Characterization of a novel breast carcinoma xenograft and cell line derived from a BRCA1 germ-line mutation carrier

A human tumor xenograft (L56Br-X1) was established from a breast cancer axillary lymph node metastasis of a 53-year-old woman with a BRCA1 germ-line nonsense mutation (1806C>T; Q563X), and a cell line (L56Br-C1) was subsequently derived from the xenograft. The xenograft carries only the mutant BRCA1 allele and expresses mutant BRCA1 mRNA but no BRCA1 protein as determined by immunoprecipitation or Western blotting. The primary tumor, lymph node metastasis, and xenograft were hypodiploid by DNA flow cytometry, whereas the cell line displayed an aneuploidy apparently developed via polyploidization. Cytogenetic analysis, spectral karyotyping, and comparative genomic hybridization of the cell line revealed a highly complex karyotype with numerous unbalanced translocations. The xenograft and cell line had retained a somatic TP53 missense mutation (S215I) originating from the primary tumors, as well as a lack of immunohistochemically detectable expression of steroid hormone receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), and keratin 8. Global gene expression analysis by cDNA microarrays supported a correlation between the expression profiles of the primary tumor, lymph node metastasis, xenograft, and cell line. We conclude that L56Br-X1 and L56Br-C1 are useful model systems for studies of the pathogenesis and new therapeutic modalities of BRCA1-induced human breast cancer.     

Antifungal Properties of Some Components of Senna Alata Flower

Antifungal activity of some components of Senna alata flower was examined against five fungi. The methanolic crude extract and the partially purified fractions were both active against standard strains of Aspergillus niger, Geotricum candidum, and Candida utilis, and local isolates of Aspergillus brevipes and Penicillium species, but at different concentrations. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the methanolic crude extract was low for all the fungal strains except Aspergillus niger with 5.0 mg/mL concentration, while the minimum inhibitory concentration of partially purified components (C and F) ranged between 0.312 mg/mL for extract F against Penicillium species and 2.5 mg/mL for extract C against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium species and Candida utilis. The minimum fungicidal concentration of the crude methanolic extract was generally higher than 5 mg/mL for most of the fungi but the partially purified extract exhibited fungicidal concentrations ranging from 2.5 mg/mL to 5.0 mg/mL. Antifungal properties against mycelial growth was also demonstrated by all the extracts against the tested strains, with the crude methanolic extract losing its activity after 48 hours. The partially purified Senna alata extracts exhibited a relatively high antifungal activity against mycelial growth with total suppression of sporulation for four days at a concentration of 2 mg/mL, while preventing fungal growth after the seventh day.     

Effect of volume of porogens on the porosity of PLGA scaffolds in pH-controlled environment

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is a well-studied biodegradable polymer used in drug delivery and other medical applications such as in tissue regeneration. It is often necessary to impart porosity within the scaffold (microparticles) in order to promote the growth of tissue during the regeneration process. Sodium chloride and ammonium bicarbonate have been extensively used as porogens in the generation of porous microstructure. In this study, we compared the effect of volumes (250?μl, 500?μl and 750?μl) of two porogens, sodium chloride (1.71 M) and ammonium bicarbonate (1.71 M), on the porosity of PLGA microparticles.     

Effects of exercise training on bone mineral density and some health-related outcomes in HIV conditions: A randomized controlled trial

Introduction:Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection remains prevalent co-morbidity, and among fracture patients. Few studies have investigated the role of exercise interventions in preventing bone demineralization in people who have fractures and HIV. If exercise exposed, HIV-infected individuals may experience improved bone health outcomes (BMD), function, quality of life (QoL). The study will aim to assess the impact of home based exercises on bone mineral density, functional capacity, QoL, and some serological markers of health in HIV infection among Nigerians and South Africans.Methods and design:The study is an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial. Patients managed with internal and external fixation for femoral shaft fracture at the study sites will be recruited to participate in the study. The participants will be recruited 2 weeks post-discharge at the follow-up clinic with the orthopaedic surgeon. The study population will consist of all persons with femoral fracture and HIV-positive and negative (HIV-positive medically confirmed) aged 18 to 60 years attending the above-named health facilities. For the HIV-positive participants, a documented positive HIV result, as well as a history of being followed-up at the HIV treatment and care center. A developed home based exercise programme will be implemented in the experimental group while the control group continues with the usual rehabilitation programme. The primary outcome measures will be function, gait, bone mineral density, physical activity, and QoL.Discussion:The proposed trial will compare the effect of a home-based physical exercise-training programme in the management of femoral fracture to the usual physiotherapy management programmes with specific outcomes of bone mineral density, function, and inflammatory markers.Trial registration:The study was prospectively registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (Reference number – PACTR201910562118957) on October 21, 2019. (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=9425).     

Targeting mitochondrial dysfunction with elamipretide

Heart Failure Reviews - Although currently employed therapies for heart failure decrease overall mortality and improve patient quality of life temporarily, the disease is known to progress even for...     

Abundance and diversity of Anopheles species (Diptera: Culicidae) associated with malaria transmission in human dwellings in rural and urban communities in Oyo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Mosquito samples were collected from rural and urban communities in three selected major towns in Southwestern Nigeria to determine the impact of urbanization on the diversity and abundance of Anopheles species associated with malaria transmission in human habitations. A total of ten Anopheles species were identified in the rural communities, while eight Anopheles species were identified in the urban communities. Out of the ten Anopheles species identified, only four species, Anopheles gambiae (Giles), Anopheles funestus (Giles), Anopheles moucheti (Evans), and Anopheles nili (Theobald), were established to be vectors of malaria occurring in greater than 50 % of the rural communities. Only A. gambiae occurred in all the urban communities, while the other three major vectors occurred in not more than 20 % of the urban communities. Margalef's and Shannon–Wiener indices showed that diversity and species richness were higher in the rural compared to the urban. Comprehensive information on malaria vector abundance and diversity in rapidly changing communities is an important tool in planning and implementing successful vector control programs.     

International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 2. Avulsion of permanent teeth

Avulsion of permanent teeth is one of the most serious dental injuries. Prompt and correct emergency management is essential for attaining the best outcome after this injury. The International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) has developed these Guidelines as a consensus statement after a comprehensive review of the dental literature and working group discussions. It represents the current best evidence and practice based on that literature search and expert opinions. Experienced researchers and clinicians from various specialties and the general dentistry community were included in the working group. In cases where the published data did not appear conclusive, recommendations were based on consensus opinions or majority decisions of the working group. They were then reviewed and approved by the members of the IADT Board of Directors. The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide clinicians with the most widely accepted and scientifically plausible approaches for the immediate or urgent care of avulsed permanent teeth. The IADT does not, and cannot, guarantee favorable outcomes from adherence to the Guidelines. However, the IADT believes that their application can maximize the probability of favorable outcomes.