Unique territorial and sub-chromosomal organization revealed in the holocentric moth Bombyx mori

The hallmarks of chromosome organization in multicellular eukaryotes are chromosome territories (CT), chromatin compartments, and different types of domains, including topologically associated domains (TADs). Yet, most of these concepts derive from analyses of organisms with monocentric chromosomes. Here we describe the 3D genome architecture of an organism with holocentric chromosomes, the silkworm Bombyx mori . At the genome-wide scale, B. mori chromosomes form highly separated territories and lack substantial trans contacts. As described in other eukaryotes, B. mori chromosomes segregate into an active A and an inactive B compartment. Remarkably, we also identify a third compartment, Secluded "S", with a unique contact pattern. Compartment S shows strong enrichment of short-range contacts and depletion of long-range contacts. It hosts a unique combination of genetic and epigenetic features, localizes at the periphery of CTs and shows developmental plasticity. Biophysical modeling shows that formation of such secluded domains requires a new mechanism - a high density of extruded loops within them along with low level of extrusion and compartmentalization of A and B. Together with other evidence of loop extrusion in interphase, this suggests SMC-mediated loop extrusion in this insect. Overall, our analyses highlight the evolutionary plasticity of 3D genome organization driven by a new combination of known processes.

A systematic review of quality and consistency of clinical practice guidelines on the primary prevention of food allergy and atopic dermatitis

Background and aims

With an increasing number of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) addressing primary prevention of food allergy and atopic dermatitis, it is timely to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the quality and consistency of recommendations and evaluation of their implementability in different geographical settings.

Methods

We systematically reviewed CPGs from 8 international databases and extensive website searches. Seven reviewers screened records in any language and then used the AGREE II and AGREE REX instruments to critically appraise CPGs published between January 2011 and April 2022.

Results

Our search identified 2138 relevant articles, of which 30 CPGs were eventually included. Eight (27%) CPGs were shortlisted based on our predefined quality criteria of achieving scores >70% in the "Scope and Purpose" and "Rigour of Development" domains of the AGREE II instrument. Among the shortlisted CPGs, scores on the "Applicability" domain were generally low, and only 3 CPGs rated highly in the "Implementability" domain of AGREE-REX, suggesting that the majority of CPGs fared poorly on global applicability. Recommendations on maternal diet and complementary feeding in infants were mostly consistent, but recommendations on use of hydrolysed formula and supplements varied considerably.

Conclusion

The overall quality of a CPG for Food Allergy and Atopic Dermatitis prevention did not correlate well with its global applicability. It is imperative that CPG developers consider stakeholders' preferences, local applicability, and adapt existing recommendations to each individual population and healthcare system to ensure successful implementation. There is a need for development of high-quality CPGs for allergy prevention outside of North America and Europe.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021265689.

Specifying the role of the left prefrontal cortex in word selection

Word selection allows us to choose words during language production. This is often viewed as a competitive process wherein a lexical representation is retrieved among semantically-related alternatives. The left prefrontal cortex (LPFC) is thought to help overcome competition for word selection through top-down control. However, whether the LPFC is always necessary for word selection remains unclear. We tested 6 LPFC-injured patients and controls in two picture naming paradigms varying in terms of item repetition. Both paradigms elicited the expected semantic interference effects (SIE), reflecting interference caused by semantically-related representations in word selection. However, LPFC patients as a group showed a larger SIE than controls only in the paradigm involving item repetition. We argue that item repetition increases interference caused by semantically-related alternatives, resulting in increased LPFC-dependent cognitive control demands. The remaining network of brain regions associated with word selection appears to be sufficient when items are not repeated.

Temporal modulation of the canonical clockwork in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and olfactory bulb by the mammary pheromone 2MB2 in pre-visual rabbits

