The frequency of the TRPC4AP haplotype in Alzheimer's patients

A haplotype in the gene for transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 4 associated protein (TRPC4AP), has been identified in two extended pedigrees with late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Nine of the SNPs in the haplotype were analyzed in our unrelated Alzheimer's patients and controls. The H1 haplotype was found in 36% of the patients (199 patients) and in 26% of the controls (85 controls) (P=0.0282; OR=1.56; 95%CI=1.05-2.32). The latent classification method of analysis showed that the H1 haplotype was characteristic of Alzheimer's patients, with ages-of-onset between 66 and 80 years. When clinical phenotypes were analyzed, there was a suggestion that the patients with this haplotype may have more behavioral changes and hallucinations. Moreover, both the latent classification analysis and logistic regression analysis indicated that there was no association of the haplotype with either APOE status or gender. The gene is part of a superfamily of cation channels that are involved with calcium entry into cells.

A microfluidics approach for the isolation of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) from the peripheral blood of pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

Nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) have been identified in maternal circulation and potentially provide a resource for the monitoring and diagnosis of maternal, fetal, and neonatal health and disease. Past strategies used to isolate and enrich for NRBCs are limited to complex approaches that result in low recovery and less than optimal cell purity. Here we report the development of a high-throughput and highly efficient microfluidic device for isolating rare NRBCs from maternal blood.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

NRBCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of 58 pregnant women using a microfluidic process that consists of a microfluidic chip for size-based cell separation and a magnetic device for hemoglobin-based cell isolation.

RESULTS

The microfluidic-magnetic combination removes nontarget red blood cells and white blood cells at a very high efficiency (approximately 99.99%). The device successfully identified NRBCs from the peripheral blood of 58/58 pre-termination samples with a mean of 37.44 NRBC/mL (range 0.37-274.36 NRBC/mL). These results were compared with those from previous studies.

CONCLUSION

The microfluidic device results in an approximate 10- to 20-fold enrichment of NRBCs over methods described previously. The reliability of isolation and the purity of the NRBC product have the potential to enable the subsequent application of molecular diagnostic assays.

Genome screen of late-onset Alzheimer's extended pedigrees identifies TRPC4AP by haplotype analysis

Alzheimer's disease is a complex progressive neurodegenerative disorder with profound cognitive decline. Multiple susceptibility genetic variants have been identified with equivocal replication. While rare, collections of extended pedigrees with multiple affected family members are invaluable for genome-wide screens. We have used two extended pedigrees, having 14-15 siblings with four to five affected late-onset Alzheimer's disease patients in each, to identify the gene, transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 4 associated protein (TRPC4AP), on chromosome 20q11.22, as relevant for the disease. Multiple significant SNPs in this gene were found with the initial genome scan (after Bonferroni correction). Additional SNPs were assessed in the families and in the controls which were also significant by haplotype analysis. Moreover, 36% of the patients' haplotypes in our collection of late-onset patients had the same haplotype. These results suggest that TRPC4AP is involved with the disease in these late-onset Alzheimer's families. The results also confirm the use of the genome-wide association study for identifying new genetic variants of complex diseases.

Asymmetric synthesis of chiral 4-substituted 5,5-diethyl oxazolidin-2-ones as potential effective chiral auxiliaries

Four new chiral 4-substituted 5,5-diethyl oxazolidin-2-ones (5a-5d) as potential effective chiral auxiliaries were synthesized from readily available amino acids via asymmetric etherification, Boc protection, Grignard reaction and cyclization reactions in four steps with overall yields of 50-60%.

Treatment of dye solutions by vacuum membrane distillation

In this work, the vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) process has been applied to treat water containing different types of dyes. The influence of operating parameters, as feed temperature, feed flow rate, feed concentration, on the permeate flux and on rejection has been investigated. In all experimental tests, a complete rejection has been achieved and pure water has been recovered at the permeate side. Furthermore, experiments with water as feed have been carried out before and after the tests with dyes, in order to analyze the effect of fouling on the performance of the VMD. The water vapor fluxes immediately after the tests with dyes were higher than the values registered before the tests, probably due to an interaction with the polymeric membrane material which promotes a swelling of the membrane when in contact with the dye solutions. However, initial fluxes are recovered after prolonged cleaning with only water.

