A Complete Formulation of Baum-Conens' Conjecture for the Action of Discrete Quantum Groups

We formulate a version of Baum-Connes' conjecture for a discrete quantum group, building on our earlier work (\cite{GK}). Given such a quantum group \cla, we construct a directed family \{\cle_F \} of $C^*$-algebras ($F$ varying over some suitable index set), borrowing the ideas of \cite{cuntz}, such that there is a natural action of \cla on each \cle_F satisfying the assumptions of \cite{GK}, which makes it possible to define the "analytical assembly map", say $\mu^{r,F}_i$, $i=0,1,$ as in \cite{GK}, from the \cla-equivariant $K$-homolgy groups of \cle_F to the $K$-theory groups of the "reduced" dual \hat{\cla_r} (c.f. \cite{GK} and the references therein for more details). As a result, we can define the Baum-Connes' maps \mu^r_i : \stackrel{\rm lim}{\longrightarrow} KK_i^\cla(\cle_F,\IC) \raro K_i(\hat{\cla_r}), and in the classical case, i.e. when \cla is $C_0(G)$ for a discrete group, the isomorphism of the above maps for $i=0,1$ is equivalent to the Baum-Connes' conjecture. Furthermore, we verify its truth for an arbitrary finite dimensional quantum group and obtain partial results for the dual of $SU_q(2).$Comment: to appear in "K Theory" (special volume for H. Bass). A preliminary version was available as ICTP preprint since the early this yea

ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON FIBROUS PROTEINS FROM COWRY SHELL (CYPRAEA MONETA, LINNAEUS)

Background: Biomaterials are non-drug substances used to treat, enhance or replace functions of body tissues or organs. Natural sources of biomaterials have recently become the focus of several research activities. Cowry shell constitutes one of the most promising natural sources of biomaterials because of its chemical stability, biodegradability and biocompatibility in the body. However, its applications may be limited due to immunogenic and toxic responses that may occur following implantation, hence this study. Materials and Methods: Crude fibrous protein extracted with citrate buffer from pulverised cowry shells (Cypraea moneta (L)), was resolved into two components (CSP1 and CSP2) by gel filtration. Immunological studies were performed with antisera obtained from rabbits by double immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis techniques. Mice treated with the proteins were observed for signs of toxicity and their liver, kidney, lungs and spleen were processed histologically. Results: The native molecular weight of CSP1 and CSP2 determined by gel filtration were 91kDa and 33kDa respectively. CSP1 and CSP2 displayed single bands on SDS-PAGE with subunit molecular weight values of 19kDa and 19.5kDa respectively. Antisera obtained from rabbits immunised with the crude citrate buffer extracts precipitated the antigen in double immunodiffusion tests. Histopathological examinations revealed a dose-dependent damaging effect of the shell proteins on liver, kidney, lung and spleen tissues of the treated mice. Conclusion: This study showed that cowry shells contain fibrous proteins which are immunogenic and toxic in mice at relatively high concentrations, causing visible organ damage without concurrent physical manifestations

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TB/HIV CO-INFECTION AMONG DRUG SENSITIVE TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS MANAGED IN A SECONDARY HEALTH FACILITY IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Background: This study assessed factors associated with TB/HIV co-infection among TB patients managed in a secondary health facility in Lagos Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of treatment cards of patients seen at a secondary referral hospital between January 1 2014 and December 31 2014 was conducted. Treatment outcomes and factors associated with TB/HIV co-infection were assessed. Results: Of the 334 records of patients reviewed, the proportion of patients with TB/HIV co-infection was 21.6%. The odds of having TB/HIV co-infection was 2.7 times higher among patients above 40 years than patients less than 25 years (AOR 2.7 95% CI 1.1 – 6.5, p =0.030). In addition, the odds of having TB/HIV co-infection was 3.3 higher among extrapulmonary TB cases (AOR 3.3; 95% CI 1.2 – 9.5; p = 0.026) and 2.1 times higher among retreated patients (AOR 2.1; 95% CI 1.1 – 3.9; p = 0.017) than pulmonary TB and new patients respectively. The chance of having TB/HIV co-infection was 2.7-fold more in patients with poor treatment outcomes than patients with treatment success (AOR 2.7; 95%CI 1.3 – 5.4; p =0.006). Conclusion: TB/HIV co-infection rate was high in the study area. There is need to put measures in place to improve treatment outcomes of TB/HIV co-infected patients

Predicting future left anterior descending artery events from non-culprit lesions:insights from the Lipid-Rich Plaque study

AIMS: The left anterior descending (LAD) artery is the most frequently affected site by coronary artery disease. The prospective Lipid Rich Plaque (LRP) study, which enrolled patients undergoing imaging of non-culprits followed over 2 years, reported the successful identification of coronary segments at risk of future events based on near-infrared spectroscopy-intravascular ultrasound (NIRS-IVUS) lipid signals. We aimed to characterize the plaque events involving the LAD vs. non-LAD segments. METHODS AND RESULTS: LRP enrolled 1563 patients from 2014 to 2016. All adjudicated plaque events defined by the composite of cardiac death, cardiac arrest, non-fatal myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, revascularization by coronary bypass or percutaneous coronary intervention, and rehospitalization for angina with >20% stenosis progression and reported as non-culprit lesion-related major adverse cardiac events (NC-MACE) were classified by NIRS-IVUS maxLCBI4 mm (maximum 4-mm Lipid Core Burden Index) ≤400 or >400 and association with high-risk-plaque characteristics, plaque burden ≥70%, and minimum lumen area (MLA) ≤4 mm2. Fifty-seven events were recorded with more lipid-rich plaques in the LAD vs. left circumflex and right coronary artery; 12.5% vs. 10.4% vs. 11.3%, P = 0.097. Unequivocally, a maxLCBI4 mm >400 in the LAD was more predictive of NC-MACE [hazard ratio (HR) 4.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.93-9.69); P = 0.0004] vs. [HR 2.56, 95% CI (1.06-6.17); P = 0.0354] in non-LAD segments. MLA ≤4 mm2 within the maxLCBI4 mm was significantly higher in the LAD (34.1% vs. 25.9% vs. 13.7%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Non-culprit lipid-rich segments in the LAD were more frequently associated with plaque-level events. LAD NIRS-IVUS screening may help identify patients requiring intensive surveillance and medical treatment

TRH: Pathophysiologic and clinical implications

Thyrotropin releasing hormone is thought to be a tonic stimulator of the pituitary TSH secretion regulating the setpoint of the thyrotrophs to the suppressive effect of thyroid hormones. The peptide stimulates the release of normal and elevated prolactin. ACTH and GH may increase in response to exogenous TRH in pituitary ACTH and GH hypersecretion syndromes and in some extrapituitary diseases. The pathophysiological implications of extrahypothalamic TRH in humans are essentially unknown. The TSH response to TRH is nowadays widely used as a diganostic amplifier in thyroid diseases being suppressed in borderline and overt hyperthyroid states and increased in primary thyroid failure. In hypothyroid states of hypothalamic origin, TSH increases in response to exogenous TRH often with a delayed and/or exaggerated time course. But in patients with pituitary tumors and suprasellar extension TSH may also respond to TRH despite secondary hypothyroidism. This TSH increase may indicate a suprasellar cause for the secondary hypothyroidism, probably due to portal vessel occlusion. The TSH released in these cases is shown to be biologically inactive

Interleukin-6 counteracts therapy-induced cellular oxidative stress in multiple myeloma by up-regulating manganese superoxide dismutase

IL (interleukin)-6, an established growth factor for multiple myeloma cells, induces myeloma therapy resistance, but the resistance mechanisms remain unclear. The present study determines the role of IL-6 in re-establishing intracellular redox homoeostasis in the context of myeloma therapy. IL-6 treatment increased myeloma cell resistance to agents that induce oxidative stress, including IR (ionizing radiation) and Dex (dexamethasone). Relative to IR alone, myeloma cells treated with IL-6 plus IR demonstrated reduced annexin/propidium iodide staining, caspase 3 activation, PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase] cleavage and mitochondrial membrane depolarization with increased clonogenic survival. IL-6 combined with IR or Dex increased early intracellular pro-oxidant levels that were causally related to activation of NF-κB (nuclear factor κB) as determined by the ability of N-acetylcysteine to suppress both pro-oxidant levels and NF-κB activation. In myeloma cells, upon combination with hydrogen peroxide treatment, relative to TNF (tumour necrosis factor)-α, IL-6 induced an early perturbation in reduced glutathione level and increased NF-κB-dependent MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) expression. Furthermore, knockdown of MnSOD suppressed the IL-6-induced myeloma cell resistance to radiation. MitoSOX Red staining showed that IL-6 treatment attenuated late mitochondrial oxidant production in irradiated myeloma cells. The present study provides evidence that increases in MnSOD expression mediate IL-6-induced resistance to Dex and radiation in myeloma cells. The results of the present study indicate that inhibition of antioxidant pathways could enhance myeloma cell responses to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy