Folate receptor endocytosis and trafficking

Folate absorption is primarily mediated by a membrane transporter with micro-molar affinities for folates. Paradoxically, folates are only present at low nanomolar concentrations in extracellular milieus; membrane folate receptors (FRs) with nanomolar affinities for folates are likely to substantially modulate folate availability for these transporters. Functional isoforms of FRs are anchored to the membrane by a glycolipid anchor, the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. In this chapter we discuss recent insights that have been obtained with regards to GPI-anchored protein trafficking in the context of folate transport via the GPI-anchored FR. Specifically, we focus on recent advances in elucidating the pathways and mechanisms of endocytic sorting of the GPI-anchored FR, and the connection with membrane rafts.     

Functionally significant metabolic differences between B and T lymphocyte lineages

Activation of B and T lymphocytes leads to major remodelling of the metabolic landscape of the cells enabling their post-activation functions. However, naive B and T lymphocytes also show metabolic differences, and the genesis, nature and functional significance of these differences are not yet well understood. Here we show that resting B-cells appeared to have lower energy demands than resting T-cells as they consumed lower levels of glucose and fatty acids and produced less ATP. Resting B-cells are more dependent on OXPHOS, while T-cells show more dependence on aerobic glycolysis. However, despite an apparently higher energy demand, T lineage cells showed lower rates of protein synthesis than equivalent B lineage stages. These metabolic differences between the two lineages were established early during lineage differentiation, and were functionally significant. Higher levels of protein synthesis in B-cells were associated with increased synthesis of MHC class II molecules and other proteins associated with antigen internalization, transport and presentation. The combination of higher energy demand and lower protein synthesis in T-cells was consistent with their higher ATP-dependent motility. Our data provide an integrated perspective of the metabolic differences and their functional implications between the B and T lymphocyte lineages.     

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (bitter apple fruit): A review of its phytochemistry,pharmacology, traditional uses and nutritional potential

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a valuable cucurbit plant, widely distributed in the desert areas of the world. Citrullus colocynthis fruits are usually recognized for its wide range of medicinal uses as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential. This review aims to appraise the published information on the ethnobotanical knowledge, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, nutraceutical potential and safety studies of Citrullus colocynthis (bitter apple) fruit, with critical analysis on the gaps and potential for future studies.

Material and methods

A literature survey was performed by searching the scientific databases including PubMed, Scopus, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science, ACS as well as published books.

Results

The plant has been reported to possess a wide range of traditional medicinal uses including in diabetes, leprosy, common cold, cough, asthma, bronchitis, jaundice, joint pain, cancer, toothache, wound, mastitis, and in gastrointestinal disorders such as indigestion, constipation, dysentery, gastroenteritis, colic pain and different microbial infections. Several bioactive chemical constituents from fruits were recorded, such as, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids and essential oils. The isolation and identification of curcurbitacins A, B, C, D, E, I, J, K, and L and Colocynthosides A, and B were also reported. The fruit of Citrullus colocynthis has been studied extensively for its wide range of biological activities, which include antioxidant, cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antilipidemic, insecticide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. The plant was also shown to be rich in nutritional value with high protein contents and important minerals as well as edible quality of seed oil.

Conclusion

It is evident from the literature that Citrullus colocynthis possesses a wide range of medicinal uses and has been well studied for its antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, while its therapeutic potential for gut, airways and cardiovascular disorders remains to be explored. Critical analysis revealed that the plant has the huge potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical application, with some indications for the presence of synergistic and /or side effects neutralizing combinations of activities.     

Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge,Attitudes and Practices of Food Service Staff in Bangladeshi Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study

Food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among hospital food service staff are crucial in the prevention of foodborne disease outbreaks, as hospitalized patients are more vulnerable to potential hazards. This study, therefore, sought to assess the food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices of food service staff in Bangladeshi hospitals. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 191 food service staff from seven different hospitals in Dhaka and Chattogram from October 2021 to March 2022 using pretested questionnaires. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the factors associated with the food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices. The findings showed moderate knowledge but high levels of attitudes and practices of food safety among hospital food handlers. Food safety knowledge was significantly higher among males, participants from private hospitals and participants working in a hospital that had a food service supervisor and dietitian in charge of food service operations. Moreover, participants from private hospitals and participants working in a hospital that had a food service supervisor and dietitian in charge of food service operations had more positive attitudes and better practices regarding food safety. Hospital management should consider these factors for enhancing food handlers’ knowledge and increase training and supervision on food safety practices to reduce foodborne diseases and outbreaks.     

