Sero-epidemiological Study of Peste Des Petits Ruminants in Sheep and Goats in India Between 2003 and 2009

Revue Scientifique Et Technique (International Office of Epizootics). Dec, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22435199

This study describes the serosurveillance of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats that was carried out between 2003 and 2009 using serum samples from animals suspected of PPR that were submitted to the Rinderpest and Allied Disease Laboratory (Division of Virology of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute [IVRI]). A total of 2,197 serum samples from sheep and 2,687 from goats were screened for PPR virus (PPRV) antibody using a monoclonal antibody-based competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed at IVRI. Screening of the 4,884 serum samples showed that the prevalence of PPRV antibody in sheep and goats was 41.01% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.86 to 50.16) and 46.11% (95% CI: 37.18 to 55.04), respectively, with an overall prevalence of 43.56% (95% CI: 36.78 to 50.34) during the period. This indicates increased and widespread infection with the virus in India compared with earlier reports, which is attributed to the variations in sheep and goat husbandry practices in different regions, the agro-climatic conditions, the topography of different states, the socio-economic status of individual farmers and the migration of livestock in India.

Defining Host-symbiont Collaboration in Termite Lignocellulose Digestion: "The View from the Tip of the Iceberg"

Communicative & Integrative Biology. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22446549

Termites have the unique ability to exploit lignocellulose as a primary nutrition source. Traditionally, termite lignocellulose digestion has been considered as a gut-symbiont-mediated process; however, in recent years the importance of host digestive capabilities have become apparent. Despite this growing understanding, how digestive enzymes from different origins specifically collaborate (i.e., additively or synergistically) has remained largely unknown. In a recent study, we undertook translational-genomic studies to address these questions in the lower termite Reticulitermes flavipes (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and its symbiotic gut fauna. We used a combination of native gut tissue preparations and recombinant enzymes derived from the host gut transcriptome to identify synergistic collaborations between host and symbiont, and also among enzymes produced exclusively by the host termite. These findings provided important new evidence of synergistic collaboration among enzymes in the release of fermentable monosaccharides from wood lignocellulose, and laid a foundation for future integrative studies into termite digestion, symbiosis and eusociality.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Coronary Slow Flow

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22447015

Efficacy of an Incident-reporting System in Cellular Pathology: a Practical Experience

Journal of Clinical Pathology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22447952

Background and aimsIncident reporting (IR) refers to systematic documentation of adverse incidents to facilitate their appropriate investigation and institution of corrective or remedial actions, and provide data to identify risk trends for recurrent problems. Minimisation of errors and reduction in process variation is recognised as an important goal of quality management and is an essential part of continuous quality improvement. Published data on the role IR plays in cellular pathology remains scanty.MethodsIn this study, the authors collected and analysed all incidents and adverse events reported in their department over a 2-year period.Results584 incidents were reported (0.5% of all cases processed). The majority (59%) occurred in the pre-analytical phase of the laboratory process with 23% in the analytical and 18% in the post-analytical phases. Booking-in and specimen labelling-related incidents were the largest single group (56% of all incidents), prompting further root cause analysis, but no other obvious patterns or trends were identified, and most incidents were followed by corrective actions on an individual basis. Most incidents (79%) posed potential harm, as opposed to causing actual harm to the service or patients. Only 78 cases (14%) posed a major risk to patients, such as specimen loss or mix-up, whereas 27% were associated with moderate risk and 59% with minor or insignificant risk.ConclusionMajor risk incidents are relatively rare in the cellular pathology laboratory. IR should be included as an important component of a risk management strategy and clinical governance framework.

Controlled Construction of Metal-Organic Frameworks: Hydrothermal Synthesis, X-ray Structure, and Heterogeneous Catalytic Study

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany). Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22454361

The role of pH in the formation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been studied for a series of magnesium-based carboxylate framework systems. Our investigations have revealed the formation of five different zero-dimensional (0D) to three-dimensional (3D) ordered frameworks from the same reaction mixture, merely by varying the pH of the medium. The compounds were synthesized by the hydrothermal method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Increase of the pH of the medium led to abstraction of the imine hydrogen from the ligand and a concomitant increase in the OH(-) ion concentration in the solution, facilitating the construction of higher dimensional framework compounds. A stepwise increase in pH resulted in a stepwise increase in the dimensionality of the network, ultimately leading to the formation of a 3D porous solid. A gas adsorption study of the 3D framework compound confirmed its microporosity with a BET surface area of approximately 450 m(2)  g(-1) . Notably, the 3D framework compound catalyzes aldol condensation reactions of various aromatic aldehydes with acetone under heterogeneous conditions.

Epigenetic Inactivation of E-cadherin Gene in Eyelid Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma

The British Journal of Dermatology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22458737

Background:  E-cadherin and β-catenin are crucial components of cell-cell adhesion complex. Their loss has often been associated with tumor metastasis and poor clinical outcome. Both loss of E-cadherin at the cell membrane and stabilizing mutation in CTNNB1 (β-catenin gene) have been associated with ovarian, colorectal, hepatocellular and non-melanoma skin cancer such as squamous and basal cell carcinomas. Absence of E-cadherin may be caused by promoter hypermethylation of E-cadherin gene (CDH1). Objectives:  To determine the role of E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation and CTNNB1 gene mutation in the aggressive behavior of sebaceous galnd carcinoma (SGC) of the eyelid. Methods:  Thirty six cases of sebaceous gland carcinoma were subjected to E-cadherin methylation specific polymerase chain reaction and mutational analysis for CTNNB1 gene. E-cadherin and β-catenin staining was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Results were correlated with the clinicopathologic features of sebaceous gland carcinoma. Results:  Methylation of E-cadherin promoter region was detected in 72% eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma cases and loss of E-cadherin immunostaning in 83%. E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation showed significant association with loss of membranous E-cadherin (P=0.038) and it was of borderline significance with reduced disease free survival (P=0.05). It was also found to be associated with advanced age (73%), tumor size ≥ 2cm (77%), orbital invasion (83%), lymph node metastasis (60%), tumor recurrence (60%) and poor histologic differentiation (90%). DNA sequencing revealed no stabilizing β-catenin gene mutation in sebaceous gland carcinoma. Loss of membranous β-catenin was observed in 61% cases which associated significantly with both E-cadherin promoter methylation (P=0.0262) as well as loss of E-cadherin membranous localization (P=0.0015). Conclusion:  Epigenetic inactivation of the E-cadherin gene causes loss of membrane bound E-cadherin and could contribute to the reduced disease free survival in eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma. Mutations in β-catenin gene do not seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma.

Acidic PH Induced STM1485 Gene is Essential for Intracellular Replication of Salmonella

Virulence. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22460643

During the course of infection, Salmonella has to face several potentially lethal environmental conditions one such being acidic pH. The ability to sense and respond to the acidic pH is crucial for the survival and replication of Salmonella. The physiological role of one gene (STM1485) involved in this response, which is upregulated inside the host cells (by 90-113-fold) is functionally characterized in Salmonella pathogenesis. In vitro, the ΔSTM1485 neither exhibited any growth defect at pH 4.5 nor any difference in the acid tolerance response. The ΔSTM1485 was compromised in its capacity to proliferate inside the host cells and complementation with STM1485 gene restored its virulence. We further demonstrate that the surface translocation of Salmonella pathogenicity island-2 (SPI-2) encoded translocon proteins, SseB and SseD were reduced in the ΔSTM1485. The increase in co-localization of this mutant with lysosomes was also observed. In addition, the ΔSTM1485 displayed significantly reduced competitive indices (CI) in spleen, liver and mesenteric lymph nodes in murine typhoid model when infected by intra-gastric route. Based on these results, we conclude that the acidic pH induced STM1485 gene is essential for intracellular replication of Salmonella.

Identification and Profiling of First-line Drug Resistant Mycobacteria from the Sputum of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: a Molecular Approach

Journal of Clinical Microbiology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22461679

Conventional and molecular techniques were applied to detect and characterize drug resistance of mycobacteria in the sputum samples of clinically confirmed tuberculosis. The sensitivity of mycobacteria detection by ZN staining, culture, multiplex-PCR and RFLP were 27.7%, 19.9%, 92.9% and 95.7%, respectively, but all were 100% specific. The conventional and MAS-PCR methods enabled establishment of the drug resistance in 19.3% and 86.9% cases, respectively. We demonstrated that molecular techniques have potential in accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis.

How Do Physicians Weigh Benefits and Risks Associated with Treatments in Patients with Osteoarthritis in the United Kingdom?

The Journal of Rheumatology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22422497

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relative importance that UK physicians attach to the benefits and risks of current drugs when making treatment decisions for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Physicians treating at least 10 patients with OA per month completed an online discretechoice experiment survey and answered 12 treatment-choice questions comparing medication profiles. Medication profiles were defined by 4 benefits (reduction in ambulatory pain, resting pain, stiffness, and difficulty doing daily activities) and 3 treatment-related risks [bleeding ulcer, stroke, and myocardial infarction (MI)]. Each physician made medication choices for 3 of 9 hypothetical patients (varied by age, history of MI, hypertension, and history of gastrointestinal bleeding). Importance weights were estimated using a random-parameters logit model. Treatment-related risks physicians were willing to accept in exchange for various reductions in ambulatory and resting pain also were calculated. RESULTS: The final sample was 475. A reduction in ambulatory pain from 75 mm to 25 mm (1.6 units) was 1.1 times as important as an increase in MI risk from 0% to 1.5% (1.5 units). The greatest importance was for eliminating a 3% treatment-related risk of MI or stroke. On average, physicians were willing to accept an increase in bleeding ulcer risk of 0.7% (95% CI 0.4%-1.7%) for a reduction in ambulatory pain of 75 mm to 50 mm. CONCLUSION: When presented with well-known benefits and risks of OA treatments, physicians placed greater importance on the risks than on the analgesic properties of the drug. This has implications for the reporting of the results of clinical research to physicians.

Stochastic Population Growth in Spatially Heterogeneous Environments

Journal of Mathematical Biology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22427143

Classical ecological theory predicts that environmental stochasticity increases extinction risk by reducing the average per-capita growth rate of populations. For sedentary populations in a spatially homogeneous yet temporally variable environment, a simple model of population growth is a stochastic differential equation dZ ( t ) = μ Z ( t ) dt + σ Z ( t ) dW ( t ), t ≥ 0, where the conditional law of Z ( t+Δt )- Z ( t ) given Z ( t ) = z has mean and variance approximately z μΔt and z (2) σ (2)Δt when the time increment Δt is small. The long-term stochastic growth rate [Formula: see text] for such a population equals [Formula: see text] . Most populations, however, experience spatial as well as temporal variability. To understand the interactive effects of environmental stochasticity, spatial heterogeneity, and dispersal on population growth, we study an analogous model [Formula: see text] , t ≥ 0, for the population abundances in n patches: the conditional law of X ( t+Δt ) given X ( t ) = x is such that the conditional mean of [Formula: see text] is approximately [Formula: see text] where μ ( i ) is the per capita growth rate in the ith patch and D ( ij ) is the dispersal rate from the ith patch to the jth patch, and the conditional covariance of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is approximately x ( i ) x ( j ) σ ( ij )Δt for some covariance matrix Σ = (σ ( ij )). We show for such a spatially extended population that if [Formula: see text] denotes the total population abundance, then Y ( t ) = X ( t )/S ( t ), the vector of patch proportions, converges in law to a random vector Y (∞) as [Formula: see text] , and the stochastic growth rate [Formula: see text] equals the space-time average per-capita growth rate [Formula: see text] experienced by the population minus half of the space-time average temporal variation [Formula: see text] experienced by the population. Using this characterization of the stochastic growth rate, we derive an explicit expression for the stochastic growth rate for populations living in two patches, determine which choices of the dispersal matrix D produce the maximal stochastic growth rate for a freely dispersing population, derive an analytic approximation of the stochastic growth rate for dispersal limited populations, and use group theoretic techniques to approximate the stochastic growth rate for populations living in multi-scale landscapes (e.g. insects on plants in meadows on islands). Our results provide fundamental insights into "ideal free" movement in the face of uncertainty, the persistence of coupled sink populations, the evolution of dispersal rates, and the single large or several small (SLOSS) debate in conservation biology. For example, our analysis implies that even in the absence of density-dependent feedbacks, ideal-free dispersers occupy multiple patches in spatially heterogeneous environments provided environmental fluctuations are sufficiently strong and sufficiently weakly correlated across space. In contrast, for diffusively dispersing populations living in similar environments, intermediate dispersal rates maximize their stochastic growth rate.

ApoE3 but Not ApoE4 Protects Against Synaptic Loss Through Increased Expression of PKC{varepsilon}

The Journal of Biological Chemistry. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22427674

Synaptic loss is the earliest pathological change in Alzheimers disease (AD) and is the pathological change most directly correlated with the degree of dementia. ApoE4 is the major genetic risk factor for the age-dependent form of AD, which accounts for 95% of cases. Here we show that in synaptic networks formed from primary hippocampal neurons in culture, ApoE3, but not ApoE4, prevents the loss of synaptic networks produced by Aβ oligomers (amylospheroids or ASPDs). Specific activators of PKCε such as DCPLA methyl ester and bryostatin 1 protected against synaptic loss by ASPDs, while PKCε inhibitors blocked this synaptic protection, and also blocked the protection by ApoE3. Blocking LRP1, an ApoE receptor on the neuronal membrane, also blocked the protection by ApoE. ApoE3, but not ApoE4, induced the synthesis of PKCε mRNA and expression of the PKCε protein. Aβ specifically blocked the expression of PKCε, but had no effect on other isoforms. These results suggest that protection against synaptic loss by ApoE is mediated by a novel intracellular PKCε pathway. This ApoE pathway may account for much of the protective effect of ApoE and reduced risk for the age-dependent form of AD. This finding supports the potential efficacy of newly developed therapeutics for AD.

