A Family-Based Study of Inherited Genetic Risk in Lipedema

Background: Lipedema is a progressive condition involving excessive deposition of subcutaneous adipose tissue, predominantly in the lower limbs, which severely compromises quality of life. Despite the impact of lipedema, its molecular and genetic bases are poorly understood, making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Historical evaluation of individuals with lipedema indicates a positive family history in 60%-80% of cases; however, genetic investigation of larger family cohorts is required. Here, we report the largest family-based sequencing study to date, aimed at identifying genetic changes that contribute to lipedema. Methods and Results: DNA samples from 31 individuals from 9 lipedema families were analyzed to reveal genetic variants predicted to alter protein function, yielding candidate variants in 469 genes. We did not identify any individual genes that contained likely disease-causing variants across all participating families. However, gene ontology analysis highlighted vasopressin receptor activity, microfibril binding, and patched binding as statistically significantly overrepresented categories for the set of candidate variants. Conclusions: Our study suggests that lipedema is not caused by a single exomic genetic factor, providing support for the hypothesis of genetic heterogeneity in the etiology of lipedema. As the largest study of its kind in the lipedema field, the results advance our understanding of the disease and provide a roadmap for future research aimed at improving the lives of those affected by lipedema.

Carbapenem resistance gene crisis in A. baumannii: a computational analysis

Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is one of the members of ESKAPE bacteria which is considered multidrug resistant globally. The objective of this study is to determine the protein docking of different antibiotic resistance gene (ARGs) in A. baumannii. In silico analysis of antibiotic resistance genes against carbapenem are the blaOXA-51, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-58, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-143, NMD-1 and IMP-1 in A. baumannii. The doripenem, imipenem and meropenem were docked to blaOXA-51 and blaOXA-23 using PyRx. The top docking energy was -5.5 kcal/mol by imipenem and doripenem and meropenem showed a binding score of -5. 2 kcal/mol each and blaOXA-23 energy was -4.3 kcal/mol by imipenem and meropenem showed a binding score of -2.3 kcal/mol, while doripenem showed the binding score of -3.4 kcal/mol. Similarly, doripenem imipenem and meropenem were docked to blaOXA-58, IMP-1, Rec A and blaOXA-143, with docking energy was -8.8 kcal/mol by doripenem and meropenem each while imipenem showed a binding score of -4.2 kcal/mol and with IMP-1 demonstrated their binding energies. was -5.7 kcal/mol by meropenem and doripenem showed a binding score of -5.3 kcal/mol, while imipenem showed a binding score of -4.5 kcal/mol. And docking energy was -4.9 kcal/mol by imipenem and meropenem showed binding energy of -3.6 kcal/mol each while doripenem showed a binding score of -3.9 kcal/mol in RecA and with blaOXA-143 docking energy was -3.0 kcal/mol by imipenem and meropenem showed a binding score of -1.9 kcal/mol, while doripenem showed the binding score of -2.5 kcal/mol respectively. Doripenem, imipenem, and meropenem docking findings with blaOXA-24 confirmed their binding energies. Doripenem had the highest docking energy of -5.5 kcal/mol, meropenem had a binding score of -4.0 kcal/mol, and imipenem had a binding score of -3.9 kcal/mol. PyRx was used to dock the doripenem, imipenem, and meropenem to NMD-1. Docking energies for doripenem were all - 4.0 kcal/mol, whereas meropenem had docking energy of -3.3 kcal/mol and imipenem was -1.50 kcal/mol. To the best of our knowledge the underlying mechanism of phenotypic with genotypic resistance molecular docking regarding carbapenem resistance A. baumannii is unclear. Our molecular docking finds the possible protein targeting mechanism for carbapenem-resistant A.baumannii.

Molecular evidence, risk factors analysis, and hematological alterations associated with Theileria spp. spillover in captive wild mouflon sheep in Punjab, Pakistan

Background

Landscape anthropization and interaction between domestic and wild animals are the major contributing factors involved in the emergence of new pathogens in wild animals. Theileriosis is an emerging issue of wild ungulates, especially in the tropical and subtropical areas of the globe.

Aims

The current study investigated the mouflon sheep for Theileria infection using molecular methods and hematological analysis.

Methods

This study was conducted on a total of 103 captive wild mouflon sheep present in eight different recreational zoos, and wildlife parks in Punjab, Pakistan to investigate the genotypic prevalence of Theileria spp. by targeting 18S rRNA and molecular evidence for Theileria spillover between domestic and wild mouflon sheep by phylogenetic analysis. The association of assumed risk factors and the effect of Theileria spp. on various hematological parameters were also assessed.

Results

The results depicted that Theileria spp. was prevalent in 8 (7.77%, CI 95%: 3.99-14.59%), and 11 (10.68%, CI 95%: 06.07-18.12%) animals based on microscopy, and PCR, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rRNA gene of Theileria spp. from mouflon revealed a close resemblance with T. annulata from domestic animals. The risk factor analysis revealed that tick infestation, enclosure hygiene, previous tick infestation history, and the presence of wooden logs in the enclosure were significantly (P<0.05) associated with the occurrence of Theileria spp. infection in the captive mouflon sheep of Pakistan. Furthermore, a significant reduction in blood parameters like PCV, RBCs count, Hb, and platelets was observed in Theileria-positive animals.

Conclusion

This study is the first evidence at the molecular level to characterize the spillover of Theileria spp. between the captive wild mouflon sheep and domestic animals of Pakistan, and it will be useful in developing control strategies for emerging theileriosis in captive wild animals.

Key signaling networks are dysregulated in patients with the adipose tissue disorder, lipedema

Objectives

Lipedema, a poorly understood chronic disease of adipose hyper-deposition, is often mistaken for obesity and causes significant impairment to mobility and quality-of-life. To identify molecular mechanisms underpinning lipedema, we employed comprehensive omics-based comparative analyses of whole tissue, adipocyte precursors (adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)), and adipocytes from patients with or without lipedema.

Methods

We compared whole-tissues, ADSCs, and adipocytes from body mass index–matched lipedema (n = 14) and unaffected (n = 10) patients using comprehensive global lipidomic and metabolomic analyses, transcriptional profiling, and functional assays.

Results

Transcriptional profiling revealed >4400 significant differences in lipedema tissue, with altered levels of mRNAs involved in critical signaling and cell function-regulating pathways (e.g., lipid metabolism and cell-cycle/proliferation). Functional assays showed accelerated ADSC proliferation and differentiation in lipedema. Profiling lipedema adipocytes revealed >900 changes in lipid composition and >600 differentially altered metabolites. Transcriptional profiling of lipedema ADSCs and non-lipedema ADSCs revealed significant differential expression of >3400 genes including some involved in extracellular matrix and cell-cycle/proliferation signaling pathways. One upregulated gene in lipedema ADSCs, Bub1, encodes a cell-cycle regulator, central to the kinetochore complex, which regulates several histone proteins involved in cell proliferation. Downstream signaling analysis of lipedema ADSCs demonstrated enhanced activation of histone H2A, a key cell proliferation driver and Bub1 target. Critically, hyperproliferation exhibited by lipedema ADSCs was inhibited by the small molecule Bub1 inhibitor 2OH-BNPP1 and by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated Bub1 gene depletion.

Conclusion

We found significant differences in gene expression, and lipid and metabolite profiles, in tissue, ADSCs, and adipocytes from lipedema patients compared to non-affected controls. Functional assays demonstrated that dysregulated Bub1 signaling drives increased proliferation of lipedema ADSCs, suggesting a potential mechanism for enhanced adipogenesis in lipedema. Importantly, our characterization of signaling networks driving lipedema identifies potential molecular targets, including Bub1, for novel lipedema therapeutics.

Evaluation of nuclear reaction cross sections for optimization of production of the important non-standard positron emitting radionuclide 89Zr using proton and deuteron induced reactions on 89Y target

⁸⁹Zr (T_1/2 = 3.27 d) is an important β⁺-emitting radionuclide of zirconium used in immuno PET. The excitation functions of the ⁸⁹Y(d,2n)⁸⁹Zr and ⁸⁹Y(p,n)⁸⁹Zr reactions were analyzed to deduce the optimum conditions for the high purity production of ⁸⁹Zr. The nuclear model codes ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE 3.2 and TALYS 1.9 were used to check the consistency and reliability of the experimental data. A polynomial fit to the chosen data for each reaction gave the excitation function, which was then used for the integral yield calculation of the product. The amount of the major radioactive impurity ⁸⁸Zr was precisely analyzed for both the proton and the deuteron induced reactions on the ⁸⁹Y target.

Impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan

The provision of effective extension services to smallholder farmers across both developing and developed countries remains a challenge worldwide. The objective of the study is to demonstrate the impacts of improved extension services on awareness, knowledge, adoption rates and perceived benefits of smallholder dairy farmers in Pakistan. An extension program was developed and implemented in five districts of Punjab (Okara, Pakpattan, Jhelum, Kasur and Bhakkar) and two districts of Sindh (Thatta and Badin) provinces. The extension program involved the provision of research-based information on a monthly basis to smallholder farming families (FF = 523) over a 4-year period. The extension program was primarily a knowledge transfer-based system, but also relied on farmer engagement and feedback to help drive research and topics for discussion. No financial incentives were provided to the farmers for their participation. A ‘whole-family approach’ was used in the extension program, where comprehensive interdisciplinary training on the whole dairy-farming system was provided to the males, females and children of the farming household. To encourage greater participation and support different learning strategies, several information transfer media were used (including group discussions, one-on-one visits, practical demonstrations, problem-based learning techniques and videos). To assess the impact of this extension program on farms involved, data on farmer awareness, knowledge, adoption and their perceived benefits were collected using a mixed-method approach from three different groups of farmers; registered (IMPreg = 179) farmers directly involved in the extension program, non-registered (IMPnon-reg = 116) farmers indirectly benefiting from the program and traditional (IMPtrad = 104) farmers not associated with any project activities. Overall awareness, knowledge and adoption rates relating to seven different recommendations in the extension program were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher in the registered farmers than in the non-registered and traditional farmers. The perceived benefits of the adopted recommendations varied between the different extension messages, but farmers described that they observed increases in milk production, improvements in animal health (body condition and morbidity) and labour efficiency (time savings). These results suggest that adopting improved extension services using a whole-family approach we can significantly achieve higher adoption rates, leading to on-farm benefits to smallholder dairy farmers and their families.

Differential Receptor Binding and Regulatory Mechanisms for the Lymphangiogenic Growth Factors Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-C and -D

VEGF-C and VEGF-D are secreted glycoproteins that induce angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in cancer, thereby promoting tumor growth and spread. They exhibit structural homology and activate VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3, receptors on endothelial cells that signal for growth of blood vessels and lymphatics. VEGF-C and VEGF-D were thought to exhibit similar bioactivities, yet recent studies indicated distinct signaling mechanisms (e.g. tumor-derived VEGF-C promoted expression of the prostaglandin biosynthetic enzyme COX-2 in lymphatics, a response thought to facilitate metastasis via the lymphatic vasculature, whereas VEGF-D did not). Here we explore the basis of the distinct bioactivities of VEGF-D using a neutralizing antibody, peptide mapping, and mutagenesis to demonstrate that the N-terminal α-helix of mature VEGF-D (Phe⁹³–Arg¹⁰⁸) is critical for binding VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. Importantly, the N-terminal part of this α-helix, from Phe⁹³ to Thr⁹⁸, is required for binding VEGFR-3 but not VEGFR-2. Surprisingly, the corresponding part of the α-helix in mature VEGF-C did not influence binding to either VEGFR-2 or VEGFR-3, indicating distinct determinants of receptor binding by these growth factors. A variant of mature VEGF-D harboring a mutation in the N-terminal α-helix, D103A, exhibited enhanced potency for activating VEGFR-3, was able to promote increased COX-2 mRNA levels in lymphatic endothelial cells, and had enhanced capacity to induce lymphatic sprouting in vivo. This mutant may be useful for developing protein-based therapeutics to drive lymphangiogenesis in clinical settings, such as lymphedema. Our studies shed light on the VEGF-D structure/function relationship and provide a basis for understanding functional differences compared with VEGF-C.

Oocyte-specific inactivation of Omcg1 leads to DNA damage and c-Abl/TAp63-dependent oocyte death associated with dramatic remodeling of ovarian somatic cells

Aberrant loss of oocytes following cancer treatments or genetic mutations leads to premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) associated with endocrine-related disorders in 1% of women. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms governing oocyte death is crucial for the preservation of female fertility. Here, we report the striking reproductive features of a novel mouse model of POI obtained through oocyte-specific inactivation (ocKO) of Omcg1/Zfp830 encoding a nuclear zinc finger protein involved in pre-mRNA processing. Genetic ablation of OMCG1 in early growing oocytes leads to reduced transcription, accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks and subsequent c-Abl/TAp63-dependent oocyte death, thus uncovering the key role of OMCG1 for oocyte genomic integrity. All adult Omcg1(ocKO) females displayed complete elimination of early growing oocytes and sterility. Unexpectedly, mutant females exhibited a normal onset of puberty and sexual receptivity. Detailed studies of Omcg1(ocKO) ovaries revealed that the ovarian somatic compartment underwent a dramatic structural and functional remodeling. This allowed the cooperation between oocyte-depleted follicles and interstitial tissue to produce estradiol. Moreover, despite early folliculogenesis arrest, mutant mice exhibited sexual cyclicity as shown by cyclical changes in estrogen secretion, vaginal epithelium cytology and genital tract weight. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the key role of Omcg1 for oocyte survival and highlight the contribution of p63 pathway in damaged oocyte elimination in adulthood. Moreover, our findings challenge the prevailing view that sexual cyclicity is tightly dependent upon the pace of folliculogenesis and luteal differentiation.

Atmospheric gas plasma-induced ROS production activates TNF-ASK1 pathway for the induction of melanoma cancer cell apoptosis

Atmospheric gas plasmas (AGPs) are able to selectively induce apoptosis in cancer cells, offering a promising alternative to conventional therapies that have unwanted side effects such as drug resistance and toxicity. However, the mechanism of AGP-induced cancer cell death is unknown. In this study, AGP is shown to up-regulate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and induce apoptosis in melanoma but not normal melanocyte cells. By screening genes involved in apoptosis, we identify tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-family members as the most differentially expressed cellular genes upon AGP treatment of melanoma cells. TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) antagonist-neutralizing antibody specifically inhibits AGP-induced apoptosis signal, regulating apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) activity and subsequent ASK1-dependent apoptosis. Treatment of cells with intracellular ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine also inhibits AGP-induced activation of ASK1, as well as apoptosis. Moreover, depletion of intracellular ASK1 reduces the level of AGP-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. The evidence for TNF-signaling dependence of ASK1-mediated apoptosis suggests possible mechanisms for AGP activation and regulation of apoptosis-signaling pathways in tumor cells.

Selective neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells induced by nanosecond microplasma agitation

An essential step for therapeutic and research applications of stem cells is their ability to differentiate into specific cell types. Neuronal cells are of great interest for medical treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic injuries of central nervous system (CNS), but efforts to produce these cells have been met with only modest success. In an attempt of finding new approaches, atmospheric-pressure room-temperature microplasma jets (MPJs) are shown to effectively direct in vitro differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) predominantly into neuronal lineage. Murine neural stem cells (C17.2-NSCs) treated with MPJs exhibit rapid proliferation and differentiation with longer neurites and cell bodies eventually forming neuronal networks. MPJs regulate ~75% of NSCs to differentiate into neurons, which is a higher efficiency compared to common protein- and growth factors-based differentiation. NSCs exposure to quantized and transient (~150 ns) micro-plasma bullets up-regulates expression of different cell lineage markers as β-Tubulin III (for neurons) and O4 (for oligodendrocytes), while the expression of GFAP (for astrocytes) remains unchanged, as evidenced by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy and Western Blot assay. It is shown that the plasma-increased nitric oxide (NO) production is a factor in the fate choice and differentiation of NSCs followed by axonal growth. The differentiated NSC cells matured and produced mostly cholinergic and motor neuronal progeny. It is also demonstrated that exposure of primary rat NSCs to the microplasma leads to quite similar differentiation effects. This suggests that the observed effect may potentially be generic and applicable to other types of neural progenitor cells. The application of this new in vitro strategy to selectively differentiate NSCs into neurons represents a step towards reproducible and efficient production of the desired NSC derivatives.

Effect of atmospheric gas plasmas on cancer cell signaling

Cancer is one of the most life-threatening diseases with many forms still regarded as incurable. The conventional cancer treatments have unwanted side effects such as the death of normal cells. A therapy that can accurately target and effectively kill tumor cells could address the inadequacies of the available therapies. Atmospheric gas plasmas (AGP) that are able to specifically kill cancerous cells offer a promising alternative approach compared to conventional therapies. AGP have been shown to exploit tumor-specific genetic defects and a recent trial in mice has confirmed its antitumor effects. The mechanism by which the AGP act on tumor cells but not normal cells is not fully understood. A review of the current literature suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by AGP induce death of cancer cells by impairing the function of intracellular regulatory factors. The majority of cancer cells are defective in tumor suppressors that interfere normal cell growth pathways. It appears that pro-oncogene or tumor suppressor-dependent regulation of antioxidant/or ROS signaling pathways may be involved in AGP-induced cancer cell death. The toxic effects of ROS are mitigated by normal cells by adjustment of their metabolic pathways. On the other hand, tumor cells are mostly defective in several regulatory signaling pathways which lead to the loss of metabolic balance within the cells and consequently, the regulation of cell growth. This review article evaluates the impact of AGP on the activation of cellular signaling and its importance for exploring mechanisms for safe and efficient anticancer therapies.

Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherms for the Removal of Tartrazine from Aqueous Solution by Coal Ash

The coal ash (Φ) was used as an adsorbent for the removal of tartrazine from aqueous solution at room temperature. The adsorption capacity of tartrazine increased as the adsorption time was increased and then remains constant after 30 min adsorption duration. It was found that the Φ removed more than 40% of tartrazine from the aqueous solution within 1 h contact time. The equilibrium adsorption was also analyzed by Langmuir isotherm and it was found that the data followed the Langmuir isotherm models.

Role of Foxp3 gene in maternal susceptibility to pre-eclampsia - a study from South India

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial pregnancy-specific vascular disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria and affects around 3-8% of pregnancies worldwide. Defective placentation during the early stage of pregnancy most likely in combination with maternal and environmental factors could lead to systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and the manifestation of the clinical symptoms. Inadequate number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) or their functional deficiency is linked with infertility, miscarriage and PE. It is well identified that forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) gene is a master control gene for the development and function of Tregs that play an important role in the maintenance of self-tolerance and mediate maternal tolerance to the foetus. The main objective of this study was to assess the maternal susceptibility to PE with respect to a deletion mutation in exon-2 and -3279 C > A polymorphism (rs3761548) in the promoter region within the Foxp3 gene in a total of 282 PE patients and 215 normal pregnant women. The results showed that exon-2 deletion mutation is present in 1.06% of patients and none in the controls, indicating that it was not a common gene polymorphism associated with PE. With respect to rs3761548, the C allele frequency was observed to be higher in patients than in controls (49% versus 27%; OR = 2.81, P < 0.01). In conclusion, our results are suggestive of A allele to be protective against PE and C allele as predisposing in a dose-dependent manner in our population.

Effect of mercury and arsenic from industrial effluents on the drinking water and comparison of the water quality of polluted and non-polluted areas: a case study of Peshawar and Lower Dir

The purpose of the present study was to find out the sources of mercury and arsenic pollution of water in the industrial area of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Samples of effluents, mud, and water were collected from the target area (industrial area of Peshawar), the area of water supply source, and from the less polluted area, the Lower Dir district, as the control. Hg was determined by the cold vapor generation technique, while arsenic was determined using the electrothermal atomic absorption technique. Data of the water from the industrial area were compared with that of the source area, control area, as well as with the WHO and some international drinking water quality standards. The results show that some parameters, i.e., TDS, DO, pH, and hardness, were more than the permissible limits. Textile and glass industries were found to be the major sources of Hg and As pollution. Downstream dilution of these contaminants was also observed.

A comparison of two different techniques for the detection of blood parasite, Theileria annulata, in cattle from two districts in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa Province (Pakistan)

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Theileria annulata in large ruminants from two districts, Peshawar and Kohat, in Khyber Pukhtoon Khwa (Pakistan). Blood samples were collected from 95 cattle. Data on the characteristics of animals and herds were collected through questionnaires. No significant risk factors were found associated with the spread of tropical theileriosis in the study area. Two different parasite detection techniques, PCR amplification and screening of Giemsa stained slides, were compared and it was found that PCR amplification is a more sensitive tool (33.7% parasite detection), as compared to smear scanning (5.2% parasite detection) for the detection of Theileria annulata. 32 out of 95 animals, from both districts, produced the 721-bp fragment specific for Theileria annulata.

Significantly increased levels of serum malonaldehyde in type 2 diabetics with myocardial infarction

Aim/Objective:

To see the levels of serum MDA in type 2 DM with MI. As Serum malonaldeyhde (MDA), a stable end product of lipid per oxidation produced by interaction of free radicals with membrane phospholipids, was estimated.

Materials and Methods:

30 type 2 diabetes mellitus cases with myocardial infarction and equal members of Type 2 diabetics without complications are enrolled. Thirty healthy subjects served as controls. Quantitative estimation of serum MDA levels were carried out in all the three groups, along with fasting blood glucose and total serum cholesterol.

Results:

It was found that serum MDA levels were significantly higher in both diabetic groups compare to the controls (P<0.01). Within the diabetic group, the serum MDA levels were significantly high in patients with myocardial infarction (P<0.01).

Conclusion:

The possible reason for significantly high serum MDA levels in cases of diabetic with myocardial infarction is due to tissue damage caused by myocardial infarction resulting in increased rate of production of free radicals as assessed by lipid per oxidation.

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.

Overall and gender-based negative predictive value of a normal gated myocardial perfusion SPECT study: a single center experience

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

A normal gated myocardial perfusion imaging (GMPI) has been found to have high diagnostic and negative predictive value (NPV) in western population. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the overall and gender-based NPV of a normal GMPI in local population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a prospective study conducted at Nuclear Cardiology Department of Karachi Institute of Heart Diseases (KIHD), Karachi from December 2008 till May 2009. All patients (with intermediate risk) with a normal GMPI with adequate dynamic or dipyridamole stress were included and followed up for 18 months (mean 15 ± 3 months) for fatal or non-fatal infarctions.

RESULTS

The mean ejection fraction (EF) of studied population was 69 ± 8% while mean end diastolic (EDV) and end systolic volume (ESV) were 71 ± 19 and 22 ± 11 ml, respectively. In studied female cohort, the mean EF (%), EDV (ml) and ESV (ml) were 71 ± 08, 64 ± 15 and 19 ± 09, respectively. In studied male cohort, the mean EF (%), EDV (ml) and ESV (ml) were 66 ± 06, 82 ± 18 and 27 ± 11, respectively. At 18 months follow-up, one fatal (male patient) and one non-fatal MI (male patient) were reported. The overall NPV was 99.4% over 18 months follow-up with an event rate of 0.6% (95% CI 0.03-1.16%) and annualized event rate of 0.3%. The NPV and annualized event in subgroup analyses, was similar for female and male (P = 0.213).

CONCLUSION

We conclude that a normal GMPI with adequate stress in our population has high NPVs for major cardiac events as in western population. In addition, the prognostic utility of GMPI is similar for both men and women.

A comparative study of human health risks via consumption of food crops grown on wastewater irrigated soil (Peshawar) and relatively clean water irrigated soil (lower Dir)

Food crops irrigated with wastewater are mostly contaminated with heavy metals and considered as a main pathway for human exposure. In this study, soil and food crops samples were collected from wastewater irrigated soils, background and relatively less polluted areas. Results of the sequential extraction and total metals concentrations in soils indicated that wastewater irrigation has significantly increased (p > or = 0.001) the bioavailable and total metal contents in wastewater irrigated soil as compared to background and control soils. Heavy metal concentrations in the food crops grown on wastewater irrigated soil were higher than those grown on background and control soils but were found within WHO/FAO permissible limits except for Zn. Health risk index values were less than 1 for both control and wastewater irrigated soils (except Mn). However, the food crops such as Brassica rapa, Spinacia oleracae L., Lycopersicum esculantum, Mentha viridis, Coriandum sativum and Lactuca sativa grown on wastewater irrigated soil can pose health risks because of the high concentration of Mn.

Heavy metals in brick kiln located area using atomic absorption spectrophotometer: a case study from the city of Peshawar, Pakistan

Environmental pollution is one of the burning issues of the world. In developed countries, there are lot of awareness about the environment and the impact of various industries on their life and surroundings. A little has been done in this direction in developing countries. In Pakistan, a big problem is the rapid conglomeration of the brick kilns in the outskirts of nearly all the urban centers to cope with the rapid construction work in big cities. A huge amount of low-grade coal or rubber tires is used as fuel in a very non-scientific manner. The purpose of the present study was to look into the impact of the brick kilns on the different aspects of environmental pollution caused by these kilns. Concentration of metals Cu, Co, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, and Mn were measured on 36 soil samples collected from the area and the same number of plant samples in order to establish the distribution of heavy metals in the area and to determine the effect of this distribution on the surrounding atmosphere and the possible effects on human life.

Multivariate statistical analysis of heavy metals pollution in industrial area and its comparison with relatively less polluted area: a case study from the City of Peshawar and district Dir Lower

Multivariate and univariate statistical techniques i.e., cluster analysis PCA, regression and correlation analysis, one way ANOVA, were applied to the metal data of effluents soil and ground water to point out the contribution of different industries towards the metals pollution, their source identification and distribution. The samples were collected from different industries and different downstream points of the main effluents stream and from the relatively less polluted area considered as control area. The samples were analyzed for metal concentration levels by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The metal concentration data in the three media of the polluted area were compared with background data and control data as well as with the WHO safe limits. The results showed that soil has high metals concentration compared to effluents and water. The data also showed elevated levels of Mn and Pb in water that are 8.268 and 2.971 mg/L, respectively. Principal component analysis along with regression analysis showed that the elevated levels of metals in the effluents contaminate adjacent soil and ultimately the ground water. The other elements Co, Cd, Ni and Cu were also found to have correlation in the three media.

Removal of Tartrazine from Aqueous Solution by Activated Coal

Removal of industrially important Tartrazine dye from aqueous solution was carried with virgin and variously activated coal samples at room temperature. The morphological study indicated that the number of coal particles was increased when the coal was evacuated at 200°C while aggregated form was observed at 400°C evacuation temperature. The coal particles were again formed at 600°C evacuation temperature. The coal, which was evacuated at 400°C, adsorbed less Tartrazine than the coal samples which were evacuated at 200 and 600°C. This might be caused by the aggregation of the coal particles at 400°C (because of the plastic range of coal swelling), which results in a decrease of the coal surface area. The obtained adsorption data were also fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, which followed both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms models.

The DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX1 interacts with RelA and enhances nuclear factor kappaB-mediated transcription

DEAD-box RNA helicases constitute the largest family of RNA helicases and are involved in many aspects of RNA metabolism. In this study, we identified RelA (p65), a subunit of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), as a cellular co-factor of DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX1, through mammalian two hybrid system and co-immunoprecipitation assay. Additionally, confocal microscopy and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed this interaction. In NF-kappaB dependent reporter gene assay, DDX1 acted as a co-activator to enhance NF-kappaB-mediated transcription activation. The functional domains involved were mapped to the carboxy terminal transactivation domain of RelA and the amino terminal ATPase/helicase domain of DDX1. The DDX1 trans-dominant negative mutant lacking ATP-dependent RNA helicase activity lost it transcriptional inducer activity. Moreover, depletion of endogenous DDX1 by specific small interfering RNAs significantly reduced NF-kappaB-dependent transcription. Taken together, the results suggest that DDX1 may play an important role in NF-kappaB-mediated transactivation, and revelation of this regulatory pathway may help to explore the novel mechanisms for regulating NF-kappaB transcriptional activity.

Genome-wide analysis of protein-protein interactions and involvement of viral proteins in SARS-CoV replication

Analyses of viral protein-protein interactions are an important step to understand viral protein functions and their underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we adopted a mammalian two-hybrid system to screen the genome-wide intraviral protein-protein interactions of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and therefrom revealed a number of novel interactions which could be partly confirmed by in vitro biochemical assays. Three pairs of the interactions identified were detected in both directions: non-structural protein (nsp) 10 and nsp14, nsp10 and nsp16, and nsp7 and nsp8. The interactions between the multifunctional nsp10 and nsp14 or nsp16, which are the unique proteins found in the members of Nidovirales with large RNA genomes including coronaviruses and toroviruses, may have important implication for the mechanisms of replication/transcription complex assembly and functions of these viruses. Using a SARS-CoV replicon expressing a luciferase reporter under the control of a transcription regulating sequence, it has been shown that several viral proteins (N, X and SUD domains of nsp3, and nsp12) provided in trans stimulated the replicon reporter activity, indicating that these proteins may regulate coronavirus replication and transcription. Collectively, our findings provide a basis and platform for further characterization of the functions and mechanisms of coronavirus proteins.

HCV NS3/4A protein activates HIV-1 transcription from its long terminal repeat

Approximately 30-40% of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the U.S. are also infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Studies have shown that HIV can worsen hepatitis C, while the impact of hepatitis C on HIV disease is less clear. In this study, we described that HCV NS3/4A protein can activate HIV-1 transcription from its long terminal repeat (LTR) region, while the serine protease-inactive mutant of NS3/4A fails to do so. The activation effect of NS3/4A to HIV-1 transcription can be explained by its ability to enhance DNA binding activities of the transcription factor AP-1. These results have provided insights into the mechanism involved in the co-infection of HCV and HIV.

Knockdown of cellular RNA helicase DDX3 by short hairpin RNAs suppresses HIV-1 viral replication without inducing apoptosis

The targeting of a cellular co-factor, rather than the HIV-1-specific RNAs, by small interfering RNAs holds promise as the rapid mutational ability of the HIV-1 genome may obviate the potential clinical use of RNAi against this virus. The DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX3 is an essential Rev co-factor in the CRM1-Rev-RRE complex that promotes the export of unspliced and single-spliced HIV-1 RNAs from the nucleus to cytoplasm. In this report, human DDX3 was targeted by specific short hairpin RNAs, and the down-regulation of cell's endogenous DDX3 suppressed the nuclear export of unspliced HIV-1 RNAs but did not affect the cell viability. We further showed that the knockdown of cellular DDX3 could effectively inhibit the replication of HIV-1. Therefore, the current results suggest that the RNA helicase DDX3 may become a potential target by RNAi for future genetic therapy of HIV/AIDS.

Association of HLA DQ B1* and HLA DR B1* Alleles with Goitrous Juvenile Autoimmune Hypothyroidism—A Case Control Study

The present study was designed to analyze the distribution of HLA DQ B1* and DR B1* in patients with goitrous juvenile autoimmune hypothyroidism from Hyderabad, India. Analysis indicated an increase in the frequencies of HLA DQ B1* 03 allele (P < 0.000) and HLA DR B1* 04 (P < 0.05) alleles in this group of patients when compared to the controls, whereas the frequency of DQB1* 05 was found to be decreased in patients' group compared to the controls (p < 0.01). To conclude, we report a positive correlation between DQ B1* 03 and DR B1* 04 and goitrous juvenile autoimmune hypothyroidism, whereas DQB1* 05 is observed to be negatively correlated with this thyroid dysfunction. Since the disease-susceptible HLA class II alleles appear to differ in various ethnic groups for some autoimmune diseases, the observed association from Indian series of patients holds significance.

A differential association of interferon-gamma high-producing allele T and low-producing allele A (+874 A/T) with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease

Cytokines play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the single base change polymorphic variants identified in the first intron of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) (+874 T/A) with susceptibility to thyroid dysfunctions. A total of 340 subjects were included in the study comprising of 190 patients (104 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 26 with non-Hashimoto's hypothyroidism and 60 Graves' disease) and 150 controls. Genotyping was done by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction using a set of sequence-specific primers. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between high IFN-gamma-producing genotype TT and Hashimoto's thyroiditis compared to controls (P value < 0.001). On the other hand, the frequency of genotype TT was decreased in patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism with a significant increase in low IFN-gamma-producing genotype AA among this group (P = 0.03). To conclude the results of the study suggest a differential association of high- and low-producing alleles of IFN-gamma gene with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease. The high IFN-gamma-producing allele T was observed to be associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in the present study where as in Graves' hyperthyroidism the association was observed to be stronger with the low producing allele A.

Intravitreal steroids may facilitate treatment of Eales' disease (idiopathic retinal vasculitis): an interventional case series

PURPOSE

Eales' disease is an idiopathic peripheral perivasculitis leading to proliferative vascular retinopathy, recurrent vitreous haemorrhages, and tractional retinal detachment. It is an elusive cause of blindness in young, otherwise healthy individuals. We studied the effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in patients of Eales' disease, which may eventually reduce the side effects and cost of management, with results equivalent to or better than oral steroids.

METHODS

Ethics approval and prior patient consent were obtained. Fluorescein fundus angiograms (FFAs) of 12 eyes of 12 Eales' disease patients were taken before enrolment. These patients received 0.1 ml of 40 mg/ml (4 mg) intravitreal triamcinolone through pars plana under topical anaesthesia. Regular weekly follow-ups were initiated to ascertain Snellen visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldman tonometer, and triple mirror examination. Fluorescein fundus angiography was again performed in the 8th week to monitor response to treatment. Decrease in areas of late perivascular dye extravasation on fluorescein angiography was used as marker for improvement.

RESULTS

Ten out of a total of 12 (83.33%) eyes treated with IVTA showed significant reduction of late leakage from retinal vessels on fluorescein fundus angiography. Two out of 12 eyes (16.67%) did not show considerable decrease in late perivascular fluorescein dye leakage after 8 weeks of intravitreal triamcinolone injection. Two patients (16.67%) had a significant rise in IOP after IVTA.

CONCLUSION

Intravitreal steroids may be advocated for management of idiopathic retinal vasculitis without complications of systemic steroids, and minimize need for more invasive procedures.

Role of vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid on hyperhomocysteinemia in a Pakistani population of patients with acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pakistani people belong to an ethnic group which has the highest rate of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated the possible correlation between deficiency of vitamins B6, B12 or folic acid and hyperhomocysteinemia in Pakistani patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A case-control study was carried out involving 224 AMI patients (age 30-70 years; 55 females and 169 males) and 126 normal healthy subjects (age 31-70 years; 35 females and 91 males).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fasting venous blood was obtained from cases and controls. Serum was analyzed for folic acid and B12 using radioassays. Plasma was analyzed for pyridoxal phosphate (PLP; coenzymic form of B6) using a radioenzymatic assay and for total homocysteine using a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Mean serum B12 concentration in AMI patients was found to be significantly lower than the mean for controls (241+/-185 pg/ml vs 608+/-341 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Mean serum folate level in patients was also found to be lower than controls (3.35+/-3.78 ng/ml vs 4.93+/-2.93 ng/ml), however, the differences were not statistically significant. Similarly, mean PLP concentration in plasma of cases (19.4+/-24.4 nmol/l) was lower than the concentration in controls (23.2+/-17.6 nmol/l), but the difference was not statistically significant. Mean plasma homocysteine level in AMI cases (18+/-8.36 micromol/l) was higher than the mean level in controls (16.4+/-4.9 micromol/l), but not to a significant extent. However, this mean homocysteine concentration in normal healthy subjects was among the highest reported in the literature and was significantly more than mean values reported in most Eastern and Western studies. Compared to controls, there was significantly greater deficiency of folate (32.5% vs 67.1%), B12 (3.2% vs 63.4%) and PLP (49.2% vs 74.1%) in AMI patients. Deficiencies of folate, B12 and PLP were defined as serum folate levels less than 3.5 ng/ml, serum levels of B12 less than 200 pg/ml and plasma PLP levels less than 20 nmol/l. Mean plasma homocysteine levels in smokers were found to be significantly higher in both cases and controls. Similarly, mean serum folate levels in smokers (compared to nonsmokers) were significantly lower in both cases and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial nutritional deficiencies of these three vitamins along with mild hyperhomocysteinemia, perhaps through an interplay with the classical cardiovascular risk factors (highly prevalent in this population), could be further aggravating the risk of CAD in the Pakistani population.