Natural killer group 2 member D cell recruitment driven by major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related antigens A and B: a possible mechanism during acute intestinal allograft rejection in the mouse

Intestinal allograft rejection occurs frequently despite potent T-cell depletion protocols. We investigated the interaction of major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related antigens A and B (MICA/B; a ligand for natural killer [NK] cells) and NK group 2 member D (NKG2D) cells as an alternative mechanism for acute rejection (AR) of the intestinal graft. Heterotopic intestinal allotransplantation was performed from BalbC to C57Bl mice. Samples of grafted and native intestine were obtained at days 1, 3, 6, and 8 after transplantation (n = 4-6). We performed immunostaining for MICA/B and NKG2D. Moderate AR with increased crypt apoptosis was observed at day 6 and advanced AR with crypt destruction and mucosal sloughing was present by day 8. Low MICA/B levels were observed in grafted and native intestines on day 1. MICA/B expression gradually increased in the grafts during AR but not in the native intestines. The up-regulation was found mostly in the crypts. NKG2D+ cell counts that increased in the graft colocalized with MICA/B. The increase was most prominent in the crypt and villus. Together, these results suggest that MICA/B up-regulation and its subsequent interaction with the NK cells may represent an important link between innate and adaptive immune responses early after intestinal transplantation.

Inorganic- Organic Hybrid Materials For Photonics

Molecular materials comprised of inorganic:organic composites are of considerable interest in photonics, optoelectronics and biophotonics. We report broad band lasing and tunable filters in sol-gel processed poly (p-phenylene vinylene) PPV: Silica composites. Optical power limiting in near IR wavelength region is also reported in dye doped PPV: silica multiphasic nanocomposites. For making hybrid inorganic: organic composites the reverse micelle mediated synthesis technique has been exploited to synthesize dye encapsulated metal oxide particles, thiocresol capped CdS clusters, Cul and AgI nanoparticles. These particles were dispersed in polymeric matrix for applications in photoconductivity and photorefractive measurements.

Thoron (220Rn) decay products removal in poorly ventilated environments using unipolar ionizers: dosimetric implications

Ionizers are proven to be effective in reducing the activity concentration of radon/thoron decay products in workplace environments. However, limited studies have been conducted on understanding the mechanism of removal and the related size dependency. This study demonstrates the feasibility of reducing the activity concentrations in small chambers and in room environments up to a factor of about 7. Field experiments in an uncontrolled ventilation area such as a thorium oxalate storage shed have also shown promising results with a possible concentration reduction by a factor of 4. However, these reductions have been necessarily associated with an increase (3-5 times) in the unattached fraction of the decay products which is a significant contributor to the lung dose. Owing to this, aspersions have been cast on the capability of the ionizers in reducing the effective dose. An attempt has been made here to estimate the effective doses over a wide range of parameters such as the initial unattached fraction, activity reduction ratio and the change in the unattached fraction, which get altered due to the use of ionizers. The study proves that for realistically achievable activity reduction ratios of about 3-5 with the employment of ionizers, the inhalation dose in workplace environments can be reduced by a factor of at least 4, as indicated by model calculations.

Rediscovering cyanobacteria as valuable sources of bioactive compounds

Cyanobacteria are a simple, but primitive and diverse group of microorganisms, with characteristics in common to both bacteria and algae. Their success as a group in a wide range of habitats has been attributed to their unique physiological characters and high adaptive ability under a wide range of environmental conditions. The potential of cyanobacteria as a source of a variety of compounds such as polysaccharides, lipids, proteins, vitamins, sterols, enzymes, pharmaceuticals and other fine chemicals is well recognized, and their demand is now on an increasing trend. This compilation reviews the salient advances in the discovery of bioactive compounds from cyanobacteria and their significance in agriculture and industry.

Unilateral variant motor innervations of flexure muscles of arm

The musculocutaneous nerve usually branches out from the lateral cord of brachial plexus. It innervates the corcobrachialis, biceps brachii and brachialis muscles and continues as the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm without exhibiting any communication with the median nerve or any other nerve. We report unilateral variation in motor innervations of the left arm in a 58-year-old male cadaver. The musculocutaneous nerve was found to be absent. A muscular branch of the median nerve was supplying the coracobrachialis muscle. In the middle of arm, the median nerve was found to be branching out, bifurcating and supplying the long and short head of biceps. The median nerve was found to be giving a separate branch, which supplied the brachialis muscle and continued as the lateral cutaneous nerve of forearm. The right sided structures were found to be normal. Surgeons should keep such variations in mind while performing arm surgeries.

