Prospective Cohort Study

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous ∼23 nt RNAs that play important gene-regulatory roles in animals and plants by pairing to the mRNAs of protein-coding genes to direct their posttranscriptional repression. This review outlines the current understanding of miRNA target recognition in animals and discusses the widespread impact of miRNAs on both the expression and evolution of protein-coding genes.

MicroRNAs: Target Recognition and Regulatory Functions

Language Selected Readings. Edited by R. C. Oldfield and J. C. Marshall. (Penguin Modern Psychology.) Pp. 392. (Penguin Books: Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1968.) 8s. 6d.

Psychology of Language

Human breast milk is considered the optimum feeding regime for newborn infants due to its ability to provide complete nutrition and many bioactive health factors. Breast feeding is associated with improved infant health and immune development, less incidences of gastrointestinal disease and lower mortality rates than formula fed infants. As well as providing fundamental nutrients to the growing infant, breast milk is a source of commensal bacteria which further enhance infant health by preventing pathogen adhesion and promoting gut colonisation of beneficial microbes. While breast milk was initially considered a sterile fluid and microbes isolated were considered contaminants, it is now widely accepted that breast milk is home to its own unique microbiome. The origins of bacteria in breast milk have been subject to much debate, however, the possibility of an entero-mammary pathway allowing for transfer of microbes from maternal gut to the mammary gland is one potential pathway. Human milk derived strains can be regarded as potential probiotics; therefore, many studies have focused on isolating strains from milk for subsequent use in infant health and nutrition markets. This review aims to discuss mammary gland development in preparation for lactation as well as explore the microbial composition and origins of the human milk microbiota with a focus on probiotic development.

Breast Milk, a Source of Beneficial Microbes and Associated Benefits for Infant Health.

RNA modifications have recently emerged as critical posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression programmes. Significant advances have been made in understanding the functional role of RNA modifications in regulating coding and non-coding RNA processing and function, which in turn thoroughly shape distinct gene expression programmes. They affect diverse biological processes, and the correct deposition of many of these modifications is required for normal development. Alterations of their deposition are implicated in several diseases, including cancer. In this Review, we focus on the occurrence of N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C) and pseudouridine (Ψ) in coding and non-coding RNAs and describe their physiopathological role in cancer. We will highlight the latest insights into the mechanisms of how these posttranscriptional modifications influence tumour development, maintenance, and progression. Finally, we will summarize the latest advances on the development of small molecule inhibitors that target specific writers or erasers to rewind the epitranscriptome of a cancer cell and their therapeutic potential.

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The role of m6A, m5C and Ψ RNA modifications in cancer: Novel therapeutic opportunities.

Breastfeeding undoubtedly provides important benefits to the mother-infant dyad and should be encouraged. Mastitis, one of the common but major cause of premature weaning among lactating women, is an inflammation of connective tissue within the mammary gland. This study reports the influence of mastitis on human milk microbiota by utilizing 16 S rRNA gene sequencing approach. We sampled and sequenced microbiome from 50 human milk samples, including 16 subacute mastitis (SAM), 16 acute mastitis (AM) and 18 healthy-controls. Compared to controls, SAM and AM microbiota were quite distinct and drastically reduced. Genera including, Aeromonas, Staphylococcus, Ralstonia, Klebsiella, Serratia, Enterococcus and Pseudomonas were significantly enriched in SAM and AM samples, while Acinetobacter, Ruminococcus, Clostridium, Faecalibacterium and Eubacterium were consistently depleted. Further analysis of our samples revealed positive aerotolerant odds ratio, indicating dramatic depletion of obligate anaerobes and enrichment of aerotolerant bacteria during the course of mastitis. In addition, predicted functional metagenomics identified several gene pathways related to bacterial proliferation and colonization (e.g. two-component system, bacterial secretion system and motility proteins) in SAM and AM samples. In conclusion, our study confirmed previous hypothesis that mastitis women have lower microbial diversity, increased abundance of opportunistic pathogens and depletion of commensal obligate anaerobes.

