First trimester serum levels of the soluble transcobalamin receptor,holo-transcobalamin,and total transcobalamin in relation to preeclampsia risk

Background: Human placenta expresses CD320, a receptor that ensures the uptake of holo-transcobalamin (holoTC). Soluble CD320 (sCD320) is present in the circulation and its concentration increases during pregnancy.

Aims: To investigate a possible association of sCD320, holoTC and total transcobalamin (TC) with the risk of subsequent preeclampsia using serum samples from asymptomatic first trimester pregnant women. Moreover, we aimed to establish reference intervals of the aforementioned biomarkers for first trimester pregnant women who remained healthy throughout pregnancy.

Study design: This study was a retrospective case-control study that we performed on biobank serum samples. Cases (n?=?50) and controls (n?=?198) (matched for gestational age and date of sample collection) were asymptomatic women in early pregnancy [median (range) gestational age?=?10 (8–12) weeks]. Cases developed preeclampsia while the controls remained normotensive throughout pregnancy. We measured the serum concentration of sCD320, holoTC, and total TC by using in-house ELISA methods.

Results: First trimester median concentrations of sCD320, holoTC and total TC were not significantly different between cases and controls. The odd ratio for developing preeclampsia based on exposure to low or high levels of sCD320, holoTC or total TC at first trimester was not significant. The reference intervals (2.5–97.5% percentiles (median)) derived from the controls were 50–170 (90) pmol\L for sCD320, 20–140 (70) pmol\L for holoTC and 560–1300 (810) pmol\L for total TC.

Conclusions: The risk of preeclampsia is not predicted by first trimester serum concentrations of sCD320, holoTC or total TC. The first trimester reference intervals for the three parameters is reported.     

Partial-Thickness Tears of the Gluteus Medius: Rationale and Technique for Trans-Tendinous Endoscopic Repair

Tears in the gluteus medius and minimus tendons, often misdiagnosed as trochanteric bursitis, have recently emerged as an important cause of recalcitrant greater trochanter pain syndrome. Advances in endoscopic surgery of the hip have created opportunities to better evaluate and treat pathology in the peritrochanteric compartment. We reviewed the literature on trochanteric pain syndrome and gluteus medius tendon injuries. Existing techniques for endoscopic and open gluteus tendon repair and potential challenges in restoration of abductor function were analyzed. Partial-thickness undersurface tears of the gluteus medius were identified as a common pathologic entity. Although these tears are otherwise analogous to partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff, the lack of arthroscopic access to the deep side of the gluteus medius tendon represents a unique technical challenge. To address the difficulty in visualizing and thus repairing undersurface tears of the gluteus medius, a novel endoscopic trans-tendinous repair technique was developed. The purposes of this article are to review the anatomy, pathology, and existing repair techniques of gluteus medius tendon tears and to describe the rationale and surgical steps for endoscopic trans-tendinous repair.     

Chemical and Biological Characteristics of Propolis from Apis Mellifera Caucasica from the Ardahan and Erzurum Provinces of Turkey: A Comparative Study

The aim of this study was to compare the biological activities of ethanolic propolis extracts of Apis mellifera caucasica obtained from Ardahan and Erzurum provinces of Turkey. Samples were tested for antioxidant, anticytotoxic, anticarcinogenic, antibacterial, and antifungal potentials using different techniques. Propolis samples from the two provinces had different mineral and organic compositions related to their geographical origin. The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test showed superiority of Ardahan propolis over the Erzurum. Regardless of origin and the presence of mitomycin C in the culture medium, propolis enhanced human peripheral lymphocyte viability, which depended on the duration and propolis concentration. Antiperoxidative activity on MCF-7 breast cancer cells was concentration-dependent. Erzurum propolis showed the highest anticarcinogenic activity at the concentrations of 62.5 μg/mL and 125 μg/ mL, which dropped at higher concentrations. All propolis samples also showed antibacterial activity against the tested human pathogens similar to ampicillin and penicillin controls, except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, they did not exert any antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Yarrowia lipolytica. In conclusion, propolis samples from both provinces showed promising biological activities, but further research should focus on finding the right concentrations for optimal effect and include the cell necrosis pathway to get a better idea of the anticarcinogenic effects.Key words: anticarcinogen, antimicrobial, biological activity, mineral, mitomycin C, organic composition     

