The adherence of Staphylococcus aureus to soluble proteins and extracellular-matrix components of the host is one of the key steps in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal infections. S. aureus presents a family of adhesins called MSCRAMMs (microbial surface components recognizing adhesive matrix molecules) that specifically recognize host matrix components. We examined the influence of biofilm-as...

Atherogenic stimuli trigger complex responses in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) that culminate in activation/repression of overlapping signal transduction cascades involving oxidative stress. In the case of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon present in tobacco smoke, the atherogenic response involves interference with redox homeostasis by oxidative intermediates of Ba...

Smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, a prominent component of tobacco smoke) on the function and pro-inflammatory response of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). EPCs were isolated from umbilical cord blood and treated with different concentrations (10, 20 and 50 µmol/l) of BaP. The proliferation, migration, a...

Epidemiological studies suggest that cigarette smoke carcinogens are cofactors which synergize with human papillomavirus (HPV) to increase the risk of cervical cancer progression. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a major carcinogen in cigarette smoke, is detected in the cervical mucus and may interact with HPV. Exposure of cervical cells to high concentrations of BaP resulted in a 10-fold increase in HPV ...

The main objective of this study was to assess the annual concentration and seasonal variation of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) associated with PM10 in an urban site of Győr and in a rural site of Sarród in the sampling period of 2008–2012. A total of 280 PM10 aerosol samples were collected in each sampling site and analyzed for BaP by gas chromatography method. The BaP concentrations ranged from undete...

Chrysanthemum nodal explants were cultured on 1⁄2 X MS medium containing different combinations of growth hormones. A reasonable callus formed on explants when MS contained 0.5 mg. cm each of BAP and NAA after about 3 weeks. Similar results were obtained on MS + 0.5 mg. cm BAP + 0.1 mg. cm NAA or 1.0 mg. cm BAP + 0.1 mg. cm NAA. A maroonish embryogenic callus was formed on MS containing BAP onl...

A worldwide health concern, osteoporosis (OP), increases the risk of bone fracture and results in morbidity. This study examined whether the representative bone absorption marker serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) or bone formation marker bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) could estimate primary OP status and denosumab efficacy in a real-world setting. We retrospectively enrol...

The prolonging effect of Japanese kelp (kombu) on life span was investigated in mice fed a diet containing the carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Three groups of six mice each were fed a normal diet with 0, 2 and 5%, kombu powder, while another three groups were fed those diets with 4 ppm BaP loading. The 2 and 5% kombu diets did not affect life span compared to the control group given 0%, kombu....

Cigarette smoke is a known source of exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Exposure to BaP in cigarette smoke is influenced by how a person smokes and factors, such as tobacco blend. To determine whether sustained use of reduced-nicotine cigarettes is associated with changes in exposure to nicotine and BaP, levels of BaP in spent ciga...

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) constitutes the most commonly sustained arrhythmia and results in prolonged hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to assess simultaneous right and left atrial pacing as prophylaxis for postoperative atrial fibrillation. Method: One-hundred and twenty patients, without structural heart disease, who un...