Regulation of Redox Homeostasis Through DNA/RNA Methylation and Post-Translational Modifications in Cancer Progression.

Significance: Aberrant redox homeostasis, characterized by the enhancement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses, is among the well-known cancer hallmarks. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of redox homeostasis in cancer cells has become the focus of many studies. Epigenetic and post-translational modifications (PTMs), as pivotal regulators of multiple biological processes, play critical roles in tumorigenesis and development. Recent Advances: DNA and RNA methylation are important forms of epigenetic modifications. Recent evidence suggests that DNA/RNA methylation and PTMs can modulate redox homeostasis in multiple manners including affecting key molecules in ROS production, elimination, and redox-related signaling, thereby participating in tumor progression. Critical Issues: The regulatory effects of DNA/RNA methylation and PTMs on ROS are of crucial importance for tumor progression. In this review, we introduce the dual role of ROS in cancer, and then focus on the mechanistic role of DNA/RNA methylation and PTMs, especially ubiquitination and acetylation, in regulating redox homeostasis to involve in cancer progression. Future Directions: A complete understanding of how epigenetics and PTMs function in the regulation of redox homeostasis in cancer progression might expand a new direction for the progression mechanisms and therapeutic targets of cancer. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 39, 531-550.

Surveillance of airborne adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a hospital pediatric department.

This investigation evaluated the distributions of airborne adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in public areas in the pediatric department of Children's Hospital in northern Taiwan. The airborne viral and bacterial concentrations were evaluated twice a week for a year using filter sampling with an airflow rate of 12 liters per minute for eight hours in the pediatric outpatient department and 24 hours in the pediatric emergency room. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were conducted for analysis. Approximately 18% of the air samples from the pediatric emergency room were found to contain adenovirus. Approximately forty-six percent of the air samples from the pediatric outpatient department contained Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA products. High detection rates of airborne adenovirus DNA were obtained in July and August in the pediatric public areas. Airborne Mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected only in July in the pediatric emergency room and the peak levels were found from August to January in the pediatric outpatient department. Airborne particles that contained adenovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were the most prevalent in the pediatric public areas. The potential relationship between these airborne viral/bacterial particles and human infection should be examined further.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus genotypes in northern Taiwanese women.

The prevalence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in the general population of northern Taiwan is described. A total of 343 consecutive cervical swabs from women visiting the medical center for routine gynecologic care were included. Cervical cell cytology was examined by the Papanicolaou (Pap) test, and a PCR-based hybridization gene chip analysis was used to identify HPV genotypes. The HPV prevalence in the overall population was 32.4%. When divided into two groups according to cytology, 20.9% of women with normal cytology were HPV positive while 75.3% of women with abnormal cytology were HPV positive. Among positive samples, 68.5% were single type infections while 31.5% harbored multiple HPV types. A total of 32 types of HPV were identified; the leading five were HPV16 (5.8%), HPV58 (5.3%), HPV53 (4.1%), HPV52 (3.8%), and HPV18 (2.3%). Our results constitute baseline data and may provide important implications for future prophylactic programs. The relatively high prevalence of HPV 58, 53, and 52 among northern Taiwanese women has important implications for vaccine development.