Prisoners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Co-morbidities & Service Pathways

Introduction

Effective diagnostic and treatment pathways for ADHD are needed in prison settings due to the high prevalence of ADHD and comorbidities in the prison population.

Objectives

In this presentation, we will describe two studies conducted in seperate London prisons in England. In the first study, the aim was to identify prisoners with ADHD with a focus on describing comorbidity. In the second study, using QI (quality improvement) methodology, the aim was to measure the practicability and effectiveness of a specialist ADHD diagnostic and treatment pathway for prisoners.

Methods

Two studies were carried out in two separate prisons in London. Firstly, data were collected to understand the prevalence of ADHD and the comorbidities. The second study used quality improvement (QI) methodology to assess the impact of a diagnostic and treatment pathway for prisoners with ADHD.

Results

Of the prisoners, 22.5% met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Nearly half of them were screened positive for autistic traits, with a higher prevalence of mental disorders among prisoners with ADHD compared to those without. The QI project led to a significant increase in the number of prisoners identified as requiring ADHD assessment but a modest increase in the number of prisoners diagnosed or treated for ADHD.

Conclusions

Despite various challenges, an ADHD diagnostic and treatment pathway was set up in a prison using adapted QI methodology. Further research is needed to explore the feasibility of routine screening for ADHD in prison and examine at a national level the effectiveness of current ADHD prison pathways.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Air sac and gill vasotocin receptor gene expression in the air-breathing catfish Heteropneustes fossilis exposed to water and air deprivation conditions

Heteropneustes fossilis is a facultative air-breathing freshwater catfish and inhabits ponds, ditches, swamps, marshes and rivers that dry up in summers. It possesses a pair of unique tubular accessory respiratory organ (air sac), which is a modification of the gill chamber and enables it to live in water-air transition zones. In the catfish, three vasotocin (Vt) receptor gene paralogs viz., v1a1, v1a2 and v2a were identified for Vt actions. In the present study, the receptor gene transcripts were localized in the gill and air sac by in situ hybridization, and their expression levels in relation to water and air deprivation conditions were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR. The catfish were exposed to 1 h and 2 h in gonad inactive (resting) and gonad active (prespawning) phases. The gene paralogs showed overlapping distribution in the respiratory epithelium of primary and secondary lamellae of gills and reduced lamellae of the air sacs. In water deprivation (forced aerial mode of respiration) experiment, v2a expression showed a high fold increase in the air sac, which was unchanged or inhibited in the gill. Both v1a1 and v1a2 expression was significantly upregulated in the air sac but showed varied responses in the gill. The gill v1a1 expression was unchanged in the resting phase and modestly upregulated in the prespawning phase. The gill v1a2 expression was modestly upregulated at 1 h in both phases but unchanged at 2 h. In the air deprivation experiment (forced aquatic respiration), the v2a expression in the air sac was inhibited except for a mild stimulation at 1 h in the prespawning phase. In the gill, the v2a expression was stimulated with a steep upregulation at 2 h in the prespawning phase. Both v1a1 and v1a2 expression was significantly high in the gill but only modestly increased or unchanged in the air sac. The expression patterns point to a functional distinction; the V2 type receptor expression was higher in the air sac during forced aerial respiration, and the V1 type receptor expression was highly prominent in the gill during forced aquatic respiration. Water and air deprivation treatments caused a significant increase in plasma cortisol level, and the stimulation was higher in the water deprivation fish in the resting phase but equally prominent in the water and air deprivation groups in the prespawning phase. The results indicate that the changes in the expression patterns of Vt receptor genes may be a sequel to stress (hypoxic, metabolic and osmotic), and both Vt and cortisol may interact to counter the stress responses. This study shows that Vt has a new role in the control of air sac functions.

Effect of Agaricus blazei Murill on exploratory behavior of mice-model

Increased anxiety and depressive symptoms have reported to be its association with long term illness. Because of having unwanted effects of newly available drugs, patients administering anxiolytic drugs usually discontinue the treatment before they are completely recovered. Therefore, there is a serious need to develop new anxiolytic drugs. The anxiolytic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei in animal models was assessed. 24 male mice (Mus musculus genus) were included in the study. Four groups were prepared and each group contained six animals. The groups were vehicle control, positive control (diazepam 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) as well as two treatment groups receiving Agaricus blazei hydro-alcoholic extract at a dose of 136.50 mg/kg and 273.0 mg/kg orally. The Marble burying test, Nestlet shredding test and Light and Dark box test used to assess anxiolytic activity. Mice administered with diazepam 1.0 mg/kg, i.p. while hydro-alcoholic extract of AbM (136.50 and 273.0 mg/kg, respectively) was administered via oral route which exhibited marked reduction in number of marbles-burying as compared to vehicle control group. Mice administered with diazepam 1.0 mg/kg, i.p. and Oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of AbM (136.50 and 273.0 mg/kg, respectively) exhibited significant decrease in nestlet shredding in comparison to vehicle control group. The oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract at a dose of 136.5mg/kg and 273mg/kg showed elevation in time spent in light box and was comparable to standard treated group while time spent by mice following oral administration of hydro-alcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei at a dose of 273.0 mg/kg also showed elevation and was found to be more near to standard treated group (diazepam 1 mg/kg, i.p.).

Amplification of neurotoxic HTTex1 assemblies in human neurons

Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetically inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in the exon-1 of huntingtin protein (HTT). The expanded polyQ enhances the amyloidogenic propensity of HTT exon 1 (HTTex1), which forms a heterogeneous mixture of assemblies with a broad neurotoxicity spectrum. While predominantly intracellular, monomeric and aggregated mutant HTT species are also present in the cerebrospinal fluids of HD patients, however, their biological properties are not well understood. To explore the role of extracellular mutant HTT in aggregation and toxicity, we investigated the uptake and amplification of recombinant HTTex1 assemblies in cell culture models. We find that small HTTex1 fibrils preferentially enter human neurons and trigger the amplification of neurotoxic assemblies; astrocytes or epithelial cells are not permissive. The amplification of HTTex1 in neurons depletes endogenous HTT protein with non-pathogenic polyQ repeat, activates apoptotic caspase-3 pathway and induces nuclear fragmentation. Using a panel of novel monoclonal antibodies and genetic mutation, we identified epitopes within the N-terminal 17 amino acids and proline-rich domain of HTTex1 to be critical in neural uptake and amplification. Synaptosome preparations from the brain homogenates of HD mice also contain mutant HTT species, which enter neurons and behave similar to small recombinant HTTex1 fibrils. These studies suggest that amyloidogenic extracellular mutant HTTex1 assemblies may preferentially enter neurons, propagate and promote neurodegeneration.

