Assessment of Prevalence of Otitis Media with Effusion and Correlation Between Otoscopic Findings with Jerger's Diagnostic Tympanograms Among Pupils in Calabar Municipality.

Background: OME is an accumulation of serous or mucoid fluid in the middle ear cavity with an intact tympanic membrane and without any sign of acute infection.

Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of otitis media with effusion among preschool and school-age children aged 1-10 years in private and public schools in Calabar municipality and the correlations between otoscopic findings and Jerger's diagnostic criteria among study participants.

Methods: This school-based descriptive cross-sectional study used a multistage sampling technique to recruit participants.

Risk Factors for Otitis Media with Effusion in Preschool and School Children in Calabar Municipality.

Background: Predisposing factors for otitis media with effusion are multifactorial, ranging from genetic and anatomical abnormalities to environmental factors and inflammation of the nose and adjacent structures.

Aim: The study determined the risk factors for otitis media with effusion (OME) among children in Calabar Municipality.

Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, community-based study including children aged 1-10 years randomly selected from government and privately owned daycares, nurseries (preschool), and primary schools.

Type IV pili facilitated natural competence in Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Objectives: Many bacterial species naturally take up DNA from their surroundings and recombine it into their chromosome through homologous gene transfer (HGT) to aid in survival and gain advantageous functions. Herein we present the first characterization of Type IV pili facilitated natural competence in Fusobacterium nucleatum, which is a Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium that participates in a range of infections and diseases including periodontitis, preterm birth, and cancer.

Methods: Here we used bioinformatics on multiple Fusobacterium species, as well as molecular genetics to characterize natural competence in strain F.

Enhanced Fusobacterium nucleatum Genetics Using Host DNA Methyltransferases To Bypass Restriction-Modification Systems.

Bacterial restriction-modification (R-M) systems are a first-line immune defense against foreign DNA from viruses and other bacteria. While R-M systems are critical in maintaining genome integrity, R-M nucleases unfortunately present significant barriers to targeted genetic modification. Bacteria of the genus are oral, Gram-negative, anaerobic, opportunistic pathogens that are implicated in the progression and severity of multiple cancers and tissue infections, yet our understanding of their direct roles in disease have been severely hindered by their genetic recalcitrance.

induces proliferation and migration in pancreatic cancer cells through host autocrine and paracrine signaling.

The tumor microbiome is increasingly implicated in cancer progression and resistance to chemotherapy. In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), high intratumoral loads of correlate with shorter survival in patients. Here, we investigated the potential mechanisms underlying this association.

Serine 13 of the human cytomegalovirus viral cyclin-dependent kinase UL97 is required for regulatory protein 14-3-3 binding and UL97 stability.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL97 protein is a conserved herpesvirus protein kinase (CHPK) and a viral cyclin-dependent kinase (v-CDK). However, mechanisms regulating its activity in the context of infection are unknown. Here, we identified several cellular regulatory 14-3-3 proteins as UL97-interacting partners that promote UL97 stability.

CbpF Mediates Inhibition of T Cell Function Through CEACAM1 Activation.

is an anaerobic bacterium that is associated with several tumor entities and promotes tumorigenesis. Recent evidence suggests that binds the inhibitory receptor carcinoembryonic antigen cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) the trimeric autotransporter adhesin CbpF. However, whether this binding is functional or whether other fusobacterial trimeric autotransporter adhesins are involved in CEACAM1 activation is unknown.

host-cell binding and invasion induces IL-8 and CXCL1 secretion that drives colorectal cancer cell migration.

is implicated in accelerating colorectal cancer (CRC) and is found within metastatic CRC cells in patient biopsies. Here, we found that bacterial invasion of CRC cells and cocultured immune cells induced a differential cytokine secretion that may contribute to CRC metastasis. We used a modified galactose kinase markerless gene deletion approach and found that invaded cultured HCT116 CRC cells through the bacterial surface adhesin Fap2.

Utilizing Whole Genomes To Identify, Correct, and Characterize Potential Virulence Protein Families.

spp. are Gram-negative, anaerobic, opportunistic pathogens involved in multiple diseases, including a link between the oral pathogen and the progression and severity of colorectal cancer. The identification and characterization of virulence factors in the genus has been greatly hindered by a lack of properly assembled and annotated genomes.

Complete Genome Sequence of Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp. ATCC 25286.

Fusobacterium necrophorum is a pathogenic Gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium. In this study, we present the first complete genome sequence of Fusobacterium necrophorum subsp. necrophorum ATCC 25286.

FusoPortal: an Interactive Repository of Hybrid MinION-Sequenced Genomes Improves Gene Identification and Characterization.

