S-Palmitoylation during Retinoic Acid-Induced Neuronal Differentiation of SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

S-Palmitoylation is the covalent attachment of C14:0-C22:0 fatty acids (mainly C16:0 palmitate) to cysteines via thioester bonds. This lipid modification is highly abundant in neurons, where it plays a role in neuronal development and is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. The knowledge of S-palmitoylation in neurodevelopment is limited due to technological challenges in analyzing this highly hydrophobic protein modification. Here, we used two orthogonal methods, acyl-biotin exchange (ABE) and lipid metabolic labeling (LML), to identify S-palmitoylated proteins and sites during retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells. We identified 2002 putative S-palmitoylated proteins in total, of which 650 were found with both methods. Significant changes in the abundance of S-palmitoylated proteins were detected, in particular for several processes and protein classes that are known to be important for neuronal differentiation, which include proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase receptor (RET) signal transduction, SNARE protein-mediated exocytosis, and neural cell adhesion molecules. Overall, S-palmitoylation profiling by employing ABE and LML in parallel during RA-induced differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells revealed a subset of high confidence bona fide S-palmitoylated proteins and suggested an important role for S-palmitoylation in neuronal differentiation.

Quantification of magic angle spinning dynamic nuclear polarization NMR spectra

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) allows to dramatically enhance the sensitivity of magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). DNP experiments usually rely on the detection of low-γ nuclei hyperpolarized from ¹H with the use of cross polarization (CP), which assures more efficient signal enhancement. However, CP is usually not quantitative. Here we determine the quantification performance of three different approaches used in MAS NMR, (conventional CP, variable contact time CP, and multiple-contact CP) under DNP conditions, and we show that absolute quantification in MAS DNP NMR is possible, with errors below 10%.

Effect of levofloxacin and pefloxacin on humoral immune response elicited by bovine serum albumin docked in gelatin microparticles and nanoparticles

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of levofloxacin and pefloxacin on the humoral immune response elicited by bovine serum albumin (BSA) encapsulated in gelatin particulate systems. FITC-BSA (Fluoresceine isothiocynate-bovine serum albumin) was entrapped in gelatin microparticles (GM) and gelatin nanoparticles (GN) prepared by emulsion polymerization and nanoemulsion methods, respectively. The prepared particulate carriers were evaluated for particle size, surface morphology, entrapment efficiency, zeta potential and in vitro antigen release. The optimized formulation of FITC-BSA loaded GM and GN were administered s.c. to albino rats and humoral immune response was measured in terms of systemic IgG antibody titre by ELISA method. The serum IgG response elicited was compared to that was obtained by s.c. administration of either free antigen or antigen emulsified (1:1) with Freund's in complete adjuvant (FIA). The vaccination of 2.41 +/- 1.56 microm sized GM elicited significantly (P<0.05) higher serum IgG response than that obtained with administration of 107 +/- 25 nm sized GN. Similarly, levofloxacin significantly (P<0.05) decreased the antibody titre in rats immunized with BSA docked GM whereas pefloxacin did not reduce the antibody titre significantly. The study will help in programming a new drug management and in characterization of vaccine-drug interaction.

An epidemiological study to identify the risk factors with two different types of controls in high-grade cervical lesions including invasive cancer

A multidisciplinary study on pre-cancerous and early cancerous lesions of uterine cervix was carried out at our Institute from which the subjects (cases and one group of control) for the present study were selected with the objective to identify the possible risk factors related to high-grade cervical lesions including invasive cancer through an epidemiological study by selecting two different types of controls and to assess the feasibility whether the cancers of other organs could be taken as controls at the same time studying the risk factors associated with cervical cancer. One group of control was women with negative Pap smear and second group of control was the women with breast cancer but negative Pap smear. A total of 100 biopsy-proven cases of high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions and Invasive cancer were recruited. The results of the study show that some of the risk factors associated with the cervical cancer get exaggerated when breast cancer cases were used as controls because risk factors of both cancers are opposite to each other. So it is concluded that in order to remove any bias, normal hospital controls or controls selected from multiple cancers should be taken to study the risk factors involved in cervical carcinogenesis.

