The biochemistry of malignant melanoma is reviewed. The biosynthesis of melanin from tyrosine is described and the role of tyrosinase and other enzymes in melanoma considered. Detailed methods for the assay of free catechols, their metabolites and urinary indole melanogens are included. Normal values for these constituents and their significance in the evaluation of melanoma patients are discus...

A neonate presented with mucopolysaccharidosis-like phenotypic expression and typical signs of dysostosis multiplex but without urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans. Investigations of lysosomal enzymes in cultured fibroblasts revealed a mucolipidosis type 2, known as I-cell disease. We describe the fatal course of the patient due to complications of an uncommon dilated cardiomyopathy in this...

Proteus mirabilis is a common causative agent of the urinary tract. This microorganism expresses several virulence factors. In uropathogenesis processes P. mirabilis can expresses adhesins, flagella, toxins, enzymes, quorum sensing and immune evasion factors. This review describes some aspects of virulence factors of uropathogenic P. mirabilis.

Activity of hypoxanthine-guanine and adenine phosphoribosyl transferase enzymes has been assayed in erythrocytes from 10 normal adults, 37 subjects with gout, and 21 mentally retarded children with high and normal urinary uric acid:creatinine ratios. These were compared with one case of known HGPRTase deficiency. Apart from the last subject, no cases of HGPRTase deficiency were found.

Some enzymes and intermediates of heme synthesis were determined in blood and urine of 26 women with severe iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Erythrocyte free protoporphyrin was almost doubled and delta-aminolevulinate dehydrase significantly raised. But urinary excretion of delta-aminolevulinic acid and reticulocyte ferrochelatase were significantly reduced in iron deficiency anemia. Hence these c...

Since 2000, Escherichia coli producing CTX-M enzymes (especially CTX-M-15) have emerged worldwide as important causes of community-onset urinary tract and blood stream infections due to extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria. Studies suggest that the sudden worldwide increase of CTX-M-15-producing E. coli is mostly due to a single clone named ST131 and that foreign travel to hi...