The hidden players: Shedding light on the significance of post-translational modifications and miRNAs in Alzheimer's disease development

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent, expensive, lethal, and burdening neurodegenerative disease of this century. The initial stages of this disease are characterized by a reduced ability to encode and store new memories. Subsequent cognitive and behavioral deterioration occurs during the later stages. Abnormal cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) resulting in amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation along with hyperphosphorylation of tau protein are the two characteristic hallmarks of AD. Recently, several post-translational modifications (PTMs) have been identified on both Aβ as well as tau proteins. However, a complete understanding of how different PTMs influence the structure and function of proteins in both healthy and diseased conditions is still lacking. It has been speculated that these PTMs might play vital roles in the progression of AD. In addition, several short non-coding microRNA (miRNA) sequences have been found to be deregulated in the peripheral blood of Alzheimer patients. The miRNAs are single-stranded RNAs that control gene expression by causing mRNA degradation, deadenylation, or translational repression and have been implicated in the regulation of several neuronal and glial activities. The lack of comprehensive understanding regarding disease mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets greatly hampers the development of effective strategies for early diagnosis and the identification of viable therapeutic targets. Moreover, existing treatment options for managing the disease have proven to be ineffective and provide only temporary relief. Therefore, understanding the role of miRNAs and PTMs in AD can provide valuable insights into disease mechanisms, aid in the identification of biomarkers, facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, and inspire innovative treatments for this challenging condition.

Changes in self-care maintenance during quarantine in patients with heart failure

Background

Patients with heart failure (HF) experience challenges in self-care that contribute to poor quality of life and high health care utilization. The COVID-19 pandemic required HF patients, especially living in countries with strict lockdowns and quarantines, to change their lifestyle including health promoting behaviors.

Purpose

To assess changes in self-care maintenance in patients with HF changed during quarantine compared to before quarantine. We hypothesized that the self-care maintenance behavior physical activity was most effected during quarantine.

Method

This is a cross-sectional survey study. From the medical chart, patients' disease severity (NYHA-class), ejection fraction and comorbidities were collected. Self-care maintenance was assessed using subscale Self-Care of Heart Failure Index 6.2. The total score ranges from 0–100, where 70 or higher is seen as having good self-care maintenance. With all the questions in the self-care maintenance scale a question was added: Did this change due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Patients could answer yes or no. When patients answered yes, they were asked the elaborate. Patients self-reported physical activity, before and during the pandemic, using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Descriptive analyses were used for self-care maintenance, content analysis was applied for the qualitative data. Paired sample t-test were performed to assess the change in the total physical activity.

Results

In total, 120 patients with HF were included in this study (mean age was 79±13, 39% female, 78% NYHA-class I/II). Patients had a mean self-care maintenance of 32 (±6). No participant had good self-care maintenance (score of 70 or higher). Patients were non-adherent to regular physical activity (77%, n=92), keeping weight down (74%, n=89) and weighing themselves (66%, n=79) during quarantine (Figure). Behaviors which changed the most included keeping medical appointments (81%) and regular exercise (82%). Significantly higher levels of physically active was noticed before quarantine (776 Mets-minutes) compared to during quarantine (106 Mets-minutes) (p<0.01). The change in self-care maintenance was explained by change in motivation and self-confidence. Because of the pandemic and the quarantine, patients reported not being able to rely on health care and their usual social support system. Patients tried to create new habits when trying to maintain their self-care.

Conclusion

Patients with HF reported experiencing low self-care maintenance during quarantine due to not being able to go to medical appointments and decrease in physical activity. Public health policies during crisis events such as a pandemic should strive to provide support in coping with these changes and offer alternative ways of maintaining their self-care maintenance, especially with physical activity.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Interests and preferences towards technology-based cardiac rehabilitation in men and women with coronary artery disease

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of telemedicine programmes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the development of these programmes is driven from a technical point of view and does not usually take into account the needs and expectations of patients. Thus, we found a need to study the interests and preferences towards technology-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients with CAD.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the interests and preferences towards technology-based CR in men and women with CAD.

Method

A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 70 subjects with CAD (84.28% male) were included. Participants' interests and preferences were measured using the Technology Usage Questionnaire, which includes items on digital health and technology usage.

Results

On the one hand, men showed a greater interest in receiving CR counselling via mobile phone (p=0.022), would sign up for a free technology-based CR programme (p=0.034) and would like to receive less than 1-2 messages a week (p=0.010). On the other hand, women showed greater interest in receiving information about the different components included in the CR programme (receiving healthy meal/recipe ideas (p=0.002), reminders to take medication (p=0.039) and showed greater interest in meeting other people with heart disease (p=0.034). No differences were found by gender in type of communication that participants would like to receive through their mobile phone (p=0.154) or through the Internet (p=0.648), interest in receiving treatment through the Internet (p=0.454), interest in receiving an exercise-based CR program using virtual reality (p=0.810), nor usefulness of a virtual CR session (p=0.801).

