Characterization of excretory-secretory antigens of adult Toxocara canis by western blotting

Toxocara canis is one of the most common helminth worm of dogs which continues to stimulate both public health concern alongside the higher scientific interest. It may cause visceral and ocular damage in humans especially in children. The identification of specific antigens of T. canis is important so as to develop better diagnostic techniques. Excretory-secretory (ES) antigens were prepared by culturing the adult T. canis worms in RPMI 1640 medium without serum supplementation followed by ammonium sulphate precipitation. These antigens were separated using sodium dodecyl sulphate-electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Recovered proteins ranged from 30 to 384 kDa. The specific reactivity of the T. canis excretory-secretory (TC-ES) proteins was checked by western blotting. The immuno-reactivity of the naturally infected dog sera with the TC-ES antigens showed five bands at 43, 57,105, 139 and 175 kDa. The immuno-reactivity of the hyper immune serum raised in rabbits against TC-ES antigens was observed with ten polypeptides of 21, 25, 30, 37, 45, 50, 57, 69, 77 and 105 kDa. Common antigens band were observed at 57 and 105 KDa. These antigens merit further evaluation as candidate for use in diagnosis of toxocariasis in humans and adult dogs.

Prevalence of canine toxocariasis in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India

Toxocara canis is one of the most common parasitic helminth worm of dogs and also a causative agent of zoonotic disease in humans. This pilot study was conducted to determine the presence of T. canis infection in dog population in and around Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 558 faecal samples both from stray and owned dogs were screened and overall 24.3 % dogs were found positive for T. canis. A comparison between owned and stray dogs suggests that the higher prevalence was observed in the latter group. The age of the dogs had a considerable influence on prevalence, with a much higher proportion of younger dogs being infected. Among the stray dogs, the infection rate is much higher (62.79 %) in pups, as compared to 7.8 % in adult. Similarly, of the owned dogs screened 41.74 % pups were infected while the infection rate in adults was only 3.38 %. The higher rate of prevalence of this parasite in dogs could be the source of soil contamination for transmission of Toxocariasis which is of public health importance in this region.

Charge transport in ultrathin iron-phthalocyanine thin films under high electric fields

The temperature dependent current-voltage (J-V) characteristics of 20 nm thick iron-phthalocyanine films are investigated in the temperature range of 300-30 K, and in the bias range of ±200 V. In the temperature range of 300-100 K, the charge transport is governed by bulk-limited processes with a bias dependent crossover from Ohmic (J∼V) to exponentially distributed shallow trap mediated space-charge-limited conduction (J∼V(α), α ≥ 2) to space-charge-limited conduction with field enhanced mobility (lnμ∼E(1/2)). However, at temperatures less than 100 K, the charge transport is electrode-limited, and undergoes a bias dependent transition from Schottky (lnJ∼V(1/2)) to multistep tunneling. From shallow trap mediated space-charge-limited conduction data the estimated room temperature mobility was found to be ∼1.9 cm(2) V (-1) s(-1). The high mobility of films is attributed to better structural organization due to the face-on stacking of molecules, which is supported by x-ray diffraction and UV-visible spectroscopy data.

Percutaneous nephrostomy by direct puncture technique: An observational study

Percutaneous nephrostomy is the procedure of establishing a temporary drainage tract of the renal pelvi-calyceal system through the skin. This study aims to find out whether low cost trocar catheter can be a suitable substitute for the relatively high cost fluoroscopy/ultrasonography guided tract dilatation and tube insertion procedure. Percutaneous nephrostomy by the trocar catheter was performed in 126 patients. Under local anesthesia, a stab wound deep enough to traverse the muscle layer was made through which the trocar - catheter drainage set was inserted under ultrasonography guidance. About 179 procedures were performed in 126 patients. Primary technical success rate was 94%, major complication rate 1.6%, minor complication rate 11% and catheter related complications like catheter blockage or dislodgement were 13%. There was no procedure related mortality in our series. The ultrasonography-guided trocar, catheter nephrostomy, is a quick, safe and low cost procedure in selected cases of upper urinary tract obstruction. The primary technical success and complication rates are comparable to any other reported procedure and its low cost is particularly suitable for developing countries like India.

