Gene amplification during differentiation of mammalian neural stem cells in vitro and in vivo

In development of amphibians and flies, gene amplification is one of mechanisms to increase gene expression. In mammalian cells, gene amplification seems to be restricted to tumorigenesis and acquiring of drug-resistance in cancer cells. Here, we report a complex gene amplification pattern in mouse neural progenitor cells during differentiation with approximately 10% of the genome involved. Half of the amplified mouse chromosome regions overlap with amplified regions previously reported in human neural progenitor cells, indicating conserved mechanisms during differentiation. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we verified the amplification in single cells of primary mouse mesencephalon E14 (embryonic stage) neurosphere cells during differentiation. In vivo we confirmed gene amplifications of the TRP53 gene in cryosections from mouse embryos at stage E11.5. Gene amplification is not only a cancer-related mechanism but is also conserved in evolution, occurring during differentiation of mammalian neural stem cells     

Effect of novel water soluble curcumin derivative on experimental type- 1 diabetes mellitus (short term study)

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus type 1 is an autoimmune disorder caused by lymphocytic infiltration and beta cells destruction. Curcumin has been identified as a potent inducer of heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a redoxsensitive inducible protein that provides protection against various forms of stress. A novel water soluble curcumin derivative (NCD) has been developed to overcome low in vivo bioavailability of curcumin. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the anti diabetic effects of the "NCD" and its effects on diabetes-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in experimental type- 1 diabetes mellitus. We also examine whether the up regulation of HO-1 accompanied by increased HO activity mediates these antidiabetic and anti oxidant actions. Materials and methods Rats were divided into control group, control group receiving curcumin derivative, diabetic group, diabetic group receiving curcumin derivative and diabetic group receiving curcumin derivative and HO inhibitor ZnPP. Type-1 diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Curcumin derivative was given orally for 45 days. At the planned sacrification time (after 45 days), fasting blood samples were withdrawn for estimation of plasma glucose, plasma insulin and lipid profile . Animals were sacrificed; pancreas, aorta and liver were excised for the heme oxygenase - 1 expression, activity and malondialdehyde estimation. RESULTS: NCD supplementation to diabetic rats significantly lowered the plasma glucose by 27.5% and increased plasma insulin by 66.67%. On the other hand, the mean plasma glucose level in the control group showed no significant difference compared to the control group receiving the oral NCD whereas, NCD supplementation to the control rats significantly increased the plasma insulin by 47.13% compared to the control. NCD decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Also, it decreased lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde) in the pancreas, aorta and liver. CONCLUSION: The (NCD) by its small dose possesses antidiabetic actions and that heme oxygenase induction seems to play an important role in its anti-diabetic effects. NCD also improves the lipid profile and oxidative status directly, proved by decreasing lipid peroxides (malondialdehyde) in pancreas, liver & aorta. The new water soluble curcumin derivative still retains the essential potencies of natural curcumin.     

Granulomatous hepatitis associated with etanercept therapy

Etanercept has recently been implicated in the induction of granulomatous reactions. We describe a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who developed granulomatous hepatitis after taking etanercept. Infectious and metabolic causes of liver disease had been excluded and the liver biopsy was not typical of sarcoidosis. Liver enzyme abnormalities improved after etanercept was discontinued. We suggest that etanercept was responsible for the development of granulomatous hepatitis. This has not been previously described and adds to the increasing reports of rare granulomatous reactions induced by etanercept therapy.     

Correlates of memory loss and depression among myocardial infarction patients in Al-Qassim,Saudi Arabia

Background

After myocardial infarction (MI), patients have an elevated risk for depression, which has a negative impact on morbidity and mortality for patients. As depression and memory function are associated, we examined them in the context of one another. Our objectives were to determine the proportion of patients with either depression only, memory loss only, or both depression and memory loss and to examine the correlates with each outcome.

Ear diseases in elderly hospital patients in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Little information is available about the pattern of ear diseases in the elderly population. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the pattern of ear diseases among elderly Nigerians, so as to provide an objective basis for cost-effective health care planning for the emerging geriatric population. METHODS: A retrospective study of 320 patients aged 60 years or older presenting with ear diseases at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria, between January 1996 and December 2001 was carried out. RESULTS: Impacted cerumen was the most common ear disease, occurring in 110 (34.4%) patients of the study population. Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was the most common infectious disease, affecting 28 (8.8%) patients. Of the 88 patients with hearing loss, 63 (71.6%) had sensorineural, 20 (22.7%) had presbycusis, 1 (1.1%) had conductive, and 4 (4.6%) had mixed hearing loss. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that impacted cerumen, hearing loss, and infections (notably CSOM), are the common ear diseases among elderly Nigerians.     

Effect of Different Positions on FVC and FEV1 Measurements of Asthmatic Patients

[Purpose] The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of different positions on pulmonary function test (PFT) values such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) of asthmatic patients .[Subjects and Methods] Thirty subjects with severe asthma aged between 20–39 years were enrolled after they had signed a written consent. Subjects were selected using the inclusion criteria, and PFT were randomly administered. Spirometer measurements (FVC, FEV₁) were taken in the supine, side lying on right, side lying on left, sitting and standing positions. Each measurement was taken three times, and the average values were analyzed. [Results] One- way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s Test (post hoc) for pair- wise comparison indicated that there was a significant difference in the FEV₁ values of the asthmatic patients however a significant difference was obtained between standing and supine positions. There was also a significant difference in the FVC values between the standing and supine lying position in the pair -wise comparison. [Conclusion] This study showed standing is the best position for measuring FEV₁ and FVC of asthmatic subjects. The more upright the position, the higher the FEV₁ and FVC will be.Key words: Pulmonary function test, Standing position, Spirometry     

Selective dorsal rhizotomies in the treatment of spasticity related to cerebral palsy

Rationale Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) is a surgical technique developed over the past decades to manage patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy suffering from spastic diplegia. It involves selectively lesioning sensory rootlets in an effort to maintain a balance between elimination of spasticity and preservation of function. Several recent long-term outcome studies have been published. In addition, shorter follow-up randomized controlled studies have compared the outcome of patients having undergone physiotherapy alone with those that received physiotherapy after selective dorsal rhizotomy. Materials and methods In this account, we will discuss the rationale and outcome after SDR. The outcome is addressed in terms of the gross motor function measurement scale (GMFM), degree of elimination of spasticity, strength enhancement, range of motion, fine motor skills, activity of daily living, spastic hip, necessity for postoperative orthopedic procedures, bladder and sphincteric function, and finally possible early or late complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion We conclude that SDR is a safe procedure, which offers durable and significant functional gains to properly selected children with spasticity related to cerebral palsy.