HIV and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has significantly increased the survival rate of patients with HIV. However, abnormalities of lipid and insulin metabolism have been recognised and there is an increasing prevalence of fat redistribution, frank diabetes and hyperlipidaemia in HIV-infected patients receiving HAART. Several observational studies have described associations between HIV infection, HAART and cardiovascular disease. The management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease is expected to play an important role in the treatment of HIV infection.     

Color doppler ultrasound as an objective assessment tool for chemotherapeutic response in advanced breast cancer

BACKGROUND: In our part of the world, the majority of the patients with breast cancer present with locally advanced disease and require neo-adjuvant chemotherapy as the primary treatment modality. It is essential to monitor the response to chemotherapy in these patients. Clinical examination as the sole criterion of response assessment is entirely subjective and fallacious. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) are expensive. The role of Doppler ultrasonography as an imaging modality for this purpose is therefore being evaluated. METHODS: A prospective study was undertaken of 25 cases of locally advanced breast carcinoma (LABC) and Color Doppler sonography was used for the sequential assessment of chemotherapeutic response. The response assessed on the basis of clinical examination and Color Doppler was compared with the histological response. The parameters assessed on color Doppler were a change in the number of flow signals, maximum flow velocity (Vmax), pulsatility index (PI) and resistivity index (RI). Responses were analysed statistically using the Pearson correlation coefficient and Kappa statistics (kappa). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive & negative predictive values for predicting complete histological response were calculated. RESULTS: Color Doppler showed a sensitivity of 88.88 % for predicting complete histological response. The negative predictive value of color Doppler was 92.3 %. A significant correlation was obtained between color Doppler and histopathological response. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler was found to be an objective and effective tool or modality compared with clinical evaluation in sequential response assessment, especially for predicting complete histological response.     

Twelve years' experience of the mini-Bankart repair for recurrent anterior dislocation of the shoulder

Stabilization for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation can be achieved through either an open or arthroscopic approach. The former tends to have a lower recurrence rate but longer rehabilitation.The technique of mini-Bankart repair has been used at this establishment since 1996. We retrospectively reviewed the patients that had undergone this procedure. We describe our experience of the mini-Bankart procedure and the results in 24 patients with a mean follow-up of 56 months (range, 12-144 months).The technique is a direct mini-approach to the shoulder joint, preserving the inferior portion of subscapularis. Where present, a Bankart lesion is repaired with two GII Mitek anchors (Ethicon) and the capsule reefed. There were no incidences of repeat anterior dislocation, and the average time period taken to return to work was 8.8 weeks. We recommend this technique due to its low recurrence rate and satisfactory return to normal function.     

Tibial articular cartilage wear in varus osteoarthritic knees: correlation with anterior cruciate ligament integrity and severity of deformity

Tibial articular cartilage wear was assessed intraoperatively in 100 consecutive patients with varus osteoarthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Severity of deformity on radiographs, integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) at surgery, and body mass index were recorded. Posterior half of the medial tibial plateau was more commonly involved in knees with ACL deficiency; there was predominantly anteromedial involvement with an intact ACL. Varus deformity was significantly greater in knees with a deficient ACL than with an intact ACL. Severity of deformity did not alter the wear pattern, irrespective of the ACL integrity. The functional status of ACL in an osteoarthritic knee can be corroborated with the wear pattern on the tibial plateau articular cartilage.     

Comparison of limb and component alignment using computer-assisted navigation versus image intensifier-guided conventional total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized, single-surgeon study of 467 knees

Total knee arthroplasty was performed in 282 knees with image-free navigation (group A) and in 185 with optimized conventional technique (group B). Mean postoperative mechanical axis of the limb was 179.7 degrees in group A and 179.1 degrees in group B (P < .002). There was a higher percentage of knees in group A that had restoration of mechanical axis to +/-1 degrees, +/-2 degrees, and +/-3 degrees of neutral (P < .0001). There were 9.2% outliers (+/-3 degrees) in group A and 21.6% outliers in group B (P < .0001). For knees exceeding 20 degrees varus, there was no significant difference between the mean mechanical axes in the 2 groups. Both components were aligned within 3 degrees of neutral in 90.8% of the knees in group A and 76.2% of the knees in group B (P < .0001).