Telomere length determined by the fluorescence in situ hybridisation distinguishes malignant and benign cells in cytological specimens

Background

Telomeres are tandem repeats of TTAGGG at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes that play a key role in preventing chromosomal instability. The aim of the present study is to determine telomere length using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) on cytological specimens.

Methods

Aspiration samples (n = 41) were smeared on glass slides and used for FISH.

Results

Telomere signal intensity was significantly lower in positive cases (cases with malignancy, n = 25) as compared to negative cases (cases without malignancy, n = 16), and the same was observed for centromere intensity. The difference in DAPI intensity was not statistically significant. The ratio of telomere to centromere intensity did not show a significant difference between positive and negative cases. There was no statistical difference in the signal intensities of aspiration samples from ascites or pleural effusion (n = 23) and endoscopic ultrasound‐guided FNA samples from the pancreas (n = 18).

Conclusions

The present study revealed that telomere length can be used as an indicator to distinguish malignant and benign cells in cytological specimens. This novel approach may help improve diagnosis for cancer patients.     

Brief report: Lactobacillus bulgaricus GLB44 (Proviotic™) plus esomeprazole for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A pilot study

Background

Recent studies of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus GLB44 plus a proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) reported cures of more than 90% of patients with active Helicobacter pylori infections.

Aim

To confirm the high H. pylori cure rates reported previously.

Method

A pilot study was done in healthy H. pylori‐infected volunteers using 3‐gram sachet (3 billion cells) of L. delbrueckii GLB44 plus 22.3 mg of esomeprazole b.i.d., for 14 days. The result was determined by urea breath testing 4 weeks after therapy. Stopping rules required for ending enrollment if less than 3 of the first 10 subjects were cured.

Results

Nine subjects were entered and because all failed to achieve negative urea breath test, the stopping rule required the study to end.

Conclusion

We were unable to confirm reports of achieving a high H. pylori cure rate with L. delbrueckii GLB44 plus a PPI.     

Unveiling the environmental drivers of intraspecific body size variation in terrestrial vertebrates

Aim

Whether intraspecific spatial patterns in body size are generalizable across species remains contentious, as well as the mechanisms underlying these patterns. Here we test several hypotheses explaining within-species body size variation in terrestrial vertebrates including the heat balance, seasonality, resource availability and water conservation hypotheses for ectotherms, and the heat conservation, heat dissipation, starvation resistance and resource availability hypotheses for endotherms.

Location

Global.

Time period

1970–2016.

Major taxa studied

Amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Methods

We collected 235,905 body size records for 2,229 species (amphibians = 36; reptiles = 81; birds = 1,545; mammals = 567) and performed a phylogenetic meta-analysis of intraspecific correlations between body size and environmental variables. We further tested whether correlations differ between migratory and non-migratory bird and mammal species, and between thermoregulating and thermoconforming ectotherms.

Results

For bird species, smaller intraspecific body size was associated with higher mean and maximum temperatures and lower resource seasonality. Size–environment relationships followed a similar pattern in resident and migratory birds, but the effect of resource availability on body size was slightly positive only for non-migratory birds. For mammals, we found that intraspecific body size was smaller with lower resource availability and seasonality, with this pattern being more evident in sedentary than migratory species. No clear size–environment relationships were found for reptiles and amphibians.

Main conclusions

Within-species body size variation across endotherms is explained by disparate underlying mechanisms for birds and mammals. Heat conservation (Bergmann's rule) and heat dissipation are the dominant processes explaining biogeographic intraspecific body size variation in birds, whereas in mammals, body size clines are mostly explained by the starvation resistance and resource availability hypotheses. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind species adaptations to the environment across their geographic distributions.     

Cortical beta EEG oscillations related to changes in muscle tone activity during sleep in spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)

Background

The physiological mechanisms that allow for sleeping in a vertical position, which is primordial for arboreal primates, have not been studied yet.

Methods

A non‐invasive polysomnographic study of 6 spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) was conducted. The relative beta power of the motor cortex and its linear relation with muscle tone in the facial mentalis muscle and the abductor caudae medialis muscle of the tail during wakefulness and sleep stages were calculated.

Results

A strong negative linear relationship (r = ?.8, P = .03) was found between the relative power of the beta2 band in the left motor cortex and abductor caudae medialis muscle tone during delta sleep.

Conclusions

The left motor cortex, through beta2 band activity, interacts with abductor caudae medialis muscle tonicity during delta sleep. This interaction takes part in the mechanisms that regulate the sleep postures.     

Evaluation of DNA extraction methods for Bacillus anthracis spores isolated from spiked food samples

Aims

Nine commercial DNA extraction kits were evaluated for the isolation of DNA from 10‐fold serial dilutions of Bacillus anthracis spores using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR). The three kits determined by qPCR to yield the most sensitive and consistent detection (Epicenter MasterPure Gram Positive; MoBio PowerFood; ABI PrepSeq) were subsequently tested for their ability to isolate DNA from trace amounts of B. anthracis spores (approx. 6·5 × 10¹ and 1·3 × 10² CFU in 25 ml or 50 g of food sample) spiked into complex food samples including apple juice, ham, whole milk and bagged salad and recovered with immunomagnetic separation (IMS).

Methods and Results

The MasterPure kit effectively and consistently isolated DNA from low amounts of B. anthracis spores captured from food samples. Detection was achieved from apple juice, ham, whole milk and bagged salad from as few as 65 ± 14, 68 ± 8, 66 ± 4 and 52 ± 16 CFU, respectively, and IMS samples were demonstrated to be free of PCR inhibitors.

Conclusions

Detection of B. anthracis spores isolated from food by IMS differs substantially between commercial DNA extraction kits; however, sensitive results can be obtained with the MasterPure Gram Positive kit.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The extraction protocol identified herein combined with IMS is novel for B. anthracis and allows detection of low levels of B. anthracis spores from contaminated food samples.     

Determination of Tanshinones in Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography with Fluorescence Detection after pre‐Column Derivatisation

Introduction

Tanshinones are a major class of bioactive ingredients in the traditional herbal medicines, Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza). A sensitive and reliable determination method for tanshinones is useful to ensure the quality of Danshen.

Objective

To develop a sensitive and selective analytical method for tanshinones by high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection after pre‐column derivatisation.

Methodology

The proposed method depends on derivatisation reaction of tanshinones with 4‐carbomethoxybenzaldehyde and ammonium acetate forming intensely fluorescent imidazole derivative.

Results

The proposed method provided excellent sensitivity with the detection limits of 3.3 nM (66 fmol/injection), 3.2 nM (64 fmol/injection) and 2.0 nM (40 fmol/injection) for cryptotanshinone, tanshinone I and tanshinone IIA, respectively, without the necessity of complicated instrumentations. The developed method is successfully applied to quantify the contents of tanshinones in Danshen.

Conclusion

The developed method is the first analytical method for tanshinones by fluorescence detection. Since the derivatisation reaction is selective for the o‐quinone structure of tanshinone, the developed method will become a suitable mean for the discovering of tanshinone type diterpenoids from herbal samples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Treatment of established postoperative nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review

Background  

The relative efficacy of antiemetics for the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is poorly understood.     

A coarse-to-fine approach to prostate boundary segmentation in ultrasound images

Background  

In this paper a novel method for prostate segmentation in transrectal ultrasound images is presented.     

Effect of menstrual cycle phase and hormonal treatments on evaluation of tubal patency in baboons

Background

We evaluated whether menstrual cycle phase influences the assessment of tubal patency by hysterosalpingography (HSG) in baboons.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of baseline tubal patency studies and serum estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P4) values obtained from female baboons used as models for development of non‐surgical permanent contraception in women. The main outcome measure was bilateral tubal patency (BTP) in relationship with estradiol level.

Results

Female baboons (n = 110) underwent a single (n = 81), two (n = 26), or three (n = 3) HSG examinations. In 33/142 (23%) HSG examinations, one or both tubes showed functional occlusion (FO). The median E₂ in studies with BTP (49 pg/mL) was significantly higher than in those studies with FO (32 pg/mL, P = .005). Among 18 animals with repeat examinations where serum E₂ changed from <60 to ≥ 60 pg/mL, 13 results changed from FO to BTP (P = .0001). No sets showed a change from BTP to FO with an increase in estradiol.

Conclusion

In baboons, functional occlusion of the fallopian tube is associated with low estradiol levels, supporting a role for estrogen‐mediated relaxation of the utero‐tubal junction.     

BACTIBASE second release: a database and tool platform for bacteriocin characterization

Background  

BACTIBASE is an integrated open-access database designed for the characterization of bacterial antimicrobial peptides, commonly known as bacteriocins.     

Phosphatidylcholine induces apoptosis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Background  

Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) formulation is used for lipolytic injection, even though its mechanism of action is not well understood.     

