Gene profiling reveals increased expression of uteroglobin and other anti-inflammatory genes in glucocorticoid-treated nasal polyps

BACKGROUND: Treatment with local glucocorticoids (GCs) decreases symptoms and the size of nasal polyps. This might depend on the downregulation of proinflammatory genes, as well as the upregulation of anti-inflammatory genes. OBJECTIVE: We sought to identify GC-regulated anti-inflammatory genes in nasal polyps. METHODS: Affymetrix DNA microarrays were used to analyze the expression of 22,283 genes in 4 nasal polyps before and after local treatment with fluticasone (400 microg/d). Expression of uteroglobin and mammaglobin B was analyzed with real-time PCR in 6 nasal polyps and in nasal biopsy specimens from 6 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Two hundred three genes had changed in expression in treated polyps, and 139 had known functions: 54 genes were downregulated, and 85 were upregulated. Genes associated with inflammation constituted the largest single functional group. These genes affected key steps in inflammation (eg, immunoglobulin production; antigen processing and presentation; and the chemoattraction and activation of granulocytes, T cells, and B cells). Several proinflammatory genes were downregulated. In contrast, some anti-inflammatory genes were upregulated. The gene that increased most in terms of expression was uteroglobin. This was confirmed with real-time PCR. By contrast, expression of uteroglobin was lower in untreated polyps than in healthy nasal mucosa. Immunohistochemical investigation showed staining of uteroglobin in the epithelium and in seromucous glands in control subjects and in nasal polyps. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of anti-inflammatory genes, such as uteroglobin, might contribute to the effects of local treatment with GCs in nasal polyps.     

A female with X‐linked Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in a family with inherited central diabetes Insipidus: Case report and review of the literature

There are two forms of diabetes insipidus, central (neurohypophyseal), and nephrogenic, caused by pathogenic variants in the AVP gene and the AVPR2 or AQP2 genes, respectively. We report on a four‐generation family, seven individuals had central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and the female index patient seen from age 16 to 26 years had (mild) nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. In her father with CDI, a known pathogenic heterozygous AVP variant c.232_234del p.(Glu78del) was identified, confirming the diagnosis of CDI in him and the other affected family members. In the proband, molecular analysis disclosed a novel heterozygous AVPR2 gene variant, c.962A > T p.(Asn321Ile) and an extremely skewed X‐inactivation, confirming X‐linked nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (XL‐NDI). Whole exome sequencing showed no further causative mutation. This is the first report on the co‐existence of CDI and NDI in one family. Our review of symptomatic female AVPR2 heterozygotes includes 23 families with at least one affected female (including this study). There were 21 different causative mutations. Mutation types in females did not differ from those in males. Both severe XL‐NDI and mild forms were reported in females. All six females with severe XL‐NDI had complete loss‐of‐function (null) mutations. The remaining 17 female probands had milder XL‐NDI caused by 14 missense variants and three null variants of the AVPR2 gene. X‐inactivation was studied in nine of these females; all showed extreme or slight skewing. The review underlines that XL‐NDI in female AVPR2 heterozygotes is always accompanied by skewed X‐inactivation, emphasizing a need for X‐inactivation studies in these females.     

Target motion measurement without implanted markers and its validation by comparison with manually obtained data

For an effective radiotherapy the exact tumor location must be determined. The localization has to take into account patient's setup position as well as internal organ motion. Among the different localization methods, the use of a computer tomography (CT) scanner in the therapy room has been proposed recently. Achieving a CT with the patient on the therapy couch, a patient's treatment position is captured. We present a method to locate tumor considering internal organ motion and displacements due to respiration. We tested the method with prostate and lung patients. The method found the most probable tumor position as well as, for high-mobility tumors located in the lung, its trajectory during the respiratory cycle. The results of this novel method were validated by comparison with manually determined target position.     

COMT Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with Declarative Memory in Adulthood and Old Age

Variation in memory performance is to a large extent explained by genes. In the prefrontal cortex, the catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene is essential in the metabolic degradation of dopamine, a neurotransmitter implicated in cognitive functions. The present study examined the effect of a polymorphism in the COMT gene on individual differences and changes in memory in adulthood and old age. Tests assessing episodic and semantic memory were administered to 286 men (initially aged 35-85 years) from a random sample of the population (i.e., the Betula prospective cohort study) at two occasions followed over a 5-year period. Carriers of the Met/Met genotype (with low enzyme activity) performed better on episodic and semantic memory, as compared to carriers of the Val allele (with higher enzyme activity). Division of episodic memory into its recall and recognition components showed that the difference was specific to episodic recall, not recognition tasks; an effect that was observed across three age groups (middle-age, young-old, and old-old adults) and over a 5-year period. The COMT gene is a plausible candidate gene for memory functioning in adulthood and old age.     

A nonlinear model of the arterial vessels within a limb segment

The relationship between the arterial blood pressure and the volume of the arteries within a segment of an extremity is nonlinear. The present paper shows how the flow and volume pulsations of the arteries within a limb segment can be simulated taking this property into account. An electrical model was constructed comprising one resistor and two voltage dependent ‘capacitors’, the latter corresponding to the pressure dependent elasticity, or compliance, of the arteries. Adequate simulations were obtained over a wide pressure range, which is impossible with linear models. The nonlinear, i.e. pressure dependent, relationship between the volume and pressure of arteries, observed under static conditions, must also be taken into consideration when studying pulsatile events with models whether mathematical or physical.     

Control of B cell production by the adaptor protein lnk. Definition Of a conserved family of signal-modulating proteins

Lnk is an SH2 domain-containing adaptor protein expressed preferentially in lymphocytes. To illuminate the importance of Lnk, we generated lnk(-/-) mice. Whereas T cell development was unaffected, pre-B and immature B cells accumulated in the spleens. In the bone marrow, B-lineage cells were proportionately increased, reflecting enhanced production of pro-B cells that resulted in part from hypersensitivity of precursors to SCF, the ligand for c-kit. Hence, Lnk ordinarily acts to regulate B cell production. Further characterization of lnk(-/-) mice also revealed that full-length Lnk is a 68 kDa protein containing a conserved proline-rich region and a PH domain. Lnk is a representative of a multigene adaptor protein family whose members act, by analogy with Lnk, to modulate intracellular signaling.