Targeted transcriptional downregulation of MYC using epigenomic controllers demonstrates antitumor activity in hepatocellular carcinoma models.

Dysregulation of master regulator c-MYC (MYC) plays a central role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other cancers but remains an elusive target for therapeutic intervention. MYC expression is epigenetically modulated within naturally occurring DNA loop structures, Insulated Genomic Domains (IGDs). We present a therapeutic approach using an epigenomic controller (EC), a programmable epigenomic mRNA medicine, to precisely modify MYC IGD sub-elements, leading to methylation of MYC regulatory elements and durable downregulation of MYC mRNA transcription.

Incidence of invasive infections with Group B streptococcus in adults in Norway 1996-2019: a nationwide registry-based case-control study.

Purpose: Group B streptococcus (GBS) colonizes the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosa in healthy adults, but has also become an increasing cause of invasive infection. The aims of this study were to describe the incidence and factors associated with the occurrence of invasive GBS disease in adults in Norway.

Methods: We performed a nationwide retrospective case-control study of invasive GBS infections during 1996-2019, with two control groups; invasive Group A streptococcal disease (GAS) to control for changes in surveillance and diagnostics, and a second representing the general population.

The Streptococcus agalactiae R3 surface protein is encoded by sar5.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococcus; GBS) is an important human pathogen causing pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis in neonates, as well as infections in pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. For the future control of GBS-inflicted disease, GBS surface exposed proteins are particularly relevant as they may act as antigens for vaccine development and/or as serosubtype markers in epidemiological settings. Even so, the genes encoding some of the surface proteins established as serosubtype markers by antibody-based methods, like the R3 surface protein, are still unknown.

Long-Term Oncological and Functional Outcomes After Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy for Clinically Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: To evaluate long-term oncological and renal function outcomes in patients treated with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients And Methods: Patients undergoing RAPN for clinically localized RCC between January 2014 and December 2019 at a tertiary robotic reference center were evaluated. Clinical course, pathologic characteristics, and long-term outcomes were obtained from our institutional review board-approved RCC database.

Molecular characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae strains deficient in alpha-like protein encoding genes.

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci, GBS) are important human and animal pathogens, which can be subdivided based on different capsular polysaccharides and surface-anchored alpha-like proteins (Alps), as well as other proteins. Nearly all GBS strains possess an Alp (Alp GBS), although Alp-negative GBS (non-Alp GBS) do occur. In this study, 10 (1.