Studies of the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in West Bengal, India, between 1985 and 2002

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is the major disease constraint on international trade in livestock and their products. In the state of West Bengal, India, 1,082 FMD outbreaks were reported in the 18 years from 1985 to 2002. Of the prevalent four serotypes, O type FMD virus accounted for the most outbreaks (67%), followed by Asia-1 virus type (15%) and A virus type (14%). Outbreaks of the type C FMD virus were least prevalent (4%), and no cases have been recorded since 1996. The study shows clearly that incidences were highest during the winter months and in the alluvial agro-climatic zones. The distribution and density of the FMD-susceptible population in different districts of the state also played major role in disease incidences. Due to the unrestricted movements of animals among different cattle markets, the disease was transmitted either by direct contact or by aerosols from infected to healthy animals. Cattle suffered most from the disease, accounting for about 95% of the cases. The monitoring of the disease documented in this study provides information about the endemicity of the disease that can help to formulate an effective strategy for an FMD control programme.

Effect of methyl substitution of benzene on the percutaneous absorption and skin irritation in hairless rats

The permeation rate and skin retention of benzene and methylbenzenes were assessed in vitro using hairless rat skin. The effects of unocclusive dermal exposures of these chemicals (15 microl every 2h for 8h a day for 4 days) on the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema and skin histopathology were measured in CD hairless rats. The expression of IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha in the skin and blood were measured at the end of dermal exposures. The flux of benzene was about 1.5-, 2.5- and 80-fold higher than toluene, xylene and tetramethyl benzene isomers (TMB), respectively, and the values were inversely correlated with molecular weight (r(2)=0.7455) and logoctanol-water partition coefficient (r(2)=0.7831). The retention of chemicals in stratum corneum (SC) was in the order of TMB>xylene>toluene approximately benzene. The TEWL and erythema data demonstrated that the irritation was in the following order: TMB>xylene>benzene. The histo-pathological examination showed that xylene and TMB induced granulocyte infiltration, swelling of the epidermis, and extensive disruption and damage of stratum corneum. Likewise, the expression of IL-1 alpha in the blood and TNF-alpha in the skin after dermal exposures was higher for TMB followed by xylene and benzene compared to control. In conclusion, the aromatic hydrocarbon chemicals induced cumulative irritation upon low-level repeat exposures for a 4-day period and the irritation increased with the number of methyl groups of benzene. The affinity of the chemical to SC and their gradual accumulation in the skin in the present study is the reason for the differences in the skin irritation profiles of different aromatic chemicals. Our ultimate goal is to develop a biologically based model that connects skin retention of chemical to the skin irritation response. The findings of the present study will be helpful in understanding the role of these chemicals in the jet fuel and various petroleum based fuels in inducing skin irritation response.

Elevated temperature enhances virulence of Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora strain EC153 to plants and stimulates production of the quorum sensing signal, N-acyl homoserine lactone, and extracellular proteins

Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica, E. carotovora subsp. betavasculorum, and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora produce high levels of extracellular enzymes, such as pectate lyase (Pel), polygalacturonase (Peh), cellulase (Cel), and protease (Prt), and the quorum-sensing signal N-acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) at 28 degrees C. However, the production of these enzymes and AHL by these bacteria is severely inhibited during growth at elevated temperatures (31.2 degrees C for E. carotovora subsp. atroseptica and 34.5 degrees C for E. carotovora subsp. betavasculorum and most E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strains). At elevated temperatures these bacteria produce high levels of RsmA, an RNA binding protein that promotes RNA decay. E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain EC153 is an exception in that it produces higher levels of Pel, Peh, Cel, and Prt at 34.5 degrees C than at 28 degrees C. EC153 also causes extensive maceration of celery petioles and Chinese cabbage leaves at 34.5 degrees C, which correlates with a higher growth rate and higher levels of rRNA and AHL. The lack of pectinase production by E. carotovora subsp. carotovora strain Ecc71 at 34.5 degrees C limits the growth of this organism in plant tissues and consequently impairs its ability to cause tissue maceration. Comparative studies with ahlI (the gene encoding a putative AHL synthase), pel-1, and peh-1 transcripts documented that at 34.5 degrees C the RNAs are more stable in EC153 than in Ecc71. Our data reveal that overall metabolic activity, AHL levels, and mRNA stability are responsible for the higher levels of extracellular protein production and the enhanced virulence of EC153 at 34.5 degrees C compared to 28 degrees C.

One-pot conversion of β-aminocrotononitrile to secondary enaminonitriles including chiral ones — Application to synthesis

A highly efficient one-pot conversion of β-aminocrotononitrile to secondary enaminonitriles including chiral ones is described. In contrast to β-aminocrotononitrile, some of these N-substituted β-enaminonitriles on reacting with acid chlorides show a unique preference for C-terminal selection allowing preparation of pyrazoles without separation of regioisomers. In addition, use of secondary enaminonitriles also provided access to pyrazoles that are not obtainable with primary enaminonitriles owing to an exclusive preference for N-terminal selection.Key words: β-aminocrotononitrile, N-substituted enaminonitriles, regioselective, pyrazoles.

Interaction of radiation- and bleomycin-induced lesions and influence of glutathione level on the interaction

Radiation-induced exchange aberrations are thought to arise as a consequence of misrejoining of free ends of DNA double strand breaks (dsbs). In quiescent mammalian cells this process of misrejoining is prevalently taken up by the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) process. In order to investigate the role of glutathione (GSH) in DNA dsb rejoining, the interaction of the lesions induced by bleomycin (Blem) and by radiation was studied since the lesions caused by both have similar and apparent rapid rates of repair. Endogenous GSH was depleted by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and chromosome aberrations (CAs) of human lymphocytes were scored from first cycle metaphases. Gamma radiation was administered 2 h after Blem treatment in combined studies. In the case of BSO, the treatment was given 3 h before Blem treatment. The BSO-treated samples showed higher sensitivity to radiation than BSO-untreated ones. Combined treatment of Blem and radiation induced higher frequency of CAs, in particular the exchange aberrations and interstitial deletions. However, such increased frequency of exchange aberrations was reduced drastically and the frequency of terminal deletions was increased significantly when combined treatment was given to BSO-pretreated cells. The consistent level of Ku70 protein in all the treated samples, with undetectable level of Rad51 in the G0-lymphocytes indicates the involvement of NHEJ pathway in misrejoining of DNA dsbs. It may be hypothesized that reduction in the frequency of exchange aberrations as induced by Blem + radiation combined treatment in BSO-treated samples could be because of reduced NHEJ pathway.

The effect of occlusive and unocclusive exposure to xylene and benzene on skin irritation and molecular responses in hairless rats

Aromatic hydrocarbons readily penetrate the skin on dermal exposure, leading to irritation, inflammation and cytotoxicity. The effects of short-term occlusive and long-term unocclusive dermal exposure to benzene and xylene on the skin irritation response (transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin moisture content and erythema) and cytokine/chemokine expression (interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)) were investigated in hairless rats. Occlusive dermal exposure was carried out with 230 microL of the chemicals for 1 h using Hill top chambers. In unocclusive dermal exposure, 15 microL of the chemicals were applied to the skin every 2 h, for 8 h a day, for 4 days. The occlusive dermal exposure revealed a clear difference in the TEWL and erythema response of these chemicals (xylene>benzene) whereas unocclusive exposure revealed similar TEWL and erythema scores for both benzene and xylene. The expression of IL-1alpha was elevated 2.5- and 3.8-fold in response to occlusive and unocclusive exposure, respectively, vs control (P<0.01) for both the chemicals (benzene and xylene). Similarly, TNF-alpha levels were elevated about 2.4- and 6.0-fold as a result of occlusive and unocclusive exposure, respectively, vs control (P<0.01). These results show that unocclusive exposure induced significantly higher TNF-alpha expression than occlusive exposure (P<0.05). The MCP-1 expression in blood was slightly elevated compared with the control group, but this increase was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Similarly, MCP levels in skin were increased approximately 1.7- and 1.8-fold by occlusive and unocclusive exposure, respectively, compared with the control group (P<0.05). Our study demonstrates that the skin irritation profiles of benzene and xylene are similar and unocclusive long-term exposure to small amounts of these chemicals can induce more skin irritation and cytokine response than occlusive exposure.

Spatially adaptive grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulations

A spatially adaptive Monte Carlo method is introduced directly from the underlying microscopic mechanisms, which satisfies detailed balance, gives the correct noise, and describes accurately dynamic and equilibrium states for adsorption-desorption (grand canonical ensemble) processes. It enables simulations of large scales while capturing sharp gradients with molecular resolution at significantly reduced computational cost. A posteriori estimates, in the sense used in finite-elements methods, are developed for assessing errors (information loss) in coarse-graining and guiding mesh generation.

Role of Sulfur Compounds in the Detection of Amino Acids by Ninhydrin on TLC Plate

Three new sulfur reagents for specific identification of amino acids on thin-layer chromatography plates have been introduced. These three sulfur containing reagents are capable of developing various distinguishable colors with many of them. A probable mechanism for such color formation is proposed.

Silastic replacement of metacarpal after resection of giant cell tumour. A case report

Giant cell tumours are aggressive lesions, albeit benign. Lesions in the hand, especially those arising from metacarpals require resection with adequate margins and definitive structural reconstructions to ensure preservation of hand architecture, function and cosmesis. Almost all the described reconstructive procedures require a stump of tumour free metacarpal base after resection, for reconstruction of the metacarpal. This report describes replacement of the entire metacarpal with a silastic prosthesis, in a case of giant cell tumour involving the entire metacarpal head and shaft to within 7 mm of the base.

Assessment of skin irritation and molecular responses in rat skin exposed to nonane, dodecane and tetradecane

Aliphatic hydrocarbons constitute a major portion of jet fuels, kerosene and other solvents. This study investigated the effects of dermal exposures of selected aliphatic hydrocarbons (nonane, dodecane and tetradecane) on the skin irritation (erythema), transepidermal waterloss (TEWL) and expression of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the skin and blood of hairless rats. Dermal exposures were carried out by occlusive application of chemicals (230 microl for 1 h, using Hill Top Chambers) for 1 h. The expression of IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 was measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and the regulatory proteins NFkappaB and IkappaBalpha were measured by Western blot analysis. The skin irritation and TEWL data indicate that the irritation was in the following decreasing order: nonane > dodecane > tetradecane. Likewise, nonane significantly increased the expression of IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha and MCP-1 in skin and blood as compared to control at different time points. Dodecane and tetradecane did not show any increase in the expression of IL-1alpha and MCP-1 as compared to control (P > 0.05), but the expression of TNF-alpha by dodecane and tetradecane was significantly higher than control at all time points. The release of cytokines by nonane exposure was further supported by activation of NFkappaB p65 and corresponding degradation of IkappaBalpha in the skin. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the biophysical parameters (TEWL and erythema scores) were correlated to the biomarker expressions after dermal exposures with nonane but not with dodecane and tetradecane. Dodecane produced only mild irritation in response to experimental conditions of the present study and further did not show significant differences in IL-1alpha and MCP-1 levels in skin and blood. However, TNF-alpha was well expressed in response to all the chemicals. Tetradecane did not show any visible signs of skin irritation and also did not produce any significant difference in IL-1alpha and MCP-1 release profiles as compared with control. The expression of TNF-alpha in skin due to tetradecane support the fact that visually indistinguishable skin irritation reactions can induce significant changes in the biological marker profile.

High prevalence of insulin resistance in postpubertal Asian Indian children is associated with adverse truncal body fat patterning, abdominal adiposity and excess body fat

OBJECTIVE

The objectives were to study the relationships of insulin resistance with generalized and abdominal obesity, and body fat patterning in urban postpubertal Asian Indian children.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional, population-based epidemiological study.

SUBJECTS

In all, 250 (155 males and 95 females) healthy urban postpubertal children.

MEASUREMENTS

Anthropometric profile, percentage of body fat (%BF), fasting serum insulin, and lipoprotein profile.

RESULTS

Fasting insulin correlated significantly with body mass index (BMI), %BF, waist circumference (WC), central and peripheral skinfold thicknesses and sum of four skinfold thicknesses (Sigma 4SF) in both sexes, and with systolic blood pressure and waist-to hip circumference ratio (W-HR) in males only. Consistent increase in fasting insulin was noted with increasing values of central skinfold thickness at each tertile of peripheral skinfold thickness, WC, and %BF. Central skinfold thickness correlated with fasting insulin even after adjusting for WC, W-HR, and %BF. The odds ratios (OR) (95% CI) of hyperinsulinemia (fasting insulin concentrations in the highest quartile) were 4.7 (2.4-9.4) in overweight subjects, 8 (4.1-15.5) with high %BF, 6.4 (3.2-12.9) with high WC, 3.7 (1.9-7.3) with high W-HR, 6.8 (3.3-13.9) with high triceps skinfold thickness, 8 (4.1-15.7) with high subscapular skinfold thickness, and 10.1 (5-20.5) with high Sigma 4SF. In step-wise multiple logistic regression analysis, %BF [OR (95% CI): 3.2 (1.4-7.8)] and Sigma 4SF [OR (95% CI): 4.5 (1.8-11.3)] were independent predictors of hyperinsulinemia, similar to insulin resistance assessed by HOMA (homeostatic model of assessment) in the study.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of insulin resistance in postpubertal urban Asian Indian children was associated with excess body fat, abdominal adiposity, and excess truncal subcutaneous fat. Primary prevention strategies for coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus in Asian Indians should focus on the abnormal body composition profile in childhood.

