Baseline Characteristics of Patients with Symptomatic Carotid Webs: A Matched Case Control Study

Background and purposeThe baseline characteristics of patients with symptomatic carotid web (CaW) are unclear. We investigate demographic and cerebrovascular risk factors in patients with this overlooked stroke etiology.MethodsWe identified consecutive patients diagnosed with symptomatic CaW at a comprehensive stroke center from July 2014-December 2018. These patients were matched at a 1:4 ratio (based on age and NIHSS scores) to create a control group of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with non-CaW etiologies from the local GetWithTheGuidelines stroke database.ResultsThirty patients with symptomatic CaW were compared to 120 AIS patients with non-CaW etiologies. Symptomatic CaW patients were more likely to be female (73.3 vs. 44.2%; p = 0.004) and black (86.7 vs. 64.2%; p = 0.02). Symptomatic CaWs patients had a fewer absolute number of modifiable cerebrovascular risk factors (1.7±1.1 vs. 2.5±1.2; p = 0.002), lower rates of hypertension (43.4 vs. 63.3%; p = 0.04), and a more favorable lipid profile with lower average LDL (89.5±30.3 vs. 111.2±43.7 mg/dL; p = 0.01) and higher average HDL (47.9±11.3 vs. 42.2±13.8 mg/dL; p = 0.01) as compared to strokes with non-CaW etiology. Symptomatic CaW patients were more likely to have a large vessel occlusion (80.0 vs. 51.7%; p = 0.005), despite similar e-ASPECTS between the groups (8.1±2.1 vs. 8.3±2.2; p = 0.30). On multivariable analysis, symptomatic CaW was an independent predictor of independence at discharge (OR 3.72; 95%CI 1.27–10.94).ConclusionA gender and racial predilection of symptomatic CaWs may exist as females and blacks were were found to be more likely affected. Symptomatic CaW patients have a more benign cerebrovascular risk factor profile corroborating the proposed mechanism of local stasis and thromboembolism. Despite presenting more commonly with LVO, symptomatic CaW was associated with good functional outcome, warranting further studies.     

Age of puberty in Iranian girls living in Tehran

The aim of this study was to determine the age of appearance of secondary sexual characteristics in Iranian girls living in Tehran. A cross-sectional study was conducted between 2003 and 2004 on 1420 6–17-year-old females in different parts of Tehran. Data were collected on the basis of a multistage probability sampling. Secondary sexual characteristics were evaluated by inspection and palpation, and were recorded according to Tanner staging. The subjects were asked about the occurrence of menarche and the age of its onset. Generalized additive logistic modelling was used for the analysis of data. The median age (percentile 10–percentile 90) of Tanner 2 of breast development (B2) and Tanner 2 of pubic hair growth (P2) among 1136 girls was 9.74 years (8.23–11.94) and 10.49 years (8.86–12.17), respectively. The ages of the 2.5 percentile for B2 and P2 were 7.42 and 7.03 years, respectively, so the onset of puberty at <7 years and 5 months is considered precocious in this population. The median age of menarche in 399 girls was 12.68 years (11.27–15.96).     

Expanding the clinical spectrum of STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1-associated ataxia

Journal of Neurology - STUB1 has been first associated with autosomal recessive (SCAR16, MIM# 615768) and later with dominant forms of ataxia (SCA48, MIM# 618093). Pathogenic variations in STUB1...     

The Production and Characterization of Novel Heavy-Chain Antibodies Against the Tandem Repeat Region of MUC1 Mucin

Camelidae are known to produce immunoglobulins (Igs) devoid of light chains and constant heavy-chain domains (CH₁). Antigen-specific fragments of these heavy-chain IgGs (VHH) are of great interest in biotechnology applications. This paper describes the first example of successfully raised heavy-chain antibodies in Camelus dromedarius (single-humped camel) and Camelus bactrianus (two-humped camel) against a MUC1 related peptide that is found to be an important epitope expressed in cancerous tissue. Camels were immunized against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the tandem repeat region of MUC1 mucin and cancerous tissue preparation obtained from patients suffering from breast carcinoma. Three IgG subclasses with different binding properties to protein A and G were purified by affinity chromatography. Both conventional and heavy-chain IgG antibodies were produced in response to MUC1-related peptide. The elicited antibodies could react specifically with the tandem repeat region of MUC1 mucin in an enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Anti-peptide antibodies were purified after passing antiserum over two affinity chromatography columns. Using ELISA, immunocytochemistry and Western blotting, the interaction of purified antibodies with different antigens was evaluated. The antibodies were observed to be selectively bound to antigens namely: MUC1 peptide (tandem repeat region), human milk fat globule membrane (HMFG), deglycosylated human milk fat globule membrane (D-HMFG), homogenized cancerous breast tissue and a native MUC1 purified from ascitic fluid. K_a values of specific polyclonal anti-peptide antibodies were estimated in C. dromedarius and C. bactrianus, as 7 × 10¹⁰ M^{? 1} and 1.4 × 10¹⁰ M^{? 1} respectively.     