Here we present FusoPortal, an interactive repository of genomes that were sequenced using a hybrid MinION long-read sequencing pipeline, followed by assembly and annotation using a diverse portfolio of predominantly open-source software. Significant efforts were made to provide genomic and bioinformatic data as downloadable files, including raw sequencing reads, genome maps, gene annotations, protein functional analysis and classifications, and a custom BLAST server for FusoPortal genomes. FusoPortal has been initiated with eight complete genomes, of which seven were previously only drafts that ranged from 24 to 67 contigs.

Screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in marine organisms from the Caribbean Sea.

The acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of 89 organic extracts from marine organisms was evaluated through a TLC bioautography methodology. Extracts from soft corals ( and ) were the most active compared with extracts from sponges. The bioguided chemical study of the most active extract, obtained from , led to the isolation of a diterpene with spectroscopic properties consistent to those published to the cembrane Steylolide.

Analysis of Extreme Phenotype Bulk Copy Number Variation (XP-CNV) Identified the Association of with Resistance to Goss's Wilt of Maize.

Goss's wilt (GW) of maize is caused by the Gram-positive bacterium subsp. (Cmn) and has spread in recent years throughout the Great Plains, posing a threat to production. The genetic basis of plant resistance is unknown.

Direct Substrate Identification with an Analog Sensitive (AS) Viral Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (v-Cdk).

Viral cyclin-dependent kinases (v-Cdks) functionally emulate their cellular Cdk counterparts. Such viral mimicry is an established phenomenon that we extend here through chemical genetics. Kinases contain gatekeeper residues that limit the size of molecules that can be accommodated within the enzyme active site.

Human cytomegalovirus-encoded viral cyclin-dependent kinase (v-CDK) UL97 phosphorylates and inactivates the retinoblastoma protein-related p107 and p130 proteins.

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded viral cyclin-dependent kinase (v-CDK) UL97 phosphorylates the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor. Here, we identify the other Rb family members p107 and p130 as novel targets of UL97. UL97 phosphorylates p107 and p130 thereby inhibiting their ability to repress the E2F-responsive E2F1 promoter.

Paucity of HPV-Related Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) in Nigeria.

Introduction: The burden of HPV-related Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) has been rising in the U.S. and other developed countries but this trend has not been reported in Africa.

Cervical necrotizing fasciitis: management challenges in poor resource environment.

Necrotizing fasciitis of the head and neck is a rare and potentially fatal disease. It is a bacterial infection characterized by spreading along fascia planes and subcutaneous tissue resulting in tissue necrosis and likely death. It is commonly of dental or pharyngeal origin.

Are significant numbers of abnormal cells lost on the discarded ThinPrep® broom when used for cervical cytology?

Unlabelled: Are significant numbers of abnormal cells lost on the discarded ThinPrep® broom when used for cervical cytology?

Background:   In view of a study with SurePath® showing that cells were lost on the broom if it was discarded, we decided to investigate whether cells were lost on the ThinPrep® (TP) broom, which is discarded according to the manufacturer's protocol.

Aim:   To determine whether significant amounts of cellular material are lost on the discarded TP broom, and whether the loss is operator dependent.

Methods:   Three hundred and six women attending the Guy's Hospital Colposcopy Unit gave their consent for TP liquid-based cytology samples to be taken and the broom immersed in a second vial instead of being discarded.

[Insulin-like growth factor receptor I signaling in a breast cancer cell line].

Introduction: In vitro studies strongly suggest that proliferation, migration and cell survival of breast cancer cell lines are significantly affected by activation of the IGF type 1 receptor (IGF-IR).

Objective: The phosphorylation by IGF-I of IGF-IR and the intracellular signaling molecules Akt (PI-3K pathway) and Erk1/2 (MAPK pathway) was characterized in a human breast cancer cell lines.

Materials And Methods: The study compared a standard breast adenocarcinoma line (MCF-7) cell line with a line (CSC 1595) derived from an infiltrating ductal breast cancer in a Colombian patient.

Kaposi sarcoma in calabar, southern Nigeria.

Objectives: There has been an increase in the prevalence of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) with the emergence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Methods: Patients with histologic diagnosis of KS seen in the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar between January 2007 and December 2008 were studied. Diagnosis of HIV was based on enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

[Pumpless extracorporeal pulmonary care: an alternative in the treatment of persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome].

A 34-year old woman who developed persistent and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome with underlying myelomonocytic leukemia (M4FAB) is described. After ruling out the most common causes of pulmonary infiltration in this type of patient and one week of broad spectrum antibiotics and steroids therapy, we proposed leukemic pulmonary infiltration as etiological diagnosis. Despite using a protective ventilatory strategy, recruitment maneuvers, prone position and high frequency oscillatory ventilation, her gas exchange became worse.