Questionnaires completed by parents and data from the patients’ m

Questionnaires completed by parents and data from the patients’ medical records provided information on various confounding factors. Results.  Asthmatic children had significantly

higher (P ≤ 0.01) prevalence of caries on primary and permanent teeth in all age groups, and the proportion of caries-free children was significantly smaller (P ≤ 0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, asthma diagnosis, child’s age, daily use of inhaled glucocorticoids, length and frequency of medicine application, spacer use, mouth rinsing with water after medicine application, parents’ education, frequent food and drink consumption, and frequency of toothbrushing were associated with caries experience of asthmatic children. selleck chemicals llc Conclusion.  Children with asthma who had used anti-asthmatic medications had higher caries experience in primary and permanent Vincristine manufacturer teeth. “
“International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 21: 446–450 Background.  Variations in dental development and tooth agenesis have been reported in children with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS). Aim.  The aim was to evaluate the dental development

and missing permanent teeth in children with VCFS. Design.  Forty-five children (23 girls) with VCFS who had visited the cleft palate and craniofacial centre were studied retrospectively from orthopantomograms taken at the mean age of 7.9 years (range 5.8–12.9). Thirteen of the children with VCFS had palatal clefts. The deletion of 22q11 was verified by FISH techniques. The dental stages were assessed by the method of Demirjian, and the dental age was calculated according to the Finnish dental maturity reference values. A paired Student’s below t-test was used in the statistical analysis. Results.  Eight children (17%),

four with palatal clefts, had tooth agenesis. Four children (9%) had agenesis of mandibular incisors. The missing teeth (n = 19) were mainly mandibular incisors (n = 6), maxillary lateral incisors (n = 2), and maxillary second premolars (n = 4). The dental age of the children with VCFS was not different from their chronological age, but there was great individual variation. Conclusions.  A high prevalence of missing permanent teeth, especially mandibular incisors, was observed. The need for thorough clinical and radiological dental examination in children with VCFS is emphasized. “
“International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 22: 68–76 Background.  The change towards a more Westernised diet in Libya may increase the risk of caries and erosion in children. Aims.  To investigate any association between dental caries, dental erosion, and potential dietary risk factors in Libyan schoolchildren. Methods.  A random sample of 791 schoolchildren aged 12 years underwent dental examination for caries and erosion and completed a questionnaire to provide dietary data.


“The aim of the study was to demonstrate the noninferiorit


“The aim of the study was to demonstrate the noninferiority of polyacrylamide

hydrogel (PH) vs. polylactic acid (PLA) for the treatment of facial lipoatrophy in HIV-infected adults. A randomized, blinded, multicentre, noninferiority 96-week study was carried out. Patients with facial lipoatrophy were randomly assigned to receive intradermal injections with PH or PLA, and were blinded to the filler. The primary efficacy endpoint was patient AG-014699 clinical trial satisfaction at week 48 assessed using a visual analogue scale score (VAS). Secondary efficacy end-points included cheek thickness and skin-fold, lipoatrophy grading and quality of life. Safety was assessed by the reporting of adverse events. A total of 148 patients were included in the

study; 93% were men, the median age was 47 years, the median CD4 count was 528 cells/μL, and the median duration of antiretroviral therapy was 12 years. Mean VAS increased from 2.8 at baseline to 7.1 and 7.5 in the PLA and PH arms, respectively, at week 48 (P = 0.0002 for noninferiority) and was sustained at week 96 (6.7 and 7.9 in the PLA and PH arms, respectively; P = 0.003 for noninferiority). Cheek thickness and skin-fold increases and lipoatrophy improvement were similar in the two arms. Quality of life remained unchanged or improved depending on the questionnaire used. In injected patients, subcutaneous nodules emerged Selleckchem LY2109761 in 28 (41%) and 26 (37%) patients in the PLA and PH arms, respectively (P = 0.73). Four patients in the PH arm developed severe inflammatory nodules, a median of 17 months after the last injection. PH and PLA have similar efficacies in the treatment of facial lipoatrophy, but PH may be associated with more delayed inflammatory nodules. “
“Smoking is the most