Conclusions

In subjects with CAD, gender appears to be a determinant of interest. Men showed a greater interest in receiving CR counselling via mobile phone, would sign up for a technology-based CR programme and would like to receive fewer notifications. Women were more interested in receiving information about different components of the CR programme.

Physical activity and technology usage performed by patients with coronary artery disease: a gender approach

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Recent studies show that cardiac telerehabilitation, including exercise and lifestyle modification, is effective in reducing cardiovascular risk factors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Thus, physical activity and technology usage of patients with CAD are important key points in order to create technology-based cardiac rehabilitation programs to improve physical patients´ condition and reduce cardiovascular risk.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the physical activity and the technological usage of women and men with CAD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study in patients with CAD was performed. Sociodemographic data, physical activity (measured with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, IPAQ) and the technology usage (measured with the Technology use subscale of the Technology Usage Questionnaire) were collected. Descriptive and inferential analyzes were performed to explore the differences between men and women with CAD.

Results

A total of 70 participants were included (84.28% men, mean age=59±8.54 years). Regarding the IPAQ, men significantly reported higher walking time (99.31±95.22 METS vs. 33.28±37.42 METS, p=0.001, respectively) and higher total physical activity (4164.91±4164.91 METS vs. 1390.68±1609.05 METS, p&lt;0.001, respectively) than women. In relation to technology usage, the entire sample used a mobile phone, whilst there were no significant gender differences in the functions/applications used (phone calls, text messages, camera, receive videos/photos, internet searches, apps, instant messages, social media, games) (p=0.068). Although the majority of the participants (85.71%) had regular access to internet, men used their phone more frequently than women (81.10% vs. 37.50%, p=0.005, respectively). Comparison by gender showed no significant differences in the type of device used for internet searches (computer, tablet, mobile phone) (p=0.169), familiarization with technology-based physical activity games (p=0.801), use of heart rate monitors (p=0.193), preference to monitor heart rate when exercising (p=0.664), nor use of other devices to monitor physical activity (pedometer, etc.) (p=0.193).

Conclusion

Based on the results obtained, we conclude that men with CAD were more physical active and used the Internet more often than women, whilst there were no differences by gender in the rest of variables. Assessment of physical activity and technology usage should be implemented in patients with CAD, in order to adapt and improve the design of technology-based telerehabilitation programs

Do self-esteem and ethical leadership dampens Machiavellianism–effectiveness relationship: a parallel mediation approach

Purpose

The present paper intends to study the relationship between Machiavellianism and effectiveness. It investigates the parallel mediating effects of self-esteem and ethical leadership on Machiavellianism and leader effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was administered to 260 managers from the banking sector. Statistical tools, like descriptive statistics, Pearson product moment correlation, reliability analysis, validity analysis and parallel-mediated regression analysis, were used to analyze the data. Drawing from the conservation of resource (COR) theory, a parallel mediation model was empirically tested.

Findings

The study found a negative association between Machiavellianism and leader effectiveness, and the parallel mediating impact of self-esteem and ethical leadership reduced the impact of Machiavellianism on leader effectiveness.

Practical implications

The work suggests that the banking sector leaders can adapt ethical behaviors to create positive leader–member relations contributing to increased organizational efficiency and productivity.

Originality/value

The unique contribution of the study includes determining the mediating roles of self-esteem and ethical leadership, especially in the Indian context. Despite the availability of past studies on the constructs, the studies on the parallel mediating relationship between Machiavellianism and effectiveness was limited.

Boosting Job Satisfaction Through Emotional Intelligence: A Study on Health Care Professionals

Emotional intelligence (EI) is possibly one of the most studied psychological factors of the twenty-first century. EI is very much relevant in service industry particularly in management, academics, life sciences or psychology. The purpose of the empirical study is to test the relationship between the defined constructs of EI and job satisfaction ( JS) amongst health care professionals of Delhi NCR region of India. It further tried to understand whether gender moderates the EI and JS relationship. Structured survey was used to solicit response from 260 health care professionals comprising doctors and nurses belonging to different hospitals of Delhi NCR region. Standardised instruments were used to assess the data. Linear and moderated regression were used to test hypotheses developed. The findings suggest that EI constructs significantly impact the level of JS among health care professionals. The result of moderated regression suggested that the relationship of EI and JS is significantly moderated by gender. The construct of EI is relevant in providing high quality health care service delivery to the patients.

