Managing dengue disaster: uncovering paramount community elements for DNA sensory tool accessibility in Malaysia

In this study, communities’ psychosocial judgements (relationship, awareness, responsibility, and attitude) were evaluated in relation to DNA-based dengue kit accessibility. It was carried out by handing out 100 structured questionnaires (Kajang Housing (KjH): 40, Kajang Industrial (KjI): 40, Kuala Selangor (KuS): 20). From our descriptive analyses, KuS respondents exhibited a closer relationship with their neighbours (100%) compared to other respondents. KjH, KjI and KuS respondents know very little about dengue vector species. While KjH is leading the other two study areas, KjI and KuS in terms of knowing all symptoms associated with dengue fever (DF), KuS shows more interest to participate in dengue campaigns and/or prevention and control programs compared to KjH and KjI. Not more than 25% of total respondents are willing to offer transportation or nurturing their neighbours back to health. While KjI is more confident to use DNA biosensor when outside of their community, not more than 35% of total respondents are confident enough to use it within their neighbourhood. All communities, especially the affected ones, should take a proactive step by making use of DNA biosensor as an early warning tool, in conjunction with good psychosocial behaviours towards dengue, to achieve sustainable health promotion in managing dengue disaster

A quinoline-based fluorescent labelling for zinc detection and DFT calculations

8-carboxamidoquinoline derivatives were gradually investigated as zinc’s label in resolving weak water solubility, poor membrane permeability, and difficulty measuring free Zn2+ ion in cells quantitatively. The potential of 2-oxo-2-(quinolin-8-ylamino)acid (OQAA) as zinc’s label was prepared and characterized spectroscopically. Theoretical and experimental data of OQAA were compared and discussed. The optimized molecular structure, molecular orbital of HOMO-LUMO, energy band gaps, and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) of OQAA were carried out using the DFT method with Becke-3-Parameter-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) and 6-31G(d,p) basis set. The intermolecular interaction energy of OQAA-Zn is calculated by using the hybrid method of GEN with a basis set of LANL2DZ for Zn2+ ion and DFT/6-31G(d,p) for OQAA ligand. OQAA exhibited remarkable and excellent fluorescence enhancement selective and qualitatively only for Zn2+ than other metal cations tested (Fe2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Hg2+, Cd2+) under a long wavelength. Job’s plot and 1H NMR titrations indicate OQAA-Zn2+ has a binding ratio at 1:1 stoichiometry (M1L1). Substantial shifting of amide N-H proton to higher chemical shift and intensity of the proton peak of N-H amide decrease abruptly implies that Zn2+ is binding to an amide. These changes confirmed interactions among the ligand OQAA and metal Zn2+ ion. As a result of the benefits discussed, OQAA could effectively and selectively optimize and fabricate for Zn2+ sensors

Transcription of Muscle Actin Genes by a Nuclear Form of Mitochondrial RNA Polymerase

Actins are the major constituent of the cytoskeleton. In this report we present several lines of evidence that muscle actin genes are transcribed by nuclear isoform of mitochondrial RNA polymerase (spRNAP-IV) whereas the non-muscle actin genes are transcribed by the conventional RNA polymerase II (PolII). We show that mRNA level of muscle actin genes are resistant to PolII inhibitors α-amanitin and triptolide as well as insensitive to knockdown of PolII but not to knockdown of spRNAP-IV, in contrast to non-muscle actin genes in several cell lines. Similar results are obtained from nuclear run-on experiments. Reporter assay using muscle actin or PolII gene promoters also demonstrate the differential sensitivity to PolII inhibitors. Finally, chromatin-immunoprecipitation experiment was used to demonstrate that spRNAP-IV is associated with promoter of muscle actin genes but not with that of non-muscle gene and knockdown of spRNAP-IV depleted this polymerase from muscle actin genes. In summary, these experiments indicate that the two types of actin genes are transcribed by different transcription machinery. We also found that POLRMT gene is transcribed by spRNAP-IV, and actin genes are sensitive to oligomycin, suggesting a transcription coupling between mitochondria and nucleus

Associations Between Eczema and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest a link between eczema and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but underlying mechanisms have not been examined.Objective: We aim to investigate the association between eczema and subsequent ADHD symptoms in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes cohort and explore the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiome.Methods: The modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire and Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV were administered to assess reported eczema within the first 18 months and presence of ADHD symptoms at 54 months, respectively. Skin prick testing at 18 months, cytokines in maternal blood during pregnancy and cord blood and the mediating role of the gut microbiome at 24 months were assessed.Results: After adjusting for confounders, eczema with or without a positive skin prick test was associated with doubling the risk of ADHD symptoms. No differences in maternal and cord blood cytokines were observed in children with and without eczema, or children with and without ADHD. Gut microbiome dysbiosis was observed in children with eczema and children with ADHD. Children with eczema also had lower gut bacterial Shannon diversity. However, the relationship between eczema and ADHD was not mediated by gut microbiome.Conclusion: Early life eczema diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of subsequent ADHD symptoms in children. We found no evidence for underlying inflammatory mechanism or mediation by gut microbiome dysbiosis. Further research should evaluate other mechanisms underlying the link between eczema and ADHD.Peer reviewe

Nitric oxide differentially regulates renal ATP-binding cassette transporters during endotoxemia

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important regulator of renal transport processes. In the present study, we investigated the role of NO, produced by inducible NO synthase (iNOS), in the regulation of renal ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in vivo during endotoxemia. Wistar–Hannover rats were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS+) alone or in combination with the iNOS inhibitor, aminoguanidine. Controls received detoxified LPS (LPS−). After LPS+, proximal tubular damage and a reduction in renal function were observed. Furthermore, iNOS mRNA and protein, and the amount of NO metabolites in plasma and urine, increased compared to the LPS− group. Coadministration with aminoguanidine resulted in an attenuation of iNOS induction and reduction of renal damage. Gene expression of 20 ABC transporters was determined. After LPS+, a clear up-regulation in Abca1, Abcb1/P-glycoprotein (P-gp), Abcb11/bile salt export pump (Bsep), and Abcc2/multidrug resistance protein (Mrp2) was found, whereas Abcc8 was down-regulated. Up-regulation of Abcc2/Mrp2 was accompanied by enhanced calcein excretion. Aminoguanidine attenuated the effects on transporter expression. Our data indicate that NO, produced locally by renal iNOS, regulates the expression of ABC transporters in vivo. Furthermore, we showed, for the first time, expression and subcellular localization of Abcb11/Bsep in rat kidney

The antiapoptotic gene survivin is highly expressed in human chondrosarcoma and promotes drug resistance in chondrosarcoma cells in vitro

Background Chondrosarcoma is virtually resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Survivin, the smallest member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is a critical factor for tumor progression and resistance to conventional therapeutic approaches in a wide range of malignancies. However, the role of survivin in chondrosarcoma has not been well studied. We examined the importance of survivin gene expression in chondrosarcoma and analysed its influences on proliferation, apoptosis and resistance to chemotherapy in vitro. Methods Resected chondrosarcoma specimens from which paraffin-embedded tissues could be extracted were available from 12 patients. In vitro experiments were performed in human chondrosarcoma cell lines SW1353 and Hs819.T. Immunohistochemistry, immunoblot, quantitative PCR, RNA interference, gene-overexpression and analyses of cell proliferation and apoptosis were performed. Results Expression of survivin protein was detected in all chondrosarcoma specimens analyzed, while undetectable in adult human cartilage. RNA interference targeting survivin resulted in a G2/M-arrest of the cell cycle and led to increased rates of apoptosis in chondrosarcoma cells in vitro. Overexpression of survivin resulted in pronounced resistance to doxorubicin treatment. Conclusions These findings indicate that survivin plays a role in the pathogenesis and pronounced chemoresistance of high grade chondrosarcoma. Survivin antagonizing therapeutic strategies may lead to new treatment options in unresectable and metastasized chondrosarcoma