Regulation and functional consequences of mGlu4 RNA editing

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGlu₄) is one of eight mGlu receptors within the Class C G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. mGlu₄ is primarily localized to the presynaptic membrane of neurons where it functions as an auto and heteroreceptor controlling synaptic release of neurotransmitter. mGlu₄ is implicated in numerous disorders and is a promising drug target; however, more remains to be understood about its regulation and pharmacology. Using high-throughput sequencing, we have validated and quantified an adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing event that converts glutamine 124 to arginine in mGlu₄; additionally, we have identified a rare but novel K129R site. Using an in vitro editing assay, we then validated the pre-mRNA duplex that allows for editing by ADAR enzymes and predicted its conservation across the mammalian species. Structural modeling of the mGlu₄ protein predicts the Q124R substitution to occur in the B helix of the receptor that is critical for receptor dimerization and activation. Interestingly, editing of a receptor homodimer does not disrupt G protein activation in response to the endogenous agonist, glutamate. Using an assay designed to specifically measure heterodimer populations at the surface, however, we found that Q124R substitution decreased the propensity of mGlu₄ to heterodimerize with mGlu₂ and mGlu₇ Our study is the first to extensively describe the extent and regulatory factors of RNA editing of mGlu₄ mRNA transcripts. In addition, we have proposed a novel functional consequence of this editing event that provides insights regarding its effects in vivo and expands the regulatory capacity for mGlu receptors.

A prospective, randomized, parallel group, controlled study of the effect of intensity of speech and language therapy on early recovery from poststroke aphasia

Objective: To examine whether the amount of speech and language therapy influences the recovery from poststroke aphasia.

Setting: A hospital stroke unit and community.

Design: A prospective, randomized controlled trial.

Intervention: Aphasic stroke patients were randomly allocated to receive 5 hours (intensive therapy group, n=51) or 2 hours (standard therapy group) of speech and language therapy per week for 12 consecutive weeks starting as soon as practicable after the stroke. Another 19 patients were recruited for 2 hours per week of therapy and were treated by National Health Service (NHS) staff (NHS group).

Outcome measure and assessment: The Western Aphasia Battery. Assessments were made blind to randomization at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after the start of therapy. Data were analysed by intention to treat.

Results: The mean (SD) Western Aphasia Battery score at week 12 for the intensive, standard and NHS groups was 70.3 (26.9), 66.2 (26.2) and 58.1 (33.7), respectively. There was no treatment effect of intensive therapy (P > 0.05), but there was a statistically significant difference between the standard study and the NHS groups (P = 0.002 at week 12 and 0.01 at week 24).

Conclusions: Intensive speech and language therapy (as delivered in this study) did not improve the language impairment significantly more than the `standard' therapy which averaged 1.6 hours/week. The improvement in aphasia was least in patients who were in the NHS group. These patients received 0.57 (0.49) hours of therapy per week.

The rate and extent of improvement with therapy from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke

Objective: To examine the rate and extent of improvement from the different types of aphasia in the first year after stroke.

Design: A prospective longitudinal study.

Setting: A specialist stroke unit.

Participants: Seventy-five aphasic patients with first-ever stroke.

Intervention: The type of aphasia was classified according to the criteria of the Western Aphasia Battery. The Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was used to measure the initial severity and the rate and extent of improvement from aphasia. Assessments were made at baseline and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks later.

Results: The median percentage increase in the Western Aphasia Battery aphasia quotient was statistically higher in patients with Broca's aphasia than in the other groups at all weeks. Patients with Wernicke's aphasia had a significantly greater median percentage increase in their aphasia quotient than those with conduction and anomic aphasia at weeks 12 and 24, but less than patients with global aphasia at week 24.

Conclusions: Patients with Broca's aphasia appear to have the best prognosis for improvement of language function in the first year of stroke. The extent of improvement in patients with global aphasia is better than that of patients with Wernicke's aphasia.

Synthesis, analysis and biological evaluation of novel indolquinonecryptolepine analogues as potential anti-tumour agents

A small library of cryptolepine analogues were synthesised incorporating halogens and/or nitrogen containing side chains to optimise their interaction with the sugar–phosphate backbone of DNA to give improved binding, interfering with topoisomerase II hence enhancing cytotoxicity.

High scores on the Western Aphasia Battery correlate with good functional communication skills (as measured with the Communicative Effectiveness Index) in aphasic stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

To examine the correlation between an impairment-level and a functional-level assessment scale of aphasia.

DESIGN

Prospective, longitudinal study.

SETTING

A stroke rehabilitation unit.

SUBJECTS

Sixty-seven aphasic acute stroke patients who were undergoing a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation programme, including conventional speech and language therapy (SLT).

INTERVENTION

Patients were assessed on study entry and 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after the start of SLT. The language impairment was assessed with the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) and the communicative functional limitation associated with aphasia was measured with the Communicative Effectiveness Index (CETI).Results. There was a statistically significant correlation between the two scales for all assessment periods (Pearson's r=0.71; P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that in the acute and subacute stages of stroke the scores of WAB and CETI can be surmised from one another.

Ascending placentitis in the mare: A review

Ascending placentitis is a condition that occurs late in pregnancy when bacteria enter the sterile uterus from the lower reproductive tract. It leads to abortion or the birth of premature and weakened foals. Early detection and treatment of this condition is vital for ensuring the production of a viable foal.

