Metabolomic profiles in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorder

Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with a wide range of behavioral and cognitive impairments. While genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to its etiology, the underlying metabolic perturbations associated with ASD which can potentially connect genetic and environmental factors, remain poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a metabolomic case-control study and performed a comprehensive analysis to identify significant alterations in metabolite profiles between children with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls.

Objective

To elucidate potential metabolomic signatures associated with ASD in children and identify specific metabolites that may serve as biomarkers for the disorder.

Methods

We conducted metabolomic profiling on plasma samples from participants in the second phase of Epidemiological Research on Autism in Jamaica (ERAJ-2), which was a 1:1 age (±6 months)-and sex-matched cohort of 200 children with ASD and 200 TD controls (2-8 years old). Using high-throughput liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, we performed a targeted metabolite analysis, encompassing amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and other key metabolic compounds. After quality control and imputation of missing values, we performed univariable and multivariable analysis using normalized metabolites while adjusting for covariates, age, sex, socioeconomic status, and child's parish of birth.

Results

Our findings revealed unique metabolic patterns in children with ASD for four metabolites compared to TD controls. Notably, three of these metabolites were fatty acids, including myristoleic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, and octadecenoic acid. Additionally, the amino acid sarcosine exhibited a significant association with ASD.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the role of metabolites in the etiology of ASD and suggest opportunities for the development of targeted interventions.

Sequential graph convolutional network and DeepRNN based hybrid framework for epileptic seizure detection from EEG signal

Automated epileptic seizure detection from ectroencephalogram (EEG) signals has attracted significant attention in the recent health informatics field. The serious brain condition known as epilepsy, which is characterized by recurrent seizures, is typically described as a sudden change in behavior caused by a momentary shift in the excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells, and EEG signal is primarily used in most cases to identify seizure to revitalize the close loop brain. The development of various deep learning (DL) algorithms for epileptic seizure diagnosis has been driven by the EEG's non-invasiveness and capacity to provide repetitive patterns of seizure-related electrophysiological information. Existing DL models, especially in clinical contexts where irregular and unordered structures of physiological recordings make it difficult to think of them as a matrix; this has been a key disadvantage to producing a consistent and appropriate diagnosis outcome due to EEG's low amplitude and nonstationary nature. Graph neural networks have drawn significant improvement by exploiting implicit information that is present in a brain anatomical system, whereas inter-acting nodes are connected by edges whose weights can be determined by either temporal associations or anatomical connections. Considering all these aspects, a novel hybrid framework is proposed for epileptic seizure detection by combined with a sequential graph convolutional network (SGCN) and deep recurrent neural network (DeepRNN). Here, DepRNN is developed by fusing a gated recurrent unit (GRU) with a traditional RNN; its key benefit is that it solves the vanishing gradient problem and achieve this hybrid framework greater sophistication. The line length feature, auto-covariance, auto-correlation, and periodogram are applied as a feature from the raw EEG signal and then grouped the resulting matrix into time-frequency domain as inputs for the SGCN to use for seizure classification. This model extracts both spatial and temporal information, resulting in improved accuracy, precision, and recall for seizure detection. Extensive experiments conducted on the CHB-MIT and TUH datasets showed that the SGCN-DeepRNN model outperforms other deep learning models for seizure detection, achieving an accuracy of 99.007%, with high sensitivity and specificity.

P2Y2 purinergic receptor gene deletion protects mice from bacterial endotoxin and sepsis-associated liver injury and mortality

The liver plays a significant role in regulating a wide range of metabolic, homeostatic, and host-defense functions. However, the impact of liver injury on the host's ability to control bacteremia and morbidity in sepsis is not well understood. Leukocyte recruitment and activation lead to cytokine and chemokine release, which, in turn, trigger hepatocellular injury and elevate nucleotide levels in the extracellular milieu. P2Y2 purinergic receptors, G protein-coupled and activated by extracellular ATP/UTP, are expressed at the cell surface of hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells. We sought to determine whether P2Y2 purinergic receptor function is necessary for the maladaptive host response to bacterial infection and endotoxin-mediated inflammatory liver injury and mortality in mice. We report that P2Y2 purinergic receptor knockout mice (P2Y2-/-) had attenuated inflammation and liver injury, with improved survival in response to LPS/galactosamine (LPS/GalN; inflammatory liver injury) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP; polymicrobial sepsis). P2Y2-/- livers had attenuated c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation, matrix metallopeptidase-9 expression, and hepatocyte apoptosis in response to LPS/GalN and attenuated inducible nitric oxide synthase and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3 protein expression in response to CLP. Implicating liver injury in the disruption of amino acid homeostasis, CLP led to lower serum arginine and higher bacterial load and morbidity in the WT mice, whereas serum arginine levels were comparable to sham-operated controls in P2Y2-/- mice, which had attenuated bacteremia and improved survival. Collectively, our studies highlight the pathophysiological relevance of P2Y2 purinergic receptor function in inflammatory liver injury and dysregulation of systemic amino acid homeostasis with implications for sepsis-associated immune dysfunction and morbidity in mice.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our studies provide experimental evidence for P2Y2 purinergic receptor-mediated potentiation of inflammatory liver injury, morbidity, and mortality, in two well-established animal models of inflammatory liver injury. Our findings highlight the potential to target P2Y2 purinergic signaling to attenuate the induction of "cytokine storm" and prevent its deleterious consequences on liver function, systemic amino acid homeostasis, host response to bacterial infection, and sepsis-associated morbidity and mortality.

Lipopolysaccharide and statin-mediated immune-responsive protein networks revealed in macrophages through affinity purification spacer-arm controlled cross-linking (AP-SPACC) proteomics

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern recognition receptor, is activated by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and induces the MyD88 pathway, which subsequently produces pro-inflammatory cytokines through activation of transcriptional nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Statins have been widely prescribed to reduce cholesterol synthesis for patients with cardiovascular disease. Statins may have pleiotropic effects, which include anti- and pro-inflammatory effects on cells. The molecular mechanism of the sequential influence of LPS and statin on the innate immune system remains unknown. We employed affinity purification-spacer-arm controlled cross-linking (AP-SPACC) MS-based proteomics analysis to identify the LPS- and statin-LPS-responsive proteins and their networks. LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells singly and combined with the drug statin used in this study. Two chemical cross-linkers with different spacer chain lengths were utilized to stabilize the weak and transient interactors. Proteomic analysis identified 1631 differentially expressed proteins. We identified 151 immune-response proteins through functional enrichment analysis and visualized their interaction networks. Selected candidate protein-coding genes were validated, specifically squamous cell carcinoma antigens recognized by T cells 3, sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase 1, Ras-related protein Rab-35, and tumor protein D52 protein-coding genes through transcript-level expression analysis. The expressions of those genes were significantly increased upon statin treatment and decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Therefore, we presumed that the expression changes of genes occurred due to immune response during activation of inflammation. These results highlight the immune-responsive proteins network, providing a new platform for novel investigations and discovering future therapeutic targets for inflammatory diseases.

