Lack of genetic association of promoter and structural variants of mannan-binding lectin (MBL2) gene with susceptibility to generalized vitiligo

BACKGROUND

Vitiligo is a common depigmenting disorder resulting from the loss of functional melanocytes in the skin. It is hypothesized to be of autoimmune origin. Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) plays an important role in innate immunity. It helps in the clearance of apoptotic cells and in complement activation. Genetic variability due to structural and promoter polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene has been reported to be associated with increased risk for several autoimmune diseases including vitiligo.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore whether MBL2 structural and promoter polymorphisms are associated with generalized vitiligo in Gujarat where the prevalence of vitiligo is alarmingly high.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We undertook a case-control study to investigate the association of MBL2 gene exon 1 polymorphisms - codon 52, codon 54 and codon 57 as well as promoter -221 polymorphism in 92 patients with generalized vitiligo and 94 unaffected age-matched controls by polymerase chain reaction-heteroduplex analysis.

RESULTS

The genotype and allele frequencies of MBL2 structural and promoter polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the control and patient population (P-values: P < 0.019 for codon 52, P < 0.373 for codon 54, P < 0.855 for codon 57 and P < 0.889 for -221 promoter polymorphisms) after Bonferroni's correction for multiple testing, which suggests that there is no association of MBL2 structural and promoter polymorphisms with generalized vitiligo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the well-documented structural and promoter polymorphisms of the MBL2 gene may not be associated with generalized vitiligo in the Gujarat population.

Cardiac botryomycosis: an autopsy report

Visceral botryomycosis is rare, and documented sites are lung, brain, kidney, liver and prostate. This report describes a rare autopsy case of disseminated visceral botryomycosis, with bulky, grape-like botryomycotic vegetations in the heart, and similar abscesses in the lungs and bone marrow. This is the first such report in the literature to the best of our knowledge.

MAPK/ERK signalling mediates VEGF-induced bone marrow stem cell differentiation into endothelial cell

Multi-potent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) differentiate into endothelial cells (ECs) in the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The mechanism(s) of VEGF-induced differentiation of MAPCs to ECs are not yet known. We, therefore, examined the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p42/44-MAPK/ERK1/2) signalling in endothelial differentiation from bone marrow stem cells. We observed that VEGF stimulation of MAPCs for 14 days results in a significant expression of endothelial-specific gene and/or proteins including von Willebrand factor (vWF), vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin), VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2), and CD31. Up-regulation of EC-specific markers was accompanied by a cobblestone morphology, expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and Dil-Ac-LDL uptake, typical for EC morphology and function. VEGF induced a sustained activation of p42 MAPK/ERK, but not that of p44 MAPK/ERK during the course of MAPCs differentiation in a time-dependent manner up to 14 days. VEGF-induced activation of p42 MAPK/ERK also led to the nuclear translocation of MAPK/ERK1/2. Incubation of MAPCs with MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibitor PD98059 blocked the sustained VEGF-induced MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation as well as its nuclear translocation in the differentiating MAPCs. Inhibition of MAPK/ERK1/2 phosphorylation by PD98059 also blocked the expression of EC-specific genes in these cells and their differentiation to ECs. These data suggest that VEGF induces MAPC differentiation into EC via a. MAPK/ERK1/2 signalling pathway-mediated mechanism in vitro.

A comparative emission profile of an urban area in Madhya Pradesh, India

This paper emphasizes on mathematical and field work approach to diagnosing the environmental pollution for Indore, India. These applications are based on the time-series statistics and for three semi-industrial as well as residential areas. The generalized additive models finds as a best fit-model in terms of autocorrelation and reduction of over-dispersion. The interdisciplinary study works on the principal of pollutant source, meteorological parameters, pollutant types, emission rates and various chemical processes. Several chemical or industrial processes like iron and steel production, combustion of fossil fuels, biomass burning, thermal power plants are major polluter in most of the mega cities.

Antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Basilicum polystachyon (L) Moench

Phenolic extract of leaves of Basilicum polystachyon (L) Moench was tested for in vitro antimicrobial activity against five bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus leuteus) and three fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, Aspergillus niger, Helminthosporium oryzae). Efficacy of organic solvents, methanol and ethanol, as agents for extraction was compared with acidic water (2M; HCl). High-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) data showed that acidic extraction (2M; HCl) resulted in higher yield of caffeic acid (0.437 mg g(-1)) and rosmarinic acid (0.919 mg g(-1)). Acidic extract showed high activity against Gram (+) ve bacteria, but was less active against Gram (-) ve bacteria. Amongst the tested fungi, maximum activity was exhibited against Aspergillus niger. This is the first report on the phenolic constituents and bioactivity of B. polystachyon.

Cranberry products inhibit adherence of p-fimbriated Escherichia coli to primary cultured bladder and vaginal epithelial cells

PURPOSE

Cranberry proanthocyanidins have been identified as possible inhibitors of Escherichia coli adherence to uroepithelial cells. However, little is known about the dose range of this effect. Furthermore, it has not been studied directly in the urogenital system. To address these issues we tested the effect of a cranberry powder and proanthocyanidin extract on adherence of a P-fimbriated uropathogenic E. coli isolate to 2 new urogenital model systems, namely primary cultured bladder epithelial cells and vaginal epithelial cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

E. coli IA2 was pre-incubated with a commercially available cranberry powder (9 mg proanthocyanidin per gm) or with increasing concentrations of proanthocyanidin extract. Adherence of E. coli IA2 to primary cultured bladder epithelial cells or vaginal epithelial cells was measured before and after exposure to these products.

RESULTS

Cranberry powder decreased mean adherence of E. coli IA2 to vaginal epithelial cells from 18.6 to 1.8 bacteria per cell (p <0.001). Mean adherence of E. coli to primary cultured bladder epithelial cells was decreased by exposure to 50 mug/ml proanthocyanidin extract from 6.9 to 1.6 bacteria per cell (p <0.001). Inhibition of adherence of E. coli by proanthocyanidin extract occurred in linear, dose dependent fashion over a proanthocyanidin concentration range of 75 to 5 mug/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

Cranberry products can inhibit E. coli adherence to biologically relevant model systems of primary cultured bladder and vaginal epithelial cells. This effect occurs in a dose dependent relationship. These findings provide further mechanistic evidence and biological plausibility for the role of cranberry products for preventing urinary tract infection.

Impact of cadmium and lead on Catharanthus roseus--a phytoremediation study

The Madagascar Periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (a valued medicinal plant) was exposed to different concentrations ofheavymetals like, CdCl, and PbCl, with a view to observe their bioaccumulation efficiency. Germination was inhibited by both the heavy metals in the seeds previously imbibed in GA, and KNO, for 24 hr. EC50 (the effective concentration which inhibits root length by 50%) was recorded as 180 microM for CdCl2, and 50 microM for PbCl2. Both alpha-amylase and protease activity were reduced substantially on treatment of seeds with increasing concentrations of CdCl2, and PbCl2. Malondialdehyde (MDA) a product of lipoxigenase (LOX) activity also increased due to the treatment of both CdCl, and PbCl2. When two-months-old plants grown in normal soil were transferred to soils containing increasing amounts of these two heavy metals, senescence of lower leaves and extensive chlorosis were noticed after four days of transfer However, plants gradually acclimatized and after 20 days the chlorophyll content was almost comparable to normal. Plants receiving CdCl2 treatment (250 microg g(-1) and less) became acclimatized after two weeks and started normal growth. But PbCl2 of 432 microg g(-1) and less could not affect the plant growth throughout, after a preliminary shock was erased. In case of CdCl2 treatment, a stunted growth with reduced leaf area, reduced biomass and sterility were recorded after six months, while plants show normal growth and flowering in case of PbCl2 treatment. Total alkaloid was also found to be decreased in the roots of CdCl2 treated plants. No change was observed in case of PbCl2. GA3 treatments to the CdCl2 treated plants show internode elongation and increase in leaf area with relatively elongated leaves and thinning of stem diameter AAS analyses of leaves of treated plants exhibited 5-10% accumulation of cadmium, but there was no accumulation of lead at all.