Suppression of error prone pathway is responsible for antimutagenic activity of honey

Honey, both unifloral (Syzygium cumini) and bifloral, demonstrated strong antimutagenicity against physical (UV, γ) and chemical (ethylmethane sulfonate) mutagens as ascertained by rpoB/Rif^R and Ames tests. The effect of honey was evaluated in radiation (UV or γ) exposed Escherichia coli cells for SOS response, a well known error prone repair pathway known to significantly contribute to mutagenicity by quantifying LexA repressor level, measuring cell filamentation frequency, and prophage induction by SIVET (Selectable – In-Vivo Expression Technology) assay. LexA was almost completely degraded, phenotypically long filamentous cells (～30 μm) were formed, and SIVET induction frequency was increased in radiation exposed E. coli cultures, however, these changes were significantly inhibited in presence of honey confirming its strong antimutagenic nature. Further, rpoB/Rif^R mutation frequency upon UV exposure in E. coli recA^? cells was found to be negligible, whereas, E. coli umuC^? and umuD^? knockouts showed comparatively higher mutation frequency. Honey did not show any effect on mutagenesis in these knockouts, indicating the SOS dependence of the observed mutagenesis. Honey was also found to suppress EMS induced mutagenesis but through SOS independent mechanism. Phenolics present in honey were found to be one of the important factors contributing to the antimutagenicity of honey.     

Examination of facilitators and barriers to home-based supplemental feeding with ready-to-use food for underweight children in western Uganda

Poor complementary feeding practices and low-quality complementary foods are significant causes of growth faltering and child mortality throughout the developing world. Ready-to-use foods (RUF) are energy-dense, lipid-based products that do not require cooking or refrigeration that have been used to prevent and treat malnutrition among vulnerable children. The effectiveness of these products in improving child nutritional status depends on household use by caregivers. To identify the key facilitators and barriers that influence appropriate in-home RUF consumption by supplemental feeding program beneficiaries, we conducted individual interviews among caregivers (n = 80), RUF producers (n = 8) and program staff (n = 10) involved in the Byokulia Bisemeye mu Bantu supplemental feeding program in Bundibugyo, Uganda. By documenting caregiver perceptions and feeding practices related to RUF, we developed a conceptual framework of factors that affect appropriate feeding with RUF. Findings suggest that locally produced RUF is well received by caregivers and children, and is perceived by caregivers and the community to be a healthy supplemental food for malnourished children. However, child feeding practices, including sharing of RUF within households, compromise the nutrient delivery to the intended child. Interventions and educational messages informed by this study can help to improve RUF delivery to targeted beneficiaries.     

Molecular profile of oligodendrogliomas in young patients

Several studies on molecular profiling of oligodendrogliomas (OGs) in adults have shown a distinctive genetic pattern characterized by combined deletions of chromosome arms 1p and 19q, O6-methylguanine-methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation, and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation, which have potential diagnostic, prognostic, and even therapeutic relevance. OGs in pediatric and young adult patients are rare and have been poorly characterized on a molecular and biological basis, and it remains uncertain whether markers with prognostic significance in adults also have predictive value in these patients. Fourteen cases of OGs in young patients (age, ≤ 25 years) who received a diagnosis over 7 years were selected (7 pediatric patients age ≤ 18 years and 7 young adults aged 19-25 years). The cases were evaluated for 1p/19q status, MGMT promoter methylation, p53 mutation, and IDH1 mutation. None of the pediatric cases showed 1p/19q deletion. In young adults, combined 1p/19q loss was observed in 57% and isolated 1p loss in 14% of cases. The majority of cases in both subgroups (71% in each) harbored MGMT gene promoter methylation. TP53 and IDH1 mutations were not seen in any of the cases in both the groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that molecular profile of OGs in pediatric and young adult patients is distinct. Further large-scale studies are required to identify additional clinically relevant genetic alterations in this group of patients.     

ACK1/TNK2 Regulates Histone H4 Tyr88-phosphorylation and AR Gene Expression in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

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Multifocal cutaneous melanoacanthoma with ulceration: a case report with review of literature

We report a case of a 58-year-old female patient who presented with multiple, asymptomatic, slowly-growing, raised pigmented lesions all over her body for the past 10 years with ulceration in one of the lesions on the trunk for the past five months. Histopathology of the lesion revealed features consistent with melanoacanthoma. Here, we report the first case of cutaneous melanoacanthoma presenting with an ulcerated plaque and the third case of cutaneous melanoacanthoma with multiple lesions. To the best of our knowledge, ulceration has not yet been reported as a feature of cutaneous melanoacanthoma in the medical literature.     

Double‐Chambered Right Ventricle with Ventricular Septal Defect and Subaortic Membrane— Three‐Dimensional Echocardiographic Evaluation

Double‐chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a rare congenital anomaly in which the right ventricle is divided into two compartments with varying pressures due to an anomalous muscle bundle. Here, we describe a case of an adolescent male with DCRV with associated ventricular septal defect and subaortic membrane. Two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography with color flow clearly outlined all the three cardiac anomalies as well as their relationship with each other. The diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the anomalous muscle bundle along with repair of the associated anomalies.