Simultaneous gene silencing of Bcl-2, XIAP and Survivin re-sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells towards apoptosis.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma shows a distinct apoptosis resistance, which contributes significantly to the aggressive nature of this tumor and constrains the effectiveness of new therapeutic strategies. Apoptosis resistance is determined by the net balance of the cells pro-and anti-apoptotic "control mechanisms". Numerous dysregulated anti-apoptotic genes have been identified in pancreatic cancer and seem to contribute to the high anti-apoptotic buffering capacity.

Rapid genus- and species-specific identification of Cronobacter spp. by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

Cronobacter spp. are Gram-negative opportunistic food-borne pathogens and are known as rare but important causes of life-threatening neonatal infections. Rapid and reliable identification of Cronobacter species and their differentiation from phenotypically similar, nonpathogenic Enterobacter turicensis, Enterobacter helveticus, and Enterobacter pulveris have become increasingly important.

Biochemical and immunocytological characterizations of Arabidopsis pollen tube cell wall.

During plant sexual reproduction, pollen germination and tube growth require development under tight spatial and temporal control for the proper delivery of the sperm cells to the ovules. Pollen tubes are fast growing tip-polarized cells able to perceive multiple guiding signals emitted by the female organ. Adhesion of pollen tubes via cell wall molecules may be part of the battery of signals.

Synthesis, structure, bonding, and properties of Sc(3)Al(3)O(5)C(2) and ScAl(2)ONC-unique compounds with ordered distribution of anions and cations.

Single crystals of the new compounds Sc(3)Al(3)O(5)C(2) and ScAl(2)ONC were obtained by reacting Sc(2)O(3) and C in an Al-melt at 1550 degrees C. Their crystal structures continue the row of transition metal oxide carbides with an ordered distribution of anions and cations with ScAlOC as the first representative. In the structure of Sc(3)Al(3)O(5)C(2) (P6(3)/mmc, Z = 2, a = 3.

Genes involved in Cronobacter sakazakii biofilm formation.

Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic food-borne pathogens that can cause severe and sometimes lethal infections in neonates. In some outbreaks, the sources of infection were traced to contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF) or contaminated utensils used for PIF reconstitution.

Genes involved in yellow pigmentation of Cronobacter sakazakii ES5 and influence of pigmentation on persistence and growth under environmental stress.

Cronobacter spp. are opportunistic food-borne pathogens that are responsible for rare but highly fatal cases of meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates. While the operon responsible for yellow pigmentation in Cronobacter sakazakii strain ES5 was described recently, the involvement of additional genes in pigment expression and the influence of pigmentation on the fitness of Cronobacter spp.

Preclinical evaluation of a new self-expanding device for closure of muscular ventricular septal defects in a pig model.

Objectives: Aim of our study was the preclinical evaluation of a new self expanding device for interventional closure of muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSDs) in an acute pig model.

Background: Devices currently in use for closure of mVSDs still have their limitations. The deployment of the disks is dependent from the expansion of the stent, which can be associated with problems for sufficient closure of the mVSDs.

Intracellular Ca2+ stores could participate to abscisic acid-induced depolarization and stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In Arabidopsis thaliana cell suspension, abscisic acid (ABA) induces changes in cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](cyt)) which are the trigger for ABA-induced plasma membrane anion current activation, H(+)-ATPase inhibition, and subsequent plasma membrane depolarization. In the present study, we took advantage of this model to analyze the implication of intracellular Ca(2+) stores in ABA signal transduction through electrophysiological current measurements, cytosolic Ca(2+) activity measurements with the apoaequorin Ca(2+) reporter protein and external pH measurement. Intracellular Ca(2+) stores involvement was determined by using specific inhibitors of CICR channels: the cADP-ribose/ryanodine receptor (Br-cADPR and dantrolene) and of the inositol trisphosphate receptor (U73122).

Evidence for a plant-associated natural habitat for Cronobacter spp.

Cronobacter (Enterobacter sakazakii) species are responsible for rare cases of necrotising enterocolitis and bacteraemia in infants, as well as cases of meningitis with high case fatality rates in neonates and immunocompromised infants. Some physiological features, such as the production of a yellow pigment, the formation of a gum-like extracellular polysaccharide and the ability to persist in a desiccated state, suggest an environmental niche for these organisms. To date, the natural habitat of Cronobacter spp.

Toxic and signalling effects of oxalic acid: Oxalic acid-Natural born killer or natural born protector?

Oxalic acid is thought to be a key factor of the early pathogenic stage in a wide range of necrotrophic fungi. We have recently published that oxalic acid induces Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in Arabidopsis thaliana cells. This cell death results from an early anionic efflux which is a prerequisite for the synthesis of ethylene and the PCD.

Microarray-based comparative genomic indexing of the Cronobacter genus (Enterobacter sakazakii).

Cronobacter (Enterobacter sakazakii) is a recently defined genus consisting of 6 species. To extend our understanding of the genetic relationship between Cronobacter sakazakii BAA-894 and the other species of this genus, microarray-based comparative genomic indexing (CGI) was undertaken to determine the presence/absence of genes identified in the former sequenced genome and to compare 276 selected open reading frames within the different Cronobacter strains. Seventy-eight Cronobacter strains (60 C.

Two different signaling pathways for thaxtomin A-induced cell death in Arabidopsis and tobacco BY2.

Thaxtomin A (TXT) is a phytotoxin produced by all plant-pathogenic Streptomyces scabies involved in the potato scab disease. Their pathogenicity was previously correlated with the production of TXT. Calcium is known to be an essential second messenger associated with pathogen-induced plant responses and cell death.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and musculoskeletal injuries in Thoroughbred racehorses in Kentucky.