Vaccination of buffaloes with Fasciola gigantica recombinant glutathione S-transferase and fatty acid binding protein

Fasciola gigantica, causative agent of tropical fasciolosis, inflicts substantial economic losses on the livestock industry, affecting severely buffalo productivity in the tropical countries. Very few vaccination trials with different target antigens against F. gigantica infection have been conducted in this host. Present study describes a vaccination trial in buffaloes with F. gigantica recombinant glutathione S-transferase and fatty acid binding protein. The two recombinant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and evaluated for their immunoprophylactic potential in buffalo calves, using montanide 70 M-VG, a mineral oil-based adjuvant, for delivering the antigens. Buffalo calves were distributed in three groups, with group I, II and III calves immunized with recombinant glutathione S-transferase, fatty acid binding protein and a cocktail of these two antigens, respectively. Immunization of the calves evoked a mixed IgG1 and IgG2 antibody response. Present vaccination trial in these animals achieved a maximum protection level of 35%, when the two antigens were used in combination. Eosinophils were measured in both immunized and non-immunized challenge control animals, which showed a steady increase in their count in response to immunization with both the antigens and infection with F. gigantica, respectively.

A 3D-QSAR study on a series of benzimidazole derivatives acting as hepatitis C virus inhibitors: application of kNN-molecular field analysis

A k nearest neighbor-molecular field analysis (kNN-MFA) of benzimidazole derivatives, a series of hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibitors, has been performed to determine the factors contributing the corresponding activities. The energy minimized conformations were obtained by molecular mechanics using VLife QSAR 1.0 package. The developed model was verified by performing leave-one out (LOO) cross-validation, which showed q2 value of 0.900 and pred_r2 value of 0.783. The model indicates the dominance of the steric field and also points out the regions around the benzamidazole ring where the bulky or less bulky groups can be substituted to increase the activity of the compounds.

Double-layer shocks in a magnetized quantum plasma

The formation of small but finite amplitude electrostatic shocks in the propagation of quantum ion-acoustic waves obliquely to an external magnetic field is reported in a quantum electron-positron-ion plasma. Such shocks are seen to have double-layer (DL) structures composed of the compressive and accompanying rarefactive slow-wave fronts. Existence of such DL shocks depends critically on the quantum coupling parameter H associated with the Bohm potential and the positron to electron density ratio δ . The profiles may, however, steepen initially and reach a steady state with a number of solitary waves in front of the shocks. Such novel DL shocks could be a good candidate for particle acceleration in intense laser-solid density plasma interaction experiments as well as in compact astrophysical objects, e.g., magnetized white dwarfs.

Comprehensive analysis of the molecular basis of oculocutaneous albinism in Indian patients lacking a mutation in the tyrosinase gene

BACKGROUND

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) refers to a group of inherited disorders where the patients have little or no pigment in the eyes, skin and hair. Mutations in genes regulating multi-step melanin biosynthesis are the basis of four 'classical' OCA types with overlapping clinical features. There are a few reports on defects in TYR and a single report on SLC45A2 in Indians affected with OCA but no report on OCA2 (a major locus related to the disease) and TYRP1.

OBJECTIVES

To assess and describe a comprehensive picture of the molecular genetic basis of OCA among Indians with no apparent mutations in TYR.

METHODS

Twenty-four affected pedigrees from 14 different ethnicities were analysed for mutations in OCA2, TYRP1, SLC45A2 and SLC24A5 using the polymerase chain reaction-sequencing approach.

RESULTS

Two splice-site and four missense mutations were detected in OCA2 in seven unrelated pedigrees, including four novel mutations. Haplotype analysis revealed a founder mutation (Ala787Thr) in two unrelated families of the same ethnicity. A patient homozygous for a novel SLC45A2 mutation also harboured a novel OCA2 defect. No mutation was detected in TYRP1 or SLC24A5.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that an OCA2 gene defect is the second most prevalent type of OCA in India after TYR. The presence of homozygous mutations in the affected pedigrees underscores the lack of intermixing between the affected ethnicities. Direct detection of the genetic lesions prevalent in specific ethnic groups could be used for carrier detection and genetic counselling to contain the disease.