Limits on the spin-dependent WIMP-nucleon cross sections from the first science run of the ZEPLIN-III experiment

We present new experimental constraints on the WIMP-nucleon spin-dependent elastic cross sections using data from the first science run of ZEPLIN-III, a two-phase xenon experiment searching for galactic dark matter weakly interacting massive particles based at the Boulby mine. Analysis of approximately 450 kg x days fiducial exposure allow us to place a 90%-confidence upper limit on the pure WIMP-neutron cross section of sigma(n)=1.9x10(-2) pb at 55 GeV/c(2) WIMP mass. Recent calculations of the nuclear spin structure based on the Bonn charge-dependent nucleon-nucleon potential were used for the odd-neutron isotopes 129Xe and 131Xe. These indicate that the sensitivity of xenon targets to the spin-dependent WIMP-proton interaction could be much lower than implied by previous calculations, whereas the WIMP-neutron sensitivity is impaired only by a factor of approximately 2.

Antifungal Activity in Transgenic Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Conferred by a Nonheme Chloroperoxidase Gene

A nonheme chloroperoxidase gene (cpo-p) from Pseudomonas pyrrocinia, a growth inhibitor of mycotoxin-producing fungi, was introduced into peanut via particle bombardment. The expression of the cpo-p gene is predicted to increase pathogen defense in peanut. Embryogenic peanut tissues were bombarded with gold particles coated with plasmid pRT66 carrying the cpo-p and hygromycin phosphotransferase (hph) genes, under the control of a double CaMV 35S and a single CaMV 35S promoter, respectively. Selection for hygromycin-resistant somatic embryos was performed on a liquid medium containing 10–20 mg/L hygromycin 3–4 days after bombardment. The integration and expression of the cpo-p gene was confirmed by Southern, Northern and Western blot analyses. In vitro bioassay using crude protein extracts from transgenic T0, T1, and T4 plants showed inhibition of Aspergillus flavus hyphal growth, which could translate to a reduction in aflatoxin contamination of peanut seed.

Formulation and Evaluation of Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC)–based Gel of Valdecoxib

Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (NLC)-based topical gel of Valdecoxib was formulated with the aim of faster onset yet prolonged action for the treatment of inflammation and allied conditions. NLCs prepared by microemulsion template technique were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy for size. Drug encapsulation efficiency was determined using Nanosep centrifugal device. The nanoparticulate dispersion was suitably gelled and characterized with respect to drug content, pH, spreadibility, rheology, and in-vitro release. Safety of the NLC-based gel was assessed using primary skin irritation studies, and efficacy was confirmed using pharmacodynamic study, namely the Aerosil-induced Rat Paw edema model. The developed NLC-based gel showed faster onset and elicited prolonged activity up to 24 hours.

Design and in vivo pharmacodynamic evaluation of nanostructured lipid carriers for parenteral delivery of artemether: Nanoject

The objective of the present investigation was to explore the potential of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the intravenous delivery of artemether (ARM), a poorly water-soluble antimalarial agent. The NLC of ARM (Nanoject) were formulated by employing a microemulsion template technique. The NLC were evaluated for particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and in vitro hemolysis. The antimalarial activity of the Nanoject and conventional ARM injectable formulation was evaluated in Plasmodium berghei infected mice. The average particle size of Nanoject was 63+/-28 nm and the encapsulation efficiency was found to be 30+/-2%. The Nanoject released ARM in a sustained manner. In vitro haemolytic studies showed that Nanoject had lower haemolytic potential (approximately 13%) as compared to all the components when studied individually. Nanoject showed significantly higher (P<0.005) antimalarial activity as compared to the marketed injectable formulation. The antimalarial activity of Nanoject lasted for a longer duration (more than 20 days) indicating that Nanoject may be long-circulating in vivo. Nanoject showed significantly higher survival rate (60%) even after 31 days as compared to marketed formulation which showed 0% survival (100% mortality). This clearly indicates that Nanoject offers several advantages over the currently marketed oily intramuscular formulation (Larither).