Currently, the data available for DDAVP use in pregnancy are from

Currently, the data available for DDAVP use in pregnancy are from a number of small trials and cases studies, so any conclusions drawn are from limited Saracatinib cell line evidence which illustrates the need for further

research in the role of DDAVP in the management of pregnancies complicated by bleeding disorders. The authors stated that they had no interests which might be perceived as posting a conflict or bias. “
“Summary.  Haemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder caused by a lack or decrease of coagulation factor VIII activity. The molecular diagnosis of HA is challenging and a variety of different mutations have been identified throughout the F8 gene. Our aim was to detect the causative mutation in 266 HA patients from Emilia-Romagna region (Italy) and in all suspected carriers. JQ1 Molecular analysis of F8 in 201 HA patients (152 index cases) was performed with a combination of several indirect and direct molecular approaches, such as long distance polymerase chain reaction, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and direct sequencing. The analysis revealed 78 different mutations, 23 of which were novel, not having been reported in national or international databases. The detection rate was

100%, 86% and 89% in patients with severe, moderate and mild HA, respectively. The information provided by this registry will be helpful for monitoring the treatment of HA patients in Emilia-Romagna

and also for reliable genetic BCKDHA counselling of affected families in the future. “
“Summary.  Recently, the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation published recommendations for the standard of care for assessment and treatment of patients with bleeding disorders in the emergency department (A&E). An audit was undertaken to compare the level of care to the acceptable standards in a tertiary hospital A&E, attached to a haemophilia comprehensive care centre. A&E attendances were found by cross referencing all patients with known bleeding disorders against the EDMS attendance system. Visits from the past 3 years were identified to produce sufficient data and electronic notes from these visits were then accessed, and marked against the proforma. Data were available from 45 of a total of 54 patients, who had a total of 75 emergency visits documented. In all aspects of care, the standards were not adequately met including the average length of time between booking and clinical assessment, early initiation of specific haemostatic treatment, seeking haematology advice and arrangement of follow-up. Also no specialist clotting investigations were done with only 9/11 patients admitted having their haematological diagnosis recorded. In addition, only very few patients had the severity of bleeding disorder noted and less than half their first line treatment documented.

This individualized approach allowed successful management of the

This individualized approach allowed successful management of the patient. “
“This retrospective study compared computed tomography (CT) imaging to routine dental periapical radiographs in diagnosing radiolucencies around endodontically treated teeth. Of the 244 CT scans evaluated, 104 had no teeth on the scan. On the remaining 140 scans, 353 teeth fell into the following categories: 59 maxillary molars, 30 mandibular molars, 66 maxillary premolars, 56 mandibular premolars, and 141 anterior teeth. Positive and negative predictive values were calculated, as were sensitivity, specificity, and prevalence assuming the CT scan was the test standard. For the total tooth population periapical

radiograph – CT slice sensitivity was 52, specificity was 90, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 97, the negative predictive value (NPV) was 25, and the prevalence 85. In the population studied, Forskolin concentration the CT scan had a greater ability to show radiolucencies that were not evident on periapical radiographs. “
“Healthy jawbones ensure better selleck kinase inhibitor tooth anchorage and the ability to masticate and maintain metabolism. This is achieved by a delicate balance between bone formation and resorption in response to functional demands. An imbalance in the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK) ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) or osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is believed to

be the underlying mechanism of osteolysis in metastases, multiple myelomas, and cancer therapy-induced bone loss in patients. Considered mainly as bone-specific agents to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, bisphosphonates, in combination with certain chemotherapeutic agents have proved to be effective in prevention of tumor formation and metastatic osteolysis in bone tissue. Osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with them has, however, been of grave concern to the prosthodontist,

as it predisposes patients to a bone-deficient basal seat for dental prostheses. This manuscript reviews available information over the past 13 years on possible mechanisms of bone loss, bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of jaw bones, and prosthodontic ADAMTS5 concerns. “
“This is a report of a case of an unusual oral lesion after the placement of mini implants for the retention of a mandibular overdenture. A patient received four 2-mm-wide dental implants in the anterior mandible and had her mandibular denture relined with a soft material. After 3 months, she was not wearing her mandibular denture, and two nodular ulcerated lesions were observed near the mini implants. The lesions ceased following excision and regular denture wearing. Clinical and microscopic examination led to the diagnosis of traumatic ulcerative granuloma with stromal eosinophilia (TUGSE). TUGSE is rare lesion with a benign course that may occur following injury of the oral mucosa by mini implants under certain circumstances.

