Partial duplication of the short arm of chromosome 2 (dup(2)(p13----p21) associated with mental retardation and an Aarskog-like phenotype

In this report we describe a 3-year-old boy with partial trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 2 due to a de novo tandem duplication 2(dup(2)(p13----p21)). In addition to severe growth retardation and moderate psychomotor delay he presented a dysmorphic syndrome compatible with the clinical diagnostic of Aarskog syndrome.     

Separation and comparison of two monokines with lymphocyte-activating factor activity: IL-1 beta and hybridoma growth factor (HGF). Identification of leukocyte-derived HGF as IL-6

Supernatants of mitogen-stimulated human leukocytes contain two biologically related cytokines, IL-1 and hybridoma growth factor (HGF). IL-1 beta is a potent inducer of HGF in fibroblasts but has little stimulating effect on monocytes that spontaneously produce HGF. Leukocyte-derived HGF and IL-1 were separated by the use of affinity chromatography on specific antibodies and discriminating assay systems for both cytokines. They had different Mr upon gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. In contrast to IL-1 beta, HGF showed heterogeneity on a cation-exchange column. IL-1 beta and HGF were purified to homogeneity by a sequence of four and five purification steps, respectively. Leukocyte-derived HGF was characterized by analysis of its NH2-terminal amino acid sequence. This revealed complete homology with fibroblast-derived HGF, 26-kDa protein, IFN-beta 2, and B cell stimulatory factor 2, molecules which have collectively been designated as IL-6. IL-1 beta exerted an antiviral and growth-promoting effect of fibroblasts, whereas HGF/IL-6 did not. Both IL-1 and IL-6 possessed lymphocyte-activating factor activity, which could be neutralized only by an anti-serum against the corresponding cytokine.     

Heterogeneity of human tissue-type plasminogen activator

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) from human melanoma cells (Bowes) was purified by immunosorbent chromatography on affinospecific polyclonal antibodies and gel filtration in the presence of KSCN. The immunosorbent eluate contained three major components of greater than 200, 85 and 65 kDa, respectively. The 65 kDa t-PA component could be separated by gel filtration on Ultrogel AcA44 in the presence of KSCN to a pure preparation yielding a unique N-terminal amino acid sequence. Immunoblot analysis, using affinospecific antibodies against t-PA, was a specific and sensitive method to identify different types of t-PA (I-IV), as well as t-PA-inhibitor complexes and degradation products in unstimulated melanoma cell culture fluids. Furthermore, the t-PA preparations, produced by phorbol ester-treated melanoma cells, were free of type IV and thus differed physiochemically from the constitutively produced t-PA preparations. The composition of t-PA from mammalian cell cultures is thus more complex than hitherto described.     

46,XX/46,XX,del(20)(pter-->p12.2) mosaicism limited to fibroblasts associated with MCA/MR and severe growth deficit.

In this report the authors describe an 8-year-old severely mentally retarded girl with facial features resembling the facial dysmorphism seen in patients with Alagille-Watson syndrome, severe growth retardation and a 46,XX/46,XX,del(20)(pter-->p12.2) mosaicism in fibroblasts.     

Comparative effects of trichothecene mycotoxins on bovine platelet function: Acetyl T-2 toxin,a more potent inhibitor than T-2 toxin

The effects of the trichothecene mycotoxins (acetyl T-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, palmityl T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), deoxynivalenol (DON), and T-2 tetraol) on bovine platelet function were examined in homologous plasma stimulated with platelet activating factor (PAF). The mycotoxins inhibited platelet function with the following order of potency: acetyl T-2 toxin > palmityl T-2 toxin = DAS > HT-2 toxin = T-2 toxin. While T-2 tetraol was completely ineffective as an inhibitor, DON exhibited minimal inhibitory activity at concentrations above 10×10^?4M. The stability of the platelet aggregates formed was significantly reduced in all mycotoxin treated platelets compared to that of the untreated PAF controls. It is suggested that the increased sensitivity of PAF stimulated bovine platelets to the more lipophilic mycotoxins may be related to their more efficient partitioning into the platelet membrane compared to the more hydrophilic compounds.     

