Gene Expression Patterns Are Altered in Athymic Mice and Metabolic Syndrome Factors Are Reduced in C57BL/6J Mice Fed High-Fat Diets Supplemented with Soy Isoflavones.

Soy isoflavones exert beneficial health effects; however, their potential to ameliorate conditions associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not been studied in detail. In vitro and in vivo models were used to determine the effect of isoflavones on lipid metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress. In nude mice, consumption of Novasoy (NS) increased cholesterol and lipid metabolism gene expression, including Scd-1 (27.

Role of hypoxia and EGF on expression, activity, localization and phosphorylation of carbonic anhydrase IX in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) is a zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes the reversible hydration of CO(2). CAIX is overexpressed in many types of cancer, including breast cancer, but is most frequently absent in corresponding normal tissues. CAIX expression is strongly induced by hypoxia and is significantly associated with tumor grade and poor survival.

Human trophoblast responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis infection.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periodontal pathogen that is also associated with preterm low-birthweight delivery. We investigated the transcriptional responses of human extravillous trophoblasts (HTR-8) to infection with P. gingivalis.

Detecting extracellular carbonic anhydrase activity using membrane inlet mass spectrometry.

Current research into the function of carbonic anhydrases (CAs) in cell physiology emphasizes the role of membrane-bound CAs such as CA IX, which has been identified in malignant tumors and is associated with extracellular acidification as a response to hypoxia. Here we present a mass spectrometric method to determine the extent to which total CA activity is due to extracellular CA in whole cell preparations. The method is based on the biphasic rate of depletion of (18)O from CO(2) measured by membrane inlet mass spectrometry.

Localization of P. gingivalis in preterm delivery placenta.

Increasing evidence suggests an association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although infection is considered as a risk factor for preterm delivery, the localization of oral bacteria or their antigens in chorioamnionitis placental tissue has never been demonstrated. This study was devised to test the hypothesis that periodontal pathogens may be present and affect human placenta in cases of chorioamnionitis.