Bladder Exstrophy

Fetal and Pediatric Pathology. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22432588

Bladder exstrophy is a very rare congenital malformation in which the anterior wall of the bladder is absent, and the posterior wall is exposed externally. The differential diagnosis includes omphalocele, gastroschisis, and cloacal exstrophy. Ultrasound and Doppler examinations are the main diagnostic tools. Although mortality is low, termination of pregnancy should be discussed due to serious morbidities.

NF-κB Function in B Lymphocytes

Immunological Reviews. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22435560

Summary:  NF-κB proteins were identified in the search for mechanisms that regulate B-lymphocyte-specific transcription of immunoglobulin κ light chain genes. Twenty-five years later, though the function of the κB site in the enhancer remains enigmatic, NF-κB proteins have been shown to have important roles in B-cell development, maintenance, and function. In this review, we summarize the functions of NF-κB in B cells. An overview of B-cell biology that identifies stages in the life of B lymphocytes for the general reader is followed by three sections that examine the role of NF-κB family of proteins in B-cell development, mature B-cell survival and B-cell function. We endeavor throughout to suggest mechanisms and implications of the wide-ranging observations that have been made and conclude by highlighting the need to understand NF-κB-mediated gene expression in more depth.

Misuse of Odds Ratios in Obesity Literature: An Empirical Analysis of Published Studies

Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.). Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22436842

Odds ratios (ORs) are widely used in scientific research to demonstrate associations between outcome variables and covariates (risk factors) of interest and are often described in language suitable for risks or probabilities, but odds and probabilities are related, not equivalent. In situations where the outcome is not rare (e.g., obesity), ORs no longer approximate the relative risk ratio and may be misinterpreted. Our study examines the extent of misinterpretation of ORs in Obesity and International Journal of Obesity. We reviewed all 2010 issues of these journals to identify all articles that presented ORs. Included articles were then primarily reviewed for correct presentation and interpretation of ORs; and secondarily reviewed for article characteristics that may have been associated with how ORs are presented and interpreted. Of the 855 articles examined, 62 (7.3%) presented ORs. ORs were presented incorrectly in 23.2% of these articles. Clinical articles were more likely to present ORs correctly than social science or basic science articles. Studies with outcome variables that had higher relative prevalence were less likely to present ORs correctly. Overall, almost a quarter of the studies presenting ORs in two leading journals on obesity misinterpreted them. Furthermore, even when researchers present ORs correctly, the lay media may misinterpret them as relative risk ratios. Therefore, we suggest that when the magnitude of associations is of interest, researchers should carefully and accurately present interpretable measures of association -- including risk ratios and risk differences -- to minimize confusion and misrepresentation of research results.

Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Eyelid Diagnosed on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology

Journal of Cytology / Indian Academy of Cytologists. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22438626

Sebaceous carcinoma of the ocular adnexa is a malignant neoplasm which has aggressive local behavior and can metastasize to regional lymph nodes and distant organs. It is a malignant neoplasm known to masquerade as other benign and less malignant lesions, resulting in delay in diagnosis and relatively high morbidity and mortality. Aspiration cytological features of this neoplasm have not been well characterized in the literature. We report a case of this tumor diagnosed on fine needle aspiration. Clinically, a diagnosis of chalazion was made and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed. Cytological diagnosis of a malignant tumor with closest resemblance to sebaceous carcinoma was suggested which was confirmed on histopathology. Eyelid reconstruction was done after histopathological confirmation of tumor-free margins. The article highlights the role of FNAC in early diagnosis and subsequent appropriate surgical management of eyelid sebaceous gland carcinoma to prevent recurrence and metastasis.