prevalent modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases among HIV-positive persons. We assessed the effect on smoking cessation of training HIV care physicians in counselling. The Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) is a Smoothened multicentre prospective observational database. Our single-centre intervention at the Zurich centre included a half day of standardized training for physicians in counselling and in the pharmacotherapy of smokers, and a physicians’ checklist for semi-annual documentation of their counselling. Smoking status was then compared between participants at the Zurich centre and other institutions. We used marginal logistic regression models with exchangeable correlation structure and robust standard errors to estimate the odds of smoking cessation and relapse. Between April 2000 and December 2010, 11 056 SHCS participants had 121 238 semi-annual visits and 64 118 person-years of follow-up. The prevalence of smoking decreased from 60 to 43%. During the intervention at the Zurich centre from November 2007 to December 2009, 1689 participants in this centre had 6068 cohort visits. These participants were more likely to stop smoking [odds ratio (OR) 1.23; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07–1.

In each of the two experiments a set of replicates were incubated

In each of the two experiments a set of replicates were incubated under oxic or anoxic conditions, and one set of experimental replicates was supplemented with bentazon and another set

with MCPA. Microcosms without herbicides were used in both experiments as controls. Herbicide concentrations of 2.4 μmol gsoil DW−1 were used in cellulose-supplemented microcosms. Cellobiose-supplemented slurries received a ‘high’ (Bentazon, 8.5 μmol gsoil DW−1; MCPA, 3.01 μmol gsoil DW−1; Fig. 1) or a ‘low’ concentration (bentazon, 0.08 μmol gsoil DW−1; MCPA, 0.02 μmol gsoil DW−1; Supporting Information, Fig. S1). Low concentrations were assumed to be typical in herbicide-treated soils (Bentazon: 15.0 μg gsoil FW−1; Selleck HSP inhibitor MCPA: 2.8 μg gsoil FW−1; McGhee & Burns, 1995; Beulke et al., 2005; Baelum et al., 2006; Galhano et al., 2009). For cellulose-supplemented

microcosms, 50 g of sieved Navitoclax chemical structure wet soil (seven replicates) was mixed with crystalline herbicides and with cellulose sheets (Whatman, UK; > 98% cellulose; Munier-Lamy & Borde, 2000). Cellobiose-supplemented soil microcosms were prepared as duplicated slurries (250 μM cellobiose; Schellenberger et al., 2010). Microcosms were flushed with sterile air or N2 (Riessner Gase GmbH, Germany) to create oxic and anoxic conditions. Molecular hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, pH, soluble sugars, organic acids, alcohols, herbicides, and ferrous iron were measured according to previously published protocols (Tamura et al., 1974; Daniel et al., 1990; Matthies et al., 1993; Küsel & Drake, 1995; Liu et al., 2010; Schellenberger et al., 2010). Cellulose-supplemented Paclitaxel research buy microcosms were incubated for 70 days and measured every 2 weeks. At each time point, one replicate was destroyed for measurement of cellulose weight loss (Munier-Lamy & Borde, 2000). Weight loss was converted into molar concentrations assuming that 1 mol of cellulose is equivalent to 1 mol of glucose. Cellobiose-supplemented microcosms were incubated for 1–2 days. Literature half-life times of herbicides (Bentazon: 42 days; MCPA: 24 days, Environmental Protection

Agency, USA) were in same range or above. Thus, effective herbicide concentrations were probably stable and were not measured. Nucleic acids were purified from soil samples by a bead beating-based lysis procedure and phenol–chloroform extraction (Schellenberger et al., 2011). Pure RNA was obtained by DNase I (Fermentas GmbH, Germany) treatment of nucleic acid extracts (Schellenberger et al., 2011). RNA concentrations were quantified with the Quant-iT RiboGreen assay kit (Invitrogen, Germany). Quantification of 16S rRNA genes and transcripts was performed according to previously published qPCR protocols (Schellenberger et al., 2011). An assay-specific standard (100–108 transcripts per reaction) was included in every run.