Quantitative Proteomic and Network Analysis of Differentially Expressed Proteins in PBMC of Friedreich's Ataxia (FRDA) Patients

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded (GAA) trinucleotide repeat in the FXN gene. The extended repeats expansion results in reduced transcription and, thereby, decreased expression of the mitochondrial protein, frataxin. Given the ongoing drug trials, identification of reliable and easily accessible biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and therapeutic intervention is a foremost requirement. In this study, comparative proteomic profiling of PBMC proteins from FRDA patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls was done using 2D-Differential in-Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Protein–protein interaction (PPI) was analyzed using BioGRID and STRING pathway analysis tools. Using biological variance analysis (BVA) and LC/MS, we found eight differentially expressed proteins with fold change ≥1.5; p ≤ 0.05. Based on their cellular function, the identified proteins showed a strong pathological role in neuroinflammation, cardiomyopathy, compromised glucose metabolism, and iron transport, which are the major clinical manifestations of FRDA. Protein–protein network analysis of differentially expressed proteins with frataxin further supports their involvement in the pathophysiology of FRDA. Considering their crucial role in the cardiac and neurological complications, respectively, the two down-regulated proteins, actin α cardiac muscle 1 (ACTC1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 component subunit β (PDHE1), are suggested as potential prognostic markers for FRDA.

A Novel Seed-Dressing Formulation Based on an Improved Mutant Strain of Trichoderma virens, and Its Field Evaluation

Using gamma-ray-induced mutagenesis, we have developed a mutant (named G2) of Trichoderma virens that produced two- to three-fold excesses of secondary metabolites, including viridin, viridiol, and some yet-to-be identified compounds. Consequently, this mutant had improved antibiosis against the oomycete test pathogen Pythium aphanidermatum. A transcriptome analysis of the mutant vis-à-vis the wild-type strain showed upregulation of several secondary-metabolism-related genes. In addition, many genes predicted to be involved in mycoparasitism and plant interactions were also upregulated. We used tamarind seeds as a mass multiplication medium in solid-state fermentation and, using talcum powder as a carrier, developed a novel seed dressing formulation. A comparative evaluation of the wild type and the mutant in greenhouse under high disease pressure (using the test pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii) revealed superiority of the mutant over wild type in protecting chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds and seedlings from infection. We then undertook extensive field evaluation (replicated micro-plot trials, on-farm demonstration trials, and large-scale trials in farmers' fields) of our mutant-based formulation (named TrichoBARC) for management of collar rot (S. rolfsii) in chickpea and lentil (Lens culinaris) over multiple locations in India. In certain experiments, other available formulations were included for comparison. This formulation consistently, over multiple locations and years, improved seed germination, reduced seedling mortality, and improved plant growth and yield. We also noticed growth promotion, improved pod bearing, and early flowering (7-10 days) in TrichoBARC-treated chickpea and lentil plants under field conditions. In toxicological studies in animal models, this formulation exhibited no toxicity to mammals, birds, or fish.

Assessment of cell-free levels of iron and copper in patients with Friedreich's ataxia

Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by trinucleotide (GAA) repeat expansion in frataxin (fxn) gene which results in decreased levels of frataxin protein. Insufficient frataxin levels leads to iron and copper deposits in the brain and cardiac cells. A total of hundred and twenty patients, suspected of FRDA were screened for the (GAA) repeats in the fxn gene and only confirmed patients (n = 25) were recruited in the study. The total Iron and total copper concentrations were measured in blood plasma using Nitro PAPS and Dibrom PAESA method, respectively both in patients and age, sex matched healthy controls. The iron levels mean ± SD (6.2 ± 3.8) in plasma of FRDA patients were found to be significantly decreased as compared to healthy controls mean ± SD (15.2 ± 4.2). A similar trend was observed in case of plasma copper levels in FRDA patient (8.15 ± 4.6) as compared to controls (17.5 ± 3.40). Present results clearly prove abnormal distribution of extra-cellular iron in FRDA patients, which is in accordance with the well established fact of intracellular iron overload, which is the key feature of the pathogenesis of this disease. This can be of importance in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease in association with frataxin/iron. It appears that intracellular sequestration of trace metals in FRDA patients (due to low frataxin) results in their sub-optimal levels in blood plasma (extra-cellular) an observation that can find prognostic application in clinical trials.

Tension pneumoperitoneum: a very rare complication of acute gangrenous appendicitis

Tension pneumoperitoneum is a very rare consequence of acute gangrenous appendicitis. We report a case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain, progressively increasing abdominal distension, profound hemodynamic instability and ventilatory compromise. The diagnosis of tension pneumoperitoneum was confirmed by computed tomography, which showed compression of the intra-abdominal viscera and liver (saddlebag sign) by a large volume of intraperitoneal free air. Urgent needle decompression was done as an emergency measure. Exploratory laparotomy, planned due to persistent peritonitis, revealed gangrenous appendicitis with perforation near its base. Appendicectomy with excision of gangrenous portion of caecum was performed. The purpose of the reporting this case is to highlight that the tension pneumoperitoneum can be, very rarely, associated with gangrenous appendicitis and timely diagnosis is very important for the emergency management of this deadly condition.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia with concealed colonic perforation

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) is a rare clinical entity in terms of aetiology. It occurs following a blunt abdominal injury with energy high enough to cause disruption of the musculoaponeurotic layer but not the elastic skin layer. It is often associated with underlying intra-abdominal injuries, which can be diagnosed either clinically or radiologically. We report a case of TAWH in a young man with associated large bowel transection, which remained undiagnosed in the preoperative period owing to its masked features. He was managed surgically, with no recurrence to date. Considering the high volume of blunt abdominal trauma cases that present to the accident and emergency department, only few cases of TAWH have been reported in the literature. Confusion still exists regarding the timing and mode of management of this condition.

Histological Features and Tissue Microarray Taxonomy of Nigerian Breast Cancer Reveal Predominance of the High-Grade Triple-Negative Phenotype

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the biology, molecular profile and hence optimal treatment of African Nigerian breast cancer. The aim of this work, therefore, was to characterize the histology and molecular profile of Nigerian breast cancer.

METHODS

Breast carcinomas from women at 6 centres of similar tribal origin in Nigeria were reviewed and assembled into tissue microarrays (TMAs), and sections were stained for hormone receptors, i.e. estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ1, ERβ progesterone receptor (PR) and androgen receptor, cyclin D, HER2, Ki67 and cytokeratins (CKs), i.e. CK5/6 and CK14 (basal) and CK18 and 19 (luminal).

RESULTS

A total of 835 tumours were analysed. The mean age at diagnosis was 48.62 ± 12.41 years. The most common histological subtype was ductal NST (no-special-type) carcinoma (87.3%). Over 90% of the tumours were grade 2 or 3. The predominant molecular phenotype was the non-basal, triple-negative type (47.65%) followed by the HER2-positive group (19.6%). The percentage of ER-, PR- and HER2-positive tumours was 22.4, 18.9 and 18.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Nigerian breast cancer predominantly has a high-grade, triple-negative profile. It occurs at a younger age and bears similarities at the molecular level to pre-menopausal breast cancer in white women, with remarkably lower levels of ERβ expression. The early presentation and histological and molecular phenotype may explain the poor prognosis, and tailoring treatment strategies to target this unique profile are required.

A pilot randomised controlled trial in intensive care patients comparing 7 days' treatment with empirical antibiotics with 2 days' treatment for hospital-acquired infection of unknown origin

BACKGROUND

Management of cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) sepsis is complicated by the high incidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which mimics sepsis but without an infective cause. This pilot randomised trial investigated whether or not, in the ICU, 48 hours of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment was adequate to safely treat suspected sepsis of unknown and unproven origin and also the predictive power of newer biomarkers of sepsis.

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this pilot study was to provide preliminary data on the likely safety and efficacy of a reduced course of antibiotics for the treatment of ICU infections of unknown origin.

DESIGN

A pilot, single-centre, open-label randomised trial.

SETTING

This study was carried out in the ICU of a tertiary heart and chest hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients being treated within the ICU were recruited into the trial if the intensivist was planning to commence antibiotics because of evidence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and a strong suspicion of infection but there was no actual known source for that infection.

INTERVENTIONS

Broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment administered for 48 hours (experimental) compared with treatment for 7 days (control).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was a composite outcome of the rate of death or initiation of antibiotic therapy after the completion of the treatment schedule allocated at randomisation. Secondary outcomes included the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU and hospital stay; the incidence of infection with Clostridium difficile (B. S. Weeks & E. Alcamo) Jones & Bartlett International Publishers, 2008, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (B. S. Weeks & E. Alcamo) Jones & Bartlett International Publishers, 2008; resource utilisation and costs associated with each of the two pilot arms; the ratio of patients screened to patients eligible to patients randomised; the incidence of crossover between groups; and the significance of newer biomarkers for sepsis for predicting patients' need for further antibiotics.

RESULTS

A total of 46 patients were recruited into the trial, with 23 randomised to each group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the composite primary outcome measure. The risk difference was 0.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 0.13; p = 0.3]. In the 2-day group, four patients (17.4%) required further antibiotics compared with three (13%) in the 7-day group. Four patients died within the trial period and the deaths were not trial related. Patients who died during the trial period received no additional antibiotics in excess of their trial allocation. There were no documented incidences of MRSA or C. difficile infection in either group. No significant differences in adverse events were observed between the groups. Key economic findings were mean antibiotic costs per patient of £168.97 for the 2-day group and £375.86 for the 7-day group. The potential per annum cost saving for the ICU of 2-day treatment was estimated to range from £108,140 to £126,060. Patient screening was considered the biggest barrier to recruitment. There was no crossover between the two randomised groups. Data verification ascertained > 98% accuracy in data collection. Baseline procalcitonin was found to be predictive of the composite outcome (death and needing further antibiotics) (odds ratio 1.79, 95% CI 1.20 to 2.67; p = 0.005). Analysis of baseline procalcitonin also indicated a trend towards it being a predictor of restarting antibiotics, with an odds ratio of 1.45 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.02; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Data from this pilot study suggest that there could be significant benefits of reducing broad-spectrum antibiotic use in the ICU without it undermining patient safety, with a potential cost saving in our unit of over £100,000 per year. Evidence from this pilot trial is not definitive but warrants further investigation using a large randomised controlled trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN82694288.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 16, No. 36. See the HTA programme website for further project information.

