Factors Predicting the Oculomotor Nerve Palsy following Surgical Clipping of Distal Vertebrobasilar Aneurysms: A Single-Institution Experience

Background The aim of our study was to identify various clinical and radiologic factors that correlate with the oculomotor nerve palsy following clipping of distal vertebrobasilar aneurysms. Methods A total of 48 patients with 51 aneurysms were included in this retrospective study . Patient''s age, gender, size, location, and projection of the aneurysm, preoperative Hunt and Hess (H&H) grade, presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), temporary clipping, preoperative third nerve palsy, and Glasgow Outcome Scale were included in the model for analysis. Results A total of 15 patients (31.25%) developed oculomotor nerve palsy following clipping of basilar apex aneurysms. 38 patients (79.2%) presented with SAH and 35 patients (72.9%) had poor H&H grades at presentation. The size of the aneurysm (p = 0.03), preoperative H&H grade (p = 0.04), preoperative oculomotor nerve dysfunction (p = 0.007), and projection of an aneurysm (p = 0.004) had shown a significant correlation with the oculomotor nerve palsy. The size of the aneurysm (p = 0.030, odds ratio: 0.381; 95% confidence interval, 0.175–0.827] was an independent predictor of postoperative nerve dysfunction. Conclusion The size of the aneurysm, clinical grade at presentation, and projection of the aneurysm correlated with the oculomotor nerve dysfunction following clipping. These clinical and radiologic parameters can be used to predict the oculomotor nerve outcome.     

Root-associated fungi of Arabidopsis thaliana and Microthlaspi perfoliatum

Root-associated fungi, with the focus on endophytic species, were isolated from healthy Arabidopsis thaliana and Microthlaspi perfoliatum plants collected at different locations in Germany. A large number of fungal taxa were discovered with a small-scale approach. This provides additional evidence that root-associated and endophytic fungi are common in Brassicaceae. The most prevalent genera associated with A. thaliana roots were Trichoderma and Fusarium, while the roots of M. perfoliatum were dominated by different species of Fusarium and Penicillium. Differences in species composition and richness might be due to preferences and life-cycle of the two plant species. Strains of endophyte species that did not have closely related species in GenBank searches and those already known as root endophytes were chosen for preliminary co-cultivation experiments using germinating host plants on agar medium to observe effects on plant growth and health. Under these conditions several fungal isolates had an adverse effect on plant growth and health, especially on Arabidopsis thaliana. Some isolates did not adversely affect biomass during initial plant growth, while they altered the shoot-root ratio in favour of the shoot, especially in Microthlaspi perfoliatum. These strains are promising candidates for future research on endophytes as they might have some effects in Brassicaceae that are similar to mycorrhizal fungi. They are also promising candidates for investigating interactions with their host plants.     

Separate mechanisms for development and performance of compulsive checking in the quinpirole sensitization rat model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Rationale

Acute administration of serotonergic agonist, meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), attenuates performance of compulsive checking in an animal model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is not known whether mCPP has a similar effect on development of compulsive checking.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to examine whether similar mechanisms mediate the development versus the performance of compulsive checking in the rat model.

Methods

Four groups of male rats (N?=?14/group) were tested: two experimental groups co-injected with D2/D3 dopamine agonist quinpirole (0.25 mg/kg) and mCPP (0.625 mg/kg or 1.25 mg/kg), and two control groups, one co-injected with quinpirole and saline, the other receiving injections of saline. The time course of development of compulsive checking across injections 1 to 10 in quinpirole-treated rats was compared to rats co-injected with quinpirole and mCPP.

Results

Results showed that during the course of chronic treatment, mCPP (1.25 mg/kg) significantly attenuated performance of checking behavior. However, when these rats were retested for expression of compulsive checking (that is, with an injection of quinpirole only), their profile of compulsive checking was no different from the control rats treated throughout with quinpirole only.

Conclusions

Findings show that mCPP inhibits performance of compulsive checking but does not block quinpirole from inducing the neural substrate underlying this compulsive behavior. Hence, a separate mechanism underlies the induction of compulsive checking and the performance of it. It is suggested that development of the OCD endophenotype reflects neuroplastic changes produced by repeated dopamine D2/D3 receptor stimulation, while stimulation of serotonergic receptors mediates a negative feedback signal that shuts down the motor performance of checking.     

HDAC inhibitors reverse acquired radio resistance of KYSE-150R esophageal carcinoma cells by modulating Bmi-1 expression

Tumors treated with fractionated doses of ionizing radiation (IR) often acquire radioresistance. Although histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) have been demonstrated to sensitize intrinsic radioresistant cancer cell lines to IR, little is known on the impact of HDIs on the effects of IR in acquired radioresistant cancer cells. This study evaluates the mechanisms by which HDIs sensitize acquired radioresistant esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells to IR. The HDIs trichostatin A and sodium butyrate were tested for their ability to sensitize acquired radioresistant KYSE-150R and radiosensitive KYSE-150 parental cells to IR. Although the HDIs induced similar levels of cytotoxicity in the KYSE-150 and the KYSE-150R cells, HDIs increased the: (i) radiosensitivity, (ii) IR-induced ROS generation, and (iii) IR-induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis of KYSE-150R cells compared with those of KYSE-150 cells. These changes were accompanied by increased p21expression and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential. When combined with IR, HDIs inhibited Bmi-1 expression in KYSE-150R cells and their ability to repair DNA damage. The results demonstrate the potential utility of HDIs in augmenting the efficacy of fractionated radiotherapy.     

Establishing the Relationship between Cutting Speed and Output Parameters in Belt Grinding on Steels,Aluminum and Nickel Alloys: Development of Recommendations

This paper presents the research results of one of the main technological parameters of belt grinding, i.e., the cutting speed while machining corrosion- and heat-resistant, structural carbon and structural alloy steels, aluminum, and heat-resistant nickel alloys. Experimental and analytical methods are used to establish the dependence of the output parameters of surface belt grinding on the cutting speed and tool characteristics. An analytical model, considering the physical and mechanical properties of the grinding belt (strength depending on the base and bond; the thermal conductivity; the type of grinding operation) and the machined material, is created to determine the belt grinding speed. The output parameters, such as the arithmetic mean of the surface roughness (Ra) and the material removal rate (MRR) during the belt grinding of steels, heat-resistant and light alloys, have been studied. Based on the empirical dependencies of the belt grinding parameters, the model was developed for the selection and setting of the cutting speed of belt grinding for the aforementioned alloys, taking into account the type of operation, the type of the machined material, and the main characteristics of the sanding belt.     

Structure-Function Analyses of New SARS-CoV-2 Variants B.1.1.7, B.1.351 and B.1.1.28.1: Clinical,Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Public Health Implications

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus 2) has accumulated multiple mutations during its global circulation. Recently, three SARS-CoV-2 lineages, B.1.1.7 (501Y.V1), B.1.351 (501Y.V2) and B.1.1.28.1 (P.1), have emerged in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil, respectively. Here, we have presented global viewpoint on implications of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants based on structural–function impact of crucial mutations occurring in its spike (S), ORF8 and nucleocapsid (N) proteins. While the N501Y mutation was observed in all three lineages, the 501Y.V1 and P.1 accumulated a different set of mutations in the S protein. The missense mutational effects were predicted through a COVID-19 dedicated resource followed by atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Current findings indicate that some mutations in the S protein might lead to higher affinity with host receptors and resistance against antibodies, but not all are due to different antibody binding (epitope) regions. Mutations may, however, result in diagnostic tests failures and possible interference with binding of newly identified anti-viral candidates against SARS-CoV-2, likely necessitating roll out of recurring “flu-like shots” annually for tackling COVID-19. The functional relevance of these mutations has been described in terms of modulation of host tropism, antibody resistance, diagnostic sensitivity and therapeutic candidates. Besides global economic losses, post-vaccine reinfections with emerging variants can have significant clinical, therapeutic and public health impacts.