Domain structure and protein interactions of the silent information regulator Sir3 revealed by screening a nested deletion library of protein fragments.

Transcriptional silencing in yeast is mediated by the interactions of silent information regulator (Sir) proteins with chromatin and with one another. The stable association of Sir3 with Sir4 is mediated by a C-terminal region of Sir3 that has additional functions including the dimerization of Sir3. We have developed a simple, robust expression screening methodology that allows for the unbiased identification of functional protein domains expressed from nested-deletion libraries of full-length genes.

Glass transition of glycerol in the volume-temperature plane.

We assess the relative importance of spatial congestion and lowered temperature in the slowing dynamics of supercooled glycerol near the glass transition. We independently vary both volume V and temperature T by applying high pressure and monitor the dynamics by measuring the dielectric susceptibility. Our results demonstrate that both variables are control variables of comparable importance.

Histochemical characteristics of soleus muscle in angiotensin-converting enzyme gene knockout mice.

We examined the histochemical characteristics of soleus muscle in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (Ace in mice, ACE in humans) knockout mice. Serial sections of soleus muscle of wild-type (Ace+/+, n=20) and heterozygous mutant (Ace+/-, n=24) mice were stained for myosin adenosine triphosphatase activity to identify different muscle fiber types. Capillaries were visualized by amylase-periodic acid-Schiff staining.

In vitro and in vivo studies on vitamin E TPGS-emulsified poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles for paclitaxel formulation.

This work shows a full spectrum of research on Vitamin E TPGS-emulsified Poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) for paclitaxel formulation to improve its therapeutic index and to reduce the adverse effects of adjuvant Cremophor EL in its current clinical formulation of Taxol. Paclitaxel-loaded PLGA NPs were prepared by a modified solvent extraction/evaporation technique with vitamin E TPGS as emulsifier. The formulated NPs were found in quite uniform size of approximately 240 nm diameter.

Effects of particle size and surface coating on cellular uptake of polymeric nanoparticles for oral delivery of anticancer drugs.

This study evaluated cellular uptake of polymeric nanoparticles by using Caco-2 cells, a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, as an in vitro model with the aim to apply nanoparticles of biodegradable polymers for oral chemotherapy. The feasibility was demonstrated by showing the localization and quantification of the cell uptake of fluorescent polystyrene nanoparticles of standard size and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or vitamin E TPGS. Coumarin-6 loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by a modified solvent extraction/evaporation method and characterized by laser light scattering for size and size distribution, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology, zeta-potential for surface charge, and spectrofluorometry for fluorescent molecule release from the nanoparticles.

Health Informatics and Health Information Management in Maternal and Child Health Services.

In November 1997, the South Western Sydney Area Health Service launched the Mother and Infant Network (MINET). The key objective of MINET is to develop an integrated clinical data network which has the capacity to inform and support a continuum of care for the population of all mothers, infants and children. The MINET data network integrates in-patient services, ambulatory services, and community-based services.

Electronic Health Record System Risk Assessment: A Case Study from the MINET.

This article discusses the risk assessment of a health information system. A case study was conducted at the South Western Sydney Area Health Service to examine the potential risks of the Maternal and Infant Network (MINET) health information system using Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA). FMEA was conducted by utilising safety attributes identified by the authors.

Nanoparticles of biodegradable polymers for clinical administration of paclitaxel.

Paclitaxel is one of the best antineoplastic drugs found from nature in the past decades, which has been found effective against a wide spectrum of cancers including ovarian cancer, breast cancer, small and non small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, head and neck cancer, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and Kaposi's sarcoma. Like many other anticancer drugs, it has difficulties in clinical administration due to its poor solubility in water and most pharmaceutical reagents. In its current clinical application, an adjuvant called Cremophor EL has to be employed, which has been found to be responsible for many serious side effects.

Genotype C of hepatitis B virus can be classified into at least two subgroups.

A genomic characterization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was done for 56 pre-S1/pre-S2 genes and 10 full-length HBV genotype C isolates from five Asian countries. Phylogenetic analysis of the pre-S1/pre-S2 genes revealed two major groups within genotype C: one for isolates from southeast Asia including Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand (named HBV/C1) and the other for isolates from Far East Asia including Japan, Korea and China (named HBV/C2). This finding was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length sequence of 32 HBV genotype C isolates, including 22 from database entries.

High prevalence of hepatitis B virus pre-s mutant in countries where it is endemic and its relationship with genotype and chronicity.

It has been reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutants carrying mutations in the pre-S region can be found in infected patients. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of the HBV variant with the pre-S mutant in different geographic regions, including countries with low and high levels of endemic HBV infection, and analyzed the correlation with clinical findings. We examined 387 HBV DNA-positive serum samples from individuals among 12 countries, consisting of Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Korea, Nepal, Japan, Russia, Spain, United States, Bolivia, and Ghana.

Biologically active alkylated coumarins from Kayea assamica.