New 6-Bromo-2-Methyl-3-(Substituted Phenyl)-(3H)-Quinazolin-4-Ones with Antimicrobial and Antiinflammatory Activities

New quinazolin-4-one derivatives, 6-bromo-2-methyl-3-(substituted phenyl)-(3H)-quinazolin-4-one, were synthesized and evaluated for antimicrobial and antiinflammatory activities. The structures attributed to synthesized compounds 1-8 were supported by the results of elemental analysis as well as by the UV, IR and ¹H NMR spectral data. Investigation of antimicrobial activity was performed using cup-plate agar diffusion method against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger and Curvularia lunata. Antiinflammatory activity was evaluated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema test in rats. The results showed that compounds 2b, 2c, 2d, 2g and 2h exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activity comparable to standard drugs and compounds 2b and 2c showed good antiinflammatory activity comparable to ibuprofen.

Directional limits on persistent gravitational waves using LIGO S5 science data

The gravitational-wave (GW) sky may include nearby pointlike sources as well as stochastic backgrounds. We perform two directional searches for persistent GWs using data from the LIGO S5 science run: one optimized for pointlike sources and one for arbitrary extended sources. Finding no evidence to support the detection of GWs, we present 90% confidence level (C.L.) upper-limit maps of GW strain power with typical values between 2-20×10(-50)  strain(2) Hz(-1) and 5-35×10(-49)  strain(2) Hz(-1) sr(-1) for pointlike and extended sources, respectively. The latter result is the first of its kind. We also set 90% C.L. limits on the narrow-band root-mean-square GW strain from interesting targets including Sco X-1, SN 1987A and the Galactic center as low as ≈7×10(-25) in the most sensitive frequency range near 160 Hz.

P3-04-01: Molecular Characterization of African Breast Cancer; Results from a Large Tissue Microarray Study

Introduction: Breast cancer in African women has been understudied for decades. Evidence derived mainly from studies on African-American women, supports that tumours of black women are biologically different and more aggressive than those occurring in the white population. Of the 4 main taxonomic groups of breast cancer, basal tumours are more represented in those women. In the present state of knowledge, very little is known about the biology and molecular profile of breast cancer in Africa. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the molecular profile of African breast cancer is distinct from its Western counterpart. This was achieved by collecting a large cohort of breast carcinomas from an indigenous African population for phenotypical characterization and testing for expression of potential predictive and prognostic markers.

Methods: Breast tumours were collected via collaboration with five centres in Nigeria (the most populous country in Africa) and assembled into tissue microarrays (TMAs). All tumours were reviewed by a specialist breast pathologist following the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) guidelines to confirm diagnosis, type, grade and nodal status. Patients age, tumour size and clinical data, where available, were collected from the original pathology reports and case notes. Representative tumour areas were selected and marked for TMA construction. TMA sections were stained for a range of markers including hormone receptors (ERα, ERβ, PR, AR), cyclin D, HER2, Ki67, bcl2, basal (CK5/6, CK14) and luminal cytokeratins (CK18, 19).

Results: A total of 830 tumours were assembled into TMAs. The mean age at diagnosis was 47.69yrs with 58% of patients presenting under the age of 50. Only 8.5% of tumours were of grade 1. Most tumours (87%) were of ductal no special type, followed by lobular and metaplastic carcinomas. The majority of the tumours were ERα, PR and HER2 negative (77%, 80% and 81% respectively). The triple negative tumours were the predominant phenotype (55.6%). Luminal A type tumours comprised 24.3% followed by the HER2 positive (13.9%) and luminal B tumours (6.2%). The differences of all those parameters were statistically highly significant (p&lt;0.001). Most tumours expressed ERß including 75% of those that were ERα/PR negative. A large proportion of the tumours (22%) were of the basal phenotype of which two thirds were also triple negative. Over half of the triple negative tumours were also node positive.

Hierarchal cluster analysis showed the basal tumours dendrogram to comprise two groups; one showing clustering of ***ERα/PR/HER2 and the second showing clustering of ERß with CK5 and CK14.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is largest and most comprehensive study of African breast cancer to date. Our data confirms the hypothesis that African breast cancer is biologically distinct and shows remarkable differences in histological type, grade, hormone receptors & HER2 status when compared with breast cancer in white women. The early age at presentation, predominance of high grade and triple negative, but not necessarily basal phenotype, may explain the poor prognosis and requires tailoring treatment strategies to target this unique profile.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-04-01.

