Modelling and analysis of an ensemble of eukaryotic translation initiation models

Programmed protein synthesis plays an important role in the cell cycle. Deregulated translation has been observed in several cancers. In this study, the authors constructed an ensemble of mathematical models describing the integration of growth factor signals with translation initiation. Using these models, the authors estimated critical structural features of the translation architecture. Sensitivity and robustness analysis with and without growth factors suggested that a balance between competing regulatory programmes governed translation initiation. Proteins such as Akt and mTor promoted initiation by integrating growth factor signals with the assembly of the 80S initiation complex. However, negative regulators such as PTEN and 4EBP1 restrained initiation in the absence of stimulation. Other proteins such as eIF4E were also found to be structurally critical as deletion of amplification of these components resulted in a network incapable of nominal operation. These findings could help understand the molecular basis of translation deregulation observed in cancer and perhaps lead to new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. [Includes supplementary material].

Identification of different species of Bacillus isolated from Nisargruna Biogas Plant by FTIR, UV-Vis and NIR spectroscopy

Definitive identification of microorganisms, including pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria, is extremely important for a wide variety of applications including food safety, environmental studies, bio-terrorism threats, microbial forensics, criminal investigations and above all disease diagnosis. Although extremely powerful techniques such as those based on PCR and microarrays exist, they require sophisticated laboratory facilities along with elaborate sample preparation by trained researchers. Among different spectroscopic techniques, FTIR was used in the 1980s and 90s for bacterial identification. In the present study five species of Bacillus were isolated from the aerobic predigester chamber of Nisargruna Biogas Plant (NBP) and were identified to the species level by biochemical and molecular biological (16S ribosomal DNA sequence) methods. Those organisms were further checked by solid state spectroscopic absorbance measurements using a wide range of electromagnetic radiation (wavelength 200 nm to 25,000 nm) encompassing UV, visible, near Infrared and Infrared regions. UV-Vis and NIR spectroscopy was performed on dried bacterial cell suspension on silicon wafer in specular mode while FTIR was performed on KBr pellets containing the bacterial cells. Consistent and reproducible species specific spectra were obtained and sensitivity up to a level of 1000 cells was observed in FTIR with a DTGS detector. This clearly shows the potential of solid state spectroscopic techniques for simple, easy to implement, reliable and sensitive detection of bacteria from environmental samples.

Using a Systems Pharmacology Model of the Blood Coagulation Network to Predict the Effects of Various Therapies on Biomarkers

A number of therapeutics have been developed or are under development aiming to modulate the coagulation network to treat various diseases. We used a systems model to better understand the effect of modulating various components on blood coagulation. A computational model of the coagulation network was built to match in-house in vitro thrombin generation and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) data with various concentrations of recombinant factor VIIa (FVIIa) or factor Xa added to normal human plasma or factor VIII-deficient plasma. Sensitivity analysis applied to the model revealed that lag time, peak thrombin concentration, area under the curve (AUC) of the thrombin generation profile, and aPTT show different sensitivity to changes in coagulation factors' concentrations and type of plasma used (normal or factor VIII-deficient). We also used the model to explore how variability in concentrations of the proteins in coagulation network can impact the response to FVIIa treatment.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance of clinical risk assessment instruments for screening for osteoporosis or low bone density

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance of clinical risk assessment instruments for screening for DXA-determined osteoporosis or low bone density. Commonly evaluated risk instruments showed high sensitivity approaching or exceeding 90% at particular thresholds within various populations but low specificity at thresholds required for high sensitivity. Simpler instruments, such as OST, generally performed as well as or better than more complex instruments.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of the study is to systematically review the performance of clinical risk assessment instruments for screening for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-determined osteoporosis or low bone density.

METHODS

Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. Multiple literature sources were searched, and data extracted and analyzed from included references.

