Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibition enhances the antitumor effects of sporamin in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Sporamin, a sweet potato tuber storage protein, is a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor (TI) that has exhibited antitumor activity through poorly defined mechanisms in a number of types of tumor cells. The present study aimed to analyze the combined effects of sporamin and three mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors, PD98059, SP600125 and SB203580, on the pancreatic cancer cell line, PANC-1. Cell proliferation activity was assessed using a H-thymidine incorporation assay, and cell viability was analyzed using an MTT assay.

Sporamin suppresses growth of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by inhibition of NF‑κB via an AKT‑independent pathway.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether sporamin, a trypsin inhibitor, suppresses the growth of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells in vitro. Sporamin treatment led to the suppression of viability and proliferation of human ESCC cell lines, EC9706 and EC109, as determined by MTT and [3H] thymidine incorporation assays, respectively. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that sporamin significantly induced apoptosis in EC9706 and EC109 cells.

Sporamin induces apoptosis and inhibits NF-κB activation in human pancreatic cancer cells.

Sporamin, a Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor (TI) from sweet potato tuberous roots, has demonstrated anti-tumor activity through poorly defined mechanisms. Furthermore, the effects of sporamin on pancreatic cancer have not been explored. Herein, we studied the effects of sporamin on two human pancreatic cancer cell lines, PANC-1 and BxPC-3.

Characterization of a novel qepA3 variant in Enterobacter aerogenes.

Five isolates harboring qepA were studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and relevant methods. One was determined to be a novel qepA3 from Enterobacter aerogenes, and four involved three qepA1 and one qepA2 determinants from Escherichia coli; the qepA3 changed five amino acids. These results characterized genetic structures A, B, C, D, and E.

Structural and environmental features of novel mdfA variant and mdfA genes in recombinant regions of Escherichia coli.

Novel mdfA gene variants were identified simultaneously from 3 of 13 positive isolates of PCR amplification in Escherichia coli from patients. These 13 positive isolates showed resistance to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and erythromycin. The 3 mdfA gene variants were of the same genotype and all the 13 positive isolates were investigated by conjugation experiment, EcoRI restriction, and gene mapping.

Characterization of bla(OxA-23) gene regions in isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

Background/purpose: To investigate the characterization of bla(OxA-23) gene regions in isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from Taizhou Municipal Hospital.

Methods: Fifty-nine non-repetitive, multiresistant (including imipenem-resistant) isolates of A. baumannii were recovered from clinical infections in hospitalized patients from January 2010 to August 2011 in Taizhou Municipal Hospital (affiliated with Taizhou University) in China.

Characterization of novel ybjG and dacC variants in Escherichia coli.

A total of 69 strains of Escherichia coli from patients in the Taizhou Municipal Hospital, China, were isolated, and 11 strains were identified that were resistant to bacitracin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline and erythromycin. These strains were PCR positive for at least two out of three genes, ybjG, dacC and mdfA, by gene mapping with conventional PCR detection. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that these genes existed in plasmids that conferred resistance.

Characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae harboring QnrB32, Aac(6')-Ib-cr, GyrA and CTX-M-22 genes.

Quinolone resistance in members of the Enterobacteriaceae family is mostly due to mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions of topoisomerase genes. CTX-M-22 is a member of the CTX-M family which can reduce extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production and modulate antibiotic resistance, resulting in low ceftazidime minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). There are four different genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP4707) including qnrB32 (novel qnr allele gene, HQ704413), aac(6')-Ib-cr (novel aac(6')-Ib allele gene, HQ680690), gyrA (novel gyrA allele gene, HQ680691) and CTX-M-22 gene.

Novel variants of the qnrB gene, qnrB31 and qnrB32, in Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Quinolone resistance in the family Enterobacteriaceae is mostly attributed to the accumulation of mutations in the bacterial enzymes targeted by fluoroquinolones: DNA gyrase and DNA topoisomerase IV. Here we isolated the Klebsiella pneumoniae strains KP3606 and KP4707 from different specimens from 2008 to 2010 in Taizhou Municipal Hospital of China, and discovered a new subtype qnrB31, for which the GenBank accession number is HQ418999, and another new subtype qnrB32, for which the GenBank accession number is HQ704413. Susceptibility testing showed that KP3606 had a reduced susceptibility (MIC ≥0.