Loop ileostomy: Modification of technique

INTRODUCTION

A loop ileostomy is a suitable procedure for faecal diversion. A number of technical improvements and advancement in stoma management have made its creation a suitable alternative to a loop colostomy. We describe an alternative technique for securing a loop ileostomy and perform a retrospective review of this technique.

PATIENTS & METHOD

40 patients who had a loop ileostomy performed as part of an abdominal procedure were reviewed. The loop of ileum was secured to the stoma site with a novel 'suture bridge' technique.

RESULTS

32 patients had the stoma formed to protect a distal anastomosis, 6 to palliate bowel obstruction, 1 to control faecal incontinence and another for colonic Crohn's disease. There were no incidences of paralytic ileus, mechanical obstruction, prolapse, retraction or bleeding after the loop ileostomies were formed. Thirty patients had their ileostomies closed. In 27 patients this was performed by excising the muco-cutaneous edge and anterior closure. Three patients had their stomas resected and an end-to-end bowel anastomoses. Following closure there were two complications in separate patients--self-limiting paralytic ileus and small bowel obstruction at the site of the stomal closure that required a second operation. There were no incidences of anastomotic leaks or bleeding in patients who had their ileostomy closed. No mortalities were attributed to either stoma formation or closure.

CONCLUSION

We have described a safe alternative technique for securing a loop ileostomy with negligible complications in construction and closure as demonstrated in our results.

Nuclear DNA amounts in 112 species of tropical hardwoods -- new estimates

The 4C DNA values of 112 species, belonging to 37 families have a range from 0.83 pg (Bixa orellana) to 15.54 pg (Thryallis angustifolia), showing a 18.72-fold variation. The genome size varies from 0.21 pg (Bixa orellana) to 3.32 (Thespesia populnea), with a 15.8-fold difference. The Bombacaceae has the minimum range (1.08-fold) of variation, while the maximum (5.0-fold) is shown by the Fabaceae. The Boraginaceae, Lauraceae, Malpighiaceae, and Malvaceae generally have higher 4C DNA values of > 10 pg, while the Bixaceae, Caricaceae, Oxalidaceae, and Santalaceae have lower values of < 2.0 pg. These data add further to our knowledge on variation in DNA amount in tropical hardwoods.

In vitro effects of mammalian leptin, neuropeptide-Y, β-endorphin and galanin on transcript levels of thyrotropin β and common α subunit mRNAs in the pituitary of bighead carp (aristichthys nobilis)

Thyrotropin (thyroid stimulating hormone, TSH) is a member of the pituitary glycoprotein hormones, consisting of two dissimilar subunits, alpha and beta. The two subunits are produced by different genes and are regulated independently. We have previously cloned a TSHbeta cDNA from bighead carp pituitary and investigated its gene regulation. We report here the direct effects of mammalian TSH-releasing hormone (TRH), leptin, neuropeptide-Y (NPY), beta-endorphin and galanin on mRNA levels of both TSHbeta and alpha-subunits in the pituitary of bighead carp in vitro. The dispersed pituitary cells of bighead carp were incubated at 25 degrees C for 6 h with different doses of these factors. The relative mRNA levels of TSHbeta and alpha-subunits were estimated by traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and fluorescence real-time PCR analysis. The results revealed that mammalian TRH, leptin and beta-endorphin produced dose-dependent stimulatory effects on mRNA levels of both TSHbeta and alpha-subunits while thyroxine (T4) and mammalian galanin suppressed mRNA levels of both TSHbeta and alpha-subunits. NPY suppressed TSHbeta mRNA level, but stimulated alpha-subunit mRNA level. This study has demonstrated that mammalian TRH, leptin, NPY, beta-endorphin and galanin were active in modulating the steady-state mRNA levels of TSHbeta and alpha-subunits of bighead carp pituitary in vitro. The results suggest that endogenous TRH, leptin, NPY, beta-endorphin and galanin may modulate transcript levels of TSHbeta and alpha-subunits in pituitary of bighead carp.