The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene and the inhibitor of kappa B-like protein gene polymorphisms are not associated with myocardial infarction in Slovene population with type 2 diabetes

In this study we investigated the association of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene variable number tandem repeat (IL1RN VNTR) polymorphism and of the inhibitor of kappa B-like protein (IKBL) gene polymorphism with myocardial infarction (MI) in a group of patients with type 2 diabetes. The IL1RN VNTR and the IKBL+ 738T > C gene polymorphisms were tested in 374 Caucasians: 151 cases with MI and 223 subjects with no history of coronary artery disease. The IL1RN VNTR polymorphism was not a risk factor for MI in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes (genotype 22 vs. the rest: odds ratio (OR) 1.6; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-3.5; p = 0.2). We also failed to demonstrate that IKBL+ 738T > C gene polymorphism was associated with MI in patients with type 2 diabetes (OR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.3-2.6; p = 0.9). We provide evidence that the IL1RN VNTR and the IKBL + 738T > C gene polymorphisms are not risk factors for MI in Caucasians with type 2 diabetes.     

The Effect of Chronic Long-Term Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia on Bone Mineral Density in Rats: Role of Nitric Oxide

Intermittent hypoxia is the most common pattern of hypoxic exposure in humans. The effect of chronic long-term intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CLTIHH) on bone metabolism is not investigated. We examined the effect of CLTIHH on bone metabolism and the role of nitric oxide (NO) in this process. The rats were divided into three groups in this study. The animals in groups I and II have been exposed to CLTIHH. The animals in group II were also treated with nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. To obtain CLTIHH, rats were placed in a hypobaric chamber (430 mm Hg; 5 h/day, 5 days/week, 5 weeks). The group III (control) rats breathed room air in the same environment. At the begining of the experiments, bone mineral density (BMD) of the animals were measured, and blood samples were collected from the tail vein. After the 5-week CLTIHH period, the same measurements were repeated. Parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphate, bone alkaline phosphatase (b-ALP), NO, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were determined. The cytokines, NO levels, and BMD in CLTIHH-induced rats were higher compared with baseline and control values. The cytokines, b-ALP, and BMD increased while NO levels decreased in the group II compared with baseline values. BMD values of group II were lower than group I but higher than control group. Our results suggested that CLTIHH has positive effects on bone density. Intermittent hypoxia protocols may be developed for treatment and prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis.     

Methylparaben induces malformations and alterations on apoptosis,oxidant–antioxidant status,ccnd1 and myca expressions in zebrafish embryos

Methylparabens (MP) are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmacy, and food industry. Although acute toxicity studies in animals indicated that parabens are not significantly toxic, the effects of chronic exposure under sublethal doses are still unknown and the number of related studies is limited. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of MP on the development of zebrafish embryos focusing on development, locomotor activity, oxidant–antioxidant status, apoptosis, and ccnd1 and myca expressions. The expressions of ccnd1 and myca were determined by RT‐PCR. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Apoptosis was determined using acridine orange staining. Locomotor activity was measured using touch‐evoked movement test. MP exposure increased malformations, LPO, apoptosis, ccnd1 and myca expressions, and decreased GST activities and NO levels compared with the control group. Our findings will lead to further understanding of the mechanism of MP toxicity, and merit further research.     

Biomolecular phases in transverse palatal distraction: A review

Transverse palatal distraction is a biological process of regenerating new bone and enveloping soft tissues in the maxillary palate region. This technique is similar to Osteo-distraction (OD) procedure for bone lengthening in which gradual and controlled traction forces are applied on the osteotomy gaps to produce new bone in between the surgically separated bone segments. This review describes the different phases after osteotomy and the biological process involved during the new bone and soft tissue formation. The mechanical environment formed in the distraction area is due to the traction forces by the distractor appliance. This environment stimulates differentiation of pluripotent cells, neovascularization, osteogenesis and remodeling of newly formed bone. The role of different pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukins, bone morphogenic proteins, transforming growth factors, fibroblast growth factors-2) and extracellular matrix proteins (osteonectin, osteopontin) during the distraction phases has been described in detail. Also, an important note on the nutritional aspect during Osteo-distraction will benefit the clinicians to guide their patients after osteotomy throughout the distraction process.     

Synthesis of acetone glycerol acyl esters by immobilized lipase ofMucor miehei

Summary The applications of immobilized lipase ofMucor miehei for the synthesis of acetone glycerol acyl ester from acetone glycerol and fatty acid, which is the first step for monoglyceride production was investigated. With a high oleic acid to acetone glycerol ratio (O/A, mol/mol), a high catalytic activity was observed under low water content in the reaction mixture. By the combination of high O/A ratio (>3) and removal of water which was produced during the reaction, the conversion degree was increased to almost 100%. With the O/A ratio of 3, the approximate half-life of the immobilized lipase and productivity of ester was estimated to be 20 days and 869 g product/g immobilized enzyme per 2 half-lives, respectively.     

