Induction of human methionine adenosyltransferase 2A expression by tumor necrosis factor alpha. Role of NF-kappa B and AP-1.

Two genes (MAT1A and MAT2A) encode for methionine adenosyltransferase (MAT), an essential cellular enzyme responsible for S-adenosylmethionine biosynthesis. MAT1A is expressed mostly in the liver, whereas MAT2A is widely distributed. We showed a switch from MAT1A to MAT2A expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which facilitates cancer cell growth.

Experiences of the first 16 hospitals using copper-silver ionization for Legionella control: implications for the evaluation of other disinfection modalities.

Background And Objectives: Hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease can be prevented by disinfection of hospital water systems. This study assessed the long-term efficacy of copper-silver ionization as a disinfection method in controlling Legionella in hospital water systems and reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired legionnaires' disease. A standardized, evidence-based approach to assist hospitals with decision making concerning the possible purchase of a disinfection system is presented.

Hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease: new developments.

Purpose Of Review: Hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease is being increasingly discovered with the advent of rapid diagnostic techniques. This review examines both the clinical and political aspects of this important problem.

Recent Findings: New sources are being recognized, including the water supply of pediatric hospitals, long-term care facilities, and rehabilitation centers.

An international prospective study of pneumococcal bacteremia: correlation with in vitro resistance, antibiotics administered, and clinical outcome.

We performed a prospective, international, observational study of 844 hospitalized patients with blood cultures positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Fifteen percent of isolates had in vitro intermediate susceptibility to penicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC], 0.12-1 microg/mL), and 9.

Chorioamnionitis and outcome in extremely preterm infants.

Introduction: Chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for preterm delivery. Intrauterine infection leads to the fetal inflammatory response which is characterised by elevated cytokine levels. Chorioamnionitis is reported to cause accelerated but abnormal lung maturation, resulting in decreased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) but increased chronic lung disease (CLD), and predisposes the infant to cerebral injury.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis endocarditis--the hidden peril of coagulase-negative staphylococcus in blood cultures.

Reported here is a successfully treated case of native mitral valve endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis and a review of 47 similar cases reported in the English literature. In the literature review, perineal skin flora appeared to be the source of the organism in patients with endocarditis. Staphylococcus lugdunensis is generally susceptible in vitro to beta-lactam agents.

Generation and functional characterization of arylamine N-acetyltransferase Nat1/Nat2 double-knockout mice.

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) catalyze the biotransformation of a variety of arylamine drugs and carcinogens and may play diametrically opposing roles in enhancing either the detoxification of these chemicals or their metabolic activation into DNA-binding electrophiles. To facilitate the study of these processes, we have generated a Nat1/Nat2 double-knockout mouse model by gene targeting in embryonic stem cells. Nat1/2(-/-) mice were born at the expected frequency and seemed normal and viable with no overt phenotype, indicating that these genes are not critical for development or physiological homeostasis.

Measuring dynamics of caspase-8 activation in a single living HeLa cell during TNFalpha-induced apoptosis.

In this study, we reported the first measurement of the dynamics of activation of caspase-8 in a single living cell. This measurement was conducted using a specially developed molecular sensor based on the FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) technique. This sensor was constructed by fusing a CFP (cyan fluorescent protein) and a YFP (yellow fluorescent protein) with a linker containing a tandem caspase-8-specific cleavage site.

Identification of chelerythrine as an inhibitor of BclXL function.

The identification of small molecule inhibitors of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members has opened up new therapeutic opportunities, while the vast diversity of chemical structures and biological activities of natural products are yet to be systematically exploited. Here we report the identification of chelerythrine as an inhibitor of BclXL-Bak Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain binding through a high throughput screening of 107,423 extracts derived from natural products. Chelerythrine inhibited the BclXL-Bak BH3 peptide binding with IC50 of 1.

Detection of human papillomavirus in sanitary napkins: a new paradigm in cervical cancer screening.

Human papillomavirus was successfully detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in menstrual blood or vaginal discharge collected in sanitary napkins in 100% of 17 women having koilocytosis, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, or squamous carcinoma. We advocate this form of cervical cancer screening because of its high sensitivity and acceptance by patients.

Scientific rationale and benefits of nucleotide supplementation of infant formula.

The present review examines the role of dietary nucleotides in infants, and the scientific rationale and benefits of nucleotide supplementation of infant formula. The immunoprotective benefits of human milk, the biology of human milk nucleotides, and the immunological and gastrointestinal effects of dietary nucleotides in animal studies and in vitro experiments are examined. Clinical studies are reviewed, especially those examining the efficacy of nucleotide-supplemented infant formula in enhancing immunity and reducing the risk of sepsis.

Infection due to Legionella species other than L. pneumophila.

In addition to Legionella pneumophila, 19 Legionella species have been documented as human pathogens on the basis of their isolation from clinical material. Like L. pneumophila, other Legionella species are inhabitants of natural and man-made aqueous environments.

Hospital-acquired legionellosis: solutions for a preventable infection.

Hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease has been reported from many hospitals since the first outbreak in 1976. Although cooling towers were linked to the cases of Legionnaires' disease in the years after its discovery, potable water has been the environmental source for almost all reported hospital outbreaks. Microaspiration is the major mode of transmission in hospital-acquired Legionnaires' disease; showering is not a mode of transmission.

Distribution of Legionella species and serogroups isolated by culture in patients with sporadic community-acquired legionellosis: an international collaborative survey.

This international collaborative survey identified culture-confirmed legionellosis in 508 patients with sporadic community-acquired legionellosis. Legionella pneumophila constituted 91.5% of the isolates.

Variation in mortality and intraventricular haemorrhage in occupants of Pacific Rim nurseries.

Objective: A network of neonatal intensive care units in Pacific Rim countries was formed to compare infant risk factors, clinical practices, and outcomes for very low birthweight infants.

Methodology: A multicentre, prospective study compared outcomes for infants born smaller than 1501 g or at less than 31 weeks gestation.

Results: Gestational age-specific survival and incidence of intracranial haemorrhage varied for infants born in these nurseries.

Negative effect of high pH on biocidal efficacy of copper and silver ions in controlling Legionella pneumophila.

Copper-silver (Cu-Ag) ionization has effectively controlled Legionella spp. in the hot water systems of numerous hospitals. However, it was ineffective at controlling Legionella in one Ohio hospital despite the confirmation of adequate total concentrations of copper and silver ions.

Isolation of streptonigrin and its novel derivative from Micromonospora as inducing agents of p53-dependent cell apoptosis.

Streptonigrin (1) and its novel natural derivative 7-(1-methyl-2-oxopropyl)streptonigrin (2) were isolated from an actinomycete strain, Micromonospora sp. IM 2670. The inductions for 1 and 2 are more potent in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells that contain wild-type p53 than in SH-SY5Y-5.

Nosocomial legionellosis.

Numerous reports of endemic legionellosis have been published within the past year. The scope has been expanded to longterm care facilities, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and pediatric hospitals. The institutional water supply has been the source in all reports and aspiration was explicitly linked as the mode of transmission in several reports.

Relationships of urinary phyto-oestrogen excretion to BMD in postmenopausal women.

Objective: Phyto-oestrogens are plant compounds with both oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic properties. However, it is not known whether natural phyto-oestrogens are beneficial or harmful in human osteoporosis. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between urinary phyto-oestrogens and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean postmenopausal women.

Community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteremia: global differences in clinical patterns.

We initiated a worldwide collaborative study, including 455 episodes of bacteremia, to elucidate the clinical patterns of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Historically, community-acquired pneumonia has been consistently associated with K. pneumoniae.