Prevalence of Nocardia species among HIV-positive patients with suspected tuberculosis.

The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of nocardiosis in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals clinically suspected of having tuberculosis (TB). The study population (n = 171) were those who attended chest hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan, between January and March 2010. The patients suffered from pulmonary infections with positive acid-fast bacilli.

Analysis of interleukin-18 promoter polymorphisms and changes in interleukin-18 serum levels underscores the involvement of interleukin-18 in recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.

Objective: To evaluate the association of interleukin-18 (IL-18) promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1946519 (-656C/A), rs187238 (-137G/C), rs360718 (-119A/C), and rs360717 (-105G/A) and changes in IL-18 serum levels with recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM).

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Outpatient obstetrics and gynecology clinics.

A discrete event system specification (DEVS)-based model of consanguinity.

Consanguinity or inter-cousin marriage is a phenomenon quite prevalent in certain regions around the globe. Consanguineous parents have a higher risk of having offspring with congenital disorders. It is difficult to model large scale consanguineous parental populations because of disparate cultural issues unique to regions and cultures across the globe.

Anti-annexin V IgM and IgG autoantibodies and the risk of idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.

Anti-annexin V antibodies have been identified as risk factors for recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM) in some, but not all previous studies. We investigated the association between anti-annexin IgM and IgG in RSM cases and control women. Blood samples from 244 women with idiopathic RSM, and 283 multi-parous control women were tested for anti-annexin V antibodies by ELISA.

Effect of the functional VEGFA-583C/T variant on vascular endothelial growth factor levels and the risk of recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.

The association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -583C/T variant with recurrent miscarriage (RSM) was investigated in 173 RSM cases and 248 control women. Increased minor allele and genotype frequencies of -583C/T, and reduced serum VEGF concentrations were associated with increased risk of RSM.

Characterization of human umbilical cord lining-derived epithelial cells and transplantation potential.

In this study we describe the derivation and immunological characterization of a primary epithelial cell type from the human umbilical cord membrane. These cord lining epithelial cells (CLECs) expressed and/or secreted isoforms of the nonclassical human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-1b) glycoproteins, HLA-G and E. Conditioned media from CLECs inhibited mitogen-stimulated T-lymphocyte responses, and in a mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) assay, cocultured CLECs inhibited allogeneic responses with a concomitant reduction in proinflammatory cytokines.

Test of treatment in psychiatric practice.

Due to lack of laboratorial investigations in psychiatric practice, tests of treatment are often used to aid diagnosis. This article provides examples of test of treatment in psychiatric practice and outlines their limitations.

Erosive esophagitis after bariatric surgery: banded vertical gastrectomy versus banded Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Background: Obesity is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most performed bariatric procedure in the world, whereas sleeve gastrectomy is an emerging procedure. Both can be combined with the use of a Silastic® ring.

Reciprocal cross-packaging of primate lentiviral (HIV-1 and SIV) RNAs by heterologous non-lentiviral MPMV proteins.

Retroviral RNA packaging signal (ψ) allows the preferential packaging of genomic RNA into virus particles through its interaction with the nucleocapsid protein. The specificity of this interaction came into question when it was shown that primate retroviruses, such as HIV-1, could cross-package RNA from its simian cousin, SIV, and vice versa and that feline retrovirus, FIV could cross-package RNA from a distantly related primate retrovirus, MPMV. To study the generality of this phenomenon further, we determined whether there is a greater packaging restriction between the lentiviral class of retroviruses (HIV-1 and SIV) and a non-lentivirus, MPMV.

Optimal packaging of FIV genomic RNA depends upon a conserved long-range interaction and a palindromic sequence within gag.

The feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that is related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), causing a similar pathology in cats. It is a potential small animal model for AIDS and the FIV-based vectors are also being pursued for human gene therapy. Previous studies have mapped the FIV packaging signal (ψ) to two or more discontinuous regions within the 5' 511 nt of the genomic RNA and structural analyses have determined its secondary structure.

Characteristics of organosulphur compounds adsorption onto Jordanian zeolitic tuff from diesel fuel.

The removal of organosulphur compounds (ORS) from diesel fuel is an important aspect of Jordanian's effort to reduce air pollution. Currently, the total sulphur content in Jordanian diesel fuel is 12,000 ppmw (1.2%, wt/wt), but Jordanian government has recently introduced new restrictions that will reduce this level gradually to internationally acceptable levels.

Analysis of photochemically induced cotton bound residues of deltamethrin by an immunoassay technique.

A sensitive and selective indirect competitive ELISA was developed for the detection of deltamethrin bound residues on cotton texture. Cross-reactivity studies with the main deltamethrin photodegradation products showed high specificity of deltamethrin polyclonal antibody to the parent compound. No cross-reactivity was measured with deltamethrin photodegradtion products derived from the alcohol moiety (3-phenoxybenzaldhyde, phenoxybenzyl alcohol, cyanohydrin, and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid), and lesser amounts were observed with the acid moiety (deltamethric acid).

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphisms in women with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage.

We investigated the association of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) gene polymorphisms with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (RM). TNFalpha -1031T/C, -863C/A, -857C/T, -376G/A, -308G/A, -238G/A, and +488G/A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were investigated in 204 RM women and 248 age-matched parous women by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Significantly higher frequencies of -1031C and -376A alleles were seen in RM patients; significant differences were also noted in the distribution of -1031T/C, -376G/A, and -238G/A genotypes between case and control subjects.

STAT3 polymorphisms linked with idiopathic recurrent miscarriages.