16 We have also demonstrated that depletion of IL-12p40 strongly

16 We have also demonstrated that depletion of IL-12p40 strongly inhibits the appearance of autoimmune Selleckchem Ulixertinib cholangitis in dnTGFβRII mice, which indicates the critical obligatory requirement of IL-12p40 signaling in the pathogenesis of autoimmune cholangitis.25 Discussion of other anti-inflammatory

and regulatory roles of mononuclear subsets in both patients and our animal models have been discussed elsewhere.13, 26-32 Furthermore, autoimmune cholangitis can be transferred to Rag−/− recipients using splenic-derived CD8 T cells from dnTGFβRII mice. In contrast, inflammatory bowel disease can be transferred in the identical system through the use of splenic-derived CD4 T cells.33 We found the same

pathological dichotomy here. Thus, depletion of IL-6 in this model leads to dramatic improvement of inflammatory bowel disease but is accompanied by a significant increase CH5424802 concentration in hepatic inflammation. IL-6 has attracted and continues to attract significant attention as a means to modulate immune function and reduce inflammation. This is best exemplified by the proposed usage of mAbs to IL-6R in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.34 IL-6 was originally identified as an essential B cell differentiation factor that activates B cells to produce immunoglobulin2, 35 exemplified by the IL-6–dependent anti-DNA antibody production in a murine pristane-induced lupus model.36 Yet, the data here demonstrate that liver lymphocytic infiltration and biliary proliferation became worse in dnTGFβRII IL-6−/− mice compared with dnTGFβRII mice, despite a decrease of AMAs in the dnTGFβRII IL-6−/− mice. In this respect, it is important to note that our laboratory has also reported that depletion of B cells Cell Penetrating Peptide in dnTGFβRII mice, using another double construct animal, the dnTGFβRIIμ−/− mouse, led to reduced inflammatory bowel disease but exacerbated autoimmune cholangitis.22 Here, we also note that the liver of the dnTGFβRII

IL-6−/− mice not only show significant increases in liver infiltrates but these mice also show an increase in biliary duct proliferation as compared to similarly aged dnTGFβRII mice. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note the absence of granuloma in the dnTGFβRII IL-6−/− mice. Biliary ductular proliferation has been proposed as an important factor in the initiation and progression of biliary cirrhosis.37-39 Proliferating intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells are a prominent feature of autoimmune cholangitis in our NOD.c3c4 (nonobese diabetic) mouse model.40 However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of cholangiocyte proliferation and biliary cirrhosis are not well understood. Data from several studies have suggested the involvement of IL-6 on cholangiocyte proliferation, but the data have been conflicting.

Results:  On T1-weighted images of the porcine liver, the RF abla

Results:  On T1-weighted images of the porcine liver, the RF ablated lesions showed hyperintense

regions with hypointense rims, which histopathologically corresponded to sinusoidal congestion. The Gd concentrations in ablated regions in group A were significantly higher than those in non-ablated regions, while the concentrations in both regions in group B fell to nearly undetectable levels. In 27 of the 28 HCC nodules, the treated area consisted of a hypointense region, indicative of the tumor, and a surrounding hyperintense rim 2 h after ablation. Subsequently, a thin hypointense check details region was observed in the outermost layer 24 and 72 h after ablation. Conclusion:  Administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA in conjunction with RF ablation of HCC may be feasible for the assessment of an accurate ablative margin. “
“Instant oatmeal has been proposed as a good alternative to the standardized low-fat egg white test meal for gastric emptying studies. We aim to establish normal values of oatmeal-based

gastric emptying scintigraphy and test its AUY-922 nmr correlation with gastroparesis symptoms in the Chinese population. This study prospectively enrolled 60 healthy volunteers, 30 functional dyspepsia and 30 diabetes patients with gastroparesis symptoms. All participants were evaluated using the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index. Each participant ingested instant oatmeal mixed with 1 mCi of 99mTc diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid, and serial imaging was immediately

