Resveratrol increases BRCA1 and BRCA2 mRNA expression in breast tumour cell lines

International audienceThe phytochemical resveratrol, found in grapes, berries and peanuts, has been found to possess cancer chemopreventive effects by inhibiting diverse cellular events associated with tumour initiation, promotion and progression. Resveratrol is also a phyto-oestrogen, binds to and activates oestrogen receptors that regulate the transcription of oestrogen-responsive target genes such as the breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2. We investigated the effects of resveratrol on BRCA1 and BRCA2 expression in human breast cancer cell lines (MCF7, HBL 100 and MDA-MB 231) using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and by perfusion chromatography of the proteins. All cell lines were treated with 30 microM resveratrol. The expressions of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mRNAs were increased although no change in the expression of the proteins were found. These data indicate that resveratrol at 30 micro M can increase expression of genes involved in the aggressiveness of human breast tumour cell lines

Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review

Toy M, Önder FO, Wörmann T, et al. Age- and region-specific hepatitis B prevalence in Turkey estimated using generalized linear mixed models: a systematic review. BMC infectious diseases. 2011;11(1): 337.BACKGROUND: To provide a clear picture of the current hepatitis B situation, the authors performed a systematic review to estimate the age- and region-specific prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Turkey. METHODS: A total of 339 studies with original data on the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in Turkey and published between 1999 and 2009 were identified through a search of electronic databases, by reviewing citations, and by writing to authors. After a critical assessment, the authors included 129 studies, divided into categories: 'age-specific'; 'region-specific'; and 'specific population group'. To account for the differences among the studies, a generalized linear mixed model was used to estimate the overall prevalence across all age groups and regions. For specific population groups, the authors calculated the weighted mean prevalence. RESULTS: The estimated overall population prevalence was 4.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.58, 5.76, and the estimated total number of CHB cases was about 3.3 million. The outcomes of the age-specific groups varied from 2.84, (95% CI: 2.60, 3.10) for the 0-14-year olds to 6.36 (95% CI: 5.83, 6.90) in the 25-34-year-old group. CONCLUSION: There are large age-group and regional differences in CHB prevalence in Turkey, where CHB remains a serious health problem

The influence of BCG immunisation on tuberculin reactivity and booster effect in adults in a country with a high prevalence of tuberculosis

ABSTRACTThe relationship of age and previous BCG vaccination with tuberculin skin test (TST) reactivity was investigated to assess the interpretation of TST results in the adult population of Turkey, where there is a high prevalence of tuberculosis and a routine BCG vaccination programme. The influences of age and BCG vaccine status on booster reaction were also evaluated. TST was applied (5 tuberculin units of purified protein derivative intradermally) to two healthy adult groups, namely 98 medical students and 187 elderly people in a retirement home. The TST was considered positive if an induration ≥ 10 mm in diameter was produced. Subjects (41 elderly people and 39 students) with a reaction < 10 mm in diameter were retested 1 week later. There was no significant difference between the students (59.1%) and elderly subjects (58.8%) with respect to positive TST response. No influence of BCG scars on TST reactivity was observed in either group. The booster effect was seen more commonly in the elderly, but the presence of a BCG scar did not influence the booster effect in either group. It was concluded that a positive TST response and booster reaction in adults in high-prevalence countries may be caused by latent tuberculosis rather than previous vaccination

Tick- borne infection revealing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity in a young adult

To describe a patient whose retinal findings suggestive of tick-borne disease but evaluations led to early diagnosis and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species isolated from hospitalized patients

Conclusion: Amphotericin B is stilt the major therapeutic agent for azole resistant Candida and caspofungin seems to be a good alternative. (c) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mycmed.2006.11.00