Group B streptococcal colonization and transmission dynamics in pregnant women and their newborns in Nigeria: implications for prevention strategies

OBJECTIVES

Because few studies have been conducted on group B Streptococcus (GBS) in Nigeria, we sought to estimate GBS colonization and transmission frequencies for 500 women and their newborns and identify risk factors for both outcomes.

METHODS

GBS strains were characterized for antibiotic susceptibilities, capsule (cps) genotype, pilus island profile and multilocus sequence type (ST).

RESULTS

In all, 171 (34.2%) mothers and 95 (19.0%) of their newborns were colonized with GBS; the vertical transmission rate was 48.5%. One newborn developed early-onset disease, yielding an incidence of 2.0 cases per 1000 live births (95% CI 0.50-7.30). Rectal maternal colonization (OR 26.6; 95% CI 13.69-51.58) and prolonged rupture of membranes (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.03-17.17) were associated with neonatal colonization, whereas prolonged membrane rupture (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.04-11.39) and young maternal age (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.22-3.39) were associated with maternal colonization. Women reporting four or more intrapartum vaginal examinations (OR 6.1; 95% CI 3.41-10.93) and douching (OR 3.7; 95% CI 2.26-6.11) were also more likely to be colonized. Twelve STs were identified among 35 mother-baby pairs with evidence of transmission; strains of cpsV ST-19 (n = 9; 25.7%) and cpsIII ST-182 (n = 7; 20.0%) predominated.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate high rates of colonization and transmission in a population that does not use antibiotics to prevent neonatal infections, a strategy that should be considered in the future.

Impact of Cognition and Clinical Factors on Functional Outcome in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

OBJECTIVE

To examine the role of different clinical variables and cognition on functional outcome in patients with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

A total of 61 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. The patients were divided into low functioning (n = 30) or high functioning (n = 31) subgroups based on functioning level measured by Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score. Groups were subjected to neurocognitive and clinical assessment.

RESULTS

Clinical variables differed significantly between low and high functioning patient groups, namely total number of episodes, depressive episodes, and time since the last episode. These variables were also correlated significantly with Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score. All 3 groups differed significantly for digit span backward test, verbal learning and memory test, Trail Making Test, and Stroop Colour Test. Digit span backward test, Trail Making Test, and Stroop Colour Test were significantly correlated with Global Assessment of Functioning Scale score.

CONCLUSIONS

Total episodes, depressive episodes, time since the last episode, and cognitive dysfunction correlated with poor functioning. Executive dysfunction was the strongest predictor of psychosocial outcome in euthymic bipolar patients. Long-term therapeutic interventions should target relapse prevention with special consideration given to depressive episodes and cognitive rehabilitation.

Antimicrobial assay and genetic screening of selected freshwater Cyanobacteria and identification of a biomolecule dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one derivative

AIMS

Explorations of freshwater Cyanobacteria as antimicrobial (bacteria, fungi and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains) drug resource using bioassay, NRPS (non-ribosomal polypeptide synthetase) and PKS (polyketide synthase) genes, as well as in silico approach.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We have bioassayed the extracts of Phormidium CCC727, Geitlerinema CCC728, Arthrospira CCC729, Leptolyngbya CCC732, Phormidium CCC730, Phormidium CCC731 against six pathogenic bacteria comprising Gram (+ve): S. aureus including seven clinical MRSA and Enterococcus faecalis, Gram (-ve): Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella boydii along with non-pathogenic Enterobacter aerogenes as well as fungal strains (Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida albicans, C. krusei, C. tropicalis and Aspergillus niger) exhibiting antimicrobial potential. The NRPS and PKS genes of the target strains were also amplified and sequenced. The putative protein structures were predicted using bioinformatics approach.

CONCLUSION

PKS gene expression indicated β keto-acyl synthase as one of the important active domains in the biomolecules related to antitumour and antifungal group. The simultaneous identification of the biomolecule (dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one derivative) was also inferred spectroscopically.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Freshwater Cyanobacteria are prolific producers of secondary metabolite(s) that may act as the antimicrobial drug resource in addition to their much explored marine counterpart.

Urinary haptoglobin, alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin and retinol binding protein identified by proteomics as potential biomarkers for lupus nephritis

The study was aimed at identification by proteomics and validation by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of potential urinary biomarkers for lupus nephritis. Study subjects comprised 88 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and 60 controls (rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals). Based on the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), patients were classified as active renal (AR), active non-renal (ANR) or inactive disease (ID). Urinary proteins from a group of patients with AR or ID were resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS/MS). The selected biomarkers were validated by ELISA using samples from all patients and controls. AR patients were followed-up for 12 months after start of therapy. Three urinary proteins, alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin (ACT), haptoglobin (HAP) and retinol binding protein (RBP), were detected in patients with AR and not ID. Upon validation, ACT levels were higher in AR patients than the other groups (P < 0·001) and showed good correlation with renal SLEDAI (r = 0·577, P < 0·001) as well as SLEDAI (r = 0·461, P < 0·001). Similarly, HAP levels were > 10-fold higher in AR than other groups (P < 0·001) and correlated well with renal SLEDAI (r = 0·594, P < 0·001) and SLEDAI (r = 0·371, P < 0·01). RBP levels were also higher in AR patients than in other groups (P < 0·05), except diabetes, and showed moderate correlation with renal SLEDAI (r = 0·284, P < 0·008) and SLEDAI (r = 0·316, P < 0·003). Upon follow-up with treatment, levels of all three proteins declined at 6 and 12 months (P < 0·01). Multiple logistic regression identified ACT as the best marker to differentiate AR from ANR. Urinary HAP, ACT and RBP are potential biomarkers for lupus nephritis activity.