acquired for 3 h in the supine position using a left anterior oblique projection. Time-activity curves were generated and quantitative parameters were determined. Normal values were established from healthy volunteers and further applied in the symptomatic patients. All participants finished the test meal and tolerated the procedure well. All gastric emptying parameters were not significantly affected by age or gender. Values above the 95th many percentile of T1/2, gastric retention at 1, 2, and 3 h (85 min, 65%, 28%, and 8%, respectively) were indicative of delayed gastric emptying. Values below the 5th percentile of gastric retention at 0.5 and 1 h (40% and 15%, respectively) were indicative of rapid gastric emptying. The lower gastric retention limit at 0.5 and 1 h were 40% and 15%, respectively. Four (13.3%) diabetes and four (13.3%) functional dyspepsia patients had delayed emptying while three diabetes patients (10%) had rapid emptying. Gastric emptying parameters correlated best with vomiting (r = 0.621) and nausea (r = 0.566) in diabetes patients. We established normal values of oatmeal-based gastric emptying scintigraphy and observed good correlation with cardinal gastroparesis symptoms in the Chinese population. “
“Polycystic liver disease may complicate autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a disease caused by mutations in polycystins, which are proteins that regulate signaling, morphogenesis, and differentiation in epithelial cells.

It has recently been shown in a model of atherosclerosis that sus

It has recently been shown in a model of atherosclerosis that sustained induction of apoptosis in lesional macrophages results in significant increases in inflammation and lesion size.31 In this model, the defective clearance of apoptotic macrophages in advanced lesions favors

enhanced recruitment of monocytes and thus leads to enhanced atherogenesis.31 It is thus very likely that in our model increased hepatic macrophage apoptosis provides a strong signal for the NVP-BEZ235 datasheet infiltration of additional monocytes and thereby perpetuates the inflammatory response. By dissecting the expression of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic genes in different hepatic cell populations, our results suggest that bcl2 is the specific molecular target for CX3CR1-mediated survival signals

in hepatic monocytes/macrophages. In agreement, bcl2 down-regulation has also been reported in circulating CX3CR1−/− monocytes and inflamed tissue macrophages by other investigators.22, 24 Moreover, overexpression of bcl2 in CX3CR1-deficient monocytes/macrophages could restore their survival,22 and enforced cell survival by the transduction of CX3CR1-deficient BM with bcl2-overexpressing constructs restored Fostamatinib chemical structure the phenotype of CX3CR1−/− mice in an atherosclerosis model.22 Moreover, in the absence of CX3CR1, hepatic monocytes/macrophage displayed a more proinflammatory TNF/iNOS-producing phenotype. Interestingly, this skewing toward the proinflammatory M1-type macrophage subtype1 was apparent already after acute injury, and this AZD9291 in vivo suggests that CX3CL1 limits the

activation of macrophages in vivo. This conclusion is strongly supported by recent in vitro experiments using murine liver macrophages, which demonstrated increased TNF expression and reduced arginase 1 expression by CX3CR1-deficient macrophages upon CCl4 stimulation.32 Furthermore, CX3CL1 induced preferential arginase 1 expression in WT liver macrophages.32 Similarly, the pretreatment of (BM-derived) macrophages with fractalkine suppressed the release of TNF upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation.33 Collectively, the in vitro data and our in vivo models provide evidence that CX3CR1-deficient macrophages deviate toward a proinflammatory M1 phenotype upon activation and that in turn CX3CL1 inhibits skewing toward an M1 phenotype in WT macrophages. By activating antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory signals in hepatic macrophages, the fractalkine-CX3CR1 pathway represents a protective mechanism that limits liver inflammation and fibrosis in vivo. Thus, pharmacological augmentation of this pathway may represent a possible therapeutic antifibrotic strategy for patients with chronic liver inflammation.