/pdf/culture-independent-assessment-of-human-milk-microbial-1jurg2eieg.pdf

Culture independent assessment of human milk microbial community in lactational mastitis

Background

Dyskerin, which is an important component of the telomerase complex and is needed for normal telomerase activity, is frequently overexpressed in neoplasia. Dyskerin also plays an essential role in ribosome biogenesis. Because protein synthesis increases during tumorigenesis, this led us to hypothesize that dyskerin expression would be upregulated independently of the cell immortalization mechanism.



Methods

Dyskerin and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression were examined in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and patient-matched controls, as well as in a panel of telomerase-positive and telomerase-negative cells. Antisense inhibition of TERT was used to test the effects of downregulation of telomerase on dyskerin expression.



Results

Dyskerin was frequently overexpressed in OSCC and in immortalized and transformed keratinocytes relative to primary cells, independently of TERT and telomerase activity. Instead, dyskerin expression strongly correlated with cell proliferation rates.



Conclusions

The role of dyskerin in tumorigenesis does not correlate with its function within the telomerase complex. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011

/pdf/correlation-of-dyskerin-expression-with-active-proliferation-49ptmrftf0.pdf

Correlation of dyskerin expression with active proliferation independent of telomerase

Human milk microbiome in urban and rural populations of India

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is known for ornamental values along with its medicinal properties. Studies were undertaken for determination of phytochemical analysis and antioxidant properties pr esent in leaves, stem and root of five cultivars (Red, Yellow, Orange, Pink and White) for various medicinally important compounds and their quantification. These properties were investigated to evaluate their therapeutic potential along with wide variability . Qualitative analysis of 7 chemicals (Tannin, Phlobatannins, Cardiac Glycosides, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Saponin and Alkaloids) indicates negative test in Phlobatannins and Cardiac Glycosides while the remaining chemicals have shown positive test. Significant findings of this work clearly indicate that the quantity of phytochemicals varies in different cultivars. Especially in red one, maximum amount of phenol has been found to be present compared to other four cultivars. Antioxidant property was measured with the help of various methods. Among these five cultivars, maximum amount of antioxidant activity was observed in the red one. In the remaining cultivars, variation has been observed. The antioxidant property observed in the present study might be useful for the development of newer and more potent antioxidants. The significance of the phytochemical constituents with respect to their role in traditional medicine treatment has been discussed. Despite its wide geographical distribution andpharmacological values, very little informationisavailable of its cultivars.

Study of Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Properties of Leaves, Stem and Root among Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis cultivars

In the present study, ﬁve different cultivars of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were studied for antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. Antimicrobial activity of 4 different extracts (Hexane, Ethyl acetate, Methanol and Distilled water) of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis were tested against Gram positive bacteria ( Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis , Streptomyces alboniger , Micrococcus luteus , Staphylococcus epidermis ) and Gram negative bacteria(Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bordetella bronchiseptica). Antibacterial activity was carried out by agar diffusion method. Ethyl acetate leaves extract showed signiﬁcant antibacterial activity against ‘ORANGE’ cultivar. Out of these four plant extract, tested ethyl acetate and methanol extract showed good antimicrobial activity than the other extract and very less antimicrobial activity was observed by the Hexane extract. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ethyl acetate extract was screened against tested bacteria. It showed inhibitory action at conc. 0.625 mg ml –1 . Out of four different extracts, methanolic extract was proven to be most suitable solvent for extraction and antimicrobial activity.

Reena Patel

Papers

Culture independent assessment of human milk microbial community in lactational mastitis

Correlation of dyskerin expression with active proliferation independent of telomerase

Human milk microbiome in urban and rural populations of India

Study of Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Properties of Leaves, Stem and Root among Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis cultivars

Antimicrobial Evaluation of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plant extracts against Some Pathogenic Bacteria