Differential expression pattern of heat shock protein 70 gene in tissues and heat stress phenotypes in goats during peak heat stress period

It has been established that the synthesis of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is temperature-dependent. The Hsp70 response is considered as a cellular thermometer in response to heat stress and other stimuli. The variation in Hsp70 gene expression has been positively correlated with thermotolerance in Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans, rodents and human. Goats have a wide range of ecological adaptability due to their anatomical and physiological characteristics; however, the productivity of the individual declines during thermal stress. The present study was carried out to analyze the expression of heat shock proteins in different tissues and to contrast heat stress phenotypes in response to chronic heat stress. The investigation has been carried out in Jamunapari, Barbari, Jakhrana and Sirohi goats. These breeds differ in size, coat colour and production performance. The heat stress assessment in goats was carried out at a temperature humidity index (THI) ranging from 85.36-89.80 over the period. Phenotyping for heat stress susceptibility was carried out by combining respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR). Based on the distribution of RR and HR over the breeds in the population, individual animals were recognized as heat stress-susceptible (HSS) and heat stress-tolerant (HST). Based on their physiological responses, the selected animals were slaughtered for tissue collection during peak heat stress periods. The tissue samples from different organs such as liver, spleen, heart, testis, brain and lungs were collected and stored at -70 °C for future use. Hsp70 concentrations were analyzed from tissue extract with ELISA. mRNA expression levels were evaluated using the SYBR green method. Kidney, liver and heart had 1.5-2.0-fold higher Hsp70 concentrations as compared to other organs in the tissue extracts. Similarly, the gene expression pattern of Hsp70 in different organs indicated that the liver, spleen, brain and kidney exhibited 5.94, 4.96, 5.29 and 2.63-fold higher expression than control. Liver and brain tissues showed the highest gene expression at mRNA levels as compared to kidney, spleen and heart. HST individuals had higher levels of mRNA level expression than HSS individuals in all breeds. The Sirohi breed showed the highest (6.3-fold) mRNA expression levels as compared to the other three breeds, indicating the better heat stress regulation activity in the breed.

Clinical and echocardiographic study of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Tanzania

There are few published reports of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Africans, partly due to lack of Echocardiography machines at most hospitals. Among 6680 patients referred for echocardiography at Muhimbili National Hospital between June 1998 and October 2002, 134 (0.19%) patients had HCM. Their mean age was 54.8±14.2 years. In total 67.9% were men and 32.1% were women. Due to the diverse clinical features only eight (5.9%) patients had a correct diagnosis of HCM prior to their ECHO. The important role of echocardiography in the diagnosis of HCM is stressed with a plea for the increasing availability of this non-invasive technique for early and accurate diagnosis.

Protein trafficking from synapse to nucleus in control of activity-dependent gene expression

Long-lasting changes in neuronal excitability require activity-dependent gene expression and therefore the transduction of synaptic signals to the nucleus. Synaptic activity is rapidly relayed to the nucleus by membrane depolarization and the propagation of Ca(2+)-waves. However, it is unlikely that Ca(2+)-transients alone can explain the specific genomic response to the plethora of extracellular stimuli that control gene expression. In recent years a steadily growing number of studies report the transport of proteins from synapse to nucleus. Potential mechanisms for active retrograde transport and nuclear targets for these proteins have been identified and recent reports assigned first functions to this type of long-distance signaling. In this review we will discuss how the dissociation of synapto-nuclear protein messenger from synaptic and extrasynaptic sites, their transport, nuclear import and the subsequent genomic response relate to the prevailing concept behind this signaling mechanism, the encoding of signals at their site of origin and their decoding in the nucleus.

Studies on repellent activity of seed oils alone and in combination on mosquito, Aedes aegypti

The study was undertaken to investigate the relative repellency of Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica seed oils on vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti under laboratory conditions. The repellents were formulated into 3 groups: seed oils, their mixture and combination of seed oils with three carrier oils viz. olive, mustard and coconut oil. Different formulations of each oil were tested at the concentrations of 1% and 5% on human baits. Efficiency was assessed, based on the total protection time; biting rate and percent protection provided by each formulation. Results showed that 5% formulation of the Pongamia pinnata and Azadirachta indica seed oils, mixed in 1:1 ratio exhibited highest percentage repellency of 85%, protection time of 300 min and bite rate of 6%. 5% concentration of A. indica and P. pinnata seed oil in mustard oil base offered 86.36% and 85% protection respectively with total protection time of 230 and 240 min respectively. The study confirms that Azadirachta indica and Pongamia pinnata have mosquito-repellent potential. When mixed in different ratios or with some carrier oil their efficacy increases 2-fold in some cases. These formulations are very promising for topical use (> 5 hrs complete protection) and are comparable to the protection provided by advanced Odomos mosquito repellent cream available commercially and thus are recommended for field trial.