A two-scale model for simultaneous sintering and crystallization of glass-ceramic scaffolds for tissue engineering

Bioglass-based glass-ceramic foams have been developed recently as highly porous, mechanically competent, bioactive and degradable scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. However, the development of the material so far has been based on a trial-and-error approach, and the existing materials are far from being optimized. In this paper, a mechanism-based model is presented for sintering deformation of Bioglass foams. The porous foams consist of struts which, in turn, consist of Bioglass particles. A corresponding two-scale model is developed based on existing viscous sintering models. Crystallization plays a key role in the sintering deformation of Bioglass foams and is taken into account in the model. Qualitative comparison between the model predictions and experimental observations is presented, showing that the model is able to capture the complicated interplay between crystallization and viscous flow during the sintering process.

Administration of intracoronary bone marrow mononuclear cells on chronic myocardial infarction improves diastolic function

BACKGROUND

Regeneration of the myocardium and improved ventricular function have been demonstrated in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) treated by intracoronary delivery of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMC) a few days after successful myocardial reperfusion by percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, the effects of intracoronary cell infusion in chronic MI patients are still unknown.

AIMS

To investigate whether intracoronary infusion of BMC into the infarct-related artery in patients with healed MI could lead to improvement in left ventricular (LV) function.

METHODS

Among 47 patients with stable ischaemic heart disease due to a previous MI (13 (SD 8) months previously), 24 were randomised to intracoronary infusion of BMC (BMC group) and 23 to a saline infusion (control group) into the target vessel after successful PCI within 12 hours after chest pain occurred. LV systolic and diastolic function, infarct size and myocardial perfusion defect were assessed with the use of echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or (201)Tl single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) at baseline and repeated at the 6-month follow-up examination.

RESULTS

BMC treatment did not result in a significant increase in LV ejection fraction in any of the groups by any of the methods used, and the apparent tendency of an improvement was not statistically different between the two groups. The two groups also did not differ significantly in changes of LV end-diastolic and systolic volume, infarct size or myocardial perfusion. However, there was an overall effect of BMC transfer compared with the control group with respect to early/late (E/A) (p<0.001), early diastolic velocity/late diastolic (Aa) velocity (Ea/Aa) ratio (p = 0.002) and isovolumetric relaxation time (p = 0.038) after 6 months, as evaluated by tissue Doppler echocardiography. We noted no complications associated with BMS transfer.

CONCLUSION

Intracoronary transfer of autologous BMC in patients with healed MI did not lead to significant improvement of cardiac systolic function, infarct size or myocardial perfusion, but did lead to improvement in diastolic function.

Removal of viable bioaerosol particles with a low-efficiency HVAC filter enhanced by continuous emission of unipolar air ions

Continuous emission of unipolar ions has been shown to improve the performance of respirators and stationary filters challenged with non-biological particles. In this study, we investigated the ion-induced enhancement effect while challenging a low-efficiency heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) filter with viable bacterial cells, bacterial and fungal spores, and viruses. The aerosol concentration was measured in real time. Samples were also collected with a bioaerosol sampler for viable microbial analysis. The removal efficiency of the filter was determined, respectively, with and without an ion emitter. The ionization was found to significantly enhance the filter efficiency in removing viable biological particles from the airflow. For example, when challenged with viable bacteria, the filter efficiency increased as much as four- to fivefold. For viable fungal spores, the ion-induced enhancement improved the efficiency by a factor of approximately 2. When testing with virus-carrying liquid droplets, the original removal efficiency provided by the filter was rather low: 9.09 +/- 4.84%. While the ion emission increased collection about fourfold, the efficiency did not reach 75-100% observed with bacteria and fungi. These findings, together with our previously published results for non-biological particles, demonstrate the feasibility of a new approach for reducing aerosol particles in HVAC systems used for indoor air quality control.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Recirculated air in HVAC systems used for indoor air quality control in buildings often contains considerable number of viable bioaerosol particles because of limited efficiency of the filters installed in these systems. In the present study, we investigated - using aerosolized bacterial cells, bacterial and fungal spores, and virus-carrying particles - a novel idea of enhancing the performance of a low-efficiency HVAC filter utilizing continuous emission of unipolar ions in the filter vicinity. The findings described in this paper, together with our previously published results for non-biological particles, demonstrate the feasibility of the newly developed approach.

