Lysyl Oxidase: Its Diversity in Health and Diseases

The mechanical properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) and connective tissues is largely dependent on the collagen and elastin structure. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) plays a critical role in the formation and repair of the ECM by oxidizing lysine residues in elastin and collagen, thereby initiating the formation of covalent cross linkages which stabilize these fibrous proteins. Due to its multiple functions both extracellularly and intracellularly, lysyl oxidase is involved in several processes in the tumorigenic pathway, in many different cancer types and stages. Alteration in LOX activity is implicated in many diseases and disorders including inflammation and inflammatory diseases, fibrosis of distinct organs and fibrotic disorders, cancer promotion and progression. There are only sparse reports of mutations or epigenetic alterations in the LOX gene. This review provides the recent clinical developments in the molecular mechanisms and pathologic process, pointing out LOX as a potential therapeutic target in translational medicine.     

Examining the critical success factors of cloud computing adoption in the MSMEs by using ISM model

For cutting down cost and improving the efficiency of enterprises, adoption of innovations in ICT especially in cloud computing applications is the need of the time in the highly competitive global environment. It has been noted that generally, the Indian MSMEs are not utilizing the CC applications for the promotion of their business activities and are not availing their benefits. Hence, in the present investigation, the critical success factors (CSFs) for cloud computing adoption (CCA) in the Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are identified through an exhaustive literature review and expert opinions. The association between the identified factors is established by employing an interpretive structural modeling methodology that is a multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) approach. Later, the MICMAC analysis is carried out for identifying the factors having high influential power. The results of the study revealed that a CSF namely ‘previous technological experience’ is the most significant factor having the highest driving power. The findings of this research are intended to guide cloud service providers, enterprise managers, and governmental bodies in formulating the strategies and policies for effective implementation of cloud computing facilities and harness the benefits of the same. This study makes a significant contribution to the knowledge base of CC adoption for future research in the subject field.     

Biochemical diagnosis of alcoholism

Medically diagnosed alcoholics can be differentiated reliably from non-alcoholics using clinically laboratory tests. In the present study, patients with liver diseases either due to alcohol or without alcohol compared with a group of normal healthy persons. Heavy drinkers showed significantly lower body weight and percent body fat, and low BMI compared with other groups. The percentage of hemoglobin and total number of RBC were found to be significantly decreased, whereas mean corpuscular volume (MCV) significantly increased in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Hyperbilirubinemia, hyperuricemia and hypoalbuminemia correlate with alcohol intake. Albumin/globulin ratio significantly decreased in ALD. In acute liver injury AST/ALT ratio is ≤1.0, whereas in alcoholic hepatitis it is always >1.0. Moderately elevated level of ALP and high GGT values are good discriminator of alcoholic patients. Alcohol-induced liver injury is linked to oxidative stress as observed by decreased level of reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid, and increased level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances.     

Sialic acid in cardiovascular diseases

Sialic acid, the acylated derivatives of 9-carbon sugar neuraminic acid, present as terminal component of oligosaccharide chains of many glycoproteins and glycolipids, has been recognized to be involved in the regulation of a great variety of biological phenomena. Studies have shown that serum sialic acid predicts both coronary heart disease and stroke mortality and reflects the existence or activity of an atherosclerotic process. Most of the studies have shown an elevation in serum sialic acid concentration in coronary heart disease and a positive correlation between the raised serum sialic acid and the severity of the coronary lesions is observed. However, a few contradictory reports are also available. Racial differences in serum sialic acid have also been reported and correlated with international differences in the prevalence of atherosclerosis. Reduced sialic acid content of platelets, erythrocytes and lipoproteins may play important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Elucidation of the mechanism of alternation in sialic acid concentration may throw more light on its potential clinical utility. Hence more studies are needed to designates sialic acid as a cardiovascular risk factor/marker.     

Salivary glycoproteins as indicators of oral diseases

The present study deals with the estimation of total carbohydrate, protein bound carbohydrate, bound fucose and sialic acid along with total protein in disease conditions like gingivitis, periodontitis and their comparison with the normals. The neutral hexose values in gingivitis (8.08±2.20mg/100mg protein) and periodontitis (12.5±2.16mg/ 100mg protein) decreased significantly when expressed per 100 mg protein compared to normals (19.8±1.89mg/100mg protein). This might be because of higher protein concentration in these two clinical conditions. The ethanol insoluble hexose values were significantly reduced in both these conditions compared to controls (3.71±1.64,5.91±1.63,7.65±0.86mg/100mg protein respectively). The ethanol soluble hexose values were also found to be drastically reduced. This decrease in saliva appears to be characteristic feature of oral diseases. In gingivitis and periodontitis fucose level was found to be increased compared to normals when expressed as a function of salivary volume. However in terms of protein concentration the values in gingivitis (2.95±1.59), periodontitis (3.26±0.98) and normals (3.20±0.50mg/100mg) were not different. Sialic acid in ethanol insoluble fraction of salivary samples mg/100mg protein was found to be significantly reduced in both gingivitis (0.78±0.33) and periodontitis (0.95±0.31) compared to controls (1.92±0.33)     

HPLC method for amino acids profile in biological fluids and inborn metabolic disorders of aminoacidopathies

Quantification of total and individual amino acids in biological fluids such as plasma, urine and cerebrospinal fluid has an important diagnostic implication in laboratory medicine. The present paper describes protocols for the assay of total amino acids by modified method based on dinitrophenyl and HPLC profile involving pre-column derivatization with o-pthalaldehyde (OPA) derivatization, respectively. The method, based on the alkylation of-SH groups prior to OPA derivatization of amino acids followed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography, provide a comprehensive profile of more than twenty amino acids (including-SH group containing) in a single run lasting about 45 minutes. The present study, apart from establishing the normal profile of amino acids in plasma of Indian sub population, also presents HPLC profile for some of the rare amino acidopathies.     