Mares with ascending placentitis often present in late term pregnancy with signs of premature udder development and premature lactation. There may be a vulvar discharge. Early detection of placental problems is possible using trans-abdominal or trans-rectal ultrasonography. Hormones such as progesterone and relaxin may be measured as indicators of foetal stress and placental failure. Postpartum foetal membranes may be thickened and contain a fibronecrotic exudate. The region most affected is the cervical star. Definitive diagnosis of ascending placentitis is by histopathological examination of the chorioallantoic membrane.

Ideal treatment strategies are aimed at curing the infection and prolonging the pregnancy to as close to term as possible and consist of anti-microbials, anti-inflammatories and hormonal support.

Swabs are taken from affected mares to determine antibiotic sensitivity and to aid in treatment of foals born from these mares which are at risk of becoming septic. If detected early enough, the chances of producing a viable foal are greatly increased.

Internalization of near-infrared fluorescent dyes within isolated macrophage populations

The development and application of microsensor technology has enhanced the ability of scientists to further understand various biological activities, such as changes in the intracellular environment after injury or toxic exposure. NIR microsensor technology may be useful in detecting the cellular injuries or adverse changes during the early onset period, allowing for the administration of therapies to initiate recovery. The development and use of Infrared (IR) and near infrared (NIR) dyes as biological micro-sensors due to their advanced spectral characteristics may be helpful. Three of the more useful NIR dye characteristics include the ability to minimize background interference by extraneous biological matrices, the ability to exhibit optimal molar absorptivity and quantum yields, and the ability to maintain normal cellular activity. Thus, the current study was designed to investigate the ability of selected NIR micro-sensor dyes to undergo cellular internalization, demonstrate intracellular NIR fluorescent signaling, and maintain normal cellular activity. The results demonstrate that the selected NIR micro-sensor dyes undergo cellular internalization. The presence of the dyes within the cells did not affect cell viability. In addition, these dyes demonstrate changes in absorbance and fluorescence after the immune cells were challenged with a stimulant. Moreover, critical cellular functions, such as tumor necrosis factor release and superoxide production were not compromised by the internalization of the fluorescent dyes. These data suggest that selected NIR micro-sensor dyes can undergo intracellular internalization within isolated macrophages without adversely affecting various parameters of normal cellular activity.

Quantification of the effects of melittin on liposome structure

An optical technique, dual-polarization interferometry, has been used to examine lipid structures at the solid/liquid interface. Changes in the lipid structures, in real time, were examined as a consequence of challenging them with a peptide (melittin) that is known to induce liposome rupture. This work suggests that it should be possible to obtain a better understanding of the detail of the melittin rupture process.

Perceptions of school by two teenage boys with Asperger syndrome and their mothers: a qualitative study

This qualitative study aimed to develop an understanding of the challenges faced by teenage boys with Asperger syndrome and their mothers. A case study approach was used to collect data from two 13-year-old boys who have Asperger syndrome and their mothers in Queensland, Australia. Data were collected through the use of semistructured interviews. The words of the boys and their mothers provide a valuable insight into the personal experiences and feelings of the participants. An inductive approach to data analysis identified four themes: (1) developmental differences; (2) problems associated with the general characteristics of Asperger syndrome (i.e. communication and social difficulties, restricted range of interests, a need for routine); (3) stress; and (4) 'masquerading'. The first three themes relate strongly to the current literature, but the emergence of masquerading is of particular interest in developing a fuller understanding of the experiences of individuals with Asperger syndrome at school.

The right stuff ... meeting your customer needs

Meeting (and exceeding) your customers' needs is a requirement for competing in the current business world. New tools and techniques must be employed to deal with the rapidly changing global environment. This article describes the success of a global supply chain integration project for a division of a large multinational corporation. A state-of-the-art ERP software package was implemented in conjunction with major process changes to improve the organization's ability to promise and deliver product to their customers.

Day surgery in Bristol

As in the rest of the United Kingdom, day surgery in Bristol is on the increase. In the Bristol Royal Infirmary day surgery unit (DSU) we treat approximately 3,500 patients a year. We have recently opened a second operating theatre. This has shifted the proportion of cases from our general theatres. This has also improved our case mix, less minor surgery under local anaesthetics, to more of the recommended 'basket type' surgery ie hernia repair, varicose vein surgery, excision of breast lumps etc. We have recently introduced an appointment booking system that is progressing. Such changes have to be introduced with good preparation, communication and a lot of diplomacy. I would like to outline the management aspects that help to expand and improve on the service we give, including patient selection and the appointment booking system we have introduced. I will describe how we drew up a policy involving the organisation of operation lists and staff involvement in day surgery management and accountability for patient care from admission through to discharge including our latest care plan. Finally I will outline the methods we have developed for evaluating the care we give.

Biomicroscopy of the tear film: aqueous and lipid tear substitutes in the normal and abnormal eye

Polarised light biomicroscopy was used to assess the behaviour and interactions of two polymer-containing preparations of artificial tears, and two lipid-containing ointments, with the normal and abnormal pre-corneal tear film. The preparations were used topically in six normal dogs, and three dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. A transient morphological alteration of the surface lipid layer of the tear film was commonly observed after the use of polymer solutions. The ointments spread as a continuous or semi-continuous layer over the normal, or polymer-supplemented, aqueous tears. Further applications of artificial tears produced only a temporary disruption of this layer. In dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca, thickening of the lipid layer of the tear film was observed for over 20 hours after the administration of ointment. These observations are discussed in relation to the prospects for the improved medical treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca by the use of polymer-containing solutions and ointments in combination.