RESULTS

One hundred eight references met inclusion criteria. Studies assessed many instruments in 34 countries, most commonly the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool (OST), the Simple Calculated Osteoporosis Risk Estimation (SCORE) instrument, the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA), the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment Instrument (ORAI), and body weight criteria. Meta-analyses of studies evaluating OST using a cutoff threshold of <1 to identify US postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at the femoral neck provided summary sensitivity and specificity estimates of 89% (95%CI 82-96%) and 41% (95%CI 23-59%), respectively. Meta-analyses of studies evaluating OST using a cutoff threshold of 3 to identify US men with osteoporosis at the femoral neck, total hip, or lumbar spine provided summary sensitivity and specificity estimates of 88% (95%CI 79-97%) and 55% (95%CI 42-68%), respectively. Frequently evaluated instruments each had thresholds and populations for which sensitivity for osteoporosis or low bone mass detection approached or exceeded 90% but always with a trade-off of relatively low specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Commonly evaluated clinical risk assessment instruments each showed high sensitivity approaching or exceeding 90% for identifying individuals with DXA-determined osteoporosis or low BMD at certain thresholds in different populations but low specificity at thresholds required for high sensitivity. Simpler instruments, such as OST, generally performed as well as or better than more complex instruments.

On the nature of magnetic state in the spinel Co₂SnO₄

In the spinel Co2SnO4, coexistence of ferrimagnetic ordering below T(N) ≃ 41 K followed by a spin glass state below T(SG) ≃ 39 K was proposed recently based on the temperature dependence of magnetization M(T) data. Here new measurements of the temperature dependence of the specific heat C(P)(T), ac-susceptibilities χ'(T) and χ″(T) measured at frequencies between 0.51 and 1.2 kHz, and the hysteresis loop parameters (coercivity H(C)(T) and remanence M(R)(T)) in two differently prepared samples of Co2SnO4 are reported. The presence of the Co(2+) and Sn(4+) states is confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) yielding the structure: Co2SnO4 = [Co(2+)][Co(2+)Sn(4+)]O4. The data of C(P) versus T shows only an inflection near 39 K characteristic of spin-glass ordering. The analysis of the frequency dependence of ac-magnetic susceptibility data near 39 K using the Vogel-Fulcher law and the power-law of the critical slowing-down suggests the presence of spin clusters in the system which is close to a spin-glass state. With a decrease in temperature below 39 K, the temperature dependence of the coercivity H(C) and remanence M(R) for the zero-field cooled samples show both H(C) and M(R) reaching their peak magnitudes near 25 K, then decreasing with decreasing T and becoming negligible below 15 K. The plot of C(P)/T versus T also yields a weak inflection near 15 K. This temperature dependence of H(C) and remanence M(R) is likely associated with the different magnitudes of the magnetic moments of Co(2+) ions on the 'A' and 'B' sites and their different temperature dependence.

Androgen receptor as a regulator of ZEB2 expression and its implications in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer

Zinc finger E-box-binding protein 2 (ZEB2) is known to help mediate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and thereby it facilitates cancer metastasis. This study was initiated to explore whether ZEB2 expression differs in prostate cancer (PCa, n=7) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n=7) tissues. In PCa tissues, the levels of both immunoreactive ZEB2 and androgen receptor (AR) were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared with BPH tissues. Co-regulation of AR and ZEB2 prompted us to investigate the role of androgenic stimuli in ZEB2 expression. ZEB2 expression was found to be significantly (P<0.05) upregulated after androgen stimulation and downregulated following AR silencing in LNCaP cells, an androgen-dependent PCa cell line. This finding suggested AR as a positive regulator of ZEB2 expression in androgen-dependent cells. Paradoxically, androgen-independent (AI) cell lines PC3 and DU145, known to possess low AR levels, showed significantly (P<0.05) higher expression of ZEB2 compared with LNCaP cells. Furthermore, forced expression of AR in PC3 (PC3-AR) and DU145 (DU-AR) cells led to reductions in ZEB2 expression, invasiveness, and migration. These cells also exhibited an increase in the levels of E-cadherin (a transcriptional target of ZEB2). Co-transfection of AR and ZEB2 cDNA constructs prevented the decline in invasiveness and migration to a significant extent. Additionally, ZEB2 downregulation was associated with an increase in miR200a/miR200b levels in PC3-AR cells and with a decrease in miR200a/miR200b levels in AR-silenced LNCaP cells. Thus, AR acts as a positive regulator of ZEB2 expression in androgen-dependent cells and as a negative regulator in AI PCa cells.

