Insights into microRNA-mediated interaction and regulation of metabolites in tomato

microRNAs direct regulation of various metabolic pathways in plants and animals. miRNAs may be useful in developing novel/elite genotypes, with enhanced metabolites and disease resistance. We examined miRNAs in tomato. In tomato, miRNAs in the carotenoid pathway have not been fully elucidated. We examined the potential role of miRNAs in biosynthesis of carotenoids, transcript profiling of miRNAs and their possible targets (genes and transcription factors) at different development stages of tomato using stem-loop PCR and RT-qPCR. We also identified miRNAs targeting key flavonoid genes, such as chalcone isomerase (CHI), and dihydroflavonol-4-reductase (DFR). Distinct expression profiles of miRNAs and their targets were found in fruits of three tomato accessions, suggesting carotenoid regulation by miRNAs at various stages of fruit development. This was also confirmed using HPLC of the carotenoids. The present study may help in understanding possible regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis. The identified miRNAs can be exploited to enhance biosynthesis of different carotenoids in plants.

Predictive Value of Camera-based Donor Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation on the Immediate Renal Allograft Outcome Following Live-related Renal Transplant: A Single-center Retrospective Study

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study was to assess the association of measured glomerular filtration rate (mGFR) using camera-based method with early transplant outcomes.

Methodology

Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate renograms of all voluntary kidney donors between January 2016 and December 2022 at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India, were retrieved for the study. Recipients' posttransplant biochemical parameters were collected and compared against donors with scaled mGFR >80 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Group 1) and with mGFR between 60 and 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 (Group 2). Donor-recipient pair age, anthropometric parameters, and their differences were also assessed against the immediate transplant outcome. Posttransplant immediate graft function was assessed by posttransplant nadir serum creatinine, day to achieve nadir serum creatinine, the incidence of slow graft or delayed graft function, and serum creatinine at 1-month posttransplantation. Recipients with serum creatinine of >2.5 mg/dl on posttransplant day 7 were taken as slow graft function.

Results

A total of 161 donor-recipient pairs were analyzed in the study. In recipients who showed persistently high serum creatinine posttransplant, older donor age(p < 0.001), higher difference in body mass index among the donor-recipient pair (p= 0.03), and mGFR <80ml/min (p < 0.001) were significantly associated. Slow graft function was significantly more in Group II recipients, with donors having mGFR <80ml/min as compared to Group I with mGFR >80 ml/min (37.3% vs. 10.6%) (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Camera-based mGFR using Gates' formula is a reliable tool to predict inferior graft outcomes in the immediate posttransplant period. Kidneys from donors with mGFR of 60-80 mL/min/1.73 m2 are likely to experience slow graft function in the immediate posttransplant period.

Association of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio with Clinicopathological Features and Short-Term Outcome in Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Purpose of the Study

To assess the association of inflammatory markers with known risk factors and short-term outcome of well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Materials and Methods

Well-differentiated nonmetastatic thyroid cancer patients diagnosed and treated between September 2015 and December 2019 at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, India, were retrieved for the study. Patients' presurgical blood parameters were noted, and neurtrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were calculated. Clinicopathological details along with tumor markers at baseline and at 6 months' follow-up were tabulated. Patients were categorized as complete disease clearance if their clinical examination was normal, stimulated thyroglobulin (Tg) was <1 ng/ml, Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies <65 IU/L or showing a decreasing trend, and follow-up I-131 whole-body scan was negative. The association of the inflammatory markers with known risk factors and short-term outcomes were compared.

