Proliferating Stem Cells are Acutely Affected by DNA Damage Induced by Sulfur Mustard.

Sulfur mustard (SM), a chemical warfare agent, can form adducts with DNA, RNA, and proteins. Reactions with DNA lead to the formation of both DNA monoadducts and interstrand cross-links, resulting in DNA damage, and is an important component of SM toxicity. Our previous studies indicated that dividing cells such as hematopoietic stem cells and intestinal villi stem cells seemed to have increased sensitivity to SM.

Therapeutic Effects of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Sprague-Dawley Rats with Percutaneous Exposure to Sulfur Mustard.

Sulfur mustard (SM) exposure, whose symptoms are similar to radiation exposure, can lead to acute injury. Because mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used to experimentally and clinically treat acute radiation syndrome, in this study, MSCs were intravenously injected into rats after percutaneous SM exposure. Then, we examined sternum and spleen samples by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods to observe pathological changes.

Prolonged exposure to carbon nanoparticles induced methylome remodeling and gene expression in zebrafish heart.

Growing black carbon (BC) emission has become one of the major urgent environmental issues facing human beings. Usually, BC or BC-containing carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were recognized as non-directly toxic components of atmospheric particulate matter. However, epidemiology studies have provided much evidence of the associations of exposure of particulate-containing carbon particles with cardiovascular diseases.

Characterization of phiCFP-1, a virulent bacteriophage specific for Citrobacter freundii.

Citrobacter freundii, a Gram-negative bacterium, causes many opportunistic infections. Bacteriophage phiCFP-1 was isolated and characterized by its ability to lyse the multidrug-resistant clinical C. freundii strain P10159.

Detection of Streptococcus pyogenes using rapid visual molecular assay.

Streptococcus pyogenes is an increasingly important pathogen in many parts of the world. Rapid and accurate detection of S. pyogenes aids in the control of the infection.

A novel New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase variant, NDM-14, isolated in a Chinese Hospital possesses increased enzymatic activity against carbapenems.

A novel New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) variant, NDM-14, was identified in clinical isolate Acinetobacter lwoffii JN49-1, which was recovered from an intensive care unit patient at a local hospital in China. NDM-14, which differs from other existing enzymes by an amino acid substitution at position 130 (Asp130Gly), possesses enzymatic activity toward carbapenems that is greater than that of NDM-1. Kinetic data indicate that NDM-14 has a higher affinity for imipenem and meropenem.

Proteomic analysis of the interaction of Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705 with the intestine cells Caco-2 and identification of plasminogen receptors.

To identify proteins with a potential role in the interaction of Bifidobacterium longum with intestinal epithelial cells, we profiled the protein response of B. longum NCC2705 following interaction with Caco-2 cells. Thirty-one protein spots, belonging to a total of 23 proteins, which exhibited a change in abundance of at least 3-fold were identified in B.

Abnormal fecal microbiota community and functions in patients with hepatitis B liver cirrhosis as revealed by a metagenomic approach.

Background: Assessment and characterization of human colon microbiota is now a major research area in human diseases, including in patients with hepatitis B liver cirrhosis (HBLC).

Methods: We recruited 120 patients with HBLC and 120 healthy controls. The fecal microbial community and functions in the two groups were analyzed using high-throughput Solexa sequencing of the complete metagenomic DNA and bioinformatics methods.