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Romanian Journal of Morphology and... 2020Idiopathic tenosynovitis with rice bodies is a rare disease and its non-association with rheumatic diseases, tuberculosis infection or trauma is reported only in few...
PURPOSE
Idiopathic tenosynovitis with rice bodies is a rare disease and its non-association with rheumatic diseases, tuberculosis infection or trauma is reported only in few cases in literature.
PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS
Our study presents a series of five patients diagnosed with tenosynovitis with rice bodies at the flexor tendons of the upper limb. Medical history revealed no associated disease or trauma. Disease duration ranged between two months and four years, two patients presenting symptoms of acute carpal tunnel and three patients tumor mass. In one case, the tumor measured 210 mm in length and a tendon rupture was suspected. Laboratory and imaging investigations could not establish a specific associated pathology and a preoperative diagnosis. Surgical treatment consisting of synovectomy was performed in all patients.
RESULTS
In all five cases, intraoperative appearance could easily determine the presence of rice bodies. Histopathological examination revealed typical aspect for rice bodies and make the diagnosis possible without the need for other more laborious processing (immunohistochemistry). The amount of rice bodies was directly proportional to disease duration. In all cases, the recovery was complete. After a median 30.4-month follow-up, no recurrence was detected. Subsequently performed laboratory investigations and specific tests did not reveal tuberculosis infection, rheumatic disease, or other diseases.
CONCLUSIONS
This is the largest series of patients with idiopathic tenosynovitis with rice bodies and the bigger tumor mass reported to date. Synovectomy with removal of all rice bodies represents the optimal treatment. A longer disease course may be associated with a larger number of rice bodies, which may be associated with tendon rupture. The etiopathogenesis remains unclear, further studies being necessary to establish it.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Tenosynovitis
PubMed: 33544797
DOI: 10.47162/RJME.61.2.15 -
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA Nov 2020In bacteria, mRNA decay is controlled by megadalton scale macromolecular assemblies called, "RNA degradosomes," composed of nucleases and other RNA decay associated... (Review)
Review
In bacteria, mRNA decay is controlled by megadalton scale macromolecular assemblies called, "RNA degradosomes," composed of nucleases and other RNA decay associated proteins. Recent advances in bacterial cell biology have shown that RNA degradosomes can assemble into phase-separated structures, termed bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies), with many analogous properties to eukaryotic processing bodies and stress granules. This review will highlight the functional role that BR-bodies play in the mRNA decay process through its organization into a membraneless organelle in the bacterial cytoplasm. This review will also highlight the phylogenetic distribution of BR-bodies across bacterial species, which suggests that these phase-separated structures are broadly distributed across bacteria, and in evolutionarily related mitochondria and chloroplasts. This article is categorized under: RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Turnover/Surveillance Mechanisms RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA-Protein Complexes RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability.
Topics: Bacteria; Chloroplasts; Mitochondria; RNA, Messenger; Ribonucleoproteins
PubMed: 32445438
DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1599 -
Journal of Cell Science Jul 2022Nuclear speckles are dynamic membraneless bodies located in the cell nucleus. They harbor RNAs and proteins, many of which are splicing factors, that together display... (Review)
Review
Nuclear speckles are dynamic membraneless bodies located in the cell nucleus. They harbor RNAs and proteins, many of which are splicing factors, that together display complex biophysical properties dictating nuclear speckle formation and maintenance. Although these nuclear bodies were discovered decades ago, only recently has in-depth genomic analysis begun to unravel their essential functions in modulation of gene activity. Major advancements in genomic mapping techniques combined with microscopy approaches have enabled insights into the roles nuclear speckles may play in enhancing gene expression, and how gene positioning to specific nuclear landmarks can regulate gene expression and RNA processing. Some studies have drawn a link between nuclear speckles and disease. Certain maladies either involve nuclear speckles directly or dictate the localization and reorganization of many nuclear speckle factors. This is most striking during viral infection, as viruses alter the entire nuclear architecture and highjack host machinery. As discussed in this Review, nuclear speckles represent a fascinating target of study not only to reveal the links between gene positioning, genome subcompartments and gene activity, but also as a potential target for therapeutics.
Topics: Biophysics; Cell Nucleus; Gene Expression; Nuclear Bodies; Nuclear Speckles
PubMed: 35788677
DOI: 10.1242/jcs.259594 -
Trends in Cancer Oct 2021Stress granules (SGs) and processing bodies (P-bodies) are membraneless cytoplasmic condensates of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). They both regulate RNA fate under... (Review)
Review
Stress granules (SGs) and processing bodies (P-bodies) are membraneless cytoplasmic condensates of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). They both regulate RNA fate under physiological and pathological conditions, and are thereby involved in the regulation and maintenance of cellular integrity. During tumorigenesis, cancer cells use these granules to thrive, to adapt to the harsh conditions of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and to protect themselves from anticancer treatments. This ability to provide multiple outcomes not only makes RNP granules promising targets for cancer therapy but also emphasizes the need for more knowledge about the biology of these granules to achieve clinical use. In this review we focus on the role of RNP granules in cancer, and on how their composition and regulation might be used to elaborate therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Cytoplasmic Granules; Cytoplasmic Ribonucleoprotein Granules; Neoplasms; Processing Bodies; Ribonucleoproteins; Stress Granules
PubMed: 34144941
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2021.05.006 -
Cognitive Research: Principles and... Nov 2022Face masks became prevalent across the globe as an efficient tool to stop the spread of COVID-19. A host of studies already demonstrated that masks lead to changes in...
Face masks became prevalent across the globe as an efficient tool to stop the spread of COVID-19. A host of studies already demonstrated that masks lead to changes in facial identification and emotional expression processing. These changes were documented across ages and were consistent even with the increased exposure to masked faces. Notably, mask-wearing also changes the state of the observers in regard to their own bodies and other agents. Previous research has already demonstrated a plausible association between observers' states and their perceptual behaviors. Thus, an outstanding question is whether mask-wearing would alter face recognition abilities. To address this question, we conducted a set of experiments in which participants were asked to recognize non-masked faces (Experiment 1), masked faces (Experiment 2) and novel objects (Experiment 3) while they were either masked or unmasked. Mask wearing hindered face perception abilities but did not modulate object recognition ability. Finally, we demonstrated that the decrement in face perception ability relied on wearing the mask on distinctive facial features (Experiment 4). Together, these findings reveal a novel effect of mask-wearing on face recognition. We discuss these results considering the plausible effect of somatosensory stimulation on visual processing as well as the effect of involuntary perspective taking.
Topics: Humans; Facial Recognition; COVID-19; Masks; Visual Perception
PubMed: 36380225
DOI: 10.1186/s41235-022-00444-z -
International Journal of Health Policy... Jul 2022Food systems affect nutritional and other health outcomes. Recent literature from India has described policy aspects addressing nutritional implications of specific... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Food systems affect nutritional and other health outcomes. Recent literature from India has described policy aspects addressing nutritional implications of specific foods (eg, fruits, vegetables, and trans-fats), and identified opportunities to tackle the double burden of malnutrition. This paper attempts to deepen the understanding on how health concerns and the role of the health sector are addressed across food systems policies in India.
METHODS
This qualitative study used two approaches; namely (i) the framework method and (ii) manifest content analysis, to investigate national-level policy documents from relevant sectors (ie, food security, agriculture, biodiversity, food processing, trade, and waste management, besides health and nutrition). The documents were selected purposively. The textual data were coded and compared, from which themes were identified, described, and interpreted. Additionally, mentions of various health concerns and of the health ministry in the included documents were recorded and collated.
RESULTS
A total of 35 policy documents were included in the analysis. A variety of health concerns spanning nutritional, communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were mentioned. Undernutrition received specific attention even beyond nutrition policies. Only few policies mentioned NCDs, infectious diseases, and injuries. Governing and advisory bodies were instituted by 17 of the analysed policies (eg, food safety, agriculture, and food processing), and often included representation from the health ministry (9 of the 17 identified inter-ministerial bodies).
CONCLUSION
We found some evidence of concern for health, and inclusion of health ministry in food policy documents in India. The ongoing and planned intersectoral coordination to tackle undernutrition could inform actions to address other relevant but currently underappreciated concerns such as NCDs. Our study demonstrated a method for analysis of health consideration and intersectoral coordination in food policy documents, which could be applied to studies in other settings and policy domains.
Topics: Humans; Health Policy; India; Malnutrition; Nutrition Policy; Nutritional Status; Policy Making
PubMed: 33904697
DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.18 -
Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering Jun 2023Energy-efficient sensing with physically secure communication for biosensors on, around, and within the human body is a major area of research for the development of... (Review)
Review
Energy-efficient sensing with physically secure communication for biosensors on, around, and within the human body is a major area of research for the development of low-cost health care devices, enabling continuous monitoring and/or secure perpetual operation. When used as a network of nodes, these devices form the Internet of Bodies, which poses challenges including stringent resource constraints, simultaneous sensing and communication, and security vulnerabilities. Another major challenge is to find an efficient on-body energy-harvesting method to support the sensing, communication, and security submodules. Due to limitations in the amount of energy harvested, we require a reduction in energy consumed per unit information, making the use of in-sensor analytics and processing imperative. In this article, we review the challenges and opportunities of low-power sensing, processing, and communication with possible powering modalities for future biosensor nodes. Specifically, we analyze, compare, and contrast () different sensing mechanisms such as voltage/current domain versus time domain, () low-power, secure communication modalities including wireless techniques and human body communication, and () different powering techniques for wearable devices and implants.