Cross-sectional observational study of the availability of evidence supporting novel implantable devices used in gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND

Evidence supporting the implementation of novel surgical devices is unstandardized, despite recommendations for assessing novel innovations. This study aimed to determine the proportion of novel implantable devices used in gastrointestinal surgery that are supported by evidence from RCTs.

METHODS

A list of novel implantable devices placed intra-abdominally during gastrointestinal surgery was produced. Systematic searches were performed for all devices via PubMed and clinical trial registries. The primary outcome measure was the availability of at least one published RCT for each device. Published RCTs were appraised using the Cochrane tool for assessing risk of bias.

RESULTS

A total of 116 eligible devices were identified (implantable mesh 42, topical haemostatics 22, antiadhesion barriers 10, gastric bands 8, suture and staple-line reinforcement 7, artificial sphincters 5, other 22). One hundred and twenty-eight published RCTs were found for 33 of 116 devices (28·4 per cent). Most were assessed as having a high risk of bias, with only 12 of 116 devices (10·3 per cent) supported by a published RCT considered to be low risk. A further 95 ongoing and 23 unpublished RCTs were identified for 42 of 116 devices (36·2 per cent), but many (64 of 116, 55·2 per cent) had no evidence from published, ongoing or unpublished RCTs. The highest stage of innovation according to the IDEAL Framework was stage 1 for 11 devices, stage 2a for 23 devices, stage 2b for one device and stage 3 for 33 devices. The remaining 48 devices had no relevant clinical evidence.

CONCLUSION

Only one in ten novel implantable devices available for use in gastrointestinal surgical practice is supported by high-quality RCT evidence.

Abstract P1-08-07: Assessing the impact of loss of NF1 protein on endocrine therapy resistance

Background: The vast majority of breast cancers belong to the luminal subtype, which expresses the estrogen receptor-α (ER). Although great strides have been made in targeting the ER pathway for treating the ER+ tumors, relapse and death is common and ongoing. In order to identify the cause for treatment resistance, we have conducted a retrospective analyses on the tumor ge­nomes of &gt;600 patients treated by tamoxifen monotherapy in the adjuvant setting with a median follow-up of 10.4 years. Our data have revealed that NF1 (Neuro­fibromatosis type 1) gene loss of function mutations were greatly associated with poor prognosis. NF1 is a tumor suppressor acting mostly as a GAP (GTP ase activating protein) to switch off acti­vated Ras. We aim to define the impact of loss of NF1 protein on patient outcome in ER+ breast cancer patients by establishing an immunohistochemistry (IHC) protocol to detect NF1.

Method and results: We have first surveyed commercially available antibodies by Western blot and found one that could efficiently detect endogenous NF1. We then use this to validate inducible shRNA clones against NF1, as well as a breast cancer cell line that is NF1-null. This antibody has high background. We have thus partially purified a commercially available NF1 antibody by preclearing using NF1-null cell lysate. We then performed immunostaining using NF1-silenced and null cells as control and found that NF1 is mostly cytoplasmic and nuclear. To get antibody of high quality, we have decided to make our own antibody by expressing a C-terminal fragment of NF1 as a GST-tagged protein (GST-NF1c). Production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibody is in progress.

Conclusion: Our clinical profiling data suggest that loss of NF1 protein, a very common event in a wide range of other cancers, promotes endocrine therapy resistance. An efficient IHC protocol will enable us to firmly validate whether loss of the NF1 protein indeed correlates with poor patient outcome. This method will ultimately enable us to identify high risk NF1 deficient patients and to properly treat them.

Citation Format: Cakar B, Chan D, Yan P, Zheng Z, Singh P, Lei JT, Haricharan S, Ellis M, Chang E. Assessing the impact of loss of NF1 protein on endocrine therapy resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-08-07.

Abstract P1-08-01: Regulation of estrogen receptor-α by NF1

Background. Although great strides have been made in targeting the ER pathway for treating ER+ breast cancer, relapse and death is common and is closely linked to resistance to ER-targeting agents. As a result, the majority of deaths from breast cancer still come from ER+ tumors. To discover drivers for endocrine resistance, we have sequenced tumor DNAs from a cohort of &gt;600 patients treated with 5-year tamoxifen (Tam) monotherapy with a median 10.4 years follow up. Our preliminary data show that the worst outcome mutations (Hazard Ratio of ∼3 for relapse) were mostly those of the Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene (encoding Neurofibromin), with nonsense/frame shift mutations creating early stop codons.

Germline NF1mutations cause neurofibromatosis type 1, a common inherited disorder that predisposes individuals to both benign and malignant tumors of the nervous system, as well as an increased risk for breast cancer. Analysis of DNA sequencing data has also shown that the NF1 gene is mutated in a wide range of common cancers (e.g., melanoma, lymphoma, and cancers of the lung, breast, and colon). Thus, NF1-deficiency underlies the formation and/or progression of a large number of cancers, so that the development of therapies targeted to NF1-deficient malignancies would have broad impact.