Production and carcase traits in broiler chickens given diets supplemented with inorganic trivalent chromium and an organic acid blend

1. The study was conducted to ascertain the effects of supplemental organic acids and chromium (Cr) on production and carcase traits of broiler chickens. 2. A total of 120 1-d-old broiler chicks were divided into 4 treatment groups in a 2 x 2 factorial design (each treatment group contained 6 replicates with 5 birds per replicate). 3. The diets were supplemented with an organic acid blend containing ortho-phosphoric, formic and propionic acid and calcium propionate (1 g/kg diet) and inorganic trivalent chromium (Cr(3+)) as chromic chloride hexahydrate (0.5 mg/kg diet) either independently or together as a combination for 35 d. 4. Individual supplementation of organic acids and Cr(3+) and their combination significantly improved the food conversion ratio, hot and dressed carcase weight and weight of the wholesale cuts compared to the control group of birds. 5. Organic acids, either independently or along with Cr(3+), increased total accretion of ash in carcase. Protein accretion was improved by dietary Cr(3+) and organic acid supplementation compared to the control group and a further improvement in this regard was observed when Cr(3+) and organic acid were supplemented together. Across the treatment groups meat fat content and fat accretion were lower in birds receiving dietary Cr(3+) supplementation. 6. Circulatory Cr(3+) and meat Cr(3+) concentration increased compared to the other treatment groups when Cr(3+) was supplemented to the birds. 7. It was concluded that, instead of individual supplementation, a combination of Cr(3+) and organic acids may improve the production and carcase traits of broilers more effectively presumably because of an additive effect.

Interannual consistency in canopy stomatal conductance control of leaf water potential across seven tree species

We investigated interannual variability of canopy transpiration per unit ground area (E (C)) and per unit leaf area (E (L)) across seven tree species in northern Wisconsin over two years. These species have previously been shown to be sufficient to upscale stand-level transpiration to the landscape level during one growing season. Our objective was to test whether a simple plant hydraulic model could capture interannual variation in transpiration. Three species, wetland balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill), basswood (Tilia Americana L.) and speckled alder (Alnus rugosa (DuRoi) Spreng), had no change in E (C) or E (L) between 2000 and 2001. Red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait) had a 57 and 19% increase in E (C) and E (L), respectively, and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh) had an 83 and 41% increase in E (C) and E (L), respectively, from 2000 to 2001. Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx) had a 50 and 21% decrease in E (C) and E (L), respectively, from 2000 to 2001 in response to complete defoliation by forest tent caterpillar (Malascoma distria Hüber) and subsequent lower total leaf area index of the reflushed foliage. White cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) had a 20% decrease in both E (C) and E (L) caused by lowered surface water in wetlands in 2001 because of lower precipitation and wetland flow management. Upland A. balsamea increased E (L) and E (C) by 55 and 53%, respectively, as a result of release from light competition of the defoliated, overstory P. tremuloides. We hypothesized that regardless of different drivers of interannual variability in E (C) and E (L), minimum leaf water potential would be regulated at the same value. Minimum midday water potentials were consistent over the two years within each of the seven species despite large changes in transpiration between years. This regulation was independently verified by the exponential saturation between daily E (C) and vapor pressure deficit (D) and the tradeoff between a reference canopy stomatal conductance (G (S)) and the sensitivity of G (S) to D, indicating that trees with high G (S) must decrease G (S) in response to atmospheric drought faster than trees with low G (S). Our results show that models of forest canopy transpiration can be simplified by incorporating G (S) regulation of minimum leaf water potential for isohydric species.

OCA1 in Different Ethnic Groups of India is Primarily Due to Founder Mutations in the Tyrosinase Gene

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by an abnormally low amount of melanin in the eyes, skin and hair, and associated with common developmental abnormalities of the eye. Defects in the tyrosinase gene (TYR) cause a common type of OCA, known as oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1). The molecular basis of OCA has been studied extensively in different population groups, but very little information is available on Indian patients. Our investigation covering thirteen ethnic groups of India, some representing >20 million people, revealed that among 25 OCA families 12 were affected with OCA1, and that these cases were primarily due to founder mutations in TYR. We detected nine mutations and eight SNPs in TYR, of which six mutations (five point mutations & one gross deletion) were novel. In contrast to most reports describing compound heterozygotes, the presence of homozygotes in 10 out of the 12 pedigrees underscores the lack of intermixing between these ethnic groups in India. Haplotype analysis suggested a few founder chromosomes causing the disease in the majority of the patients. Direct detection of the mutations prevalent in specific ethnic groups could be used for carrier detection and genetic counselling.