Topics: Humans; Computer Communication Networks; Wireless Technology; Internet; Wearable Electronic Devices; Biosensing Techniques
PubMed: 36913705
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-110220-112448 -
Cells Feb 2022Post-transcriptional and translational control of specialized genes play a critical role in the progression of spermatogenesis. During the early stages, mRNAs are... (Review)
Review
Post-transcriptional and translational control of specialized genes play a critical role in the progression of spermatogenesis. During the early stages, mRNAs are actively transcribed and stored, temporarily bound to RNA binding proteins in chromatoid bodies (CBs). CBs are membrane-less dynamic organelles which serve as storehouses and processing centers of mRNAs awaiting translation during later stages of spermatogenesis. These CBs can also regulate the stability of mRNAs to secure the correct timing of protein expression at different stages of sperm formation. Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/DDX25) is an essential regulator of spermatogenesis. GRTH transports mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and phospho-GRTH transports mRNAs from the cytoplasm to the CBs. During spermiogenesis, there is precise control of mRNAs transported by GRTH from and to the CBs, directing the timing of translation of critical proteins which are involved in spermatid elongation and acrosomal development, resulting in functional sperm formation. This chapter presents our current knowledge on the role of GRTH, phospho-GRTH and CBs in the control of spermiogenesis. In addition, it covers the components of CBs compared to those of stress granules and P-bodies.
Topics: DEAD-box RNA Helicases; Germ Cell Ribonucleoprotein Granules; Humans; Male; RNA, Messenger; RNA-Binding Proteins; Spermatids; Spermatogenesis
PubMed: 35203264
DOI: 10.3390/cells11040613 -
Cell Reports Oct 2023Bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies) are non-membrane-bound structures that facilitate mRNA decay by concentrating mRNA substrates with RNase E and the...
Bacterial ribonucleoprotein bodies (BR-bodies) are non-membrane-bound structures that facilitate mRNA decay by concentrating mRNA substrates with RNase E and the associated RNA degradosome machinery. However, the full complement of proteins enriched in BR-bodies has not been defined. Here, we define the protein components of BR-bodies through enrichment of the bodies followed by mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis. We find 111 BR-body-enriched proteins showing that BR-bodies are more complex than previously assumed. We identify five BR-body-enriched proteins that undergo RNA-dependent phase separation in vitro with a complex network of condensate mixing. We observe that some RNP condensates co-assemble with preferred directionality, suggesting that RNA may be trafficked through RNP condensates in an ordered manner to facilitate mRNA processing/decay, and that some BR-body-associated proteins have the capacity to dissolve the condensate. Altogether, these results suggest that a complex network of protein-protein and protein-RNA interactions controls BR-body phase separation and RNA processing.
Topics: RNA; Proteome; Proteomics; Ribonucleoproteins; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 37815915
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113229 -
The EMBO Journal Nov 2023Deadenylation-dependent mRNA decapping and decay is the major cytoplasmic mRNA turnover pathway in eukaryotes. Many mRNA decapping and decay factors are associated with...
Deadenylation-dependent mRNA decapping and decay is the major cytoplasmic mRNA turnover pathway in eukaryotes. Many mRNA decapping and decay factors are associated with each other via protein-protein interaction motifs. For example, the decapping enzyme DCP2 and the 5'-3' exonuclease XRN1 interact with the enhancer of mRNA-decapping protein 4 (EDC4), a large scaffold that has been reported to stimulate mRNA decapping. mRNA decapping and decay factors are also found in processing bodies (P-bodies), evolutionarily conserved ribonucleoprotein granules that are often enriched with mRNAs targeted for decay, yet paradoxically are not required for mRNA decay to occur. Here, we show that disrupting the EDC4-XRN1 interaction or altering their stoichiometry inhibits mRNA decapping, with microRNA-targeted mRNAs being stabilized in a translationally repressed state. Importantly, we demonstrate that this concomitantly leads to larger P-bodies that are responsible for preventing mRNA decapping. Finally, we demonstrate that P-bodies support cell viability and prevent stress granule formation when XRN1 is limiting. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the interaction between XRN1 and EDC4 regulates P-body dynamics to properly coordinate mRNA decapping with 5'-3' decay in human cells.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Messenger; Processing Bodies; Endoribonucleases; Proteins; Eukaryota; RNA Stability; Exoribonucleases; Microtubule-Associated Proteins
PubMed: 37621215
DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113933