Nucleotide mutations associated with hepatitis B e antigen negativity

One hundred and forty four patients with chronic hepatitis B were tested to identify new mutations associated with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negativity, using a full genome sequence analysis. All the patients were Chinese and had hepatitis B virus infection of genotype C. Patients with none of the pre-core or core promoter mutations were significantly (P < 0.001) less common in the group with anti-HBe (13%) than in the group with HBeAg (56%). The complete nucleotide sequence was determined in four anti-HBe-positive patients who had neither pre-core nor core promoter mutations and in five HBeAg-positive patients who also had neither of these mutations (the groups were matched for age and sex). Six mutations were found to be significantly more common in the former group than in the latter: G529A (3/4 vs. 0/5), C934A (4/4 vs. 1/5), A1053G (4/4 vs. 1/5), G1915T/A (4/4 vs. 0/5), T2005C/A (4/4 vs. 0/5), and C3026T (3/4 vs. 0/5). Three of the six mutations were significantly more common in the four anti-HBe-positive patients who had neither pre-core nor core promoter mutations, compared to 11 HBeAg-positive patients who had pre-core and core promoter mutations, and also compared to 15 anti-HBe-positive patients who had pre-core and core promoter mutations, suggesting further the specificity of these mutations. Of the six mutations, two resulted in amino acid substitution in the polymerase protein, and one is located near the enhancer I region. The results suggest that the six newly discovered mutations are associated with HBeAg negativity.     

Therapeutic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on Cisplatin induced testicular damage in adult male albino rat

Infertility represents a major medical, economic, and psychological problem. Stem cells therapy for infertility has a great interest nowadays especially for cancer survivors at pre-reproductive and reproductive age.

 Thirty-two adult male albino rats were used, divided equally into four groups; Group I (Control group) received isotonic saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) as vehicle. Group II (Cisplatin-treated group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, and then were sacrificed after 5 days. Group III (Stem-cell-treated group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, then after 5 days received adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) (1 × 10⁶). Cells were injected in the rete testis, then after 60 days, the animals were sacrificed. Group IV (Auto healing group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, and then left for 65 days then the animals were sacrificed. Cisplatin administration resulted in degenerative changes in the testicular architecture in the form of thickened irregular BM of seminiferous tubules. The germinal epithelium showed disorganization and marked reduction in the thickness, associated with Sertoli cells preservation. Features of apoptosis assured by elevated caspase-3 expression were noticed. The interstitium showed cellular infiltration and distorted Leydig cells. Injection of (ADMSCs) resulted in great improvement of testicular architecture and increase in the testosterone level associated with strong immune reaction of the CD-44. ADMSCs are recommended as a new treatment modality for male infertility.

Abbreviation: i.p.: intraperitoneally; BM: basement membrane; ADMSCs: adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells; WHO: World Health Organization; MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells; DMEM: Dulbecco modified eagles media; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; FACS: fluorescence-activated cell sorting; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CP: Cisplatin; ROS: reactive oxygen species; CAT: catalase; SOD: superoxide dismutase; OS: oxidative stress; SSCs: spermatogonia stem cells; GCs: germ cells; UCMSCs: umblical cord mesenchymal stem cells; TGFb1: transforming growth factor beta-1; BMP4: Bone morphogenic protein 4; BMP8b: bone morphogenic protein 8b.     

Problematic Smartphone Use: Prevalence and Associated Factors Among Health Sciences Students in Saudi Arabia

Journal of Prevention - Excessive smartphone use leads to several physical and psychological disorders, particularly among young adults. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and the...     

BEAUTY and the breast: is adjuvant chemotherapy the right time for a beauty boost? Lessons learned from a large randomized controlled trial

Quality of Life Research - Beauty care (BTC) is offered at many cancer hospitals having a great uptake among patients. Nevertheless, its benefits in the Quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors...     

Cancer Patterns in the Middle East Special Report from the Middle East Cancer Society

To update its cancer statistics, the newly established Middle East Cancer Society examined the cancer frequency patterns in Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The results revealed differing overall patterns. For men the highest frequencies were found for lymphoma, bladder cancer and cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in Egypt, and for lung cancer, leukaemia and lymphoma in Gaza. For women, breast cancer had the highest frequency in both areas, followed by cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx in Egypt, and leukaemia and lymphoma in Gaza. The distribution of cancer occurrence by organ system also varied. In the light of the different ethnicities, lifestyles, socioeconomic levels and carcinogenic exposure among the countries of the Middle East, this kind of comparison can provide the background for more sophisticated approaches for discerning risk factors in cancer. We believe that further cooperation among participating countries will overcome the present limitations in data collection, registration and access.     

ROLE OF INTERMEDIARY BIOMARKERS IN DETERMINING THE ANTICANCER EFFICACY OF MARINE COMPOUNDS

In the present study, two of the probable an umor marine compounds, manzamine A and sarcophine, were screened using benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-derived DNA adduct formation in MCF-7 cells as intermediary biomarker. Briefly, MCF-7 cells were treated with the compounds for 24 h followed by treatment with BP (0.5 μM). After 24h incubation, cellular DNA was isolated and analyzed for BP-derived DNA adducts by ³²P-postlabeling technique. Manzamine A and sarcophine increased the BP-DNA adducts by 2 to 4-folds. Further, manzamine A (50 μM) substantially down regulated the expression of p53 while sarcophine (50 μM) slightly induced the level of p21. The residual DNA repair ability was almost completely abolished by manzamine A while sarcophine was ineffective. Based on our preliminary results, these compounds may be classified as potential genotoxic.     

A tree branch instead of a ligature: an unusual accidental hanging

A unique case of accidental hanging due to compression of the neck of an adult by the branches of a coffee tree is reported. The decedent was a 42-year-old male who was found dead in a semi prone position on a slope. His neck was lodged in a wedge formed by two branches of a coffee tree, with his legs angled downwards on the slope. Autopsy revealed two friction abrasions located horizontally on either side of the front of the neck, just above the larynx. The findings were compatible with compression of the neck by the branches of the tree, with the body weight of the decedent contributing to compression. Subsequent complete autopsy examination confirmed the cause of death as hanging. Following an inquest the death was ruled to be accidental.     

Putative Inv Is Essential for Basolateral Invasion of Caco-2 Cells and Acts Synergistically with OmpA To Affect In Vitro and In Vivo Virulence of Cronobacter sakazakii ATCC 29544

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen that causes neonatal meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis. Its interaction with intestinal epithelium is important in the pathogenesis of enteric infections. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the inv gene in the virulence of C. sakazakii ATCC 29544 in vitro and in vivo. Sequence analysis of C. sakazakii ATCC 29544 inv revealed that it is different from other C. sakazakii isolates. In various cell culture models, an Δinv deletion mutant showed significantly lowered invasion efficiency, which was restored upon genetic complementation. Studying invasion potentials using tight-junction-disrupted Caco-2 cells suggested that the inv gene product mediates basolateral invasion of C. sakazakii ATCC 29544. In addition, comparison of invasion potentials of double mutant (ΔompA Δinv) and single mutants (ΔompA and Δinv) provided evidence for an additive effect of the two putative outer membrane proteins. Finally, the importance of inv and the additive effect of putative Inv and OmpA were also proven in an in vivo rat pup model. This report is the first to demonstrate two proteins working synergistically in vitro, as well as in vivo in C. sakazakii pathogenesis.