Multiplex ligation-dependant probe amplification study of children with idiopathic mental retardation in South India

BACKGROUND:

Mental retardation (MR) is a heterogeneous dysfunction of the central nervous system exhibiting complex phenotypes and has an estimated prevalence of 1-3% in the general population. However, in about 50% of the children diagnosed with any form of intellectual disability or developmental delay the cause goes undetected contributing to idiopathic intellectual disability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 122 children with developmental delay/MR were studied to identify the microscopic and submicroscopic chromosome rearrangements by using the conventional cytogenetics and multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis using SALSA MLPA kits from Microbiology Research Centre Holland [MRC] Holland.

RESULTS:

All the recruited children were selected for this study, after thorough clinical assessment and metaphases prepared were analyzed by using automated karyotyping system. None was found to have chromosomal abnormality; MLPA analysis was carried out in all subjects and identified in 11 (9%) patients.

CONCLUSION:

Karyotype analysis in combination with MLPA assays for submicroscopic micro-deletions may be recommended for children with idiopathic MR.     

Investigation of cytocrom c oxidase gene subunits expression on the Multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflamatory disease, which affects the (Central Nervous System) and leads to the destruction of myelin and atrophy of the axons. Genetic factors, in addition to environmental ones, seem to play a role in MS. Numerous studies have reported mitochondrial defects including a reduction in cytochrome c oxidase (COX) complex function related to the reduction of mitochondrial genes expression in the cortex tissue of patients with MS have been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This study aimed to assess COX5B and COX2 genes expression in MS patients and compare it with normal subjects. We determine expression levels of genes COX5B and COX2, and also gene reference ß-actine using real–time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Data were obtained and obtained and standardized with the gene reference and were analyzed using independent sample t-test with SPSS and Excel programs.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

The resultshowed COX5B gene expression reduced significant in MS patients compared to normal subjects (P < −0.05) whereas, there was no significant difference in the COX2 gene expression between normal subjects and patients. Thus, it can be claimed that down-regulation of mitochondrial electron transport chain genes supported the hypothesis that hypoxia-like tissue injury in MS may be due to mitochondrial genes, different expression impairment.     

Improved Detection of Di-peptides by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry with 2,4,6-Trinitrobenzene Sulfonate Conversion

Highly sensitive detection of small peptides at the pM level was achieved by liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MRM-MS/MS) in combination with the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) conversion technique. Six di-peptides having Tyr at the C-terminal (i.e., Gly-Tyr, Val-Tyr, Met-Tyr, Glu-Tyr, Lys-Tyr and His-Tyr) were subjected to the TNBS-MRM analysis in this study. The TNBS conversion conditions of pH 8.0, 30 °C and 60-min incubation enabled the di-peptides to be successfully converted to a trinitrophenyl (TNP) form with the mass increment of +212 Da. The proposed TNBS-MRM method enabled di-peptide detection that was highly improved by a factor of 3–55 in signal-to-noise ratio due to increased hydrophobicity by the induced TNP moiety. The method also permitted highly sensitive detection of di-peptides with a detection limit of >54 pM (>1.35 fmol/injection), achieving high reproducibility (<5% coefficient of variation) and rapidity (<30 min) by LC-MRM-MS/MS.     

Preclinical screening of histone deacetylase inhibitors combined with ABT-737, rhTRAIL/MD5-1 or 5-azacytidine using syngeneic Vk*MYC multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy with an unmet need for innovative treatment options. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are a new class of anticancer agent that have demonstrated activity in hematological malignancies. Here, we investigated the efficacy and safety of HDACi (vorinostat, panobinostat, romidepsin) and novel combination therapies using in vitro human MM cell lines and in vivo preclinical screening utilizing syngeneic transplanted Vk*MYC MM. HDACi were combined with ABT-737, which targets the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (rhTRAIL/MD5-1), that activates the extrinsic apoptosis pathway or the DNA methyl transferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine. We demonstrate that in vitro cell line-based studies provide some insight into drug activity and combination therapies that synergistically kill MM cells; however, they do not always predict in vivo preclinical efficacy or toxicity. Importantly, utilizing transplanted Vk*MYC MM, we report that panobinostat and 5-azacytidine synergize to prolong the survival of tumor-bearing mice. In contrast, combined HDACi/rhTRAIL-based strategies, while efficacious, demonstrated on-target dose-limiting toxicities that precluded prolonged treatment. Taken together, our studies provide evidence that the transplanted Vk*MYC model of MM is a useful screening tool for anti-MM drugs and should aid in the prioritization of novel drug testing in the clinic.     

Nonconsumptive effects in a multiple predator system reduce the foraging efficiency of a keystone predator

Many studies have demonstrated that the nonconsumptive effect (NCE) of predators on prey traits can alter prey demographics in ways that are just as strong as the consumptive effect (CE) of predators. Less well studied, however, is how the CE and NCE of multiple predator species can interact to influence the combined effect of multiple predators on prey mortality. We examined the extent to which the NCE of one predator altered the CE of another predator on a shared prey and evaluated whether we can better predict the combined impact of multiple predators on prey when accounting for this influence. We conducted a set of experiments with larval dragonflies, adult newts (a known keystone predator), and their tadpole prey. We quantified the CE and NCE of each predator, the extent to which NCEs from one predator alters the CE of the second predator, and the combined effect of both predators on prey mortality. We then compared the combined effect of both predators on prey mortality to four predictive models. Dragonflies caused more tadpoles to hide under leaf litter (a NCE), where newts spend less time foraging, which reduced the foraging success (CE) of newts. Newts altered tadpole behavior but not in a way that altered the foraging success of dragonflies. Our study suggests that we can better predict the combined effect of multiple predators on prey when we incorporate the influence of interactions between the CE and NCE of multiple predators into a predictive model. In our case, the threat of predation to prey by one predator reduced the foraging efficiency of a keystone predator. Consequently, the ability of a predator to fill a keystone role could be compromised by the presence of other predators.     