Pharmacognostic standardization of leaves of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

Calotropis procera, belonging to the Asclepidaceae family, is present more or less throughout India and in other warm, dry places such as, Warizistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, and tropical Africa. Its common names are Akra, Akanal, and Madar. The leaves of Calotropis procera are said to be valuable as an antidote for snake bite, sinus fistula, rheumatism, mumps, burn injuries, and body pain. The leaves of Calotropis procera are also used to treat jaundice. A study on Calotropis procera leaf samples extracted the air-dried leaf powder with different solvents such as petroleum-ether (60-80°C), benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and sterile water. Preliminary phytochemical analysis was done long with measurement of the leaf constants, fluorescence characteristics, and extractive values. Quantitative estimation of total ash value, acid insoluble ash, and water- soluble ash may serve as useful indices for identification of the powdered drug. Histochemical studies which reveal rows of cylindrical palisade cells and, vascular bundles may also serve as useful indices for identification of the tissues. These studies suggested that the observed pharmacognostic and physiochemical parameters are of great value in quality control and formulation development of Calotropis procera.

Trisomy 9 in a Patient with Acute Myelogenous Leukaemia FAB Type M2: A Rare Occurrence

Complete trisomy 9 is a rare cytogenetic abnormality in haematological malignancies. Here we present the case history of a patient with clinical diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukaemia (FAB type M2) and having trisomy 9 with adverse outcome.

Distribution of malignant neoplasms reported at different pathology centers and hospitals in Jaipur, Rajasthan

BACKGROUND

Cancer data from Rajasthan are limited. Only two studies, one from Western Rajasthan, and the other from Eastern Rajasthan have been published by Sharma et al. in 1992 and 1996.

AIMS

To put the cancer profile from this region in proper perspective, we conducted the present study on the patterns of various malignancies in Jaipur region, i.e., Eastern Rajasthan. SETTING AND DESIGN AND MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study spans over one and half decade (1990-2004) and is based on a retrospective six-year sample analysis of approximately 200,000 histopathological and cytological reports for the years 1990, 1991, 1996, 1999, 2001 and 2004.

RESULTS

A total of 21,868 cancers were recorded in the six sample years. There were 59.11% (12,926) males and 40.89% (8942) females, with the male to female ratio being 1.45:1. Organ wise, lung (8.45%), prostate (7.12%), brain (6.04%), urinary bladder (5.31%), esophagus (4.67%) and tongue (4.60%) are most common sites involved in males with regard to frequency, whereas breast (20.44%), cervix (14.99%), ovary (4.35%), brain (3.80%), esophagus (3.67%), uterus (3.01%) and rectum (2.80%) are common sites for malignancies in females.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant findings were a higher frequency of cancers of the prostate, urinary bladder, and brain in males along with gall bladder cancers in females. Our figures have been compared with the national data.

Pharmaceutical product development technologies based on the biopharmaceutical classification system

Poor solubility and poor permeability account for many pharmacokinetic failures and about thirty percent of drug molecules are rejected due to pharmacokinetic failures. When poor pharmaceutical properties are discovered in development, the cost of bringing a potent, but poorly absorbable molecule to the product stage by formulation can become very high. Fast and reliable in vitro prediction strategies are needed to filter out problematic molecules at the earliest stage of discovery. This communication will consider recent developments in physiochemical profiles used to identify molecules with physical properties related to good oral absorption. FDA's biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) is an attempt to rationalize the critical components related to oral absorption and utilization of these principles for selection of a suitable technology to serve the interests of the early stages of drug discovery.

Genetic screening in couples experiencing recurrent assisted procreation failure

Infertility is a major health problem affecting about 10-20% of couples in the reproductive age group. Male factor is assumed to be responsible in about 50% cases of infertility. The origin of reduced testicular sperm function is unknown in about 50-70% of cases and for such couples assisted reproduction techniques (ART) are a boon. Male infertility is often due to poor semen quality and may be associated with genetic defects. ART has revolutionized management of infertility and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is the ART procedure of choice in 60-80% cases. Despite major technological advancements and professional expertise in ART, the success rate and carry-home live birth rate of ICSI is low (18-25%). This study was aimed to understand the genetic etiopathology of recurrent ART failure. For this, 110 couples with 3 or more failed ART cycles were recruited. A detailed history was taken and only idiopathic ART failure cases were enrolled for this study. They were subjected to cytogenetic and Yq microdeletion analysis. Genetic abnormalities were detected in 19 couples. Since a large number (18.2%) cases harboured genetic abnormalities, it is important for all couples opting for ART to undergo a thorough genetic analysis to prevent recurrent emotional, physical and financial stress.

Neuroaspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient

Aspergillosis of the central nervous system (CNS) is an uncommon infection, mainly occurring in immunocompromised patients. We report a case of neuroaspergillosis caused by Aspergillus flavus in an immunocompetent patient presenting as a space-occupying lesion of the CNS. The patient was responding favorably to voriconazole at the time of this report.

Congenital duodenal obstruction due to a preduodenal portal vein

Only about 80 cases of pre-duodenal portal vein (PDPV), a rare congenital anomaly of portal vein development that was first described by Knight in 1921, have been reported till date.[1] We report a neonate with duodenal obstruction caused by PDPV and briefly review the available literature.

