Cytogenetics of a new cytotype of African Mus (subgenus Nannomys) minutoides (Rodentia, Muridae) from Kenya: C- and G- banding and distribution of (TTAGGG) n telomeric sequences

We present the results of a cytogenetic study on Mus (Nannomys) minutoides from Kenya by means of C- and G- banding and in-situ fluorescence hybridization (FISH) to localize the telomeric sequences. The karyotype is characterized by the occurrence of several Rb chromosomes Rb(1.X), Rb(1.Y). Rb(2.17), Rb(3.13), Rb(4.10), Rb(5.11), Rb(6.7), Rb(8.12), not previously described for this species. This finding suggests a high level of chromosomal diversification, which means it is possible to consider this cytotype as a new, well-differentiated, chromosomal lineage within the subgenus. The C-banding of the metaphases illustrated conspicuous blocks of centromeric heterochromatin at the paracentromeric regions of all telocentric chromosomes. Centromeric heterochromatin is not visible on all biarmed chromosomes. Following hybridization with telomeric probes, bright interstitial telomeric sequence (ITS) fluorescence signals are evident at the pericentromeric area of all Rb chromosomes, with the exception of Rb(2.17). Considering the localization of the C-positive heterochromatin and of the telomeric sequences, the events leading to the Kenyan cytotype from an all-telocentric condition probably included two steps: first, fusion without loss of heterochromatin and pericentromeric telomeric sequences; second, the reduction of the C-positive satellite DNA followed by the amplification of telomeric sequences in the C-negative paracentromeric region of Rb chromosomes. The presence of a single Rb(2.17) without ITS indicates possible variations of this mechanism.     

Immunohistochemical and serological 90K/Mac-2BP detection in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: different behaviour of two monoclonal antibodies

To clarify the biological role of the 90K/Mac-2BP glycoprotein, we evaluated the ability of two MAbs SP-2 and 1A4.22, to reveal this glycoprotein in both serum and tissue from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Tissue expression of 90K was detected by the immunohistochemical method in 20 HCC patients, while the 90K serum level was assessed by the ELISA assay in 13 HCC patients. MAb SP-2 was reactive only in serum, with a mean value of 12.8+/- 6.7 microg/ml . On the contrary, MAb 1A4.22 revealed immunoreactivity both in 92% of sera and in 60% of neoplastic samples. Positive staining was seen only in the epithelial cells and was cytoplasmic and granular in all instances. The mean 90K serum level assayed with MAb 1A4.22 was 29.4 +/- 13.7 microg/ml. Patients with a 90K serum level 30 microg/ml. Moreover, a possible poor prognostic role was observed for negative 90K in tissue. Our results suggest that only MAb 1A4.22 could demonstrate 90K glycoprotein expression in paraffin-embedded tissue and that this MAb could have a diagnostic and prognostic role in both sera and tissues from HCC patients.     

Utility of cytokeratin 20 in identifying the origin of metastatic carcinomas in effusions

Using a commercially available monoclonal antibody (K_s20.1) and the avidin-biotin peroxidase method on cytospins and cell blocks, we analyzed cytokeratin (CK) 20 expression in 169 serous effusions. Cytoplasmic staining was observed in 44/151 malignant fluids. Colon, gastric, and pancreatic adenocarcinomas and mucinous ovarian tumors were most frequently positive. Single cases of transitional-cell and squamous cell carcinomas were reactive as well. Lung and breast cancers were mostly negative. Nonmucinous ovarian tumors were invariably unlabeled as were mesotheliomas and normal mesothelial cells. the study shows that CK 20 is valuable in distinguishing tumor cell origin in effusions. in particular, it identifies a set of carcinomas with the majority arising from the gastrointestinal tract, and represents a highly characteristic marker for colorectal cancer. © 1995 Wiley- Liss, Inc.     

Chip-based mtDNA mutation screening enables fast and reliable genetic diagnosis of OXPHOS patients.

PURPOSE: Oxidative phosphorylation is under dual genetic control of the nuclear and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Oxidative phosphorylation disorders are clinically and genetically heterogeneous, which makes it difficult to determine the genetic defect, and symptom-based protocols which link clinical symptoms directly to a specific gene or mtDNA mutation are falling short. Moreover, approximately 25% of the pediatric patients with oxidative phosphorylation disorders is estimated to have mutations in the mtDNA and a standard screening approach for common mutations and deletions will only explain part of these cases. Therefore, we tested a new CHIP-based screening method for the mtDNA. METHODS: MitoChip (Affymetrix) resequencing was performed on three test samples and on 28 patient samples. RESULTS: Call rates were 94% on average and heteroplasmy detection levels varied from 5-50%. A genetic diagnosis can be made in almost one-quarter of the patients at a potential output of 8 complete mtDNA sequences every 4 days. Moreover, a number of potentially pathogenic unclassified variants (UV) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of long-range PCR protocols and the predominance of single nucleotide substitutions in the mtDNA make the resequencing CHIP a very fast and reliable method to screen the complete mtDNA for mutations.     

Quantitative differences in lipid raft components between murine CD4<Superscript>+</Superscript> and CD8<Superscript>+</Superscript> T cells

Background  

Lipid rafts have been shown to play a role in T cell maturation, activation as well as in the formation of immunological synapses in CD4⁺ helper and CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells. However, the differential expression of lipid raft components between CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells is still poorly defined. To examine this question, we analyzed the expression of GM1 in T cells from young and aged mice as well as the expression of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked protein Thy-1 and cholesterol in murine CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell subpopulations.     

Social Distancing in Chronic Migraine during the COVID-19 Outbreak: Results from a Multicenter Observational Study

Background: The restrictions taken to control the rapid spread of COVID-19 resulted in a sudden, unprecedented change in people’s lifestyle, leading to negative consequences on general health. This study aimed to estimate the impact of such changes on migraine severity during 2020 March–May lockdown. Methods: Patients affected by migraine with or without aura, diagnosed by expert physicians, completed a detailed interview comprehensive of: assessment of migraine characteristics; measure of physical activity (PA) levels; measure of the intake frequency of main Italian foods; the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaire investigating sleep disorders. Results: We included 261 patients with a mean age of 44.5 ± 12.3 years. During social distancing, 72 patients (28%) reported a headache worsening, 86 (33%) an improvement, and 103 (39%) a stable headache frequency. A significant decrease of the PA levels during COVID-19 quarantine in the whole study sample was observed (median total metabolic equivalent task (METs) decreased from 1170 to 510; p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant difference was reported on median ISI scores (from 7 to 8; p < 0.001), which were increased in patients who presented a stable or worsening headache. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that the restrictions taken during the pandemic have affected the practice of PA levels and sleep quality in migraine. Hence, PA and sleep quality should be assessed to find strategies for an improvement in quality of life.     

Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Workers,Turin, Italy

We measured severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein subunits S1/S2 antibodies by using capillary electrophoresis and a chemiluminescence immunoassay for 5,444 active healthcare workers in Italy. Seroprevalence was 6.9% and higher among participants having contact with patients. Seroconversion was not observed in 37/213 previously infected participants.     

A Cross-Country Network Analysis of Adolescent Resilience

PurposeIn situations of adversity, young people draw on individual, relational, and contextual (community and cultural) resources to foster their resilience. Recent literature defines resilience as a capacity that is underpinned by a network of interrelated resources. Although empirical studies show evidence of the value of a network approach, little is known regarding how different country contexts influence which resources are most critical within a resource network and how resources interact for adolescent resilience.MethodsNetwork analysis was conducted with data from studies that had used the Child and Youth Resilience Measure. Regularized partial correlation networks of 17 resources were estimated for 14 countries (Botswana, Canada, China, Colombia, Equatorial Guinea, India, Indonesia, Italy, Jordan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Romania, South Africa, and Syrian refugees living in Jordan). The sample size was 18,914 (mean age = 15.70 years, 48.8% female).ResultsWe observed mostly positive associations between the resources of interest. The salience and strength of associations between resources varied by country. The most central resource across countries was having supportive caregivers during stressful times because this resource had the most and strongest positive associations with other resources.ConclusionsThis study gives first empirical evidence from multiple countries that an interplay of social–ecological resources (such as individual skills, peer, caregiver and community support, and educational aspirations and opportunities) matter for adolescent resilience. Across countries, caregiver support appears to be most central for adolescent resilience. Future resilience interventions might apply this network approach to identify important, contextually relevant resources that likely foster additional resources.     

Genomic Characterization of hlyF-positive Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli,Italy and the Netherlands, 2000–2019

Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O80:H2 has emerged in Europe as a cause of hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with bacteremia. STEC O80:H2 harbors the mosaic plasmid pR444_A, which combines several virulence genes, including hlyF and antimicrobial resistance genes. pR444_A is found in some extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) strains. We identified and characterized 53 STEC strains with ExPEC-associated virulence genes isolated in Italy and the Netherlands during 2000–2019. The isolates belong to 2 major populations: 1 belongs to sequence type 301 and harbors diverse stx₂ subtypes, the intimin variant eae-ξ, and pO157-like and pR444_A plasmids; 1 consists of strains belonging to various sequence types, some of which lack the pO157 plasmid, the locus of enterocyte effacement, and the antimicrobial resistance–encoding region. Our results showed that STEC strains harboring ExPEC-associated virulence genes can include multiple serotypes and that the pR444_A plasmid can be acquired and mobilized by STEC strains.     

Comparison between VII-to-VII and XII-to-VII coaptation techniques for early facial nerve reanimation after surgical intra-cranial injuries: a systematic review and pooled analysis of the functional outcomes

Neurosurgical Review - The surgical injury of the intracranial portion of the facial nerve (FN) is a severe complication of many skull base procedures, and it represents a relevant issue in terms...