These observations support the hypothesis that NF1 gene inactivation is associated with aggressive tumor behaviors, such as endocrine therapy resistance in breast cancer. The key focus of this study is to define how the NF1 protein neurofibromin, regulates endocrine therapy resistance. Although neurofibromin is best known as a negative regulator for Ras, our data show that it may have other functions.

Method. Our data suggest that many of the identified nonsense/frame shift create a NF1 null state; thus, we have used gene-silencing to recapitulate the effects of such NF1 mutations on the activities of ER+ breast cancer cells. NF1+ and NF1– ER+ breast cancer cells were grown in defined media to measure how estradiol (E2) and Tam impact their growth, transforming activities, and gene expression. The binding between neurofibromin and components of the ER transcriptional pathway was measured biochemically and using the mammalian two-hybrid system.

Results. Our data showed that NF1-silenced cells use Tam as an agonist and can grow with very little E2, and these activities are driven by enhanced recruitment of ER to the ERE, leading to efficient expression of many classic ER-responsive genes. Expressing the NF1-GAP domain does not restore normal responses to Tam and E2 in NF1-silenced cells, suggesting that neurofibromincan regulate ER activity in a Ras-independent manner. To investigate the possibility that neurofibromin can directly regulate ER, we found that it can bind ER; furthermore, neurofibromin was more strongly recruited to the ERE by Tam than by E2.

Conclusion. Our data support a model whereby neurofibromin acts like a co-repressor for ER. As such,NF1 loss may result in more aggressive tumor behaviors by activating, not only the Ras pathways, but also the ER transcriptional pathways. Simultaneous activation of two powerful oncogenic pathways by the loss of a single tumor suppressor may explain why neurofibromin is such a potent tumor suppressor lost in a wide range of cancers.

Citation Format: Zheng Z-Y, Cakar B, Lavere P, Cao J, Yao J, Singh P, Lei JT, Toonen JA, Haricharan S, Anurag M, Shah K, Kavuri M, Chan DW, Chen X, Gutmann DH, Foulds CE, Ellis MJ, Chang EC. Regulation of estrogen receptor-α by NF1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-08-01.

Prostate Cancer Metastatic to the Renal Allograft: A Case Report

Malignancy is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in organ transplant recipients who receive immunosuppression. Cancers associated with viruses such as nonmelanotic skin cancer and Kaposi sarcoma occur in allograft recipients at rates that far exceed that in the general population. The increased risk and tumor type may depend not only on degree of immune system modulation but also on the type of organ transplanted. In kidney transplant recipients, the risk of cancers such as prostate and breast does not seem to be increased. However, these cancers tend to be advanced and aggressive. The management of these cancers is similar to the general population with the additional consideration for reduction in immunosuppression and conversion to sirolimus. Given the increased survival of both transplanted organs as well as organ recipients along with the increased number of older recipients, the diagnosis of prostate cancer in the older male organ recipient is increasing. The long-term outcomes using current treatment guidelines for prostate cancer in these individuals are not clear. We report a case of known localized prostate cancer in a renal transplant recipient presenting with metastasis diagnosed as tumor infiltration of the allograft. Our patient, upon initial diagnosis of cancer, opted for radiation with eventual androgen-deprivation therapy. This unusual site of prostate cancer spread heightens the need for awareness among providers as well as the need for further studies of the outcomes in these patients undergoing treatments designed using guidelines developed for those with normally functioning immunity.

Knowledge, attitude and practice about breast cancer and breast self-examination among women seeking out-patient care in a teaching hospital in central India

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Early detection of BC and early treatment increases the chance of survival. According to Breast Health Global Initiative guidelines for low and middle income countries, diagnosing BCs early by promoting breast self-awareness; clinical breast examination (CBE) and resource adapted mammographic screening will reduce BC mortality. There is a paucity of data on the knowledge and awareness of BC and self-breast examination in India. We designed this hospital based cross sectional descriptive study to evaluate the current status of knowledge, awareness and practices related to BC and breast self-examination in the female rural population attending a teaching hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We did a random sampling to identify and enroll 360 women and their female relatives. We excluded a participant from the study if she had already undergone a screening mammography or had had a BC. The data was collected by a self-administered questionnaire in vernacular language.

RESULTS

Our study population included 360 women with a mean age of 45.81 (±10.9) years. Only 5 (1.38%) females had a family history of BC. A whopping 81% of women did not have any knowledge about BC. All the women thought that CBE by doctors was the only way for screening BC.

CONCLUSIONS

We concluded that with the results of this study, it is imperative to increase awareness about BC and its detection methods in the community through health education campaigns. We should have major policy changes to increase future screening programs and health education programs which would have an overall positive impact on reducing the disease burden.

Rapidly Fatal Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Developing Within Six Days Following Deceased-Donor Renal Transplantation: Case Report

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an often fatal hyperinflammatory syndrome that may complicate malignancy, infection, rheumatic disease, or immunosuppression. HLH after kidney transplantation is most often triggered by infection, usually Herpes viruses such as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). It usually occurs early after transplantation. We present a case of HLH triggered by reactivation of EBV that pursued a rapidly fatal course within 6 days of receiving a deceased-donor kidney transplant. This case serves to remind transplant clinicians to consider HLH when cytopenias and hyperinflammation are atypical for the usual post-transplantation course. We discuss pitfalls in diagnosis and suggestions for treatment in this setting.

Title: role of matrix metalloproteinase -9 in progression of tuberculous meningitis: a pilot study in patients at different stages of the disease

BACKGROUND

TBM (Tuberculous meningitis) is severe form of tuberculosis causing death of one third of the affected individuals or leaving two-third of the survivors disabled. MMP-9 (Matrix metalloproteinase-9) is produced by the central nervous system in a variety of inflammatory conditions and has a role in the breakdown of extracellular matrix and blood-brain barrier.

METHODS

In this study, the levels of MMP-9 and its inhibitor, TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1), were screened using zymography and reverse zymography in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of tuberculous meningitis patients at different stages of the disease. Further, role of MMP-9 as therapeutic target was studied in C6 glioma cells infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇R_v. Cells were treated with dexamethasone or SB-3CT (specific inhibitor of MMP-9) in combination with conventional antitubercular drugs.

RESULTS

MMP-9 levels in patients were increased as the disease progressed to advanced stages. The infection led to increased MMP-9 levels in C6 glioma cells and specific inhibition of MMP-9 by SB-3CT augmented bacillary clearance when used along with antitubercular drugs.

CONCLUSION

MMP-9 plays a prominent role in progression of tuberculous meningitis from initial to advanced stages. Increased levels of MMP-9 during advancement of the disease leads to degeneration of nervous tissue and blood brain barrier disruption. Hence, MMP-9 can be considered as a therapeutic target for efficient management of TBM and can be explored to inhibit further progression of the disease if used at an early stage.

Analysis of potential dynamic concealed factors in the difficulty of lower third molar extraction

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to identify potential concealed variables associated with the difficulty of lower third molar (M3) extractions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To address the research purpose, we implemented a prospective study and enrolled a sample of subjects presenting for M3 removal. Predictor variables were categorized into Group-I and Group-II, based on predetermined criteria. The primary outcome variable was the difficulty of extraction, measured as extraction time. Appropriate univariate and multivariate statistics were computed using ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS

The sample comprised of 1235 subjects with a mean age of 29.49 +/- 8.92 years in Group-I and 26.20 +/- 11.55 years in Group-II subjects. The mean operating time per M3 extraction was 21.24 +/- 12.80 and 20.24 +/- 12.50 minutes for Group-I and Group-II subjects respectively. Three linear parameters including B-M2 height (distance between imaginary point B on the inferior border of mandibular body, and M2), lingual cortical thickness, bone density and one angular parameter including Rc-Cs angle (angle between ramus curvature and curve of spee), in addition to patient's age, profile type, facial type, cant of occlusal plane, and decreased overbite, were found to be statistically associated ( p < or = 0.05) with extraction difficulty under regression models.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, our study indicates that the difficulty of lower M3 extractions is possibly governed by morphological and biomechanical factors with substantial influence of myofunctional factors.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Preoperative evaluation of dynamic concealed factors may not only help in envisaging the difficulty and planning of surgical approach but might also help in better time management in clinical practice.

Additional synthesis on thiophene-containing trisubstituted methanes (TRSMs) as inhibitors of M. tuberculosis and 3D-QSAR studies

We earlier reported thiophene-containing trisubstituted methanes (TRSMs) as novel cores carrying anti-tubercular activity, and identified S006-830 as the phenotypic lead with potent bactericidal activity against single- and multi-drug resistant clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb). In this work, we carried out additional synthesis of several TRSMs. The reaction scheme essentially followed the Grignard reaction and Friedel-Crafts alkylation, followed by insertion of a dialkylaminoethyl chain. We also performed microbiological evaluations including in vitro screening against the virulent strain M. tb H37Rv, cytotoxicity assessment in the Vero C-1008 cell line, and 3D-QSAR studies with comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA). CoMFA and CoMSIA models yielded good statistical results in terms of q² and r² values, suggesting the validity of the models. It was concluded that a para-substituted benzene ring with bulkier electron-donating groups and aminoalkyl chains are required for higher inhibitory capacity against M. tuberculosis. We believe that these insights will rationally guide the design of newer, optimal, TRSMs.

Assessing the Impact of Tissue Target Concentration Data on Uncertainty in In Vivo Target Coverage Predictions

Understanding pharmacological target coverage is fundamental in drug discovery and development as it helps establish a sequence of research activities, from laboratory objectives to clinical doses. To this end, we evaluated the impact of tissue target concentration data on the level of confidence in tissue coverage predictions using a site of action (SoA) model for antibodies. By fitting the model to increasing amounts of synthetic tissue data and comparing the uncertainty in SoA coverage predictions, we confirmed that, in general, uncertainty decreases with longitudinal tissue data. Furthermore, a global sensitivity analysis showed that coverage is sensitive to experimentally identifiable parameters, such as baseline target concentration in plasma and target turnover half‐life and fixing them reduces uncertainty in coverage predictions. Overall, our computational analysis indicates that measurement of baseline tissue target concentration reduces the uncertainty in coverage predictions and identifies target‐related parameters that greatly impact the confidence in coverage predictions.

