Evaluation of sialic acids and their correlation with acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin and serum amyloid A) in clinically healthy Iranian camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The present study was conducted to define the reference range for sialic acids and to investigate their correlation with acute-phase proteins (haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A) in clinically healthy camels (Camelus dromedarius). Serum Hp, serum amyloid A (SAA), total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-bound sialic acid (LBSA), and protein-bound sialic acid (PBSA) were measured in 103 clinically healthy camels by validated standard methods. Among study variables, Hp has the highest variation in clinically healthy camels (coefficient of variation?=?0.15). All variables showed almost normal distributions, and the suggested reference values for TSA, LBSA, and PBSA were 2.3–3.34, 1.18–1.78, and 1.07–1.59, respectively. The corresponding measures for SAA and Hp were 7.78–11.14 and 0.19–0.35, respectively. There was no significant correlation between either TSA or its lipid- and protein-bound components with Hp and SAA. However, strong correlation was observed between TSA and LBSA (r?=?0.96, P?<?0.001) and between TSA and PBSA (r?=?0.95, P?<?0.001).     

Potential role of reduced basolateral potassium (IKCa3.1) channel expression in the pathogenesis of diarrhoea in ulcerative colitis

Diarrhoea in ulcerative colitis (UC) mainly reflects impaired colonic Na(+) and water absorption. Colonocyte membrane potential, an important determinant of electrogenic Na(+) absorption, is reduced in UC. Colonocyte potential is principally determined by basolateral IK (KCa3.1) channel activity. To determine whether reduced Na(+) absorption in UC might be associated with decreased IK channel expression and activity, we used molecular and patch clamp recording techniques to evaluate IK channels in colon from control patients and patients with active UC. In control patients, immunolabelling revealed basolateral IK channels distributed uniformly along the surface-crypt axis, with substantially decreased immunolabelling in patients with active UC, although IK mRNA levels measured by quantitative PCR were similar in both groups. Patch clamp analysis indicated that cell conductance was dominated by basolateral IK channels in control patients, but channel abundance and overall activity were reduced by 53% (p = 0.03) and 61% (p = 0.04), respectively, in patients with active UC. These changes resulted in a 75% (p = 0.003) decrease in the estimated basolateral membrane K(+) conductance in UC patients compared with controls. Levels of IK channel immunolabelling and activity in UC patients in clinical remission were similar to those in control patients. We conclude that a substantial decrease in basolateral IK channel expression and activity in active UC most likely explains the epithelial cell depolarization observed in this disease, and decreases the electrical driving force for electrogenic Na(+) transport, thereby impairing Na(+) absorption (and as a consequence, Cl(-) and water absorption) across the inflamed mucosa.     

Multiple intra-familial transmission patterns of hepatitis B virus genotype D in north-eastern Egypt

The transmission rate of intra‐familial hepatitis B virus (HBV) and mode of transmission were investigated in north eastern Egypt. HBV infection was investigated serologically and confirmed by molecular evolutionary analysis in family members (N = 230) of 55 chronic hepatitis B carriers (index cases). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc) prevalence was 12.2% and 23% among family members, respectively. HBsAg carriers were prevalent in the age groups; <10 (16.2%) and 21–30 years (23.3%). The prevalence of HBsAg was significantly higher in the family members of females (19.2%) than males (8.6%) index cases (P = 0.031). HBsAg and anti‐HBc seropositive rates were higher significantly in the offspring of females (23%, 29.8%) than those of the males index cases (4.3%, 9.8%) (P = 0.001, 0.003), as well as higher in the offspring of an infected mother (26.5, 31.8%) than those of an infected father (4.7%, 10.5%) (P = 0.0006, 0.009). No significant difference was found in HBsAg seropositive rates between vaccinated (10.6%) and unvaccinated family members (14.8%). Phylogenetic analysis of the preS2 and S regions of HBV genome showed that the HBV isolates were of subgenotype D1 in nine index cases and 14 family members. HBV familial transmission was confirmed in five of six families with three transmission patterns; maternal, paternal, and sexual. It is concluded that multiple intra‐familial transmission routes of HBV genotype D were determined; including maternal, paternal and horizontal. Universal HBV vaccination should be modified by including the first dose at birth with (HBIG) administration to the newborn of mothers infected with HBV. J. Med. Virol. 84:587–595, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Clinicopathological characteristics of obesity-associated focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Obesity-related glomerulopathy (ORG) is a secondary form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) occurring in obese patients with a body-mass index higher than 30?kg/m(2). It is typically manifested by nephrotic-range proteinuria without full nephrotic syndrome, and progressive renal insufficiency. Characteristic morphologic features include the consistent presence of glomerulomegaly, predominance of perihilar variant of FSGS, and the relatively mild fusion of visceral epithelial cell foot processes. The concept of podocyte depletion as a driver of the glomerular scarring in obesity-associated FSGS is well documented. The underlying mechanisms are likely to be related in part to the oxidative stress and the impairment of the integrity of the slit diaphragm and cell adhesion resulting mainly from angiotensin II and transforming growth factor-β. These proapoptotic cytokines are upregulated in obesity in response to insulin resistance, compensatory hyperinsulinemia and glomerular hyperfiltration-hypertension mediated mechanical stress. This review is designed to discuss the clinicopathologic features of obesity-associated FSGS, with a focus on the podocyte injury, which is involved in the onset and progression of the glomerulosclerotic process. Ultrastructural glomerular lesions are documented.     

