Transcriptomic analysis of nickel exposure in Sphingobium sp. ba1 cells using RNA-seq.

Nickel acts as cofactor for a number of enzymes of many bacteria species. Its homeostasis is ensured by proteins working as ion efflux or accumulation systems. These mechanisms are also generally adopted to counteract life-threatening high extra-cellular Ni2+ concentrations. Little is known regarding nickel tolerance in the genus Sphingobium. We studied the response of the novel Sphingobium sp. ba1 strain, able to adapt to high Ni2+ concentrations. Differential gene expression in cells cultured in 10 mM Ni2+, investigated by RNA-seq analysis, identified 118 differentially expressed genes. Among the 90 up-regulated genes, a cluster including genes coding for nickel and other metal ion efflux systems (similar to either cnrCBA, nccCBA or cznABC) and for a NreB-like permease was found. Comparative analyses among thirty genomes of Sphingobium species show that this cluster is conserved only in two cases, while in the other genomes it is partially present or even absent. The differential expression of genes encoding proteins which could also work as Ni2+-accumulators (HupE/UreJ-like protein, NreA and components of TonB-associated transport and copper-homeostasis systems) was also detected. The identification of Sphingobium sp. ba1 strain adaptive mechanisms to nickel ions, can foster its possible use for biodegradation of poly-aromatic compounds in metal-rich environments.

RNA editing signature during myeloid leukemia cell differentiation.

Adenosine deaminases acting on RNA (ADARs) are key proteins for hematopoietic stem cell self-renewal and for survival of differentiating progenitor cells. However, their specific role in myeloid cell maturation has been poorly investigated. Here we show that ADAR1 is present at basal level in the primary myeloid leukemia cells obtained from patients at diagnosis as well as in myeloid U-937 and THP1 cell lines and its expression correlates with the editing levels. Upon phorbol-myristate acetate or Vitamin D3/granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-driven differentiation, both ADAR1 and ADAR2 enzymes are upregulated, with a concomitant global increase of A-to-I RNA editing. ADAR1 silencing caused an editing decrease at specific ADAR1 target genes, without, however, interfering with cell differentiation or with ADAR2 activity. Remarkably, ADAR2 is absent in the undifferentiated cell stage, due to its elimination through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, being strongly upregulated at the end of the differentiation process. Of note, peripheral blood monocytes display editing events at the selected targets similar to those found in differentiated cell lines. Taken together, the data indicate that ADAR enzymes play important and distinct roles in myeloid cells.

The triangles of Grynfeltt and Petit and the lumbar tunnel: an anatomo-radiologic study.

PURPOSE: Lumbar hernias are protrusions of intra-abdominal contents classically through the superior (Grynfeltt) and inferior (Petit) lumbar triangles. The anatomy of the triangles is variable and quantitative data are few. No radiological data on the anatomy of the triangles are available. METHODS: Fifty computed tomography angiography of the upper abdomen (M25, F25, mean age 72.5-year-old) were analyzed. The dimensions and the contents of the lumbar triangles were analyzed. The characteristics of the space between the two triangles were also documented. RESULTS: The superior lumbar triangle showed a mean surface area of 5.10 ± 2.6 cm2. In the area of the triangle, the 12th intercostal pedicle and the 1st lumbar branches of the iliolumbar vessels were found in 42 and 46 %, respectively. The inferior lumbar triangle had a mean surface of area 18.7 ± 8.4 cm2. In this area, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lumbar branches were found in 9, 67, and 8 %, respectively. On oblique coronal images, a direct tunnel between the superior and the inferior lumbar triangles was found, showing an oblique course, with a postero-anterior direction (mean length 36.5 ± 5.8 mm, mean caliber 7.4 ± 3.1 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Among the anatomical factors of weakening of the abdominal wall, the course of branches of the lumbar vessels was documented not only in the superior but also in the inferior lumbar triangle. A real musculoaponeurotic tunnel between the superior and the inferior lumbar triangles located in the oblique coronal plane was found, that could play a role in the development of incarceration or strangulation of lumbar hernias.

BCR/ABL1 fusion transcripts generated from alternative splicing: implications for future targeted therapies in Ph+ leukaemias.

Philadelphia (Ph+) positive leukaemias are an example of haematological malignant diseases where different chromosomal rearrangements involving both BCR and ABL1 genes generate a variety of chimeric proteins (BCR/ABL1 p210, p190 and p230) which are considered pathological "biomarkers". In addition to these three, there is a variety of fusion transcripts whose origin may depend either on diverse genetic rearrangement or on alternative/atypical splicing of the main mRNAs or on the occurrence of single-point mutations. Although the therapy of Ph+ leukaemias based on Imatinib represents a triumph of medicine, not all patients benefit from such drug and may show resistance and intolerance. Furthermore, interruption of Imatinib administration is often followed by clinical relapse, suggesting a failure in the eradication of residual leukaemic stem cells. Therefore, while the targeted therapy is searching for new and implemented pharmacological inhibitors covering all the possible mutations in the kinase domain, there is urge to identify alternative molecular targets to develop other specific and effective therapeutic approaches. In this review we discuss the importance of recent advances based on the discovery of novel BCR/ABL1 variants and their potential role as new targets/biomarkers of Ph+ leukaemias in the light of the current therapeutic trends. The limits of the pharmacological inhibitors used for treating the disease can be overcome by considering other targets than the kinase enzyme. Our evaluations highlight the potential of alternative perspectives in the therapy of Ph+ leukaemias.

ASPicDB: a database resource for alternative splicing analysis.

MOTIVATION: Alternative splicing has recently emerged as a key mechanism responsible for the expansion of transcriptome and proteome complexity in human and other organisms. Although several online resources devoted to alternative splicing analysis are available they may suffer from limitations related both to the computational methodologies adopted and to the extent of the annotations they provide that prevent the full exploitation of the available data. Furthermore, current resources provide limited query and download facilities. RESULTS: ASPicDB is a database designed to provide access to reliable annotations of the alternative splicing pattern of human genes and to the functional annotation of predicted splicing isoforms. Splice-site detection and full-length transcript modeling have been carried out by a genome-wide application of the ASPic algorithm, based on the multiple alignments of gene-related transcripts (typically a Unigene cluster) to the genomic sequence, a strategy that greatly improves prediction accuracy compared to methods based on independent and progressive alignments. Enhanced query and download facilities for annotations and sequences allow users to select and extract specific sets of data related to genes, transcripts and introns fulfilling a combination of user-defined criteria. Several tabular and graphical views of the results are presented, providing a comprehensive assessment of the functional implication of alternative splicing in the gene set under investigation. ASPicDB, which is regularly updated on a monthly basis, also includes information on tissue-specific splicing patterns of normal and cancer cells, based on available EST sequences and their library source annotation. AVAILABILITY: www.caspur.it/ASPicDB

RNA editing has been lost in the mitochondrial cox3 and rps13 mRNAs in Asparagales.

RNA editing in plant mitochondria alters the RNA sequence by converting C-to-U or U-to-C at a specific site. We investigated the requirement for RNA editing in the complete genomic sequences of the gene encoding the cytochrome oxidase subunit III (cox3) and the ribosomal protein S13 (rps13) in 59 closely related species within the Asparagales and Liliales (monocots). To obtain a comprehensive picture of the degree of variation in editing we explored the non-synonymous RNA editing sites within the newly sequenced cox3 and rps13 genes by a comparative phylogenetic approach. RNA editing is predicted to occur in all the surveyed species, but to different extents. Zero to one non-synonymous editing site is inferred in the cox3 mRNA in species from Amaryllidaceae and Iridaceae. No RNA editing of rps13 mRNAs is required in Amaryllidaceae, because all respective genomic sequences resemble the edited version of the mRNAs of other analysed land plants. The observed absence of cox3 and rps13 RNA editing in Iridaceae and Amaryllidaceae and the striking RNA editing reduction of ccb2 in the latter family is likely generated by recombination and reverse transcription mediated events involving edited mitochondrial transcripts.

Laparoscopic pericardial window.

The creation of a drainage orifice in the pericardium for the release of an accumulated effusion has been proven to be an effective means to eliminate the physiologic effects of a cardiac tamponade. Numerous surgical approaches have been used to create an opening in the pericardium for this purpose. Thoracic and thoracoscopic approaches have been found to produce a fair amount of morbidity by further compromising an already compromised cardiopulmonary system by necessitating an invasion into the hemithorax and the requirement of a thoracostomy tube. This report identifies a laparoscopic technique for the creation of a pericardial window with low morbidity that has been successfully used in 14 patients who presented to the Department of Surgery of the Rapid City Medical Center with clinical evidence of pericardial effusion and tamponade.

[Efficacy of percutaneous administration of anti-inflammatory drugs in swimmers and water-polo players]. / Efficacia dei farmaci antinfiammatori (FANS) per via percutanea in atleti di nuoto e pallanuoto.

It can be concluded from the research reported above that diclofenac diethylammonium (NSAID) in cases of professional swimmers and waterpolo players who have either an ache or suffered a severe hit, when applied externally offers rapid and excellent results.

Anti-HCV antibody presence in hemodialyzed patients: assessment after one year regarding some preventive measures chosen.

The authors report on the presence of anti-HCV antibodies in a uremic chronic (UC) patient population after 6 months and 1 year with regard to certain selective preventive measures. The nonincreased number of HCV-positive subjects among the UC population could lead to the conclusion that the risk of environmental spreading of HCV is less than the risk of HBV diffusion.

Mesenteric venous thrombosis: ten year record review and evaluation of difficulties with the ICD coding system.

A 10-year retrospective review of mesenteric venous thrombosis was accomplished in one metropolitan city. This paper discusses 14 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of mesenteric venous thrombosis. This review also yielded an important realization of an inadequacy of the International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition in coding for mesenteric venous thrombosis. This paper discusses this difficulty in the International Classification of Diseases.

[Behavior of the electrocardiographic and spirographic parameters in athletes practicing rowing who have at the same time taken an anti-inflammatory drug]. / Comportamento dei parametri elettrocardiografici e spirografici in atleti praticanti canottaggio e che hanno contemporaneamente assunto un farmaco antiflammatorio.

The AA. studied the effects of a new anti-inflammatory drug on some spirographic and electrocardiographic parameters in a group of oarsmen. The results show a not significant changes of these parameters after drug engagement. The variations found are to be ascribed to the training.