Leishmania major inhibits IL-12 in macrophages by signalling through CR3 (CD11b/CD18) and down-regulation of ETS-mediated transcription

Leishmania major is an aetiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The parasite primarily infects immune sentinel cells, specifically macrophages and dendritic cells, in the mammalian host. Infection is receptor mediated and is known to involve parasite binding to cell surface protein complement receptor 3 (CR3, Mac-1, CD11b/CD18). Engagement of CR3 by various ligands inhibits production of interleukin-12 (IL-12), the cytokine that drives antileishmanial T helper 1-type immune responses. Likewise, L. major infection inhibits IL-12 production and activation of host macrophages. Our data indicate that in the absence of CR3, L. major-infected bone marrow-derived macrophages produce more IL-12 and nitric oxide compared with WT cells upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. We therefore investigated multiple signalling pathways by which L. major may inhibit IL-12 transcription through CR3 ligation. We demonstrate that L. major infection does not elicit significant NFκB p65, MAPK, IRF-1 or IRF-8 activation in WT or CD11b-deficient macrophages. Furthermore, infection neither inhibits LPS-induced MAPK or NFκB activation nor blocks IFN-γ-activated IRF-1 and IRF-8. ETS-mediated transcription, however, is inhibited by L. major infection independently of CR3. Our data indicate that L. major-mediated inhibition of IL-12 occurs through CR3 engagement; however, the mechanism of inhibition is independent of NFκB, MAPK, IRF and ETS.

A novel flavonoid C-glucoside from Ulmus wallichiana preserves bone mineral density, microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in the presence of glucocorticoid by promoting osteoblast survival: a comparative study with human parathyroid hormone

PURPOSE

6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2S,3S)-(+)-5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxydihydroflavonol (GTDF) is a novel compound isolated from Ulmus wallichiana, reported to have bone anabolic action in ovariectomized rats. Here, we studied the effect of GTDF in glucocorticoid (GC)-induced bone loss and its mode of action.

METHODS

Osteoblasts were cultured from rat calvaria or bone marrow to study apoptosis and differentiation by dexamethasone (Dex), methylprednisolone (MP), GTDF, quercetin and rutin. Female Sprague Dawley rats were treated with Dex or MP with or without GTDF or PTH. Efficacy was evaluated by bone microarchitecture using microcomputed tomography, determination of new bone formation by fluorescent labeling of bone and osteoblast apoptosis by co-labeling bone sections with Runx-2 and TUNEL. Serum osteocalcin was determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

GTDF preserved trabecular and cortical bones in the presence of Dex and MP and mitigated the MP-mediated suppression of serum osteocalcin. Co-administration of GTDF to MP rats increased mineral apposition, bone formation rates, bone biomechanical strength, reduced osteoblast apoptosis and increased osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells compared to MP group, suggesting in vivo osteogenic effect of GTDF. These effects of GTDF were to a great extent comparable to PTH. GTDF prevented GC-induced osteoblast apoptosis by inhibiting p53 expression and acetylation, and activation of AKT but did not influence transactivation of GC receptor (GR).

CONCLUSIONS

GTDF protects against GC-induced bone loss by promoting osteoblast survival through p53 inhibition and activation of AKT pathways but not as a GR antagonist. GTDF has the potential in the management of GC-induced osteopenia.

Evaluation of clinical features scoring system as screening tool for influenza A (H1N1) in epidemic situations

BACKGROUND

Influenza A (H1N1) hit the headlines in recent times and created mass hysteria and general panic. The high cost and non-availability of diagnostic laboratory tests for swine flu, especially in the developing countries underlines the need of having a cheaper, easily available, yet reasonably accurate screening test.

AIMS

This study was carried out to develop a clinical feature-based scoring system (CFSS) for influenza A (H1N1) and to evaluate its suitability as a screening tool when large numbers of influenza-like illness cases are suspect.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Clinical-record based study, carried out retrospectively in post-pandemic period on subject's case-sheets who had been quarantined at IG International Airport's quarantine center at Delhi.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical scoring of each suspected case was done by studying their case record sheet and compared with the results of RT-PCR. RT-PCR was used to confirm the diagnosis (Gold Standard).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the clinical feature-based scoring system (the proposed new screening tool) at different cut-off values. The most discriminant cut-off value was determined by plotting the ROC curve.

RESULTS

Of the 638 suspected cases, 127 (20%) were confirmed to have H1N1 by RT-PCR examination. On the basis of ROC, the most discriminant clinical feature score for diagnosing Influenza A was found to be 7, which yielded sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values of 86%, 88%, 64%, and 96%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The clinical features scoring system (CFSS) can be used as a valid and cost-effective tool for screening swine flu (influenza A (H1N1)) cases from large number of influenza-like illness suspects.

Purification, characterisation and coal depolymerisation activity of lignin peroxidase from Lenzitus betulina MTCC-1183

Lignin peroxidase from the culture filtrate of Lenzitus betulina MTCC-1183 has been purified to homogeneity using concentration by ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on DEAE cellulose. The molecular weight of the purified lignin peroxidase using SDS-PAGE analysis was 43 kDa. Specific activity of the enzyme was 29.58 IU/mg. The K(m) values for veratryl alcohol and H2O2 for the purified enzyme were 54 microM and 81 microM, respectively. The k(cat) value of the purified enzyme was 2.3 s(-1) using 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol as the substrate. The optimal conditions for the lignin peroxidase assay were detected at pH 2.4 and 22 degrees C. Thermal stability of the purified enzyme has also been studied and its activation energy for deactivation was 287 kJ/mol. The purified lignin peroxidase depolymerised humic acid in presence of H2O2. Depolymerisation of coal by the L. betulina MTCC-1183 has been demonstrated using humic acid as a model of coal.

Study of natural radionuclide and absorbed gamma dose in Ukhimath area of Garhwal Himalaya, India

Natural radiation is the largest contributor to the collective radiation dose of the world population. It is widely distributed in different geological formations such as soil, rocks, air and groundwater. In the present investigation, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were measured in soil samples of the Ukhimath region of Garhwal Himalaya, India using NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were found to vary from 38.4 ± 6.1 to 141.7 ± 11.9 Bq kg(-1) with an average of 80.5 Bq kg(-1), 57.0 ± 7.5 to 155.9 ± 12.4 Bq kg(-1) with an average of 118.9 Bq kg(-1) and 9.0 ± 3.0 to 672.8 ± 25.9 Bq kg(-1) with an average of 341 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The total absorbed gamma dose rate varies from 70.4 to 169.1 nGy h(-1) with an average of 123.4 nGy h(-1). This study is important to generate a baseline data of radiation exposure in the area. Health hazard effects due to natural radiation exposure are discussed in details.

Post Caesarean Caecal Perforation with Fecal Peritonitis

NJOG 2011 Nov-Dec; 6 (2): 58-59 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njog.v6i2.6762

Milk, milk products, and disease free health: an updated overview

The cow and its milk have been held sacred in the world since the dawn of human civilization. Indian ancient Vedic texts describe the virtues of milk and dairy products, as is authenticated by modern scientific principles and proofs. Therefore, milk has been considered as one of the most natural and highly nutritive part of a daily balanced diet. Currently, the integration of advanced scientific knowledge with traditional information is gaining incredible momentum toward developing the concept of potential therapeutic foods. Furthermore, new advances toward understanding the therapeutic roles of milk and milk products have also given a new impetus for unraveling the age old secrets of milk. At present, the best-known examples of therapeutic foods are fermented milk products containing health promoting probiotic bacteria. In the present article, we have tried to review the various aspects of the therapeutic nature of milk and fermented dairy products in a highly up-dated manner, and offer an in-depth insight into the development of targeted therapeutic future foods as per the requirements of consumers.

Outcomes of Endovascular Coiling in Patients with Intracranial Aneurysms Presenting with Poor Clinical and SAH Grade

Although the treatment of intracranial aneurysms has made significant advances, prediction of outcomes in poor grades has always been difficult. We present our findings of patients in poor clinical and SAH grade treated with endovascular coiling. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes in patients presenting with poorer neurological and SAH grades treated by endovascular techniques. Of 190 patients who presented with SAH over a period of nine years, 34 were of poorer clinical grade (Hunt & Hess Grades 4 and 5), of whom 30 presented with H&H grade 4 and four with grade 5. 44.1% of the 34 patients belonged to Fischer grade 4. We assessed the technical success and final outcomes based on the Glasgow outcome scale. Of the 30 patients with grade 4, 81.4% had a good outcome. Two out of four patients with grade 5 had a poor outcome. 82.5% of the patients with Fischer grade 4 had a good outcome. None of the poor outcomes were procedure-related. Endovascular treatment with its higher rates of technical success, lower complication rates and better outcomes should be recommended as the treatment of choice in patients with intracranial aneurysms even in patients with poorer clinical and SAH grades.

Purification and characterisation of lignin peroxidase from Pycnoporus sanguineus MTCC-137

Extracellular secretion of lignin peroxidase from Pycnoporus sanguineus MTCC-137 in the liquid culture growth medium amended with lignin containing natural sources has been shown. The maximum secretion of lignin peroxidase has been found in the presence of saw dust. The enzyme has been purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate of the fungus using ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose. The purified lignin peroxidase gave a single protein band in sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis corresponding to the molecular mass 40 kDa. The K(m)(, kcat) and k(cat)/K(m) values of the enzyme using veratryl alcohol and H2O2 as the substrate were 61 microM, 2.13 s(-1), 3.5 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) and 71 microM, 2.13 s(-1), 3.0 x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) respectively at the optimum pH of 2.5. The temperature optimum of the enzyme was 25 degrees C.

Oxidation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons in systems containing water miscible organic solvents by the lignin peroxidase of Gleophyllum striatum MTCC-1117

Lignin peroxidase has been purified to homogeneity using a process of concentration by ultrafiltration and anion exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) cellulose from the liquid culture filtrate of the brown rot fungi Gleophyllum striatum MTCC-1117. The molecular mass of the purified enzyme is 43 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. The K(m) values for the enzyme using veratryl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and n-propanol were 66 microM, 82 microM and 476 microM, respectively. The pH and temperature optima of the enzyme were 2.8 and 25 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme is completely inhibited by 20% of the water miscible organic solvents acetone dioxane, diethylether, acetonitrile and dimethylformamide. The lignin peroxidase oxidizes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pyrene, acenaphthene, anthracene, dibenothiophene and 9-methyl anthracene.

Antioxidant effect of Triticum aestivium (wheat grass) in high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in rabbits

Wheat grass is used as a general health tonic and is reported to be effective against several medical disorders, although detailed literature is not available. Besides drug therapy, a number of medicinal plants are effective in treating hyperlipidemia. This study examined the effects of wheat grass on high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia in rabbits. Thirty rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 10 rabbits each, group I receiving a control diet, group II a high-fat diet and group III a high-fat diet together with wheat grass over a period of 10 weeks. Fasting serum samples from the animals were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and vitamin C, and the results were compared. The high-fat diet resulted in hyperlipidemia and an increase in oxidative stress, indicated by a significant rise in MDA levels, whereas antioxidant levels of GSH and vitamin C were significantly reduced. Wheat grass supplementation with a high-fat diet resulted in improved lipid levels (decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL-C) together with significantly reduced MDA levels and increased GSH and vitamin C levels. These results indicate the beneficial role of wheat grass in ameliorating hyperlipidemia and the associated oxidative stress.

Alopecia in vitamin D-dependent rickets type II responding to 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol

A 4-year-old boy presented with rickets, alopecia and macrocephaly along with elevated serum levels of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ which was diagnostic of vitamin D-dependent rickets type II. The rickets responded to conventional doses of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol together with oral calcium supplement and there was also improvement in the alopecia. In patients with vitamin D-dependent rickets type II with alopecia, although rickets improves with treatment, improvement in alopecia has not been reported before.

Dual detection of human herpesvirus-6 and human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 in cervical carcinoma

Introduction It is widely accepted that certain 'high risk' human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes, particularly HPV 16 and 18 are aetiological agents in the development of neoplasia of the uterine cervix. The long latent period between initial HPV infection and emergence of carcinoma suggests that HPV alone is insufficient for malignant transformation and additional factors are required for the progression of HPV infected cells to a neoplastic phenotype. Cells with integrated HPV express viral E6 and E7 oncoproteins which are crucial for immortalisation of epithelial cells via their action on host p53 protein. It is therefore of particular interest to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that alter the expression of E6/E7 proteins during HPV-associated tumorigenesis. Recently, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) has been shown to infect a HPV-immortalised cervical epithelial cell line and transactivate HPV 18 promoters, upregulating gene expression of E6 and E7 HPV oncoproteins (Chen et al., 1994; DiPaolo et al., 1994). HHV-6, first isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with AIDS and lymphoproliferative disorders, is the causative agent of exanthem subitum, heterophile-negative infectious mononucleosis and other febrile illnesses. HHV-6 has recently been detected in oral carcinomas (Yadav et al., 1994). HHV-6 also contains DNA sequences which can transform epithelial cells in culture.

Epigenomic derangement of hepatic glucose metabolism by feeding of high fructose diet and its prevention by Rosiglitazone in rats

BACKGROUND

The high consumption of fructose leads to the increasing incidence of insulin resistance by several unknown mechanisms. Hepatic glucose metabolism may also be an important target of fructose-induced-metabolic alterations.

AIM

The aim of present study was to investigate alterations in hepatic glycogenolysis, glycogenesis and gluconeogenic fluxes by feeding of 21% high fructose diet and the effects of Rosiglitazone treatment to prevent these derangements in rats.

METHODS

Rats were maintained on normal chow and high fructose diet with or without Rosiglitazone for 8 weeks and various biochemical and gene expression measures were estimated.

RESULTS

The feeding of high fructose diet impaired glucose, insulin and pyruvate tolerance tests and increased blood HbA(1c), insulin, triglyceride, free fatty acids and homeostasis model assessment after 8 weeks. In addition, high fructose diet feeding increased expression of phosphoenol-pyruvatecorboxykinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, sterol regulatory element binding proteins-1 and fatty acid synthase through enhanced expression of fork-head receptor, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma-co-activator 1 and cAMP reactive element binding protein. The treatment with Rosiglitazone inhibited all these derangements, i.e. hepato-lipogenic and gluconeogenic effects of high fructose diet feeding in rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Together these findings suggest that high fructose diet induced hepatic gluconeogenic and lipogenic rate, and increased circulating triglycerides and free fatty acids, which may be the major risk factors for glucose intolerance, hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in rats. In such situations high fructose flux also induces transcriptional cascade of gluconeogenic enzymes through the modulation of various associated transcriptional factors.