Human bloodstream infection caused by Staphylococcus pettenkoferi

Staphylococcus pettenkoferi is a recently isolated human pathogen with only a few reported cases of infection. We report a case of bloodstream infection caused by S. pettenkoferi in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis.Rintala H, 2008, BMC MICROBIOL, V8, DOI 10.1186/1471-2180-8-56Tang YW, 2008, DIAGN MICR INFEC DIS, V60, P351, DOI 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2007.11.005Trulzsch K, 2007, INT J SYST EVOL MICR, V57, P1543, DOI 10.1099/ijs.0.64381-0Loiez C, 2007, J CLIN MICROBIOL, V45, P1069, DOI 10.1128/JCM.02328-06Lau SKP, 2006, J CLIN PATHOL, V59, P219, DOI 10.1136/jcp.2004.025247Mellmann A, 2006, EMERG INFECT DIS, V12, P333Fontana C, 2005, J CLIN MICROBIOL, V43, P615, DOI 10.1128/JCM.43.2.615-619.2005Woo PCY, 2003, J CLIN MICROBIOL, V41, P1996, DOI 10.1128/JCM.41.5.1996-2001.2003Trulzsch K, 2002, DIAGN MICR INFEC DIS, V43, P175Drancourt M, 2002, J CLIN MICROBIOL, V40, P1333, DOI 10.1128/JCM.40.4.1333-1338.2002Kim SD, 2000, INFECT CONT HOSP EP, V21, P213Pfaller MA, 1999, DIAGN MICR INFEC DIS, V33, P283Huebner J, 1999, ANNU REV MED, V50, P223

Hypoxia inducible factor-1α directly induces the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand in periodontal ligament fibroblasts

The original publication is available at www.springerlink.comDuring orthodontic tooth movement, local hypoxia and enhanced osteoclastogenesis are observed in the compression side of periodontal tissues. The receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) is an osteoblast/stromal cell-derived factor that is essential for osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we examined the effect of hypoxia on RANKL expression in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) to investigate the relationship between local hypoxia and enhanced osteoclastogenesis in the compression side of periodontal tissues. Hypoxia significantly enhanced the levels of RANKL mRNA and protein as well as hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) protein in PDLFs. Constitutively active HIF-1alpha alone significantly increased the levels of RANKL expression in PDLFs under normoxic conditions, whereas dominant negative HIF-1alpha blocked hypoxia-induced RANKL expression. To investigate further whether HIF-1alpha directly regulates RANKL transcription, a luciferase reporter assay was performed using the reporter vector containing the RANKL promoter sequence. Exposure to hypoxia or overexpression of constitutively active HIF-1alpha significantly increased RANKL promoter activity, whereas dominant negative HIF-1alpha blocked hypoxia-induced RANKL promoter activity. Furthermore, mutations of putative HIF-1alpha binding elements in RANKL promoter prevented hypoxia-induced RANKL promoter activity. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that hypoxia or constitutively active HIF-1alpha increased the DNA binding of HIF-1alpha to RANKL promoter. These results suggest that HIF-1alpha mediates hypoxia-induced up-regulation of RANKL expression and that in compression side periodontal ligament, hypoxia enhances osteoclastogenesis, at least in part, via an increased RANKL expression in PDLFs. ⓒ 2011 The Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology and Springer Netherlands.

High extracellular calcium-induced NFATc3 regulates the expression of receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand in osteoblasts

Nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) is a key transcription factor for receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. However, it is unclear whether NFAT plays a role in the expression of RANKL in osteoblasts. High extracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](o)) increases intracellular calcium, enhances RANKL expression in osteoblasts/stromal cells, and induces osteoclastogenesis in a coculture of osteoblasts and hematopoietic bone marrow cells. Because intracellular calcium signaling activates the calcineurin/NFAT pathway, we examined the role of NFAT activation on high [Ca(2+)](o)-induced RANKL expression in MC3T3-E1 subclone 4 (MC4) cells. Among the family of NFAT transcription factors, expression of NFATc1 and NFATc3, but not NFATc2, NFATc4 or NFAT5, was observed in MC4 cells. High [Ca(2+)](o) increased the expression levels of NFATc1, NFATc3 and RANKL. Cyclosporin A and FK506, inhibitors of calcineurin phosphatase, blocked high [Ca(2+)](o)-induced expression of NFAT and RANKL. Knockdown of NFATc1 and NFATc3 by siRNA prevented high [Ca(2+)](o)-induced RANKL expression, whereas overexpression of NFATc1 and NFATc3 induced RANKL expression. Furthermore, overexpressed NFATc1 upregulated NFATc3 expression, but NFATc1 knockdown decreased NFATc3 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assay results showed that NFATc3, but not NFATc1, directly binds to the RANKL promoter and stimulates RANKL expression. In summary, these results demonstrate that high [Ca(2+)](o) increases expression of RANKL via activation of the calcineurin/NFAT pathway in osteoblasts. In addition, high [Ca(2+)](o) induces the activation and expression of NFATc1; NFATc3 expression and activity are subsequently increased; and NFATc3 directly binds to the RANKL promoter to increase its expression. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level is associated with an increased risk of incident early-onset vasomotor symptoms

We investigated the associations between serum lipid profiles and risk of early-onset vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) in premenopausal women. This cohort study comprised 2,540 premenopausal women aged 42-52 years without VMSs at baseline (median follow-up: 4.4 years). VMSs, including hot flashes and night sweats, were assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire (Korean version). Early-onset VMSs were defined as VMSs that occurred premenopause; moderate/severe VMSs were defined as a score of >= 3 points (range: 0 to 6, 6 being most bothersome). Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the development of VMSs across the lipid levels. Higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were positively associated with increased risk of early-onset VMSs. Compared to the < 100 mg/dL LDL group, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for incident VMSs were 1.19 (1.03-1.37) and 1.20 (1.03-1.40) in participants with LDL cholesterol levels of 100-129 mg/dL and >= 130 mg/dL, respectively (P for trend = 0.027). The multivariable-adjusted HR for incident moderate/severe VMSs was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.08-1.73) in participants with LDL >= 130 mg/dL, compared to those with LDL < 100 mg/dL. Meanwhile, triglycerides and total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were not significantly associated with early-onset VMSs risk in premenopausal women. Premenopausal women with high serum LDL cholesterol concentrations had a higher risk of incident early-onset VMSs. Further studies should confirm our findings and examine whether LDL-lowering interventions reduce the risk of early-onset VMSs among women during menopause transition.N

Ideal Cardiovascular Health Metrics and Risk of Incident Early-Onset Vasomotor Symptoms Among Premenopausal Women

Context The relationship of ideal cardiovascular health (CVH) behaviors with preventing early-onset vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) is unknown. Objective We investigated the association between CVH metrics and the development of early-onset VMSs in premenopausal women. Methods This cohort study included 2541 premenopausal women aged 42 to 52 years without VMSs at baseline. CVH metrics were defined according to the American Heart Association Life Simple 7 metrics. Owing to limited availability of dietary information, CVH metrics were scored from 0 (unhealthy) to 6 (healthy) and classified into 3 groups: poor (0-2), intermediate (3-4), and ideal (5-6) CVH. VMSs, including hot flashes and night sweats, were assessed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire. Moderate/severe VMSs was defined as a score of 3 or more points (range, 0 to 6; 6 being most bothersome). Results During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 1241 women developed VMSs before menopause. After adjustment for age, parity, education level, and alcohol consumption, the hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI) for developing early-onset VMSs comparing poor CVH group to the ideal group was 1.41 (1.07-1.86). CVH scores were also inversely associated with moderate/severe VMSs in a dose-response manner (P for trend = .004); specifically, multivariable-adjusted HRs comparing intermediate and poor CVH groups to the ideal group were 1.20 (95% CI, 1.02-1.43) and 1.57 (95% CI, 1.08-2.29), respectively. Conclusion Unfavorable CVH metrics were significantly associated with an increased risk of early-onset VMSs and its more severe forms among premenopausal women.N

