The functional characterization of long noncoding RNA SPRY4-IT1 in human melanoma cells.

Expression of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) SPRY4-IT1 is low in normal human melanocytes but high in melanoma cells. siRNA knockdown of SPRY4-IT1 blocks melanoma cell invasion and proliferation, and increases apoptosis. To investigate its function further, we affinity purified SPRY4-IT1 from melanoma cells and used mass spectrometry to identify the protein lipin 2, an enzyme that converts phosphatidate to diacylglycerol (DAG), as a major binding partner.

Long noncoding RNAs as putative biomarkers for prostate cancer detection.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality among US males. There is an urgent unmet need to develop sensitive and specific biomarkers for the early detection of prostate cancer to reduce overtreatment and accompanying morbidity. We identified a group of differentially expressed long noncoding RNAs in prostate cancer cell lines and patient samples and further characterized six long noncoding RNAs (AK024556, XLOC_007697, LOC100287482, XLOC_005327, XLOC_008559, and XLOC_009911) in prostatic adenocarcinoma tissue samples (Gleason score >6.

Purification and characterization of cloned alkaline protease gene of Geobacillus stearothermophilus.

Thermostable alkaline serine protease gene of Geobacillus stearothermophilus B-1172 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using pET-22b(+), as an expression vector. The growth conditions were optimized for maximal production of the protease using variable fermentation parameters, i.e.

Renal and visceral protection in thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

Objectives: Open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair traditionally carries substantial perioperative morbidity and mortality, primarily from distal aortic ischemia. Advances in surgical techniques, adjuncts, and strategies have greatly improved outcomes.

Methods: We analyzed outcomes of 1267 open consecutive TAAA repairs between January 2005 and September 2013.

Triple bridge to simultaneous heart and kidney transplantation.

We report a 40-year-old man who presented with irreversible cardiogenic shock. The patient was treated with three consecutive stages of mechanical circulatory support as a triple bridge to cardiac transplantation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was used for 5 days, followed by Levitronix CentriMag biventricular assist devices for 39 days.

The role of microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in the pathology, diagnosis, and management of melanoma.

Melanoma is frequently lethal and its global incidence is steadily increasing. Despite the rapid development of different modes of targeted treatment, durable clinical responses remain elusive. A complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms that drive melanomagenesis is required, both genetic and epigenetic, in order to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Study of alteration of adrenergic receptor response by chronic use of lisinopril: an ACE inhibitor.

Unpredictable outcomes of life saving drugs have been seen in patients who receive different cardioselective drugs for longer periods. Many studies have been conducted to explore these responses. This study shows the down regulation of adrenergic receptors due to chronic use of lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor as a cause of poor response of adrenaline.

Association of hepatitis C virus with insulin resistance: evidences from animal studies and clinical studies.

Context: HCV infection is strongly associated with development of insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes, however molecular mechanism of these associations is not known. The aim of this review was to conduct a comprehensive literature search to understand the nature of the association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and insulin resistance (IR). We also explored the role of HCV core protein and NS5a in modulating the course of the insulin-signaling pathway.

Systematic mutagenesis method for enhanced production of bacitracin by Bacillus licheniformis Mutant Strain UV-MN-HN-6.

The purpose of the current study was intended to obtain the enhanced production of bacitracin by Bacillus licheniformis through random mutagenesis and optimization of various parameters. Several isolates of Bacillus licheniformis were isolated from local habitat and isolate designated as GP-35 produced maximum bacitracin production (14±0.72 IU ml(-1)).

Serotype and genotype analysis of dengue virus by sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis using samples from three mini outbreaks-2007-2009 in Pakistan.

Background: Since the first reported outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Pakistan, several mini outbreaks have erupted in the region. Dengue virus serotype 3 (DEN-3) was first documented in 2005 outbreak in Karachi. Reports show that serotype 3 is prevalent in Lahore since 2008.

Characterization of hepatitis C Virus genotype 3a hypervariable region 1 in patients achieved rapid virological response to alpha interferon and ribavirin combination therapy.

Background: Hepatitis C virus roots a chronic liver disease. Currently approved treatment strategy includes administration of alpha interferon and ribavirin combined therapy for 24-48 weeks. One of the predictor of sustained virological response is an early virological response to treatment characterized as rapid response.

Mutations in the E2-PePHD region of hepatitis C virus genotype-3a and correlation with response to interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in Pakistani patients.

