Comparative uptake of labelled hexoses and synthesis of macromolecules by Litomosoides carinii

Summary Litomosoides carinii, the filarial parasite of cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus), utilized labelled glucose and mannose for procuring energy while fructose and galactose were not helpful in this purpose. Studies on the fate of labelled glucose and mannose showed that these sugars led to the synthesis of glycogen.Communication No. 2312 Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow-226001     

Pathologic findings in mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIB (Sanfilippo's sydnrome B)

The pathologic changes in a rare case of mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type IIIB or Sanfilippo's syndrome B (absence of alpha-N-acetylglucosaminidase) are presented, along with the biochemical findings. Comparisons were made with other reported cases of MPS III subtypes and related storage disorders in terms of clinical, light microscopic, electron microscopic, and chemical findings, and a correlation of the ultrastructural changes made with the severe neurological dysfunction noted in this disorder. At present, MPS III subtypes cannot be separated from one another by morphological means because the same expression and distribution of lesions may be encountered among differing subtypes.     

Hydrocephalus: I. Histological and ultrastructural changes in the pre-shunted cortical mantle.

Hydrocephalus results in a reduction in the thickness of the cerebral cortical mantle which seemingly is restored by ventricular shunting. In order to determine the effect of hydrocephalus and its potential reversibility, experimental hydrocephalus was produced in adult cats by the introduction of kaolin or silicone into the basal cisterns followed by bilateral craniectomies. Microscopic and fine structural studies of these animals suggest the occurrence of significant focal axonal destruction. These studies suggest a sequence of events consisting of ventriculomegaly, disruption of the periventricular ependyma, periventricular edema, axonal destruction, secondary myelin disintegration and finally reactive astrocytosis. The damage to axons and meylin and resulting gliosis is irreversible.     

Pathology of cerebral embolization caused by nonthrombotic agents

Although apparently infrequent, a variety of agents other than thrombotic material are known to cause cerebral embolization, often with serious consequences. The emboli may originate in different parts of the body or may be introduced from outside under diverse circumstances. The pathologic aspects of these individual embolic phenomena are described with particular emphasis on their recognition at autopsy. Adequate autopsy study appears to be the most important source of information for further elucidation of the incidence, mechanism, and sequelae of these heterogeneous embolic lesions of the brain. Such information is essential for clinical evaluation, management, and, more importantly, prevention of some of these potentially serious embolic phenomena.     

Mitochondrial D-loop and Cytochrome Oxidase C subunit I polymorphisms among the breast cancer patients of Mizoram,Northeast India

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is known for its high frequencies of polymorphisms and mutations as it is prone to oxidative stress. The aim of the present study is to assess the novel mutations in mitochondrial genes from blood samples among the breast cancer patients from a less studied Northeast Indian population. D, B, L haplogroups were observed in the cancer samples and a total of 44 mtDNA D-loop sequence variations at 42 distinct nucleotide positions were found. All the sequence variations were transitional substitutions and 6 were heteroplasmic states, except for a cytosine copy number change (9C/8C) at np 303e309 in three samples examined. A total of 88 Cytochrome Oxidase C subunit I (COXI) sequence differences with respect to the Revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS) were identified including 20 missense variants with 100 % sample mutation frequency. All 20 missense mutations are highly conserved with a Cumulate Index of 100 %. Among 88 COXI mutations, 24 (13 were Non-Synonymous and 11 were Synonymous) were not previously reported (novel mutation) in the literature or the public mtDNA mutation databases. Analysis of three-dimensional structure of COXI open reading frame (ORF) predicted the effect of one single codon (96R > C, 217T > I, 224-225GG > EE and 227D > T) mutations located in the signal peptide binding position. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA mutations, as a viable alternative, has the advantage of being capable of detecting inherent risk factors for breast cancer development.     

Impact of EGFR and p53 expressions on survival and quality of life in locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with chemoradiation

EGFR and p53 are molecular markers which play important role in tumor progression and development. The objective of this study was to assess the association between EGFR and p53 expression and survival, and to determine whether EGFR and p53 expression levels were associated with differences quality of life in OSCC patients undergoing chemoradiation. A total of 120 OSCC patients aged 20–67 y and stage III/IV were recruited. Treatment response was assessed according to W.H.O. (1979). EGFR and p53 expression in tumor tissue was estimated by immunohistochemical (IHC) method and quantified as percentage positive nuclei. Molecular marker expressions of both EGFR and p53 were found significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.001) associated with overall response, survivals and quality of life. Neither EGFR nor p53 expression was associated with hematologic or non-hematologic toxicity. EGFR and p53 molecular marker expressions may have significant association with survival and QOL in OSCC patients undergoing chemoradiation.     

A modified collagen gel dressing promotes angiogenesis in a preclinical swine model of chronic ischemic wounds

We recently performed proteomic characterization of a modified collagen gel (MCG) dressing and reported promising effects of the gel in healing full‐thickness excisional wounds. In this work, we test the translational relevance of our aforesaid findings by testing the dressing in a swine model of chronic ischemic wounds recently reported by our laboratory. Full‐thickness excisional wounds were established in the center of bipedicle ischemic skin flaps on the backs of animals. Ischemia was verified by laser Doppler imaging, and MCG was applied to the test group of wounds. Seven days post wounding, macrophage recruitment to the wound was significantly higher in MCG‐treated ischemic wounds. In vitro, MCG up‐regulated expression of Mrc‐1 (a reparative M2 macrophage marker) and induced the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)‐10 and of fibroblast growth factor‐basic (β‐FGF). An increased expression of CCR2, an M2 macrophage marker, was noted in the macrophages from MCG treated wounds. Furthermore, analyses of wound tissues 7 days post wounding showed up‐regulation of transforming growth factor‐β, vascular endothelial growth factor, von Willebrand's factor, and collagen type I expression in MCG‐treated ischemic wounds. At 21 days post wounding, MCG‐treated ischemic wounds displayed higher abundance of proliferating endothelial cells that formed mature vascular structures and increased blood flow to the wound. Fibroblast count was markedly higher in MCG‐treated ischemic wound‐edge tissue. In addition, MCG‐treated wound‐edge tissues displayed higher abundance of mature collagen with increased collagen type I : III deposition. Taken together, MCG helped mount a more robust inflammatory response that resolved in a timely manner, followed by an enhanced proliferative phase, angiogenic outcome, and postwound tissue remodeling. Findings of the current study warrant clinical testing of MCG in a setting of ischemic chronic wounds.     

Serum cholesterol binding reserve percentage in diabetes mellitus

Summary Serum cholesterol binding reserve percentage (SCBR%) in patients with diabetes mellitus (22.17±13.40%) was significantly lower than in controls (40.93±8.69%) (p<0.001). SCBR% of controls did not vary with age (age range 20.80 years). SCBR% declined significantly with increasing duration of diabetes. It also decreased with macrovascular complications and was lowest in multiple/fatal complications further corroborating the value of SCBR% as a risk indicator of atherogenesis. The relationship of SCBR% with treatment was very striking. All adequately controlled patients had a significantly higher SCBR% than those who were poorly controlled regardless of treatment modality and those adequately controlled on insulin had the highest SCBR%, which was close to that of normal controls. C.D.R.I. Communication No. 3465.