Huntingtin fibrils with different toxicity, structure, and seeding potential can be interconverted

The first exon of the huntingtin protein (HTTex1) important in Huntington's disease (HD) can form cross-β fibrils of varying toxicity. We find that the difference between these fibrils is the degree of entanglement and dynamics of the C-terminal proline-rich domain (PRD) in a mechanism analogous to polyproline film formation. In contrast to fibril strains found for other cross-β fibrils, these HTTex1 fibril types can be interconverted. This is because the structure of their polyQ fibril core remains unchanged. Further, we find that more toxic fibrils of low entanglement have higher affinities for protein interactors and are more effective seeds for recombinant HTTex1 and HTTex1 in cells. Together these data show how the structure of a framing sequence at the surface of a fibril can modulate seeding, protein-protein interactions, and thereby toxicity in neurodegenerative disease.

Droplet and fibril formation of the functional amyloid Orb2

The functional amyloid Orb2 belongs to the cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) protein family and plays an important role in long-term memory formation in Drosophila. The Orb2 domain structure combines RNA recognition motifs with low-complexity sequences similar to many RNA-binding proteins shown to form protein droplets via liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) in vivo and in vitro. This similarity suggests that Orb2 might also undergo LLPS. However, cellular Orb2 puncta have very little internal protein mobility, and Orb2 forms fibrils in Drosophila brains that are functionally active indicating that LLPS might not play a role for Orb2. In the present work, we reconcile these two views on Orb2 droplet formation. Using fluorescence microscopy, we show that soluble Orb2 can indeed phase separate into protein droplets. However, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) data shows that these droplets have either no or only an extremely short-lived liquid phase and appear maturated right after formation. Orb2 fragments that lack the C-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD) form fibrils out of these droplets. Solid-state NMR shows that these fibrils have well-ordered static domains in addition to the Gln/His-rich fibril core. Further, we find that full-length Orb2B, which is by far the major component of Orb2 fibrils in vivo, does not transition into fibrils but remains in the droplet phase. Together, our data suggest that phase separation might play a role in initiating the formation of functional Orb2 fibrils.

Cloning and characterization of estrogen hydroxylase (cyp1a1 and cyp1b1) genes in the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis and induction of mRNA expression during final oocyte maturation

Estrogen hydroxylases (EHs) are cytochrome P450 Family 1 (Cyp1, Clan 2) proteins involved in estrogen hydroxylations at 2-, 4- or 16- carbon positions to form catecholestrogens. EHs are encoded by CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1 in mammals. In the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis, cyp1a1 and cyp1b1 cDNAs were cloned and characterized from liver and ovary. The cyp1a1 cDNA is 2071 bp long and codes for a 518 amino acids (aa) long protein. The cloned cyp1b1 cDNA is 1927 bp long and codes for a 509 residue protein. The deduced proteins clustered distinctly into teleost Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 clades, distinct from the tetrapod clusters and featured common function domains and homology with other teleost proteins. In the qPCR assay, the transcripts were the most abundant in the liver, followed by brain and ovary, and moderate in gill, kidney and muscle. Evidence was presented to show the involvement of the genes in reproduction. Expression of brain and ovarian transcripts showed significant seasonal variations with the highest abundance in the spawning phase. In situ hybridization showed the transcripts in the follicular layer (theca and granulosa) of the ovarian follicles. Periovulatory changes in the expression cyp1a1 and cyp1b1 were obtained during final oocyte maturation (FOM) and ovulation induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), both in vivo and in vitro, and by 2-hydroxyestradiol-17β (catecholestrogen) in vitro. In the brain, the transcript levels increased with time but in the ovary, the increase was maximal at 16 h and decreased at 24 h. The periovulatory activation of the cyp1 genes was reported in this study and discussed on the basis of complex regulation of FOM and ovulation.

AB0003 SINGLE-NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS (RS28493229 AND RS2290692) IN ITPKC GENE IN CHILDREN WITH KAWASAKI DISEASE

Background:

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute medium vessel vasculitis manifesting with mucocutaneous lesions and cardiac complications especially coronary artery lesions (CALs). Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate 3-kinase C(ITPKC) gene polymorphisms are have been shown to be associated with susceptibility to KD and CAL.

Objectives:

This study was designed to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of theITPKCgene with KD and CAL in Indian children.

Methods:

Two SNPs of theITPKCgene (rs28493229 and rs2290692) were studied in 50 cases of KD and 50 healthy controls. The Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from test subjects and controls were analysed for the two polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The allele, genotype, and haplotype frequencies were compared in different groups. A meta-analysis was also performed for the CC and GG genotype of both SNPs of interest.

Results:

No significant differences were found in frequencies of C allele, CC genotype and C carriers of rs28493229 and rs2290692. Combined CG+GG genotype frequency of rs2290692 was found to be significantly associated with susceptibility of KD (95% Confidence interval (CI) = 1.38-13.83,p= 0.015). A meta-analysis did not show a significant association of SNP rs28493229 (Odds ratio = 1.46, CI = 0.96-2.23) and rs2290692 (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.663-1.731) ofITPKCand susceptibility to KD.

Conclusion:

Combined CG+GG genotype of SNP rs2290692 at 3’ UTR of theITPKCgene was found to be significantly associated with susceptibility to KD. Our study did not show a significant association of any allele or genotype with susceptibility to KD. The meta-analysis combining our study with previous studies on these 2 SNPs also failed to show a significant association of different genotypes and susceptibility of KD.

Table:

Table 1.

