Epigenetic dysregulation of Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-related genes and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review

Objectives: Preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) are leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity around the world. Epigenetic alterations of the human genome may be involved in the causal chain of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this systematic review we investigated whether PTB, LBW and SGA are associated with epigenetic dysregulation of insulin-like growth factor-related genes (IGF).

Methods: We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for peer-reviewed articles about IGF and PTB, LBW and SGA published up to February 2015. Two independent reviewers selected original, controlled, human studies published in any language and graded them using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Disagreements were resolved by consensus with a third reviewer.

Results: Eighteen observational studies of low-to-moderate quality met the eligibility criteria out of 210 unique studies. There was substantial heterogeneity across studies. Most studies reported no, limited or borderline association between epigenetic changes (methylation or imprinting) of IGF-related genes and LBW or SGA. There were no IGF-related epigenetic studies of PTB.

Conclusions: Overall, evidence of an association between epigenetic abnormalities of IGF-related genes and LBW or SGA was weak and inconsistent. Methodological concerns limited results validity.     

Risk behavior associated with the manipulation of dental amalgam in Senegal]

Dental amalgam is a combination of mercury, silver, tin and copper used in the treatment of the dental decays. Amalgam is used in dentistry since many years. Actually a large discussion held according to environmental pollution and risk of intoxication for the patient and the dentist himself. The aim of our survey concerning 103 dentists was to determine the quantity of mercury used in a year, to see the risks linked with the equipment and the manipulation of amalgam and to study the incoming of the trashes of amalgam. Our results showed that among the dentists: 44.66% used 250 to 500 g of mercury by year, 14.56% used their hands for insertion of amalgam in the cavities, 10.68% used their hands for condensation of amalgam in the cavities, 87.38% throw their amalgam on the trash.     

Food habits and oral hygiene of students. Investigation of 150 students in university housing]

The objective of this study is to describe the food intake and the oral hygiene habits of 150 Senegalese students living in a university campus. According to Miller, we realised a four days survey. We noted an increase of sugar drinks; tea is the most consumed drink. The results showed also that the toothbrush as means of oral hygiene supplanted the traditional means such as "cure dents" or water rinse with finger.     

Ectonucleotidase NTPDase2 is selectively down-regulated in biliary cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Portal fibroblasts are newly identified, potentially fibrogenic liver cells that are distinct from hepatic stellate cells. The ectonucleotidase* nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 2 (NTPDase2) is restricted to portal fibroblasts in the normal liver. However, the fate of NTPDase2 after bile duct ligation (BDL) is unknown. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of experimental rat and disease-mediated human biliary cirrhosis on NTPDase2 expression in the liver. METHODS: Cirrhosis was induced in experimental rats via BDL and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. Archived human liver biopsy specimens from normal liver, primary biliary cirrhosis, or hepatitis C cirrhosis were examined. Changes in expression of NTPDase2 were determined using confocal immunofluorescence, immunoblot, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Confocal immunofluorescence demonstrated a decrease in NTPDase2 expression after BDL. Immunoblot and real-time polymerase chain reaction demonstrated a decrease in NTPDase2 expression by portal fibroblasts after BDL. No decrease in NTPDase2 protein was noted after CCl4 administration, and NTPDase2 messenger ribonucleic acid was markedly up-regulated after CCl4 administration. Confocal immunofluorescence demonstrated a shift of NTPDase2 expression from portal areas to central areas that colocalized with alpha-smooth muscle actin after CCl4 administration. In human biopsy specimens, NTPDase2 expression was lost in cirrhosis owing to primary biliary cirrhosis, whereas NTPDase2 expression was shifted to bridging fibrous bands in cirrhosis owing to hepatitis C. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of NTPDase2 is a common pathway in both rat and human manifestations of biliary cirrhosis. Conversely, in non-biliary cirrhosis, NTPDase2 is shifted from the portal area to bridging fibrous bands. Elucidations of the mechanisms regulating NTPDase2 expression may lead to new therapeutic approaches to fibrotic liver disease.     

