive block copolymer. Vitamin K plasma levels rose significantly upon gastric administration of 1 mg vitamin K encapsulated in polymeric micelles in sham operated rats, but not after bile duct ligation (AUC 4543 and 1.

Novel Ree1 regulates the expression of ENO1 via the Snf1 complex pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Using cDNA microarray analysis, we found that the mRNA of YJL217W and several other genes related to cell wall organization and biogenesis were up-regulated by galactose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae early during the induction process. YJL217W is also known as REE1 (Regulation of Enolase I). Both the Gal4 regulatory region and the Mac1 binding domain were found on the upstream region of REE1, and the expression of REE1 was up-regulated by galactose but not by glucose.

Malignant lymphomas in Waldeyer's ring in Asian countries: Association with histologic types and Epstein-Barr virus.

The present study examines clinicopathologic findings and their association with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in Waldeyer's ring lymphomas (WRLs) from Indonesia (91 cases), P.R. China (31 cases), Korea (101 cases) and Japan (61 cases).

Comparison of GP5+/6+-PCR and SPF10-line blot assays for detection of high-risk human papillomavirus in samples from women with normal cytology results who develop grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Using a case control approach, we performed a two-way comparison study between GP5+/6+-PCR and HPV SPF(10)-Line Blot 25 (SPF(10)) assays for detection of 14 types of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) in samples from women with normal cytology results who had or developed grade 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 3). Samples were pooled from two cohorts, i.e.

CO2 chemosensing in rat oesophagus.

Background: Acid in the oesophageal lumen is often sensed as heartburn. It was hypothesised that luminal CO(2), a permeant gas, rather than H(+), permeates through the epithelium, and is converted to H(+), producing an afferent neural signal by activating chemosensors.

Methods: The rat lower oesophageal mucosa was superfused with pH 7.

Identification of functional information subgraphs in complex networks.

We present a general information theoretic approach for identifying functional subgraphs in complex networks. We show that the uncertainty in a variable can be written as a sum of information quantities, where each term is generated by successively conditioning mutual informations on new measured variables in a way analogous to a discrete differential calculus. The analogy to a Taylor series suggests efficient optimization algorithms for determining the state of a target variable in terms of functional groups of other nodes.

C1 inhibitor: just a serine protease inhibitor? New and old considerations on therapeutic applications of C1 inhibitor.

C1 inhibitor is a potent anti-inflammatory protein as it is the major inhibitor of proteases of the contact and the complement systems. C1-inhibitor administration is an effective therapy in the treatment of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) who are genetically deficient in C1 inhibitor. Owing to its ability to modulate the contact and complement systems and the convincing safety profile, plasma-derived C1 inhibitor is an attractive therapeutic protein to treat inflammatory diseases other than HAE.

Plasma membrane recruitment of dephosphorylated beta-catenin upon activation of the Wnt pathway.

The standard model of Wnt signaling specifies that after receipt of a Wnt ligand at the membranous receptor complex, downstream mediators inhibit a cytoplasmic destruction complex, allowing beta-catenin to accumulate in the cytosol and nucleus and co-activate Wnt target genes. Unexpectedly, shortly after Wnt treatment, we detected the dephosphorylated form of beta-catenin at the plasma membrane, where it displayed a discontinuous punctate labeling. This pool of beta-catenin could only be detected in E-cadherin(-/-) cells, because in E-cadherin(+/+) cells Wnt-induced, membranous beta-catenin was concealed by a constitutive junctional pool.