Periodontal pathogens in atheromatous plaque

BACKGROUND

There has been increasing attention paid in recent years to the possibility that oral bacterial infection, particularly periodontal disease may influence the initiation and or progression of systemic diseases. These studies confirm the observation that heart disease is the most commonly found systemic condition in patients with periodontal disease. Moreover, the literature has also highlighted substantial evidence indicating the presence of Gram-negative periodontal pathogens in atheromatous plaques.

AIM

This study intends to investigate the possible association between periodontal health and coronary artery disease by evaluating periodontal status, association between the periodontal plaque and coronary atheromatous plaques for presence of micro-organisms such as, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, and Tannerella forsythia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case-control study was designed with seven patients who had undergone coronary endarterectomy for cardiovascular disease and 28 controls. The periodontal examination for cases was performed 1 day before vascular surgery and the controls were clinically examined. The atheromatous plaque sample collected during endarterectomy and the intraoral plaque samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction for identification of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia and T. forsythia.

RESULTS

The presence of periodontal bacteria DNA in coronary atheromatous plaques and sub-gingival plaque samples of the same patients was confirmed by this study. CONCLUSION A correlation was established between putative bacteria contributing to atheromatous plaques and species associated with periodontal disease. One particularly important study to be carried out is the investigation of a possible clinically meaningful reduction in coronary heart disease resulting from the prevention or treatment of periodontal disease.

Endometriotic stricture of the sigmoid colon presenting with intestinal obstruction

Endometriosis, a relatively common condition, rarely involves the bowel; even more rarely does it present as a large-bowel stricture with intestinal obstruction. We report the case of a young woman who presented to an emergency department with intestinal obstruction secondary to an endometriotic stricture of the sigmoid colon, without evidence of disease elsewhere in the peritoneal cavity. Although large-bowel obstruction is usually caused by a malignant tumour, it can sometimes result from rare causes such as endometriosis. Symptoms of a cyclical nature may remind the clinician of this possibility.

An unusual complication of tooth exfoliation and osteonecrosis following herpes zoster infection of trigeminal nerve: a case report and literature review

Osteonecrosis following herpes zoster infection is a rare but severe complication, and clinicians' awareness is important for early detection and management of this condition. A case of herpes zoster of the left maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve is reported in a young female having no concurrent predisposing factors, with accompanying rare complications of alveolar bone necrosis and rapid tooth exfoliation. Acyclovir was used to manage the case effectively. The previously reported similar cases in the literature have been reviewed and the pathophysiology of tooth exfoliation and osteonecrosis by varicella zoster viruses is discussed.

In vitro culture and morphological characterization of prepubertal buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) putative spermatogonial stem cell

PURPOSE

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have the unique ability both to self-renew and to produce progeny that undergo differentiation to spermatozoa. The present study has been carried out to develop a method to purify and enrich the pure populations of spermatogonial stem cell like cells in buffalo.

METHODS

The spermatogonial cells were isolated from testes of 3-7 month old buffalo calves and disaggregated by double enzymatic digestion. Mixed population of isolated cells were then plated on Datura stramonium agglutinin (DSA) lectin coated dishes for attachment of Sertoli cells. The desired cells were obtained from suspension medium after 18 h of incubation and then loaded on discontinuous density gradient using percoll (20-65 %) and different types of spermatogonia cells were obtained at interface of each layer. These cells were cultured in vitro.

RESULTS

Spermatogonial cells isolated have spherical outline and two or three eccentrically placed nucleoli, created a colony after proliferation during first week or immediately after passage. After 7-10 days of culture, the resulted developed colonies of spermatogonial cells expressed the spermatogonial specific genes like Plzf and VASA; and other pluripotency related markers viz. alkaline phosphtase, DBA, CD9, CD90, SSEA-1, OCT-4, NANOG and REX-1.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that the isolated putative spermatogonial stem cells exhibit the expression of pluripotency related and spermatogonial specific genes. This study may help to establish a long term culture system for buffalo spermatogonia.

