Altered phosphorylation status of the C-terminal Thr residues of Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin (ERM) is often linked to cell shape change. To determine the role of phophorylated ERM, we modified phosphorylation status of ERM and investigated changes in cell adhesion and morphology. Treatment with Calyculin-A (Cal-A), a protein phosphatase inhibitor, dramatically augmented phosphorylated ERM (phospho-ERM...

Particular genetic structures which—though they lack their own recombinase genes— can be excised in circular form thanks to extensive direct repeats (DRs) flanking the DNA segment undergoing excision have recently been described in both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria (1–6). They carry mostly antibiotic resistance genes. The earliest and the latest three of the above-noted studies were...

PURPOSE To identify preoperative markers on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) for residual inner limiting membrane (ILM) in epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling. METHODS In this retrospective case series the preoperative SD-OCTs from 119 eyes of 119 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for idiopathic ERM by a single surgeon were evaluated for markers predisposing for IL...

In this study we describe a multiplex PCR assay for the detection of nine clinically relevant antibiotic resistance genes of Staphylococcus aureus. Conditions were optimized to amplify fragments of mecA (encoding methicillin resistance), aacA-aphD (aminoglycoside resistance), tetK, tetM (tetracycline resistance), erm(A), erm(C) (macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B resistance), vat(A), vat(B),...

Human Hertwig's epithelial root sheath/epithelial rests of Malassez (HERS/ERM) cells are epithelial remnants of teeth residing in the periodontium. Although the functional roles of HERS/ERM cells have yet to be elucidated, they are a unique epithelial cell population in adult teeth and are reported to have stem cell characteristics. Therefore, HERS/ERM cells might play a role as an epithelial c...

AIM To determine if the internal limiting membrane (ILM) was present in the epiretinal membrane (ERM) when we deliberately tried to perform a "double peel" for macular pucker. METHODS Pars-plana vitrectomy and a "double peel" were carried out. The ERM and ILM were stained with Trypan Blue and peeled separately over the same area. The amount of ERM present in ILM specimens and the amount of IL...

The purpose of this study was to characterize mechanisms of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance in Shigella boydii. S. boydii strain 2246 with resistance to ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and azithromycin was isolated from a human case of watery diarrhea in a Chinese public hospital. Resistance in strain 2246 to ceftriaxone and azithromycin was attributable to the presence of blaCTX-M-14, and...

INTRODUCTION Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important organism in view of its prevalence and ability to cause serious infections; its resistance to antimicrobial agents is increasing worldwide. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns of resistance of S. pneumoniae to penicillin, macrolides and various other antibiotics in strains isolated from Lebanese patients. METHODS 121 str...