9±14mmol/L to 43±10mmol/L (p<00001) and triglycerides from 4

9±1.4mmol/L to 4.3±1.0mmol/L (p<0.0001) and triglycerides from 4.3±4.5mmol/L to 3.0±3.0mmol/L (p<0.001). Significant weight

gain was seen. It was concluded that long-term glycaemic control improved with JNK inhibitor concentration the use of U-500 Human Actrapid in all ethnic groups (p<0.05) at the expense of weight gain. U-500 Human Actrapid is a valuable treatment option in patients with diabetes and severe insulin resistance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons. "
“Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) confers a risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life, but the risk of developing type 1 diabetes is also increased. In this study we have evaluated the

clinical use of C-peptide and β-cell specific autoantibodies during pregnancy with GDM as predictors for later development of diabetes. C-peptide levels were measured 2 hours after glucose intake in pregnancies with GDM SD-208 during 2006–2008 (n=281). The mother′s age and first weight during pregnancy, birth weight of the newborn and postpartum development of diabetes in the women were noted from their records. Between 1995–2008, 669 women developed GDM and were tested for glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA) and tyrosine phosphatase antibodies (IA-2A); 34 women (5%) were found positive for at least one autoantibody. The incidence of diabetes was significantly higher (p<0.001) among women with positive autoantibodies (5/12) compared to women without autoantibodies (21/266) during 2006–2008. When comparing stimulated

C-peptide during GDM between women who later developed diabetes and those who did not, there was no significant difference. Among the 34 women who were autoantibody positive during their GDM between 1995–2008, 50% (n=17) had developed type 1 diabetes, and an additional five had impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. In conclusion, stimulated C-peptide values were of no use in women with GDM regarding Rutecarpine prediction of future diabetes. Analysis of GAD antibodies during GDM is recommended, due to a high risk of type 1 diabetes after delivery. A structured follow up of all women with GDM ought to be considered. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons. “
“For all new prescriptions of thiazolidinediones, pioglitazone must be used Patients already taking rosiglitazone should have a medication review in order to consider alternative therapy Replacement therapy should be tailored according to the clinical needs of the individual patient and should be in line with existing NICE guidance when possible.

Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, can shorten illness cause

Oseltamivir, a neuraminidase inhibitor, can shorten illness caused by influenza by up to 1.5 days if commenced within 48 hours of symptom onset, and it can therefore be used by travelers for presumptive self-treatment

of flulike symptoms. For some high-risk travelers, PI3K inhibitor oseltamivir prophylaxis may also be considered. This can be begun either on arrival at the destination or after a suspected exposure.30 However, there is no clear guidance on appropriate uses of antivirals among travelers, and opinion regarding specific indications may vary according to the predicted incidence, morbidity, and mortality of the annual circulating influenza species. Two factors that argue against the widespread use of oseltamivir by travelers are emerging resistance31,32 and the fact that travelers should be wary of self-treatment of influenza-like illnesses with antiviral medications alone, especially when traveling in malarious areas, as a malaria diagnosis should be considered in any febrile illness.30 Given the recent heightened interest in influenza, it is conceivable that now more than ever travelers (and non-travelers) might

respond to public health messages regarding influenza prevention, APO866 cost or they might deliberately boycott such messages, claiming that public health and the industry exaggerated the risk of influenza. Devising suitable educational messages for travelers about influenza prevention requires information about their baseline influenza knowledge and their perspectives

regarding risk. The studies in this issue provide useful information regarding attitudes and practices to influenza prevention among travelers from the United States to Asia and business travelers, respectively.22,23 They also suggest that, in addition to more widely promoting WHO recommendations for general hygiene precautions for the prevention of influenza, guidelines for seasonal and novel influenza virus prevention need to be clarified internationally. Ideally there should be uniform guidance among international advisory Cytidine deaminase groups, focusing on both traveler vaccination and on carriage and use of antiviral medications. P. A. L. has received fees for consulting and/or serving on an advisory board from GSK and was paid travel to attend symposia and/or conferences by GSK and Sanofi Pasteur. K. L. states she has no conflicts of interest to declare. “
“Background. Many countries with high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection also have substantial Muslim populations. HIV-infected patients who travel to Hajj in Saudi-Arabia may encounter challenges regarding their anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Methods.

uberis based on colonial appearance, Gram stain reaction and cata

uberis based on colonial appearance, Gram stain reaction and catalase test (National Mastitis Council, 2004) and by conventional identification (Odierno et al., 2006). The selected colonies were maintained frozen at −20 °C in Todd–Hewitt broth (Sigma-Aldrich