Biochemical activity of selenium and glutathione on country made liquor (CML) induced hepatic damage in rats

The serum and hepatic enzymes of rats were studied after exposed to country made liquor (CML) along with two chelating agents (glutathione and Selenium). There was a significant increase in several serum enzyme levels (viz., aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, bilirubin) and decrease in various hepatic enzymes (Succinic dehydrogenase, Glucose 6-phosphatase, 5'Nucleotiease, Acid phosphatase, Acid ribonuclease, Cytochrome P-450) due to repeated administration of CML (2ml/100g of body weight). Results of this study revealed that the GSH and Se could give a significant protective action in serum and hepatic enzymes of CML exposed rats.     

Addressing Health Disparities in the Undergraduate Curriculum: An Approach to Develop a Knowledgeable Biomedical Workforce

Disparities in health and healthcare are a major concern in the United States and worldwide. Approaches to alleviate these disparities must be multifaceted and should include initiatives that touch upon the diverse areas that influence the healthcare system. Developing a strong biomedical workforce with an awareness of the issues concerning health disparities is crucial for addressing this issue. Establishing undergraduate health disparities courses that are accessible to undergraduate students in the life sciences is necessary to increase students’ understanding and awareness of these issues and motivate them to address these disparities during their careers. The majority of universities do not include courses related to health disparities in their curricula, and only a few universities manage them from their life sciences departments. The figures are especially low for minority-serving institutions, which serve students from communities disproportionally affected by health disparities. Universities should consider several possible approaches to infuse their undergraduate curricula with health disparities courses or activities. Eliminating health disparities will require efforts from diverse stakeholders. Undergraduate institutions can play an important role in developing an aware biomedical workforce and helping to close the gap in health outcomes.     

How Much of Library and Information Science Literature Qualifies as Research?

There is an extensive amount of Library and Information Science (LIS) writing produced each year. While there is general awareness regarding the variety of journal literature, there is no certainty on the percentage of the collection that we can call research. This project is an important first step in answering the question. A content analysis of the LIS academic/scholarly journals at the Simmons College Library was conducted. The research level collection of LIS literature makes the library an ideal candidate for this study. The latest issue of each journal subscribed to for fiscal year 2012–2013 containing academic/scholarly content was analyzed. Each article was analyzed to determine: 1) if it was research or non-research, 2) the method used to collect data for the study in the article, and 3) the subject terms or keywords associated with the article. 105 journal titles were identified out of 177 periodicals. In the 1880 articles analyzed from these, 16% qualified as research. Surveys were found to be the most popular research method used. This study will benefit students, faculty, and staff with research requirements as well as librarians who guide patrons through a search for research literature.     

Clodronate-superparamagnetic iron oxide-containing liposomes attenuate renal injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis

Background and objective

It has been shown that macrophages play an important role in the development of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and eventually lead to multiple organ failure (MOF). Clodronate-liposome selectively depleted macrophages. This study was to investigate the role of renal macrophage infiltration in acute renal injury in rats with SAP and to evaluate the potential of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis.

Methods

Superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were prepared by chemical coprecipitation. SPIO-liposomes and SPIO-clodronate-liposomes were prepared by the thin film method. SAP models were prepared by injection of sodium taurocholate into the subcapsular space of rat pancreas. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, SAP plus SPIO-liposome (P) group, and SAP plus SPIO-clodronate-containing liposome (T) group. Kidney injury was evaluated by T2-weighted MRI scan. The levels of serum amylase (SAM), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) were measured by an automated enzymatic method. Serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathological changes in the pancreas and kidney were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, while cell apoptosis was detected with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. In addition, the macrophage markers (CD68) of the renal tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry.

Results

The pathological changes in the pancreas and kidneys of rats in the T group were milder than those in the P group. The MRI signal intensity of the kidneys in the P and T groups was significantly lower than that in the control group. There were significant changes in the two experimental groups (P<0.01). The levels of SAM, Bun, SCr, and TNF-α in rats in the P group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01) and in the T group (P<0.01). The apoptosis of the kidney in the T group was higher than that in the P group at 2 and 6 h (P<0.01).

Conclusions

Clodronate-containing liposomes protected against renal injury in SAP rats, and SPIO can be used as a tracer for MRI examination to detect renal injury in SAP rats. SPIO-aided MRI provided an efficient non-invasive way to monitor the migration of macrophages after renal injury in rats with SAP.