Pulmonary dysfunctions, oxidative stress and DNA damage in brick kiln workers

Brick kilns in the suburban areas in developing countries pose a big threat to the environment and hence the health of their workers and people residing around them. The present study was planned to assess the lung functions, oxidative stress parameters and DNA damage in brick kiln workers. A total of 31 male subjects working in brick kiln, and 32 age, sex and socioeconomic status matched controls were included in the study. The lung volumes, capacities and flow rates, namely, forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity (IC), maximal expiratory flow when 50% of FVC is remaining to be expired, maximum voluntary ventilation, peak expiratory flow rate and vital capacity were significantly decreased in the brick kiln workers. Increased oxidative stress as evidenced by increased malonedialdehyde levels and reduced glutathione content, glutathione S-transferase activity and ferric reducing ability of plasma were observed in the study group when compared with controls. Our results indicate a significant correlation between oxidative stress parameters and pulmonary dysfunction, which may be due to silica-induced oxidative stress and resulting lung damage.

The role of echocardiography in the management of patients with congestive heart failure. "Tanzanian experience"

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the usefulness of echocardiography in managing patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and identify risks of mortality and heart failure re-admissions during follow up.

DESIGN

A descriptive prospective hospital based study.

SETTING

Muhimbili National Hospital and Hindul Mandal Hospital in Dares Salaam, Tanzania.

SUBJECTS

360 patients (198 male and 162 female) admitted due to congestive heart failure had echocardiography done.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Identifying and characterizing echocardiographic features specific for evaluating patients with congestive heart failure. The patients were followed up for at leas one year.

RESULTS

122 patients had normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and 238 patients had reduced left ventricular fraction. Patients with normal LVEF tended to be older and female and were more likely to have a history of hypertension whereas patients with reduced LVEF had a longer history of heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy or valvular heart disease. Seventy nine patients (21.9%) died. Patients with depressed ejection fraction had a higher death rate during follow up as compared with preserved ejection fraction.

CONCLUSION

We had demonstrated that echocardiography is a useful non-invasive tool for assessing patients with CHF due to systolic or diastolic dysfunction.

Cocoon within an abdominal cocoon

Intestinal obstruction is a fairly common surgical emergency that usually occurs due to herniae, adhesions, or bands. Rarely, uncommon causes such as an abdominal cocoon are encountered, where part or all of the small intestine is encased within a thin membrane. We report one such case of abdominal cocoon, in whom, further encasement of the distal ileum was seen within a separate membrane.

135 EXPRESSION OF APOPTOSIS-RELATED GENES IN BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) EMBRYOS PRODUCED THROUGH IN VITRO FERTILIZATION AND PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION

Apoptosis, a highly conserved evolutionary mechanism that allows an organism to tightly control cell numbers, tissue size, and protect itself from dangerous cells and unfavourable environments that threaten homeostasis, is generally directed by specific genes involved in the regulation of a series of pro-apoptotic (BAX) and anti-apoptotic (BCL-XL) proteins that are expressed during early development. All mammalian species show the highest level of spontaneous apoptotic processes at the blastocyst stage. These proteins prevent apoptosis by maintaining the cell survival by interfering with the release of cytochrome-C from mitochondria. In this study, immature oocytes were obtained from buffalo slaughterhouse ovaries and were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) in TCM-199 + 10% FBS + 5 μg mL–1 porcine FSH for 24 h in a CO2 incubator (5% CO2, 90 to 95% relative humidity) at 38.5°C. The mature oocytes were used for IVF, and the cleaved embryos were cultured for 8 days in culture medium (CR2 medium containing 0.6% BSA and 10% FBS) for production of embryos at different stages. The parthenotes were produced with exposure of 7% ethanol, 6-dimethyl aminopurine and cultured for 8 days in culture medium. The total RNA was isolated from oocytes and embryos and transcribed using Cell-to-cDNA-II (Ambion, Austin, TX, USA), according to manufacturer protocol. The PCR cycle included heating to 94°C for 5 min, followed by 35 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, 60 (BAX) and 62°C (BCL) for 30 s, and 72°C for 45 s with a final extension at 72°C for 10 min. The amplified product of both genes were separated on agarose gel and densitometry data for band intensities were generated using AlphaDigiDocTM AD-1201 software under a WindowsTM environment and data analysed with the help of SYSTAT software. Relative abundance of BCL-XL transcripts in immature, mature oocytes and embryos produced through IVF (i.e. 2-cell, 4-cell, 8- to 16-cell, morula, and blastocyst stage) were 25.33 ± 0.90, 12.67 ± 1.20, 37.67 ± 0.90, 30.67 ± 0.30, 23.67 ± 0.90, 18.33 ± 0.90, and 27.00 ± 1.20, respectively, whereas in parthenogenesis these values were 23.67 ± 0.88, 13.67 ± 1.20, 23.67 ± 1.20, 22.34 ± 0.88, 24.34 ± 0.88, 33.67 ± 0.88, and 45.34 ± 1.20, respectively. Relative abundance of BAX transcripts by IVF were 23.0 ± 0.60, 0.33 ± 0.10, 4.00 ± 0.60, 5.00 ± 0.60, 0.37 ± 0.06, 13.0 ± 0.66, and 56.7 ± 0.90; and by parthenonenesis were 22.3 ± 0.90, 0.13 ± 0.03, 13.67 ± 0.90, 14.0 ± 0.60, 15.33 ± 0.90, 64.67 ± 2.20, and 55.0 ± 2.10, respectively. In conclusion, the expression pattern of the apoptosis-related genes revealed that the incidence of apoptosis was significantly higher in IVF and parthenogenetically produced buffalo embryos at stages such as immature oocytes, morula, and blastocyst than the early cleavage stage embryos.

311 EXPRESSION OF PLURIPOTENT MARKER NUCLEOSTEMIN IN BUFFALO (BUBALUS BUBALIS) EMBRYOS AND EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS GENERATED THROUGH PARTHENOGENETIC ACTIVATION

Nucleostemin is a newly found putative GTPase protein that binds to P53 and exists mainly in the nucleoli and at a very low level in nucleoplasm of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells (ESC) and myeloid stem cells but is not expressed in committed and terminally differentiated cells. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocysts. The ICM and ESC express a number of transcription factors, and their expression is used as a pluripotency marker in the ESC of many species. The present study was undertaken to identify expression of the nucleostemin gene in different developmental stages of buffalo embryos and cultured ESC. Parthenogenetic activation is a process by which an oocyte can be developed up to blastocyst without fertilization. The parthenotes were produced by following protocol. Briefly, immature oocytes were aspirated from slaughterhouse buffalo ovaries and subjected to in vitro maturation for 24 h in a CO2 incubator (5% O2, 5% CO2, 90–95% relative humidity) at 38.5°C. After 24 h of in vitro maturation, oocytes were activated by exposure to 7% ethanol for 7 min, followed by incubation with 2 mM 6-dimethyl aminopurine in CR2 medium for 3.5 h, and they were then subjected to in vitro culture. The activated embryos were cultured for 8 days in CR2 medium containing 0.6% BSA and 10% FBS to obtain different stages (immature and mature oocytes 2-, 4-,8–16-cell, morula, and blastocyst) of embryos. A total of 23 blastocysts were produced parthenogenetically, of which 5 blastocysts were used for nucleostemin expression and the rest were used for ICM isolation. The isolated ICM were subsequently cultured on mitomycin-C (10 μg mL–1) treated buffalo fetal fibroblast feeder layer in DMEM medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum, 1 000 IU mL–1 of mouse leukemia inhibitory factor, 1% nonessential amino acids, 2 mM L-glutamine, and 50 μg mL–1 gentamycin. These ESC were cultured up to 5 passages. The 5 embryos of different developmental stages and a clump of ESC were used for nucleostemin expression. The total RNA was isolated and transcribed using Cell-to-cDNA-II (Ambion, Austin, TX, USA) according to manufacturer protocol. To amplify the nucleostemin gene, the PCR cycle was carried out and included heating to 94°C for 5 min, followed by 35 cycles at 94°C for 30 s, 60°C for 30 s, and 72°C for 40 s. The expressions of nucleostemin transcript were observed in all the developmental stages including immature and mature oocytes. The transcript was highly expressed in the 2-cell stage, blastocysts, and ESC, but immature oocytes and 8–16-cell stage showed lower expression. The experiment was repeated, and the same result was found. To our knowledge this is the first report in buffalo. It is concluded that the transcript was expressed in all the early stages of parthenogenetically derived buffalo embryos from immature oocytes to blastocysts and continued to be expressed in ESC. This work was funded by NAIP, C-420678075, India.

