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Biomedical subjects

S Leahy

Publications and source records attributed to S Leahy.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Prophage-like elements in bifidobacteria: insights from genomics, transcription, integration, distribution, and phylogenetic analysis.

So far, there is only fragmentary and unconfirmed information on bacteriophages infecting the genus Bifidobacterium. In this report we analyzed three prophage-like elements that are present in the genomes of Bifidobacterium breve UCC 2003, Bifidobacterium longum NCC 2705, and Bifidobacterium longum DJO10A, designated Bbr-1, Bl-1, and Blj-1, respectively. These prophagelike elements exhibit homology with genes of double-stranded DNA bacteriophages spanning a broad phylogenetic range of host bacteria and are surprisingly closely related to bacteriophages infecting low-G+C bacteria. All three prophage-like elements are integrated in a tRNA(Met) gene, which appears to be reconstructed following phage integration. Analysis of the distribution of this integration site in many bifidobacterial species revealed that the attB sites are well conserved. The Blj-1 prophage is 36.9 kb long and was induced when a B. longum DJO10A culture was exposed to mitomycin C or hydrogen peroxide. The Bbr-1 prophage-like element appears to consist of a noninducible 28.5-kb chimeric DNA fragment composed of a composite mobile element inserted into prophage-like sequences, which do not appear to be widely distributed among B. breve strains. Northern blot analysis of the Bbr-1 prophage-like element showed that large parts of its genome are transcriptionally silent. Interestingly, a gene predicted to encode an extracellular beta-glucosidase carried within the Bbr-1 prophage-like element was shown to be transcribed.

Base Sequence↗

Familial occurrence of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancer.

A survey of patients with histologically confirmed nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) found 12 families in which several members developed skin cancers. The prevalence of NMSC in these families was far greater than in the normal population. The trait appeared to be dominantly inherited, and NMSC developed at an earlier age in succeeding generations, possibly because of a change in sun exposure habits.

Adolescent↗

Basal-cell carcinoma in temperate and tropical Australia.

The clinical features of patients with basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) living in temperate and tropical Australia were studied. In the temperate zone the patients were considerably older on average, men outnumbered women and there were differences between the sexes in the site of the prevalent BCC. In the tropics the patients were significantly younger on average, the male-to-female ratio approached unity and there were no differences between the sexes with regard to the site of the BCC.

Adult↗

Squamous cell carcinoma in southern and northern Australia.

Squamous cell carcinoma (scc) of the skin was studied in two similar populations, one living in the temperate zone of Australia, the other living in the tropics. In the tropics, the patients were significantly younger, the man to woman ratio approached unity, and women had significantly more sccs on the legs. In the temperate zone, men had significantly more on the head and neck, but women had significantly more on the upper and lower limbs.

Adolescent↗

Skin cancers and HLA frequencies in renal transplant recipients.

An association between HLA DR7 and the development of multiple non-melanoma skin cancer was detected in immunosuppressed patients in southern Australia. The relative risk was 2.6 which was lower than for immunocompetent patients with the same skin cancers. HLA frequencies of renal transplant recipients with multiple skin cancers were determined. The types HLA B27 and HLA Dr7 were found in significantly higher frequency, and there was no absence of HLA A11.

Adult↗

The changing face of skin cancer in Australia.

A survey of patients with basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) revealed that major changes have occurred since the World War II. In the pre-World War II generations, men out-number women and most BCCs occur on the head and neck. Men had more BCCs on the ear and trunk, while women had more on the head and leg. In the post-World War II generation, women outnumbered men and most BCCs occurred on the trunk.

Adult↗

Clinical management of pain in children with cancer: selected approaches and innovative strategies.

More than 50% of children with cancer experience some type of cancer-related pain. Yet many children with cancer do not receive the benefit of current knowledge or innovative techniques in pain management. The authors review specific types of pain observed in children with cancer. The case studies are examples of clinical situations in which the child with cancer experiences pain. Each case study is followed by a discussion of appropriate pain management strategies. Approaches to pain management discussed in this article emphasize several of the new techniques that are now being used for pediatric cancer pain management.

Adolescent↗