Full-length cloning and phylogenetic analyses of translationally controlled tumour protein and ferritin genes from the Indian white prawn, Fenneropenaeus indicus (H. Milne Edwards)

Elucidation, through molecular analyses, of bacterial afflictions in commercially important aquaculture-reared shrimps is pivotal for the prevention and/or control of disease outbreaks. In this study, we examined the phylogenetic relatedness and compared the possible immune-related functional roles of both translationally controlled tumour protein (TCTP) and ferritin genes with previous studies. Both TCTP and ferritin genes were substantially upregulated in the Indian white prawn, Fenneropenaeus indicus (H. Milne Edwards), post-larvae following bath challenge with the virulent strain of bacteria, Vibrio harveyi D3. Full-length cloning of these genes by rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends -polymerase chain reaction (RACE-PCR) yielded 727-base pair (bp)-long TCTP and 1212-bp-long ferritin gene sequences. Their open reading frames (ORFs) were 507 and 510 bp, respectively. The TCTP-ORF coded for 168 amino acids with three substitutions at positions 37, 141, 155, and the ferritin ORF coded for 170 amino acids with no species-specific substitutions. Phylogenetic analysis suggested the closest relatedness of both TCTP and ferritin from F. indicus to Chinese white prawn, Fenneropenaeus chinensis (Osbeck). In addition to reporting the full-length sequences of these immune-relevant genes, this study highlighted their conserved natures, which perhaps make them important defence-related proteins in the innate immune system of F. indicus.

Performance of risk assessment instruments for predicting osteoporotic fracture risk: a systematic review

We systematically reviewed the literature on the performance of osteoporosis absolute fracture risk assessment instruments. Relatively few studies have evaluated the calibration of instruments in populations separate from their development cohorts, and findings are mixed. Many studies had methodological limitations making susceptibility to bias a concern.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the performance of osteoporosis clinical fracture risk assessment instruments for predicting absolute fracture risk, or calibration, in populations other than their derivation cohorts.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review, and MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and multiple other literature sources were searched. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied and data extracted, including information about study participants, study design, potential sources of bias, and predicted and observed fracture probabilities.

RESULTS

A total of 19,949 unique records were identified for review. Fourteen studies met inclusion criteria. There was substantial heterogeneity among included studies. Six studies assessed the WHO's Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) instrument in five separate cohorts, and a variety of risk assessment instruments were evaluated in the remainder of the studies. Approximately half found good instrument calibration, with observed fracture probabilities being close to predicted probabilities for different risk categories. Studies that assessed the calibration of FRAX found mixed performance in different populations. A similar proportion of studies that evaluated simple risk assessment instruments (≤5 variables) found good calibration when compared with studies that assessed complex instruments (>5 variables). Many studies had methodological features making them susceptible to bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have evaluated the performance or calibration of osteoporosis fracture risk assessment instruments in populations separate from their development cohorts. Findings are mixed, and many studies had methodological limitations making susceptibility to bias a possibility, raising concerns about use of these tools outside of the original derivation cohorts. Further studies are needed to assess the calibration of instruments in different populations prior to widespread use.

Free-flap cover of complex defects around the knee using the descending genicular artery as the recipient pedicle

BACKGROUND

Selection of ideal recipient vessels is one of the most important factors determining success in free-flap reconstruction of the lower limb. At the knee, the choice of vessels has traditionally been either the common femoral or the popliteal vessels and their branches but these are often difficult to use or cannot be used.

METHODS

A series of 32 free flaps for cover of complex injuries of the knee involving the distal femur, the knee joint and the upper tibia were reconstructed using the descending genicular branch of the femoral artery in the adductor canal and its muscular branches to the vastus medialis as the recipient vessels.

RESULT

All but one flap survived with no major complications.

CONCLUSION

The use of the descending genicular artery as the recipient vessel for reconstruction with free flaps around the knee has various advantages including: (i) it is mostly remote from the zone of trauma, (ii) it is constant in location, (iii) the recipient vessels are an excellent size match for end-to-end anastomosis, (iv) there is no need for changes of position of the patient when using most free flaps commonly used for knee reconstruction, (v) it is easy to harvest these simultaneously, (vi) secondary exposure of the underlying skeleton from all quadrants is unlikely to divide the flap pedicle as it is superior and (vii), perhaps most important of all, it obviates the need for exploration of the popliteal fossa.

Acute interstitial nephritis and drug rash with secondary to Linezolid

Linezolid, a member of oxazolidinone antibiotic class, is a relatively well-tolerated drug with few side effects. It is active against gram-positive cocci, including multidrug resistant staphylococci and enterococci. We report a case of a 54-year-old diabetic male with alcoholic cirrhosis admitted in intensive care unit with altered sensorium. He was diagnosed as a case of hepatic failure secondary to hepatitis E infection and enterococcal urosepsis. He was started on linezolid based on the urine culture sensitivity report. On day three of linezolid treatment, he developed severe pruritus, macular rash, eosinophilia, and renal dysfunction. Renal biopsy showed acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Renal functions improved on discontinuation of linezolid and short course of steroid therapy.