Translational Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of MYO-029 Antibody for Muscular Dystrophy

Suppression of the myostatin (GDF‐8) pathway has emerged as an important therapeutic paradigm for muscle‐wasting disorders. In this study, we conducted a translational pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis of MYO‐029, an anti‐myostatin monoclonal antibody, using PK data in mice, rats, monkeys, humans, mouse tissue distribution data with ¹²⁵I‐labeled MYO‐029, muscle weight increase in SCID mice, and muscle circumference changes in monkeys. This analysis revealed significant in vivo potency shift between mice and monkeys (72 nM vs. 1.3 μM for 50% effect on quadriceps). Estimated central clearance of MYO‐029 (0.38 mL/h/kg) in humans was greater than twofold higher than typical IgG mAbs. Peak and trough steady‐state exposures of MYO‐029 in patients at biweekly intravenous doses of 10 mg/kg MYO‐029 are predicted to achieve only 50% and 10% of the maximum effect seen in monkeys, respectively. These retrospective analyses results suggest that the MYO‐029 exposures in this trial had a low probability of producing robust efficacy.

Effect of induced Fasciola gigantica infection during pre-patency on the performance of buffalo calves fed on different percentage of protein

Thirty growing Murrah buffalo calves (8-12 months of age, 109.85 ± 2.43) were reared in parasite free conditions and randomly divided into three equal groups as per CRD. They were fed on iso-caloric (2.01 ME Mcal/Kg diet) diets containing standard protein (SP) diet at 100 %, 90 % of SP (medium protein, MP) and 80 % of SP (low protein, LP) of the protein requirements (Kearl 1982). After 21 days of feeding, each group was further subdivided into two sub-groups (A & B). Animals in sub-groups 'A' served as non-infected control, while in sub group 'B' were orally infected with Fasciola gigantica metacercarie (mc; 1,000 each). A metabolic trial of 40 days post infection was carried out in control and parasitized animals. Intake of digestible dry matter, organic matter and acid detergent fibre (ADF) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in SP group compared to LP group. The digestibility of crude protein (CP) and ADF was significantly higher in SP group compared to MP and LP groups. The digestible crude protein (DCP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intakes (g/kgW(0.75)) were also significantly (P < 0.001) higher in SP than MP and LP groups. However, DCP intake was significantly (P < 0.001) lower in infected subgroups compared to control subgroups. Intake and balance (g/d) of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in SP than MP and LP groups. The average daily gain of buffalo calves fed on SP Uninfected (SPU), SP Infected (SPI), MPU, MPI and LPU, LPI groups was 333, 178, 356, 144, 222 and 144 g and was significantly (P < 0.01) lower in animals fed LP ration. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also significantly (P < 0.01) higher in infected sub-groups as compared to respective control groups. The results showed that a SP diet substantially improved the overall performance of buffalo calves in control and infected groups and reduced adverse effect of F. gigantica infection.

Trans-oral fine needle aspiration cytology in cervical (C1 and C2) vertebral lesions: a novel diagnostic approach

OBJECTIVE

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology is a relatively non-invasive method for diagnosing both superficial and deep-seated neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic utility of trans-oral FNA in cervical (C1 and C2) vertebral and paravertebral lesions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen FNA cases of cervical vertebral and paravertebral lesions performed by a trans-oral route without any image-guidance between 1995 and 2014 were retrieved from the archives of the cytology department at PGIMER, Chandigarh and reviewed.

RESULTS

Out of 18 cases, a definite diagnosis was given in 15 cases (83.3%). The commonest diagnosis seen was granulomatous inflammation consistent with tuberculosis (33.3%).

CONCLUSION

Trans-oral FNA is a quick, inexpensive and relatively safe outpatient procedure for sampling C1 and C2 vertebral and paravertebral lesions, which are clinically and radiologically difficult to approach. It helps in the early diagnosis and management of these patients.

Identification of genetic variants associated with susceptibility to West Nile virus neuroinvasive disease

West Nile virus (WNV) infection results in a diverse spectrum of outcomes, and host genetics are likely to influence susceptibility to neuroinvasive disease (West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND)). We performed whole-exome sequencing of 44 individuals with WNND and identified alleles associated with severe disease by variant filtration in cases, kernel association testing in cases and controls and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) imputation into a larger cohort of WNND cases and seropositive controls followed by genome-wide association analysis. Variant filtration prioritized genes based on the enrichment of otherwise rare variants, but did not unambiguously implicate variants shared by a majority of cases. Kernel association demonstrated enrichment for risk and protective alleles in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A and HLA-DQB1 loci that have well understood roles in antiviral immunity. Two loci, HERC5 and an intergenic region between CD83 and JARID2, were implicated by multiple imputed SNPs and exceeded genome-wide significance in a discovery cohort (n=862). SNPs at two additional loci, TFCP2L1 and CACNA1H, achieved genome-wide significance after association testing of directly genotyped and imputed SNPs in a discovery cohort (n=862) and a separate replication cohort (n=1387). The context of these loci suggests that immunoregulatory, ion channel and endothelial barrier functions may be important elements of the host response to WNV.

