Ig VH gene mutational patterns indicate different tumor cell status in human myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Plasma cell tumors display a wide spectrum of clinical progression, ranging from aggressive multiple myeloma to a benign form known as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), which requires no treatment. Because both diseases involve mature Ig- secreting plasma cells, the reason for this variation in malignant behavior is unclear. However, assessment of malignant potential is desirable for choice of treatment protocols. Ig variable (VH) gene sequences analysis has previously shown the tumor cell of multiple myeloma to be postfollicular, with mutated homogeneous clonal sequences indicating no continuing exposure to the somatic hypermutation mechanism, and this was confirmed in 7 of 7 patients. Comparison of the VH gene sequences in the monoclonal cells in MGUS yielded a different result, with 3 of 7 patients demonstrating mutated heterogeneous sequences consistent with the tumor cells remaining under the influence of the mutator. In 1 of 3 of these patients, an IgM-positive precursor cell was identified that expressed heterogeneous VH sequences similar to those of the isotype-switched plasma cell. These results indicate that the clonal cells in MGUS differ from those in myeloma and suggest that the difference may reflect malignant potential.     

Prevalence and incidence of osteoarthritis among people living in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical Rheumatology - Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease affecting joints with an increasing prevalence around the world and in the Middle East region. Research about the...     

Anterior cruciate ligament injury patterns and their relationship to fatigue and physical fitness levels – a cross-sectional study

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common knee injuries that leads to many consequences such as early osteoarthritis and knee joint instability.To explore the association of the types of ACL tear (complete and partial) and side of injury (dominant vs nondominate) with types of playing surfaces, sports, shoes, and mechanism of injuries as well as to determine whether higher levels of fatigue and physical fitness are risk factors for complete ACL tear.This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire to collect information from young male adults with a confirmed ACL injury who were attending rehabilitation programs. The outcomes of interest were patterns of ACL injury, levels of fatigue before the injury on a 0 to 10 scale, and levels of physical fitness (hours per week). Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used to assess the differences between groups, while the odds ratios were calculated to evaluate risk factors for complete ACL tear.One hundred thirteen young male adults with a confirmed ACL injury were enrolled. Most of the reported ACL injuries in this study were complete tear (80.5%) and occurred more frequently in the dominant leg (74.6%) due to noncontact mechanism (63.6%). More ACL injuries happened while playing soccer (97.2%) on artificial turf (53.3%). The level of fatigue before ACL injury was significantly higher in partial ACL tear injuries compared to complete ACL tear injuries (P = .014). For every 1-point increase in the level of fatigue on a 0–10 scale, there was a 25% reduction in complete ACL injury risk (P = .023).The pattern of ACL types of tear and side of injury varies in different playing surfaces and mechanisms of injuries. Higher levels of fatigue seem to be associated with a partial tear of the ACL and reduction of a complete ACL tear risk factor.     

Genotoxic repercussion of high-intensity radiation (x-rays) on hospital radiographers

Recent technological advances in the medical field have increased the plausibility of exposing humans to high-intensity wavelength radiations like x-rays and gamma rays while diagnosing or treating specific medical maladies. These radiations induce nucleotide changes and chromosomal alterations in the exposed population, intentionally or accidentally. A radiological investigation is regularly used in identifying the disease, especially by the technicians working in intensive care units. The current study observes the genetic damages like chromosomal abnormalities (CA) in clinicians who are occupationally exposed to high-intensity radiations (x-rays) at their workplaces using universal cytogenetic tools like micronucleus assay (MN), sister chromatid exchange and comet assay. The study was conducted between 100 exposed practitioners from the abdominal scanning, chest scanning, cranial and orthopedic or bone scanning department and age-matched healthy controls. We observed a slightly higher rate of MN and CA (p < .05) in orthopedic and chest department practitioners than in other departments concerning increasing age and duration of exposure at work. Our results emphasize taking extra precautionary measures in clinical and hospital radiation laboratories to protect the practitioners.     

阿司匹林与埃索美拉唑合用较氯吡格雷减少高危患者再次溃疡出血的发生

问题：在有阿司匹林诱发溃疡出血史的患者中，用氯毗格雷预防溃疡出血复发，是否不次于小剂量阿司匹林加埃索美拉唑？[编者按]     

Improved blood compatibility of DLC coated polymeric material

There is currently an increasing interest in the use of DLC (diamond like carbon) films in biomedical applications. These investigations making use of DLC in the biomedical area indicate its attractive properties. In this study, we succeeded in depositing DLC on polymer substrates and found the best conditions and method for this application. We evaluated the blood compatibility of polycarbonate substrates coated by DLC (PC-DLC) under different conditions by using epifluorescent video microscopy (EVM) combined with a parallel plate flow chamber. Segmented polyurethane (SPU), which has been used to fabricate medical devices including an artificial heart, and proven to have acceptable blood compatibility, was compared with polycarbonate substrates coated with DLC film. The EVM system measured platelet adhesion on the surface of the DLC, by using whole human blood containing Mepacrine labeled platelets perfuse at a wall shear rate of 100 s(-1) at 1 min intervals for a period of 20 min. PC-DLC demonstrated that Tecoflex showed higher complement activation than PC-DLC. There were significant differences between the PC-DLC substrates. On the basis of these results, it is recommended for use as a coating material in implantable blood contacting devices such as artificial hearts, pacemakers, and other devices. This DLC seems to be a promising candidate for biomaterials applications and merits further investigation.     

几种伪随机序列应用于诱发电位检测的性能比较

伪随机序列技术作为一种快速检测诱发电位的技术已得到重视。本文主要对几种常用序列Ｍ序列、巴克序列和格雷互补序列等应用于诱发电位检测时的性能进行研究，分别给出了它们的解卷积算法及用于诱发电位检测时相对于平均法的信噪比改善倍数。理论及实验表明，Ｍ序列在检测信噪比改善方面较另两种序列好。     

Aqueous Extract of Origanum majorana at Low Temperature (0°C) Promotes Mitochondrial Fusion and Contributes to Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Objective:Marjoram plants have varied pharmacological properties because they contain antioxidants. In the present study, the effect of Origanum majorana, gathered from Abha, Saudi Arabia, was evaluated on the growth of MCF7 breast cancer cells. Methods:Fresh aerial parts from Origanum majorana were extracted at a low temperature (0 ^OC/6 hours). MCF7 human breast cancer cells were then treated with 4 separate fluctuated concentrations of 0, 50, 150, 200 and 350 µg/mL for 24 and 48 hours. Results:The findings showed that Origanum majorana aqueous extract contained absolute phenolic content (TPC) of 58.24 mg equivalent/g DW, and the complete flavonoid content (TFC) of 35.31 mg GAE equivalent/g DW. The endurance of MCF7 cells after incubation with aqueous extract diminished, indicating that Origanum majorana is tumour cell selective. Origanum majorana extract increased the mRNA expression of apoptotic genes in MCF7. The majorana aqueous extract expanded the activity of Caspase-7 action specifically at higher concentrations of 150, 200, and 350 µg/ml. Our findings indicate that Origanum majorana could induce apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. Conclusion:The aqueous Origanum majorana extracted at low temperature (0 °C/6 hours) can be as a anti-cancer treatment agent if further studies wanrents support our result.Key Words: Origanum majorana, human breast cancer cells, MCF7, aqueous extract at low temperature (0°C/6 hours)