Promoter polymorphisms of the TNF-alpha (G-308A) and IL-6 (C-174G) genes predict the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance to type 2 diabetes: the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study

High levels of cytokines are risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Therefore, we investigated whether the promoter polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha; G-308A) and interleukin 6 (IL-6; C-174G) genes predict the conversion from impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) to type 2 diabetes in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. Altogether, 490 overweight subjects with IGT whose DNA was available were randomly divided into one of the two treatment assignments: the control group and the intensive, individualized diet and exercise intervention group. The -308A allele of the TNF-alpha gene was associated with an approximate twofold higher risk for type 2 diabetes compared with the G-308G genotype (odds ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.05-3.09; P = 0.034). Subjects with both the A allele of the TNF-alpha gene and the C-174C genotype of the IL-6 gene had a 2.2-fold (CI 1.02-4.85, P = 0.045) higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than subjects without the risk genotypes. We conclude that the -308A allele of the promoter polymorphism (G-308A) of the TNF-alpha gene is a predictor for the conversion from IGT to type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, this polymorphism seems to have a gene-gene interaction with the C-174C genotype of the IL-6 gene.     

Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells (UCOCGC) of the pancreas associated with the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome (FAMMM)

The familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome is caused by a germline mutation of p16. More than 90% of the sporadic pancreatic carcinomas contain genetic alterations that inactivate p16. Patients with the FAMMM syndrome have an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Ductal adenocarcinoma is the most common cancer of the pancreas and the one encountered in patients with FAMMM syndrome. Undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclastic giant cells, also referred to as UCOCGC of the pancreas, is a rare variant of pancreatic cancer. An UCOCGC of the pancreas associated with FAMMM syndrome is described in this report. Molecular analysis confirmed a germline p16-Leiden deletion in the UCOCGC, accompanied by somatic loss of heterozygosity of the second p16 allele, and absence of p16 protein expression in the neoplastic cells. It is the first case reported and it provides additional evidence that UCOCGC can be considered as a variant of conventional ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.     

A Dipole with Reflector-Backed Active Metasurface for Linear-to-Circular Polarization Reconfigurability

In recent years, significant advances have been made in diversifying the capabilities of communication systems by using reconfigurable antennas. There are many types of reconfigurable antennas—to achieve pattern, frequency, or polarization reconfigurability. These antennas are reconfigured either by the mechanical rotation of surfaces or by enabling or disabling specific sections of the structure using electrical switches. This paper focuses on the concept of a polarization reconfigurable antenna based on an active reflector-backed metasurface. An antenna system based on an active reflector-backed metasurface combined with a planar dipole is designed to achieve reconfigurable polarization. The polarization of the designed antenna can be switched between linear and circular polarization states using positive-intrinsic-negative diodes located in the unit cell elements of the metasurface. The measured results correlate well with the simulated results. The antenna has a physical size of 308 × 162 × 35 mm³ with an impedance bandwidth of 4.5% in the linear state and 7% in the circular state, as well as an axial ratio bandwidth larger than 8.3%.     

Differently charged polypeptides in the prevention of post-surgical peritoneal adhesions

Objective. Peritoneal adhesions develop after almost all surgical interventions in the abdomen. We have developed an efficient treatment against post-surgical adhesions consisting of a combination of positively charged poly-L-lysine and negatively charged poly-L-glutamate. The aim of the present study was to further develop the concept of applying oppositely charged polypeptides in the prevention of adhesion formation, by evaluating different doses of the peptides, alterations in the way of administration, and also testing alternative components. Material and methods. Eighty-five NMRI mice were divided into six groups. A standardized peritoneal injury model was used. The groups received physiologic sodium chlorine, poly-L-lysine+poly-L-glutamate, low molecular weight poly-L-lysine+poly-L-glutamate, locally administered poly-L-lysine+poly-L-glutamate, in vitro mixed poly-L-lysine+poly-L-glutamate and poly-L-arginine+poly-L-glutamate, respectively. After 7 days, the extent of adhesion formation was determined during relaparotomy and was expressed as the mean percentage of the total wound length. Results. A significant decrease (p <0.001) in the peritoneal adhesion rate was detected in all groups, with the exception of the group administered poly-L-arginine. Among those animals that received poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamate, the low dose of poly-L-lysine administration resulted in the most pronounced anti-adhesive effect. Conclusions. The most effective polypeptide combination was poly-L-lysine and poly-L-glutamate, also showing effectiveness when used at low doses and by local application. The differences in adhesion prevention and the possible underlying mechanisms are discussed and the key role of poly-L-lysine is elucidated.