An extensive review on antifungal approaches in the treatment of mucormycosis

During the period of COVID-19, the occurrences of mucormycosis in immunocompromised patients have increased significantly. Mucormycosis (black fungus) is a rare and rapidly progressing fungal infection associated with high mortality and morbidity in India as well as globally. The causative agents for this infection are collectively called mucoromycetes which are the members of the order Mucorales. The diagnosis of the infection needs to be performed as soon as the occurrence of clinical symptoms which differs with types of Mucorales infection. Imaging techniques magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan, culture testing, and microscopy are the approaches for the diagnosis. After the diagnosis of the infection is confirmed, rapid action is needed for the treatment in the form of antifungal therapy or surgery depending upon the severity of the infection. Delaying in treatment declines the chances of survival. In antifungal therapy, there are two approaches first-line therapy (monotherapy) and combination therapy. Amphotericin B ( 1 ) and isavuconazole ( 2 ) are the drugs of choice for first-line therapy in the treatment of mucormycosis. Salvage therapy with posaconazole ( 3 ) and deferasirox ( 4 ) is another approach for patients who are not responsible for any other therapy. Adjunctive therapy is also used in the treatment of mucormycosis along with first-line therapy, which involves hyperbaric oxygen and cytokine therapy. There are some drugs like VT-1161 ( 5 ) and APX001A ( 6 ), Colistin, SCH 42427, and PC1244 that are under clinical trials. Despite all these approaches, none can be 100% successful in giving results. Therefore, new medications with favorable or little side effects are required for the treatment of mucormycosis.     

Petunia hybrida S-proteins: ribonuclease activity and the role of their glycan side chains in self-incompatibility

Summary Self-incompatibility in flowering plants is controlled by the S-gene, encoding stylar S (allele-specific) glycoproteins. In addition to three previously characterized Petunia hybrida S-proteins, we identified by N-terminal sequence analysis another stylar S-protein, co-segregating with the S _b-allele. Purified S-proteins reveal biological activity, as is demonstrated for two of them by the allele-specific inhibition of pollen tube growth in vitro. Moreover, the four isolated S-proteins are ribonucleases (S-RNases). Specific activities vary from 30 (S₁) to 1000 (S₂) units per min per mg protein. We attempted to investigate the functionality of the carbohydrate portion of the S-RNases. Deglycosylation studies with the enzyme peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) reveals differences in the number of N-linked glycan chains present on the four S-RNases. Variability in the extent of glycosylation accounts for most of the molecular weight differences observed among these proteins. By amino acid sequencing, the positions of two of the three N-glycosylation sites on the S₂-RNase could be located near the N-terminus. Enzymic removal of the glycan side chains has no effect on the RNase activity of native S-RNases. This suggests another role of the glycan moiety in the self-incompatibility mechanism.     

Direct duplication 16q11.1----16q13 is not associated with a typical dysmorphic syndrome

In this report we present a 3-year-old girl with partial trisomy of the long arm of chromosome 16 due to a direct duplication 16q11.1----q13 (karyotype: 46, XX, dir dup(16) (pter----cen----q11.1----q13::q11.1----q13::q13----qter]. She presented moderate mental retardation and severe hyperkinetic behaviour. Slight dysmorphic stigmata but no internal anomalies were found.     

Monoclonal antibodies to rabbit liver cytochrome P-448

Cytochrome P-448 (mol wt 55,000 Daltons) from rabbit liver was purified to a specific content of 16.6 nmol/mg. Mice were immunised with this preparation, their spleens removed and dissociated lymphocytes hybridised with myeloma cells. Four monoclonal antibodies against cytochrome P-448 were raised and partially characterised. All four antibodies interacted with cytochrome P-448 in intact microsomal fractions and selectively immunoadsorbed cytochrome P-448 from solubilised microsomal preparations. One of the antibodies inhibited benzo[a] pyrene hydroxylase activity in a reconstituted system, one had no effect on activity and two increased activity. The possible applications of such antibodies are discussed.     

TGF-β-Elicited Induction of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3 Expression in Fibroblasts Involves Complex Interplay between Smad3, p38α, and ERK1/2

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) promotes extracellular matrix deposition by down-regulating the expression of matrix degrading proteinases and upregulating their inhibitors. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-3 is an ECM-associated specific inhibitor of matrix degrading metalloproteinases. Here, we have characterized the signaling pathways mediating TGF-β-induced expression of TIMP-3. Basal and TGF-β-induced TIMP-3 mRNA expression was abolished in Smad4-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts and restoring Smad4 expression rescued the response. Inhibition of Smad signaling by expression of Smad7 and dominant negative Smad3 completely abolished TGF-β-elicited expression of TIMP-3 in human fibroblasts, whereas overexpression of Smad3 enhanced it. Inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation with PD98059 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity by SB203580 resulted in suppression of TGF-β-induced TIMP-3 expression, indicating that ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK mediate the effect of TGF-β on TIMP-3 expression. Specific activation of p38α and ERK1/2 by constitutively active mutants of MKK3b or MEK1, respectively, and simultaneous co-expression of Smad3 resulted in induction of TIMP-3 expression in the absence of TGF-β indicating that Smad3 co-operates with p38 and ERK1/2 in the induction of TIMP-3 expression. These results demonstrate the complex interplay between Smad3, p38α, and ERK1/2 signaling in the regulation of TIMP-3 gene expression in fibroblasts, which may play a role in inflammation, tissue repair, and fibrosis.