Combining cytomorphology and serology for the diagnosis of cat scratch disease

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is a self limited zoonotic disease that presents most commonly as a regional lymphadenopathy. We are reporting a case of a 25-year-old male patient who presented with fever and large right inguinal lymphadenopathy. The diagnosis of cat scratch disease was confirmed based on the characteristic cytopathological features on aspirate smears from the lymph node and the serological titers for Bartonella henselae. This case report emphasizes the importance of combining Bartonella serology, and cytopathology in the diagnostic work-up of febrile lymphadenopathy and suspected CSD since the culture of this organism is arduous.     

Cyclin alterations in giant cell tumor of bone.

Cyclins play an important role in regulating the passage of dividing cells through critical checkpoints in the cell cycle. Because alterations of several cyclins, especially cyclin D1, have been implicated in the development of many human neoplasms, we examined 32 cases of giant cell tumor of long bones for cyclin D1 gene amplification and protein overexpression using differential polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, respectively. In addition, the expression of cyclin D3, cyclin B1, and the proliferation-associated antigen Ki-67 (MIB-1) was assessed immunohistochemically. Low-level cyclin D1 gene amplification was detected in 61% of giant cell tumor cases. All tumors showed cyclin D1, cyclin D3, cyclin B1, and Ki-67 (MIB-1) staining; however, the distribution was very characteristic. Cyclin D1 protein expression was seen predominantly in the nuclei of the giant cells, with occasional mononuclear cells staining. There was no correlation between cyclin D1 gene amplification and protein overexpression. Cyclin D3 staining showed a similar distribution, with 88% of cases showing protein overexpression. Cyclin D1 and/or D3 staining in the giant cells was never associated with staining for either cyclin B1 or Ki-67 (MIB-1), as the expression of the latter two proteins was restricted to the mononuclear cells. Cyclin B1 overexpression was seen in 44% of cases. Ki-67 (MIB-1) staining was present in all cases, and between 10 to 50% of the mononuclear cells were positive. These results suggest that alterations in cyclin D1 and/or D3 might play a role in the pathogenesis of giant cell tumor of bone.     

High levels of the p53 inhibitor MDM4 in head and neck squamous carcinomas

The p53 tumor suppressor is mutated in most human tumors. MDM2, a well-known inhibitor of p53, is overexpressed in a large number of tumors, suggesting that increased levels of MDM2 also contribute to tumorigenesis. A novel p53 inhibitor, MDM4, was more recently identified. The role of MDM4 in cancer development is not well understood. We set out to examine the levels of MDM4 by immunohistochemistry in head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSC) to ask whether high MDM4 levels could contribute to its development and progression. In addition, MDM2 and p53 levels were examined to identify overlapping expression patterns. MDM4 is present at high levels in 50% of HNSC. In addition, overexpression of MDM2 was detected in 80% of tumors, many of which were also positive for MDM4. A subset of tumors displayed high levels of all 3 proteins. Sequencing of the p53 gene revealed that tumors with positive immunoreactivity for MDM2 or MDM4, some of which also had high levels of p53, did not carry mutations in this gene. Thus, the detection of p53 by immunohistochemistry was not synonymous with the presence of p53 mutations. Expression of both MDM2 and MDM4 in tumors without p53 mutations strongly suggests that MDM2 and MDM4 inhibit the activity of this tumor suppressor in HNSC.     

A comparison of the binding of secretory component to immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human colostral S-IgA1 and S-IgA2

A detailed investigation of the binding of secretory component to immunoglobulin A (IgA) in human secretory IgA2 (S-IgA2) was made possible by the development of a new method of purifying S-IgA1, S-IgA2 and free secretory component from human colostrum using thiophilic gel chromatography and chromatography on Jacalin-agarose. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of unreduced pure S-IgA2 revealed that, unlike in S-IgA1, a significant proportion of the secretory component was bound non-covalently in S-IgA2. When S-IgA1 was incubated with a protease purified from Proteus mirabilis the secretory component, but not the alpha-chain, was cleaved. This is in contrast to serum IgA1, in which the alpha-chain was cleaved under the same conditions - direct evidence that secretory component does protect the alpha-chain from proteolytic cleavage in S-IgA. Comparisons between the products of cleavage with P. mirabilis protease of free secretory component and bound secretory component in S-IgA1 and S-IgA2 also indicated that, contrary to the general assumption, the binding of secretory component to IgA is different in S-IgA2 from that in S-IgA1.     

AM bundle controls the anterior–posterior and rotational stability to a greater extent than the PL bundle — A cadaver study

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of both bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on knee stability, anterior–posterior translation (APT) and internal (IR) and external (ER) rotation in cadaveric knees using a computer navigation system.MethodsThe APT, IR, and ER of the knees were recorded in the intact condition, the anterolateral bundle (AM) or the posterolateral bundle (PL) deficit condition and in the ACL-deficient condition. The KT-1000 arthrometer was used for APT evaluation. The measurement of rotational movements was done using a rollimeter. All tests were performed at 30°, 60° and 90° of flexion.ResultsAt 30° of flexion: In the intact knee APT was 5.8 mm, IR 12.1°, ER 10.1°. After the AM was cut, the APT increased to 9.1 mm, IR to 13.9° and ER to 12.6°. After the PL was cut, the APT was 6.4 mm, IR 13.1° and ER 10.6°. After the AM and PL were cut, the APT was 10.8 mm, IR 15.7° and the ER was 12.9° on average.ConclusionsThe AM has a greater impact on the APT than the PL in all knee joint flexion angles. The PL does not resist the rotational stability more than the AM. The rotational stability is better controlled by both bundles of ACL as compared to one bundle of the ACL.Clinical RelevanceThis study acknowledges the fact that the both bundles of the ACL are importants for AP and rotational stability of the knee joint.