Awareness on Hypertension and its Self-Management Practices Among Hypertensive Patients Attending Outreach Clinics of a Medical College in South India

Background Recent data suggest that hypertension is a significant public health problem in India. The success strategies for hypertension management depend upon clients' awareness on hypertension and its self-management practices. Objective To determine awareness, self-management practices and compliance with treatment among hypertensive patients. Method This cross-sectional study was done in January 2012 at four health centres in Mangalore. All confirmed cases of hypertension attending the outpatient department were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Result Majority (58.7%) of the 315 participants were of the age group 41 to 60 years and majority (53.6%) were males. Most patients (69.5%) were educated up to high school level. The awareness level about hypertension was average or good in majority (52.4%) of the participants. Self-management practices were found to be average or good among 60.6% cases. Good compliance with treatment was seen in 78.7% cases and blood pressure was in control in 72.4% cases. Quality of self-management practices was found to influence control of blood pressure (p=0.021). Awareness, self-management practices and compliance were found to be significantly poor among aged (above 50 years), males, less educated, unemployed, unskilled or retired patients. Conclusion Awareness on hypertension and self-management practices were average or above among majority of the studied population. However this study identified groups who need to be better educated and further monitored to achieve universal blood pressure control among hypertensive population during the routine health care services in this settings.

Examinations of the Chemical Step in Enzyme Catalysis

Advances in computational and experimental methods in enzymology have aided comprehension of enzyme-catalyzed chemical reactions. The main difficulty in comparing computational findings to rate measurements is that the first examines a single energy barrier, while the second frequently reflects a combination of many microscopic barriers. We present here intrinsic kinetic isotope effects and their temperature dependence as a useful experimental probe of a single chemical step in a complex kinetic cascade. Computational predictions are tested by this method for two model enzymes: dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase. The description highlights the significance of collaboration between experimentalists and theoreticians to develop a better understanding of enzyme-catalyzed chemical conversions.

Genetic deletion of fibroblast growth factor 14 recapitulates phenotypic alterations underlying cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia

Cognitive processing is highly dependent on the functional integrity of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) interneurons in the brain. These cells regulate excitability and synaptic plasticity of principal neurons balancing the excitatory/inhibitory tone of cortical networks. Reduced function of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and disruption of GABAergic synapses in the cortical circuitry result in desynchronized network activity associated with cognitive impairment across many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. However, the mechanisms underlying these complex phenotypes are still poorly understood. Here we show that in animal models, genetic deletion of fibroblast growth factor 14 (Fgf14), a regulator of neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission, leads to loss of PV interneurons in the CA1 hippocampal region, a critical area for cognitive function. Strikingly, this cellular phenotype associates with decreased expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) and vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) and also coincides with disrupted CA1 inhibitory circuitry, reduced in vivo gamma frequency oscillations and impaired working memory. Bioinformatics analysis of schizophrenia transcriptomics revealed functional co-clustering of FGF14 and genes enriched within the GABAergic pathway along with correlatively decreased expression of FGF14, PVALB, GAD67 and VGAT in the disease context. These results indicate that Fgf14(-/-) mice recapitulate salient molecular, cellular, functional and behavioral features associated with human cognitive impairment, and FGF14 loss of function might be associated with the biology of complex brain disorders such as schizophrenia.

Competing effects of social balance and influence

We study a three-state (leftist, rightist, centrist) model that couples the dynamics of social balance with an external deradicalizing field. The mean-field analysis shows that there exists a critical value of the external field p_{c} such that for a weak external field (p<p_{c}), the system exhibits a metastable fixed point and a saddle point in addition to a stable fixed point. However, if the strength of the external field is sufficiently large (p>p_{c}), there is only one (stable) fixed point, which corresponds to an all-centrist consensus state (absorbing state). In the weak-field regime, the convergence time to the absorbing state is evaluated using the quasistationary distribution and is found to be in agreement with the results obtained by numerical simulations.

EFFECT OF SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION ON PROTEOMIC SERUM BIOMARKERS IN ELDERLY MEN

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of selenium supplementation on the human proteomic profile.

DESIGN

Serum samples were collected in this pilot study from a randomized placebo controlled Phase 2 clinical trial (Watchful Waiting (WW)).

SETTING

Subjects were followed every three months for up to five years at the University of Arizona Prostate Cancer Prevention Program.

PARTICIPANTS

One hundred and forty men (age < 85 years) had biopsy-proven prostate cancer, a Gleason sum score less than eight, no metastatic cancer, and no prior treatment for prostate cancer.

INTERVENTION

As part of the WW trial, men were randomized to placebo, selenium 200 μg/day or selenium 800 μg/day. For the purpose of the current study, 40 subjects enrolled in the WW study (20 from the placebo group and 20 from Se 800 μg/day group) were selected.

MEASUREMENTS

Baseline serum samples were collected at each follow-up visit and stored at -80 degrees Celsius. A multiplexed proteomic panel investigated changes in 120 proteins markers simultaneously.

RESULTS

Thirteen proteins (Apolipoprotein J, IL-10, IL-1 alpha, MMP-3, IL-12p70, IL-2 receptor alpha, cathepsin B, eotaxin, EGFR, FGF-basic, myeloperoxidase, RANTES, TGF-beta) were determined to be either statistically (p-value < 0.05) or marginally significantly (0.05 < p-value <0.1) changed in the selenium supplemented group as compared to placebo.

CONCLUSION

Although independent validation of these results is needed, this study is the first of its kind to utilize high throughput fluorescence based protein multiplex panel in analyzing changes in the proteomic profile due to selenium supplementation. Results from this study provide insight into the ability of selenium to modulate numerous protein markers and thus impact various biological processes in humans.

Abstract P1-10-01: A randomized, double-blind trial to compare the efficacy and safety of proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim (LA-EP2006) with reference pegfilgrastim in patients with breast cancer (PROTECT1)

Background: An abbreviated pathway for biological products shown to be biosimilar to the reference product exists in Europe and the US. The randomized PROTECT1 trial compared the efficacy and safety of the proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim with reference pegfilgrastim.

Methods: In this multinational, prospective, double-blind trial, chemotherapy-naïve women aged ≥18 years with histologically proven breast cancer received up to 6 cycles of (neo)-adjuvant TAC chemotherapy (docetaxel 75 mg/m2, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2, cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2). Patients were randomized to a single 6 mg SC injection of the proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim (LA-EP2006) or the reference (Neulasta®) on day 2 of each cycle. Primary endpoint was duration of severe neutropenia (DSN) during Cycle 1, defined as number of consecutive days with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) &lt;0.5 x 109/L. The study was powered at 90% and had a hierarchical testing procedure utilizing a ±1 day margin to test for equivalence (2-sided 95% confidence interval [CI]) and a subsequent −0.6 day non-inferiority margin (1-sided 97.5% CI) for DSN during Cycle 1. DSN was analyzed with an ANCOVA model adjusted for treatment, chemotherapy, region and baseline ANC. Secondary efficacy assessments were: time to ANC recovery, ANC nadir, incidence of febrile neutropenia, number of days of fever, frequency of infections and mortality due to infection. Safety was assessed at 4 weeks and 6 months after the last pegfilgrastim administration. Immunogenicity was assessed by testing for neutralizing anti-pegfilgrastim antibodies.

Results: A total of 316 patients were randomized and included in the full analysis set (LA-EP2006: n=159; reference: n=157). Baseline demographics were similar in both groups (mean±SD age: LA-EP2006 49.9±9.53, reference 50.5±10.87 years; breast cancer stage II-III: LA-EP2006 n=155 [97.5%], reference n=151 [96.2%]). Mean±SD DSN in Cycle 1 was 0.75±0.88 days with LA-EP2006 and 0.83±0.90 days with reference, with a treatment difference of 0.07 days (95% CI: −0.12, 0.26); LA-EP2006 was both equivalent and non-inferior to the reference. There were no clinically meaningful differences between LA-EP2006 and reference in incidence of febrile neutropenia (3.8% vs 7.0% in Cycle 1, 5.7% vs 7.6% across all cycles), days with fever, depth of ANC nadir in Cycle 1, time to ANC recovery in Cycle 1, or frequency of infections in Cycle 1 and across all cycles. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were similar across groups and consistent with the known safety profile of pegfilgrastim. Most frequently reported TEAEs related to treatment were musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (LA-EP2006 4.4%, reference 5.7%). Serious TEAEs were reported in 10.1% of LA-EP2006 and 13.4% of reference patients. No neutralizing anti-pegfilgrastim antibodies were detected.

Conclusions: Proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim (LA-EP2006) met the primary endpoint demonstrating both equivalence and non-inferiority to the reference. LA-EP2006 and the reference are similar with no clinically meaningful differences regarding efficacy and safety in breast cancer patients receiving (neo)-adjuvant myelosuppressive chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Harbeck N, Zbarskaya I, Lipatov O, Frolova M, Udovitsa D, Topuzov E, Ganea-Motan DE, Nakov R, Singh P, Rudy A, Blackwell K. A randomized, double-blind trial to compare the efficacy and safety of proposed biosimilar pegfilgrastim (LA-EP2006) with reference pegfilgrastim in patients with breast cancer (PROTECT1). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-01.

Renal Mitochondrial Lipid Peroxidation during Sepsis

Sepsis can provoke kidney injury, which increases mortality. Human and animal studies have documented increased renal oxidative injury and mitochondrial damage during sepsis. However, few studies have attempted to dissect specific renal targets and/or types of oxidative injury using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) murine model of sepsis. The purpose of this short communication is to examine the extent of lipid peroxidation within renal mitochondria using CLP and blue native gel electrophoresis which separates intact mitochondrial respiratory complexes. Our results show that CLP induced increased 4-hydroxy-nonenal protein adduction (marker of lipid peroxidation) in renal homogenates and mitochondrial fractions. Blue native gel electrophoresis revealed that respiratory complex III was selectively targeted within mitochondrial fractions. This supports our prior report showing renal complex III inactivation following CLP. Future studies will identify specific renal proteins within complex III that are modified during sepsis to provide mechanistic insight on how mitochondrial respiration is inhibited during sepsis.

Thalidomide pharmacokinetics in sheep

AIM

To determine the half life (T1/2), time taken to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of thalidomide in sheep following I/V, oral and topical treatment with a single dose of thalidomide.