Co.) containing 20% glycerol for further characterization. Isolates were identified as representing S. uberis by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene according to Jayarao learn more et al. (1992). All the isolates were additionally confirmed by RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, using the restriction enzymes RsaI and AvaII (Khan et al., 2003). Streptococcus uberis ATCC 27958 and Streptococcus parauberis ATCC 13386 were used as reference strains. The target genes, the oligonucleotide primers used and the sizes of the amplicons are summarized in Table 1. Synergistic CAMP-like haemolytic

activities were determined together with a β-toxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus on sheep blood agar plates (Odierno et al., 2006). Genomic DNA was isolated as described by Jayarao et al. (1992), purified by ethanol precipitation and dissolved in a buffer containing 10 mM Tris/HCl (pH 7.6) and 0.1 mM EDTA. Specific oligonucleotide primers for the detection of the cfu, lbp and sua genes of S. uberis were designed for this study with primer3 software (http://frodo.wi.mit.edu/primer3/). CP-868596 molecular weight DNA amplification for the hasA, hasB, hasC, oppF, pauA/B and skc genes was performed using oligonucleotide primers derived from published sequences. All the oligonucleotides were synthesized by Promega

Corporation. The PCR was standardized for the detection of each virulence-associated gene following the methodologies described with suitable modifications to optimize the different conditions that affect the sensitivity and specificity of the reaction. new Details of the primer sequences are shown in Table 1. To amplify the genes, 50 μL of reaction mixture was made containing 20 ng template DNA, 1 μM oligonucleotide primers, 0.4 μM of each of the four dNTPs, 1.50 U Taq polymerase and 1.5 mM MgCl2. The annealing temperature was varied from 48 to 58 °C depending on the gene being amplified. The reactions were carried out in a thermal cycler and genes of each isolate were tested at least twice. A positive and a negative control were included in each run. PCR products were resolved on 1.2% agarose gel at 70 V for 1.5 h. Gels were stained with ethidium bromide solution (0.5 mg mL−1) and photographed under UV light with MiniBisPRO gel documentation. RFLP analysis of the 16S rRNA gene successfully identified 78 isolates as S. uberis at the molecular level based on comparisons with reference strain S. uberis ATCC 27958 (Fig. 1). A synergistic haemolytic CAMP-like reaction on sheep blood agar within the zone of staphylococcal β-toxin could be observed for 18 of the 78 (23%) S. uberis strains. The standardized PCR allowed the amplification of putative and known virulence-associated genes of S.


“This study aimed to provide a first detailed description


“This study aimed to provide a first detailed description of the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) innervation of the human basal ganglia under nonpathological conditions. We applied an immunohistochemical approach to postmortem human brain material with antibodies directed against the 5-HT transporter and the 5-HT-synthesizing

enzyme (tryptophane hydroxylase) to visualize 5-HT axons and cell bodies, respectively. Adjacent sections were immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase BGB324 price to compare the distribution of 5-HT axons with that of dopamine axons. Human basal ganglia are innervated by 5-HT axons that emerge chiefly from the dorsal and, less abundantly, from the median raphe nuclei. These axons form thick ascending fascicles that fragment themselves as EPZ5676 cell line they penetrate the decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncle. They regroup within the ventral tegmental area and ascend along the medial forebrain bundle, immediately beneath the dopamine ascending fibers. At regular intervals along their course, 5-HT axons detach themselves from the medial forebrain bundle and sweep laterally to arborize within all

basal ganglia components, where they display highly variable densities and patterns of innervation. The substantia nigra is the most densely innervated component of the basal ganglia, whereas the caudate nucleus is more heterogeneously innervated than the putamen and pallidum. The subthalamic nucleus harbors 5-HT-immunoreactive fibers that display a mediolateral-decreasing gradient. The fact that all components of human basal ganglia receive a dense 5-HT input indicates that, in concert with dopamine, 5-HT plays a crucial role in the

functional organization of these motor-related structures, which are often Inositol monophosphatase 1 targeted in neurodegenerative diseases. “
“The development of food preferences contributes to a balanced diet, and involves both innate and learnt factors. By associating flavour cues with the reinforcing properties of the food (i.e. postingestive nutrient cues and innately preferred tastes, such as sweetness), animals acquire individual preferences. How the brain codes and guides selection when the subject has to choose between different palatable foods is little understood. To investigate this issue, we trained common marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus) to respond to abstract visual patterns on a touch-sensitive computer screen to gain access to four different flavoured juices. After preferences were stable, animals received excitotoxic lesions of either the amygdala, the orbitofrontal cortex or the medial prefrontal cortex. Neither the orbitofrontal nor the medial prefrontal cortex lesions affected pre-surgery-expressed flavour preferences or the expression of preferences for novel flavours post-surgery.

