Updating and curating metabolic pathways of TB.

The sequencing of complete genomes has accelerated biomedical research by providing information about the overall coding capacity of bacterial chromosomes. The original TB annotation resulted in putative functional assignment of ∼60% of the genes to specific metabolic functions, however, the other 40% of the encoded ORFs where annotated as conserved hypothetical proteins, hypothetical proteins or encoding proteins of unknown function. The TB research community is now at the beginning of the next phases of post-genomics; namely reannotation and functional characterization by targeted experimentation.

Database resources for the tuberculosis community.

Access to online repositories for genomic and associated "-omics" datasets is now an essential part of everyday research activity. It is important therefore that the Tuberculosis community is aware of the databases and tools available to them online, as well as for the database hosts to know what the needs of the research community are. One of the goals of the Tuberculosis Annotation Jamboree, held in Washington DC on March 7th-8th 2012, was therefore to provide an overview of the current status of three key Tuberculosis resources, TubercuList (tuberculist.

Inhibition of Hypoxia Inducible Factor Alpha and Astrocyte-Elevated Gene-1 Mediates Cryptotanshinone Exerted Antitumor Activity in Hypoxic PC-3 Cells.

Although cryptotanshinone (CT) was known to exert antitumor activity in several cancers, its molecular mechanism under hypoxia still remains unclear. Here, the roles of AEG-1 and HIF-1α in CT-induced antitumor activity were investigated in hypoxic PC-3 cells. CT exerted cytotoxicity against prostate cancer cells and suppressed HIF-1α accumulation and AEG-1 expression in hypoxic PC-3 cells.

Oseltamivir pharmacokinetics, dosing, and resistance among children aged <2 years with influenza.

Background: Children <2 years of age are at high risk of influenza-related mortality and morbidity. However, the appropriate dose of oseltamivir for children <2 years of age is unknown.

Methods: The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Collaborative Antiviral Study Group evaluated oseltamivir in infants aged <2 years in an age-de-escalation, adaptive design with a targeted systemic exposure.

Expenditure and resource utilisation for cervical screening in Australia.

Background: The National Cervical Screening Program in Australia currently recommends that women aged 18-69 years are screened with conventional cytology every 2 years. Publicly funded HPV vaccination was introduced in 2007, and partly as a consequence, a renewal of the screening program that includes a review of screening recommendations has recently been announced. This study aimed to provide a baseline for such a review by quantifying screening program resource utilisation and costs in 2010.

Anti-inflammatory activity of cinnamon water extract in vivo and in vitro LPS-induced models.

Background: Cinnamon bark is one of the most popular herbal ingredients in traditional oriental medicine and possesses diverse pharmacological activities including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer properties. The goal of this study is to investigate the in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effect of cinnamon water extract (CWE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and its underlying intracellular mechanisms.

Methods: CWE was orally administrated to mice for 6 days prior to intraperitoneal injection of LPS.

p10, the N-terminal domain of p35, protects against CDK5/p25-induced neurotoxicity.

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5(CDK5) in complex with its activator, p35 (protein of 35 kDa), is essential for early neurodevelopment in mammals. However, endogenous cleavage of p35 to p25 is associated with neuron death and neurodegenerative disease. Here we show that a peptide (p10') encoding the N-terminal domain of p35 protects against CDK5/p25-induced toxicity in neurons.

Cost effectiveness of human papillomavirus test of cure after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in England: economic analysis from NHS Sentinel Sites Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the cost effectiveness of human papillomavirus testing after treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Design: Economic analysis using a Markov modelling approach to combine cost and epidemiological data from the NHS Sentinel Sites Study with data from previous studies of post-treatment recurrence rates.

Setting: English NHS Cervical Cancer Screening Programme.

Protective effect of the methanol extract from Cryptotaenia japonica Hassk. against lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo.

Background: In folk medicine, the aerial part of Crytotaenia japonica Hassk. (CJ), is applied for treatment of the common cold, cough, urinary problems, pneumonia, and skin rashes. In this paper, the in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of CJ methanol extract was tested using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory models.

Test variability of the QuantiFERON-TB gold in-tube assay in clinical practice.

Rationale: Although IFN-γ release assays (IGRAs) are widely used to screen for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in high-income countries, published data on repeatability are limited.

Objectives: To determine IGRA repeatability.

Methods: The study population included consecutive patients referred to The Methodist Hospital (Houston, TX) between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011 for latent tuberculosis (TB) infection screening with an IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube; Cellestis, Carnegie, Australia).

Number of lymph nodes removed during modified radical neck dissection for papillary thyroid cancer does not influence lateral neck recurrence.

Background: This study examines the relationship between the number of lymph nodes removed during modified radical neck dissection and the incidence of disease recurrence.

Methods: A retrospective review of 117 patients with papillary thyroid cancer and lateral neck involvement (levels 2-5) who underwent modified radical neck dissection was performed. Data were analyzed for patient demographics, operative procedure, lymph node involvement, complications, radioactive iodine therapy, and disease recurrence.

Appropriate surgical procedure for dominant thyroid nodules of the isthmus 1 cm or larger.

Hypothesis: Surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) may guide the management of dominant thyroid nodules of the isthmus.

Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Setting: Tertiary academic referral center.

A revision of sexual mixing matrices in models of sexually transmitted infection.

