A novel homozygous missense mutation in WNT10B in familial split-hand/foot malformation

Split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM) is a rare limb developmental malformation, characterized by variable degree of median clefts of hands and feet due to the absence of central rays of extremities. To date, six different forms of SHFM have been described. Four of these SHFM1, SHFM3, SHFM4 and SHFM5 show autosomal dominant, SHFM6 autosomal recessive and SHFM2 X-linked pattern of inheritance. In this study a large consanguineous Pakistani family, with autosomal recessive SHFM, appeared in the last two generations, was investigated. In total 15 individuals including 9 males and 6 females were affected with the syndrome. Affected members of the family exhibited SHFM phenotype with involvement of hands and feet. Most of the affected members showed syndactyly/polydactyly in hands and feet, dysplastic hand, aplasia of radial ray of hand and cleft foot. Investigating linkage to known autosomal SHFM loci mapped the family to SHFM6 locus on chromosome 12p11.1-q13.13. Mutation screening of the gene WNT10B revealed a novel sequence variant (c.986C>G, p.Thr329Arg) in all affected individuals who were studied. This is the third mutation reported in gene WNT10B causing autosomal recessive SHFM syndrome.

Novel TMPRSS3 variants in Pakistani families with autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment

Mutations in the TMPRSS3 gene are known to cause autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment (ARNSHI). After undergoing a genome scan, 10 consanguineous Pakistani families with ARNSHI were found to have significant or suggestive evidence of linkage to the TMPRSS3 region. In order to elucidate if the TMPRSS3 gene is responsible for ARNSHI in these families, the gene was sequenced using DNA samples from these families. Six TMPRSS3 variants were found to cosegregate in 10 families. None of these variants were detected in 500 control chromosomes. Four novel variants, three of which are missense [c.310G>A (p.Glu104Lys), c.767C>T (p.Ala256Val) and c.1273T>C (p.Cys425Arg)] and one nonsense [c.310G>T (p.Glu104Stop)], were identified. The pathogenicity of novel missense variants was investigated through bioinformatics analyses. Additionally, the previously reported deletion c.208delC (p.His70ThrfsX19) was identified in one family and the known mutation c.1219T>C (p.Cys407Arg) was found in five families, which makes c.1219T>C (p.Cys407Arg) as the most common TMPRSS3 mutation within the Pakistani population. Identification of these novel variants lends support to the importance of elements within the low-density lipoprotein receptor A (LDLRA) and serine protease domains in structural stability, ligand binding and proteolytic activity for proper TMPRSS3 function within the inner ear.

Activation of nuclear TR3 (NR4A1) by a diindolylmethane analog induces apoptosis and proapoptotic genes in pancreatic cancer cells and tumors

NR4A1 (Nur77, TR3) is overexpressed in pancreatic tumors and activation of TR3 by 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-methoxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOCH(3)) inhibits cell and tumor growth and induces apoptosis. Microarray analysis demonstrates that in L3.6pL pancreatic cancer cells DIM-C-pPhOCH(3) induces genes associated with metabolism, homeostasis, signal transduction, transcription, stress, transport, immune responses, growth inhibition and apoptosis. Among the most highly induced growth inhibitory and proapoptotic genes including activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), p21, cystathionase, dual specificity phosphatase 1 and growth differentiation factor 15, RNA interference studies demonstrated that induction of all but the later gene by DIM-C-pPhOCH(3) were TR3-dependent. We also observed that DIM-C-pPhOCH(3) induced Fas ligand and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and induction of TRAIL was ATF3 dependent. Results of this and previous studies demonstrate that TR3 is unique among nuclear receptors since nuclear TR3 is activated or deactivated by diindolylmethane derivatives to induce different apoptotic and growth inhibitory pathways that inhibit pancreatic cancer cell and tumor growth.

High Tc Superconductors using Solution Techniques

We have investigated different solution techniques to synthesize the Cu-based superconductors in the thick film form. Thick films of YBa2Cu3O7 have been produced using controlled precipitation techniques. Bi-based and Tl-based materials have been deposited by spraying of ionic solutions. The numerous difficulties encountered during each process are analyzed in order to propose new synthesis procedures such as a new method, based on the precipitation of hydroxides only, which is described as a prospective for lowering the synthesis temperature and shortening the reaction time.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes and impact of T helper cytokines in achieving sustained virological response during combination therapy: a study from Central India

Characterisation of host immune response to hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes may have an important prognostic and therapeutic implication. Genotype-3 was more prevalent in the examined cohort and demonstrated a significantly higher response to combination therapy than genotype-1. Sustained virological response (SVR) was 94.74% in genotype-3 and 45.45% in genotype-1. The patients who achieved SVR reported higher levels of circulating T helper 1 cytokines in comparison to subjects with no SVR in both the studied groups. Besides providing local prevalence, our study might also assist in understanding the host immune mechanisms involved to achieve SVR during combination therapy in chronic HCV patients.

Targeting NR4A1 (TR3) in cancer cells and tumors

INTRODUCTION

Nuclear receptor 4A1(NR4A1) (testicular receptor 3 (TR3), nuclear hormone receptor (Nur)77) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors and is highly expressed in multiple tumor types. RNA interference studies indicate that NR4A1 exhibits growth-promoting, angiogenic and prosurvival activity in most cancers.

AREAS COVERED

Studies on several apoptosis-inducing agents that activate nuclear export of NR4A1, which subsequently forms a mitochondrial NR4A1-bcl-2 complex that induces the intrinsic pathway for apoptosis are discussed. Cytosporone B and related compounds that induce NR4A1-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells through both modulation of nuclear NR4A1 and nuclear export are discussed. A relatively new class of diindolylmethane analogs (C-DIMs) including 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-methoxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOCH(3)) (NR4A1 activator) and 1,1-bis(3'-indolyl)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) (NR4A1 deactivator) are discussed in more detail. These anticancer drugs (C-DIMs) act strictly through nuclear NR4A1 and induce apoptosis in cancer cells and tumors.

EXPERT OPINION

It is clear that NR4A1 plays an important pro-oncogenic role in cancer cells and tumors, and there is increasing evidence that this receptor can be targeted by anticancer drugs that induce cell death via NR4A1-dependent and -independent pathways. Since many of these compounds exhibit relatively low toxicity, they represent an important class of mechanism-based anticancer drugs with excellent potential for clinical applications.

Retrofitting a stormwater retention pond using a deflector island

Stormwater retention ponds are one of the principal methods to treat stormwater runoff. Analysis of residence time distribution (RTD) curves can be used to evaluate the capability of these ponds for sediment removal. Deflector islands have been suggested as a means of improving the performance of retention ponds, due to their diffusing the inlet jet. In this study, the effect of an island on retention pond performance was investigated using a physical model of an existing stormwater retention pond. The physical model is a trapezoidal pond having top dimensions 4.1 x 1.5 x 0.23 m and side slopes of 2:1 (h:v). Three different arrangements were studied. The results show that placing an island to deflect the influent to a stormwater retention pond does not improve pond performance, rather it stimulates short-circuiting. This unexpected behaviour, in relation to previous studies, is considered to be a consequence of the model pond incorporating sloping walls; which is a novel aspect of this paper.

Studies on the antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of ethanol-extracted leaves of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana)

This study screened the antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of ethanol-extracted leaves of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana). The extract was tested against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in a model of albino rats and showed significant antidiarrhoeal activity (P<0.01). Disc diffusion technique was used to test the in vitro antibacterial activities of the extract and exhibited poor antibacterial activities against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria (mainly Bacillus sp). Ethanol-extracted leaves of yellow oleander showed narrow zone of inhibition in the bacterial lawns of Shigella flexineri, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella sp, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella sonnei. Cytotoxicty was determined against brine shrimp nauplii and LC50 of the plant extract was determined as 627.21�g/ml. The wide range of LC50 value denotes the safety effect of the extract.

Hematology and serum chemistry reference values of stray dogs in Bangladesh

Hematology and serum chemistry values were obtained from 28 male and 22 female stray dogs in Chittagong Metropolitan area, Bangladesh. The goal of the study was to establish reference value for hematology and serum chemistry for these semi wild animals in relation to age, sex, reproductive stage and body condition. No significant differences were found for mean values of hemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, differential leukocyte count, total protein, albumin, glucose, cholesterol, phosphorus and potassium among or between sexes, ages, reproductive states or body conditions. Significant differences were noted for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p<0.02) between sexes. Among different age groups significant differences were found for total red blood cell count (p<0.001). Different body conditions have significant differences in red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0.001). Pregnant and non-pregnant females differed significantly in their red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (p<0.001).

Bioaccumulation of metals in human blood in industrially contaminated area

Heavy metals were analyzed in different foods crops, milk, meat and blood samples collected from different age group subjects such as children (1-12 years), adolescent (12-18 years), adults (18-45 years) and old age (above 45 and 55 years for males and females, respectively) from polluted and relatively less polluted areas. The results revealed that the consumption of contaminated food crops, meat and milk have significantly increased the concentrations of selected metals in the human blood. Cu, Zn and Mn concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the blood samples collected from the polluted area as compared to control area. Old people had accumulated high concentrations of metals as compared to the younger ones within the same area. Males accumulated higher concentrations of metals as compared to females.

Caesarean of Lion (Panthera leo) at Dulahajra Safari Park, Bangladesh

A six years eight months pregnant lioness at the Dulahajara Safari Park, Chakoria, Cox�s Bazar, Bangladesh, was presented with dystocia. This paper described the pre-, intra- and postoperative procedures including anesthetic protocol carried out and performing a caesarean section to remove dead fetuses and the successful recovery of the lioness without complications.