Cluster analysis of risk factor genetic polymorphisms in Alzheimer's disease

Multiple genetic variants may contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. We have analyzed polymorphisms in 9 genes to determine whether particular combinations would contribute to this risk. The genes were APOE, LDLr, CST3, CTSD, TNF, BACE1, MAPT, STH, eNOS, and TFCP2. Three risk groups for the disease were identified. Risk group I was younger, was heterozygous for the CST3 (GA), CTSD2936 (AG), TNF -308 (AG) genetic variants. Risk group II was older, was homozygous for the -427 APOE promoter polymorphism (TT), and heterozygous for the MAPT deletion and for the STH variant (QR). Group III had both the youngest and oldest subjects, were heterozygous for the -863 (AC) and -1031 (CT) TNF promoter polymorphisms. All three groups carried the APOE 4 allele and were heterozygous for both BACE1 polymorphisms. The control groups were carriers of the APOE 3 allele and were homozygous for the BACE1 genetic variants.

Structural and biological studies of mononuclear palladium(II) complexes containing N-substituted thiosemicarbazones

New complexes of Pd(II) with N-substituted thiosemicarbazone (1)-(3) have been synthesised and characterised by elemental analyses, IR, electronic, (1)H NMR spectroscopies. The electrochemical behaviour of the complexes has been tested by using cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structures of the complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. In all the complexes the thiosemicarbazone ligand is coordinated to palladium through ONS mode. The complex 1 crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with two molecules per unit cell, has the dimensions of a=9.4390(19)A, b=10.645(2)A, c=13.668(3)A, alpha=90 degrees , beta=91.43 degrees and gamma=90 degrees . The complex 3 crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with four molecules per unit cell, has the dimensions of a=14.119(3)A, b=11.155(2)A, c=18.503(4)A, alpha=90 degrees , beta=112.02 degrees and gamma=90 degrees . The new complexes have been tested for their antibacterial activity against various pathogenic bacteria. From this study, it was found out that the activity of the complex 2 almost reaches the effectiveness of the conventional bacteriocide Streptomycin.

Identification of one vasculature specific phage-displayed peptide in human colon cancer

Blood vessels of tumors might carry specific markers that are usually related to angiogenesis. Investigating these heterogeneous molecules in different tumor vessels might be beneficial for promoting antiangiogenic therapy. In this study, in vivo screening of phage displayed peptide library was used to identify the peptides binding selectively to endothelial cells of human colon cancer. After four rounds of selection, one phage was obtained with a cyclic 7-mer peptide CPHSKPCLC homing to human colon adenocarcinoma. The results of ELISA and competitive inhibition assay clearly showed that the peptide bound specifically to the colon cancer xenograft in comparision with control organs, such as brain, heart, liver, spleen and kidney. This peptide was also identified to bind more heavily to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) than to gastric cancer cells, esophageal cancer cells, colon cancer cells and liver cancer cells. Immunohistochemical results showed that this phage peptide could bind to the endothelial cells of human colon cancer. The peptide might then be a potential candidate for targeted drug delivery in antivascular therapy and diagnosis of colon cancer.

Genetic variants in brain-derived neurotrophic factor associated with Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease is complex, with variants in multiple genes contributing to interactions increasing risk for the disease. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neuronal survival and modulates hippocampal-dependent memory.

METHODS

We examined 11 SNPs that spanned the gene on chromosome 11p14 in 220 Alzheimer's patients and 128 control spouses.

RESULTS

Not all of the SNPs were informative, due to minor allele frequencies of <2%. Neither C270T nor two SNPs that reside proximal to exon V had significant association with the disease. However, we did find that the heterozygous form of the rs6265 SNP (Val66Met), as well as the diplotype of three SNPs (rs6265, rs11030104, rs2049045; H1-GTC/H2-ACG) all were highly significant in APOE 4 non-carriers (OR = 2.734; p = 0.0096).

