Role of amino acids in halotolerant Aspergillus repens

Attempts have been made earlier to understand the mechanisms of osmoregulation and the ability ot adapt to fluctuations in the external osmolarity (Ben-Amotz and Avron 1983. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 37:95-119, Csonka 1989. Microbiol. Rev. 53:121-147). Various strategies have been adopted by the cells in order to survive and proliferate in the presence of reduced water activity, including accumulation of carbohydrates. amino acids and quaternary ammonium compounds (Measures 1975. Nature 257:398-400, Brown et al. 1972. J. Gen. Microbiol. 72:589-591, Dannibier et al. 1988. Arch. Microbiol. 150:348-357). In the present study, attempts were made to investigate the role of amino acids that accumulate intracellularly in halotolerant Aspergillus repens under salt stress condition

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Inhibition of arachidonic acid metabolism and its implication on cell proliferation and tumour-angiogenesis

Arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites have recently generated a heightened interest due to growing evidence of their significant role in cancer biology. Thus, inhibitors of the AA cascade, first and foremost COX inhibitors, which have originally been of interest in the treatment of inflammatory conditions and certain types of cardiovascular disease, are now attracting attention as an arsenal against cancer. An increasing number of investigations support their role in cancer chemoprevention, although the precise molecular mechanisms that link levels of AA, and its metabolites, with cancer progression have still to be elucidated. This article provides an overview of the AA cascade and focuses on the roles of its inhibitors and their implication in cancer treatment. In particular, emphasis is placed on the inhibition of cell proliferation and neo-angiogenesis through inhibition of the enzymes COX-2, 5-LOX and CYP450. Downstream effects of inhibition of AA metabolites are analysed and the molecular mechanisms of action of a selected number of inhibitors of catalytic pathways reviewed. Lastly, the benefits of dietary omega-3 fatty acids and their mechanisms of action leading to reduced cancer risk and impeded cancer cell growth are mentioned. Finally, a proposal is put forward, suggesting a novel and integrated approach in viewing the molecular mechanisms and complex interactions responsible for the involvement of AA metabolites in carcinogenesis and the protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids in inflammation and tumour prevention

Effects of fluoxetine on functional outcomes after acute stroke (FOCUS): a pragmatic, double-blind, randomised, controlled trial

Background Results of small trials indicate that fluoxetine might improve functional outcomes after stroke. The FOCUS trial aimed to provide a precise estimate of these effects. Methods FOCUS was a pragmatic, multicentre, parallel group, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial done at 103 hospitals in the UK. Patients were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical stroke diagnosis, were enrolled and randomly assigned between 2 days and 15 days after onset, and had focal neurological deficits. Patients were randomly allocated fluoxetine 20 mg or matching placebo orally once daily for 6 months via a web-based system by use of a minimisation algorithm. The primary outcome was functional status, measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), at 6 months. Patients, carers, health-care staff, and the trial team were masked to treatment allocation. Functional status was assessed at 6 months and 12 months after randomisation. Patients were analysed according to their treatment allocation. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN83290762. Findings Between Sept 10, 2012, and March 31, 2017, 3127 patients were recruited. 1564 patients were allocated fluoxetine and 1563 allocated placebo. mRS data at 6 months were available for 1553 (99·3%) patients in each treatment group. The distribution across mRS categories at 6 months was similar in the fluoxetine and placebo groups (common odds ratio adjusted for minimisation variables 0·951 [95% CI 0·839–1·079]; p=0·439). Patients allocated fluoxetine were less likely than those allocated placebo to develop new depression by 6 months (210 [13·43%] patients vs 269 [17·21%]; difference 3·78% [95% CI 1·26–6·30]; p=0·0033), but they had more bone fractures (45 [2·88%] vs 23 [1·47%]; difference 1·41% [95% CI 0·38–2·43]; p=0·0070). There were no significant differences in any other event at 6 or 12 months. Interpretation Fluoxetine 20 mg given daily for 6 months after acute stroke does not seem to improve functional outcomes. Although the treatment reduced the occurrence of depression, it increased the frequency of bone fractures. These results do not support the routine use of fluoxetine either for the prevention of post-stroke depression or to promote recovery of function. Funding UK Stroke Association and NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme

Anomalous cerebral vasculature causing acute bilateral anterior circulation storke - a case report

Introduction: Anterior Circulation Stroke is uncommon and accounts for 0.3- 4.4 % of cerebral infarctions. Reports with bilateral infarcts in the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) territory are even rarer1. 80 % of patients have some degree of asymmetry of the ACA, however variants such as aplasia or hypoplasia of A1/A2 segments are seldom (2-3 %)2. In these cases the contralateral A1 segment is hyperplastic and blood is supplied via the anterior communicating artery. The e-poster will present the case of a 64 years old female with severely disabling, bilateral frontal ischaemic strokes due to a variant in the anterior circulation. Both ACA territories were supplied by a single A2 segment. Blockage of this A2 thus caused bilateral ACA infarcts. Objective: To demonstrate this variant in the anterior circulation and it”s resulting consequences through CT and MRI images and to conduct a pictorial review of ACA anomalies. Patients and methods: A 64 years old female was admitted after being found collapsed on the floor. She was last seen well 12 hours before. Her medical history included type II diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Glasgow coma scale was 12/15 (E3 V4 M5), blood pressure 226/150, heart rate 92 beats/minute, regular. Random glucose was 9.0. Pupils were equal and reactive. The patient was aphasic, quadri-plegic and had generalised hypertonia, brisk reflexes and bilateral up-going planters. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was 25. Rest of the systemic examination was normal. The head CT showed patchy low density in the white matter in keeping with small vessel disease but also raised a suspicion of multiple new infarcts in both the middle and anterior cerebral artery territories. The MRI confirmed multi foci of restricted diffusion scattered throughout the cerebral hemispheres and large, bilateral infarcts involving the parasagittal frontoparietal lobes. The CT angiogram showed the occluded left A2 segment (pericallosal artery prior to paracentral artery) with dom - inance of left A1 and atrophic right A1. Results: The patient was medically stabilised but made a very poor functional recovery with a modified Rankin Score of 5 at discharge. The aetiology is presumed to be cardio-emoblic. Conclusion: Bilateral frontal lobe strokes can be caused by variants in the anterior cerebral arteries. Strokes were already established at the time of presentation, thus thrombolysis or thrombectomy were not performed. This case demonstrates the importance of correlation of vascular anatomy with stroke distribution patterns. References: 1. Menezes B, Cheserem B, Kandasamy J, O Brien D, Acute bilateral anterior circulation stroke due to anomalous cerebral vasculature: a case report. Journal of medical case reports 2008, 2:188. 2. Makowicz G, Poniatowska R, Lusawa M, : Variants of cerebral arteries- anterior circulation. Pol J radiol 2013, 78(3):42-47