Results

A total of 272 patients were analyzed in the study. The median NLR in our study cohort was 2.55 (mean = 3.96 with standard deviation [SD] =4.20) and the median LMR was 3.72 (mean = 3.79 with SD = 1.94). The disease clearance rate of our study cohort was 73.9%. The median NLR (2.4 vs. 3.1) and LMR (3.13 vs. 3.93) were significantly different among the patients with complete disease clearance and those with persistent disease (P = 0.008 and P = 0.003, respectively). The known risk factors such as multifocality (P = 0.04), tumor size (P = 0.013), lymph node metastases (P = 0.001), and baseline Tg (P ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with persistent disease at 6 months. The NLR showed a positive correlation and LMR had a negative correlation with the known risk factors, however, the associations were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The NLR and LMR are simple yet potential prognostic tools in well-differentiated thyroid cancer.

Development and Validation of a New Tool to Measure Performance Knowledge and Communication Skill of Multidisciplinary Health Science Learners on Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Response Management

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to design, develop, and validate a newer tool on radiation emergency preparedness responses (RadEM-PREM IPE tool) to measure communication, knowledge, performance skills in multidisciplinary health science learners.

METHODS

The study design is a prospective, single centric, pilot study. Five subject experts designed, analyzed, and selected items of the instrument for relevant content and domain. Psychometrics that the tool assessed were content validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and intraclass correlation coefficient. Twenty-eight participants completed test-retest reliability for validation of 21 sorted out items calculated percentage of agreement >70% I-CVI/UA (item content validity index with universal acceptability) and S-CVI/UA (scale content validity index with universal agreement method).

RESULTS

Items with percentage agreement >70% and I-CVI over 0.80 were kept, ranged from 0.70 to 0.78 were revised, and below 0.70 were rejected. Items with kappa values ranging from 0.04 to 0.59 were revised and ≥0.74 were retained. Internal consistency assessed using Cronbach's alpha was 0.449. Positive correlation between attitude and communication (r = 0.448), between performance and communication (r = 0.443) were statistically significant at 0.01 level. Overall, intraclass correlation coefficient for all the measures is 0.646, which is statistically significant at 0.05 level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Study concludes that the RadEM-PREM IPE tool would be a new measuring tool to assess knowledge, performance, and communication skills of interprofessional radiation emergency response team learner's evaluation.

A massive rock and ice avalanche caused the 2021 disaster at Chamoli, Indian Himalaya

On 7 February 2021, a catastrophic mass flow descended the Ronti Gad, Rishiganga, and Dhauliganga valleys in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, India, causing widespread devastation and severely damaging two hydropower projects. More than 200 people were killed or are missing. Our analysis of satellite imagery, seismic records, numerical model results, and eyewitness videos reveals that ~27 × 10⁶ cubic meters of rock and glacier ice collapsed from the steep north face of Ronti Peak. The rock and ice avalanche rapidly transformed into an extraordinarily large and mobile debris flow that transported boulders greater than 20 meters in diameter and scoured the valley walls up to 220 meters above the valley floor. The intersection of the hazard cascade with downvalley infrastructure resulted in a disaster, which highlights key questions about adequate monitoring and sustainable development in the Himalaya as well as other remote, high-mountain environments.

New cytochalasin from Rosellinia sanctae-cruciana, an endophytic fungus of Albizia lebbeck

AIM

To explore the potential of Rosellinia sanctae-cruciana an endophytic fungus associated with Albizia lebbeck for pharmaceutically important cytotoxic compounds.

METHODS AND RESULTS

One novel cytochalasin, named jammosporin A (1) and four known analogues (2-5) were isolated from the culture of the endophytic fungus R. sanctae-cruciana, harboured from the leaves of the medicinal plant A. lebbeck. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses including one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance data along with MS data and by comparison with literature reports. In preliminary screening the ethyl acetate extract of the fungal culture was tested for cytotoxic activity against a panel of four cancer cell lines (MOLT-4, A549, MIA PaCa-2 and MDA-MB-231), and found to be active against MOLT-4 with an IC₅₀ value of 10 μg ml^-1 . Owing to the remarkable cytotoxic activity of the extract the isolated compounds (1-5) were evaluated for their cytototoxicity against the MOLT-4 cell line by MTT assay. Interestingly, compounds 1-2, 4 and 5 showed considerable cytotoxic potential against the human leukaemia cancer cell line (MOLT-4) with IC₅₀ values of 20·0, 10·0, 8·0 and 6·0 μmol l^-1 , respectively, while compound 3 showed an IC₅₀ value of 25 μmol l^-1 . This is the first report of the existence of this class of secondary metabolites in R. sanctae-cruciana fungus.