Type-I Interferon assessment in 45 minutes using the FilmArray® PCR platform in SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections

Low concentrations of type-I interferon (IFN) in blood seem to be associated with more severe forms of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, following the type-I interferon response (IR) in early stage disease is a major challenge. We evaluated detection of a molecular interferon signature on a FilmArray® system, which includes PCR assays for four interferon stimulated genes. We analyzed three types of patient populations: (i) children admitted to a pediatric emergency unit for fever and suspected infection, (ii) ICU-admitted patients with severe COVID-19, and (iii) healthcare workers with mild COVID-19. The results were compared to the reference tools, that is, molecular signature assessed with Nanostring® and IFN-α2 quantification by SIMOA® (Single MOlecule Array). A strong correlation was observed between the IR measured by the FilmArray®, Nanostring®, and SIMOA® platforms (r-Spearman 0.996 and 0.838, respectively). The FilmArray® panel could be used in the COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate the IR in 45-min with 2 min hand-on-time at hospitalization and to monitor the IR in future clinical trials.     

Fabrication of electro-microfluidic channel for single cell electroporation

The point of this paper is to demonstrate the use of a quick and cheap fabrication method to realize a laser-ablated microfluidic channel for single cell electroporation. Traditional lithography of microchannel with electrode in MEMS applications has always been complicated. Here, we introduce a new methodology of fabricating microchannel with electrical functionalities achieved through a fast and cheap process. In the present methodology, the microchannel pattern is cut out of polyimide, bonded to two ITO-coated substrates using Teflon as an adhesion layer. ITO as conductive material enables electric field in the channel and its optical transparency allows microscopy techniques to be utilized in characterizing the behavior of the microfluidic chip. The performance of the chip was tested on irreversible single-cell scale electroporation which requires relatively high voltages. CHO cells, as mammalian cells, were passed through the microchannel to experience electric field. Cells were loaded with a fluorogenic dye, Calcein AM, and the electroporation of each was individually recorded in real-time via fluorescent microscopy. The results show promising performance of the electric microchannel in electroporation. By customizing of ITO electrodes and the design of microchannel pattern, utilization and integration of the proposed electrical microchannel in variety of other MEMS-based devices are achievable.     

Mannich bases derived from lawsone and their metal complexes: synthetic strategies and biological properties

Lawsone (2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) is a natural product which shows significant biological activity. Aminomethylnaphthoquinone Mannich bases derived from lawsone constitute an interesting class of naphthoquinones and/or their metal complexes have demonstrated a series of important biological properties. So, this review aimed to document the publications concerning the synthesis of aminomethylnaphthoquinone Mannich bases from lowsone, aldehydes and amines and their metal complexes using different conditions, and investigation of their applications.

Lawsone (2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione) is a natural product which shows significant biological activity.     

Effect of tranexamic acid on the treatment of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective: To determine the efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.Methods: A total of 70 patients with acute upper GI bleeding were included in this double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial from September 2018 to December 2018. Patients were divided into the control group (received fluid therapy and intravenous infusion of pantoprazole, 35 cases) and the TXA group (received intravenous TXA besides the treatment of control group, 35 cases). Rebleeding, admission duration, and need for blood transfusion were compared between the two groups. Results: Fifteen patients (42.9％) in the TXA group and 10 patients (28.6％) in the control group stayed in hospital for more than 3 days during their admission (P=0.21). Rebleeding occurred in 8 patients (22.9％) and 5 patients (14.3％) of the TXA group and the control group, respectively (P=0.35). More patients in the TXA group (21 cases, 60％) received blood transfusion than the control group (8 cases, 22.9％) (P=0.02). Conclusions: TXA did not improve the outcome of patients with acute upper GI bleeding.