Inner Ear and Muscle Developmental Defects in Smpx-Deficient Zebrafish Embryos

The last decade has witnessed the identification of several families affected by hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) caused by mutations in the SMPX gene and the loss of function has been suggested as the underlying mechanism. In the attempt to confirm this hypothesis we generated an Smpx-deficient zebrafish model, pointing out its crucial role in proper inner ear development. Indeed, a marked decrease in the number of kinocilia together with structural alterations of the stereocilia and the kinocilium itself in the hair cells of the inner ear were observed. We also report the impairment of the mechanotransduction by the hair cells, making SMPX a potential key player in the construction of the machinery necessary for sound detection. This wealth of evidence provides the first possible explanation for hearing loss in SMPX-mutated patients. Additionally, we observed a clear muscular phenotype consisting of the defective organization and functioning of muscle fibers, strongly suggesting a potential role for the protein in the development of muscle fibers. This piece of evidence highlights the need for more in-depth analyses in search for possible correlations between SMPX mutations and muscular disorders in humans, thus potentially turning this non-syndromic hearing loss-associated gene into the genetic cause of dysfunctions characterized by more than one symptom, making SMPX a novel syndromic gene.

Mediterranean diet and physical activity improve posture, fat mass and salivary pH

Many researchers have revealed that diet and physical activity influence metabolic function and posture in various stages of life. This paper aims to combine them and demonstrate how they could promote a healthy lifestyle. For this purpose, 14 healthy subjects followed a three-month protocol combining physical activity with dietary advice. At the end of the protocol, the results of the study underlined a significant reduction in fat mass, an improvement in salivary pH, and a realignment and rebalancing of body segments. .

Environmental concentrations of cocaine and its main metabolites modulated antioxidant response and caused cyto-genotoxic effects in zebrafish embryo cells

Illicit drugs have been recently identified as a serious environmental problem because of the growing evidence regarding their occurrence in aquatic environment and potential toxicity towards non-target organisms. Among them, cocaine (COC) and its main metabolites, namely benzoylecgonine (BE) and ecgonine methyl ester (EME), are commonly measured in freshwaters worldwide at levels that might cause diverse sub-lethal effects to aquatic organisms. Thus, the present study was aimed at investigating the potential adverse effects induced by the exposure to environmental concentrations (0.04, 0.4, 4 and 40 nM) of COC, BE, and EME on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos at 96 h post fertilization. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the Trypan Blue exclusion method, while primary and fixed genetic damages were evaluated by the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (SCGE) assay, and the DNA diffusion assay together with the Micronucleus test, respectively. The involvement of oxidative stress in the mechanism of action (MoA) of all tested drugs was assessed by measuring the activity of defense enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GST) and the expression of their encoding genes. Exposure to COC and both metabolites significantly reduced cell viability, increased DNA fragmentation and promoted the onset of apoptotic cells and micronuclei in zebrafish embryos. Results from oxidative stress-related endpoints and gene expression suggested that the observed genotoxicity may be caused by an overproduction of free radicals that imbalanced the oxidative status of embryos. The integration of biomarker responses into a synthetic index showed that at each tested concentration, BE and EME had a similar toxicity and were both more toxic than COC. Our data confirmed the potential toxicity of environmental concentrations of COC, BE, and EME, suggesting the need of further in-depth studies to shed light on their MoA and long-term toxicity towards non-target aquatic species.

Biosensing Motor Neuron Membrane Potential in Live Zebrafish Embryos

The protocols described here are designed to allow researchers to study cell communication without altering the integrity of the environment in which the cells are located. Specifically, they have been developed to analyze the electrical activity of excitable cells, such as spinal neurons. In such a scenario, it is crucial to preserve the integrity of the spinal cell, but it is also important to preserve the anatomy and physiological shape of the systems involved. Indeed, the comprehension of the manner in which the nervous system-and other complex systems-works must be based on a systemic approach. For this reason, the live zebrafish embryo was chosen as a model system, and the spinal neuron membrane voltage changes were evaluated without interfering with the physiological conditions of the embryos. Here, an approach combining the employment of zebrafish embryos with a FRET-based biosensor is described. Zebrafish embryos are characterized by a very simplified nervous system and are particularly suited for imaging applications thanks to their transparency, allowing for the employment of fluorescence-based voltage indicators at the plasma membrane during zebrafish development. The synergy between these two components makes it possible to analyze the electrical activity of the cells in intact living organisms, without perturbing the physiological state. Finally, this non-invasive approach can co-exist with other analyses (e.g., spontaneous movement recordings, as shown here).

Corrigendum: Intronless WNT10B-short variant underlies new recurrent allele-specific rearrangement in acute myeloid leukaemia

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 37201; published online: 17 November 2016; updated: 26 April 2017 This Article contains typographical errors in the Methods section under subheading ‘WNT10B/WNT10B IVS1 Gene expression analysis’. “The WNT10B (P4-P2 primers) amplification was performed with following thermal conditions: 94 °C for 1 min, 33 cycles at 94° for 30 s, 58 °C for 30 s, 72 °C for 30 s and 72 °C for 5 min.

Intronless WNT10B-short variant underlies new recurrent allele-specific rearrangement in acute myeloid leukaemia

Defects in the control of Wnt signaling have emerged as a recurrent mechanism involved in cancer pathogenesis and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), including the hematopoietic regeneration-associated WNT10B in AC133bright leukaemia cells, although the existence of a specific mechanism remains unproven. We have obtained evidences for a recurrent rearrangement, which involved the WNT10B locus (WNT10BR) within intron 1 (IVS1) and flanked at the 5' by non-human sequences whose origin remains to be elucidated; it also expressed a transcript variant (WNT10BIVS1) which was mainly detected in a cohort of patients with intermediate/unfavorable risk AML. We also identified in two separate cases, affected by AML and breast cancer respectively, a genomic transposable short form of human WNT10B (ht-WNT10B). The intronless ht-WNT10B resembles a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which suggests its involvement in a non-random microhomology-mediated recombination generating the rearranged WNT10BR. Furthermore, our studies supports an autocrine activation primed by the formation of WNT10B-FZD4/5 complexes in the breast cancer MCF7 cells that express the WNT10BIVS1. Chemical interference of WNT-ligands production by the porcupine inhibitor IWP-2 achieved a dose-dependent suppression of the WNT10B-FZD4/5 interactions. These results present the first evidence for a recurrent rearrangement promoted by a mobile ht-WNT10B oncogene, as a relevant mechanism for Wnt involvement in human cancer.

Surgical treatment of neglected congenital idiopathic talipes equinovarus after walking age in Eritrea: an Italo-Eritrean cooperation

An Italian team of orthopaedic surgeons joined Eritrean colleagues to perform a clinical study in ambulating children affected by neglected idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot). This study reports the surgical strategy as well as clinical outcomes, early complications and relapse at a mid-term follow-up. Four expeditions of 7 days were organized between 2012 and 2015 from Italy to the Halibet Hospital of Asmara in Eritrea. In each expedition were included two experienced surgeons, two assistants and one anaesthesiologist. During these expeditions, a total of 468 patients were evaluated together with Eritrean colleagues and 45 cases of neglected talipes equinovarus in ambulating children were diagnosed and selected for surgery. Follow-up range was 1-3 years. During the four expeditions, the Eritrean team of orthopaedic surgeons learned to manage most cases of neglected talipes equinovarus. No major complications were reported. Sixteen feet were considered excellent, 25 good and four poor. No overcorrections were observed. Neglected congenital talipes equinovarus is the result of delayed treatment of congenital deformity in developing countries, and its treatment often requires extensive surgery. Collaboration with foreign expert surgeons may help local doctors to learn how to treat this disease. The current study demonstrates that surgical expeditions in developing countries, when organized in collaboration with local doctors, help to manage on site this severe deformity.

INaP selective inhibition reverts precocious inter- and motorneurons hyperexcitability in the Sod1-G93R zebrafish ALS model

The pathogenic role of SOD1 mutations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was investigated using a zebrafish disease model stably expressing the ALS-linked G93R mutation. In addition to the main pathological features of ALS shown by adult fish, we found remarkably precocious alterations in the development of motor nerve circuitry and embryo behavior, and suggest that these alterations are prompted by interneuron and motor neuron hyperexcitability triggered by anomalies in the persistent pacemaker sodium current I_NaP. The riluzole-induced modulation of I_NaP reduced spinal neuron excitability, reverted the behavioral phenotypes and improved the deficits in motor nerve circuitry development, thus shedding new light on the use of riluzole in the management of ALS. Our findings provide a valid phenotype-based tool for unbiased in vivo drug screening that can be used to develop new therapies.

Lumbar pain and fin swimming

BACKGROUND

It was hypothesised that fin swimming have unique physiopathologic features in particular concerning low back involvement.

METHODS

Retrospective study.

SETTING

elite competitive fin swimmers.

PARTICIPANTS

17 males and 14 females aged from 16 to 23 years.

INTERVENTION

piroxicam, sport interruption for a week, proper warming-up and wearing suggestions during out-of-water exercises in the symptomatic group. Absence of intervention in the asymptomatic one.

MEASURES

anthropometric measures (weight, height, legs length discrepancy), isokinetic measures (trunk flexor/extensor ratio) and conventional radiological investigation were taken for all subjects.

RESULTS

Low back pain was present in 14 subjects during off season but only 7 referred discomfort in competitive season. 78.5% of symptomatic subjects showed radiological abnormalities while imaging changes were present in 52.9% of the asymptomatic group. Flexor/extensor ratio isokinetically evaluated was less than one in 6 athletes complaining back discomfort. Non steroid medication, physiotherapy, training and wearing cares was suggested. Authors report a pain free return to competition in 57% and a partial resolution in 28% of those symptomatic cases who were not used to training cares (in particular proper "out-of-water" warming up) and wearing precautions (complete wiping and suitable thermic clothing after swimming).

CONCLUSIONS

In fin swimming low back pain can be related to the existence of environmental and intrinsic factors. In our series no significant difference in imaging changes was pointed out among asymptomatic or painful athletes. Therefore a cyclic load on the column, in absence of training precautions can make spine abnormalities (in particular schisis, facet derangement and pars lesion) symptomatic.

Chondromalacia of the patella. Natural progression

A total of 42 cases of patellar pain in subjects aged an average of 17.2 years submitted to arthroscopy are analyzed. Femoropatellar balance, where indicated, led to resolution of disorders with full resumption of sports activity. In the remaining cases chondromalacia showed the features of an affection with a spontaneously favorable course, confirming the common orientation towards conservative treatment. Arthroscopy is effective for a correct classification of cartilaginous lesions, and it is a good instrument to use when attempting to achieve recovery of patellofemoral joint when disorders are caused by a lack of equilibrium.

Intralaboratory quality assurance in cervical/vaginal cytology: evaluation of intercytologist diagnostic reproducibility

Diagnostic reproducibility and accuracy in evaluating cervical/vaginal smears were the focus of this study concerning intralaboratory quality control. A set of 120 cytological samples was evaluated by 15 cytopathologists whose experience ranged from 3-29 yr. The study report form was based on the 1988 Bethesda System. Intercytologist reproducibility (with respect to sample adequacy, epithelial cell abnormalities, and presence of cellular changes associated with HPV, Human Papilloma virus) was evaluated using the Kappa statistic. Poor reproducibility in defining sample adequacy was observed (K = 0.24). The agreement on epithelial cell abnormality definition was good (K = 0.64); the lowest reproducibility was observed for High-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia HSIL/CIN II (specific K = 0.37) and Atypical cells of undetermined significance ACUS (specific K = 0.44). The agreement in detecting cellular changes associated with HPV was fair (K = 0.49). Diagnostic accuracy for epithelial cell abnormalities, assessed by comparison with a consensus reference diagnosis, was good (K = 0.74).

An evaluation of some leukocytary phenotypes in subjects with evolutive primary coxarthrosis and in subjects with hip prostheses

The authors examined 52 patients (36 females and 16 males) of whom 15 affected with evolutive primary coxarthrosis, 27 with hip prostheses for 4 to 13 years, and 10 with a prosthetic implant which was not tolerated. A method of indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies against specific antigens of the cellular surface was used to typify the T-lymphocytic subpopulations (T-helper/inducer and T-suppressor/cytotoxic), the activated mononucleate cells (DR+), and the B-lymphocytes and monocytes. A good correlation between the imbalances in the T-lymphocytic subpopulations, an increase in the activated mononucleate cells (principally due to T-lymphocytes) and the tolerance of the implant were observed. Based on the results obtained, the authors hypothesize the possibility of using the typing of T-lymphocytes and activated mononucleate cells, together with other biohumoral parameters, as indicators of periprosthetic tissue phologosis.

Frequency of consanguineous marriages among parents and grandparents of Down patients

The existence of a rare autosomal gene which in the homozygous state would cause mitotic nondisjunction in the Down zygote has been hypothesized in the past by Alfi et al. (1980). This hypothesis can be supported or contradicted by the study of the frequency of consanguineous marriages among parents of affected children. Our study on 242 children affected with Down syndrome does not show any increase in the frequency of consanguineous marriages among their parents with respect to the general population, and therefore does not support the hypothesis of an autosomal gene controlling mitotic nondisjunction. Our data do not show any increase in the frequency of consanguineous marriages even among paternal and maternal grandparents of the affected children, thus not supporting the other possible explanation of an autosomal recessive condition in one of the patient's parents which would cause meiotic nondisjunction.