Low anti-Müllerian hormone levels are associated with an increased risk of incident early-onset vasomotor symptoms among premenopausal women

The role of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels in incident vasomotor symptoms (VMS) is largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between AMH levels and the development of early-onset VMS among premenopausal women. Our cohort study comprised 2041 premenopausal women aged 42-52 years free of VMS at baseline whose AMH levels were measured. VMS, including hot flushes and night sweats, were assessed using the Korean version of the Menopause-specific Quality of Life questionnaire. Early-onset VMS was defined as the occurrence of VMS prior to menopause. Parametric proportional hazards models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CI. During a median follow-up of 4.4 years, 708 premenopausal women developed early-onset VMS (incidence rate, 8.0 per 100 person-years). Lower AMH levels were statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of early-onset VMS. After adjusting for age and other confounders, multivariable-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for incident VMS comparing AMH quintiles 4-1 to the highest quintile were 1.02 (0.78-1.33), 1.37 (1.06-1.76), 1.36 (1.04-1.76), and 2.38 (1.84-3.08), respectively (P for trend < 0.001). Our results support an independent role of serum AMH levels in predicting incident early-onset VMS among premenopausal women in the late reproductive stage.N

Foldable and washable textile-based OLEDs with a multi-functional near-room-temperature encapsulation layer for smart e-textiles

Wearable electronic devices are being developed because of their wide potential applications and user convenience. Among them, wearable organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) play an important role in visualizing the data signal processed in wearable electronics to humans. In this study, textile-based OLEDs were fabricated and their practical utility was demonstrated. The textile-based OLEDs exhibited a stable operating lifetime under ambient conditions, enough mechanical durability to endure the deformation by the movement of humans, and washability for maintaining its optoelectronic properties even in water condition such as rain, sweat, or washing. In this study, the main technology used to realize this textile-based OLED was multi-functional near-room-temperature encapsulation. The outstanding impermeability of TiO2 film deposited at near-room-temperature was demonstrated. The internal residual stress in the encapsulation layer was controlled, and the device was capped by highly cross-linked hydrophobic polymer film, providing a highly impermeable, mechanically flexible, and waterproof encapsulation.N

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Risk of Early-Onset Vasomotor Symptoms in Lean and Overweight Premenopausal Women

The role of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in vasomotor symptom (VMS) risk in premenopausal women is unknown. We examined the prevalence of early-onset VMSs according to NAFLD status in lean and overweight premenopausal women. This cross-sectional study included 4242 premenopausal Korean women (mean age 45.4 years). VMSs (hot flashes and night sweats) were assessed using the Korean version of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life questionnaire. Hepatic steatosis was determined using liver ultrasound; lean was defined as a body mass index of <23 kg/m(2). Participants were categorized into four groups: NAFLD-free lean (reference), NAFLD-free overweight, lean NAFLD, and overweight NAFLD. Compared with the reference, the multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) (95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for VMSs in NAFLD-free overweight, lean NAFLD, and overweight NAFLD were 1.22 (1.06-1.41), 1.38 (1.06-1.79), and 1.49 (1.28-1.73), respectively. For moderate-to-severe VMSs, the multivariable-adjusted PRs (95% CIs) comparing NAFLD-free overweight, lean NAFLD, and overweight NAFLD to the reference were 1.38 (1.10-1.74), 1.73 (1.16-2.57), and 1.74 (1.37-2.21), respectively. NAFLD, even lean NAFLD, was significantly associated with an increased risk of prevalent early-onset VMSs and their severe forms among premenopausal women. Further studies are needed to determine the longitudinal association between NAFLD and VMS risk.N