Project description:Background: Despite of extensive research the genetic component of extremely low birth weight in newborns has remained obscure. Results: The aim of the case study was to identify candidate gene(s) causing extremely low birth weight (ELBW) in newborns and hypotrophy in infants. A four-member family was studied: mother, father and two ELBW-phenotype children. The studies were carried out due to the medical conditions of the second child at birth and post-partum: peculiar phenotype, micro-anomalies, recurrent infections, suspicion of autoimmune hepatitis, multifactorial encephalopathy, and suspicion of metabolic and chromosomal abnormalities. Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array was used to investigate genomic rearrangements in both affected children using peripheral blood DNA samples. Whole blood transcriptome was assessed by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in all four family members. RNA-seq identified a single gene – C14orf132 differentially expressed, with the level of the transcript significantly lower in blood samples of children. Copy number variant (CNV) analysis did not reveal any pathogenic CNVs in the region of C14orf132 gene of both affected children. Conclusion: We showed the importance of combining whole genome CNV and transcriptome analysis in identification of the candidate gene(s) in case studies. We propose the C14orf132 (chromosome 14 open reading frame 132) gene expression to be associated with the ELBW-phenotype. C14orf132 gene is a novel long non-coding RNA (lincRNA) with unknown function, which might be associated with the developmental delay through the altered gene expression Background: Despite of extensive research the genetic component of extremely low birth weight in newborns has remained obscure. Results: The aim of the case study was to identify candidate gene(s) causing extremely low birth weight (ELBW) in newborns and hypotrophy in infants. A four-member family was studied: mother, father and two ELBW-phenotype children. The studies were carried out due to the medical conditions of the second child at birth and post-partum: peculiar phenotype, micro-anomalies, recurrent infections, suspicion of autoimmune hepatitis, multifactorial encephalopathy, and suspicion of metabolic and chromosomal abnormalities. Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array was used to investigate genomic rearrangements in both affected children using peripheral blood DNA samples. Whole blood transcriptome was assessed by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in all four family members. RNA-seq identified a single gene – C14orf132 differentially expressed, with the level of the transcript significantly lower in blood samples of children. Copy number variant (CNV) analysis did not reveal any pathogenic CNVs in the region of C14orf132 gene of both affected children. Conclusion: We showed the importance of combining whole genome CNV and transcriptome analysis in identification of the candidate gene(s) in case studies. We propose the C14orf132 (chromosome 14 open reading frame 132) gene expression to be associated with the ELBW-phenotype. C14orf132 gene is a novel long non-coding RNA (lincRNA) with unknown function, which might be associated with the developmental delay through the altered gene expression Background: Despite of extensive research the genetic component of extremely low birth weight in newborns has remained obscure. Results: The aim of the case study was to identify candidate gene(s) causing extremely low birth weight (ELBW) in newborns and hypotrophy in infants. A four-member family was studied: mother, father and two ELBW-phenotype children. The studies were carried out due to the medical conditions of the second child at birth and post-partum: peculiar phenotype, micro-anomalies, recurrent infections, suspicion of autoimmune hepatitis, multifactorial encephalopathy, and suspicion of metabolic and chromosomal abnormalities. Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array was used to investigate genomic rearrangements in both affected children using peripheral blood DNA samples. Whole blood transcriptome was assessed by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in all four family members. RNA-seq identified a single gene – C14orf132 differentially expressed, with the level of the transcript significantly lower in blood samples of children. Copy number variant (CNV) analysis did not reveal any pathogenic CNVs in the region of C14orf132 gene of both affected children. Conclusion: We showed the importance of combining whole genome CNV and transcriptome analysis in identification of the candidate gene(s) in case studies. We propose the C14orf132 (chromosome 14 open reading frame 132) gene expression to be associated with the ELBW-phenotype. C14orf132 gene is a novel long non-coding RNA (lincRNA) with unknown function, which might be associated with the developmental delay through the altered gene expression. Background: Despite of extensive research the genetic component of extremely low birth weight in newborns has remained obscure. Results: The aim of the case study was to identify candidate gene(s) causing extremely low birth weight (ELBW) in newborns and hypotrophy in infants. A four-member family was studied: mother, father and two ELBW-phenotype children. The studies were carried out due to the medical conditions of the second child at birth and post-partum: peculiar phenotype, micro-anomalies, recurrent infections, suspicion of autoimmune hepatitis, multifactorial encephalopathy, and suspicion of metabolic and chromosomal abnormalities. Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping array was used to investigate genomic rearrangements in both affected children using peripheral blood DNA samples. Whole blood transcriptome was assessed by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in all four family members. RNA-seq identified a single gene – C14orf132 differentially expressed, with the level of the transcript significantly lower in blood samples of children. Copy number variant (CNV) analysis did not reveal any pathogenic CNVs in the region of C14orf132 gene of both affected children. Conclusion: We showed the importance of combining whole genome CNV and transcriptome analysis in identification of the candidate gene(s) in case studies. We propose the C14orf132 (chromosome 14 open reading frame 132) gene expression to be associated with the ELBW-phenotype. C14orf132 gene is a novel long non-coding RNA (lincRNA) with unknown function, which might be associated with the developmental delay through the altered gene expression.