Protein-Protein Interaction Network Mapping by Affinity Purification Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry (AP-XL-MS) based Proteomics

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are the physical interactions formed among proteins. These interactions are primarily functional, i.e., they arise from specific biomolecular events, and each interaction interface serves a specific purpose. A significant number of methods have been developed for protein interactions in the field of proteomics in the last decade. Advanced mass spectrometry technology significantly contributed to the development of these methods. The rapid advancement of groundbreaking MS technology has greatly aided the mapping of protein interaction from large-data sets comprehensively. This chapter describes the affinity purification (AP) mass spectrometry (MS)-based methods combined with chemical cross-linking (XL) of protein complexes. This chapter includes sample preparation methods involving cell culture, cell treatments with ligands, drugs, and cross-linkers, protein extractions, affinity purification, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel separation, in-solution or in-gel digestion, liquid-chromatography, and mass spectrometry analysis of samples (LC-MS/MS). Application of a cleavable cross-linker, dual cleavable cross-linking technology (DUCCT) in combination with the affinity purification (AP) method has also been described. Methods for data analysis using unmodified and cross-linked peptide analysis are discussed.

EXTH-77. TARGETING CD73 IN GBM SENSITIZES TUMORS TO ONCOLYTIC VIRUS THERAPY

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive malignant primary brain tumor and has abysmal 5-year overall survival. With the approval of oHSV Imlygic by FDA for metastatic melanoma and more recently, conditional approval of G47Δ, marketed by Daiichi Sankyo for GBM treatment in Japan, oncolytic viral therapy has emerged as a promising biological approach to treat solid tumors. Our laboratory has previously shown that oHSV expressing long isoform of PTEN (PTENα), HSV-P10, has faster kinetics of virus replication associated with enhanced killing of the glioma cells compared to control HSV. Additionally, HSVP-10 is known to increase mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP production while stimulating anti-tumor immune responses in vivo. RNA sequencing of primary GBM cells infected with HSV-P10 shows altered metabolic pathways relative to control HSV infected cells. 13C metabolic flux analysis in uninfected and control or HSV-P10 infected primary GBM cells reveals that while HSV-P10 infection shuttles most of the glutamine towards citrate by reductive carboxylation of α-ketoglutarate resulting in faster replication of HSV-P10, simultaneously it increased glucose utilization and shuttling towards TCA cycle. This corroborates with enhanced mitochondrial activity leading to increased oxidative phosphorylation and increased cellular and extracellular ATP (eATP). eATP binds to purinergic receptors on tumor and immune cells and boosts anti-tumor immunity. However, the use of extracellular ATP in cancer therapy is limited owing to its short half-life and rapid hydrolysis by ectoenzymes CD39 and CD73 into immune-suppressing adenosine. CD73 carries out the conversion of AMP to adenosine, making it a key regulator of this pathway. Using mice with CD73 knocked out globally (CD73KO), we show that combination of CD73 inhibition with HSV-P10 imparts significant survival benefit compared to WT mice treated with HSV-P10. Our findings will further the understanding of oHSV therapy and the role of the ATP/adenosine in the tumor microenvironment.

Identification of Inflammatory Proteomics Networks of Toll-like Receptor 4 through Immunoprecipitation-Based Chemical Cross-Linking Proteomics

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a receptor on an immune cell that can recognize the invasion of bacteria through their attachment with bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Hence, LPS is a pro-immune response stimulus. On the other hand, statins are lipid-lowering drugs and can also lower immune cell responses. We used human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells engineered to express HA-tagged TLR-4 upon treatment with LPS, statin, and both statin and LPS to understand the effect of pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. We performed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) of HA-tagged TLR4 and its interacting proteins in the HEK 293 extracted proteins. We utilized an ETD cleavable chemical cross-linker to capture weak and transient interactions with TLR4 protein. We tryptic digested immunoprecipitated and cross-linked proteins on beads, followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the peptides. Thus, we utilized the label-free quantitation technique to measure the relative expression of proteins between treated and untreated samples. We identified 712 proteins across treated and untreated samples and performed protein network analysis using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software to reveal their protein networks. After filtering and evaluating protein expression, we identified macrophage myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKSL1) and creatine kinase proteins as a potential part of the inflammatory networks of TLR4. The results assumed that MARCKSL1 and creatine kinase proteins might be associated with a statin-induced anti-inflammatory response due to possible interaction with the TLR4.

IDH1 p.R132H ctDNA and D-2-hydroxyglutarate as CSF biomarkers in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to evaluate IDH1 p.R132H mutation and 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as biomarkers for patients with IDH-mutant gliomas.

METHODS

CSF was collected from patients with infiltrating glioma, and 2HG levels were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. IDH1 p.R132H mutant allele frequency (MAF) in CSF-ctDNA was measured by digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Tumor volume was measured from standard-of-care magnetic resonance images.

RESULTS

The study included 48 patients, 6 with IDH-mutant and 42 with IDH-wildtype gliomas, and 57 samples, 9 from the patients with IDH-mutant and 48 from the patients with IDH-wildtype gliomas. ctDNA was detected in 7 of the 9 samples from patients with IDH-mutant glioma, and IDH1 p.R132H mutation was detected in 5 of the 7 samples. The MAF ranged from 0.3 to 39.95%. Total 2HG level, D-2HG level, and D/L-2HG ratio in CSF were significantly higher in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas than in patients with IDH-wildtype gliomas. D-2HG level and D/L-2HG ratio correlated with total tumor volume in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas but not in patients with IDH-wildtype gliomas.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that detection of IDH1 p.R132H mutation by ddPCR and increased D-2HG level in CSF may help identify IDH-mutant gliomas. Our results also suggest that D-2HG level and D/L-2HG ratio correlate with tumor volume in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas. Further prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to validate these findings.

Abstract 2379: Gender-specific metabolome in bladder cancer: Role of EPHX2 in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in American men. In the U.S., men are four times more likely to be diagnosed with bladder cancer than women. Our research group has previously identified alterations in xenobiotic metabolism in BLCA. In this study, using a metabolomics approach, we identified alterations in the arachidonic acid pathway in bladder tumors from male versus female patients. Included within this altered arachidonic acid pathway was downregulation of EPHX2, an enzyme that converts epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DiHETs). Consistent with this, levels of EETs were significantly elevated in bladder tumors derived from male versus female patients. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis further revealed that reduced expression of EPHX2 was significantly associated with poor clinical outcome across multiple publicly available datasets only in male BLCA patients but not in females. Mechanistic studies revealed that EPHX2 over-expression in male-derived BLCA cell line reduced cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Overall, these studies nominate EPHX2 as a potential tumor suppressor in male patients with BLCA.

Citation Format: Mohammed Khurshidul Hassan, Roshan Borkar, Karthik Reddy Kami Reddy, Danthasinghe Waduge Badrajee Piyarathna, Chandra Shekar Amara, Allison Bellman, ChandraShekar R. Ambati, Vasanta Putluri, Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, Roni J. Bollag, Martha K. Terris, Leomar Y. Ballester, Yair Lotan, Cristian Coarfa, Arun Sreekumar, Nagireddy Putluri. Gender-specific metabolome in bladder cancer: Role of EPHX2 in bladder cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 2379.

Lipidomic Profiling Identifies a Novel Lipid Signature Associated with Ethnicity-Specific Disparity of Bladder Cancer

Bladder Cancer (BLCA) is the ninth most frequently diagnosed cancer globally and the sixth most common cancer in the US. African Americans (AA) exhibit half the BLCA incidence compared to European Americans (EA), but they have a 70% higher risk of cancer-related death; unfortunately, this disparity in BLCA mortality remains poorly understood. In this study, we have used an ethnicity-balanced cohort for unbiased lipidomics profiling to study the changes in the lipid fingerprint for AA and EA BLCA tissues collected from similar geographical regions to determine a signature of ethnic-specific alterations. We identified 86 lipids significantly altered between self-reported AA and EA BLCA patients from Augusta University (AU) cohort. The majority of altered lipids belong to phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), ly sophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs), phosphatidylserines (PSs), and diglycerides (DGs). Interestingly, levels of four lysoPCs (lyso PCs 20:3, lyso PCs 22:1, lyso PCs 22:2, and lyso PCs 26:1) were elevated while, in contrast, the majority of the PCs were reduced in AA BLCA. Significant alterations in long-chain monounsaturated (MonoUN) and polyunsaturated (PolyUN) lipids were also observed between AA and EA BLCA tumor tissues. These first-in-field results implicate ethnic-specific lipid alterations in BLCA.

The COVID-19 vaccination acceptance/hesitancy rate and its determinants among healthcare workers of 91 Countries: A multicenter cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to investigate the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance rate and its determinants among healthcare workers in a multicenter study. This was a cross-sectional multi-center survey conducted from February 5 to April 29, 2021. The questionnaire consisted of 26 items in 6 subscales. The English version of the questionnaire was translated into seven languages and distributed through Google Forms using snowball sampling; a colleague in each country was responsible for the forward and backward translation, and also the distribution of the questionnaire. A forward stepwise logistic regression was utilized to explore the variables and questionnaire factors tied to the intention to COVID-19 vaccination. 4630 participants from 91 countries completed the questionnaire. According to the United Nations Development Program 2020, 43.6 % of participants were from low Human Development Index (HDI) regions, 48.3 % high and very high, and 8.1 % from medium. The overall vaccination hesitancy rate was 37 %. Three out of six factors of the questionnaire were significantly related to intention to the vaccination. While 'Perceived benefits of the COVID-19 vaccination' (OR: 3.82, p-value<0.001) and 'Prosocial norms' (OR: 5.18, p-value<0.001) were associated with vaccination acceptance, 'The vaccine safety/cost concerns' with OR: 3.52, p-value<0.001 was tied to vaccination hesitancy. Medical doctors and pharmacists were more willing to take the vaccine in comparison to others. Importantly, HDI with OR: 12.28, 95 % CI: 6.10-24.72 was a strong positive determinant of COVID-19 vaccination acceptance. This study highlighted the vaccination hesitancy rate of 37 % in our sample among HCWs. Increasing awareness regarding vaccination benefits, confronting the misinformation, and strengthening the prosocial norms would be the primary domains for maximizing the vaccination coverage. The study also showed that the HDI is strongly associated with the vaccination acceptance/hesitancy, in a way that those living in low HDI contexts are more hesitant to receive the vaccine.

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, ventilation management, and outcomes in invasively ventilated intensive care unit patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome: a pooled analysis of four observational studies

Background

Geoeconomic variations in epidemiology, the practice of ventilation, and outcome in invasively ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remain unexplored. In this analysis we aim to address these gaps using individual patient data of four large observational studies.

Methods

In this pooled analysis we harmonised individual patient data from the ERICC, LUNG SAFE, PRoVENT, and PRoVENT-iMiC prospective observational studies, which were conducted from June, 2011, to December, 2018, in 534 ICUs in 54 countries. We used the 2016 World Bank classification to define two geoeconomic regions: middle-income countries (MICs) and high-income countries (HICs). ARDS was defined according to the Berlin criteria. Descriptive statistics were used to compare patients in MICs versus HICs. The primary outcome was the use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) for the first 3 days of mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes were key ventilation parameters (tidal volume size, positive end-expiratory pressure, fraction of inspired oxygen, peak pressure, plateau pressure, driving pressure, and respiratory rate), patient characteristics, the risk for and actual development of acute respiratory distress syndrome after the first day of ventilation, duration of ventilation, ICU length of stay, and ICU mortality.

Findings

Of the 7608 patients included in the original studies, this analysis included 3852 patients without ARDS, of whom 2345 were from MICs and 1507 were from HICs. Patients in MICs were younger, shorter and with a slightly lower body-mass index, more often had diabetes and active cancer, but less often chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure than patients from HICs. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were similar in MICs and HICs. Use of LTVV in MICs and HICs was comparable (42·4% vs 44·2%; absolute difference –1·69 [–9·58 to 6·11] p=0·67; data available in 3174 [82%] of 3852 patients). The median applied positive end expiratory pressure was lower in MICs than in HICs (5 [IQR 5–8] vs 6 [5–8] cm H₂O; p=0·0011). ICU mortality was higher in MICs than in HICs (30·5% vs 19·9%; p=0·0004; adjusted effect 16·41% [95% CI 9·52–23·52]; p<0·0001) and was inversely associated with gross domestic product (adjusted odds ratio for a US$10 000 increase per capita 0·80 [95% CI 0·75–0·86]; p<0·0001).

Interpretation

Despite similar disease severity and ventilation management, ICU mortality in patients without ARDS is higher in MICs than in HICs, with a strong association with country-level economic status.

Funding

No funding.

CHAF1A Blocks Neuronal Differentiation and Promotes Neuroblastoma Oncogenesis via Metabolic Reprogramming

Neuroblastoma (NB) arises from oncogenic disruption of neural crest (NC) differentiation. Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) to induce differentiation has improved survival in some NB patients, but not all patients respond, and most NBs eventually develop resistance to RA. Loss of the chromatin modifier chromatin assembly factor 1 subunit p150 (CHAF1A) promotes NB cell differentiation; however, the mechanism by which CHAF1A drives NB oncogenesis has remained unexplored. This study shows that CHAF1A gain-of-function supports cell malignancy, blocks neuronal differentiation in three models (zebrafish NC, human NC, and human NB), and promotes NB oncogenesis. Mechanistically, CHAF1A upregulates polyamine metabolism, which blocks neuronal differentiation and promotes cell cycle progression. Targeting polyamine synthesis promotes NB differentiation and enhances the anti-tumor activity of RA. The authors' results provide insight into the mechanisms that drive NB oncogenesis and suggest a rapidly translatable therapeutic approach (DFMO plus RA) to enhance the clinical efficacy of differentiation therapy in NB patients.

Managing adult patients with infectious diseases in emergency departments: international ID-IRI study

We aimed to explore factors for optimizing antimicrobial treatment in emergency departments. A single-day point prevalence survey was conducted on January 18, 2020, in 53 referral/tertiary hospitals in 22 countries. 1957 (17%) of 11557 patients presenting to EDs had infections. The mean qSOFA score was 0.37 ± 0.74. Sepsis (qSOFA ≥ 2) was recorded in 218 (11.1%) patients. The mean qSOFA score was significantly higher in low-middle (1.48 ± 0.963) compared to upper-middle (0.17 ± 0.482) and high-income (0.36 ± 0.714) countries (P < 0.001). Eight (3.7%) patients with sepsis were treated as outpatients. The most common diagnoses were upper-respiratory (n = 877, 43.3%), lower-respiratory (n = 316, 16.1%), and lower-urinary (n = 201, 10.3%) infections. 1085 (55.4%) patients received antibiotics. The most-commonly used antibiotics were beta-lactam (BL) and BL inhibitors (n = 307, 15.7%), third-generation cephalosporins (n = 251, 12.8%), and quinolones (n = 204, 10.5%). Irrational antibiotic use and inappropriate hospitalization decisions seemed possible. Patients were more septic in countries with limited resources. Hence, a better organizational scheme is required.

Epidemiological Characteristics, Ventilator Management, and Clinical Outcome in Patients Receiving Invasive Ventilation in Intensive Care Units from 10 Asian Middle-Income Countries (PRoVENT-iMiC): An International, Multicenter, Prospective Study

Epidemiology, ventilator management, and outcome in patients receiving invasive ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs) in middle-income countries are largely unknown. PRactice of VENTilation in Middle-income Countries is an international multicenter 4-week observational study of invasively ventilated adult patients in 54 ICUs from 10 Asian countries conducted in 2017/18. Study outcomes included major ventilator settings (including tidal volume [V _T] and positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP]); the proportion of patients at risk for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to the lung injury prediction score (LIPS), or with ARDS; the incidence of pulmonary complications; and ICU mortality. In 1,315 patients included, median V _T was similar in patients with LIPS < 4 and patients with LIPS ≥ 4, but lower in patients with ARDS (7.90 [6.8-8.9], 8.0 [6.8-9.2], and 7.0 [5.8-8.4] mL/kg Predicted body weight; P = 0.0001). Median PEEP was similar in patients with LIPS < 4 and LIPS ≥ 4, but higher in patients with ARDS (five [5-7], five [5-8], and 10 [5-12] cmH₂O; P < 0.0001). The proportions of patients with LIPS ≥ 4 or with ARDS were 68% (95% CI: 66-71) and 7% (95% CI: 6-8), respectively. Pulmonary complications increased stepwise from patients with LIPS < 4 to patients with LIPS ≥ 4 and patients with ARDS (19%, 21%, and 38% respectively; P = 0.0002), with a similar trend in ICU mortality (17%, 34%, and 45% respectively; P < 0.0001). The capacity of the LIPS to predict development of ARDS was poor (ROC AUC of 0.62, 95% CI: 0.54-0.70). In Asian middle-income countries, where two-thirds of ventilated patients are at risk for ARDS according to the LIPS and pulmonary complications are frequent, setting of V _T is globally in line with current recommendations.

Improved in-solution trypsin digestion method for methanol-chloroform precipitated cellular proteomics sample

Methanol-chloroform based protein precipitation is an essential step in many liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based cellular proteomics applications. However, re-solubilization of the total protein precipitate is difficult using regular in-solution digestion protocol. Sodium deoxycholate is reported as an efficient surfactant for re-solubilization of membrane fractions. In this study, we demonstrated an application combining methanol-chloroform based protein precipitations and deoxycholic acid assisted re-solubilization of pellets to evaluate the improvement of protein identifications in mass spectrometry-based bottom-up proteomics. We evaluated the modified method using an equal amount of Raw 264.7 mouse macrophage cell lysate. Detailed in-solution trypsin digestion studies were presented on methanol-chloroform precipitated samples with or without deoxycholic acid treatments and compared with popular sample digestion methods. A mass spectrometric analysis confirmed an 82% increase in protein identification in deoxycholic acid-treated samples compared to other established methods. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of an equal amount of proteins from methanol-chloroform precipitated, and methanol-chloroform/deoxycholic acid-treated macrophage cell lysate showed a 14% increase and 27% unique protein identifications. We believe this improved digestion method could be a complementary or alternative method for mammalian cell sample preparations where sodium dodecyl sulfate based lysis buffer is frequently used.

Proteomics Network Analysis of Polarized Macrophages

Macrophages play a critical role in innate immunity through Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are a ligand of microbial origin that can trigger cell signaling in macrophages through TLRs and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Statin, a hypercholesterolemia drug, on the contrary, can reduce inflammatory cytokine production, and inflammation at large. Discovery-based quantitative proteomics is a useful method for unraveling complex protein networks and inter-protein interactions. Here, we describe protocols for studying the inflammatory proteomics network in RAW 264.7 cells (a model murine macrophage cell line) with the singular or sequential treatment of LPS and statin. We provide detailed protocols, including a quantitative proteomic analysis by mass spectrometry data, a protein network analysis by bioinformatics, and a validation of target through biochemical methods (e.g., immunocytochemistry, immunoblotting, gene silencing, and real-time PCR).

Cross-linking Proteomics Indicates Effects of Simvastatin on the TLR2 Interactome and Reveals ACTR1A as a Novel Regulator of the TLR2 Signal Cascade

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor that, upon ligation by microbial molecules, interacts with other proteins to initiate pro-inflammatory responses by the cell. Statins (hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors), drugs widely prescribed to reduce hypercholesterolemia, are reported to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects upon cells. Some of these responses are presumed to be driven by effects on signaling proteins at the plasma membrane, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. We reasoned that profiling the effect of statins on the repertoire of TLR2-interacting proteins might provide novel insights into the mechanisms by which statins impact inflammation. In order to study the TLR2 interactome, we designed a coimmunoprecipitation (IP)-based cross-linking proteomics study. A hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged-TLR2 transfected HEK293 cell line was used to precipitate the TLR2 interactome upon cell exposure to the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4 and simvastatin, singly and in combination. To stabilize protein interactors, we used two different chemical cross-linkers with different spacer chain lengths. Proteomic analysis revealed important combinatorial effects of simvastatin and Pam3CSK4 on the TLR2 interactome. After stringent data filtering, we identified alpha-centractin (ACTR1A), an actin-related protein and subunit of the dynactin complex, as a potential interactor of TLR2. The interaction was validated using biochemical methods. RNA interference studies revealed an important role for ACTR1A in induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Taken together, we report that statins remodel the TLR2 interactome, and we identify ACTR1A, a part of the dynactin complex, as a novel regulator of TLR2-mediated immune signaling pathways.

Multi-species comparisons of snakes identify coordinated signalling networks underlying post-feeding intestinal regeneration

Several snake species that feed infrequently in nature have evolved the ability to massively upregulate intestinal form and function with each meal. While fasting, these snakes downregulate intestinal form and function, and upon feeding restore intestinal structure and function through major increases in cell growth and proliferation, metabolism and upregulation of digestive function. Previous studies have identified changes in gene expression that underlie this regenerative growth of the python intestine, but the unique features that differentiate this extreme regenerative growth from non-regenerative post-feeding responses exhibited by snakes that feed more frequently remain unclear. Here, we leveraged variation in regenerative capacity across three snake species-two distantly related lineages ( Crotalus and Python) that experience regenerative growth, and one ( Nerodia) that does not-to infer molecular mechanisms underlying intestinal regeneration using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Using a comparative approach, we identify a suite of growth, stress response and DNA damage response signalling pathways with inferred activity specifically in regenerating species, and propose a hypothesis model of interactivity between these pathways that may drive regenerative intestinal growth in snakes.

Proteomic Investigation of a Diseased Gorgonian Coral Indicates Disruption of Essential Cell Function and Investment in Inflammatory and Other Immune Processes

As scleractinian coral cover declines in the face of increased frequency in disease outbreaks, future reefs may become dominated by octocorals. Understanding octocoral disease responses and consequences is therefore necessary if we are to gain insight into the future of ecosystem services provided by coral reefs. In Florida, populations of the octocoral Eunicea calyculata infected with Eunicea black disease (EBD) were observed in the field in the fall of 2011. This disease was recognized by a stark, black pigmentation caused by heavy melanization. Histological preparations of E. calyculata infected with EBD demonstrated granular amoebocyte (GA) mobilization, melanin granules in much of the GA population, and the presence of fungal hyphae penetrating coral tissue. Previous transcriptomic analysis also identified immune trade-offs evidenced by increased immune investment at the expense of growth. Our investigation utilized proteogenomic techniques to reveal decreased investment in general cell signaling while increasing energy production for immune responses. Inflammation was also prominent in diseased E. calyculata and sheds light on factors driving the extreme phenotype observed with EBD. With disease outbreaks continuing to increase in frequency, our results highlight new targets within the cnidarian immune system and provide a framework for understanding transcriptomics in the context of an organismal disease phenotype and its protein expression.

The Relationship Between Diabetes and Depression

Evidence of a bidirectional relationship between depression and diabetes has recently been documented in large prospective studies. Comorbid depression is associated with an increased risk of poor glycemic control, diabetes complications and mortality. Moreover, incident diabetes has also been found to be risk factors for subsequent development of depressive episodes. Furthermore, in a recent systematic review, depression is associated with the subsequent development of T2DM by up to 37% as it causes central obesity, increased release of circulating corticosteroid hormone (which antagonizes the action of insulin) and insulin resistance that is a more common etiological pathway for the development of T2DM. Subsequently, the presence of depression with diabetes has a severe impact for self-care management and long term outcome which includes long term disturbance of mood. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to explain the bidirectional relationship between diabetes and depression and explore the management options that are advocated to enhance the Diabetes self-management education and improve the quality of life for diabetic patients with depression Chatt Maa Shi Hosp Med Coll J; Vol.17 (1); Jan 2018; Page 50-54

Leaf proteome characterization in the context of physiological and morphological changes in response to copper stress in sorghum

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and development of plants; however, at elevated concentrations in soil, copper is also generally considered to be one of the most toxic metals to plant cells due to its inhibitory effects against many physiological and biochemical processes. In spite of its potential physiological and economical significance, molecular mechanisms under Cu stress has so far been grossly overlooked in sorghum. To explore the molecular alterations that occur in response to copper stress, the present study was performed in ten-day-old Cu-exposed leaves of sorghum seedlings. The growth characteristics were markedly inhibited, and ionic alterations were prominently observed in the leaves when the seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 µM) of CuSO4. Using two-dimensional gels with silver staining, 643 differentially expressed protein spots (≥1.5-fold) were identified as either significantly increased or reduced in abundance. Of these spots, a total of 24 protein spots (≥1.5-fold) from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves were successfully analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Of the 24 differentially expressed proteins from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves, 13 proteins were up-regulated, and 11 proteins were down-regulated. The abundance of most identified protein species, which function in carbohydrate metabolism, stress defense and protein translation, was significantly enhanced, while that of another protein species involved in energy metabolism, photosynthesis and growth and development were severely reduced. The resulting differences in protein expression patterns together with related morpho-physiological processes suggested that these results could help to elucidate plant adaptation to Cu stress and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of Cu responses in C4 plants.

Morpho-Physiological and Proteome Level Responses to Cadmium Stress in Sorghum

Cadmium (Cd) stress may cause serious morphological and physiological abnormalities in addition to altering the proteome in plants. The present study was performed to explore Cd-induced morpho-physiological alterations and their potential associated mechanisms in Sorghum bicolor leaves at the protein level. Ten-day-old sorghum seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 μM) of CdCl2, and different morpho-physiological responses were recorded. The effects of Cd exposure on protein expression patterns in S. bicolor were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in samples derived from the leaves of both control and Cd-treated seedlings. The observed morphological changes revealed that the plants treated with Cd displayed dramatically altered shoot lengths, fresh weights and relative water content. In addition, the concentration of Cd was markedly increased by treatment with Cd, and the amount of Cd taken up by the shoots was significantly and directly correlated with the applied concentration of Cd. Using the 2-DE method, a total of 33 differentially expressed protein spots were analyzed using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Of these, treatment with Cd resulted in significant increases in 15 proteins and decreases in 18 proteins. Major changes were absorbed in the levels of proteins known to be involved in carbohydrate metabolism, transcriptional regulation, translation and stress responses. Proteomic results revealed that Cd stress had an inhibitory effect on carbon fixation, ATP production and the regulation of protein synthesis. Our study provides insights into the integrated molecular mechanisms involved in responses to Cd and the effects of Cd on the growth and physiological characteristics of sorghum seedlings. We have aimed to provide a reference describing the mechanisms involved in heavy metal damage to plants.

Jasmonic acid induced protein response to biophoton emissions and flooding stress in soybean

Biophoton emissions were elevated by the exogenous plant hormone application such as jasmonic (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). To reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying flooding stress responses in soybean treated with JA and SA, biophoton emissions from plants were quantified in combination with proteomic analyses. Furthermore, treatment with exogenous JA inhibited lateral root growth and markedly reduced root weight. Out of 649 proteins identified in the JA- and JA/SA-treated plants, 44 were unique to JA-treated plants, 403 were unique to JA/SA-treated plants, and 202 were shared between the groups. These proteins were involved in stress, signaling, degradation, glycolysis, fermentation, and hormone metabolism. The abundances of glutathione-S-transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and malate dehydrogenase were decreased; however, the activities of these enzymes were increased. In contrast, the abundance and activity of monodehydroascorbate reductase increased in the roots of plants treated with JA and SA under flooding stress. This suggests that the quantity of lateral roots, total root mass, and free radicals generated during oxidation and reduction reactions and reactive oxygen species scavenging largely contribute to biophoton emission. Furthermore, monodehydroascorbate reductase, which is involved in detoxification and controlling hydrogen peroxide levels, may protect plant cells against oxidative damage during flooding.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

To understand the source of biophoton emission and molecular mechanism by the application of jasmonic and salicylic acid under flooding conditions in soybean plants, the label-free quantitative techniques were performed in roots. Root lengths and weights were significantly reduced by the effect of jasmonic and salicylic acid while it inhibited growth of the lateral roots in normal conditions using the jasmonic acid. Finally, identified proteins were functionally annotated by MAPMAN software application; that were assigned to different functional categories, such as stress, signaling, protein, glycolysis, metabolism, cell wall, and cell organization. Consequently, this study offers to learn the photon emission in plants and to know the molecular mechanism under flooding stress in soybean.

Proteins involved in biophoton emission and flooding-stress responses in soybean under light and dark conditions

To know the molecular systems basically flooding conditions in soybean, biophoton emission measurements and proteomic analyses were carried out for flooding-stressed roots under light and dark conditions. Photon emission was analyzed using a photon counter. Gel-free quantitative proteomics were performed to identify significant changes proteins using the nano LC-MS along with SIEVE software. Biophoton emissions were significantly increased in both light and dark conditions after flooding stress, but gradually decreased with continued flooding exposure compared to the control plants. Among the 120 significantly identified proteins in the roots of soybean plants, 73 and 19 proteins were decreased and increased in the light condition, respectively, and 4 and 24 proteins were increased and decreased, respectively, in the dark condition. The proteins were mainly functionally grouped into cell organization, protein degradation/synthesis, and glycolysis. The highly abundant lactate/malate dehydrogenase proteins were decreased in flooding-stressed roots exposed to light, whereas the lysine ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase bifunctional enzyme was increased in both light and dark conditions. Notably, however, specific enzyme assays revealed that the activities of these enzymes and biophoton emission were sharply increased after 3 days of flooding stress. This finding suggests that the source of biophoton emission in roots might involve the chemical excitation of electron or proton through enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation and reduction reactions. Moreover, the lysine ketoglutarate reductase/saccharopine dehydrogenase bifunctional enzyme may play important roles in responses in flooding stress of soybean under the light condition and as a contributing factor to biophoton emission.

Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Mitochondrial Proteins in Biophoton Emission in Roots of Soybean Plants under Flooding Stress

To understand the mechanism of biophoton emission, ROS and mitochondrial proteins were analyzed in soybean plants under flooding stress. Enzyme activity and biophoton emission were increased in the flooding stress samples when assayed in reaction mixes specific for antioxidant enzymes and reactive oxygen species; although the level of the hydroxyl radicals was increased at day 4 (2 days of flooding) compared to nonflooding at day 4, the emission of biophotons did not change. Mitochondria were isolated and purified from the roots of soybean plants grown under flooding stress by using a Percoll gradient, and proteins were analyzed by a gel-free proteomic technique. Out of the 98 mitochondrial proteins that significantly changed abundance under flooding stress, 47 increased and 51 decreased at day 4. The mitochondrial enzymes fumarase, glutathione-S-transferase, and aldehyde dehydrogenase increased at day 4 in protein abundance and enzyme activity. Enzyme activity and biophoton emission decreased at day 4 by the assay of lipoxygenase under stress. Aconitase, acyl CoA oxidase, succinate dehydrogenase, and NADH ubiquinone dehydrogenase were up-regulated at the transcription level. These results indicate that oxidation and peroxide scavenging might lead to biophoton emission and oxidative damage in the roots of soybean plants under flooding stress.

Lipid Profile and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) in Vegetarians

Background: Diet deficient in fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with an increased risk of coronary diseases. Low levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and other antioxidants may enhance the production of oxidized LDL and are important independent risk factors for coronary disease. Objective: To make a comparative evaluation of lipid profile and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka between July 2011 to June 2012. Vegetarian and nonvegetarian subjects of male sex were the study population. Vegetarians were considered as cases while nonvegetarians as controls. After proper ethical consideration a total of 30 vegetarians and 40 nonvegetarians were consecutively included in the study based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Laboratory investigations were done in the Department of Biochemistry, BSMMU, Dhaka. Results: The vegetarians had significantly lower total cholesterol and LDLcholesterol than the nonvegetarians (p=0.000 and p=0.000 respectively). Serum HDL cholesterol was also lower among the vegetarians (p=0.002) and triglycerides were almost identical in both the groups (p=0.272). Conclusion: The study reveals lower level of total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in vegetarians. No difference regarding triglycerides and AIP was found between the groups. So, the findings of this study do not indicate any superiority of vegetarian diet in control and prevention of cardiac diseases. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v5i1.21494 J Enam Med Col 2015; 5(1): 30-33

Gel-free quantitative proteomic approach to identify cotyledon proteins in soybean under flooding stress

Flooding stress causes growth inhibition and ultimately death in most crop species by limiting of energy production. To better understand plant responses to flooding stress, here, flooding-responsive proteins in the cotyledons of soybean were identified using a gel-free quantitative proteomic approach. One hundred forty six proteins were commonly observed in both control and flooding-stressed plants, and 19 were identified under only flooding stress conditions. The main functional categories were protein and development-related proteins. Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed that zincin-like metalloprotease and cupin family proteins were found to highly interact with other proteins under flooding stress. Plant stearoyl acyl-carrier protein, ascorbate peroxidase 1, and secretion-associated RAS superfamily 2 were down-regulated, whereas ferretin 1 was up-regulated at the transcription level. Notably, the levels of all corresponding proteins were decreased, indicating that mRNA translation to proteins is impaired under flooding conditions. Decreased levels of ferritin may lead to a strong deregulation of the expression of several metal transporter genes and over-accumulation of iron, which led to increased levels of reactive oxygen species, resulting to detoxification of these reactive species. Taken together, these results suggest that ferritin might have an essential role in protecting plant cells against oxidative damage under flooding conditions.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study reported the comparative proteomic analysis of cotyledon of soybean plants between non-flooding and flooding conditions using the gel-free quantitative techniques. Mass spectrometry analysis of the proteins from cotyledon resulted in the identification of a total of 165 proteins under flooding stress. These proteins were assigned to different functional categories, such as protein, development, stress, redox, and glycolysis. Therefore, this study provides not only the comparative proteomic analysis but also the molecular mechanism underlying the flooding responsive protein functions in the cotyledon.

Ultraweak photon emission and proteomics analyses in soybean under abiotic stress

Biophotons are ultraweak photon emissions that are closely related to various biological activities and processes. In mammals, biophoton emissions originate from oxidative bursts in immunocytes during immunological responses. Biophotons emitted from plant organs provide novel information about the physiological state of plant under in vivo condition. In this review, the principles and recent advances in the measurement of biophoton emissions in plants are described. Furthermore, examples of biophoton emission and proteomics in soybean under abiotic stress are reviewed and discussed. Finally, this review suggests that the application of proteomics should provide a better interpretation of plant response to biophoton emission and allow the identification of genes that will allow the screening of crops able to produce maximal yields, even in stressful environments.

Facilitating and securing offline e-medicine service through image steganography

E-medicine is a process to provide health care services to people using the Internet or any networking technology. In this Letter, a new idea is proposed to model the physical structure of the e-medicine system to better provide offline health care services. Smart cards are used to authenticate the user singly. A very unique technique is also suggested to verify the card owner's identity and to embed secret data to the card while providing patients' reports either at booths or at the e-medicine server system. The simulation results of card authentication and embedding procedure justify the proposed implementation.

Protein Profiling Reveals Novel Proteins in Pollen and Pistil of W22 (ga1; Ga1) in Maize

Gametophytic factors mediate pollen-pistil interactions in maize (Zea mays L.) and play active roles in limiting gene flow among maize populations and between maize and teosinte. This study was carried out to identify proteins and investigate the mechanism of gametophytic factors using protein analysis. W22 (ga1); which did not carry a gametophytic factor and W22 (Ga1), a near iso-genic line, were used for the proteome investigation. SDS-PAGE was executed to investigate proteins in the pollen and pistil of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). A total of 44 differentially expressed proteins were identified in the pollen and pistil on SDS-PAGE using LTQ-FTICR MS. Among the 44 proteins, a total of 24 proteins were identified in the pollen of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1) whereas 20 differentially expressed proteins were identified from the pistil of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). However, in pollen, 2 proteins were identified only in the W22 (ga1) and 12 proteins only in the W22 (Ga1) whereas 10 proteins were confirmed from the both of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). In contrary, 10 proteins were appeared only in the pistil of W22 (ga1) and 7 proteins from W22 (Ga1) while 3 proteins confirmed in the both of W22 (ga1) and W22 (Ga1). Moreover, the identified proteins were generally involved in hydrolase activity, nucleic acid binding and nucleotide binding. These results help to reveal the mechanism of gametophytic factors and provide a valuable clue for the pollen and pistil research in maize.

Investigation of adipocyte proteome during the differentiation of brown preadipocytes

Brown adipocytes oxidize fatty acids to produce heat in response to cold or caloric overfeeding. The motivation and function of the development of brown fat may thus counteract obesity, though this remains uncertain. We investigated the brown adipocyte proteome by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. Comparative analyses of proteins focused on total protein spots to filter differentially expressed proteins during the differentiation of mouse primary brown preadipocytes. A Western blot analysis was performed to verify the target proteins. The results indicated that 10 protein spots were differentially expressed with significant changes, including the three up-regulated proteins of prohibitin, hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase, and enoyl-CoA hydratase protein; the 5 down-regulated proteins of triosephosphate isomerase, elongation factor 2, α-tropomyosin slow, endophilin-B1, and cofilin-1 (CFL1); and the two unequivocally expressed proteins of peroxiredoxin-1 and collagen α-1(i) chain precursor. We found that during brown adipogenesis, CFL1 has an inhibitory effect on brown adipocyte differentiation. The overexpression of CFL1 inhibited the brown fat deposition and repressed the brown marker genes UCP1, PRDM16, PGC-1α and PPARγ via actin dynamics and polymerization. These observations may be novel findings that bring new insight into the detailed mechanisms of brown adipogenesis and identify possible therapeutic targets for anti-obesity.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

We use 2-DE to compare the proteomes of adipocytes during the brown adipogenesis of primary mouse preadipocytes. We identified 10 proteins that are differentially expressed. Among these, we found that the actin binding protein CFL1 inhibits the differentiation of brown preadipocytes. CFL1 overexpressing cells showed lower deposition of brown fat droplets, and the brown marker genes of UCP1, PRDM16, PGC-1α and PPARγ were decreased through actin dynamics and polymerization.

The wheat chloroplastic proteome

With the availability of plant genome sequencing, analysis of plant proteins with mass spectrometry has become promising and admired. Determining the proteome of a cell is still a challenging assignment, which is convoluted by proteome dynamics and convolution. Chloroplast is fastidious curiosity for plant biologists due to their intricate biochemical pathways for indispensable metabolite functions. In this review, an overview on proteomic studies conducted in wheat with a special focus on subcellular proteomics of chloroplast, salt and water stress. In recent years, we and other groups have attempted to understand the photosynthesis in wheat and abiotic stress under salt imposed and water deficit during vegetative stage. Those studies provide interesting results leading to better understanding of the photosynthesis and identifying the stress-responsive proteins. Indeed, recent studies aimed at resolving the photosynthesis pathway in wheat. Proteomic analysis combining two complementary approaches such as 2-DE and shotgun methods couple to high through put mass spectrometry (LTQ-FTICR and MALDI-TOF/TOF) in order to better understand the responsible proteins in photosynthesis and abiotic stress (salt and water) in wheat chloroplast will be focused.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In this review we discussed the identification of the most abundant protein in wheat chloroplast and stress-responsive under salt and water stress in chloroplast of wheat seedlings, thus providing the proteomic view of the events during the development of this seedling under stress conditions. Chloroplast is fastidious curiosity for plant biologists due to their intricate biochemical pathways for indispensable metabolite functions. An overview on proteomic studies conducted in wheat with a special focus on subcellular proteomics of chloroplast, salt and water stress. We have attempted to understand the photosynthesis in wheat and abiotic stress under salt imposed and water deficit during seedling stage. Those studies provide interesting results leading to a better understanding of the photosynthesis and identifying the stress-responsive proteins. In reality, our studies aspired at resolving the photosynthesis pathway in wheat. Proteomic analysis united two complementary approaches such as Tricine SDS-PAGE and 2-DE methods couple to high through put mass spectrometry (LTQ-FTICR and MALDI-TOF/TOF) in order to better understand the responsible proteins in photosynthesis and abiotic stress (salt and water) in wheat chloroplast will be highlighted. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translational Plant Proteomics.

Large-scale proteome investigation in wild relatives (A, B, and D genomes) of wheat

Large-scale proteomics of three wild relatives of wheat grain (A, B, and D genomes) were analyzed by using multidimensional protein identification technology coupled to liquid chromatography quadruple mass spectrometry. A total of 1568 (peptide match ≥1) and 255 (peptide match ≥2) unique proteins were detected and classified, which represents the most wide-ranging proteomic exploitation to date. The development of standard proteomes exhibiting all of the proteins involved in normal physiology will facilitate the delineation of disease/defense, metabolism, energy metabolism, and protein synthesis. A relative proteome exploration of the expression patterns indicates that proteins are involved in abiotic and biotic stress. Functional category analysis indicates that these differentially expressed proteins are mainly involved in disease/defense (15.38%, 21.26%, and 16.78%), metabolism (8.39%, 12.07%, and 14.09%), energy metabolism (11.19%, 11.49%, and 13.42%), protein synthesis (9.09%, 9.20%, and 8.72%), cell growth and division (9.09%, 4.60%, and 6.04%), cellular organization (4.20%, 5.75%, and 5.37%), development (6.29%, 2.87%, 3.36%), folding and stability (6.29%, 8.62%, and 8.05%), signal transduction (11.19%, 7.47%, and 8.05%), storage protein (4.20%, 1.72%, and 2.01%), transcription (5.59%, 5.17%, and 4.03%), and transport facilitation (1.40%, 1.15%, and 3.36%) in A, B, and D genomes, respectively. Here, we reported genome-specific protein interaction network using Cytoscape software, which provides further insight into the molecular functions and mechanism of biochemical pathways. We provide a promising understanding about the expressed proteins and protein functions. Our approach should be applicable as a marker to assist in breeding or gene transfer for quality and stress research of cultivated wheat.

First outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever, Bangladesh

During the first countrywide outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Bangladesh, we conducted surveillance for dengue at a hospital in Dhaka. Of 176 patients, primarily adults, found positive for dengue, 60.2% had dengue fever, 39.2% dengue hemorrhagic fever, and 0.6% dengue shock syndrome. The Dengue virus 3 serotype was detected in eight patients.

Quality assessment of sputum for Acid Fast Bacilli(AFB) test in microbiology laboratories before and after implementation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): a comparative study

Aims: To evaluate the present status of microbiology laboratory by comparing the test results of investigator with that of laboratory staff for sputum for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) withZiehl-NeelsenStaining (Z-N Staining) at primary and secondary level andto assess the present status of a microbiology laboratory for sputum for Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) withZiehl-NeelsenStaining (Z-N Staining) at tertiary level. Material and Methods: Type of study : Cross sectional, descriptive type of study. Place of study: Department of Microbiology of Dhaka Medical College,Narsingdi Sadar Hospital,Narsingdi,PolashUpzilla Health Complex ,Polash, Narsingdi andDOTS centers. Duration of study: From July, 2007 to June,2008 Method of sampling: Non probability, purposive and convenient sampling Sample Size: Sputum for AFB: 300 sputum samples were collected for detection of AFB by direct Z-N staining, Z-N staining after bleach centrifugation and Auramine phenol staining before implementing SOP. After following SOP 150 sputum samples were collected and tested in direct Z-N method. Results: In the present study, before SOP out of 100 sputum smear at each level, discrepancy was found in 3% cases at primary level, 2% cases at secondary level and 1% case at tertiary level.After following SOP out of 50 sputum smear at each level, discrepancy was reduced to 2% cases at primary level and no discrepancy was found at secondary and tertiary level. Conclusion: Each laboratory must have SOP for laboratory testing to set the minimum acceptable standard for every test in order to improve and maintain the quality of laboratory services. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v11i1.9824 BJMS 2012; 11(1): 51-56