Giant parathyroid adenoma

Primary Hyperparathyroidism is most commonly caused by parathyroid adenoma. Parathyroid adenoma is generally suspected by certain symptoms and biochemical abnormalities. They rarely attain large size to be evident clinically. We report a rare case of giant parathyroid adenoma measuring 5 x 4 x 3 cm and weighing 35 gm.

Restriction analysis and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene as index for rapid identification of Bacillus species

Restriction fragment length analysis of PCR amplified 16S rDNA with AluI revealed the presence of a 265 bp fragment in all species of Bacillus with the exception of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis, which contains two restriction sites within this fragment which results in three smaller fragments totalling to 265 bp. Some distant species of Bacillus with no evidence of this fragment could be delineated into other genera based on phenotypic and genotypic parameters. BLAST search for homologous sequences of individual species revealed that it is a highly conserved region. Multiple alignment of the fragment suggests that a region between 160 and 265 bp of the 265 bp fragment was a hypervariable region and were highly species-specific. A set of primers was designed for amplification of this hypervariable region. Partial sequencing of the hypervariable region within the 265 bp fragment seems an index for identification of Bacillus species.

Optical, field-emission, and antimicrobial properties of ZnO nanostructured films deposited at room temperature by activated reactive evaporation

ZnO nanostructures were deposited on flexible polymer sheet and cotton fabrics at room temperature by activated reactive evaporation. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectrum of ZnO nanostructured film exhibited a week intrinsic UV emission and a strong broad yellow-orange visible emission. TEM and HRTEM studies show that the grown nanostructures are crystalline in nature and their growth direction was identified to be along [002]. ZnO nanostructures grown on the copper-coated flexible polymer sheets exhibited stable field-emission characteristics with a threshold voltage of 2.74 V/mum (250 muA) and a very large field enhancement factor (beta) of 23,213. Cotton fabric coated with ZnO nanostructures show an excellent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (Gram positive), and approximately 73% reduction in the bacterial population is achieved compared to uncoated fabrics after 4 h in viability. Using a shadow mask technique, we also selectively deposited the nanostructures at room temperature on polymer substrates.

A cellular restriction dictates the permissivity of nondividing monocytes/macrophages to lentivirus and gammaretrovirus infection

Primate lentiviruses, including HIV-1, transduce terminally differentiated, nondividing myeloid cells; however, these cells are refractory to infection by gammaretroviruses such as murine leukemia virus (MLV). Here, we present evidence that a cellular restriction is the obstacle to transduction of macrophages by MLV. Neutralization of the restriction by Vpx, a primate lentiviral protein previously shown to protect primate lentiviruses from a macrophage restriction, rendered macrophages permissive to MLV infection. We further demonstrate that this restriction prevents transduction of quiescent monocytes by HIV-1. Monocyte-HeLa heterokaryons were resistant to HIV-1 infection, while heterokaryons formed between monocytes and HeLa cells expressing Vpx were permissive to HIV-1 infection. Encapsidation of Vpx within HIV-1 virions conferred the ability to infect quiescent monocytes. Collectively, our results indicate that the relative ability of lentiviruses and gammaretroviruses to transduce nondividing myeloid cells is dependent upon their ability to neutralize a cellular restriction.

Mutation of critical serine residues in HIV-1 matrix result in an envelope incorporation defect which can be rescued by truncation of the gp41 cytoplasmic tail

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) matrix (MA) domain is involved in both early and late events of the viral life cycle. Simultaneous mutation of critical serine residues in MA has been shown previously to dramatically reduce phosphorylation of MA. However, the role of phosphorylation in viral replication remains unclear. Viruses harboring serine to alanine substitutions at positions 9, 67, 72, and 77 are severely impaired in their ability to infect target cells. In addition, the serine mutant viruses are defective in their ability to fuse with target cell membranes. Interestingly, both the fusion defect and the infectivity defect can be rescued by truncation of the long cytoplasmic tail of gp41 envelope protein (gp41CT). Sucrose density gradient analysis also reveals that these mutant viruses have reduced levels of gp120 envelope protein incorporated into the virions as compared to wild type virus. Truncation of the gp41CT rescues the envelope incorporation defect. Here we propose a model in which mutation of specific serine residues prevents MA interaction with lipid rafts during HIV-1 assembly and thereby impairs recruitment of envelope to the sites of viral budding.