Functional analysis, overexpression, and kinetic characterization of pyruvate kinase from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Novel antimicrobial targets are urgently needed to overcome rising antibiotic resistance of important human pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Here we report the essentiality and kinetic properties of MRSA pyruvate kinase (PK). Targetron-mediated gene disruption demonstrated PK is essential for S.

[Antidepressant effect of microinjection of neuropeptide Y into the hippocampus is mediated by decreased expression of nitric oxide synthase].

Accumulating evidence indicates an important role of hippocampal dendrite atrophy in the development of depression, while neuropeptide Y (NPY) participates in hippocampal dendrite growth. The present study was aimed to investigate the relationship between NPY and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression. CUMS-induced depression model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Insights into photoinduced electron transfer between [Ru(mptpy)2]4+ (mptpy = 4'(4-methylpyridinio)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) and [S2O8]2-: computational and experimental studies.

The mechanism and electron transfer dynamics of the reaction [Ru(II)(mptpy)(2)](4+) + hnu + [S(2)O(8)](2-) --> [Ru(III)(mptpy)(2)](5+) + SO(4)(2-) + SO(4)(-*) were studied using various computational (density functional and exciton interaction theories) and experimental (transient absorption, static and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and other) techniques. The results were compared with those recently reported for [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) dye [ref 18]. It was found that the excitation energy of [Ru(mptpy)(2)](4+) is about 0.

Cs(9)[(gamma-PW(10)O(36))(2)Ru(4)O(5)(OH)(H(2)O)(4)], a new all-inorganic, soluble catalyst for the efficient visible-light-driven oxidation of water.

The tetraruthenium-substituted polyoxometalate Cs(9)[(gamma-PW(10)O(36))(2)Ru(4)O(5)(OH)(H(2)O)(4)] was synthesized and structurally, spectroscopically and electrochemically characterized; it was shown to be a catalyst for visible-light-induced water oxidation.

Single-molecule interfacial electron transfer in donor-bridge-nanoparticle acceptor complexes.

Photoinduced interfacial electron transfer (IET) in sulforhodamine B (SRhB)-aminosilane-Tin oxide (SnO(2)) nanoparticle donor-bridge-acceptor complexes has been studied on a single molecule and ensemble average level. On both SnO(2) and ZrO(2), the sum of single molecule fluorescence decays agree with the ensemble average results, suggesting complete sampling of molecules under single molecule conditions. Shorter fluorescence lifetime on SnO(2) than on ZrO(2) is observed and attributed to IET from SRhB to SnO(2).

Pharmacodynamic evaluation of temsirolimus in patients with newly diagnosed advanced-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in surgical margins of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a predictor of recurrence and patients with minimal residual disease may benefit from adjuvant therapy with temsirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor.

Methods: The effects of 3 weekly doses of 25 mg of temsirolimus on Akt/mTOR pathway biomarkers were evaluated in tumor and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with HNSCC. Adverse events were assessed.

Multiple exciton dissociation in CdSe quantum dots by ultrafast electron transfer to adsorbed methylene blue.

Multiexciton generation in quantum dots (QDs) may provide a new approach for improving the solar-to-electric power conversion efficiency in QD-based solar cells. However, it remains unclear how to extract these excitons before the ultrafast exciton-exciton annihilation process. In this study we investigate multiexciton dissociation dynamics in CdSe QDs adsorbed with methylene blue (MB(+)) molecules by transient absorption spectroscopy.

[Involvement of hippocampal NMDA receptor and neuropeptide Y in depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress].

The present study was aimed to investigate the role and relationship between N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). CUMS-induced depression model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. Intrahippocampal injections of NMDA, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 and NPY-Y1 receptor antagonist GR231118 were respectively adopted by rat brain stereotaxic coordinates.

Suppressed blinking dynamics of single QDs on ITO.

The exciton quenching dynamics of single CdSe/CdS(3ML)ZnCdS(2ML)ZnS(2ML) core/multishell QDs adsorbed on glass, In2O3, and ITO have been compared. Single QDs on In2O3 show shorter fluorescence lifetimes and higher blinking frequencies than those on glass because of interfacial electron transfer from QDs to In2O3. Compared to glass and In2O3, single QDs on ITO show suppressed blinking activity as well as reduced fluorescence lifetimes.

Radiologic findings after successful chemoradiation for nasopharyngeal cancer with skull base erosion.

Nonoperative management is generally accepted as a treatment strategy for nasopharyngeal cancer characterized by destruction of the skull base. Chemoradiotherapy is considered the standard of care in these cases. We report a case in which imaging studies documented the successful treatment of the patient's locally extensive nasopharyngeal carcinoma with this nonsurgical approach.

Insights into photoinduced electron transfer between [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) and [S(2)O(8)](2-) in water: computational and experimental studies.

We examine the mechanism of electron transfer between [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) and [S(2)O(8)](2-) in aqueous solutions using time-dependent density functional and transition charge density model levels of theory. The calculations support the existence of a short-lived, optically bright S1 state that decays to lower-lying triplet states T1 and T2. The T1 state leads to the charge transfer products, that is, [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+) + SO(4)(-*) + SO(4)(2-).

Discordant assessment of lupus activity between patients and their physicians: the Singapore experience.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus often assess their disease activity differently from their physicians. We studied the factors associated with this discordance. The data provided by 534 systemic lupus erythematosus patients were analyzed.

Homogeneous light-driven water oxidation catalyzed by a tetraruthenium complex with all inorganic ligands.

A totally homogeneous, molecular, visible-light-driven water oxidation system is reported. The three system components are (i) a water oxidation catalyst, 1 (a Ru(IV)(4)O(4) cluster stabilized by oxidatively resistant [SiW(10)O(32)](8-) ligands); (ii) a photosensitizer, [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+); and (iii) a sacrificial electron acceptor, S(2)O(8)(2-). Dioxygen is formed rapidly with an initial turnover frequency of approximately 8 x 10(-2) s(-1) and an estimated quantum yield (defined as the number of O(2) molecules formed per two photons absorbed) of approximately 9%.

Electron transfer dynamics from single CdSe/ZnS quantum dots to TiO2 nanoparticles.

Electron-transfer dynamics from single CdSe/ZnS (core/shell) QDs to TiO(2) nanoparticles were studied. Single QDs on TiO(2) showed pronounced and correlated fluctuations of fluorescence intensity and lifetime. Compared to QDs on glass, the presence of the interparticle ET pathway on TiO(2) led to smaller on-state and larger off-state probability densities, as well as a shortened lifetime of the on-state.

Enhanced expression of interferon-inducible protein-10 correlates with disease activity and clinical manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Our objective was to investigate the serum levels of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their correlation with disease activity and organ manifestations. Serum IP-10 levels were assessed in 464 SLE patients and 50 healthy donors. Disease activity was assessed by the revised SLE Activity Measure, and the concomitant active organ manifestations, anti-ds DNA antibody titres, complement levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rates recorded.

Patterns of smoking among adolescents in Malaysia and Thailand: findings from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia survey.

At present, 70% of the world's 1.1 billion smokers are in developing countries, with over 50% in Asia alone. The current study examined patterns of youth smoking in Thailand and Malaysia.

[Effect and mechnaisim of GLU and GABA in OFC on gastric motility].

Aim: To Investigate the effect of glutamate (Glu) and gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) in orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) on regulation of gastric motility.

Methods: Using microinjection in OFC,together with lesion of related nucleus,and recording the intragastric pressure(IGP).

Results: (1) Microinjection of Glu in OFC caused a significant reduce of the amplitude of gastric motility, this effect could be reverse by lesion of amygdala, while lesion of LC had no influence on the effect of Glu.

Intermittent electron transfer activity from single CdSe/ZnS quantum dots.

Electron transfer activity from excited single CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) to adsorbed Fluorescein 27 was studied by single QD fluorescence spectroscopy. In comparison with QDs, the QD-acceptor complexes showed a shorter average and broader distribution of QD emission lifetimes due to electron transfer to adsorbates. Large fluctuation of lifetimes in single QD/dye complexes was observed, indicating intermittent electron transfer activity from QDs.

Fisetin, morin and myricetin attenuate CD36 expression and oxLDL uptake in U937-derived macrophages.

Dietary flavonoid intake has been reported to be inversely associated with the incidence of coronary artery disease. To clarify the possible role of flavonoids in the prevention of atherosclerosis, we investigated the effects of some of these compounds, including fisetin, morin and myricetin, on the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidative modification and on oxLDL uptake in macrophages. The results demonstrated that fisetin had stronger inhibitory activity than the other two on inhibiting Cu(2+)-mediated LDL oxidation measured by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances assay (TBARS), conjugated diene formation and electrophoretic mobility.

The perichondrial cutaneous graft: a facial reconstructive option for the ages (ages 1 week to 94 years).

Objectives/hypothesis: The perichondrial cutaneous graft (PCCG) possesses unique characteristics that make them a propitious reconstructive option in facial plastic surgery. The PCCG is easily harvested from the conchal bowl. Notable characteristics are that it does not contract, unexcelled color match for resurfacing facial skin, and minimal donor site morbidity.

Photoinduced ultrafast electron transfer from CdSe quantum dots to Re-bipyridyl complexes.

Ultrafast dissociation of excitons in CdSe quantum dots via electron transfer to adsorbed Re-bipyridyl complexes was demonstrated. The dissociation pathway was determined by the observation of reduced adsorbate using femtosecond IR spectroscopy. The rate of electron transfer was shown to increase at smaller QD sizes.

Iron source preference and regulation of iron uptake in Cryptococcus neoformans.

The level of available iron in the mammalian host is extremely low, and pathogenic microbes must compete with host proteins such as transferrin for iron. Iron regulation of gene expression, including genes encoding iron uptake functions and virulence factors, is critical for the pathogenesis of the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. In this study, we characterized the roles of the CFT1 and CFT2 genes that encode C.

Oral administration of submerged cultivated Grifola frondosa enhances phagocytic activity in normal mice.

Grifola frondosa fruiting body (Maitake) has been used as a dietary supplement due to its antitumour and immunomodulatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of orally administered submerged cultivated G. frondosa mixture, including both mycelium and culture broth, in a healthy murine model.

Vascular anatomy of anterolateral thigh flap.

Objectives: To understand the vascular anatomy of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap. To anatomically determine whether including a 2-cm cuff of vastus lateralis muscle (VLM) incorporates musculocutaneous perforators in the harvest of the ALT free flap.

Study Design: Anatomic study on human cadavers.