Down-regulation of uPAR and cathepsin B retards cofilin dephosphorylation

Cathepsin B and uPAR play key roles in cancer cell migration and invasion. Here, we demonstrate that the simultaneous, siRNA-mediated down-regulation of uPAR and cathepsin B inhibits glioma cell migration and is accompanied by cytoskeletal condensation. We show that the dephosphorylation of cofilin is inhibited by the down-regulation of uPAR alone and, to a lesser extent, by the down-regulation of cathepsin B alone, and that the effect was much higher with the down-regulation of both molecules by pUC. Using FACS analysis and western blotting for the alphaVbeta3 integrin heterodimer, we determined that down-regulating uPAR subsequently causes the down-regulation of the alphaVbeta3 integrin heterodimer. As evidenced by western blot analysis of ERK1/2, pERK1/2, p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK, AKT, pAKT and PI3-k, the MEK and PI3-k pathways are inhibited. From cytoskeleton studies, we observed that the down-regulation of uPAR caused cytoskeletal condensation and that the simultaneous down-regulation of uPAR and cathepsin B was even more effective at inducing cytoskeletal condensation than uPAR alone. Our results demonstrate the relevance of uPAR in cytoskeletal dynamics and the potential of uPAR and cathepsin B as targets in the treatment of malignant gliomas.     

Estimated nutrient intakes and adequacies in Bangladesh change when newer values for vitamin A,iron and calcium in commonly consumed foods are applied

A food consumption survey was conducted in rural Bangladesh in January–March 1996 using a 24-h food weighing method. Intakes and adequacies of energy, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron and calcium were estimated for 81 children (aged 24–71 months) and 182 women (aged 18–45 years) using three sets of food composition tables. The local food composition table was modified with newer values for nutrient contents of foods identified as important for the contribution of vitamin A and iron. Significant differences in estimated dietary intakes and adequacies were found for vitamin A and iron when different sets of food composition values were used. This study shows that up-to-date chemical analyses of foods selected on the basis of a high frequency of consumption and a large contribution of the nutrients in focus is a useful approach in improving the quality of food composition tables, resulting in greater accuracy of estimates of nutrient intakes and adequacies.     

Evolution of ventricular outpouching through the fetal and postnatal periods: Unabating dilemma of serial observation or surgical correction

Ventricular outpouching is a rare finding in prenatal sonography and the main differential diagnoses are diverticulum, aneurysm, and pseudoaneurysm in addition to congenital cysts and clefts. The various modes of fetal presentation of congenital ventricular outpouching include an abnormal four-chamber view on fetal two-dimensional echocardiogram, fetal arrhythmia, fetal hydrops, and pericardial effusion. Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA)/nonapical diverticula are usually isolated defects. Apical diverticula are always associated with midline thoracoabdominal defects (epigastric pulsating diverticulum or large omphalocele) and other structural malformations of the heart. Most patients with LVA/congenital ventricular diverticulum remain clinically asymptomatic but they can potentially give rise to complications such as ventricular tachyarrhythmias, systemic embolism, sudden death, spontaneous rupture, and severe valvular regurgitation. The treatment of asymptomatic LVA and isolated congenital ventricular diverticulum is still undefined. In this review, our aim is to outline a systematic approach to a fetus detected with ventricular outpouching. Starting with prevalence and its types, issues in fetal management, natural course and evolution postbirth, and finally the perpetual dilemma of serial observation or surgical correction is discussed.     

Molecular Speciation of Mycobacterial Isolates from Raw Cow Milk Reveals Predominance of Mycobacterium chelonae

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Owing to the fact that raw milk intake is still practiced in selected communities globally, milk borne...     

Fish Acquisition and Consumption in the African Great Lakes Region through a Food Environment Lens: A Scoping Review

Effective actions for the fishery and aquaculture sectors to contribute toward improving nutrition rely on an understanding of the factors influencing fish intake, particularly amongst vulnerable populations. This scoping review synthesises evidence from 33 studies in the African Great Lakes Region to examine the influence of food environments on fish acquisition and consumption. We identified only two studies that explicitly applied a food environment framework and none that linked policy conditions with the contribution of fish to diets. Economic access to fish was represented in the largest number of included studies (21 studies), followed by preferences, acceptability and desirability of fish (17 studies) and availability and physical access (14 studies). Positive perceptions of taste and low cost, relative to other animal-source foods, were drivers of fish purchases in many settings; however, limited physical and economic access were frequently identified as preventing optimal intake. In lakeside communities, fish were increasingly directed toward external markets which reduced the availability and affordability of fish for local households. Few studies considered intra-household variations in fish access according to age, gender or physiological status, which represents an important knowledge gap. There is also scope for future research on seasonal influences on fish access and the design and rigorous evaluation of programmes and policies that address one or more constraints of availability, cost, convenience and preferences.     

Morphological variants of lateral meniscus of the knee: a cadaveric study in South Indian human fetuses

In the present study, the objectives were to study the morphology of the lateral menisci (LMs) in human fetuses from a South Indian population and to verify the developmental etiology of the discoid lateral meniscus (DLM). The study included 106 fetal knee joints which were fixed in 10% formalin. After dissecting the joints, the morphological variants of the shapes of the LMs were macroscopically noted and classified as discoid and nondiscoid. The nondiscoids were subdivided into C-shaped and crescentic. The discoid lateral menisci (DLMs) were divided into complete and incomplete discoid. From our observations, 82.1% of the LMs were found to be nondiscoid. Among them, 62.3% were C-shaped and 19.8% were crescentic. The remaining 17.9% of the LMs had a discoid shape, and among these, 14.1% were incomplete discoid and 3.8% were completely discoid. Bilaterality of the discoid shape was observed in 26.6% of the cases. There was a female preponderance (11:8) among LMs with discoid morphology. In conclusion, the prevalence of DLM according to the present study was estimated as 17.9%. Our findings favor Kaplan’s theory, as the majority of the fetuses of various gestational ages had nondiscoid LMs. Even the youngest fetus (CRL 88 mm, 14 weeks of gestation) exhibited a lateral tibial plateau that was incompletely covered by the meniscus, which did not exhibit a discoid shape. We believe that the DLM is anomalous and arises through variant morphogenesis.     

Effect of thermal processing and γ-irradiation on allergenicity of legume proteins

Legumes are implicated in IgE mediated food allergy in different countries. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different processing methods on allergenicity of legume proteins. The extracts were processed by boiling, γ-irradiation or by combination of both. The changes in soluble protein content, specific IgE binding and allergenic potential of legume proteins were assessed. Thermal processing resulted in a 3- to 4-fold reduction in soluble protein. Specific IgE binding was reduced 74 ± 6.5%, 83 ± 11.6% and 62 ± 7.2% in the soluble protein of kidney bean, black gram and peanut, respectively, after boiling (p < 0.01) whereas there was 34 ± 5.2%, 74 ± 15.6% and 44 ± 11.1% IgE binding reduction in the insoluble protein fraction of respective legumes. Boiling followed by γ-irradiation reduced IgE binding significantly (p < 0.05). Biopotency of soluble protein of kidney bean, black gram and peanut was reduced 7-, 3- and 26-folds (p < 0.001), respectively, and that of insoluble protein decreased 6-, 4- and 8-folds (p < 0.001), respectively, after boiling. Combination treatment was effective in reducing the potency of both soluble and insoluble protein significantly as compared to boiling alone (p < 0.001). However, γ-irradiation alone did not bring any change in allergenicity. In conclusion, boiling followed by γ-irradiation is effective in attenuating allergenicity of legume proteins.