We describe a cohort of HIV-2-infected patients, focusing on the

We describe a cohort of HIV-2-infected patients, focusing on the method of diagnosis, ARV treatment and complications. Through a retrospective review of medical records at our

centre, we identified 12 patients with HIV-2 infection in our clinic population (1400 active patients) who received care between 2002 and 2011. We summarized clinical characteristics, selleck kinase inhibitor ARV treatment and outcomes. Seven of the patients were male and five were female. All patients were born in West African countries. The mode of transmission was heterosexual intercourse in 11 patients, and injecting drug use in one patient. The median CD4 count at the time of diagnosis was 668 cells/μL (range 23 to 1546 cells/μL). HIV-2 quantitative viral load measurements were not uniformly available to clinicians. Four patients were treated with protease inhibitor-based regimens, with a mean increase in CD4 count of 183 cells/μL (range 43 to 341 cells/μL). The other eight patients have been observed off ARVs. Two patients experienced complications from HIV, one patient had HIV encephalopathy and molluscom contagiosum, and another had microsporidiosis infection in the setting of AIDS. Our results support those of previous studies indicating that HIV-2 has a more indolent

disease course than HIV-1, with a spectrum of disease ranging from asymptomatic to AIDS. Development of a reliable quantitative HIV-2 viral load assay to guide management is needed. Further research studies are needed to establish the best time to start ARV treatment in HIV-2-infected patients. “
“We recommend patients with chronic infection start ART if the CD4 cell count BGJ398 in vivo is ≤350 cells/μL (1A): it is important not to delay treatment initiation if

the CD4 cell count is close to this threshold. The absolute risk of disease progression is significantly higher for a given CD4 cell count in older people (see Table 1), so consideration should be given to starting at higher CD4 cell counts in older unless persons. Evidence from cohort studies suggest that the risk of disease progression is significantly higher once the CD4 cell count falls below 350 cells/μL. Therefore, it is important not to delay unnecessarily the initiation of ART if the CD4 cell count is close to this threshold. We recommend patients with the following conditions start ART: AIDS diagnosis (e.g. KS) irrespective of CD4 cell count (1A). HIV-related co-morbidity, including HIVAN (1C), idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (1C), symptomatic HIV-associated NC disorders irrespective of CD4 cell count (1C). Coinfection with HBV if the CD4 cell count is ≤500 cells/μL (1B) (see Section 8.2.2 Hepatitis B). Coinfection with HCV if the CD4 cell count is ≤500 cells/μL (1C) (Section 8.2.3 Hepatitis C). NADMs requiring immunosuppressive radiotherapy or chemotherapy (1C) (Section 8.3.2 When to start ART: non-AIDS-defining malignancies).

2c), consistent with a critical role for turgor pressure in aeria

2c), consistent with a critical role for turgor pressure in aerial growth, as previously suggested (Plaskitt & Chater, 1995). In contrast,

the wild type did form aerial structures, which, importantly, was accompanied by the secretion of SapB into the medium (Fig. 2d). We previously showed that the rodlin proteins are not essential for aerial growth under normal conditions (Claessen et al., 2002). Strikingly, development of the S. coelicolor strain lacking rdlA and rdlB was strongly delayed on minimal medium supplemented with sucrose (Fig. 3) or KCl (data not shown). In agreement, increased expression of the rodlin genes was observed in sucrose-containing minimal medium (Fig. S2). Development of the chpABCDH Venetoclax purchase mutant strain, CHIR-99021 lacking five of eight chaplin genes, was also delayed in sucrose-containing medium (Fig. 3). However, the presence of sucrose did not affect the transcript level of chpH (Fig. S2). Taken together, these data show that an intact rodlet layer is important for aerial growth under osmotic stress conditions. On the basis of our data, we propose the following model for aerial growth. At the moment differentiation is initiated, ChpE and ChpH are secreted into the medium. These chaplins assemble into an amphipathic film at the air–water interface. As a result, the water surface tension is dramatically reduced, enabling the growth of