Endovascular treatment of A1 aneurysms. A series of five cases with a brief literature review

Aneurysms of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery are rare and represent less than 1% of intracranial aneurysms. There are few reports available in the literature describing the role of endovascular management of these rare aneurysms. In the present series we describe five patients with A1 aneurysms presenting at our institution with various clinical presentations, treated successfully by endovascular method with a good clinical outcome. From January 2008 to July 2011, five patients (two males and three females) with A1 aneurysms were treated by endovascular means. Four of the patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of the A1 aneurysm and one patient presented with symptoms of mass effect in the form of headache and ophthalmoplegia. The age group ranges from eight to 52 years with a mean age of 34.2 years. Four of the patients were treated by coiling without any assisted technique whereas one patient who had a dissecting fusiform aneurysm was treated with stent-assisted coiling. Technical success was achieved in all the patients.We did not encounter any procedure-related complications in any of our cases. All the patients had an uneventful course with good clinical outcome. Angiographic follow-up was available in four patients (80%). Endovascular treatment of this rare group of aneurysms is an effective and safe treatment modality, however large series are required to support our findings.

Ipsilateral Stroke with Uncrossed Pyramidal Tracts and Underlying Right Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis Treated with Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty and Stenting

We present a unique case of ipsilateral stroke in a 55-year-old right-handed hypertensive man with proven uncrossed pyramidal tract demonstrated by tractography. Diffusion-weighted imaging disclosed small acute ischemic infarcts in the right corona radiata with MR angiography showing narrowing of the right internal carotid artery. Significant carotid stenosis of right internal carotid artery (ICA) was detected on digital subtraction angiography as the underlying cause and subsequently treated with percutananeous transluminal angioplasty and stenting with good outcome. The presence of uncrossed pyramidal tract was confirmed by diffusion tensor imaging tractography. To our knowledge there are few reports of ipsilateral stroke with proven uncrossed pyramidal tracts described in the literature. This is the first documented report of ipsilateral stroke with uncrossed fibre tracts due to underlying critical stenosis of the ICA treated successfully with a good recovery.

BRCA1 protein expression and its correlation with ER/PR status in sporadic and familial breast cancer in Eastern Indian patients--a hospital based study

BRCA1 gene expression in familial breast cancer is mainly focused on mutational analysis. However in sporadic cancers BRCA1 protein expression is the main area of interest because somatic inactivation of one allele of the gene is likely to occur during the oestrogen mediated proliferation at puberty and subsequent tumourigenic events take place in the same cell. Standard immunohistochemical analysis was used to assess BRCA1 and oestrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) status in familial and sporadic breast cancer patients and correlation of BRCA1 protein expression with histopathological features ER/PR status was studied in these tumours. One hundred and seventy-seven sporadic tumours (group A) and 28 familial tumours (patients with history of breast cancer in first or second degree relative ie, group B) were studied. In group A, 61 tumours had absent/reduced BRCA 1 protein expression; 30 (49%) out of these were negative for ER/PR receptors. In group B, 18 patients had absent/reduced BRCA1 protein expression, and 10 (55.6%) out of these, were ER/PR negative. Overall in 2 groups, 82 tumours were of grade 1, 61 tumours of grade 2 and 62 tumours were of grade 3 differentiation. Test of proportion showed that percentage of ER/PR negativity is significantly higher than ER/PR positivity in sporadic as well as in familial tumours with absent/ reduced BRCA 1 protein expression (p < 0.05). Sporadic tumours with deranged BRCA1 protein expression like familial tumours have more unfavourable histopathological characteristics and are likely to be of higher grade and oestrogen receptor negative

Piperine protects epilepsy associated depression: a study on role of monoamines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

In patients with epilepsy, a common comorbidity diagnosed is depression. Temporal lobe epilepsy or post status epilepticus (SE) animal model establish and validate the co morbidity and common pathogenesis of depression and epilepsy. Elevation in serotonin concentration gives an inhibitory response to epileptic discharge and stabilizes the depressed mood disorder. Piperine is a potent monoaminooxidase inhibitor and stimulates the synthesis of serotonin. So the present work is undertaken to investigate the effect of piperine on depression associated with by status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Status epilepticus was induced in the rats by administration of pilocarpine 350 mg/kg i.p.. Behaviour tests like forced swimming test (FST), saccharin consumption test, actophotometer test and rotarod test were conducted. Antidepressant effect and neuroprotective effect of piperine (25 mg/kg, p.o. for 10 days) in post status epilepticus animal model was evaluated. Brain serotonin concentration was also estimated. Fluoxetine (20 mg/kg p.o.) was used as standard.

