Epigenetics for the 21st-Century Biology Student.

Epigenetics, a rapidly emerging biological science, investigates changes in gene expression without any change to the primary DNA sequence. Epigenetics plays an important role in diverse areas, including nutritional sciences, psychology, and environmental sciences. In addition, epigenetic phenomena are closely implicated in various diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders.

Comment on Metabolomics for a Millenniums-Old Crop: Tea Plant ().

Metabolomics is the study of metabolite profiles at the system level. Since its introduction in the early 2000s, metabolomics has greatly contributed to the understanding of the distribution of metabolites in organisms under various physiological conditions. In this comment, we show our research on the temporal development of metabolomics in general and in agricultural, food, and nutritional sciences.

Macromolecular crystallography beamline X25 at the NSLS.

Beamline X25 at the NSLS is one of the five beamlines dedicated to macromolecular crystallography operated by the Brookhaven National Laboratory Macromolecular Crystallography Research Resource group. This mini-gap insertion-device beamline has seen constant upgrades for the last seven years in order to achieve mini-beam capability down to 20 µm × 20 µm. All major components beginning with the radiation source, and continuing along the beamline and its experimental hutch, have changed to produce a state-of-the-art facility for the scientific community.

Evaluation of mass spectrometry of urinary proteins and peptides as biomarkers for cats at risk of developing azotemia.

Objective: To evaluate proteomic delineation of feline urine by mass spectrometry as a method for identifying biomarkers in cats at risk of developing azotemia.

Samples: Urine samples from geriatric cats (> 9 years old) with chronic kidney disease and nonazotemic cats that either remained nonazotemic (n = 10) or developed azotemia (10) within 1 year.

Procedures: Optimization studies with pooled urine were performed to facilitate the use of surface enhanced laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) for analysis of the urinary proteome of cats.

Clostridium difficile-associated disease acquired in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence, severity, and outcome associated with Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) acquired while in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (CTICU).

Design: A 5-year retrospective study.

Setting: The CTICU.

Proteomic approaches in the search for biomarkers of liver fibrosis.

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) can cause progressive hepatic fibrosis culminating in cirrhosis. Fibrosis staging requires liver biopsy, which is invasive, expensive and frequently poorly tolerated by patients. Serum-based panels of fibrosis biomarkers have been developed as alternatives to biopsy.

A study of muscle tissue oxygenation and peripheral microcirculatory dysfunction in cirrhosis using near infrared spectroscopy.

Background: The circulatory dysfunction associated with cirrhosis is well described. Reduced systemic vascular resistance and high cardiac output are the main features of the hyperdynamic state, but involvement of the peripheral microcirculation in this process is poorly understood. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to assess muscle tissue oxygenation (StO(2)) in haemorrhagic and septic shock.

Chronic liver disease--an increasing problem: a study of hospital admission and mortality rates in England, 1979-2005, with particular reference to alcoholic liver disease.

Aims: To determine time trends in hospital admissions for chronic liver disease in England between 1989/1990 and 2002/2003, mortality rates in England and Wales between 1979 and 2005, and the influence of alcohol-related disease on these trends.

Methods: Hospital episode statistics for admissions in England were obtained from the Information Center for Health and Social Care and mortality data for England and Wales from the Office for National Statistics.

Results: Hospital admission rates for chronic liver disease increased by 71% in males and 43% in females over the study period.

Proteomics: advances in biomarker discovery.

The challenges encountered by proteomic researchers seeking diagnostic, prognostic and mechanistic markers were the subject of the 1-day meeting, Proteomics: Advances in Biomarker Discovery hosted by EuroSciCon. The speakers had a broad range of clinical and basic science interests, and presented data using a number of proteomic platforms to search for discriminant biomarkers of disease in easily accessible bodily fluids including serum and urine. Several potential pitfalls for proteomic researchers were mentioned and the potential of collaborative networks between research institutions to increase the size and power of clinical studies was discussed.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in intravenous drug users.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among intravenous drug users, and because of the long latent period, HCV liver disease is set to increase.

Objectives: We sought to examine practice guidelines regarding treatment of HCV in drug users and to review the evidence for current practices.

Methods: A structured search of the Pubmed database, websites of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence and national and international expert groups and opinion of independent experts in the field.