hyphae into the air (Wösten et al., 1999). In a low osmolyte aqueous environment, the turgor pressure of hyphae is sufficient to enable hyphae to breach the chaplin film (Fig. 4a). However, in a high osmolyte aqueous environment, the turgor pressure is reduced and insufficient for hyphae to break through the chaplin film to PJ34 HCl grow into the air. Possibly by intercalation, SapB may change the physical properties of the chaplin film, making it easier to breach. As a consequence, this would enable hyphae to grow

into the air, despite their lower turgor pressure (Fig. 4b and c). This model implies that SapB would also affect the properties of the chaplin film at the surface of the aerial hypha. However, rodlins that are secreted by the aerial hyphae align the chaplin fibrils into rodlets resulting in a rigid film. This rigid film may provide stability of the aerial hypha especially when the turgor pressure in the cell is reduced (Fig. 4d). We thank Hjalmer Permentier and Sander van Leeuwen for technical assistance with MALDI-TOF MS and Justin Nodwell for providing the ramS deletion mutant. This work was financially supported by grants from the Northern Netherlands collaboration initiative (SNN EZ/KOMPAS RM 119) and the Dutch Science Foundation NWO (project 816.02.009). D. Claessen is supported by a Marie Curie Reintegration grant (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-230944). “
“Bacillus sphaericus has been used with great success in mosquito control programs worldwide.

Erm proteins catalyze either monomethylation (type I) or dimethyl

Erm proteins catalyze either monomethylation (type I) or dimethylation (type II) reactions at the exocyclic N6 position of a specific adenine residue (A2058, Escherichia coli rRNA nucleotide numbering) in 23S rRNA to reduce the affinity of MLSB antibiotics to the peptidyl transferase center, the most problematic MLSB-resistance mechanism adopted by many clinically LGK-974 clinical trial isolated, resistant

pathogens (Weisblum, 1995). KsgA, another posttranscriptional rRNA methylation enzyme, catalyzes two consecutive dimethylation reactions, resulting in two adjacent, dimethylated adenines at the 3′ end of 16S rRNA in bacteria (Helser et al., 1972; Poldermans et al., 1979; O’Farrell et al., 2004). In contrast to Erm, the inactivation of the ksgA gene confers resistance to the aminoglycoside antibiotic kasugamycin. KsgA enzymes and the resulting methylated adenine bases Vincristine chemical structure appear to be conserved

in all three domains of life (O’Farrell et al., 2004; Xu et al., 2008; Park et al., 2009), while Erm is found in limited species of microorganisms that are considered to be either the target or the producers of MLSB antibiotics (Weisblum, 1995). This finding suggests that KsgA might be an essential enzyme for survival, but Erm is necessary only in the presence of antibiotic pressure. However, KsgA is not absolutely essential in bacteria. Mutant E. coli (i.e., KsgA−) exhibits a longer doubling Y-27632 cell line time, but survival does not appear to be affected by mutation (O’Farrell et al., 2004). Recent studies have demonstrated that KsgA binds to translationally inactive 30S ribosomal subunits and acts as a checkpoint in ribosome biogenesis by ensuring that only mature small subunits proceed to translation (Desai and Rife, 2006; Connolly

et al., 2008; Mangat and Brown, 2008; Xu et al., 2008). On the other hand, the eukaryotic ortholog of KsgA, Dim1, is found to be essential in yeast, where its most important role is the cleavage of 33S pre-rRNA rather than rRNA methylation (Lafontaine et al., 1994, 1995; Pulicherla et al., 2009). The sequence homology between Erm and KsgA was first recognized in the mid-1980s (van Buul and van Knippenberg, 1985). These two protein families also have a very similar basic architecture; both consist of two domains, a conserved Rossman-fold N-terminal domain and a less-conserved C-terminal domain, and carry out very similar catalytic reactions (Yu et al., 1997; Schluckebier et al., 1999; O’Farrell et al., 2004). Recent crystal structures of Aquifex aeolicus KsgA in complex with RNA and cofactor revealed that Erm and KsgA showed a very similar mode in cofactor binding, but a different mode in the details of RNA binding (Tu et al., 2009).