Clinical Use of Probiotics in Pediatric Allergy (CUPPA): A World Allergy Organization Position Paper.

Background: : Probiotic administration has been proposed for the prevention and treatment of specific allergic manifestations such as eczema, rhinitis, gastrointestinal allergy, food allergy, and asthma. However, published statements and scientific opinions disagree about the clinical usefulness.

Objective: : A World Allergy Organization Special Committee on Food Allergy and Nutrition review of the evidence regarding the use of probiotics for the prevention and treatment of allergy.

The glutamine side chain at position 91 on the β5a-β5b loop of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase is required for stabilizing the dNTP binding pocket.

Earlier, we postulated that Gln91 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) stabilizes the side chain of Tyr183 via hydrogen bonding interaction between O(H) of Tyr183 and CO of Q91 [Harris, D., et al. (1998) Biochemistry 37, 9630-9640].

Localization and quantification of intact, undamaged right-handed double-stranded B-DNA, and denatured single-stranded DNA in normal human epidermis and its effects on apoptosis and terminal differentiation (denucleation).

Quantification of two types of nucleic acids [double-stranded (ds-) and single-stranded (ss-) DNA] was performed to understand the distribution of DNA within the epidermal strata and to examine the effects of DNA structure on gene expression, viz., apoptosis and terminal differentiation. In addition, we examined the precise starting point of cell death within the epidermis (suprabasal layer); examined how DNA structure affects gene expression of melanocytes; and characterized the "transitional cells" located between the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum, viz.

Outcome of carotid artery stenting for primary versus restenotic lesions.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) for restenosis (RS) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is presumed to have fewer complications than CAS for primary atherosclerotic (PA) lesions. It has been proposed that interventionalists may limit themselves to CAS for RS initially, while they gain additional experience during their learning curve. However, there are few studies objectively comparing the outcomes of the two groups of patients to substantiate this assumption.

Identification of a new motif required for the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment): the RRRY motif is necessary for the binding of single-stranded DNA substrate and the template strand of the mismatched duplex.

The Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I houses catalytic centers for both polymerase and 3'-5' exonuclease activities that are separated by about 35 A. Upon the incorporation of a mismatched nucleotide, the primer terminus is transferred from the polymerase site to an exonuclease site designed for excision of the mismatched nucleotides. The structural comparison of the binary complexes of DNA polymerases in the polymerase and the exonuclease modes, together with a molecular modeling of the template strand overhang in Klenow fragment, indicated its binding in the region spanning residues 821-824.

Facilitating discharge in state psychiatric institutions: a group intervention strategy.

Despite more than 30 years of deinstitutionalization, a significant number of individuals continue to experience prolonged stays in state psychiatric hospitals. Many of these individuals appear to develop an ambivalence or resistance to discharge. This can itself contribute to further delay in discharge planning and implementation.

Attenuation of shock-induced acute lung injury by sphingosine kinase inhibition.

Background: Prolonged elevations of cytosolic calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) are required for optimal neutrophil (PMN) activation responses to G-Protein coupled chemoattractants. We recently showed that the coupling of endosomal Ca2+ store depletion to more prolonged entry of external Ca2+ depends on cellular conversion of sphingosine to sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) by sphingosine kinase (SK). We therefore hypothesized that inhibition of SK might inhibit PMN activation and thus ameliorate lung injury after trauma and hemorrhagic shock (T/HS).

Cell biology, chemogenomics and chemoproteomics.

The scientific techniques used in molecular biological research and drug discovery have changed dramatically over the past 10 years due to the influence of genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics. Furthermore, genomics and functional genomics are now merging into a new scientific approach called chemogenomics. Advancements in the study of molecular cell biology are dependent upon "omics" researchers realizing the importance of and using the experimental tools currently available to cell biologists.

Phe 771 of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) is the major site for the interaction with the template overhang and the stabilization of the pre-polymerase ternary complex.

To identify the sites in the Klenow fragment of Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I that interact with the ssDNA overhang of the template strand in the pre-polymerase ternary complex, we carried out UV-mediated photo-cross-linking of the enzyme-DNA-dNTP ternary complex. The template strand contained a nine-nucleotide overhang and was radiolabeled at the 5'-end. Since the enzyme-TP-dNTP ternary complex but not the E-TP binary complex is stable at high ionic strengths, the cross-linking was carried out in the presence of 0.

The halting arrival of left-handed Z-DNA.

Forty-nine years ago Watson and Crick proposed a double-stranded (ds-) model for DNA. This double helix has become an icon of molecular biology. Twenty-six years later, Rich accidently discovered Z-DNA, an exotic left-handed nucleic acid.

