Microstructural alterations of major thalamic nuclei in the chronic pediatric spinal cord injured population

Background

The brain undergoes reorganization following spinal cord injury (SCI), but little is known about how the thalamus is affected in pediatric SCIs.

Purpose

To characterize microstructural alterations in the thalamus after SCI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics.

Methods

18 pediatric participants with chronic SCI (8-20 years) were stratified using the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) into groups: A, B, and C/D. DTI of the brain used a 3 T Siemens Verio MRI using the parameters: 20 directions, number of averages = 3, b = 1000 s/mm2, voxel size = 1.8 mm × 1.8 mm, slice thickness = 5 mm, TE = 95 ms, TR = 4300 ms, 30 slices, FOV = 230 × 230 mm2, matrix = 128 × 128, acquisition time = 4:45 min. Diffusion data was processed to generate DTI metrics FA, MD, AD, and RD.

Data analysis

DTI metrics were acquired by superimposing the AAL3 thalamic atlas onto participant diffusion images registered to MNI152 space. We utilized a multiple Mann-Whitney U-test to compare between AIS groups, considering values of p ≤ 0.05 as significant.

Results

FA, AD, RD, and MD significantly differed in thalamic nuclei between AIS groups A vs B and B vs C/D. Significant nuclei include the right ventral anterior, left intralaminar, bilateral lateral pulvinar, and right lateral geniculate.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest the presence of microstructural alterations based on SCI severity in pediatric patients. These results are encouraging and warrant further study.

Gene Coexpression Analysis Identifies Genes Associated with Chlorophyll Content and Relative Water Content in Pearl Millet

Pearl millet is a significant crop that is tolerant to abiotic stresses and is a staple food of arid regions. However, its underlying mechanisms of stress tolerance are not fully understood. Plant survival is regulated by the ability to perceive a stress signal and induce appropriate physiological changes. Here, we screened for genes regulating physiological changes such as chlorophyll content (CC) and relative water content (RWC) in response to abiotic stress by using "weighted gene coexpression network analysis" (WGCNA) and clustering changes in physiological traits, i.e., CC and RWC associated with gene expression. Genes' correlations with traits were defined in the form of modules, and different color names were used to denote a particular module. Modules are groups of genes with similar patterns of expression, which also tend to be functionally related and co-regulated. In WGCNA, the dark green module (7082 genes) showed a significant positive correlation with CC, and the black (1393 genes) module was negatively correlated with CC and RWC. Analysis of the module positively correlated with CC highlighted ribosome synthesis and plant hormone signaling as the most significant pathways. Potassium transporter 8 and monothiol glutaredoxin were reported as the topmost hub genes in the dark green module. In Clust analysis, 2987 genes were found to display a correlation with increasing CC and RWC. Furthermore, the pathway analysis of these clusters identified the ribosome and thermogenesis as positive regulators of RWC and CC, respectively. Our study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating CC and RWC in pearl millet.

Apoptotic-like PCD inducing HRC gene when silenced enhances multiple disease resistance in plants

Programmed cell death (PCD) plays an important role in plant environmental stress and has the potential to be manipulated to enhance disease resistance. Plants have innate immunity and, following pathogen perception, the host induces a Hypersensitive Response PCD (HR-PCD), leading to pattern (PTI) or effector triggered immunity (ETI). Here we report a non-HR type or Apoptotic-Like PCD (AL-PCD) in pathogen infected wheat and potato based on apoptotic-like DNA fragmentation. A deletion mutation in the gene encoding histidine rich calcium binding protein (TaHRC) in FHB-resistant wheat (R-NIL) failed to induce AL-PCD. Similarly, the CRISPR-Cas9 based silencing of StHRC gene in Russet Burbank potato failed to induce apoptotic-like DNA fragmentation, proved based on DNA laddering and TUNEL assays. The absence of AL-PCD in wheat R-NIL reduced pathogen biomass and mycotoxins, increasing the accumulation of resistance metabolites and FHB-resistance, and in potato it enhanced resistance to multiple pathogens. In addition, the reduced expressions of metacaspase (StMC7) and Ca²⁺ dependent endonuclease 2 (StCaN2) genes in potato with Sthrc indicated an involvement of a hierarchy of genes in the induction of AL-PCD. The HRC in commercial varieties of different crops, if functional, can be silenced by genome editing possibly to enhance resistance to multiple pathogens.

P-530 tRNA fragments in follicle fluid can be explored in Diminished Ovarian Reserve patients as a marker of IVF outcomes

Study question

Can tRNA fragments in follicle fluid be explored for markers that predict blastocyst formation in patients with diminished ovarian reserve?