The management of patients with inhibitors is the greatest challe

The management of patients with inhibitors is the greatest challenge facing haemophilia health professionals. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) can be successful in eliminating the inhibitor in the majority of Ixazomib concentration patients, provided it is started soon after the inhibitor develops and the titre of the inhibitor is <10 BU at commencement of ITI. Acute bleeding is treated using one of two bypassing agents, which exhibit similar efficacy and safety. Surgery in inhibitor patients is challenging and should only be carried out in experienced centres. The use of clotting factor concentrates

has transformed the lives of persons with haemophilia. Unfortunately the use of non-virally inactivated products prior to the mid-1980s resulted in most recipients being infected with hepatitis C and many also with HIV. The use of viral inactivation proved highly efficient in virtually eliminating the infective risk of plasma-derived products. FDA approved Drug Library datasheet Furthermore, in the

last 20 years recombinant products, which do not carry the infective risk have been introduced. The most important adverse event associated with factor VIII concentrate use today is the development of FVIII alloantibodies (inhibitors). Inhibitors are more likely to occur during the first 50 exposure days in previously untreated patients (PUPS) and develop in up to a third of the severe patients.

There selleckchem is debate in the literature as to whether there is a difference in the inhibitor risk in PUPS between plasma derived and recombinant concentrates [1], and a randomized clinical trial is currently investigating this. Inhibitors in previously treated patients are much rarer, occurring in approximately 2 per 1 000 patient years and recently there has been a debate as to whether B-domain deleted FVIII concentrates are associated with a higher inhibitor risk than full-length products [2,3]. Once an inhibitor develops, it results in increased mortality, morbidity and cost for the affected individual [4]. It is sometimes possible to eliminate the inhibitor using immune tolerance induction where FVIII is administered regularly and frequently. When bleeding occurs in the presence of an alloantibody, treatment with a bypassing agent is required. Sometimes it is necessary to carry out emergency or elective surgery in the presence of an inhibitor and this can be very challenging. In this manuscript the issues of ITI, treatment with bypassing agents and surgery in patients with inhibitors are reviewed. Bypassing agents are less effective for treatment of bleeding and only partially effective as prophylaxis in inhibitor patients, compared with FVIII in non-inhibitor patients.

The Pringle maneuver was safely applied in living donor hepatecto

The Pringle maneuver was safely applied in living donor hepatectomy, but the only benefit was the reduction of blood loss during the donor surgery, and no positive

impact on the recipient outcome. “
“Aim:  The efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is positive, but for postoperative HCC, many studies have reported controversial results. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant TACE for participants with HCC. Methods:  Electronic and manual searches were conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating postoperative adjuvant TACE for participants with HCC. Results:  Six RCT totaling 659 participants, of whom almost all were of stage IIIA Pexidartinib datasheet HCC, were included. For the 1-year tumor recurrence rate, hepatectomy plus TACE showed statistically significant less incidence Afatinib mw of recurrence, with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55–0.84, P = 0.0003). For 1-year mortality, the trials were favorable for TACE with a pooled risk ratio of 0.48 (95% CI = 0.35–0.65, P < 0.00001). For 3-year mortality, the trials also revealed statistically significant less incidence,

with a pooled risk ratio of 0.76 (95% CI = 0.64–0.90, P = 0.002). However, for 5-year mortality, TACE did not demonstrate statistically significant less incidence (RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.81–1.08, P = 0.36). Transient fever and nausea/vomiting were reported as side-effects of TACE but were well tolerated by most participants. Conclusion:  Postoperative adjuvant TACE seems promising for participants with HCC with risk factors (multiple nodules of >5 cm or vascular invasion) but requires further trial. “
“Hyperbilirubinemia is common during

critical illness and is associated with adverse outcome. Whether hyperbilirubinemia reflects intensive care unit (ICU) cholestasis is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this aminophylline study was to analyze hyperbilirubinemia in conjunction with serum bile acids (BAs) and the key steps in BA synthesis, transport, and regulation by nuclear receptors (NRs). Serum BA and bilirubin levels were determined in 130 ICU and 20 control patients. In liver biopsies messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of BA synthesis enzymes, BA transporters, and NRs was assessed. In a subset (40 ICU / 10 controls) immunohistochemical staining of the transporters and receptors together with a histological evaluation of cholestasis was performed. BA levels were much more elevated than bilirubin in ICU patients. Conjugated cholic acid (CA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) were elevated, with an increased CA/CDCA ratio. Unconjugated BA did not differ between controls and patients. Despite elevated serum BA levels, CYP7A1 protein, the rate-limiting enzyme in BA synthesis, was not lowered in ICU patients.