CONCLUSION

The combination of the diplotypes for three SNPs exhibited significant p values for Alzheimer's APOE 4 non-carriers. The two SNPs (rs11030104 and rs2049045) are found between exons VI and VII, while the Val66Met polymorphism is located in the coding exon VIII; the total distance for the three SNPs is 14308 bp. Whether the SNPs are involved with alternative splicing of the VII/VIII transcript is of considerable interest.

APOE genotypes in African American female multiple sclerosis patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory CNS disorder, resulting in progressive neurological dysfunction. The disease has a higher incidence in Caucasian Americans (CA) than African Americans (AA); however, the latter may have a more aggressive disease course. We used cluster analysis to determine whether there is a difference in disease progression between the races and whether the APOE AND APOC1 genotypes influence the disease progression. AA female patients were younger and had a higher progression index and MS severity score than CA female MS patients. AA females who were APOE 4/4, 2/4, or 2/3 and APOC1 AA had a younger age-of-onset, had primarily a relapsing remitting disease course, with a higher progression index and MS severity score, as assessed by cluster analysis. Cluster analysis also indicated that CA female patients were of two groups. One group was younger, had the APOE 3/3 genotype with relapsing remitting less severe disease. The second CA group was older, had the APOE 3/4 or 2/3 genotypes with more of the secondary progressive more severe disease phenotype. Thus, the AA MS female patients who were APOE 4 carriers had an earlier age-of-onset and more severe disease course than CA MS female patients.

CYP19 haplotypes increase risk for Alzheimer's disease

Cytochrome P450 aromatase, an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of androgens to oestrogen, is expressed at high levels in the gonads and in the brain. Aromatase activity is increased in the nucleus basalis of Meynert during aging and in Alzheimer's disease (AD), making the gene (CYP19), at 15q21.1, a potential candidate risk factor. We examined 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms spanning the 5'-untranslated region and the entire coding region of CYP19 in 227 patients with AD and 131 control spouses. We found that the gene region could be divided into two haplotype blocks; a haplotype in block 1 and a haplotype in block 2 increased the risk of developing the disease by twofold in APOE 4 carriers. The implication of two haplotypes conferring increased risk for AD warrants further investigation of the regulation of aromatase activity in brain.

Chromone glycosides from Knoxia corymbosa

Four new chromone glycosides, corymbosins K1-K4 (3-6), together with two known compounds, noreugenin (1) and undulatoside A (2), were isolated from the whole plant of Knoxiacorymbosa (Rubiaceae). The structures of the new compounds were established through extensive NMR or X-ray spectroscopic analysis as 7-O-beta-D-allopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone (corymbosin K1, 3), 7-O-beta-D-6-acetylglucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone (corymbosin K2, 4), 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-trans-caffeoyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2-methylchromone (corymbosin K3, 5) and 7-O-[6-O-(4-O-trans-feruloyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5-hydroxy-2- methylchromone (corymbosin K4, 6). Compounds 2-5 were subjected to test their immunomodulatory activity invitro.

Expression pattern of BMPs during chick limb development

In vertebrates, BMPs (bone morphogenic proteins) play critical roles in establishing the basic embryonic body plan and are involved in the development of a large variety of organs and tissues. Here, we analyzed the expression pattern of various BMPs (2, 4, 5 and 7) by whole mount in situ hybridization during chick limb development. In limb, expression of BMPs suggests evolutionary conserved mechanisms of BMP-dependent differentiation between lower and higher vertebrates. During the early developmental stages, BMP-2 and BMP-7 are expressed in the posterior distal mesenchyme leaving a less prominent expression anteriorly. BMP-4 is initially expressed in the anterior mesenchyme and spreads later to the whole mesenchyme leaving a stronger expression at the anterior side. From HH-stage 25, expression of BMP-4 is observed in the anterior-posterior margins of the limb bud. The BMPs 2, 4 and 7 are expressed strongly in the AER, whereas BMP-5 is expressed as a weak signal in the distal mesoderm during the early stages of limb development. Later from HH-stage 25 onwards, BMP-5 is expressed in the dorsal and ventral muscular mass of the developing limb. As digits become identifiable, expression of BMPs are observed in the interdigital mesenchyme and can also be detected along the contours of the developing phalanges and at the distal tips of the digits. All these BMPs are found to be expressed in the developing feather buds from day 8 onwards.