Coupled Electron Transfer and Proton Hopping in the Final Step of CYP19-Catalyzed Androgen Aromatization

Biochemistry. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22439696

Aromatase (CYP19) catalyzes the terminal step in estrogen biosynthesis, which requires three separate oxidation reactions, culminating in an enigmatic aromatization that converts an androgen to an estrogen. A stable ferric peroxo (Fe(3+)O(2)(2-)) intermediate is seen by electron paramagnetic resonance, but its role in this complex reaction remains controversial. Combining molecular dynamics simulation and hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics, we show that ferric peroxo addition to the 19-aldehyde initiates the reaction. Stepwise cleavage of the C10-C19 and O-O bonds of the peroxohemiacetal extrudes formate and yields Compound II, which in turn desaturates the steroid through successive abstraction of the 1β-hydrogen atom and deprotonation of the 2β-position. Throughout the transformation, a proton is cyclically relayed between D309 and the substrate to stabilize reaction intermediates. This mechanism invokes novel oxygen intermediates and provides a unifying interpretation of past experimental mechanistic studies.

Familial Carotid Body Tumors with SDHD Mutations: a Case Series

Endocrine Practice : Official Journal of the American College of Endocrinology and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22441002

Objective: To present details of the symptoms, genetic screening and management of cases of hereditary paraganglioma (HPGL) with SDHD mutationsMethods: Details of the case presentation, diagnosis, treatment and genetic screening are reviewed for 3 siblings with hereditary PGL who presented with bilateral carotid body tumorsResults: Three siblings with familial bilateral carotid body tumors presented at different time points with a varied clinical presentation in each case. While case 1 was not hypertensive and had normal urine metanephrine and normetanephrine levels, case 2 and 3 presented a more severe clinical picture, with hypertension in both along with elevated normetanephrine levels in case 2. Case 2 also had pheochromocytoma and two intra abdominal paragangliomas. Early onset of tumors was observed since the mean age of the three cases was 24 years. A four base pair frameshift deletion c.337-340delGACT was detected in exon 4 of succinate dehydrogenase D gene (SDHD), in all the three cases characterized.Conclusion: This is the first report of the c.337-340delGAC T being associated with hereditary paraganglioma syndrome and emphasizes the need to screen all "at risk" first degree relatives for mutations in the SDHD gene.

A Hierarchically Ordered Porous Novel Vanado-silicate Catalyst for Highly Efficient Oxidation of Bulky Organic Molecules

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England). Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22441436

A novel hierarchically ordered porous vanado-silicate nanocomposite with interconnecting macroporous windows and meso-microporous walls containing well dispersed vanadyl species has been fabricated and used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidation of a bulky organic molecule, namely cyclooctene.

Heterotopic Bone Formation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with BPTB Autograft

Acta Orthopaedica Et Traumatologica Turcica. 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22441456

In this study, we present a 36-year-old male patient who developed heterotopic ossification after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction performed using bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft harvested from the 1/3 middle part of the patellar tendon. This ossified part, which restricted range of motion of the affected knee, was excised surgically 1 year after diagnosis. Physical examination, conducted 36 months later, revealed the achievement of full range of motion without any complaints or recurrences. Heterotopic ossification following ACL reconstruction is a very rare complication, which should be removed with open surgery.

Suppression of in Vivo Rho-dependent Transcription Termination Defects: Evidence for Kinetically Controlled Steps

Microbiology (Reading, England). Mar, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22442304

The conventional model of Rho-dependent transcription termination in bacteria requires RNA-dependent translocase activity of the termination factor Rho as well as many kinetically controlled steps to execute an efficient RNA release from the transcription elongation complex (EC). The involvement of the kinetically controlled steps, such as RNA-binding, translocation and RNA release from the EC, makes this termination process mandatory to be kinetically coupled with the transcription elongation process. The existence of these steps in vivo has not been delineated in details. Moreover, the requirement of translocase activity in Rho-dependent termination has recently been questioned by a radical view, wherein Rho binds to the elongating RNA polymerase prior to loading onto the mRNA. Using growth assays, micro-array analyses and reporter based transcription termination assays in vivo, we showed that slowing down of the transcription elongation rate by using RNA polymerase (RNAP) mutants (rpoB8 and rpoB3445) and by growing the strains in minimal media, suppressed the termination defects of five Rho mutants, three NusG mutants defective for Rho-binding and the defects caused by the two Rho-inhibitors, Psu and Bicyclomycin. These results established the existence of the kinetically controlled steps in the in vivo Rho-dependent termination process and further reinforced the importance of "kinetic coupling" between the two molecular motors, Rho and RNAP and also strongly argued for the existence of Rho translocation model in vivo. Finally, these results indicated that one of the major roles of NusG in in vivo Rho-dependent termination is to enhance the speed of RNA-release from the elongation complex.