During the early stages of development, the olfactory system plays a vital role in the survival of altricial mammals. One remarkable example is the Oryctolagus cuniculus, whose mother-young interaction greatly depends on the 2-methylbut-2-enal (2MB2) pheromone that triggers nipple search and grasping behaviors. Olfactory stimulation with 2MB2 regulates the expression of the core body temperature and locomotor activity rhythms in rabbit pups, indicating the modulation of the circadian system by this volatile cue. To address this issue, in the present study, we determined the effect of stimulation with pulses of 2MB2 on the molecular circadian clockwork in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and in the main olfactory bulb (MOB). For this purpose, 7-day-old rabbits were stimulated with distilled water (CON), with ethyl isobutyrate (ETHYL) or with the pheromone (2MB2) at different times of the cycle, and 1h later, the expression of the activity marker C-FOS and of the clock proteins PER1, CRY1 and BMAL1 was evaluated in the SCN and in the three layers of the MOB. The clock proteins were abundantly expressed in both structures; nevertheless these showed diurnal rhythmicity only in the MOB, confirming that central pacemakers exhibit a heterochronical development of the molecular clockwork. C-FOS expression in the SCN and in the MOB was modulated by exposure to ETHYL and to 2MB2 only when these stimulants were presented at ZT00 and at ZT18. In contrast, the clock proteins were essentially modulated by 2MB2 at ZT00 and at ZT06 in both structures. In addition, the PER1 and CRY1 proteins exhibited differential responses to stimulation in the three layers of the MOB. For the first time, we report a modulatory and time-dependent effect of the mammary pheromone 2MB2 on the expression of the core clock proteins in the SCN and in the MOB in rabbits during pre-visual stages of development.

Cochlear function in mice with only one copy of the prestin gene

Targeted deletion of the prestin gene reduces cochlear sensitivity and eliminates both frequency selectivity and outer hair cell (OHC) somatic electromotility. In addition, it has been reported by Liberman and colleagues that F2 generation heterozygotes exhibit a 6 dB reduction in sensitivity, as well as a decrease in protein and electromotility. Considering that the active process is non-linear, a halving of somatic electromotility would be expected to produce a much larger change in sensitivity. We therefore re-evaluated comparisons between heterozygotes and wildtype mice using both in vivo and in vitro electrophysiology, as well as molecular biology. Data reported here for F3-F5 generation mice indicate that compound action potential thresholds and tuning curves, as well as the cochlear microphonic, are similar in heterozygotes and wildtype controls. Measurements of non-linear capacitance in isolated OHCs demonstrate that charge density, as well as the voltage dependence and sensitivity of motor function, is indistinguishable in the two genotypes, as is somatic electromotility. In addition, both immunocytochemistry and western blot analysis in young adult mice suggest that prestin protein in heterozygotes is near normal. In contrast, prestin mRNA is always less than in wildtype mice at all ages tested. Results from F3-F5 generation mice suggest that one copy of the prestin gene is capable of compensating for the deleted copy and that heterozygous mice do not suffer peripheral hearing impairment.

Usefulness of chemotherapy as prophylaxis of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation in advanced hepatocellular carcinomas

INTRODUCTION

The effectiveness of chemotherapy as prophylaxis of tumor recurrence after liver transplantation in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is controversial.

AIM

Our goal was to assess the outcomes of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with chemotherapy after liver transplant.

METHODS

Ten patients with liver transplants performed between 1993-2002 were men of mean age 55 years. The etiology of cirrhosis was hepatitis C in four patients, alcoholic cirrhosis in four, and cryptogenic cirrhosis in two. Immunosuppressive therapy was cyclosporine in five patients and tacrolimus in five. The chemotherapy regimen used adriamycin (20 mg/m2 weekly for 20 weeks). Six patients were stage IVA and four stage III. Hepatocellular carcinoma was known in five patients and incidental in the other five. Pathology revealed well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma in six patients and moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma in four. Five patients had vascular invasion.

RESULTS

After a mean posttransplant follow-up of 28 months, six patients (60%) were alive without tumor recurrence, three (30%) had died from tumor recurrence and one due to P. carinii pneumonia. Disease-free survival among patients with stage III was 50% and 80% for stage IVA. Three patients with vascular invasion died of tumor recurrence, and the other two are alive and free of disease. Disease-free survival rates were 83% in patients with well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma and 25% in those with moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma. Tolerance of chemotherapy was good with two withdrawals due to nephrotoxicity and myelotoxicity and one death from pneumonia.

CONCLUSION

The use of adriamycin in patients undergoing liver transplant due to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma may be useful to prevent tumor recurrence; it is well tolerated. The presence of vascular tumor invasion and a lower grade of histologic differentiation were associated with a poor prognosis.