Injuries sustained by horses during racing have been considered as an unavoidable part of horse racing. Many factors may be associated with the musculoskeletal injuries of Thoroughbred race horses. This study surveyed the amounts of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) in injured horse's biological system (plasma) at Kentucky racetracks from January 1, 1995 through December 31, 1996.

Evaluation of a new hybrid technique for closure of muscular ventricular septal defects in a long-term setting.

Objective: Therapy for muscular ventricular septal defects beyond the moderator band, especially in neonates and infants, has always been challenging for both surgeons and cardiologists. Recently, we established a patch closure hybrid therapy for muscular ventricular septal defects. In this study, we evaluated it in a long-term porcine model.

Synthesis and detection of toltrazuril sulfone and its pharmacokinetics in horses following administration in dimethylsulfoxide.

Triazine-based antiprotozoal agents are known for their lipophylic characteristics and may therefore be expected to be well absorbed following oral administration. However, although an increase in lipid solubility generally increases the absorption of chemicals, extremely lipid-soluble chemicals may dissolve poorly in gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, and their corresponding absorption and bioavailability would be low. Also, if the compound is administered in solid form and is relatively insoluble in GI fluids, it is likely to have limited contact with the GI mucosa, and therefore, its rate of absorption will be low.

Proteomic profiling of Cronobacter turicensis 3032, a food-borne opportunistic pathogen.

Members of the genus Cronobacter are opportunistic pathogens for neonates and are often associated with contaminated milk powder formulas. At present little is known about the virulence mechanisms or the natural reservoir of these organisms. The proteome of Cronobacter turicensis 3032, which has recently caused two deaths, was mapped aiming at a better understanding of physiology and putative pathogenic traits of this clinical isolate.

McsB is a protein arginine kinase that phosphorylates and inhibits the heat-shock regulator CtsR.

All living organisms face a variety of environmental stresses that cause the misfolding and aggregation of proteins. To eliminate damaged proteins, cells developed highly efficient stress response and protein quality control systems. We performed a biochemical and structural analysis of the bacterial CtsR/McsB stress response.

Development and evaluation of rpoB based PCR systems to differentiate the six proposed species within the genus Cronobacter.

Although there are various PCR based methods described in the literature to detect the genus Cronobacter, none of these methods is able to differentiate the six proposed species within this genus. A species differentiation is important for epidemiological studies. Moreover, the different species show differences in sensitivity to chemical agents and antibiotics.

In vitro inhibition activity of different bacteriocin-producing Escherichia coli against Salmonella strains isolated from clinical cases.

Aims: To compare in vitro the inhibitory activity of four bacteriocin-producing Escherichia coli to a well-characterized panel of Salmonella strains, recently isolated from clinical cases in Switzerland.

Methods And Results: A panel of 68 nontyphoidal Salmonella strains was characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis and susceptibility to antibiotics. The majority of tested strains were genetically different, with 40% resistant to at least one antibiotic.

Pyrilamine in the horse: detection and pharmacokinetics of pyrilamine and its major urinary metabolite O-desmethylpyrilamine.

Pyrilamine is an antihistamine used in human and veterinary medicine. As antihistamines produce central nervous system effects in horses, pyrilamine has the potential to affect the performance of racehorses. In the present study, O-desmethylpyrilamine (O-DMP) was observed to be the predominant equine urinary metabolite of pyrilamine.

An early Ca2+ influx is a prerequisite to thaxtomin A-induced cell death in Arabidopsis thaliana cells.

The pathogenicity of various Streptomyces scabies isolates involved in potato scab disease was correlated with the production of thaxtomin A. Since calcium is known as an essential second messenger associated with pathogen-induced plant responses and cell death, it was investigated whether thaxtomin A could induce a Ca2+ influx related to cell death and to other putative plant responses using Arabidopsis thaliana suspension cells, which is a convenient model to study plant-microbe interactions. A.

Plasma and urinary concentrations of trimetoquinol by LC-MS-MS following intravenous and intra-tracheal administration to horses with heaves.

Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a very potent and fast acting bronchodilator in horses with heaves. This study assessed the plasma and urinary concentrations of TMQ in horses with heaves following administration via the intravenous (IV, 0.2 microg/kg) and intra-tracheal (IT, 2 microg/kg) routes.

ESI+ MS/MS confirmation of canine ivermectin toxicity.

Ivermectin is a semisynthetic macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic of the avermectin family derived from Streptomyces fermentation products. Avermectins are used as antiparasitic agents in domestic animals; although considered relatively safe, one must consider animal species, breed, weight, and age in dosage determinations.In January 2006, two canines were presented to the UK Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center after dying from suspected ivermectin overdoses [30-50 mg/kg body weight].

Desiccation tolerance in the vegetative tissues of the fern Mohria caffrorum is seasonally regulated.

As there is limited information on the mechanisms of vegetative desiccation tolerance in pteridophytes, we undertook a comprehensive anatomical, ultrastructural, physiological and biochemical study on the fern Mohria caffrorum. Our data show that this species is desiccation-tolerant during the dry season, and desiccation-sensitive in the rainy season. This system allows the verification of protection mechanisms by comparison of tolerant and sensitive tissues of the same species at the same developmental age.

Endophytic root colonization of gramineous plants by Herbaspirillum frisingense.

Herbaspirillum frisingense is a diazotrophic betaproteobacterium isolated from C4-energy plants, for example Miscanthus sinensis. To demonstrate endophytic colonization unequivocally, immunological labeling techniques using monospecific polyclonal antibodies against two H. frisingense strains and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-fluorescence tagging were applied.