Effect of Age on Outcomes After Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement

The influence of age on outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is not well studied. To address this question, we assessed 222 patients who underwent LVAD placement and were divided into quartiles based on age (years): group 1, <or=44; group 2, 45 to 53; group 3, 54 to 59; and group 4, >or=60. Eighty-four patients died on LVAD support. Six- and 12-month survivals for the four groups of LVAD patients were 67.7, 73.7, 49.8, and 38.2, and 49.4, 57.3, 42.7, and 26.2, respectively (all P<.01). Older patients showed a higher risk of infections, embolic strokes, and respiratory complications. They were the least likely to undergo reoperations postimplantation (56%, 53%, 50%, 46%, P=.06). After adjusting for baseline differences between the groups, there was a trend toward increasing mortality with age, which did not reach significance (odds ratio 1.93; 95% confidence interval 0.95 to 3.92 for the oldest quartile as compared with the youngest). In conclusion, these results suggest in the absence of other high risk factors, age alone should not be used as an independent contraindication for LVAD implantation.

Lipid-laden macrophage index in healthy canines

BACKGROUND

The quantity of lipids in alveolar macrophages is used clinically as an indicator of aspiration, which is associated with increased lung inflammation. This is determined in the macrophages obtained from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and is expressed as lipid-laden macrophage index (LLMI). Although there is ample data on LLMI in human subjects, there is no published data pertaining to the baseline measures of the LLMI in canines, which are extensively used for experimental studies on gastroesophageal reflex (GER) and airway diseases. Primary aim of the present study was to collect data pertaining to the cytology and LLMI in BAL fluids obtained from healthy dogs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight dogs underwent a bronchoscopy with BAL collection, and esophageal pH monitoring to determine the reflux index (RI). The BAL fluid was processed and reviewed under a microscope to determine the proportions of the various cell types and the LLMI.

RESULTS

The median RI among the subjects was found to be 0.6 (0.0, 1.2). The BAL cytology analysis showed 77.5% (71.0, 83.5) macrophages, 21.0 (13.0, 24.5) lymphocytes and 2.5 (1.5, 5.0) neutrophils. The median LLMI was found to be 156 (111, 208).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the differential cell counts in the dogs' BAL fluid was comparable to that of other experimental animals and humans, the LLMI was distinctly higher than the corresponding value reported for other species. As LLMI is a valuable modality for evaluation of intrapulmonary pathophysiology, these data on LLMI can be used as a species-specific standard for canine subjects used for experimental studies on GER and airway diseases.

Anemia in Heart Failure May Warrant More Aggressive Listing for Cardiac Transplantation

Peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2, in mL/min/kg) is a reliable prognostic marker in heart failure (HF). Anemia, which is common in HF, affects both exercise capacity and prognosis. In this study, we assessed the relationship between peak VO2 and prognosis among HF patients with and without anemia. Data on 344 HF patients were divided into three groups based on peak VO2 (<10, 10 to 14, and >14). Each group stratified by the presence of anemia (<13 mg/dL in men and <12 mg/dL in women) was compared for death or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, and death or LVAD or transplantation. The mean patient age was 53.4+/-11.8 years; hemoglobin level, 12.8+/-1.8 mg/dL; and average follow-up, 629+/-459 days. Overall 32% of patients were anemic. The presence of anemia significantly impacted outcomes among patients with peak VO2<10, namely 42.2% versus 18.9% death or LVAD need (P=.01) and 66.7% versus 43.3% death or LVAD or transplantation (P=.06) for anemic versus nonanemic patients, respectively. The prognosis was similar among groups with higher peak VO2. After adjusting for baseline differences, anemic patients with peak VO2<10 were at higher risk for adverse outcomes: odds ratio (OR) 3.69 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.31 to 9.87) for death or LVAD; and OR 5.67 (95% CI=1.42 to 19.4) for death or LVAD or transplant. Anemia significantly impacted the prognosis of HF patients with peak VO2 less than 10 mL/min/kg. Since these patients are most likely to be evaluated for transplantation, the presence of anemia may further help to stratify prognosis in this group.