Is preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio a red flag which can predict high-risk pathological characteristics in renal cell carcinoma?

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is known to invoke both immunological and inflammatory responses. While the neutrophils mediate the tumor-induced inflammatory response, the lymphocytes bring about the various immunological events associated with it. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple indicator of this dual response.

Role of Preoperative Renal Stone Complexity Assessment by Guy's Stone Score as a Predictor of Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy Outcomes.

Introduction: Various nephrolithometric scoring systems have recently emerged to predict the outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). However, there is no consensus upon an ideal tool. The current study aimed to assess the correlation between Guy's stone score (GSS) and PCNL outcomes.

Renal salvage, an achievable goal in patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis: Outcomes of an algorithmic renal preserving strategy.

Introduction: Emergency nephrectomy has been the time-honored treatment of choice for emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), a fatal gas-forming necrotizing infection. Recent years have seen a shift toward nonextirpative approach aimed to achieve higher rates of renal salvage, limiting the indications for nephrectomy to severe grades of the disease. This study aimed at analyzing the role of initial renal preserving measures algorithmically applied across grades of EPN.

Can new, improvised Visual Prostate Symptom Score replace the International Prostate Symptom Score? Indian perspective.

Introduction: Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) was introduced to overcome the drawbacks of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). However, this score also has potential for improvement.

Materials And Methods: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of VPSS in patients with benign enlarged prostate (BEP) after uroflowmetric validation of the stream component.

Development of a Screening Platform to Identify Small Molecules That Modify ELP1 Pre-mRNA Splicing in Familial Dysautonomia.

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is an autonomic and sensory neuropathy caused by a mutation in the splice donor site of intron 20 of the ELP1 gene. Variable skipping of exon 20 leads to a tissue-specific reduction in the level of ELP1 protein. We have shown that the plant cytokinin kinetin is able to increase cellular ELP1 protein levels in vivo and in vitro through correction of ELP1 splicing.

Specific correction of a splice defect in brain by nutritional supplementation.

Recent studies emphasize the importance of mRNA splicing in human genetic disease, as 20-30% of all disease-causing mutations are predicted to result in mRNA splicing defects. The plasticity of the mRNA splicing reaction has made these mutations attractive candidates for the development of therapeutics. Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder, and all patients have an intronic IVS20+6T>C splice site mutation in the IKBKAP gene, which results in tissue-specific skipping of exon 20 and a corresponding reduction in ikappaB kinase complex associated protein (IKAP) levels.

Loss of mouse Ikbkap, a subunit of elongator, leads to transcriptional deficits and embryonic lethality that can be rescued by human IKBKAP.

Familial dysautonomia (FD), a devastating hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, results from an intronic mutation in the IKBKAP gene that disrupts normal mRNA splicing and leads to tissue-specific reduction of IKBKAP protein (IKAP) in the nervous system. To better understand the roles of IKAP in vivo, an Ikbkap knockout mouse model was created. Results from our study show that ablating Ikbkap leads to embryonic lethality, with no homozygous Ikbkap knockout (Ikbkap(-)(/)(-)) embryos surviving beyond 12.

A humanized IKBKAP transgenic mouse models a tissue-specific human splicing defect.

Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a severe hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy, and all patients with FD have a splice mutation in the IKBKAP gene. The FD splice mutation results in variable, tissue-specific skipping of exon 20 in IKBKAP mRNA, which leads to reduced IKAP protein levels. The development of therapies for FD will require suitable mouse models for preclinical studies.

Therapeutic potential and mechanism of kinetin as a treatment for the human splicing disease familial dysautonomia.

Mutations that affect the splicing of pre-mRNA are a major cause of human disease. Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by a T to C transition at base pair 6 of IKBKAP intron 20. This mutation results in variable tissue-specific skipping of exon 20.

Gene expression and specificity in the mature zone of the lobster olfactory organ.

The lobster olfactory organ is an important model for investigating many aspects of the olfactory system. To facilitate study of the molecular basis of olfaction in lobsters, we made a subtracted cDNA library from the mature zone of the olfactory organ of Homarus americanus, the American lobster. Sequencing of the 5'-end of 5,184 cDNA clones produced 2,389 distinct high-quality sequences consisting of 1,944 singlets and 445 contigs.

Transcriptional changes during neuronal death and replacement in the olfactory epithelium.

The olfactory epithelium has the unusual ability to replace its neurons.We forced replacement of mouse olfactory sensory neurons by bulbectomy. Microarray, bioinformatics, and in situ hybridization techniques detected a rapid shift in favor of pro-apoptotic proteins, a progressive immune response by macrophages and dendritic cells, and identified or predicted 439 mRNAs enriched in olfactory sensory neurons, including gene silencing factors and sperm flagellar proteins.

Transcriptional changes during neuronal death and replacement in the olfactory epithelium.

The olfactory epithelium has the unusual ability to replace its neurons. We forced replacement of mouse olfactory sensory neurons by bulbectomy. Microarray, bioinformatics, and in situ hybridization techniques detected a rapid shift in favor of pro-apoptotic proteins, a progressive immune response by macrophages and dendritic cells, and identified or predicted 439 mRNAs enriched in olfactory sensory neurons, including gene silencing factors and sperm flagellar proteins.

Fluorescence-based sensing system for copper using genetically engineered living yeast cells.

A whole cell-based optical sensing system for copper was developed based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells harboring plasmid pYEX-GFPuv. The basis of this system was the ability of the transcriptional activator protein Ace1 present in S. cerevisiae to control the expression of the reporter protein, GFPuv.

Luminescence-based whole-cell-sensing systems for cadmium and lead using genetically engineered bacteria.

Whole-cell-based sensing systems that respond to cadmium and lead ions have been designed and developed using genetically engineered bacteria. These systems take advantage of the ability of certain bacteria to survive in environments polluted with cadmium and lead ions. The bacteria used in this investigation have been genetically engineered to produce reporter proteins in response to the toxic ions.