The Evaluation of CD3, CD 5, CD10, CD 19, and CD20 Markers in the Differential Diagnosis of the Lymphoma Subtypes in Sudanese Patients

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the use of CD3, CD5, CD10, CD19, and CD20 markers in the differential identification of lymphoma subtypes. Methods and Results: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study included 82 patients with palpable lymphadenopathies. The formalin-fixed paraffin block sections immunostained with the Dako flex were investigated. CD3, CD5, CD10, CD19, and CD20 staining was performed on sections. The current study found that the two main types of lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, have a significant association with CD3, CD10, and CD19, and a highly significant association with CD20, implying that these CD markers are crucial for general classification and diagnosis of lymphoma. CD3 had a highly significant relationship with gender. CD3 and CD20 were demonstrated to have a significant relationship with the lymphoma subtypes. The CD20 marker is the most consistent and useful marker for differentiating lymphoma subtypes.

A Yeast-Based Screening System for Differential Identification of Poison Inhibitors and Catalytic Inhibitors of Human Topoisomerase I

Inhibition of human topoisomerase I (TOP1) by camptothecin and topotecan has been shown to reduce excessive transcription of PAMP (Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern) -induced genes in prior studies, preventing death from sepsis in animal models of bacterial and SARS-CoV-2 infections. The TOP1 catalytic activity likely resolves the topological constraints on DNA that encodes these genes to facilitate the transcription induction that leads to excess inflammation. The increased accumulation of TOP1 covalent complex (TOP1cc) following DNA cleavage is the basis for the anticancer efficacy of the TOP1 poison inhibitors developed for anticancer treatment. The potential cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of TOP1 targeting cancer drugs pose serious concerns for employing them as therapies in sepsis prevention. The aim of this study is to develop a novel yeast-based screening system that employs yeast strains expressing wild-type or a dominant lethal mutant recombinant human TOP1. This yeast-based screening system can identify human TOP1 poison inhibitors for anticancer efficacy as well as catalytic inhibitors that can inhibit TOP1 DNA binding or cleavage activity in steps prior to the formation of the TOP1cc. In addition to distinguishing between such TOP1 catalytic inhibitors and TOP1 poison inhibitors, results from this yeast-based screening system will also allow elimination of compounds that are likely to be cytotoxic based on their effect on yeast cell growth that is independent of recombinant human TOP1 overexpression.

Amyloidoses – pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis

Amyloidoses – also known as amyloidosis or betafibrillosis – a diverse group of diseases in which amorphous protein with a changed conformational structure is deposited extracellularly, leading to the failure of many organs. The basic classifications of amyloidoses take into account: the type of precursor protein, the division into generalized (systemic) amyloidoses, in which amyloid deposits accumulate in many organs, vessel walls and connective tissue (e.g. AL amyloidosis) and local (localized) amyloidoses – limited to only one organ (e.g. corneal amyloidosis) as well as congenital and acquired diseases. Symptoms of amyloidosis are non-specific and not very characteristic, moreover, their severity depends on the type of disease and organ involvement. The diagnosis of amyloidosis should be considered in patients with heart failure without coronary artery disease, with neuropathy, or proteinuria or hepatomegaly of unclear origin. Diagnosis of amyloidosis is based on the evaluation of tissue biopsy samples and the presence of abnormal proteins, i.e. amyloid, or on the fibrillary evaluation confirmation of the filamentous nature of amyloid deposits using electron microscopy. The next step is differential diagnosis and amyloid differential identification, which is based on immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence studies using labeled antibodies. The "gold standard" used in typing amyloidosis and identifying an amyloidogenic protein is mass spectrometry. Laboratory tests are used to assess organ involvement, which is the basis of the prognostic classification.

Baetis majus sp. nov., new species of mayfly (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Far East of Russia

A new species, Baetis majus Tiunova sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on larvae and reared adults discovered in the Russian Far East. The differential identification of this species was determined by the characteristics of other representatives of the genus Baetis Leach, including subgenera Baetis Leach and Tenuibaetis Kang & Yang from Eastern and Western Palaearctic, Nearctic and Oriental regions. In addition to morphological studies, DNA barcoding of the described species with average intraspecific K2P distances to nearest neighbours is documented. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships of all available cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of the subgenera of Baetis and Tenuibaetis from four regions. Bayesian analysis using 47 morphological characters additional to partial COI sequences did not allow to determine the species-group of the Baetis genus to which the described species belongs.

Rapid and simultaneous identification of three mutations by the Novaplex™ SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay kit

BackgroundThe emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has caused an unexpected rebound globally. The World Health Organization has listed three variants (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1) as variants of concern. To understand the epidemiology and thereby plan appropriate safety measures, differential identification of the variants is indeed critical.ObjectivesAlthough whole-genome sequencing is the gold standard for variant identification, it is time-consuming and relatively expensive. Therefore, a rapid, easy, and cost-effective platform targeting multiple regions of the genome is required. Here, we assessed the usefulness of the Novaplex™ SARS-CoV-2 Variants I Assay kit in identifying mutations in the variants.Study designWe retrospectively examined 30 stored nasal swabs from COVID-19-positive patients tested between November 2020 and March 2021. RNA extracted from these swabs was subjected to the commercial kit and real-time reverse transcription-PCR was performed. To determine the genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 in the collected samples and deduce the consensus sequences among the identified variants, genome sequencing libraries were prepared and mapped to the reference genome.ResultsFour of the tested samples were determined as variants. Of them, two harbored both H69/V70 deletion and N501Y substitution, whereas two harbored E484K substitution alone.ConclusionsThe variant with E484K substitution alone (“R.1”) has been now categorized as a variant of interest in Japan. Additionally, the kit-based assay was found to be feasible, convenient, and user-friendly in identifying the abovementioned mutations with a turnaround time of only 2 hours.

Mesenchymal stem cells: amazing remedies for bone and cartilage defects

Skeletal disorders are among the leading debilitating factors affecting millions of people worldwide. The use of stem cells for tissue repair has raised many promises in various medical fields, including skeletal disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells with mesodermal and neural crest origin. These cells are one of the most attractive candidates in regenerative medicine, and their use could be helpful in repairing and regeneration of skeletal disorders through several mechanisms including homing, angiogenesis, differentiation, and response to inflammatory condition. The most widely studied sources of MSCs are bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue, muscle, umbilical cord (UC), umbilical cord blood (UCB), placenta (PL), Wharton’s jelly (WJ), and amniotic fluid. These cells are capable of differentiating into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, and myocytes in vitro. MSCs obtained from various sources have diverse capabilities of secreting many different cytokines, growth factors, and chemokines. It is believed that the salutary effects of MSCs from different sources are not alike in terms of repairing or reformation of injured skeletal tissues. Accordingly, differential identification of MSCs’ secretome enables us to make optimal choices in skeletal disorders considering various sources. This review discusses and compares the therapeutic abilities of MSCs from different sources for bone and cartilage diseases.