RESULTS

Only piperine but not fluoxetine significantly increased the decrease in number of rotations of wheel in FST, and decrease volume of saccharine consumption caused by pilocarpine. Both fluoxetine and piperine significantly increase the pilocarpine induced decrease in activity score in actophotometer, time taken to fall in rotarod and concentration of serotonin in brain.

DISCUSSION

The underlying mechanism behind depression in epilepsy may be alteration in monoaminergic pathways and GABAergic pathways. The antidepressant activity of piperine in post-SE rats may be attributed to its MAO inhibitor activity and neuroprotective activity.

Functional characterization and signal transduction ability of nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat resistance genes in plants

Pathogen infection in plants is often limited by a multifaceted defense response triggered by resistance genes. The most prevalent class of resistance proteins includes those that contain a nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) domain. Over the past 15 years, more than 50 novel NBS-LRR class resistance genes have been isolated and characterized; they play a significant role in activating conserved defense-signaling networks. Recent molecular research on NBS-LRR resistance proteins and their signaling networks has the potential to broaden the use of resistance genes for disease control. Various transgenic approaches have been tested to broaden the disease resistance spectrum using NBS-LRR genes. This review highlights the recent progress in understanding the structure, function, signal transduction ability of NBS-LRR resistance genes in different host-pathogen systems and suggests new strategies for engineering pathogen resistance in crop plants.

Classification of Non-Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: CT Correlation to the Clinical Outcome

To propose a new computed tomography (CT)-based classification system for nonaneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), which predicts patients' discharge clinical outcome and helps to prioritize appropriate patient management. A 5-year, retrospective, two-centre study was carried out involving 1486 patients presenting with SAH. One hundred and ninety patients with nonaneurysmal SAH were included in the study. Initial cranial CT findings at admission were correlated with the patients' discharge outcomes measured using the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). A CT-based classification system (type 1 e 4) was devised based on the topography of the initial haemorrhage pattern. Seventy-five percent of the patients had type 1 haemorrhage and all these patients had a good clinical outcome with a discharge MRS of 1. Eight percent of the patients presented with type 2 haemorrhage, 62% of which were discharged with MRS of 1 and 12% of patients had MRS 3 or 4. Type 3 haemorrhage was found in 10%, of which 16% had good clinical outcome, but 53% had moderate to severe disability (MRS 3 and 4) and 5% were discharged with severe disability (MRS 5). Six percent of patients presented with type 4 haemorrhage of which 42% of the patients had moderate to severe disability (MRS 3 and 4), 42% had severe disability and one-sixth of the patients died. Highly significant differences were found between type 1 (1a and 1b) and type 2 (p 1/4 0.003); type 2 and type 3 (p 1/4 0.002); type 3 and type 4 (p 1/4 0.001). Haemorrhages of the type 1 category are usually benign and do not warrant an extensive battery of clinical and radiological investigations. Type 2 haemorrhages have a varying prognosis and need to be investigated and managed along similar lines as that of an aneurysmal haemorrhage with emphasis towards radiological investigation. Type 3 and type 4 haemorrhages need to be extensively investigated to find an underlying cause.

Manganese biomining: A review

Biomining comprises of processing and extraction of metal from their ores and concentrates using microbial techniques. Currently this is used by the mining industry to extract copper, uranium and gold from low grade ores but not for low grade manganese ore in industrial scale. The study of microbial genomes, metabolites and regulatory pathways provide novel insights to the metabolism of bioleaching microorganisms and their synergistic action during bioleaching operations. This will promote understanding of the universal regulatory responses that the biomining microbial community uses to adapt to their changing environment leading to high metal recovery. Possibility exists of findings ways to imitate the entire process during industrial manganese biomining endeavor. This paper reviews the current status of manganese biomining research operations around the world, identifies factors that drive the selection of biomining as a processing technology, describes challenges in exploiting these innovations, and concludes with a discussion of Mn biomining's future.