Effectiveness and safety of mycophenolate mofetil as monotherapy in liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION

Calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) cause substantial long-term morbidity and mortality among orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) patients. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) among OLT patients with CI-related side effects.

PATIENTS

Thirty three adult patients, including 29 men and 4 women of mean age 57 years, underwent OLT between 1986 and 2000 under treatment with CIs (28 cyclosporine and five tacrolimus). Mean follow-up after OLT was 59 months. Adverse effects were renal dysfunction in 26, hypertension in 23, and neurotoxicity in two. MMF was added gradually while simultaneously reducing the dosage of CI.

RESULTS

After a mean 15-months follow-up of MMF treatment, CIs had been withdrawn in 28 patients (85%). The mean time from the initiation of MMF and CI withdrawal was 5 months. During the first year of follow-up chronic renal dysfunction improved in 16 of 26 patients (61.6%) accompanied by a decreased serum creatinine and urea and an increase in creatinine clearance. Among 13/23 (56.5%) hypertensive patients, there was a significant decrease in blood pressure or the number of antihypertensive drugs (P<.05). One patient with neurotoxicity improved. Twenty-two patients (66%) displayed adverse events: five rejections (15%) including four acute episodes, controlled by CI re-introduction, and one chronic reaction. The most frequent adverse effects were herpes simplex infection in 10 patients (30%), asthenia in nine (27%), diarrhea in five (15%) and thrombocytopenia in four (12%). Nevertheless, only six patients (19%) required MMF dose reduction, namely, three patients with GI intolerance, two with repeated VHS infections, and one with anemia.

CONCLUSIONS

MMF monotherapy improves renal function and blood pressure levels in more than 50% of patients with chronic renal impairment and hypertension after OLT. Many of the side effects of MMF were mild; it was safe accompanied by a low incidence of rejection reactions.

[Neurovegetative diseases in dementia]

Dementia is the result of the dysfunction and death of cells in the central and peripheral nervous system. Of diverse etiology, these processes are insidious in their onset and are characterized by a progressive neural depletion resulting in a range of cognitive deficits, including a deterioration in the capacity to learn and a tendency to forget what has been learned. Neurodegenerative diseases resulting in dementia include: Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington, Pick, and Creutzfeld Jakob, as well as dementias with multiple etiologies. The population with the highest probability of suffering from one of these diseases are those over 50 years of age, because they have reduced circulating levels of gonadal hormones, one of several risk factors associated with the onset of dementia. Anatomical areas most commonly affected include the hippocampus, the primary motor and somatosensory areas, various limbic structures, and the parieto-temporal, frontal, and entorhinal corticies. Affliction of this last area has been suggested to account for the early olfactory dysfunction often shown by patients after the onset of Alzheimer and Parkinson, leading to the suggestion that olfactory testing could be useful in the early diagnosis of such neurodegenerative diseases.

Synthesis, structure, and antitumor activity of a novel tetranuclear titanium complex

The coordination complex cyclo-tetrakis[bis(1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolon-5-ato++ +)mu-o xotitanium(IV)] has been synthesized and characterized with IR and NMR spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction. The core of this species consists of an eight-membered Ti-mu-oxo ring with alternate short-long Ti-O bond lengths. Besides these two O ligands, each metal is bound octahedrally to four O atoms from two chelating 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolon-5-ato anions. Several sets of Ti-O bond lengths are present: the shortest are the two Ti-O(oxo) (which are cis to each other), the longest are the two Ti-O(acyl) (cis to each other), and the two Ti-O(pyrazolonato) (trans to each other) are intermediate. The beta-diketonate ligand asymmetry, a feature considered essential in other antitumor Ti compounds, induces the short-long Ti-O(oxo) sequence of bond lengths. The antitumor activity of this compound, encapsulated in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine liposome, has been studied in vitro using TA-3 (mouse mammary adenocarcinoma), HEP-2 (human epithelial larynx carcinoma), and VERO (African green monkey kidney) cell lines and in vivo in CF-1 and AJ female mice ip inoculated with TA-3. In vitro cytotoxicity is greater for TA-3 than for HEP-2 and null for VERO cell lines. In vivo results show a marked increase in survival time (T/C = 293% for AJ and 208% for CF-1), whereas tumor weight decrease was observed for CF-1-treated mice. These results suggest the Ti complex-liposome system may be promising as an antitumor drug.