Project description:Renal leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are extremely rare neoplasms with aggressive behaviour and poor survival prognosis. The most frequent somatic events in leiomyosarcomas are mutations in TP53, RB1, ATRX and PTEN genes, chromosomal instability and chromoanagenesis. By using chromosomal microarray analysis we identified monosomy of chromosomes 3 and 11, gain of Xp (ATRX) arm and three chromoanasynthesis regions (6q21-q27, 7p22.3-p12.1 and 12q13.11-q21.2), with MDM2 and CDK4 oncogenes copy number gains, whereas no CNVs or tumor specific SNVs in TP53, RB1 and PTEN genes were observed.
Project description:ObjectiveTo investigate patient satisfaction after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in a prospective study.Subjects and methodsFrom May 2012 to December 2014, 397 patients underwent HoLEP by a single surgeon and enrolled in our prospective registry. Baseline data included age, PSA, transrectal ultrasonography, the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), and overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS). Subjective assessment of surgical outcomes was performed at 6 months postoperatively using self-administered questionnaires consisting of 'satisfaction with treatment question' (STQ), 'overall response assessment' (ORA), and 'willingness to undergo surgery question' (WSQ).ResultsA total of 331 patients (mean age 69.6±7.0 years) were included in the analysis. Mean total prostate volume was 69.5 (±42.2) ml. Mean preoperative IPSS score was 18.5 (±7.8). The STQ showed that most patients (91.8%) were satisfied after the surgery. Only 11 (3.3%) patients responded with 'dissatisfied', and no patients replied with 'very dissatisfied'. The WSQ showed that 311 (94.0%) patients were willing to undergo the surgery again if they had to reconsider the surgical decision. The ORA showed that all patients (99.4%) experienced an improvement. When compared with satisfied patients, neutral/dissatisfied patients had lower IPSS quality of life scores (2.7 vs. 0.9, p<0.001), higher IPSS voiding symptom scores (7.0 vs. 1.4, p<0.001), and more frequent episodes of urgency urinary incontinence in OABSS (1.0 vs. 0.3, p = 0.017) at 6 months postoperatively.ConclusionsThe overall level of satisfaction after HoLEP was high. The most common reason for dissatisfaction was the occurrence of urgency urinary incontinence after the surgery.
Project description:PurposeThe use of HoLEP was associated with steep learning curve thus prolonging operative procedure. The problem of learning curve could be solved with the invention of Moses HoLEP. This study aimed to evaluate the comparison of efficacy and safety between Moses HoLEP and standard HoLEP in BPH patient.Materials and methodsSystematic search was carried out using PRISMA guideline. Pubmed, Scopus and Embase were searched to collect randomized controlled trials and observational studies. Quantitative analysis was performed to evaluate the comparison in intraoperative, postoperative and complications characteristics. RevMan 5.4 and STATA were used in data analysis.ResultsTotal of 7 studies (1226 patients) were included. Regarding intraoperative characteristics, Moses HoLEP provided significantly shorter enucleation time (MD: 3.00, 95% CI: 5.57 to -0.43, p = 0.02), shorter hemostasis time (MD: 3.79, 95% CI: 5.23 to -2.34, p < 0.00001), and shorter laser use time (MD: 2.79, 95% CI: 5.03 to -0.55, p = 0.01). For postoperative characteristics, Moses HoLEP possessed significantly lower PVR (MD -34.57, 95% CI -56.85 to -12.30, p = 0.002). Overall complication was higher in standard HoLEP although the result was not significant (MD 0.68, 95%CI: 0.38 to 1.21, p = 0.19). Moses HoLEP possessed more superiority over standard HoLEP regarding shorter hemostasis time with the increasing of prostate size (coefficient -0.894, p = 0.044).ConclusionMoses HoLEP demonstrated shorter enucleation time, shorter hemostasis time and shorter laser use time. Moses HoLEP also possessed lower PVR. There were no safety issues in Moses HoLEP compared with standard HoLEP.
Project description:Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a potentially malignant disorder that is characterized by a progressive fibrosis in the oral submucosa. Arecoline, an alkaloid compound of the areca nut, is reported to be a major aetiological factor in the development of OSF. Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been reported to be beneficial in fibrosis prevention in different damaged organs. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of LPLI on arecoline-induced fibrosis. Arecoline-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) were treated with or without LPLI. The expression levels of the fibrotic marker genes alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) were analysed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blots. In addition, the transcriptional activity of CCN2 was further determined by a reporter assay. The results indicated that arecoline increased the messenger RNA and protein expression of CCN2 and α-SMA in HGF. Interestingly, both LPLI and forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, reduced the expression of arecoline-mediated fibrotic marker genes and inhibited the transcriptional activity of CCN2. Moreover, pretreatment with SQ22536, an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor, blocked LPLI's inhibition of the expression of arecoline-mediated fibrotic marker genes. Our data suggest that LPLI may inhibit the expression of arecoline-mediated fibrotic marker genes via the cAMP signalling pathway.
Project description:Noble metal nanoclusters are ultrasmall nanomaterials with tunable properties and huge application potential; however, retaining their enhanced functionality is difficult as they readily lose their properties without stabilization. Here, we demonstrate a facile synthesis of highly photostable silver nanoclusters in a polymer thin film using visible light photoreduction. Furthermore, the different stages of the nanocluster formation are investigated in detail using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. A cost-effective fabrication of photostable micron-sized fluorescent silver nanocluster barcode is demonstrated in silver-impregnated polymer films using a low-power continuous-wave laser diode. It is shown that a laser power of as low as 0.75 mW is enough to write fluorescent structures, corresponding to the specifications of a commercially available laser pointer. The as-formed nanocluster-containing microstructures can be useful in direct labeling applications such as authenticity marking and fluorescent labeling.