Incidence of classic PKU in Italy estimated from consanguineous marriages and from neonatal screening

As already described for cystic fibrosis and Friedreich ataxia, the incidence of PKU in Italy has been estimated by determining the increase of consanguineous marriages among 178 couples of PKU parents over the frequencies carefully established for the same marriages in the general Italian population for each of the 95 provinces during a 55-year period. The incidence estimated (between 1/15595 and 1/17815 according to two different formulas) is not very different from the incidence derived from screening programs (almost 1/12000). This indicates that the former method can be applied in Italy to the study of the incidence of other autosomal recessive disorders.

Genetic and demographic characterization of a population with high incidence of fucosidosis

A random sample of unrelated students living in Grotteria and Mammola, two villages of Southern Italy from where most of the Italian patients affected with fucosidosis originate, was analyzed for seven red cell enzyme polymorphisms and seven blood group polymorphisms. The observed gene frequencies are not significantly different from those typical of Southern Italy. Demographic data on the same sample were also collected and indicate isolation and high inbreeding in these villages.

[Use of the duodenum in demolition surgery of the stomach. Reconversion gastroduodenostomy in post-resection syndromes following Billroth II operations]

Stress is laid on the importance in digestive and absorptive physiology. The methods used for the re-insertion of the duodenum in the digestive circuit in the surgical correction of servious post-Billroth II syndromes are explained. Direct duodenal reconversion by means of the transformation of gastrojejunostomy into gastroduodenostomy is recommended in the light of results obtained in 25 cases of p.o.p.u., dumping syndrome, inflammation of the anastomosis, and ALS. It is suggested that jejunal interposition should be kept for cases in which the particular shortness of the gastric stump makes simple re-insertion of the duodenum into the stomach impracticable.

Traumatic hypopituitarism associated with bitemporal hemianopia in a prepuberal child

The case of a boy affected by post-traumatic hypopituitarism associated with bitemporal hemianopia is described. While traumatic bitemporal hemianopia is not an extraordinary occurence, traumatic injuries have been rarely reported among the causes of hypopituitarism. This may be because the cranial trauma in most of the cases is too severe to permit survival. After having considered the diagnostic problems the authors briefly review the peculiar vascular supply to the chiasma and anterior diencephalon and try to consider the pathogenetic mechanism of the syndrome. Direct contusion necrosis and direct intraparenchymal hemorrage in the chiasma and in the hypophysis or hypothalamus are considered the most probable causal factors; however, the concomitant occurence of chiasmal and hypopituitary injury might be explained by a single transient compressive mechanism either on the tubero-hypophysial arteries or on the smaller vessels of the infundibular network. The difficulty of ascertaining both the pathogenetic mechanism and the seat of the endocrine lesions on the basis of the clinical signs is stressed.

Monolateral vitelline dystrophy with unusual EOG findings

An unusual case of monolateral vitelline dystrophy is reported. The EOG, which at first was normal in both eyes, successively became abnormal in the affected eye and subnormal in the apparently healthy eye. The value and the actual limits of the EOG are discussed to allow a better understanding of the origin and pathogenesis of the disease.

Congenital hereditary sex-linked retinoschisis

A case of juvenile idiopathic sex-linked retinoschisis in a six-month-old child was followed for seven years. The familiar occurrence in males was in agreement with the sex-linked inheritance. The appearance at an early age in the left eye confirmed the congenital nature of the disease and the possibility that the ophthalmoscopic features might be present at birth, at least monocularly. In the right eye the ophthalmoscopial normaility of the vitreous as well as the early and severe abnormality of the electroretinographic findings (normal "a" wave, microvolted "b" photopic wave, extinct "b" scotopic wave and presence of only the first wavelet of the oscillatory potentials) at the initial stage of maculopathy induced the author to suppose that there might be primarily a tapeto-retinal heredodegeneration and that the pseudocystic degeneration of the inner layers could be a secondary manifestation of the disease.

Electroretinography and diagnosis of the Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome in childhood

The cases of two children affected from LMBB syndrome are reported. The first child was six years old, suffering from obesity and mild mental retardation; the other was two years old, suffering from hexadactyly and obesity. In both children the suspected diagnosis of LMBB syndrome was verified by the electroetinographic evidence of a tapetoretinal degeneration although the fundi were atypical. A third child, the younger brother of the second case, presented an atypical pigmentation of the retina and the electroretinographic changes of a tapeto-retinal degeneration. Since tapeto-retinal degeneration, which is the most common of the main signs of the syndrome, is not always recognized by ophthalmoscopy in early childhood, the clinical value of electroretinography in making an early diagnosis is emphasized.

Ocular phenotype in partial trisomy 10 q

A list of the ocular signs of the partial trisomy 10 q, which is drawn up according to the literature, is not satisfactory as almost only the external appearance of the eyes and their adnexa is considered. The authors report the case of a child still living, whose visual function could be evaluated by subjective and objective (electrophysiological) methods.