Long-term effect of elevated temperatures on SSPE virus expression in persistently infected rat glial cells

Summary Cultivation of measles virus (SSPE virus, Lec strain) persistently infected C 6 rat glioma cells at 39°C resulted in the loss of detectable expression of measles virus proteins. Temperature shift-back led to reactivation of measles virus even after maintenance of the cells at 39°C for 15 days. In Northern blot analysis viral mRNA disappeared at 3 days after shift-up whereas 50 S viral genome-sized RNA was detectable until 6 days. The 50 S RNA decreased in quantity in rough correlation with dilution by cell passage at 39°C. The 50 S viral RNA was found in the nucleocapsid fraction. On day 9 after shift-down of persistently infected cells, maintained at 39°C for 15 days, 50 S viral RNA reappeared although mRNAs were not yet detected. Infectious center assays showed that the number of cells in the population at 39°C, which contained an SSPE virus genome that could be reactivated, declined after temperature shift. Moreover, cell cloning experiments, in which single cells of cultures maintained for various lengths of time at 39°C were incubated at 35°C and examined by immunofluorescence, reconfirmed the above results. This indicates that the reactivation of SSPE virus described here was due to re-infection of virus-antigen negative cells with progeny virus produced by a few latently infected cells in the population. The biological significance of this phenomenon in the central nervous system virus infection is discussed.On sabbatical leave from the Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.     

Effects of betaine in a murine model of mild cystathionine-beta-synthase deficiency

Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) is required for transsulfuration of homocysteine, an amino acid implicated in vascular disease. We studied homocysteine metabolism in mice with mild hyperhomocysteinemia due to a heterozygous disruption of the Cbs gene. Mice were fed diets supplemented with betaine or dimethylsulfonioacetate (DMSA); betaine and DMSA provide methyl groups for an alternate pathway of homocysteine metabolism, remethylation by betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT). On control diets, heterozygous mice had 50% higher plasma homocysteine than did wild-type mice. Betaine and DMSA had similar effects in both genotype groups: liver betaine increased dramatically, while plasma homocysteine decreased by 40% to 50%. With increasing betaine supplementation, homocysteine decreased by 75%. Plasma homocysteine and BHMT activity both showed a strong negative correlation with liver betaine. Homocysteinemia in mice is sensitive to a disruption of Cbs and to methyl donor intake. Because betaine leads to a greater flux through BHMT and lowers homocysteine, betaine supplementation may be beneficial in mild hyperhomocysteinemia.     

Linkage and mutational analysis of CLCN2 in childhood absence epilepsy

In order to assess the chloride channel gene CLCN2 as a candidate susceptibility gene for childhood absence epilepsy, parametric and non-parametric linkage analysis was performed in 65 nuclear pedigrees. This provided suggestive evidence for linkage with heterogeneity: NPL score=2.3, p<0.009; HLOD=1.5, alpha=0.44. Mutational analysis of the entire genomic sequence of CLCN2 was performed in 24 unrelated patients from pedigrees consistent with linkage, identifying 45 sequence variants including the known non-synonymous polymorphism rs2228292 (G2154C, Glu718Asp) and a novel variant IVS4+12G>A. Intra-familial association analysis using the pedigrees and a further 308 parent-child trios showed suggestive evidence for transmission disequilibrium of the G2154C minor allele: AVE-PDT chi(1)2 = 5.17, p<0.03. Case-control analysis provided evidence for a protective effect of the IVS4+12G>A minor allele: chi(1)2 = 7.27, p<0.008. The 65 nuclear pedigrees were screened for three previously identified mutations shown to segregate with a variety of idiopathic generalised epilepsy phenotypes (597insG, IVS2-14del11 and G2144A) but none were found. We conclude that CLCN2 may be a susceptibility locus in a subset of cases of childhood absence epilepsy.     

Chylothorax following innominate vein thrombosis--a rare complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation

A case of chylothorax following innominate vein thrombosis which developed as a late complication of transvenous pacemaker implantation is discussed. A 78-year-old man presented with a refractory left-sided pleural effusion, which turned out to be a chylothorax. He had undergone a transvenous pacemaker implantation 6 years earlier for sick sinus syndrome. Aetiological work-up showed occlusion of the innominate vein as the cause for the chylothorax. The chylothorax resolved following pleurodesis with talc slurry, and the innominate vein was recanalized by angioplasty. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a case of this nature.