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Abstract  Most manifestations of candidiasis are associated with biofilm formation occurring on the surfaces of host tissues and medical devices.Candida albicansis the most frequently isolated causative pathogen of candidiasis, and the biofilms display significantly increased levels of resistance to the conventional antifungal agents. Eugenol, the major phenolic component of clove essential oil, possesses potent antifungal activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eugenol on preformed biofilms, adherent cells, subsequent biofilm formation and cell morphogenesis ofC. albicans. Eugenol displayedin vitroactivity againstC. albicanscells within biofilms, when MIC50for sessile cells was 500 mg/L.C. albicansadherent cell populations (after 0, 1, 2 and 4 h of adherence) were treated with various concentrations of eugenol (0, 20, 200 and 2,000 mg/L). The extent of subsequent biofilm formation were then assessed with the tetrazolium salt reduction assay. Effect of eugenol on morphogenesis ofC. albicanscells was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that the effect of eugenol on adherent cells and subsequent biofilm formation was dependent on the initial adherence time and the concentration of this compound, and that eugenol can inhibit filamentous growth ofC. albicanscells. In addition, using human erythrocytes, eugenol showed low hemolytic activity. These results indicated that eugenol displayed potent activity againstC. albicansbiofilmsin vitrowith low cytotoxicity and therefore has potential therapeutic implication for biofilm-associated candidal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??Bladder cancer-associated protein gene (BLCAP) is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene identified from the human bladder carcinoma. Our previous studies have shown that BLCAP overexpression could inhibit cell growth by inducing apoptosis in HeLa cells [Zuo Z, Zhao M, Liu J, Gao G, Wu X: Tumor Biol 27: 221?226, 2006]. Such evidence suggests the alterations in BLCAP may play an important role in tumorigenesis. To further study the biological function of the BLCAP gene, we constructed a recombinant retroviral vector encoding BLCAP cDNA. Overexpressed BLCAP, via stable infection of exogenous BLCAP, resulted in growth inhibition of the human tongue cancer cell line Tca8113in vitro, accompanied by S phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The growth inhibition was correlated with up-regulation of p21WAF1/CIP1expression and down-regulation of Bcl-XL and Bcl-2 expressions. However, p53 expression and NF-?B activity remained unchanged post infection. Furthermore, no changes in p53 phosphorylation at Ser46 and nuclear localization, which are critical to p53 function, were observed in BLCAP-overexpressed cells. Taken together, BLCAP may play a role not only in regulating cell proliferation but also in coordinating apoptosis and cell cycle via a novel way independent of p53 and NF-?B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weyers acrofacial dysostosis (MIM 193530) is an autosomal dominant disorder clinically characterized by mild short stature, postaxial polydactyly, nail dystrophy and dysplastic teeth. Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EvC, MIM 225500) is an autosomal recessive disorder with a similar, but more severe phenotype. Mutations in the EVC have been identified in both syndromes. However, the EVC mutations only occur in a small proportion of EvC patients. Recently, mutations in a new gene, EVC2, were found to be associated with other EvC cases. The EVC and EVC2 are located close to each other in a head-to-head configuration and may be functionally related. In this study, we report identification of a novel heterozygous deletion in the EVC2 that is responsible for autosomal dominant Weyers acrofacial dysostosis in a large Chinese family. This constitutes the first report of Weyers acrofacial dysostosis caused by this gene. Hence, the spectrum of malformation syndromes due to EVC2 mutations is further extended. Our data provides conclusive evidence that Weyers acrofacial dysostosis and EvC syndrome are allelic and genetically heterogeneous conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the mucosal immunity of anti-caries DNA vaccine, chitosan-DNA microparticles for musocal vaccination were prepared by a coacervation method. The physicochemical structure of microparticles was investigated by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a cofocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). For in-vitro studies, Hela cell was transfected by chitosan-DNA microparticles. The expression of proteins was measured by the immunohistochemical methods, and the cytotocity of chitosan in Hela cell line was determined by the MTT assay. The experimental results show that the microparticles are about 2–6 μm in size and spherical in shape. The encapsulation efficiency is 99%, and the DNA is almost captured in the micropraticles. Plasmid loaded into chitosan microparticles is distributed throughout these particles. The number of positive staining cells of chitosan-pGJA-P transfected cell is more than that of naked plasmid transfect cells, but less than that of Lipofect-DNA complex group. Chitosan was found to be less cytotoxic compared with lipofectin (p<0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]