3.0T磁共振多序列成像对鉴别胰头癌与胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎的应用价值

目的：探讨磁共振多序列成像对鉴别胰头癌与胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎的临床价值及意义。方法：对已确诊的16例胰头癌患者和5例胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎患者的磁共振多序列成像MR进行回顾性分析。主要征象包括：①肿块信号及形态学特点;②胰管及胆管扩张情况;③动态增强的特征;④胰周及大血管受累情况;⑤邻近器官受累与淋巴结肿大情况。检查方法包括：平扫T1WI＋FST2WI＋FS,MRCP,3D—VIBE动态增强扫描。结果：1）肿块形态信号异常：胰头癌与胰头肿块型胰头慢性胰腺炎的信号有较多重叠,在TlwI上均表现为相对低信号,T2WI表现为不均匀稍高、相等或低信号。2）胰管与胆管的异常：胰头癌表现为胰管扩张至肿块处突然截断12例,胆总管突然截断10例,“双管征”10例。胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎胰管扩张3例,2例为串珠样扩张,扩张的胰管可贯通病灶区,胆总管5例均扩张,远端呈短锥形狭窄3例,鼠尾样狭窄2例。3）3D—VIBE强化特征分析结果：随着时间的延长胰头癌强化程度和强化百分率较胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎明显减低。4）胰周大血管受累情况：胰头癌肿块与血管分界不清者8例,部分包绕血管6例完全包绕血管6例;胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎1例与血管分界不清,1例部分被包绕。5）邻近器官受累与淋巴结肿大情况：胰头癌有7例淋巴结肿大主要分布在胰周及腹主动脉旁,胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎,未见明显肿大淋巴结,有四例肾周筋膜增厚,两例肾前筋膜增厚。结论：磁共振多序列成像的联合使用及征象分析,有助于鉴别胰头癌与胰头肿块型慢性胰腺炎。     

Gas6 Promotes Oligodendrogenesis and Myelination in the Adult Central Nervous System and After Lysolecithin-Induced Demyelination

A key aim of therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) is to promote the regeneration of oligodendrocytes and remyelination in the central nervous system (CNS). The present study provides evidence that the vitamin K-dependent protein growth arrest specific 6 (Gas6) promotes such repair in in vitro cultures of mouse optic nerve and cerebellum. We first determined expression of Gas6 and TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) receptors in the mouse CNS, with all three TAM receptors increasing in expression through postnatal development, reaching maximal levels in the adult. Treatment of cultured mouse optic nerves with Gas6 resulted in significant increases in oligodendrocyte numbers as well as expression of myelin basic protein (MBP). Gas6 stimulation also resulted in activation of STAT3 in optic nerves as well as downregulation of multiple genes involved in MS development, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), which may decrease the integrity of the blood–brain barrier and is found upregulated in MS lesions. The cytoprotective effects of Gas6 were examined in in vitro mouse cerebellar slice cultures, where lysolecithin was used to induce demyelination. Cotreatment of cerebellar slices with Gas6 significantly attenuated demyelination as determined by MBP immunostaining, and Gas6 activated Tyro3 receptor through its phosphorylation. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that Gas6/TAM signaling stimulates the generation of oligodendrocytes and increased myelin production via Tyro3 receptor in the adult CNS, including repair after demyelinating injury. Furthermore, the effects of Gas6 on STAT3 signaling and matrix MMP9 downregulation indicate potential glial cell repair and immunoregulatory roles for Gas6, indicating that Gas6-TAM signaling could be a potential therapeutic target in MS and other neuropathologies.     

可吸收螺钉内固定治疗多发性肋骨骨折的临床疗效

目的:分析可吸收螺钉内固定治疗多发性肋骨骨折的临床疗效。方法:选择2013年10月-2015年10月在我院接受治疗的多发性肋骨骨折患者89例作为研究对象,根据内固定材料不同将患者分为研究组和对照组。研究组45例患者采用可吸收肋骨钉内固定治疗,对照组44例患者采用记忆合金接骨板内固定治疗。观察并比较两组患者的临床疗效及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:与对照组比较,研究组患者术中出血量少,术后胸痛缓解时间以及下床活动时间较早,差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者的手术时间、术后引流时间、住院时间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);研究组患者并发症的发生率(6.67%)明显低于对照组(20.45%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:可吸收肋骨钉内固定治疗多发性肋骨骨折具有术中出血量少、术后胸痛缓解时间和下床活动时间快的特点,可作为临床治疗首选材料。     

A High‐Energy‐Density Multiple Redox Semi‐Solid‐Liquid Flow Battery

A new concept of multiple redox semi‐solid‐liquid (MRSSL) flow battery that takes advantage of active materials in both liquid and solid phases, is proposed and demonstrated. Liquid lithium iodide (LiI) electrolyte and solid sulfur/carbon (S/C) composite, forming LiI‐S/C MRSSL catholyte, are employed to demonstrate this concept. Record volumetric capacity (550 Ah L^?1_catholyte) is achieved using highly concentrated and synergistic multiple redox reactions of LiI and sulfur. The liquid LiI electrolyte is found to increase the reversible volumetric capacity of the catholyte, improve the electrochemical utilization of the S/C composite, and reduce the viscosity of catholyte. A continuous flow test is demonstrated and the influence of the flow rate on the flow battery performance is discussed. The MRSSL flow battery concept transforms inactive component into bi‐functional active species and creates synergistic interactions between multiple redox couples, offering a new direction and wide‐open opportunities to develop high‐energy‐density flow batteries.