Using co-immunoprecipitation, we showed an interaction between Re

Using co-immunoprecipitation, we showed an interaction between Reptin and DNA-PKcs. Phospho-H2AX dephosphorylation is regulated by histone H4 acetylation, itself dependent on Tip60 activity. We found however that global H4 acetylation was unchanged upon Reptin silencing, and that Tip60 expression was reduced. Finally, depletion of Reptin was synergistic with treatment with etoposide or γ irradiation to reduce cell growth, as measured with the MTS assay. In conclusion, ICG-001 in vitro Reptin is an important cofactor for the repair of DSBs. Our data, combined with those

of the literature suggests that it operates at least in part by regulating the expression of DNA-PKcs by a stabilization mechanism. Overexpression of Reptin in HCC could be a factor of resistance to treatment, consistent with the observed overexpression of Reptin in subgroups of chemo-resistant breast and ovarian cancers. 1-Grigoletto, S1P Receptor inhibitor Mol Cancer Res 2013,11: 133; 2- Menard, J Hepatol 2010, 52: 681; 3-Rousseau, Hepa-tology 2007, 46: 1108 Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Anne-Aurélie Raymond, Véro-nique Neaud, Jean Rosenbaum Type XVIII collagen (Col18a1) is a predominant component of the hepatic extracellular matrix and undergoes remodeling and altered gene expression during liver disease. In order to establish whether changes in Col18a1 expression

correlate with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression, a DNA microarray dataset of a validated cohort of patients with HCC was obtained and the biomarker software tool X-tile, was employed to analyze the

correlation between levels of COL18A1 expression and survival of cancer patients. Median COL18A1 expression was chosen as the cutoff to separate tumors samples into two groups; COL18A1 high expression group and low expression group. Kaplan Meier survival curves were generated and a log-rank test was used to compare differences between the two groups. We observed a direct correlation Fenbendazole between decreased expression of COL18A1 gene and reduced survival in this cohort having had surgical resection of the primary HCC tumor. The median hazard ratio was 6.1 and remained significantly elevated throughout the analysis period, suggesting COL18A1 expression levels at the time of surgical resection may be predictive of survival outcomes. In order to establish a potential tumor suppressor role for Col18a1, we conducted a diethylnitrosamine-induced HCC trial in Col18a1−/− (male, n=9; female, n=8) and wild type (male, n=10, female, n=8) mice on the C57BL/6 genetic background. Animals were injected with diethylnitrosamine (25milligram per kilogram) at 2 weeks of age and sacrificed at 36 weeks of age to assess tumor burden. We observed a statistically significant increase in tumor burden (tumor number and volume) in male Col18a1−/− mice compared to wild type control.

Hybridization is a threat to species conservation because it comp

Hybridization is a threat to species conservation because it compromises the integrity of unique evolutionary lineages and can impair the ability of conservation managers to identify threatened taxa and achieve conservation targets. Australia’s

Metabolism inhibitor largest land predator, the dingo Canis dingo, is a controversial taxon that is threatened by hybridization. Since their arrival <5000 yBP (years Before Present) dingoes have been subject to isolation, leading to them becoming a unique canid. However, the dingo's taxonomic status is clouded by hybridization with modern domesticated dogs and confusion about how to distinguish ‘pure’ dingoes from dingo-dog hybrids. Confusion exists because there is no description or series of original specimens against which the identities of putative hybrid and ‘pure’ dingoes can be assessed. Current methods to classify dingoes have poor discriminatory abilities because natural variation within dingoes is poorly understood, and it is unknown

if hybridization may have altered the genome of post-19th century reference specimens. Here we provide a description of the dingo based on pre-20th century specimens that are unlikely to have been influenced by hybridization. The dingo differs from the domestic dog by relatively larger palatal width, relatively longer rostrum, relatively shorter skull height and relatively wider top ridge of skull. A sample of 19th century dingo skins we examined suggests that there was considerable variability in the colour of dingoes and included various combinations of yellow, white, ginger and