Four coumarin derivatives, theraphins A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4), along with three known xanthones, 2-hydroxyxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, and 5-hydroxy-1-methoxyxanthone, were isolated from the bark of Kayea assamica (Clusiaceae) native to Myanmar. Their structures were determined using spectroscopic and chemical techniques. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by the modified Mosher ester method.

Release of paclitaxel from polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microparticles and discs under irradiation.

Paclitaxel is a promising anti-cancer drug as well as a radiosensitizer for chemotherapy and radiotherapy applications. Because of the poor solubility of paclitaxel in water and most pharmaceutical reagents, it is usually formulated with an adjuvant called Cremophor EL, which causes severe side effects. This work develops new dosage forms of paclitaxel for controlled release application, which do not require the adjuvant and, thus, can avoid its associated side effects.

Periodontal status of rural inhabitants in Prek Russey, Cambodia.

There is a paucity of information pertaining to oral disease patterns including periodontal disease in Cambodia, which is just emerging from a 20-year ruin. A house-to-house survey was conducted to assess the periodontal status of 1948 subjects aged 15-74 years in a rural commune in Cambodia using Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and measuring Attachment Loss (LA). The periodontal status of Cambodians increased with age as indicated by both CPI and LA.

Facilitating the WHO expanded program of immunization: the clinical profile of a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine.

Background: Vaccines are important weapons in the fight against infectious diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has been extended to include recommendations for hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccinations. The WHO has recommended that combined vaccines be used where possible, to reduce the logistic costs of vaccine delivery.

High-dose tamoxifen in the treatment of inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter randomized controlled trial.

In the Asia-Pacific region and elsewhere, almost 85% of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are inoperable at diagnosis and have a dismal prognosis. Tamoxifen (TMX) is believed to inhibit HCC positive for estrogen receptor (ER), but most HCCs are ER negative. Results of previous phase 3 trials in inoperable HCC have been conflicting and inconclusive.

Hydrolysis of terbufos using simulated environmental conditions: rates, mechanisms, and product analysis.

This study focuses on the hydrolysis of terbufos, an organophosphorus pesticide. Combining GC-MS and wet chemistry methods, di-tert-butyl disulfide and formaldehyde were identified and quantified as major degradation products. Diethyl dithiophosphate was also indirectly identified as a degradation product under alkaline conditions.

IgE deposition in brain microvessels and on parasitized erythrocytes from cerebral malaria patients.

Postmortem brain tissues of 21 cerebral malaria cases were obtained in Myanmar and Vietnam. The tissues were examined by light microscopy and by an immunohistochemical method. Brain microvessels (capillaries and venules) were examined for the presence of immunoglobulins IgE and IgG, Plasmodium falciparum antigen, and parasitized erythrocytes (PRBC).

Molecular characteristic-based epidemiology of hepatitis B, C, and E viruses and GB virus C/hepatitis G virus in Myanmar.

We carried out a molecular characteristic-based epidemiological survey of various hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and GB virus C (GBV-C)/hepatitis G virus (HGV), in Myanmar. The study population of 403 subjects consisted of 213 healthy individuals residing in the city of Yangon, Myanmar, and the surrounding suburbs and 190 liver disease patients (155 virus-related liver disease patients and 35 nonviral disease patients). The infection rates of the viruses among the 213 healthy subjects were as follows: 8% for HBV (16 patients), 2% for HCV (4 patients), and 8% for GBV-C/HGV (17 patients).

High prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with thalassemia and patients with liver diseases in Myanmar (Burma).

We conducted Myanmar-Japan cooperation studies on hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus markers in patients with thalassemias and those with liver diseases. Among the 102 patients with liver diseases, 92% had a history of hepatitis B virus infection (antibody to hepatitis B core antigen positive), 35% were hepatitis B surface antigen positive, 39% were positive for anti-HCV. Among 28 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 46% had hepatitis B surface antigen, 21.

Correlation of viral RNA, alanine aminotransferase, and histopathology in hepatitis C virus-associated hepatitis.

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is usually monitored by the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and histopathological changes in liver biopsy specimens. However, accumulating data indicate these parameters are not always correlated with disease progression or the response of HCV infection to therapy.

Materials And Methods: Using the Amplicor PCR Monitor Test Kit (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Branchburg, NJ), HCV RNA level was measured in 38 patients with positive anti-HCV antibodies and in 21 of those patients after interferon treatment.

TT virus infection is widespread in the general populations from different geographic regions.

By PCR screening, we found an extremely high prevalence of TT virus (TTV) in the general populations from different geographic regions. This suggests that TTV may be a common DNA virus with no clear disease association in humans. TTV genotyping by phylogenetic analysis was also performed.

Identification of a novel genotype of hepatitis G virus in Southeast Asia.

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) isolates obtained from 20 Myanmarese and 10 Vietnamese subjects were analyzed. A cluster of isolates not belonging to any known genotype of HGV was found in five Myanmarese subjects and three Vietnamese subjects by phylogenetic analysis, and we classified this new genotype as type 4. These results revealed that the HGV genome can be classified into at least four major genotypes.