CONCLUSION

This study discovered a novel compound, named jammosporin A, isolated for the first time from R. sanctae-cruciana, an endophytic fungus of A. lebbeck with anticancer activity against the MOLT-4 cell line.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Rosellinia sanctae-cruciana represents an interesting source of a new compound with bioactive potential as a therapeutic agent against a human leukaemia cancer cell line (MOLT-4).

Kidney Transplant in a Patient With Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-1 Syndrome (TRAPS): Case Report and Review of the Literature

Tumor necrosis factor receptor -1-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) is a rare disease that may result in chronic kidney disease due to secondary amyloidosis. We report a case of a patient with a history of TRAPS who received a kidney transplant 11 years ago and still has functioning kidney transplant despite recurrence of amyloidosis and proteinuria.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of polyphenols from apple pomace extract via apoptosis inhibition and Nrf2 activation in mice

Industrial apple pomace, a biowaste generated during apple processing, is rich in cell wall polysaccharides and phenolics. These biologically active compounds are reported to be highly beneficial from the nutritional and health point of view. In the present study, the total phenolic content in the apple pomace aqueous extract (APE) was estimated and evaluated for its possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury mice model. The aqueous extract exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity in vitro. Under in vivo study, mice were treated with APE (200 mg and 400 mg/kg body weight) for 2 weeks prior to the administration of CCl₄ (30% v/v). The serum liver injury markers alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lowered by APE in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of antioxidant parameters superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (redGSH), and lipid peroxidation were also improved by APE in liver homogenate. Histopathological studies revealed that APE treatment significantly lowered the CCl₄-induced necrotic changes in the liver. Furthermore, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay showed that CCl₄-induced apoptosis in the liver was significantly inhibited by APE in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry results showed higher expression of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the liver of the APE-treated mice, a key regulator of antioxidative response. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the hepatoprotective efficacy of APE by inhibiting CCl₄-induced apoptosis, which is due to its antioxidant activity and the ability to induce Nrf2 protein expression.

H3K79 methylation directly precedes the histone-to-protamine transition in mammalian spermatids and is sensitive to bacterial infections

In both mammalian and Drosophila spermatids, the completely histone-based chromatin structure is reorganized to a largely protamine-based structure. During this histone-to-protamine switch, transition proteins are expressed, for example TNP1 and TNP2 in mammals and Tpl94D in Drosophila. Recently, we demonstrated that in Drosophila spermatids, H3K79 methylation accompanies histone H4 hyperacetylation during chromatin reorganization. Preceding the histone-to-protamine transition, the H3K79 methyltransferase Grappa is expressed, and the predominant isoform bears a C-terminal extension. Here, we show that isoforms of the Grappa-equivalent protein in humans, rats and mice, that is DOT1L, have a C-terminal extension. In mice, the transcript of this isoform was enriched in the post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. In human and mice spermatids, di- and tri-methylated H3K79 temporally overlapped with hyperacetylated H4 and thus accompanied chromatin reorganization. In rat spermatids, trimethylated H3K79 directly preceded transition protein loading on chromatin. We analysed the impact of bacterial infections on spermatid chromatin using a uropathogenic Escherichia coli-elicited epididymo-orchitis rat model and showed that these infections caused aberrant spermatid chromatin. Bacterial infections led to premature emergence of trimethylated H3K79 and hyperacetylated H4. Trimethylated H3K79 and hyperacetylated H4 simultaneously occurred with transition protein TNP1, which was never observed in spermatids of mock-infected rats. Upon bacterial infection, only histone-based spermatid chromatin showed abnormalities, whereas protamine-compacted chromatin seemed to be unaffected. Our results indicated that H3K79 methylation is a histone modification conserved in Drosophila, mouse, rat and human spermatids and may be a prerequisite for proper chromatin reorganization.