darker variations GSK-3 activation from tan to black. Although it remains difficult to provide consistent and clear diagnostic features, our study places morphological limits on what can be considered a dingo. A sound understanding of the taxonomy of threatened taxa is essential for setting conservation priorities and the development of species management strategies (Mace, 2004). A poor understanding of species taxonomy can hamper biodiversity conservation efforts by preventing the identification of unique evolutionary units, particularly if the species of potential conservation concern possesses morphological traits that are similar to next those of closely related species (Daugherty et al., 1990). This is particularly true in canids where separate lineages easily hybridize and produce fertile offspring (Roy et al., 1994). Without the taxonomic tools to identify unique evolutionary lineages, it may not be possible to make accurate population estimates of species, identify threatened taxa or develop management strategies to enhance the conservation status of threatened taxa (Bacon & Bailey, 2006). Australia’s largest land predator, the dingo (also known in Australia as wild dog), is an example of a controversial taxon that is threatened by hybridization with domestic dogs. Based on molecular (Savolainen et al.

Some methanotrophs have two or

three copies of mmoX, pmoC

Some methanotrophs have two or

three copies of mmoX, pmoC, pmoA or pmoB genes, and even have two sets of the pmoCAB genes in the genome (Stolyar et al., 1999; Gilbert et al., 2000; Yimga et al., 2003; Ali et al., 2006). We conducted Southern blotting analysis using DNA fragments of mmoX, pmoC, pmoA and pmoB as probes. In each digest, a single band was detected for each gene (Fig. S2). These learn more results indicate that M. miyakonense HT12 harbors a single copy of mmoX, pmoC, pmoA and pmoB in the genome, and that those presented here are the only sMMO and pMMO gene clusters with entire functions in M. miyakonense HT12. Sequence analysis revealed that putative σ54-dependent promoters were found upstream of mmoX, mmoY and mmoR, located 142, 69 and 114 bp from each start codon, respectively (Fig. 1a and Table S2), and that a putative σ70-dependent promoter was found upstream of pmoC (Fig. 2). We carried out primer extension experiments to map the transcriptional start sites. Total RNA was isolated from methane-grown cells in batch cultures with or without the addition of 10 μM copper for the analysis of pMMO or sMMO genes, respectively. In the mmoX promoter

region, the signal mapped to C located 116 bp upstream of the mmoX start codon (Fig. 3a). In the pmoC promoter region, the signal mapped to A located 121 bp upstream of the pmoC start codon (Fig. 3b). However, signals could not be detected in the promoter region of mmoY and mmoR, and 5′-rapid R428 cost amplification of cDNA ends experiments did not identify these transcriptional start sites (data not shown). We suspected that the sMMO genes spanning mmoX to mmoR might be organized in a single operon originating from the mmoX promoter. To verify this, RT-PCR was conducted. cDNA was synthesized using the mmoR specific primer. As shown in Fig. 3c, the coding regions and the intergenic regions could be amplified, indicating that the sMMO genes mmoXYBZDC-orf1-mmoGR are transcribed as a single unit from the mmoX promoter. Similarly, the pmoC, pmoA and pmoB genes could be amplified

by PCR using cDNA synthesized from the pmoB region (data not shown), indicating that the pmoCAB genes are organized as an operon. We have identified and sequenced the entire gene clusters encoding sMMO and pMMO from the novel type I methanotroph M. miyakonense HT12. The sMMO genes are organized in a large Erastin in vivo operon consisting of mmoXYBZDC-orf1-mmoGR, which is transcribed from a σ54-promoter upstream of mmoX (Fig. 1a). The pMMO genes are organized in the pmoCAB operon, which is transcribed from a σ70-promoter upstream of pmoC (Fig. 2). The results confirmed that the organization of each MMO operon is well conserved in all types of methanotrophs, although there are some variations for mmoR and mmoG: they are transcribed from a separate promoter in some methanotrophs (Nielsen et al., 1996, 1997; McDonald et al., 1997; Shigematsu et al., 1999; Gilbert et al., 2000; Stolyar et al., 2001; Theisen et al., 2005; Nakamura et al.