Urinary tract infection byTrichosporon asahii

Trichosporon asahii is a basidiomycetous yeast which causes white piedra and onychomycosis in immunocompetent hosts as well as various localized and disseminated invasive infections in immunodeficient hosts. Urinary tract infection caused by Trichosporon asahii is rare. One month after posterior urethral valve surgery a seven-month-old male child presented with fever, severe vomiting and crying on micturition for five--to six days. Yeast-like fungus was isolated in pure cultures from three consecutive urine samples. It was identified as Trichosporon asahii using standard techniques. The response to antifungal therapy was dramatic. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of a urinary tract infection caused by Trichosporon asahii from Western India.

An evaluation of ontology exchange languages for bioinformatics

Ontologies are specifications of the concepts in a given field, and of the relationships among those concepts. The development of ontologies for molecular-biology information and the sharing of those ontologies within the bioinformatics community are central problems in bioinformatics. If the bioinformatics community is to share ontologies effectively, ontologies must be exchanged in a form that uses standardized syntax and semantics. This paper reports on an effort among the authors to evaluate alternative ontology-exchange languages, and to recommend one or more languages for use within the larger bioinformatics community. The study selected a set of candidate languages, and defined a set of capabilities that the ideal ontology-exchange language should satisfy. The study scored the languages according to the degree to which they satisfied each capability. In addition, the authors performed several ontology-exchange experiments with the two languages that received the highest scores: OML and Ontolingua. The result of those experiments, and the main conclusion of this study, was that the frame-based semantic model of Ontolingua is preferable to the conceptual graph model of OML, but that the XML-based syntax of OML is preferable to the Lisp-based syntax of Ontolingua.

Estrogenic effects of extracts from cabbage, fermented cabbage, and acidified brussels sprouts on growth and gene expression of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells

Cruciferous vegetable extracts from freeze-dried cabbage (FDC), freeze-dried fermented cabbage (FDS), and acidified Brussels sprouts (ABS) were prepared by exhaustive extraction with ethyl acetate. Estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects of these extracts were analyzed. To identify whether the extracts are potential estrogen receptor (ER) ligands that can act as agonists or antagonists, the binding affinity of extracts for the ER was measured using a competitive radiometric binding assay. The extracts bound with low affinity to the ER, and the relative binding affinity is estradiol > FDS > FDC > ABS. These extracts were evaluated for their estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities in estrogen-dependent human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells using as endpoints proliferation and induction of estrogen-responsive pS2 gene expression, which was analyzed using Northern blot assay. At low concentrations (5-25 ng/mL) all of the extracts reduced 1 nM estradiol-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation. Extracts at 25 ng/mL also inhibited estradiol-induced pS2 mRNA expression. At higher extract concentrations (50 ng/mL-25 microg/mL), however, increased proliferation in MCF-7 cells was observed. Similarly, expression of the pS2 gene was induced by higher extract concentrations (0.25-25 microg/mL). The pure estrogen antagonist, ICI 182,780, suppressed the cell proliferation induced by the extracts as well as by estradiol and also the induction of pS2 expression by the extracts. The ER subtype-selective activities of FDC and FDS were analyzed using a transfection assay in human endometrial adenocarcinoma (HEC-1) cells. FDS acted as an ERalpha-selective agonist while FDC fully activated both ER-alpha and ER-beta. Growth of the ER-negative MDA-231 cells was not affected by the extracts or by estradiol. This study demonstrates that cruciferous vegetable extracts act bifunctionally, like an antiestrogen at low concentrations and an estrogen agonist at high concentrations.

Age-related difference in cardiac adaptation to chronic hypertension in rats, with and without nifedipine treatment

Three myosin isozymes, V1 (alphaalpha MHC = Myosin Heavy Chain gene), V2 (alphabeta MHC) and V3 (betaalpha MHC) that are identified in the cardiac ventricles of most mammals have been shown to shift to a V3 predominance pattern during cardiac growth and in response to left ventricular pressure overload, and to V1 predominance following anti hypertensive treatment. This study examined whether long-term hypertension impairs the ability of the adult heart to restructure myosin isozyme proportions. Using pyrophosphate gel electrophoresis, we studied proportions of cardiac myosin isozymes (V1 and V3) in young (16 weeks) and adult (36 weeks) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and following 12 weeks of nifedipine (N) treatment in age-matched SHR rats (SHR-N). The values of V1 and V3 myosin isozymes were derived by adding half of the value of V2 to each isozyme proportion. The V3 proportion in the young SHR control (SHR-C) group (49%) was 34% higher (p < 0.05) than in the young Wistar Kyoto control (WKY-C) group (37%). However, the proportion was similarly high, though not statistically significant, in both the adult SHRC (73%) and WKY-C (71%) groups. The proportion in the young SHR-N group (29%) was 41% lower (p < 0.05) than in the young SHR-C group (49%), and the proportion in the adult SHR-N group (47%) was 34% lower (p < 0.05) than in the adult SHR-C group (73%). The ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight (LVW/BW), which determines left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), was higher in both young and adult SHR-C (26%, p < 0.05, and 42%, p < 0.05, respectively) than in WKY-C groups. The mean LVW/BW was 27% (p < 0.05) greater in adult than in young SHR-C rats. The LVW/BW in both age groups of treated SHR-N was similar to that in age matched WKY-C rats.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that a rise in the V3 level occurs in young hypertensive rats, but no rise occurs in the V3 level in adult hypertensive rats. High blood pressure seems to contribute to the high V3 level in young hypertensive rats, but in adult hypertensive rats, high blood pressure does not accentuate the V3 rise already acquired due to the aging process. Nifedipine treatment in both young and adult hypertensive rats prevented the V3 rise due to hypertension and to the aging process. This effect of nifedipine seems to be through its antihypertensive action.

