Human vascular adhesion proteın-1 (VAP-1): Serum levels for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-alcoholic and alcoholic fatty liver disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of hepatocellular cancer in complicated alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases is on the rise in western countries as well in our country. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) levels have been presented as new marker. In our study protocol, we assessed the value of this serum protein, as a newly postulant biomarker for hepatocellular cancer in patients with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pre-operative serum samples from 55 patients with hepatocellular cancer with a history of alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases and patients with cirrhosis were assessed by a quantitative sandwich ELISA using anti-VAP-1 mAbs. This technique is used to determine the levels of soluble VAP-1 (sVAP-1) in the serum.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>sVAP-1 levels were evaluated in patients with hepatocellular cancer and liver cirrhosis. There was a significant difference in mean VAP-1 levels between groups. Serum VAP-1 levels were found higher in patients with hepatocellular cancer.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings indicate that the serum level of sVAP-1 might be a beneficial marker of disease activity in chronic liver diseases.</p

Genome-Wide Assessment of AU-Rich Elements by the AREScore Algorithm

In mammalian cells, AU-rich elements (AREs) are well known regulatory sequences located in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of many short-lived mRNAs. AREs cause mRNAs to be degraded rapidly and thereby suppress gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Based on the number of AUUUA pentamers, their proximity, and surrounding AU-rich regions, we generated an algorithm termed AREScore that identifies AREs and provides a numerical assessment of their strength. By analyzing the AREScore distribution in the transcriptomes of 14 metazoan species, we provide evidence that AREs were selected for in several vertebrates and Drosophila melanogaster. We then measured mRNA expression levels genome-wide to address the importance of AREs in SL2 cells derived from D. melanogaster hemocytes. Tis11, a zinc finger RNA–binding protein homologous to mammalian tristetraprolin, was found to target ARE–containing reporter mRNAs for rapid degradation in SL2 cells. Drosophila mRNAs whose expression is elevated upon knock down of Tis11 were found to have higher AREScores. Moreover high AREScores correlate with reduced mRNA expression levels on a genome-wide scale. The precise measurement of degradation rates for 26 Drosophila mRNAs revealed that the AREScore is a very good predictor of short-lived mRNAs. Taken together, this study introduces AREScore as a simple tool to identify ARE–containing mRNAs and provides compelling evidence that AREs are widespread regulatory elements in Drosophila

Students' Mental Models About The Relationship Between Force And Velocity Concepts

Mental models help us understand the formation of objects, the development of the process and to state an opinion about it. Therefore, in this study, we understand a mental model as 'an internal representation, which acts out as a structural analogue of situations or processes. Although mental models are the representations of knowledge created during a cognitive activity, they are also reflective of personal beliefs. This study intends to exhibit prospective teachers' mental models for the arguments they use in describing the relations between the concepts of force and velocity. In line with this intention, the study employs phenomenographic study method. This study has found that prospective teachers have three different mental models for relating the concepts of force and velocity. One of them is a scientific model called "Newtonian Model". The other two models were determined to be unscientific models and called "Aristotelian Model" and "Impulsive Model" respectively. By bringing these models into light, we were informed of the scientific and unscientific arguments the prospective teachers used in interpreting the relationships between force and velocity. In other words, this study exhibited how prospective teachers organized and structured their knowledge about these concepts.Wo

Human Pat1b Connects Deadenylation with mRNA Decapping and Controls the Assembly of Processing Bodies▿ †

In eukaryotic cells, degradation of many mRNAs is initiated by removal of the poly(A) tail followed by decapping and 5′-3′ exonucleolytic decay. Although the order of these events is well established, we are still lacking a mechanistic understanding of how deadenylation and decapping are linked. In this report we identify human Pat1b as a protein that is tightly associated with the Ccr4-Caf1-Not deadenylation complex as well as with the Dcp1-Dcp2 decapping complex. In addition, the RNA helicase Rck and Lsm1 proteins interact with human Pat1b. These interactions are mediated via at least three independent domains within Pat1b, suggesting that Pat1b serves as a scaffold protein. By tethering Pat1b to a reporter mRNA, we further provide evidence that Pat1b is also functionally linked to both deadenylation and decapping. Finally, we report that Pat1b strongly induces the formation of processing (P) bodies, cytoplasmic foci that contain most enzymes of the RNA decay machinery. An amino-terminal region within Pat1b serves as an aggregation-prone domain that nucleates P bodies, whereas an acidic domain controls the size of P bodies. Taken together, these findings provide evidence that human Pat1b is a central component of the RNA decay machinery by physically connecting deadenylation with decapping

INVESTIGATION OF POSTMORTEM MICROBIAL DNA DEGRADATION

DNA technology has entered our lives in every field as one of the most important scientific developments of this century. DNA analysis: It is widely used to identify suspicious persons in various forensic crimes, to identify unidentified corpses who died due to mass disasters and other reasons. In such cases, unsatisfactory results can be obtained from DNA analysis performed on rotten and decaying tissue samples taken from unidentified corpses coming from the crime scene to the forensic laboratories. This may be due to DNA contamination. The most common causes of DNA damage are enzymes secreted by microorganisms found in the corpse and environment. Microbial enzymes cause DNA damage, insufficient or no PCR amplification, thus irregularities in the peak levels in the DNA electropherogram and the appearance of meaningless and missing peaks. When DNA analysis methods are applied to a postmortem biological sample in which microorganisms multiply, it may be difficult to obtain accurate and precise results due to degradation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the importance of identification of microorganisms (bacteria) that reproduce in postmortem muscle tissues in terms of forensic sciences, to determine whether they prevent DNA analysis, and if so, to determine which bacteria may cause it

Acromegaly with metastatic renal cell carcinoma: Lung, gluteal and scapular metastasis

The association between acromegaly and increased incidence of malignancy has been reported due to high GH and IGF levels. Although the incidence of all malignancies increases in patients with acromegaly, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been rarely reported. Herein, we report an acromegaly case with lung, gluteal and scapular metastatic RCC. The risk of cancer and cancer metastasis is high in uncontrolled acromegaly. At this point, treating acromegaly and controlling the disease progress are both important to enhance the life expectancy of a patient. [Med-Science 2018; 7(3.000): 704-6

The Relationship Between Depression and Perception of Sexuality in Patients with Type II Diabetes: In Turkey

This descriptive study investigated the relationship between depression and perceptions of sexuality in people with type II diabetes. The study population comprised all patients who came for check-ups at the polyclinic for diabetes at Istanbul Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital between November 2010 and February 2011. One hundred patients were willing to participate in the study and met the participant criteria. Socio-demographic characteristics, perceptions of sexuality, and other factors related to diabetes were evaluated from information provided by participants. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was used to evaluate depression. Results revealed an average depression score of 16.34 +/- A 8.06. The average level of depression was higher in women, those whose level of education was low, and the unemployed. Of the participants, 53% reported that diabetes has affected their sex life adversely. There was no relationship between level of depression and aspects of the illness. However, level of depression was related to sexual satisfaction. Findings suggest that depression and sexually related problems should be addressed when providing care for people diagnosed with type II diabetes

What is the effect of the early follicular phase FSH/LH ratio on the number of mature oocytes and embryo development?

WOS: 000525954500019PubMed: 32093445Background/aim: Basal level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing le (LH), estradiol (E2), and antral follicle count are used as predictors of ovarian reserve before starting ovulation induction. e aimed to investigate the predictor potential of early fbllictilar phase FSH/LH ratio on controlled ovarian hyperstimulation-intrac Aasmic sperm injection (COH-ICSI) cycle outcomes. Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted with 648 COH-ICSI cycles pertbrmed between 2012 and 2014. Cycles were classified according to their basal FSH/LH ratio, group 1(01) = FSH/LH ratio < 2, N = 473 and group 2(G2) = FSH/LH ratio 2, N = 175. Demographic characteristics and stimulation parameters were evaluated. Retrieved total oocyte count (TO C), mature oocyte count (MOO, transferred embryo number, and pregnancy results were obtained and transferred to computer by SPSS 21.0 programme. Results: TOC and \1O( of G1 were signilieantly higher than those of '2 "l he total gonadotrophin doses of 02 were significantly higher than 0l. "I here was no significant difference between groups for transferred embryo number. Pregnancy and live birth rates were similar in both groups. Conclusion. In our population, increased FSH/LH ratio did not affect he rates of pregnancy and live birth negatively

The Dietary, Serum and Urine Analysis of Boron and Micronutrients in Postmenopausal Women

Objective: Boron is a nutritionally important trace element that interacts with other micronutrients. Boron plays a critical role in bone mineralization and metabolism. In the present study, the association between boron and micronutrients related to bone metabolism was analysed in postmenopausal women. Methods: In a prospective cohort study in 40 postmenopausal women 24-hour urine and blood samples were collected for sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and boron. Daily food consumption, bone mineral density, and Fracture risk assessment tool scores were recorded. Results: The mean age was 53.2 +/- 5.9 years. Dietary habits revealed insufficient dietary fiber and excessive dietary sodium. The serum and urine boron levels were 26.80 mu g/L and 21.22 mu g/day, respectively. Urine boron levels were lower in the osteoporosis group (p = 0.66). A negative correlation between urine Na and boron was detected (p < 0.001). Urinary Na and Ca are negatively correlated with Fracture risk assessment tool scores (p = 0.010, p = 0.019, respectively). Conclusion: The low urinary boron levels in our participants might be due to increased Na excretion due to excessive consumption of Na. Therefore, consulting postmenopausal women about their dietary habits is of concern. Further understanding of the role of boron in bone metabolism will help to accomplish new treatment strategies for osteoporosis and standardization of boron supplementation

Structure of a Human 4E-T/DDX6/CNOT1 Complex Reveals the Different Interplay of DDX6-Binding Proteins with the CCR4-NOT Complex

The DEAD-box protein DDX6 is a central component of translational repression mechanisms in maternal mRNA storage in oocytes and microRNA-mediated silencing in somatic cells. DDX6 interacts with the CCR4-NOT complex and functions in concert with several post-transcriptional regulators, including Edc3, Pat1, and 4E-T. We show that the conserved CUP-homology domain (CHD) of human 4E-T interacts directly with DDX6 in both the presence and absence of the central MIF4G domain of CNOT1. The 2.1-Å resolution structure of the corresponding ternary complex reveals how 4E-T CHD wraps around the RecA2 domain of DDX6 and contacts CNOT1. Although 4E-T CHD lacks recognizable sequence similarity with Edc3 or Pat1, it shares the same DDX6-binding surface. In contrast to 4E-T, however, the Edc3 and Pat1 FDF motifs dissociate from DDX6 upon CNOT1 MIF4G binding in vitro. The results underscore the presence of a complex network of simultaneous and/or mutually exclusive interactions in DDX6-mediated repression