Ornithine decarboxylase activity as a biochemical marker in individuals predisposed to lung cancer

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is the first enzyme in the pathway of mammalian polyamine biosynthesis. "Tumor promoters" appear to induce ODC. In addition, increased ODC activity has been observed in normal appearing colonic mucosa of patients with familial polyposis, an autosomal dominant disorder associated with a high incidence of colon cancer. Ornithine decarboxylase activity was measured in bronchoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens from the noninvolved lung in patients with unilateral lung masses. No correlation could be determined in ODC levels from "normal" mucosa between patients with lung cancer compared to those with benign disease, despite elevated ODC activity in the tumors themselves.     

Morphology of temperate bacteriophage SfV and characterisation of the DNA packaging and capsid genes: the structural genes evolved from two different phage families

The entire genome of SfV, a temperate serotype-converting bacteriophage of Shigella flexneri, has recently been sequenced (Allison, G.E., Angeles, D., Tran-Dinh, N., Verma, N.K. 2002, J. Bacteriol. 184, 1974-1987). Based on the sequence analysis, we further characterised the SfV virion structure and morphogenesis. Electron microscopy indicated that SfV belongs to the Myoviridae morphology family. Analysis of the proteins encoded by orf1, orf2, and orf3 revealed that they were homologous to small and large terminase subunits, and portal proteins, respectively; the protein encoded by orf5 showed homology to capsid proteins. Western immunoblot of the phage with anti-SfV sera revealed two antigenic proteins, and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 32-kDa protein corresponded to amino acids 116 to 125 of the ORF5 protein, suggesting that the capsid may be processed. Functional analysis of orf4 showed that it encodes the phage capsid protease. The proteins encoded by orfs1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are homologous to similar proteins in the Siphoviridae phage family of both gram-positive and gram-negative origin. The capsid and morphogenesis genes are upstream and adjacent to the genes encoding Myoviridae (Mu-like) tail proteins. The organisation of the structural genes of SfV is therefore unique as the head and tail genes originate from different morphology groups.     

The direct excitatory effects of cimetidine on the smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum

1. Cimetidine produced dose-dependent contractions in isolated guinea pig ileum and these responses were not blocked by mepyramine the H₁-receptor antogonist.
2. Atropine competitively inhibited the cimetidine-induced contractions in the guinea pig ileum.
3. Cimetidine-induced reponses were potentiated in the presence of eserine.

Magnesium ions non-competitively inhibited the contractions due to cimetidine. Our findings suggest that cimetidine excites the guinea pig ileum through muscarinic receptors by releasing acetylcholine.     

Characterization of a complex translocation [t(4;9;22)(p16;q34;q11)] in chronic myelogenous leukemia by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique

A patient was referred with a high leukocyte count and diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Although practically asymptomatic since the time of diagnosis, he had a variable and inconsistent response to treatment. All of his bone marrow cells had a complex, three-way translocation, involving chromosomes 4, 9 and 22. Translocation of chromosome 4 to chromosome 9 was undetectable by routine cytogenetic techniques; however, by the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique, a three-way translocation was identified, 46,XYt(4;9;22)(p16;q34;q11). Although, other chromosomes are frequently involved in complex or variant translocations with chromosome 9 and 22, participation of chromosome 4 is a very rare event. So far, two previous cases have been described in the literature with translocations involving chromosome 4p16. We present a third case of CML having similar break points whose clinical presentation is unusual.     

Incidence of major chromosomal abnormalities in a referred population for suspected chromosomal aberrations: a report of 357 cases

The present report describes the cytogenetic findings in 357 cases referred for suspected chromosomal abnormalities because of abnormal clinical features. Chromosomal anomalies were found in 97 (27.2 %) of the cases studied. A significantly high rate of chromosomal abnormalities was found in a population with clinical abnormalities in comparison to an unselected population (0.48–0.55 %).     