人骨髓间充质干细胞分化为软骨细胞的诱导条件

目的:分析人骨髓间充质干细胞分离、纯化、体外扩增及其向软骨细胞分化的条件,为人骨髓间充质干细胞用于修复损伤的软骨组织提供依据。方法:实验于2005-03/2006-04在南昌大学医学院生化与分子生物学教研室完成。实验材料:无菌条件下采集无血液系统疾病和家族遗传史的28～65岁成人骨髓8份,进行骨髓间充质干细胞分离与培养,骨髓采集经患者及医院同意,并签署知情同意书。实验方法:取第3代对数生长期骨髓间充质干细胞,实验组使用特定的、内含2mg/L胰岛素、3mg/L转铁蛋白、1mmol/L丙酮酸、100nmol/L地塞米松和10μg/L转化生长因子β1的低糖DMEM培养基诱导人骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞分化,对照组细胞以低糖DMEM基础培养液培养。倒置显微镜下观察细胞形态,诱导7,14d采用半定量RT-PCR方法检测细胞软骨特异性Ⅱ型胶原表达,蕃红花O-亮绿染色分析蛋白多糖粘多糖含量,观察细胞分化情况。结果:①光镜观察成人骨髓间充质干细胞的形态变化:培养7d细胞集落明显,集落中央为数个至数十个圆形细胞,周围变形细胞围绕中央细胞呈放射状生长。培养14d细胞呈平行状或旋涡状排布,细胞排列紧密。②骨髓间充质干细胞向软骨细胞的诱导分化:实验组细胞生长较对照组慢,培养7d后细胞大多呈椭圆形或三角形,部分细胞伸出似触角突起,培养14d细胞变形较明显,排列较为紧密,细胞突起多见,突起间相连,呈较明显软骨细胞形态特征。③骨髓间充质干细胞的番红花-O染色:实验组骨髓间充质干细胞蕃红花O-亮绿呈深染色,对照组人骨髓间充质干细胞呈阴性染色。④RT-PCR检测软骨特异性的Ⅱ型胶原COL2A1 mRNA表达:实验组诱导培养7,14d人骨髓间充质干细胞有Ⅱ型胶原COL2A1 mRNA表达,400～500bp条带间可见明显的荧光条带,诱导培养14d时表达更明显。对照组未见Ⅱ型胶原COL2A1 mRNA表达。结论:采用直接贴壁培养法成功分离和培养出人骨髓间充质干细胞,并将人骨髓间充质干细胞诱导分化成软骨细胞,该软骨细胞具有软骨细胞的形态、生化特征。     

Sources and sequelae of bacterial contamination of hematopoietic stem cell components: implications for the safety of hematotherapy and graft engineering

Background: It is important to compare the incidence of bacterial contamination of components collected from the peripheral blood or bone marrow (BM), as well as of components processed with or without cell selection or depletion, and to evaluate the sequelae of such contamination. Study Design and Methods: Bacterial contamination rates were compared in 1380 untreated autologous peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs), 291 untreated autologous BM samples, 916 monoclonal antibody (MoAb)-treated autologous and allogeneic BM samples, and in 45 autologous PBPC components from which the CD34+ cells were selected. Bacterial cultures were performed at sequential time points during the processing of MoAb-treated BM. Results: Bacterial contamination was documented in 44 of 2632 components from 1593 patients (1.67% of components, 2.76% of patients) before cryopreservation. Although only 0.65% of untreated PBPCs were contaminated before cryopreservation, each patient was more likely to have given a contaminated PBPC component than a contaminated BM component (2.41% vs. 0%, p < 0.01). Bacterial contamination of MoAb-treated BM was greater during or after manipulation than it was before (2.33% vs. 0.77%, p < 0.05). At thawing, contamination was documented in 42 (1.97%) of 2136 components cultured. Ten (13.7%) of 73 patients who received hematopoietic progenitor cells that were contaminated before cryopreservation or at thawing developed fever or positive blood cultures within 48 hours of transfusion. Fever was associated with bacteremia in two cases, but no irreversible clinical sequelae were noted. Conclusion: These studies suggest that, despite careful attention to sterile procedures, low-level contamination of hematopoietic stem cell components can be introduced before or during manipulation as well as at thawing, and that standards for monitoring of the procedures for collection, processing, cryopreservation, thawing, and transfusion of hematopoietic progenitor cells are necessary.     

Épilepsie et santé de la reproduction : cohorte sénégalaise

Introduction

Epilepsy is a public health problem in Senegal and Africa because of its severity and its social importance. It occurs at any age sparing no sex. It can influence sexual life and reciprocally. Our aims were to study the effects of antiepileptic drugs on the sexual lives of women with epilepsy, the influence of these drugs on pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study from 1st March to 31st August 2011 in the neurological department of the Fann-Dakar teaching hospital Senegal. Only women with epilepsy were included.

Results

We collected 120 patients aged 16–64 years with a mean age of 30.58 years, 45% married, 44.16% were uneducated preponderant. All patients were taking antiepileptic drugs, 89.16% was alone. Fifty-five percent of our patients had epilepsy for at least 6 years; 45.83% had generalized epilepsy; 44.17% of partial seizures. In our cohort, 64.16% were under phenobarbital, 69.16% had good adherence. As side effects of drugs, 90% had sexual problems. Seventy-five percent enjoyed an active sex life. A decrease in the number of sex per week for the disease [31/55 = 56.66%] was noted. In addition, 51.17% were using contraception, including 38.7% of oral kind and 64.86% had noticed an increase in seizure frequency during their pregnancies. Of the 74 women who had contracted a pregnancy, 41.89% had premature infants, 16.21% have made abortions and 61.17% had psychosocial life affected.

Discussion and conclusion

People with epilepsy often experience sexual problems that may be caused by epilepsy, antiepileptic and/or reactions of the partner and the other facing the diagnosis of epilepsy.     

In vitro antiplasmodial activity and cytotoxicity of nine plants traditionally used in Gabon

Aim of the study

As part of a project to identify new compounds active on malarial parasites, we tested the in vitro antiplasmodial activity of nine plants traditionally used to treat malaria symptoms in Haut-Ogooué Province, South-East Gabon.

Materials and methods

Dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of each plant were tested for their antiplasmodial activity on two chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum (FCB and W2), based on lactate dehydrogenase activity. Cytotoxicity was assessed with the MTT test on MRC-5 human diploid embryonic lung cells.

Results

The methanolic extract of Staudtia gabonensis and the dichloromethane extract of Adhatoda latibracteata showed high antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ < 1 μg/ml) and low cytotoxicity, with selectivity indexes of about 58.25 and 16.43, respectively. The methanolic extract of Monodora myristica and the dichloromethane extract of Afromomum giganteum also showed promising activity (1 < IC₅₀ < 10 μg/ml) and low cytotoxicity, with selectivity indexes about 15.70 and 12.48, respectively. Dichloromethane extracts of Monodora myristica and Leonotis Africana showed moderate activity (10 < IC₅₀ < 40 μg/ml), with selectivity indexes about 6.07 and 28.89, respectively. Both extracts of Culcasia lancifolia had IC₅₀ values of 10-40 μg/ml but high cytotoxicity (selectivity indexes <2.77). The methanolic extract of Dorstenia klaineana had moderate antiplasmodial activity (IC₅₀ around 17 μg/ml) but strong cytotoxicity (0.43 μg/ml), giving a selectivity index of about 0.03.

Conclusions

Most extracts of nine selected plants traditionally used to treat malaria in Gabon had interesting antiplasmodial activity in vitro. This supports continued investigations of traditional medicines in the search for new antimalarial agents. The compounds responsible for the observed antiplasmodial effects are under investigation.     

Low risk of nevirapine resistance mutations in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1: Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA Ditrame Plus, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

The frequency of resistance mutations was estimated in the cohort of Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA Ditrame Plus, a study that evaluated the combination of short-course zidovudine (ZDV) plus lamivudine (3TC) and single-dose nevirapine (SD-NVP) followed by 3 days of postpartum ZDV plus 3TC for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The frequency with which resistance mutations were detected in mothers at week 4 postpartum was 1.14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03%-6.17%) for NVP and 8.33% (95% CI, 3.66%-15.76%) for 3TC. In multivariate analysis, 3TC resistance was associated with a longer duration of ZDV plus 3TC prepartum prophylaxis (P=.009). This regimen, which is feasible in resource-limited settings, prevents most peripartum HIV-1 transmission and minimizes the development of NVP resistance.