Common founder BRCA2 pathogenic variants and breast cancer characteristics in Ethiopian Jews.

PURPOSE: BRCA1/2 founder pathogenic variants (PVs) occur in various populations, but data on the mutational spectrum in Africans are limited. We examined BRCA1/2 PVs in breast cancer patients of Ethiopian Jewish (EJ) origin. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed BRCA1/2 test results and clinical features of EJ breast cancer patients from seven medical institutions. We obtained heterozygote carrier rates in affected individuals from the laboratories of the largest Israeli HMO (Clalit). Population carrier frequency was determined in EJ controls. RESULTS: We identified three recurrent BRCA2 PVs in 11 EJ breast cancer patients (9 females, 2 males): c.7579delG, c.5159C > A, and c.9693delA. Only c.5159C > A was previously reported in Africans. In women, mean age at diagnosis was 35.7y; 8/9 were diagnosed with advanced disease. All tumors were invasive, 4/9 were triple negative. Only 3/11 carriers had relevant family history. Carrier rate in high-risk breast cancer patients was 11% (3/28; 95%CI [2.3%, 28.2%]). Combined carrier rate among controls was 1.8% (5/280; 95%CI [0.6%, 4.1%]). CONCLUSION: EJs harbor 3 recurrent BRCA2 PVs presenting with relatively severe breast cancer morbidity. Combined with the high BRCA2 carrier rate in the EJ population, these findings merit increasing awareness in this community and suggest that a culturally adapted population screening approach may be warranted.

A novel founder MSH2 deletion in Ethiopian Jews is mainly associated with early-onset colorectal cancer.

Lynch syndrome is an inherited cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline defects in any of the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Diagnosis of carriers makes precision prevention, early detection, and tailored treatment possible. Herein we report a novel founder deletion of 18,758 bp, mediated by Alu repeats on both sides, detected in Ethiopian Jews. The deletion, which encompasses exon 9-10 of the MSH2 coding sequence, is associated mainly with early-onset MSH2/MSH6-deficient colorectal cancer (CRC) and liposarcoma. Testing of 35 members of 5 seemingly unrelated families of Ethiopian origin yielded 10/21 (48%) carriers, of whom 9 had CRC. Age at first tumor diagnosis ranged from 16 to 89 years. Carriers from the oldest generations were diagnosed after age 45 years (mean 57), and carriers from the younger generation were diagnosed before age 45 years (mean 30). Awareness of this founder deletion is important to improve patient diagnosis, institute surveillance from an early age, and refer patients for genetic counseling addressing the risk of bi-allelic constitutional MMR deficiency syndrome.

Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity.

Many global environmental agendas, including halting biodiversity loss, reversing land degradation, and limiting climate change, depend upon retaining forests with high ecological integrity, yet the scale and degree of forest modification remain poorly quantified and mapped. By integrating data on observed and inferred human pressures and an index of lost connectivity, we generate a globally consistent, continuous index of forest condition as determined by the degree of anthropogenic modification. Globally, only 17.4 million km2 of forest (40.5%) has high landscape-level integrity (mostly found in Canada, Russia, the Amazon, Central Africa, and New Guinea) and only 27% of this area is found in nationally designated protected areas. Of the forest inside protected areas, only 56% has high landscape-level integrity. Ambitious policies that prioritize the retention of forest integrity, especially in the most intact areas, are now urgently needed alongside current efforts aimed at halting deforestation and restoring the integrity of forests globally.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate composed of chemically modified gold colloid particles immobilized on magnetic microparticles.

In this paper, immobilization of gold colloidal particles onto amine-modified magnetic microparticles is demonstrated. Once immobilized, the gold was then reacted with pentachlorothiophenol (PCTP) to form a self-assembled monolayer. The PCTP-gold colloid on magnetic microparticles was then used to extract naphthalene from aqueous samples. A magnet was used to concentrate the microparticles onto the side of the sample vial, allowing detection of naphthalene by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Using the PCTP-gold colloid on magnetic microparticles the limit of detection for naphthalene achieved was 0.3 microg mL(-1). Multiple extractions can be done with the PCTP-gold colloid on magnetic microparticles to further lower the detection limit.

The role of hydrogen bonding in the selectivity of L-cysteine methyl ester (CYSM) and L-cysteine ethyl ester (CYSE) for chloride ion.

The interaction of cysteamine (CY), L-cysteine methyl ester (CYSM), and L-cysteine ethyl ester (CYSE) with nitrate, sulfate, perchlorate, dihydrogen phosphate, and chloride ions was investigated using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). CYSM and CYSE are chemical derivatives of CY. These thiols have a quaternary ammonium group to attract the anions to the SERS surface. Dihydrogen phosphate did not interact with these cationic thiols. The CY interaction with perchlorate, nitrate, and sulfate is stronger than the interaction with chloride. However, replacing a hydrogen on the carbon adjacent to the quaternary ammonium group with either a methyl or ethyl ester group results in stronger complexation with chloride ion than with either sulfate or nitrate ion. In the case of CYSM, the chloride interaction is five times stronger than the interaction with perchlorate. Molecular modeling indicates that the high selectivity of CYSM/CYSE for chloride is due to hydrogen bonding between the chloride ion and the hydrogen of the CH3 moeities of adjacent ester groups.

Detection of lead derived from automotive scrap residue using a direct push fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy metal sensor.

At Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, California, a canyon had been filled with construction debris and automotive scrap residue (ASR), the latter of which included lead acid batteries. A magnetic survey and induced potential (IP)/DC resistivity survey showed the presence of anomalies at the western end of the site where historic records indicated that the ASR had been placed. Lead concentration depth profiles were obtained in situ and in real time at the site using a direct push fiber-optic laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (FO-LIBS) sensor probe. Lead, along with strontium and titanium, was detected at depths of 7 to 8 m bgs. These results provided confirmation that the magnetic/IP anomalies at the site are due to ASR.

Detection of anions by normal Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy of cationic-coated substrates.

The use of normal Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) of cationic-coated silver and gold substrates to detect polyatomic anions in aqueous environments is examined. For normal Raman spectroscopy, using near-infrared excitation, linear concentration responses were observed. Detection limits varied from 84 ppm for perchlorate to 2600 ppm for phosphate. In general, detection limits in the ppb to ppm concentration range for the polyatomic anions were achieved using cationic-coated SERS substrates. Adsorption of the polyatomic anions on the cationic-coated SERS substrates was described by a Frumkin isotherm. The SERS technique could not be used to detect dichromate, as this anion reacted with the coatings to form thiol esters. A competitive complexation method was used to evaluate the interaction of chloride ion with the cationic coatings. Hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interactions play significant roles in the selectivity of the cationic coatings.

Use of fluorescently labeled phage in the detection and identification of bacterial species.

Phages are viruses whose hosts are bacterial cells. They identify their hosts by specific receptor molecules on the outside of the host cell. Once the phages find their specific receptors, they bind to the bacterial cell and inject their nucleic acid inside the cell. The binding between phage and host can be so specific that only certain strains of a single species can be infected. In this communication, the specificity of phage P22 for Salmonella typhimurium LT2 is exploited to allow the detection of Salmonella in the presence of other bacterial species. In particular, the dsDNA of P22 is bound to SYBR gold, a highly sensitive, fluorescent nucleic acid stain. When multiple phages infect the same cell, the fluorescence emissions of the phage DNA inside the cell allow it to be imaged using an epifluorescence microscope. The advantages of using phages as the bacterial recognition element in a sensor over antibodies are discussed.

A comprehensive guide to antibody and T-cell responses in type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets are selectively eliminated. T cells specific for beta-cell antigens are the mediators of this precise cellular destruction. However, antibodies to beta-cell proteins are also generated and may be used for predicting disease in at-risk populations. Over the past two decades, numerous beta-cell proteins and lipids have been implicated as autoantigens in patients or in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a well-studied animal model of T1D. Here, we present a review of these antigens, accompanied by their T-cell epitopes, where known, and a discussion of our current understanding of why particular self-proteins become disease-inciting antigens. Although two dozen beta-cell antigens have been identified to date, few of these have been confirmed to be recognized by pathogenic T cells early in the disease process. Further identification and characterization of initiating beta-cell antigens targeted by pathogenic T cells should be a priority for future studies.

CT-guided biopsy with cutting-edge needle for the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma: experience of 267 biopsies.

AIM: We performed a retrospective study of 267 core needle aspiration biopsies in order to estimate the accuracy of CT-guided aspiration core needle biopsies for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of malignant lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 1999, 267 CT-guided core needle biopsies were performed in 241 patients with either primary or recurrent malignant lymphoma. Patients age ranged from 4--88 years. One hundred and sixty-six (62.2%) nodal and 101 (37.8%) extranodal aspiration biopsies were performed using either 18G or 20G Turner needles. Statistical method used was Chi-square analysis. RESULTS: An accurate histological diagnosis was made in 199 (82.5%) patients, the remaining 42 (17.4%) patients had non-diagnostic CT biopsies. Thirty-seven of them were diagnosed by a surgical biopsy, four by bone marrow biopsy and in one patient by paracentesis. One hundred and seventy-nine patients had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and 62 had Hodgkin's disease (HD); 23 (9.54%) patients underwent repeated CT biopsy which was diagnostic in 17 (73.9%) and non-diagnostic in six (26%). CONCLUSION: CT-guided aspiration core biopsies were sufficient to establish a diagnosis in lymphoproliferative disorders in 82.5% of cases. In the light of this experience we suggest that imaging-guided core needle biopsy be used as the first step in the work up of many patients with lymphoma.

Field demonstrations of a direct push FO-LIBS metal sensor.

A direct push, FO-LIBS sensor probe for real-time, in-situ measurement of metals in soils has been built and its capabilities demonstrated at three sites. The response of the FO-LIBS sensor is affected by the soil matrix conditions of grain size, composition, and water content. For each site, uncontaminated soil was collected and spiked with known quantities of the metal under investigation. These calibration standards were used to generate a site-specific calibration curve, which compensates for variations in soil matrix conditions of grain size, composition, porosity, etc. To compensate for moisture content, extra laser pulses are used to volatilize the water, higher power densities and/or shortened acquisition delay times are used. The LIBS experiment inherently exhibits poor precision since it is a point measurement. When multiple spectra are taken of a single, homogenized soil sample, there is a significant amount of variability in the peak intensities. There is no internal standard available to correct for this variability. In this communication, it is shown that normalizing the peak areas under the spectral curves to one effectively corrects for variation due to differences in the plasma volume. Because the LIBS technique is essentially a point measurement the FO-LIBS sensor is used as a semiquantitative field screening tool and not as a quantitative analytical method. In the field demonstrations reported in this communication, remarkably good agreement between the in-situ FO-LIBS results and ICP lab results were obtained.

Effects of a water-soluble extract of maitake mushroom on circulating glucose/insulin concentrations in KK mice.

AIM: We examined benefits of a water-soluble extract of maitake mushroom designated as Fraction X (FXM) on the glucose/insulin metabolism of insulin-resistant KK mice, and compared the results of FXM with those of a sulphonylurea, Glipizide. DESIGN: In several acute studies, insulin-resistant KK mice were gavaged with a single dose of varying concentrations of FXM, or a single dose of one concentration of the oral hypoglycaemic drug, Glipizide. In the one chronic study, KK mice were gavaged with FXM, Glipizide, or an equal volume of isotonic saline (baseline control) twice daily. Retro-orbital blood was drawn on the morning of the 4th and 7th days before the early gavage. Blood glucose was measured by routine laboratory procedures, and serum insulin was estimated by a radioimmunoassay (RIA) assay developed specifically for rodents. RESULTS: At a dose of FXM (140 mg/mouse), a statistically significant lowering of circulating glucose concentrations was again seen at 8-12 h and 16-18 h after oral gavage. The lowering approximated 25% of the original concentration. Oral gavage of Glipizide resulted in statistically significantly lower values of circulating glucose (25-37% lower compared with baseline) at 8-24 h post dosing. In the chronic study, the circulating concentrations of glucose and insulin of mice taking 140 mg FXM per day were decreased significantly at days 4 and 7. CONCLUSIONS: FXM, a natural extract obtained from maitake mushroom, favourably influences glucose/insulin metabolism in insulin-resistant KK mice. The lowering of both circulating glucose and insulin concentrations suggests that FXM works primarily by enhancing peripheral insulin sensitivity.

17-Hydroxylase: an evaluation of the present view of its catalytic role in steroidogenesis.

This survey analyses the evidence that has led to the belief that the catalytic role of 17-hydroxylase in the biosynthesis of cortisol, estradiol, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone is confined to two chemical reactions: pregnenolone-->17-hydroxypregnenolone-->dehydroepiandrosterone. This analysis suggests that the evidence supporting this view is not compelling enough to accept it unquestioningly. Different interpretations of the data can suggest other catalytic roles for 17-hydroxylase that are worthy of consideration. One such alternative is proposed.

Predictors of loud snoring in persons with spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Predictors of loud snoring were examined in a cohort of 197 persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) recruited by advertisement and from a Veterans Affairs Medical Center SCI Service. METHODS: Data were collected on age, marital status, antispasticity medications, duration of injury, level and completeness of injury, stature, and weight. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated for all participants. A health questionnaire was used to collect data on snoring and respiratory history. Habitual snorers were defined as those who reported loud snoring more than 1 night per week. RESULTS: The mean age (+/- SD) was 51.2 +/- 14.8 years, and 84 of 197 (42.6%) were habitual snorers. The most obese research subjects, regardless of antispasticity medication use, were more likely to report snoring, but the risk of snoring was greatest among subjects who were obese and used antispasticity medication. Subjects who used antispasticity medication and had a BMI above the median (> or = 25.3 kg/m2) had a 7-fold risk of reporting snoring compared with subjects below the median who did not use antispasticity medication (P = .001). The greatest risk occurred in those who used diazepam alone or baclofen and diazepam together and had a BMI at or above the median. Subjects who used these medications and had a BMI below the median did not have a significantly increased risk. Neurological motor completeness, level of injury, age, and years since injury were not significant predictors of snoring. CONCLUSION: Because snoring is a marker for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the data suggest that in obese individuals with SCI, the use of antispasticity medications may be a risk factor for OSA.

Reflections on sterol sidechain cleavage process catalyzed by cytochrome P450(scc).

The essay examines the evidence upon which the presently accepted version of the mechanism of the cytochrome P450(scc)-catalyzed-cleavage of the sidechain of cholesterol is based. This analysis indicates that the generally held view of the process (two consecutive hydroxylations, followed by cleavage of the resulting glycol) most likely does not describe the true mechanism. The available evidence can not be used to support this traditional notion. Two alternative hypotheses are proposed.

Innovative treatments for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States with little or no impact from conventional treatment options. Significant advances in understanding basic immunology have renewed interest in using immunotherapy to treat pancreatic cancer. Cancer immunotherapy, including humanized MAbs, cytokines, and potent vaccine strategies, has been successful in animal models and is being evaluated in clinical trials. Gene therapy is also being explored using methods to inactivate oncogenes, replace defective tumor suppressor genes, confer enhanced chemosensitivity to tumor cells, and increase immunogenicity of tumor cells. Angiogenesis, an essential step in the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer, has been targeted by many antiangiogenic agents. Several clinical trials have been initiated to evaluate the role of these innovative strategies in patients with pancreatic cancer with increasingly sophisticated correlative studies to learn more about the mechanisms of tumor rejection with these agents. The rapid translation of basic science discoveries to clinical trials should result in the development of new effective treatments for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Prevalence of neuroendocrine dysfunction in patients recovering from traumatic brain injury.

Although hypopituitarism is a known complication of head injury, it may be underrecognized due to its subtle clinical manifestations. The nonspecific symptoms may be masked by and may contribute to the physical and psychological sequelae of brain trauma. This study examines the prevalence of neuroendocrine abnormalities in patients rehabilitating from traumatic brain injury. Seventy adults (mean age, 31.5 +/- 1.1 yr; range, 18--58; 46 men and 24 women) with traumatic brain injury an average of 49 +/- 8 months before the study (median, 13 months) underwent a series of standard endocrine tests, including serum levels of TSH, free T(4), insulin-like growth factor I, PRL, testosterone (males), and cosyntropin stimulation. Abnormal results of these tests were followed by dynamic tests of gonadotropin, TSH, and GH secretion. Glucagon stimulation testing in 48 subjects revealed GH deficiency (peak, <3 microg/L) in 14.6%. Free T(4) (n = 6; 8.6%), TSH (n = 7; 10%), or both (n = 2; 2.9%) were low in 21.7%, whereas 87% had both TSH and free T(4) below the midnormal level. Basal morning cortisol was below normal in 45.7% of subjects, whereas cosyntropin-stimulated levels were insufficient (peak, <500 nmol/L) in 7.1%. Hypogonadism and hyperprolactinemia were uncommon. In summary, pituitary hormone deficiencies were identified in a substantial proportion of patients with previous brain injury. GH deficiency, found in 15% by glucagon stimulation testing, may compound the physical and psychological complications of traumatic brain injury and interfere with rehabilitation.