Structures of triterpenoids from the leaves of Lansium domesticum

Journal of Natural Medicines - From the methanolic extract of the leaves of Lansium domesticum, three new onoceranoid-type triterpenoids, lansium acids X–XII and a new cycloartane-type...     

Ipsilateral proximal and distal radius fractures with unstable elbow joint: Which should we address first?

Simultaneous ipsilateral fractures involving radial head and distal end of radius are uncommon. We present our thoughts on which fracture should be addressed first. A 68-year-old lady sustained an ipsilateral fracture of the right radial head and distal end of radius following a fall. Clinically her right elbow was posteriorly dislocated and right wrist was deformed. Plain radiographs showed an intraarticular fracture of the distal end of radius and a comminution radial head fracture with a proximally migrated radius. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed no significant ligament injuries. We addressed her distal radius first with an anatomical locking plate followed by her radial head with a radial head replacement. Our rationale to treat the distal end radius: first was to obtain a correct alignment of Lister's tubercle and correct the distal radius height. Lister's tubercle was used to guide for the correct rotation of the radial head prosthesis. Correcting the distal end fracture radial height helped us with length selection of the radial head prosthesis and address the proximally migrated radial shaft and neck. Postoperative radiographs showed an acceptable reduction. The Cooney score was 75 at 3 months postoperatively, which was equivalent to a fair functional outcome.     

Range of Motion Simulation of Hip Joint Movement During Salat Activity

Background

Impingement of an artificial hip joint because of limited range of motion (RoM) during human activity is one of the main sources of hip joint failure. The aim of this article is to simulate the RoMs of hip joints during salat, the practice of formal worship in Islam.

Bilateral scaphoid stress fracture in a platform diver presenting with unilateral symptoms

Scaphoid stress fracture is rare and occurs mainly in gymnasts. The current literature has only two reported cases: unilateral scaphoid stress fracture in a platform diver and bilateral scaphoid stress fracture in a gymnast. We herein report bilateral stress fracture of the scaphoid in a platform diver who presented with only one symptomatic side. Our patient was a 16-year-old competitive platform diver with an 18-month history of pain in the right wrist. Radiography revealed fracture of the right scaphoid at the waist. As part of our preoperativezh to determine the appropriate screw, radiography of the contralateral side was performed, revealing an unexpected fracture of the left scaphoid. Due to the frequency of stress fractures in competitive sports, especially gymnastics, we recommend that bilateral scaphoid radiography be performed for athletes presenting with a unilateral scaphoid fracture, to avoid missing a fracture in the contralateral side.     

Association of ABCC2 with levels and toxicity of methotrexate in Malaysian Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

Abstract

Studies had shown that genetic polymorphism plays a significant role in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics variation of high dose methotrexate (MTX), 5000?mg/m² regimen. The objective of this study was to investigate the genetic variations associated with the serum level and toxicity of MTX in Malaysian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Thirty-eight patients were genotyped for rs717620 (ABCC2), rs4948496 (ARID5B), rs1801133 (MTHFR) and rs4149056 (SLCO1B1). Serum levels of MTX at 48?h post 24?h of intravenous infusion were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The ABCC2 genotype was significantly associated with the serum levels of MTX at 48?h after treatment (p?=?0.017). Patients with CT and TT of rs717620 (ABCC2) and TC and CC of rs4948496 (ARID5B) were significantly associated with leukopenia grade I–IV (Fisher Exact Test; p?=?0.03 and 0.02, respectively). The three most common MTX related toxicities were leukopenia (60.5%), increased alanine aminotransferase enzyme (47.4%), and thrombocytopenia (47.4%). Our results demonstrate that by prescreening of patients for ABCC2 and ARID5B associated with the serum levels and adverse effects of MTX would identify patients at risk and therefore help a pediatric oncologist to personalize chemotherapy drugs for precision health.     

TLS interaction with NMDA R1 splice variant in retinal ganglion cell line RGC-5

Translocated in liposarcoma (TLS or FUS) is a multifunctional protein component of the heterogenous ribonuclear complex involved in the splicing of pre-mRNA and the export of fully processed mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. As we determined that TLS was substantially expressed in the adult retina, we investigated the functions of TLS in a rat retinal ganglion cell (RGC) line RGC-5. TLS was found to be associated with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 1 (NR1) and myosinVa (MyoVa) in a calcium-dependent manner. We demonstrated that TLS-associated NR1 could be one of the NR1 alternative splice variants, NR1-4, which was predominantly expressed in RGC-5. The degree of colocalization between TLS and NR1 was significantly decreased by depolarization of RGC-5 cells, indicating that the depolarization-induced Ca²⁺-influx triggered a redistribution of NR1 from the TLS–protein complex. These results suggested that TLS might be involved in a calcium-dependent trafficking of specific NR1 splice variants in RGCs.     

TLS-GFP cannot rescue mRNP formation near spines and spine phenotype in TLS-KO

RNA-binding protein TLS transports Nd1-L mRNA, which encodes an actin-stabilizing protein, to the neuronal dendrites. TLS-null mouse (TLS-KO) hippocampal neurons display abnormal spine morphology, and thus could be attributed to actin destabilization by the improper supply of Nd1-L mRNA to the dendrites. In this study, we showed that the exogenous expression of TLS in TLS-KO neurons did not rescue the abnormal spine phenotypes. The degree of colocalization between exogenous TLS and Nd1-L mRNA was significantly decreased in both the neuronal dendrites and the spines of TLS-KO neurons. Our results indicate that formation of TLS-Nd1-L mRNA complex clusters, presumable mRNA pools for the local protein synthesis in the spines, was impaired in TLS-deficient neurons.     

A case of disproportionate macrodactyly or a mild form of Proteus syndrome? An interesting case

We present a 20-year-old Malay male whom we believe has Proteus syndrome, a rare congenital disorder of asymmetrical overgrowth of body tissues. There are fewer than 100 confirmed cases reported worldwide thus the clinical presentation and histopathological findings are of significance. Our patient presented with an overgrown right small finger and subcutaneous purplish pigmentation over his left upper arm and chest since birth. His small finger gradually increased in size. He had no abnormalities in sensation or power. Radiographs revealed a delta shaped middle phalanx of the small finger. His activities of daily living were uninterrupted but he requested debulking surgery for cosmetic reasons. Histopathological examination reported hypertrophic fatty tissue composed of well formed lobules of mature adipocytes interspersed with fibrous elements.     

Modeling,Optimization and Performance Evaluation of TiC/Graphite Reinforced Al 7075 Hybrid Composites Using Response Surface Methodology

The tenacious thirst for fuel-saving and desirable physical and mechanical properties of the materials have compelled researchers to focus on a new generation of aluminum hybrid composites for automotive and aircraft applications. This work investigates the microhardness behavior and microstructural characterization of aluminum alloy (Al 7075)-titanium carbide (TiC)-graphite (Gr) hybrid composites. The hybrid composites were prepared via the powder metallurgy technique with the amounts of TiC (0, 3, 5, and 7 wt.%), reinforced to Al 7075 + 1 wt.% Gr. The microstructural characteristics were investigated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) elemental mapping. A Box Behnken design (BBD) response surface methodology (RSM) approach was utilized for modeling and optimization of density and microhardness independent parameters and to develop an empirical model of density and microhardness in terms of process variables. Effects of independent parameters on the responses have been evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). The density and microhardness of the Al 7075-TiC-Gr hybrid composites are found to be increased by increasing the weight percentage of TiC particles. The optimal conditions for obtaining the highest density and microhardness are estimated to be 6.79 wt.% TiC at temperature 626.13 °C and compaction pressure of 300 Mpa.