METHOD

Three groups of 4-6-month-old ram lambs were treated with thalidomide dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO). The first group (n=10) was treated I/V with 100 mg thalidomide in 2 mL DMSO; the second group (n=8) received 400 mg thalidomide in 2 mL DMSO orally, and the third group (n=8) had 400 mg thalidomide in 4 mL DMSO applied topically. Plasma samples were collected up to 36 hours after treatment, snap-frozen at -80°C and analysed for concentrations of thalidomide using high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Following I/V administration, T1/2 was 5.0 (SEM 0.4) hours, volume of distribution was 3,372.0 (SEM 244.3) mL/kg and clearance was 487.1 (SEM 46.1) mL/hour.kg. Topical application of 400 mg thalidomide did not increase plasma concentrations. Following oral administration, thalidomide bioavailability was 89%, with T1/2, Tmax, and Cmax being 7.2 (SEM 0.8) hours, 3.0 (SEM 0.4) hours and 1,767.3 (SEM 178.1) ng/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Topical administration using DMSO as a solvent did not increase concentrations of thalidomide in plasma. The mean pharmacokinetic parameters determined following oral treatment with 400 mg of thalidomide were similar to those reported in humans receiving a single 400 mg oral dose (T1/2 7.3 hours; Tmax 4.3 hours and Cmax 2,820 ng/mL). There is potential for thalidomide to be used as a model for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions in sheep, such as Johne's disease, where tumour necrosis factor alpha plays a pathogenic role.

Isosteric substitution in cationic-amphiphilic polymers reveals an important role for hydrogen bonding in bacterial membrane interactions

The important role of hydrogen bonding in the interactions of cationic-amphiphilic polymers with bacterial membranes has been reported.

Biomimetic antibacterial polymers, the functional mimics of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), targeting the bacterial cell membrane have been developed to combat the problem of antibiotic resistance. Amphiphilicity, a balance of cationic charge and hydrophobicity, in these polymers has been shown to be pivotal for their selective interactions with anionic lipid membranes of bacteria instead of zwitterionic mammalian (human erythrocyte) membranes. However, it is unclear if and to what extent hydrogen bonding in amphiphilic antibacterial polymers contributes to this membrane binding specificity. To address this, we employ isosteric substitution of ester with amide moieties that differ in their potency for hydrogen bonding in the side chains of N-alkyl maleimide based amphiphilic polymers. Our studies reveal that amide polymer (AC3P) is a potent antibacterial agent with high membrane-disrupting properties compared to its ester counterpart (EC3P). To understand these differences we performed bio-physical experiments and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations which showed strong interactions of AC3P including hydrogen bonding with lipid head groups of bacterial model lipid bilayers, that are absent in EC3P, make them selective for bacterial membranes. Mechanistic investigations of these polymers in bacteria revealed specific membrane disruptive activity leading to the delocalization of cell division related proteins. This unprecedented and unique concept provides an understanding of bacterial membrane interactions highlighting the role of hydrogen bonding. Thus, these findings will have significant implications in efficient design of potent membrane-active agents.

Rapid recovery after early initiation of plasmapheresis in atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) : A case report

We report a case of a thirteen year old female diagnosed as aHUS, complicated by malignant hypertension and central nervous system involvement. The patient was treated with plasmapheresis(plasma exchange) and corticosteroids along with supportive care. The patient showed remission immediately and recovered after four weeks of hospital stay and three months later is well on antihypertensives.

[Half-Dose Verteporfin Photodynamic Therapy (hdPDT) in the Treatment of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy]

BACKGROUND

To estimate the efficacy and safety profile of half-dose photodynamic therapy (hdPDT) for treating central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An interventional, retrospective case series of patients with CSC (symptoms ≧ 3 months) receiving half-dose PDT (3 mg/m2 verteporfin). The ophthalmic examination at baseline and at 8 and 16 weeks after treatment included slit-lamp biomicroscopy, indirect ophthalmoscopy, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), ETDRS best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Amsler grid screening and contrast visual acuity (CVA). Fluorescein angiography (FA), autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were measured at each visit. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured automatically.

RESULTS

12 eyes of 12 patients (10 male and 2 female patients; mean age 46.6 ± 7.91 years) were included in this study. Anatomical resolution was obtained in 10 eyes (83.4 %) at week 16, but 2 eyes (16.6 %) exhibited persistent SRD throughout the follow-up period. Baseline CMT decreased from initially 330.1 µm ± 131.3 to 205.6 µm ± 97.6 (p = 0.034) at week 8 and to 220.3 µm ± 120.1 (p = 0.05) at week 16. Visual acuity (number of total letters read) significantly improved from initially 82.8 ± 11.5 to 86.8 ± 13.9 at week 8 and 91.3 ± 13.8 at week 16 (p = 0.012). Contrast visual acuity (calculated decimal visual acuity) significantly improved from initially 0.14 ± 0.09 to 0.38 ± 0.28 (p = 0.002) at week 16. After therapy, no significant changes in RPE could be detected with FAF and no ocular adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION

PDT with half-dose verteporfin resulted in reduced leakage in FA, enhanced visual acuity and resolution of subretinal fluid in OCT in patients with CSC, with no detected side effects of treatment.