The multifunctional protein ß-catenin governs as transcription factor the expression of a wide variety of genes relevant for cell proliferation and cell survival. In addition, ß-catenin is localized at the cell membrane and may influence the function of channels. The present study explored the possibility that ß-catenin participates in the regulation of the HERG K(+) channel. To this end, HERG ...

The increase in the prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, particularly caused by the metallo-ß-lactamases (MBL) is of great concern in the clinical settings worldwide. Here, we report the detection and identification of MBL producing P. aeruginosa in our hospital (University Malaya Medical Center, Malaysia), and the characterization of MBL cassette-containing integ...

Pseudomonas entomophila is an entomopathogenic bacterium that infects and kills Drosophila. P. entomophila pathogenicity is linked to its ability to cause irreversible damages to the Drosophila gut, preventing epithelium renewal and repair. Here we report the identification of a novel pore-forming toxin (PFT), Monalysin, which contributes to the virulence of P. entomophila against Drosophila. O...

Carbapenem resistance due to acquired metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) is considered to be more serious than other resistance mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Zataria multiflora Boiss and Carum copticum plants on IMP-producing P.aeruginosa strains. This experimental study was carried out on hospitalized burn patients during 2011 and 2012. Antibiotics...

background :   imipenem-resistant gram negative bacteria, resulting from metallo-beta-lactamase (mbls)-producing strains have been reported to be among the important causes of nosocomial infections and of serious therapeutic problem worldwide. because of their broad range, potent carbapenemase activity and resistance to inhibitors, these enzymes can confer resistance to almost all beta-lactams....

INTRODUCTION Imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa resulting from metallo-β-lactamases has been reported to be an important cause of nosocomial infection and is a critical therapeutic problem worldwide, especially in the case of bacteremia. OBJECTIVES To determine the frequency of metallo-β-lactamases among imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates and to compare methods of pheno...

BACKGROUND Few studies have systematically investigated insomnia in adults with epilepsy. METHODS We performed a prospective cross-sectional investigation of the prevalence, severity, and comorbidities of insomnia in 90 adults with epilepsy using a battery of self-reported instruments and polysomnography. We quantified insomnia severity using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). RESULTS Fifty...

The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway controls important cellular events during development and often contributes to disease when dysregulated. Using high throughput screening we have identified a new small molecule inhibitor of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, WIKI4. WIKI4 inhibits expression of ß-catenin target genes and cellular responses to Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in cancer cell lines as well as in h...

The reporter gene for ß-galactosidase is frequently used to determine the efficiency of gene transfer in arteries. However, blood is often present in arterial explants and may compromise the results by the presence of hemoglobin. The light absorption of hemoglobin is similar to the absorption of several colorimetric products of the commonly used ß-galactosidase substrates, including onitropheny...