The capsule polysaccharide structure and biogenesis for non-O1 Vibrio cholerae NRT36S: genes are embedded in the LPS region

Background  

In V. cholerae, the biogenesis of capsule polysaccharide is poorly understood. The elucidation of capsule structure and biogenesis is critical to understanding the evolution of surface polysaccharide and the internal relationship between the capsule and LPS in this species. V. cholerae serogroup O31 NRT36S, a human pathogen that produces a heat-stable enterotoxin (NAG-ST), is encapsulated. Here, we report the covalent structure and studies of the biogenesis of the capsule in V. cholerae NRT36S.     

Polymorphic Variants of Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Gene in a Romanian Population with Atheroma

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is the main SOD isoform in the arterial wall contributing to cardiovascular defense against oxidative stress by removing the superoxide anion. In our study, the Thr40Ala and Arg213Gly polymorphic variants of the EC-SOD gene (SOD ( 3 )) were investigated for associations with atherosclerosis and other related factors in 144 subjects with significant atheroma (having one, two, or three major coronary arteries with >50% obstruction, and/or peripheral artery lesions, and/or carotid artery stenosis demonstrated by angiography and echography) and in 150 subjects with no significant atheroma. For the Arg213Gly polymorphism, only five heterozygous subjects were found. Although the difference in the genotype distribution for the Thr40Ala polymorphism was not statistically significant between patients with atheroma (AA 49.3%, AG 34.7%, GG 16.0%) and those without significant atheroma (AA 41.3%, AG 43.3%, GG 15.3%), there was an association of the Thr40 allele with diabetes (P = 0.03) and hypertension (P = 0.04).     

Reproducibility and repeatability of measuring the electrical impedance of the pregnant human cervix-the effect of probe size and applied pressure

Background  

The utility of cervical electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a diagnostic tool is being investigated in clinical trials. We sought to assess the reliability of two different sizes of tetrapolar probes used in measuring cervical impedance.     

Comparison of human uterine cervical electrical impedance measurements derived using two tetrapolar probes of different sizes

Background  

We sought to compare uterine cervical electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements employing two probes of different sizes, and to employ a finite element model to predict and compare the fraction of electrical current derived from subepithelial stromal tissue.     

Circulating levels of matrix proteases and their inhibitors in pregnant women with and without a history of recurrent pregnancy loss

Background  

We have recently shown that serum relaxin-2 levels are attenuated in women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We sought to determine whether a history of RPL is also associated with changes in serum matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteases (TIMP) -1 and -2.