Summary answer

tRNA-Ser-CGA-4 is up-regulated in the follicle fluid of patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR)

What is known already

tRNA fragments are a novel class of small non-coding RNAs that have been shown to play regulatory roles in reproductive biology.

Study design, size, duration

Non-Randomized case control study in patients presenting for IVF treatment at a University affiliated fertility clinic from September 2020- January 2021. Thirty three patients were included: 15 patients with DOR and 18 controls.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Patients were stimulated by appropriate protocols according to their age, diagnosis and AMH.

At retrieval, non-bloody follicle fluid (FF) was retrieved for after removing the cumulus-oophorus complex. FF was centrifuged at 1600 g x 10 mins and filtered with 80 nm filter for analysis.

Main results and the role of chance

There were no differences between the two groups with respect to age, BMI and duration of infertility. The mean age was 35.1 years

As anticipated, the mean AMH, antral follicle count and number of eggs retrieved were statistically lower in the DOR groups compared with controls (<0.05)

The fertilization rate was 61.2% in DOR vs 79.5% in controls

The blastocyst rate was 39.5% in DOR patients and 50.6% in controls

Total RNA yield was lower in DOR patients, as 50% of the DOR samples had undetectable levels (p < 0.001).

Samples were predominantly processed in duplicate. Input into the pipeline was paired end data which showed an overall tRNA fragment count that was higher in the DOR population. Log2FC showed an up-regulation of the tRNA fragments tRNA-Ser-CGA-4, tRNA-Cys-GCA-15, tRNA-Cys-GCA-10 and tRNA-Cys-GCA-19 in the DOR population.

Limitations, reasons for caution

Undetectable levels in follicle fluid of some of the DOR patients introduced selection bias

Larger sample size and broader applicability across various ethnic groups.

Wider implications of the findings

Follicle fluid can be explored to give insight into the signaling pathways of ovarian biology

Non-invasive method of assessing oocyte competence

Useful in explaining the pathophysiology of DOR

Can these findings assist is in the identification of therapeutic targets to delay the progression of age related/non-age related DOR?

Trial registration number

not applicable

Unexplored nutritive potential of tomato to combat global malnutrition

Tomato, a widely consumed vegetable crop, offers a real potential to combat human nutritional deficiencies. Tomatoes are rich in micronutrients and other bioactive compounds (including vitamins, carotenoids, and minerals) that are known to be essential or beneficial for human health. This review highlights the current state of the art in the molecular understanding of the nutritional aspects, conventional and molecular breeding efforts, and biofortification studies undertaken to improve the nutritional content and quality of tomato. Transcriptomics and metabolomics studies, which offer a deeper understanding of the molecular regulation of the tomato's nutrients, are discussed. The potential uses of the wastes from the tomato processing industry (i.e., the peels and seed extracts) that are particularly rich in oils and proteins are also discussed. Recent advancements with CRISPR/Cas mediated gene-editing technology provide enormous opportunities to enhance the nutritional content of agricultural produces, including tomatoes. In this regard, genome editing efforts with respect to biofortification in the tomato plant are also discussed. The recent technological advancements and knowledge gaps described herein aim to help explore the unexplored nutritional potential of the tomato.

A CpG-Ficoll Nanoparticle Adjuvant for Anthrax Protective Antigen Enhances Immunogenicity and Provides Single-Immunization Protection against Inhaled Anthrax in Monkeys

Nanoparticulate delivery systems for vaccine adjuvants, designed to enhance targeting of secondary lymphoid organs and activation of APCs, have shown substantial promise for enhanced immunopotentiation. We investigated the adjuvant activity of synthetic oligonucleotides containing CpG-rich motifs linked to the sucrose polymer Ficoll, forming soluble 50-nm particles (DV230-Ficoll), each containing >100 molecules of the TLR9 ligand, DV230. DV230-Ficoll was evaluated as an adjuvant for a candidate vaccine for anthrax using recombinant protective Ag (rPA) from Bacillus anthracis. A single immunization with rPA plus DV230-Ficoll induced 10-fold higher titers of toxin-neutralizing Abs in cynomolgus monkeys at 2 wk compared with animals immunized with equivalent amounts of monomeric DV230. Monkeys immunized either once or twice with rPA plus DV230-Ficoll were completely protected from challenge with 200 LD50 aerosolized anthrax spores. In mice, DV230-Ficoll was more potent than DV230 for the induction of innate immune responses at the injection site and draining lymph nodes. DV230-Ficoll was preferentially colocalized with rPA in key APC populations and induced greater maturation marker expression (CD69 and CD86) on these cells and stronger germinal center B and T cell responses, relative to DV230. DV230-Ficoll was also preferentially retained at the injection site and draining lymph nodes and produced fewer systemic inflammatory responses. These findings support the development of DV230-Ficoll as an adjuvant platform, particularly for vaccines such as for anthrax, for which rapid induction of protective immunity and memory with a single injection is very important.

Mutant PIK3CA controls DUSP1-dependent ERK 1/2 activity to confer response to AKT target therapy

Background:

Alterations in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signalling pathway are frequent in urothelial bladder cancer (BLCA) and thus provide a potential target for novel therapeutic strategies. We investigated the efficacy of the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 in BLCA and the molecular determinants that predict therapy response.

Methods:

Biochemical and functional effects of the AKT inhibitor MK-2206 were analysed on a panel of 11 BLCA cell lines possessing different genetic alterations. Cell viability (CellTiter-Blue, cell counts), apoptosis (caspase 3/7 activity) and cell cycle progression (EdU incorporation) were analysed to determine effects on cell growth and proliferation. cDNA or siRNA transfections were used to manipulate the expression of specific proteins such as wild-type or mutant PIK3CA, DUSP1 or CREB. For in vivo analysis, the chicken chorioallantoic membrane model was utilised and tumours were characterised by weight and biochemically for the expression of Ki-67 and AKT phosphorylation.

Results:

Treatment with MK-2206 suppressed AKT and S6K1 but not 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in all cell lines. Functionally, only cell lines bearing mutations in the hotspot helical domain of PIK3CA were sensitive to the drug, independent of other genetic alterations in the PI3K or MAPK signalling pathway. Following MK-2206 treatment, the presence of mutant PIK3CA resulted in an increase in DUSP1 expression that induced a decrease in ERK 1/2 phosphorylation. Manipulating the expression of mutant or wild-type PIK3CA or DUSP1 confirmed that this mechanism is responsible for the induction of apoptosis and the inhibition of tumour proliferation in vitro and in vivo, to sensitise cells to AKT target therapy.

Conclusion or interpretation:

PIK3CA mutations confer sensitivity to AKT target therapy in BLCA by regulating DUSP1 expression and subsequent ERK1/2 dephosphorylation and can potentially serve as a stratifying biomarker for treatment.

CpG-containing immunostimulatory DNA sequences elicit TNF-alpha-dependent toxicity in rodents but not in humans

CpG-containing immunostimulatory DNA sequences (ISS), which signal through TLR9, are being developed as a therapy for allergic indications and have proven to be safe and well tolerated in humans when administrated via the pulmonary route. In contrast, ISS inhalation has unexplained toxicity in rodents, which express TLR9 in monocyte/macrophage lineage cells as well as in plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs) and B cells, the principal TLR9-expressing cells in humans. We therefore investigated the mechanisms underlying this rodent-specific toxicity and its implications for humans. Mice responded to intranasally administered 1018 ISS, a representative B class ISS, with strictly TLR9-dependent toxicity, including lung inflammation and weight loss, that was fully reversible and pDC and B cell independent. Knockout mouse experiments demonstrated that ISS-induced toxicity was critically dependent on TNF-alpha, with IFN-alpha required for TNF-alpha induction. In contrast, human PBMCs, human alveolar macrophages, and airway-derived cells from Ascaris suum-allergic cynomolgus monkeys did not produce appreciable TNF-alpha in vitro in response to ISS stimulation. Moreover, sputum of allergic humans exposed to inhaled ISS demonstrated induction of IFN-inducible genes but minimal TNF-alpha induction. These data demonstrate that ISS induce rodent-specific TNF-alpha-dependent toxicity that is absent in humans and reflective of differential TLR9 expression patterns in rodents versus humans.

In Vitro Methotrexate as a Practical Approach to Selective Allodepletion (102.7)

Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) is a major cause of transplant-related morbidity and mortality in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. GvHD is mediated predominantly by alloreactive donor T-cells, therefore selective depletion of the alloreactive cells from the graft may alleviate GvHD, while maintaining other advantages conferred by donor T-cells, such as graft survival, antiviral immunity and graft-versus-leukemia effect. In this study, we evaluated the ability of methotrexate, a clinically approved anti-metabolite drug, to deplete alloreactive T-cells in mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). We show that methotrexate potently inhibits the proliferation of alloreactive T-cells in primary in vitro MLR. In addition, re-exposure of methotrexate-treated cells to the same allostimulus, results in a selective inhibition of the alloreactive immune response while the responses to third party allostimuli and viral antigens are preserved. In conclusion, our results provide strong pre-clinical evidence that in vitro treatment with MTX, a practical FDA-approved agent, results in specific allodepletion and may have excellent potential as an effective approach for preventing or minimizing GvHD.

In vitro methotrexate as a practical approach to selective allodepletion

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a major cause of transplant-related morbidity and mortality in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. As GVHD is mediated predominantly by alloreactive donor T cells, selective allodepletion from the graft may alleviate GVHD, whereas potentially maintaining other advantages conferred by donor T cells, such as graft survival, antiviral immunity, and graft-versus-leukemia effect. In this study, we evaluated the ability of methotrexate, a clinically approved antimetabolite drug, to deplete alloreactive T cells in HLA-mismatched mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). We observed that methotrexate could inhibit the proliferation of alloreactive T cells in primary in vitro MLR. On reexposure of methotrexate-treated cells to the same allostimulus, a significant reduction in the alloreactive immune response was observed, whereas responses to third-party allostimuli and viral antigens were preserved. Thus, our results provide preclinical evidence that in vitro methotrexate treatment results in specific allodepletion and may be used as an effective agent for preventing GVHD.

Willingness to pay for child survival: results of a national survey in Central African Republic

Many policy-makers and health economists are interested in designing and implementing user fee/quality improvement programs in public facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa on a national scale. This research addresses two design issues for a national program: (1) to what extent would user fees finance the costs of quality improvements, and (2) whether a uniform program could be implemented throughout the country or the user fees should differ between urban and rural areas or across health regions. A national survey was conducted to determine the population's willingness and ability to pay for seven quality improvements: (1) facility maintenance, (2) supervision of personnel, and drugs to treat (3) diarrheal diseases, (4) acute respiratory infections (ARI), (5) malaria, (6) intestinal parasites, and (7) sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Willingness to pay for quality improvements was measured by contingent valuation techniques in which subjects were asked about expenditures for care at government facilities under a hypothetical user fee/quality improvement program. Ability to pay was measured by monthly expenditures for health care as a percentage of monthly household consumption. The majority of the population was willing to pay the cost of the quality improvements, which ranged from U.S. $0.40 to U.S. $4.00. Estimates of the percentage of the population that was willing to pay the cost of the quality improvements ranged from 81% for facility maintenance (an improvement with the lowest cost) to 64% for drugs to treat ARI (the improvement with the highest cost). The median willingness to pay ranged from U.S. $7.98 for drugs to treat malaria to U.S. $16.61 for drugs to treat diarrheal diseases. Willingness to pay was greater in rural areas than in urban areas. It was also greater in Health Region I than in Health Regions IV and V. The population was able to pay the estimated cost of all seven quality improvements. Median monthly health care expenditures per episode of illness was 2.6% of median monthly household consumption. In comparison, the estimated cost of the quality improvements ranged from 0.2 to 2.4% median monthly household consumption. The national user fee/quality improvement program has good prospects for financing the quality improvements because the majority of the population is willing to pay the estimated costs of the quality improvements and more than half of the population is willing to pay substantially more than the costs. It also appears that the user fees should differ between urban and rural areas and across some health regions.

Renal parameters during infancy

In a prospective study we estimated common renal parameters in 48 full term normal neonates, of which 15 were also tested at 6 months and 12 months of age. The mean levels of serum creatinine, were high at birth (0.73 mg/dl) but normal for age at 6 and 12 months; uric acid followed a similar trend. The blood pH and bicarbonate were low at birth (7.28 and 20.36 mEq/L, respectively) reached normal adult values by 12 months; chloride levels were high at birth (110 +/- 5 mEq/L) and normal at 6 months. The plasma renin activity was higher than normal all throughout the first year (27.1, 416.8, 64.8 ng/ml/hr by RIA). Plasma aldosterone values were high at birth (1387.5 pg/ml) and reached normal level (301.6) at 12 months. Renal length and volume as assessed by ultrasonography compared well with American standards. Urinary constituents were variable due to breast feeding up to 6 months and varied diet during the weaning period. This study shows that mild metabolic acidosis and hyperchloremia due to immaturity of renal acidification mechanism and high renin and aldosterone levels due to partial nonresponsiveness of distal tubules are normal variables in babies from birth to 6 months. The levels of serum creatinine and uric acid are high at birth and in assessing renal functions this should be borne in mind.