Autophagy triggered by magnolol derivative negatively regulates angiogenesis

Angiogenesis has a key role in the tumor progression and metastasis; targeting endothelial cell proliferation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention of cancer. Previous studies have revealed a complex association between the process of angiogenesis and autophagy and its outcome on tumorigenesis. Autophagy, also known as type-II cell death, has been identified as an alternative way of cell killing in apoptotic-resistant cancer cells. However, its involvement in chemoresistance and tumor promotion is also well known. In this study, we used a derivate of natural product magnolol (Ery5), a potent autophagy inducer, to study the association between the autophagy and angiogenesis in both in vitro and in vivo model system. We found that the robust autophagy triggered by Ery5, inhibited angiogenesis and caused cell death independent of the apoptosis in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells and PC-3 cells. Ery5 induced autophagy effectively inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation. We further demonstrated that Ery5-mediated autophagy and subsequent inhibition of angiogenesis was reversed when autophagy was inhibited through 3-methyl adenine and knocking down of key autophagy proteins ATG7 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3. While evaluating the negative regulation of autophagy on angiogenesis, it was interesting to find that angiogenic environment produced by the treatment of VEGF and CoCl2 remarkably downregulated the autophagy and autophagic cell death induced by Ery5. These studies, while disclosing the vital role of autophagy in the regulation of angiogenesis, also suggest that the potent modulators of autophagy can lead to the development of effective therapeutics in apoptosis-resistant cancer.

Dietary choline, betaine and lecithin mitigates endosulfan-induced stress in Labeo rohita fingerlings

A five-week experiment was conducted to delineate stress-mitigating effects of three different methyl donors in Labeo rohita fingerlings subjected to endosulfan toxicity. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric feed were prepared with and without supplementation of methyl donors. The feed were basal or control diet (i.e., without methyl donor supplementation), feed supplemented with choline, feed supplemented with betaine and feed supplemented with lecithin. Two hundred and twenty-five fishes were distributed randomly in five treatment groups each with three replicates. The experimental setup were normal water (without endosulfan) and fed with control diet (control group), endosulfan-treated water and fed with control diet (T₁), endosulfan-treated water and fed with choline supplemented feed (T₂), endosulfan-treated water and fed with betaine supplemented feed (T₃) and endosulfan-treated water and fed with lecithin-supplemented feed (T₄). The level of endosulfan in endosulfan treated water was maintained at the level of 1/10 of LC₅₀, that is, 0.2 ppb. During the experiment, growth performances, metabolic enzyme activity and histological examination were done to assess the effect of treatments. The growth performance (percentage weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio) and nutrient digestibility were significantly different (P<0.01) in lecithin, betaine and choline fed group when compared to endosulfan-exposed group fed with basal diet. The liver LDH and MDH activity were significantly (P<0.01) improved in the groups fed with methyl donor supplemented diet. The liver AST and ALT, brain AChE and muscle ALT did not change with supplementation in the diet, but muscle ALT and G6PDH significantly (P<0.01) changed with supplementation. The gill and liver ATPase and intestinal ALP were significantly (P<0.01) noticeably changed in supplemented group. After endosulfan exposure, histopathology alter like slight large vacuolation in hepatocyte and lipoid vacuole were observed and with supplementation normal appearance of liver were observed. The chromosome aberration (karyotype) was observed in endosulfan-exposed group. The result obtained in present study concluded that inclusion of methyl donors, particularly lecithin and betaine, in feed as nutritional supplements has a potential stress-mitigating effect in L. rohita fingerlings.