A set of five microsatellite markers linked to F8 gene can detect haemophilia A carriers across India

  Haemophilia A (HA) is an X-linked recessive bleeding disorder, primarily because of defects in the 186-kb long factor VIII gene (F8) affecting 1-2 men per 10,000 worldwide. Available markers for carrier detection are not effective in all populations, especially in India. In this study, we have chosen a set of five microsatellite markers, namely, DSX9897, DSX1073, intron 1 (GT)(n) , intron 22 (CA)(n) and intron 25 (CA)(n) , in and around the F8 gene to achieve better sensitivity for carrier detection. Each marker locus has been PCR amplified in the individual DNA samples using fluorescent markers followed by genotyping experiment in automated sequencer. Genotype calls have been made by GeneMapper Software (version 4). Allele frequency of each microsatellite marker was calculated manually. Heterozygosity was determined by counting the heterozygotes in the female subset. We have shown that in 253 normal individuals from 20 different ethnic groups of India, the heterozygosity for the markers ranged from 0.25 to 0.54; and for the entire subset of 102 female samples we could successfully discriminate between the two X-chromosomes using these five markers. These markers could also discriminate between the two X-chromosomes for each of 39 obligate carriers included in this study. In conclusion, this panel of five markers around the F8 locus can be used for carrier detection of HA with higher sensitivity across India for families affected with the disease.

Intervention in Stroke. The Future Ahead

The treatment for acute stroke is evolving and we present the initial results of 18 patients presenting to our institution over a period of eight months with acute stoke where CTA confirmed the presence of a thrombus. These patients were resistant to IV rtPA and underwent partial to complete clot retrieval with IA thrombolysis or in conjunction with mechanical thrombectomy. 13 of the 18 patients underwent mechanical thrombectomy and Solitaire AB device was used in 12 of these patients. Efficacy was assessed radiologically by post-treatment thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scores and clinically by a 30-day Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score A TIMI score of 3 was achieved in 91% of patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy with Solitaire AB device. 61% of our patient group had a discharge MRS of ≤ 2.

Treatment of acute middle cerebral artery occlusion with a Solitaire AB stent: preliminary experience

We report our initial experience with a Solitaire AB neurovascular remodeling stent device in performing cerebral embolectomy in seven patients presenting to our institution with acute stroke who were resistant to iv thrombolytic drug treatment. The main inclusion criteria were: National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥10; treatment performed within 8 h from the onset of symptoms and no large hypodensity on CT; and occlusion of a major cerebral artery on the CT angiogram. An admission and a post-interventional NIHSS score were calculated for all patients by two different neurologists. Efficacy was assessed radiologically by post-treatment thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) scores and clinically by a 30-day Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score. The mean duration of neurointerventional treatment was 84 min. All interventions were successful, with TIMI scores of 2 or 3 achieved in 100% of patients. There was one procedural complication in our series owing to a self-detached stent and one patient had a small asymptomatic basal ganglia haemorrhage. There was improvement of more than 4 points on the NIHSS score in 5 (72%) of the patients following treatment, of whom 4 (57%) had a 30-day MRS score of ≤2. The use of a Solitaire stent in acute stroke was safe, time-efficient and encouraging; however, a larger sample size will be required to further evaluate the use of this device, which could benefit a significant number of stroke patients.

Neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy with imatinib for locally advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors in eastern Indian patients

BACKGROUND

Imatinib mesylate is able to at least modify the course of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). Neoadjuvant use for locally advanced lesions is evolving as a new treatment paradigm in this hitherto universally fatal disease.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study patients with locally advanced GIST received neoadjuvant and adjuvant imatinib mesylate. Response was noted as per the RECIST protocol and overall progression free survival was reported. Of 19 patients (mean age 38.5 years, range 26 yrs to 64 yrs) studied, 13 achieved partial response (PR) and 6 a stationary disease (SD) on preoperative imatinib. Histopathological evaluation and grading of responses revealed only moderate and low grade pathological response after imatinib. R0 resection was possible in 13/19 and R1 in 6/19. Imatinib was well tolerated and adverse reactions were minimal. Post operative complications of surgery were not out of the ordinary for a surgical series featuring extensive abdominal surgery.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative imatinib in locally advanced GIST seems to be a reasonable option for locally advanced GIST patients and enough downstaging to allow a resection with microscopically negative margins can be expected in a fairly good proportion of patients.

Learning and memory-enhancing effect of Bacopa monniera in neonatal rats

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the learning and memory-enhancing effect of Bacopa monniera in neonatal rats.

BACKGROUND

Learning is an acquisition and storage of information as a consequence of experience. Memory is a relatively permanent storage form of the learned information. In the process of 'learning', activation of neurons occurs in specific areas or specific memory systems of the brain concerned with the processing of the specific modality of sensory information. Rasayana plants are said to prevent ageing, re-establish youth, strengthen life, brain power and prevent diseases. Bacopa monniera (BM) is shown to be very useful in improving learning and memory.

METHODS

In the present study neonatal rat pups (10 days old) were given different doses of BM extract orally for different periods of time. These rats were then subjected to spatial learning (T- Maze) and passive avoidance tests along with the age matched normal and gum acacia control rats. The data were compared with those of control rats.

RESULTS

The results showed improvement in spatial learning performance and enhanced memory retention in neonatal rats treated with extract of BM.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that treatment with BM extract during growth spurt period of neonatal rats enhances learning and memory (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 45). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

Can the skin smear examination in NLEP be reconsidered?

Slit and skin smear examination is an important laboratory test which was made optional in the NLEP. In a laboratory managed by LEPRA Society, this test was provided to voluntary reporting cases and those referred by the general health service institutions of the area. Total cases tested were 1180, out of which 152 (12.9%) were positive. Of the 152 smear reports, 121 were from Koraput district and constitute the sample for this study. Regarding the spread of site wise highest BI, 56% cases had BI of 3.1+ to 6+. Of the 121 cases, 112 (92.6%) cases completed 12 doses of MDT. Seventy patients, from whom detailed information was collected by personal contact, responded well to MDT resulting in regression of lesions. Out of them, 46 cases had repeat smear showing negative smear in 39% and decline of 81 in the rest of cases. There are 16 contact cases with 2 family clusters. A rough block-wise mapping showed 4 strata with a dense clustering in the urban area where the laboratory facility is available. The probable reasons for uneven distribution of cases and causes for late diagnosis were discussed. The study reflects the leprosy problem in urban pockets which high infection pool. Together these two factors remain unexposed due to winding up of smear labs and pose a potential threat to elimination. The paper also emphasized on the reasons for past failure of the test along with suggestions to revive this facility with minor modifications.

Anomalous branching pattern of the aortic arch and its clinical applications

The aortic arch gives rise to three classical branches, namely the brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery and the left subclavian artery. We report a rare variation of the left common carotid artery and the right vertebral arteries originating from the brachiocephalic trunk, and the left vertebral artery that was arising from the arch of the aorta, proximal to the origin of the left subclavian artery. Variations in the branching pattern of the arch of aorta can alter the cerebral haemodynamics that leads to cerebral abnormalities. Knowledge of the variations in the classical branches of the arch of aorta is important in the diagnosis of intracranial aneurysm after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Isolation and characterization of NBS-LRR- resistance gene candidates in turmeric (Curcuma longa cv. surama)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), an important asexually reproducing spice crop of the family Zingiberaceae is highly susceptible to bacterial and fungal pathogens. The identification of resistance gene analogs holds great promise for development of resistant turmeric cultivars. Degenerate primers designed based on known resistance genes (R-genes) were used in combinations to elucidate resistance gene analogs from Curcuma longa cultivar surama. The three primers resulted in amplicons with expected sizes of 450-600 bp. The nucleotide sequence of these amplicons was obtained through sequencing; their predicted amino acid sequences compared to each other and to the amino acid sequences of known R-genes revealed significant sequence similarity. The finding of conserved domains, viz., kinase-1a, kinase-2 and hydrophobic motif, provided evidence that the sequences belong to the NBS-LRR class gene family. The presence of tryptophan as the last residue of kinase-2 motif further qualified them to be in the non-TIR-NBS-LRR subfamily of resistance genes. A cluster analysis based on the neighbor-joining method was carried out using Curcuma NBS analogs together with several resistance gene analogs and known R-genes, which classified them into two distinct subclasses, corresponding to clades N3 and N4 of non-TIR-NBS sequences described in plants. The NBS analogs that we isolated can be used as guidelines to eventually isolate numerous R-genes in turmeric.