Non-Syndromic Intellectual Disability and Its Pathways: A Long Noncoding RNA Perspective.

Non-syndromic intellectual disability (NS-ID or idiopathic) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that represents a global health issue. Although many efforts have been made to characterize it and distinguish it from syndromic intellectual disability (S-ID), the highly heterogeneous aspect of this disorder makes it difficult to understand its etiology. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) comprise a large group of transcripts that can act through various mechanisms and be involved in important neurodevelopmental processes. In this sense, comprehending the roles they play in this intricate context is a valuable way of getting new insights about how NS-ID can arise and develop. In this review, we attempt to bring together knowledge available in the literature about lncRNAs involved with molecular and cellular pathways already described in intellectual disability and neural function, to better understand their relevance in NS-ID and the regulatory complexity of this disorder.

Biomechanical study of different internal fixations in Pauwels type III femoral neck fracture - A finite elements analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate biomechanical behavior of different internal fixation methods for the treatment of Pauwels Type III femoral neck fractures. METHODS: Three internal fixators were developed to treat Pauwels Type III femoral neck fracture using finite elements: dynamic hip screw (DHS); DHS combined with anti-rotation screw; three cannulated screws in an inverted triangular configuration (ASNIS). Under the same conditions, vertical fracture displacement, and maximum and minimum principal, and Von Mises stresses were evaluated. RESULTS: The vertical displacements evaluated were: 5.43 mm, 5.33 mm and 6.22 mm, rotational displacements values were 1.1 mm, 0.4 mm and 1.3 mm; maximum principle stress values obtained for the upper region of the femoral neck were 3.26 hPa, 2.77 hPa, and 4.5 hPa, minimum principal stress values obtained for the inferior region of the femoral neck were -1.97 hPa, -1.8 hPa and t -3.15 hPa; Von Mises peak stress values were 340.0 MPa, 315.5 MPa and 326.1 Mpa, for DHS, DHS with anti-rotation device, and ASNIS, respectively. Conclusion: The DHS combined with anti-rotation screw yielded better results in terms of rotational and vertical displacements, traction and compression distributions on fractures, and Von Mises stress, demonstrating mechanical superiority for Pauwels Type III fracture.

DSP30 enhances the immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stromal cells and protects their suppressive potential from lipopolysaccharide effects: A potential role of adenosine.

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are imbued with an immunosuppressive phenotype that extends to several immune system cells. In this study, we evaluated how distinct Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists impact immunosuppressive properties of bone marrow (BM)-MSC and explored the potential mechanisms involved. We show that TLR4 stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) restricted the ability of MSC to suppress the proliferation of T lymphocytes, increasing the gene expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6. In contrast, stimulation of TLR9 by DSP30 induced proliferation and the suppressive potential of BM-MSC, coinciding with reducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression, increased expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, increased percentages of BM-MSC double positive for the ectonucleotidases CD39+CD73+ and adenosine levels. Importantly, following simultaneous stimulation with LPS and DSP30, BM-MSC's ability to suppress T lymphocyte proliferation was comparable with that of non-stimulated BM-MSC levels. Moreover, stimulation of BM-MSC with LPS reduced significantly the gene expression levels, on co-cultured T lymphocyte, of IL-10 and interferon (IFN)γ, a cytokine with potential to enhance the immunosuppression mediated by MSC and ameliorate the clinical outcome of patients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Altogether, our findings reiterate the harmful effects of LPS on MSC immunosuppression, besides indicating that DSP30 could provide a protective effect against LPS circulating in the blood of GVHD patients who receive BM-MSC infusions, ensuring a more predictable immunosuppressive effect. The novel effects and potential mechanisms following the stimulation of BM-MSC by DSP30 might impact their clinical use, by allowing the derivation of optimal "licensing" protocols for obtaining therapeutically efficient MSC.

Halofuginone inhibits phosphorylation of SMAD-2 reducing angiogenesis and leukemia burden in an acute promyelocytic leukemia mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Halofuginone (HF) is a low-molecular-weight alkaloid that has been demonstrated to interfere with Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and Tumor Growth Factor-ß (TGF-ß) function and, to present antiangiogenic, antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties in several solid tumor models. Based on the fact that high levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and increased angiogenesis have been described in acute myeloid leukemia and associated with disease progression, we studied the in vivo effects of HF using an Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) mouse model. METHODS: NOD/SCID mice were transplanted with leukemic cells from hCG-PML/RARA transgenic mice (TM) and treated with HF 150 µg/kg/day for 21 days. The leukemic infiltration and the percentage of VEGF+ cells were evaluated by morphology and flow cytometry. The effect of HF on the gene expression of several pro- and antiangiogenic factors, phosphorylation of SMAD2 and VEGF secretion was assessed in vitro using NB4 and HUVEC cells. RESULTS: HF treatment resulted in hematological remission with decreased accumulation of immature cell and lower amounts of VEGF in BM of leukemic mice. In vitro, HF modulated gene expression of several pro- and antiangiogenic factors, reduced VEGF secretion and phosphorylation of SMAD2, blocking TGF-ß-signaling. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results demonstrate that HF inhibits SMAD2 signaling and reduces leukemia growth and angiogenesis.