Phototoxicity induced by nalidixic and oxolinic acids: decrease in cell survival of chick embryo fibroblasts and Hep-2 cells

The phototoxic effects of nalidixic and oxolinic acids were evaluated in two types of cultured cells: chick embryo fibroblast and Hep-2 (human laryngo carcinoma cell line). In order to evaluate the phototoxicity induced by nalidixic and oxolinic acids, both cell types were irradiated for 5 min in the presence of each drug. The results showed an inverse relationship between cell survival and the concentration of the drug added to the culture medium. The concentrations of nalidixic and oxolinic acids necessary to induce a phototoxic effect were in the range of therapeutic blood levels. Both chick embryo fibroblasts and Hep-2 cells were more sensitive to the phototoxic effect induced by nalidixic acid than oxolinic acid.

[Significance of the non-peritonization technic in extended lymphadenocolpohysterectomies in uterine cancer. Analysis and results in a series cases]

The gravity of the pelvic lymphocysts after extended lymphadeno-colpo-hysterectomies for uterine cancers has been outlined in many studies and only a preventive strategy can reduce the morbidity, which is mainly of urinary order. The present technique is in line with this approach and breaches the peritonization dogma in gynaecology. After the presentation of 60 cases of extended colpo-hysterectomies with iliac lymphadenectomy and without reperitonization, the authors study the post-operative lymphorrhea and evaluate the morbidity proper to the technique by comparing their results with the literature data. The safety , the feasibility of the technique and its preventive role in the development of lymphocysts should favour its expansion in pelvic cancer surgery.

[Hürthle cell tumor of the thyroid gland. Analysis of a series of 33 cases]

Hurthle cell or oxyphil cell tumours of the thyroid, which consist of large cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, rich in mitochondria, have given rise to much controversy in recent years. Difficulty in histological diagnosis (benign or malignant), unexpected evolution, and the possibility of very late recurrence and metastasis occurring in cases which were previously labelled benign, characterise these ambiguous tumours. Their malignant forms are most often classified with vesicular cancers of the thyroid. They differ from the latter by the frequent presence of lymphatic metastases, the lack of effect of I 131 on distant metastases and their poorer prognosis. The experience of the authors is based upon a series of 33 cases of Hurthle cell tumours of the thyroid treated surgically (27 benign, 6 malignant), with a mean age of 44 years for benign lesions and 50 years for cancers (range 17 to 69 years) showing a clear female predominance (66% of cases). They most often presented clinically as a cold thyroid nodule which tended to be larger in the case of cancers (5 out of 6 cases had a diameter of more than 5 cm). The limits of resection were most often dictated by the results of per-operative frozen section: total lobectomy + isthmectomy for benign tumours and total thyroidectomy if macroscopic or histological signs of malignancy were present (spread beyond the capsule, vascular invasion, lymphatic metastases), with cervical node clearance if N+. The 27 cases who underwent surgery for benign tumours have survived (1 single local recurrence after 7 years, without any malignant progression and a median survival of 7 years). No deaths have occurred among the 6 cases of malignant tumours (follow-up ranging from 1 to 9 years, median 5.4 years) but a present metastases. A study of the series published in the literature confirms the difficulty with diagnosis in terms of the benign or malignant nature of the tumours. It also stresses the justification for relatively aggressive surgery on the thyroid parenchyma and the need for a very long period of locoregional and general surveillance in order to assess the results of treatment. Survival rates for malignant forms range from 60 to 65% at 10 years and from 25 to 47% at 15 years.

[Gastric metastases of cancer of the breast. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]

Since they are rare and often latent, gastric metastases from breast cancer, principally lobular, are difficult to diagnose particularly at the isolated stage. The primitive and non specific nature of their symptomatology and the negativity of endoscopic biopsies should lead to early explorative laparotomy. Surgery is often palliative to reduce tumor load and seldom involves complete excision, and can only hope to obtain prolonged survival if followed by chemotherapy, hormone therapy or indeed radiotherapy. Following a recent personal case a review of the worldwide literature was carried out and the principal pathogenic hypotheses were analysed.