Genetic polymorphism at GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene loci and susceptibility to oral cancer

GSTs are phase II enzymes which are involved in the detoxification of active metabolites of many potential carcinogens from tobacco smoke and therefore may play an important role in modulating susceptibility to tobacco related cancers. This study evaluates the influence of genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene loci on susceptibility to oral cancer. The genotyping was based on multiplex PCR assay that identified the GSTM1 and GSTT1 null (-/-) genotypes but didn't distinguish homozygous wild type+/+ and heterozygous +/- individuals. Genomic DNA was isolated from cases with oral cancer (n=40) and normal controls (n=87). The prevalence of the GSTM1 null genotypes was 29/87 (33.3%) and 21/40 (52.5%) in controls and oral cancer cases, respectively but the differences were not significant (OR=2.2; 95%CI=0.96-5.1; p=0.06). The frequency of homozygous GSTT1 null genotype in cancer cases was 17/40 (42.5%) as compared to 13/87 (14.94%) in controls and the differences were highly significant (OR=4.2; 95%CI=1.64-10.9; p=0.0002). Oral cancer cases had higher proportion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes as compared to controls but the differences were not statistically significant (OR=2.9; 95%CI=0.71-11.9; p=0.17). When individuals were categorized into two groups, no differences were observed for GSTM1 null genotype frequencies in control and cancer cases (OR=2.9; 95%CI=0.9-9.6; p=0.08) (OR=1.6; 95%CI=0.44-6.1; p=0.58) in <=50 yrs and >50 yrs of age groups. Significant differences between control and cancer cases were observed for GSTT1 null genotypes both in <=50 yrs and >50 yrs of age groups (OR=4.0; 95%CI=1.1-15.0; p=0.03) (OR=4.5; 95%CI=0.97-22.29; p=0.05), respectively. The effect of smoking on GSTM1 null individuals was not found significant (OR=1.0; 95%CI=0.19-4.86; p=0.75) but it was significant in case of GSTT1 null individuals (OR=6.33; 95%CI=1.0-44.1; p=0.02). Our results thus suggest that GSTT1 gene polymorphisms modulate susceptibility to tobacco-related cancer of the oral cavity.

Rapid rescreening of cervical smears by cytopathologists: experience at a WHO collaborating centre for research in cytology

The conventional 10% random full rescreening of cervical smears has been criticized as a quality assurance measure as it is not scientifically based and tends to detect only a few false negative cases. Rapid rescreening (RR) of negative cervical smears seems to be a viable alternative, especially in developing countries, as it picks up more positive lesions, reduces the false negative rate and is cost effective. We performed rapid review on 12374 cervical smears received under a hospital based cervical cancer screening programme. An additional 498 lesions were picked up on RR including a sizeable number of low and high grade lesions as well as 2 malignant cases. Thus RR led to an increase in efficiency of our laboratory.

Predicting anticonvulsant activity of benzamides/benzylamines: computational approach using topological descriptors

The relationship of Wiener's index (a distance-based topological descriptor), Zagreb group parameter (an adjacency-based topological descriptor) and eccentric connectivity index (an adjacency-cum-distance-based topological descriptor) with the anticonvulsant activity of a series of substituted benazamides/benzylamines has been investigated. A training set comprising 41 analogues of substituted benazamides/benzylamines was selected for the present investigations. The values of the Wiener's index, Zagreb group parameter and eccentric connectivity index and of each of 41 analogues comprising the data set were computed and active ranges were identified. Subsequently, a biological activity was assigned to each analogue involved in the data set which was then compared with the reported anticonvulsant activity. An exceptionally high accuracy of predictions ranging from a minimum of approximately 88% for the Zagreb group parameter to a maximum of approximately 97% for Wiener's index were obtained.

Glutathione level and its relation to radiation therapy in patients with cancer of uterine cervix

Glutathione functions as an important antioxidant in the destruction of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxides by providing substrate for the glutathione peroxidase and also promotes the ascorbic acid. Glutathione plays a vital role in detoxification of xenobiotics, carcinogens, free radicals and maintenance of immune functions. The study was aimed to determine plasma glutathione as well as erythrocyte glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in patients with invasive cervical carcinoma (n = 30) before initiation and after completion of radiotherapy and subsequently, at the time of first three monthly follow-up visit. The levels of plasma glutathione, erythrocyte glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity were found to be lower in all cervical cancer patients as compared to age matched normal control women. The study indicates a change in antioxidant status in relation with the glutathione system among patients with invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix. This study also demonstrates the effect of radiation therapy on this antioxidant system.

Reduction in the cumulative incidence rate of cervical cancer by one life time selective screening

Mass scale cervical cytology which is the most accepted strategy for the control of cervical cancer cannot be undertaken in developing countries in view of paucity of resources, hence a need arises to examine alternate strategy. The present exercise attempts to study the reduction in cumulative incidence rate of cervical cancer by one life time selective screening. The results revealed that cumulative incidence rate (CIR) of cervical cancer per 100,000 in cohort of women during the age of 20 to 64 years was found to be 2555.0 in the absence of screening. One life time selective screening at the age of 40 and 45 years showed the reduction of 11.6 and 17.2% in CIR respectively where as respective estimates in case of complete screening at mentioned age groups were found to be 21.5% and 25%. In order to further conserve the resources the strategy seems to be optimum for developing countries.