MicroRNA155 Plays a Critical Role in the Pathogenesis of Cutaneous Leishmania major Infection by Promoting a Th2 Response and Attenuating Dendritic Cell Activity

Interferon (IFN)-γ is indispensable in the resolution of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), while the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13 mediate susceptibility. A recent study found that miR155, which promotes CD4⁺ Th1 response and IFN-γ production, is dispensable in the control of Leishmania donovani infection. Here, the role of miR155 in CL caused by L. major was investigated using miR155-deficient (miR155^−/−) mice. Infection was controlled significantly quicker in the miR155^−/− mice than in their wild-type (WT) counterparts, indicating that miR155 contributes to the pathogenesis of CL. Faster resolution of infection in miR155^−/− mice was associated with increased levels of Th1-associated IL-12 and IFN-γ and reduced production of Th2- associated IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. Concentrations of IFN-γ⁺CD8⁺ T cells and natural killer cells in draining lymph nodes were significantly higher in the L. major−infected miR155^−/− mice than in the infected WT mice, as indicated by flow-cytometry. After in vitro IFN-γ stimulation, nitric oxide and IL-12 production were increased, IL-10 production was decreased, and parasite clearance was enhanced in L. major−infected miR155^−/− DCs compared to those in WT DCs. Furthermore, IFN-γ production from activated miR155^−/− T cells was significantly enhanced in L. major−infected miR155^−/− DCs. Together, these findings demonstrate that miR155 promotes susceptibility to CL caused by L. major by promoting Th2 response and inhibiting DC function.

Leishmania are obligate intracellular protozoans that infect phagocytes and cause a spectrum of clinical diseases such as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis. Common in the tropical and subtropical regions, leishmaniasis affects over 1 billion people worldwide, with an incidence of up to 1 million cases per year.¹ CL is the most common type of Leishmania infection, manifesting as localized skin lesions that can become chronic, leading to significant tissue destruction and disfigurement.^2,3 It is well documented that the induction of a Th1 response and interferon (IFN)-γ are indispensable in the resolution of CL caused by Leishmania major,⁴ whereas disease progression is associated with the induction of a Th2 response and the production of cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10.⁵ Establishing a disease-resolving response in the host is largely dependent on the ability to mount an appropriate Th1 immune response.⁴ Crucial in this response is the stimulation and activation of DCs that direct T-cell proliferation and differentiation toward IFN-γ–producing Th1 cells.^6,7 In addition to activating of phagocytic cells, IFN-γ induces the production of reactive nitrogen species, specifically nitric oxide (NO), leading to enhanced parasite clearance.⁴miR155 is a recognized regulator of immune cell function and immune response. miR155 enhances macrophage and DC activation and induces inflammatory response,^8,9 and up-regulation of miR155 in CD4⁺ T cells promotes preferential Th1 differentiation and IFN-γ production¹⁰ by suppressing the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-1.11, 12, 13, 14 Conversely, miR155 gene–deficient mice exhibit diminished levels of Th1/Th17 cells, macrophages, and DCs.¹⁵ miR155 has also been shown to play a role in regulating effector Th2 response.16, 17, 18 Collectively, these findings suggest that miR155 regulates both Th1 and Th2 responses, which control the outcome of CL caused by L. major. Therefore, the role of miR155 in immunity to L. major using miR155^−/− mice was investigated in the present study. The findings show that miR155 is not required for the induction of a Th1 response and IFN-γ in L. major infection. Rather, miR155 plays a disease-exacerbating role in CL by attenuating DC function and Th1 response and promoting Th2 response.     

Growing problem of methicillin resistant staphylococci--Indian scenario

In the present study MRSA prevalence increased from 12% in 1992 to 80.83% in 1999. Indian literature shows that MRSA incidence was as low as 6.9% in 1988 and reached to 24% and 32.6% in Vellore and Lucknow in 1994 and was of the same order in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore in 1996 and in Rohtak and Mangalore in 1999. However, in some of the centres it was as high as 87%. All the MRSA isolates in India including in the present study were sensitive to vancomycin and resistance to netilmycin appears to be low among MRSA isolates in India. All the MRSA isolates were also found to be sensitive to teicoplanin in the present study. Like in other Indian studies, resistance to cotrimoxazole, erythromycin, gentamicin, other penicillins and cephalosporins appeared to be a common feature for MRSA isolates in the present study.     

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of meningiomas with unusual presentations

Meningiomas are not often aspirated unless they erode the skull, occur intraorbitally, or present as swelling in the head and neck region. We describe the cytologic findings of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in four cases of meningioma that presented with swellings in the head and neck region. The patients underwent surgery, and the diagnosis of meningioma was confirmed. Three of the four cases were reported as aggressive meningiomas on histopathology.