Correlation between glomerular filtration rate with gamma camera and estimated serum creatinine clearance from Cockcroft and Gault's formula

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of the present study is to find out the correlation between the glomerular filtration rate (GFR by Gates gamma camera method) and serum creatinine clearance (SCrCl by Cockcroft and Gault's method) within ± 3 weeks' time difference.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study design retrospectively in 59 patients with serum creatinine value calculated for SCrCl with Cockcroft and Gault's formula as an index parameter for kidney function underwent the 99m-Technitium labeled Di-ethyl Triamine Penta Acetic Acid (99mTc-DTPA) renogram with ECIL planar gamma camera.

RESULTS

All data of 59 patients has been divided into Group- I, II, and III based on the time difference of serum creatinine test from 99mTc-DTPA renal GFR tests performed on the same subjects. Serum Creatinine test was carried out within ± 3 days, between ± 4 days and ± 7 days, and between ± 8 days and ± 21 days from the DTPA GFR Test performed in the Group-I, II, and III respectively. Correlation coefficient of Group-I (n = 15) patients showed 0.8198 and P value < 0.001 for GFR and S. Creatinine within ± 3 days. Group-II (n = 17) and Group-III (n = 27) patients having correlation coefficient 0.6194 and 0.589 and P value <0.01 respectively, within ± 21 days. The two methods gave almost identical estimate of GFR even at 3 weeks interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Study concludes that SCrCl using Cockcroft and Gault's formula could serve as an instant, easy, and reliable method for assessing kidney function. SCrCl with Cockcroft and Gault's formula is more useful for rapid estimation of global GFR for those patients who are not accessible to DTPA renogram with gamma camera. Correlation can be established further with the prospective study in various renal pathophysiological conditions.

Effect of aprepitant (AP) on cyclophosphamide (CPA) pharmacokinetics (PK) in early breast cancer patients

588

Background: AP, a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A4, is a selective neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist recommended by the ASCO guidelines for prevention of high and some moderately emetogenic chemotherapy regimens, including doxorubicin and CPA (AC). CPA is converted to the active 4-OH metabolite primarily by CYP2B6 (48–57%) and by CYP3A4 (12–18%). CYP3A4 also converts 10% of CPA to the N-dechloroethyl metabolite (DCE), which is responsible for neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Because AP is utilized concurrently with CPA, this creates the potential for drug-drug interaction between AP and CPA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of AP on the PK of CPA, 4-OH, and DCE in patients receiving AC. Methods: This double-blinded, placebo controlled, two-period, crossover study included breast cancer patients receiving regimens containing CPA 600 mg/m2 IV for at least two sequential cycles. Prior to each CPA cycle, patients were randomized to receive either oral AP (125 mg on d 1 prior to chemotherapy and 80 mg on d 2 and 3) or placebo for 3 d. During both cycles, patients were also pretreated with ondansetron 24 mg PO and dex 12 mg PO on d 1 and dex 8 mg PO once on d 2 and 3. Rescue anti-emetic medications were permitted. Serial plasma samples were obtained from 0 to 24 h after administration of CPA in combination with AP or placebo in each patient. CPA, 4-OH, and DCE plasma concentrations were determined using HPLC. Area under the plasma versus conc time curve (AUC) was calculated using WinNonlin. Results: 17 patients completed 2 cycles and were evaluated for PK. Geometric mean AUC data for CPA in combination with AP and placebo are summarized in the table. Conclusions: Based on geometric mean ratios ± 90% CI, concurrent administration of AP with CPA did not result in any significant changes in the 4-OH metabolite AUC, but did result in increased parent CPA and decreased DCE drug exposure levels. Based on these results, it is unlikely that aprepitant has a clinically significant effect on the efficacy of CPA.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Persistent buccopharyngeal membrane: a report of two cases

Persistent buccopharyngeal membrane is an extremely rare clinical entity that can be diagnosed easily by simple examination of the oral cavity and confirmed by a lateral contrast x-ray. The abnormality can be easily corrected surgically.