Two sexual mixing matrices previously used in models of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are intended to calculate the probability of sexual interaction between age groups and sexual behaviour subgroups. When these matrices are used to specify multiple criteria for how people select sexual partners (such as age group and sexual behaviour class), their conditional probability structure means that they have in practice been prone to misuse. We constructed revised mixing matrices that incorporate a corrected conditional probability structure and then used one of them to examine the effect of this revision on population modelling of STIs.

Clinic-based ultrasound can predict malignancy in pediatric thyroid nodules.

Background: Thyroid nodules in pediatric patients may carry a greater risk for malignancy than in adults. Most nodules >1 cm in patients ≤ 21 years of age may require thyroidectomy for definitive diagnosis and treatment. Although clinic-based ultrasound (CBUS) has been shown useful in the evaluation of thyroid nodules in adults, its utility in evaluating nodules in the pediatric population remains unclear.

Estimation of the costs of cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in rural Shanxi Province, China: a micro-costing study.

Background: Cost estimation is a central feature of health economic analyses. The aim of this study was to use a micro-costing approach and a societal perspective to estimate aggregated costs associated with cervical cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment in rural China.

Methods: We assumed that future screening programs will be organized at a county level (population ~250,000), and related treatments will be performed at county or prefecture hospitals; therefore, this study was conducted in a county and a prefecture hospital in Shanxi during 2008-9.

Postoperative hungry bone syndrome in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism of renal origin.

Background: Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) is a postoperative condition of severe hypocalcemia that can be seen in patients who have undergone parathyroidectomy (PTX) for secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) of renal origin. This study examines HBS in patients after PTX for 2HPT.

Methods: Prospectively collected data was retrospectively reviewed in patients who underwent PTX for 2HPT of renal origin at a single institution.

The 2S albumin allergens of Arachis hypogaea, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, are the major elicitors of anaphylaxis and can effectively desensitize peanut-allergic mice.

Background: Ara h 2 and Ara h 6, co-purified together in a 13-25 kD fraction (Ara h 2/6; 20 kD fraction) on gel filtration chromatography, account for the majority of effector activity in a crude peanut extract (CPE) when assayed with RBL SX-38 cells sensitized with IgE from human peanut allergic sera.

Objectives: To determine if Ara h 2/6 are the primary peanut allergens responsible for allergic reactions in vivo and to determine if Ara h 2/6 would be sufficient to prevent allergic reactions to a complete CPE.

Methods: An oral sensitization mouse model of peanut allergy was used to assess the activity of Ara h 2/6 (20 kD) and CPE without the 20 kD fraction (CPE w/o 20 kD) for allergic provocation challenge and immunotherapy.

Platelet reactivity in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving adjunctive cilostazol compared with a high-maintenance dose of clopidogrel: results of the effect of platelet inhibition according to clopidogrel dose in patients with chronic kidney disease (PIANO-2 CKD) randomized study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a factor of low response to clopidogrel. We sought to assess the functional impact of cilostazol in CKD patients with undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods: Seventy-four patients with CKD undergoing hemodialysis and percutaneous coronary intervention were enrolled.

Normocalcemic parathormone elevation after successful parathyroidectomy: long-term analysis of parathormone variations over 10 years.

Background: The long-term significance of normocalcemic parathormone elevation (NPE) after successful parathyroidectomy for sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism remains unclear.

Method: Of 239 consecutive patients who underwent targeted parathyroidectomy with intraoperative parathormone monitoring, 96 were followed for ≥ 10 years. NPE was defined as a normal serum calcium level and parathormone (PTH) above the normal reference range ≥ 6 months after successful parathyroidectomy.

Primary hyperparathyroidism in the underinsured: a study of 493 patients.

Background: Disparities may exist in the care of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT). This study examines the presentation and outcomes of underinsured patients undergoing parathyroidectomy.

Methods: We divided 493 HPT patients who underwent initial parathyroidectomy from 2000 to 2008 at a single institution into 2 groups: underinsured patients (group 1; n = 94) evaluated and treated at a county hospital, and patients with insurance (group 2; n = 399).

The Cryptosporidium parvum kinome.

Background: Hundreds of millions of people are infected with cryptosporidiosis annually, with immunocompromised individuals suffering debilitating symptoms and children in socioeconomically challenged regions at risk of repeated infections. There is currently no effective drug available. In order to facilitate the pursuit of anti-cryptosporidiosis targets and compounds, our study spans the classification of the Cryptosporidium parvum kinome and the structural and biochemical characterization of representatives from the CDPK family and a MAP kinase.

Surgeon-performed ultrasound can predict benignity in thyroid nodules.

Background: Surgeon-performed ultrasound (SUS) has become an extension of the physical examination in the evaluation of patients with thyroid nodules. Amid concerns that too many "diagnostic" thyroidectomies are performed, this study examines the usefulness of SUS in predicting benign thyroid nodules.

Methods: A retrospective review of 624 patients with solitary or dominant thyroid nodules and prospectively collected data of SUS nodule features before thyroidectomy (benign = 407; malignant = 217) was performed.

Characterization of 14-3-3 proteins from Cryptosporidium parvum.

Unlabelled: The parasite Cryptosporidium parvum has three 14-3-3 proteins: Cp14ε, Cp14a and Cp14b, with only Cp14ε similar to human 14-3-3 proteins in sequence, peptide-binding properties and structure. Structurally, Cp14a features the classical 14-3-3 dimer but with a uniquely wide pocket and a disoriented RRY triad potentially incapable of binding phosphopeptides. The Cp14b protein deviates from the norm significantly: (i) In one subunit, the phosphorylated C-terminal tail is bound in the binding groove like a phosphopeptide.