Synthesis and study of some 4-aza and 17a-azasteroidal isoxazoles

4-Aza-5 alpha-androstano[2,3-d]isoxazole 4 and 17a-aza-D-homo-5-androsteno[17,16-c]isoxazole 7 have been prepared by treating alpha,beta-unsaturated-beta-chloroaldehydes 3 and 6 [1, 2] with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in pyridine. [16,17-d]Isoxazole derivatives 4 and 8 were found to be unstable in most of the organic solvents. beta-Cyanolactam derivatives 5 and 9 have also been prepared in both the series.

A survey of graduates in practice from the University of New Mexico's conventional and community-oriented, problem-based tracks

PURPOSE

To survey graduates in practice from the first four classes of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine's (UNMSOM's) parallel curricular tracks, and compare data about the graduates' practice patterns, learning behaviors, and satisfaction with the profession of medicine.

METHOD

Between 1979 and 1993, the UNMSOM had two tracks for the first two years of medical school: a conventional track and the Primary Care Curriculum (PCC), a community-oriented, problem-based track. In 1990, a survey was conducted of the 140 graduates from the first four classes (1983-1986) who had completed their postgraduate training: 40 from the PCC and 100 from the conventional track. Statistical methods included two-way analyses of variance, logistic regression, and chi-square, adjusted by Bonferroni methods. Comparisons between tracks are reported after adjustments were made for specialty effects.

RESULTS

Thirty-three graduates (83%) from the PCC and 87 (87%) from the conventional tracks responded. The PCC graduates were much more likely to work in medically underserved areas, practice in publicly funded health care settings, and care for non-paying patients. The PCC graduates more often identified patient problems and curiosity as providing motivation for their learning. They more frequently studied clinical medicine and community health topics and spent time in community activities. The PCC graduates felt better prepared for practice by their undergraduate medical education. There was no difference between the graduates of the two tracks in the sizes of the populations in which they practiced, in the criteria they used for deciding on referrals to other physicians, in the ranges of community resource utilization, or in the degrees of satisfaction within their chosen professions. Large percentages of graduates from both tracks (67% conventional and 79% PCC) considered themselves to be practicing either primary care or a combination of primary care and non-primary care. In addition, 38% of all the graduates practiced in the state of New Mexico. More PCC graduates chose careers in family practice; however, no significant difference was found in a comparison between the proportions of PCC and conventional-track graduates who chose primary care careers.

CONCLUSION

Track differences favorable to the PCC were evident in relation to the two major goals established by the program: to attract graduates to careers in primary care in rural and underserved areas and to provide graduates with self-directed, lifelong learning skills. Some expected track effects were not found.

Personality dimensions in panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder

To make a dimensional assessment of personality in individuals with pathological anxiety, the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ) was administered to 32 patients with panic disorder (PD) and 49 patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The most striking findings were a substantially increased score on the harm avoidance dimension in both groups of patients, and a lack of significant differences between the TPQ scores in patients with PD and GAD. The former finding suggests that higher levels of harm avoidance may be common to (although not necessarily specific for) various types of anxiety disorders. The latter finding is in agreement with the findings that PD and GAD do not differ significantly with respect to the associated personality disorder diagnoses, which may further cast a doubt on the validity of the distinction between PD and GAD.

Imagery rehearsal treatment for chronic nightmares

Fifty-eight chronic nightmare sufferers were randomly assigned to two groups: treatment (n = 39) and wait-list control (n = 19). Treated Ss were taught a cognitive-behavioral technique called imagery rehearsal in which they learned in a waking state to change a nightmare and then to visualize the new set of images. Subjects were assessed pre-treatment and 3 months followup for nightmare frequency, self-rated distress and subjective sleep quality. Compared to controls, the treatment group showed significant and clinically meaningful decreases in nightmares. Treated Ss decreased nightmares as measured in nights/week (mean = -2.0, SD = 1.7, P = 0.0001) and actual number of nightmares (mean = -4.2, SD = 4.5, P = 0.0001). Significant improvement in self-rated sleep quality occurred in those treated compared with controls (P = 0.004); and, reduction in nightmares was a significant predictor of improvement in sleep (r = 0.55, P = 0.0001). These preliminary results lend support to the theory that, for some chronic sufferers, nightmares may be conceptualized as a primary sleep disorder which can be effectively and inexpensively treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy.