LABiocin database: A new database designed specifically for Lactic Acid Bacteria bacteriocins.

Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are successfully applied as natural alternatives to food preservation and to antibiotics; however, information on these antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is scattered through the literature and databases. Therefore, we developed the LABiocin database, a specialized database on LAB bacteriocins. The database was stored and compiled using MySQL with NetBeans IDE as the platform.

ARCPHdb: A comprehensive protein database for SF1 and SF2 helicase from archaea.

Purpose: Superfamily 1 and Superfamily 2 helicases, two of the largest helicase protein families, play vital roles in many biological processes including replication, transcription and translation. Study of helicase proteins in the model microorganisms of archaea have largely contributed to the understanding of their function, architecture and assembly. Based on a large phylogenomics approach, we have identified and classified all SF1 and SF2 protein families in ninety five sequenced archaea genomes.

Calcitonin mRNA is produced in liver by two different splicing pathways.

Calcitonin, the hypocalcemic hypophosphatemic hormone is produced in the thyroid by the C-cells. We recently detected the presence of calcitonin and its messenger in hepatic tissue in vivo and in vitro. The calcitonin precursor is composed of the N-terminal peptide, calcitonin and a carboxyterminal peptide.

Cloning and sequencing of a new 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase related mRNA.

NAD+-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (type-I 15-PGDH) inactivates prostaglandins. We recently reported an mRNA sequence coding for a predicted isomer (PGDH(rI)) of this enzyme. The TT cell line, derived from medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), expresses mRNAs for both isomers.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase in human neonatal monocytes.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] induces the differentiation of monocytes into macrophage-like cells in vitro. To identify the genes expressed during this process, we performed differential display polymerase chain reaction on RNA extracted from cord blood monocytes (CBMs) treated with 1,25-(OH)2D3. Treated CBMs expressed type-I 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (type-I 15-PGDH), the key enzyme of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) catabolism and a 15-PGDH-related mRNA (15-PGDHr).

Retinoic acid abolishes the calcitonin gene-related peptide autocrine system in F9 teratocarcinoma cells.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), expressed predominantly in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells, is both a potent chemotactic agent and an autocrine growth factor for these cells. We analyzed the effect of retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of F9 cells into primitive parietal endoderm-like cells, on CGRP production and the CGRP responsiveness of these cells. Poly(A) RNA extracted from F9 cells and analysed by Northern blotting and hybridization with a CGRP probe showed a specific band of about 1200 bases corresponding to mature CGRP mRNA.

Identification of a new calcitonin gene in the salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.

Three isoforms of calcitonin (CT) exist in salmonids. Isohormones I and II are expressed in the pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha. We report here the existence in this species of a CT gene and of its transcripts, which encode for a fourth isohormone, the salmon CT (sCT) IV.

Expression of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor in a murine C cell line: regulation of calcitonin gene by glucagon-like peptide 1.

We have characterized, by RT-PCR amplification using specific primers, the presence of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-I) receptor mRNA in CA-77 cells, a C cell line derived from a rat medullary thyroid carcinoma. Down-regulation of the GLP-1 receptor mRNA was observed after exposure of CA-77 C cells with GLP-1 (7-37). Increased secretion of both calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and calcitonin (CT) occurred after treatment with GLP-1 (7-37) associated with elevated steady-state levels of CGRP and CT mRNA.

Color and pulsed Doppler sonography, gray-scale imaging, and serum CA 125 in the assessment of adnexal disease.

Objective: To compare color and pulsed Doppler sonography with gray-scale ultrasound imaging and serum CA 125 levels in establishing accurate preoperative diagnoses of adnexal masses.

Methods: Medical records of 109 patients referred with preexisting adnexal lesions were reviewed retrospectively by comparing preoperative ultrasonic data (gray-scale imaging and color and pulsed Doppler findings) with serum CA 125 levels.

Results: Eighty-three masses were removed surgically, confirming seven malignancies and 76 benign tumors, and 26 masses were followed; 15 regressed and 11 persisted.

Placental abruption in association with advanced abdominal pregnancy. A case report.

Background: Recognition of advanced abdominal pregnancy and care of the patient afflicted with it may present formidable challenges. Aside from the difficulty of diagnosing the problem and thereby delaying necessary intervention, management can be difficult at best, even when the condition is relatively uncomplicated. When it is compounded by a life-threatening complication, such as uncontrollable hemorrhage, it challenges the skills of the most experienced obstetrician and the resources of the best-equipped facility and its personnel.

Sequence of a novel mRNA coding for a C-terminal-truncated form of human NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase.

We amplified, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and NAD(+)-dependent 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (type-I 15-PGDH)-specific primers, RNA extracted from the HL-60 cell line. Two bands, differing in size by approx. 160 bp, were detected with ethidium bromide staining after electrophoresis of amplification products and hybridization with a 15-PGDH-specific probe.

Modulation of interleukin-1 receptor expression by transforming growth factor-beta in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes: analysis by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

Interleukin-1 receptor type I (IL-1RI) expression in cultured rabbit articular chondrocytes (RAC) was studied by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A cDNA probe specific for the rabbit IL-1RI gene was constructed using primers derived from the sequence data of the human, murine and chick receptors. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta-1) was shown to transiently increase the level of expected 900-bp PCR product at 1 h of incubation and decrease the expression at 48 and 72 h with no effect at 24 h.

Transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler sonography of the endometrium: a possible role in reducing the number of dilatation and curettage procedures.

The objectives of the study were to establish color and pulsed Doppler sonographic characteristics of uterine vascularity in postmenopausal patients with pathologic endometrium in order to reduce the number of unnecessary diagnostic dilatation and curettage procedures. The prospective study involved 42 postmenopausal patients who were examined, prior to dilatation and curettage operation, with transvaginal color and pulsed Doppler sonography. Twenty patients had symptoms such as vaginal bleeding or clinically enlarged uterus and 22 postmenopausal women, from our screening group, were asymptomatic.

c-fos protooncogene is involved in the mitogenic effect of transforming growth factor-beta in osteoblastic cells.

We investigated the contribution of c-fos protooncogene in the mitogenic effect of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) in serum-deprived, confluent rat calvaria osteoblastic cells. The TGF beta-induced growth in these cells was associated with an immediate and transient c-fos mRNA accumulation, similar to the inductive effect of fetal calf serum. To assess the role of c-fos in the response to TGF beta, we used a c-fos antisense (AS) oligonucleotide displaying duplex formation with rat c-fos mRNA.

Temporal variation of c-Fos proto-oncogene expression during osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis in developing rat bone.

To delineate the implication of c-fos protooncogenic in the osteogenie process, we have investigated the temporal pattern of c-fos mRNA expression in fetal and neonatal rat bone during intramembranous and endochondral bone formation. Northern blot analysis of mRNA extracted from calvaria and femur showed that expression of c-fos, Histone H4, and osteocalcin mRNAs followed a temporal sequence during bone development. The levels of histone H4 mRNA, a marker of cell proliferation, were high at early stages of fetal development of calvaria and femur, and decreased until birth.

Calcitonin secretion, C cell differentiation and proliferation during the spontaneous development of murine medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a C cell neoplasm, synthesizes large amounts of calcitonin (CT), its biological marker. However, in some cases with a poor prognosis, MTC is associated with low basal CT levels owing to a decrease in the thyroid CT content. Using a murine model of human MTC, we studied the relationships between CT biosynthesis, C cell proliferation, and the circulating CT level during MTC progression.

Production of salmon calcitonin I in Oncorhynchus gorbuscha by alternative polyadenylation of two RNA species.

RNAs of ultimobranchial bodies (U.B.) from the pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, were studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific oligodeoxyribonucleotides (oligos) of the salmon calcitonin (sCT) mRNA selected in exon 2 or 3 and a poly(T) oligo.

Evaluation of somatostatin biosynthesis, somatostatin receptors and tumor growth in murine medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Spontaneous medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) of old rat thyroids were analyzed for the expression of somatostatin and somatostatin binding sites in tumoral C cells in relation to the stage of tumor development, the mitotic activity of tumoral tissue and calcitonin biosynthesis as a marker of C cell differentiation. High levels of both immunoreactive somatostatin and its mRNA were detected in a subpopulation of tumoral C cells, gathered in areas suggesting a clonal proliferation and located preferentially at the periphery of the tumor. These cells also displayed high levels of calcitonin and its mRNA.

CGRP is expressed in primary cultures of human hepatocytes and in normal liver.

We recently reported that human liver and primary cultures of hepatocytes express calcitonin. We therefore studied the expression of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), the alternative splicing product of the calcitonin gene, in hepatocytes and liver. We used polymerase chain reaction amplification with specific primers to detect the presence of CGRP I and II messengers and a specific radioimmunoassay to measure the peptide.

The calcitonin gene is expressed in salmon gills.

Calcitonin is an important physiological regulator of salmon gills. Although the calcitonin receptor was found in salmon gills, the critical question concerning the source of the hormone remained unanswered. In this communication, evidence is presented for expression of calcitonin mRNA and its encoded peptide in gills of the pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha.

An isoform of the human calcitonin receptor is expressed in TT cells and in medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.

We amplified, using the polymerase chain reaction and calcitonin receptor (CTR) specific primers, RNA extracted from medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and the derived TT cell line. Both secrete large amounts of calcitonin. Electrophoresis of amplification products revealed, in both cases, an ethidium bromide-stained band that hybridized to a CTR probe.

Heterogeneity of circulating calcitonin levels: relations with calcitonin biosynthesis in medullary thyroid carcinomas.

Calcitonin (CT), a hypocalcemic and hypophosphatemic hormone, is produced by the C-cells of the thyroid gland. It is the main tumoral marker of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Hypersecretion of CT is also associated with other types of tumors.

Albumin messenger RNA as a marker of circulating hepatocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most frequent malignancies. Liver transplantation is theoretically the treatment of choice because it eliminates both the hepatocellular carcinoma and the cirrhosis. High frequency of relapse observed after liver transplantation may be explained by the existence of undetectable metastasis before transplantation.

Calcitonin gene expression in normal human liver.

Immunoreactive calcitonin (CT) is present in liver. This could represent hormone synthesized by liver cells, degraded or bound to specific receptors reported in this organ. We report here that the calcitonin gene is expressed in liver.