[Prevention of radiation injuries of the small intestine with pelvic exclusion by polyglactin 910 mesh. Contribution to gynecologic and digestive cancer surgery]

Used in 13 cases of advanced gynecological and gastrointestinal carcinoma, pelvic exclusion using a suspension of the small intestine above the pelvis using absorbable material. The low-level of morbidity, value in dosimetric estimation, perfect feasibility and low cost of this technique should lead to its more widespread use whilst strictly respecting its indications. Nuclear magnetic resonance has been found to be a particularity novel and valuable method of post-operative investigation in visualisation and assessment of resorption of the polyglactine 910 trellis. Results in this series are analyzed at the end of a 5 to 14 month follow-up period and compared with data from experimental and clinical studies in the recent world literature.

Effect of ammonium chloride on the multiplication of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus

The multiplication of IPNV in CHSE cells is inhibited by ammonium chloride. This inhibition is complete if NH4Cl is added early in the infective cycle. Immunofluorescence analysis shows that NH4Cl reduces the number of virus producing cells and thus suggests it may act by inhibiting virus internalization. In addition, NH4Cl can produce partial inhibition of IPNV multiplication if added later in the replicative cycle. Analysis of 3H-uridine incorporation into viral RNA shows that this later effect could be an inhibition of viral RNA synthesis.

[Sarcoma of the breast]

Reports of 4 personal cases of breast sarcomas (3 cases of cystosarcoma phyllodes and 1 angiosarcoma), the authors review the literature concerning these rare tumors which account for less than 1% of malignant tumors of the breast. Whilst the usual clinical picture is that of a large tumor deforming the breast with pseudo-inflammatory signs, sarcomas 1 to 3 cm in diameter were discovered and treated with good chances of recovery. The natural history of breast sarcomas is marked above all by the risk of hematogenic metastatic spread (30% of cases) whilst very few (5%) local recurrences are seen following surgical treatment by mastectomy. Emphasis is placed upon problems of histological diagnosis of the variety of sarcoma and the demonstration of histoprognostic factors which can be used to predict the outcome (mitotic activity, grading) showing evidence of good correlation in the series analyzed. The various characteristics of cystosarcoma phyllodes are described emphasizing the conditions surrounding its development, relations with benign phyllodes tumors. The particular severity of this sarcomatous form in the very young woman is mentioned. Prevention lies in the sufficiently extensive excision of the phyllodes tumor. Mesenchymatous sarcomas of the breast are also accompanied by a fairly favorable prognosis (5 year actuarial survival of 50 to 80% according to series). By contrast, two special and rare histological varieties, angiosarcoma and lymphosarcoma, are characterized by a much more gloomy prognosis and require different treatment including radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

[Spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastasis of cancer of the kidney. Apropos of a case occurring after the irradiation of a pelvic metastasis. Review of the literature]

Spontaneous regression of metastases from cancer of kidney is an exceptional event, original but non-specific to this neoplasm. Observed principally in secondary pulmonary localizations this phenomenon occurs most frequently after nephrectomy. A personal case is presented of regression of pulmonary images considered as being metastatic after irradiation of a pelvic metastasis from renal adenocarcinoma, and a literature review carried out. The various pathogenic hypotheses are discussed and the place of nephrectomy for metastatic renal cancer (Robson's stage IV) debated.

[Trophoblastic tumor of placental location or trophoblastic pseudotumor. Apropos of 2 cases. Review of the literature]

Two cases of trophoblastic tumor of placental site are reported, less than 30 such lesions being listed in the published literature. Identification of this tumor from among other trophoblastic lesions is facilitated by immunohistochemical and electron microscopy technics, and demonstration of histoprognostic and biologic criteria improves assessment of evolutory potential of this type of tumor and allows adaptation of therapy. Treatment at the localized stage requires early diagnosis and wide surgical excision, results of chemotherapy in metastatic forms being, inversely than with choriocarcinoma, very deceiving.

[Importance of elastic compression of the lower limbs in the prevention of venous thrombosis in digestive surgery]

A group of 25 patients having to undergo laparotomy were prescribed thrombo-embolic preventive stockings of graduated elasticity to be worm from 48 hours before the operation until 9 days afterwards. This group was compared to another group of 25 patients. The thromboses were detected using the fibrinogen test and the Doppler. This study demonstrates the efficiency of prophylactic anti-thrombotic stockings using graduated compression.