ZINBA integrates local covariates with DNA-seq data to identify broad and narrow regions of enrichment,even within amplified genomic regions

ZINBA (Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial Algorithm) identifies genomic regions enriched in a variety of ChIP-seq and related next-generation sequencing experiments (DNA-seq), calling both broad and narrow modes of enrichment across a range of signal-to-noise ratios. ZINBA models and accounts for factors that co-vary with background or experimental signal, such as G/C content, and identifies enrichment in genomes with complex local copy number variations. ZINBA provides a single unified framework for analyzing DNA-seq experiments in challenging genomic contexts.     

Multimodal optical analysis of meningioma and comparison with histopathology

Meningioma is the most frequent primary central nervous system tumor. The risk of recurrence and the prognosis are correlated with the extent of the resection that ideally encompasses the infiltrated dura mater and, if required, the infiltrated bone. No device can deliver real‐time intraoperative histopathological information on the tumor environment to help the neurosurgeon to achieve a gross total removal. This study assessed the abilities of nonlinear microscopy to provide relevant and real‐time data to help resection of meningiomas. Nine human meningioma samples (four World Health Organization Grade I, five Grade II) were analyzed using different optical modalities: spectral analysis and imaging, lifetime measurements, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, fluorescence emitted under one‐ and two‐photon excitation and the second‐harmonic generation signal imaging using a multimodal setup. Nonlinear microscopy produced images close to histopathology as a gold standard. The second‐harmonic generation signal delineated the collagen background and two‐photon fluorescence underlined cell cytoplasm. The matching between fluorescence images and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining was possible in all cases. Grade I meningioma emitted less autofluorescence than Grade II meningioma and Grade II meningioma exhibited a distinct lifetime value. Autofluorescence was correlated with the proliferation rates and seemed to explain the observed differences between Grade I and II meningiomas. This preliminary multimodal study focused on human meningioma samples confirms the potential of tissue autofluorescence analysis and nonlinear microscopy in helping intraoperatively neurosurgeons to reach the actual boundaries of the tumor infiltration.

Correspondence between H&E staining (top pictures) and the two‐photon fluorescence imaging (bottom pictures)     

Body image disturbance and surgical decision making in egyptian post menopausal breast cancer patients

Background

Proximal major limb amputations due to malignant tumors have become rare but are still a valuable treatment option in palliation and in some cases can even cure. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyse outcome in those patients, including the postoperative course, survival, pain, quality of life, and prosthesis usage.

Methods

Data of 45 consecutive patients was acquired from patient's charts and contact to patients, and general practitioners. Patients with interscapulothoracic amputation (n = 14), shoulder disarticulation (n = 13), hemipelvectomy (n = 3) or hip disarticulation (n = 15) were included.

Results

The rate of proximal major limb amputations in patients treated for sarcoma was 2.3% (37 out of 1597). Survival for all patients was 42.9% after one year and 12.7% after five years. Survival was significantly better in patients with complete tumor resections. Postoperative chemotherapy and radiation did not prolong survival. Eighteen percent of the patients with malignant disease developed local recurrence. In 44%, postoperative complications were observed. Different modalities of postoperative pain management and the site of the amputation had no significant influence on long-term pain assessment and quality of life. Eighty-seven percent suffered from phantom pain, 15.6% considered their quality of life worse than before the operation. Thirty-two percent of the patients who received a prosthesis used it regularly.

Conclusion

Proximal major limb amputations severely interfere with patients' body function and are the last, albeit valuable, option within the treatment concept of extremity malignancies or severe infections. Besides short survival, high complication rates, and postoperative pain, patients' quality of life can be improved for the time they have remaining.     

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase mediated signalling contributes to development of diabetes-induced abnormal vascular reactivity of rat carotid artery

Diabetes mellitus is associated with vascular complications, including an impairment of vascular function and alterations in the reactivity of blood vessels to vasoactive agents. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a signalling enzyme that plays key roles in vascular growth, proliferation and cellular apoptosis and is implicated in modulating vascular smooth muscle contractility. The aim of this study was to determine whether PI3K plays a role in development of diabetes-induced altered vascular reactivity to selected vasoconstrictors and vasodilators. The effect of 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (LY294002), a selective PI3K inhibitor, on isolated segments of carotid arteries from streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats was investigated. Ring segments of the isolated carotid arteries were mounted in organ baths to measure changes in isometric tension. Our results showed that STZ treatment produced an increase in the vasoconstrictor response to norepinephrine (NE), angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) and an attenuated vasodilator response to carbachol and histamine in the isolated carotid arteries from STZ-diabetic animals. Diabetes-induced impaired vascular responsiveness to the vasoactive agonists was prevented by chronic inhibition of PI3K by LY294002 even though blood glucose levels remained high. This is the first study to show that selective inhibition of PI3K can attenuate the development of diabetes-induced abnormal vascular reactivity in the isolated carotid arteries of diabetic rats.