Lysine 152 of MuLV reverse transcriptase is required for the integrity of the active site.

Comparison of the three-dimensional structure of the active sites of MuLV and HIV-1 reverse transcriptases shows the presence of a lysine residue (K152) in the substrate-binding region in MuLV RT, while its equivalent position in HIV-1 RT is occupied by a glycine (G112). To investigate the role of K152 in the mechanism of the polymerase reaction catalyzed by MuLV RT, four mutant RTs, namely, K152A, K152R, K152E, and K152G, were generated and biochemically characterized. All muteins exhibited reduced polymerase activity on both RNA and DNA template-primers with K152E being the most defective.

Novel use of bovine zeta-crystallin as a conformational DNA probe to characterize a phase transition zone and terminally differentiating fiber cells in the adult canine ocular lens.

Using a novel immunocytochemical staining method, we aimed to characterize the phase transition zone (PTZ) (approximatly 100 microm) in adult ocular lenses and the process of terminal differentiation (denucleation) within normal fiber cells. The binding to DNA of zeta-(zeta) crystallin (Z-DNA-binding protein) and anti-double-stranded (ds-)-B-DNA antibody probes was found to decline gradually throughout denucleating fibers, with a precipitous decrease occurring at about 100 microm (PTZ). Nuclei of superficial fiber cells (in front of the PTZ) showed the highest DNA probe-binding values, followed by middle fibers (MF) and deep fibers (DF).

Terminal differentiation and left-handed Z-DNA: a review.

Nucleic acids control the expression of genes, and different conformations of DNA structure may regulate cell death. Left-handed Z-DNA, which is speculated to function as a transcriptional enhancer, may be directly influenced by the destructive effects of terminal differentiation. The nicking-denaturation of double-stranded Z-DNA could possibly initiate and enhance terminal differentiation within specific tissues.

The effect of hypoxia/reoxygenation on the cellular function of intestinal epithelial cells.

Background: Previously, using in vivo models, we have demonstrated that ischemia/reperfusion can increase intestinal mucosal permeability, promote bacterial translocation, and induce gut cytokine production. Because of the cellular heterogeneity of the gut, however, studies investigating the direct effects of hypoxia/reoxygenation on intestinal epithelial cells are confounded in in vivo model systems. Consequently, this study examines oxidant-mediated enterocyte injury using an in vitro intestinal enterocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation model system.

Binding properties of bovine ocular lens zeta-crystallin to right-handed B-DNA, left-handed Z-DNA, and single-stranded DNA.

Bovine zeta-crystallin has the ability to bind with different DNAs. Initially, this protein was named regulatory factor 36 (Kang et al., 1985), but it has been shown to be an ocular lens zeta-crystallin (Jörnvall et al.

Localization of B-DNA and Z-DNA in terminally differentiating fiber cells in the adult lens.

We examined histochemically and immunohistochemically the distribution of B- and Z-DNA in the epithelium and terminally differentiating dog lens fiber cells. On the basis of anti-DNA antibody reactivity, qualitative and quantitative data on B- and Z-DNA in cells were determined. Anti-B-DNA immunoreactivity gradually declined throughout nucleated fibers, with a precipitous decrease at approximately 90 microns.

Androgen modulation of the messenger ribonucleic acid of retinoic acid receptors in the prostate, seminal vesicles, and kidney in the rat.

Previously, we reported that the steady state level of messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts of retinoic acid receptors (RAR) alpha and gamma in the testes of 20-day-old rats can be modulated by exogenous testosterone. These results suggest that androgen regulation of Sertoli cell functions may involve biochemical events mediated by RAR genes. In this study, we examined the effects of castration and testosterone replacement on the steady state level of mRNA transcripts for RAR alpha and gamma in the prostate, seminal vesicles, and kidney of the rat.

Effect of 1,25,28-trihydroxyvitamin D2 and 1,24,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 on intestinal calbindin-D9K mRNA and protein: is there a correlation with intestinal calcium transport?

Although analogs and metabolites of vitamin D have been tested for their calciotropic activity, very little information has been available concerning the effects of these compounds on gene expression. In this study one analog of vitamin D, 1,25,28-trihydroxyvitamin D2 [1,25,28-(OH)3D2], and one metabolite, 1,24,25-trihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,24,25-(OH)3D3], were tested for their effect on intestinal calbindin-D9K mRNA and protein as well as for their effect on intestinal calcium absorption and bone calcium mobilization. These compounds were also evaluated for their ability to compete for rat intestinal 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor sites and to induce differentiation of human leukemia (HL-60) cells as indicated by reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium.