DNA methylation signatures of aggression and closely related constructs: A meta-analysis of epigenome-wide studies across the lifespan

DNA methylation profiles of aggressive behavior may capture lifetime cumulative effects of genetic, stochastic, and environmental influences associated with aggression. Here, we report the first large meta-analysis of epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) of aggressive behavior (N = 15,324 participants). In peripheral blood samples of 14,434 participants from 18 cohorts with mean ages ranging from 7 to 68 years, 13 methylation sites were significantly associated with aggression (alpha = 1.2 × 10-7; Bonferroni correction). In cord blood samples of 2425 children from five cohorts with aggression assessed at mean ages ranging from 4 to 7 years, 83% of these sites showed the same direction of association with childhood aggression (r = 0.74, p = 0.006) but no epigenome-wide significant sites were found. Top-sites (48 at a false discovery rate of 5% in the peripheral blood meta-analysis or in a combined meta-analysis of peripheral blood and cord blood) have been associated with chemical exposures, smoking, cognition, metabolic traits, and genetic variation (mQTLs). Three genes whose expression levels were associated with top-sites were previously linked to schizophrenia and general risk tolerance. At six CpGs, DNA methylation variation in blood mirrors variation in the brain. On average 44% (range = 3-82%) of the aggression-methylation association was explained by current and former smoking and BMI. These findings point at loci that are sensitive to chemical exposures with potential implications for neuronal functions. We hope these results to be a starting point for studies leading to applications as peripheral biomarkers and to reveal causal relationships with aggression and related traits.

Prevalence of Septicaemia and Antibiogram of Different Etiological Agents in Patients of Intensive Care Units of a Tertiary Care Centre in Northern India

Background   Septicaemia is a leading cause of mortality in ICU patients. Any delay in diagnosis and /or antibiotic treatment have been shown to increase in mortality.We planned to study the prevalence, bacteriological profile of septicaemia along with their antibiogram in patients of different ICUs in a tertiary care Hospital, Northern region. Materials and Methods Blood culture was performed on total of 223 blood samples from 218 patients suspected for septicaemic episodes using Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth. The isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques and their antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby Bauer method. Results Bacterial growth was seen in 54 samples (54 episodes of septicaemia) from 49(22.47%) patients (40, 4, 5 from Neonatal ICU, Medicine ICU, Surgical ICU respectively). The commonest isolate was Staphylococcus aureus (45.45%) [80% in NICU, 12% in MICU & 8% in SICU], followed by Klebsiella (30.9%) [100% from NICU], and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.1%) [40% in NICU, 20% in MICU & 40% in SICU]. The Gram positive isolates showed high sensitivity against teicoplanin (96%), vancomycin (93%), netillin (76%), erythromycin (72%), & gentamicin (72%), The Gram negative isolates showed high sensitivity against imipenem & amikacin. Conclusion As prevalence of septicaemia and its etiology varies among hospitals, a rational protocol is warranted to manage sepsis of critically ill patients based on adequate knowledge of sensitivity pattern of prevalent causative agents.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v3i4.9516

Design and synthesis of a novel anthracene-based fluorescent probe through the application of the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction

We report on a simple synthetic route to a novel anthracene-based bis-armed amino acid derivative as a useful fluorescent probe. Various photophysical studies of this amino acid derivative are also described. Here, Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction has been used as a key step for carbon-carbon bond formation.

Synchronous occurrence of breast carcinoma and acute myeloid leukemia: case report and review of the literature

We present a case of breast carcinoma, which was followed by acute leukemia within 1 month of diagnosis of the former. She had undergone a modified radical mastectomy for her breast cancer and had not received chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Acute leukemia as a result of chemotherapy for breast carcinoma is well known. However, patients developing synchronous breast carcinoma and acute leukemia, in the absence of any chemotherapy or radiotherapy, are rare.