Comparative Study of 250 mg/day Terbinafine and 100 mg/day Itraconazole for the Treatment of Cutaneous Sporotrichosis

Abstract  

Itraconazole is currently used for the treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis. Terbinafine at a daily dose of 250 mg has been successfully applied to the treatment of cutaneous sporotrichosis.     

Amino acid residues 201-205 in C-terminal acidic tail region plays a crucial role in antibacterial activity of HMGB1

Background  

Antibacterial activity is a novel function of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). However, the functional site for this new effect is presently unknown.     

A framework for automatic heart sound analysis without segmentation

Background  

A new framework for heart sound analysis is proposed. One of the most difficult processes in heart sound analysis is segmentation, due to interference form murmurs.     

The histologic detection of Helicobacter pylori in seropositive subjects is affected by pathology and secretory ability of the stomach

Background

Helicobacter pylori is unevenly distributed in hypochlorhydric environments. The study aim was to elucidate the risk factors for a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects by measuring the secretory ability of the stomach.

Methods

Subjects aged over 18 years were included consecutively after endoscopic biopsy at gastric lesions with color or structural changes. Blood was sampled for the serum pepsinogen (PG) assay and H. pylori serology test. After excluding the subjects with past H. pylori eradication, the risk factors for a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects were analyzed.

Results

Among 872 included subjects, a discrepancy between the serum anti‐H. pylori IgG and Giemsa staining findings was found in 158 (18.1%) subjects, including 145 Giemsa‐negative, seropositive subjects. Gastric adenocarcinoma/adenoma (OR = 11.090, 95% CI = 3.490‐35.236) and low serum PG II level (OR = 0.931, 95% CI = 0.899‐0.963) were the independent risk factors for a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects. The cutoff value of serum PG II level was 7.45 ng/mL (area under curve [AUC] = 0.904, 95% CI = 0.881‐0.927). Follow‐up studies of Giemsa staining at different sites of the stomach revealed that 75% of the Giemsa‐negative seropositive subjects with adenocarcinoma are positive, whereas none of those with low serum PG II level of <7.45 ng/mL revealed positive findings.

Conclusions

The risk of a negative Giemsa staining finding in seropositive subjects is increased in gastric adenocarcinoma/adenoma specimens and in subjects with a diminished gastric secretory ability with low serum PG II level of <7.45 ng/mL. A false‐negative Giemsa staining finding is common in subjects with adenocarcinoma, and therefore, additional biopsies at different sites should be performed in these subjects.     

Accurate non-invasive image-based cytotoxicity assays for cultured cells

Background  

The CloneSelect™ Imager system is an image-based visualisation system for cell growth assessment. Traditionally cell proliferation is measured with the colorimetric MTT assay.     

Biochanin A improves fibre fermentation by cellulolytic bacteria

Aims

The objective was to determine the effect of the isoflavone biochanin A (BCA) on rumen cellulolytic bacteria and consequent fermentative activity.

Methods and Results

When bovine microbial rumen cell suspensions (n = 3) were incubated (24 h, 39°C) with ground hay, cellulolytic bacteria proliferated, short‐chain fatty acids were produced and pH declined. BCA (30 μg ml^?1) had no effect on the number of cellulolytic bacteria or pH, but increased acetate, propionate and total SCFA production. Addition of BCA improved total digestibility when cell suspensions (n = 3) were incubated (48 h, 39°C) with ground hay, Avicel, or filter paper. Fibrobacter succinogenes S85, Ruminococcus flavefaciens 8 and Ruminococcus albus 8 were directly inhibited by BCA. Synergistic antimicrobial activity was observed with BCA and heat killed cultures of cellulolytic bacteria, but the effects were species dependent.

Conclusions

These results indicate that BCA improves fibre degradation by influencing cellulolytic bacteria competition and guild composition.

Significance and Impact of the Study

BCA could serve as a feed additive to improve cellulosis when cattle are consuming high‐fibre diets. Future research is needed to evaluate the effect of BCA on fibre degradation and utilization in vivo.     

Negative selection of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia cells using a bifunctional rosette-based antibody cocktail

Background  

High purity of tumour samples is a necessity for accurate genetic and expression analysis and is usually achieved by positive selection in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).     

Integrating sequence and structural biology with DAS

Background  

The Distributed Annotation System (DAS) is a network protocol for exchanging biological data. It is frequently used to share annotations of genomes and protein sequence.     

PEPOP: Computational design of immunogenic peptides

Background  

Most methods available to predict protein epitopes are sequence based. There is a need for methods using 3D information for prediction of discontinuous epitopes and derived immunogenic peptides.