Biological behaviour of moderate dysplasia--a prospective study

The present communication reports the biological behaviour of women with moderate dysplastic lesions of uterine cervix based on a long term prospective study. Two hundred and thirty nine women with moderate dysplasia by cervical cytology who satisfied the criteria for registration were longitudinally followed up at 3 +/- 1 monthly intervals along with age and parity matched controls for a period ranging from 4 to 132 months. The cumulative rate of progression from moderate dysplasia to malignancy (CIS) was observed to be 23.0% at the end of 72 months of follow up with mean transition interval of 24.2 months. Out of 239 cases, 142 women who had more than 24 months of follow up were considered for studying the biological behaviour of the lesion. It was observed that during a follow up of 132 months, 14(9.9%) and 15(10.6%) women progressed to carcinoma in-situ and severe dysplasia respectively. The persistence of lesion was observed in 21(14.8%) women while 11(7.3%) and 81(57.0%) regressed to mild dysplasia and normalcy respectively.

Epidemiologic analysis of Trichomonas vaginalis infection in inflammatory smears

Infections of the lower reproductive tract are common in Indian women of reproductive age. Hospital-based cytologic screening was undertaken on 63,265 women. The smears were examined for the presence of specific infections, such as Candida, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Chlamydia. This paper highlights the prevalence of TV infection in inflammatory cervical smears. Among the various infections detected, the rate of TV infection was the highest (5.1%). On further analysis the rate of TV infection showed an increasing trend up to the age of 49 years; an inverse association was observed with the educational status of the women. The prevalence was high in women with clinical signs (vaginitis, 6.9%) and low in those with a prolapsed uterus (1.2%) as compared to a normal cervix. These observations reveal the need for providing proper counseling and education on sexual behavior and genital hygiene besides treatment to control and prevent these infections.

Role of male behavior in cervical carcinogenesis among women with one lifetime sexual partner

BACKGROUND

The role of male behavior in the genesis of cervical cancer was examined. In India, where the incidence of cervical cancer is among the highest in the world, promiscuity among women is virtually unknown. In this study, the authors investigated the role of male behavior in cervical carcinogenesis among Indian women who had one lifetime sexual partner.

METHODS

A case-control study was used.

RESULTS

Premarital sexual relationships (relative risk [RR], 1.9; confidence interval, 1.2-3.2) and extramarital sexual relationships (RR, 2.7; confidence interval, 1.5-4.9) of husbands were risk factors. When husbands had sexual relationships both before and during the marriage, their wives' risk of getting cervical cancer increased by 6.9 (CI, 2.3-20.7). Risk also increased with husbands having three or more extramarital sexual partners (RR, 3.05; CI, 1.25-12.6). Sexual contact with prostitutes before or after marriage, however, did not increase the risk. History of sexually transmitted disease before marriage (RR, 2.9) or after marriage (RR, 5.9) was an important risk factor, which persisted after controlling for other factors. Sexual abstinence for 40 or more days after a wife's giving birth or having an abortion provided protection. Sex with uncircumcised men or men circumcised after age 1 year increased the risk of cervical cancer (RR, 4.1). Bidi smoking (bidi is a cheap smoking stick of 4-8 cm, consisting of a rolled piece of dried temburni leaf [Diospyres melanoxylon] containing 0.15-0.25 g of coarsely ground tobacco) for more than 20 years was a significant risk factor (RR = 2.4), whereas cigarette smoking was not a risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Male sexual partners play a role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Quantitative analysis of nuclear area variation in benign and malignant breast fine needle aspirates

The measurement of nuclear area was carried out in 30 benign and 32 malignant breast lumps using Omnicon Alpha 500 Image Analyzer. The mean nuclear area of duct cells in malignant group was greater (157.6 +/- 58.64 sq.microns with a peak around 140 sq.microns) and more heterogenous within and amongst cases than observed in duct cells from most of the cases of fibroadenoma (85.05 ae 14.2 sq.microns with a peak around 80 sq.microns). Taking into consideration 110 sq.microns as a differentiating limit, a significant difference was observed between benign and malignant conditions (p). Similarly taking 118 sq.microns as differentiating limit duct cell carcinomas could be divided into two groups i.e. 9(28.1%) cases of small nuclear type with a range of 80-118 sq.microns and 23(71.9%) cases of large nuclear type with a range of 118-320 sq microns .6(18.8%) cases with small nuclei had an overlap with fibroadenoma. Although 13(72.2%) cases of large nuclear type carcinomas had lymph node metastasis as against 4(44.4%) in small nuclear group, the difference was not statistically significant.