Hepatitis C is a major health problem affecting more than 200 million individuals in the world. Current treatment regimen consisting of interferon alpha and ribavirin does not always succeed in eliminating the virus completely from patient's body. One of the mechanisms by which virus evades the antiviral effect of interferon alpha involves protein kinase (PKR) eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2a) phosphorylation homology domain (PePHD).

Systematic comparison of the use of annular and Zernike circle polynomials for annular wavefronts.

The theory of wavefront analysis of a noncircular wavefront is given and applied for a systematic comparison of the use of annular and Zernike circle polynomials for the analysis of an annular wavefront. It is shown that, unlike the annular coefficients, the circle coefficients generally change as the number of polynomials used in the expansion changes. Although the wavefront fit with a certain number of circle polynomials is identically the same as that with the corresponding annular polynomials, the piston circle coefficient does not represent the mean value of the aberration function, and the sum of the squares of the other coefficients does not yield its variance.

GATA6 promotes colon cancer cell invasion by regulating urokinase plasminogen activator gene expression.

GATA6 is a zinc finger transcription factor expressed in the colorectal epithelium. We have examined the expression of GATA6 in colon cancers and investigated the mechanisms by which GATA6 regulates colon cancer cell invasion. GATA6 was overexpressed in colorectal polyps and primary and metastatic tumors.

Hepatitis C treatment: current and future perspectives.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of Flaviviridae family and one of the major causes of liver disease. There are about 175 million HCV infected patients worldwide that constitute 3% of world's population. The main route of HCV transmission is parental however 90% intravenous drug users are at highest risk.

Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a infection and hepatocellular carcinoma: Pakistan experience.

Aim: To assess the association between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Pakistan, and the genotype distribution among these HCC patients.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-one subjects with HCC were included in this study. Liver biopsy was performed on 145 of the patients; sixteen were excluded because they failed to fulfill the inclusion criteria.

Nucleotide identity and variability among different Pakistani hepatitis C virus isolates.

Background: The variability within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome has formed the basis for several genotyping methods and used widely for HCV genotyping worldwide.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine percent nucleotide identity and variability in HCV isolates prevalent in different geographical regions of Pakistan.

Methods: Sequencing analysis of the 5'noncoding region (5'-NCR) of 100 HCV RNA-positive patients representing all the four provinces of Pakistan were carried out using ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer.

Complications of cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Background: The weak zonule's predisposition to complications during conventional cataract surgery is one of the common risk factor for poor visual acuity after surgery. The present study was conducted to determine the frequency and types of complications during cataract surgery in patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study based on non probability sampling of patients having pseudoexfoliation syndrome admitted for cataract surgery in tertiary care hospitals was carried out spread over 4 years.

Laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure: a viable option for treatment of acutely perforated diverticultis.

Background: A laparoscopic technique for acutely perforated diverticulitis (i.e., laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure) has not been described.

Is intracranial atherosclerosis an independent risk factor for cerebral atrophy? A retrospective evaluation.

Background: Our purpose was to study the association between the intracranial atherosclerosis as measured by cavernous carotid artery calcification (ICAC) observed on head CT and atrophic changes of supra-tentorial brain demonstrated by MRI.

Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study incorporating 65 consecutive patients presenting acutely who had both head CT and MRI. Arterial calcifications of the intracranial cavernous carotids (ICAC) were assigned a number (1 to 4) in the bone window images from CT scans.

Knowledge, attitude and experience of menopause.

Objective: To determine the knowledge and attitude of women towards menopause and to investigate the symptoms experienced by postmenopausal women.

Design: It was a cross sectional survey based on sample of convenience.

Place And Duration Of Study: Study was conducted at out patient department of Isra university hospital from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2006.

Microarray analysis of ncRNA expression patterns in Caenorhabditis elegans after RNAi against snoRNA associated proteins.

Background: Short non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) perform their cellular functions in ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, which are also essential for maintaining the stability of the ncRNAs. Depletion of individual protein components of non-coding ribonucleoprotein (ncRNP) particles by RNA interference (RNAi) may therefore affect expression levels of the corresponding ncRNA, and depletion of candidate associated proteins may constitute an alternative strategy when investigating ncRNA-protein interactions and ncRNA functions. Therefore, we carried out a pilot study in which the effects of RNAi against protein components of small nucleolar RNPs (snoRNPs) in Caenorhabditis elegans were observed on an ncRNA microarray.

Systematic identification of non-coding RNA 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine cap structures in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Background: The 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure is an important functional characteristic of ncRNAs with critical cellular roles, such as some snRNAs. Here we used immunoprecipitation with both K121 and R1131 anti-TMG antibodies to systematically identify the TMG cap structures for all presently characterized ncRNAs in C. elegans.