Allele, genotype and carrier frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms of rs28493229 and rs2290692

Allele, genotype and carrier frequencies of SNP rs28493229 ofITPKC(n = 100)Allele/ GenotypeKD patients (n = 50) n (%)Controls (n = 50) n (%)Odds ratio (95% C.I.)PvalueG allele89 (89%)92 (92%)--C allele11 (11%)8 (8%)1.42 (0.49-4.26)0.468GG genotype39 (78%)42 (84%)--CG genotype11 (22%)8 (16%)1.48 (0.54-4.19)0.446CC genotype0 (0%)0 (0%)--Frequencies of allele and genotype of rs2290692 SNPs in KD patients and controls (n = 100)Allele/ GenotypeKD patients (n = 50) n (%)Controls (n = 50) n (%)Odds ratio (95% CI)PvalueG allele63 (63%)56 (56%)--C allele37 (37%)44 (44%)0.747 (0.41-1.36)0.313GG genotype19 (38%)20 (40%)--CG genotype25 (50%)16 (32%)1.64 (0.68-4.04)0.272CC genotype6 (12%)14 (28%)0.45 (0.14-1.37)0.173

C.I. Confidence interval, KD- Kawasaki disease

Figure:

Figure 1.

Forest plot for the association between (A) CC genotype of rs28493229 and risk of having KD (B) GG genotype of rs2290692 and risk of having KD (C) CC genotype of rs2290692 and risk of having KD

References:

[1]McCrindle BW, Rowley AH, Newburger JW, Burns JC, Bolger AF, Gewitz M, et al. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement for Health Professionals From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017 Apr 25;135(17):e927–99.

[2]Onouchi Y, Gunji T, Burns JC, Shimizu C, Newburger JW, Yashiro M, et al. ITPKC functional polymorphism associated with Kawasaki disease susceptibility and formation of coronary artery aneurysms. Nat Genet. 2008 Jan;40(1):35–42.

[3]Peng Q, Chen C, Zhang Y, He H, Wu Q, Liao J, et al. Single-nucleotide polymorphism rs2290692 in the 3’UTR of ITPKC associated with susceptibility to Kawasaki disease in a Han Chinese population. Pediatr Cardiol. 2012 Oct;33(7):1046–53.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Surgical management of oral submucous fibrosis with "Seagull-nasolabial flap" combined with short-term oral pentoxifylline for preventing relapse

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seagull-shaped nasolabial flap (NLF) along with adjunctive short-term oral pentoxifylline in the surgical reconstruction of oral sub mucous fibrosis (OSMF) following fibrotomy. We retrospectively evaluated 18 patients with grade IV oral sub mucous fibrosis treated by NLF. There were 3 females and 15 males. All patients were classified as stage IV OSMF with a mean preoperative mouth opening of 8.11±3.38mm. Postoperatively, patients were administered 400mg of pentoxifylline (PTX) thrice daily for 3 months. Patients were followed up at one month, six months and one year. Mouth opening, presence or absence of malignant transformation, relapse and complications were recorded at each follow-up. We found statistically significant increase in mouth opening from 8.11±3.3 to 37.67±3.74 in the postoperative period. The complications associated with NLF were very minimal. The PTX was well tolerated by all the patients. There was no incidence of relapse or rebound fibrosis seen in our series. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that oral pentoxifylline has been administered along with surgical treatment of oral submucous fibrosis to prevent relapse. The use of oral PTX as an adjunct along with surgical reconstruction in OSMF improves mouth opening, reduces burning sensation and relapse.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 precursor cDNA in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: Expression profile and regulation by ovarian steroids

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 2 (Gnrh2) is one of the three classes of Gnrh distributed in vertebrates and is highly conserved. In the present study, the cDNA encoding Gnrh2 was isolated and characterized in the ostariophysan catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (hf). The cDNA is 611 bp long with an open reading frame (ORF) of 261 bp that encodes a highly conserved protein of 86 amino acids. The deduced Gnrh2 precursor protein clustered with the vertebrate Gnrh2 type. The sequence identity of hfgnrh2 is 94% with African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) gnrh2 mRNA (accession no. X78047). The hfgnrh2 transcripts were expressed only in the brain and gonads with a higher expression in the female brain and ovary in both resting and prespawning phases. The expression was higher in the prespawning phase than the resting phase. The gnrh2 expression in the brain and ovary showed significant seasonal variations but with opposite patterns. In the brain, the expression was the highest in the preparatory phase, decreased progressively to low levels in the postspawning and resting phases. In the ovary, the transcript level was low in the resting and preparatory phases, increased sharply in the prespawning phase reaching the peak level in the spawning phase and declined sharply in the postspawning phase. The gnrh2 mRNA showed the highest expression in the hind brain-medulla oblongata and moderate to low expression in forebrain regions and pituitary. Ovariectomy resulted in a duration-dependent inhibition of hfgnrh2 mRNA levels in the resting and prespawning phases. Steroid (E₂, testosterone and progesterone) replacement treatments (0.5 μg/g body weight) in the 3- week ovariectomized fish restored the inhibition due to ovariectomy, elevated the expression over and above the sham level in the resting phase (E₂ group), and raised the levels almost to that of the sham group (testosterone and progesterone groups) in the prespawning phase. In the sham control groups, the steroid replacement resulted in a significant reduction in the mRNA levels. The expression of the gnrh2 mRNA in the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis and its regulation by gonadal steroids suggest that Gnrh2 may have a reproductive role in the catfish.

Reproductive hormones modulate differentially brain and ovarian vasotocin receptor gene expression in early and late recrudescent catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis

Investigations on the role of the reproductive hormones on VT receptor gene expression are lacking in teleosts. Previously we reported that gonadotropin and steroid hormones modulate the secretion and gene expression of brain and ovarian vasotocin (VT) in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis. In continuation, in the present study we investigated the role of estradiol-17β (E₂), the maturation-inducing steroid (MIS) 17α, 20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17, 20β-DP), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on the expression of VT receptor genes (v1a1, v1a2 and v2a) in the brain and ovary of the catfish in early (previtellogenic, preparatory) and late (post vitellogenic, prespawning) phases of the ovarian cycle. The steroid treatments (in vivo and in vitro) modulated only the v1a1 and v1a2 expression in both tissues, but not the v2a expression. The E₂-induced modulation of the v1a1 and v1a2 gene expression varied with the reproductive phase. In the preparatory phase, E₂ up regulated the expression of brain and ovarian v1a1 and v1a2 gene expression, the response varied with the dose and duration. In the prespawning phase, E₂ inhibited the expression in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. On the other hand, 17, 20β-DP up regulated the expression of brain and ovarian v1a1 and v1a2 in both phases, and the response was higher in the prespawning phase and varied with dose and duration. In contrast to the steroid effects, the hCG treatment modulated the expression of all the VT receptor genes only in the prespawning phase and the response varied with dose and duration. The results indicate differential modulatory roles of steroid hormones and hCG on the VT receptor gene expression, to mediate VT's reproductive or osmoregulatory functions. While the hCG effect on v1a type receptor expression may be steroid- dependent, that of v2a expression seems to be steroid-independent.

Coinfections identified from metagenomic analysis of cervical lymph nodes from tularemia patients

BACKGROUND

Underlying coinfections may complicate infectious disease states but commonly go unnoticed because an a priori clinical suspicion is usually required so they can be detected via targeted diagnostic tools. Shotgun metagenomics is a broad diagnostic tool that can be useful for identifying multiple microbes simultaneously especially if coupled with lymph node aspirates, a clinical matrix known to house disparate pathogens. The objective of this study was to analyze the utility of this unconventional diagnostic approach (shotgun metagenomics) using clinical samples from human tularemia cases as a test model. Tularemia, caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, is an emerging infectious disease in Turkey. This disease commonly manifests as swelling of the lymph nodes nearest to the entry of infection. Because swollen cervical nodes are observed from many different types of human infections we used these clinical sample types to analyze the utility of shotgun metagenomics.

METHODS

We conducted an unbiased molecular survey using shotgun metagenomics sequencing of DNA extracts from fine-needle aspirates of neck lymph nodes from eight tularemia patients who displayed protracted symptoms. The resulting metagenomics data were searched for microbial sequences (bacterial and viral).

RESULTS

F. tularensis sequences were detected in all samples. In addition, we detected DNA of other known pathogens in three patients. Both Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Human Parvovirus B-19 were detected in one individual and Human Parvovirus B-19 alone was detected in two other individuals. Subsequent PCR coupled with Sanger sequencing verified the metagenomics results. The HBV status was independently confirmed via serological diagnostics, despite evading notice during the initial assessment.

CONCLUSION

Our data highlight that shotgun metagenomics of fine-needle lymph node aspirates is a promising clinical diagnostic strategy to identify coinfections. Given the feasibility of the diagnostic approach demonstrated here, further steps to promote integration of this type of diagnostic capability into mainstream clinical practice are warranted.

Spontaneous Fluctuations Can Guide Drug Design Strategies for Structurally Disordered Proteins

Structure-based "rational" drug design strategies fail for diseases associated with intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). However, structural disorder allows large-amplitude spontaneous intramolecular dynamics in a protein. We demonstrate a method that exploits this dynamics to provide quantitative information about the degree of interaction of an IDP with other molecules. A candidate ligand molecule may not bind strongly, but even momentary interactions can be expected to perturb the fluctuations. We measure the amplitude and frequency of the equilibrium fluctuations of fluorescently labeled small oligomers of hIAPP (an IDP associated with type II diabetes) in a physiological solution, using nanosecond fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy. We show that the interterminal distance fluctuates at a characteristic time scale of 134 ± 10 ns, and 6.4 ± 0.2% of the population is in the "closed" (quenched) state at equilibrium. These fluctuations are affected in a dose-dependent manner by a series of small molecules known to reduce the toxicity of various amyloid peptides. The degree of interaction increases in the following order: resveratrol < epicatechin ∼ quercetin < Congo red < epigallocatechin 3-gallate. Such ordering can provide a direction for exploring the chemical space for finding stronger-binding ligands. We test the biological relevance of these measurements by measuring the effect of these molecules on the affinity of hIAPP for lipid vesicles and cell membranes. We find that the ability of a molecule to modulate intramolecular fluctuations correlates well with its ability to lower membrane affinity. We conclude that structural disorder may provide new avenues for rational drug design for IDPs.

Membranes as modulators of amyloid protein misfolding and target of toxicity

Abnormal protein aggregation is a hallmark of various human diseases. α-Synuclein, a protein implicated in Parkinson's disease, is found in aggregated form within Lewy bodies that are characteristically observed in the brains of PD patients. Similarly, deposits of aggregated human islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) are found in the pancreatic islets in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Significant number of studies have focused on how monomeric, disaggregated proteins transition into various amyloid structures leading to identification of a vast number of aggregation promoting molecules and processes over the years. Inasmuch as these factors likely enhance the formation of toxic, misfolded species, they might act as risk factors in disease. Cellular membranes, and particularly certain lipids, are considered to be among the major players for aggregation of α-synuclein and IAPP, and membranes might also be the target of toxicity. Past studies have utilized an array of biophysical tools, both in vitro and in vivo, to expound the membrane-mediated aggregation. Here, we focus on membrane interaction of α-synuclein and IAPP, and how various kinds of membranes catalyze or modulate the aggregation of these proteins and how, in turn, these proteins disrupt membrane integrity, both in vitro and in vivo. The membrane interaction and subsequent aggregation has been briefly contrasted to aggregation of α-synuclein and IAPP in solution. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Protein Aggregation and Misfolding at the Cell Membrane Interface edited by Ayyalusamy Ramamoorthy.

Fluorogenic Detection of Monoamine Neurotransmitters in Live Cells

Monoamine neurotransmission is key to neuromodulation, but imaging monoamines in live neurons has remained a challenge. Here we show that externally added ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) can permeate live cells and form bright fluorogenic adducts with intracellular monoamines (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) and with L-DOPA, which can be imaged sensitively using conventional single-photon excitation in a fluorescence microscope. The peak excitation and emission wavelengths (λ_ex = 401 nm and λ_em = 490 nm for serotonin; λ_ex = 446 nm and λ_em = 557 nm for dopamine; and λ_ex = 446 nm and λ_em = 544 nm for norepinephrine, respectively) are accessible to most modern confocal imaging instruments. The identity of monoamine containing structures (possibly neurotransmitter vesicles) in serotonergic RN46A cells is established by quasi-simultaneous imaging of serotonin using three-photon excitation microscopy. Mass spectrometry of cell extracts and of in vitro solutions helps us identify the chemical nature of the adducts and establishes the reaction mechanisms. Our method has low toxicity, high selectivity, and the ability to directly report the location and concentration of monoamines in live cells.

The 17-residue-long N terminus in huntingtin controls stepwise aggregation in solution and on membranes via different mechanisms

Aggregation of huntingtin protein arising from expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences in the exon-1 region of mutant huntingtin plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease. The huntingtin aggregation pathways are of therapeutic and diagnostic interest, but obtaining critical information from the physiologically relevant htt exon-1 (Httex1) protein has been challenging. Using biophysical techniques and an expression and purification protocol that generates clean, monomeric Httex1, we identified and mapped three distinct aggregation pathways: 1) unseeded in solution; 2) seeded in solution; and 3) membrane-mediated. In solution, aggregation proceeded in a highly stepwise manner, in which the individual domains (N terminus containing 17 amino acids (N17), polyQ, and proline-rich domain (PRD)) become ordered at very different rates. The aggregation was initiated by an early oligomer requiring a pathogenic, expanded Gln length and N17 α-helix formation. In the second phase, β-sheet forms in the polyQ. The slowest step is the final structural maturation of the PRD. This stepwise mechanism could be bypassed by seeding, which potently accelerated aggregation and was a prerequisite for prion-like spreading in vivo Remarkably, membranes could catalyze aggregation even more potently than seeds, in a process that caused significant membrane damage. The N17 governed membrane-mediated aggregation by anchoring Httex1 to the membrane, enhancing local concentration and promoting collision via two-dimensional diffusion. Considering its central roles in solution and in membrane-mediated aggregation, the N17 represents an attractive target for inhibiting multiple pathways. Our approach should help evaluate such inhibitors and identify diagnostic markers for the misfolded forms identified here.

Spectrum of IgG4-related Kidney Disease at a Tertiary Care Center

IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4 RKD) is increasingly reported with varied manifestations. The present study was carried out to study the spectrum of IgG4 RKD. All patients with renal manifestation associated with conditions known to be associated with IgG4-related diseases (IgG4 RDs), or renal imaging or histology suggestive of IgG4 RKD were included and evaluated further. Patients with known extrarenal IgG4RD were also screened for renal involvement. Out of 40 patients screened over a period of 15 months, IgG4 RKD was diagnosed in 8. Majority were male (87.5%) with mean age being 56 years. Disease spectrum ranged from normal renal function in one to renal failure requiring dialysis in another two patients. Significant proteinuria was uncommon (12.5%) while hematuria was not seen in any patient. Tubulointerstitial nephritis was seen in all four patients who underwent kidney biopsy. Two patients had associated glomerular lesions in the form of immune complex crescentic glomerulonephritis. The most common imaging abnormality was hypodense renal lesions seen in 2 patients. Elevated IgG4 levels had 87.5% sensitivity and 78.3% specificity for IgG4 RKD and levels did not correlate with disease severity. Of 4 patients treated with steroids, 3 showed improvement in renal function. IgG4 RKD is an uncommon disease even at a referral tertiary care center. Elevated IgG4 levels alone are neither sensitive nor specific for the diagnosis of IgG4 RKD, and a combination of clinical, imaging, serological, and histological features are required for diagnosis.

Identification and characterization of a catechol-o-methyltransferase cDNA in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: Tissue, sex and seasonal variations, and effects of gonadotropin and 2-hydroxyestradiol-17β on mRNA expression

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the methylation and inactivation of endogenous and xenobiotic catechol compounds, and serves as a common biochemical link in the catecholamine and catecholestrogen metabolism. Studies on cloning, sequencing and function characterization comt gene in lower vertebrates like fish are fewer. In the present study, a full-length comt cDNA of 1442bp with an open-reading frame (ORF) of 792bp, and start codon (ATG) at nucleotide 162 and stop codon (TAG) at nucleotide 953 was isolated and characterized in the stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (accession No. KT597925). The ORF codes for a protein of 263 amino acid residues, which is also validated by the catfish transcriptome data analysis. The catfish Comt shared conserved putative structural regions important for S-adenosyl methionine (AdoMet)- and catechol-binding, transmembrane regions, two glycosylation sites (N-65 and N-91) at the N-terminus and two phosphorylation sites (Ser-235 and Thr-240) at the C-terminus. The gene was expressed in all tissues examined and the expression showed significant sex dimorphic distribution with high levels in females. The transcript was abundant in the liver, brain and gonads and low in muscles. The transcripts showed significant seasonal variations in the brain and ovary, increased progressively to the peak levels in spawning phase and then declined. The brain and ovarian comt mRNA levels showed periovulatory changes after in vivo and in vitro human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatments with high fold increases at 16 and 24h in the brain and at 16h in the ovary. The catecholestrogen 2-hydroxyE₂ up regulated ovarian comt expression in vitro with the highest fold increase at 16h. The mRNA and protein was localized in the follicular layer of the vitellogenic follicles and in the cytoplasm of primary follicles. The data were discussed in relation to catecholamine and catecholestrogen-mediated functions in the brain and ovary of the stinging catfish.

Metabolomics approach discriminates toxicity index of pyrazinamide and its metabolic products, pyrazinoic acid and 5-hydroxy pyrazinoic acid

Pyrazinamide (PYZ)-an essential component of primary drug regimen used for the treatment and management of multidrug resistant or latent tuberculosis-is well known for its hepatoxicity. However, the mechanism of PYZ-induced hepatotoxicity is still unknown to researchers. Studies have shown that the drug is metabolized in the liver to pyrazinoic acid (PA) and 5-hydroxy pyrazinoic acid (5-OHPA) which individually may cause different degrees of hepatotoxicity. To evaluate this hypothesis, PYZ, PA, and 5-OHPA were administered to albino Wistar rats orally (respectively, at 250, 125, and 125 mg kg^-1 for 28 days). Compared to normal rats, PYZ and its metabolic products decreased the weights of dosed rats and induced liver injury and a status of oxidative stress as assessed by combined histopathological and biochemical analysis. Compared to normal controls, the biochemical and morphological changes were more aberrant in PA- and 5-OHPA-dosed rats with respect to those dosed with PYZ. Finally, the serum metabolic profiles of rats dosed with PYZ, PA, and 5-OHPA were measured and compared with those of normal control rats. With respect to normal control rats, the rats dosed with PYZ and 5-OHPA showed most aberrant metabolic perturbations in their sera as compared to those dosed with PA. Altogether, the study suggests that PYZ-induced hepatotoxicity might be associated with its metabolized products, where 5-OHPA contributes to a higher degree in its overall toxicity than PA.

Stereoisomers Probe Steric Zippers in Amyloid-β

Shape complementarity between close-packed residues plays a critical role in the amyloid aggregation process. Here, we probe such "steric zipper" interactions in amyloid-β (Aβ₄₀), whose aggregation is linked to Alzheimer's disease, by replacing natural residues by their stereoisomers. Such mutations are expected to specifically destabilize the shape sensitive "packing" interactions, which may potentially increase their solubility and change other properties. We study the stereomutants DF19 and DL34 and also the DA2/DF4/DH6/DS8 mutant of Aβ₄₀. F19-L34 is a critical contact in a tightly packed region of Aβ, while residues 1-9 are known to be disordered. While both DF19 and DL34 slow down the kinetics of aggregation and form amyloid fibrils efficiently, only DL34 increases the final solubility. DF19 gives rise to additional off-pathway aggregation which results in large, kinetically stable aggregates, and has lower net solubility. DA2/DF4/DH6/DS8 does not have an effect on the kinetics or the solubility. Notably, both DF19 and DL34 oligomers have a significantly lower level of interactions with lipid vesicles and live cells. We conclude that stereoisomers can cause complex site dependent changes in amyloid properties, and provide an effective tool to determine the role of individual residues in shaping the packed interiors of amyloid aggregates.

Effects of the fish spawning inducer ovaprim on vasotocin receptor gene expression in brain and ovary of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis with a note on differential transcript expression in ovarian follicles

Ovaprim (OVP), a commercial formulation of a salmon GnRH analogue and the dopamine receptor-2 blocker domperidone, is a successful spawning inducer for fish breeding. It induces a preovulatory surge in LH, which stimulates the synthesis of a maturation-inducing steroid (MIS, 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one) that initiates germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and ovulation. Coincidently, the OVP treatment also stimulates vasotocin (VT) secretion in the brain and ovary of the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis that also stimulates the synthesis of the MIS. VT mediates its effect through V1- and V2-type receptors. In the present study in the catfish, we report that OVP stimulates the expression of VT receptor genes v1a1, v1a2 and v2a in the brain and ovary. A single intraperitoneal administration of OVP (0.5μL/g body weight) or incubation of post-vitellogenic ovarian follicles with 5μL/mL OVP, for 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24h stimulated ovulation and GVBD, respectively, in a time-dependent manner. The OVP treatment in vivo stimulated brain VT receptor transcript levels 4h onwards. The peak expression was noticed at 12h (v1a1), 8 and 12h (v1a2), and 8, 12 and 16h (v2a), coinciding with FOM and ovulation. The VT receptor genes are expressed in the ovarian follicles compartmentally; both v1a1 and v1a2 are expressed in the isolated follicular layer (theca and granulosa) but absent in denuded oocytes. V2a is expressed in the denuded oocytes and not in the follicular layer. The OVP injection stimulated the v1a1 and v1a2 expression from 4h onwards in both intact follicle and isolated follicular layer, the peak expression was observed at 16h. The v2a expression was up-regulated in both intact follicles and denuded oocytes at 4h (denuded oocytes) or 8h (intact follicle) onwards with the peak expression at 12h and 16h (denuded oocytes) or at 16h (intact follicles). Under in vitro conditions, the OVP incubations elicited similar pattern of changes with the peak stimulation at 16h for all the genes. In conclusion, the VT receptor genes are differentially expressed in the ovarian follicles and OVP induced periovulatory stimulation of the VT receptor genes, coinciding with FOM and ovulation.

Eculizumab for atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome in India: First report from India and the challenges faced

Much progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). Plasma therapy is the mainstay of treatment for aHUS. The availability of the first effective anti-complement therapeutic agent, eculizumab, has dramatically changed the outlook of this disease. However, its use in clinical practice raises important questions, such as who should receive the drug, when to start such therapy, and is it safe to stop treatment once the disease is controlled. We describe here for the 1^st time in India, use of eculizumab in a 12-year-old boy with aHUS. We also describe in this report challenges faced in procuring the drug, and an ideal, evidence-based method of treating aHUS in children.

Development of multifunctional heterocyclic Schiff base as a potential metal chelator: a comprehensive spectroscopic approach towards drug discovery

Amyloid-β peptides and their metal-associated aggregated states have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The present paper epitomises the design and synthesis of a small, neutral, lipophilic benzothiazole Schiff base (E)-2-((6-chlorobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylimino)methyl)-5-diethylamino)phenol (CBMDP), and explores its multifunctionalty as a potential metal chelator/fluorophore using UV-visible absorption, steady-state fluorescence, single molecule fluorescence correlation spectroscopic (FCS) techniques which is further corroborated by in silico studies. Some pharmaceutically relevant properties of the synthesized compound have also been calculated theoretically. Steady-state fluorescence and single molecule FCS reveal that the synthesized CBMDP not only recognizes oligomeric Aβ40, but could also be used as an amyloid-specific extrinsic fluorophore as it shows tremendous increase in its emission intensity in the presence of Aβ40. Molecular docking exercise and MD simulation reveal that CBMDP localizes itself in the crucial amyloidogenic and copper-binding region of Aβ40 and undergoes a strong binding interaction via H-bonding and π-π stacking. It stabilizes the solitary α-helical Aβ40 monomer by retaining the initial conformation of the Aβ central helix and mostly interacts with the hydrophilic N-terminus and the α-helical region spanning from Ala-2 to Val-24. CBMDP exhibits strong copper as well as zinc chelation ability and retards the rapid copper-induced aggregation of amyloid peptide. In addition, CBMDP shows radical scavenging activity which enriches its functionality. Overall, the consolidated in vitro and in silico results obtained for the synthesized molecule could provide a rational template for developing new multifunctional agents.

Optic nerve involvement in childhood onset systemic lupus erythematosus: Three cases and a review of the literature

The ocular system can be affected in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in one third of patients. However, optic nerve involvement is relatively uncommon, but is more so in pediatric SLE patients, where it can occur in 1% of cases. We report three children with SLE who presented with optic nerve involvement. Two children had optic neuritis, with optic neuritis being the first manifestation in one child. The third child had ischaemic optic neuropathy secondary to antiphospholipid syndrome. A careful work up for SLE should be performed in every child with optic nerve disease. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment results in a better prognosis.

An early folding contact between Phe19 and Leu34 is critical for amyloid-β oligomer toxicity

Small hydrophobic oligomers of aggregation-prone proteins are thought to be generically toxic. Here we examine this view by perturbing an early folding contact between Phe19 and Leu34 formed during the aggregation of Alzheimer's amyloid-β (Aβ40) peptide. We find that even conservative single mutations altering this interaction can abolish Aβ40 toxicity. Significantly, the mutants are not distinguishable either by the oligomers size or by the end-state fibrillar structure from the wild type Aβ40. We trace the change in their toxicity to a drastic lowering of membrane affinity. Therefore, nonlocal folding contacts play a key role in steering the oligomeric intermediates through specific conformations with very different properties and toxicity levels. Our results suggest that engineering the folding energy landscape may provide an alternative route to Alzheimer therapeutics.

Childhood lupus nephritis in a developing country-24 years' single-center experience from North India

OBJECTIVE

Data on outcome of childhood lupus nephritis from developing countries are sparse. This study looks at outcome in children with lupus nephritis from a federal government-funded teaching hospital in North India.

METHODS

This study included children less than 14 years of age with lupus nephritis who presented to a single center during a period of 24 years (1991 to 2013). Data on clinical characteristics and outcome were extracted from medical records. The primary outcome was actuarial survival (time-to-death) and secondary outcome was actuarial renal survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis. A worst-case scenario that assumed children who were lost to follow-up as having either died or gone into end-stage renal disease was also calculated. Log-rank test and Cox-regression were used to assess difference in survival by histological class and predictors of poor outcome, respectively.

RESULTS

This study included 72 children, with a female:male ratio of 3:1, mean (±SD) age at onset of lupus 9.3 (±2.4) years and mean (±SD) time from onset-to-nephritis being 9.4 (±12.6) months. Renal biopsy was conducted in 53 children. The most common histological class was class IV (35 children). Mortality occurred in 22 children (30%), with half of these occurring at presentation. The two important causes of death were infection and end-stage renal disease. Actuarial survival was 81%, 67% and 59% at one, five and 10 years, respectively. In the worst-case scenario, actuarial survival was 72%, 53% and 38%, respectively. Renal survival was 96%, 89% and 78% (worst-case scenario 86%, 73% and 52%) at one, five and 10 years, respectively. There was no difference in survival by histological class. On univariate analysis, serum creatinine at presentation (hazard ratio = 2.2 (95% CI 1.3-3.9)) and serious infection (hazard ratio 7.9 (95% CI 2.6-23.5)) were statistically significant predictors of time-to-death.

CONCLUSION

Outcome of children with lupus nephritis from India is worse than developed countries. Nearly one-third of the children died, half at presentation, with common causes being infection and end-stage renal disease.

Covalently attached fatty acyl chains alter the aggregation behavior of an amyloidogenic peptide derived from human β(2)-microglobulin

Aggregation of a polypeptide chain into highly ordered amyloid aggregates is a complex process. Various factors, both extrinsic and intrinsic to the polypeptide chain, have been shown to perturb this process, leading to a drastic change in the amyloidogenic behavior, which is reflected in the polymorphism of amyloid aggregates at various levels of self-assembly. In this paper, we have investigated the ability of covalently linked long-chain fatty acids in modulating the self-assembly of an aromatic amino acid-rich highly amyloidogenic sequence derived from the amino acid region 59-71 of human β2-microglobulin by thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence microscopy, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Our results indicate that under identical conditions of dissolution and concentration, each peptide enhances the fluorescence of ThT. However, the aggregates are morphologically distinct. For the same peptide, the aggregate morphologies are dependent on peptide concentration. Further, an optimum concentration, which varies with solution ionic strength, is required for the formation of fibrillar aggregates. We show that covalent modification of this amyloidogenic sequence, with long-chain fatty acids, affects the way the higher order amyloid structures assemble from the cross-β units, in fatty acyl chain-dependent and position-dependent manner. Our data indicate that noncovalent interactions leading to amyloid fibril formation can be modulated by the hydrophobicity of covalently attached long-chain fatty acids resulting in self-assembly of the peptide chain to form nonfibrillar aggregates.

Fatty acyl chain-dependent but charge-independent association of the SH4 domain of Lck with lipid membranes

The SH4 domain of Src family of nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases represents the extreme N-terminal 1-16 amino acid region which mediates membrane association of these proteins and facilitates their functions. The SH4 domains among Src members lack well-defined sequence consensus and vary in the net charge. However, they readily anchor to the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane upon fatty acid acylation. Here, we report the membrane association of differentially acylated SH4 domain of Lck kinase, which has net negative charge at physiological pH. Our results suggest that despite the net negative charge, the SH4 domain of Lck associates with membranes upon fatty acid acylation. While myristoylation at the N-terminus is sufficient for providing membrane anchorage, multiple acylation determines orientation of the peptide chain with respect to the lipid bilayer. Hence, fatty acylation serves more than just a lipid anchor. It has an important role in regulating the spatial orientation of the peptide domain with respect to the lipid bilayer, which could be important for the interaction of the other domains of these kinases with their partners.

Fatal bronchiolitis obliterans complicating Stevens-Johnson syndrome following treatment with nimesulide: a case report

Nimesulide is a frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic and antipyretic effects in children. In view of fatal adverse drug reactions, however, its safety has been questioned. A 5-year-old boy developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome following use of nimesulide which was later complicated by rapidly progressive fatal bronchiolitis obliterans.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma: prognostication as per international extranodal lymphoma study group score and reactive CD3 collar

BACKGROUND

Primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma is being increasingly recognized in immunosuppressed as well as immunocompetent individuals. It has a poor prognosis and the majority of these have diffuse large B-cell type of morphology.

AIM

To categorize cases of primary CNS lymphoma according to the International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) score and to correlate the score with reactive CD3 collar around blood vessels and necrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed the clinico-pathological, morphological and immuno-histochemical features of 30 cases of primary CNS lymphoma reported at our institute in the last nine years and categorized them according to the score given by IELSG.

RESULTS

All our cases were HIV-negative and had diffuse large cell histology. Twenty-seven of the 30 cases were associated with poor prognostic factors of intermediate to high risk according to the IELSG score. Reactive CD3 collar around the blood vessels was seen in seven cases which had low to intermediate IELSG score. However, no significant statistical difference of perivascular reactive CD3 collar and necrosis was seen with IELSG score.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 90% (27 cases) were associated with poor prognostic factors in the present study according to the IELSG score. Perivascular reactive CD3 collar was seen in cases with low to intermediate IELSG score. A larger study is required to further validate that the presence of reactive perivascular CD3 collar is associated with good prognosis. This histological marker could be supplemented with IELSG score to stratify the patients of primary CNS lymphoma according to their aggressiveness.

Targeted intracellular delivery of therapeutics: an overview

During the last decade, intracellular drug delivery has become an emerging area of research in the medical and pharmaceutical field. Many therapeutic agents such as drugs and DNA/oligonucleotides can be delivered not just to the cell but also to a particular compartment of that cell to achieve better activity e.g. proapoptotic drugs to the mitochondria, antibiotics and enzymes to the lysosomes and various anticancer drugs and gene to the nucleus. The lipidic nature of biological membrans is the major obstacle to the intracellular delivery of macromolecular and ionic drugs. Additionally, after endocytosis, the lysosome, the major degradation compartment, needs to be avoided for better activity. To avoid these problems, various carriers have been investigated for efficient intracellular delivery, either by direct entry to cytoplasm or by escaping the endosomal compartment. These include cell penetrating peptides, and carrier systems such as liposomes, cationic lipids and polymers, polymeric nanoparticles, etc. Various properties of these carriers, including size, surface charge, composition and the presence of cell specific ligands, alter their efficacy and specificity towards particular cells. This review summarizes various aspects of targeted intracellular delivery of therapeutics including pathways, mechanisms and approaches. Various carrier constructs having potential for targeted intracellular delivery are also been discussed.

Pegylated protein encapsulated multivesicular liposomes: a novel approach for sustained release of interferon alpha

Hepatitis C viral chemotherapy suffers from a relatively short half-life of the interferon alpha-2a (IFN alpha). To address this issue, we investigated the effects of polyethylene glycol modification and their subsequent encapsulation in multivesicular liposomes (MVLs), on the release properties of IFN alpha. In the present study, interferon-alpha was conjugated with methoxy-polyethylene glycol (mPEG, MW 5000). Prepared IFN alpha-mPEG5000 conjugate (IFN alpha-mPEG5000) was purified with size exclusion chromatography. The relative in vitro anti-viral activity of pegylated interferon alpha-2a was found to 87.9% of the unmodified IFN alpha. Pegylated IFN alpha encapsulated multivesicular liposomes were prepared by double emulsification technique followed by evaporation of organic solvents from chloroform ether spherules suspended in water. Prepared MVLs were then characterized for shape, size, vesicle count, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release rate. In process stability studies of pegylated IFN alpha protein exhibited better stability when exposed to chloroform: diethyl ether (1:1 ratio) mixture as well as variable vortexing time as compared to native IFN alpha. Relatively high percentage of encapsulation of protein ( approximately 75%) was achieved. In vitro release profile of pegylated IFN alpha-mPEG5000 containing MVLs in the PBS showed lower initial burst release with sustained and incomplete release over a period of 1 week. In contrast, native IFN alpha entrapped MVLs were observed as higher initial burst release, i.e., nearly 35% followed by almost complete release. The results confirmed the possibility of multivesicular liposomes as a long-acting or sustained-release delivery system using a combination of pegylation and encapsulation technique for controlled delivery of interferon alpha.

Non-ionic surfactant based vesicles (niosomes) for non-invasive topical genetic immunization against hepatitis B

DNA vaccines are capable of eliciting both humoral as well as cellular immune responses. Liposomes have been widely employed for DNA delivery through topical route; however, they suffer from certain drawbacks like higher cost and instability. In present study, non-ionic surfactant based vesicles (niosomes) for topical DNA delivery have been developed. DNA encoding hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was encapsulated in niosomes. Niosomes composed of span 85 and cholesterol as constitutive lipids were prepared by reverse phase evaporation method. Prepared niosomes were characterized for their size, shape and entrapment efficiency. The immune stimulating activity was studied by measuring serum anti-HBsAg titer and cyokines level (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) following topical application of niosomes in Balb/c mice and results were compared with naked DNA and liposomes encapsulated DNA applied topically as well as naked DNA and pure recombinant HBsAg administered intramuscularly. It was observed that topical niosomes elicited a comparable serum antibody titer and endogenous cytokines levels as compared to intramuscular recombinant HBsAg and topical liposomes. The study signifies the potential of niosomes as DNA vaccine carriers for effective topical immunization. The proposed system is simple, stable and cost effective compared to liposomes.

A pilot scale evaluation for adsorptive removal of lead (II) using treated granular activated carbon

Wastewaters discharged from the defence serviceable industries pose a serious environmental hazard due to their heavy metal load. The present study focused on optimizing the operational variables viz, hydraulic loading rate, bed height and feed concentration through bench scale study and using that for assessing the efficiency of pilot scale system with sulphur loaded carbon (AC-S) as the adsorbent in the removal of Pb (II). Static mode adsorption studies were also carried out for Pb (II) removal using treated (AC-S) and untreated carbon (AC). AC-S shows about 35 percent increase in maximum adsorption capacity over that on AC. The maximum adsorption capacity in the column mode for Pb (II) at the optimized conditions: bed height of 0.4 m, hydraulic loading rate of 7.5 m3h(-1)m(-2) and the feed concentration of 6 mg l(-1) for achieving 50% breakthrough concentration was found to be 2.89 mg g(-1). Adsorption mechanism involved during Pb (1) in the column has also been explored. Bohart-Adams model was used for modeling the bench scale data and predicting the adsorption behavior at pilot scale level.