Problem: We investigated the association of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)3 gene variants with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (RM).

Method Of Study: A case-control study involving 189 RM patients and 244 control women was carried out. STAT3 (rs1053004 and rs1023023) genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination/real-time PCR method.

Role of a heterologous retroviral transport element in the development of genetic complementation assay for mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) replication.

The mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) is a type B retrovirus that is unique from other retroviruses in having multiple "tissue specific" and "hormone inducible" promoters. This unique feature has lead to the increasing interest in studying the biology of MMTV replication with the ultimate goal of developing MMTV based vectors for potentially targeted human gene therapy. In this report, we describe, for the first time, the establishment of an in vivo genetic complementation assay to study various aspects of MMTV replication.

Unexpected intermediates and products in the C-F bond activation of tetrafluorobenzenes with a bis(triethylphosphine)nickel synthon: direct evidence of a rapid and reversible C-H bond activation by Ni(0).

The reaction of (PEt(3))(2)Ni(eta(2)-C(14)H(10)), a source of the reactive Ni(PEt(3))(2) moiety, with 1,2,4,5-F(4)C(6)H(2) yields a mixture of three C-F bond activation products that include the unexpected products (PEt(3))(2)NiF-2,3,5,6-F(4)C(6)H and (PEt(3))(2)NiF-2,3,5-F(3)C(6)H(2). Monitoring the reaction mixture via (19)F and (1)H NMR also reveals the presence of the C-H bond activation product, (PEt(3))(2)NiH-2,3,5,6-F(4)C(6)H which is produced in a rapid equilibrium reaction. This observation provides insight into the steps necessary to modify nickel complexes for selective C-F bond activation in a variety of polyfluorinated aromatic substrates, but also expands the potential of simple nickel compounds for C-H bond activation and functionalization reactions.

Maternal mortality in Bahrain 1987-2004: an audit of causes of avoidable death.

The aim of this report was to establish the national maternal mortality rate in Bahrain over the period 1987-2004, to identify preventable factors in maternal deaths and to make recommendations for safe motherhood. There were 60 maternal deaths out of 243 232 deliveries giving an average maternal mortality rate of 24.7 per 100 000 total births.

ERK1/2 activation is required for resveratrol-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Resveratrol (RSVL), a phytoalexin found in abundance in grapes and other grape-related products, has been shown to be antiproliferative and protective against various types of cancers, including breast cancer. However, the precise underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we show that treatment with RSVL induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in a highly invasive and metastatic breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

Honeybee venom secretory phospholipase A2 induces leukotriene production but not histamine release from human basophils.

The role of basophils in an anaphylactic response is well recognized but is usually masked by mast cells, which contain similar mediators for the induction of generalized vasodilatation and laryngeal constriction. The rapid onset of systemic anaphylactic symptoms, particularly in insect stings and ingested food, suggest that basophils, a circulating pool of cells containing histamine and other potent mediators such as leukotrienes, may be more involved in systemic anaphylaxis than originally thought. We wished to examine if secretory phospholipase A2, a systemic allergen found in honey bee venom (HBV-sPLA2) may activate basophils directly leading to rapid systemic mediator release.

Low dietary calcium levels modulate mucosal caspase expression and increase disease activity in mice with dextran sulfate sodium induced colitis.

Dietary calcium (Ca) positively modulates the susceptibility to colon cancer, but its effects on related or earlier colonic pathologies, such as inflammation and mucosal dysregulation, are poorly understood. We tested the effects of differing dietary Ca levels on acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. BALB/c mice received a normal Ca (NCa) diet (0.

Acute myocardial infarction occurrence: environmental links - Baku 2003-2005 data.

Background: Despite substantial progress in modern preventive and clinical cardiology, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains a central acute cardiac event. The aim of this study was to check the basic daily environmental-physical conditions accompanying the occurrence of AMIs in a specific geographic area: Baku, Azerbaijan.

Material/methods: AMIs registered in the Baku area by 21 first-aid stations (n=4919) during 2003-2005 were compared with daily geomagnetic activity (GMA) levels (I(0)-IV(0)) and cosmic ray activity (CRA), described by neutron (imp/min) and solar activity.

Selective recognition of acetylated histones by bromodomains in transcriptional co-activators.

Bromodomains are present in many chromatin-associated proteins such as the SWI/SNF and RSC chromatin remodelling and the SAGA HAT (histone acetyltransferase) complexes, and can bind to acetylated lysine residues in the N-terminal tails of the histones. Lysine acetylation is a histone modification that forms a stable epigenetic mark on chromatin for bromodomain-containing proteins to dock and in turn regulate gene expression. In order to better understand how bromodomains read the 'histone code' and interact with acetylated histones, we have tested the interactions of several bromodomains within transcriptional co-activators with differentially acetylated histone tail peptides and HAT-acetylated histones.

Response surface methodology to obtain beta-estradiol biodegradable microspheres for long-term therapy of osteoporosis.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the main and interaction effects of formulation factors on the drug encapsulation efficiency of beta-estradiol biodegradable microspheres by applying response surface methodology. A secondary purpose was to obtain an optimized formula for long-term therapy of osteoporosis. A three factor, three level Box-Behnken experimental design was used to get 15 experimental runs.

Stimulation of human endothelium with IL-3 induces selective basophil accumulation in vitro.

Basophils have been shown to accumulate in allergic airways and other extravascular sites. Mechanisms responsible for the selective recruitment of basophils from the blood into tissue sites remain poorly characterized. In this study, we characterized human basophil rolling and adhesion on HUVECs under physiological shear flow conditions.